Holy Days of Obligations
It’s Just Another Sunday – Holy Days of Obligations
By Juan Rodriguez
Another Sunday Mass – What’s that all about? Some Catholics are confused about what is a Holy Day of Obligation.
A Holy Day of Obligation is a specific feast day that the Church celebrates in honor of our Lord Jesus, His beloved Mother Mary, or of the Saints. As the “Body of Christ”, Christian’s, like you and me are bound by Church Law to go to Mass on these special feast days. As a family celebrates Thanksgiving together as a national day, the Church in the United States and all over the world celebrates specific feast days as both a spiritual and a Catholic celebration. When we say Catholic, we mean “Universal”. These special Masses are chosen by our Bishops to help us as Christian’s to live out our faith with devotion, sacrifice and charity. It is also a way to instruct and strengthen our belief in specific teachings of Jesus and His Church. Like a Sunday Mass, a Holy Day of Obligation brings us together as God’s family, to celebrate our faith and to pray for the conversion of the world.
It is also a precept of the Church, meaning, that the Church commands us to come together to remember an important feast, like “All Saints’, where Catholics are reminded of the lives of the saints, and our personal call to sainthood. We do this in unity, receiving together the Eucharist – our “Thanksgiving”. (CCC 2042)
As young Christian’s we just don’t go to Mass, but we assist at the Mass, meaning “we get involved”. It is an opportunity to be close to the Lord, to ask Him for help, to pray for our family, our friends, our loved ones, even for those who have died. It can also inspire us to take the Mass seriously, as it will show us that we are on a mission to bring the Gospel. Just as a young man or woman are committed to one another in marriage, so we as Baptized Christian’s are called to be one, entering into the mystery of the Mass, as it will radically change us to be Christ in the world.
How many days are set for “Holy Days of Obligation”?
There are thirteen Holy Days of Obligation. Six Holy Days of Obligations are celebrated in the United States, while the eight of the Holy Day of Obligation fall on a Sunday. Ash Wednesday is not a Holy Day of Obligation, but a Holy Day which we as Christians abstain from meat as well as fast. If you are a youth, young adult leader, a Catechist teacher, or a parent, and you want to keep track of the Holy Days of Obligation, Feast Days of the Church and more, I recommend a “Liturgical Desk Calendar” or a wall calendar with the listings of liturgical celebrations. You can purchase this in a Catholic books or resource center in your area.
Catholics in the United States celebrate 6 Feast Days (Marked In Red). Eight of the Feast days fall on Sundays:
1. Octave of Christmas: Mary, Mother of God – 1st week in January - Jan 1st 2010
2. Epiphany – 1st or 2nd week in January - Jan 3rd 2010 (Sunday)
3. Ash Wednesday –Not A Holy Day of Obligation, just a Holy Day– Feb 17th 2010
4. Easter Sunday – Falls right after Palm Sunday - April 4th 2010 (Sunday)
5. Ascension Day – 41 days after Easter – May 16th 2010 (Thursday)
6. Pentecost – May 23rd 2010 (Sunday)
7. Holy Trinity – May 30th, 2010 (Sunday)
8. Body & Blood of Christ – June 6th 2010 (Sunday)
9. Assumption of Mary – Aug 15th 2010 (Sunday)
10. All Saints – Nov 1st 2010 (Monday)
11. Christ the King – Nov 21st 2010 (Sunday)
12. Immaculate Conception – Dec 8th 2010 (Wensday)
14. Christmas – Dec 25th 2010 (Saturday Morning to the Afternoon) There is a Saturday Evening Mass (Sunday)
What if I cannot participate in a Holy Day of Obligation?
It is important to keep in mind that all Baptized Christians are obligated to be at these Masses as they are considered to be a Sunday Mass. This does not mean if you go to Mass on a Holy Day of Obligation, you can miss a Sunday Mass (which is going to happen on Dec 25th, where we must go to Mass twice - for those who like attending the Saturday Vigil Mass). On the contrary, we are obligated to go to both. It would seem that when we use the word “Obligation”, one may feel forced to do something they do not want to do. As we say “We are Christians", meaning, a follower of Jesus, who is our Lord and Savior, it is our “one” desire to be at His Sacrifice. If we love Him so much, we will be at His Banquet. Nothing should stand in our way. However, the Church does understand that there may be reasons for not going to Mass on a Holy Day of Obligation. We can be excused from a Holy Day of Obligation for these serious reasons: illness, the care of infants, or an extreme circumstance. If you need a clarification, ask your pastor and he will explain. Keep in mind, no pastor, religious or lay person can excuse a Christian from missing a Holy Day of Obligation, even if it is for a prayer group meeting or a gathering for cake and cookies. Missing a Holy Day of Obligation is like missing a Sunday Mass and is considered a mortal sin, since the Lord commanded us to “Keep the Sabbath Holy” under His Ten Commandments. He also gave to His Church the authority to guide His flock. (Exodus 20:8-11; Matt 16:18-20)
The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that “Participation in the communal celebration of the Sunday Eucharist is a testimony of belonging and of being faithful to Christ and to his Church. The faithful give witness by this to their communion in faith and charity. Together they testify to God’s holiness and their hope of salvation. They strengthen one another under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church 2182) When we give testimony, we give an example to all that we love Jesus and our brothers and sisters. By not entering into these special feast days, we break our bonds of unity, of spiritual family, and of our love for Jesus, putting ourselves further from God’s Grace. This is why it is important to go to Confession when you or anyone in your family has missed a Holy Day of Obligation.
Where in the Bible Can You Find Similar Holy Days of Obligations Celebrated by both Jews and Hebrew Christians?
There were many important feast days that our Jewish brothers and sisters celebrated, but two of them come to mind; The 1st is the Passover and 2nd the Feast of First Fruits. In the Old Testament, the Lord commanded Moses to celebrate specific feasts days or Holy Days. These were considered for the Jewish people, Holy Days of Obligations. We find in Leviticus Chapter 23:1-14 a command to celebrate the Passover. Following the verses, Chapter 23 continues to verse 15 as it mentions the feast of the First Fruits. We as Christians celebrate these two Holy Days of Obligation as Easter Sunday and Pentecost. It is important to keep in mind that Easter Sunday is celebrated as the Lord’s Day and it is our Highest Sabbath, and Pentecost is celebrated as the day the Church received the Holy Spirit. Jesus himself kept the Holy Day of Passover sacred, since it would be His Sacrifice to save us from sin, and no longer an animal sacrifice. (Matt 26:26-30; Mark 14:22-26; Luke 22:14-23). The Apostles themselves, after listening to the command of the Lord, waited in prayer for the Descent of the Holy Spirit. It was on this Holy Day of Obligation, the Feast of the First Fruits, which is called Pentecost, the Church was confirmed to go out and proclaim the Gospel of Jesus. (Acts 2:1-1-41)
Make this year special by keeping to the Holy Days of Obligation. We can learn so much of our religious traditions and values through one Mass a day, but most of all, we can become a holy people, called to become beacons of hope by being Jesus in the world.
By Juan Rodriguez
Another Sunday Mass – What’s that all about? Some Catholics are confused about what is a Holy Day of Obligation.A Holy Day of Obligation is a specific feast day that the Church celebrates in honor of our Lord Jesus, His beloved Mother Mary, or of the Saints. As the “Body of Christ”, Christian’s, like you and me are bound by Church Law to go to Mass on these special feast days. As a family celebrates Thanksgiving together as a national day, the Church in the United States and all over the world celebrates specific feast days as both a spiritual and a Catholic celebration. When we say Catholic, we mean “Universal”. These special Masses are chosen by our Bishops to help us as Christian’s to live out our faith with devotion, sacrifice and charity. It is also a way to instruct and strengthen our belief in specific teachings of Jesus and His Church. Like a Sunday Mass, a Holy Day of Obligation brings us together as God’s family, to celebrate our faith and to pray for the conversion of the world.
It is also a precept of the Church, meaning, that the Church commands us to come together to remember an important feast, like “All Saints’, where Catholics are reminded of the lives of the saints, and our personal call to sainthood. We do this in unity, receiving together the Eucharist – our “Thanksgiving”. (CCC 2042)
As young Christian’s we just don’t go to Mass, but we assist at the Mass, meaning “we get involved”. It is an opportunity to be close to the Lord, to ask Him for help, to pray for our family, our friends, our loved ones, even for those who have died. It can also inspire us to take the Mass seriously, as it will show us that we are on a mission to bring the Gospel. Just as a young man or woman are committed to one another in marriage, so we as Baptized Christian’s are called to be one, entering into the mystery of the Mass, as it will radically change us to be Christ in the world.
How many days are set for “Holy Days of Obligation”?
There are thirteen Holy Days of Obligation. Six Holy Days of Obligations are celebrated in the United States, while the eight of the Holy Day of Obligation fall on a Sunday. Ash Wednesday is not a Holy Day of Obligation, but a Holy Day which we as Christians abstain from meat as well as fast. If you are a youth, young adult leader, a Catechist teacher, or a parent, and you want to keep track of the Holy Days of Obligation, Feast Days of the Church and more, I recommend a “Liturgical Desk Calendar” or a wall calendar with the listings of liturgical celebrations. You can purchase this in a Catholic books or resource center in your area.
Catholics in the United States celebrate 6 Feast Days (Marked In Red). Eight of the Feast days fall on Sundays:
1. Octave of Christmas: Mary, Mother of God – 1st week in January - Jan 1st 2010
2. Epiphany – 1st or 2nd week in January - Jan 3rd 2010 (Sunday)
3. Ash Wednesday –Not A Holy Day of Obligation, just a Holy Day– Feb 17th 2010
4. Easter Sunday – Falls right after Palm Sunday - April 4th 2010 (Sunday)
5. Ascension Day – 41 days after Easter – May 16th 2010 (Thursday)
6. Pentecost – May 23rd 2010 (Sunday)
7. Holy Trinity – May 30th, 2010 (Sunday)
8. Body & Blood of Christ – June 6th 2010 (Sunday)
9. Assumption of Mary – Aug 15th 2010 (Sunday)
10. All Saints – Nov 1st 2010 (Monday)
11. Christ the King – Nov 21st 2010 (Sunday)
12. Immaculate Conception – Dec 8th 2010 (Wensday)
14. Christmas – Dec 25th 2010 (Saturday Morning to the Afternoon) There is a Saturday Evening Mass (Sunday)
What if I cannot participate in a Holy Day of Obligation?
It is important to keep in mind that all Baptized Christians are obligated to be at these Masses as they are considered to be a Sunday Mass. This does not mean if you go to Mass on a Holy Day of Obligation, you can miss a Sunday Mass (which is going to happen on Dec 25th, where we must go to Mass twice - for those who like attending the Saturday Vigil Mass). On the contrary, we are obligated to go to both. It would seem that when we use the word “Obligation”, one may feel forced to do something they do not want to do. As we say “We are Christians", meaning, a follower of Jesus, who is our Lord and Savior, it is our “one” desire to be at His Sacrifice. If we love Him so much, we will be at His Banquet. Nothing should stand in our way. However, the Church does understand that there may be reasons for not going to Mass on a Holy Day of Obligation. We can be excused from a Holy Day of Obligation for these serious reasons: illness, the care of infants, or an extreme circumstance. If you need a clarification, ask your pastor and he will explain. Keep in mind, no pastor, religious or lay person can excuse a Christian from missing a Holy Day of Obligation, even if it is for a prayer group meeting or a gathering for cake and cookies. Missing a Holy Day of Obligation is like missing a Sunday Mass and is considered a mortal sin, since the Lord commanded us to “Keep the Sabbath Holy” under His Ten Commandments. He also gave to His Church the authority to guide His flock. (Exodus 20:8-11; Matt 16:18-20)
The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that “Participation in the communal celebration of the Sunday Eucharist is a testimony of belonging and of being faithful to Christ and to his Church. The faithful give witness by this to their communion in faith and charity. Together they testify to God’s holiness and their hope of salvation. They strengthen one another under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church 2182) When we give testimony, we give an example to all that we love Jesus and our brothers and sisters. By not entering into these special feast days, we break our bonds of unity, of spiritual family, and of our love for Jesus, putting ourselves further from God’s Grace. This is why it is important to go to Confession when you or anyone in your family has missed a Holy Day of Obligation.
Where in the Bible Can You Find Similar Holy Days of Obligations Celebrated by both Jews and Hebrew Christians?
There were many important feast days that our Jewish brothers and sisters celebrated, but two of them come to mind; The 1st is the Passover and 2nd the Feast of First Fruits. In the Old Testament, the Lord commanded Moses to celebrate specific feasts days or Holy Days. These were considered for the Jewish people, Holy Days of Obligations. We find in Leviticus Chapter 23:1-14 a command to celebrate the Passover. Following the verses, Chapter 23 continues to verse 15 as it mentions the feast of the First Fruits. We as Christians celebrate these two Holy Days of Obligation as Easter Sunday and Pentecost. It is important to keep in mind that Easter Sunday is celebrated as the Lord’s Day and it is our Highest Sabbath, and Pentecost is celebrated as the day the Church received the Holy Spirit. Jesus himself kept the Holy Day of Passover sacred, since it would be His Sacrifice to save us from sin, and no longer an animal sacrifice. (Matt 26:26-30; Mark 14:22-26; Luke 22:14-23). The Apostles themselves, after listening to the command of the Lord, waited in prayer for the Descent of the Holy Spirit. It was on this Holy Day of Obligation, the Feast of the First Fruits, which is called Pentecost, the Church was confirmed to go out and proclaim the Gospel of Jesus. (Acts 2:1-1-41)
Make this year special by keeping to the Holy Days of Obligation. We can learn so much of our religious traditions and values through one Mass a day, but most of all, we can become a holy people, called to become beacons of hope by being Jesus in the world.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS TODAY!
posted by Arthanius | 12:34 AM
2 Comments:
Dear DHT
Members of our group had plans to do our youth group on friday, we didn't know it was going to be a holy day of obligation. Should we still meet as a group?
Stephen, From the Bronx
Dear Stephen
When you get the chance to, check out our article on Holy Days of Obligation. www.landofarthanius.org Article is on the first page after the welcoming page.
To answer your question - Many youth and young adult groups make this mistake. They either plan an event on a specific feast day, forgetting that the community gathers together to remember and celebrate mass. It is important that we make everything possible for our members to be in community and most especially at special masses such as Sunday and Holy Days of Obligations.
It's important if you are a Coordinator, Leader, or server in your group to:
1. Inform your team of this feast day
2. Contact your pastor, or the priests, deacon, or religious in your parish about Mass times. It's important you stay in comunication with them.
3. If you have a group that day, you can either cancel the group and go to the mass or you can or you can go to Mass first and then have a short meeting after the group.
Remember, group meetings, parties, special events or having a "Cookie Night" cannot take presidence over the Holy Day of Obligation. And no Priest, Deacon or Lay Leader can excuse you from missing the Mass. This is mass it is consider like a Sunday Mass and must be Honored as one. Lastly, because you attend this mass does not mean you are exempt from Sunday Mass. We still have to go to Mass on Sunday.
But what if there is no mass at the time when the group meets, let say "7PM" - What do we do?
Contact your pastor or the priests in your parish and ask them to celebrate the mass with the group. Explain to them the situation, and ask them to help your youth group. You are under their care. Encourage him to help you encounter Christ on this special day.
But what if I invited a guest speaker, or musicians?
That's even better, go to mass first and then have a brief meeting. If you need to extend the time, ask the priest for permission. Remember be obedient to your pastors if they tell you to have a short group or have no group at all. Plus, the special guest speaker and the musicians are obligated to go to Mass as well. It would be a shame if they got upset because they could not do their "thing". Pretty sad too. They need Christ just as much as we need Christ too. Again, no one is EXEMPT. If they can't understand then don't invite them again. If they become rude send a letter to their spiritual director to correct the matter.
FUTURE REMINDERS - Advice from DHT
1. Keep handy a Catholic Calendar for the United States. You can get this in your parish at the beginning of the year, or purchase one at your local Catholic Bookstore - Check out on web site inks to Catholic Stores in New York - www.landofarthanius.org
2. Prepare you group several months in advance, let say 3 to 4 months. Make sure you look at the Calendar to see what seasons or special feast days will come up.
3. Schedule your meetings to fit the season. Invite your pastor or spiritual leaders to give talks to your youth or young adult group on these important feast days.
4. Invite special guest speakers who can give talks or reflections on the special feast days to help prepare your members for the Mass. It is important that you get those who know what they are talking about - especially with Holy Days of Obligations.
I hope this was good information for you.
Thanks for your letter
Juan R - DHT
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