Definition

Noun: A holy day of obligation is a day in the Christian liturgical calendar, particularly within the Catholic Church and some Anglican traditions like the Episcopal Church, on which the faithful are obligated to participate in Mass (or the Eucharist/Communion) and to refrain from unnecessary work or labor.

Usage

This term is used specifically in a religious context to denote mandatory feast days. * Catholics must attend Mass on every holy day of obligation. * Christmas is a holy day of obligation for Roman Catholics. * The parish priest announced the schedule for the upcoming holy day of obligation.

Advanced Usage

• The specific holy days of obligation can vary by country, as national bishops' conferences have the authority, with Vatican approval, to modify the list or transfer the observance to a Sunday.
• In canonical law, the obligation is considered a serious one for practicing members of the faith.

Variants and Related Words

• Feast Day (n): A day dedicated to a particular saint or event in the Christian calendar. While many feast days are holy days of obligation, not all are obligatory.
• Solemnity (n): In the Catholic Church, a holy day of obligation is always a feast ranked as a "Solemnity," the highest rank of liturgical celebration.

Synonyms

• Feast of precept: An older or more formal term with the same meaning.
• Mandatory holy day: A descriptive synonym.

Related Phrases

• To observe a holy day of obligation: To fulfill the religious duties required on such a day.
  • The family traveled back early to observe the holy day of obligation.
• To be bound by the holy days of obligation: To be under the religious requirement to observe them.
  • All confirmed Catholics are bound by the holy days of obligation.

Noun

1. a day when Catholics must attend Mass and refrain from servile work, and Episcopalians must take Communion