Tomorrow IS A Holy Day Of Obligation

If you’re a Latin rite Catholic in the United States, that is.

It’s the solemnity of All Saints, so be sure to either go to evening Mass today or make plans to go to Mass tomorrow.

HERE’S THE LAW ON THE SUBJECT.

Author: Jimmy Akin

Jimmy was born in Texas, grew up nominally Protestant, but at age 20 experienced a profound conversion to Christ. Planning on becoming a Protestant seminary professor, he started an intensive study of the Bible. But the more he immersed himself in Scripture the more he found to support the Catholic faith, and in 1992 he entered the Catholic Church. His conversion story, "A Triumph and a Tragedy," is published in Surprised by Truth. Besides being an author, Jimmy is the Senior Apologist at Catholic Answers, a contributing editor to Catholic Answers Magazine, and a weekly guest on "Catholic Answers Live."

17 thoughts on “Tomorrow IS A Holy Day Of Obligation”

  1. I turn Greek on All Saints Day then make a quick conversion. “Cycling” is good for the soul.

  2. Is this one of those days that is transferred to another day because the Bishops think we’re too lazy to go to Church?

  3. No, it’s been November 1 for a long time. Witness the old name is still kinda in use, for All Hallows Eve.

  4. Eeep! I forgot the evening mass would be the night BEFORE All Saint’s and now it’s too late to go! I planned to go tomorrow night. This would be more helpful if someone in my area would have mass at some time other than 8 or 11am!
    Drats!

  5. You can still go on the evening of November 1. That *WILL* count (no matter what readings they use). According to the Code of Canon Law, you can fulfill the obligation by going to ANY Mass on the day (midnight to midnight) OR on the evening of the previous day.

  6. um, I have a question. I’m away from my home and am in a training program getting a new guide dog. The school doesn’t provide for me to attend Mass tomorrow. No voltuneeres will be around to take me and I have know idea when the Masses are around here. What should I do? Am I doing something wrong by not going? Can I say prayers or something instead? I love Mass and am really sad I’m not going Please help,
    God Bless

  7. In your circumstance you DO NOT have an obligation to go to Mass.
    It is recommended, if you can, that you spend an equivalent amount of time in prayer, Bible reading, etc., but this is a recommendation and not a requirement.

  8. Laura, I’ll pray for your success at that program; when you have a new guide dog, it will be your choice when to go to Mass. That will be sweet, I know!
    Time for me and my new motorized chair to boogie to Mass.

  9. I’m an RCIA candidate (not yet “officially” Catholic). Is this a Holy Day of Obligation for RCIA candidates, too?

  10. you can fulfill the obligation by going to ANY Mass on the day (midnight to midnight) OR on the evening of the previous day
    It’s true. This is why, in the words of one of my canon lawyer friends, “Sunday is the longest liturgical day of the week.”
    My favorite Sunday Mass is one that starts at 11:15pm on Sunday. Mass for night owls 🙂

  11. All Latin rite Catholic must go to Mass today. This applies to Latin Rite Catholics who attend Eastern Rite Churches.

  13. It is not possible to be bi-ritual.
    You must belong to a rite.
    It is allowed that Roman Rite Catholics can attend other rites, but when it comes to marriage, or confirmations those are done in your own rite.
    It is Ok to go to confession to a priest of ANY rite at any time.
    Roman CATHOLICS SHOULD AVOID THE ORTHODOX CHURCHES AND OF COURSE, NEVER ACTIVELY PARTICIAPTE IN ANY NON CATHOLIC SERVICE.
    This includes interfaith services, of any kind.
    Interfaith services are ipso facto grave scandal and come close a public denial of the faith as they set the One True Faith on par with false religions or faith traditions.
    Even if the bishop asks you to attend, you should refuse.

  14. RCIA candidate:
    For what it’s worth (since nobody better than an “anonymous” answered your question), it is my understanding that Catholic holy days only obligate Catholics. So I don’t think you have to go if you’re not Catholic yet.
    But it’s nice to practice. 🙂

  15. Is it possible to be bi-ritual, or to have no rite?
    It is not possible to be bi-ritual.
    You must belong to a rite.
    The problem here is the terms being used.
    A Catholic is either a member of the Latin Catholic Church or of an Eastern Catholic Church. The Catholic Church is composed of both (22+ Churches total). It is not possible for one person to belong to more than one Church.
    The Latin Catholic Church celebrates according to the Roman Rite. Some Eastern Catholic Churches celebrate according to the Byzantine Rite. A person is not a member of a Rite but of a Church. He may attend the liturgies of other Churches, but he must obey the laws of his own Church.
    Some priests are allowed to celebrate more than one Rite. These priests are sometimes called “bi-ritual” not because they belong to more than one Church, but because they are allowed to celebrate more than one Rite.
    The rest of NeoConSpy’s comments, i.e. about attending non-Catholic worship services, are bunk. Neither the Latin Code of Canon Law nor the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches prohibits Catholics from attending non-Catholic worship or prayers. See also the Directory on Ecumenism, esp. 116ff.

  16. The constant teaching of the Catholic church is that Catholic may NEVER actively particiapte in non Catholic services. That means a Catholic should not attend a lutheran service and sing or partake in their ceremonies.
    In some cases it is allowed to visit a non Catholic ( protestant) service, but only in selected cases. A Catholic attending a marriage service of a Catholic relative being married in a protestant assembly to a protestant creates scandal as it gives the appearance of such a non sacramental union being acceptable to or in the eyes of Catholics.
    All religions outside of the One True Faith are ispo facto, false religions. Such followers do not recognize Jesus or the One Holy Catholic Church thus there is no reason to recognize them, according to all the recognized Popes of the last 2000 years who followed the laws of the Church.

  17. Sorry, NeoCon, your claims do not conform to the teaching and laws of the Catholic Church. This is why you are not taken seriously.

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