What is the best day of the liturgical year to show what catholicism is?

[johnmann]

She wants to go as near as possible from home. She detests music (!)

What human detests music? If that’s the case, that’s definitely something to consider when choosing the Mass. Maybe a weekday Mass might be better then. Or at least a non-principle Sunday Mass.

Going to the nearest has its advantage. If she likes it, she’s more likely to go again if it’s close by. On the other hand, it doesn’t matter if it’s close if she doesn’t like it.

 

[MarcoPG]

What human detests music? If that’s the case, that’s definitely something to consider when choosing the Mass. Maybe a weekday Mass might be better then. Or at least a non-principle Sunday Mass.

Going to the nearest has its advantage. If she likes it, she’s more likely to go again if it’s close by. On the other hand, it doesn’t matter if it’s close if she doesn’t like it.

About music: I know, but she has many, many bad memories…

To the nearest church so that we celebrate Christmas together

I think a weekday mass is no more than impossible. So yes I guess I will have to choose the Gospel wisely.

 

[phil19034]

I love the Chrism Mass on Holy Thursdays at the Cathedral, the Mass of the Last Supper on Holy Thursday evening, and Good Friday Service.

Other days, Easter Vigil as others have said, Palm Sunday, and Midnight Mass at Christmas.

 

[janeway529]

Easter Triduum is technically one long day, but if schedules don’t allow, I’d say any one of these big celebrations: Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Vigil, Pentecost, Christmas, Chrism Mass (although this is usually really long), Corpus Christi, a particular parish feast day, a big diocesan celebration at the cathedral, etc.

In my archdiocese, we have an annual pro-life Requiem Mass for the Unborn that features a ‘Ceremony of Light’ in which we remember with candles each life lost to abortion that day in Los Angeles County and spend the same amount in seconds in the candle-lit silence. After the Mass the candles are placed in a public area where those who pass by will see the candle-lit tribute to the short lives that were lost. It’s a moving experience for all who attend. (Video of this year’s requiem: youtube.com/watch?v=RW_i6F35XaY)

We also have an annual ‘Celebration of Cultures’ Mass in which all the ethnic groups of the archdiocese gather and pray together in our many cultural expressions with a yearly theme. It’s a great opportunity to see just how universal the Catholic Church really is. (Video of 2012’s celebration: youtube.com/watch?v=H5O9uVG-RWM)

See what your diocese, [ethnic] parishes, abbeys and monasteries, and ecclesiastical movements (Charismatic, Neocatechumenal Way, etc.) have to offer.

 

[TimothyH]

She wants to go as near as possible from home. She detests music (!)

*The man that hath no music in himself,
Nor is not moved with concord of sweet sounds,
Is fit for treasons, stratagems and spoils;
The motions of his spirit are dull as night
And his affections dark as Erebus:
Let no such man be trusted.

• Lorenzo, The Merchant of Venice, Wm. Shakespeare*

-Tim-

 

[CHRISTINE77]

The man that hath no music in himself,
Nor is not moved with concord of sweet sounds,
Is fit for treasons, stratagems and spoils;
The motions of his spirit are dull as night
And his affections dark as Erebus:
Let no such man be trusted.

• Lorenzo, The Merchant of Venice, Wm. Shakespeare

-Tim-

I agree. Music is the language of heaven!

 

[tommydude2112]

EASTER VIGIL every time

I’ve only been once, and, although it was in English:

halfway through the Mass, when Easter becomes officially recognised, all the lights turn on and suddenly there is a chorus of Alleluia!, a word which hasn’t been chanted/said/sung for 46 days and, not going to lie, it’s very emotional and made me be proud to be Catholic and a member of Jesus’ Church.

 

[camkutz]

I would say Easter Vigil or Corpus Christi

 

[grasscutter]

How about Ash Wednesday? Generally, there is very little music and everyone can participate in the reception of ashes.

 

[whoisdiss]

Either Easter Vigil, Corpus Christi, or Christmas day mass would be good ones to take your friend too, since they just pour out alot of the faith.

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God bless.

 

[rfournier103]

My two favorites are Divine Mercy Sunday and Christ the King. GREAT liturgies - both Scriptural and Eucharistic.

 

[Facite]

CHRISTMAS. First ask them, so why do you celebrate and what do you celebrate on Christmas? Is it just Santa Claus and giving presents or something deeper? All those movies that come around during Christmas Time about the “true meaning of Christmas” are pointing to something very important, and Charlie Brown gives the best answer to this age-old question: the true meaning of Christmas is the birth of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Then take them to Mass.

 

[MarcoPG]

CHRISTMAS. First ask them, so why do you celebrate and what do you celebrate on Christmas? Is it just Santa Claus and giving presents or something deeper? All those movies that come around during Christmas Time about the “true meaning of Christmas” are pointing to something very important, and Charlie Brown gives the best answer to this age-old question: the true meaning of Christmas is the birth of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Then take them to Mass.

The question why she does is pretty obvious to me: Although no one in the family believes, it is a family celebration. And what is clear too, is that without celebrating Jesus, there is no foundation, but that, she doesn’t want to hear. Everyone has holy-days so why shouldn’t they?
At midnight, we have to approach the Christmas tree and remain silent, during the time the TV is singing for us (!). When the Christmas song is over, we just wish a “Merry Christmas” to everybody…I must say I don’t see any sense in this. Oh, the presents.

She wants to come to Mass to experience Mass on christmas and because it must be beautiful, but just culturally. I hope she will be touched.

Thank you to the many people who replied once again.

 

[MarcoPG]

How about Ash Wednesday? Generally, there is very little music and everyone can participate in the reception of ashes.

Sure, this would be fine, but I sense a paradox: that Ash Wednesday could have a deeper meaning to her. This because Christmas, unfortunately?, is celebrated by everybody, Christians, Muslims, Atheits, whatever. So it loses its meaning greatly. BUT Ash Wednesday, it is all about penance and conversion. I think it takes more time to get it, and she would need more preparation, reflexion, possibly meditation on what she is about to celebrate.