Our world is changing continuously and at an ever-greater pace. And although the church offers a sense of stability, we are called to continuously evaluate how we may best serve our community in this constantly and rapidly changing world. Having carefully done that over the past several months, we have a few liturgical changes to announce for this coming Fall.
First, after months of consultation and prayerful consideration we have decided to move the 11:30am Mass to noon, starting September 8, 2024. You will remember that we have done this for many years on High Holidays. There are several reasons why we want to make this shift permanent.
- This will allow for an easier transition between 9:30am Mass and Noon Mass.
- Our liturgical coordinators and minsters will be able to prepare properly for the noon Mass.
- Our musicians and sound technicians will have the time needed for rehearsal and sound check in preparation of the Noon Mass to ensure better sound.
- Catechists in our Sunday School will have more time to teach our children and to engage in our new and integrated approach to music and catechesis.
- Our families who have children in our Sunday School will be able to participate in Sunday Eucharist together.
- Those attending our adult faith formation sessions held at 11:00am on Sunday morning will be able to attend 9:30am Mass before or Noon Mass after the lecture.
- When 9:30am Mass goes long due to extra liturgical rites it will ease traffic around The Basilica.
Second, starting September 8, 2024, we will move the 5:00pm Mass to 5:30pm. We decided to make this change for the following reasons:
- The change from 11:30am Mass to noon Mass necessitates a shift in time for all activities that happen in the Basilica on Sunday afternoons by 30 minutes. As you know we host several Archdiocesan events on Sunday afternoons as well as seasonal vespers and other Basilica initiatives such as the Blessing of the Animals, Mary Crowning, etc.
- It will give our youth 30 more minutes for Sunday afternoon activities before our Basilica youth group meets and our Confirmation Classes begin.
- In addition, it is our hope that this shift will allow more time for people who spend the weekend outside of the Cities to return in time for our Sunday evening Mass. You may remember that our latest Sunday Mass used to be at 6:30pm.
Third, we plan to offer the Precious Blood of Christ to everyone present starting the weekend of September 8, 2024. As you know we have a longstanding tradition of doing this at The Basilica. COVID, of course, put an end to that. We have been slow in returning the Cup to the people mostly due to a shortage in Extra-Ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion. If you feel called to become an Extra-Ordinary Minister of Holy Communion, please contact Rámond Mitchell in our liturgy office.
Fourth, starting on September 6, 2024 we will begin marking First Fridays of the month with Noon Mass, followed by 30 minutes of Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and the recitation of the Litany of the Sacred Heart. This devotion has its origins in visions reported by 17th C. mystic, Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque who received promises from the Sacred Heart that “in the excess of the mercy of My Heart, I promise you that My all powerful love will grant to all those who will receive Communion on the First Fridays, for nine consecutive months, the grace of final repentance: they will not die in My displeasure, nor without receiving the sacraments; and My Heart will be their secure refuge in that last hour.” Please join us each first Friday of the month, September-May at noon in the St. Joseph Chapel.
We hope and trust that these changes will enhance the liturgical and devotional life of our Basilica community. Should you have any questions or suggestions, please feel free to contact us.
Saint Mary of Magdala, Patron Saint of change and Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, Patron Saint of new beginnings, pray for us.
Johan van Parys, PhD
Managing Director of Ministries/ Director of Liturgy & Sacred Arts