We have been asked to provide music for a Maronite rite wedding, and we do not have the knowledge or resources to properly plan. Could anybody help with this?
Can you speak with the priest who will be doing the ceremony? He at least will have the rubrics that you need, and can most likely direct you additionally.
Ask the pastor for a few resources. You will need the Mystery of Crowning booklet, and the Cedars of Lebanon book. Also, a cantor is indispensable. The Maronites sing everything!
Psalms may be chanted while the guests are being seated in the church. Otherwise, just play organ music softly.
At the entrance of the wedding party, we usually chant psalm 128 or psalm 95 out of the Cedars of Lebanon book.
Then comes the Hymn of the Angels (Al Majdu) which you can download from Maronitemusic.org. There are a number of different versions. Ask the pastor what to use.
Then the hymn (qolo), for which we use #128 in the Cedars of Lebanon book.
The Psalm of the Readings (mazmooro) follows next, which #28 in the Cedars of Lebanon book.
The Alleluia (Fetgomo) which follows, is #30 from the Cedars of Lebanon book. The verse is taken from the Mystery of Crowning booklet.
The Korozooto chanted after the Gospel is on page 8 in the Mystery of Crowning booklet. I have the music for this. I am not certain where to obtain it. It is not a part of the ancient rite anyway, and some pastors might not use it.
After the Readings and Gospel are finished, and all of the above chanting is completed, comes the Rite of Crowning, which comes out of the Mystery of Crowning booklet: 1. The hymn (qolo) is on page 9. I have music for this, but I don't know where to obtain it. It may also be spoken. 2. Psalm 21 for the Crowning of the Groom is #208 in the Cedars of Lebanon book. 3. Psalm 45 for the Crowning of the Bride is #232 in the Cedars of Lebanon book. 4. The Hymn of St. Ephrem is #128 in the Cedars of Lebanon book.
Transfering of the Offering occurs after the homily and is #38 in the Cedars of Lebanon book.
The Rite of Peace (Tooba) is sometimes sung. Music and words to go with this rite are found at Maronitemusic.org. Ask the pastor which version of this to use.
The Holy, Holy, Holy (Qodduson) is found in the Cedars of Lebanon book, or at Maronitemusic.org. Ask the pastor which version of this to use.
For the Fraction rite, we use "You have united", which is #40 in the Cedars of Lebanon book. Check with the pastor. He may want something else. There are a number of options here.
While the faithful are receiving Holy Communion, we chant psalms 37, 112, and 127 out of the Cedars of Lebanon book.
At the ablutions after Holy Communion, sometimes something to the Blessed Mother is sung. Check with the pastor and the bride. Otherwise, organ can be played softly.
For the Recessional, again check with the pastor and the bride. Sometimes they want an organ march, and sometimes a psalm chanted.
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