Progressive Solemnity The liturgical days follow the formula of what is call the concept of "Progressive Solemnity, " a continuum of importance from the greatest (solemnity) to the least (ferial). Click on underlined texts to find out more information about those words.
Solemnities - This represents the highest of celebrations in the Church. The two of most importance being Easter and Christmas. For more information about solemnity go to www.newadvent.com. Feasts - These celebrations commemorate important events in the life of Christ or important persons connected to Christ such as Mary or the Apostles. For more information about feasts go to www.newadvent.com. Memorials - These are special celebrations that are worthy of rememberance by the Church. They commonly mark the anniversary of death of a saint. There are two kinds of memorials: obligatory and optional.
Ferial Days - These days have no particular solemnity, feast, or memorial attached to them. They may be considered ordinary days. During these days the lectionary follows a continual progression through the Scriptures. Holy Days of Obligation - These are special solemnities that rank in such importance to the life of the community that the Church has deemed it necessary that all Catholics attend Mass on this day. See Wikipedia and for more information. Liturgical Year - The calendar by which many Christians mark the dates of special celebrations in the year. See Wikipedia for more information. For more details, the Archdiocese of New York has a well detailed page for these terms. To understand more fully the theology of liturgy, the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, Sacrosanctum Concilium..
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