Lectionary Calendar
Thursday, May 2nd, 2024
the Fifth Week after Easter
Attention!
Tired of seeing ads while studying? Now you can enjoy an "Ads Free" version of the site for as little as 10¢ a day and support a great cause!
Click here to learn more!

Bible Encyclopedias
Solemnity

The Catholic Encyclopedia

Search for…
or
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z
Prev Entry
Solari
Next Entry
Soli
Resource Toolbox
Additional Links

(From Latin solet and annus — a yearly celebration).

The word solemnity is here used to denote the amount of intrinsic or extrinsic pomp with which a feast is celebrated. Intrinsic solemnity arises from the fact that the feast is primarium for the entire Church or for a special place, because in it a saint was born, lived or died; or because his relics are honoured there. Extrinsic solemnity is added by feriatio, by the numbers of sacred ministers, decorations of the church or adjoining streets, the ringing of bells, the number of candles, costly vestments, etc. In the Roman Martyrology Easter Sunday is announced as the solemnity of solemnities; the first Sunday of October, as the solemnity of the Rosary of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary. The term solemnity is also used in contracts, especially matrimony, in votive Masses, in vows, and in ecclesiastical trials.

Bibliography Information
Obstat, Nihil. Lafort, Remy, Censor. Entry for 'Solemnity'. The Catholic Encyclopedia. https://www.studylight.org/​encyclopedias/​eng/​tce/​s/solemnity.html. Robert Appleton Company. New York. 1914.
adsFree icon
Ads FreeProfile