The Holy Days of Obligation are the days (outside of Sundays) on which Catholics gather together to celebrate the mysteries of our faith as a community. These litugical celebrations focus on important mysteries of Our Lord, the Blessed Virgin Mary and the saints.
The obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation is more than just legal, it is an act of charity. We are responsible as a family of faith in mutually supporting one another and building up the Body of Christ. Gathering together in our parishes and communities on Sundays and holy days of obligation helps us to "encourage one another and build one another up" (1 Thessalonians 5:11), as well as to give the worship due to God, our loving Creator. If we don't have a weekly opportunity to build up our faith through Word and Sacrament, where else will we go? At one point, Jesus asked his disciples, “Do you also want to leave?” As disciples of Jesus, we can reply as Saint Peter did, “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life" (John 6: 68).
Holy Days for 2024
Note: Whenever January 1, the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, or August 15, the Solemnity of the Assumption, or November 1, the Solemnity of All Saints
falls on a Saturday or on a Monday, the precept to attend Mass is cancelled.
Other important liturgical days: