Holy Days of Obligation 2010
Every Sunday is considered a day of obligation in the
Catholic faith; and the faithful are called to worship
at Mass every Sunday.
Other particular days celebrating feasts of the Lord or the
Blessed Mother are considered days of obligation.
On these days, the faithful are called to worship at Mass,
even if the feast does not fall on a Sunday.
Easter is considered a particular day of obligation
for all Catholics.
In the United States, the obligation to attend
Mass is suspended, when a Holy Day
falls on a Saturday or a Monday.
Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God
Friday, January 1st
This solemnity recognizes Mary as the Mother of Our Lord.
Mass of the Feast Day will be at 9:00 AM.
Easter Sunday
Sunday, April 4th
Though not considered Holy Days of Obligation,
the Triduum – Holy Thursday
Good Friday and Holy Saturday (celebration of Easter Vigil) -
are among the holiest of the Liturgical Year.
This year those three days fall on
April 1st/2nd/3rd.
Feast of the Ascension
Sunday, May 16th
Traditionally celebrated on Thursday, some dioceses in
the United States commemorate this feast
on the following Sunday.
The Archdiocese of Cincinnati is among those.
It is considered a day of obligation
for those dioceses who celebrate it on a Thursday.
Feast of the Assumption of Mary
Sunday, August 15th
This feast celebrates the Assumption of the Blessed Mother
into heaven.
The readings of the weekend liturgies will commemorate
this feast, since it falls on a Sunday.
Feast of All Saints
Monday, November 1st
Since this feast falls on a Monday, it is not a Holy Day of Obligation for this year.
The readings for the Mass of the Day will be those of the feast.
Feast of the Immaculate Conception
Wednesday, December 8th
This feast commemorates God’s preparation of Mary to
be the Mother of Jesus at her conception.
Since Mary as the Immaculate Conception
is the Patroness of the United States,
this feast is always a Holy Day of Obligation,
except when it falls on a Sunday,
when the liturgies of the Sunday prevail.
Christmas
Saturday, December 25th
This feast commemorating the Nativity of the Lord
is always a Holy Day of Obligation and is the
prevailing liturgy on this date.
There are other feasts and commemorations which are
of importance that are not Holy Days of Obligation.
Some are so because they always fall on a Sunday.
Included among them are:
Feast of the Epiphany
Celebrated in the United States on
Sunday, January 3rd
Ash Wednesday
Wednesday, February 17th
The First Sunday of Lent will be
Sunday, February 21st
Pentecost
Sunday, May 23rd
Holy Trinity
Sunday, May 30th
Corpus Christi
Feast of the Body & Blood of Christ
Sunday, June 6th
Feast of All Souls
Tuesday, November 2nd
Feast of Christ the King
Sunday, November 21st
The First Sunday of Advent will be
Sunday, November 28th