Votive Mass vs. Feast Day

[mwalle09]

I am a high school teacher, our school normally holds a mass of the Holy Spirit for our opening mass of the school year. It is on September 8th but that is also the Feast of the Nativity of Mary. The priest we had visiting to celebrate has said that it cannot be a votive mass for that day so I am wondering what the guidelines are for it?

 

[1ke]

GIRM 352-355.

NBVM is a Feast. It may not be replaced with a votive mass (nor can Solemnities, Obligatory Memorials, and some other days during the seasons of Advent, Lent, Christmas, and Easter-- I believe those are called Ferias).

The votive mass can replace optional memorials and open weekdays.

The other days of that week are available, since they are open weekdays in Ordinary Time, just not Thursday or Friday (which is an obligatory memorial of St Peter Claver in the U.S.)

Perhaps you can have your mass on one of those days using the votive mass.

 

[L_Marshall]

Although I’m not positive (I don’t have a Missal in front of me). It may be possible for the pastor or bishop to allow a Votive Mass to be celebrated on a day when it usually isn’t allowed.

That having been said, I don’t like the idea of scheduling it on so great a feast as the Nativity of the Blessed Mother. I agree that rescheduling would be the best if you want a Mass of the Holy Spirit, but starting with a Marian feast could be just as good, especially if the school is under and Marian patronage.

 

[InThePew]

Although I’m not positive (I don’t have a Missal in front of me). It may be possible for the pastor or bishop to allow a Votive Mass to be celebrated on a day when it usually isn’t allowed.

Indeed it is - see the attached table / handy quick reference guide

That having been said, I don’t like the idea of scheduling it on so great a feast as the Nativity of the Blessed Mother. I agree that rescheduling would be the best if you want a Mass of the Holy Spirit, but starting with a Marian feast could be just as good, especially if the school is under and Marian patronage.

This is also true - the Nativity of Our Lady is a significant feast and very apt for a school community(mothers, mothering, children, families, etc) and thus something which the kids can better relate to than the Holy Spirit…

 

[GoGoDiego]

GIRM 352-355.

NBVM is a Feast. It may not be replaced with a votive mass (nor can Solemnities, Obligatory Memorials, and some other days during the seasons of Advent, Lent, Christmas, and Easter-- I believe those are called Ferias).

The votive mass can replace optional memorials and open weekdays.

The other days of that week are available, since they are open weekdays in Ordinary Time, just not Thursday or Friday (which is an obligatory memorial of St Peter Claver in the U.S.)

Perhaps you can have your mass on one of those days using the votive mass.

Strange though.

Last year’s Holy Spirit Mass (for us) was on July 3, the Feast of St. Thomas. The Votive Mass of the Holy Spirit was used and not the Mass of the Feast.

 

[FrDavid96]

I am a high school teacher, our school normally holds a mass of the Holy Spirit for our opening mass of the school year. It is on September 8th but that is also the Feast of the Nativity of Mary. The priest we had visiting to celebrate has said that it cannot be a votive mass for that day so I am wondering what the guidelines are for it?

A Votive Mass is not allowed, as such. However, for a good reason, the rector or celebrant can make an exception from that to allow a Votive Mass if it’s done for the good of the people.

We need to keep in mind that just because an exception might be allowed, that doesn’t mean it’s always a good thing to make the exception.

For reference, see the GIRM starting at paragraph 368.
usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/the-mass/general-instruction-of-the-roman-missal/girm-chapter-8.cfm

The relevant one, that directly answers your question, is # 374. Again, it’s forbidden but an exception can be made.

 

[FrDavid96]

Strange though.

Last year’s Holy Spirit Mass (for us) was on July 3, the Feast of St. Thomas. The Votive Mass of the Holy Spirit was used and not the Mass of the Feast.

1. If any case of a graver need or of pastoral advantage should arise, at the direction of the Diocesan Bishop or with his permission, an appropriate Mass may be celebrated on any day except Solemnities, the Sundays of Advent, Lent, and Easter, days within the Octave of Easter, the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls’ Day), Ash Wednesday, and the days of Holy Week.

Even though the quote itself is from the US GIRM, the paragraph is universal.