Diocese of Little Rock

Holy Days of Obligation

Updated March 19, 2026

What is a holy day of obligation?

“Sundays and other holy days of obligation are days on which the faithful are obliged to participate in Mass, and are to abstain from works and affairs that hinder giving worship to God, the joy proper to the Lord’s day, or suitable relaxation of mind and body." (Code of Canon Law, no. 1247)

In addition to Sundays, the following feasts are to be observed as holy days of obligation in the Diocese of Little Rock:

• Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God — January 1
• Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary —  August 15
• Solemnity of All Saints —  November 1
• Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception —  December 8
• Solemnity of the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ —  December 25

Are there any exceptions?

Whenever January 1, the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, or August 15, the Solemnity of the Assumption, or November 1, the Solemnity of All Saints, falls on a Saturday or on a Monday, the precept to attend Mass is abrogated.

What about the Ascension?

In the Diocese of Little Rock, the Solemnity of the Ascension, which is typically on the Thursday of the Sixth Week of Easter, is transferred to the following Sunday. In the United States, each ecclesiastical province determines whether to transfer Ascension to the following Sunday, and it has been transferred within our Province of Oklahoma City.

Any additional feasts special to our diocese?

The feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe and the Memorial of Blessed Stanley Rother hold particular significance in the Diocese of Little Rock. Although those days are not days of obligation, they are celebrated with distinct devotion.