Laudetur Iesus Christus! This Wednesday is the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Mother and we have a few Mass times to note. Both St. Ann parish in Charlotte and St. John the Baptist in Tryon (2 hours west of Charlotte) will be offering Latin Masses on both the Vigil of the Assumption (Tuesday August 14) and the Feast of the Assumption (Wednesday August 15). As a reminder, Wednesday August 15 is a holy day of obligation.

Importance of Vigil Masses on August 14

A note of clarification, while the Tuesday evening Masses can fulfil the obligation to attend Mass for Wednesday (the Assumption), the actual Vigil Mass in the Extraordinary Form is its own distinct Mass for that day. In earlier times, the day prior to major feast days were called vigils which retained its own separate prayers and readings for the Mass.  A recent example from last week is the Vigil of St. Lawrence Thursday August 9, which was followed by the Feast of St. Lawrence the next day (August 10). It’s sort of two parts of one whole.  Although only Wednesday is a holy day of obligation, you are invited to attend Mass both Tuesday and Wednesday if possible.

Fasting on major vigils

Also in Sunday’s bulletin, Fr. Reid encourages all to fast tomorrow, Tuesday August 14*: I also encourage you to fast from something on August 14th. It’s an old and venerable Catholic practice to fast before great feast days, which is how the seasons of Advent and Lent were started. Skipping a meal or giving up something you desire (like your morning cup of coffee or your evening glass of wine) is a good sacrifice to offer to our Lord that will make you all the more hungry for the graces our Lord desires to give you through this consecration. Fasting before a great feast is not a quid pro quo that we engage in with God in the hopes of getting something from Him. Rather, it is a sign of our desire to be united with our Lord in His suffering and death so that we might be united with Him in His resurrection.

*Though fasting on vigils is now optional, it’s encouraged.

St. Ann

Tuesday August 14 – Vigil of the Assumption: Solemn High Latin Mass, 5:30 PM

Wednesday August 15 – Feast of the Assumption: High/Sung Mass, 6:00pm (preceded by Holy Hour at 5pm)

St. Thomas Aquinas

Wednesday August 15 – Feast of the Assumption: High Mass, 7:00pm

St. John the Baptist, Tryon

Tuesday August 14 – Vigil of the Assumption: High/sung Mass, 6:30 PM

Wednesday August 15 – Feast of the Assumption: High/sung Mass, Mass, 6:30pm

180 Laurel Ave, Tryon, NC 28782 – http://www.stjohntryon.com/