Solemnity of All Saints, Saturday, November 1, 2025

No Obligation this year

It is a Holy Day. Usually it is also a day of obligation, however, this year the obligation to participate in Mass is abrogated (removed). I know this puzzles some parishioners. I hear people ask, “How can it be a holy day one year but not another?”

The first point to clarify is that these days are ALWAYS holy days. That does not change. What we are really talking about is the obligation to participate in Mass. The directive is simple. When a holyday of obligation falls on a Monday or a Saturday the obligation is lifted. The two exceptions to this policy are Christmas and the Immaculate Conception of Mary.

The “Monday and Saturday” policy was instituted by our bishops. It was not to take away from the holy days but was a tacit acknowledgment of the shortage of priests. It was also recognition for liturgical ministers (musicians, ushers, sacristans, etc.) and the challenge that back to back feasts can pose to them. So that holy days did not become a burden but remained a joy for us to celebrate, the “Monday and Saturday exemption” was adopted. If you can remember “Monday and Saturday” it is fairly easy to know when you are obligated to be at Mass for a holy day and when you are not.

All Souls’ Day (The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed), Sunday, November 2, 2025

This year All Souls’ Day falls on a Sunday, which means we celebrate the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed at all of our Sunday Masses this year. Our Mass Schedule is as follows:

Saturday | 4 PM Mass

Sunday | 9 AM & 11 AM Mass

All Souls’ Day Evening Prayer

We will also have our annual All Souls’ Day Evening Prayer at 7 PM on November 2nd. Join us in quiet prayer as we remember our faithful departed. In particular we recall those buried from St. Blase in the past year. This is a beautiful prayer service where we sing and give thanks as we remember with love and gratitude those who have gone before us, knowing they remain a part of us as we remain part of them. If you have never experienced this wonderful service, please consider joining us this year. It is truly a beautiful experience.

All Souls’ Day Evening Prayer | 7:00 PM at St. Blase