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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 Los Angeles.—(Read full biography).

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Alabama Assessment!

We received this evaluation of Symposium 2022 from an Alabama participant:

“Oh, how the Symposium echoed the words of Cardinal Merry Del Val: …choosing only what is most conformed to Thy glory, which is my final aim. In one short and fast paced week, the faculty and attendees showed me the hand of God and our Lady working in our lives. The wide range of education—from Gregorian Chant, jazz modes in organ improvisation, to ‘staying sane’ while leading a choir—were certainly first-class knowledge from the best teachers of the art. However, the most powerful lesson was learning how to pray as a choir. The sacrifice of putting songs together, taking time to learn the sacred text, meditating on the church teaching through the chants, and gaining the virtues required to persevere in these duties were not only qualities of a choir but of a saint. The sanctification of the lives of the attendees was a beautiful outcome of this event … and that in itself is worth more than a beautifully-sung Solesmes style chant!”

—Jeff Ostrowski
PDF Download • Trinity Sunday (22 pages)

Feel free to download this Organ Accompaniment Booklet for Trinity Sunday (Second Vespers). Notice how the modes progress by number. Psalm 1 is mode 1; Psalm 2 is mode 2; Psalm 3 is mode 3; Psalm 4 is mode 4; Psalm 5 is mode 5. I am told by an expert that other feasts (such as Corpus Christi) are likewise organized by mode, and it’s called a “numerical office.”

—Jeff Ostrowski
10 June 2022 • “Official” rhythm of plainsong

I continue to search for the most beautiful way to present the “pure” Editio Vaticana scores. (Technically, the “pure” rhythm of the official edition is what everyone is supposed to use.) You can download my latest attempt, which is the Introit for this coming Sunday: Feast of the Most Holy Trinity. Because this is not an ancient feast, the Introit had to be adapted (perhaps around 750AD). Prior Johner says the adaptation is “not an entirely happy one.”

—Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“It would be a grave error to imagine that the principle orientation of the sacrificial action is towards the community. If the priest celebrates «VERSUS POPULUM», which is legitimate and often advisable, his spiritual attitude ought always to be «VERSUS DEUM PER JESUM CHRISTUM», as representative of the entire Church.”

— Official Vatican Statement (25 September 2000)

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