“By means of the yearly cycle, the Church celebrates the whole mystery of Christ, from his incarnation until the day of Pentecost and the expectation of his coming again.”  – Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, no. 102 & General Norms for the Liturgical Year and Calendar, no. 17.

HOLY DAYS OF OBLIGATION 

In 1991, the bishops of the United States asked for permission of the Holy See to lift the obligation to attend Mass on three holy days of obligation when they fell on certain dates.  After permission was granted by the Holy See, the following statement was issued by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB):

“In addition to Sunday, the days to be observed as holy days of obligation in the Latin Rite dioceses of the USA include the following solemnities: Mary, Mother of God (Jan. 1); the Ascension of the Lord; the Assumption of Mary (Aug. 15); All Saints (Nov. 1); the Immaculate Conception of Mary (Dec. 8); and the Nativity of the Lord/Christmas (Dec. 25).  Whenever January 1, the solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, or August 15, the solemnity of the Assumption of Mary, or November 1, the solemnity of All Saints, falls on a Saturday or a Monday, the obligation to attend Mass is lifted.”  (USCCB, December 13, 1991)

The resource listed below is offered to assist parishes as they schedule the holy days for the coming year.

ADVENT & CHRISTMAS 2023

The new Church Year begins with the season of Advent, starting on Sunday, December 3, 2023. The Christmas season begins with the Vigil of the Solemnity of the Lord’s Nativity in the evening of Sunday, December 24 and goes through to the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord on Monday, January 8, 2023. The following resources are offered to assist parishes with their Advent and Christmas preparations.

LENT & EASTER 2024 

The season of Lent & Easter begin with Ash Wednesday on February 14, 2024. The Rite of Election will be celebrated at the Cathedral of St. Jude on Sunday, February 18 (the First Sunday of Lent). Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord on March 24 and culminates with the Great Easter Vigil on Saturday, March 30 and Easter Sunday on March 31. The Easter season concludes with the celebration of Pentecost on the weekend of May 19.

THE SOLEMNITY OF THE MOST HOLY BODY & BLOOD OF CHRIST 2024

Also known as Corpus Christi Sunday, the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ falls on the weekend of June 2, 2024.  See the resources list below for important information related to this solemnity.