Filipino Catholics not obliged to attend Feast of Immaculate Concepcion mass

The Roman Catholic Archbishop of Manila (RCAM) announced that Filipinos are no longer obliged to attend Mass on 9 December, marking the Feast of Immaculate Concepcion.

This after Filipino bishops wrote to the Vatican's Dicastery for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments, arguing it would be difficult or even impossible for Catholics to attend Mass on a Monday as many of them are daily wage earners.

“The Dicastery responded positively to the request, stating that ‘the obligation to attend Mass does not apply this year’,” RCAM Vice Chancellor Fr. Carmelo Arada said.

This year's feast day of the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin, originally scheduled on 8 December, was moved to 9 December.

This year's feast day, 8 December, will fall on a Sunday and coincide with the celebration of the second Sunday of Advent.

Arada earlier explained that according to norms in the Liturgical Calendar, "when there is a concurrence of a solemnity and a Sunday of Advent, the Sunday of Advent takes precedence over the solemnity."

Under Republic Act 10966, 8 December is considered a special non-working holiday in the entire country to commemorate the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception.

It was enacted into law by former president Rodrigo Duterte in 2017.

As of writing, there is no report from Malacañang if the holiday declaration will also be moved to Monday, 9 December.