Friends in Christ,
Welcome to our weekly Sunday update. This Sunday, the Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus, is also known as the Sunday after the Octave Day of the Nativity. The Gospel reading for today’s Mass is the same as that read on the Octave Day celebrated earlier in the week: At that time, after eight days were accomplished, that the child should be circumcised, his name was called JESUS, which was called by the angel, before he was conceived in the womb.” The Octave Day of the Nativity, being the eighth day (including Christmas Day) after the birth of Christ, always falls on the first day of the year. The first of January was traditionally a double-feast identified on the Roman Calendar by the title, “Circumcision of Our Lord, and Octave of the Nativity.” The celebration on this Sunday will be followed, two days later, by a first-class liturgical commemoration: the Feast of the Epiphany of Our Lord (January 6th). The Feast of the Holy Name is of comparatively recent origin. Promoted first by St. Bernardine of Vienna in the fifteenth century, it was only added to the Roman Calendar and authorized for universal celebration in 1721.
Calendar of Special Observances
Celebrations are those listed in the Roman Missal of 1962.
DAY, DATE – FEAST (CLASS)
Sunday, January 4 – The Holy Name of Jesus (II)
Monday, January 5 – (USA) St. John Neumann, Bishop and Confessor (III) – Commemoration of St. Telesphorus Pope and Martyr
Tuesday, January 6 – Epiphany of the Lord (I)
Wednesday, January 7 – Feria of Epiphany (IV)
Thursday, January 8 – Feria of Epiphany (IV)
Friday, January 9 – Feria of Epiphany (IV)
Saturday, January 10 – Our Lady on Saturday (IV)
Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus
The links provided below can be used to download printable copies of the Proper Prayers for the Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus. A link to Dr. Michael P. Foley’s New Liturgical Movement commentary is also provided.
Traditional Latin Mass Schedule
Diocese of Charlotte Sunday Masses
Chapel of the Little Flower (757 Oakridge Farm Road, Mooresville, NC)
Note: Only Sunday Latin Masses and Holy Days are offered at the Chapel. This is the only Diocese of Charlotte location which offers the Traditional Latin Mass.
Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face, the Little Flower, pray for us!
Diocese of Raleigh Sunday Masses
Diocese of Charleston Sunday Masses
Diocese of Charleston Daily Traditional Latin Masses
Cancellation Note: Per the parish bulletin, no Latin Masses will be offered at Prince of Peace Church Monday January 5; Wednesday January 7 thru Saturday January 10. There will be a special 7pm Mass for Epiphany (no 12 noon Mass) on Tuesday January 6.
Feast of the Epiphany (Tuesday January 6)
The following are announced Traditional Latin Masses for the Feast of
the Epiphany. If additional Masses are announced we will share them in
our email updates and post them on our website.
Diocese of Charlotte
Diocese of Charleston
Propers and Commentary for Epiphany
As a reminder, travelers are urged to consult parish websites or offices for up-to-date information regarding possible changes in the schedule of Mass times.
Chapel of the Little Flower Announcements
Mass Intentions for Sunday
Sunday January 4 - Stephanie Snow by Mary and JR Richardson
Feast of the Epiphany on Sunday January 11
Since a Latin Mass is not being offered at the Chapel on Tuesday January 6 for the Feast of the Epiphany, Fr. Jones will offer the External Solemnity of the Epiphany on Sunday January 11.
In Thanksgiving: New Vestments
Father Jones expresses his thanks to Tiffany Peoples of Lily and Rose Vestments who made violet and gold vestment sets for the Chapel. The funds for the vestments were paid for by the late Aline Cooper (+), a longtime Saint Ann parishioner who loved the Latin Mass and the priests of this diocese. Please consider offering a prayer for Ms. Peoples and for the repose of the soul of Ms. Cooper.
In Thanksgiving: Christmas Flowers and Decorations
Thank you to all who contributed toward the Christmas flowers for beautifying the sanctuary and Chapel for its first Christmas liturgy. Additionally, thanks is also due to the Saint Ann’s Men’s Club for generously donating the Christmas trees for the Chapel.
Father Jones’ Contact Info
If one has questions about the Chapel of the Little Flower, that are not related to one’s parish, please email Father Jones directly at: tlmchapel(at)rcdoc.org
Bulletin Volunteer for Saint Thomas Aquinas Parish
To help Chapel attendees/visitors stay connected with their parishes, the Chapel is providing Sunday bulletins, specifically Saint Ann Parish. Father Jones is looking for a volunteer(s) who could bring a stack of current bulletins from Saint Thomas Aquinas parish to the Chapel on Sundays. If one can assist, please contact Fr. Jones at: tlmchapel(at)rcdoc.org
New Fund for the Chapel of the Little Flower
There will soon be a fund established to which one may contribute to the Chapel of the Little Flower. The procedure will work as follows: Please make out the check to the “Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte” and earmark it very specifically (in the check memo) as to how one would like the funds to be used. For instance “Artwork - Chapel of the Little Flower” or “Hymnals - Chapel of the Little Flower” (which Father hopes to acquire soon). More details will be forthcoming on how to contribute. For questions please contact Father Jones at: tlmchapel(at)rcdoc.org
Mass intentions for the Chapel of the Little Flower
Mass intentions have now been filled through February and new Masses are currently unavailable. The Mass intentions book will be reopened sometime in February for the Spring Masses.
Visiting the Chapel of the Little Flower
If you haven’t attended Mass at the Chapel of the Little Flower yet, you are welcome to join us during Christmastide or Epiphanytide. Seating is adequate at both Masses, and there is plenty of parking; a cry room; open space outside for the kids after Mass.
New Book Announcement: Meditations on the Litany of Humility
Local publisher Sensus Fidelium Press has released an enriching new book on the Litany of Humility according to the writings of the saints. Meditations on the Litany of Humility: From the Examples of the Saints unpacks this important litany through the examples and words of the saints themselves who practiced this foundational virtue. This book is a spiritual guide to understanding and embracing the powerful Litany of Humility and can help one grow in humility to bring one closer to Christ’s heart.
Sensus Fidelium Press and Sensus Fidelium, are run by local parishioner, Steve Cunningham. To order your copy, click here.
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Traditional Calendar: For those seeking a 1962 Traditional Latin Mass wall calendar, Sensus Fidelium Press offers them at this link.
General Announcements
Help Thy Neighbor – For those looking to help those struggling financially this time of year, Fr. Reid announced a link to the parish’s Help Thy Neighbor program, which helps families in need. To give, one can either write a check to St. Ann with "Help Thy Neighbor" in the memo line, or donate at the parish’s online link.
The Birthday of Saint Philomena is this Saturday January 10 (feast day is August 11) – Although no longer on the traditional calendar, her birthday (and feast day) is still celebrated across the Church each year. Her shrine is in Mugnano, Italy and shares more details on the life of this Wonderworker. [Sanctuary of Saint Philomena]
The FSSP 30-Day Novena to Our Lady begins January 12th – A thirty-day novena in preparation for the renewal of the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter’s (FSSP) consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary is being organized this year. The novena consists of a daily Rosary and Memorare. Saint Ann parish has two parishioners at the FSSP’s seminary in Nebraska. Please consider joining this novena. To learn more click here.
Support Our Parishes – Father Reid noted that Saint Ann parish will bear much of the financial costs of keeping the Chapel of the Little Flower open and encourages our continued generosity (and our occasional visits!). Parishioners from other parishes should continue to support their own parish.
Rosary for the Traditional Latin Mass – A Rosary is offered for the restoration of the Traditional Latin Mass in the church on Sundays after the 11:30 a.m. Novus Ordo Mass at Saint Thomas Aquinas Church.
Daily Holy Face Chaplet for Sacred Liturgy (perpetual novena) – For the preservation of the Traditional Latin Mass, it has been recommended to all friends of the sacred liturgy in the diocese to consider continually praying the powerful Holy Face chaplet, under the banner of Our Lady of the Holy Name. To pray the chaplet, please see this link.
Cardinal Burke’s Prayer for Pope Leo XIV – His Eminence Cardinal Raymond Burke has released a prayer for Pope Leo XIV. Please see the prayer at the links below and consider praying this daily for the Holy Father as he leads the Church. PDF copies can be accessed at these links: [English] [Español] [Latin]
Holy Face Devotions
Prayers of Reparation to the Holy Face of Jesus are offered each week at the following churches on the indicated days:
Note: Days and times may be subject to change due to holidays.
“Jesus, Your ineffable image is the star which guides my steps. Ah, You know, Your sweet Face is for me Heaven on earth” (from Canticle to the Holy Face by Saint Thérèse de Lisieux, the 19th century Discalced Carmelite nun who took the name in religion, Thérèse of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face).
Traditional Latin Mass and Liturgical News
Saints and Special Observances
The Feast of the Epiphany of Our Lord marks the end of the immediate Christmas season. Epiphany is derived from a Greek word meaning “manifestation”: thus, the feast celebrates the manifestation of the Infant Jesus to the world in the persons of the “wise men from the East” described in Mattthew’s Gospel. While there is nothing in Scripture to specify their number or names, the traditional belief is that there were three of them and their names were Casper, Melchior and Balthazar.
In a larger sense, the Epiphany is meant to celebrate the revelation of Christ as the Son of God: the Theophany. This broader concept of the celebration was widely held in the early days of Christianity and is still prevalent in the East. There is evidence that the celebration of the Epiphany on January 6th originated in the early Church and included, in addition to the Visitation of the Magi, the Nativity of Our Lord, the Baptism of Christ and the Wedding at Cana. The Council of Tours took formal action in 567 to separate the celebration of Christmas and Epiphany, fixing the Nativity on December 25th, 12 days prior to the Epiphany.
There are various customs connected to the celebration of the Epiphany around the world. It is on Epiphany, not Christmas, that La Befana brings gifts to the children of Italy. Similarly, the children of Portugal and Spain, as well as many other countries where Spanish is spoken, receive gifts on “Three Kings Day.” Catholics in Poland take chalk to be blessed on the Epiphany, a custom that has been adopted in our own country.
The culinary phenomenon of the King Cake may be found in many nations. In New Orleans the baking of King Cakes traditionally began on Twelfth Night when the Christmas season gave way after Epiphany to the revelry of Carnival. King Cakes remain prevalent in the city until Mardi Gras, the last day before Lent. Bakers place a small doll, representing the Infant Jesus, in the dough before baking the oval cake. In the past, King Cakes were primarily made of sweet brioche bread topped with sugar colored purple, green and gold, the colors of Carnival. In more recent times, various fillings and toppings have gained popularity. According to custom, King Cakes are shared; and the person “finding the baby” in his slice was expected to furnish the next King Cake to be shared with others unfortunate enough not to “get the baby.”
Closing Commentary
In closing, we share a commentary extracted from The Liturgical Year of Dom Prosper Guéranger on “The Feast of the Most Holy Name of Jesus.” A link to the full text of the great liturgist’s commentary follows the extract.
The Feast of the Most Holy Name of Jesus
The second Sunday after the Epiphany, which recalls the Marriage feast of Cana, was at first chosen as the day on which to honour the most holy Name of Jesus. It is on the Wedding Day that the Bridegroom gives his Name to the Bride, and it is the sign that, from that day forward, she belongs to him alone. The Church, therefore, wishing to honour a name so precious to her with a special feast, could find no day more appropriate for it than that of the Marriage at Cana. But now she has chosen for the celebration of this august Name, a day closer to the Anniversary on which it was given, ‘after eight days were accomplished, his name was called Jesus’; she leaves, however, the commemoration of the Sacred Nuptials to the Sunday of which it has ever been the glory.
In the Old Covenant, the Name of God inspired fear and awe: nor was the honour of pronouncing it granted to all the children of Israel. We can understand this. God had not yet come down from heaven to live on earth, and converse with men; he had not yet taken upon himself our poor nature, and become Man like ourselves; the sweet Name expressive of love and tenderness, could not be applied to him.
But, when the fulness of time had come - when the mystery of love was about to be revealed - then did heaven send down the Name of ‘Jesus’ to our earth, as a pledge of the speedy coming of him who was to bear it. The archangel Gabriel said to Mary: Thou shalt call his Name JESUS. ‘Jesus’ means Saviour. How sweet will this Name not be to poor lost man! It seems to link earth to heaven! No name is so amiable, none is so powerful. Every knee in heaven, on earth, and in hell, bows in adoration at hearing this Name! and yet, who can pronounce it, and not feel love spring up within his heart? [Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus]
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To Our Readers and All Friends of the Latin Mass: May you be abundantly blessed by God in this joyous season of Christmas.