Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston
Office of Worship
Holy Days of Obligation with Special Seasons and Feasts 
 
 
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Holy Days of Obligation with Special Seasons and Feasts
Feast
 
Celebration Of
 
2010 2011 2012
Holydays of Obligation Seasons and Feasts Holydays of Obligation Seasons and Feasts Holydays of Obligation Seasons and Feasts
Sunday The Resurrection of Our Lord Sundays   Sundays   Sundays  
Mary, Mother of God Our Lady's divine maternity Friday,
Jan. 1
    Saturday,
Jan.1
Sunday,
Jan.1
 
Epiphany Our Lord's manifestation to the world through the visit of the magi Sunday,
January 3
  Sunday,
January 2
  Sunday,
January 8
 
Baptism of the Lord Close of the Christmas Season Sunday,
January 10
  Sunday,
January 9
    Monday,
January 9
Ash Wednesday+ Beginning of Lent which lasts until the evening Mass of the Lords Supper on Holy Thursday night   Feb. 17   Mar. 9   Feb. 22
Passion \ Palm Sunday The Lord’s entrance into Jerusalem and His betrayal.  Begins Holy Week. Sunday
March 28
  Sunday
April 17
  Sunday
April 1
 
Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord’s Supper   April 1   April 21   April 5
Good Friday The Lord’s Passion   April 2   April 22   April 6
Holy Saturday The Great Easter Vigil*   April 3
[2]
  April 23
[3]
  April 7
[4]
Easter Sunday The Lord’s Resurrection and Appearance.  Begins the 50 Days of Easter April 4   April 24   April 8  
Ascension of Christ The Ascension of Our Lord Sunday,
May 16
  Sunday,
June 5
  Sunday,
May 20
 
Pentecost The Gift of the Holy Spirit.  Closes the Easter Season. Sunday,
May 23
  Sunday,
June 12
  Sunday,
May 27
 
Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi) Our Lord's Real Presence in the Blessed Sacrament Sunday
June 6
  Sunday
June 26
  Sunday
June 10
 
Assumption Assumption of Mary Into Heaven Sunday,
August 15
    Monday,
August 15 [1]
  Wednesday,
August 15
All Saints Celebration of those God has brought into heaven and how they model Christ to us   Monday,
Nov. 1 [1]
Tuesday,
Nov. 1
  Thursday,
Nov. 1
 
Christ the King Final Sunday of Church Year Sunday,
November 21
  Sunday,
November 20
  Sunday,
November 25
 
1st Sunday of Advent 1st Sunday of Church Year and beginning of four-week preparation for Christmas. Sunday,
November 28
  Sunday
November 27
  Sunday
December 2
 
Immaculate Conception Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary -  Patronal Feast of the United States Wednesday,
Dec. 8
  Thursday,
Dec. 8
  Saturday,
Dec. 8
 
Christmas The Birth of Our Lord Saturday,
Dec. 25
  Sunday,
Dec. 25
  Tuesday,
Dec. 25
 
Christmas Season Christmas through Baptism of Our Lord December 25, 2010 – January 9, 2011 December 25, 2011 –
January 9, 2012
December 25, 2012 –
January 13, 2013
 
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[1] At their November 1991 meeting, the National Conference of Catholic Bishops decided that whenever January 1, the Solemnity of Mary Mother of God or August 15, the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin or November 1, the Feast of all Saints falls on a Saturday or a Monday, the precept to celebrate Mass is dispensed. The Congregation for Bishops confirmed the action on July 4, 1992.

Although the obligation to celebrate Mass when these three holy days fall on a Saturday or Monday is abolished, parishes are to continue to observe these holydays by scheduling one or more Masses at a convenient time so that people who wish to participate are able to do so.

+ Lenten Days of Fast, Abstinence, and Penance

All Fridays of Lent are Days of Abstinence

Abstinence means not eating meat. All persons 14 years and older are bound by the law of abstinence.

Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are Days of both Fast and Abstinence

Fasting allows one full meal, but a light breakfast and lunch are not forbidden. All adults, 18 up to the beginning of their sixtieth (60) year, are bound by the law of fasting. Pastors and parents are to see to it that children while not bound to the law of fast and abstinence are educated and introduced to an authentic sense of penance.

On Fridays, when abstinence is not required by law, acts of penance, especially works of charity and exercises of piety are suggested. Abstinence from meat is especially recommended but under no obligation by law.

 

* The Easter Vigil, during the holy night when Christ rose from the dead, ranks as the “mother of all vigils.”11 Keeping watch, the Church awaits Christ’s resurrection and celebrates it in the sacraments. Accordingly, the entire celebration of this vigil should take place at night, that is, it should either begin after nightfall or end before the dawn of Sunday (General Norms for the Liturgical Year and the Calendar, no. 21).

 

[2] Easter Vigil 2010 – Easter Vigil should not begin before 8:30 pm CDT

[3] Easter Vigil 2011 – Easter Vigil should not begin before 8:30 pm CDT

[4] Easter Vigil 2012 – Easter Vigil should not begin before 8:30 pm CDT

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