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tkdnick
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Why do we Catholics have a Midnight Mass for Christmas?
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Paul_W
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In the ancient world, a new day began at sundown (and Jews still retain this practice.) This is the ancient justification of a vigil Mass being held the “evening before” the Sunday or holy day.
With the concept of a 24-hour day beginning at midnight, the first opportunity to celebrate a special Mass such as Christmas was at midnight. The alternative was to wait several hours until dawn, and for such a special event this was too long.
With the concept of a 24-hour day beginning at midnight, the first opportunity to celebrate a special Mass such as Christmas was at midnight. The alternative was to wait several hours until dawn, and for such a special event this was too long.
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tkdnick
Guest
Thanks, that was a good explanation!
Does anyone have other ideas/reasons? I’m trying to exlpain why we have Midnight Mass for some non-Catholic friends of mine.
Does anyone have other ideas/reasons? I’m trying to exlpain why we have Midnight Mass for some non-Catholic friends of mine.
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Sandman
Guest
I think there may be a oral tradition of that the birth occurred at midnight. I cite this prayer for your consideration. Maybe someone else can confirm this oral tradition. So if Christ was born at midnight, I think the mass at midnight is very fitting. Traditions are important if it draws us to reflect on the reason for the tradition. Good question. I would like the reason for hte midnight mass and why we have mostly lost that tradition.
St. Andrew Christmas Novena Prayer
Hail and blessed be the hour and moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in piercing cold.
In that hour, vouchsafe, O my God! to hear my prayer and grant my desires, through the merits of Our Saviour Jesus Christ, and of His Blessed Mother. Amen.
(It is piously believed that whoever recites the above prayer fifteen times a day from the feast of St. Andrew (30th November) until Christmas will obtain what is asked.)
Imprimatur
+MICHAEL AUGUSTINE, Archbishop of New York
New York, February 6, 1897
St. Andrew Christmas Novena Prayer
Hail and blessed be the hour and moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in piercing cold.
In that hour, vouchsafe, O my God! to hear my prayer and grant my desires, through the merits of Our Saviour Jesus Christ, and of His Blessed Mother. Amen.
(It is piously believed that whoever recites the above prayer fifteen times a day from the feast of St. Andrew (30th November) until Christmas will obtain what is asked.)
Imprimatur
+MICHAEL AUGUSTINE, Archbishop of New York
New York, February 6, 1897
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Kielbasi
Guest
I don’t know, but I find it interesting that the Church has had midnight masses for centuries, long before the invention of electricity.
Considering all of the clothing, we Catholics traditionally worship in our overcoats, and all of the candles needed, I wonder how wise it was to start the tradition due to the risk of fire.
Considering all of the clothing, we Catholics traditionally worship in our overcoats, and all of the candles needed, I wonder how wise it was to start the tradition due to the risk of fire.
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Mary1973
Guest
We have Midnight Mass because that was the earliest the Mass could be celebrated before Vigil Masses were permitted.
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