What Is a Holy Day of Obligation?
A Holy Day of Obligation is a special day in the Catholic Church when Catholics are expected to go to Mass, just like on Sundays. These days celebrate important moments in the life of Jesus, Mary, and the saints, and they help us stay connected to our faith throughout the year.
The Church’s official law, called the Code of Canon Law (Canon 1246 §1), lists certain feast days as Holy Days of Obligation. Each country can adjust the list a bit, with permission from the Vatican. In the United States, the following days are normally observed as Holy Days of Obligation
In the United States, some of the most well-known Holy Days of Obligation include:
- Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God – January 1
- Ascension of the Lord – Forty days after Easter (commonly transferred to the following Sunday in most U.S. dioceses)
- Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary – August 15
- All Saints’ Day – November 1
- Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary – December 8
- Nativity of the Lord (Christmas) – December 25
“On Sundays and other holy days of obligation, the faithful are obliged to participate in the Mass.” Canon Law (Canon 1247)
These days are reminders of how God works in our lives, inviting us to pause, give thanks, and worship together as a Church family. Attending Mass is not meant to be a burden, but a gift, it’s where we receive grace, encounter Christ, and are renewed in our mission as His followers.