This is a question that I posed on a different thread. Since then, I have done some research and found the following:
"By the French revolution the ecclesiastical calendar had been radically abolished, and at the reorganization of the French Church, in 1806, only four feasts were retained: Christmas, the Ascension, the Assumption, and All Saints; the other feasts were transferred to Sunday. This reduction was valid also in Belgium and in Germany on the left bank of the Rhine. For the Catholics in England Pius VI (19 March, 1777) established the following lists of feasts: Easter and Pentecost two days each, Christmas, New Year's Day, Epiphany, Ascension, Corpus Christi, Annunciation, Assumption, Sts. Peter and Paul, St. George, and All Saints. After the restoration of the hierarchy (1850), the Annunciation, St. George, and the Monday after Easter and Pentecost were abolished. Scotland keeps also the feast of St. Andrew, Ireland the feasts of St. Patrick and the Annunciation. In the United States, the number of feasts was not everywhere the same; the Council of Baltimore wanted only four feasts, but the decree was not approved by Rome; the third Plenary Council of Baltimore (1884), by a general law, retained six feasts: Christmas, New Year's Day, Ascension, Assumption, the Immaculate Conception, and All Saints. Sts. Peter and Paul and Corpus Christi were transferred to the next following Sunday. In the city of Rome the following feasts are of double precept (i.e. hearing Mass, and rest from work): Christmas, New Year's Day, Epiphany, Purification, St. Joseph, Annunciation, Ascension, St. Philip Neri (26 May), Corpus Christi, Nativity of the B.V.M., All Saints, Conception of the B.V.M., St. John the Evangelist. The civil law in Italy acknowledges: Epiphany, Ascension, Sts. Peter and Paul, Assumption, Nativity, Conception, Christmas, and the patronal feasts."
At one time (approx. 1150AD), there were 41 feast days on the calendar! Much more at the above link.
Is this what Vatican II has brought to the church?
No need to blame VCII for everything with which you disagree. The Maronite Church retains the Feast of the Assumption on its proper day, which we will celebrate tomorrow. I'm guessing this is true of other Eastern Churches. Does anyone know?
Dear NYer,
"The Maronite Church retains the Feast of the Assumption on its proper day, which we will celebrate tomorrow."
Tomorrow, August 15, is still a holyday, the Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary, in the Roman Church. It's just that in the United States, it isn't obligatory.
sitetest
I'd like to see the Holy Days of Obligation observed on their actual dates. I'd also like to see civil holidays observed on their appropriate dates, and Standard Time year round :-).
I went to Mass today, Bishop or no Bishop.
F