Jungerheld

Feast of the Immaculate Conception: Am I Obligated?

I've heard a lot of talk about whether the Feast of the Immaculate Conception is a holy day of obligation for 2024, the celebration falling on Monday in my diocese. The bishop makes the decision and the parishes follow. Then those who are vocal often criticize the bishop if the obligation is lifted.

To me, I thought the priest of our parish wrapped it all up in a bow quite well. He explained the obligation was lifted and anyone who did not attend Mass was NOT committing a sin. He then said if we did not attend Mass, we don't love Mary very much. He's right, isn't he!? It was appropriate to put a serious point on the question that comes up time after time after time.

Thanks be to God, our parish has multiple Masses, morning, mid-day and evening. I think many parishes in the diocese are the same. What I don't understand is the insistence of relieving people of a feeling of being obligated to attend Mass, an exclamation point on the removal of the obligation. Are we still reacting to "Catholic guilt" from decades ago?

I have great compassion and concern for anyone in a work situation, a health situation, etc. where they truly aren't free, and there are many in this situation. Please, let's pray for them in a real way. I'm so grateful that has not been my experience and don't ever want to take that for granted. But for those who can, with just a bit of inconvenience, the grace they receive so outweighs the inconvenience. Even if they were in part motivated by not wanting to feel "guilt", it seems more urgent to relieve the confusion rather than the Mass attendance!

Let's love Mary very much!
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mccallansteve

Even if it weren't a holy day of obligation, what self respecting Catholic wouldn't want to attend Mass of this glorious day?

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Father Karl A Claver

Instead of Russian roulette, I call it Mass roulette. Stick to the TLM calendar

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spinmeister

In 2024, December 8 falls on the Second Sunday of Advent. For most Roman Catholics, this means that Our Lady’s Solemnity is transferred to Monday, December 9. On the other hand, in Latin Mass communities, December 8 remains the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception and the Second Sunday of Advent is Commemorated.
Prior to this year, when a feast was transferred, there was no obligation to attend under pain of sin, but this year it seems that that rule has been changed and now you ARE obligated to attend under pain of sin. I have found that Latin Mass communities still under the Pope require attending another mass today, although the Feast of the Immaculate Conception Mass was offered yesterday!

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