When one says that today is a Holy Day of Obligation, this means that as Catholics, we are expected to go to mass as it is our Catholic obligation to do so. Here are some reminders for the upcoming Holy Days of Obligation.

This year, December 25 or Christmas Day falls on a Saturday. This is a Holy Day of Obligation as the Catholic community celebrates the coming of Jesus. One may go to mass on any of the mass schedules on the day itself or at the 6.00PM anticipated mass the day before, in order to fulfill his Catholic obligation. The readings for the December 25 evening masses will be for the readings for Christmas.

In the Liturgical calendar, the Feast of the Holy Family, another Holy Day of Obligaiton, is celebrated on the first Sunday after Christmas Day. This means that for this year, on December 26, we shall celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family. One may go to mass on any of the mass schedules for that day in order to fulfill his obligation. However, if one hears mass at 6PM on December 25, one fulfills his Sunday obligation.

On January 1, we celebrate the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. On January 2, we celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany. If one hears mass at 6pm on January 1, one may not go to mass on January 2 anymore as he has already fulfilled his obligation. The readings for the January 1 evening mass will be the readings for the Feast of the Epiphany.

By Kristine Turado, Vianney Natividad & Doris Yumul