Holy Days of Obligation
This year in the United States there are five holy days of obligation, besides Sundays, that will be celebrated. Please note that in the United States the obligation is suspended when the holy day falls on a Saturday or Monday so the number of holy days of obligation can change from year to year.
Holy Days in 2017
January 1 (Sunday) Mary, Mother of God
The Solemnity of Mary Mother of God commemorates the divine motherhood of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the God-Bearer, Mother of our Lord and God Jesus Christ. It is celebrated on January 1st, one week after Christmas.
August 15 (Tuesday) Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
The Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary commemorates the death of Mary and her bodily assumption into Heaven before her body could begin to decay. Because the Assumption signifies the Blessed Virgin's passing into eternal life, it is the most important of all Marian feasts.
November 1 (Wednesday) All Saints
The Feast of All Saints is celebrated on November 1st in honor of all the saints, known and unknown, who have gone before us having attained everlasting life in heaven.
December 8 (Friday) Feast of the Immaculate Conception
The Feast of the Immaculate Conception celebrates that from the moment the Blessed Virgin Mary was conceived she was kept free of original sin. The Immaculate Conception should not be confused with the perpetual virginity of Mary or the virgin birth of Jesus; it refers to the conception of Mary by her mother, Saint Anne. This day honoring Mary, the Mother of God, celebrates one of the most important events in salvation history.
December 25 (Monday) Christmas
Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
* = not a holy day of obligation
2017 Movable Feasts:
Epiphany ♦ Sunday, January 8
Ash Wednesday ♦ Wednesday, March 1
Easter Sunday
♦ Sunday, April 16
Ascension of the Lord
♦ Sunday, May 28
Pentecost
♦ Sunday, June 4
Holy Trinity
♦ Sunday, June 11
Body & Blood of Christ
♦ Sunday, June 18
Sacred Heart of Jesus
♦ Friday, June 23
2017 Holy Week:
Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord
♦ Sunday, April 9
Holy Thursday ~ Mass of the Lord’s Supper ♦ Thursday, April 13
Good Friday ~ Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion ♦ Friday, April 14
Holy Saturday ~ Easter Vigil
♦ Saturday, April 15
Easter ♦ Sunday, April 16
