Some Holy Days of Obligation leave many of us scratching our heads. To make sure they’re not preaching to empty pews, priests often throw out hints at Sunday Mass preceding the Holy Day.
“Next Thursday is December eighth. What do you suppose we have going on that day?” Father Jankowski asks his congregants before administering the final blessing.
Parishioners fidget in their seats, shooting each other nervous glances.
“Annual blood drive?”
“Sock and underwear collection for the nuns?”
“Oil change on the bishop’s Mercedes?”
“It’s the Feast of the Immaculate Conception,” Father says, reminding everyone that it’s a Holy Day of Obligation.
“It’s the Feast of the Immaculate Conception,” Father says, reminding everyone that it’s a Holy Day of Obligation.
“Anyone who can tell me what that day commemorates will get a dispensation from attending Mass.” Those Get Out of Mass coupons are as rare as a teenage boy waking before noon and offering to drive his grandmother to seven a.m. Mass.
Voices cry out, “Honoring Mary for being a virgin when she conceived Jesus!”
Father sighs. “Does anyone know?”
Rosa and Theresa Giannetti, twin Octogenarians seated in the first pew, say in unison, “Our Blessed Mother was conceived without the stain of Original Sin. Unlike the rest of us wretches.”
“I’ll see all of you here Thursday,” Father tells his congregation, including the Giannettis. They attend Mass every day and wouldn’t dream of missing a Holy Day.
Father sighs. “Does anyone know?”
Rosa and Theresa Giannetti, twin Octogenarians seated in the first pew, say in unison, “Our Blessed Mother was conceived without the stain of Original Sin. Unlike the rest of us wretches.”
“I’ll see all of you here Thursday,” Father tells his congregation, including the Giannettis. They attend Mass every day and wouldn’t dream of missing a Holy Day.
