Solemnity

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A Solemnity of the Roman Catholic Church is a principal holy day in the liturgical calendar, usually commemorating an event in the life of Jesus, his mother Mary, or other important saints. The observance begins with the vigil on the evening before the actual date of the feast.

The word is taken from the Latin sollemnitas, a term of uncertain origin but possibly derived from sollus (whole) and annus (year), indicating a celebration occurring at yearly intervals.

Solemnities of the General Roman Calendar

January 1 The Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God formerly known as the Feast of the Circumcision of Christ
January 6 The Epiphany of the Lord observed in most dioceses on the second Sunday after Christmas (between Jan 2 and 8) in most dioceses, including those of the United States. The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord on the next Sunday (or on Monday if the observance of the Solemnity occurs on 7 or 8 January) ends the Christmas season.
March 19 Saint Joseph, husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary transferred to Monday whenever it falls on Sunday but to the Saturday before Palm Sunday if it falls on Palm Sunday or during Holy Week
March 25 The Annunciation of the Lord transferred to Monday whenever it falls on a Sunday but to the Monday after the Second Sunday of Easter whenever it falls on Palm Sunday, during Holy Week, or during the Octave of Easter; nowhere a holy day of obligation
22 March to 25 April (varies) The Resurrection of the Lord (Easter Sunday)
40th day of Easter The Ascension of the Lord moved to the following Sunday in some areas
50th day of Easter Pentecost
Sunday after Pentecost The Most Holy Trinity
Thursday after Trinity Sunday The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ Corpus Christi, moved to the following Sunday in most areas, including the United States of America
Friday eight (or five) days after Corpus Christi Thursday (or Sunday) The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus nowhere a holy day of obligation
June 24 The Nativity of Saint John the Baptist nowhere a holy day of obligation
June 29 Saint Peter and Saint Paul, Apostles
August 15 The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
November 1 All Saints
Last Sunday before Advent (late November) Our Lord Jesus Christ the King
December 8 The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
December 25 The Nativity of the Lord holy day of obligation at least almost everywhere; also known as Christmas

These solemnities are observed throughout the entire Roman Catholic Church. In addition, there are some which are observed in particular places, regions, or in particular religious orders. For instance, when a parish or other church celebrates the feast or memorial of its titular saint or when it celebrates the anniversary of its dedication, it is treated as a solemnity.[1] The feast of Saint Patrick on 17 March is a solemnity in Ireland, and the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel on 16 July is a solemnity for the Carmelites.

Some solemnities are also Holy Days of Obligation, on which Catholics are required to attend Mass; some are not. Moreover, the canon law of the Catholic Church requires that on Holy Days of Obligation Catholics are to avoid "work" and "affairs" that "hinder the worship to be rendered to God" or interfere with "suitable relaxation of mind and body" just as is required on Sundays.[2]

If a solemnity falls on a Sunday, the Mass is celebrated with the readings and prayers appropriate to the particular feast, rather than to the particular Sunday. The Creed is recited at Mass, and there are two scriptural readings and a responsoral psalm before the Gospel. When a solemnity falls on a Friday, the obligation to abstain from meat or do penance is lifted. [3] No solemnity except the Resurrection of the Lord on Easter Sunday can fall during Holy Week or during the Octave of Easter; the Church transfers any otherwise scheduled solemnity to another available date.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ See General Norms for the Liturgical Year and the Calendar § 59(I)(4).
  2. ^ Can. 1247, Code of Canon Law
  3. ^ Codex Iuris Canonici canon 1251.

[edit] External links

  • Universalis An excellent liturgical calendar of the Catholic Church including the liturgy of the hours and the mass readings.
  • "Solemnity" article from The Catholic Encyclopedia (1912)
  • [1] Liturgical calendar for the year 2008 in the United States of America