Catholic Calendar Guide

SolemnityRedEaster

Rank

A solemnity is one of the highest-ranking celebrations in the Roman calendar and marks a mystery of the Lord, the Blessed Virgin Mary, or a saint of major significance.

Liturgical color

The liturgical color for this observance is Red. Martyrdom, the Holy Spirit, and the Passion of the Lord.

Season

The Easter season celebrates the Resurrection of the Lord and extends from Easter Sunday to Pentecost.

Week in the year

7th week of Easter

Why this day matters

Pentecost celebrates the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the public mission of the Church.

Pentecost Sunday is observed on Sunday, May 24, 2026 in the Easter season. It is kept as a solemnity with the liturgical color Red. Pentecost celebrates the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the public mission of the Church.

Plan local worship

Need to find a parish for this celebration?

Use the parish finder to search your area and confirm local Mass times, confession schedules, and parish details for Pentecost Sunday.

Daily readings

Daily readings for Sunday, May 24, 2026

Easter readings highlight the Resurrection, apostolic witness, life in the Spirit, and the joy of the risen Lord.

What to expect: Expect a First Reading, Responsorial Psalm, Second Reading, Gospel acclamation, and Gospel for the day.

Use the linked official readings page for the approved lectionary texts and any local options or variations.

Browse readings archive

Mass guide

Mass guide for Sunday, May 24, 2026

Mass type

Solemnity Mass. Solemnities are among the Church’s highest celebrations and usually carry a more festive liturgical form, often including the Gloria and normally the Creed.

Obligation note

This is a solemnity in the universal calendar, but whether Mass attendance is obligatory can depend on the local bishops’ conference and country.

What to expect

You can usually expect a First Reading, Responsorial Psalm, Second Reading, Gospel, homily, and the fuller Sunday-or-solemnity shape of Mass.

How to follow the Mass

Opening rites

Mass begins with the entrance, greeting, penitential act, and opening prayer. On more festive days, the Gloria may also be included.

Liturgy of the Word

Listen for the First Reading, Psalm, Second Reading, Gospel acclamation, Gospel, homily, and usually the Profession of Faith and Universal Prayer.

Liturgy of the Eucharist

The gifts are prepared, the Eucharistic Prayer is prayed, and the congregation joins in the Holy, Holy, Holy, the memorial acclamation, and the Great Amen.

Communion and dismissal

After the Lord’s Prayer, sign of peace, and Lamb of God, Communion is distributed. Mass ends with the final blessing and dismissal.

Postures and responses

Stand, sit, and kneel according to local custom and parish direction. Join the spoken and sung responses as you are able; posture details can vary somewhat by country and diocese.

Local music, ceremonial detail, posture, and holy day obligation can vary somewhat by country, diocese, and parish. Use this guide as a practical orientation, then follow the parish’s actual celebration.

Scope and caution

This guide is built around the universal Roman Catholic calendar for practical reference. Local episcopal conferences, dioceses, and ritual traditions may observe some dates differently.

WeekdayWhite

Saturday, May 23, 2026

Saturday in Easter

The Easter season celebrates the Resurrection of the Lord and extends from Easter Sunday to Pentecost. This date is presented here as part of the unfolding prayer of the Church year, even when no major universal observance is highlighted in the MVP dataset.

Easter•7th week of Easter

WeekdayGreen

Monday, May 25, 2026

Monday in Ordinary Time

Ordinary Time traces the public life and teaching of Christ in ordered weeks outside the major penitential and festal seasons. This date is presented here as part of the unfolding prayer of the Church year, even when no major universal observance is highlighted in the MVP dataset.

Ordinary Time•1st week in Ordinary Time