Rachel Evans
Catholics celebrate important days in a variety of ways, with the Church prescribing certain days of the year to sacredly remember and celebrate the saving work of Christ. These celebrations are organised and published in a liturgical calendar, which includes feast days, holy days of obligation, saints' days, and days devoted to expressions of God's love in the lives of Jesus and Mary. The liturgical year consists of a seasonal cycle and a sanctoral cycle, known as the Proper of Time and the Proper of Saints, respectively. The most important and only religious public holiday for Catholics is Christmas, with other important days including Easter, All Saints' Day, and the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of official Catholic holidays | 10 |
| The only religious public holiday | Christmas |
| Other important holidays | Easter, Pentecost Sunday, Assumption of Mary, Immaculate Conception, etc. |
| Holy days of obligation | Every Sunday, plus a few additional days |
| Feast days | St. Patrick's Day, St. Joseph's Day, All Saints' Day, etc. |
| Memorial days | Saint Francis of Assisi, Saint Teresa of Avila, Saint Luke, etc. |
| Liturgical calendar | Published annually, includes day's celebration, rank, liturgical color, citations for Lectionary for Mass, and Psalter cycle for Liturgy of Hours |
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What You'll Learn
Holy days of obligation
The number of holy days of obligation varies by country. In 1642, Pope Urban reduced the number of Holy Days of Obligation to 36. In the 1917 Code of Canon Law, the Vatican listed 10 days as Holy Days of Obligation. However, the Vatican also gave conferences of bishops the power to suppress Holy Days or transfer them to Sundays. This means that Catholics can attend Mass on a Sunday instead of a Holy Day.
In the United States, there are nine holy days of obligation other than Sundays. Bishops in the US have suppressed the feast of Saint Joseph and the feast of Saints Peter and Paul as holy days of obligation. The Epiphany is also always celebrated on a Sunday. The holy days of obligation in the US are: January 1, the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God; Thursday of the Sixth Week of Easter, the Solemnity of the Ascension; August 15, the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary; November 1, the Solemnity of All Saints; December 8, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception; and December 25, the Solemnity of the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ (Christmas).
In Hawaii, the only observed holy days of obligation (except Sundays) are the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Christmas. In Ireland, the Feast of St. Patrick is a Holy Day of Obligation, while Mexico recognizes Our Lady of Guadalupe as a Holy Day.
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Feast days
There are more than 10,000 officially canonised saints celebrated by the Church throughout the year. On a saint's feast day, Catholics are often asked to reflect on the meaning of the observance and why the saint is important. Feast days are also dedicated to events in the lives of Jesus and Mary, such as the Annunciation of the Lord.
Some feast days are always celebrated on a Sunday, such as Easter, and are known as '
The liturgical year is organised into a seasonal cycle and a sanctoral cycle, known as the Proper of Time and the Proper of Saints, respectively. The liturgical calendar also includes observances specific to local Churches, whether national, diocesan, parish-level, or religious community.
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Saints' days
The liturgical calendar outlines the saints' feast days, with each day's celebration, rank, liturgical colour, and relevant scripture passages. The calendar includes the Proper of Saints, a sanctoral cycle that organises the saints' feast days. The calendar is used by liturgical authors and is also available to the public.
The Second Vatican Council emphasised the importance of Sunday as the "Lord's day", a unique liturgical category that takes precedence over saints' feast days. However, saints' days are still widely celebrated and can even take the place of Sunday celebrations on certain occasions.
The saints honoured include St Patrick of Ireland, whose feast day is on 17 March, and St Joseph, celebrated on 19 March. St Joseph is recognised as the spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the earthly father of Jesus. He is attributed with titles such as "Terror of Demons" and "Model of Workers".
On a saint's feast day, Catholics may attend Mass and reflect on the saint's life and their own spiritual journey. It is a time to experience joy and extend hospitality to others, embodying the values inspired by the saints' lives. In some Catholic cultures, it is customary to celebrate one's saint's day instead of their birthday.
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Celebrating the Resurrection of the Lord
Catholics celebrate the Resurrection of the Lord, or Easter Sunday, by commemorating Christ's resurrection from the dead, his Ascension to the Father, and the sending of the Holy Spirit upon the Church. This celebration marks the end of Holy Week and the Sacred Paschal Triduum, which includes Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Vigil.
The date of Easter Sunday in the Catholic Church is determined as the first Sunday after the first full moon following the spring equinox. This day is filled with joy and triumph, as Catholics celebrate Christ's victory over death and the promise of eternal life. The liturgical colour for this occasion is white, symbolizing purity, joy, and celebration.
On Easter Sunday, Catholics attend Mass, where they praise and glorify God for the gift of eternal life through Christ's resurrection. The central prayer of the Mass, known as the Preface, expresses gratitude and joy for Christ's sacrifice as "the true Lamb who took away the sins of the world." The congregation may also renew their baptismal promises during the Mass, reaffirming their faith and commitment to their Christian life.
The Easter Season marks the beginning of a new liturgical year, emphasizing the importance of Christ's resurrection in the Catholic faith. This season is a time of joy and celebration, with the joyous cry of "Alleluia!" resounding in churches. The season also includes other important feast days, such as Divine Mercy Sunday, which falls on the second Sunday of Easter and is a time to reflect on God's infinite mercy and love.
In addition to Easter Sunday, the Catholic Church also celebrates the Resurrection of the Lord every week on Sunday, known as the Lord's Day. This weekly celebration emphasizes the importance of Christ's resurrection in the life of the Church and provides an ongoing reminder of the joy and hope found in Christ's victory over death.
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Christmas
The Christmas season celebrates the birth of Christ and the anticipation of his second coming, inviting Catholics to embrace its message of hope, peace, and love. The season spans the 12 Days of Christmas, from December 25 through Epiphany, and is a time for celebration and reflection.
There are many ways for Catholics to celebrate Christmas. Midnight Mass is a popular tradition, featuring the classic Christmas story from the Gospel of Luke. The Mass is often the most elaborate celebration of Christmas, with parishes pulling out all the stops. Attending Mass is a way to honour the Holy Day of Obligation and the birth of Christ. After Mass, families may put on a Nativity play to bring the Christmas story to life.
On Christmas Eve, an Italian tradition is to enjoy a seafood feast to commemorate the birth of Christ at midnight. As the New Year approaches, Catholics may invite a priest to bless their homes, asking for God's protection and guidance in the coming year.
On January 1st, Catholics celebrate the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, which is also a Holy Day of Obligation. Families may incorporate a special Mary-themed treat into their New Year's Day meal and pray a rosary for world peace.
Other traditions include exchanging small gifts and hosting a potluck dinner with friends to mark the close of the Christmas season. Catholics may also write the initials of the Magi (C+M+B) above their door, symbolizing Christ's blessing over their household.
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Frequently asked questions
A Catholic feast day is any day when Catholics remember and celebrate something or someone important to their faith. The word 'feast' comes from the Latin word 'festes', meaning 'joy'.
The Church has a year of feast days, partnered with holy days of obligation and saints' days.
Holy days of obligation are days when Catholics are expected to go to Mass and abstain from unnecessary work. This includes every Sunday and a few other days, such as Easter.
On saints' days, Catholics often reflect on the meaning of the observance of the saint. There are over 10,000 officially canonised saints celebrated throughout the year, including St Patrick on 17 March and St Joseph on 19 March.
Other important Catholic celebrations include Christmas, the Epiphany, the Annunciation, and the Immaculate Conception.
