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*** Please note that the current dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass, due to COVID-19, applies to Sunday Masses as well as to Holy Days of Obligation (e.g., the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception). ***
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Holy Days From The Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston
Catholics are obliged to attend Mass every Sunday and on those special Holy Days of Obligation. Those listed here are the major Feast Days in the Catholic Church in America, of which some of these feasts have been transferred to Sundays. Not every Feast Day is a Holy Day of Obligation, so look for the designation.
Major Feasts and Holy Days of Obligation -
2021 2022 Day Holy Days of
ObligationSeasons and
FeastsHoly Days of
ObligationSeasons and
FeastsSunday
The Resurrection of Our LordSundays Sundays Mary, Mother of God
Our Lady's divine maternityFriday,
January 1 [1]Saturday,
January 1 [1]Epiphany
Our Lord's manifestation to the world through the visit of the magiSunday,
January 3Sunday,
January 2Baptism of the Lord
Close of the Christmas SeasonSunday,
January 10Sunday,
January 9Ash Wednesday +
Beginning of Lent which lasts until the evening Mass of the Lord's Supper on Holy Thursday nightFebruary 17 March 2 Passion/Palm Sunday
The Lord's entrance into Jerusalem and His betrayal. Begins Holy Week.March 28 April 10 Holy Thursday
Mass of the Lord's SupperApril 1 April 14 Good Friday
The Lord's PassionApril 2 April 15 Holy Saturday
The Great Easter Vigil*April 3 [2] April 16 [] Easter Sunday
The Lord's Resurrection and Appearance. Begins the 50 Days of EasterApril 4 April 17 Ascension of Christ
The Ascension of Our LordSunday,
May 16Sunday,
May 29Pentecost
The Gift of the Holy Spirit. Closes the Easter Season.Sunday,
May 23Sunday,
June 5Body and Blood of Christ
(Corpus Christi)
Our Lord's Real Presence in the Blessed SacramentSunday
June 6Sunday,
June 19Assumption
Assumption of Mary Into HeavenSunday,
August 15 [1]Monday,
August 15 [1]All Saints
Celebration of those God has brought into heaven and how they model Christ to usMonday,
November 1 [1]Tuesday,
November 1 [1]Christ the King
Final Sunday of Church YearSunday,
November 21Sunday,
November 201st Sunday of Advent
1st Sunday of Church Year and beginning of four-week preparation for ChristmasSunday,
November 28Sunday,
November 27Immaculate Conception
The Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary - Patronal Feast of the United StatesWednesday,
December 8 [3]Thursday,
December 8 [3]Christmas
The Birth of Our LordSaturday,
December 25Sunday,
December 25Christmas Season
Christmas through Baptism of the LordDecember 25, 2021 - January 9, 2022 December 25, 2022 - January 9, 2023 -
[1] At their November 1991 meeting, the National Conference of Catholic Bishops decided that whenever January 1, the Solemnity of Mary Mother of God or August 15, the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin or November 1, the Feast of All Saints falls on a Saturday or a Monday, the precept to celebrate Mass is dispensed. The Congregation for Bishops confirmed the action on July 4, 1992.
Although the obligation to celebrate Mass when these three holy days fall on a Saturday or Monday is abolished, parishes are to continue to observe these holy days by scheduling one or more Masses at a convenient time so that people who wish to participate are able to do so.
+ Lenten Days of Fast, Abstinence, and Penance
All Fridays of Lent are Days of Abstinence
Abstinence means not eating meat. All persons 14 years and older are bound by the law of abstinence.
Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are Days of both Fast and Abstinence
Fasting allows one full meal, but a light breakfast and lunch are not forbidden. All adults, 18 up to the beginning of their sixtieth (60) year, are bound by the law of fasting. Pastors and parents are to see to it that children, while not bound to the law of fast and abstinence, are educated and introduced to an authentic sense of penance.
On Fridays, when abstinence is not required by law, acts of penance, especially works of charity and exercises of piety are suggested. Abstinence from meat is especially recommended but under no obligation by law.
[2]The Easter Vigil, during the holy night when Christ rose from the dead, ranks as the "mother of all vigils."11 Keeping watch, the Church awaits Christ's resurrection and celebrates it in the sacraments. Accordingly, the entire celebration of this vigil should take place at night, that is, it should either begin after nightfall or end before the dawn of Sunday (General Norms for the Liturgical Year and the Calendar, no. 21). Easter Vigil should not begin before 8:30 pm CDT.
[3] The obligation to attend Mass is abrogated when the celebration of the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception is transferred to December 9.