Q: We have a number of parishes named “St. Mary” – but not further specified. May the parish simply choose under which title to celebrate the parish’s patronal solemnity? Or is something more “official” required?
Likewise, we have a number of churches that have been renovated extensively and subsequently re-dedicated. I am assuming that the date of the re-dedication, not the original dedication, is observed as a solemnity in the parish.
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A: I treat this in my forthcoming book, Sacred Times. Look at Calendaria particularia 35, DOL 481 (4030), p. 1253. You’ll see that the default titular day is the Assumption, August 15—Mary’s dies natalis.
Correct about rededications. If the whole ceremony was done anew, then the new date is observed each year.