Celebrating Christmas Mass

Christmas is, next to the Easter Triddum, the most important Mass celebration in the Catholic Church. Parishes traditionally prepare for several different Masses for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, and each celebration will have a unique character defined by the time of day when it is to take place.

I recently found a small program for Christmas Mass Times at St. Michael's Cathedral from 1934. I was instantly drawn to the illustration on the cover and thought it would be appropriate to share ahead of the Christmas holidays.


"Jesus, sweetest Child born in Bethlehem of Mary ever Virgin, swathed in rags, laid in the manger, announced by angels, visited by shepherds, have mercy upon us.

Jesus, sweetest child, made known to the three Magi by a star, adored in the arms of thy Mother, presented with the mystic gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh; have mercy upon us. -- From 'the Raccolta'"

Christmas Mass times, 1934. St. Michael's Parish Files. Archives of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Toronto.
 



Christmas Mass times, 1934. St. Michael's Parish Files. Archives of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Toronto

 

If you are interested in celebrating this Christmas at the Cathedral, here are this year's Christmas and New Year's Mass times.

 

You can also read more about the history and traditions of celebrating Christmas Mass on the website of the CCCB here.