The Sunday celebration of the Lord's Day and his Eucharist is at the heart of the Church's life."Sunday is the day on which the paschal mystery is celebrated in light of the apostolic tradition and is to be observed as the foremost holy day of obligation in the universal Church." Church law directs Catholics to their obligation to worship God on Sunday and Holy Days of Obligation by attending Mass. This follows from the fact that in the Mass it is Christ Himself who worships the Father, joining our worship to His. In no other way is it possible to adequately give thanks to God for the blessings of creation, redemption and our sanctification than by uniting our offerings to that of Jesus Christ Himself.
The following are Holy Days of Obligation as well as special solemnities feast days in the 2013-2014 Liturgical Year:
- December 8, 2013 - Immaculate Conception (Holy Day of Obligation):
- Commemorates the purity, holiness, innocence of the soul of the Blessed Virgin Mary, who was conceived without the stain of Original Sin.
- December 25, 2013 - Christmas (Holy Day of Obligation):
- Celebrates the birth of Christ
- January 1, 2014 - Mary, Mother of God (Holy Day of Obligation):
- This solemnity honors Mary as the Mother of God, acknowledging that Christ was, indeed, fully human and fully divine from the moment of His conception.
- March 5, 2014 - Ash Wednesday:
- The first day of Lent and a call for us to turn away from sin and to be faithful to the Gospel
- April 17-19, 2014 - Paschal Triduum - Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday
- Celebrates the Last Supper of the Lord, commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus and celebrates the Resurrection of Christ
- May 29, 2014 - Ascension of the Lord (Transferred to Sunday, June 1):
- The fortieth day after Easter commemorates the ascension of Christ into Heaven
- June 8, 2014 - Pentecost:
- Commemorates the Descent of the Holy Spirit upon Mary and the Apostles, the Birth of the Church
- August 15, 2014 - Assumption of Mary (Holy Day of Obligation):
- Commemorates the taking up of Mary into Heaven
- November 1, 2014 - All Saints Day (Holy Day of Obligation):
- Celebrates all the Saints known and unknown
- November 23, 2014 - Solemnity of Christ the King:
- Celebrates and recognizes Jesus Christ as King of the Universe also marks the end of the Liturgical year
"On Sundays and other holy days of obligation, the faithful are to refrain from engaging in work or activities that hinder the worship owed to God, the joy proper to the Lord's Day, the performance of the works of mercy, and the appropriate relaxation of mind and body." (CCC,2185)
Sunday is traditionally consecrated by Christian piety to good works and humble service of the sick, the infirm, and the elderly. Christians will also sanctify Sunday by devoting time and care to their families and relatives, often difficult to do on other days of the week. Sunday is a time for reflection, silence, cultivation of the mind, and meditation which furthers the growth of the Christian interior life." (CCC,2186)
"Sanctifying Sundays and holy days requires a common effort. Every Christian should avoid making unnecessary demands on others that would hinder them from observing the Lord's Day." (CCC,2187)
