Holy Church celebrates the saving work of Christ on prescribed days in the course of the year with sacred remembrance. Each week, on the day called the Lord’s Day, she commemorates the Resurrection of the Lord, which she also celebrates once a year in the great Paschal Solemnity, together with his blessed Passion. In fact, throughout the course of the year the Church unfolds the entire mystery of Christ and observes the birthdays of the Saints. (Sacrosanctum Concilium #102)

Calendar Notes for Holy Week and the Ascension

Palm Sunday

  • The procession may take place only once, before the Mass that has the largest attendance, even if this should be in the evening of either Saturday or Sunday. The congregation should assemble in a secondary church or chapel or in some other suitable place distinct from the church to which the procession will move…The Missal, in order to commemorate the entrance of the Lord into Jerusalem, in addition to the solemn procession described above, gives two other forms, not simply for convenience, but to provide for those situations when it will not be possible to have the
    procession. The second form is that of a solemn entrance, when the procession cannot take place outside of the church. The third form is a simple entrance such as is used at all Masses on this Sunday that do not have the solemn entrance. (Paschale Solemnitatis #29-#30)
  • The passion narrative occupies a special place. It should be sung or read in the traditional way, that is, by three persons who take the part of Christ, the narrator, and the people. The passion is proclaimed by deacons or priests, or by lay readers. In the latter case, the part of the Christ should be reserved to the priest. The proclamation of the passion should be without candles and incense; the greeting and the sings of the cross are omitted; and only a deacon asks for the blessing, as he does before the Gospel. For the spiritual good of the faithful, the passion should be proclaimed in its entirety, and the readings that proceed it should not be omitted (Paschale Solemnitatis #33)

Holy Thursday

  • According to the ancient tradition of the Church, all Masses without the participation of the people are forbidden on this day. (PS #47)
  • Only one Mass should be celebrated in each parish church. Additional Masses require the permission of the Ordinary. Masses should be scheduled late enough that the majority of your faithful should have the opportunity to go after work.
  • The tabernacle should be completely empty before the celebration. Hosts for the communion of the faithful should be consecrated during that celebration. A sufficient amount of bread should be consecrated to provide also for communion the following day (PS #48).
  • During the singing of the hymn ‘Gloria in excelsis,’ in accordance with local custom, the bells may be rung but should thereafter remain silent until the ‘Gloria in excelsis’ of the Easter Vigil…During the same period, the organ and other musical instruments may be used only for the purpose of supporting the singing. (PS #50)
  • Parishes should offer an extended period of adoration of the Blessed Sacrament (not exposition in a monstrance) on Holy Thursday after the Mass of the Lord’s Supper. The Blessed Sacrament should be reserved in a closed tabernacle or pyx. Under no circucumstances may it be exposed in a monstrance. The place where the tabernacle or pyx (Ciborium) is situated must not be made to resemble a tomb, and the expression tomb is to be avoided: for the chapel of repose is not prepared so as to represent the Lord’s burial but for the custody of the eucharistic bread that will be distributed in communion on Good Friday…Where appropriate, this prolonged eucharistic adoration may be accompanied by the reading of some part of the gospel of Saint John (ch. 13-17). From midnight onward, however, the adoration should be made without external solemnity, for the day of the Lord’s passion has begun.

Good Friday

  • 40. It is recommended that there be a communal celebration of the Office of Readings and Morning Prayer on Good Friday and Holy Saturday.
  • The celebration of the Lord’s passion is to take place in the afternoon, at about three o’clock. For pastoral reasons, an appropriate time will be chosen in order to allow the people to assemble more easily, for example, shortly after midday or in the late evening, however not later than nine o’clock. (PS #63)
  • For veneration of the cross, let a cross be used that is of appropriate size and beauty, and let one or other of the forms for this rite be carried out with the splendour worthy of the mystery of our salvation. Both the invitation pronounced at the unveiling of the cross and the people’s response should be made in song, and a period of respectful silence is to be observed after each act of veneration, with the celebrant standing and holding the raised cross. The cross is to be presented to each of the faithful individually for their adoration, since the personal adoration of the cross is a most important feature in this celebration. Only when necessitated by the large numbers of faithful present should the rite of veneration be made simultaneously by all present. Only one cross should be used for the veneration, as this contributes to the full symbolism of the rite. During the veneration of the cross, the antiphons, ‘Reproaches,’ and hymns should be sung so that the history of salvation be commemorated through song. Other appropriate songs may also be sung (cf n. 42). (PS #68-69)

Holy Saturday

  • The image of Christ crucified or lying in the tomb or the descent into hell, which mystery Holy Saturday recalls, as also an image of the sorrowful Virgin Mary, can be placed in the church for the veneration of the faithful. (PS #74)
  • On this day, the Church abstains strictly from celebration of the sacrifice of the Mass. Holy Communion may only be given in the form of Viaticum. The celebration of marriages is forbidden, as is also the celebration of other sacraments, except those of penance and the anointing of the sick. (PS #75)
  • The Easter Vigil is to be observed as a night vigil when it is dark. The earliest possible start time is 7:30pm.
  • There is to be only one Easter Vigil in each parish.
  • After the readings from the Old Testament and the hymn ‘Gloria in excelsis,’ the bells are rung in accordance with local custom, the collect is recited, and the celebration moves on to the readings from the New Testament. Then all stand and the priest intones the ‘Alleluia’ three times, each time raising the pitch. The people repeat after him.
  • The celebration of the Easter Vigil for special groups is not to be encouraged since, above all in this Vigil, the faithful should come together as one and should experience a sense of ecclesial community.
  • The paschal candle has its proper place either by the ambo or by the altar and should be lit at least in all the more solemn liturgical celebrations of the season until Pentecost Sunday, whether at Mass or at Morning and Evening Prayer. After the Easter season, the candle should be kept with honour in the baptistry, so that in the celebration of baptism, the candles of the baptized may be lit from them

Easter

  • The Sundays of this season are regarded as Sundays of Easter and are so termed; they have precedence over all feasts of the Lord and over all solemnities. Solemnities that fall on one of these Sundays are anticipated on the Saturday.Celebrations in honour of the Blessed Virgin Mary or the saints that fall during the week may not be transferred to one of these Sundays.
  • For adults who have received Christian initiation during the Easter Vigil, the whole of this period is given over to mystagogical catechesis. Therefore, wherever there are neophytes, the prescriptions of the Ordo initiationis Christianae adultorum, nn. 37–40 and 235–239, should be observed. Intercession should be made in the Eucharistic Prayer for the newly baptized through the Easter octave in all places.
  • Throughout the Easter season, the neophytes should be assigned their own special place among the faithful. All neophytes should endeavor to participate at Mass along with their godparents. In the homily and, according to local circumstances, in the General Intercessions, mention should be made of them. Some celebration should be held to conclude the period of mystagogical catechesis on or about Pentecost Sunday.

Ascension – In this region / diocese, the Ascension is transferred to the following Sunday.

Guide to Which Mass is to be Celebrated ~

USCCB 2023 Liturgical Calendar

USCCB 2024 Liturgical Calendar

USCCB 2025 Liturgical Calendar

Table of Permissibility for Ritual Masses, Votive Masses, and Masses of Various Needs and Occasions

This handy guide will help you to determine if a special Mass can be said on any given liturgical day!

Day Liturgical Notes
1 Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God (white) [Not a Holyday of Obligation] Gloria, Creed, Preface of the BVM I, proper Roman Canon insert,  Nm 6:22-27/Gal 4:4-7/Lk 2:16-21 (18) Pss Prop.

*** Please see extended note above***
2 Memorial of Saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen, white Bishops and Doctors of the Church (white)  Proper, Preface of Nativity I-III or Pastors,  1 Jn 2:22-28/Jn 1:19-28 (205) Pss I
3 Christmas Weekday (white) [The Most Holy Name of Jesus] 1 Jn 2:29—3:6/Jn 1:29-34 (206)
4 Memorial St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Religious (white) 1 Jn 3:7-10/Jn 1:35-42 (207)
5 Memorial of St. John Neumann, Bishop (white) 1 Jn 3:11-21/Jn 1:43-51 (208)
6 Christmas Weekday (white) [USA: Saint André Bessette, Religious]  1 Jn 5:5-13/ Lk 3:23-38 or 3:23, 31-34, 36, 38 (209)
7 The Epiphany of the Lord (white) Is 60:1-6/Eph 3:2-3a, 5-6/Mt 2:1-12 (20) Pss Prop
8 The Baptism of the Lord (white) Is 42:1-4, 6-7 or Acts 10:34-38/Mk 1:7-11
9 Tuesday of the First Week in Ordinary Time (green) 1 Sm 1:9-20/Mk 1:21-28 (306)
10 Wednesday of the First Week in Ordinary Time (green) 1 Sm 3:1-10, 19-20/Mk 1:29-39 (307)
11 Thursday of the First Week in Ordinary Time (green) 1 Sm 4:1-11/Mk 1:40-45 (308)
12 Friday of the First Week in Ordinary Time (green) 1 Sm 8:4-7, 10-22a/Mk 2:1-12 (309)
13 Saturday of the First Week in Ordinary Time (green) [Saint Hilary, Bishop and Doctor of the Church; BVM] 1 Sm 9:1-4, 17-19; 10:1a/Mk 2:13-17 (310)
14 SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (green) 1 Sm 3:3b-10, 19/1 Cor 6:13c-15a, 17-20/Jn 1:35-42 (65) Pss II
15 Monday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time (green) 1 Sm 15:16-23/Mk 2:18-22 (311)
16 Tuesday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time (green) 1 Sm 16:1-13/Mk 2:23-28 (312)
17 Memorial of St. Anthony, Abbot (white) 1 Sm 17:32-33, 37, 40-51/Mk 3:1-6 (313)
18 Thursday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time (green) 1 Sm 18:6-9; 19:1-7/Mk 3:7-12 (314)
19 Friday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time (green) 1 Sm 24:3-21/Mk 3:13-19 (315)
20 Saturday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time (green/red/white) [Saint Fabian, Pope and Martyr; Saint Sebastian, Martyr; BVM] 2 Sm 1:1-4, 11-12, 19, 23-27/Mk 3:20-21 (316)
21 THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (green) Jon 3:1-5, 10/1 Cor 7:29-31/Mk 1:14-20 (68) Pss III
22 Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children (white/violet) 2 Sm 5:1-7, 10/Mk 3:22-30 (317)
23 Tuesday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time (green/red/white) 2 Sm 6:12b-15, 17-19/Mk 3:31-35 (318)
24 Memorial of St. Francis de Sales, Bishop and Doctor of the Church (white) 2 Sm 7:4-17/Mk 4:1-20 (319)
25 Feast of The Conversion of Saint Paul the Apostle  (white) Acts 22:3-16 or Acts 9:1-22/Mk 16:15-18 (519) Pss Prop
26 Memorial of Saints Timothy and Titus, Bishops (white) 2 Tm 1:1-8 or Ti 1:1-5 (520)/Mk 4:26-34 (321)
27 Saturday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time (green/white/white) [Saint Angela Merici, Virgin; BVM] 2 Sm 12:1-7a, 10-17/Mk 4:35-41 (322)
28 FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (green) Dt 18:15-20/1 Cor 7:32-35/Mk 1:21-28 (71) Pss IV
29 Monday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time (green) 2 Sm 15:13-14, 30; 16:5-13/Mk 5:1-20 (323)
30 Tuesday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time (green) 2 Sm 18:9-10, 14b, 24-25a, 30—19:3/Mk 5:21-43 (324)
31 Memorial of St. John Bosco, Priest (white) 2 Sm 24:2, 9-17/Mk 6:1-6 (325)

Day Liturgical Notes
1 Friday of the Thirty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time (green) Dn 7:2-14/Lk 21:29-33 (507)
2 Saturday of the Thirty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time (green/white) Dn 7:15-27/Lk 21:34-36 (508)

Diocesan Honor Your Mother Celebration and Mass 8am-1pm at the DPC

Anniversary of Dedication of the Cathedral – Solemnity in the Cathedral Only
3 First Sunday of Advent (violet) Is 63:16b-17, 19b; 64:2-7/1 Cor 1:3-9/Mk 13:33-37 (2) Pss I

No Gloria. Blessing of the Advent Wreath and Lighting of the First Candle may be done. 
4 Monday of the First Week of Advent (violet/white) [Saint John Damascene, Priest and Doctor of the Church] Is 2:1-5/Mt 8:5-11 (175)
5 Tuesday of the First Week of Advent (violet) Is 11:1-10/Lk 10:21-24 (176)
6 Optional Memorial of St. Nicholas (white) Is 25:6-10a/Mt 15:29-37 (177)
7 Memorial of St. Ambrose, Bishop and Doctor of the Church (white) Is 26:1-6/Mt 7:21, 24-27 (178)
8 Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary [Holyday of Obligation] (white) Gn 3:9-15, 20/Eph 1:3-6, 11-12/Lk 1:26-38 (689) Pss Prop

***HOLYDAY OF OBLIGATION***

Gloria and Creed. Two Readings. Solemnity begins at 4pm on 12/7/2023 and continues through 11:59 PM on 12/8/2023.
9 Optional Memorial of St. Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin  Is 30:19-21, 23-26/Mt 9:35—10:1, 5a, 6-8 (180)
10 Second Sunday of Advent (violet) Is 40:1-5, 9-11/2 Pt 3:8-14/Mk 1:1-8 (5) Pss II

No Gloria
11 Monday of the Second Sunday of Advent (violet) Is 35:1-10/Lk 5:17-26 (181)
12 Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe (white) Zec 2:14-17 or Rv 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab/Lk 1:26-38 or Lk 1:39-47 (690A), or any readings from the Common of the Blessed Virgin Mary (707-712) Pss Prop

The Gloria is sung.

***Patronal Feast Day of the Diocese of Phoenix***

NOTE: OLOG is a Feast and not a Solemnity so there are no vigil Masses for OLOG. Mañanitas, processions and other devotions can happen on 12/11 but Masses for OLOG begin at 12am on 12/12.
13 Memorial of St. Lucy, Virgin and Martyr (red) Is 40:25-31/Mt 11:28-30 (183)
14 Memorial of St. John of the Cross, Priest and Doctor of the Church (white) Is 41:13-20/Mt 11:11-15 (184)
15 Friday of the Second Sunday of Advent (violet) Is 48:17-19/Mt 11:16-19 (185)

DPC Closed
16 Saturday of the Second Sunday of Advent (violet) Sir 48:1-4, 9-11/Mt 17:9a, 10-13 (186)
17 Third Sunday of Advent (violet or rose) Is 61:1-2a, 10-11/1 Thes 5:16-24/Jn 1:6-8, 19-28 (8) Pss III

Gaudete Sunday. No Gloria. Preface II of Advent.  Beginning of the O Antiphons 0 Sapientia
18 Monday of the Third Sunday of Advent (violet) Jer 23:5-8/Mt 1:18-25 (194) – O Adonai
19 Tuesday of the Third Sunday of Advent (violet) Jgs 13:2-7, 24-25a/Lk 1:5-25 (195) – O Radix Jesse
20 Wednesday of the Third Sunday of Advent (violet) Is 7:10-14/Lk 1:26-38 (196) – O Clavis David
21 Thursday of the Third Sunday of Advent (violet) [Saint Peter Canisius, Priest and Doctor of the  – Church] Sg 2:8-14 or Zep 3:14-18a/Lk 1:39-45 (197) – O Oriens
22 Friday of the Third Sunday of Advent (violet) 1 Sm 1:24-28/Lk 1:46-56 (198) – O Rex Gentium
23 Saturday of the Third Sunday of Advent (violet) [Saint John of Kanty, Priest] Mal 3:1-4, 23-24/Lk 1:57-66 (199) Mal 3:1-4, 23-24/Lk 1:57-66 (199) – O Emmanuel
24 Fourth Sunday of Advent (violet) 2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16/Rom 16:25-27/Lk 1:26-38 (11) Pss IV

*** Please see extended note above***
25 The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas)  (white)

*** Please see extended note above***
26 Feast of St. Stephen, the First Martyr (red) Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59/Mt 10:17-22 (696)  Gloria, Preface of the Nativity,  Pss Prop
27 Feast of St. John, Apostles and Evangelist (white) 1 Jn 1:1-4/Jn 20:1a, 2-8 (697) Gloria, Preface of the Nativity, Proper Roman Canon insert, Pss Prop
28 Feast of the Holy Innocents, Martyr (red) 1 Jn 1:5—2:2/Mt 2:13-18 (698) Gloria, Preface of the Nativity, Proper Roman Canon insert, Pss Prop
29 Fifth Day within the Octave of the Nativity of the Lord (white) [Saint Thomas Becket, Bishop and Martyr]  Gloria, Preface of the Nativity, Proper Roman Canon insert,1 Jn 2:3-11/Lk 2:22-35 (202) Pss Prop
30 Sixth Day within the Octave of the Nativity of the Lord (white) Gloria, Preface of the Nativity, Proper Roman Canon insert, 1 Jn 2:12-17/Lk 2:36-40 (203)
31 Feast of The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary & Joseph (white) Gloria, Creed, Preface of the Nativity, Proper Roman Canon Insert

Readings: Sir 3:2-6, 12-14/Col 3:12-21 or 3:12-17/Lk 2:22-40 or 2:22, 39-40 or, in Year B, Gn 15:1-6; 21:1-3/Heb 11:8, 11-12, 17-19/Lk 2:22-40 or 2:22, 39-40 (17)

Optional Blessing of a Family (BB 62-67)

*** Please see extended note above***

Day Liturgical Notes
1 Solemnity of All Saints [Holyday of Obligation] (white) Rv 7:2-4, 9-14/1 Jn 3:1-3/Mt 5:1-12a (667) Pss Prop
2 The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls’ Day) (violet/black) Any readings from no. 668 or from the Masses for the Dead (1011-1016) Pss Prop
3 Friday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time [Saint Martin de Porres, Religious]  (green/white) Rom 9:1-5/Lk 14:1-6 (483)
4 Memorial of St. Charles Borromeo, Bishop (white) Rom 11:1-2a, 11-12, 25-29/Lk 14:1, 7-11 (484) Patronal Feast Day of St. Charles Borromeo in Peoria, AZ.
5 SUN THIRTY-FIRST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (green) Mal 1:14b—2:2b, 8-10/1 Thes 2:7b-9, 13/Mt 23:1-12 (151) Pss III

Vocations Mass at St. Simon and Jude Cathedral at 9 am
6 Monday of the Thirty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time (green) Rom 11:29-36/Lk 14:12-14 (485)
7 Tuesday of the Thirty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time (green) Rom 12:5-16b/Lk 14:15-24 (486)
8 Wednesday of the Thirty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time (green) Rom 13:8-10/Lk 14:25-33 (487)
9 Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica (white) Ez 47:1-2, 8-9, 12/1 Cor 3:9c-11, 16-17/Jn 2:13-22 (671) Pss Prop
10 Memorial of St. Leo the Great, Pope and Doctor of the Church (white) Rom 15:14-21/Lk 16:1-8 (489
11 Memorial of St. Martin of Tours, Bishop (white) Rom 16:3-9, 16, 22-27/Lk 16:9-15 (490) Pss Prop
12 THIRTY-SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (green) Wis 6:12-16/1 Thes 4:13-18 or 4:13-14/Mt 25:1-13 (154) Pss IV

Red, White & Blue TV Mass at St. Simon and Jude Cathedral at 9 am.
13 Memorial of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, Virgin (white) Wis 1:1-7/Lk 17:1-6 (491)
14 Tuesday of the Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time (green) Wis 2:23—3:9/Lk 17:7-10 (492)
15 Wednesday of the Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time [Saint Albert the Great, Bishop and Doctor of the Church] (green/white) Wis 6:1-11/Lk 17:11-19 (493)
16 Thursday of the Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time [Saint Margaret of Scotland; Saint Gertrude, Virgin] (green/white/white) Wis 7:22b—8:1/Lk 17:20-25 (494)
17 Memorial of St. Elizabeth of Hungary, Religious (white) Wis 13:1-9/Lk 17:26-37 (495)
18 Saturday of the Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time (green) Wis 18:14-16; 19:6-9/Lk 18:1-8 (496)
19 THIRTY-THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (green) Prv 31:10-13, 19-20, 30-31/1 Thes 5:1-6/Mt 25:14-30 or 25:14-15, 19-21 (157) Pss I
20 Monday of the Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time (green) 1 Mc 1:10-15, 41-43, 54-57, 62-63/Lk 18:35-43 (497
21 Memorial of The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (white) 2 Mc 6:18-31/Lk 19:1-10 (498)
22 Memorial of St. Cecilia. Virgin and Martyr (red) 2 Mc 7:1, 20-31/Lk 19:11-28 (499)
23 Thanksgiving Day, any readings from the Mass “In Thanksgiving to God” (943-947) USA: Blessed Miguel Agustín Pro, Priest and Martyr; USA: Thanksgiving Day] (green/red/white) 1 Mc 2:15-29/Lk 19:41-44 (500)
24 Memorial St. Andrew Dũng-Lạc, Priest, and Companions, Martyrs (red) 1 Mc 4:36-37, 52-59/Lk 19:45-48 (501)
25 Saturday of the Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time (green) 1 Mc 6:1-13/Lk 20:27-40 (502)
26 The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe (white) Ez 34:11-12, 15-17/1 Cor 15:20-26, 28/Mt 25:31-46 (160) Pss Prop
27 Monday of the Thirty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time (green) Dn 1:1-6, 8-20/Lk 21:1-4 (503) Pss II
28 Tuesday of the Thirty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time (green) Dn 2:31-45/Lk 21:5-11 (504)
29 Wednesday of the Thirty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time (green)  Dn 5:1-6, 13-14, 16-17, 23-28/Lk 21:12-19 (505)
30 Feast of St. Andrew, Apostle (red) Rom 10:9-18/Mt 4:18-22 (684) Pss Prop

Holydays of Obligation ~

Holy Days of Obligation for 2024 are:

  • ***January 1, 2024 (Monday) – Mary Mother of God, NOT A HOLY DAY OF OBLIGATION THIS YEAR***
  • May 12th, 2024 (Sunday) – The Solemnity of the Ascension is transferred to the following Sunday in the Diocese of Phoenix.
  • August 15, 2024 (Thursday) – The Solemnity of the Assumption of the BVM is a Holy Day of Obligation.
  • November 1, 2024 (Friday) – The Solemnity of All Saints is a Holy Day of Obligation.
  • December 8, 2024 – Because the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception falls on a Sunday this year, the observance is transferred to Monday December 9th. The obligation to attend Mass does not transfer however, and the faithful are not obligated to attend Mass on December 9th.
  • December 25th (Wednesday) – the Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord is a Holyday of Obligation.

Holy Days of Obligation for 2025 are:

  • January 1, 2025 (Wednesday) – Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God, is a Holy Day of Obligation.
  • August 15, 2025 (Friday) – Solemnity of the Assumption of the BVM is a Holy Day of Obligation
  • November 1, 2025 (Saturday) – The Solemnity of All Saints is NOT a Holy Day of Obligation
  • December 8, 2025 (Monday) – the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the BVM is a Holy Day of Obligation.
  • December 25, 2025 (Thursday) – the Solemnity of the Nativity of Our Lord is a Holy Day of Obligation.

Canon 1246, §2 – Holy Days of Obligation

On December 13, 1991 the members of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops of the United States of America made the following general decree concerning holy days of obligation for Latin Rite Catholics:

In addition to Sunday, the days to be observed as holy days of obligation in the Latin Rite dioceses of the United States of America, in conformity with canon 1246, are as follows:

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
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.

This decree of the Conference of Bishops was approved and confirmed by the Apostolic See by a decree of the Congregation for Bishops (Prot. N. 296/84), signed by Bernardin Cardinal Gantin, Prefect of the Congregation, and dated July 4, 1992.

As President of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops, I hereby declare that the effective date of this decree for all the Latin Rite dioceses of the United States of America will be January 1, 1993, the solemnity of Mary, Mother of God.

Given at the offices of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops in Washington, DC, November 17, 1992.

Most Reverend Daniel E. Pilarczyk
Archbishop of Cincinnati
President, NCCB

Monsignor Robert N. Lynch
General Secretary, NCCB