Holy Days of Obligation for 2009 Whenever January 1, the solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, or August 15, the solemnity of the Assumption, or November 1, the solemnity of All Saints, falls on a Saturday or on a Monday, the precept to attend Mass is abrogated (excused). This decree of the Conference of Bishops was approved and confirmed by the Apostolic See by a decree of the Congregation for Bishops (Prot. N. 296/84), signed by Bernardin Cardinal Gantin, prefect of the Congregation, and dated July 4, 1992. As President of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops, I hereby declare that the effective date of this decree for all the Latin rite dioceses of the United States of America will be January 1, 1993, the solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. Given at the offices of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops in Washington, DC, November 17, 1992.
In addition to Sunday, the days to be observed as holy days of obligation in the Latin Rite dioceses of the United States of America, in conformity with Canon 1246, are as follows:
Date
Holy Day
January 1
The Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God
Thursday of the 6th Week of Easter
The Solemnity of the Ascension, May 21, 2009
August 15
The Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
November 1
The Solemnity of All Saints
December 8
The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception
December 25
The Solemnity of the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ
+ Daniel E. Pilarczyk
Archbishop of Cincinnati
President of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops
Date
Feast Day
January 1
Mary, the Mother of God
February 25
Ash Wednesday
April 5
Palm Sunday
April 9
Holy Thursday
April 10
Good Friday
April 11
Holy Saturday
April 12
Easter Sunday
April 19
Divine Mercy Sunday
May 21 (transferred to May 24)
Ascension
May 31
Pentecost
June 7
Trinity Sunday
June 11 (transferred to June 14)
Corpus Christi
August 15
Assumption of Mary
November 1
All Saints Day
November 29
First Sunday of Advent
December 8
Immaculate Conception
December 25
Christmas Day
Holy Days of Obligation