Midnight Mass at St. Jude’s

           The people of Saint Jude Church celebrate the Christmas Mass at Midnight combined with the Vigil Office of Readings of Christmas, which our liturgical books describe as one of several ways of celebrating this Mass. Even before the service begins, there is an extended musical prelude for those gathering in the dark of midnight.
          The doors open at 10:30 p.m., and an instrumental prelude begins at 10:45 p.m. There is a choral prelude by the adult choir and children at 11:00 p.m. Various musical instruments join the organ and piano in accompanying our song.
          The liturgy begins at 11:30 p.m. After a candlelight entrance and the singing of Silent Night, we hear a reading from the Old Testament and a musical response, followed by a prayer. We then hear a reading from the Christmas Homily of Pope St. Leo the Great, followed by a carol and a prayer. A cantor chants the ancient Proclamation of Christmas, we sing the Gloria of Christmas and pray the Opening Prayer of Midnight Mass. Mass continues as usual, with readings, psalmody, homily, intercessions and then the Liturgy of the Eucharist. We sing carols throughout the service.
          The 5:30 p.m. Vigil Mass of Christmas is oriented to small children and their families. If you want a meatier, more solemn celebration of the Christmas liturgy, then come to Midnight Mass, December 24 at 11:30 p.m.