2026 LITURGICAL NOTES FOR THE DIOCESE OF HONOLULU
Miscellaneous Notes
- As a reminder in our diocese the Holydays of Obligation are two: the Solemnity of
the Immaculate Conception (December 8, the Patroness of the USA); and Christmas
(December 25). The faithful are encouraged to attend Mass on the other holydays of
obligation celebrated in the United States of America (See Dates to Remember below.).
Pastors are therefore asked to provide practical opportunities for more people to attend
Mass on these days by celebrating a Vigil Mass (when permitted) or an extra Mass or two
at hours convenient for the faithful. - The 2027 liturgical year begins on the First Sunday of Advent, November 29, 2026
(including its Vigil on Saturday, November 28cal2027). - Anniversary of the Dedication of the Parish Church – This date should be celebrated
as a Solemnity by the parish, unless impeded by a day of higher rank. (The Order of the
Dedication of a Church and an Altar, Chapter II, para #27 and General Norms for the
Liturgical Year and the Calendar, para # [R10]). - Memorial of the Patron(s) of the Parish – This date should be celebrated as a
Solemnity by the parish, unless impeded by a day of higher rank. (Universal Norms on
the Liturgical Year and the General Roman Calendar (by Pope Paul VI in 1969) para #
59 (Table of Liturgical Days) I, #4a.) - The celebration of the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord in our diocese is transferred to Sunday, May 6, 2027.
- Outside Advent, Christmas Time, Lent, and Easter Time, on Saturdays which have no commemoration having the rank of Obligatory Memorial or higher, a Mass in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary may be celebrated. The readings and prayers may be selected from the Collection of Masses of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
- It is appropriate to include in the Universal Prayer (General Intercessions) the HolyFather’s intention for each month, found in the Paulist Press Ordo on the first day of each month.
Dates to Remember (2027)
- Friday, January 1 – Mary, the Holy Mother of God (Solemnity)
- Sunday, January 3 – The Epiphany of the Lord (Solemnity)
- Sunday, January 10 – The Baptism of the Lord (Feast)
- Saturday, January 23 – Memorial of Saint Marianne Cope, Virgin (Obligatory Memorial in the Diocese of Honolulu.)
- Wednesday, February 10 – Ash Wednesday (Ash Wednesday is a day of universal fast and abstinence in the Church.)
- Sunday, February 14 – First Sunday of Lent – Rite of Election for Catechumens to be initiated at the Easter Vigil.
NOTES:
- If the Scrutinies for the Elect are celebrated on the Third, Fourth, and Fifth Sundays of Lent, the readings for those Masses should be for those of Year A.
- Priests should be sure to schedule one or more occasions for the anointing of catechumens with the Oil of Catechumens.
- Chrism Masses are tentatively scheduled as follow:
- – Maui/Lanai Vicariate
- – East/West Hawai’i Vicariates
- – Kauai Vicariate
- – Oahu Vicariates
- The Sacred Paschal Triduum
- Thursday, March 25 – Thursday of the Lord’s Supper
- Friday, March 26 – Friday of the Passion of the Lord (Good Friday)
- Saturday, March 27 – The Easter Vigil in the Holy Night
- Sunday, March 28 – Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord (Solemnity, at Masses with a congregation, the rite of the renewal of baptismal promises, used at the Easter Vigil, may take the place of the Creed after the homily.)
- Sunday, April 4 – Second Sunday of Easter (Divine Mercy Sunday)
- Monday, April 5 – The Annunciation of the Lord (Solemnity)
- Sunday, May 9 – The Ascension of the Lord (Solemnity)
- Wednesday, May 10 – Memorial of Saint Damien de Veuster (Obligatory Memorial in the Diocese of Honolulu.)
- Sunday, May 16 – Pentecost Sunday (Solemnity)
- Monday, May 17 – The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church (Memorial)
- Sunday, May 23 – The Most Holy Trinity (Solemnity)
- Sunday, May 30 – The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, Corpus Christi (Solemnity)
- Friday, June 4 – The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus (Solemnity)
- Thursday, June 24 – The Nativity of Saint John the Baptist (Solemnity)
- Tuesday, June 29 – Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles (Solemnity)
- Friday, July 9 – Our Lady, Queen of Peace, Principal Patroness of the Diocese of Honolulu (Celebrated as a Solemnity in the Cathedral Basilica. In the rest of churches of the Diocese of Honolulu it is NOT observed.) (Universal Norms on the Liturgical Year and the General Roman Calendar, para # 59 (Table of Liturgical Days, section I & II.)
- Sunday, August 15 – The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Solemnity)
- Monday, August 16 – 180th Anniversary of the Dedication of the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace (Celebrated as a Solemnity in the Cathedral Basilica and with all the proper prayers in all other churches of the Diocese of Honolulu.) (Dedication of a Church and an Altar,” Chapter II, para # 26.)
- Monday, November 1 – All Saints (Solemnity)
- Tuesday, November 2 – The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed – All Soul’s Day (Not a holyday of obligation anywhere in the USA, but pastors are encouraged to add Masses for the convenience of the faithful. Note that there is a wide selection of possible Scripture readings, so the parish or community should choose beforehand the Scriptures it prefers.)
- Sunday, November 21 – Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe (Solemnity)
- Wednesday, December 8 – The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary – Celebrated (Solemnity, holyday of obligation in the Diocese of Honolulu. Additional Masses should be offered for the convenience of the faithful.)
- Saturday, December 25 – The Nativity of the Lord – Christmas (Solemnity, holyday of obligation in the Diocese of Honolulu and throughout the world; additional Masses should be offered for the convenience of the faithful. NOTE: Masses celebrated after 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 24 should be vigil Masses of Christmas, not Masses of the Fourth Sunday of Advent. The obligation to attend Mass applies to both the Fourth Sunday of Advent and to Christmas.)
Please feel free to contact the Office of Worship, 808-585-3342 or email at alguerrero@rcchawaii.org should you have any questions. Blessings!
See additional information regarding availability of plenary indulgences at the Cathedral
Basilica of Our Lady of Peace in light of its status as a minor basilica