Holy Days

Solemnity of Mary	Holy Day of Obligation	January 1

Ash Wednesday	Fast and Abstinence	February 6

Passion (Palm) Sunday		March 16

Good Friday	Fast and Abstinence	March 21

Easter		March 23

Ascension	Holy Day of Obligation *	May 1

Pentecost Sunday		May 11

Assumption of the Virgin Mary	Holy Day of Obligation	August 15

All Saints' Day	Holy Day of Obligation**	November 1

Start of Advent		November 30

Immaculate Conception	Holy Day of Obligation**	December 8

Christmas	Holy Day of Obligation	December 25

Abstinence: Catholics 14 and older should abstain from eating meat on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday and all Fridays of Lent

Fast and Abstinence: Catholics between the ages of 18 and 59 should fast (eat one full meal and two smaller meals) on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.

* All U.S. ecclesiastical provinces, except Boston, Hartford, New York, Newark, Philadelphia and the State of Nebraska, have transferred the celebration of the Ascension to the 7th Sunday of Easter, May 4. If transferred, Thursday, May 1, is observed either as an Easter Weekday or the optional memorial of St. Joseph the Worker.

** When falling on a Monday or Saturday, the obligation for these feasts has been removed.