This feast is only a second-class feast, and there were two opportunities to override it. We took neither.
The Feast of the Epiphany had occurred earlier in the week. It is a first-class feast, and we might have solemnized it. And on this day, the men of the Holy Name Society had their Sunday observances, and several men made their solemn professions. The feast of the Holy Name of Jesus had also occurred earlier in the week, and although it, too, is a second-class feast, we might have solemnized it in view of the events of the day. We did neither, opting instead to celebrate the prescribed Feast of the Holy Family and Father gave a beautiful sermon on the role and importance of the family.
The men of the Holy Name Society entered the church behind our banner in the procession of the clergy as we sang the Processional, O Come all ye Faithful.
The propers we sang were for the feast. The Commons, in keeping with the glorious Christmas season were from Mass II and Credo III.
At the Offertory, the Schola sang Ecce Nomen Domini in honor of the Holy Name. At the Communion, the Schola sang 20 verses of the Vespers hymn from the Feast of the Holy Name, Jesu Dulcis Memoria, likewise in honor of the Holy Name.
After the Last Gospel, eight men were received into the Holy Name Society in a solemn ceremony, and as is customary on such occasions, we sang the Veni Creator Spiritus.
The ceremony concluded with the Holy Name Anthem (We Stand for God) as the recessional.