Sunday in the Octave of Christmas

Dear Friends in Christ,

Welcome to our weekly Sunday update. This Sunday (December 29, 2024) is celebrated as Sunday in the Octave of Christmas. The Gospel reading for this Sunday offers a glimpse of the Infant Jesus in a remarkable setting: Mary and Joseph have taken Him to Jerusalem for presentation to the Lord in the Temple. There they encounter Simeon and the prophetess Anna. In the reading from the Gospel of Saint Luke, we hear the ominous words spoken to the Mother of Our Lord by Simeon, a man of who had spent his life awaiting the arrival of the Redeemer: “Behold, this child is set for the fall, and for the resurrection of many in Israel: and for a sign which shall be contradicted; and thine own soul a sword shall pierce, that out of many hearts thoughts may be revealed.” The messianic identity of the Child is confirmed by Anna, an 84-year-old widow continually at prayer and service in the Temple: “Now she, at the same hour, coming in, confessed to the Lord: and spoke of Him to all that looked for the redemption of Israel.” Afterwards, Mary and Joseph simply returned to Nazareth of Galilee to raise their remarkable Child.


Calendar of Special Observances

Celebrations are those listed in the Roman Missal of 1962.

DAY, DATE – FEAST (CLASS)

Sunday, December 29 – Sunday in the Octave of Christmas (II)

Monday, December 30 – 6th Day in the Octave of Christmas (II)

Tuesday, December 31 – 7th Day in the Octave of Christmas (II)

Wednesday, January 1 – The Octave of Christmas (II)

Thursday, January 2 – Jesus Christ the High Priest (III)

Friday, January 3 – Sacred Heart of Jesus (III)

Saturday, January 4 – St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Widow (III) — Commemoration of the Immaculate Heart of Mary — Feria of Christmastide — Our Lady on Saturday

Note: The commemoration of St. Thomas of Canterbury, Bishop and Martyr, celebrated in most years on December 29th, is displaced by Sunday in the Octave of Christmas this year.


Sunday in the Octave of Christmas

The links provided below can be used to download printable copies of the Proper Prayers for Sunday in the Octave of Christmas with English or Spanish translation. In addition, we offer a link to Dr. Michael P. Foley’s New Liturgical Movement essay on “The Orations of the Sunday after Christmas.”



Latin Mass Schedule: Sunday in the Octave of Christmas (December 29, 2024)

Charlotte Area Latin Masses

  • 11:30 a.m., Saint Thomas Aquinas

  • 12:30 p.m., Saint Ann

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 remainder of the season of Christmastide. The full list can also be found on the Carolina Traditional Liturgy Society website.

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.)

  • 12:00 p.m., Prince of Peace (Taylor SC), Octave-Day of the Nativity (Feast of the Circumcision)

  • 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)

Saturday January 4

  • 10:30 a.m., Our Lady of Grace, annual Epiphany blessing of water, chalk and salt (no Mass scheduled - just the blessing)

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)

  • 7:00 p.m., Prince of Peace (Taylors SC) (The 12 noon Latin Mass is canceled for this day)

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

Blessing of Religious Objects Thank you – Carolina Traditional Liturgy Society wishes to thank Fr. Jones for blessing the religious items after Mass on Sunday December 22.

Prayers for Fr. Jones – Please also keep Fr. Jones in your prayers as he prepares for his new parish assignment (announced December 22) at St. Margaret Mary parish in Swannanoa in a few weeks. Fr. Jones has served at Saint Ann parish and offered the Latin Mass since arriving at Saint Ann in 2020. He will be greatly missed at Saint Ann parish.

December 31 & January 1: Plenary Indulgences Available

For the last and first day of the calendar year there is a plenary indulgence granted (under usual conditions) for the faithful who pray the Te Deum hymn on December 31 and the Veni Creator on January 1, in a parish church or oratory. The Te Deum is offered in thanksgiving for the graces received over the past year, while the Veni Creator is prayed to ask for God’s assistance in the New Year.

  • To pray the Te Deum prayer on December 31 click here.

  • To pray the Veni Creator prayer on January 1 click here.

“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 – Tuesday, 5:30 p.m.

  • 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


Saints and Special Observances

St. Sylvester, Pope and Confessor, was head of the Church for exactly 22 years in the first half of the fourth century, from January 31, 314 until December 31, 335. Born in Asculam in 285, he died in Rome 50 years later. While little is known about Sylvester himself, the period of his pontificate was a momentous time in the history of the Church.

Sylvester may have been brought up by a priest and trained for service in the Church. As a young man he was noted for his charitable works. When Timothy of Antioch, a famous exponent of the faith, came to Rome, Sylvester opened his home to him and provided him shelter for a year. Timothy was finally apprehended and executed during the Great Persecution of Diocletian. Sylvester managed to secure his remains in order to provide for the proper burial of the martyr, but he was accused by the governor of having exploited the opportunity to steal the treasure left behind by Timothy. Imprisoned for a time, he was released when the governor choked on a fishbone and died.

Impressed by the courage and resourcefulness of the young man, Pope Melchiades (311-314) made him a deacon. When Melchiades died, Sylvester succeeded him. During his tenure of more than two decades, there were several major events of lasting historical significance; but they are overshadowed by what happened in the year before Sylvester became Bishop of Rome. In February of 313, Constantine issued the Edict of Milan, bringing an end to the suppression of Christianity in the West. The emperor subsequently made public his own conversion to the faith. Some accounts credit Sylvester with having brought about the emperor’s conversion. If there is any truth to the legend that Sylvester cured Constantine of leprosy and then converted him to Christianity, it would certainly help to explain his meteoric rise from newly ordained deacon (fresh out of prison) to head of the newly liberated Church in just under three years.

The papacy of Sylvester coincided with the transformation of Rome into a Christian city, its place as the capital of Christianity made manifest by the construction of several major basilicas. Foremost among these was the Basilica of St. Peter built on Vatican Hill where the first Bishop of Rome had been interred following his martyrdom. Other impressive churches built during Sylvester’s reign included the Lateran Basilica and Baptistry and the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, as well as the Basilica of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem.

The Council of Nicaea (325) was convened in the middle of Sylvester’s papacy, but it is uncertain what part he played in bringing about the momentous decisions made by the council. It is known that he made a personal contribution to the liturgy by overseeing composition of the first Roman Martyrology. He has also been credited with the establishment of the Roman school of sacred song.

The traditional liturgical calendar established December 31st, the date on which he died, as the day on which the life of St. Sylvester is to be commemorated.


Closing Commentary

In closing, we share a commentary extracted from The Liturgical Year of Dom Prosper Guéranger on “Sunday within the Octave of Christmas.” A link to the full text of the great liturgist’s commentary follows the extract.


SUNDAY WITHIN THE OCTAVE OF CHRISTMAS

This is the only day within the Christmas Octave which is not a Saint’s Feast. During the Octaves of the Epiphany, Easter, and Pentecost, the Church is so absorbed in the respective mysteries that she puts off everything that could share her attention; whereas during this of Christmas, there is only one day which does not celebrate the memory of some glorious Saint, and our Infant Jesus is surrounded by a choir of heroes who loved and served him. Thus, the Church—or, more correctly, God, for God is the first author of the Cycle of the Year—shows us how the Incarnate Word, who came to save mankind, desires to give mankind confidence by this his adorable familiarity.

We have already shown that the Birth of our Lord took place on a Sunday, the Day on which, in the beginning of the world, God created Light. We shall find, later on, that his Resurrection also was on a Sunday. This the first day of creation and the first day of the week was consecrated, by the old Pagans, to the Sun: with us Christians, it is most sacred and holy, on account of the two risings of our divine Sun of Justice—his Birth and his Resurrection. While the solemnity of Easter is always kept on a Sunday, that of Christmas falls, by turns, on each of the days of the week—we have already had this difference explained to us by the Holy Fathers: but the mystery of Jesus’ Birth is more aptly and strongly expressed when its anniversary falls on a Sunday. Other years, when the coincidence does not happen, the Faithful will at least be led by their Christian instincts to give especial honor to the Day within the Octave, which falls on the Sunday. The Church has honored it with a proper Mass and Office, and we of course insert them.

Mass.—It was at Midnight that the Lord delivered his people from bondage by the Passage of his destroying Angel over the land of the Egyptians: so also was it in the still hour of midnight that Jesus, the Angel of the Great Counsel, came down from his royal throne, bringing mercy to our earth. It is just that while commemorating this second Passage, the Church should sing the praises of her Emmanuel, who comes, clad in his strength and beauty, to take possession of his Kingdom.

[Sunday within the Octave of Christmas]

~

To Our Readers and All Friends of the Latin Mass: May you be abundantly blessed by God in this joyous season of Christmas.

~

CONSECRATION OF THOSE GOVERNING TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Mary Immaculate, living tabernacle of the Divinity, where the eternal Wisdom lies hidden to be adored and served by angels and men, Queen of heaven and of earth, beneath whose sway are subject all things that are lower than God, Patroness of the United States of America, sorrowful and mindful of our own sinfulness and the sins of our nation, we come to thee, our refuge and hope.

Immaculate Mary, Patroness of the United States of America, Queen of Heaven and of Earth, beneath whose sway are subject all things that are lower than God, sorrowful and mindful of our own sinfulness and the sins of our nation, we come to thee, our refuge and hope.

Knowing that our country cannot be saved by our own works and mindful of how much our nation has departed from the ways of thy Son, we humbly ask that thou wouldst turn thine eyes upon our country to bring about its conversion.

We consecrate to thee (the peaceful transition of power) and all of those governing our republic, so that what is spiritually and morally best for the citizens of our nation may be accomplished, and that they would govern according to the spiritual and moral principles which will bring our nation into conformity with the teachings of thy Son. Bind any forces, spiritual or human, that would seek to inflict harm or evil on our country or those who do good for our nation by their governance.

Give grace to the citizens of this land so that they may merit leaders who will govern according to the Sacred Heart of thy Son, that His glory may be made manifest, lest we be given the leaders we deserve. Trusting in the providential care of God the Father and thy maternal care, we have perfect confidence that thou wilt take care of us and wilt not leave us forsaken.

O Mary Immaculate, pray for us. Amen.

Composed by Fr. Chad Ripperger

To download a PDF copy of this prayer please visit this link.