Announcement from the CRBC Commission for Sacred Liturgy

1. On the occasion of the Lunar New Year, in order to adapt to the country custom and tradition, each parish can celebrate the Mass for the Chinese New Year (春節彌撒) on the Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time (February 10th). The second reading for the Liturgy of the Word can be taken from Eph. 1:3-14. (Mass Prayers and readings for Chinese New Year in English)

2. On February 13th, Ash Wednesday, each parish can arrange a Mass with the Rite of the Imposition of Ashes at the schedule convenient for the parishioners to participate. If there is no Mass, the Rite of the Imposition of Ashes can be done by having the Liturgy of the Word, blessing and imposition of ashes. Start with an entrance song, use the prayers and readings proper for this Mass, homily, blessing, imposition of ashes, and end with the Prayer of the Faithful.

For pastoral reasons, the imposition of ashes can also be done on the First Sunday of Lent for those who have not attended the rite on Ash Wednesday. The Rite of Imposition of ashes may be done outside the Mass using already blessed ashes.

3. On February 23rd, the 14th day of the lunar calendar, it is the"Pray for Blessings Day" (祈福日) in our local Church. On this day, a "Pray for Blessing" Mass can be celebrated. The prayers proper for this Mass can be found in the CRBC published "Pray for Blessings Day" liturgy book (only in Chinese).

4. The Church in particular allows the local Church during the Lunar New Year holidays (Feb. 10-24) to be exempted from observing fast and abstinence. This year, the "Ash Wednesday" coincides with the fourth day of the Lunar New Year. Thus, it is exempted from observing fast and abstinence.

5. During the Chinese New Year, the "New Year's Eve Thanksgiving Prayer" used by families or communities, "Veneration for Ancestors' Prayer" and "Chinese New Year's Prayer" can already be downloaded from the Chinese Regional Bishops' Conference website: www.catholic.org.tw (only in Chinese).

6. The universal Church official hymn of the Year of Faith, "Credo, Domine", has already been translated into Chinese (我信 上主: music score, music). You may download it from the Chinese Regional Bishops' Conference website: www.catholic.org.tw


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