We have received approval from the Holy See regarding the Proper Liturgical Calendar for the Archdiocese of Detroit. In addition, we share some notes and clarifications regarding upcoming dates, particularly the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception:

Approval by the Holy See of the Proper Liturgical Calendar for the Archdiocese of Detroit

November 27 | Now a Diocesan Feast | Dedication of the Cathedral Church, Blessed Sacrament Cathedral

In the process of attempting to update our diocesan liturgical calendar, we learned many things—the most important of which was that the Apostolic See (Dicastery for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments) did not have a decree in its archive establishing our diocesan liturgical calendar, which is not uncommon. While arranging for the decree, it was clarified that we are to observe the dedication of the Cathedral Church on November 27, the day in 1930 when Bishop Gallagher dedicated the sacred edifice. This, of course, means that March 26 (the day we have commemorated the rededication of the Cathedral) is not a diocesan feast.

The Decree dated September 19, 2024, confirms the following Proper Liturgical Calendar for the Archdiocese of Detroit:

July 26 | Solemnity of Saints Joachim and Anne, Parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary; St. Anne, Patroness of the Archdiocese

July 30 | Optional Memorial of Blessed Solanus Casey, Religious* 

November 27 | Anniversary of the Dedication of the Cathedral Church

• For Masses celebrated in the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament, this day is a Solemnity. For Masses celebrated in the rest of the Archdiocese, this day is a Feast. 

The Paulist Press Ordo indicates that July 30 is celebrated as an obligatoryMemorial and this can be very easily misunderstood since it applies only to the Church where the remains of the Blessed are preserved. This was also clarified in a 1999 [De Culto Beatorum] directive and needs to be understood. (cf. #6 below). We continue to encourage all to exercise the “option” to celebrate this Memorial of Blessed Solanus Casey as we pray for his Canonization.

From De Culto Beatorum:

“6. The celebration of a Blessed legitimately inscribed in the Particular Calendar of a diocese, a religious family or a larger territory is held with the rank of optional memorial, and with the rank of obligatory memorial in the Church where their remains are preserved; in the calendar of a religious Institute, the rank of feast is usually reserved for the Blessed who is the founder of that Institute.” (emphases added)

In addition, there have been questions regarding the mention of Blessed Solanus Casey in the Eucharistic Prayer. This directive also supplies the following answer:

“13. The names of the Blessed, which appear in the Calendar of the diocese or religious institute, may be mentioned in Eucharistic Prayer III (Ordo Missae, n. 113) and added to the Litany of the Saints.”

Notes Regarding Upcoming Dates

Friday, November 1 | All Saints

• The Solemnity of All Saints remains a day of obligation in the US.

Saturday, November 2 | All Souls

• A question has arisen about whether the Mass for All Souls can be used after 4 p.m. on Saturday, November 2.
  • The Sunday Mass must be used at a regularly scheduled Vigil Mass.
  • If the parish does not have a regularly scheduled Vigil Mass, the Mass for All Souls can be used at or after 4:00 p.m. and counts as fulfilling the Sunday obligation.
  • If the parish has a Vigil Mass, the Mass for All Souls should not be used if another Mass is added after the Vigil Mass.

Monday, December 9 | Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception:  Dispensation from the Obligation to Attend Mass

• This year, the Solemnity falls on a Sunday and was transferred in the calendar to Monday, December 9. The Apostolic See recently clarified that, despite the longstanding practice in the United States of abrogating* the obligation when some Holy Day of Obligation fall on a Saturday or Monday, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception remains a day of obligation. This official determination is contrasted against this year’s Paulist Ordo that erroneously reports that the December 9 Solemnity does not carry with it the obligation to attend Mass.
• Considering these many things, Archbishop Vigneron has elected to dispense the faithful of the Archdiocese of Detroit from the obligation to attend Mass on Monday, December 9. Some of the suffragan bishops in Michigan have done the same.
• Monday, December 9, remains a great solemnity to celebrate the Blessed Mother, the patron of our beloved country. The faithful are still encouraged to attend Mass on that day.

* The “no Mass obligation” rule for the USA only applies to when January 1, August 15 and November 1 fall on a Saturday or Monday, and only for those three Solemnities. Note that next year, in 2025, December 8 will fall on a Monday and there will be NO dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass on that day.