Why is Assumption of Mary no longer a holy day of obligation?

The Assumption of Mary is, in fact, still considered a Holy Day of Obligation in the Catholic Church. The premise that it is "no longer" a holy day of obligation is a common misunderstanding, likely stemming from specific exceptions to the obligation that apply when certain feast days fall on particular days of the week.

What is a Holy Day of Obligation?

A Holy Day of Obligation is a day on which Catholics are obligated to attend Mass, just as they are on Sundays. These days commemorate significant events in the life of Jesus Christ, Mary, or important saints, and are meant to be observed with the same solemnity as the Lord's Day.

The Assumption of Mary: Still Obligatory

The Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, celebrated annually on August 15th, remains one of the principal Holy Days of Obligation for Catholics. On this day, the Church celebrates Mary's bodily assumption into heaven at the end of her earthly life, a dogma formally defined by Pope Pius XII in 1950.

Exceptions When the Obligation is Lifted

While the Assumption is always a significant feast, the obligation to attend Mass for this particular day is often lifted in certain regions (such as in the United States, depending on the Bishops' Conference) when it falls on a Saturday or a Monday. This exception is designed to prevent an undue burden on the faithful by having two consecutive days of obligation when the feast day is immediately adjacent to a Sunday.

Specifically:

• If the Assumption falls on a Saturday: The obligation to attend Mass for the Assumption itself is typically lifted, and the faithful fulfill their Sunday obligation by attending Mass on Saturday evening or Sunday. The solemnity is then commemorated within the Sunday liturgy.
• If the Assumption falls on a Monday: Similar to a Saturday occurrence, the obligation is often lifted. This allows the faithful to attend Mass on Sunday to fulfill their weekly obligation without immediately having another obligation the following day.

This practice ensures that the importance of the feast is still acknowledged, often by celebrating it on the nearest Sunday, while providing pastoral flexibility for the faithful. It is important to note that while the obligation may be lifted, the feast itself is still celebrated and remains a significant day in the liturgical calendar.

Summary of Obligation Status

The following table clarifies the typical obligation for the Assumption of Mary:

This nuance in the Church's liturgical calendar explains why some might mistakenly believe the Assumption is "no longer" a Holy Day of Obligation, when in reality, it continues to be, with pastoral exceptions applied based on the calendar.