Assumption of Mary

Assumption of Mary

Catholic churches in the United States celebrate the feast of the Assumption on August 15 each year to honor the belief that Jesus’ mother was taken to heaven.

Is Assumption of Mary a Public Holiday?

Assumption of Mary is not a public holiday. It falls on Sunday, August 15, 2021 and most businesses follow regular Sunday opening hours in the United States.

What Do People Do?

Many Christians in the United States attend mass (church service) and have big feasts to celebrate Mary’s rise into heaven on Assumption Day. Although it is not celebrated as extravagantly as other countries, there are many states that have festivals with music, dancing, food vendors, artwork, parades and firework shows to celebrate this event.

One of the largest Assumption Day celebrations is in Cleveland, Ohio, where there is a four-day festival that starts on August 12. The festival celebrates the Feast of Assumption in the city’s Little Italy neighborhood.

Public Life

Assumption Day, which is on August 15, is not a public holiday in the United States so schools, government offices and businesses are open. Public transport providers run to their usual schedules. In New York City, the laws regarding which side of the street you can park on are suspended for Assumption Day.

Background

Assumption Day is considered a Holy Day of Obligation, but if it falls on a Saturday or on a Monday, it is not obligatory by the church to attend mass.  This was amended in the church calendar by US (United States) bishops in 1991.

H/T Time and Date