Double Dip on Christmas Eve? Nope

Catholics may notice for the first time since 2017 that Christmas Eve will fall on a Sunday. On the rare occasion the 4th Week of Advent will last for mere hours until vespers are prayed that evening marking the beginning of the Christmas season.

Now, the question has surfaced if Sunday Mass can count towards both the weekly obligation and Christmas? The short answer is no. Here is the longevity that answers the why as many will be confused.

Jenna Marie Cooper of Our Sunday Visitor reminds us, “Even though you must attend two Masses to fulfill the two obligations, all this means is that you must go to Mass on that calendar day or attend a vigil Mass the evening before. The readings and prayers do not necessarily need to match the day whose obligation you are fulfilling. So, you could go to a Christmas vigil Mass on Sunday, Dec. 24 and have it count as your Sunday obligation this year; but if you intend for this to fulfill your Sunday obligation, then you must also attend another Mass on Christmas day to fulfill your obligation for the holy day.”

In other words, you can’t attend one Mass and hope it can fulfill both.

Here are suggestions: Attend the Saturday vigil on the 23rd. Then, go to Mass on the night of December 24th being surrounded by Chreasters (those who attend Mass on Easter and Christmas). The other is to attend Mass on the morning of Christmas Eve. Then, either go that evening or on Christmas morning.

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See youse in the Eucharist