Holy Days

This Sunday we commemorate the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord.  The early Church celebrated this feast on the Thursday of the sixth week of Easter or the 40th day of the Easter season.  The number 40 comes from today’s first reading from the Acts of the Apostles:

He (Jesus) presented himself alive to them by many proofs after he had suffered, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.

Some dioceses maintain the practice of celebrating this holy day of obligation on Thursday.  Others, like ours, transferred the remembrance to the following Sunday, on what would normally be the 7th Sunday of Easter, allowing more of the faithful to participate.

Over the years, there have been many such changes in the observation of holy days of obligation.  We used to celebrate more than 30 such days!  Now In the U.S., we currently have six: 

January 1, the solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
Thursday of the Sixth Week of Easter, the solemnity of the Ascension
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

According to the U.S. Bishops, 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.

The observance of holy days of obligation varies from country to country.  But in all countries, all Sundays are holy days of obligation, making Sunday the primary holy day.  Sunday is the day of resurrection; a day to rest, to retreat, to reflect, and to remember the love that gives life and hope to each and every day.