Liturgical Calendar

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2023 Diocesan Liturgical Calendar of Solemnities, Feasts, and Other Observances

                                                                   NOVEMBER 2022

Nov. 27

First Sunday of Advent

 

Nov. 30

St. Andrew

Feast

DECEMBER 2022

Dec. 8

Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Patroness of the United States

Solemnity; holy day of obligation

 

Dec. 12

Our Lady of Guadalupe

Co-Patron of the Diocese of Sacramento, along with St. Patrick. (Statute 123 §1(b)).

Dec. 25

Nativity of The Lord

Solemnity

Dec. 26

St. Stephen, The First Martyr

Feast

Dec. 27

St. John, Apostle and Evangelist

Feast

Dec. 28

The Holy Innocents

Feast

Dec. 30

Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph

Feast

JANUARY 2023

Jan. 1

Mary, the Holy Mother of God

Solemnity

Jan. 8

Epiphany of the Lord

Solemnity

Jan. 9

Baptism of the Lord

Feast

Jan. 17

Ecumenical Christian Unity Event

Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, Sacramento (afternoon and evening)

Jan. 18-25

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

Diocesan observance (Statute 123 §3(a))

Jan. 20

Respect Life Mass

12pm, Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament

Jan. 22

Sunday of the Word of God (Third Sunday of Ordinary Time)

 

Jan. 23

National Day of Penance

 

Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children

“In all dioceses of the United States of America, January 22 (or January 23, when the 22nd falls on Sunday) shall be observed as a particular day of penance for the violations to the dignity of the human person committed through acts of abortion, and of prayer for full restoration of the legal guarantee of the right to life. (2000 GIRM, USCCB Adaptation, #373).   The Mass “For Peace and Justice” (no. 21 from “Masses for Various Needs”) should be celebrated with violet vestments as an appropriate liturgical observance for this day. (Diocesan Statute 123 §3(b)).

Jan. 25

Conversion of St. Paul the Apostle

Feast

FEBRUARY 2023

Feb. 2

Presentation of The Lord

Feast

Feb. 4

World Day of the Sick Mass (11am at Our Lady of the Assumption Parish in Carmichael)

 

Feb. 5

World Day for Consecrated Life

 

Feb. 11

Our Lady of Lourdes

Optional memorial

World Day of the Sick

Feb. 11

World Marriage Day

9:30am at Good Shepherd Parish in Elk Grove

Feb. 22

Ash Wednesday

Lent begins

Feb 25, 26

Rites of Election

 

MARCH 2023

Mar. 8

Day of Reconciliation and Unity

A day of penance for negative attitudes and discrimination toward people of differing culture, ethnicity and race; and prayer for unity in our diversity, for equality, mutual respect and peace among all peoples. Observed on the 2nd Wed. in March.  (Statute 123 §3(c)).

Mar. 17

St. Patrick

Solemnity; Co-Patron of the Diocese of Sacramento, along with Our Lady of Guadalupe. (Statute 123 §1(b)).

Mar. 20

St. Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Solemnity

Mar. 25

The Annunciation

Solemnity

Mar. 30

Chrism Mass

6:00pm at Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament

APRIL 2023

Apr. 2

Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord

 

Apr. 6

Holy Thursday of the Lord’s Supper

 

Apr. 7

Friday of the Passion of the Lord (Good Friday)

 

Apr. 8

Holy Saturday

The Easter Vigil in the Holy Night may begin at or after 8:40 p.m.

Apr. 9

Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord

 

Apr. 25

St. Mark, Evangelist

Feast

MAY 2023

May 3

Sts. Philip and James

Feast

May 7

World Day of Prayer for Vocations

 

May 15, 16, and 17

Rogation Days

See Catholic Household Blessings and Prayers.

May 21

Ascension of the Lord

Solemnity

May 27

Adult Confirmation

 

May 28

Pentecost Sunday

 

May 31

Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Feast

JUNE 2023

June 4

Most Holy Trinity

Solemnity

June 11

Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ

Solemnity

Beginning of Parish Phase of Eucharistic Revival

June 16

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus

World Day of Prayer for the Sanctification of Priests

Solemnity

June 24

Nativity of St. John the Baptist

Solemnity

June 25

Anniversary of the Dedication of the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament (1889).

Solemnity

June 29

Sts. Peter and Paul, Apostles

Solemnity

JULY 2023

July 3

St. Thomas the Apostle

Feast

July 6

St. Maria Goretti

A day of penance for sins and crimes against children and youth, including the sexual abuse of minors by clergy and other members of the Church; and prayer for the needs of children. (Statute 123 § 3d).

Optional memorial

 

July 22

St. Mary Magdalene

Feast

July 25

St. James, Apostle

Feast

AUGUST 2023

Aug. 6

Transfiguration of The Lord

Feast

Aug. 10

St. Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr

Feast

Aug. 15

Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Solemnity, holy day of obligation

Aug. 24

St. Bartholomew

Feast

SEPTEMBER 2023

Sep. 1

World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation

 

Sep. 4

Labor Day

 

Sep. 8

Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Feast

Sep. 14

Exaltation of the Holy Cross

Feast

Sep. 20, 22, and 23

Ember Days

See Book of Blessings Blessing on the Occasion of Thanksgiving for the Harvest and also Catholic Household Blessings and Prayers.

Sep. 21

St. Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist

Feast

Sep. 24

World Day of Migrants & Refugees

 

Sep. 29

Sts. Michael, Gabriel & Raphael, Archangels

Feast

OCTOBER 2023

Oct. 18

St. Luke

Feast

Oct. 22

World Mission Sunday

 

Oct. 28

Sts. Simon and Jude

Feast

NOVEMBER 2023

Nov. 1

All Saints

Solemnity; holy day of obligation

Nov. 2

Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls’ Day)

 

Nov. 4

Adult Confirmation

 

Nov. 5-11

National Vocation Awareness Week

 

Nov. 9

Dedication of the Lateran Basilica

Feast

Nov. 19

World Day of the Poor

 

Nov. 23

Thanksgiving Day

Day of thanksgiving for the harvest and all our blessings (Statute 123 §2(d)).

Nov. 26

Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe

Solemnity

2024 Diocesan Liturgical Calendar of Solemnities, Feasts, and Other Observances

DECEMBER 2023

Dec. 3

First Sunday of Advent

 

Dec. 8

Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Patroness of the United States

Solemnity; holy day of obligation

 

Dec. 12

Our Lady of Guadalupe

Solemnity; Co-Patron of the Diocese of Sacramento, along with St. Patrick (Statute 123 §1(b)).

Dec. 25

Nativity of The Lord

Solemnity, holy day of obligation

Bishop Soto has clarified that evening liturgies on December 24, 2023 shall be Christmas Eve liturgies rather than Fourth Sunday of Advent liturgies. [Ordinarily, a priest may only celebrate three Masses on a Sunday, however, by indult, a priest may celebrate a maximum of three Masses on a weekday and four Masses on a Sunday, when pastorally necessary in extraordinary circumstances, such as this (Statute 92)].

Dec. 26

St. Stephen, The First Martyr

Feast

Dec. 27

St. John, Apostle and Evangelist

Feast

Dec. 28

The Holy Innocents

Feast

Dec. 31

Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph

Feast

JANUARY 2024

Jan. 1

Mary, the Holy Mother of God

Solemnity (not a holy day of obligation this year)

Jan. 7

Epiphany of the Lord

Solemnity

Jan. 8

Baptism of the Lord

Feast

Jan. 13

Respect Life Mass

8am, St. Lawrence Parish in Sacramento

Jan. 18-25

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

Diocesan observance (Statute 123 §3(a))

Jan. 21

Sunday of the Word of God (Third Sunday of Ordinary Time)

 

Jan. 22

Day of Penance

 

Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children

“In all the Dioceses of the United States of America, January 22 (or January 23, when January 22 falls on a Sunday) shall be observed as a particular day of prayer for the full restoration of the legal guarantee of the right to life and of penance for violations to the dignity of the human person committed through acts of abortion” (GIRM #373). “A day of penance for violations of the dignity of the human person and prayer for the full restoration of the right to life” (Diocesan Statute 123 §3(b)). From “Masses and Prayers for Various Needs and Occasions” the Mass “For the Forgiveness of Sins” (#38) or “For the Preservation of Peace and Justice” (#30) with violet vestments or the Mass “For Giving Thanks to God for the Gift of Human Life” (#48/1A or B) with white vestments should be celebrated.

Jan. 25

Conversion of St. Paul the Apostle

Feast

FEBRUARY 2024

Feb. 2

Presentation of The Lord

Feast

Feb. 4

World Day for Consecrated Life

 

Feb. 10

World Marriage Day

11am , Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish in Fairfield

Feb. 14

Ash Wednesday

Lent begins

Feb. 17

World Day of the Sick Mass

10am at Our Lady of the Assumption Parish in Carmichael

Feb 17, 18

Rites of Election

 

MARCH 2024

Mar. 13

Day of Reconciliation and Unity

A day of penance for negative attitudes and discrimination toward people of differing culture, ethnicity and race; and prayer for unity in our diversity, for equality, mutual respect and peace among all peoples. Observed on the 2nd Wed. in March  (Statute 123 §3(c)).

Mar. 18

St. Patrick

Solemnity; Co-Patron of the Diocese of Sacramento, along with Our Lady of Guadalupe (Statute 123 §1(b))

Mar. 19

St. Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Solemnity

Mar. 21

Chrism Mass

6:00pm at Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament

Mar. 24

Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord

Solemnity

Mar. 28

Holy Thursday of the Lord’s Supper

 

Mar. 29

Friday of the Passion of the Lord (Good Friday)

 

Mar. 30

Holy Saturday

The Easter Vigil in the Holy Night may begin at or after 8:30 p.m.

Mar. 31

Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord

 

APRIL 2024

Apr. 8

The Annunciation of the Lord

Solemnity

Apr. 21

World Day of Prayer for Vocations

 

Apr. 25

St. Mark, Evangelist

Feast

MAY 2024

May 3

Sts. Philip and James

Feast

May 6, 7, and 8

Rogation Days

See Catholic Household Blessings and Prayers.

We are invited to pray, give thanks to God and to "see nature as a magnificent book in which God speaks to us and grants us a glimpse of his infinite beauty and goodness.” (Laudato Si’ 12) "Through the greatness and the beauty of creatures one comes to know by analogy their maker" (Wis 13:5).

May 12

Ascension of the Lord

Solemnity

May 14

St. Matthias, Apostle

Feast

May 18

Adult Confirmation

Sacramento and Red Bluff

May 19

Pentecost Sunday

 

May 21-24

National Eucharistic Pilgrimage in Diocese of Sacramento

 

May 26

Most Holy Trinity

Solemnity

May 31

Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Feast

JUNE 2024

June 2

Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ

Solemnity

June 7

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus

World Day of Prayer for the Sanctification of Priests

Solemnity

June 24

Nativity of St. John the Baptist

Solemnity

June 29

Sts. Peter and Paul, Apostles

Solemnity

June 30

Anniversary of the Dedication of the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament (1889).

Solemnity

JULY 2024

July 3

St. Thomas the Apostle

Feast

July 6

St. Maria Goretti

Day of Penance

Optional memorial

A day of penance for sins and crimes against children and youth, including the sexual abuse of minors by clergy and other members of the Church; and prayer for the needs of children (Statute 123 § 3d).

July 22

St. Mary Magdalene

Feast

July 25

St. James, Apostle

Feast

AUGUST 2024

Aug. 6

Transfiguration of The Lord

Feast

Aug. 10

St. Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr

Feast

Aug. 15

Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Solemnity, holy day of obligation

Aug. 24

St. Bartholomew, Apostle

Feast

SEPTEMBER 2024

Sep. 1

World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation

 

Sep. 8

Blessing of Seeds

See Book of Blessings Order for the Blessing of Seeds at Planting Time. This is a suggested date for the rite.

Sep. 14

Exaltation of the Holy Cross

Feast

Sep. 18, 20, and 21

Ember Days

See Book of Blessings Blessing on the Occasion of Thanksgiving for the Harvest and also Catholic Household Blessings and Prayers.

During these days, we are asked to fast, remember our obligation to steward the earth, and regain harmony between humanity and creation. "…human life is grounded in three fundamental and closely intertwined relationships: with God, with our neighbor and with the earth itself" and these three relationships have been broken; this rupture is sin (Laudato Si’ 66).

Sep. 21

St. Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist

Feast

Sep. 29

World Day of Migrants & Refugees

 

OCTOBER 2024

Oct. 18

St. Luke, Evangelist

Feast

Oct. 20

World Mission Sunday

 

Oct. 28

Sts. Simon and Jude, Apostles

Feast

NOVEMBER 2024

Nov. 1

All Saints

Solemnity; holy day of obligation

Nov. 2

Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls’ Day)

 

Nov. 2

Adult Confirmation

Vacaville and Chico

Nov. 3-9

National Vocation Awareness Week

 

Nov. 9

Dedication of the Lateran Basilica

Feast

Nov. 17

World Day of the Poor

 

Nov. 24

Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe

Solemnity

Nov. 28

Thanksgiving Day

Day of thanksgiving for the harvest and all our blessings (Statute 123 §2(d)).

Nov. 30

St. Andrew, Apostle

Feast