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Pope Saint Paul VI (3 April 1969): “Although the text of the Roman Gradual—at least that which concerns the singing—has not been changed, the Entrance antiphons and Communions antiphons have been revised for Masses without singing.”

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Views from the Choir Loft

Nobody Can Answer My Question?

Jeff Ostrowski · June 16, 2013

N ADDITION TO ALL Sundays of the year, the following are Holy Days of Obligation in the United States of America:

January 1 • Mary, Mother of God
August 15 • The Assumption
November 1 • All Saints Day
December 8 • Immaculate Conception
December 25 • Christmas
Ascension Thursday;
*

So, we have a total of six (6) Holy Days of Obligation in the United States, right? Not so fast, buddy. Ascension Thursday is moved to a Sunday in some USA Dioceses. (Which, incidentally, is bizarre, but that’s another story.)

OK, so we have five (5) Holy Days of Obligation in the United States, right? Nope. That’s still not correct, because starting in 1992:

Whenever 1 January (Mary, Mother of God), 15 August (Assumption), or 1 November (All Saints) falls on a Saturday or on a Monday, the precept to attend Mass is abrogated.

SO, HERE IS MY QUESTION, WHICH NOBODY SEEMS TO CARE ABOUT:

HE UNITED STATES Conference of Catholic Bishops has “abrogated” the “precept to attend Mass” if some Holy Days fall on a Monday or Saturday because they believe it’s “too difficult” for Catholics to attend Mass twice in a row. But why didn’t the bishops abrogate the obligation to abstain from work? Think about it: A father stays home from work on Monday, since he knows Catholics are forbidden to work on Holy Days. Yet, he doesn’t have to attend Mass? That’s bizarre! Why didn’t the bishops abrogate the injunction to abstain from work? This should have been done before getting rid of the “precept to attend Mass.” After all, which is harder? Staying home from work, or going to Mass? Obviously, staying home from work is harder than going to Church for 45 minutes. The bishops’ policy makes no sense.

I’ve never heard anyone else asking this very important question. Why doesn’t anyone care about this? And, more importantly, what’s the correct answer?

BY THE WAY, moving “Ascension Thursday” to a Sunday is truly bizarre. I realize that other feasts have been moved to a Sunday (Epiphany and Corpus Christi come to mind). And I realize that moving feasts to a Sunday was done even before the Second Vatican Council (sort of). If you don’t believe me, Google “external solemnity” + “Sacred Heart” + “Corpus Christi.” The problem is, Ascension Thursday’s date is Biblical. Moving it to a Sunday makes no sense.

P.S. I hope I don’t sound too negative. Some folks spend way too much time criticizing the famous “Monday-Saturday” thing. These folks fail to realize that nothing prevents anyone from attending Mass every single day! Sometimes, the very people complaining about the “Monday-Saturday” thing take advantage of this freedom, and skip Mass on the Holy Day!

Opinions by blog authors do not necessarily represent the views of Corpus Christi Watershed.

Filed Under: Articles Last Updated: January 1, 2020

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About Jeff Ostrowski

Jeff Ostrowski holds his B.M. in Music Theory from the University of Kansas (2004). He resides with his wife and children in Michigan. —(Read full biography).

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    PDF Download • Dom Murray Harmonies
    Along with so many others, I have deep respect for Dom Gregory Gregory Murray, who produced this clever harmonization (PDF) of “O SANCTISSIMA.” It’s always amazed me that Dom Gregory—a truly inspired composer—was so confused when it came to GREGORIAN CHANT. Throughout his life, he published contradictory statements, veering back-and-forth like a weather vane. Toward the end of his life, he declared: “I see clearly that the need for reform in liturgical music arose, not in the 18th and 19th centuries, but a thousand years earlier—in the 8th and 9th centuries, or even before that. The abuses began, not with Mozart and Haydn, but with those over-enthusiastic medieval musicians who developed the elaborate and flamboyant Gregorian Chant.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Music List” • 14 September (Holy Cross)
    Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I prepared for 14 September 2025, which is the Feast of Exaltation of the Holy Cross. If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and Mass Propers for this Sunday are conveniently stored at the spectacular feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    New Bulletin Article • “14 September 2025”
    My pastor requested that I write short articles each week for our parish bulletin. Those responsible for preparing similar write-ups may find a bit of inspiration in these brief columns. The latest article (dated 14 September 2025) discusses OFFERTORY ANTIPHONS and contains a wonderful quote by Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    Karl Keating • “Canonization Questions”
    We were sent an internet statement (screenshot) that’s garnered significant attention, in which KARL KEATING (founder of Catholic Answers) speaks about whether canonizations are infallible. Mr. Keating seems unaware that canonizations are—in the final analysis—a theological opinion. They are not infallible, as explained in this 2014 article by a priest (with a doctorate in theology) who worked for multiple popes. Mr. Keating says: “I’m unaware of such claims arising from any quarter until several recent popes disliked by these Traditionalists were canonized, including John XXIII, Paul VI, and John Paul II. Usually Paul VI receives the most opprobrium.” Mr. Keating is incorrect; e.g. Father John Vianney, several centuries ago, taught clearly that canonizations are not infallible. Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen would be another example, although clearly much more recent than Saint John Vianney.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    Vatican II Changed Wedding Propers?
    It’s often claimed that the wedding propers were changed after Vatican II. As a matter of fact, that is a false claim. The EDITIO VATICANA propers (Introit: Deus Israel) remained the same after Vatican II. However, a new set of propers (Introit: Ecce Deus) was provided for optional use. The same holds true for the feast of Pope Saint Gregory the Great on 3 September: the 1943 propers (Introit: Si díligis me) were provided for optional use, but the traditional PROPRIA MISSAE (Introit: Sacerdótes Dei) were retained; they weren’t gotten rid of. The Ordo Cantus Missae (1970) makes this crystal clear, as does the Missal itself. There was an effort made in the post-conciliar years to eliminate so-called “Neo-Gregorian” chants, but (contrary to popular belief) most were retained: cf. the feast of Christ the King, the feast of the Immaculate Conception, and so forth.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    Solemn “Salve Regina” (Chant)
    How many “S” words can you think of using alliteration? How about Schwann Solemn Salve Score? You can download the SOLEMN SALVE REGINA in Gregorian Chant. The notation follows the official rhythm (EDITIO VATICANA). Canon Jules Van Nuffel, choirmaster of the Cathedral of Saint Rumbold, composed this accompaniment for it (although some feel it isn’t his best work).
    —Corpus Christi Watershed

Random Quote

“The pope regrets that this trade in African slaves, that he believed having ceased, is still exercised in some regions and even more cruel way. He begs and begs the King of Portugal that it implement all its authority and wisdom to extirpate this unholy and abominable shame.”

— ‘Pope Pius VII, writing to the King of Portugal’

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  • “Music List” • 14 September (Holy Cross)
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  • Charlie Kirk’s Fascination with Traditional Catholic Liturgy

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