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A Message from Father Nathan

My dearest people who are all close to my heart

Lots of love, blessings, and prayers to you all.

Holy Days of Obligation | The Catechism of the Catholic Church

The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains holy days of obligation this way:

Family needs or important social services can legitimately excuse the obligation of Sunday rest (specified in the Fourth Commandment). The faithful should see that legitimate excuses do not lead to habits prejudicial to religion, family life, and health {CCC 2185}.

The Code of Canon Law spells out when the holy days of obligation are on the Church’s universal calendar.

Can.1246 1. 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 Feast of the Assumption of Mary | August 15 | Holy Day of Obligation

The following day must also be observed for our Blessed Mother:1) Holy Mary the Mother of God. 2) her Immaculate Conception, 3) her Assumption, August 15th.

It’s a day of obligation. Hence let us all fulfill the day of obligation.

How to spend holy days of obligation:

On Sunday and other holy days of obligation, the faithful are to refrain from engaging in work and activities that might 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. These are things that, as Christians, Catholics should want to do anyway; the Church used the Precepts of the church (of which the listing of Holy Day of Obligation is one) simply as a way to remind adherents of the need to grow in holiness.

The Church has determined that Sundays and certain other solemnities throughout the year should be a day “of precept” or obligation, meaning that on these days the faithful, a least those who are of the age of reason, must assist at Holy Mass.

This is a serious obligation for Catholic Christians. Even so, the small number of holy days of obligation could not possibly exhaust the richness of the many feasts and memorials of the Christian year whereby we receive the graces of the great persons, human and divine, who have done such great things for our salvation. How grateful we should be, and eager to come to Holy Mass to receive these gifts and give thanks for them!

God bless you all.

With lots of love and blessings,

Ever wanting to be faithful to your service,

— Fr. Sahayanathan Nathan