holy day of obligation: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Religious/Formal
Quick answer
What does “holy day of obligation” mean?
A feast day in the Roman Catholic Church on which the faithful are required to attend Mass and abstain from unnecessary work.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A feast day in the Roman Catholic Church on which the faithful are required to attend Mass and abstain from unnecessary work.
Any important, compulsory religious observance; sometimes used metaphorically to describe an event considered absolutely mandatory.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical difference. Spelling follows local conventions (e.g., 'feast day' vs. 'feast day'). The concept is identical in both regions, though the specific dates designated as holy days of obligation can differ slightly between national bishops' conferences.
Connotations
Same formal, canonical connotation in both varieties.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in regions with larger Catholic populations (e.g., parts of the US like the Northeast or Midwest, and areas of the UK like Liverpool).
Grammar
How to Use “holy day of obligation” in a Sentence
[The/This] [feast/day] is a holy day of obligation.Catholics are required to observe [specific feast] as a holy day of obligation.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “holy day of obligation” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The holy-day-of-obligation requirements are published annually.
- Is it a holy-day-of-obligation Mass?
American English
- The holy day of obligation schedule is online.
- She checked the holy-day-of-obligation list.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Potentially used metaphorically: 'The board meeting is a holy day of obligation for all VPs.'
Academic
Used in religious studies, theology, and history contexts.
Everyday
Used primarily by practising Catholics in religious contexts.
Technical
Precise term in Catholic canon law and liturgical calendars.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “holy day of obligation”
- Using 'holiday of obligation' (incorrect; 'holy day' is two words).
- Confusing it with any religious festival.
- Using it for non-Catholic contexts.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, every Sunday is considered the primordial holy day of obligation.
In many regions, the obligation to attend Mass is often dispensed or transferred, but this depends on local bishops' conferences.
Yes, for a serious reason such as illness, caring for the sick, or unavoidable work duties.
No. While some are universal (e.g., Christmas), others are established by national bishops' conferences, leading to variation between countries.
A feast day in the Roman Catholic Church on which the faithful are required to attend Mass and abstain from unnecessary work.
Holy day of obligation is usually religious/formal in register.
Holy day of obligation: in British English it is pronounced /ˌhəʊli ˌdeɪ əv ˌɒblɪˈɡeɪʃən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌhoʊli ˌdeɪ əv ˌɑːblɪˈɡeɪʃən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “It's not a holy day of obligation.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think HOLY = sacred, DAY = calendar date, OBLIGATION = must-do. A sacred day you 'must-do' (attend Mass).
Conceptual Metaphor
RELIGIOUS DUTY IS A LEGAL CONTRACT.
Practice
Quiz
What does 'holy day of obligation' specifically require of the faithful?