Why are some Solmnities Holy Days of Obligation and some aren't?

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Just curious what determines which solemnity takes more precedence over another? The Assumption of Mary is a Holy Day but say the Annunciation is not. Thanks!
 
In Australia, Tuesday 15th August is a Holy day of Obligation,
 
In a technical sense, none of the Holy day of Obligation are dismissed. Assumption is still August 15. Effectively, however, some are transfered to a Sunday. In the case of Canada, Only Christmas and Solemnities of Mary is NOT transfered. However, if a Catholic are in Maritime, as it is a holiday (as far as I know), one may want to double check in that case.
 
Jestersage said:
In a technical sense, none of the Holy day of Obligation are dismissed. Assumption is still August 15. Effectively, however, some are transfered to a Sunday. In the case of Canada, Only Christmas and Solemnities of Mary is NOT transfered. However, if a Catholic are in Maritime, as it is a holiday (as far as I know), one may want to double check in that case.
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This isn’t true. Some solemenities are transferred to the nearest Sunday in Canada (the Ascension or Corpus Christi for example), but other solemnities are observed on the normal day but with the obligation lifted (the Annunciation, the Assumption, and the feast of St Joseph for example). The bishops of each nation make this determination.
 
twf said:
This isn’t true. Some solemenities are transferred to the nearest Sunday in Canada (the Ascension or Corpus Christi for example), but other solemnities are observed on the normal day but with the obligation lifted (the Annunciation, the Assumption, and the feast of St Joseph for example). The bishops of each nation make this determination.
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The Annunciation is not a universal holy day of obligation.

tee
 
jas84173 said:
Just curious what determines which solemnity takes more precedence over another? The Assumption of Mary is a Holy Day but say the Annunciation is not. Thanks!
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I believe your primary question can be restated as *“Why are some solemnities holy days of obligation and others are not?” *The answer is found in Canon 1246
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 following days must also be observed: the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Epiphany, the Ascension, the Body and Blood of Christ, Holy Mary the Mother of God, her Immaculate Conception, her Assumption, Saint Joseph, Saint Peter and Saint Paul the Apostles, and All Saints.
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§2. With the prior approval of the Apostolic See, however, the conference of bishops can suppress some of the holy days of obligation or transfer them to a Sunday.
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It is not explicit there, but in another document, General Norms for the Liturgical Year and the Calendar, that the Solemnity of Saint Joseph may be translated even further:
[56. f.] …
The solemnity of Saint Joseph (19 March), except where it is observed as a holyday of obligation, may be transferred by the conferences of bishops to another day outside Lent.
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However, your question as stated uses the word *precedence *which is technically used when asking the question *“When two solemnities (or other celebrations) collide, which one is celebrated?” *This question is typically answered by the Table of Liturgical Days from the same document as above. But even it does not tell the whole story. as indicated by actual practice.

It is possible for the Solemnity of St Joseph to collide with Holy Week, and when it does so, the Solemnity of the Annunciation necessarily collides with Holy Week, Triduum, or the Octave of Easter. In this case, the Annunciation translates forward to replace the Monday of the II Week of Easter, while St Joseph translates backward to the replace the Saturday of the V Week of Lent.

There can be similar collisions by the movable solemnities of Sacred Heart and/or the Body and Blood of Christ with the Birth of John the Baptist and/or SS Peter and Paul.

whew!
tee
Not A Canon Lawyer
but
An Armchair Liturgical Calendar Nerd 🤓
 
I think for example in Ireland, St Patrick’s Feast Day is a Holy Day there as he is their principal patron. I am sure in some other nations/locations, they may choose to do the same for their principal patron saint or Marian titled feast day that is patronal (example USA patron is Mary - Immaculate Conception)
 
Jestersage said:
In a technical sense, none of the Holy day of Obligation are dismissed. Assumption is still August 15. Effectively, however, some are transfered to a Sunday. In the case of Canada, Only Christmas and Solemnities of Mary is NOT transfered. However, if a Catholic are in Maritime, as it is a holiday (as far as I know), one may want to double check in that case.
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Not a holiday though Our Lady of Assumption is their Patroness and they officially celebrate
the “Fête des Acadiens” on that day.
 
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