In the Catholic Church, Holy Days of Obligation are the days on which the faithful are obliged to participate in the Mass. They have also abstained from unnecessary works, "which hinder the worship to be rendered to God, the joy proper to the Lord’s day, or the suitable relaxation of mind and body." (Canon 1247 of the Code of Canon Law)
The list of Days of Obligation includes all Sundays in all countries. Some feasts, e.g. Easter, are always celebrated on Sundays, so they are always obligatory. The number of additional Days of Obligation varies between countries, from one in Hong-Kong to ten in the Vatican.
The number of Days of Obligation varies from year to year because the precept to attend Mass is lifted (abrogated), any of the following days. Here's 2022/2023:
2022/2023 Cycle A, Year I
Sunday, November 27, 2022 | The First Sunday of Advent |
Thursday, December 8, 2022 | The Immaculate Conception (Holy Day of Obligation) |
Saturday, December 24, 2022 | Christmas Eve |
Sunday, December 25, 2022 | The Nativity of the Lord/Christmas Day (Holy Day of Obligation) |
Sunday, January 1, 2023 | Mary, Mother of God (Holy Day of Obligation) |
18th-25th January 2023 | Week of Prayer for Christian Unity |
Wednesday, February 22, 2023 | Ash Wednesday |
Sunday, February 26, 2023 | Rite of Election at Cathedral – 2:00pm |
Thursday, March 30, 2023 | Chrism Mass at Cathedral – 7:00pm |
Sunday, April 2, 2023 | Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord |
Thursday, April 6, 2023 | Holy Thursday of the Lord’s Supper (Holy Thursday) |
Friday, April 7, 2023 | Friday of the Passion of the Lord (Good Friday) |
Saturday, April 8, 2023 | Holy Saturday |
Sunday, April 9, 2023 | Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord |
Thursday, May 18, 2023 | The Ascension of the Lord (Holy Day of Obligation) |
Saturday, May 20, 2023 | Diaconate Ordination at Cathedral – 11:00am |
Sunday, May 28, 2023 | Pentecost Sunday |
Sunday, June 4, 2023 | The Most Holy Trinity Sunday |
Sunday, June 11, 2023 | The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ/Corpus Christi |
Saturday, June 17, 2023 | Priesthood Ordination at Cathedral – 11:00am |
Tuesday, August 15, 2023 | The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin (Holy Day of Obligation) |
Wednesday, November 1, 2023 | All Saints’ Day (Holy Day of Obligation) |
Thursday, November 2, 2023 | All Souls’ Day (Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed) |
Special Dates of Prayer
Apart from days of obligation in the Catholic Church there are also often designated additional Special Days of Prayer, in which the faithful pray for some important intentions chosen by the Church. In those days the faithful are usually not obliged to attend Mass, but they are asked to observe these days in their devotions or private prayer.