How do solemnities, feasts and memorials differ?
The short answer
They are ranks of celebration. Solemnities (S) are highest, with the Gloria and Creed; feasts (F) come next, with the Gloria but not the Creed; memorials, the lowest, celebrate most saints and have no Gloria. Obligatory memorials (M) must be kept, optional ones (m) may be.
- Solemnity (S): the highest rank, including Easter, Christmas, All Saints, the Ascension, Corpus Christi, other events in the Lord's earthly life, and certain saints. The Gloria and Creed are always said. Solemnities are like Sundays, though most are not days of obligation.
- Feast (F): the next rank, for certain saints such as the Archangels or most of the apostles. The Gloria is said, but not the Creed.
- Memorial: the lowest rank, for most saints. The Gloria is not said. Obligatory memorials (capital M) must be observed; optional memorials (small m) may be observed but need not be.
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