When a weightier feast doesn’t command our attention in the Church’s liturgical calendar, the priest can opt to celebrate a votive Mass.
For example, while the Ordinary Form calendar has scheduled for Saturday, July 30 either use of Mass texts from last Sunday (17th of Ordinary Time) or a simple commemoration of St Peter Chrysologus, Bishop, Doctor of the Church, the Extraordinary Form’s calendar displays prominently, “Sanctae Mariae in Sabbato ... Holy Mary on Saturday”. This is a votive Mass. “Votive” is from Latin votum, originally, “a solemn promise made to some deity, a vow” or “a thing solemnly vowed” or even, “a wish, desire, longing, prayer”. Votive Masses may be celebrated in honour of a saint or a mystery or for specific petitions.
