Sunday 12 April 2020

roman missal

Though not feted right now due to the ranking of liturgical days according to the Roman Rite, outside of Eastertide which of course takes precedence, the pontificate of sainted Julius I (†352) is celebrated on this day.
While Julius’ theological accomplishments in establishing heterodoxy among articles of faith (see also) regarding the tripartite nature of God carry more weight in terms of Church structure and governance, his most enduring decision took place in 350 when he decreed that that the birth of Jesus should be observed on 25 December—there having been no set date beforehand. Though the most obvious rationale for the choice is probably the correct one—a concession to already established Roman holidays celebrating the solstice and Sol Invictus, there is another explanation rooted in the belief that saints and other noble figures didn’t suffer to survive for only fractions of a year (see also), that their lives would be bookended by nice whole numbers, and hence God pre-ordained these leaders to expire on the anniversary of their conception, the Feast of Passover (Pesach) coming nine months after Christmas.