Major Religious Holidays and Celebrations
July 2011 – August 2012

Those holidays indicated in bold with an asterisk (*) require abstinence from all secular activity; i.e., homework, exams, field trips, class meetings, etc.  While the other religious holidays may not necessarily require abstinence from all secular activity, some of them may involve fasting, a dietary change, or special celebrations that may occur during the day or the evening.

Holidays indicated with a double asterisk (**) are Holy Days of Obligation for Catholics.  In addition, all Sundays are Holy Days of Obligation.  When the solemn feasts of Mary, the Mother of God (January 1), the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin (August 15), and All Saints (November 1) fall on a Saturday or Monday, the obligation to attend Mass is abolished.  Although the obligation to attend Holy Mass is abolished, parishes continue to observe these holy days by scheduling one or more masses at a convenient time so that those who wish to participate are able to do so.

Please Note:

1. In the Jewish tradition, all work-related activities stop from sundown on Friday to sundown on Saturday to observe Shabbat (Sabbath).
2. Islamic dates are approximate.  The official days can be plus/minus one day and depend upon the official physical sighting of the new moon.
3. According to the Eastern Orthodox Church calendar, the day begins after evening vespers at sunset and concludes with cespers on the following day. For this reason, the observance of all Eastern Orthodox holy days begins at sunset on the evening before the holy day.

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