Catholic Holy Day of Obligation?

Question

I am about to start an RCIA course to convert to Catholicism in September. This Friday is a Holy Day of Obligation, so I am going to Mass that morning. However, I do know that there is a Vigil Mass on Thursday - do I need to go to both the Vigil Mass and the Mass on Friday, or just the Mass on Friday?

Sorry if this sounds like a silly question, but I'm still learning!

Just to clarify, I'm in the UK and Friday 29th June is the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul.

In the UK, June 29th definitely IS a Holy Day of Obligation, please refer to my parish church website! http://www.stwerburghchester.co.uk/newsletter.htm

It must be different in the States! Thanks for all your input though.

Answer 1

According to the tradition of ancient Judaism, a day began at sunset and ended the following sunset.

This practice comes from first account of creation in the first chapter of Genesis.

When Moses gave the Israelites the Law and proscribed the days of worship, those days began at sunset.

Leviticus 23:5: The Passover of the LORD falls on the fourteenth day of the first month, at the evening twilight.

Because most of the early Christians were Jews, the early Christian communities celebrated the mysteries of the Faith within this ancient practice.

Vigil masses on the evening before a Sunday or other Holy Day therefore fulfills your obligation to participate in Mass.

In other words you can go to either the Vigil Mass or the morning Mass. You do not have to go to both.

With love in Christ.

Answer 2

Friday, June 29, 2007 IS NOT a "Holy Day of Obligation". However I could see countries giving a "Holiday" for this feast; but the Church has not declaired it a "Obligation" day like "All St.'s Day" (Nov).

It is the celebration for the Saints Peter & Paul; whom we love very much. Although it's not "Liturgical" (sponsored by a Priest) we often get together and have "Novena's" where we celebrate the Saints Victories and Modles of good living for nine days.

The "Priests" usually decide which "Liturgical readings" they are going to say; Vigil or Day time. This is because with the severe Priest shortage we have, some Priests may only be able to say one or the other. I would call your local parish if you desire to be at a certain reading ... check out the web-site and you can read which scripture are going to be read before calling your local parish.

Answer 3

The Vigil Mass on Thursday is mainly for those who work on the actual day, in this case, on Friday and cannot come to Mass during that time. It is the Solemnity of Sts Peter and Paul.
Go to one or the other, you don't have to go to both, since they both count for the same Day of Obligation.

The observance begins in the evening the day prior to the day observed. (Thursday evening begins the observance for the Day of Obligation on Friday.) That is why it is called a Vigil.

Answer 4

You are only obligated to go on the holy day itself.

Depending on the Holy Day, the Vigil Mass may meet the requirement.

Understand that in Judaism, the day begins at sunset and ends on the following sunset. So, a vigil mass, which occurs after sunset, is (by Jewish terms and extension Christian terms) itself the day of obligation.

Speak with your RCIA Coordinator if you still have questions, or your Catachumen.

Answer 5

Yes, Vigil is fine. Same thing with Easter, you can attend the Vigil if you want to have an early Easter Dinner with family on Easter Sunday.

It's a carryover from Judaism but also convenient for scheduling.

And yes, Sts Peter and Paul is not a day of obligation for American Catholics (who are the majority of respondents here), but are nonetheless a good time to go.

Also, Fridays as days of fasting and abstinence do not hold for American Catholics, but I believe they do for British Catholics. Still, I know many (including converts) who have embraced this practice as a way of keeping holiness at the forefront.

Blessings in your path as you go through RCIA. If you have questions about Catholicism, please contact me through my avatar.

Answer 6

This Friday is a Holy Day of Obligation? *blink* What diocese are you in cuz that's new to me.

But to answer your question (which is not silly at all!) No, you don't need to go to both masses; one or the other is just fine.

This is one place where Catholics have hung on to Jewish worship traditions - a liturgical day is marked from sun down the evening before to sun down the evening of that day. This is why you don't see Catholic churches have an evening mass on December 25 or Easter Sunday - for worship purposes, the day has passed.

EDIT - ah, I found it... for the Apostles Peter and Paul. Sorry, we haven't celebrated that one in California in a looooooooong time. My apologies!

Answer 7

I believe Friday is St Peter's day - I think.

The vigil is separate from the Mass. You obligation is on Friday if you go to Mass on Thursday then you have met your requirement.

Answer 8

Easter always falls on Sunday, a day of obligation in its own right. Good Friday is the only day of the year that there will be no Mass (Eucharistic Liturgy). Therefore there can be no obligation to attend Mass. Almost all of the Feast of the Lord occur on Sundays and often in the US the Ascension of the Lord and and the Assumption of Mary are moved to Sunday combining the Sunday and Holyday obligations.

Answer 9

You do not need to go to both. They are for the same obligation. Go to one or the other.

In the UK...it looks like it is a holy day of obligation. I wonder why it isn't in the US? I've never even heard that it was or should be.


By the way...welcome to the faith. I am a convert too.

Answer 10

Friday isn't a holy day of obligation but it is a day of abstinence and fasting. You don't have to go to church but it's strongly recommended. Holy Thursday is a reenactment of the Last Supper so it's an entirely different 'theme' and that is not a holy day of obligation either. I could list many holy days but that's not what you asked. Best to you.
Feast Days aren't holy days but if you feel compelled to go then that's up to you. Truly.....and your questions aren't stupid.