2026 Diocesan Liturgical Calendar of Solemnities, Feasts, and Other Observances
DECEMBER 2025 | ||
Nov. 30 | First Sunday of Advent |
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Dec. 7 | Second Sunday of Advent | On December 7, 2025 the evening Mass and Evening Prayer of the Liturgy of the Hours are observed as the Second Sunday of Advent rather than anticipating the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. |
Dec. 8 | Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary Patroness of the United States | Solemnity; holy day of obligation
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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 |
Dec. 26 | St. Stephen, The First Martyr | Feast |
Dec. 27 | St. John, Apostle and Evangelist | Feast |
Dec. 28 | Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph | Feast |
JANUARY 2026 | ||
Jan. 1 | Mary, the Holy Mother of God | Solemnity (holy day of obligation) |
Jan. 4 | Epiphany of the Lord | Solemnity |
Jan. 11 | Baptism of the Lord | Feast |
Jan. 18-25 | Week of Prayer for Christian Unity | Diocesan observance (Statute 123 §3(a)) |
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. 22 | Respect Life Mass | 12:10pm, Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament |
Jan. 26 | Third Sunday of Ordinary Time | Sunday of the Word of God |
FEBRUARY 2026 | ||
Feb. 2 | Presentation of The Lord | Feast |
Feb. 7 | World Day of the Sick Mass | 10am at Our Lady of the Assumption Parish in Carmichael |
Feb. 8 |
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Feb. 8 | World Day for Consecrated Life |
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Feb. 18 | Ash Wednesday | Lent begins |
Feb. 21, 22 | Rites of Election |
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Feb. 28 | World Marriage Day | 11:00am at St. Robert Parish in Sacramento |
MARCH 2026 | ||
Mar. 11 | 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. 19 | St. Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary | Solemnity |
Mar. 25 | The Annunciation of the Lord | Solemnity |
Mar. 26 | Chrism Mass | 6:00pm at Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament |
Mar. 29 | Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord | Solemnity |
APRIL 2026 | ||
Apr. 2 | Holy Thursday of the Lord’s Supper |
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Apr. 3 | Friday of the Passion of the Lord (Good Friday) |
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Apr. 4 | Holy Saturday | The Easter Vigil in the Holy Night may begin at or after 8:30 p.m. |
Apr. 5 | Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord | Solemnity |
Apr. 25 | St. Mark, Evangelist | Feast |
MAY 2026 | ||
May 14 | St. Matthias, Apostle | Feast |
May 14, 15, and 16 | 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 17 | Ascension of the Lord | Solemnity |
May 23 | Sacramento and Redding | |
May 24 | Pentecost Sunday | Solemnity |
May 31 | The Most Holy Trinity | Solemnity |
JUNE 2026 | ||
June 7 | Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ | Solemnity |
June 12 | 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 28 | Anniversary of the Dedication of the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament (1889). | Solemnity On June 28, 2026 the evening Mass and Evening Prayer II of the Liturgy of the Hours are observed as the Solemnity of the Anniversary of the Dedication of the Cathedral rather than anticipating the Solemnity of the Sts. Peter and Paul, Apostles. |
June 29 | Sts. Peter and Paul, Apostles | Solemnity |
JULY 2026 | ||
July 3 | St. Thomas the Apostle | Feast |
July 6 | Day of Penance | 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 2026 | ||
Aug. 6 | Transfiguration of The Lord | Feast |
Aug. 10 | St. Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr | Feast |
Aug. 15 | Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary | Solemnity (not a holy day of obligation this year) On August 15, 2026 the evening Mass and Evening Prayer of the Liturgy of the Hours are observed as the Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time rather than the Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. |
Aug. 24 | St. Bartholomew, Apostle | Feast |
SEPTEMBER 2026 | ||
Sep. 1 | World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation |
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Sep. 8 | The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary | Feast |
Sep. 14 | Exaltation of the Holy Cross | Feast |
Sep. 16, 18, and 19 | 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. 27 | World Day of Migrants & Refugees |
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Sep. 29 | Sts. Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, Archangels | Feast |
OCTOBER 2026 | ||
Oct. 18 | World Mission Sunday |
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Oct. 28 | Sts. Simon and Jude, Apostles | Feast |
NOVEMBER 2026 | ||
Nov. 1 | All Saints | Solemnity |
Nov. 7 | Vacaville and Chico | |
Nov. 1-7 | National Vocation Awareness Week |
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Nov. 2 | Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls’ Day) |
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Nov. 9 | Dedication of the Lateran Basilica | Feast |
Nov. 15 | World Day of the Poor |
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Nov. 22 | Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe | Solemnity |
Nov. 26 | Thanksgiving Day | Day of thanksgiving for the harvest and all our blessings (Statute 123 §2(d)). |
Updated November 7, 2025