Aug. 15 is the feast of the Assumption, which commemorates
the death of Mary and her bodily assumption into heaven.
Because the feast falls on a Monday this year, the holy day
obligation is abrogated, or temporarily waived, for U.S.
Catholics of the Latin rite.
The holy day obligation requires the faithful to participate
in the Mass and abstain from works that “hinder the worship
to be rendered to God
or the suitable relaxation of
mind and body,” according to the Code of Canon Law.
Pope Pius XII defined the Assumption of Mary to be a dogma of
faith Nov. 1, 1950.
