Dear Friends in Christ,
Welcome to our weekly Sunday update. This Sunday (December 22, 2024) is the Fourth Sunday of Advent. The Advent season spent in preparation for the arrival of the promised Messiah nears its conclusion. Christmas is right around the corner: The liturgical celebration of the Nativity of Our Lord will commence at midnight two days hence! Such has always been the joy attached to this day that the traditional liturgy provided three separate Masses for the faithful: First Mass at Midnight, Second Mass at Dawn and Third Mass During the Daytime. In the words spoken by the angel to the shepherds in the Gospel reading for Mass at Midnight: “Fear not; for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy, that shall be to all the people: for this day is born to you a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord, in the city of David. And this shall be a sign unto you: you shall find the Infant wrapped in swaddling clothes, and laid in a manger. And suddenly there was with the Angel a multitude of the heavenly army, praising God and saying: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men of good will.”
Calendar of Special Observances
Celebrations are those listed in the Roman Missal of 1962.
DAY, DATE – FEAST (CLASS)
Sunday, December 22 – Fourth Sunday of Advent (I)
Monday, December 23 – Major Feria of Advent (II)
Tuesday, December 24 – Vigil of the Nativity (I)
Wednesday, December 25 – The Nativity of Our Lord (I) – Commemoration of St. Anastasia, Martyr, at second Mass
Thursday, December 26 – St. Stephen, the first Martyr (II)
Friday, December 27 – St. John, Apostle and Evangelist (II)
Saturday, December 28 – Holy Innocents, Martyrs (II)
Fourth Sunday of Advent and Mass of the Nativity at Midnight
The links provided below can be used to download printable copies of the Proper Prayers for the Fourth Sunday of Advent and the Nativity of Our Lord – First Mass at Midnight. Both English and Spanish translations are provided for each liturgical celebration. In addition, we offer links to Dr. Michael P. Foley’s New Liturgical Movement commentaries on “The Indulgent Collect of the Fourth Sunday of Advent” and “The Three Nativities of the Three Christmas Masses” from his Lost in Translation series.
Latin Mass Schedule: Fourth Sunday of Advent (December 22, 2024)
Charlotte Area Latin Masses
11:30 a.m., Saint Thomas Aquinas
12:30 p.m., Saint Ann (annual traditional blessing of religious objects immediately after Latin Mass)
Other Diocese of Charlotte Latin Masses
8:30 a.m., Saint John the Baptist (Tryon)
9:00 a.m., Our Lady of the Angels (Marion)
1:00 p.m., Church of the Epiphany (Blowing Rock)
1:30 p.m., Our Lady of Grace (Greensboro)
Diocese of Charleston Latin Masses
12:00 p.m., Prince of Peace (Taylors SC)
1:00 p.m., Our Lady of the Lake (Chapin SC)
Note: Travelers are urged to consult parish websites or offices for up-to-date information regarding possible changes in the regular schedule of Sunday Mass times.
Christmastide Latin Mass Schedule (as announced)
The
following schedule lists special Latin Masses and related changes for
the season of Christmastide. Additional Masses or schedule changes that
may be announced will be posted in future newsletters or mid-week
bulletins. The full list can also be found on the Carolina Traditional Liturgy Society website.
Wednesday December 25
12:00 a.m., Saint Ann, The Nativity of Our Lord: First Mass at Midnight
12:00 a.m., Saint Thomas Aquinas, The Nativity of Our Lord: First Mass at Midnight
12:00 a.m., Church of the Epiphany (Blowing Rock), The Nativity of Our Lord: First Mass at Midnight
12:00 a.m., Saint John the Baptist (Tryon), The Nativity of Our Lord: First Mass at Midnight
11:00 a.m., Our Lady of Grace (Greensboro)
1:00 p.m., Our Lady of the Lake (Chapin SC)
Thursday December 26
7:00 p.m., Saint Thomas Aquinas Latin Mass canceled
11:00 a.m., Saint John the Baptist (Tryon), High Mass
Friday, December 27
8:30 a.m., Saint John the Baptist (Tryon) Latin Mass canceled
9:30 a.m., Church of the Epiphany (Blowing Rock) Latin Mass canceled
Saturday, December 28
8:00 a.m., Saint Ann 4th Saturday Respect Life Mass canceled
Wednesday January 1
12:00 a.m., Our Lady of Grace (Greensboro), Octave-Day of the Nativity (Feast of the Circumcision) at Midnight
12:00 a.m., Church of the Epiphany (Blowing Rock), Octave-Day of the Nativity (Feast of the Circumcision) at Midnight
9:00 a.m., Saint Ann, Octave-Day of the Nativity (Feast of the Circumcision) (Confessions to follow until 11:30 a.m.)
6:00 p.m., Saint Ann, Latin Mass canceled
6:30 p.m., Saint John the Baptist (Tryon), Octave-Day of the Nativity (Feast of the Circumcision)
6:30 p.m., Our Lady of the Lake (Chapin SC), Octave-Day of the Nativity (Feast of the Circumcision)
Sunday January 5
12:30 p.m., Saint Ann, Annual Epiphany blessing of water, chalk and salt will occur immediately after regularly scheduled Sunday Mass
Monday January 6 (Feast of the Epiphany of Our Lord)
7:00 a.m., Saint Ann
6:00 p.m., Church of the Epiphany (Blowing Rock)
6:30 p.m., Our Lady of Grace (Greensboro)
6:30 p.m., Saint John the Baptist (Tryon), (Epiphany blessing will occur prior to Mass at 6:00 p.m.)
6:30 p.m., Our Lady of the Lake (Chapin SC), (Including blessing of salt, oils, and water)
Note: It is customary to bless water, chalk, and salt on or around the Vigil of the Epiphany. If more blessings are announced they will be added to the above list.
Announcements
Sunday December 22: Annual Blessing of Religious Objects after the 12:30 p.m. Saint Ann Latin Mass – The annual traditional blessing of religious objects will take place after the 12:30 p.m. Latin Mass at Saint Ann. Please place religious items on the tables in the north cry room (chapel side) before Mass. The table on which objects are to be placed should be set up between 12:00 and 12:15 p.m. Please avoid placing items on the table after Mass as Father will already have begun the blessing. The blessing ceremony may require as much as 30 minutes, after which blessed objects may be retrieved.
Note: Saint Ann will also sponsor a blessing of Epiphany water, chalk and salt on Sunday January 5, after the 12:30 p.m. Latin Mass.
Christmas Prayers for Bishop Martin and Diocesan Priests – This week is probably (next to Holy Week) one of the busiest and often demanding times for our priests, deacons and bishop. Please keep them in your prayers and Mass intentions as they prepare for Christmas liturgies this week.
“Sister Parish” Relief Program – The Diocese of Charlotte is sponsoring a program to assist in the recovery of parishes in the western part of the state affected by Hurricane Helene. The program will partner parishes that escaped the wrath of the storm with those that sustained substantial impacts. Fr. Reid has announced that St. Ann has committed to serve as a sister parish to Saint Lucien in Spruce Pine, providing financial assistance to help cover recovery costs and to make up for the loss of collection revenue resulting from the displacement of parishioners. Initial funds for the effort were derived from second collections at the Masses celebrated on November 16-17 and December 14-15. Future collections are scheduled for January 4-5, February 1-2, March 1-2 and April 5-6.
Consecration of those Governing to the Blessed Virgin Mary – Fr. Chad Ripperger, a native of Casper, Wyoming, was a member of the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter before leaving to establish a society of exorcists, the Society of the Most Sorrowful Mother (Doloran Fathers). His Consecration of the Election to the Blessed Virgin Mary was featured in past issues of this newsletter. He has now composed a new prayer, Consecration of those Governing to the Blessed Virgin Mary, which may be found at the end of this update or downloaded here.
Holy Face Devotions
Prayers of Reparation to the Holy Face of Jesus are offered each week at the following churches on the indicated days:
St. James (Concord) – Monday, 10-10:30 a.m. (in the cry room)
St. Mark – **Monday December 23 at 5:30 p.m. (this week only due to Christmas Eve)**
St. Thomas Aquinas – Tuesday, 6:00 a.m.
St. Ann – Tuesday, 7:30 a.m. (following 7:00 a.m. Novus Ordo Mass)
St. Michael the Archangel (Gastonia) – Tuesday, 8:30 a.m. (following 8:00 a.m. Novus Ordo Mass)
St. Vincent de Paul – Tuesday, 8:40 a.m.
Holy Spirit (Denver) – Tuesday, 10-11:00 a.m. (following the 9:15 a.m. Novus Ordo Mass)
St. John the Baptist (Tryon) - First Saturday, 9:30 a.m. (after 8:30 a.m Latin Mass)
“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).
Latin Mass and Liturgical News
The Greater Ferias of Advent is the latest contribution of Fr. William Rock, FSSP to the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter’s online publication, The Missive. [The Greater Ferias of Advent]
The Filioque is the latest liturgical commentary by Dr. Michael P. Foley in his Lost in Translation series published by New Liturgical Movement. [The Filioque]
Pope Francis Declares French Martyrs of Compiègne Saints Via Equipollent Canonization, as published in the National Catholic Register, shares the joyful news of the Holy Father’s canonization of the Compiègne Martyrs, the 16 Carmelite French Nuns whose martyrdom during the French Revolution put an end to the Reign of Terror. [Pope Francis Declares French Martyrs of Compiègne Saints]
Christmas at the National Shrine of Saint Alphonsus Ligouri, is the Shrine’s special Christmas website which will live stream both Midnight Latin Mass and the preceding hour of Lessons and Carols which begins at 11:00 p.m. on December 24. The Baltimore-based Shrine is administered by the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter (FSSP) and offers the Traditional Latin Mass. Both the carols and the Mass will be live streamed. The site also is accepting Mass enrollments for Midnight Mass. [Christmas at the National Shrine of Saint Alphonsus Ligouri] (N.B. The Shrine will also offer its last Advent Reflection on Sunday December 21 at this link.)
The Oblate Vocation, a weekly video series published by the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest (ICKSP), explains the Oblate vocation within their community. The ICKSP, a religious order that celebrates the Traditional Latin Mass, has three vocational states: Canons (priests), Clerical Oblates (who serve as assistants to the priests), and Sisters (Adorers of the Royal Heart of Jesus). This new video series provides excellent background on both the oblates and the Institute. [The Oblate Vocation]
When Was Jesus Born? Italian Researcher Puts Christ’s Birth in December, 1 BC is a 2020 National Catholic Register article by Edward Pentin who interviewed Dr. Liberato de Caro about how biblical clues, historical research and astronomy can help answer the question of the actual month and year of the Incarnation. [When Was Jesus Born?]
Keeping a Long Christmas, by historian and author Charles Coulombe in Crisis Magazine, is a review of both long-forgotten and contemporary Catholic customs of Christmastide that can serve as sources of enjoyment while helping to reverse the secularization of the culture. [Keeping a Long Christmas]
The Golden Mass of Ember Wednesday, celebrated on December 18th, was the subject of an article by Gregory DiPippo published by New Liturgical Movement in 2022, marking the change in tone and focus for the Gospel readings meant to prepare the faithful for the coming of the Redeemer. [The Golden Mass of Ember Wednesday]
The Doubting Apostle, an article posted by Dr. Michael P. Foley on New Liturgical Movement, offers a wealth of information regarding Saint Thomas the Apostle, whose feast was celebrated Saturday December 21st. [The Doubting Apostle]
The Apostle Saint Thomas on the American Continent, by Fr. Peter De Roo in an 1899 edition of American Ecclesiastical Review, provides some fascinating documentation that Saint Thomas the Apostle visited the New World during his lifetime and shared the Gospel with the natives. [The Apostle Saint Thomas on the American Continent]
Saints and Special Observances
St. Stephen, the First Martyr is celebrated each year on the day immediately following the Feast of the Nativity of Our Lord. Among the earliest deacons in the Church, Stephen is known as the Protomartyr because he was the first individual slain for belief in Jesus as the Christ. The story, taken from the Acts of the Apostles, is told in the first lesson for the feast celebrated on December 26th:
In those days Stephen, full of grace and fortitude, did great wonders and signs among the people. Now
there arose some of that which is called the synagogue of the
Libertines, and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of them
that were of Cilicia and Asia, disputing with Stephen. And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit that spoke. . . .
St. Luke says in Acts that, hearing the things Stephen proclaimed regarding the life and death of Jesus, “they were cut to the heart.” The anger of those who confronted him was such that “they gnashed with their teeth at him.”
But
he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looking up steadfastly to heaven, saw
the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God. And he
said: Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on
the right hand of God. And they crying out with a loud voice, stopped
their ears, and with one accord ran violently upon him. And
casting him forth without the city, they stoned him; and the witnesses
laid down their garments at the feet of a young man, whose name was
Saul. And they stoned Stephen, invoking, and saying: Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And
falling on his knees, he cried with a loud voice, saying: Lord, lay not
this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep in
the Lord.
The next line in the Acts of the Apostles is not included in the lesson: “And Saul was consenting to his death.” The “young man, whose name was Saul” was, of course, the future St. Paul.
The Holy Innocents, Martyrs are
celebrated two days after St. Stephen on December 28th (the feast day
of St. John the Evangelist, a martyr of another sort, falling between
the two on December 27th). The story of the Holy Innocents is told in
the second chapter of the Gospel According to St. Matthew:
When
Jesus therefore was born in Bethlehem of Juda, in the days of king
Herod, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem. Saying, Where is he that is born king of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east, and are come to adore him.
King
Herod, hearing the report of wise men from the east seeking the newborn
king of the Jews, felt threatened. Troubled, he summoned the chief
priests and scribes to ask them where the prophet had said the Christ
was to be born. “In Bethlehem of Juda,” they told him. Then Herod sent
for the wise men to consult with him in private, determined to learn
exactly when they had first seen the star they followed from the east
all the way to Jerusalem.
And
sending them into Bethlehem, said: Go and diligently inquire after the
child, and when you have found him, bring me word again, that I also may
come to adore him.
Resuming their journey, the wise men followed the star until it came to rest above the place where “they found the child with Mary his mother, and falling down they adored him; and opening their treasures, they offered him gifts; gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” Returning to their own country, they avoided Jerusalem and did not inform Herod that they had found the child.
Warned
by an angel in a dream that Herod would seek the child to destroy him,
Joseph arose and took the child and his mother and escaped into Egypt
where they remained until the death of Herod. But Herod, perceiving
that the wise men had slipped away without delivering the intelligence
he sought, was exceedingly angry and sent soldiers to kill all the male
children in and around Bethlehem who were two years of age or younger.
Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremias the prophet, saying: A
voice in Rama was heard, lamentation and great mourning; Rachel
bewailing her children, and would not be comforted, because they are
not.
The Holy Innocents massacred by Herod’s henchmen did not willingly offer up their lives for a Church that did not yet exist, but their sacrifice served to preserve the life of the Holy Infant. In time they rightfully came to be acclaimed martyrs. Thus, Stephen, stoned more than 30 years after the Massacre of the Innocents, was not the first martyr per se but the first Christian martyr, although he lived and died long before the term Christian gained currency.
Closing Commentary
In closing, we share a commentary extracted from The Liturgical Year of Dom Prosper Guéranger on “Christmas Day: Midnight Mass.” A link to the full text of the great liturgist’s commentary follows the extract.
CHRISTMAS DAY: MIDNIGHT MASS
It is now time to offer the Great Sacrifice, and to call down our Emmanuel from heaven: he alone can fully pay the debt of gratitude which mankind owes to the Eternal Father. He will intercede for us on the Altar, as he did in his Crib. We will approach him with love, and he will give himself to us.
But such is the greatness of to-day’s Mystery, that the Church is not satisfied with only once offering up the Holy Sacrifice. The long-expected and precious Gift deserves an unusual welcome. God the Father has given his Son to us; and it is by the operation of the Holy Ghost that the grand Portent is produced: let there be, then, to the ever Blessed Three, the homage of a triple Sacrifice.
Besides, this Jesus, who is born to-night, is born thrice. He is born of the Blessed Virgin, in the stable of Bethlehem; he is born by grace, in the hearts of the Shepherds, who are the first fruits of the Christian Church; and he is born eternally from the Bosom of the Father, in the brightness of the Saints: to this triple Birth, therefore, let there be the homage of a triple Sacrifice.
The first Mass honours the Birth according to the Flesh, which, like the other two, is an effusion of the Divine Light. The hour is come: the people that walked in darkness have seen a great Light; Light is risen to them that dwelt in the region of the shadow of death [Isa. ix 2]. Outside the holy place, where we are now assembled, there is dark Night: material Night, caused by the absence of the sun; spiritual Night, by reason of the sins of men, who either sleep in the forgetfulness of God, or wake to the commission of crime. At Bethlehem, round the Stable, and in the City, all is deep darkness; and the inhabitants, who would not find room for the Divine Babe, are sleeping heavily: will they awaken when the Angels begin to sing?
Midnight comes. The Holy Virgin has been longing for this happy moment. Her heart is suddenly overwhelmed with a delight which is new even to her. She falls into an ecstasy of love. As her Child will one day, in his almighty power, rise through the unmoved barrier of his Sepulchre; so now, as a sunbeam gleaming through purest crystal, he is born, and lies on the ground before her. With arms outstretched to embrace her, and smiling upon her: this is her first sight of her Son, who is Son also of the Eternal Father! She adores – takes him into her arms – presses him to her heart – swathes his infant limbs – and lays him down in the manger. Her faithful Joseph unites his adoration with hers; and so, too, do the Angels of heaven, for, the Royal Psalmist had sung this prophecy of their adoring him on his entrance into the world [Ps. xcvi 7; Heb. i 6]. Heaven opens over this spot of earth, which men call a Stable; and from it there mount to the Throne of the Eternal Father the first prayer, the first tear, the first sob of this his Son, our Jesus, who thus begins to prepare the world’s salvation.
The eyes of the faithful are now riveted on the Sanctuary, where the same Jesus is to be their Holy Sacrifice. The procession of the sacred Ministers has entered the Holy of Holies, and the Priest comes with them to the foot of the Altar. The Choir is singing its opening-canticle, the Introit; where we have our God himself speaking to his Son, and saying: This Day have I begotten thee. Let the Nations rage, if they will, and be impatient of the yoke of this Babe of Bethlehem; he shall subdue them and reign over them, for he is the Son of God.
Christmas Day -- Midnight Mass
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To Our Readers and All Friends of the Latin Mass: May you be abundantly blessed by God in this upcoming joyous season of Christmas.