CHAPTER 11 NOTES ON SEASONS AND FEASTS Nota bene: This chapter takes note of variations between the Sacramentary now in use and the Roman Missal of 2003 and its English translation currently in preparation by the USCCB and the Holy See. These books are identified, respectively, by these titles throughout the text of these Norms. A. INTRODUCTION 11.1.1 In the liturgical year the various aspects of the one Paschal Mystery unfold. This is also the case with the cycle of feasts surrounding the mystery of the incarnation (Annunciation, Christmas, Epiphany). They commemorate the beginning of our salvation and communicate to us the first fruits of the Paschal Mystery.1220 11.1.2. The celebration of the seasons and feasts of the liturgical year is a primary means for gaining an understanding of the mystery of Christ, for the liturgical year “unfolds the entire mystery” and “completes the formation of the faithful.”1221 B. ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS General 11.2.1 The season of Advent, the preparation for the commemoration of Christ’s birth and first manifestations, has a twofold character: it is a time to prepare for Christmas, when Christ’s First Coming is remembered; it is a time when that remembrance directs the mind and heart to await Christ’s Second Coming in the last days. In this way Advent is a period of devout and joyful expectation.1222 1220 CCC 1171. See also ADW, Liturgical Norms and Policies, 2010, 13.12.1. 1221 Cf. CIC can. 913 §1; General Norms for the Liturgical Year and the Calendar, 1. 1222 CB 234-235. 11.2.2 During Advent, the playing of the organ and other musical instruments as well as the floral decoration of the altar should be marked by a moderation that reflects the character of this season, but does not anticipate the full joy of Christmas itself.1223 Proclamation of the Birth of Christ 11.3.1 The Roman Martyrology for Christmas day contains a formal announcement of the birth of Christ in the style of a proclamation. It begins with creation and relates the birth of the Lord to the major events and personages of sacred and secular history. The particular events contained in the Proclamation help to situate the birth of Jesus in the context of salvation history. 11.3.2 The Proclamation of the Birth of Christ may be sung or proclaimed after the greeting and introduction of the Christmas Midnight Mass. The Gloria and the Collect (Opening Prayer) immediately follow the Proclamation. 11.3.3 The Proclamation may also be sung or proclaimed at the Liturgy of the Hours. If it is used at Morning or Evening Prayer, it follows the introduction of the hour and precedes the hymn. When it is proclaimed during the Office of Readings, it precedes the Te Deum. 11.3.4 According to circumstances, the Proclamation may be sung or recited at the ambo by a deacon, cantor, or lector or reader. 11.3.5 After the greeting of the Mass, the celebrant or another minister may briefly introduce the Mass and the Proclamation of the Birth of Christ which follows, using these or similar words: Throughout the season of Advent, the Church has reflected on God’s promises, so often spoken by the prophets, to send a savior to the people of Israel who would be Emmanuel, that is, God with us. In the fullness of time those promises were fulfilled. With hearts full of joy let us listen to the proclamation of our Savior’s birth. 1223 CB 236; ADW Ordo, Notes for Mass and Office During Advent, A. Note that the reason for subdued decoration during Advent is different from that in the penitential season of Lent. 11.3.6 The deacon (or other minister) then proclaims the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ: The Proclamation of the Birth of Christ Today, the twenty–fifth day of December, unknown ages from the time when God created the heavens and the earth and then formed man and woman in his own image. Several thousand years after the flood, when God made the rainbow shine forth as a sign of the covenant. Twenty–one centuries from the time of Abraham and Sarah; thirteen centuries after Moses led the people of Israel out of Egypt. Eleven hundred years from the time of Ruth and the Judges; one thousand years from the anointing of David as king; in the sixty–fifth week according to the prophecy of Daniel. In the one hundred and ninety–fourth Olympiad; the seven hundred and fifty–second year from the foundation of the city of Rome. The forty–second year of the reign of Octavian Augustus; the whole world being at peace, Jesus Christ, eternal God and Son of the eternal Father, desiring to sanctify the world by his most merciful coming, being conceived by the Holy Spirit, and nine months having passed since his conception, was born in Bethlehem of Judea of the Virgin Mary. Today is the nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ according to the flesh. Epiphany 11.4.1 The ancient solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord ranks among the principal festivals of the whole liturgical year, since it celebrates in the child born of Mary the manifestation of the one who is the Son of God, the Messiah of the Jewish people, and a light to the nations. Whether this feast is observed as a day of precept or is transferred to Sunday, the solemnity is celebrated in a proper manner. Hence a. there will be a suitable and increased display of lights; b. after the singing of the gospel reading, depending on local custom, one of the deacons or a canon or a beneficed cleric or someone else, vested in a cope, will go to the lectern and there announce to the people the movable feasts of the coming year; c. the custom of having a special presentation of gifts will be observed or renewed in accordance with local usage and tradition; and d. the invitations, comments, and homily will explain the full meaning of this day with its “three mysteries,” that is, the adoration of the child by the Magi, the baptism of Christ, and the wedding at Cana.1224 11.4.2 Although calendars now give the date of Easter and the other feasts in the liturgical year in advance, the Epiphany Proclamation still has value. It is a reminder of the centrality of the resurrection of the Lord in the liturgical year and the importance of the great mysteries of faith which are celebrated each year. On the solemnity of the Epiphany, after the homily or after Communion, the deacon or, in his absence, another minister announces from the ambo the date of Easter and the other feasts of the liturgical year according to the following text. The proper dates for Holy Thursday, Ash Wednesday, Ascension, Pentecost, and the First Sunday of Advent must be inserted into the text for each year. These dates are found in the table which is included with the introductory documents of the Missal (Sacramentary). The form to be used for announcing each date is, for example, “the seventh of April.” Proclamation of the Date of Easter Dear brothers and sisters, the glory of the Lord has shone upon us, and shall ever be manifest among us, until the day of his return. Through the rhythms of times and seasons let us celebrate the mysteries of salvation. 1224 CB 240. Regarding the “three mysteries,” see Liturgy of the Hours, Epiphany, Evening Prayer II, antiphon for the Canticle of Mary. Let us recall the year’s culmination, the Easter Triduum of the Lord: his last supper, his crucifixion, his burial, and his rising celebrated between the evening of the ____ of __________ (the date of Holy Thursday) and the evening of the ____ of __________ (the date of Easter Sunday). Each Easter—as on each Sunday— the Holy Church makes present the great and saving deed by which Christ has for ever conquered sin and death. From Easter are reckoned all the days we keep holy. Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent, will occur on the ____ of __________. The Ascension of the Lord will be commemorated on the ____ of __________. Pentecost, the joyful conclusion of the season of Easter, will be celebrated on the ____ of __________. Likewise the pilgrim Church proclaims the passover of Christ in the feasts of the holy Mother of God, in the feasts of the Apostles and Saints, and in the commemoration of the faithful departed. To Jesus Christ, who was, who is, and who is to come, Lord of time and history, be endless praise, for ever and ever. R. Amen.1225 1225 NCCB, Proclamation of the Date of Easter (1989) 2-5. C. LENT AND THE HOLY WEEK AND EASTER CELEBRATIONS General 11.5.1 From the beginning of Lent until the Paschal Vigil, the Alleluia is to be omitted in all celebrations, even on solemnities and feasts. (Note that the same rule does not apply to the Gloria).1226 11.5.2 To preserve the penitential character of the season, in Lent the altar should not be decorated with flowers, and musical instruments may be played only to give necessary support to the singing.1227 11.5.3 On Sundays of Lent and Easter the Apostles’ Creed may be recited in place of the Nicene Creed in light of its association with baptismal liturgy.1228 11.5.4 On the fourth Sunday of Lent (Laetare Sunday) and on solemnities and feasts, musical instruments may be played and the altar decorated with flowers.