Holy Days of Obligation are feast days on which Catholics are required to attend Mass and to avoid (to the extent that they are able) servile work. The observance of Holy Days of Obligation is part of the Sunday Duty, the first of the Precepts of the Church, and are listed in Canon 1246 of the 1983 Code of Canon Law. Holy Days of Obligation are days other than Sundays on which Catholics are required to participate in the Mass, the primary form of worship. Below is a list of the 2019 Holy Days of Obligation and when they are celebrated.

The Mass schedule for Holy Days is as follows, unless otherwise indicated...

• St. Mary: 7 pm on the eve [vigil] of the Holy Day; 7 am on the Holy Day
• St. John the Evangelist: 9 am and 12 noon (there is no vigil Mass at St. John)
• St. Margaret of Scotland: 8 am and 7 pm (there is no vigil Mass at St. Margaret of Scotland)

Mary, Mother of God   Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God: January 1 

On this day, we are reminded of the role that the Blessed Virgin played in the plan of our salvation. Christ's Birth was made possible by Mary's fiat: "Be it done unto me according to Thy word."

Ascension of Jesus            Ascension of Jesus: Thursday of the Sixth Week of Easter 

On this day we remember when, 40 days after Easter, Jesus elevated into heaven, by his own power, in the presence of his disciples.

 Assumption of Mary         Assumption of Mary: August 15 

One of the oldest holy days in the Church, this feast day honors the Assumption of Our Blessed Mother into heaven.

Halloween and All Saints  All Saints Day: November 1  

First celebrated on May 13, 610, this feast honors all the saints, known and unknown.

Immaculate Conception    Immaculate Conception: December 8 

The Immaculate Conception of Mary, the Mother of Jesus, is the belief that God preserved Mary from original sin and is redeemed by God’s grace from the moment of her conception.

Nativity of our Lord            Christmas: December 25 

This is the celebration of the birth of the infant Jesus Christ. It is this day that God is born into the world into the fully human form of Jesus Christ. Let us  view Christmas as a celebration of God’s love for each and every person in the whole world.