Definition

1. Noun:
   • A liturgical feast day in the Roman Catholic Church: "Solemnity of Mary" refers specifically to a holy day of obligation that honors Mary, the mother of Jesus, celebrating her divine motherhood and role in salvation.
   • A designated day of religious observance: It is a day when the faithful are obliged to participate in Mass and to refrain from unnecessary work, as per canon law.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The parish celebrated the Solemnity of Mary with a special evening Mass.
  • Is the Solemnity of Mary a holy day of obligation in your diocese?

Advanced Usage

• "observance of the Solemnity of Mary": The act of commemorating this feast day through prayer and liturgy.
  • The observance of the Solemnity of Mary includes the recitation of special prayers.

Variants and Related Words

• Solemnity (n): A feast day of the highest rank in the liturgical calendar.

  • Easter and Christmas are the greatest solemnities.

• Holy Day of Obligation (n): A day on which Catholics are bound to attend Mass.

  • The Assumption is also a holy day of obligation.

Synonyms

• Feast of Mary, Mother of God: A common title for this solemnity celebrated on January 1st.
• Marian solemnity: A general term for any high-ranking feast day dedicated to the Virgin Mary.

Notes on Meaning

• This term specifically refers to the celebration on January 1st in the Roman Rite of the Catholic Church, marking the octave day of Christmas and honoring Mary's motherhood. It is distinct from other Marian feast days.
• The obligation to attend Mass is determined by the conference of bishops in each country; it is not a universal obligation in all regions.

Noun

1. (Roman Catholic Church) a holy day of obligation