Worship

The Office for Worship is responsible for planning and overseeing diocesan liturgies involving the Bishop of Manchester. It is also responsible for assisting parishes with liturgies at which the bishop will preside or celebrate. In addition, the Office for Worship provides the priests and faithful of the diocese resources for the encouragement of liturgical understanding, appreciation, and celebration.

Preparing for All Souls' Day 2013

Saturday, November 2, 2013—All Souls’ Day

This year, the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls’ Day) on November 2nd falls on a Saturday. The Table of Liturgical Days ranks All Souls’ Day at no. 3 after the Solemnity of All Saints, but ahead of Sundays in Ordinary Time. Thus, on Friday evening, November 1st, the Mass of All Saints is celebrated. On Saturday evening, all normally scheduled anticipated Masses should be for the 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time. Masses for the celebration of All Souls’ may only be celebrated from Saturday morning until the Vigil Mass for Sunday.

Since Saturday is a common day for the celebration of Marriage in the United States, it should also be noted that Ritual Masses are forbidden on All Souls’ Day (G.I.R.M., no. 372). While the Ritual Mass for the Celebration of Marriage is forbidden, the Mass of the day with the ritual itself and the nuptial blessing could be celebrated, though it might not be the most appropriate combination. Rather, the Rite of Marriage outside Mass should be the preferred option if the celebration of Marriage is to take place on this day. Funeral Masses are appropriately celebrated on this day.

For more information, please contact:
Rev. Jason Y. Jalbert
Director of the Office for Worship
(603) 663-0132
jjalbert@rcbm.org