2023 Holy Days Of Obligation

In 2023, the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, January 1, falls on a Sunday, and the Ascension of the Lord, May 21, is also on a Sunday. Catholics are obligated to attend Mass every Sunday, so we chose to include them on this list.

Christmas, December 25, 2023, will be on a Monday and will remain a Holy Day of Obligation for this year. There will be no dispensation for Christmas. Pay close attention to the local Mass schedule because the faithful will need to attend both the fourth Sunday of Advent Mass (a Vigil Mass after 4pm on Saturday, December 22, or morning Mass on Sunday, December 24) AND Christmas Mass (a Vigil on Sunday, December 24 after 4pm OR morning Mass on Sunday, December 25).

In addition to Sundays, the following holy days are obligatory in 2023:

Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God | January 1

Ascension of Jesus | May 21

The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary | August 15

All Saints Day | November 1

Christmas | December 25

The Sunday celebration of the Lord’s Day and his Eucharist is at the heart of the Church’s life. “Sunday is the day on which the paschal mystery is celebrated in light of the apostolic tradition and is to be observed as the foremost holy day of obligation in the universal Church.”

Also to be observed are the day of the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Epiphany, the Ascension of Christ, the feast of the Body and Blood of Christi, the feast of Mary the Mother of God, her Immaculate Conception, her Assumption, the feast of Saint Joseph, the feast of the Apostles Saints Peter and Paul, and the feast of All Saints.

2177 Catechism of the Catholic Church

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