Masses will be offered for the Christmas season at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, located at 1017 11th St. in downtown Sacramento, by Bishop Jaime Soto, Auxiliary Bishop Myron J. Cotta and Bishop Emeritus William K Weigand.
The Masses during the season begin with the Sunday, Dec. 24 evening vigil and end on the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord on Monday, Jan. 8. The Dec. 25 feast commemorates the birth of Christ. In 2018, since the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord is celebrated on Jan. 7, the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord is transferred to the following Monday, Jan. 8. Monday, Jan. 1, Mary, Mother of God, is a Solemnity, but not a holy day of obligation.
The diocesan Office of Worship reminds Catholics of their Sunday Mass obligation on Dec. 24, the Fourth Sunday of Advent, and on Monday, Christmas Day, which is a holy day of obligation. Vigil Mass for Christmas on Sunday evening does not fulfill the obligation for the Fourth Sunday of Advent.
Masses celebrated on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, at the Cathedral are:
--6 p.m. Children’s Mass. Auxiliary Bishop Myron J. Cotta will preside.
--9 p.m. Christmas Eve Mass (bilingual) of the solemnity of Christmas. Bishop Emeritus William. K. Weigand will preside.
Masses on Christmas Day, Dec. 25, celebrated at the Cathedral are as follows:
--12 a.m. Midnight Mass of Christmas with the Cathedral choir (with musical prelude at 11:30 p.m.). Bishop Jaime Soto will preside.
--8 a.m. Mass of Christmas in English.
--11 a.m. Mass in English (including Chinese community).
--1 p.m. Mass of Christmas in Spanish.
For more information, call the Cathedral office at (916) 444-3017 or visit http://cathedralsacramento.org.