Advent is well under way and we arrive at that date of December 8th, traditionally the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. Since celebrated in Advent, and because the Church proclaims the Gospel of Gabriel's visit to Mary to announce she will bear a Son and name Him Jesus, most people never realized what we were celebrating anyway. The Immaculate Conception is that glorious pronouncement of the Church, taught infallibly, that Mary herself was conceived without sin so she would be the one and only vessel to carry Jesus; the ark of the New Covenant!
This year, December 8th falls on Sunday and it happens to be the 2nd Sunday in Advent. So in most of the world, the Sunday will be celebrated with the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception moved to Monday, December 9th. The Bishops of the USA are among those who have declared this to be so, and have released us poor overworked and over stressed Catholics from any obligation to even celebrate the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception at all. Some nations, moving it to Monday too, still oblige their faithful to attend Mass. Now in Europe, including Italy and Vatican City, they have decided that the Immaculate Conception indeed is the celebration of the day and the 2nd Sunday of Advent does not exist. Confused yet? So simply, the Pope will celebrate Immaculate Conception. Your parish in America will celebrate 2nd Sunday of Advent.
One further point of confusion; I believe those who follow the 1962 missal an attend the older traditional Latin rite Mass will also celebrate the Immaculate Conception.
Now for the Deacon's opinion: I like leaving the 2nd Sunday of Advent on the 8th. There are only 4 Sunday's in Advent and they build to the great celebration of Christmas! I like moving the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception to Monday, December 9th. I don't like making the day a freebie; why release Catholics from Mass? Yes, I get it, about work and school but wouldn't the same rules apply about missing Mass for good reason on the 9th as it would on the 8th?
Catholic Churches could accommodate with schedules by region that would emphasis before work, lunch hour, early evening(like 5 PM) and later evening(like 7 or 7:30 PM). Catholic schools and seminaries could take that date off to make more Priests available for Masses in the parishes. Why not try?
We have lost the sense that these Holy Days of Obligation are important. We forget that the Immaculate Conception and the Assumption used to be the two days that were never excused for Mass attendance.
I also think it confuses the Body of Christ that you can watch Mass from the Vatican early tomorrow morning and it's one thing, then go to Mass at your locale and it's another. But that is a valid option as the Bishops of each country have that responsibility.
In any event, will you join me and find a Mass on December 9th for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception?
No comments:
Post a Comment