Midnight Mass
The celebration of Midnight Mass at Christmas can be traced back to at least the middle of the fourth century, when Christians in the Holy Land would hold a midnight vigil in Bethlehem followed by a candlelight procession to Jerusalem.
In 440, the custom was embraced by Pope St. Sixtus III who erected a small chapel with a manger at the Church of St. Mary Major in Rome and celebrated a Christmas midnight Mass, a custom he continued throughout his papacy.
Over time, it became tradition for popes to celebrate three Masses at Christmas: midnight Mass, Mass at dawn, and then Mass on Christmas morning. That tradition spread throughout the world in the 11th century, with different readings at each Mass. Today, four Masses are offered at Christmas: the vigil, Mass at night, Mass at dawn, and Mass during the day.
Midnight Masses in the Diocese of Portland
Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Portland
Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 307 Congress Street in Portland - Celebrated by Bishop James Ruggieri
Christian Life Center, Frenchville
Christian Life Center, 444 U.S. Route One in Frenchville - Mass will begin at 11:30 p.m. in the center's chapel.
Good Shepherd Parish, Saco
St. Joseph Church, 178 Elm Street in Biddeford
Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Auburn
Sacred Heart Church, 8 Sacred Heart Place in Auburn
Parish of the Holy Savior, Mexico
St. Athanasius & St. John Church, 126 Maine Avenue in Rumford
Parish of the Resurrection of the Lord, Old Town
Our Lady of Wisdom Church, 83 College Avenue, Orono
St. John Paul Parish, Scarborough
St. Maximilian Kolbe Church, 150 Black Point Road in Scarborough
St. Joseph Oratory, Portland
St. Joseph Oratory, 673 Stevens Avenue in Portland - Latin Mass
St. Mary of the Visitation Parish, Houlton
St. Mary of the Visitation Church, 110 Military Street in Houlton
St. Michael Parish, Augusta
St. Augustine Church, 75 Northern Avenue in Augusta
Late-Night Christmas Eve Masses
All Saints Parish, Brunswick
St. John the Baptist Church, 39 Pleasant Street in Brunswick - Christmas Eve Mass at 10 p.m.
Parish of the Ascension of the Lord, Kittery
St. Christopher Church, 4 Barrell Lane in York - Christmas Eve Mass at 10 p.m.
Prince of Peace Parish, Lewiston
Basilica of Ss. Peter & Paul, 122 Ash Street in Lewiston - Christmas Eve Mass at 10 p.m.
St. Joseph Parish, Ellsworth
St. Joseph Church, 231 Main Street in Ellsworth - Christmas Eve Mass at 9 p.m.
St. Paul the Apostle Parish, Bangor
St. John Church, 217 York Street in Bangor - Christmas Eve Mass at 10 p.m.
St. Peter Chanel Parish, Van Buren
St. Bruno-St. Remi Church 174 Main Street in Van Buren - Christmas Eve Mass at 11 p.m.
St. Peter the Fisherman Parish, Machias
Holy Name of Jesus Church, 8 Free Street in Machias - Christmas Eve Mass at 10 p.m.
St. Rose of Lima Parish, Jay
St. Rose of Lima Church, 1 Church Street in Jay - Christmas Eve Mass at 10 p.m.
