The Catholic Holy Days of Obligation are a number of important days in a calendar year when a Catholic is obliged to attend mass. The word ‘obligation’ is used because celebrating these feast days is thought to be the minimum level of commitment of someone who is Catholic. On a Holy Day, along with all Sundays, someone of the Catholic religion should refrain from working or being involved in activities that will distract them from their worship to God. The number of Catholic Holy Days usually depends on the country one lives in. For those living in Scotland and Ireland, all ten Holy Days are celebrated while only six of these holidays are widely celebrated in the United States. For those living in Hong Kong, Christmas is the only Holy Day celebrated. If a Catholic feast falls on a Sunday, such as Easter Sunday, it is not included in the Holy Days of Obligation. In some countries, they will move the celebrations of a Holy Day to the following Sunday.
Table of the Holy Days in a Catholic Calendar
|
Date: |
Name of Holy Day: | What Does this Day Represent? |
|
| #1 – January 1st |
“Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God” | This day is used to celebrate the Virgin Mary who helped our salvation. |
Yes (Celebrated on January 1st each year) |
|
#2 – |
“The Epiphany of Our Lord Jesus Christ” | One of the oldest Catholic feasts that celebrates revelations of Christ to man. |
No |
|
#3 – |
“St Joseph’s Day” | A celebration of the life of Joseph (a foster father figure to Jesus Christ). |
No |
|
#4 – |
“The Ascension of Our Lord” | This Holy Day represents the sight of Christ, ascended bodily into Heaven. |
Yes (This Holy Day is generally celebrated on the seventh Sunday of Easter) |
|
#5 – |
“The Feast of Corpus Christi” | This feast celebrates the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. |
No |
|
#6 – |
“Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul” | A celebration of two of the greatest apostles and the establishment of the church of Rome. | No |
| #7 – August 15th |
“Assumption of the Blessed Mother” | This day represents Mary’s departure from this life and the assumption of her body into heaven. | Yes (Celebrated on August 15th) |
| #8 – November 1st |
“All Saints Day” | A feast to celebrate the saints that we know and the saints that we don’t know. |
Yes |
|
#9 – |
“Immaculate Conception of Mary” | Represents Mary’s purity and innocence. A celebration of original sin passed on to mankind (Adam and Eve). This day celebrates the conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the womb of Saint Anne. |
Yes |
| #10 – December 25th |
“Christmas” | The most well-known Catholic Holy Day that is celebrated across the globe. This day celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. |
Yes |