Solemnities, Feasts, and Memorials

Christ yesterday and today, the beginning and the end, the Alpha and the Omega, all time belongs to him, and all ages;
to him be glory and power, through every age and for ever. Amen. (Easter Vigil liturgy)

From the time of the Mosaic law, the People of God have observed fixed feasts, beginning with Passover, to commemorate the astonishing actions of the Savior God, to give him thanks for them, to perpetuate their remembrance, and to teach new generations to conform their conduct to them. In the age of the Church, … the liturgy celebrated on fixed days bears the imprint of the newness of the mystery of Christ.

Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) #1164

Solemnities, Feasts, and Memorials

For two thousand years (and counting), the Church has celebrated and been making present the mysteries of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, and honoring the example and lives of his mother Mary and the Saints. These celebrations are observed in three primary ways – as Solemnities, Feasts, and Memorials, the relative importance of the observance dictating the liturgy.

Solemnities are the highest rank of celebration. Easter is the “Feast of feasts” and “Solemnity of solemnities” (CCC #1169). Christmas, the Ascension, and Corpus Christi are other examples. The Gloria and Creed are always prayed during the liturgy. Sundays and all solemnities begin with a vigil celebration the night before.

Feasts honor notable saints like the Archangels and the Apostles. The Gloria is required, but not the Creed.

Memorials honor other saints. Obligatory memorials must be observed while Optional memorials may be observed. Neither the Gloria nor the Creed are prayed. Feasts and Memorials do not include a vigil celebration.

An Exposed and Suffering Heart

The Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus is celebrated the first Friday following the Solemnity of Corpus Christi. “The Church venerates and honors the Heart of Jesus…. It adores the incarnate Word and his Heart which, out of love for men, he allowed to be pierced for our sins” (CCC #2669). Our neighbor gifted us a framed icon of the Sacred Heart some time ago, and in beautiful sermon this morning our priest pointed out two key aspects of the image. First, it is an exposed Heart. Jesus asks us to expose our hearts in love just as he did. Second, his Sacred Heart is pierced and crowned with thorns; thus a suffering Heart, rejected and mocked by many. By exposing our hearts in love, we too run the risk of suffering, rejection, and mockery.

By our worship and our lives, may we “commemorate the astonishing actions of the Savior God, give him thanks for them, perpetuate their remembrance, and teach new generations to conform their conduct to them” (CCC #1164).

Heart of Jesus, aflame with love for us, broken for our sins, fountain of life and holiness… have mercy on us.