In the past the feast day had a higher importance than today and was celebrated similar to Christmas with each priest having authorization to say 3 Masses.
The son of Elizabeth, cousin of the Blessed Virgin Mary, who was past the time of ordinary childbearing years, the birth was somewhat of a miracle, and Zachary, St. John’s Father exclaimed, “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, because He hath visited and wrought the redemption of his people.”
This Sunday, let us pray for St. John’s intercession to increase the number of holy priests to convert the pagan world to Christ and announce Him to unbelievers!
Mass in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite will be offered at Holywell Parish Church (St Winefride's), Well Street, Holywell at 11.30am on Sunday.