[jrny]

The Vatican is not changing anything. The media makes it sound like the Church is just acting on a whim.

There have been rubrics on the books for centuries (in both the pre and post V2 books) which dictate the exact manner in which these two feasts are to be transferred. The Feast of St. Joseph, normally Mar 19th., is always transferred to the second Wednesday after Easter if Holy Week should begin on or before that date. The Annunciation is likewise always transferred to the second Monday after Easter for the same reason. The latter scenario is more common, and this actually last occurred two years ago when Easter fell on Mar. 31st.

[Claud]

thanks jrny! Can always count on you for some good info on this stuff!

[ELS]

The Feast of St. Joseph, normally Mar 19th., is always transferred to the second Wednesday after Easter if Holy Week should begin on or before that date.

From the article:

"In 2008, if the feast of St. Joseph were to be celebrated as usual on March 19, it would fall on the Wednesday of Holy Week" ... "Therefore, the congregation said, in 2008 the feast of St. Joseph will be celebrated March 15, the day before Palm Sunday"

Hmm, why isn't the Feast of St. Joseph being transferred to the second Wednesday after Easter? Holy Week will begin before March 19th in 2008.