Expert: Sal - 12/29/2008

Question
For anyone who sees this.  sort of an argument to settle.
According to someone who has a catholic calendar given out by their local catholic church..it lists Holy Days of Obligation during the year.  Yet on New Year's Day falling on a Thurs.  It does not say holy day of obligation It's like Thanksgiving day, it's up to the person if he/she wants to attend mass.  I thought Jan. 1st is a holy day.
Of course we automatically always went on the 1st. At that time it was the Circumsion, just because it was part of the xmas season.  So I never gave it a thought if I was obligated, we just did it.  So not sure thank you.


Answer
Dear Jan:

New Year's Day is a Holy Day of Obligation. It is Mary, Mother of God not the Circumcision. If it fell on on a Saturday or a Monday it would not be a Holy Day of Obligation in the United States. The same is true of the Feast of the Assumption (August 15) & All Saints Day (November 1).

New Year's Day used to be the Circumcision of the Lord until the reforms of Vatican II. Then it was returned to Mary, Mother of God which it had been until sometime in the 8th century.

Best Wishes,
Sal