HOLYDAYS 2003-THROUGH AUGUST 15, 2004
DAYS OF OBLIGATIONS AND OTHER CONCERNS
The following is to help with questions about Holydays, other Solemnities and reserved days during 2003-through August 15, 2004. It should answer the questions: is an obligation to participate in Mass attached to a particular day? Can weddings/funerals be celebrated on a specific day in the Church's calendar?
Since most weddings are celebrated either on Fridays or Saturdays only those days occurring on a Friday or Saturday in 2003 through August 15, 2004 have comments concerning weddings.
2003
All Saints Day, November 1, 2003
-Solemnity
-Saturday
-Day of Obligation
-Not a Holiday of Obligation in USA this year in accord with the decision
of the US Bishops.
-A Funeral Mass may be said on this day.
All Souls Day, November 2, 2003
-Commemoration
-Sunday
-The Ritual Mass for the celebration of Marriage may not be used on this day!
Due to the nature of this day, and the fact that at least two of the three
readings need to be from taken from the Lectionary for the Commemoration of
All Souls, all weddings at Mass should be avoided. Weddings outside of Mass
may be celebrated in the normal fashion.
Christ the King, November 23, 2003
-Solemnity
-Sunday
-Day of Obligation (Sunday)
Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, December, 8, 2003
-Solemnity
-Monday
-Day of Obligation
-A Funeral Mass may not be said on this day.
Nativity of the Lord, December 25, 2003.
-Solemnity
-Thursday
-Day of Obligation. The Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord is always a
day of precept even when it falls on a Monday or Saturday.
-A Funeral Mass may not be said on this day. *
2004
Mary the Mother of God, January 1, 2004
-Solemnity
-Thursday
-Day of Obligation
-A Funeral Mass may not be said on this day.*
Epiphany of the Lord, January 4, 2004
-Solemnity
-Sunday
-Day of Obligation (Sunday)
Ash Wednesday, February 25, 2004
-Wednesday
-Day without precept
-A Funeral Mass may be said on this day.
Joseph the Spouse of Mary, March 19, 2004
-Solemnity
-Friday
-Day without precept
-A Funeral Mass may be said on this day.
Annunciation of the Lord, March 25, 2004
-Solemnity
-Thursday
-Day without precept
-A Funeral Mass may be said on this day.
Holy Thursday, April 8, 2004
-Thursday
-Day without precept
-A Funeral Mass may not be said on this day.*
Good Friday, April 9, 2004
-Friday
-Day without precept
-"According to the Church's ancient tradition, the sacraments are not
celebrated today or tomorrow"
( Sacramentary: Good Friday no.1.)
Therefore, weddings may not be celebrated on this day.
-A Funeral Mass may not be said on this day.*
Holy Saturday, April 10, 2004
-Saturday
-Day without precept
-As above, for Good Friday, wedding Masses may not be celebrated on this day
-A Funeral Mass may not be said on this day.*
Easter Sunday, April 11, 2004
-Solemnity during the Easter Season
-Sunday
-Day of Obligation (Sunday)
-A Funeral Mass may not be said on this day.*
Ascension of the Lord, May 23, 2004
-Solemnity during the Easter Season
-Sunday
-Day of Obligation (Sunday)
-A Funeral Mass may not be said on this day.*
Pentecost, May 30, 2004
-Solemnity during the Easter Season
-Sunday
-Day of Obligation (Sunday)
-A Funeral Mass may not be said on this day.*
The Most Trinity Sunday, June 6, 2004
-Solemnity
-Sunday
-Day of Obligation (Sunday)
The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, June 13, 2004*
-Solemnity
-Sunday
-Day of Obligation (Sunday)
The Birth of John the Baptist, June 24, 2004
-Solemnity
-Thursday
-Day without precept
-A Funeral Mass may be said on this day.
Peter & Paul, June 29, 2004
-Solemnity
-Tuesday
-Day without precept.
-A Funeral Mass may be said on this day.
* The Funeral Mass may be celebrated on any day except Solemnities that are days of obligation, Holy Thursday, the Easter Triduum, and the Sundays of Advent, Lent and the Easter Season (GIRM 336).
Consultation and ready access to liturgical information is available from the Office of Worship. Contact us by email.