Feasts and Fasts in 2024
One of the Church's ancient and beautiful customs is the singing, after the Gospel on the Feast of the Epiphany, of the Proclamation of the known from its first word as the Noveritis.
This chant announces certain "movable" feasts, those not connected to a particular date. In 2024, the chant says: Know, dear brothers and sisters, that, as we have rejoiced at the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ, so by leave of God's mercy we announce to you also the joy of his Resurrection, who is our Savior. On the fourteenth day of February will fall Ash Wednesday, and the beginning of the fast of the most sacred Lenten season. On the thirty-first day of March you will celebrate with joy Easter Day, the Paschal feast of our Lord Jesus Christ. On the ninth day of May will be the Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ. On the nineteenth day of May, the feast of Pentecost. On the thirtieth day of May, the feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. On the first day of December, the First Sunday of the Advent of our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom is honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen. Principal Festivals in 2023 Principal festivals celebrate the key events of God's salvation, and our participation in them. We celebrate most of these with a Solemn Sung Mass. Easter Day Ascension Day Pentecost Trinity Sunday (the Sunday after Pentecost) All Saints Day (1 November or the next Sunday) Christmas Day The Epiphany Ash Wednesday Maundy Thursday Good Friday The Baptism of the Lord (Sunday after Epiphany) St Mary Magdalene (22 July or the next Sunday) Dedication of the Church (a Sunday in October) Fast Days Fasting (reducing our food intake) and abstinence (refraining from meat) are an ancient custom of the church, and are strongly recommended on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. In addition, the season of Lent is a period of discipline and self-denial, along with every Friday during the year (except during the Easter Season or on a Festival) The Western church also observes the custom whereby those who are not impeded by age or ill health abstain from any food or drink, with the exception of water and medicine, for at least the period of one hour before Holy Communion. |
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