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Holy Days of Obligation
Octave of Christmas
Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God
January 1, 2005 (Saturday)
A Holy Day Of Obligation
The Bishops of Region 11 have determined that due to the pastoral reality and the pastoral hardships resulting from the obligation to attend Mass on January 1, the obligation of attending Mass on Saturday January 1, 2005 has been dispensed.
Celebrates the Blessed Virgin Mary’s role in salvation through her divine and virginal motherhood as the Mother of Jesus Christ, Son of God.
Ash Wednesday
February 9, 2005
Not a Holy Day Of Obligation
A day of Fast and Abstinence.
Begins the season of Lent by imposing ashes on foreheads with the sign of our redemption, the Cross. A call to “turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel.”
Abstinence from meat is observed on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and all the Fridays of Lent by all Catholics 14 years and older.
Fasting is observed on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday by all Catholics who are 18 years of age but not yet 59. Those bound by this rule may take only one full meal. Two smaller meals are permitted as necessary to maintain strength according to one's needs, but eating solid foods between meals is not permitted.
The special Paschal fast and abstinence are observed on Good Friday and, where possible, Holy Saturday (For further explanation of the Paschal fast, see The Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, par. 110, December 4, 1963). On these days, Christians prepare themselves by these disciplines in anticipation of the renewal of their baptismal commitment on Easter.
From its earliest days, the Church has urged the baptized and the catechumens to observe the threefold discipline of fasting, almsgiving, and prayer as a preparation for the celebration of Easter. Failure to observe individual days of penance is not considered serious, but failure to observe any penitential days at all or a substantial number of such days must be considered serious.
During Lent the Church encourages attendance at daily Mass, self-imposed times of fasting, and generosity to local, national, and world-wide programs of sharing.
Season of Lent
February 9, 2005 until Holy Thursday March 24, 2005
A season of conversion, marked by two themes, baptismal and penitential. These forty days help us to prepare for Easter.
Easter
March 27, 2005 (Sunday)A Holy Day Of Obligation
Sundays are always a day of Holy Obligation.
Commemorates the Paschal Mystery, Christ’s death, resurrection, and ascension into heaven Easter is not simply one feast among others, but the "Feast of feasts," the "Solemnity of solemnities”.
Ascension of the Lord
May 8, 2005 (Sunday)
A Holy Day Of Obligation
All ecclesiastical Provinces, except Boston, Hartford, New York, Newark, Philadelphia and the State of Nebraska, have transferred this Solemnity to the Seventh Sunday of Easter. Sundays are always a day of Holy Obligation.
Commemorates the Ascension of Christ into heaven 40 days after his Resurrection from the dead.
Pentecost
May 15, 2005 (Sunday)A Holy Day Of Obligation
Sundays are always a day of Holy Obligation.
Commemorates the fulfillment of Christ’s Passover in the outpouring of the Holy Spirit to the apostles and the Church. Concludes the Easter Season.
Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi)
May 29, 2005 (Sunday)
A Holy Day Of Obligation
Sundays are always a day of Holy Obligation.
Celebrates the reality of the Lord’s abiding presence with us in the gift of the Eucharist and the mystery of the real presence of Christ’s Body and Blood under the appearance of bread and wine.
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
August 15, 2005 (Monday)
A Holy Day Of Obligation
This Solemnity falls on Sunday in 2004. Sundays are always a day of Holy Obligation.
Commemorates the taking into heaven of Mary, soul and body, at the end of her life on earth. A truth of faith that was proclaimed a dogma by Pius XII on Nov. 1, 1950.
All Saints
November 1, 2005 (Tuesday)
Not a Holy day of Obligation this year as it falls on a Monday.
This Solemnity celebrates all the saints in heaven, a source of hope and encouragement for the entire Church as she walks by faith, helped by the example of the saints.
First Sunday of Advent
November 27, 2005 (Year B Cycle II)
This marks the beginning of the Liturgical Year. The Advent season (First Sunday of Advent until Christmas) is a time of expectant waiting in hope for the comings of the Lord: the past historical coming of Jesus Christ, the presence of Christ in our World today and “looking forward in joyful hope for the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ”.
Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
December 8, 2005 (Thursday)
A Holy Day Of Obligation
Commemorates the fact that Mary, in view of her calling to be the Mother of Christ and in virtue of his merits, was preserved from the first moment of conception from original sin.
The precept to attend Mass on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception is maintained, even if the day falls on a Saturday or Monday. Therefore, Monday, December 8, 2003 will be a holy day of Obligation for the faithful in the United Sates of America.
This Solemnity commemorates the fact that Mary, in view of her calling to be the Mother of Christ and in virtue of his merits, was preserved from the first moment of conception from original sin.
Nativity of the Lord (Christmas)
December 25, 2005 (Sunday)
A Holy Day Of Obligation
Commemorates the birth of Christ.