The Holy Days of Obligation

Is Ash Wednesday a Holy Day of Obligation?

I was wondering if you could answer this question: Is Ash Wednesday considered a "Holy Day of Obligation?" We were discussing this among my co-workers and I wanted to ascertain the truth from a knowledgeable source. God speed... Adam **********

No. The Holy Days of Obligation are:

Mary the Mother of God (Jan 1),

Ascension of the Lord (40 days after Easter),

Assumption of Mary (Aug. 15),

All Saints (Nov. 1),

Immaculate Conception (Dec. 8) and

Christmas (Dec. 25).

Remember them in case you are on one of those quiz shows and it comes up - but more important will be asked about them the one time that really counts. Note that these are the Holy Days for the United States - the Immaculate Conception is the patronal feast of our country. Other nations have different days - like St. Rose in Peru, Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico. Also sometimes the feast day is celebrated on the nearest Sunday - in the western U.S. the Ascension is celebrated on the 7th Sunday after Easter. It is almost like double obligation on that day since all Sundays of course require Mass attendance for a Catholic.

Fr. Phil Bloom

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