Celebrating Solemnities!

Father David Huemmer enjoys retreating at monasteries and experiencing the lifestyle of monks. Over the years, he has picked up on some of their traditions.

“At mealtime in monasteries, it is common to have water, lemonade and tea only to drink,” said Father Huemmer. “But on feast days and solemnities, they offer soda and sometimes adult beverages. It is a way to celebrate the special day.”

A solemnity is a feast day of the highest rank celebrating a mystery of faith. In the celebration of the Mass, it will always include three readings, the gloria and the creed. On a feast day, Mass features two readings and the gloria. There are six holy days of obligation that are all solemnities. But there are other solemnities and feasts that aren’t holy days of obligation in the US. Most holy days of obligation are solemnities, but not all solemnities are holy days of obligation.

In the US in 2024, the Feast of St. Joseph (March 19), the Sacred Heart of Jesus (June 7), the Nativity of St. John the Baptist (June 24) and the Feast of Sts. Peter & Paul (June 29), among others, are solemnities celebrated with Mass.

If the church sees solemnities as days to celebrate, are there things we can do at home to mark the special occasion?

Father Huemmer decided to incorporate the monk tradition into the way he celebrates these days in the liturgical year—to make them special and stand out from the ordinary days of the church.

“I really like root beer, so I decided to only enjoy root beer on feast days and solemnities,” he added. “I only drink soda, usually root beer, on feasts and solemnities now.”

When St. Joseph Academy was on campus here, the students celebrated Foundress Mother Gertrude’s name day on the feast of St. Gertrude each November. They often had processions, pageants and special meals to mark the day.

As the church faithful, we can look for ways to celebrate the church calendar as well as mark special days in our lives—like baptism anniversaries or our patron saint day—by attending mass and enjoying a treat.

“What it causes us to do is pay attention to the liturgical calendar by integrating it into our lives,” said Father Huemmer. “You look forward to those special days on the calendar. And it makes whatever special treat you’ve identified even more special because you limit it to only feast days or solemnities.”

It’s both sacrificial and celebratory.

Ave Maria Press has a new book “Living the Seasons”  as well as a six-part podcast, “Ave Explores” which explores the concept of living liturgically.

At St. Joseph’s, we’re celebrating both the Feast of St. Joseph (March 19th) and the Sacred Heart of Jesus (June 7) with Day of Reflection retreats, The retreats will begin with morning prayer and end with daytime prayer and a litany. In between, guests will enjoy two conferences. Solemnity mass, time for personal reflection, prayer at the shrines as well as adoration and benediction will round out the day. Follow this link for details https://stjosephretreat.org/sign-up-for-an-sjrcc-retreat