December 2023

• Gloria is not said or sung.
• Creed is recited.
• Preface 1 of Advent is used through December 16. 

• Bless your wreath once; simply light the candle before all other Masses.
• Blessing of the Advent wreath can be found in the Book of Blessings, Chapter 47. If done during Mass, it should take place after the Universal Prayer

• Vestment: White
• Ritual Masses (i.e. Order of Matrimony) are not permitted.
• Today is a solemnity. Incorporating incense, festive music, and a more formal Gospel procession is appropriate. 
• The Gloria is said or sung. 
• The Creed is recited. 
• Preface is proper and found on the pages in the missal for the Immaculate Conception.
• Solemn Blessing #1 or #15 may be used. 

• 6 p.m. – 9:00 pm Dancers on the Plaza (free refreshments on the Plaza)
• 10 p.m. Rosary and Mariachi Performance & Musical Tribute
• 11 p.m. Musical Tribute and Las Mañanitas
• 12 a.m. Midnight Mass
• More information, CLICK HERE.

• The Gloria is sung or said. 
• The Creed is omitted.
• Add the needs of pregnant women for the Universal Prayer; for sample intercessions see Book of Blessings, Chapter 1, Section 8. "Order for the Blessing of a Mother"
• In the United States, it is a feast day. Unlike in Mexico, today is a solemnity, thus the Gloria is said or sung, but the Creed is omitted during the mass.
  While the Mexican leccionario indicates three readings (1^st Reading: Zec 2:14-17; 2^nd Reading: Rev. 11; Gospel: Luke 1:26-38 or Luke 1:39-47) for Dec. 12, here in the US there is only one reading before the Gospel since it is a Feast. In other words, at mass one of these two readings may be proclaimed Zec 2:14-17 or Rev. 11, followed by the Responsorial Psalm, Alleluia, and then one of the two options for the Gospel. This is indicated by the American Lectionary for Dec. 12 and the Ordo.
   
  Mientras que el leccionario mexicano indica tres lecturas (1ª Lectura: Zac 2,14-17; 2ª Lectura: Apoc. 11; Evangelio: San Lucas 1,26-38 o San Lucas 1,39-47) para el 12 de diciembre, aquí en Estados Unidos solamente hay una lectura antes del Evangelio por tratarse de una Fiesta. En otras palabras, en la misa se puede proclamar una de estas dos lecturas, Zac 2,14-17 o Apoc 11, seguida del Salmo Responsorial, Aleluya, y luego una de las dos opciones para el Evangelio. Así lo indica el Leccionario Americano para el 12 de diciembre y el Ordo. 

• A Filipino tradition of 9-Day Novena of Masses in preparation for the Birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. In the Philippines, the tradition is celebrated in the early morning before dawn (4am), but here in the United States, the Masses have been adapted to the evenings (7pm) to accommodate people who work.
• December 15 - 23 (Evening Masses) or 16-24 (Early Dawn Masses) Simbang Gabi Novena through the various parishes of the Archdiocese

• Liturgical Color: Rose or Violet
• The Gloria is not sung or said.
  
• Creed is recited.

• Second part of Advent begins.
• The prayer texts and readings for Weekday Masses are taken from the specific calendar date.
• O Antiphons begin. 
• Preface II of Advent may be used beginning December 17

• The Gloria is not sung. 
• Creed is recited.
• Preface II of Advent is used.
• Masses for the Fourth Sunday of Advent start at 4PM on Saturday, December 23.

Christmas Masses

• Vestments: White/Gold
• The Gloria is sung or said. 
• The Creed is recited. Remind the assembly that all kneel when the incarnation is mentioned.
• Solemn Blessing for the Nativity of the Lord (#2) may be used. 
• Blessing of the Nativity Scene can be found in the Book of Blessing, Ch. 48 
• Blessing of a Christmas Tree can be found in the Book of Blessing, Ch. 49.

• Anticipated Masses for the Solemnity of the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ start at 4PM at the earliest. 

• The Christmas proclamation should be sung before the Mass during the Night begins. The text is found in appendix I of the missal. The entrance song immediately follows the chant.

• Vestments: Red
• Gloria is said or sung
• Solemn Blessing for the Nativity of the Lord may be used to unify the days of the octave.

• Vestments: White
• Gloria is said or sung.
• Solemn Blessing for the Nativity of the Lord may be used.
• Please include the following petition as part of the universal prayers: 
  • English: For the faculty, staff and seminarians of Saint John seminary, that they may continue to grow as disciples of Jesus Christ, we pray to the Lord.
  • Español: Por la facultad universitaria, el personal y los seminaristas en el seminario de San Juan, para que puedan continuar creciendo como discípulos de Jesucristo, roguemos al Señor. 

• Vestments: Red
• Gloria is said or sung
• Solemn Blessing for the Nativity of the Lord may be used to unify the days of the octave.

• Vestments: White
• Gloria is said or sung.
• Creed is recited.
• Solemn Blessing #2, #3, or Prayer over the people #25 may be used. 
• Blessing of a Family (see Book of Blessings, Ch. 1)

• Blessing of the New Year (see Catholic Houshold Book of Blessings and Prayers, 85-87)

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January 2024

• Although today is New Year's Day, the solemnity may not be replaced with the Mass for Civil Needs: At the Beginning of the Civil Year. 
• Vestments: White
• Gloria is said or sung.
• Creed is recited.
• Preface 1 of the Blessed Virgin Mary is used.
• Solemn Blessing #2, #3, or #15.
  

• Every year on January 1, the Holy Father marks the World Day of Peace with a special message inviting all people to reflect on the important work of building peace.
  
• World Day of Peace, celebrated on January 1 every year, is primarily a Catholic feast day dedicated to universal peace on the Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God.  
• World Day of Peace began in 1967 when Pope Paul VI announced that the world needs to be sensitized and oriented for peace and understanding. 
• More information, please CLICK HERE. 
  

• If an anticipated Mass is celebrated, the Mass prayers "At the Vigil Mass" is used. 
• The readings for the Epiphany will be the same as the Mass during the Day. 
• Gloria is sung with splendor.
• Creed is said.
• Preface of the Epiphany is used. 
• Solemn Blessing #4 may be used. 

• The Christmas Season concludes after this feast. 
• The Christmas decorations in the church are removed.
• Gloria is sung with splendor.
• Creed is said.
• Sprinkling Rite may be used. 
• Only one (1) reading before the Gospel is used. 
• Christmas Solemn Blessing #4 or #9 may be used. 
• On Epiphany Sunday, there is an ancient custom of announcing the dates of the moveable Feasts for the coming year. This Epiphany Proclamation may take place after the Gospel, or within or after the homily. See the Roman Missal, Appendix I: The Announcement of Easter and the Moveable Feasts. 

• https://www.usccb.org/committees/ecumenical-interreligious-affairs/international-week-prayer-christian-unity 
  

• Blessing of Readers may take place after the homily. Please see Book of Blessings, Ch. 61.