Can someone either confirm this or provide evidence to the contrary? Thank you.
73.9k 7 7 gold badges 56 56 silver badges 175 175 bronze badges asked Dec 8, 2023 at 17:24 2,839 5 5 silver badges 25 25 bronze badges Obligation is based upon date not liturgical text. Commented Dec 9, 2023 at 1:49To be precise, several feasts have proper vigils (not just an anticipated Mass referred to as a Vigil) which has its own texts so even then (2) couldn't apply.
Commented Dec 9, 2023 at 1:53What Constitutes a Valid Vigil Mass for Catholics?
The Vigil masses introduced under Pope Paul VI are in fact anticipated masses for the following day (Sunday or a particular Solemnity). Vigil Masses of the Extraordinary Form of the Mass are truly the day before a solemnity are were clearly not an anticipated mass. In fact they were of a different color (Violet) and were days of fasting and penance.
The Vigil Masses one questions about are a remnant of the proper ”Vigils” of the Masses of Pope Pius V and thus have different readings than that actual feast day, just as the vigils and feasts had different reading in the old rite.
More in tune with your is that the Feast of the Immaculate Conception does not have a proper Vigil Mass and as such the anticipated mass for this Feast Day must be that of the propers of the Feast itself and not those of December 7th which would be the mass in honour of St. Ambrose.
The readings should have been those for December 8 at the Vigil Mass and the homily should has been about the Immaculate Conception. In this regards your celebrant was definitely in error. Your holy day obligation nevertheless was still fulfilled.
As for your three points:
Number (1) is quite correct.
Number (2) is partially correct. Some Vigils of the Ordinary Form of the Mass do have a proper Vigil Mass which is to be employed after 4:00 pm on the eve of the feast itself. The Feast of the Assumption, for example enjoys this privilege.
Number (3) is also partially correct. Unless the Solemnity in question does not have a proper Vigil Mass, the reading will be of the actual holy day!
In the Extraordinary Form of the Mass (EF) vigils were not anticipated Masses as is found in the Mass of Pope Paul VI (Ordinary Form of the Mass (OF).
As part of the reforms of the Second Vatican Council, the Church gave permission for Mass to be celebrated at night (whereas formerly Mass could only be said in the morning). Furthermore, the Church said that one can fulfill the Sunday obligation by attending Mass on Saturday evening. Some call them anticipated Masses while others prefer to call them Vigil Masses.
Over the centuries, the vigil Mass often took on a somewhat “penitential” character. Vigils for the Ascension, Christmas, and so forth were not as “bright” and “happy” as the actual feast day. - "Anticipated" Mass or "Vigil" Mass on Saturday Night?
The real Vigil Masses of Pope Paul VI are a remnant of the proper vigils of the Masses of Pope Pius V and thus have different readings than that actual feast day, just as the vigils and feasts had different reading in the old rite.
A Roman Catholic Mass which takes place the evening before a Sunday or Holy Day is sometimes called a Vigil Mass because it is celebrated within the period of time for the Vigil. The Roman Missal includes special readings for the Vigils of High Feasts: Christmas, Epiphany, Easter, Ascension (where celebrated on the Thursday after the Sixth Sunday after Easter), Pentecost, St. John the Baptist, Ss. Peter and Paul, and the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mother. Where there are not special readings assigned to a Vigil Mass, it may also be called an “Anticipated Mass” because the readings are simply anticipating the readings of the next day. Attending a Vigil Mass or Anticipated Mass fulfills a Catholic's obligation for attending Mass for that Sunday or Holy Day. - Vigils (Wikipedia)