Many years ago, my parish priest told me that people would call the rectory starting the week before Christmas and ask: "What time is Christmas Midnight Mass?"
Well, if you are in the Archdiocese of Washington, and you ask this question, the answer may be more like 10pm Christmas Eve.
A reader alerted me to a growing trend that seems to be spreading across the Archdiocese -- fewer and fewer Christmas Midnight Masses.
The Shrine will not have one, nor is St. Matthew's, as well as a number of parishes.
I am not certain if there is a reason behind it -- a drop over the last few years, people scared to go out, etc. -- but it seems odd that the tradition of Christmas Midnight Mass is slowly disappearing.
Do you have any thoughts as to why?
7 comments:
I thought my parish was the only one where that question was asked. On second thought, could it be that we grew up in the same parish?
I know for me (pregnant with a 4 year old, 3 year old and 1 year old) Midnight Mass isn't a possibility. I'm sure some elderly and other parents of small children feel the same. I don't know why others couldn't attend, but maybe there has been a drop in attendance, particularly with the baby boom generation getting older and the younger generation not being as numerous?
That said, our parish, St. Bernadette in Silver Spring, does have a midnight Mass. We avoid the "children's" Mass at 5pm but last year we went to the 9pm Solemn Vigil which was beautiful. Our kids were dropping like flies, it's true, but it wasn't as late as the middle of the night.
Well the excuse is at our parish that the elderly people can not see so well to drive at night. The problem with that excuse is that it is realy no darker at 8 o'clock at night than it is at 12 o'clock at night. Of course the elderly Catholics, (V/II generation) are so used to having it their way that they are thrilled to have it so early. hey wait I'm a V/II generation. Why don't I feel like that. Richard, St Catherine of Seina, Clarksville VA
Well, it's really not a good idea to be walking around after midnight in the either the Shrine or St. Matthew's neighborhoods.
We assist at Midnight Mass at Old Saint Mary's every year. We have a 4, 2 and 3 month old this year. We put the kids to bed around 6:30 and wake them up at 11 when everything is ready and the car warmed up. They're dazed at first, dazzled by the polyphony next, and by the end of Mass they get challenging. It's very special to us though.
On Christmas morning, after waffles and presents, we have a splendid family nap.
On Christmas morning, after waffles and presents, we have a splendid family nap.
Midnight Mass isn't a possibility. I'm sure some elderly and other parents of small children feel the same.
That said, our parish, St. Bernadette in Silver Spring, does have a midnight Mass. We avoid the "children's" Mass at 5pm but last year we went to the 9pm Solemn Vigil which was beautiful. Our kids were dropping like flies, it's true, but it wasn't as late as the middle of the night.
Why aren't these children being taken to mass on Christmas Day? For the convenience of the parents? So they can open their presents on Christmas morning w/out the intrusion of the Christ child? Just because you put "solemn" in front of "vigil"; how can you call that your celebration of Christmas (vigil means anticipation)?
Hispanics are in church at 4:00 a.m. to wake up the virgin on 12/12and back again in Church in the evening. It is not even a holiday for them. Wait til they have been in the U.S. for awhile.
If "Christians" who have the day off can't even be bothered to show up at mass on the day of Christ's birth -- but put waffles and naps and their pleasure first no wonder God is letting this holy day be destroyed. What are you all teaching your children?
The custom of Midnight Mass on Christmas predates the reforms of Vatican II. Agt that time, there was no permission for Vigil Masses. Mass could start no earlier than Midnight. With the restoration of Vigil Masses, it is now possible for celebrations earlier in the evening, and it seems there is pastoral good and desire by the faithful for such. Hence, the custom has evolved organicly.
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