Diocese of Pittsburgh Announces Permission for Earlier Christmas Eve Masses

For Christmas 2020, in alignment with the Holy See and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Committee on Divine Worship, Bishop David Zubik has granted permission for Christmas Vigil Masses to begin as early as 2:00 pm on December 24th in the Diocese of Pittsburgh.
 
The scheduling of an earlier Mass would not replace the traditionally scheduled Vigil Masses but would be in addition to those already scheduled.  Pastors will make decisions on Christmas Mass schedules based on the unique pastoral needs of the parish communities and of the parish’s ability to staff and support Masses. People will be able to find Mass schedules on parish websites, as well as on the diocesan website, www.diopitt.org.  
 
Masses have always been scheduled according to parish needs for the Christmas Vigil and Christmas Day, Christmas Vigil Masses technically are to be celebrated in the “evening”.  This year, given the global pandemic and the need for more opportunities to allow the faithful to participate in Christmas liturgies and the celebration of the Birth of Jesus Christ, an earlier Mass is permissible “when warranted for the spiritual good of the faithful.”
 
As a reminder, the dispensation from the obligation to attend Sunday and Holy Day Masses remains in effect in the Diocese of Pittsburgh and throughout Pennsylvania.  The diocese and many of its parishes will continue to livestream Masses including Christmas Masses. 

All COVID-19 health and safety protocols must continue to be maintained, including social distancing of at least 6 feet between family groupings, mandatory mask-wearing, and cleaning and sanitizing procedures in between each Mass.
 
“Christmas 2020 will look and feel different this year, but the love, joy and hope that come from the celebration of the birth of Jesus remain constant and strong,” Bishop Zubik said. “We in the Diocese of Pittsburgh are committed to reaching out to all to extend the Light that is Christ. Whether in person, or online, there will be many opportunities to stay connected to Jesus this Holy season.  We are all profoundly in need of the gift of peace that comes from Jesus who is the Prince of Peace.”