Save the Date

Each year, on the Solemnity of the Epiphany, you may hear an additional chant sung during the Mass - this year those at 8:00am Mass will hear it. The Roman Missal gives the option for what is called The Announcement of Easter and the Moveable Feasts to be chanted following the Gospel, but prior to the homily, during Mass on the Solemnity of the Epiphany. This is an ancient practice of the Church which finds its roots in a time before calendars were a common household item. These feasts occur on a different day each year, so as a means to communicate these to the faithful, this announcement was established. The deacon or cantor lists off these important days of the Church year and what day they fall on. Why is this still important today? It helps to remind us of the centrality of the Easter Solemnity, Our Lord’s Resurrection in the Liturgical Year.
     While Easter is the primary Solemnity, other dates given in this announcement include the Ascension of the Lord, Pentecost, the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, and (as if just wrapping up Advent and Christmas wasn’t enough), the first day of Advent.