2023 LITURGICAL NOTES FOR THE DIOCESE OF HONOLULU
Miscellaneous Notes
- As a reminder in our diocese the Holydays of Obligation are two: the Solemnity of
the Immaculate Conception (December 8, the Patroness of the USA); and Christmas
(December 25). The faithful are encouraged to attend Mass on the other holydays of
obligation celebrated in the United States of America (See Dates to Remember below.).
Pastors are therefore asked to provide practical opportunities for more people to attend
Mass on these days by celebrating a Vigil Mass (when permitted) or an extra Mass or two
at hours convenient for the faithful. - The 2023 liturgical year begins on the First Sunday of Advent, November 27, 2022
(including its Vigil on Saturday, November 26). - Anniversary of the Dedication of the Parish Church – This date should be celebrated
as a Solemnity by the parish, unless impeded by a day of higher rank. (The Order of the
Dedication of a Church and an Altar, Chapter II, para #27 and General Norms for the
Liturgical Year and the Calendar, para # [R10]). - Memorial of the Patron(s) of the Parish – This date should be celebrated as a
Solemnity by the parish, unless impeded by a day of higher rank. (Universal Norms on
the Liturgical Year and the General Roman Calendar (by Pope Paul VI in 1969) para #
59 (Table of Liturgical Days) I, #4a.) - The celebration of the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord in our diocese is transferred to Sunday, May 21, 2023.
- Outside Advent, Christmas Time, Lent, and Easter Time, on Saturdays which have no commemoration having the rank of Obligatory Memorial or higher, a Mass in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary may be celebrated. The readings and prayers may be selected from the Collection of Masses of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
- It is appropriate to include in the Universal Prayer (General Intercessions) the HolyFather’s intention for each month, found in the Paulist Press Ordo on the first day of each month.
Dates to Remember (2023)
- Sunday, January 1 – Mary, the Holy Mother of God (Solemnity)
- Sunday, January 8 – The Epiphany of the Lord (Solemnity)
- Monday, January 9 – The Baptism of the Lord (Feast)
- Monday, January 23 – Memorial of Saint Marianne Cope, Virgin (Obligatory Memorial in the Diocese of Honolulu.)
- Sunday, January 22 – Sunday of the Word of God – Third Sunday in Ordinary Time (Pope Francis’ Apostolic Letter, Motu proprio “Aperuit illis” published on September 30, 2019, establishes that “the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time is to be devoted to the celebration, study and dissemination of the Word of God.”)
- Wednesday, February 22 – Ash Wednesday (Ash Wednesday is a day of universal fast and abstinence in the Church.)
- Sunday, February 26– First Sunday of Lent – Rite of Election for Catechumens to be initiated at the Easter Vigil.
NOTES:
- If the Scrutinies for the Elect are celebrated on the Third, Fourth, and Fifth Sundays of Lent, the readings for those Masses should be for those of Year A.
- Priests should be sure to schedule one or more occasions for the anointing of catechumens with the Oil of Catechumens.
- Chrism Masses are tentatively scheduled as follow:
- Thursday, March 23– Maui/Lanai Vicariate
- Thursday, March 30 – East/West Hawai’i Vicariates
- Tuesday, March 14 – Kauai Vicariate
- Tuesday, April 4 – Oahu Vicariates
Monday, March 20 – Saint Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Solemnity).
Saturday, March 25 – The Annunciation of the Lord (Solemnity)
- The Sacred Paschal Triduum
- Thursday, April 6 – Thursday of the Lord’s Supper
- Friday, April 7 – Friday of the Passion of the Lord (Good Friday)
- Saturday, April 8 – The Easter Vigil in the Holy Night
- Sunday, April 9 – Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord (Solemnity, at Masses with a congregation, the rite of the renewal of baptismal promises, used at the Easter Vigil, may take the place of the Creed after the homily.)
- Wednesday, May 10 – Memorial of Saint Damien de Veuster (Obligatory Memorial in the Diocese of Honolulu.)
- Sunday, May 21 – Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord (Celebrated on Sunday in the Diocese of Honolulu.)
- Sunday, May 28 – Pentecost Sunday (Solemnity)
- Monday, May 29 – The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church (Memorial)
- Sunday, June 4– The Most Holy Trinity (Solemnity)
- Sunday, June 11 – The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, Corpus Christi (Solemnity)
- Friday, June 16 – The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus (Solemnity)
- Saturday, June 24 – The Nativity of Saint John the Baptist (Solemnity)
- Thursday, June 29 – Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles (Solemnity)
- Sunday, July 9 – Our Lady, Queen of Peace, Principal Patroness of the Diocese of Honolulu (Celebrated as a Solemnity in the Cathedral Basilica ONLY, this year. In the rest of churches of the Diocese of Honolulu it is NOT observed.) (Universal Norms on the Liturgical Year and the General Roman Calendar, para # 59 (Table of Liturgical Days, section I & II.)
- Tuesday, August 15 – The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Solemnity)
- Wednesday, August 16 – 180th Anniversary of the Dedication of the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace (Celebrated as a Solemnity in the Cathedral Basilica and with all the proper prayers in all other churches of the Diocese of Honolulu.) (Dedication of a Church and an Altar,” Chapter II, para # 26.)
- Wednesday, November 1 – All Saints (Solemnity)
- Thursday, November 2 – The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed – All Soul’s Day (Not a holyday of obligation anywhere in the USA, but pastors are encouraged to add Masses for the convenience of the faithful. Note that there is a wide selection of possible Scripture readings, so the parish or community should choose beforehand the Scriptures it prefers.)
- Sunday, November 26 – Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe (Solemnity)
- Friday, December 8 – The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary – Celebrated (Solemnity, holyday of obligation in the Diocese of Honolulu. Additional Masses should be offered for the convenience of the faithful.)
- Monday, December 25 – The Nativity of the Lord – Christmas (Solemnity, holyday of obligation in the Diocese of Honolulu and throughout the world; additional Masses should be offered for the convenience of the faithful. NOTE: Masses celebrated after 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 24 should be vigil Masses of Christmas, not Masses of the Fourth Sunday of Advent. The obligation to attend Mass applies to both the Fourth Sunday of Advent and to Christmas.)
Please feel free to contact the Office of Worship, 808-585-3342 or email at [email protected] should you have any questions. Blessings!
See additional information regarding availability of plenary indulgences at the Cathedral
Basilica of Our Lady of Peace in light of its status as a minor basilica