As the Catholic Church celebrates the liturgical calendar, certain feast days are considered "moveable" - they do not fall on the same date each year, but rather shift based on the date of Easter. In 2026, the faithful will observe several of these moveable feast days, each with its own unique history, significance, and traditions.
Immaculate Heart of Mary - June 13, 2026
The Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary is celebrated on the Saturday after the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which in 2026 will fall on June 13th. This feast honors the profound love, purity, and sorrow of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary arose in the 17th century, with St. John Eudes playing a key role in its promotion. He established the feast in 1643. In 1944, Pope Pius XII consecrated the world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and in 1969 the feast was added to the general Roman Calendar.
The Immaculate Heart represents Mary's interior life - her joys and sorrows, her virtues and hidden perfections, and above all her virginal love for God the Father, her maternal love for the Son, and her compassionate love for all people. Devotion to the Immaculate Heart is a way to honor Mary and to ask for her powerful intercession.
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus - June 12, 2026
The Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus is celebrated 19 days after Pentecost Sunday, which in 2026 will fall on June 12th. This feast honors the physical heart of Jesus Christ as the representation of his divine love for humanity.
Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus has its origins in the visions of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque in the 17th century. She received revelations from Jesus, who asked that a feast honoring his Sacred Heart be instituted. The feast was first celebrated in 1856 and became a universal feast in the Catholic Church in 1899.
The Sacred Heart represents Christ's infinite love, mercy, and compassion. Devotion to the Sacred Heart encourages trust in God's love, reparation for sin, and the practice of spiritual and corporal works of mercy. Many Catholics make the First Friday devotion, attending Mass and receiving Holy Communion on the first Friday of each month in honor of the Sacred Heart.
Corpus Christi - June 7, 2026
The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, or Corpus Christi, is celebrated on the Thursday after Trinity Sunday, which in 2026 will fall on June 7th. This feast honors the real presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist.
The origins of Corpus Christi date back to the 13th century, when St. Juliana of Liège had a vision of the Church celebrating a feast for the Blessed Sacrament. After much advocacy, Pope Urban IV instituted the feast in 1264. The procession with the Blessed Sacrament became a central tradition of the feast.
Corpus Christi celebrates the mystery of the Eucharist, in which the bread and wine are transformed into the true Body and Blood of Christ. It is a time to give special honor and adoration to the Eucharistic Lord, to reflect on the gift of the Eucharist, and to renew one's devotion to Christ's real presence. Many parishes hold Eucharistic processions and adoration services on this feast.
Most Holy Trinity - May 31, 2026
The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity is celebrated on the Sunday after Pentecost, which in 2026 will fall on May 31st. This feast honors the central Christian doctrine of the Holy Trinity - the three Persons of God: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Devotion to the Holy Trinity has ancient roots, but the feast was not formally established until the 14th century. Pope John XXII made it a universal feast in 1334. The Athanasian Creed, which professes belief in the Trinity, is often recited on this feast.
The Trinity is the central mystery of the Christian faith. It expresses the belief that God is one in essence, but three distinct Persons - the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Contemplating the Trinity leads to a deeper understanding of God's nature and the relationships within the Godhead. Celebrating the Trinity also reminds Christians of their own call to live in communion with the Triune God.
Mary, Mother of the Church - May 25, 2026
The Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church, is celebrated on the Monday after Pentecost Sunday, which in 2026 will fall on May 25th. This feast honors Mary's role as the Mother of the Church.
Pope St. Paul VI instituted this memorial in 1964, recognizing Mary's maternal care for the Church and all its members. It was added to the General Roman Calendar in 2018 by Pope Francis.
As the Mother of Christ, Mary is also the Mother of the Church, which is the Mystical Body of Christ. She cares for the Church and all its members with a mother's love. Devotion to Mary as Mother of the Church encourages trust in her intercession, imitation of her virtues, and a deeper appreciation for the Church as the family of God.
Pentecost - May 24, 2026
The Solemnity of Pentecost is celebrated 50 days after Easter Sunday, which in 2026 will fall on May 24th. This feast commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and the birth of the Catholic Church.
Pentecost has its roots in the Jewish feast of Shavuot, which celebrated the giving of the Law to Moses on Mount Sinai. For Christians, Pentecost marks the fulfillment of Jesus' promise to send the Holy Spirit to empower his followers to continue his mission.
The outpouring of the Holy Spirit transformed the Apostles, filling them with courage, wisdom, and the ability to speak in tongues. Pentecost is considered the "birthday" of the Church, as the Apostles were emboldened to go forth and preach the Gospel to all nations. The feast is a celebration of the Church's universal mission and the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Mary, Queen of Apostles - May 23, 2026
The Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of Apostles, is celebrated on the Saturday before Pentecost Sunday, which in 2026 will fall on May 23rd. This feast honors Mary's role in the life and mission of the Apostles.
The devotion to Mary as Queen of Apostles has roots in the 17th century, when St. Vincent Pallotti promoted it. Pope Pius XII officially established the feast in 1953. It recognizes Mary's unique role in the founding of the Church, as she prayed with the Apostles in the upper room awaiting the coming of the Holy Spirit.
Mary is considered the Queen of Apostles because she supported and encouraged the Apostles in their mission to spread the Gospel. As the Mother of the Church, she continues to intercede for the Church and its ministers. Devotion to Mary, Queen of Apostles, fosters trust in her maternal care and guidance for all who serve the Church.
Ascension - May 17, 2026
The Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord is celebrated 40 days after Easter Sunday, which in 2026 will fall on May 17th. This feast commemorates Jesus' bodily ascension into heaven after his resurrection.
The Ascension is recorded in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, as well as the Acts of the Apostles. It marks the completion of Jesus' earthly mission and his return to the Father in glory. The feast also celebrates Christ's exaltation and his role as the eternal High Priest and Mediator between God and humanity.
The Ascension is a pivotal moment in salvation history, as it prepares the way for the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and the establishment of the Church. It affirms Christ's divinity and the promise of eternal life for all who believe in him. Celebrating the Ascension encourages Christians to fix their hearts and minds on the things of heaven.
Divine Mercy Sunday - April 12, 2026
Divine Mercy Sunday is celebrated on the Second Sunday of Easter, which in 2026 will fall on April 12th. This feast honors the Divine Mercy of Jesus, as revealed to St. Faustina Kowalska in the 1930s.
In her spiritual diary, St. Faustina recorded Jesus' request that a Feast of Mercy be established on the Sunday after Easter. He promised great graces to those who venerate his Divine Mercy on this day. Pope St. John Paul II officially established this feast in 2000.
Divine Mercy Sunday emphasizes God's infinite mercy and compassion, as manifested in the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is a day to reflect on the immeasurable love of God and to seek his forgiveness and healing. Many Catholics participate in Divine Mercy devotions, such as the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, on this feast.
Word of God Sunday - January 25, 2026
The Memorial of the Word of God is celebrated on the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, which in 2026 will fall on January 25th. This feast honors the central role of Sacred Scripture in the life of the Church and the faithful.
Pope Francis instituted this memorial in 2019, encouraging the Church to celebrate, study, and spread the Word of God. It is a day to reflect on the importance of the Bible, to renew one's commitment to reading and meditating on Scripture, and to promote biblical literacy.
Celebrating the Word of God Sunday reminds Christians that the Scriptures are the living Word of God, which nourishes faith, guides moral living, and reveals the path to eternal life. It is an opportunity to deepen one's appreciation for the Bible and to recommit to making it a central part of one's spiritual life.
Baptism of the Lord - January 11, 2026
The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord is celebrated on the Sunday after the Epiphany of the Lord, which in 2026 will fall on January 11th. This feast commemorates the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River by John the Baptist.
The Baptism of the Lord marks the end of the Christmas season and the beginning of Jesus' public ministry. It is a theophany, or manifestation of God, as the Holy Spirit descends upon Jesus and the voice of the Father declares him the beloved Son.
Celebrating the Baptism of the Lord reminds Christians of the significance of their own baptism, in which they were incorporated into the life of the Holy Trinity and called to live as disciples of Christ. It is an opportunity to reflect on the meaning of baptism and to renew one's baptismal promises.
Epiphany of the Lord - January 4, 2026
The Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord is celebrated on the Sunday between January 2nd and January 8th, which in 2026 will fall on January 4th. This feast commemorates the manifestation of Jesus Christ to the Gentile world, represented by the Magi.
The Epiphany has ancient roots, with celebrations dating back to the 4th century. It is one of the oldest Christian feasts, second only to Easter and Pentecost. The Magi's adoration of the infant Jesus is seen as a sign that the salvation brought by Christ is meant for all people, not just the Jewish nation.
Epiphany celebrates the universal nature of Christ's mission and the call of all people to worship him as the true King and Savior. It is a time to reflect on the mystery of the Incarnation and the light of Christ shining in the world. Many Catholic traditions, such as the blessing of homes and the chalking of doors, are associated with the Epiphany.
The Holy Family - December 28, 2025
The Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph is celebrated on the Sunday within the Octave of Christmas, which in 2025 will fall on December 28th. This feast honors the exemplary family life of the earthly family of Jesus.
The devotion to the Holy Family has roots in the 17th century, but the feast was not established until 1893 by Pope Leo XIII. It is a celebration of family life and the virtues that should characterize the Christian family: mutual love, patience, and obedience.
The Holy Family of Nazareth - Jesus, Mary, and Joseph - is the model for all Christian families. Celebrating this feast encourages families to imitate the virtues of the Holy Family and to entrust their own families to the care and protection of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. It is a reminder that the family is the fundamental unit of society and the "domestic church."
Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe - November 23, 2025
The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, is celebrated on the last Sunday of the liturgical year, which in 2025 will fall on November 23rd. This feast honors the universal kingship of Jesus Christ over all creation.
The feast was instituted in 1925 by Pope Pius XI, who sought to counter the growing secularism and nationalism of the time by affirming Christ's sovereignty over all people and nations. It is a celebration of Christ's kingly authority and his eternal reign over the entire universe.
Honoring Christ as King of the Universe reminds Christians that their ultimate allegiance is to the Kingdom of God, not to any earthly power or ideology. It is a call to live under the lordship of Christ, to work for the establishment of his reign, and to submit to his divine law of love. The feast also encourages the faithful to work for the establishment of justice, peace, and human dignity in the world.
