Important Liturgical Dates for the Church Year 2017-2018

Sunday Cycle = Year B Weekday Cycle = Year 2

Outside , , , and Time, on Saturdays which have no commemoration having the rank of obligatory or higher, a in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary may be celebrated. The readings and prayers may be selected from the Collection of Masses of the Blessed Virgin Mary (revised editions currently available from Catholic Book Publishing Company and Liturgical Press).

A funeral Mass is not permitted on: Holydays, the Easter Triduum, Sundays of Advent, Lent, and Easter Time. It is permitted on Sundays of . NFM = No Funeral Mass permitted

The readings for Mass are available online (readings for memorials are not provided) at the USCCB website (Spanish readings are available there as well once you click on the daily reading) http://www.usccb.org/calendar/index.cfm?showLit=1&action=month The site also provides brief video reflections for each day: http://www.usccb.org/bible/reflections/ There is also an audio clip of the readings being proclaimed (may be helpful for readers): http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings-audio.cfm

Where the date alone is bolded, these are days on the Proper Calendar for Dioceses in the USA

Dec. 3 First Sunday of Advent; NFM

During Advent the floral decoration of the altar should be marked by a moderation suited to the character of this time of year, without expressing in anticipation the full joy of the Nativity of the Lord. Floral decoration should always show moderation and be arranged around the altar rather than on the altar table. (GIRM #305)

In Advent the use of the organ and other musical instruments should be marked by a moderation suited to the character of this time of year, without expressing in anticipation the full joy of the Nativity of the Lord. (cf. GIRM #313)

Dec. 8 of the of the BVM, Patronal Feastday of the USA – ; NFM Dec. 10 Second Sunday of Advent; NFM Dec. 12 Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe (patroness of the Americas); Holds the rank of Feast for all the countries of the Americas Dec. 17 Third Sunday of Advent; NFM

Dec. 17-23 “O” Dec. 24 Fourth Sunday of Advent; NFM ANY SUNDAY EVENING MASSES MUST BE FOR THE VIGIL OF CHRISTMAS Dec. 25 Nativity of the Lord (Christmas) - Holyday of Obligation; NFM

• A rubric in the Lectionary for Christmas indicates that it is permitted to choose from among any of the readings for the three Masses for Christmas Day (Midnight, Dawn, Day), depending on pastoral needs, provided one respects the order of one O.T., a Psalm, a N.T., and a Gospel. For the Vigil Mass, its proper readings must be used. • The liturgical formulae, however, must be chosen in accord with the time of the day, i.e., Vigil, Midnight, Dawn, and Day. It is not allowed to use the prayers for the Mass at Dawn during the Midnight Mass, nor is it allowed to choose some prayers from one Mass and others from another. • Christmas Time extends from Evening Prayer I of Christmas through the Baptism of the Lord, Monday, 8 January, 2018. • During the Creed, all genuflect at the words “and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man.” (GIRM #137)

Reminder that the Roman Missal includes, at the end of Appendix I, the music and text for: • the announcement of “The Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ,” from the Roman Martyrology, which may be sung before Midnight Mass; and • “The Announcement of Easter and the Moveable Feasts,” which may be sung after the Gospel on the .

Dec. 26 Feast of St. Stephen, the First Martyr Dec. 27 Feast of St. John, Apostle and Evangelist Dec. 28 Feast of the Holy Innocents, Martyrs Dec. 31 Feast of the of Jesus, Mary and Joseph Jan. 1 Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God and the Octave Day of the Nativity of the Lord – NOT a Holyday of Obligation; NFM World Day of Peace

Jan. 4 Obligatory Memorial of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, Religious Jan. 5 Obligatory Memorial of Saint John Neumann, Bishop Jan. 6 Optional Memorial of Saint André Bessette, Religious Jan. 7 Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord (Vigil Mass may be celebrated the evening before); NFM

Jan. 8 Feast of the Baptism of the Lord (closes Christmas Time); Jan. 9 Tuesday of the First Week in Ordinary Time (LoH = Psalter Week I) Jan. 18-25 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

Jan. 22 Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children From the Masses and Prayers for Various Needs and Occasions: For Giving Thanks to God for the Gift of Human Life (no. 48/1), with white vestments; or For the Preservation of Peace and Justice (no. 30), with violet vestments. Readings: 2 Sm 5:1-7, 10/Mk 3:22-30 (317) or, any readings from the Lectionary for Ritual Masses (vol. IV), the “Mass for Peace and Justice,” nos. 887-891.

Jan. 23 Optional Memorial of Saint Vincent, Deacon and Martyr, or the optional Memorial of Saint Marianne Cope, Virgin Jan. 25 Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul the Apostle (closes the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity) Jan. 28 Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time All could be invited to bring candles to Mass the following Friday to be blessed during the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord Feb. 2 Feast of the Presentation of the Lord (World Day for Consecrated Life), candles are normally blessed at this Mass, some of which may then be used for the blessing of throats the following day for the feast of St. Blaise

Feb. 14 During Lent it is forbidden for the altar to be decorated with flowers. Exceptions, however, are (Fourth Sunday of Lent), , and feasts. Floral decoration should always show moderation and be arranged around the altar rather than on the altar table. (cf. GIRM #305) In Lent the playing of the organ and musical instruments is allowed only in order to support the singing. Exceptions, however, are Laetare Sunday (Fourth Sunday of Lent), Solemnities, and feasts. (cf. GIRM #313)

Feb. 18 First Sunday of Lent; NFM Rite of Election (3pm only) Feb. 22 Feast of the Chair of St. Peter the Apostle Mar. 3 Optional Memorial of Saint Katharine Drexel, Virgin

Mar. 18 Fifth Sunday of Lent; NFM In the Dioceses of the United States, the practice of covering crosses and images throughout the church from this Sunday may be observed. Crosses remain covered until the end of the Celebration of the Lord’s Passion on , but images remain covered until the beginning of the . (Roman Missal rubric) The are not covered as they remain a Lenten devotion throughout the season.

Mar. 19 Solemnity of St. Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Mar. 22 and Day of Reflection The text for “The Reception of the Holy Oils” into the parish following the Chrism Mass can be found on the USCCB website: http://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/liturgical-year/triduum/reception-of-holy- oils.cfm or in the Sacramentary Supplement published in 2004 by Catholic Book Publishing Co.

The reception of the holy oils may take place before the Mass of the Lord's Supper on Holy Thursday or on another day after the celebration of the Chrism Mass.

Mar. 25 of the Passion of the Lord; NFM • The days of , from Monday to Thursday inclusive, have precedence over all other celebrations. It is not fitting that Baptisms or Confirmations be celebrated on these days since they have their natural place in the Easter Vigil. • Pastors should remind the faithful that the paschal fast "should also be kept sacred. It is to be celebrated everywhere on the Friday of the Lord’s passion and, where appropriate, prolonged also through as a way of coming, with spirit uplifted, to the joys of the Lord’s resurrection." (Roman Missal rubric)

Mar. 29 - April 1 The • Funeral Masses are not allowed on Holy Thursday, or during the Paschal Triduum. Funeral rites on these days make use of a liturgy of the Word, closing with the rite of Farewell, as found in the Order of Christian Funerals, part I, no. 4. Readings should reflect the nature of these days, and Communion is not given. • On Holy Thursday and Good Friday, the Eucharist is distributed only during the liturgy, but may be brought to the sick at any convenient hour.

Good Friday • It is recommended that there be a communal celebration of the Office of Readings and Morning Prayer on Good Friday and Holy Saturday. This Office, formerly called , could fittingly be celebrated by the Bishop in the Cathedral with, as far as possible, the participation of the clergy and the laity. • It is encouraged to sing the Solemn Intercessions, as well as the chants for the solemn Adoration of the Holy Cross.

Holy Saturday • The image of Christ crucified or lying in the tomb or the descent to the dead, which mystery Holy Saturday recalls, as well as an image of the sorrowful Virgin Mary, can be placed in the church for the veneration of the faithful. • On Holy Saturday, the Eucharist is not given before the Easter Vigil celebration; it may be given only as Viaticum. • On Holy Saturday, the celebration of Marriage is forbidden, as is also the celebration of other sacraments, except those of Penance and Anointing of the Sick.

Easter Vigil • Those parts unique to the Vigil which should always be sung are: the acclamations during the with the paschal candle; the Easter Proclamation (Exsultet); the responsorial “;” the Litany of Saints; and the acclamation after the blessing of water. • Astronomical twilight, defined as that point in the evening when the sun does not contribute to sky illumination, will occur in Jefferson City on Mar. 31, 2018 at 8:02 PM. In the Diocese of Jefferson City, then, it is legitimate to begin the Easter Vigil at 8:00 PM.

April 1 Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord; NFM (The Triduum concludes with Easter .)

Although not given the title of Solemnity, “[t]he first eight days of Easter Time constitute the and are celebrated as Solemnities of the Lord” (Universal Norms on the and the Calendar, no. 24)

April 8 (or Sunday of Divine Mercy) April 9 Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord – During the Creed, all genuflect at the words “and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man.” (GIRM #137)

April 25 Feast of Saint Mark, Evangelist May 3 Feast of Saints. Phillip and James, Apostles

May 5 Feast of the Dedication of the Cathedral of St. Joseph (Solemnity within the Cathedral): Mass from the Common of the Dedication of a Church, Gloria, Preface from Dedication of a Church II

May 10 Optional Memorial of St. Damien de Veuster, Priest May 13 Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord (Vigil Mass may be celebrated the evening before); NFM; Mother’s Day

May 14 Feast of St. Matthias, Apostle May 15 Optional Memorial of St. Isidore May 20 Solemnity of (Vigil Mass--including an extended Vigil--may be celebrated the evening before); NFM • Easter Time ends with the conclusion of Evening Prayer II • If Vespers is not celebrated publicly, the paschal candle may be carried in procession at the end of (each) Sunday Mass as a sign that Easter Time has come to an end.

May 21 Monday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time (Optional Memorial of Saint Christopher Magallanes, Pries, and Companions, Martyrs); LoH = Psalter Week III) May 27 Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity; NFM

May 28 Memorial Day -- with the permission of the bishop, the Mass for Peace and Justice, #22A or B, may be celebrated; the Order for Visiting a Cemetery (cf. Book of Blessings, nos. 1734-1754) may be used May 31 Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

June 3 Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi); NFM

June 8 Solemnity of the Most of Jesus June 10 Feast of the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary, patroness of the Jefferson City Diocese (observed as a Feast in the Diocese); Bishop Gaydos has transferred this day to Sunday for the Diocese, thus displacing the 10th Sunday in Ordinary Time Readings: FIRST READING: Is. 61:9-11; RESPONSE: 1 Sam. 2:1, 4-5, 6-7, 8abcd SECOND READING: Eph. 1:3-6, 11-12 GOSPEL: Lk. 2:41-51

June 17 Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time Father’s Day June 24 Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint ; (Vigil Mass may be celebrated the evening before) This displaces the 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time June 29 Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles; (Vigil Mass may be celebrated the evening before)

July 3 Feast of St. Thomas, Apostle July 4 Independence Day; Mass is provided in the Proper of Saints; may use any reading from the Lectionary for Ritual Masses, vol. IV, the Mass “For Public Needs,” nos. 882-886, or “For Peace and Justice,” nos. 887-891 July 5 Optional Memorial of St. Elizabeth of Portugal July 14 Obligatory Memorial of Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, Virgin July 18 Optional Memorial of Saint Camillus de Lellis, Priest July 25 Feast of St. James, Apostle Aug. 6 Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord Aug. 10 Feast of Saint Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr Aug. 15 Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Holyday of Obligation; NFM (Vigil Mass may be celebrated the evening before) Aug. 24 Feast of Saint Bartholomew, Apostle [Aug. 27] Obligatory Memorial of St. Monica Anniversary of the Episcopal Ordination and Installation of Bishop John R. Gaydos (1997) – to be commemorated (i.e., prayers should be offered for him in the liturgy), but it is not a liturgical day itself Sept. 3 [Labor Day; for pastoral advantage, the Mass “For the Blessing of Human Labor” may be used. Readings are of the day (no. 431), or may be taken from the Lectionary for Ritual Masses (vol. IV), nos. 907-911] Sept. 8 Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Sept. 14 Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross Sept. 21 Feast of Saint Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist Sept. 29 Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, Archangels Oct. 5 Optional Memorial of Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos, Priest Oct. 6 Optional Memorial of Blessed Marie Rose Durocher, Virgin Oct. 11 Optional Memorial of Saint John XXIII, Pope Oct. 18 Feast of Saint Luke, Evangelist Oct. 19 Obligatory Memorial of Saints John de Brébeuf and Isaac Jogues, Priests, and Companions, Martyrs Oct. 20 Optional Memorial of Saint Paul of the Cross, Priest Oct. 22 Optional Memorial of Saint John Paul II

Nov. 1 Solemnity of All Saints, Holyday of Obligation; NFM Nov. 2 The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls’ Day)

Nov. 9 Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica Nov. 13 Obligatory Memorial of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Nov. 18 Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time Cultural Mass at the Cathedral Nov. 22 Memorial of Saint Cecilia, Virgin and Martyr Thanksgiving Day; [For pastoral advantage, the Mass “In Thanksgiving to God” may be used for Thanksgiving Day. Readings are of the day (no. 500), or may be taken from the Lectionary for Ritual Masses (vol. IV), nos. 943-947 (see esp. Sir 50:22-24 [943.2]/1 Cor 1:3-9 [944.1]/Lk 17:11-19 [947.6])]

Nov. 23 Optional Memorial of Blessed Miguel Agustín Pro, Priest and Martyr Nov. 25 Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe

Nov. 30 Feast of St. Andrew, Apostle ______Dec. 2 First Sunday of Advent - 2018

Reminder that the principal patron of your parish church or mission is celebrated under the rank of a Solemnity (cf. the “Table of Liturgical Days According to Their Order of Precedence” in the Roman Missal) and supersedes Feasts of the Lord, Sundays of Ordinary Time and Christmas Time, as well as Feasts of the BVM.