Sexagesima Sunday

Yes, that's what today is in the Old Rite. It means that there are six Sundays to go till Passion Sunday. Since the close of the period after Epiphany, the Old Rite takes us into the season of Septuagesima (which started last Sunday) and the Sunday Mass is celebrated with purple vestments and there is no 'Gloria' until Maundy Thursday.
As I announced in the parish newsletter last week, in response to requests from a good number of people, I have undertaken the celebration of Mass in the Old Rite in the parish on the days authorised by the Archbishop, namely the second and, when there is one, the fifth Sunday of the month. Today was my first! More information here and here. As parish priest, I felt it was important that the people who attend this Mass know that they are as legitimate Catholics as anyone else and deserving of normal pastoral care. In any case, a number of them are actually parishioners. Somehow, getting priests from outside (one from as far away as Brussels) to celebrate the Mass seems unnecessary when, with a little application, it's not that difficult to learn the Rite (mistakes notwithstanding).