Optional Memorial
by Paul Turner

On our church calendar, we have a number of days set aside as memorials to honor our saints. Some of them — such as Thomas Aquinas (Jan. 28), Augustine (Aug. 28) and Theresa of the Child Jesus (Oct. 1) — are so important that everybody celebrates them. Others — such as Rose of Lima (Aug 23), Turibius de Mogrovejo (March 23) and Elizabeth of Portugal (July 4) — are significant for smaller groups. When these days fall during the week, the Mass contains special prayers to honor these saints. Although every church celebrates the days of certain saints as memorials, the days of other saints are optional memorials. Your own parish church may choose whether or not to celebrate those days.

Some optional memorials are quite popular. For example, Patrick (March 17), Nicholas (Dec. 6) and Maria Goretti (July 6) have many followers. Other saints are more obscure.

Because of the large number of saints, the calendar includes some flexibility. It adapts to local devotions and to the spiritual needs of worshipers.

When an optional memorial falls on a weekday, you need not celebrate it at all. You may just have an ordinary day. But when your parish chooses to take the option at a weekday Mass, you may hear prayers which pertain directly to the saint, especially the opening prayer of the liturgy. The Scriptures may also vary to help people reflect on the special gifts and devotion of the saint. Whenever an optional memorial coincides with a Sunday or another day of higher rank on the calendar, we omit its celebration that year.

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Paul Turner, pastor of St. Munchin Parish in Cameron, MO, holds a doctorate in sacramental theology from Sant' Anselmo University in Rome.