Holy Days of Obligation in Australia — 2027
Besides every Sunday, Australia observes 2 holy days of obligation, set by the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference with the approval of the Holy See. Here is each one with its 2027 date and whether the obligation binds this year.
The holy days in 2027
The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Sunday, August 15
The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas)
Saturday, December 25
How the rule works
ACBC Complementary Legislation (canon 1246): 'These two holydays of obligation are to be observed annually, regardless of the day of the week on which they fall.' There is NO Saturday/Monday abrogation in Australia — the Assumption obliges even when it falls on a Saturday (as in 2026).
Celebrated on Sunday in Australia
These solemnities are transferred to a Sunday, so they are covered by the ordinary Sunday obligation:
- The Epiphany of the Lord — Sunday, January 3. Transferred to Sunday in Australia (Sunday falling 2-8 January).
- The Ascension of the Lord — Sunday, May 9. Transferred to Sunday (the Seventh Sunday of Easter).
- The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi) — Sunday, May 30. Transferred to the Sunday after Trinity Sunday.
Not days of obligation in Australia
These feasts of canon 1246 are kept as solemnities on their dates, without a Mass obligation:
- Mary, the Holy Mother of God (1 January)
- All Saints (1 November)
- The Immaculate Conception (8 December)
- Saint Joseph (19 March)
- Saints Peter and Paul (29 June)
Fasting & abstinence in Australia
Fasting and abstinence are obligatory only on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. On other Fridays of the year, the day of penance may be fulfilled by any one of: prayer, self-denial (such as abstaining from meat), or helping others (ACBC 1985 norm on canons 1251 and 1253).
Abstinence binds from age 14; fasting binds from 18 to 59 (canon 1252, universal law).
Common questions
How many holy days of obligation are there in Australia in 2027?
Besides every Sunday, Australia observes 2 holy days of obligation. In 2027, the obligation to attend Mass binds on 2 of them.
Who sets the holy days of obligation in Australia?
Canon 1246 of the Code of Canon Law lists ten holy days for the universal Church, but each national bishops' conference may, with the approval of the Holy See, suppress some or transfer them to a Sunday. The list on this page follows the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference.
What are the fasting rules in Australia?
Fasting and abstinence are obligatory only on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. On other Fridays of the year, the day of penance may be fulfilled by any one of: prayer, self-denial (such as abstaining from meat), or helping others (ACBC 1985 norm on canons 1251 and 1253).
Rules verified against the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference and vatican.va. Sources: https://www.catholic.au/s/article/What-are-Holy-Days-of-Obligation-and-when-are-they · https://www.vatican.va/archive/cod-iuris-canonici/eng/documents/cic_lib4-cann1244-1253_en.html