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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

“Simultaneous Fulfillment” of Mass Obligation?

Jeff Ostrowski · November 24, 2017

3830 Calendar CCORDING to current USA law, a Catholic may fulfill the Sunday obligation by attending Mass on Saturday evening, sometimes called an “anticipated” or “vigil” Mass. The readings and propers chosen for Saturday night make no difference. (The same holds true for any Holy Day of Obligation.)

Christmas falls on a Monday in 2017.

Can you “double dip” the fulfillment of your Mass obligation? In other words, does attending Mass on Sunday evening fulfill both the Sunday and Monday obligations? Reading the Code of Canon Law, we might erroneously believe this:

Can 1248 • A person who assists at a Mass celebrated anywhere in a Catholic rite either on the feast day itself or in the evening of the preceding day satisfies the obligation of participating in the Mass.

For years, this has caused tremendous confusion online. Many authors feel we must attend Mass twice but struggle to provide documentation. Some appeal to “the common and constant opinion of learned persons” argument. But the Congregation for the Clergy has already clarified the matter of simultaneous fulfillment by the faithful:

328 simulatneous-fulfillment-mass-obligation DOUBLE DIPPING

    * * Source • USCCB Document on “Double-Dipping” (1974)


I’m not a canon lawyer, but this document seems to leave no room for “double dipping” (as Andrew Motyka dubbed it several years ago). Therefore, you must attend Mass twice—once for Sunday, once for Christmas—but there are many ways this can lawfully be done. You could go Saturday night and Monday night. Or you could go Sunday evening and Christmas morning. My personal preference is to go Sunday morning and Monday morning.

For the record, rules like these apply to the Extraordinary Form as well. (Similar to how EF Catholics are bound by the current laws on fasting and not, say, the 1950s regulations.)

HIS DUBIUM was answered at the precise moment we would expect. After all, “anticipated fulfillment” of Mass obligation was a new concept, and (to be brutally honest) ruptured the traditional practice of the Church, which had always celebrated vigils on the preceding morning. It should be noted—and cannot be repeated enough—that the choice of formularies makes no difference when it comes to fulfilling one’s obligation to attend Mass. As the above document points out:

On the evening of the Fourth Sunday of Advent, when this falls on December 24, it is possible to have both the evening Mass of the Sunday and the vigil Mass of Christmas. In the same way, when Christmas occurs on a Saturday, the evening Mass might be either that of Christmas or the anticipated Mass for the Feast of the Holy Family.

That is why one can attend a Wedding (“Nuptial Mass”) on Saturday evening and fulfill one’s Sunday obligation, although I believe such a Mass cannot begin too early in the afternoon.


Fun fact : Archbishop Bugnini, in that 1974 document, clearly says nobody can be forced to receive Holy Communion in the hand:

Furthermore, even when an Episcopal Conference petitions the Holy See for the faculty to distribute communion in the hand (see Memoriale Domini, May 29, 1969), this manner of reception can in no way be imposed on the faithful. Rather, the freedom and possibility of receiving communion in the traditional manner must always be granted.

It was recently clarified by the USCCB that kneeling of Communion cannot be denied.

The following are offered for your consideration:

    * *  PDF Download • Diocese of Tulsa, Oklahoma

    * *  PDF Download • Archdiocese of Atlanta, Georgia

    * *  PDF Download • Diocese of Birmingham, Alabama

    * *  PDF Download • USCCB Statement on “Double Dipping”

    * *  PDF • “Evening Masses and Days of Obligation” (58 pages)

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

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: anticipated Mass, simultaneous Mass obligation, vigil Mass 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

    New Bulletin Article • “21 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 21 September 2025) discusses some theological items—supported by certain verses in ancient Catholic hymns—and ends by explaining why certain folks become delirious with jealousy when they observe feats by Monsignor Ronald Knox.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Cheap! Cheap! Cheap!
    It’s always amusing to see old diocesan newspapers—in huge capital letters—advertising the Cheapest Catholic Paper in the United States. The correspondent who sent this to me added: “I can think of certain composers, published by large companies in our own day, who could truthfully brag about the most tawdry compositions in the world!” I wonder what she could have meant by such a cryptic comment…
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    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

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 literal translation: “Lord, have mercy—Christ, have mercy,” does not offer much material for an acceptable song text. The words, not having any feminine syllables, are abrupt; the sounds are almost all muted and colorless; the rhythmic flow is too brief. So many people may prefer responses that further extend the song of the assembly, e.g., “Have pity on us, Lord” or “Pardon us and change our hearts.

— J. Gelineau attacking the KYRIE ELEYSON (page 64 in “Learning to Celebrate,” 1985)

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