Holy Days of Obligation
All Catholics who have reached the age of reason and are not prevented by sickness or other sufficient cause, are obliged to attend Mass and to abstain from unnecessary work that impedes worship on Sundays and on the following Holy Days of Obligation:
| Christmas | December 25 |
| *Mary, Mother of God | January 1 |
| Ascension of Our Lord | Observed on the Seventh Sunday of Easter in the Archdiocese of Washington |
| *Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary | August 15 |
| *All Saints | November 1 |
| Immaculate Conception | December 8 |
*When these three Holy Days fall on a Saturday or a Monday, the obligation to attend Mass and to abstain from unnecessary work is suspended.
