Catholic Holy Days of Obligation

Honoring the Lord, the Virgin Mary, and the Saints

Jan 13, 2009 Kimberly Kunaniec

Catholic parishioners are called to Mass and prayer on 10 key feast days and Sundays, collectively known as the Holy Days of Obligation.

The Mass is the primary religious worship in the Catholic Church, where the sacrament of the Eucharist is celebrated. Members of the Roman Catholic Church are committed to attend this Eucharistic celebration on Holy Days of Obligation, as well as to refrain from working or otherwise engaging in activities that distract from the spiritual purpose of the day.

What is a Holy Day of Obligation?

According to the Code of Cannon Law, a Holy Day of Obligation in the Catholic Church is defined as a day when “the faithful are obliged to participate in the Mass. Moreover, they are to abstain from those works and affairs which hinder the worship to be rendered to God, the joy proper to the Lord’s day, or the suitable relaxation of mind and body” (Can. 1247).

What this Cannon Law means is that the faithful are called to express their faith through participation in Mass on Sundays as well as 10 appointed feast days. Traditionally, this commitment can be filled from sundown the evening before until the end of the day Sunday or on the Holy Day. Though many Catholics view the word “obligation” as a chore or extra requirement, the 10 feast days of the Holy Days of Obligation celebrate some of the most profound events of the liturgical year.

When are the Catholic Holy Days of Obligation?

There are 10 Holy Days of Obligation listed in the Code of Cannon Law, which are to be celebrated in addition to traditional Sunday masses.

  • Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God (January 1)
  • The Epiphany (January 6)
  • Solemnity of St. Joseph (March 19)
  • Ascension of the Lord (Thursday of the sixth week of Easter)
  • The Body and Blood of Christ (Thursday after Trinity Sunday)
  • Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul (June 29)
  • Assumption of Mary (August 25)
  • All Saints Day (November 1)
  • The Feast of the Immaculate Conception (December 8)
  • Christmas Day (December 25)

Worldwide Celebrations of Holy Days

With the approval of the Apostolic See, the conference of bishops can waive these Holy Days of Obligation (Can. 1246), so not every country will celebrate all 10. Vatican City and the Swiss canton of Ticino are notable because all 10 feast days are observed. There is also the possibility of adding other key feast days to this schedule. Ireland has one additional Holy Day of Obligation for the feast of Saint Patrick on March 17th.

In the United States, six of the Holy Days of Obligation are traditionally celebrated. However, several of these are even excluded when they fall on a Saturday or Monday. Even within the different diocese of the United States, the Holy Days of Obligation can vary. For example, Hawaiian Catholics only are obligated the Feast of the Immaculate Conception and Christmas Day.

For the faithful Catholic, the Holy Days of Obligation are a time to be set aside for prayer and the celebration of Mass. Sundays and the other feast days provide the opportunity to celebrate the life of the Lord.

The copyright of the article Catholic Holy Days of Obligation in Catholicism is owned by Kimberly Kunaniec. Permission to republish Catholic Holy Days of Obligation in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
Remain Prayerful on Holy Days of Obligation, Kimberly Kunaniec Remain Prayerful on Holy Days of Obligation
   
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