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Office for Divine Worship and Sacraments
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FROM THE DIRECTOR
Dear friends and colleagues,
I hope that the summer has afforded you some time away, at least from some of the busy day-to-day of liturgical and sacramental ministry: sacramental prep, choirs, big liturgies, liturgical seasons, and on and on!
In this month’s Praenotanda, you’ll find information about the 2027 liturgical calendar, 2026 annual resources, upcoming Golden Jubilee Masses, and much more.
Of note, you are invited to again participate in Together Sunday on September 14. Take this opportunity to prepare your faith community for welcoming all those who seek the face of Christ.
As always, if there’s anything that Matthew, Gloria Ann, or I can do to assist you in your worship and sacramental ministries, please let us know.
Jeremy Helmes
ODWS Director
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FROM THE MUSIC DIRECTOR
June 18, 2025 marked the 500th anniversary of the birth of Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina. Pope Leo XIV marked this anniversary with these remarks:
"His compositions, solemn and austere, inspired by Gregorian chant,"Pope Leo said, "fuse music and liturgy in a way that elevates the soul and gives voice to the mystery of the divine."
Recalling the composer's role during the Counter-Reformation, the Pope recalled how Palestrina contributed to the Church's efforts to renew and deepen the spiritual life of the faithful through music. "Polyphony,"he said, "is not merely a musical technique; it is a form imbued with theological meaning. It takes the sacred text and 'clothes it with fitting melody' so that it may better reach the understanding of the faithful,"and he described how multiple voices, each with its own melodic path, join together in harmonic interplay. Sometimes they clash, sometimes they resolve, he noted, but always in pursuit of unity.
"This dynamic unity in diversity,"Pope Leo continued, "is a metaphor for our shared journey of faith under the guidance of the Holy Spirit."
A wonderful tribute to one of the greatest composers of Catholic sacred music.
Soli Deo Gloria,
Matthew J. Geerlings
Music Director
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2026 Annual Liturgical Resources
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2026 Annual Liturgical Resources (e.g. Workbook for Lectors, Year of Grace calendars, Living Liturgy, etc.) will be available in the ODWS online shop beginning August 1. As a reminder, these are available at a deep discount and tax-free (input your tax ID number now!)
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Golden Jubilee Masses with Archbishop Casey
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Couples celebrating a jubilee wedding anniversary (25th, 50th, 55th, 60th, etc.) are invited to Mass with Archbishop Casey on September 6th (Dayton) or 7th (Cincinnati). Family members are welcome to attend as well, and a special blessing will be offered to the jubilarian couples.
Couples should RSVP by August 25.
Use the QR code in print materials such as a Sunday bulletin.
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The 2027 Liturgical Calendar for the Dioceses of the United States of America is now available from the USCCB. You can find this and the 2026 version online.
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Convocation Week Parish Liturgical Schedules
During the upcoming multi-day presbyteral convocation (Aug 4-7), parish liturgical schedules may need to be adjusted. Please seek the assistance of retired and religious priests who are not attending the convocation to offer Mass at least once each day within the deanery, or ideally once each day within the Family of Parishes, publicizing the Masses available at nearby churches. Holy Communion may be given outside of Mass according to archdiocesan policy using the proper ritual text, led by a deacon or qualified lay minister.
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Together Sunday Leader Launch
Together Sunday is more than a moment—it’s the beginning of a movement toward becoming a more welcoming and hospitable community. Every Sunday, we gather to worship Christ in the Eucharist—and every Sunday is an opportunity to open our doors and our hearts more widely.
With Together Sunday, parishes are invited to take a fresh look at how they welcome people: not only through smiles and greetings, but through a culture that sees, accompanies, and invites. With resources for formation and tools for action, this initiative empowers parish communities to strengthen relationships, foster connection, and become places of belonging for all who enter.
Join us on July 15 or 17 for an online Leader Launch to learn more and get started in your Family of Parishes!
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Suicide Awareness Month
September is Suicide Awareness Month. In addition to a Mass on September 14th celebrated by Archbishop Casey at the Cathedral Basilica, parishes are encouraged to include this observance in their liturgical celebrations. Resources can be found online.
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Q. What is the difference between a “vigil” Mass and an “anticipated” Mass? Which is the best word to describe a typical Saturday evening Mass in a parish church?
A. While we tend to use the word “vigil” to describe a Mass on Saturday evening that fulfills the Sunday obligation, this Mass is (more often than not) merely an “anticipated” rather than truly a vigil Mass.
A vigil Mass is traditionally part of observing the liturgical calendar to begin a feast day the evening before (based on the similar Jewish tradition of marking a day from sundown to sundown rather than Midnight to Midnight.)
Some solemnities and feasts are so important and significant that they have multiple Mass formularies for their celebration, often including a Mass on the day itself and a Mass to be celebrated the evening before as a “vigil”. Some of these are familiar to us (e.g. Easter, Christmas), and some are not as well known (e.g. Pentecost, Ascension, Epiphany, even the Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul.)
Most Sundays (unless they are solemnities or feasts like those listed above) do not have a “vigil” Mass. We simply “anticipate” their celebration with Mass on Saturday evening after the hour of precept. If one is unable to participate in Mass on Sunday, they can attend Mass Saturday evening to fulfill their obligation, and the orations and readings for that Mass are the same as those used on Sunday.
The average Saturday evening Mass is “anticipated” rather than a “vigil” Mass.
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“The practice of worship does not automatically lead to being compassionate. Indeed, before being a religious matter, compassion is a question of humanity! Before being believers, we are called to be human...”
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— Pope Leo XIV
General Audience, May 28
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