Q: I’m coming to you with a question which I feel certain you can help me with.
A discussion has arisen at my parish concerning certain Anniversaries, Memorials and Feasts that appear on the Necrology side of the Ordo for Los Angeles. From a parish liturgy directors perspective I need some help in understanding when some of these must-should-ought-could be celebrated and would replace others that are set. So, I suppose this question concerns Ranks.
There are seven such events, which I’ve listed below. Consulting with the Universal Norms On The Calendar from the Roman Missal (page 96, paragraph 59 “Table of Liturgical Days”) I’ve attempted to Rank the events and wonder when appropriate for them to be celebrated.
They are:
3-1 Anniversary of succession of the Metropolitan (2011), José Horacio Gómez. (I can’t Rank this – not even certain which Mass would be used if this were celebrated).
3-19 Anniversary of Episcopal Ordination of the Archbishop Emeritus (1975), Roger Michael Cardinal Mahony. Same as above concerning Rank and if it would even be celebrated.
3-26 Anniversary of Episcopal Ordination of the Metropolitan (2001), José Horacio Gómez. Same as above concerning Rank and if it would even be celebrated.
7-5 Memorial, Our Lady, Refuge of Sinners/Our Lady of Refuge, Patroness of the Californias (observed in all dioceses and Archdiocese in California). Rank 3, 11, A?
8-9 Memorial, St. Emydius, Bishop, Martyr, Secondary Patron (invoked against earthquakes). Rank 3, 11, A?
9-2 Feast, Anniversary of Dedication of the Metropolitan Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels (Solemnity in Cathedral only), Rank 2, 8, B? NB: this year this falls on Labor Day — so another question concerning pastoral issues of celebrating Labor Day Mass vs. Cathedral.
9-4 Feast, Our Lady of the Angels, Principal Patroness. Rank: 2, 8, A?
Any insight on this matter would be greatly appreciated.
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A: Here’s my call on these seven events:
3-1 The succession of the metropolitan holds no rank on the table of liturgical days. March 1 has no competing observance on the calendar. Outside Lent, you are free to celebrate from the Masses for Various Needs and Occasions #3, For the Bishop, which is recommended for his anniversary of ordination, but not restricted to that occasion. Celebrating that Mass is not obligatory, but it could be a nice thing to do. Alternatively, especially during Lent, it would be nice to include a petition for the metropolitan in the universal prayer that day.
3-19 There is no obligation to celebrate with a special Mass the anniversary of the episcopal ordination of any bishop, especially an emeritus. That has no rank on the table of liturgical days. Besides, March 19 is a solemnity, so even the Mass For the Bishop may not be celebrated that day. A petition in the universal prayer is the best way to acknowledge the day.
3-26 As indicated for March 19, this has no rank in the table of liturgical days. This date always falls either during Lent or the Octave of Easter, so the Mass For the Bishop can never be celebrated. You are left with a petition in the universal prayer.
7-5 As an obligatory memorial, yes, this falls in the table at III:11A. The optional memorials of Anthony Zaccaria and Elizabeth of Portugal are permanently impeded unless the calendar has transferred those observances to a different day.
8-9 Same as with July 5. As an obligatory memorial, it permanently impedes the celebration of St. Teresa Benedicta, unless the archdiocese has moved her to another date.
9-2 Indeed this is a feast day in all the parishes of the archdiocese except the cathedral, where it is a solemnity. This year on Labor Day you are still required to celebrate the feast of the dedication of the cathedral. You may include petitions for laborers—and those who look for labor—in the universal prayer.
9-4 Yes, this is a feast for you according to II:8A. In my diocese, the principal patron is the Immaculate Conception, so here the principal patron is a solemnity.