This Week:
Monday 28th December
Feast of the Holy Innocents. Red vestments are worn, but in some places, Purple is worn traditionally when the Feast falls during the week to re-call the grief of the Mothers and their lamentation in Rama. The Gospel relates how St. Joseph was warned by an angel to take the Holy Family and flee into Egypt to protect the Christ Child. The sad prophecy of Jeremias is fulfilled: "A voice in Rama was heard, lamentation and great mourning: Rachel bewailing her children and would not be comforted because they are not." The prophecy is repeated in the Communion of the Mass for emphasis and edification.
Tuesday 29th December
V day in the Octave of the Nativity and in England and Wales the First Class Feast of St. Thomas á Becket, famous Chancellor of England and Archbishop of Canterbury who gave his life in defence of the liberty of the Church.
Wednesday 30th October
VI day in the Octave of the Nativity.
Thursday 31st December
VII Day Within the Octave of the Nativity. Mass Puer Natus with commemoration of St. Sylvester Pp. C., who served the Church between 314 and 335, and presided over the Council of Nicea which condemned Arius and his heretical sect and confirmed the divinity of Our Lord.
Friday 1st January 2021
Octave Day of the Nativity, Feast of Circumcision.
The Votive Mass of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus is prohibited. The first Mass of the new year celebrates two feasts, one of Jesus, the other of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Jesus immediately sheds a few drops of His Precious Blood as a pledge of His complete blood-letting later on to redeem us. (Gospel ) . By His Circumcision Jesus is marked as a victim for sacrifice, Who will take our “ government upon His Shoulder” (Introit), and therefore “all the earth hath seen salvation” (Gradual, Communion). Why He gave Himself is explained in the Epistle, namely to “redeem and cleanse us .” Secondly, Mary’s maternity of Jesus and of us is acknowledged by the Prayer which implores her aid on our behalf to share in His Life; and for this purpose, may our sacrificial offerings (Secret) and Postcommunion and sacramental reception “wash away our guilt” by her intercession.