Catholic Holy Days of Obligation: The Complete List

January 4, 2025

Category: News and Events

Catholic holy days of obligation are the days on which we’re expected to go to Mass. This list includes every single Sunday, along with a few additional days. Some feasts, such as Easter, are always celebrated on a Sunday, so they are always obligatory. But when are you supposed to attend Mass outside of Sundays?

What Are the Holy Days of Obligation?

The Code of Canon Law of the Catholic Church says that there are nine holy days of obligation other than Sundays, but it also says that the local conference of bishops may suppress some of them or transfer them to a Sunday.

Bishops in the United States have suppressed the feast of Saint Joseph and the feast of Saints Peter and Paul as holy days of obligation. In addition, the feast of Epiphany is always celebrated on a Sunday in the U.S.

Your Sunday and holy day obligation can be dispensed for a just cause. This may include physical illness or having an inability to go to Mass, such as being the only caregiver for someone who is homebound. Catholics are encouraged to use their prudential judgment and guidance from their priests in determining such a dispensation.

You are always welcome to join the Oblates of the Virgin Mary community online at daily and Sunday virtual Masses.

US Catholic Holy Days of Obligation for 2025

This leaves us with six holy days of obligation outside of Sundays. The following feast days are holy days of obligation in the U.S. for 2025:

• January 1: Solemnity of Mary
• May 29: Ascension of Jesus — Celebrated on the sixth Thursday after Easter Sunday*
• August 15: Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
• November 1: Solemnity of All Saints*
• December 8: Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
• December 25: Christmas

*An individual bishop may transfer a holy day to a Sunday. This is the case in most US dioceses with the Ascension of Jesus, which is transferred to the Seventh Sunday of Easter. Since the Solemnity of All Saints falls on a Saturday, it may also be transferred to the closest Sunday. Check with your local diocese.