Baltimore bishops will celebrate Christmas Masses

Like almost all priests in the Archdiocese of Baltimore, Archbishop WIlliam E. Lori and his auxiliary bishops will celebrate more than one Mass on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day as the church proclaims to the world the Incarnation of Jesus Christ, born in Bethlehem.

Typically, worship on the Nativity of the Lord is allowed to begin at 4 p.m. Christmas Eve. Mindful that the birth of Christ draws the largest Mass attendance of the year and the need to space out those crowds due to capacity restrictions, and after discussion with priests in regional meetings, the archdiocese announced Nov. 5 that, “for this year only (it) will allow parishes to celebrate Masses earlier in the day than is customary” on Christmas Eve.

Conditions apply, including parishes opting for the early start to have Masses at regular intervals.

Many parishes have expanded schedules and are asking parishioners to make reservations to attend Mass. For information, consult the parish website or bulletin.

The list of Masses to be celebrated by Baltimore’s bishops, with information on reservations (if still available) and livestream options, follows: 

Archbishop William E. Lori

Dec. 24, 4 p.m.: Sacred Heart of Mary, Graceland Park. Call parish office for reservations, 410-633-2828. No livestream.

Dec. 24, 10 p.m.: Cathedral of Mary Our Queen. Reservations/tickets required. Livestream.

Dec. 25, 10 a.m.: Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Reservations required. No livestream.

Bishop Denis J. Madden

Dec. 24, 4 p.m.: St. Athanasius, Curtis Bay. All seats already reserved. No livestream.

Midnight: Basilica. Reservations required. No livestream.

Bishop Adam J. Parker

Dec. 24, noon: Sacred Heart, Glyndon. All seats already reserved. Livestream.

Dec. 24, 2 p.m.: Catholic Community of Ascension and St. Augustine at Ascension Church, Halethorpe. All seats already reserved. No livestream.

Dec. 24, 4 p.m.: St. John the Evangelist, Severna Park. First-come, first-served seating until restricted capacity is reached. Livestream.

Bishop Bruce A. Lewandowski, C.Ss.R.

All Masses at Sacred Heart of Jesus/Sagrado Corazón de Jesús Parish, Highlandtown. Reservations are highly encouraged. Livestreams of Christmas Eve Masses.

Dec. 24, 4 p.m. (English, livestreamed) and 8 p.m. (Spanish, livestreamed)

Dec. 25, 10 a.m. (bilingual, no livestream)

See also: Baltimore Archdiocese adds Christmas Eve Masses at noon, but faithful encouraged to plan worship now.

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