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Why would the priest publicly announce this at Mass if it is not correct? We have 3 full-time priests and two were present at the Mass where one of them made the announcement. No correction was made by the other priest. I normally attend two Masses but I bet many, if not most, of those who attend the Saturday evening Mass on Dec 8 will not attend Mass on Sunday. In my opinion they will not be committing a sin if they do not attend Mass on Sunday Dec 9 as the priest announced that they do not have to attend.This Saturday, is the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. However, the solemnity ends at Vespers. Therefore, any mass that is celebrated after Vespers is for the Second Sunday of Advent, which is a different solemnity.
One must attend both masses, the Mass for the Immaculate Conception and the Mass for the Second Sunday of Advent.
They are not the same mass; therefore, one mass cannot fulfill both obligations. There are two completely different masses for two completely different solemnities.
Even in the breviary, there is a split this Saturday. Normally, a Solemnity runs from Vespers I to Vespers II. Since the Immaculate Conception falls on Saturday, some places will celebrate Vespers II for the Immaculate Conception, but not Vespers I for the Second Sunday of Advent. Other places will celebrate Vespers I for the Second Sunday of Advent, but not Vespers II for the Immaculate Conception. But you cannot celebrate one liturgical act to cover two solemnities.
If we look closely, even the vestments change. Saturday morning you will see white. Saturday afternoon you will see purple again. Saturday morning you will have a Gloria at mass. Saturday afternoon the Gloria is omitted. The intent of the mass is also different. The only thing that does not change from one to the other is the actual consecration. But the accidental form does change. It changes enough that the Church considers them different liturgies.
Very often, if a solemnity falls on a Saturday or Monday, the obligation is lifted. There are certain solemnities for which this cannot be done. Two that come to mind are the Immaculate Conception and Christmas. You must attend two masses.
The Immaculate Conception and the Second Sunday of Advent are completely different solemnities with their own masses. We will have to attend two masses this weekend.
Fraternally,
Br. JR, FFV![]()