When a weightier feast doesn’t command our attention in the Church’s liturgical calendar, the priest can opt to celebrate a votive Mass.
For example, while the Ordinary Form calendar has scheduled for Saturday, July 30 either use of Mass texts from last Sunday (17th of Ordinary Time) or a simple commemoration of St Peter Chrysologus, Bishop, Doctor of the Church, the Extraordinary Form’s calendar displays prominently, “Sanctae Mariae in Sabbato … Holy Mary on Saturday”. This is a votive Mass. “Votive” is from Latin votum, originally, “a solemn promise made to some deity, a vow” or “a thing solemnly vowed” or even, “a wish, desire, longing, prayer”. Votive Masses may be celebrated in honour of a saint or a mystery or for specific petitions.
While the Novus Ordo Missal also has votive Masses, the older, traditional book provides an orderly line-up of formularies for different days of the week. For example, Father might choose this schema: Monday, Holy Trinity; Tuesday, Holy Angels; Wednesday, St Joseph or Holy Apostles; Thursday, Holy Spirit or Blessed Sacrament or Christ the High Priest; Friday, Holy Cross or Passion of the Lord or Sacred Heart; Saturday, Blessed Virgin Mary.
Speaking of specific petitions, there are many other votive Masses available to see to our often pressing needs. For example, we have Masses in time of war or plague, for remission of sins, for pilgrims, for the sick and for the grace of a good death. Some Masses see to the requirements of the larger Church, such as for the election of a pope, for an increase of vocations to the priesthood and religious life.
There are also prayers for many concerns which can be added to those prescribed in other Mass formularies, such as those for government officials, for defence against enemies (yes, that could be repetitive), and in times of earthquakes, drought or famine. There are spiritual intentions, such as to petition remorse for sins, for those who are tempted, to drive off bad thoughts, to beg for continence, humility, patience and charity. There are prayers for friends, enemies, the living and the dead. We have all the bases covered, including weddings and funerals.
Holy Church is the greatest expert on humanity there has ever been. Our liturgical books are deep treasuries which witness to the human experience and provide for us as we march towards our Judge and heaven beyond.
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