nativity-02ALL CATHOLICS ARE OBLIGATED TO GO TO THESE MASSES:

Every Catholic is obliged to go to Sunday Mass every week (unless they are sick)

  • January 1, the solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
  • Thursday of the Sixth Week of Easter, the solemnity of the Ascension (which our bishops often move to Sunday)
  • August 15, the solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
  • November 1, the solemnity of All Saints (aka All Hallows)
  • December 8, the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception (our national patronal feast)
  • December 25, the solemnity of the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ

Please note that sometimes some of these feast days can be abrogated. For example, 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.

OTHER IMPORTANT FEASTS:

What follows are not feasts that we are obligated to go to as Catholics, but they are great feasts that you and your family might be attentive to as special days to mark by coming to Mass, or by celebrating somehow in a special way at home:

  • Ash Wednesday, beginning the season of Lent
  • Holy Thursday of Holy Week, commemorating the institution of the Eucharist
  • Good Friday of Holy Week, commemorating the Passion of our Lord
  • February 2, the Solemnity of the Presentation of the Lord (aka Candlemas)
  • March 25, the Annunciation of Our Lord (aka Ladymas)
  • June 24, the Nativity of St. John the Baptist
  • June 29, the Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul
  • The Sunday nearest September 12, the parish Feast Day (the Holy Name of Mary)
  • November 2, All Souls Day (not really a feast, but a very important day in our calendar to pray for the dead.) On this day our parish will often offer a requiem Mass.
  • November 11, the Feast of St. Martin (aka Martinmas). Martin was a soldier, and this day is associated with remembrance of the fallen and a day to honor our veterans.
  • Thanksgiving, there is no better day to come to a morning Mass with our families.
  • Also, be attentive to Name Days for each member of your family (when does their saint’s day fall?)
  • Be also attentive to feasts of one’s heritage, which often have days that are particularly important in their history as Catholics from this or that country