Most Reverend Jerome E. Listecki
Archbishop of Milwaukee
 

There are few things that identify us as Catholics in this ever-secularizing society. In the ‘50s, Catholics were the ones who were ordering fish on Fridays, recognized as having big families and trotting off to confession on Saturday afternoon or Saturday evening so that they could go to Communion on Sunday.

These days, however, the religious landscape has changed and there are few identifiable marks that distinguish Catholics from the rest of mainstream America. One, obviously, is Ash Wednesday, when Catholics are marked by ashes in the form of a cross on their foreheads (that is, if the minister has a steady thumb). But, I offer to you that the only other remaining activity which calls us to be Catholic in the face of a secular society, is our adherence to the Holy Days of Obligation.

On a Holy Day of Obligation, we celebrate certain religious feasts that are not readily embraced by everyone else. A Holy Day of Obligation is a feast day on which Catholics are obliged to attend Mass in addition to the normal Sunday. In the United States, six Holy Days of obligation are observed: January 1, The Feast of Mary, the Mother of God; Ascension Thursday (usually 40 days after Easter Sunday); August 15, Assumption of the Virgin Mary into Heaven; November 1, All Saints Day; December 8, The Feast of the Immaculate Conception (patronal feast of the United States); and December 25, Christmas.

There are also four additional Holy Days listed in Canon Law: the Body and Blood of Christ, St. Joseph, Saints Peter and Paul, and Epiphany. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops chose to celebrate six. In some predominately-Catholic countries, Holy Days are recognized as legal holidays.

The percentage of Catholics attending Sunday Mass is said to be between 25 to 35 percent. The statistics of those attending Holy Days of Obligations are even more dismal. Many Catholics have forgotten that attending Mass on a Sunday and a Holy Day of Obligation is an “obligation,” therefore intentionally missing Mass is sin.

This Thursday is the Feast of the Assumption. As Catholics, we believe that Mary was assumed body and soul into heaven. This doctrine gives all of us the hope that through our own faithfulness to Christ we also will be taken to heaven, following Mary the Mother of Jesus. Faithfulness is the key. The Holy Day of Obligation is our opportunity to be faithful and witness to Christ in a world that needs His presence more than ever.

On Thursday, August 15, don’t forget your obligation. Together, let us pray that our Lord will assist us to LOVE ONE ANOTHER.

Note: This blog originally appeared as the August 13, 2013 "Love One Another" email sent to Catholics throughout the Archdiocese of Milwaukee by Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki. If you are interested in signing up for these email messages, please click here.