The Liturgical Calendar

The liturgical year is made up of six seasons:

  • Advent- four(ish) weeks of preparation before the celebration of Jesus' birth
  • Christmas- recalling the Nativity of Jesus Christ and his manifestation to the peoples of the world
  • Lent - a six-week period of penance before Easter
  • Sacred Paschal Triduum - the holiest "Three Days" of the Church's year, where the Christian people recall the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus
  • Easter - 50 days of joyful celebration of the Lord's resurrection from the dead ending with the celebration of Pentecost
  • Ordinary Time - divided into two sections (one span after Christmas Time and another after Easter Time), wherein the faithful consider the fullness of Jesus' teachings and works among his people

2025 Holy Days of Obligation

The 2025 liturgical calendar runs between Dec. 1st, 2024 to Nov. 29, 2025.

  • Dec. 9, 2024 - The Immaculate Conception of The Blessed Virgin Mary*
  • Dec. 25, 2024 - Christmas
  • Jan. 1, 2025 - Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God
  • Jun. 1, 2025 - Ascension of Jesus (transferred from Thursday, June 29)
  • Aug. 15, 2025 - Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
  • Nov. 1, 2025 - All Saints' Day

Following a clarification in September 2024 from the Holy See it has been determined that the Obligation transfers with the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Parishes holding a vigil Mass on Sunday should clarify that the vigil Mass does NOT fulfill the Sunday obligation, only the obligation for the solemnity.

Additional Resources