The Three Christmas Masses

[FrRJBoyd]

Holy Mother Church traditionally allows priest to offer three Christmas Masses if they are offered at the correct times (although today pastoral need can authorize a priest to offer three Mass at any time on Christmas, even if they are all during the day). I always have questions as to the “correct times”:

(1) “Midnight” Mass (In Nativitate Domini ad Primam Missam In Nocte): Does this have to be at 12 midnight, or can it be later in the night, before dawn? Could I, for example, be the subdeacon at the 12:00 Midnight Mass at my parish (yes, we are having one!) and then offer a private Mass afterward since we are still in nocte?

(2) “Mass at Dawn” (Ad Secundam Missam In Aurora): When exactly is dawn? Is it the time between first light and sunrise? Is it at sunrise? I have the 8 AM Mass, and sunrise is at about 7:30 AM where I am, so I think that should clearly be a Mass During the Day, right?

Official Church rulings (e.g., S.R.C.) are appreciated.

Thanks,

Fr. Boyd

 

[malphono]

Holy Mother Church traditionally allows priest to offer three Christmas Masses if they are offered at the correct times (although today pastoral need can authorize a priest to offer three Mass at any time on Christmas, even if they are all during the day). I always have questions as to the “correct times”:

(1) “Midnight” Mass (In Nativitate Domini ad Primam Missam In Nocte): Does this have to be at 12 midnight, or can it be later in the night, before dawn? Could I, for example, be the subdeacon at the 12:00 Midnight Mass at my parish (yes, we are having one!) and then offer a private Mass afterward since we are still in nocte?

(2) “Mass at Dawn” (Ad Secundam Missam In Aurora): When exactly is dawn? Is it the time between first light and sunrise? Is it at sunrise? I have the 8 AM Mass, and sunrise is at about 7:30 AM where I am, so I think that should clearly be a Mass During the Day, right?

Official Church rulings (e.g., S.R.C.) are appreciated.

Thanks,

Fr. Boyd

Can’t give you chapter and verse from the old Sacred Congregation of Rites, but I do recall that:

(a) the first Mass (in nocte) was at Midnight (but often begun at 11:30pm) but not at 3am. But of course that was for missa cum populo. For a missa sine populo you should be ok as long as it’s done before dawn.

(b) the second Mass (in aurora) was normally done before 9am. I think “dawn” is pretty much the same as “sunrise” so in other words, the standard time for Lauds.

(c) the third Mass (I believe it’s called in dia) was at/after 9am. Basically it was after Lauds, and before Sext. (Remember that Mass after 12 noon was unusual.)

If I remember the old regulations properly, every priest was permitted to offer each of the three Masses of Christmas. Actually, I think one of the reasons was precisely because there are 3 separate Masses.

As deficient as it is, I hope the above gives you someplace to start. Then you can get to Googling for more.

 

[FrRJBoyd]

Dear Moderators,

Why was this thread moved to Spirituality?  It has to do with rubrics from the Traditional Mass, so Traditional Catholicism is appropriate, or perhaps Liturgy and Sacraments, but, respectfully, I feel Spirituality is a misplacement.

God bless,

Fr. Boyd

 

[FrDavid96]

Holy Mother Church traditionally allows priest to offer three Christmas Masses if they are offered at the correct times (although today pastoral need can authorize a priest to offer three Mass at any time on Christmas, even if they are all during the day). I always have questions as to the “correct times”:

(1) “Midnight” Mass (In Nativitate Domini ad Primam Missam In Nocte): Does this have to be at 12 midnight, or can it be later in the night, before dawn? Could I, for example, be the subdeacon at the 12:00 Midnight Mass at my parish (yes, we are having one!) and then offer a private Mass afterward since we are still in nocte?

(2) “Mass at Dawn” (Ad Secundam Missam In Aurora): When exactly is dawn? Is it the time between first light and sunrise? Is it at sunrise? I have the 8 AM Mass, and sunrise is at about 7:30 AM where I am, so I think that should clearly be a Mass During the Day, right?

Official Church rulings (e.g., S.R.C.) are appreciated.

Thanks,

Fr. Boyd

Father,
I checked the (1944) Missal. There is no description of “Midnight” Mass, only what you posted as “Ad Primam Missam / In Nocte” As far as I can tell, that Mass can indeed be offered anytime “during the night.”
However, if you’re going to call it a “Midnight Mass” it must indeed be at Midnight. It makes no sense to say that “Midnight Mass will be at 11 o’clock.” But that’s a matter of what you call it, not so much the permitted time. In other words, if your Mass in the night is at (let’s say) 2:00 AM, it would just not make sense to call it “Midnight Mass.”

Since you’re serving as the subdeacon for the Midnight Mass, that would not count toward your maximum of three Masses for Christmas as a priest since you are not in fact the (or a)celebrant. I cannot imagine (nor can I see) any reason reason why you can’t have a private Mass “in the night” and use the propers for “In Nocte”

As for the Mass “in Aurora” I don’t think that the understanding is that the Mass must begin precisely at Dawn (in other words, you need not consult an almanac) but sometime reasonably close to sunrise. Say sunrise is officially at 7:36 AM–I don’t think the word “aurora” necessarily means that it must begin precisely at 7:36.

Personally I would use “in Aurora” for the 8 AM Mass, then “Ad Tertiam / In Die” for the later Mass, which would be your third (not fourth) Mass as a priest.

Sorry, but I can’t say that’s “official” it’s just my reading of the Missal.

 

[FrRJBoyd]

Father,
I checked the (1944) Missal. There is no description of “Midnight” Mass, only what you posted as “Ad Primam Missam / In Nocte” As far as I can tell, that Mass can indeed be offered anytime “during the night.”
However, if you’re going to call it a “Midnight Mass” it must indeed be at Midnight. It makes no sense to say that “Midnight Mass will be at 11 o’clock.” But that’s a matter of what you call it, not so much the permitted time. In other words, if your Mass in the night is at (let’s say) 2:00 AM, it would just not make sense to call it “Midnight Mass.”

Since you’re serving as the subdeacon for the Midnight Mass, that would not count toward your maximum of three Masses for Christmas as a priest since you are not in fact the (or a)celebrant. I cannot imagine (nor can I see) any reason reason why you can’t have a private Mass “in the night” and use the propers for “In Nocte”

As for the Mass “in Aurora” I don’t think that the understanding is that the Mass must begin precisely at Dawn (in other words, you need not consult an almanac) but sometime reasonably close to sunrise. Say sunrise is officially at 7:36 AM–I don’t think the word “aurora” necessarily means that it must begin precisely at 7:36.

Personally I would use “in Aurora” for the 8 AM Mass, then “Ad Tertiam / In Die” for the later Mass, which would be your third (not fourth) Mass as a priest.

Sorry, but I can’t say that’s “official” it’s just my reading of the Missal.

Thank you, Father, that’s very helpful!

 

[AJV]

Holy Mother Church traditionally allows priest to offer three Christmas Masses if they are offered at the correct times (although today pastoral need can authorize a priest to offer three Mass at any time on Christmas, even if they are all during the day). I always have questions as to the “correct times”:

(1) “Midnight” Mass (In Nativitate Domini ad Primam Missam In Nocte): Does this have to be at 12 midnight, or can it be later in the night, before dawn? Could I, for example, be the subdeacon at the 12:00 Midnight Mass at my parish (yes, we are having one!) and then offer a private Mass afterward since we are still in nocte?

(2) “Mass at Dawn” (Ad Secundam Missam In Aurora): When exactly is dawn? Is it the time between first light and sunrise? Is it at sunrise? I have the 8 AM Mass, and sunrise is at about 7:30 AM where I am, so I think that should clearly be a Mass During the Day, right?

Official Church rulings (e.g., S.R.C.) are appreciated.

Thanks,

Fr. Boyd

The reference to the subdeacon and the SRC suggests that you were speaking of the Traditional Liturgical books rather than the post 1970. Since some of the rules regarding the timing was governed more by Canon Law rather than the missal itself, I’m unsure whether the older rules still hold or not.

The current legislation seems to indicate that the Masses should be celebrated at more or less their appropriate times of day (cf the provisions set out by GIRM 204c).

Formerly under the old Code of Canon Law, the Masses were not exactly linked to the time of day - in fact, it was customary for priests to say the Masses successively without interruption - and this could be done at any time allowed by law (which was, before evening Masses, one hour before dawn to one hour after noon). Successive celebration with apostolic indult was not allowed at midnight (Dec. Auth. SCR 1683, 1761), thoguh the law provided for it for religious and pious houses (c. 821c, 1917 Code)

 

[FrRJBoyd]

The reference to the subdeacon and the SRC suggests that you were speaking of the Traditional Liturgical books rather than the post 1970. Since some of the rules regarding the timing was governed more by Canon Law rather than the missal itself, I’m unsure whether the older rules still hold or not.

The current legislation seems to indicate that the Masses should be celebrated at more or less their appropriate times of day (cf the provisions set out by GIRM 204c).

Formerly under the old Code of Canon Law, the Masses were not exactly linked to the time of day - in fact, it was customary for priests to say the Masses successively without interruption - and this could be done at any time allowed by law (which was, before evening Masses, one hour before dawn to one hour after noon). Successive celebration with apostolic indult was not allowed at midnight (Dec. Auth. SCR 1683, 1761), thoguh the law provided for it for religious and pious houses (c. 821c, 1917 Code)

Just to clarify, I will be offering both the Ordinary and the Extraordinary Forms on Christmas. The current norm to celebrate the Masses at their appropriate times is what I was asking about.

 

[FrDavid96]

Just to clarify, I will be offering both the Ordinary and the Extraordinary Forms on Christmas. The current norm to celebrate the Masses at their appropriate times is what I was asking about.

Fr,
Now I’m confused. How are you serving as a subdeacon for the Novus Ordo at Midnight Mass, or do I misunderstand?

That changes things. The Novus Ordo sacramentary does have a “Midnight Mass” and that one may only be done at 12:00 AM. It’s not a vigil Mass, nor a night Mass, but the word “Midnight” means just that. We get a letter of clarification every year from the diocese on this one, reminding us that “midnight means midnight”. If it’s not at 12:00, then the vigil Mass for Christmas is to be used, and we’re not to announce in the bulletin that “Midnight Mass will be at 11:00” or some such.

For reference, I’ve looked at “General Norms for the Liturgical Year and the calendar” from the 1974 Sacramentary (outdated, granted but it’s the only one handy at the moment, and I don’t think these norms would have changed since they’re a seperate document from the GIRM). The relevant difference here between the Extraordinary and Ordinary forms is that the later has added a vigil Mass for Christmas, and at the same time, specifically designated a Mass text as “Midnight Mass.”
That document also seems to imply that a vigil Mass does not count toward the 3 Christmas Masses

#34
The Mass of the vigil of Christmas is used in the evening of December 24, either before or after first evening prayer. On Christmas itself, following the ancient Roman tradition, three Masses may be celebrated, namely, at midnight, at dawn, and during the day.

 

[FrRJBoyd]

Fr,
Now I’m confused. How are you serving as a subdeacon for the Novus Ordo at Midnight Mass, or do I misunderstand?

No; the Novus Ordo, of course, does not use subdeacons; we are having an Extradorinary Form Mass at 12:00 Midnight at the parish where I am assigned. I also have the 4 PM Vigil (which does not count as one of the three Christmas Masses, since it is on a different day) and the 8 AM Mass (Ordinary Form). Since I am not the priest for the Midnight Mass, I am planning to offer a private T.M. in nocte afterward, the 8 AM Mass as the Mass at Dawn, and a Mass for my parents in the afternoon (Missa Puer natus est).

 

[benedictgal]

Fr,
Now I’m confused. How are you serving as a subdeacon for the Novus Ordo at Midnight Mass, or do I misunderstand?

That changes things. The Novus Ordo sacramentary does have a “Midnight Mass” and that one may only be done at 12:00 AM. It’s not a vigil Mass, nor a night Mass, but the word “Midnight” means just that. We get a letter of clarification every year from the diocese on this one, reminding us that “midnight means midnight”. If it’s not at 12:00, then the vigil Mass for Christmas is to be used, and we’re not to announce in the bulletin that “Midnight Mass will be at 11:00” or some such.

For reference, I’ve looked at “General Norms for the Liturgical Year and the calendar” from the 1974 Sacramentary (outdated, granted but it’s the only one handy at the moment, and I don’t think these norms would have changed since they’re a seperate document from the GIRM). The relevant difference here between the Extraordinary and Ordinary forms is that the later has added a vigil Mass for Christmas, and at the same time, specifically designated a Mass text as “Midnight Mass.”
That document also seems to imply that a vigil Mass does not count toward the 3 Christmas Masses

#34
The Mass of the vigil of Christmas is used in the evening of December 24, either before or after first evening prayer. On Christmas itself, following the ancient Roman tradition, three Masses may be celebrated, namely, at midnight, at dawn, and during the day.

Fr. David, I wish my diocese would have sent that note. Every year it’s the same situation. A lot of the priests are now using the Midnight Mass propers and readings for the Vigil Mass. I don’t know if they do this because, at least in two parishes that I know of, the 6PM vigil packs in the most folks. It is rather sad to hear the Christmas Proclamation at the 6PM Vigil Mass.

Now, there are some parishes, mine included , that are not going to have Midnight Mass. If I want Midnight Mass, I will have to go the monastery or to the Cathedral.

I would love to go to Fr. Boyd’s Midnight Mass. It sounds like something truly wonderful.

 

[Phemie]

The reference to the subdeacon and the SRC suggests that you were speaking of the Traditional Liturgical books rather than the post 1970. Since some of the rules regarding the timing was governed more by Canon Law rather than the missal itself, I’m unsure whether the older rules still hold or not.

The current legislation seems to indicate that the Masses should be celebrated at more or less their appropriate times of day (cf the provisions set out by GIRM 204c).

Formerly under the old Code of Canon Law, the Masses were not exactly linked to the time of day - in fact, it was customary for priests to say the Masses successively without interruption - and this could be done at any time allowed by law (which was, before evening Masses, one hour before dawn to one hour after noon). Successive celebration with apostolic indult was not allowed at midnight (Dec. Auth. SCR 1683, 1761), thoguh the law provided for it for religious and pious houses (c. 821c, 1917 Code)

I don’t understand this, since my earliest memories of Midnight Mass in my parish (1962-63) was that it was immediately followed by the Mass at Dawn.

 

[Phemie]

Fr. David, I wish my diocese would have sent that note. Every year it’s the same situation. A lot of the priests are now using the Midnight Mass propers and readings for the Vigil Mass. I don’t know if they do this because, at least in two parishes that I know of, the 6PM vigil packs in the most folks. It is rather sad to hear the Christmas Proclamation at the 6PM Vigil Mass.

Now, there are some parishes, mine included , that are not going to have Midnight Mass. If I want Midnight Mass, I will have to go the monastery or to the Cathedral.

I would love to go to Fr. Boyd’s Midnight Mass. It sounds like something truly wonderful.

We have no Midnight “Midnight Mass”. Our pastor will celebrate
5:30 p.m. – “Midnight” Mass (Family Mass) in our parish – SRO, turning people away

8:00 p.m. – “Midnight” Mass at the Mission 45 minutes away

11:00 p.m. – “Midnight” Mass at our parish – Empty seats can be found at the front (What is it with Catholics and this aversion to sitting at the front? I swear, if I could design a church it would only have 2 rows of seats. )

10:00 a.m. – Mass at our parish (50-60 people at most)

12:00 p.m. – Mass at the Mission

 

[malphono]

The reference to the subdeacon and the SRC suggests that you were speaking of the Traditional Liturgical books rather than the post 1970. Since some of the rules regarding the timing was governed more by Canon Law rather than the missal itself, I’m unsure whether the older rules still hold or not.

The current legislation seems to indicate that the Masses should be celebrated at more or less their appropriate times of day (cf the provisions set out by GIRM 204c).

Formerly under the old Code of Canon Law, the Masses were not exactly linked to the time of day - in fact, it was customary for priests to say the Masses successively without interruption - and this could be done at any time allowed by law (which was, before evening Masses, one hour before dawn to one hour after noon). Successive celebration with apostolic indult was not allowed at midnight (Dec. Auth. SCR 1683, 1761), thoguh the law provided for it for religious and pious houses (c. 821c, 1917 Code)

The parish that I used to frequent in pre-conciliar days was staffed by a pastor and 2 curates. The Christmas schedule was always: Midnight (missa solemnis “in nocte”), 7 am (missa lecta “in aurora”) 8:30 am (missa recitata and I think the Mass text used for this one varied so it could have been either “in aurora” or “in die” ), 10 am (missa lecta “in die”) and 11:30 am (missa cantata or missa solemnis “in die”).

That meant a total of 5 public Masses, and while the roster changed from year to year, it usually happened that each of the 3 would officiate at 1 of the above, and 2 would officiate twice each but always using a different Mass (e.g.1 in nocte + 1 in aurora but not 2 in aurora).

If my recollection is correct, whichever Mass(es) a priest did not say or sing publicly, he would do privately at one of the side altars (usually in the gap between the 7 am and 8:30 am, but sometimes during the 8:30 am or 10 am. Never during the 11:30 am) and if there were two Masses, he would indeed do them back-to-back.

 

[Through_Him]

Our cluster Parishes are having Christmas masses at many different times. One of the five is having the midnight which I went to last year after attending mine and singing for two hours. It was very nice but I was really tired. I’m not going this year as it was 11:30 when we got done at ours. Our parish is having the 4pm and 10pm which our choir sing, and the next day 9am which I want to go if the weather is Ok.
We are working on combining a lot. I counted heads and added and we all five could fit in our biggest large parish if we added a few seats or just added another mass.
We place baby Jesus in the manger in the Narthex on Christmas eve but not before. I would feel like Christmas was not complete if this did not occur, while at Mass.

 

[Through_Him]

I don’t understand this, since my earliest memories of Midnight Mass in my parish (1962-63) was that it was immediately followed by the Mass at Dawn.

I think this is true for us too when I was little. I also thought that if you went to midnight mass you didn’t have to go the next day. Maybe that is why it was so early because it was considered the same day dusk to dawn. So I agree with you and jogging my memories.
I grew up in a time when they didn’t really bring the children to the midnight mass. Mom would go to the midnight and dad would go to the morning. I couldn’t wait to be old enough to go to the midnight then when I went I was so tired I didn’t go again till I was dating and he insisted on taking me.
He did not remain my boyfriend ha ha.