Christmas and going to Mass

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Hey. So Christmas Eve this year, is on a Sunday. A day were you are supposed to go to mass (because it is Sunday). My family normally goes to services on Christmas Eve, so it works out that it is already a Sunday. But, some people say that you should really go on Christmas Day. So I need your help please. Should I just go on Christmas Eve or both? Thanks in advance.
 
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naterpatater said:
Hey. So Christmas Eve this year, is on a Sunday. A day were you are supposed to go to mass (because it is Sunday). My family normally goes to services on Christmas Eve, so it works out that it is already a Sunday. But, some people say that you should really go on Christmas Day. So I need your help please. Should I just go on Christmas Eve or both? Thanks in advance.
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Go on Saturday for the Sunday vigil then you need to go again, either to a Sunday vigil for Christmas or on Monday.

Go on Sunday for a Christmas vigil, you’re covered for both Sunday and Christmas.

Since I have a less-than-pleasant toddler at the moment, (and normal Sat. vigils are always a test in patience) and I cannot go on Monday because I’m deathly allergic to incense, we will be going to the vigil on Sunday.
 
This year Christmas Eve satisfies the obligation for Sunday, but not for Christmas, so there are no “twofors”, in this year we have an obligation for both Sunday and Monday, even though one is Christmas Eve.
 
Paging the priests

@frdavid96 or @don_ruggero could you come to our assistance.

Last I was told was that if you went to Mass on Sunday for the Christmas vigil you were all set with only going once.

EDIT: I am understanding the US reasoning. I understand it may be different elseware.
 
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But if I went on Sunday night for Mass, wouldnt it cover both Sunday and Monday? Thanks anyways. God bless!
 
It’s interesting to me how many people are seemingly unhappy about “having” to go to mass two days in a row.
I totally understand having young children, or people that have to work, and I sympathize with them, I am referring to people that are looking for ways to avoid having to go.
 
Irishmom2 said:
It’s interesting to me how many people are seemingly unhappy about “having” to go to mass two days in a row.
I totally understand having young children, or people that have to work, and I sympathize with them, I am referring to people that are looking for ways to avoid having to go.
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It seems I got incorrect information, albeit it was from a dioceses official.

That said.

I have to admit I’m frustrated. I won’t lie. Christmas Eve Masses are packed, you have to get there an hour early and you still have to sit the kids on your laps and basically sit on your husband.

It’s utterly frustrating and ridiculous.
 
I agree, it is packed at our church too. And then add in the people “saving seats” and that makes it even worse.

Sometimes, it is easier for parents to just split up and go to mass separately, even for Christmas when children are very small.
Hard to believe when your children are little, but it won’t last forever. It’s only a problem for a few years. And then one day you will look back and wish they were little again. 😊
 
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Irishmom2 said:
I agree, it is packed at our church too. And then add in the people “saving seats” and that makes it even worse.

Sometimes, it is easier for parents to just split up and go to mass separately, even for Christmas when children are very small.
Hard to believe when your children are little, but it won’t last forever. It’s only a problem for a few years. And then one day you will look back and wish they were little again. 😊
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If that’s what parents have to do for their sanity, so be it. But I think the idea that it could likely be the only plausible way for parents of young children to get to Mass is disturbing. Families should be the highest priority. As a single person it was easy for me to choose when to go (well not as easy because I’m allergic to insense) but I had options I do not as a parent. And as a parent, my “options” should not be having to leave my child and husband behind.

Not saying you’re wrong, but I’m just tired of the idea that spitting up a family (of children of any age) is a good idea. You are not the only one I’ve heard this from. I’m a big advocate of “my kid is baptized, they DESERVE a place at Mass.”
 
The reason being is the time at which Mass is celebrated. After a certain time(not sure cause of time zone i thought it was after 4:30pm it becomes the next day) that is why Saturday eve Mass covers the Sunday obligation and why the Sunday obligation does not cover the Christmas obligation.
 
Xanthippe_Voorhees said:
Paging the priests

@frdavid96 or @don_ruggero could you come to our assistance.

Last I was told was that if you went to Mass on Sunday for the Christmas vigil you were all set with only going once.

EDIT: I am understanding the US reasoning. I understand it may be different elseware.
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Two different days (Sunday and Christmas) means two different obligations, means 2 distinct Masses.

Whoever told you otherwise was simply wrong.

A Mass on Sunday evening/night can fulfill EITHER the Sunday or the Christmas obligation but never both at the same time.

There is no two-for-one when it comes to attending the Mass. Two obligations=two Masses.

I personally hold that there is a certain moral obligation (not canonical but moral) to make a best effort to follow the Mass schedule, but that doesn’t change the fact that the canonical obligation is met.
 
TheLegend said:
The reason being is the time at which Mass is celebrated. After a certain time(not sure cause of time zone i thought it was after 4:30pm it becomes the next day) that is why Saturday eve Mass covers the Sunday obligation and why the Sunday obligation does not cover the Christmas obligation.
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This year, Christmas is on a Monday (corrected).

Any Mass before Midnight Sunday night does fulfill the canonical obligation to attend Mass on Sunday—even if that particular Mass happens to be the Mass of Christmas Eve.

A Catholic who attends (only) a Mass on Sunday evening has fulfilled the Sunday obligation; but is still obligated to attend a Mass for Christmas (which could be Christmas eve or Christmas day).
 
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TheLegend said:
The reason being is the time at which Mass is celebrated. After a certain time(not sure cause of time zone i thought it was after 4:30pm it becomes the next day) that is why Saturday eve Mass covers the Sunday obligation and why the Sunday obligation does not cover the Christmas obligation.
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Perhaps it is the difference in countries that this cited for the reason Mass held in Ordinary time and Advent on Saturday eve to fulfill the Sunday obligation.
 
This year, Christmas is on a Sunday.
[/quote]

Am little confused. On my calender, in the United States, December 25 falls on a Monday. One has an obligation to fulfill the Sunday obligation, and the obligation of the Holy Day, The Nativity of Christ (Christmas) on Monday the 25. As others have said, no two-fors.

One other thing. To meet your Lord, your Creator, your Redeemer at the memorial of His Sacrifice of His eternal Love for you (the Mass) is an obligation?? I’ve come to find that word (in a certain way) offensive. I would think the term opportunity, (as in another opportunity to receive Christ) would be more appropriate. Though I am sure it will never happen, I would love to see the church change the term to Holy Day of Opportunity. I am certain that for many, in our old age, due to infirmity of many kinds, we will wish for the days we have the opportunity (and the ability) to attend Mass and long for the ability to fulfill the 'obligation" to sit with our Lord.
My two cents.
 
TheLegend said:
Perhaps it is the difference in countries that this cited for the reason Mass held in Ordinary time and Advent on Saturday eve to fulfill the Sunday obligation.
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I don’t understand the meaning of those words.

Would you please type that again using sentences. Thanks.
 
joeybaggz said:
Am little confused. On my calender, in the United States, December 25 falls on a Monday. One has an obligation to fulfill the Sunday obligation, and the obligation of the Holy Day, The Nativity of Christ (Christmas) on Monday the 25. As others have said, no two-fors.
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Typo. I corrected it.
 
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]
Typo. I corrected it.
[/quote]

Thanks, thought that was the case!
 
Where pastoral need exists, additional celebrations of the Vigil Mass may take place prior to the Midnight Mass, and additional celebrations of the Mass at Dawn or Mass During the Day may be scheduled for December 25.

(Examples of need would be to provide Mass for a mission which is some distance from the parish church, or to alleviate overcrowding at the other Christmas Masses.)
Taken from Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops website.
Where pastoral need exists, additional celebrations of the Vigil Mass may take place prior to the Midnight Mass, and additional celebrations of the Mass at Dawn or Mass During the Day may be scheduled for December 25.

(Examples of need would be to provide Mass for a mission which is some distance from the parish church, or to alleviate overcrowding at the other Christmas Masses.).
 
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