Solemnities, Feasts, and Memorials
"...the liturgy celebrated on fixed days bears
the imprint of the newness of the
Mystery of Christ."
-Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph 1164
Solemnity
A solemnity in the Liturgical Year of the Church is a feast day of the highest rank celebrating a mystery of faith such as the Trinity, an event in the life of Jesus, the Blessed Virgin Mary, or important saints.
The observance begins with the vigil on the evening before the actual date of the feast.
Feast
Feast days in the Liturgical Year of the Church are second importance and assigned one date out of the year for each and every canonized saint.
The saints are remembered on their individual feast days with special mention, prayers, and possibly a scripture reading.
Memorial
Next in line are memorials, which are classified as either obligatory or optional. Memorials commemorate a saint or saints. Obligatory memorials must be observed whereas optional memorials do not have to be observed. Only the memorials of those saints who are of “universal significance” are observed by the whole Church and marked in the general liturgical calendar.
From the time of the Mosaic law, the People of God have observed fixed feasts, beginning with Passover, to commemorate the astonishing actions of the Savior God, to give him thanks for them, to perpetuate their remembrance, and to teach new generations to conform their conduct to them.
In the age of the Church, between the Passover of Christ already accomplished once for all, and its consummation in the kingdom of God, the liturgy celebrated on fixed days bears the imprint of the newness of the mystery of Christ.”
-Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph 1164
Liturgical Calendar and Seasons
In the Catholic Church, the year is divided into liturgical seasons based on significant events in the life and earthly ministry of Jesus Christ as well as the great Mysteries of our Faith. The Church Year, as it is called, begins with Advent.
Although there are many more Feasts and Memorials throughout the Liturgical Calendar, we have emphasized specific Solemnities, Feasts and Memorials in our website.
Special Solemnities, Feasts and Memorials (select below)
- Advent
- Christmas Season
- Ordinary Time: Weeks 1-7
- Lent
- Holy Week
- Easter Season
- Ordinary Time: Weeks: 8-34
During Lent: Special Solemnities, Feasts, and Memorials
ASH WEDNESDAY
Ash Wednesday is one of the most popular and important holy days in the Liturgical Year. Ash Wednesday opens Lent, a season of fasting and prayer.
Holy Week
SACRED PASCHAL TRIDUUM
The Easter Triduum begins with the evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday, reaches its high point in the Easter Vigil, and closes with Evening Prayer on Easter Sunday.
HOLY THURSDAY
Holy Thursday is the commemoration of the Last Supper of Jesus Christ, when he established the sacrament of Holy Communion prior to his arrest and crucifixion.
During The Easter Season: Special Solemnities, Feasts, and Memorials
SUNDAY OF DIVINE MERCY
On this day, we contemplate the fullness of the Paschal Mystery—Christ’s Passion, death, and Resurrection. This is celebrated on the Sunday after Easter.
THE ASCENSION OF THE LORD
The Ascension of our Lord occurred forty days after the Resurrection of the Lord on Easter Sunday. At His Ascension, the Lord Jesus Christ ascended Body and Soul into heaven.
