CHAPTER I :
FEAST DAYS
Can.
1246 §1 The Lord's Day, on which the paschal mystery is celebrated, is by
apostolic tradition to be observed in the universal Church as the primary
holyday of obligation. In the same way the following holydays are to be
observed: the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Epiphany, the Ascension of
Christ, the feast of the Body and Blood of Christ, the feast of Mary the Mother
of God, her Immaculate Conception, her Assumption, the feast of St Joseph, the
feast of the Apostles SS Peter and Paul, and the feast of All Saints.
§2 However,
the Episcopal Conference may, with the prior approval of the Apostolic See,
suppress certain holydays of obligation or transfer them to a Sunday.
Can.
1247 On Sundays and other holydays of obligation, the faithful are obliged to
assist at Mass. They are also to abstain from such work or business that would
inhibit the worship to be given to God, the joy proper to the Lord's Day, or
the due relaxation of mind and body.
Can.
1248 §1 The obligation of assisting at Mass is satisfied wherever Mass is
celebrated in a catholic rite either on a holyday itself or on the evening of
the previous day.
§2 If it is
impossible to assist at a eucharistic celebration, either because no sacred
minister is available or for some other grave reason, the faithful are strongly
recommended to take part in a liturgy of the Word, if there be such in the
parish church or some other sacred place, which is celebrated in accordance
with the provisions laid down by the diocesan Bishop; or to spend an
appropriate time in prayer, whether personally or as a family or, as occasion
presents, in a group of families.
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