Holy Days
What They Are?
As the day of the week on which Christ rose from the dead, Sundays are - through the worldwide Church - the foremost holy day of obligation.
In addition to Sundays, the Church acknowledges special occasions as Holy Days of Obligation on which Catholics celebrate a particular mystery by coming together as a community to celebrate the Mass. There is a degree of variability here depending on several factors: Ireland, for example, includes St. Patrick's Day as a Holy Day because he is their patron saint.
What Time are the Holy Day Masses?
Holy Day Masses are shared with our sister parish, St. Vivian. The times and locations will change for each Holy Day, so please keep your eye on our home page for specifics. (The Mass locations and times will be listed as one of the "mini-articles" on the left side of the screen.) You can also check the bulletin for Mass times.
The Holy Days of Obligation
In the United States, our Holy Days of Obligation are:
- | Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God | January 1* |
- | Solemnity of the Ascension | Thursday of the 6th week of Easter** |
- | Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary | August 15* |
- | Solemnity of All Saints | November 1* |
- | Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception | December 8 |
- | Solemnity of the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ |
December 25 |
You can learn more about Holy Days at the site for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
If you're curious about why several of our Holy Days reference Mary, learn more here.
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*If these Holy Days fall on a Saturday or on a Monday, the obligation to attend Mass is waived.
**Dioceses have permission to transfer this celebration to Sunday, and many do.
Man is composedof body and soul,and he needsthese external festivitiesso that the sacred rites,in all theirbeauty and variety,may stimulate himto drink more deeplyof the fountainof God's teaching,that he may make ita part of himselfand use it with profitfor his spiritual life.- Pope Pius XI, 20th century
The dates and locations for Holy Day Masses in our Blessed Saints Pastoral Region will be announced in the bulletin and as one of the "features" on our home page. You can also call us at 522.3680. |