Q: I have a few questions regarding some upcoming events in the liturgical calendar.

1. and 2. Since November 1 falls on a Saturday, All Saints is not a Holy Day of Obligation, this year, correct? Moreover, for the evening Masses on Saturday, November 1 (at 4 p.m. or later), should the readings and prayers be taken from the Solemnity of All Saints or the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls)?

3. and 4. December 8 falls on a Monday, this year. Is it correct that the Immaculate Conception remains a Holy Day of Obligation, even if December 8 naturally falls on a Saturday or on a Monday? Also, for the evening Masses on Sunday, December 7, are the readings and prayers taken from the Second Sunday of Advent, or are they replaced by those for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception?

5. and 6. In 2026, August 15 falls on a Saturday. Since August 15 lands on a Saturday, next year, the Assumption loses its obligatory status. Is that correct (or does it retain the obligation)? Would the Masses on the evening of Saturday, August 15, be those of the 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time, or would they still be for the Assumption?

7. In addition, in 2026, November 1 falls on a Sunday. That weekend, would the faithful be obligated to attend two separate Masses (i.e., one Mass to fulfill the Sunday obligation (the 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time), as well as another Mass to fulfill the obligation for the Holy Day (All Saints)), OR would it be sufficient to attend just one Mass? I suppose what throws me off, in this instance, is that the Holy Day, itself, falls on a Sunday. I have an inkling that All Saints will be celebrated in place of the 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time, but I could be wrong.

Apologies for the loaded question. I would appreciate any clarification you can provide. Thank you for your time and assistance, and I look forward to your response.

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A: I’ve answered questions like these in my book Sacred Times.

Here’s how I responded to your first questions on my blog: https://paulturner.org/all-saints-day-and-all-souls-day/

You can find the rules for holydays of obligation in the United States here: https://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/what-we-believe/canon-law/complementary-norms/canon-1246

Evening Masses on December 7 will be those for the Second Sunday of Advent.

Saturday, August 15, will not be a holyday in 2026, and because Sunday is a day of precept the Saturday night Masses must be those of Sunday.

When November 1 falls on a Sunday, it replaces the liturgy of Ordinary Time, and the faithful have but the obligation to participate at Mass but once.