Holy Days of Obligation
Sunday, on which by apostolic tradition the paschal mystery is celebrated, must be observed in the universal Church as the primordial holy day of obligation. The Faithful are reminded that the following Feasts are Holy Days of Obligation upon which it is binding of the Faithful to hear Mass.
| DATE | DAY | All Sundays are of obligation |
|---|---|---|
| 01 Jan | Mon | The Circumcision of Our Lord Jesus Christ 2020AD |
| 06 Jan | Sat | The Epiphany of Our Lord Jesus Christ |
| 02 Feb | Fri | The Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary |
| 14 Feb | Wed | Ash Wednesday* |
| 24 Mar | Sun | The Triumphant Entry of Our Lord into Jerusalem |
| 28 Mar | Thu | Maundy Thursday |
| 29 Mar | Fri | Good Friday |
| 30 Mar | Sat | Holy Saturday |
| 31 Mar | Sun | The Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ |
| 09 May | Thu | The Ascension of Our Lord Jesus Christ |
| 19 May | Sun | Pentecost Sunday |
| 26 May | Sun | The Most Holy & Blessed Trinity |
| 30 May | Thu | Festum Sanctissimi Corporis Christi |
| 29 Jun | Sat | The holy Apostles SS Peter & Paul |
| 15 Aug | Thu | The Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos |
| 01 Nov | Fri | All Saints’ Day |
| 02 Nov | Sat | All Souls’ Day |
| 01 Dec | Sun | The First Sunday of Advent |
| 08 Dec | Sun | The Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary* |
| 25 Dec | Wed | The Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ |
| 01 Jan | Wed | The Circumcision of Our Lord Jesus Christ 2021AD |
| [*not of strict obligation but of serious devotion] |
Days of Devotion
On which it is earnestly recommended to hear Mass… The days in red text are of particular importance to the faithful of the Oratory communities in the South East of England commemorating local Saints and Patrons…
| February 8th | St Cuthman of Steyning, Confessor |
| February 24th | St Matthias, Apostle |
| March 1st | St David, Patron of Wales |
| March 17th | St Patrick, Patron of Ireland |
| March 19th | St Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary |
| March 21st | St Benedict, Abbot, Patron of Europe |
| March 25th | Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary |
| April 3rd | St Richard of Chichester, Bishop & Confessor |
| April 23rd | St George, Patron of England |
| April 25th | St Mark, Evangelist |
| May 1st | SS Philip & James, Apostles |
| May 3rd | The Finding of the Holy Cross |
| May 19th | St Dunstan of Canterbury, Bishop & Confessor |
| June 5th | St Boniface, Patron of Utrecht |
| June 6th | St John before the Latin Gate |
| June 11th | St Barnabas, Apostle |
| June 24th | Nativity of St John the Baptist |
| July 2nd | The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary |
| July 3rd | St Thomas, Apostle |
| July 24th | St Lewinna, Virgin Martyr of Sussex |
| July 25th | St James the Greater, Apostle |
| July 26th | St Ann, Mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary |
| August 6th | The Transfiguration of Our Lord Jesus Christ |
| August 10th | St Laurence, Martyr |
| August 16th | St Joachim, Father of the Blessed Virgin Mary |
| August 24th | St Bartholomew, Apostle |
| August 29th | The Beheading of St John the Baptist |
| September 8th | Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary |
| September 14th | The Exaltation of the Holy Cross |
| September 21st | St Matthew, Apostle & Evangelist |
| September 24th | Our Lady of Walsingham |
| October 12th | St Wilfrid of York, Apostle to the South Saxons |
| September 29th | Michaelmass Day |
| October 18th | St Luke, Evangelist |
| October 28th | SS Simon & Jude, Apostles |
| November 7th | St Willibrord of the Netherlands |
| November 30th | St Andrew, Apostle & Patron of Scotland |
| December 21st | St Thomas, Apostle |
| December 26th | St Stephen, Protomartyr |
| December 27th | St John, Apostle & Evangelist |
| December 28th | Holy Innocents |
| December 29th | St Thomas of Canterbury, Bishop & Martyr |
FASTING DAYS
On which only one meal is allowed, and flesh meat is forbidden…
The Forty Days of Lent
The Ember Days, which are the Wednesday, Friday and Saturday in the:
- First Week of Lent
- Whitsun Week
- Third Week in September
- Third Week in Advent
The Vigils or Eves of:
- Whitsunday
- SS Peter & Paul
- The Assumption
- All Saints
- Christmass
All Wednesdays and Fridays in Advent
ABSTINENCE DAYS
On which it is forbidden to eat flesh meat…
The Sundays in Lent, unless dispensation be given (usual for England & Wales)
Every Friday, unless it be Christmass Day
The Brighton Oratory 