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Questions / The Mass and the Eucharist

What are holy days of obligation?

Church teaching

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In short: A handful of big feasts each year when, like Sunday, Catholics go to Mass. CCC 2177 CCC 2180

The answer, in writing

Church teaching

Sunday is the foremost holy day of obligation, and certain other feasts are also to be observed. CCC 2177

On Sundays and other holy days of obligation the faithful are bound to take part in the Mass. CCC 2180

Our words

In the U.S. the list includes Christmas, the Immaculate Conception, the Assumption and All Saints, among others. Your parish bulletin will remind you.

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Sources on this page

How we know · 2 Catechism paragraphs
  1. Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraphs 2177, 2180 (official text on vatican.va).

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