How best to celebrate a holy day of obligation

[cmac2]

I’ve been trying really hard to attend and participate in holy days of obligation, i.e. feast days other than the Sabbath (Sunday). In the past, it didn’t matter to me except Easter and Christmas. I want to grow more in my faith, so I really want to participate in the Church’s feasts days. Not only as a matter of obedience, but also as a matter to becoming stronger in faith and piety and reaching some sort of connectedness with the rest of the mystical Body of Christ. Here’s my issue: I got the wrong day off from work. I’ve read in places that you are not to work on Sunday or on holy days of obligation like Easter, Good Friday, Christmas, etc. I still have to work that day because I didn’t remember until today and now I feel guilty about it. This late, I don’t think it would be possible to get out of work Friday and I’m not calling in sick, which would be lying, just to attend Mass. If I attend a morning Mass for Feast of All Saints, does this fulfill my obligation for the day even though I’m going to work a couple hours later after that? If not, would it be necessary for me to abstain from Communion because I won’t be giving my full day to the holy day?

 

[FrancisFan43]

With lots and lots of prayer. As for All Saints Day I heard that people go to graveyards and then pray for the dead there. Maybe light up some candles on the gravestones.

 

[UpUpAndAway]

If I attend a morning Mass for Feast of All Saints, does this fulfill my obligation for the day even though I’m going to work a couple hours later after that?

Yes. If you have to work, you have to work. Attend Mass in the morning—you appear to be able—and be at peace. God bless.

 

[HeDa]

There are a lot of countries where All Saints Day isn’t a national holiday. Some people can enjoy a day off work or work half a day while others have to work full day.

 

[jvickers]

I thought people went to graveyards to pray for the dead there on All Souls Day, which is the day after All Saints Day. Am I mistaken?

 

[Powdercoater]

You are not mistaken. @jvickers

 

[UpUpAndAway]

Actually, graveyard visits happen on both days.

A plenary indulgence for the Holy Souls can be gained each day from November 1-8 by praying for the dead in a cemetery on each of those days (in addition to the usual conditions for an indulgence). On All Souls Day—and only on this day—one can gain the indulgence by praying in either a cemetery or a church.

In my parish, the blessing of the graves takes place on All Saints Day.

 

[TomH1]

If I attend a morning Mass for Feast of All Saints, does this fulfill my obligation for the day even though I’m going to work a couple hours later after that?

Yes, it does because that is all your obligation is. I do not suggest we do the minimum, but going to Mass is your only obligation. You can also fulfil the obligation of the previous evening. So, if it would be more opportune you could go to Mass on Thursday evening.

 

[Elf01]

A plenary indulgence for the Holy Souls can be gained each day from November 1-8 by praying for the dead in a cemetery on each of those days (in addition to the usual conditions for an indulgence). On All Souls Day—and only on this day—one can gain the indulgence by praying in either a cemetery or a church.

There is also visiting a church or oratory on All Saints Day, between noon and midnight and saying the Our Father and Apostles Creed, if that may be doable after work for the OP. @Tis_Bearself, can you confirm the details?

 

[Tis_Bearself]

There is also visiting a church or oratory on All Saints Day, between noon and midnight and saying the Our Father and Apostles Creed, if that may be doable after work for the OP. @Tis_Bearself, can you confirm the details?

That plenary is usually only for All SOULS Day, Nov 2, unless the “ordinary” moves the indulgence to either All Saints Day or to the Sunday before or Sunday after All Souls Day. I presume it might be moved in cases where for instance there isn’t a Mass at some church on Nov 2 and the church stays locked.

If one does get the indulgence it’s applicable only to the Holy Souls.
One must also fulfill the conditions for the plenary such as be in a state of grace when you say the prayers, confession within 20 days, Communion within a few days, pray for the Holy Father’s Intentions, and have no attachment to sin.

Sections 29 (1) and 29 (2) in the Manual of Infulgences cover all the plenaries available during the first days of Nov.

 

[Elf01]

That plenary is usually only for All SOULS Day, Nov 2, unless the “ordinary” moves the indulgence to either All Saints Day or to the Sunday before or Sunday after All Souls Day. I presume it might be moved in cases where for instance there isn’t a Mass at some church on Nov 2 and the church stays locked.

Thanks for the correction.