HOLY DAYS OF OBLIGATIONS

WHAT ARE THEY?

• Catholic Holy Days of Obligation are our most important feast days.
• Are the principal liturgical feasts that honor the mysteries of the God, Mary, and the saints.
• Are the most important days of the year.
• Best way to celebrate these days are to celebrate it at Mass with all the angels and saints.

Jan. 1: Mary, Mother of God

• In the USA, if the date is on Saturday or Monday, there is no obligation for that year.
• It's liturgical feast of Mary honoring her divine motherhood to Jesus Christ.

Jan. 6: Epiphany

• In the United States of America, the feast day is transferred to the following Sunday
• In Australia and Canada, the feast day is transferred to the Sunday between Jan. 2 and Jan. 8
• In England and Wales, if the date is on Saturday or Monday, there is no obligation for that year
• Celebrates the revelation of God the Son as a human being in Jesus Christ.

Ascension

• In Canada, it is transferred to the following Sunday
• Jesus was taken up to heaven in his resurrected body 40 days after the resurrection.
• Professed in the Nicene Creed and in the Apostles' Creed.
• Celebrated on the 40th day of Easter (always a Thursday).
• One of the chief feasts of the Christian year

Holy Body & Blood of Christ

• In the U.S.A., Canada, and Australia, it is transferred to the following Sunday
• Also known as the Solemnity of Corpus Christi, translates from Latin to "Body of Christ."
• Celebrated on the Thursday following the Trinity Sunday.
• Feast originated in France in the mid-thirteenth century.
• Calls us to focus on 2 manifestations of the Body of Christ, the Holy Eucharist & the Church.

Aug. 15: Assumption

• In the U.S.A., Australia, England, and Wales, if the date is on Saturday or Monday, there is no obligation.
• The bodily taking up of the Virgin Mary into Heaven at the end of her earthly life.
• The Virgin Mary having completed the course of her earthly life, was taken body and soul into heavenly glory.
• The Assumption is a major feast day

Nov. 1: All Saints

• In the United States of America, Australia, England, and Wales, if the date is on Saturday or Monday, there is no obligation for that year
• Feast is on the first Sunday after Pentecost in Eastern Catholicism.
• In honor of all the saints, known and unknown.
• The day commemorates all those who have attained the beatific vision in Heaven.

DEC. 8 IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

• The day Mary's mother, Ann, was conceived with Mary, who was born without sin.
• One of the four dogmas in Roman Catholic Mariology.
• Virgin Mary was kept free of original sin, so was filled with the sanctifying grace normally given in baptism.
• Appeared to Saint Bernadette several times and eventually revealed, "I am the Immaculate Conception."

DEC. 25 CHRISTMAS

• Commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ
• The birth year of Jesus is estimated to have been between 7 & 2 BC.
• The exact month and day of his birth are unknown.
• It closes the Advent season.
• Christmas is a holiday in many of the world's nations.

March 19 St. Joseph

• Feast of St. Joseph is in Western Christianity the principal feast day of Saint Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
• He is also the step-father of Jesus Christ.
• Feast was retitled The Solemnity of Saint Joseph.

Celebrate & Give Thanks

• Catholics are obliged to observe by participating in the celebration and by abstaining from unnecessary work.
• These days are made solemnities in terms of festivity and observance, because of their special importance.
• We celebrate by honoring another mystery of Christ, or by honoring Mary or a saint of local significance.