Electric Prayer

Some people think that Memorials of saints are either obligatory or optional. This assumption is printed in many books, but it is not completely correct, and causes much confusion. Even more confusion is produced when the publishers of official Ordos make the same mistake.

On days on which the obligatory memorial of the Immaculate Heart of Mary coincides with the obligatory memorial of some other saint, it remains obligatory to celebrate a memorial, but optional which of the two memorials is to be celebrated. You can find the official decree here.

On 13 June 2026 the Immaculate Heart of Mary coincides with Saint Anthony. Accordingly there are four possible sets of readings at Mass:

• Isaiah 61:9-11 plus Luke 2:41-51 (memorial readings) for the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
• 1 Kings 19:19-21 plus Luke 2:41-51 (ferial readings) for the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
• Isaiah 61:1-3a plus Luke 10:1-9 (memorial readings) for St Anthony.
• 1 Kings 19:19-21 plus Matthew 5:33-37 (ferial readings) for St Anthony.

A similar collision will occur on 5 June 2027, with St Boniface rather than St Anthony.