Liturgical Calendar
January - February 2026
Please see the letter below regarding January 1, 2026 - Mary, Mother of God - Dispensation Letter from Archbishop Jose Gomez.
January 2026
January is the month dedicated to the Holy Name of Jesus
January 1
Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God
Octave Day of the Nativity of the Lord
The faithful of Archdiocese of Los Angeles have been dispensed from today's holy day of obligation.
- Although today is New Year's Day, the solemnity may not be replaced with the Mass for Civil Needs: At the Beginning of the Civil Year.
- Vestments: White
- Gloria is said or sung.
- Creed is recited.
- Preface 1 of the Blessed Virgin Mary is used.
- Solemn Blessing #2, #3, or #15.
World Day of Prayer for Peace
- Every year on January 1, the Holy Father marks the World Day of Peace with a special message inviting all people to reflect on the important work of building peace.
- World Day of Peace, celebrated on January 1 every year, is primarily a Catholic feast day dedicated to universal peace on the Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God.
- World Day of Peace began in 1967 when Pope Paul VI announced that the world needs to be sensitized and oriented for peace and understanding.
- More information, please CLICK HERE.
January 2
St. Basil the Great and St. Gregory Nazianzen, Bishops and Doctors of the Church, Memorial (white)
January 3
Christmas Weekday - Optional Memorial of the Most Holy Name of Jesus (white)
January 4
Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord
- If an anticipated Mass is celebrated, the Mass prayers "At the Vigil Mass" is used. A Vigil Mass is celebrated before or after the First Vespers of the Epiphany.
- The readings for the Epiphany will be the same as the Mass during the Day.
- Vestments: White
- Gloria is sung with splendor.
- Creed is said.
- Preface of the Epiphany is used.
- Solemn Blessing #4 may be used.
- The Christmas decorations in the church remain until after the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord.
- On Epiphany Sunday, there is an ancient custom of announcing the dates of the movable feasts for the coming year. This Epiphany Proclamation may take place after the Gospel, or within or after the homily.
- See the Roman Missal, Appendix I: The Announcement of Easter and the Moveable Feasts.
January 5-10
Weekdays of Christmas Time
January 5
St. John Neumann, Bishop - Memorial (white)
January 11 (Sunday after the Epiphany of the Lord)
Feast of the Baptism of the Lord
- The Christmas Season concludes after this feast.
- The Christmas decorations in the church are removed after this celebration.
- Gloria is sung with splendor.
- Creed is said.
- Sprinkling Rite may be used.
- Christmas Solemn Blessing #4 or #9 may be used.
January 12
Ordinary Time begins
January 17
St. Anthony, Abbot - Memorial (white)
Jan. 18 - 25
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
This year's theme: "There is one body and one spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of you calling" (Ephesians 44)
January 18
2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time
January 21
St. Agnes, Virgin and Martyr - Memorial (red)
January 22
Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children
- On this day, all dioceses of the United States shall observe a "day of prayer for the full restoration of the legal guarantee of the right to life and of penance for violations to the dignity of the human person committed through acts of abortion" (GIRM, 373.)
- Refer to the Lectionary for Mass: Supplement (LS) #516A; readings for the Day of Prayer may be taken from the Masses for Various Needs, III (In Public Circumstances, #26A), For Giving Thanks to God for the Gift of Human Life (#947A-947E, LS), or For Public Needs: 14. For Peace and Justice (#887-891, Lectionary for Mass).
- If using the Masses and Prayers for Various Needs and Occasions: For Giving Thanks to God for the Gift of Human Life, wear white vestments.
- If using the Mass for the Preservation of Peace and Justice, wear violet vestments.
- Prayer over the People #23 may be used.
January 23
St. Marianne Cope, Virgin - optional memorial (white)
Proper Collect found on the USCCB Webpage - CLICK HERE
January 24
St. Francis de Sales, Bishop and Doctor of the Church, Memorial (white)
Walk for Life 2026
1:30PM - Gathering at Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels Plaza
2:00PM - OneLife LA Program
3:00PM - Walk for Life
5:00PM - Requiem Mass for the Unborn
For more information, please visit: https://onelifela.org
For more information, please visit: https://onelifela.org
January 25
3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
Word of God Sunday 2026
Click Here for resources from the USCCB
- The Third Sunday in Ordinary Time is devoted to the celebration, study, and dissemination of the Word of God.
- Invite all the lectors/readers at a specific Mass for a special blessing and after mass appreciation of their ministry.
- Blessing of Readers may take place after the homily. Please see Book of Blessings, Ch. 61. This is a good opportunity for Readers/Lectors to renew their commitment to the ministry.
- Pastoral Application: Other lectors, not assigned to be a lector during that Mass, may bring up the gifts of bread and wine during the offertory.
- The parish may have a workshop or a talk on the Bible or Dei Verbum.
January 25 - 31
Catholic Schools Week
- Blessing of Students and Teachers (Book of Blessings, nos. 522-550).
January 25
Saints Timothy and Titus, Bishops - Memorial (white)
January 28
St. Thomas Aquinas, Priest and Doctor of the Church - Memorial (white)
January 31
St. John Bosco, Priest - Memorial (white)
Let us pray for the Salesian Order working in our Archdiocese.
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February 2026
February is the month dedicated to the Holy Family
February 1
4th Sunday in Ordinary Time
February 2
Feast of the Presentation of the Lord (white)
- Mass Proper is taken from the Proper of Saints (February 2)
- Mass may begin with the blessing of candles.
- Two (2) forms of procession may be used:
- First Form: The Procession
- Invite the faithful to gather outside the regular worship space.
- Candles should be lit before the procession.
- Opening Hymn is played while the candles are being lit, followed by the Sign of the Cross, Greeting, and special introduction.
- Candles are blessed and procession into the church takes place.
- Second Form: The Solemn Entrance
- People gather in the church and candles are blessed.
- No procession takes place.
- First Form: The Procession
- Penitential Act is NOT used today. (NO "I Confess..., Lord, have mercy...")
- Gloria is sung.
- Creed is not recited today since this feast falls on a Monday.
- For more information on the Liturgy for the Feast of the Presentation, please CLICK HERE.
World Day of Consecrated Life
- Pastoral Suggestion: If there are religious sisters or brothers present at the Mass, they may bring up the gifts (bread and wine) during the Offertory.
- A special blessing may be given to them after the homily or after the Prayer after Communion.
- Prayer of the Faithful or Mass Intention to include religious sisters and brothers.
February 3
St. Blaise, Bishop & Martyr, optional memorial (red)
- It is customary to celebrate Saint Blaise Feast with a blessing of throats. The blessing may be found in the Book of Blessings, "Order for the Blessing of Throats on the Feast of Saint Blaise", Chapter 51.
- "Through the intercession of Saint Blaise, bishop and martyr, may God deliver you from every disease of the throat and from every other illness: in the name of the Father, and of the Son, + and of the Holy Spirit."
- The blessing of throats may be given today by a priest, deacon, or lay minister who follows the rites and prayers designated for a lay minister.
- Ordained Ministers say the prayer WITH the Sign of the Cross.
- Lay Ministers say the prayer WITHOUT the Sign of the Cross.
- The blessing usually follows the homily and general intercessions, or it may take place of the final blessing of the Mass.
- The candles to be used for the blessing of throats are blessed during Mass at the Presentation of the Lord, February 2.
February 5
St. Agatha, Virgin and Martyr, Memorial (red)
February 6
St. Paul Miki and Companions, Martyrs in Japan, Memorial (red)
Let us pray for the Japanese Catholic Community in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles
February 8
5th Sunday in Ordinary Time
World Day of Marriage
Click on the links below for more information and resources:
February 10
St. Scholastica, Virgin - Memorial (white)
February 11
Our Lady of Lourdes - optional memorial (white)
World Day of the Sick
Messages for the World Day of the Sick may be found on this link. Click Here.
- Pastoral Suggestion: The Anointing of the Sick may be administered within the Mass.
- People who are sick may be chosen to bring up the gifts (bread and wine) during the Offertory.
February 14
St. Cyril, Monk, and St. Methodius, Bishop - Memorial (white)
February 15
6th Sunday in Ordinary Time
***In the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, the RITE OF ELECTION 2026, normally celebrated on the 1st Sunday of Lent, will take place BEFORE Ash Wednesday. It will be celebrated at various times to accommodate space in the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels. Please take note of your designated time slot. Thank you
- Saturday, Feb. 14 at 10AM
- Sunday, Feb. 15 at 3PM & 6PM
Communication Suggestion:
Please make sure your Ash Wednesday schedule is posted on your parish homepage website and all your social media platforms.
February 18
Ash Wednesday - Lent Begins
A Day of Fasting & Abstinence
- Ritual Masses (i.e., Celebration of Matrimony) are not permitted.
- Funeral Masses are permitted.
- Begins with the Sign of the Cross & Greeting (The Lord be with you, Let us pray, and the Collect).
- Penitential Rite is omitted. (NO "I Confess..., Lord, have mercy...")
- Alleluia is omitted. Use proper Lenten Gospel Acclamation.
- Blessing and Distribution of Ashes takes place after homily.
- Gloria and Creed are omitted.
- Universal Prayer is said after the distribution of ashes.
- The Mass is proper.
- Preface III or IV is appropriate for use today.
- Book of Blessings provide instructions for blessing of ashes, Ch. 52. nos. 1656-1678
- Ordinary minister for the blessing of the ashes is a priest or deacon.
February 19 - February 22
Youth Day & 70th Anniversary of Religious Education Congress 2026
Anaheim Convention Center
February 22
1st Sunday of Lent
February 23 - 28
Lenten Weekday
OCIA News & Updates
Important Notice:
Please carefully note the following dates for the celebration of the OCIA Rites in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.
All rites will be held at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels - 555 W. Temple St., Los Angeles, CA 90012.
Please be advised that an additional Rite of Election for the San Fernando Pastoral Region will take place on Saturday, February 14 at 10:00 AM.
- RITE OF ELECTION will take place on February 14 & 15, 2026 (Weekend before Ash Wednesday) - date change due to RECongress 2026.
- Saturday, Feb. 14 @ 10AM (additional date for the rite)
- Sunday, Feb. 15 @ 3PM & 6PM
- RITE OF CALLING will take place on March 1, 2026 (2nd Sunday of Lent)
Click and Download the PDFs below for the 2026 OCIA Rites and Dates
Information for the Santa Barbara Pastoral Region BELOW
NEW RITUAL COMING FOR
THE ORDER OF THE ANOINTING OF THE SICK AND OF THEIR PASTORAL CARE
Ritual de la unción de los enfermos y de su atención pastoral
Per the USCCB:
- The Books are available for pre-order.
- It will be shipped on January 1, 2026.
- First use is February 11, feast of Our Lady of Lourdes.
- Mandatory use is April 5, 2026, Easter Sunday.
Catholic Book Publishing - https://catholicbookpublishing.com/products/pastoral-care-of-the-sick-large-size-green
Liturgical Press - https://litpress.org/Products/OASPCSET/Order-of-the-Anointing-of-the-Sick-and-of-their-Pastoral-Care-Set
Liturgy Training Publications - https://www.ltp.org/products/details/OASRE/order-of-the-anointing-of-the-sick-and-of-their-pastoral-care
Midwest Theological Forum - https://theologicalforum.org/books/the-order-of-the-anointing-of-the-sick-and-of-their-pastoral-care/
LITURGICAL FORMATION SECTION
Our Lady of the Angels Pastoral Region
San Gabriel Pastoral Region
San Pedro Pastoral Region
The Archdiocese of Los Angeles is entrusting the work of marriage and family life to the Office of New Evangelization and Parish Life. This includes preparing couples for the Sacrament of Matrimony.
It is with great joy that the Office of New Evangelization and Parish Life takes on this new way of caring for families. In the midst of this transition, we ask for your patience as we care for the many areas that need our immediate attention. One of the most immediate needs is caring for couples who are approaching the Sacrament of Marriage and need a marriage preparation course.
Our team has two dates available for couples looking for marriage preparation in November and December. The dates are:
If you have any questions, please contact:
Candy Metoyer - cmetoyer@la-archdiocese.org
Graciela Villalobos - (Spanish Speaking) gvillalobos@la-archdiocese.org
Gina Vides - (Spanish Speaking) gvides@la-archdiocese.org
Bobby Vidal - bvidal@la-archdiocese.org
