Office of Divine Worship

Liturgy Note - Christmas 2021

Directives on the celebrations of Christmas, The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God and The Epiphany of the Lord.

The full text of the Liturgy Note is available here.

The Nativity of the Lord [Christmas] IS a Holy Day of Obligation.
NO Masses may be celebrated on December 24, 2021 before 4:00pm for Christmas. Masses celebrated prior to 4:00pm on December 24, 2021 are that of "December 24, At the Morning Mass" (See Roman Missal) and do not fulfill the obligation to attend Mass for Christmas.
ALL Masses on December 25, 2021 [00:00 - 24:00] are to be those of Christmas.
NO Anticipated Masses for The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph are permitted on December 25, 2021
Because January 1, 2022, is a Saturday, the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God is not a Holy Day of Obligation. Funeral Masses are permitted
Masses scheduled after 4:00pm on Friday, December 31, 2021 may be anticipated Masses for the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God.
Masses scheduled after 4:00pm on Saturday, January 1, 2022 are to be the Vigil Mass of the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord.

Directives for Lengthy or "Perpetual" Exposition within the Archdiocese of Newark

Issued November 5, 2021

Below please find a memorandum and documentation regarding Eucharistic Adoration here in the Archdiocese of Newark.

Please refer any questions or concerns to the Worship Office at 973-497-4345.

November 1 - Solemnity of All Saints
NOT a Holy Day of Obligation in 2021

Whenever November 1, All Saints, (as well as January 1, Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God, or August 15, The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary) falls on a Saturday or on a Monday, the precept to attend Mass is abrogated.

Because this year November 1 is not a Holy Day of Obligation, Funeral Masses are permitted.

If you have any questions, please contact the Worship Office.

September 14 - Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
Day of Prayer in Reparation for Sins of Abuse

The Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross (September 14) is observed in the Archdiocese of Newark as a Day of Prayer in Reparation for Sins of Abuse.

Below are two resources for use:

If you have any questions, please contact the Worship Office.

September 11 Resources

This year will mark the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 Attacks.

Below are two resources for use that day:

If you have any questions, please contact the Worship Office.

Apostolic Letter issued “Motu proprio”
by the Supreme Pontiff Francis

Issued July 16, 2021

Pope Francis has issued an Apostolic Letter "Motu Proprio" (i.e. on his own initiative) entitled Traditionis custodes on the use of the Roman Liturgy prior to the Reform of 1970.

Pope Francis also issued a letter to the Bishops of the Whole World to accompany Traditionis Custodes.

The Apostolic Letter issued "Motu Proprio" Traditionis Custodes
is available from the Holy See here.
The Letter of the Holy Father to the Bishops of the Whole World
is available from the Holy See here.

Updated Directives During the
Covid-19 Pandemic

Issued June 28, 2021

Please read over carefully and note the changes to the Archdiocesan Guidelines as of July 3-4, 2021.

These directives want to ensure that we celebrate the liturgy joyfully and safely as we move to a new phase in welcoming all back to our parishes.

The directives are available: PDF | Word

Revised Texts for July 29
Saints Martha, Mary and Lazarus

On January 26, 2021, Pope Francis decreed that July 29 be designated in the General Roman Caldndar as the Memorial of Saints Martha, Mary and Lazaruz, to replace the existing celebration of Saint Martha. This is an Obligatory Memorial. The Committee on Divine Worship of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has published interim Mass texts for the Memorial of Saints Martha, Mary and Lazarus.

The Gospel and Gospel Acclamation for this memorial are proper (Lectionary, #607). The First Reading and Responsorial Psalm may be taken from the Mass readings of the day (#404) or from the Proper of Saints (#607).

The interim Mass texts are available in: English | Spanish

Changes in Mask and Capacity Requirements for Liturgical Gatherings

Issued May 25, 2021

Please read over carefully and note the changes in mask requirements as of May 28, 2021 and indoor capacity as of June 4, 2021.

With these directives, we want to ensure that we celebrate the liturgy joyfully and safely and move to a new phase in welcoming all back to our parishes.

The directives are available: PDF | Word

New Jersey Bishops Reinstating
the General Obligation to Attend Mass

May 20, 2021

Due to the observance of public safety protocols and the increase in the availability of vaccines, the Catholic Bishops of New Jersey are lifting the dispensation from the Sunday and Holy Day Mass obligation beginning on the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Saturday, June 5, 2021, and Sunday, June 6, 2021). They welcome the Christian faithful to return to the regular participation in the Sunday Eucharist, the source and summit of our Catholic faith (cf. Code of Canon Law canon 1247 and Catechism of the Catholic Church, n. 2180).

This obligation does not apply to those who are ill; those who have reason to believe that they were recently exposed to the coronavirus or another serious or contagious illness; those who are confined to their home, a hospital, or nursing facility; or those with serious underlying health conditions. One should consult the local pastor if questions arise about the obligation to attend Mass (canon 87).

The statement of the New Jersey Catholic Conference is available:
English | Spanish

Words on Worship Podcast Premieres

Words on Worship is a new podcast hosted by Fr. Tom Dente from the Office of Divine Worship. It is an audio newsletter about liturgy for clergy and parish leadership of the archdiocese.

It is available at https://www.rcan.org/offices-and-ministries/divine-worship/wordsonworship.

The inaugural episode, Easter 2021, of Words on Worship features an important change to the conclusion of the collects and other prayers used during the liturgy; recent additions to the General Roman Calendar; an introduction of the new associate director of the office, Robert Evers; information on the Ascension of the Lord and a remembrance of Msgr. Charles Gusmer.

Blessed Miriam Teresa Demjanovich

May 8

Introduction & Collect are available here.

Transfer of the Ascension of the Lord

Updated May 5, 2021

Cardinal Tobin in consultation with the other bishops of New Jersey, has decreed that the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord is transferred from Thursday, May 13, 2021 to Sunday, May 16, 2021, replacing the Seventh Sunday of Easter.

Please note that this transferal is in effect only for the current liturgical year.
Official Decree is available here.
Website & Bulletin Announcement is available here.
Reflection on the Ascension of the Lord 2021 is available here.

Guidelines for 2021 Celebrations of Confirmation

Updated April 20, 2021

Cardinal Tobin has granted delegation to all pastors and administrators to celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation for children baptized in infancy and to pastors, administrators and chaplains to confirm adult (18+) baptized Catholics. These delegations extend through December 31, 2021.

The the specifics of these delegations and the Guidelines for 2021 Celebrations of Confirmation are available here.

Use of Holy Water Update

Updated March 29,2021

Holy Week 2021

Archdiocese of Newark - Directives for Holy Week 2021

2021 Holy Week Questions & Answers (Please read the directives first)

Holy Week in 2021 Parish Bulletin Announcement

Sacramentals Update: Palm Sunday, Ash Wednesday, and Memorial of Saint Blaise

Following are guidelines for the Memorial of Saint Blaise blessing of throats, Ash Wednesday distribution of ashes, and the distribution of palms on Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion. They still require wearing masks and social distancing by presiders, ministers and recipients, as stated in all of our diocesan directives. Also included are updates on the use of Holy Water. READ THE UPDATE

Music during the Pandemic

Music at Mass During Phase 3.pdf

Mass for Various Needs and Occasions 'In Time of Pandemic'

The Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments has issued new texts for a Mass for Various Needs and Occasions "In Time of Pandemic". "This Mass can be celebrated, according to the rubrics given for Masses and Prayers for Various Needs and Occasions, on any day except Solemnities, the Sundays of Advent, Lent, and Easter, days within the Octave of Easter, the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls’ Day), Ash Wednesday and the days of Holy Week."

Vatican Decree