Parish celebrating 50 years during Lent, Anniversary Mass questions

[Spoken4]

The better question would be if a Parish Solemnity can impede a Sunday of Lent?

Actually, I got that part. My question was if this solemnity (or any solemnity… it could even be the Feast Day of St. Joseph, a ‘universal’ solemnity and not a lower-ranking feast or memorial, or it could be St Patrick’s Day in Ireland where this is a national solemnity die to St. Patrick being a local patron saint)… if this solemnity is of sufficient ‘ranking’ to allow the Gloria to be sung. This day is being given the ranking of a full solemnity locally. I know that there are occasional exceptions to the No-Gloria rule onm certain solemnities during Advent, but what about Lent?

Thus, the reason for my question.

Also, I was taught and it was referenced in this thread, that the anniversary of a parish dedication or patron feast even outranks Sundays. Maybe I was misreading my source, and maybe it outranks Sundays in Ordinary Time.

And I’m really sorry that you were made to feel that way – there is nothing wrong with asking relevant questions. It’s how we learn and know our faith. And you cannot love what you do not know.

So — keep asking!! Just don’t let the grumpy pants bother you.

Thank you… I’m a cradle Catholic, but I can’t remember all of the little details! Even our Bishops don’t remember EVERYTHING; that’s why they have liturgists to help them.

~Spoken4

Who can clarify?

 

[shipwrkd]

Our parish is commemorating its 50th anniversary this Saturday (moved because the actual day falls on Sunday). Of course, our patron is St. Patrick, whose feast day is March 17. As I understand it, the parish ‘dedication anniversary’ or patron feast day is a solemnity within that parish, and Lenten restrictions are relaxed on solemnities.

A few questions… since the day is not on a Friday this year, normal abstinence rules are not a conflict. But if the day does fall on a Friday some year, does this solemnity (if it does indeed rise to that level) dispense parishioners from the abstinence from meat?

Next, may the Gloria be sung during this commemorative Mass? We will have 3 bishops concelebrating with our priests… it’s my understanding (perhaps faulty) that the rule of thumb goes, 'If the Bishop celebrates the Mass at your parish, you do the Gloria-- but not the Alleluia (during Lent). What is the actual ‘rubric’ in this case?

Finally, what are some general ‘rules’ that apply to the celebration of a parish’s dedication anniversary or patron saint’s feast day when it falls during Lent?

Thanks!

~Spoken4

In 2006, St Patrick’s Day fell on a Lenten Friday and our Irish Bishop dispensed the entire Diocese from it’s fasting obligation. I’m assuming because he did it that your OK. Can’t speak for the Alleluia.
Of course our Bishop likes corned beef and cabbage much more then I do

 

[Spoken4]

Okay, here’s the outcome and what I have learned. The Gloria MAY be sung (proclaimed) on an observed solemnity-- whether it be a universal Church solemnity such as the Feast of St. Joseph or the Annunciation, etc. or whether it’s a local solemnity. In our case due to the parish’s historical significance and its large size (second largest in the Diocese-- even larger than our cathedral’s congregation by some accounts, second oldest parish in our city) the solemnity observance may even cover 2 days: the actual dedication day of March 17 and if the Mass is celebrated on a different day, that day is also given the status.

Thus, we MAY sing (proclaim) the Gloria, but not the ‘Alleluia’… However, we are not required to do so. And we did not sing the Gloria for the Anniversary Mass.

Nonetheless, it was just lovely. There were FOUR Bishops, 3 priests, and 6 Deacons (one transitional).

Music-- Entrance: ‘Maker of Galaxies’- Commissioned for the Year of Faith by the Catholic Diocese of Dallas .Here the hymn here. vimeo.com/52029302

Kyrie; ‘Holy, Holy, Holy’; Memorial Acclamation B; Amen… ‘Black Mountain Liturgy’ (Gather Hymnal, Mass Setting Five)

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 118: Let Us Rejoice (Gather Hymnal 81)

Gospel Acclamation: ‘Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory!’ -original setting by Obi Okechukwu, parishioner, for St. Patrick Parish

Offertory: ‘Christ is Made the Sure Foundation’ (tune: ‘Tantum Ergo’, Gather 745)

Agnus Dei: Vatican Edition XVIII (Gather 313-B)

Choral Anthem (Communion)-- ‘How Lovely is Thy Dwelling Place’… J. Brahms

Communion Hymn: ‘Pan De Vida’ (Gather ???–can’t recall)

Meditation: ‘Prayer of St. Patrick’-- W. Schoenfeld (Traditional Choir arranged with handbells, flute and piano; handbell arrangement by Cynthia Fruth, music director)
Hear the hymn here, not our choir, demo only… sheetmusicplus.com/title/The-Prayer-of-St-Patrick/454517 (click ‘Listen’)

Recessional (Sending Forth): The Church’s One Foundation, with handbells and soprano descant (Gather 742)

It was a lovely Mass, and we all filed over to the Parish Center afterwards for the annual corned beef luncheon. In short, it was a very nice celebration!

Here’s to the next fifty… with God’s blessing!

~Spoken4