CV NEWS FEED // The Archdiocese of Los Angeles’ Office for Divine Worship has issued guidelines clarifying the Mass obligations around All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day to reduce confusion due to their proximity to Sunday.
Breakdown of Observances:
- Friday, November 1 – Solemnity of All Saints
- Holy Day of Obligation: Catholics are required to attend Mass.
- Mass Options: October 31, after 4 p.m. (vigil Mass); on November 1 at any Mass
- Saturday, November 2 – All Souls’ Day
- Not a Holy Day of Obligation: Attendance is encouraged but is not obligatory
- Mass Options: on November 2 before 4 p.m. at any Mass
- Sunday, November 3 – 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time
- Holy Day of Obligation: All Sundays require Mass attendance.
- Mass Options: November 2 after 4 p.m. (vigil Mass); on November 3 at any Mass
The guidelines also emphasize that when multiple liturgical events overlap, the celebration of a holy day of obligation always takes priority. Attending a vigil Mass on the evening of November 1, therefore, fulfills the obligation for All Saints’ Day and is not a Mass for All Souls’ Day. Similarly, a Saturday evening Mass on November 2 fulfills the Sunday obligation and is not a Mass for All Souls’ Day.
The general rule is that the liturgical day runs from midnight to midnight. However, Pope Paul VI (1969) extended solemnities and Sunday observances to begin the evening before, following the precedent set by Pope Pius XII (1953), who decreed that vigil and anticipatory Masses should not begin before 4 p.m.
These guidelines are intended to help Catholics correctly observe the holy days and ensure they meet their obligations for attendance at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.