Holy Days of Obligation

Click here to view "The Year of Grace 2023 - Guide to the Liturgical Year"

 

Holy Days of Obligation with Special Seasons and Feasts

 

2023

2024

Day

Holy Days of 
Obligation

Seasons and 
Feasts

Holy Days of 
Obligation

Seasons and 
Feasts

Sunday
The Resurrection of Our Lord

Sundays 

 

Sundays 

 

Mary, Mother of God
Our Lady's divine maternity 

Sunday,
January 1 [1]

 

No Obligation when on a Monday.

Monday,
January 1 [1] 

Epiphany
Our Lord's manifestation to the world through the visit of the magi  

Sunday,
January 8

 

Sunday,
January 7

 

Baptism of the Lord
Close of the Christmas Season

No Obligation when on a Monday.

Monday, January 9

No Obligation when on a Monday.

Monday, January 8

Ash Wednesday +
Beginning of Lent, which lasts until the Mass of the Lord's Supper on Holy Thursday night. 

 

February 22

 

February 14

Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion
The Lord's entrance into Jerusalem and His betrayal. Begins Holy Week. 

April 2

 

March 24

 

Holy Thursday
Mass of the Lord's Supper 

 

April 6

 

March 28

Good Friday
Celebration of the Lord's Passion 

 

April 7

 

March 29

Holy Saturday
Easter Vigil in the Holy Night*

 

April 8 [2]

 

March 30 [2]

Easter Sunday
The Lord's Resurrection. Begins the 50 Days of Easter

April 9

 

March 31

 

Ascension of the Lord
Our Lord ascends into heaven.

Sunday,
May 21

 

Sunday,
May 12

 

Pentecost
The Gift of the Holy Spirit. Closes the Easter Season.

Sunday,
May 28

 

Sunday,
May 19

 

Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi)
Our Lord's Real Presence in the Blessed Sacrament  

Sunday,
June 11

 

Sunday,
June 2

 

Assumption
Assumption of Mary into Heaven 

Tuesday,
August 15 [1]

 

Thursday,
August 15 [1]

 

All Saints
Celebration of those God has brought into heaven and how they model Christ to us 

Wednesday,
November 1 [1]

 

Friday,
November 1 [1]

 

Christ the King
Final Sunday of Church Year 

Sunday,
November 26

 

Sunday,
November 24

 

1st Sunday of Advent
1st Sunday of Church Year and beginning of four-week preparation for Christmas

Sunday,
December 3

 

Sunday,
December 1

 

Immaculate Conception
The Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary - Patronal Feast of the United States 

Friday,
December 8 [3]

 

No Obligation when on a Monday.

Monday,
December 9 [3] 

Christmas
The Birth of Our Lord 

Monday,
December 25

 

Wednesday,
December 25

 

Christmas Season
Christmas through Baptism of the Lord 

December 25, 2023 - January 8, 2024

December 25, 2024 - January 12, 2025

 

[1] At their November 1991 meeting, the National Conference of Catholic Bishops decided that whenever January 1, the Solemnity of Mary Mother of God or August 15, the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin or November 1, the Feast of All Saints falls on a Saturday or a Monday, the precept to celebrate Mass is dispensed. The Congregation for Bishops confirmed the action on July 4, 1992.

Although the obligation to celebrate Mass when these three holy days fall on a Saturday or Monday is abolished, parishes are to continue to observe these holy days by scheduling one or more Masses at a convenient time so that people who wish to participate are able to do so.

+ Lenten Days of Fast, Abstinence, and Penance

All Fridays of Lent are Days of Abstinence

Abstinence means not eating meat. All persons 14 years and older are bound by the law of abstinence.

Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are Days of both Fast and Abstinence

Fasting allows one full meal, but a light breakfast and lunch are not forbidden. All adults, from age 18 up to the beginning of their sixtieth (60) year, are bound by the law of fasting. Pastors and parents are to see to it that children, while not bound to the law of fast and abstinence, are educated and introduced to an authentic sense of penance.

On Fridays throughout the year, when abstinence is not required by law, acts of penance, especially works of charity and exercises of piety are suggested. Abstinence from meat is especially recommended but under no obligation by law.

[2]The Easter Vigil, during the holy night when Christ rose from the dead, ranks as the "mother of all vigils."11 Keeping watch, the Church awaits Christ's resurrection and celebrates it in the sacraments. Accordingly, the entire celebration of this vigil should take place at night, that is, it should either begin after nightfall or end before the dawn of Sunday (General Norms for the Liturgical Year and the Calendar, no. 21). Easter Vigil should not begin before 8:30 pm CDT.

[3] The obligation to attend Mass is abrogated when the celebration of the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception is transferred to December 9.