California archdiocese emphasizes: January 1 is holy day of obligation
December 20, 2012
The Archdiocese of San Francisco, which regularly had dispensed Catholics from the obligation of attending Mass on January 1 when it occurred on any day besides Sunday, has announced that the day is once again a holy day of obligation in the archdiocese.
“In this country, as decided by the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, Jan. 1 is a holy day of obligation,” explained Laura Bertone, the archdiocese’s interim director of worship, except when January 1 falls on a Saturday or Monday. “Often, in the past, if Jan. 1 was on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday, the San Francisco archbishop dispensed the obligation to attend Mass although the solemnity was still celebrated at Mass.”
“This year, we are keeping the day as obligatory for all the faithful to attend Mass, and in particular to pray for peace,” she continued.
The decision follows Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone’s October 4 installation as head of the archdiocese.
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Posted by: unum -
Dec. 21, 2012 8:19 AM ET USA
Thank you, Archbishop Cordileone, for teaching all of us "as Jesus did". It is reassuring to see a bishop lead by example.
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Posted by: Gil125 -
Dec. 20, 2012 3:21 PM ET USA
This will catch some pastors with their pants down. Half of the churches nearest to me have their regular weekday Mass schedules for that day. Though the other half do have more Masses scheduled and one shows on its Christmas mailer that it is a holy day of obligation. My geographic parish is one of those whose pastor will have cold legs.
