This is the toughest holy day of obligation for many people. I remember when I was younger it always seemed like cruel and unusual punishment to make us go to Mass the morning after the biggest party night of the year.
Notice at the time I didn’t question my partying ways, I questioned whether the Church was cruel for making us go to Mass the night after my partying. I guess my partying was the given and the Church needed to build its calendar around my life. Or at least schedule afternoon masses.
But as you get older I’ve seen it as a wonderful day and a great reason to pray:
O God, who through the fruitful virginity of Blessed Mary bestowed on the human race the grace of eternal salvation, grant, we pray, that we may experience the intercession of her, through whom we were found worthy to receive the author of life, our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
January 1, 2013 at 3:56 pm
I'm embarrassed to say that this is the one day of the year when I'd really like to be a cafeteria Catholic. But I sucked it up and went to Mass and realize that going to Mass and receiving the Eucharist on the first day of the year is a pretty awesome way to start the New Year.
January 1, 2013 at 7:02 pm
Remember when it was the Feast of the Circumcision and then the Feast of the Holy Family?
January 2, 2013 at 3:23 pm
Based on the attendance at our 10am Mass, there should be long confession lines before this weekend's Masses. On the other hand, maybe there was standing room only at the 5:30 Vigil Mass on New Years Eve…
January 2, 2013 at 5:14 pm
I think it is the Western world that makes New Year a party time. In Japan, New Year is family time. Everyone goes back to the furosato (hometown) to eat and drink with family, and visit the local shrine to pray. And they celebrate for at least two days! Our grown children have wonderful memories of New Year in Japan when they were growing up.