SPECIAL SEASONS AND HOLIDAYS

Holy Days of Obligation Holy days of obligation are normally associated with the Roman Catholic faith tradition. All Roman Catholics are obligated to attend Mass on Sundays and on the following days: Octave of the Nativity (New Year’s Day) The Ascension of Our Lord—40 days after Easter The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin—15 August All Saints’ Day—1 November The Feast of the Immaculate Conception—8 December Christmas—25 December Upcoming holy days should be noted in the Sunday bulletin, chapel bulletin board, and Plan of the Day. SPECIAL SEASONS AND HOLIDAYS Special significance is attached to the feasts of Christmas and Easter and their associated seasons. Christmas and Easter are special days which are universally celebrated by almost all Christians. Christmas is preceded by the season of Advent and Easter is preceded by the season of Lent. Advent Within Christianity, Advent is a season of preparation observed for 4 to 6 weeks before Christmas. It was originally a period of penance and fasting which prepared the Christian for the coming or Advent of Christmas. Advent lasts 4 weeks, beginning the Sunday after November 26, or the Sunday nearest St. Andrew’s Day, November 30. In the Eastern Orthodox churches, Advent is also the first season of the Church year but lasts 6 weeks, beginning November 11 (St. Martin’s Day). Christmas Christmas, or the Feast of the Nativity, is a Christian celebration commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ. Many people exchange gifts and decorate their homes with holly, mistletoe, and Christmas trees. The custom of exchanging gifts was started in memory of the gifts the shepherds and the wise men brought to the Christ Child. In the Western churches, Christmas commemorates the birth of Christ and the shepherds’ visit and is generally celebrated on the 25th of December. The adoration of the Infant Jesus by the Magi is remembered within the feast of the Epiphany, celebrated on the 6th of January. 2-34