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Holy Days of Obligation

Dates and Mass times for the 2026–2027 Liturgical Year

What Are Holy Days of Obligation?

A Catholic Holy Day of Obligation is a feast day on which Catholics are required to attend Mass and, to the extent possible, refrain from unnecessary work or activities that distract from worship and proper rest.

Every Sunday is the primordial holy day of obligation, rooted in the Third Commandment, “Remember to keep holy the Lord’s Day.” In addition to Sundays, the Church designates specific solemnities throughout the year to commemorate central mysteries of Jesus Christ, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the saints.

Holy Days of Obligation, November 2026 to December 2027

2026
Sunday, November 1, 2026
Solemnity of All Saints

Falls on a Sunday

Observed at the regular weekend Masses.
SaturdaySat, Oct 31 at 4:30pm
SundaySun, Nov 1 at 7:30am, 9am, 11am & 5pm
Tuesday, December 8, 2026
Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Holy Day of Obligation

VigilMon, Dec 7 at 5pm
SolemnityTue, Dec 8 at 8am, 9:30am & 7pm
Friday, December 25, 2026
Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord (Christmas)

Holy Day of Obligation

Christmas EveThu, Dec 24 at 4pm (Church & Parish Center Gym), 6pm, 8pm & 10pm
Christmas DayFri, Dec 25 at 9am
2027
Friday, January 1, 2027
Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God

Holy Day of Obligation

VigilThu, Dec 31 at 5pm & 7pm (Adoration until Midnight Benediction)
SolemnityFri, Jan 1 at 9am
Thursday, March 25, 2027
Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord

No obligation this year

Because March 25 falls on Holy Thursday, the Annunciation is transferred to Monday, April 5. It is not a Holy Day of Obligation this year.
Sunday, May 9, 2027
Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord

Observed on Sunday

Always observed on Sunday in the Archdiocese of Baltimore, as in many other U.S. dioceses, and fulfilled at the regular weekend Masses.
SaturdaySat, May 8 at 4:30pm
SundaySun, May 9 at 7:30am, 9am, 11am & 5pm
Sunday, August 15, 2027
Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Falls on a Sunday

Observed as a standard Sunday obligation at the regular weekend Masses.
Monday, November 1, 2027
Solemnity of All Saints

No obligation this year

Under the U.S. bishops’ complementary norms, the obligation is lifted when this solemnity falls on a Saturday or Monday.
Wednesday, December 8, 2027
Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Holy Day of Obligation

VigilTue, Dec 7 at 5pm
SolemnityWed, Dec 8 at 8am, 9:30am & 7pm
Patronal feast of the United States.
Saturday, December 25, 2027
Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord (Christmas)

Holy Day of Obligation

Christmas EveFri, Dec 24 at 4pm (Church & Parish Center Gym), 6pm, 8pm & 10pm
Christmas DaySat, Dec 25 at 9am
SundaySun, Dec 26 at 7:30am, 9am & 11am
Because Christmas falls on a Saturday and the next day is Sunday, the faithful must attend Mass twice: once for Christmas and once for Sunday. A single Mass does not satisfy both obligations.
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Explore the Full Liturgy Calendar

See Mass times for every solemnity, feast, and celebration in the 2026–2027 liturgical year.

View the Full Liturgy Calendar