Holy Days of Obligation? | What are they and why are the Holy Day of Obligations? What do we do on Holy days (i.e. holidays)? Why are some holy days of obligation observed in ONE country while other countries do not observe them? How is it possible that some Holy Days of obligation are transferred from one day to another day?
On Holy days of obligations, according to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, we go to mass, spend time in prayer, rest and refrain from work (as much as possible). So what are the list of the Holy Days of Obligation? Look at the 1983 Code of Canon Law, can. 1246 paragraph 1. Here’s what it says:
Sunday, on which by apostolic tradition the paschal mystery is celebrated, must be observed in the universal Church as the primordial holy day of obligation. The following days must also be observed, and there are 10 of them:
1. The Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ (December 25)
2. The Epiphany (January 6)
3. the Ascension (varies; on Thursday, 40 days after Easter or transferred to Sunday)
4. The Body and Blood of Christ (on Thursday or transferred to Sunday)
5. Holy Mary the Mother of God (January 1)
6. The Immaculate Conception (December 8)
7. The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (August 15)
8. Saint Joseph (March 19)
9. Saint Peter and Saint Paul the Apostles (June 29)
10. All Saints (November 1).
Keep in Mind: Easter Sunday is the greatest solemnity of all Solemnities and it takes place on SUNDAY.
Paragraph 2 of can. 1246 of the Code of Canon Law states: With the prior approval of the Apostolic See, however, the conference of bishops can suppress some of the holy days of obligation or transfer them to a Sunday.
As noted above, some of the holy days can be "suppressed" or "transferred" to Sunday. For example in the United States, you can also find 6 of the 10 "holy days" as obligatory. According to the US Conference of Catholic Bishops website of (USCCB) they are:
1. January 1, the solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
2. Thursday of the Sixth Week of Easter, the solemnity of the Ascension
3. August 15, the solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
4. November 1, the solemnity of All Saints
5. December 8, the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception
6. December 25, the solemnity of the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ
The Holy Days of Obligation (in the code of canon law) are there because they commemorate the MOST important events in God’s saving work. These events relate specifically to Jesus Christ or to the Blessed Virgin Mary in God’s plan of salvation for humanity. In addition, there’s also St. Joseph, Sts. Peter and Paul (head of the Apostles) and all saints day.
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Playlist of all reflections in English:
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The Commemoration of all the Faithful Departed
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What is all Saints day?
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What is Halloween?
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Is there a right way and a wrong way to Pray?
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Other reflections to consider:
The Rich Man and the Poor Man named Lazarus
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The Parable of the Dishonest Steward
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The Parable of the Prodigal Son
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