BELMONT — Father Brad Jones, parochial vicar at St. Ann Parish, led prayers for the poor souls in purgatory at Belmont Abbey Cemetery Nov. 5.
The event was organized by St. Ann Home School Ministry to enable the faithful to obtain plenary indulgences for the poor souls in purgatory, which the Church offers each day to those who visit a cemetery and pray for the deceased from Nov. 1-8.
Afterwards the ministry offered treats and “soul cakes” to attendees.
— Mike FitzGerald, correspondent
CHARLOTTE — As the New Year approaches, Catholics are encouraged to look ahead to the holy days of obligation and solemnities in 2024.
While some feast days and holidays don’t change their dates year to year, the Church’s liturgical calendar often rotates depending on the dates of other events. So, to help the faithful keep track, here is a list of holy days of obligation, solemnities and special feast days next year.
Holy days of obligation are days on which the faithful are obliged to go to Mass, unless excused for a serious reason such as illness or disability, the care of infants or care for others who are ill, or prevented through no fault of their own (see Catechism of the Catholic Church 2180-2181). Every Sunday is always a holy day of obligation. Additional holy days are listed below.
2024 HOLY DAYS OF OBLIGATION
- Sunday, Jan. 7 – Epiphany of the Lord
- Sunday, March 24 – Palm Sunday
- Sunday, March 31 – Easter Sunday
- Sunday, April 7 – Divine Mercy Sunday
- Sunday, May 12 – The Ascension of Jesus (This celebration is transferred from Thursday, May 9, in the Diocese of Charlotte.)
- Sunday, May 19 – Pentecost Sunday
- Sunday, May 26 – Trinity Sunday
- Sunday, June 2 – Corpus Christi
- Thursday, Aug. 15 – The Assumption of Mary
- Friday, Nov. 1 – All Saints Day
- Sunday, Nov. 24 – Solemnity of Christ the King
- Monday, Dec. 9 – Feast of the Immaculate Conception (This feast is usually a holy day of obligation celebrated on Dec. 8, but since in 2024 that day is also the Second Sunday of Advent, this feast is transferred.)
- Wednesday, Dec. 25 – Nativity of the Lord (Christmas)
For solemnities and other feast days, such as the ones listed below, Mass attendance is encouraged but not required.
SOLEMNITIES AND OTHER SPECIAL CELEBRATIONS
- Monday, Jan. 1 – Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God (This is usually a holy day of obligation, but in 2024 it is not because it falls on a Monday.)
- Monday, Jan. 8 – Baptism of the Lord
- Friday, Feb. 2 – Presentation of the Lord
- Wednesday, Feb. 14 – Ash Wednesday
- Tuesday, March 19 – Solemnity of St. Joseph
- Thursday, March 28 – Holy Thursday
- Friday, March 29 – Good Friday
- Saturday, March 30 – Holy Saturday
- Monday, April 8 – The Annunciation of the Lord (This feast is usually celebrated on March 25, but since in 2024 it is the Monday of Holy Week, it is transferred.)
- Friday, June 7 – The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus
- Saturday, June 8 – The Immaculate Heart of Mary
- Monday, June 24 – The Nativity of St. John the Baptist
- Tuesday, Aug. 6 – The Transfiguration of the Lord
- Saturday, Nov. 2 – All Souls’ Day
— Catholic News Herald. RelevantRadio contributed.