THE QUESTION OF MIDNIGHT MASS ON CHRISTMAS EVE.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXIV, Issue 33, 18 December 1896, Page 13

THE QUESTION OF MIDNIGHT MASS ON CHRISTMAS EVE.

On Sunday evening the Very Rev. Father Lynch announced that for various reasons it had been decided not to have Midnight Mass on Christmaseve this year. The celebration of Mass last year was marked in the highest degree by orderliness and devotion on the part of the congregation, but it was thought not desirable to make a regular fixed institution of the Midnight Mass which would be done if the celebration were to take place this year. Another difficulty in the way was the very heavy strain which the Mass entailed on the members of the choir, many of whom were engaged at the Midnight Mass till after one o'clock, attended early Mass at six o'clock the same morning, and then had to be present to sing the High Mass at eleven o'clock. For all these reasons it was thought best not to celebrate Midnight Mass this year though the celebration might take place in any future year.