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Solemnities, Feasts, and Memorials

Solemnities, Feasts, and Memorials

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Paging through a Sunday Missal, you will see references to the “the Feast of,” “the Solemnity of,” and the “Memorial of.” But what are the differences? How do they rank in importance? Writing for Catechist magazine, Kate Ristow explains the differences among the Church celebrations on the Liturgical calendar. You may also view her article “Feasts and Saints of the Easter Season” in its entirety.

Although we often use the generic word feasts to describe the cycle of celebrations we observe during the course of the Church year, there are four different ranks that highlight their significance: solemnities, feasts, memorials (obligatory), and optional memorials.

Solemnities celebrate major events in the life of Jesus or Mary and the greatest mysteries of our faith. Examples of solemnities are Easter, Christmas, Epiphany, and the Annunciation. We also celebrate solemnities to honor specific titles or descriptions of Jesus or Mary, such as the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus; Christ the King; the Most Holy Trinity; and Mary, Mother of God. Included are Holy Days of Obligation and days that honor saints who played a pivotal role in salvation history: such as the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul and the birth of John the Baptist.

Feasts also commemorate mysteries of our faith and events in the life of Jesus, Mary, and other people who played an important role in Church history. Feasts, while central to our celebration of the faith, are of less significance than solemnities. Examples of feasts are the Transfiguration of the Lord and the Holy Family; they include celebrations honoring the Evangelists and Apostles.

Memorials most often venerate specific saints and martyrs throughout history, including those canonized in our time. Certain memorials are set aside to celebrate something about Mary (e.g., Our Lady of Sorrows on September 15). We are required to observe obligatory memorials. However, we must not think that optional memorials are unimportant. They give us the opportunity to honor an individual whose life shows us how to live as a disciple of Christ and who now shares life everlasting with God.

  • Bring print resources, like the Roman Missal or a Liturgical Year calendar to your session. Challenge the students to find examples of solemnities, feasts, and memorials.
  • Invite the children to look up the date on which the Church celebrates their name saint. Have them read the brief summary of the saint’s life using facts from biographies of the saints.

Image credit: Thoom/Shutterstock.com

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