Holy Days of Obligation

In addition to every Sunday of the year, the Lord’s Day, which we keep holy in accordance with the Third Commandment, the following dates are Holy Days of Obligation for the remainder of the 2026 liturgical year and the beginning of the 2027 liturgical year. You will also find some of the principal feasts listed below.

The Sabbath

Every Sunday

"Thou shall keep the Sabbath holy."- The Third Commandment - Gives thanks and praise to God for his creative, redeeming, and sanctifying work through the celebration of the Eucharist.

Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God

Friday, January 1, 2027

Honors the Blessed Virgin Mary as the Theotokos, "the God-bearer," who brings the Son of God into the world. 

Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord

Thursday, May 6, 2027

Celebrates the return of the Lord Jesus to heaven 40 days after his resurrection from the dead, from where he rules and continues to intercede for us, especially through his Holy Spirit

Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Saturday, August 15, 2026

Celebrates that Mary is assumed body and soul into the glory of heaven by God at the moment of her death. Just as she was preserved from all stain of sin throughout her life (even from its very first moment--the Immaculate Conception), her body is now preserved from its natural corruption (an effect of sin) at the end of her earthly life. (Since the solemnity falls on a Saturday in 2026, the obligation to attend Mass in addition to Sunday Mass is abrogated.)

Solemnity of All Saints

Sunday, November 1, 2026

Celebrates the memory of all those holy men and women who lived a blessed life on earth and are now in communion with the Lord in heaven, from where they intercede for us.   

Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Tuesday, December 8, 2026

Celebrates that God prepared Mary from the very first moment of her existence in the womb of St. Ann (her mother) to be "full of grace" and thus a worthy tabernacle--the Ark of the New Covenant--of Christ, the Son of God.

Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord

Friday, December 25, 2026

Celebrates the birth of Jesus, Christ and Lord, who is the Savior of the world, in Bethlehem. "The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us."

Additional Principal Celebrations

Epiphany of the Lord

Sunday, January 3, 2027

Celebrates that Jesus, revealed to the magi by the light of a star, is the light of salvation for all the nations of the world.

Baptism of Our Lord

Sunday, January 10, 2027

Celebrates that the Lord Jesus, who has immersed himself in the human experience (except sin), is now immersed in the waters of baptism as an expression of his filial obedience to the Father.

Ash Wednesday

Wednesday, February 10, 2027

Commemorates the annual start of the 40-day liturgical season of Lent, when, through intensified prayer, fasting and almsgiving, we "turn away from sin and believe in the Gospel."

Palm Sunday

Sunday, March 21, 2027

Commemorates Jesus' entrance into the holy city of Jerusalem, beginning with the shouts of the crowd: "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" By the end of that same week, the crowds will be shouting, "Crucify him!"

The Sacred Triduum

Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday (Easter Vigil), and Easter Sunday

Thursday, March 25, 2027 - Sunday, March 28, 2027

The “three days” are the most holy of the liturgical year because they commemorate the institution of the Lord's Supper (Eucharist and priesthood) in the Upper Room, with its mandatum/command to "wash the feet" of others in imitation of Jesus Christ; the Passion of the Lord, who suffered and died on the cross on Calvary for the sake of our salvation; and Holy Saturday, when we "vigil" in anticipation of the Easter joy that comes to the world through the resurrection of Christ from the dead. The sacred triduum continues into the evening of Easter Sunday.

Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord

Sunday, March 28, 2027

Celebrates that Jesus rose from the dead and appeared to Mary of Magdala, who witnessed her vision to the apostles; Peter and John ran to the empty tomb; they saw and believed.

Divine Mercy Sunday

Sunday, April 4, 2027

Celebrates the gift of God’s mercy that comes to the whole world through the Passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, especially through the sacrament of penance which forgives personal sin.

Annunciation of Our Lord

Monday, April 5, 2027

Celebrates the beginning of the Incarnation (when the Word of God became flesh), made possible by the great yes (“fiat”) of the Blessed Virgin Mary to become the Mother of the Son of God

Pentecost Sunday

Sunday, May 16, 2027

Celebrates the fulfillment of Christ's promise of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the Church gathered in the Upper Room, beginning with Mary and the apostles.

The Most Holy Trinity

Sunday, May 23, 2027

Celebrates the unique Christian revelation of our Lord as "one God in three divine persons": Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi)

Sunday, May 30, 2027

Commemorates the gift of the Blessed Sacrament — the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist and the source of our communion with God — to the Church and world.

Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed

Monday, November 2, 2026

Commemorates all who have died, especially our brothers and sisters in Christ; we pray for God's mercy upon them, that as we await the day of resurrection and Final Judgment, they may rest eternally in his merciful, loving, and peaceful embrace.

Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe

Sunday, November 22, 2026

Celebrates that the Lord Jesus reigns as king of all creation, "things visible and invisible," and that he will return as "Judge of the living and the dead" at the end of time

First Sunday of Advent

Sunday, November 29, 2026

The beginning of a four-week period of preparation that directs our hearts and minds to Christ’s second coming at the end of time and to the anniversary of Our Lord’s birth celebrated on Christmas. 

Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, & Joseph

This feast honors Jesus, Mary, and Joseph as the “true model of life” for Christian families to follow. 

Sunday, December 27, 2026

Celebrates the Word of God who came among us as one like us (in all things but sin), including that he "lived and moved and had his being" in a human family.