Confetti is the Italian name for the candy-covered almonds that are customarily given at special life events in Italian, French, and Greek cultures. This ancient tradition dates back to Roman times as these almonds were used as a reminder of how life is both bitter and sweet. Confetti comes in many colors for many occasions, but in Italian families, five white coated almonds are presented to guests as party favors in little baskets, cases, or tulle bags with ribbon. Each of the five almonds stand for the following wishes upon the newlyweds as they begin life's bittersweet journey together: 1) happiness, 2) health, 3) wealth, 4) fertility, and 5) longevity.
It was of special meaning to the bride to have a Marian Cross and 12 stars included on the cake as she has a strong devotion to Mary, the Mother of God. The Marian Cross represents Mary's connection to the redemptive suffering of Christ. This image was designed by Mary herself and was presented as the back image to be placed on the Miraculous Medal, a popular Catholic sacramental medal.
In 1830, God willed that Mary appear to St. Catherine of Laboure, when she was a novice at the Daughters of Charity in Paris, France. In her visions with Our Lady, Mary requested a special medal be made by which its wearers may receive graces from God. On the front Mary requested an image of herself standing above the globe be printed with rays representing the graces God wishes to bestow to those who ask for them through his mother’s intercession. Around her image, Mary requested the words, “O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee,” be printed in the shape of an oval. On the back, she requested the image of the Marian Cross with images of her Son's Sacred Heart and her Immaculate Heart imprinted below. Surrounding these images on the back of the medal are twelve stars representing the 12 apostles and the 12 stars surrounding the woman described by St. John in the Book of Revelation (12:1), which is a reference to Our Lady, Mary and her role in Chrit's Salvation.
After Church approval of St. Catherine's visions and the first casting of these medals in 1832, numerous miracles have been attributed to what are now called Miraculous Medals. O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee!
This is a wedding tradition we specifically chose to honor Mary and the consecration of our marriage to her. It also incorporates pieces of Mexican tradition into the ceremony. The wedding lasso is said to have been dated back to the 14th century and is traditionally present in Mexican, Filipino, and Spanish Catholic wedding celebrations. A cord is wrapped around the bride and groom in the shape of a figure eight, or the infinity symbol which represents how the union of the couple is until death do they part. Some couples may specifically use a large rosary that has two loops so that a couple may pray together. One loop is placed over the groom and the other over the bride instead of using a rope cord. The crucifix will then dangle between the couple to signify Christ at the center of their vocation to marriage. The beauty of this tradition is that after the ceremony, the couple has a rosary to pray together to strengthen them and remind them of their vocation. These rosaries are then passed down the generations as family heirlooms.
This is a wedding tradition rooted in Spanish, Filipino, and Latin American culture. A total of 13 coins are blessed by the priest and given to the bride by the groom. Traditionally, they represent the groom's responsibility to provide for his bride and future family. They also signify the shared union of the bride and groom, “what is mine, is now yours”. The number 13 is used to symbolize both Jesus and his twelve apostles, and prosperity and generosity of the couple. One coin for each of the 12 months of the year plus an additional coin to give to the poor. During the ceremony, the coins are traditionally presented to the priest for a blessing by the padrinos and madrinas (godparents) of the groom as a way to wish prosperity upon the couple. However, for our ceremony we have chosen to have our mentor couple, John and Rose Hageman, from our marriage prep take on this role to carry the coins as they helped provide the rich wisdom and formation to prepare us to start our lives together in marriage.
Latria is a Latin term for the worship given to God alone. Dulia is a Latin term referring to the veneration given to the saints. Hyperdulia is the special veneration given to Mary, the Mother of Jesus Christ, our God. Catholics give worship to God alone and not the saints, but just like how we give out special awards and ceremonies to honor individuals who have great accomplishments, Catholics give honor to the saints who have accomplished lives of high virtue in the Christian life. The Mother of God in particular stands out above all saints as Catholics believe God preserved her from the stain of Original Sin so she could be the pure vessel that carried Jesus Christ in her womb and to be his mother. In ancient Israel, it was the queen mother of the king who stood behind in ruling the kingdom. Mary is the Queen Mother of Heaven under her Lord and King, Jesus Christ. Furthermore, just as we have a special affection for our own mothers, so too does Jesus have an affection for his own mother that he wishes us to give to her also.
One of the most popular and universal Catholic wedding traditions is for the newlyweds to present a bouquet of flowers and take a moment of prayer to honor the Mother of God on their wedding day. In some cases, a bride may offer her own bouquet before a statue of Mary as a sign of love for her. This is done after communion and often a hymn to Mary is played during this moment of the Nuptial Mass where the couple asks for Mary's intercession to watch over and protect them all the days of their marriage. From her place in heaven with her son, Catholics believe Mary prays for our salvation before the throne of God as he willed for her to play this special role in Salvation history as the Mother of God and our adopted mother through Christ's Church. During this moment of the Mass, it is our wish everyone will turn their hearts in prayer thanking and loving God for the gift of our mother, Mary, and asking her to pray for us all and Ulysses and Anna on our wedding day.