What are Solemnities?
Solemnities are those celebrations in the Catholic Liturgical calendar that are of greatest importance. It is in a solemnity that we celebrate a mystery of our faith, an event in the life of Jesus and his mother Mary or another important saint.
On the eve of the Solemnities, we usually have first vespers (evening prayer). Some of the solemnities have their own Vigil Masses. The Gloria and the Creed are recited on these days. Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation are always considered solemnities.
What are Feasts?
Feasts are accorded less importance compared to the solemnities in our liturgical calendar. These feasts are accorded a particular day to be celebrated.
On the eve of these feasts, we do not have a vigil mass or the first vespers.
An exception to this rule would be the feasts of the Lord which occur on Sundays in the Christmas season or Sundays in Ordinary Time. On these days, the Gloria is recited but not the Creed. For example, the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord has its own first vespers on February 2 each year.
The Catholic Readings for Feasts and Solemnities in the Liturgical Calendar
January 1: Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God
The Epiphany of the Lord – Solemnity
The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord Year A, Year B, Year C,
Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul, Apostle
Memorial of Saints Timothy and Titus, Bishops
February 2: The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord
February 22: Feast of the Chair of Saint Peter, Apostle
March 19: St Joseph’s Day, Solemnity of Saint Joseph, Husband of the Blessed Virgin
March 25: Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord
Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion
Holy Thursday (Maunday Thursday) – Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper
Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion
Easter Vigil – Readings on Holy Saturday
Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord
April 25: Feast of St Mark the Evangelist
May 3: Feast of Saints Philip and James, Apostles
May 14: Feast of Saint Matthias, Apostle
May 31: Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Solemnity of the Ascencion of the Lord
Solemnity of Pentecost Sunday – Mass during the Day, Vigil Mass, Extended Vigil
June 1: The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church
Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity
Memorial of St Barnabas, Apostle
Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ Year A (Corpus Christi)
Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ Year B (Corpus Christi)
Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ Year C (Corpus Christi)
June 19: Solemnity of Most Sacred Heart of Jesus
June 24: Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist – Mass during the Day, and Vigil Mass
June 29: Solemnity Of Saints Peter And Paul, Apostles – Mass During The Day and Vigil Mass
July 3: Feast of St. Thomas, Apostle
July 22: Feast of Saint Mary Magdalene
July 25: Feast of Saint James, Apostle
July 29: Memorial of Saint Martha
August 6: Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord
August 10: Feast of Saint Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr
August 15: Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary – Mass During the Day and Vigil Mass
August 24: Feast of Saint Bartholomew, Apostle
September 14: Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
September 15: Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows
September 21: Feast of Saint Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist
September 29: Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, archangels
October 2: Memorial of the Holy Guardian Angels
October 18: Feast of Saint Luke, Evangelist
October 28: Feast of Saints Simon and Jude, Apostles
November 1: All Saints Day (Solemnity of All Saints)
November 2: The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls’ Day)
November 9: Feast of the Dedication of The Lateran Basilica in Rome
The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe – Year A, Year B, Year C
November 30: Feast of St. Andrew, Apostle
December 8: Solemnity of The Immaculate Conception of The Blessed Virgin Mary
December 12: Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
December 24: Christmas Vigil Mass
December 24: Christmas Eve Mass During the Night
December 25: Christmas Mass at Dawn
December 25: Christmas Mass During the Day
December 26: Feast of Saint Stephen, first martyr
December 27: Feast of Saint John, Apostle and Evangelist
December 28: Feast of the Holy Innocents, martyrs
The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph – Year A, Year B, Year C
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