Holy Days and Holidays
- Divine Mercy Prayers
- Christmas (1)
- When Is... (22)
- Advent (26)
- Dates of Feasts (256)
- Easter (13)
- Lent (54)
- Halloween (2)
Roman Catholic Liturgical Calendar 2011
This 2011 calendar lists the dates of the Catholic Holy Days of Obligation in the United States for 2011, as well as the dates of moveable feasts.
Holy Days of Obligation
The Catholic Church currently has ten Holy Days of Obligation. Find a list of the Catholic Holy Days of Obligation here.
Holy Days of Obligation
The Catholic Church in the United States currently has six Holy Days of Obligation. Find a list of the Catholic Holy Days of Obligation in the United States here.
Is Annunciation a Holy Day of Obligation?
Is Annunciation a Holy Day of Obligation? Find out here!
How Do You Celebrate Halloween? - How Catholics Celebrate Halloween
Do you and your family celebrate Halloween? Why, or why not? And if you do, how do you celebrate it? Share your stories!
When Is the Virgin Mary's Birthday?
Catholics celebrate the Virgin Mary's birthday as the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. When is the Virgin Mary's birthday?
Is Transfiguration a Holy Day of Obligation?
Is Transfiguration a Holy Day of Obligation? Find out here!
Is January 1 a Holy Day of Obligation?
Is January 1, the Feast of Mary, Mother of God, a Holy Day of Obligation? Find out here!
The Epiphany of Our Lord Jesus Christ
The Epiphany of Our Lord Jesus Christ, one of the oldest Christian feasts, is best known as the visitation of the Magi or Wise Men.
Is Epiphany a Holy Day of Obligation?
Is Epiphany a Holy Day of Obligation? Find out here.
Baptism of the Lord
The Baptism of the Lord, commemorating Christ's Baptism by St. John the Baptist, celebrates the revelation of the Trinity. Learn more about this important feast.
The Presentation of the Lord
Known popularly as Candlemas, the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord celebrates the presentation of Christ in the temple at Jerusalem on the 40th day after His Birth.
Why Did the Groundhog See His Shadow?
Did you know that Groundhog Day has its origins in an ancient Christian feast? Learn the connection between Candlemas and Groundhog Day
The Annunciation of the Lord
The feast of the Annunciation of the Lord celebrates the angel Gabriel's appearance to the Virgin Mary to announce that she had been chosen to be the Mother of Our Lord.
What Is Quinquagesima Sunday?
No longer officially marked by the Catholic Church, Quinquagesima Sunday still shows up in some liturgical calendars. What is Quinquagesima Sunday?
What Is Sexagesima Sunday?
No longer officially marked by the Catholic Church, Sexagesima Sunday still shows up in some liturgical calendars. What is Sexagesima Sunday?
What Is Septuagesima Sunday?
No longer officially marked by the Catholic Church, Septuagesima Sunday still shows up in some liturgical calendars. What is Septuagesima Sunday?
Shrove Tuesday
The definition of Shrove Tuesday.
What Is Clean Monday?
Clean Monday is the first day of Great Lent for Eastern Catholics and Eastern Orthodox. Learn more about Clean Monday.
Ash Wednesday in the Catholic Church
Most people know that Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent, the time of preparation before Easter. But how is it celebrated? And why do Catholics wear ashes on their foreheads on this day? Find out more about Ash Wednesday here.
Is Ash Wednesday a Holy Day of Obligation?
Is Ash Wednesday a Holy Day of Obligation? Find out here!
Is Holy Thursday a Holy Day of Obligation?
Is Holy Thursday a Holy Day of Obligation? Find out here!
Good Friday
Good Friday, the Friday before Easter, commemorates the death of Jesus Christ. Learn more about the history and rituals of Good Friday.
Is Good Friday a Holy Day of Obligation?
Is Good Friday a Holy Day of Obligation? Find out here!
When Is Easter - Date of Easter
Easter, the greatest feast day in the Christian calendar, is a moveable feast. When is Easter?
When Is Holy Saturday?
Holy Saturday is the final day of the Triduum, the three days during which Christians commemorate Christ's Passion. When is Holy Saturday?
Easter 101
Learn all about the history and practice of Easter in the Catholic Church, and about the entire Easter season.
Easter in the Catholic Church
What does the Catholic Church teach about Easter, the day Jesus Christ rose from the dead? Learn more about Easter, the greatest feast in the Catholic Church.
What Is the Easter Duty?
The Catholic Church requires all Catholics to receive Communion at least once per year, during the Easter Season. Find out why, and learn the requirements for fulfilling your Easter duty.
Easter Homily of St. John Chrysostom
Find the text of the famous Easter homily by St. John Chrysostom, read in many Eastern Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches.
Divine Mercy Sunday
Learn more about this history and devotions of Divine Mercy Sunday, celebrated on the Sunday after Easter.
How to Pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet
Learn how to pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet, a devotion revealed to St. Maria Faustina Kowalska, on a standard rosary.
Is Ascension a Holy Day of Obligation?
Is the Feast of the Ascension of Our Lord a Holy Day of Obligation? Find out here!
Ascension of Our Lord
The Ascension of Our Lord occurred on Ascension Thursday, 40 days after Easter Sunday, when the risen Christ ascended bodily into Heaven.
Pentecost 101
Pentecost marks the descent of the Holy Spirit on the apostles. Learn more about this holiday that is often called the "the birthday of the Church."
Pentecost Sunday
Pentecost Sunday marks the end of the Easter season and celebrates the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and the Virgin Mary. Learn more about Pentecost Sunday.
Trinity Sunday
Trinity Sunday, also known as Holy Trinity Sunday, celebrates the most fundamental of Christian beliefs—belief in the Holy Trinity.
Corpus Christi
The Feast of Corpus Christi celebrates the mystery of the Body and Blood of Christ. Learn more about the Feast of Corpus Christi.
Sacred Heart of Jesus
The Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is celebrated 19 days after Pentecost Sunday. Learn more about this celebration of Christ's love for mankind.
The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
The feast of the Visitation celebrates the Virgin Mary's visit to her cousin Elizabeth shortly after the Annunciation.
The Transfiguration of Our Lord Jesus Christ
The feast of the Transfiguration of Christ celebrates the revelation of Christ’s divine glory on Mount Tabor in Galilee and provides us with a glimpse of our life in the world to come.
Assumption of Mary
The Assumption of Mary commemorates the death of the Blessed Virgin Mary and her bodily assumption into Heaven. Learn more about this greatest of Marian feasts.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel
The Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel celebrates the appearance of the Blessed Virgin Mary to St. Simon Stock on July 16, 1251.
Is Assumption a Holy Day of Obligation?
Is the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary a Holy Day of Obligation? Find out here!
Dormition
The definition of dormition.
Did the Virgin Mary Die Before Her Assumption?
Did the Blessed Virgin Mary die before she was assumed into Heaven? Find the traditional answer of the Christian Church, East and West.
Exaltation of the Holy Cross
The Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross (September 14) celebrates the instrument of our salvation. Learn more about this ancient feast.
Is All Saints Day a Holy Day of Obligation?
Is All Saints Day a Holy Day of Obligation? Find out here!
All Saints Day
All Saints Day celebrates all the saints, known and unknown, especially those who suffered martyrdom for Christ. Learn more about All Saints Day.
Should Catholics Celebrate Halloween?
Every year, a debate rages among Christians: Is Halloween a satanic holiday or merely a secular one? Should Christian children dress up like ghosts and goblins? Is it good for children to be scared? Lost in the debate is the history of Halloween, which, far from being a pagan religious event, is actually a Christian celebration that's almost...
All Souls Day
All Souls Day is a solemn feast of the Catholic Church commemorating all of those who have died and now are in Purgatory. Learn more about All Souls Day.
Immaculate Conception
The Feast of the Immaculate Conception is the subject of many misconceptions. Learn more about the history of the feast and the dogma of the Immaculate Conception.
The Season of Advent in the Catholic Church
Advent is a period of preparation before Christmas. Learn more about the season of Advent in the Catholic Church.
The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary celebrates Mary's dedication to God and her identification with the Temple of God. Learn more about this feast.
Christmas
Christmas is the Christian feast of the birth of Jesus Christ. Learn more about the history of Christmas.
Is Immaculate Conception a Holy Day of Obligation?
Is the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary a Holy Day of Obligation? Find out here!
Is Christmas a Holy Day of Obligation?
Is Christmas a Holy Day of Obligation in the Catholic Church? Find out here!
Christmas Messages
Every year, I write a Christmas message for the readers of the About.com GuideSite to Catholicism. Here are the Christmas messages from previous years, arranged in reverse chronological order (newest Christmas message at the top).
Proclamation of the Birth of Christ
This Proclamation of the Birth of Christ from the Roman Martyrology is read at Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve.
Traditional Proclamation of the Birth of Christ
This traditional translation of the Proclamation of the Birth of Christ from the Roman Martyrology was read for centuries at Midnight Mass.
What Does Ordinary Time Mean?
Ordinary Time makes up most of the liturgical year in the Catholic Church. What does Ordinary Time mean?
Ember Days
Ember Days mark the change of both the natural and the liturgical seasons in the Christian Church. Learn more about this ancient practice.
Why Is Ordinary Time Called Ordinary?
Many people think that Ordinary Time is unimportant. Why is Ordinary Time called ordinary?
Ordinary Time - Definition of Ordinary Time
The definition of Ordinary Time in the Catholic Church.
When Is Epiphany?
Epiphany celebrates the visit of the three wise men to the Christ Child. When is Epiphany?
When Is the Baptism of the Lord?
The Baptism of the Lord commemorates Christ's Baptism by St. John the Baptist. When is the Baptism of the Lord?
What Determines the Date of Ash Wednesday?
Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, falls on a different date each year. What determines the date of Ash Wednesday?
Rogation Days
Rogation Days are set aside by the Catholic Church to observe the change in the seasons. Learn more about the Rogation Days.
When Is Ordinary Time?
When is Ordinary Time in the Catholic Church?
Why Is There No First Sunday in Ordinary Time?
Why is there no First Sunday in Ordinary Time?
Moveable Feast - Definition of Moveable Feast
The definition of a moveable feast in the Catholic Church.
When Is Ash Wednesday?
The date of Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, changes every year. Find the date of Ash Wednesday.
How Is the Date of Ash Wednesday Calculated?
The first day of Lent, Ash Wednesday, falls on a different date each year. How is the date of Ash Wednesday calculated?
When Is Mardi Gras?
Mardi Gras is the final day before Lent, the season of preparation for the resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday. Find the date of Mardi Gras.
When Is Saint Patrick's Day?
Saint Patrick's Day commemorates the life of the great apostle of Ireland. Find the date of Saint Patrick's Day.
When Is Good Friday?
Good Friday, the day on which Christians commemorate the death of Jesus Christ on the Cross, falls on a different date each year. Find the date of Good Friday.
When Is Palm Sunday?
Palm Sunday, the final Sunday before Easter, falls on a different date each year. Find the date of Palm Sunday for this and future years.
When Is Holy Thursday?
Holy Thursday, the first day of the Triduum, falls on a different date each year. Find the date of Holy Thursday.