Sorting out the Calendar

Yesterday was All Saints Day for those who survived the trick-or-treating. Here in the Archdiocese of Hollywood, though, it was not a Holy Day of Obligation this year. I'm told this has to do with it falling on a Saturday. Apparently our beloved Ordinary feels it too grievous a burden on the faithful to require them to attend the Novus Ordo two days in a row. (While I appreciate His Eminence's consideration, I do wonder whether that was entirely wise.)

And today is All Souls Day for those relying on the said Novus Ordo, even though the Office of the Dead is not celebrated because it falls on a Sunday. I have no idea why this should be; you'll have to ask your local liturgy committee. (Surely you have one?) For those of us celebrating in the ancient Roman Rite, tomorrow is the transferred celebration of All Souls Day. Complete with Office of the Dead. And today is the 25th Sunday after Pentecost. At least the chants are. The lections and the collect of the Mass are from the 4th Sunday after Epiphany.

Got all that? Good. This Catholic stuff is not for the lazy or inattentive.