Reviewing
the Holy Days of Obligation
by Ann Przybilla, director
Office of Worship
In 1992, the Conference of
Bishops received approval by the Apostolic See to declare that in addition to
Sunday, the days to be observed as holy days of obligation in the Latin Rite
dioceses of the
- January 1, the solemnity of
Mary, Mother of God (this is also the Feast Day of the Diocese of New Ulm)
- Thursday of the Sixth Week
of Easter, the solemnity of the Ascension *
- August 15, the solemnity of
the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
- November 1, the solemnity
of All Saints
- December 8, the solemnity
of the Immaculate Conception
- December 25, the solemnity
of the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ
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 obligation to attend Mass is lifted. Therefore, December 8th and December 25th are
always holy days of obligation in the
The day remains a solemnity
in the Church’s calendar whether or not the faithful are obligated to attend
Mass for that day. The solemnity is to be observed as such with the celebration
of the Eucharist and suitable festivity.
Parishes should continue to make these days special by celebrating the
needed Mass at a convenient hour so that the people who wish and are able will
be able to participate in the celebration of the
*In accord with the
provisions of canon 1246§2 of the Code of Canon Law, the Diocese of New Ulm
celebrates the feast of the Ascension on the Seventh Sunday of Easter.