(updated 12/1/2011)
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Diocese of Lafayette-in-Indiana
Frequently Asked Questions - Holy Days Of Obligation
In six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea and all that is in them; but on the seventh day he rested.
That is why the LORD has blessed the sabbath day and made it holy.
Exodus 20: 11
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Q: What are the holy days of obligation?
A: In addition to Sunday, the following days are to be observed as holy days of obligation by diocese of the United States of America.
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January 1, the solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
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Thursday of the Sixth Week of Easter, the solemnity of the Ascension (may also be observed during the weekend Masses of the Seventh Week of Easter ... check with your local pastor)
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August 15, the solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
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November 1, the solemnity of All Saints
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December 8, the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception
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December 25, the solemnity of the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ
Whenever January 1, the solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, or August 15, the solemnity of the Assumption, or November 1, the solemnity of All Saints, falls on a Saturday or on a Monday, the precept to attend Mass is abrogated (that is, the observance is typically held during the weekend services in the weekends where these days fall). For more information, please see the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Q: I know what All Saints Day is, but what is All Souls Day?
A: The church celebrates the commemoration of the faithfully departed on November 2nd, unless this day falls on a Sunday, then it is celebrated on the 3rd. Theologically, this feast is based on the doctrine that the soul must be cleansed of sin before leaving the body of the deceased so that it can share in the glory of the Risen Christ. If the soul is not cleansed, the deceased can still share in the glory of heaven if those left behind on earth offer prayers and good deeds in honor of the soul. In the early days of the church, All Souls Day was celebrated at many different times in different countries. In 998 A.D., All Souls Day became fixed on November 2nd when the Benedictine Monastery of Cluny chose that date for the commemoration. It spread to other monasteries and then to parishes throughout the region. In the 13th century, Rome adopted it by placing the feast on the church’s annual calendar. Today we celebrate All Souls Day with special prayers and Masses to honor the faithfully departed.
Q: What is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception?
A: Many people mistakenly believe that the Immaculate Conception is centered around when Jesus was conceived; however, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception actually refers to Mary. The Church teaches that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was conceived without the stain of Original Sin and remained sinless throughout her life. The Feast of the Immaculate Conception celebrates Mary as the perfect vessel for carrying the Son of God. We are also reminded of the selfless act of Mary who consented to God's request for her to give birth to Jesus. For our Cathedral, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception holds special meaning as it is the Cathedral's namesake.
The Feast of the Immaculate Conception is also a special national feast day as the nation was dedicated to Mary, by a gathering of Catholic bishops in 1846, under the title of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception.
