September 11, 2022, 12:00 PM

Feasts and their ranking are contained in a book called the Ordo. They fall into five categories: Solemnities (Sundays and Holy Days), Feasts (including Apostles, Transfiguration of the Lord, St. Lawrence), Memorials (such as Saints Joachim and Ann, St. Kateri Tekakwitha, Saints Martha, Mary, and Lazarus), Optional Memorials (including Our Lady of Mount Carmel, St. Maria Goretti, St. Stephen of Hungary, St. Rose of Lima), and days where no Saint is designated. Some Memorials and Optional Memorials are specific to the U.S. such as St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Independence Day, and Thanksgiving Day. The Priest must celebrate Solemnities, Feasts, and Memorials, but Optional Memorials are, as the name says, optional. For Optional Memorials and days where no Saint is designated, the Priest has several options. He can celebrate the weekday option and wear vestments appropriate to the liturgical season. In this case the Prayers are from the Sunday of that week. He can also celebrate a Votive Mass for a Saint such as the Blessed Virgin Mary, or an intention such as World Peace, Christian Unity, or Vocations. If the Priest chooses to celebrate an Optional Memorial or Votive Mass, it may affect the Readings to be proclaimed and the Collect, Prayer Over the Gifts, Preface, and Prayer After Communion. There are many good reasons for the Priest to celebrate Masses in line with the monthly Catholic devotions such as July is the Most Precious Blood of Jesus, August is the Immaculate Heart of Mary, September is the Seven Sorrows of Mary, and October is the Rosary. Whichever Mass the Priest celebrates, we give thanks to God and receive Jesus in the Eucharist. Now you know!