Q: Should our Abbey celebrate the Anniversary of our Cathedral’s Dedication?

One monk proposes: Like every parish in the diocese, it would be proper for us to celebrate the anniversary of the dedication of the primary cathedral as a feast (except at the cathedral itself, where it is a solemnity). 

The fact that we are an abbey and not a parish does not take us out of the diocese. The anniversary of the dedication of the diocesan cathedral falls at #8b on the Table of Liturgical Days, which as an official liturgical document is liturgical law for all Catholic churches and communities. Celebrating this anniversary would also be an act of solidarity with the local church. It’s a good reminder that we are not “on our own” in the church but connected to others. The bishop still has liturgical authority over us, even if he has to consult the Abbot to appoint monks as pastors of parishes.

Question: What do you think we should do? Observe it or not?

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A: You realize, of course, that you’re asking the pastor of a cathedral if a religious community should observe the anniversary of its cathedral’s dedication. What answer do you expect???!!!

Seriously, I do believe, for the reasons you state, that it would be fitting for an abbey to celebrate its cathedral’s anniversary as a feast. This would add to its expression of unity.

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