The Sunday obligation is a precept of the Catholic Church that requires the faithful to attend Mass on Sundays and certain Holy Days of Obligation. This obligation is rooted in the Third Commandment, “Remember to keep holy the Sabbath day,” and Canon Law. It serves to fulfill the spiritual need for communal worship, to receive the Eucharist, and to hear the Word of God. Failing to meet this obligation without a grave reason, such as illness or extreme hardship, is considered a mortal sin that necessitates confession for absolution.
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.
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.
While Bishops lifted the dispensations from the obligation to attend Mass that were in place for much of the Coronavirus pandemic, 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.
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.” – CCC 2177
This practice of the Christian assembly dates from the beginnings of the apostolic age. The Letter to the Hebrews reminds the faithful “not to neglect to meet together, as is the habit of some, but to encourage one another.” – CCC 2178
The precept of the Church specifies the law of the Lord more precisely: “On Sundays and other holy days of obligation the faithful are bound to participate in the Mass.” “The precept of participating in the Mass is satisfied by assistance at a Mass which is celebrated anywhere in a Catholic rite either on the holy day or on the evening of the preceding day.”- CCC 2180
To Participate in Holy Communion, you must:
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Be a Catholic.
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Be in a state of grace: You must be in a state of sanctifying grace.
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Eucharistic fast: You should not eat or drink anything except water and medicine for at least one hour before receiving Communion. There are exceptions for the elderly and those who are sick.
To receive Holy Communion one must be fully incorporated into the Catholic Church and be in the state of grace, that is, not conscious of being in mortal sin. Anyone who is conscious of having committed a grave sin must first receive the sacrament of Reconciliation before going to Communion. Also important for those receiving Holy Communion are a spirit of recollection and prayer, observance of the fast prescribed by the Church, and an appropriate disposition of the body (gestures and dress) as a sign of respect for Christ. - Compendium of the CCC, 241.
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Mass & Devotional Schedule
Church Hours
Holy Mass
Monday – Friday
7:00 am English
12:10 pm English
5:30 pm English
Saturday
7:00 am English
4:30 pm English (Sunday Anticipatory)
Sunday
8:30 am English
10:30 am English (Choral)
12:30 pm English
6:30 pm English & Latin (Ordinary Form)
Confession
Monday – Friday
11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Saturday
3:00 – 4:00 pm
Sunday
5:00 – 6:30 pm
By Appointment
Devotions
Adoration & Benediction
Sundays
5:00 – 6:30 pm
Solemn Vespers
Sundays
6:00 – 6:30 pm
Rosary
Monday – Friday
After the 7 am Mass
Sundays
10:00 - 10:30 am
Stations of the Cross
Fridays During Lent
After the 5:30 pm Mass
Holy Days of Obligation
Wednesday, January 1 - Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, The Mother of God
Friday, August 15 - Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Monday, December 8 - Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Thursday, December 25 - The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas)
Learn More
Answers to more Obligation FAQs can be found here.