holy day of obligation

noun

a day on which Roman Catholics are duty-bound to attend Mass and abstain from certain kinds of work.

a day on which Episcopalians are expected to take communion.

Origin of holy day of obligation

First recorded in 1930–35

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British Dictionary definitions for holy day of obligation

holy day of obligation

noun

a major feastday of the Roman Catholic Church on which Catholics are bound to attend Mass and refrain from servile work

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