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Holydays of Obligation

England and Wales

With effect from the 1st Sunday of Advent 2017, two holydays of obligation are being reinstated. This decision was made by the Bishops of England and Wales, and has been confirmed by the Holy See. The days are:

  • The Epiphany of the Lord — 6 January (transferred to the adjacent Sunday when it falls on Saturday or Monday)
  • The Ascension of the Lord — Thursday after 6th Sunday of Easter

Documents

  • Decree of Congregation of Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments (pdf)
  • Decree of Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales (pdf)
  • Background paper on Holydays of Obligation (pdf)
  • Summary table of dates 2017–2022
  • Calendar notes for 2018 [pdf]
  • Draft Calendar notes for 2019 [pdf]
  • Table of Moveable Feasts up to 2050

Summary Information

From the 1st Sunday of Advent 2017 the Holydays of Obligations for England and Wales changed. They are:

  • Every Sunday
  • Nativity of the Lord (25 December)
  • Epiphany of the Lord (6 January*)
  • Ascension of the Lord (Thursday after 6th Sunday of Easter)
  • St Peter & St Paul (29 June*)
  • Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (15 August*)
  • All Saints (1 November*)

* According to a decision of the Bishops' Conference (1984) Holydays which fall on Saturday or Monday are transferred to the Sunday.

Since 2006 the following celebration is transferred to Sunday:

  • Body and Blood of the Lord
Summary Table of Liturgical Dates
2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026
Lectionary (Sunday/Weekday) B/I C/II A/I B/II C/1 A/II
First Sunday of Advent 29 November 2020 28 November 2021 27 November 2022 3 December 2023 1 December 2024 30 November 2025
Nativity of the Lord 25 December 25 December 25 December 25 December 25 December 25 December
Epiphany 6 January 6 January 6 January 7 January 5 January 6 January
Ash Wednesday 17 February 2 March 22 February 14 February 5 March 18 February
Easter Sunday 4 April 17 April 9 April 31 March 20 April 5 April
Ascension 13 May 26 May 18 May 9 May 29 May 14 May
Pentecost 23 May 5 June 28 May 19 May 8 June 24 May
The Body and Blood of the Lord 6 June 19 June 11 June 2 June 22 June 7 June
St Peter & St Paul 29 June 29 June 29 June 30 June 29 June 28 June
Assumption 15 August 14 August 15 August 15 August 15 August 16 August
All Saints 31 October 1 November 1 November 1 November 2 November 1 November
First Sunday of Advent 28 November 27 November 3 December 1 December 30 November 29 November
2021 2022 2021 2022 2025 2026
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