Resources for Faculty

Holy Dates

Saint Mary’s University recognizes and respects the diversity of its community, including the diversity of religious faiths. Below are the most commonly observed dates of religious significance. The university community is encouraged to consider these days when scheduling events.

This list is not comprehensive. Students can submit additional documentation to demonstrate other religious commitments not listed. 

Religious Observance	Date(s)
Rosh Hashanah (Jewish)	Begins at sunset on Oct. 2, 2024 and ends at nightfall on Oct. 4, 2024.
Yom Kippur (Jewish)	Begins at sunset on Oct. 11, 2024 and ends at nightfall on Oct. 12, 2024.
First Two Days of Sukkot (Jewish)	Begins at sunset on Oct. 16, 2024 and the second day ends at nightfall on Oct. 18, 2024.
Dussehra (Hindu)*	Oct. 12, 2024
Shemini Atzeret (Jewish)	Begins at sunset on Oct. 23, 2024 and ends at nightfall on Oct. 24, 2024.
Simchat Torah (Jewish)	Begins at sunset on Oct. 24, 2024 and ends at nightfall on Oct. 25, 2024.
Birth of the Báb (Bahá'í)	Oct. 26, 2024
Birth of Bahá'u'lláh (Bahá'í)	Oct. 27, 2024
Diwali (Hindu-Jain-Sikh)	Nov. 1, 2024
Bandi Chhor Divas (Sikh)	Nov. 1, 2024
Birth of Guru Nanak Dev Ji (Sikh)*	Nov. 15, 2024
Hanukkah (Jewish)	Begins at sunset on Dec. 25, 2024 and ends at nightfall on Jan. 2, 2025.
Christmas Eve (Christian)	Dec. 24, 2024
Christmas (Christian)	Dec. 25, 2024
Epiphany (Christian)	Jan. 6, 2025
Feast of the Nativity (Orthodox Christian)	Jan. 7, 2025
Makar Sankranti (Hindu)	Jan. 14, 2025
Lunar New Year	Jan. 29, 2025
Māgha Pūjā Day (Buddhist)*	Feb. 12, 2025
Ash Wednesday (Christian)	March 5, 2025
Ramadan (Muslim)*	Begins at sunset March 1, 2025 and ends at nightfall on March 30, 2025. Muslims may fast from dawn to dusk, abstaining from food and drink. Examinations scheduled in the evening may pose a special burden.
Purim (Jewish)	Begins at sunset on March 13, 2025 and ends at nightfall on March 14, 2025.
Nowruz New Year	March 21, 2025
Eid-al-Fitr (Muslim)*	Begins at sunset on March 30, 2025 and ends the evening of March 31, 2025.
Passover - Pesach (Jewish)	Begins at sunset on April 12, 2025 and ends at nightfall on April 20, 2025. The first and last two days are no work, no class days.
Vaisakhi (Sikh)*	April 14, 2025
Good Friday (Christian)	April 18, 2025
Easter Sunday (Christian)	April 20, 2025
Ridván Festival (Bahá'í)	Begins at sunset on April 20, 2025 and ends on May 2, 2025. The first day (April 20), ninth day (April 28) and twelfth day (May 1) are considered particularly significant.
Holy Friday (Orthodox Christian)	May 3, 2025
Easter (Orthodox Christian)	May 5, 2025
Vesak / Wesak (Buddhist)*	May 5, 2025
Declaration of the Báb (Bahá'í)	May 23, 2025
Ascension of the Bahá'u'lláh (Bahá'í)	May 28, 2025
Shavuot (Jewish)	Begins at sunset on June 1, 2025 and ends at nightfall on June 3, 2025.
Hajj Pilgrimage (Muslim)*	From June 4, 2025 to June 9, 2025 for students participating in the pilgrimage to Makkah.
Eid-al-Adha (Muslim)*	Begins at sunset on June 6, 2025 and ends June 10, 2025.
Ashura (Muslim)*	July 5, 2025 to July 6, 2025
Martyrdom of the Báb (Bahá'í)	July 9, 2025
Tisha B'av (Jewish)	Begins on Aug. 2, 2025 and ends at nightfall on Aug. 3, 2025.