FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 3, 2026
The Most Reverend Frank J. Caggiano
By the Grace of God and Authority of the Apostolic See Bishop of Bridgeport
DECREE MANDATING THE VOTIVE MASS OF OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY
In virtue of the office entrusted to me, I, the Most Reverend Frank J. Caggiano, Fifth Bishop of the Diocese of Bridgeport, in virtue of my obligation to promote the holiness of Christ’s faithful entrusted to me so that they may grow in grace through the celebration of the sacraments ( c. 387), determine what follows.
WHEREAS the introduction to the section for Votive Masses within The Roman Missal states, “If some serious pastoral benefit is to be gained, an appropriately corresponding Votive Mass may be used, at the direction of the Ordinary, or with his permission, except on Solemnities, on the Sundays of Advent, Lent, and Easter, on days within the Octave of Easter, on the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls’ Day), on Ash Wednesday, and on the weekdays of Holy Week,” and;
WHEREAS #4 of the Introduction of the Proper of Saints in The Roman Missal states, “The Masses contained in this Proper of Saints are also used as Votive Masses,” and;
WHEREAS the Memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary is found within the Proper of the Saints;
THEREFORE, I, Bishop Frank J. Caggiano, in exercise of my office as Diocesan Bishop, since a significant pastoral benefit will be gained for the faithful by helping foster devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and the recitation of the Holy Rosary,
HEREBY DECREE
1) that all Masses celebrated each year in diocesan churches, oratories and chapels on the first Sunday of October, and anticipatory liturgies on the evening prior, are to use the Votive Mass of Our Lady of the Rosary with the proper orations of the Votive Mass, without prejudice to any laws to the contrary.
2) that the readings of the Masses are to be those of the corresponding Sunday in Ordinary Time for that year,
3) that all in attendance at the prescribed Masses are to be invited to join in the recitation of the prayer of consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, to take place following Holy Communion,
4) that the homily at the Mass is to include elements about the importance of Our Lady in our lives as disciples, with a particular emphasis on the practice and meaning of the Rosary.
I order that the provisions of this decree have firm and stable effect, notwithstanding anything to the contrary, even if worthy of special mention, and that they be promulgated by inclusion in the official diocesan newspaper, The Fairfield County Catholic, entering into force on May 3, 2026.
Furthermore, I order that the present provisions be duly communicated electronically and/or by ordinary mail to all pastors, administrators or clerics in charge of diocesan parishes, quasi-parishes, shrines, oratories and chapels that are subject to these provisions.
Given this 3rd of May of 2026, the Fifth Sunday of Easter, at the Catholic Center.
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