Dear Folks,
Today (Sunday) is December 8th. Doesn’t that mean that it is our patronal feast of the Immaculate Conception? Well, not quite. Because Advent is a privileged season, the celebration of the 2nd Sunday of Advent takes priority over the Holy Day for Mary. Since the Immaculate Conception is such an important feast, it will actually be celebrated December 9th! Now here is where it gets complicated, although the celebration of the feast is moved to Monday, the obligation to attend Mass does not transfer.
So, Monday December 9th, while it is still a super holy day, is NOT a Holy Day of Obligation. Because the day is so super holy, we have an extra Mass tomorrow (Monday) at 6 pm. So we will have 4 Masses on Monday, December 9th; 6:30 am, 9 am, 12 Noon and 6 pm.
Hope that helps you to celebrate Our Lady!
Also, with the short season of Advent, I give you two pieces of advice:
1. Go to confession as early in the season as possible. Lines and penances get longer the closer we get to Christmas! (Just kidding about the longer penances ;-).
2. Plan your Christmas Eve is such a way that you avoid the 4pm Masses! There are always more seats available at the 6:30 pm HCA, 8:30 pm in the church and midnight Mass. I go on Christmas Eve because I have reserved parking and a seat….. but sorry, seminary takes a long time to earn those reservations!
pax,
fr mosimann
