Holy Days of Obligation "Sunday, on which by apostolic tradition the paschal mystery is celebrated, must be observed in the universal Church as the primordial holy day of obligation." Code of Canon Law #1246 In 2008, November 1, All Saints Day, is not a holy day of obligation because it falls on a Saturday. After Sunday, the following days are holy days of obligation: January 1 - The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God. August 15 - The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary December 8 - The Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary December 25 - Christmas The Ascension of the Lord is permanently transferred to the Seventh Sunday of Easter. "The General Instruction of the Roman Missal defines Ritual Masses as Masses which 'are connected to the celebration of certain Sacraments or Sacramentals. They are prohibited on Sundays of Advent, Lent, and Easter, and on solemnities, on the days within the Octave of Easter, on the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls Day), on Ash Wednesday, and during Holy Week.' What serious pastoral reasons would lead you to celebrate a Ritual Mass (e.g. Marriage) on a day when Ritual Masses are not allowed (General Instruction of the Roman Missal #372)? The rule of thumb is that one uses the prayers and readings from the Mass of the day (see Ceremonial of Bishops #603). In addition, for Marriage: On such days, the nuptial blessing is included and, as circumstances suggest, the proper solemn blessing. If the Masses in which the sacrament is celebrated is a regular parish Mass, the Mass of the day is celebrated, even on Sundays of the Christmas season and of Ordinary Time. When the ritual Mass is not celebrated, one of the readings may be chosen from those provided for this ritual Mass in the Lectionary for Mass, except on those days listed in numbers 1 through 4 on the Table of Liturgical Days; numbers 1 through 4 includes solemnities of the Blessed Virgin Mary." Rev. Peter Rocca, C.S.C., General Editor Paulist Press Ordo (appeared in the January 2005 of the Office of Worship Liturgy Newsletter).