Advertisement

Christmas Falls on a Saturday This Year. What Does That Mean for Mass Obligations? 

null. haak78, Shutterstock
CNA Staff

By CNA Staff

Denver Newsroom, 21 December, 2021 / 11:30 am (ACI Africa).

As much as some of us would like a few extra days to prepare, Christmas 2021, ready or not, is Saturday, Dec. 25.

“How will I possibly finish my shopping and house cleaning by then?” is not the only urgent question that faithful Catholics are asking themselves this week. What about Christmas weekend Masses? Because the holiday falls on Saturday, are Catholics obligated to attend Mass twice?

Yes. Catholics have an obligation to attend Mass on both Christmas Day, Saturday, Dec. 25, and on the following day, Sunday, Dec. 26. 

Each obligation must be fulfilled, so one Mass on the afternoon of Christmas will not fulfill both obligations.

Each obligation may be fulfilled by attendance at a Mass celebrated in a Catholic rite on the day itself, or on the evening of the preceding day. 

Advertisement

The obligation for Christmas can then be fulfilled by attendance at any Mass on the evening of Christmas Eve, or at any time on Christmas Day.

And the obligation for the Sunday within the Octave of Christmas can be fulfilled by attendance at any Mass on the evening of Christmas Day, or on the Sunday itself.

Some of you (likely those who already have their shopping done and gifts wrapped) may already be looking ahead to New Year's weekend. Do the same obligations apply?

No. Saturday, Jan. 1 is the Solemnity of Mary, but it’s not a holy day of obligation this year. However, Masses will still be offered in observance of the solemnity. Check your local parish’s schedule.

Looking way ahead to next year, the schedule is pretty simple: Christmas Day and New Year’s Day both fall on Sunday.

More in World

notre dame

U.S. President-elect Trump to Attend Notre Dame Cathedral Reopening in Paris

Read the article

 

Trending

You may also like

The Vatican and Microsoft have created a 3D digital model of St. Peter’s Basilica using the latest in artificial intelligence to offer a new way to experience the nearly 2,000-year history of the tomb of St. Peter. / Credit: Microsoft La Basilica Di San Pietro: AI-Enhanced Experience

Discover the History of St. Peter’s Basilica in New Microsoft Oline AI-enhanced 3D Model

Accessible worldwide at virtual.basilicasanpietro.va, the free interactive platform allows anyone in the world to “visit” the virtual 3D model of...

An external view of the Chapel of the Ascension on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem during the procession of the Franciscan friars after the first vespers of the Ascension solemnity on May 8, 2024. The procession circled the chapel three times. / Credit: Marinella Bandini

Catholics Ascend to Mount Olives, Site of Jesus’ Ascension, Only Day They Can Use Chapel Currently Under Muslim Control

“I’m excited to have come to pray in the actual place of the Ascension... I want to be closer to...

Pope Francis arriving at the meeting with bishops, priests, deacons, consecrated persons, seminarians and catechists in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Dili, East Timor, Sept. 10, 2024. / Vatican Media

Catholics in East Timor Welcome Pope Francis to their Island "oasis" of Religious Vocations

Speaking in Dili's cathedral, Pope Francis challenged East Timor's Catholic leaders to renew evangelization efforts, declaring that the nation's position...