# Whit Monday

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Holiday celebrated the day after Pentecost

Whit Monday Medieval Russian icon of the Old Testament Trinity by Andrei Rublev, used as the icon of the feast for Whit Monday. Also called Pentecost Monday (Western), Monday of the Holy Spirit (Eastern) Observed by Many European countries, and some former colonies Type Christian, Public Begins 1st Monday after Whit Sunday Date Easter + 50 days 2025 date June 9 (Western) June 9 (Eastern) 2026 date May 25 (Western) June 1 (Eastern) 2027 date May 17 (Western) June 21 (Eastern) 2028 date June 5 (Western) June 5 (Eastern) Frequency Annual Related to Whit Sunday, Whit Tuesday, Whit Friday, Trinity Sunday

**Whit Monday** or **Pentecost Monday**, also known as **Monday of the Holy Spirit**, is the [holiday](/source/Holiday) celebrated the day after [Pentecost](/source/Pentecost), a [moveable feast](/source/Moveable_feast) in the Christian [liturgical calendar](/source/Liturgical_calendar). It is moveable because it is determined by the date of [Easter](/source/Easter). In the [Catholic Church](/source/Catholic_Church), it is the **Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church**, marking the resumption of [Ordinary Time](/source/Ordinary_Time).

Whit Monday gets its name from "[Whitsunday](/source/Whitsunday)", an English name for Pentecost, one of the three [baptismal](/source/Baptism) seasons. The origin of the name "Whit Sunday" is generally attributed to the white garments formerly worn by those newly baptised on this feast.[1]

## Observance

Pentecost is always on a Sunday[2] and is therefore usually a non-working day. The Monday after Pentecost is a [public holiday](/source/Public_holiday) in: [Andorra](/source/Andorra), [Antigua and Barbuda](/source/Antigua_and_Barbuda), [Anguilla](/source/Anguilla), [Austria](/source/Austria), [the Bahamas](/source/The_Bahamas), [Barbados](/source/Barbados), [Belgium](/source/Belgium), [Benin](/source/Benin), [The British Virgin Islands](/source/British_Virgin_Islands), [Central African Republic](/source/Central_African_Republic), [Republic of Congo](/source/Congo-Brazzaville), [Cyprus](/source/Cyprus), [Denmark](/source/Denmark), [Dominica](/source/Dominica), [France](/source/France), [Gabon](/source/Gabon), [Germany](/source/Germany), [Greece](/source/Greece), [Grenada](/source/Grenada), [Hungary](/source/Hungary), [Iceland](/source/Iceland), [Ivory Coast](/source/Ivory_Coast), [Liechtenstein](/source/Liechtenstein), [Luxembourg](/source/Luxembourg), [Madagascar](/source/Madagascar), [Monaco](/source/Monaco), [Montserrat](/source/Montserrat), [The Netherlands](/source/Netherlands), [Norway](/source/Norway), [Romania](/source/Romania), [Saint Lucia](/source/Saint_Lucia), [Saint Kitts and Nevis](/source/Saint_Kitts_and_Nevis), [Saint Vincent and the Grenadines](/source/Saint_Vincent_and_the_Grenadines), [Senegal](/source/Senegal), [Solomon Islands](/source/Solomon_Islands), [Switzerland](/source/Switzerland), [Togo](/source/Togo) and [Ukraine](/source/Ukraine).[3] In many of these countries, Whit Monday is known as "the second day of Pentecost" or "the second Whitsun".[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

Whit Monday was a [bank holiday](/source/Bank_holiday) in the [United Kingdom](/source/United_Kingdom) up until 1964. From 1965 to 1970 it was moved to the last Monday in May on a trial basis. It was then formally replaced by the fixed [Spring Bank Holiday](/source/Spring_Bank_Holiday) on the last Monday in May in 1971.[4] Until 1973, Whit Monday was a [public holiday in Ireland](/source/Public_holidays_in_the_Republic_of_Ireland). It was formally replaced by the fixed [June Bank Holiday](/source/June_Bank_Holiday) on the first Monday in June in 1973.[5] Whit Monday was a public holiday in various former [British colonies](/source/Territorial_evolution_of_the_British_Empire#List_of_territories_that_were_once_a_part_of_the_British_Empire), especially in the Pacific. It remains a public holiday in some of the countries of the [Commonwealth Caribbean](/source/Commonwealth_Caribbean).

Whit Monday is not a public holiday in the [United States](/source/United_States), but some US churches organise Whit Monday [prayer rallies](/source/Prayer_meeting), which include prayers and street marches. Historically, Whit Monday used to be one of the major annual holidays in [Pennsylvania Dutch Country](/source/Pennsylvania_Dutch_Country). From around [1835](/source/1835_in_the_United_States) to just after the [Civil War](/source/American_Civil_War), Whit Monday was referred to as the "Dutch [Fourth of July](/source/Independence_Day_(United_States))" in [Lancaster, Pennsylvania](/source/Lancaster%2C_Pennsylvania#19th_century), where people came to eat, drink and be entertained.[6] Whit Monday is not a public holiday in [Australia](/source/Australia), but church events which observe Whit Monday may include [evening services](/source/Vespers), [Bible group](/source/Cell_group) meetings, and [Sunday school](/source/Sunday_school) lessons which focus on teaching children about the origins and the meaning of Whit Monday and Whit Sunday.[7]

In Germany, Whit Monday ([German](/source/German_language): *Pfingstmontag* [\[p͡fɪŋstˈmoːntaːk\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA/Standard_German) [ⓘ](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:De-Pfingstmontag.ogg)) is a [Holy Day of obligation](/source/Holy_Day_of_obligation) for [Roman Catholics](/source/Roman_Catholic_Church).[8] In France, Whit Monday became a work-day for many workers from 2005 to 2007. This was to raise extra funds following the government's lack of preparation for a summertime heat wave, which led to a shortage of proper health care for the elderly.[9] It continues to be a "worked public holiday" in France.[10] Whit Monday is celebrated in [South Tyrol](/source/South_Tyrol), and for its capital city [Bolzano](/source/Bolzano) it replaces the holiday of the local patron saint celebrated elsewhere in [Italy](/source/Italy).[11] In [Sweden](/source/Sweden), Whit Monday was a public holiday until 2004; it was replaced by the [National Day of Sweden](/source/National_Day_of_Sweden) in 2005.[12]

Although Whit Monday is a civil holiday in many countries, it was not a Catholic religious holiday any more than the other weekdays which follow [Pentecost](/source/Pentecost) Sunday. Until the [1969 revision](/source/Mysterii_Paschalis) of the [General Roman Calendar](/source/General_Roman_Calendar), they were part of the [octave](/source/Octave_(liturgical)) of Pentecost, which was added in the 7th century.[13] The Monday after Pentecost is now the first day of the resumption of [Ordinary Time](/source/Ordinary_Time). While the details differ from [diocese](/source/Diocese) to diocese, the most widespread practice in [Germany](/source/Germany) (where the holiday remains an obligation) was to have a compulsory [votive Mass](/source/Votive_Mass) of the [Holy Spirit](/source/Holy_Spirit), outranking even [solemnities](/source/Solemnities) (these would be local solemnities in that case).

However, in February 2018, [Pope Francis](/source/Pope_Francis) declared that henceforth, Whit Monday will be the fixed date for the celebration of a new feast, officially known as the "Memorial of [Mary](/source/Mary%2C_the_mother_of_Jesus), [Mother of the Church](/source/Mother_of_the_Church)" to be celebrated throughout the [Western Catholic Church](/source/Latin_Church),[14] with the exception of the [Ordinariates](/source/Personal_Ordinariate), where the [octave](/source/Octave_(liturgy)) of [Whitsun Week](/source/Pentecost) has been restored, and the new Memorial is observed on the Saturday after [Ascension Day](/source/Feast_of_the_Ascension).[15]

### Observance in Eastern Orthodoxy and the Eastern Catholic Churches

In the [Eastern Orthodox Church](/source/Eastern_Orthodox_Church) and the [Eastern Catholic Churches](/source/Eastern_Catholic_Churches) Whit Monday is known as "Monday of the Holy Spirit" or "Day of the Holy Spirit".[16] It is the first day of the [afterfeast](/source/Afterfeast) of Pentecost, being dedicated specifically to the honour of [God](/source/God_in_Christianity) the [Holy Spirit](/source/Holy_Spirit), and particularly in commemoration of His descent upon the apostles at Pentecost.[17] The day following is known as the [Third Day of the Trinity](/source/Whit_Tuesday). In services on the Monday of the Holy Spirit many of the same hymns are sung as on the day of Pentecost itself. During the [Divine Liturgy](/source/Divine_Liturgy) the [Deacon](/source/Deacon) intones the same [introit](/source/Introit) as on the day of Pentecost, and the [dismissal](/source/Dismissal_(liturgy)) is the same as on the day of Pentecost. Special [canons](/source/Canon_(hymnography)) to the Holy Spirit are chanted at [Compline](/source/Compline) and [Matins](/source/Matins).[18]

## See also

- [Azores Day](/source/Azores_Day)

- [Christianity portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Christianity)

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** [Campion, William Magan](/source/William_Magan_Campion) (1870). [*The Prayer book interleaved with historical illustrations and explanatory notes arranged parallel to the text*](https://books.google.com/books?id=D8QCAAAAQAAJ&q=Whitsunday+baptized&pg=PA125). Vol. 5. London: Longmans, Green & Co. p. 125. Retrieved 5 June 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Campbell, Phillip (2 June 2022). ["Why is Pentecost on a Sunday?"](https://catholicexchange.com/why-is-pentecost-on-a-sunday/). *catholicexchange.com*. Nashua, New Hampshire: [Sophia Institute Press](/source/Sophia_Institute_Press). Retrieved 27 May 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Whit Monday around the world in 2025 by Day"](https://www.officeholidays.com/byday/whit-monday). *officeholidays.com*. n.d. Retrieved 27 May 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Spring Bank Holiday ... in the United Kingdom"](http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/uk/spring-bank-holiday). *timeanddate.com*. n.d. Retrieved 28 May 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["June Bank Holiday"](https://www.bankholidays.ie/june-bank-holiday). *bankholidays.ie*. n.d. Retrieved 28 May 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Whit Monday ... in the United States"](https://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/us/whit-monday). *timeanddate.com*. n.d. Retrieved 29 May 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Whit Monday ... in Australia"](https://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/australia/whit-monday). *timeanddate.com*. n.d. Retrieved 29 May 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Deutsche Bischofskonferenz"](https://web.archive.org/web/20090325150400/http://www.drs.de/fileadmin/Rechtsdoku/4/4/2/95_23_15.pdf) (PDF). *drs.de*. 5 October 1995. Archived from [the original](http://www.drs.de/fileadmin/Rechtsdoku/4/4/2/95_23_15.pdf) (PDF) on 25 March 2009. Retrieved 29 May 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["French Government Restored A Holiday"](http://www.timeanddate.com/news/holidays/france-solidarity-day.html). *timeanddate.com*. 6 May 2008. Retrieved 17 April 2009.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["Fêtes légales et jours fériés"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120503210415/http://service-public.fr/actualites/00790.html). *service-public.fr*. 24 April 2012. Archived from [the original](http://www.service-public.fr/actualites/00790.html) on 3 May 2012. Retrieved 17 April 2009.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** Vianello, Giampietro (17 May 2024). ["Why isn't Pentecost Monday a public holiday in Italy?"](https://www.thelocal.it/20240517/why-isnt-pentecost-monday-a-public-holiday-in-italy). *thelocal.it*. Stockholm, Sweden: [The Local](/source/The_Local). Retrieved 28 May 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** [Sveriges riksdag – Svensk författningssamling 1989:253 – "Lag (1989:253) om allmänna helgdagar".](http://www.riksdagen.se/sv/Dokument-Lagar/Lagar/Svenskforfattningssamling/Lag-1989253-om-allmanna-hel_sfs-1989-253/)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** [*Calendarium Romanum*](https://ia800303.us.archive.org/22/items/CalendariumRomanum1969/Calendarium%20Romanum%20%281969%29.pdf) (PDF). Libreria Editrice Vaticana. 1969. p. 56. Retrieved 28 May 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** Watkins, Devin (3 March 2018). ["Pope institutes new celebration of Mary, Mother of Church"](http://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-03/pope-institutes-new-celebration-of-mary--mother-of-church.html). *[Vatican News](/source/Vatican_News)*. Vatican City. Retrieved 28 May 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["Ordo"](http://ordinariate.net/ordo/). *The [Ordinariate of the Chair of Saint Peter](/source/Personal_Ordinariate_of_the_Chair_of_Saint_Peter)*. Houston, Texas. n.d. Retrieved 28 May 2024. ❖ Because Pentecost has a privileged [Octave](/source/Octave) in the calendar of the Ordinariate, the Memorial of [The Blessed Virgin Mary](/source/Mary%2C_the_mother_of_Jesus), [Mother of the Church](/source/Mother_of_the_Church), is observed on the Saturday after Ascension Day. (Notation on Whit Monday in the 2024 Ordo linked here.)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** Gaskill, Alonzo L. (n.d.). ["What is the Christian Holiday of Pentecost?"](https://www.patheos.com/answers/what-is-the-christian-holiday-of-pentecost). *[Patheos](/source/Patheos)*. Retrieved 29 May 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** ["Pentecost: The Descent of the Holy Spirit"](https://www.oca.org/orthodoxy/the-orthodox-faith/worship/the-church-year/pentecost-the-descent-of-the-holy-spirit). *[Orthodox Church in America](/source/Orthodox_Church_in_America)*. Alexandria, Virginia. n.d. Retrieved 29 May 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** Vasilik, Vladimir (6 August 2014). ["On the Second Canon for Pentecost"](https://orthochristian.com/71325.html). *orthochristian.com*. Retrieved 29 May 2025.

## External links

- [Trinity Week—Day of the Holy Spirit](http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?SID=4&ID=1&FSID=46) Orthodox [icon](/source/Icon) and [synaxarion](/source/Synaxarion)

- [Whit Monday Procession](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wv9wwu9D98I), Manchester, England; [Pathé News](/source/Path%C3%A9_News), 1924

v t e Pentecost Church calendar Eastern Christianity Pentecostarion Mid-Pentecost Trinity Sunday Monday of the Holy Spirit Third Day of the Trinity Apostles' Fast Western Christianity Whitsun Whit Monday Whit Tuesday Trinity Sunday Corpus Christi Traditions Baby jumping Călușari Green week Morris dance Pinkster Rose Sundays Wakes week Whit ale Whit Friday Music Hymns Breathe on Me, Breath of God Come Down, O Love Divine Der Geist des Herrn erfüllt das All (The Spirit of the Lord fills the Universe) Komm, Gott Schöpfer, Heiliger Geist (Come, God Creator, Holy Spirit) Komm, Heilger Geist, der Leben schafft (Come, Holy Spirit, creating life) Komm, Heiliger Geist, Herre Gott (Come, Holy Spirit, God and Lord) Komm, Schöpfer Geist, kehr bei uns ein (Come, Creator Spirit, visit us) Nun bitten wir den Heiligen Geist (We now implore the Holy Ghost) Nunc sancte nobis spiritus (Come, Holy Ghost, Who Ever One) O komm, du Geist der Wahrheit (O come, you spirit of truth) Veni Creator Spiritus (Come Creator Spirit) Veni Sancte Spiritus (Come, Holy Spirit) Other Messe de la Pentecôte Orgelbüchlein § Pentecost BWV 631–634 Bach's church cantatas Related Pentecost season Season of Apostles Ordinary Time, Time after Pentecost, Time after Trinity Category

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Whit Monday](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whit_Monday) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whit_Monday?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.