What? No Midnight Mass at Assumption?

Throughout most of the history of the Church, the first Christmas Mass that could be celebrated was Midnight Mass. This was because that was the beginning of Christmas Day (Christmas Eve was part of the penitential season of Advent!). There have been many beautiful traditions observed, and warm memories made, by the faithful who gathered solemnly to celebrate this long-awaited feast at mid-night. The majority of Catholics attended Mass at one of several Masses on Christmas Day.

With the liturgical reforms of the Second Vatican Council came the practice of “vigil” Masses on Saturday evenings (eventually, Saturday afternoons!) and on the eve of Holy Days of obligation. This caused a timing revolution for the celebration of Christmas. Now that it was allowed, many people wanted a Christmas Eve Mass in the early evening, then the late afternoon (the earlier, the better, to have the obligation fulfilled and get to Grandma’s house for dinner!). The priests complied with their wishes, and most parishes had two afternoon Masses, plus a “Midnight Mass”, which began sometime between 8:00PM and midnight. Fewer and fewer people came to Christmas Day Masses. True Midnight Masses became only for the staunch traditionalist or the young, who were going to be out late anyway.

Last year, our 11:00PM “Midnight Mass” at Assumption was attended by fewer than 70 people, including the choir. This was partially because of the cold weather, but the number was quite low.

This year, when Christmas falls on a Monday, it makes it so Christmas Eve is on the same afternoon and evening as the Fourth Sunday of Advent, when in the morning, priests had to celebrate one or more Masses. Something has to give! Therefore, I have decided that there will be no “Midnight Mass” at Assumption this year. (Assumption is not the only parish in the family not to have a “Midnight Mass”).

We will still have our 3:00PM Christmas Eve Mass and a Mass at 10:00AM Christmas Day (when our choir will sing). I am sorry that I had to make this decision, but I think it is the right one, especially considering the fact that there will further cuts/consolidations of Masses in our family of parishes in the future. I am sure that great devotees of Midnight Mass will be able to find one in our general vicinity, and I hope that you will still be able to enjoy a Merry Christmas in these changing times.