Weekend holy days and Masses

By PAUL QUIRINI- | Comments: 0 | Leave a comment

With Christmas and the Feast of the Solemnity of Mary (Jan. 1) falling on Saturdays this year, there may be confusion among some Catholics as to when they are obligated to attend Mass. Here are some answers:

* Because Christmas falls on a Saturday, parishes won't celebrate Saturday evening anticipatory Masses for Sunday, Dec. 26. Cathy Lavender, director of the diocesan Office of Prayer and Worship, noted: "When you go to Mass for Christmas, you are fulfilling a holy day of obligation. You are not fulfilling a Sunday obligation." In other words, going to Mass on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day doesn't fulfill a Catholic's obligation to attend Mass on Sunday, Dec. 26, the Feast of the Holy Family.

* The Feast of the Solemnity of Mary, because it falls on a Saturday, is still a holy day but not one of obligation. Whenever the Solemnity of Mary, the Assumption (August 15) or All Saints Day (Nov. 1) fall on a Saturday or Monday, the obligation to attend Mass is abrogated.

* Parishes will have Saturday anticipatory Masses for Sunday, Jan. 2, the Epiphany of the Lord, which takes precedence over the Solemnity of Mary. (PQ)

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