Q: We’re trying to finalize our parish Christmas cards this year, but I can’t seem to find an authoritative answer about whether or not the Immaculate Conception is a holy day or not this year being that it’s transferred to Monday, December 9th. I heard that the diocese next door said it wasn’t; a friend of mine in a different diocese said his bishop asked the USCCB and they said yes. I was originally under the impression that the Immaculate Conception follows the same rules as Christmas in this country, but there seems to be some confusion. The legislation I read omits that feast from the list of the Monday/Saturday exceptions, but we transfer the feast to the 9th which I think is causing the confusion (at least from what I’ve been able to ascertain). Do you know the current legislation for this day? I want to get it right if we need to offer multiple options for Mass attendance. Thanks,
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A: There was late-breaking news on this just two weeks ago, and I’m working on an email to all the priests.
The Dicastery for Legislative Texts has decided for us that when an obligatory solemnity transfers to another day, then the obligation transfers with it.
December 8 is always a holyday in the US because of Mary’s patronage of the US under that title, but in the past we have not observed the obligation in years when the 8th fell on a Sunday and the solemnity moved to a Monday. Now we do.
December 9 will be a holyday of obligation this year.