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theCardinalbird
Guest
In Canada is the Assumption a Holy Day of Obligation??
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Elf01
Guest
To the best of my knowledge the only Holy Days of Obligation in Canada are Christmas Day and New Years Day.
en.wikipedia.org
Holy day of obligation - Wikipedia
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Augustinian
Guest
When you are at Mass on Sunday, pick up a copy of the bulletin. Any of the coming weeks HDO’s will be listed.
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mVitus
Guest
Looks right.
@TheCardinalBird if you ever need to Double check your HDOs, does your parish habe a website?
@TheCardinalBird if you ever need to Double check your HDOs, does your parish habe a website?
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Augustinian
Guest
What is “sad” about it?
The Assumption isn’t a legal holiday in Canada, while it is in much of Europe
The Assumption isn’t a legal holiday in Canada, while it is in much of Europe
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Augustinian
Guest
The bishops thought otherwise, based on their own analysis of the situation. I wouldn’t want to second guess them myself.
A couple of centuries ago, there were scores of holy days of obligation, weekly or more often. Now not so much. Circumstances change.
When I was in high school, one of my school chums- his parents joined the Christian Missionary Alliance Church, he was expected to be in church like 3 or 4 times a week with them. I don’t think our C&MA friends expect their faithful to attend that often either , in the modern day. The circumstances have changed for them as well.
A couple of centuries ago, there were scores of holy days of obligation, weekly or more often. Now not so much. Circumstances change.
When I was in high school, one of my school chums- his parents joined the Christian Missionary Alliance Church, he was expected to be in church like 3 or 4 times a week with them. I don’t think our C&MA friends expect their faithful to attend that often either , in the modern day. The circumstances have changed for them as well.
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KatyCatholic
Guest
I am a modern man and I need to be at work monday through friday during normal business hours. yes, with evening mass I can fulfill my obligations. Though, an assumption that modern man holds tv higher than going to mass is a bit of an oversimplification. life can get complicated, if yours is not, count your blessings, not everyone can be as “traditional” as you would like everyone to be.
Blessings,
Kevin
Blessings,
Kevin
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Augustinian
Guest
I don’t think so. The old timers lived within earshot of the church- most could hear the angelus bells ringing.
In the modern era, it requires fighting traffic and driving for miles, rather than just taking a stroll to church.
In the modern era, it requires fighting traffic and driving for miles, rather than just taking a stroll to church.
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babochka
Guest
I used to think the same way that you did and then I had children.
We still do everything we can to make it to Divine Liturgy on all major feasts, whether they have been designated as days of obligation or not. Isn’t that what this is all about: living the liturgical year?
But if such a feast day falls during the week, especially after school has started, I have to ask if this really is what the Church has in mind when it obligates us to celebrate the feast? Because the obligation goes beyond getting ourselves to Mass. We are to celebrate the feast as we are to celebrate Sunday. Is this really accomplished in a society that isn’t Catholic? We still go to work. We still have to get the kids to school and pick them up. I give the homeschooled kids the day off, but I don’t have the option to do that for my high schoolers. As for my own life, this Wednesday for example. I’ve told the soccer coach that we won’t be there for practice. I will get home from picking the kids up from school at around 4:00. My parish has Divine Liturgy at 5:30. We leave at 4:45, fight traffic and hope to get there by 5:30. We might be a few minutes late because traffic can be unpredictable. We get out at 7:00 and home by 7:30. The high schoolers usually have homework that needs to be done. The three-year-old is in full meltdown mode because it is nearing bedtime and the routine has been thrown off. Oh, and dinner? We kinda had snacks for dinner around 4:00 because that’s all there was time for so everyone is hungry. Instead of celebrating a great feast of the Church, it has been reduced to a stressful evening of filling the obligation. Do you think this is what the Church has in mind?
If I lived in a traditionally Catholic country, everybody would have the day off. We could begin the day with worship in the Divine Liturgy, have a leisurely day of visiting friends and family, having a nice meal together, befitting the feast.
I don’t necessarily think that eliminating the concept of Holy Days of Obligation is the answer, but I certainly understand the thinking of those who advocate for this.
We still do everything we can to make it to Divine Liturgy on all major feasts, whether they have been designated as days of obligation or not. Isn’t that what this is all about: living the liturgical year?
But if such a feast day falls during the week, especially after school has started, I have to ask if this really is what the Church has in mind when it obligates us to celebrate the feast? Because the obligation goes beyond getting ourselves to Mass. We are to celebrate the feast as we are to celebrate Sunday. Is this really accomplished in a society that isn’t Catholic? We still go to work. We still have to get the kids to school and pick them up. I give the homeschooled kids the day off, but I don’t have the option to do that for my high schoolers. As for my own life, this Wednesday for example. I’ve told the soccer coach that we won’t be there for practice. I will get home from picking the kids up from school at around 4:00. My parish has Divine Liturgy at 5:30. We leave at 4:45, fight traffic and hope to get there by 5:30. We might be a few minutes late because traffic can be unpredictable. We get out at 7:00 and home by 7:30. The high schoolers usually have homework that needs to be done. The three-year-old is in full meltdown mode because it is nearing bedtime and the routine has been thrown off. Oh, and dinner? We kinda had snacks for dinner around 4:00 because that’s all there was time for so everyone is hungry. Instead of celebrating a great feast of the Church, it has been reduced to a stressful evening of filling the obligation. Do you think this is what the Church has in mind?
If I lived in a traditionally Catholic country, everybody would have the day off. We could begin the day with worship in the Divine Liturgy, have a leisurely day of visiting friends and family, having a nice meal together, befitting the feast.
I don’t necessarily think that eliminating the concept of Holy Days of Obligation is the answer, but I certainly understand the thinking of those who advocate for this.
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babochka
Guest
The Church has always made adjustments to Holy Days based on the needs of the faithful and has to contribute to grapple with it, as the influence of the Church is society continues to wane.
In the 17th Century, the number of Holy Days of Obligation was limited to 36. In 1918, it was further reduced to 10 (and the Bishops given wide latitude in their own territories) for the exact same reasons that we struggle with today: Feasts that were not also civil holidays were extremely difficult for the faithful to observe.
I lament the fact that Christians are losing the rhythm of life that comes with the liturgical calendar and the traditions surrounding the feasts. I think it is a great loss. I’m also saddened that solemnities that are not days of obligation have kind of been reduced to “no big deal” in many places. My husband went to an early morning Mass on the Feast of the Transfiguration because he wasn’t able to join us at the Divine Liturgy in the evening. The priest did not arrive on time because of a miscommunication as to who was saying the Mass. When he did arrive, he was confused by what had been laid out for him and asked, “Is today some kind of feast day?” For the feast of the Transfiguration! How tragic that we have lost that awareness. And yes, doing away with even more Holy Days of Obligation will further erode that.
I’m not sure what the solution is, I just know that eliminating the obligation is not some 21st century innovation, brought about by weakness and lack of faith.
In the 17th Century, the number of Holy Days of Obligation was limited to 36. In 1918, it was further reduced to 10 (and the Bishops given wide latitude in their own territories) for the exact same reasons that we struggle with today: Feasts that were not also civil holidays were extremely difficult for the faithful to observe.
I lament the fact that Christians are losing the rhythm of life that comes with the liturgical calendar and the traditions surrounding the feasts. I think it is a great loss. I’m also saddened that solemnities that are not days of obligation have kind of been reduced to “no big deal” in many places. My husband went to an early morning Mass on the Feast of the Transfiguration because he wasn’t able to join us at the Divine Liturgy in the evening. The priest did not arrive on time because of a miscommunication as to who was saying the Mass. When he did arrive, he was confused by what had been laid out for him and asked, “Is today some kind of feast day?” For the feast of the Transfiguration! How tragic that we have lost that awareness. And yes, doing away with even more Holy Days of Obligation will further erode that.
I’m not sure what the solution is, I just know that eliminating the obligation is not some 21st century innovation, brought about by weakness and lack of faith.
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phil19034
Guest
Well, the Assumption is not a legal holiday in the US, either, yet it’s still a Holy Day of Obligation for the United States (except Hawaii). And the Ascension (for example) is still a Holy Day of Obligation for the following states: Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, and Nebraska.
I always attend a 7PM Mass at our Cathedral (which is near my office) for the Assumption each year. Same for most other holy days of obligation when I have to work.
Personally, I think it’s often a mistake when individual Bishops (or conferences) remove the obligation from Holy Days of Obligation or move them to Sunday, but that’s just me.
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babochka
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I thought Assumption was still a Holy Day of Obligation throughout the U.S.? At least it still is in California. Regardless of whether it carries an obligation or not, it is still a Holy Day.
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phil19034
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Phemie
Guest
You are correct.
I must say that I’ve not been in a parish in recent years where the obligation to attend Mass on the feast of Mary, Mother of God has been stressed. I always attend Mass that day and in my parish it’s not attended by more than a handful of people and there is no choir.
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twf
Guest
That’s not been my experience. Parishes around here take it pretty seriously. Our cathedral schedules 8 Masses for New Years Eve / Day.
Of course, if not for Filipinos and other immigrants, our parishes would be empty too.
Of course, if not for Filipinos and other immigrants, our parishes would be empty too.
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Angel_Gabriel
Guest
Couldn’t have said it better myself! I also try to make it to the big feast days but our parish is so small that often we move the feast to the following sunday (or previous one, which ever is closer). Some peopel flip out about that b/c…HOLY DAY OF OBLIGATION…oh no! sigh…
This year the Dormition is smack in the middle of the week so we are having a Vesperal Divine Liturgy tues evening. As much as I love DL, I am slightly dreading it b/c…rush hr traffic, watching the kids by myself since hubby has to work, and managing to move around the schedule to fit everything in that day.
In Greece everyone goes to the beach on Aug 15th! lol! same with Italy…everyone goes to the beach! Too bad it’s not like that here.
I dont’ think doing away with the Holy Days or transferring them is the answer. I do, however, think we shoudl get rid of this whole “Obligation” business… stress the importance of the feast and if you can come, then come, if not, no biggie.
This year the Dormition is smack in the middle of the week so we are having a Vesperal Divine Liturgy tues evening. As much as I love DL, I am slightly dreading it b/c…rush hr traffic, watching the kids by myself since hubby has to work, and managing to move around the schedule to fit everything in that day.
In Greece everyone goes to the beach on Aug 15th! lol! same with Italy…everyone goes to the beach! Too bad it’s not like that here.
I dont’ think doing away with the Holy Days or transferring them is the answer. I do, however, think we shoudl get rid of this whole “Obligation” business… stress the importance of the feast and if you can come, then come, if not, no biggie.
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Augustinian
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Well, that depends on where you are at. New immigrant groups move into neighborhoods when the older groups succeed and move to the 'burbs. If the new immigrant groups were non Catholic instead of Filipino Catholics, the diocese would be looking to close or even sell the church building to the new groups.
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babochka
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I personally blame the imposition of the new calendar, in large parts completely foreign to the old, the baseless removal of Septuagesima, and that long, boring blob of a season rather unfortunately called ‘ordinary time.’ If you remove people from their traditions, you can’t expect them to adapt. The fact even priests are losing touch is an even greater indicator of how much has been lost. It’s such a great shame!
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Maybe… but we Byzantines have not had a reform of the calendar and it is still a struggle to maintain it in our modern society.
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Maybe… but we Byzantines have not had a reform of the calendar and it is still a struggle to maintain it in our modern society.
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Angel_Gabriel
Guest
Yes, I imagine it was easier in a small village with one church and everyone could walk to it. Modern life here in the USA definitely makes it difficult 
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babochka
Guest
I think there are a number of factors that affect this in our modern and mobile life. The liturgical calendar was built slowly and worked in conjunction with people’s lives. Societal traditions that we associate with these feasts, such as blessing of grapes/first fruits on Transfiguration and the blessing of herbs and flowers on Dormition, connected the liturgical calendar to what was happening in nature, those things that impacted the daily lives of the Christians living them. The coming of the light in December works perfectly with the Feasts of Light that occur in December, January and February. (Christmas, Theophany/Epiphany and The Encounter of Our Lord with Simeon and Anna). Modern society and a global Church makes these connections less obvious. In first-world countries, we can pretty much get grapes at any time. We don’t have to wait for their harvest around Transfiguration. Same with flowers. We have artificial lights, so the impact of lengthening days is minimal for many people. And if you should happen to live in the southern hemisphere, it doesn’t work at all. We’re finishing the Dormition fast, but will there be a spare minute in the day to celebrate the Dormition with a feast? It seems unlikely.Yes, I imagine it was easier in a small village with one church and everyone could walk to it. Modern life here in the USA definitely makes it difficult
These are all things that the modern church has to grapple with. We don’t want to throw all these traditions away and lose the connection that the liturgical calendar has with the lives that we live out, but we also need to recognize the changing world in which we live.
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