Secretary
Dec 13, 20231 min
As we prepare to celebrate the birth of our Savior, I would like to remind you of the importance of attending Mass on both the Fourth Sunday of Advent and Christmas this year. These are two distinct solemnities, or high feast days, that require our participation in the Eucharist as an expression of our faith and love for God.
The Fourth Sunday of Advent falls on December 24, and Christmas on December 25. Since both are days of obligation, we cannot fulfill both obligations with one Mass. We need to attend two separate Masses, one for each solemnity. However, we have some flexibility in choosing which Masses to attend, as long as they are celebrated at different times of the day.
The obligation for the Fourth Sunday of Advent may be fulfilled at any Mass from the evening of Saturday, December 23 and throughout the entire day of Sunday, December 24. That is, you can attend the anticipated Mass for the Fourth Sunday of Advent on Saturday evening, or any Mass (even a Vigil Mass for Christmas) on Sunday.
The obligation for Christmas may be fulfilled from the evening of Sunday, December 24 and throughout Monday, December 25. That is, you can attend any evening Mass (after 4 pm) on Sunday, or any Mass on Monday.