The Pope has moved the start of Midnight Mass

[Vanyel]

Link.

The traditional midnight Christmas Mass at St. Peter's Basilica will be held two hours earlier this year. For many the news aroused fears about the Pope's health, but, according to the Vatican spokesman, it's only an effort to save Pope Benedict's energy for a busy Christmas schedule.

As a kid I used to love going to Midnight Mass, now few churches do it; or, like the Vatican, have moved Midnight Mass to 10:00PM.

How can it be Midnight Mass if it's a 10:00PM? I can understand the reasoning so many churches here have stopped it, low attendance. Why have a Mass so late when so few show up. But the Vatican??? It's always full for Mass.

I dunno, maybe I'm just a young Catholic who still remembers Christmas' past: dressing up in a new little suit, going to Midnight Mass, hearing the Christmas carols being played on an organ and then going home to open Christmas presents. Then going to bed and waking up to find the presents Santa left.

Anyway, my fellow Catholics, what do you think about the Vatican not having Midnight Mass? And what do you think of the declining number of churches that offer Midnight Mass? What do you non-practicing Catholics think? Everyone, of any faith, please give your opinion.

 

[kes7]

The Holy Father is really up there in years. One of the local churches here has a priest of similar age, and the busy times of year like this really take it out of him, and this is a laid-back rural area. I can't imagine what it's like for Benedict. If he needs to be in bed by eleven-thirty to keep his physical stamina up, I think that's understandable.

That's my $.02.

 

[Saul]

Well if you don't go to midnight mass there is always morning mass on Christmas day. I think moving it to an earlier time won't do any harm and would probably suit everyone from those attending who can get home a bit earlier and for older people who watch it on TV.

Midnight mass usually suits a lot of people who are too busy on Christmas day. I think making it earlier in Churches might attract more people.

 

[Vanyel]

The article does say that the change is without precedent. That would mean Pope John Paul II, kept it going, or at least one of the Cardinals at the Vatican.

 

[TheLonelySquire]

My church is mobbed during midnight mass. It's awesome celebrating our Saviour with so many at that time. However, the Pope is 83-84 I think and I believe he has obligations the next morning, so I can understand this.

 

[Maestro]

I suspect that Pope Benedict probably has a good reason for the change, but more importantly, it's going to piss off the rubricists, and that makes me happy!

 

[Skywalker]

Oh, so what, we have to do everything the Pope says, now?

Wait...

 

[iguana_tonante]

I'm sorry, guys. I invited Joseph for a midnight gig and he had to move the Mass to an earlier time so he can show up. My bad.

 

[The Boy Who Cried Worf]

I'm not a Catholic anymore, but as a kid I got to be an altar boy at a couple of Midnight Masses. They really are impressive. The usual pageantry, but something very intimate about it too. If you are Catholic I'd recommend you go at least once in your life.

 

[drychlick]

that sad midnight mass is for midnight mass sad! and if the pope can't do his job maybe it time for a new pope

 

[Hoser]

Oi, I had midnight mass on a few times while doing late night wrappings.

 

[Mark de Vries]

I love midnight Mass. I intend the be there serving Mass, and probably the next day(s) too. I am in a cathedral parish, so if I can contribute to these days a bit, I'm all for it.

that sad midnight mass is for midnight mass sad! and if the pope can't do his job maybe it time for a new pope

That's a pretty shortsighted comment. They moved the time to make the busy time of Christmas just a bit more manageable for the Holy Father. He's in his 80s, after all. I'm not too bothered by the Vatican moving the time.

And besides: being Pope is not 'just another job'.

 

[RJDiogenes]

It's always midnight somewhere....

 

[Vanyel]

The Holy Father is 82. And yes the Christmas season, like the Easter Season, is full of responsibilities for him. However, the article does say that the change is "without precedent" meaning that Pope John Paul II held midnight Mass, or at least one of Cardinals did it. I still think it's sad that the Holy Father chose to move from tradition, especially since he is a conservative Pope, who has gone so far as to bring back some of the traditional vestments of the Papacy that have fallen out of use since before John Paul II.

 

[Mark de Vries]

I can understand that, but I think that as far as rubrics and tradition go, moving the time of midnight Mass is not really that significant. Like RJ said, it's always midnight somewhere.

 

[Brolan]

I'm a non-practicing Catholic, but from what I remember from Sunday school is the Pope has a direct connnection to God. So it is ok.

 

[RoJoHen]

I'm a non-practicing Catholic, but from what I remember from Sunday school is the Pope has a direct connnection to God. So it is ok.

God is getting old, too. He goes to bed earlier than he used to.

 

[Mark de Vries]

Well, exactly. God's quite busy around Christmas. All those prayers of people who only go to church at Christmas to be listened to