January 1st, the day of New Year is the Solemnity of Mary Mother of God. On this day we commemorate that Our Lady gave birth to Jesus Christ, true God and true Man. In Canada this is a Holy Day of Obligation, meaning that for Catholics this is a day in which we must go to Church as if it were a regular Sunday. Fortunately it is easy to do so, since this is a regular holiday in Canada.

At the Cathedral this day we will have the regular Sunday Mass schedule: 5 PM anticipated Mass on Tuesday December 31st. On Wednesday January 1st: 8 AM, 9:30 AM, 11 AM, 12:30 PM, 5 PM, 6:30 PM (Spanish Mass), & 8 PM.

Then, to commemorate the end of 2019 there will be 1st Solemn Vespers for Mary Mother of God at 6 PM, after the 5:10 PM Mass. After Vespers there will be Benediction and the chanting of the Te Deum. There is a plenary indulgence attached to the recitation of the Te Deum in thanksgiving for the end of the year of Our Lord 2019.

Finally there will also be a Holy Hour at midnight to ring in the New Year. At 11 PM the Cathedral will open for a Holy Hour. The Holy Hour will stride the New Year. During the Holy Hour the Te Deum will be chanted again and we will also recite the Veni Creator Spiritus, to ask for God’s blessings in 2020.

Please join us for any of these events, and a blessed 2020 for you and your loved ones.