Regarding the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception
As we approach the season of Advent and the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, we want to ensure clarity regarding the celebration of this great Solemnity.
The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary is one of the most important Marian feasts of the liturgical calendar. This year, December 8 falls on the Second Sunday of Advent, which takes liturgical precedence over the feast of the Immaculate Conception. Due to the importance of this Marian feast, its observance has been moved to Monday, December 9, 2024. In response to an inquiry from the U.S. bishops, the Holy See has also confirmed that the obligation to attend Mass for the Immaculate Conception is transferred to December 9. This marks a new interpretation of Church law, meaning that the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception on December 9 will now always be a holy day of obligation.
FROM THE UNITED STATES CONFERENCE OF CATHOLIC BISHOPS (USCCB):
Earlier this year (2024), Bishop Thomas J. Paprocki, Chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Canonical Affairs and Church Governance, wrote to the Holy See seeking clarification about the obligation to attend Mass when a holy day of obligation in Advent, Lent, or Easter falls on Sunday and the Solemnity is transferred to Monday.
In a memo to the U.S. bishops dated Thursday, October 10, Bishop Paprocki communicated the Dicastery for Legislative Text’s response: “The feast must be observed as a day of obligation on the day to which it is transferred.”
In light of this new and recent directive, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception Monday, December 9, 2024, is to be observed as a holy day of obligation.
Sunday - December 8, 2024 – Second Sunday of Advent
The Second Sunday of Advent will be observed on Sunday, December 8. Masses for the Second Sunday of Advent are the only Masses to be celebrated on this day.
Masses for the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary may not be celebrated on December 8.
Attending any Mass from 4:00 pm on Saturday, December 7, through midnight on Sunday, December 8, fulfills the obligation for the Second Sunday of Advent.
Evening Prayer II for the Second Sunday of Advent will be celebrated on Sunday, December 8.
Please note that funerals, rituals, and votive Masses are not allowed on Sundays during Advent.
Monday - December 9, 2024 – The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
The feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary is now transferred to Monday, December 9, 2024, and is a holy day of obligation.
Attending any Mass from 4:00 pm on Sunday, December 8, through midnight on Monday, December 9, fulfills the obligation for the Immaculate Conception.
Since there is no vigil Mass for the Immaculate Conception, all Sunday evening Masses (Sunday, December 8) will be for the Second Sunday of Advent.
The Liturgy of the Hours for the Immaculate Conception will be celebrated on Monday, December 9.
Important Reminder:
If you attend Mass for the Second Sunday of Advent on Saturday evening or Sunday morning and then attend another Mass on Sunday at 4:00 pm or later, that second Mass may fulfill the obligation for the Immaculate Conception. However, please note that you cannot fulfill two separate obligations with a single Mass.
