Holy days of obligation are celebrations of the Church’s highest feasts and solemnities on which Catholics are required to attend Mass.
“The designation ‘holy day of obligation,’ tells us two things,” Father Andrew Hart, JCL, said in a 2022 interview. “First, it tells us that this particular day is especially important, or ‘holy,’ either because it commemorates a particular event in our salvation history or because it highlights a particular belief or mystery central to our faith. Second, it tells us that, in light of the day’s importance, we have the obligation on this day to worship and give thanks to God by attending holy Mass.”
Father Hart is adjutant judicial vicar for the Diocese of Little Rock Tribunal and theological consultant to Arkansas Catholic.
Here are all holy days of obligation, solemnities and other special celebrations for 2024 in the Diocese of Little Rock.
Note: All Sundays are holy days of obligation, whether they are specially mentioned on this list or not.
Thursday, May 9: Ascension of Jesus
Thursday, Aug. 15: Assumption of Mary, Solemnity
Friday, Nov. 1: All Saints Day
Wednesday, Dec. 25: The Birth of Our Lord, Christmas
Note: Jan. 1 and Dec. 8 are not holy days of obligation in 2024.
Sunday, Jan. 7: Epiphany of the Lord, Solemnity
Monday, Jan. 8: Baptism of the Lord
Wednesday, Feb. 14: Ash Wednesday
Tuesday, March 19: Solemnity of St. Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Monday, March 25: Annunciation of the Lord, Solemnity
Sunday, March 24: Palm Sunday
Thursday, March 28: Holy Thursday
Friday, March 29: Good Friday
Saturday, March 30: Holy Saturday
Sunday, March 31: Easter Sunday, the Resurrection of the Lord, Solemnity
Sunday, April 7: Divine Mercy Sunday
Sunday, May 19: Pentecost Sunday, Solemnity
Sunday, May 26: Most Holy Trinity, Solemnity
Thursday, May 30: Corpus Christi, Solemnity
Friday, June 7: Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Solemnity
Monday, June 24: Nativity of St. John the Baptist, Solemnity
Saturday, June 29: Sts. Peter and Paul, Solemnity
Saturday, Nov. 2: All Souls Day
Sunday, Nov. 24: Solemnity of Christ the King
Dec. 3, 2023 – Jan. 8, 2024: Advent and Christmas
Jan. 9 – Feb. 13: Ordinary Time
Feb. 14 – May 19: Lent, Triduum and Easter
May 20 – Nov. 30: Ordinary Time
Dec. 1 – Jan. 12, 2025: Advent and Christmas
Please read our Comments Policy before posting.
Article comments powered by DisqusBlessed Rother added to liturgical calendar
Churches plan events for All Souls, Day of the Dead
Don’t let misconceptions cause faith to waver
Seniors, whatever storms may come, Jesus will be there
Studio 3:16 offers new approach to teaching religion
After three decades, NLR principal plans to retire
CHS athlete overcomes odds to reach collegiate goal
St. Joseph a model of solidarity with immigrants
Two gifts after Jesus’ death: Virgin Mary and Eucharist
Why we have an altar, and not just a communion table
Pope: Wars should be resolved through nonviolence
Living relationship with Jesus Christ in the Eucharist