Question 4 U: What's a feast day?

Actually this question came from MC. 

I didn't know the difference between a feast day, memorial or a solemnity.  Good grief and I'm old so I should know this stuff, don't you think?  I've been Catholic all my life but it just goes to show that we can all learn something everyday.

Do I really look that old?

A feast day, as writing before, is not a day for you to go to McDonald's and eat all the Big Macs you can.  A memorial is not something that happens in May and you get to go to the beach or pool.

If you go to the back of your missalette [a missalette is that book in the pew at your church that has all the readings and parts of the Mass] in church (and not during Mass while the priest is talking), try to find daily Mass readings.  Or look up your favorite saint (MM's fave is St. Therese of Lisieux and MC's is St. Elizabeth Ann Seton), you may find a solemnity, feast or a memorial for different saints or important events.

St. Therese

 

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

Doesn't St. Elizabeth look like this famous picture of Whistler's Mom?

The difference between a solemnity, feast, and memorial:

• Solemnity - these are the days of greatest importance. The celebration starts the evening before the actual solemnity. Easter is our most important solemnity.
• Feast - these are the next most important days. They commemorate Mary, the apostles, martyrs and other saints, and the events associated with them. Mass readings often reflect the special feast day.
• Memorial - these are special days, but are often optional celebrations. The scripture readings for Mass may or may not be specially selected for the memorial.

Thanks to Coming Home Catholic for the answers!

So basically it goes
1.  Solemnity.  Very Ultra Important
2.  Feast:  Very Important
3.  Memorial:  Important

I think I'm going to learn the difference between the Lucky Charm marshmallows tomorrow.  I bet the moon is the best tasting!!!