Holy Days of Obligation 2024
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 remaining 2023 liturgical year and the beginning of the 2024 liturgical year You will also find some of the principal feasts listed below.
Holy Days of Obligation
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
Monday, January 1, 2024
Honors the Blessed Virgin Mary as the Theotokos, "the God-bearer," who brings the Son of God into the world. (Since the solemnity falls on a Saturday in 2022, the obligation to attend Mass is abrogated.
Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord
Thursday, May 9, 2024
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
Thursday, August 15, 2024
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 Monday in 2022, the obligation to attend Mass is abrogated.)
Solemnity of All Saints
Friday, November 1, 2024
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
Monday, December 9, 2024
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.
The solemnity is typically celebrated on December 8. However, the celebration is transferred to December 9 in 2024 because the December 8 is the Second Sunday of Advent. The obligation to attend Mass does not transfer to the Monday.
Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord
Wednesday, December 25, 2024
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 7, 2024
Celebrates that Jesus is 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
Monday, January 8, 2024
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 14, 2024
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 24, 2024
Commemorates Jesus' entrance into the holy city of Jerusalem begins 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 28, 2024 - Sunday, March 31, 2024
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 21, 2024
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 7, 2024
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 8, 2024
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 19, 2024
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 26, 2024
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
Sunday, June 2, 2024
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
Saturday, November 2, 2024
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 24, 2024
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, December 1, 2024
The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, & Joseph
Sunday, December 29, 2024
Celebrates that 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.
