With tomorrow being the Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary and a Holy Day of Obligation, i thought it would be fitting to discuss what a Holy Day of Obligation is, how Catholics are to observe them, and what our "obligation" truly is.
"What is a Holy Day of Obligation?"
So we know that we are all obligated as Catholics to attend Mass on Sundays, right? Holy Days of Obligations are solemnities in the Church calendar that the Bishops have said are to be treated with the same obligation as a Sunday Mass. This means that we are to treat those days as days of rest as well as attend the Holy Mass on those days, as we would on Sundays.
"What are the Holy Days of Obligation?"
In The United States...
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
"What should I do on a Holy Day of Obligation?"
Treat it like a Sunday! Of course, work might not be unavoidable due to a job or school, but you should aim to make it a day of rest in other ways, as well as attend Mass. If you wish to go further, you could learn about the solemnity being celebrated, make special meals that relate to the solemnity, or take the day off of work or school to make it a true day of rest.
"I can't make it to Mass because of my job. What should I do?"
Try your hardest to plan ahead to have the day or shift off on Holy Days of Obligation so that you can attend Mass. If this is not possible, aim to find a Mass the day before or at a different time. Many parishes offer both morning and evening Mass times. If you still cannot make it to any of the Mass times being offered, know that God knows your heart and is merciful and would not hold your lack of attendance against you if you truly tried and could not make it to Mass.
"I have a sports practice during the Mass time. Can I miss Mass?"
Sports are extracurricular activities and should not take precedence over Mass.
It would be considered religous discrimination for a coach to treat you differently or punish you in any way if you miss a practice due to a religous event. The same is true for any school- they cannot count your abscence against you if it was for religous obligations!
Your diocese or parish can help you if a school or coach gives you issues for missing class or sports events.
"My parents take me to Mass on Sundays but we don't go on Holy Days of Obligation. What should I do?"
Start by respectfully explaining to your parents why you all, as Catholics, need to attend Mass on Holy Days of Obliation. If they still will not take you; it would be best to try to get to Mass by some other means if you have their permission, whether it be public transportation, driving yourself if you have a driver's license, or taking public transportation if you are allowed.
If you have tried all of those things and still have no way of getting to Mass, then it would not be sinful for you not to attend. Your parents would be culpable in this scenario, but not you, since you wanted to attend Mass and had the intention of doing so, but were unable to be there.
What other questions do you have about Holy Days of Obligation? Drop them in the comments below!
Wishing you a Blessed solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary tomorrow... and don't forget to go to Mass! 😉
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