Christmas Customs of the Sarum Rite

It’s the Eleventh Day of Christmas so I have to squeeze this one in before it is too late. There are some very interesting Christmas customs of the Sarum Rite.

On Christmas Day the geneology of St Matthew was solemnly recited. On Epiphany the geneology of St Luke was solemnly recited. In this way the season had two Gospel “bookends.”

Also, the feast of St. Stephen on Dec. 26 was ceremonially elaborated to be the “Feast of Deacons.” The feast of St John on Dec. 27 was ceremonially elaborated to be the “Feast of Priests.” And Holy Innocents on Dec. 28 (Childermas) was the “Feast of Children.”

And of course, who can forget the custom of “boy bishops” that ran from St Nicholas Day (Dec. 6) until Childremas (Dec. 28)? Queen “Bloody” Mary brought back the practice of boy bishops and the Calvinists used this custom against her as clear testimony that Roman Catholicism was full of superstition and foolishness.

But, heh, you’ve got to admit that at least the Queen was POD at heart. Dressing up little kids like the Infant of Prague and marching them around in processions like bishops is pretty cool. Talk about a stragedy for fostering vocationsto the Priesthood!