Religious Holidays and Observances
In an effort to foster a community of inclusion and belonging at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) we encourage you to be mindful of religious holidays, interfaith and holy days, and other commemorative events which may impact student and employee participation in campus programs, events, and activities.
Please refer to the resources below as you need to when conducting your program/event scheduling and planning this term/semester.
If you are unsure if the identified date may discourage active participation in your program/event please feel free to consult with a member of the Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Multicultural Education (ODIME) or Division of Talent and Inclusion.
Outlook Resources:
WPI's Policy on Religious Observances
A student who is unable to attend classes or participate in any examination, study, or work requirement on a particular day because of their religious beliefs shall be excused from any such examination or study or work requirement, and shall be provided with an opportunity to make up such examination, study, or work requirement which they may have missed because of such absence on any particular day; provided, however, that such makeup examination or work shall not create an unreasonable burden upon such school.
A Guide for Religious Observances
Religious Holy Days of Observance
This guide is for Religious Holy Days or Days of Awe and Observances across religious and spiritual traditions. These dates and periods of observance mark sacred time in the practices of those who hold identities around religious and religio-cultural traditions. For our campus community, we strive to make the Holy Days Calendar and guidance as accurate as possible and to describe the holy days, their significance, and the nature of observance correctly.
This guidance is published by the Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Multicultural Education (ODIME) (a) as a tool to educate the WPI community about the diverse religious traditions observed by our students, faculty, and staff and (b) to assist students, faculty, and staff in planning academic or work responsibilities, campus events, and other programs. This is not an exhaustive list of holy days or religious observances observed by members of the WPI community. Students, faculty, or staff may encounter requests for accommodation related to holy days not listed on this calendar.
Sources consulted in the process of curating this calendar include the Anti-Defamation League’s Calendar of Observances and other multifaith references. The calendar has also been reviewed by, WPI's Campus Chaplains, Religious Advisors, Division of Student Affairs staff, Division of Talent and Inclusion staff, alongside various faith communities both on-campus and in Worcester. We strive to make the Holy Days Calendar as accurate as possible and to describe the holy days, their significance, and the nature of observance correctly.
If you observe an oversight, error, or have an feedback, please contact us at diversity@wpi.edu.
Guidance for Students
While students are not automatically excused from class for observance, they may work with their course instructors for accommodation and are encouraged to speak with faculty in advance of missing academic commitments.
WPI faculty/staff are encouraged to acknowledge and communicate clearly to students about their right to be excused from class for observance of religious holidays and that they may work with their course instructors. Including this in the course syllabus and addressing it at the start of each semester will help guarantee a fully informed student population..
Guidance for Employees
Employees may request Paid Time Off for any religious observance, using accrued Vacation Days or Floating Holidays (Personal Time).
Supervisors are highly encouraged to support an employee’s preference to take leave for their religious observance.
Employees may request accommodation when their religious beliefs cause a deviation from WPI’s dress code, schedule, basic job duties, or other aspects of employment.
Please consult the policy in the Benefits and Policies Manual and, if applicable, complete this form.
Significance and Recommendations for High Holiday Observances
Fall High Holiday Observances
Feast of Assumption (August)
The Feast of the Assumption was fixed on the liturgical calendar by the sixth century, and by the twelfth century the liturgy for the Marian Feast of the Assumption was one of the most elaborate of the Western Christian Church. Mary, mother of Jesus, is seen as a mediator, carrying messages and prayer between faithful people and God. Understanding this history of the interpretation of her life and influence on Christian practices, liturgy, and worship one part of this celebration. Additionally, this Holy day marks the occasion of the Virgin Mary’s bodily ascent to heaven at the end of her life. While there is no literal feast required for this day, devoted candle lighting, mass attendance, and prayers are offered during this observance for peace and blessing.
*WPI does hold classes during The Feast of Assumption. Students are likely to be observing at home locally or off campus for mass visits on this sacred day.
Sri Krishna Janmashtami ( Varies August/September)
Sri Krishna Janmashtami is an annual Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of Krishna, the eighth avatar of Vishnu. It is an important festival, particularly in the Vaishnavism tradition of Hinduism. The celebratory customs associated with Janmashtami include a celebration festival, reading and recitation of religious texts, dance and enactments of the life of Krishna according to the Bhagavata Purana, devotional singing till midnight (the time of Krishna's birth), play of Dahi Handi, and fasting.
*WPI does hold classes during Sri Krishna Janmashtami. Students are likely to travel home locally or off campus for temple visits during this sacred time.
Recommendations (or Tips) for supporting the WPI Community
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Hindu students/employees observing this holy day would be fasting, and/or schedule to take some time off for temple visits and to celebrate the festival.
- Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, and activities.
Ganesh Chaturthi (Varies August/September)
Ganesh Chaturthi is one of the most important annual Hindu festivals commemorating the birth of the Hindu god Ganesha. The festival celebrates Ganesha as the God of New Beginnings and the Remover of Obstacles as well as the god of wisdom and intelligence. The festival is marked with the installation of Ganesha's clay idols privately in homes and publicly on elaborate temporary stages. Observances include chanting of Vedic hymns, Hindu texts prayers, offerings, prasadam, and fasting. The festival ends on the tenth day after the start, when the idol is carried in a public procession with music and group chanting, then immersed in a nearby body of water such as a river or sea, called visarjan on the day of Anant Chaturdashi.
*WPI does hold classes during Ganesh Chaturthi. Students are likely to travel home or off campus during this sacred time.
Recommendations (or Tips) for supporting the WPI Community
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Hindu students and employees observing this holy day would be fasting, and/or schedule time off for temple visits and to celebrate the festival.
Rosh Hashanah (Varies September/October)
Rosh Hashanah or “Head of the Year” is the Jewish New Year, starting at sunset and continuing for two days. On Rosh Hashanah, observers attend religious services and celebratory meals. Rosh Hashanah also marks the beginning of the Ten Days of Repentance, which conclude on Yom Kippur.
*WPI does hold classes during Rosh Hashanah. Students are likely to travel home/off campus during this sacred time.
Recommendations (or Tips) for Supporting the WPI Community
- Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, and activities.
- Jewish students and employees may be fasting all day.
Yom Kippur (Varies September/October)
Following Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur is also known as the Day of Atonement. Jewish community members observe Yom Kippur with a 25 hour fast (this does not include children, or those unable to fast for health/safety reasons) and religious services.
*WPI does hold classes during Yom Kippur. Students are likely to travel home or off campus during this sacred time.
Recommendations (or Tips) for Supporting the WPI Community
- Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, and activities.
- Jewish students and employees may be fasting all day.
Sukkot (Varies September/October)
Beginning five days after Yom Kippur, Sukkot is named after the structural sites erected by the Israelites to live in during their Exodus from Egypt, which Jewish folks today build to and dwell in to commemorate this time. Sukkot is also a harvest holiday and the beginning of the season of prayers for rain. Important ritual objects on sukkot include the lulav (a bundle of different types of branches) and an etrog (a species of citrus fruit commonly found in the Middle East). For Sukkot, Jewish people build a hut, the sukkah, which consists of two and a half walls and a roof made of branches and leaves. It is important that one can still see the sky when inside the sukkah. Jewish families eat their meals inside the sukkah.
*WPI does hold classes during Sukkot. Students are likely to travel home or off campus during this sacred time, specifically on the first two days.
Recommendations (or Tips) for Supporting the WPI Community
- Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, and activities on the first two days and the last day.
- If planning an event, provide food accommodation as requested (kosher restrictions apply).
Navaratri (Varies | Fall - September/October | Spring - March/April)
Navaratri is an annual Hindu festival observed in the honor of the divine feminine energy goddess Durga also referred to as Adi Parashakti. It spans over nine nights (and ten days). It is observed for different reasons and celebrated differently in various parts of the Hindu Indian cultural sphere. Devotees often celebrate Navaratri by fasting. On the final day, called Vijayadashami, the statues are either immersed in a water body such as a river or ocean, or the statue symbolizing evil is burnt with fireworks, marking the destruction of evil. Dussehra/Vijayadashami is observed for different reasons and celebrated differently in various parts of the Indian subcontinent. In the southern, eastern, northeastern, and some northern states of India, Vijayadashami marks the end of Durga Puja, remembering goddess Durga's victory against the buffalo demon Mahishasura to restore and protect dharma. In the northern, central and western states, it marks the end of Ramlila and commemorates God Rama's victory over the demon king Ravana. Towering effigies of Ravana, symbolizing evil, are burnt with fireworks, marking evil's destruction. The festival also starts the preparations for Diwali.
*WPI does hold classes during Navaratri. Students are likely to travel home locally or off campus for temple visits during this sacred time.
Recommendations (or Tips) for Supporting the WPI Community
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Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, and activities on the first and last day (two days).
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Hindu students/employees observing may be fasting, and/or schedule time off for temple visits and other celebrations.
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Observance includes vegetarian diet. Individuals observing would look for vegetarian food options on campus.
Diwali (Various October/November)
Diwali/Naraka Chaturdashi is the Hindu festival of lights with its variations also celebrated in other Indian religions. It symbolizes the spiritual "victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance". Diwali is celebrated during the Hindu lunisolar months of Ashvin and Kartika. It is typically celebrated by dressing in colorful clothing, lighting the inside and outside of homes with rows of lamps, lights or fireworks, or with rangoli, the art of using colorful sand or other materials to make designs on the floor.
*WPI does not hold classes during Diwali. Students are likely to travel home or off campus to observe the holiday.
Recommendations (or Tips) for Supporting the WPI Community
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Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, and activities on the first and last day (two days).
- Hindu students/employees observing may schedule time off for temple visits and other celebrations.
Advent (Varies November/December)
Advent is a season of four weeks of preparation for the coming of Christ, which observance in early December and ends in the commemoration of Christmas. These four weeks are a time of sacred preparation.
*WPI does hold classes during Advent. Students are likely to travel home or off campus during the weekend(s) over this period for special services during this sacred time.
Recommendations (or Tips) for Supporting the WPI Community
- Do not make the assumption that everyone is celebrating Christmas or that every person who is Christian would celebrate in the same way.
- Christian students and employees may be fasting.
Hanukkah (December)
Hanukkah marks a festival period to commemorate the rededication of the Second Temple, and is celebrated over eight days and nights, usually falling in December. Common celebration of Hanukkah included lighting a Hanukkiah, or Menorah.
*WPI does hold classes during Hanukkah. Students are likely to travel home or off campus during this sacred time.
Recommendations (or Tips) for Supporting the WPI Community
- Special foods may be shared during this time.
- Academics and work are permitted according to typical observance.
- If planning an event, provide food accommodation as requested (kosher restrictions might apply).
Kwanzaa (December)
Kwanzaa takes inspiration from the start of the harvest season in Africa, when the first crops are gathered. It’s a time that’s been celebrated throughout the continent for generations. During the week, families gather to give gifts, share feasts, and light candles in honor of their ancestors and their hopes for the future. Though Kwanzaa became a mainstream holiday in the 1980s, its traditions have faded in recent years.
*WPI does NOT hold classes during Kwanzaa. Students are likely to observe this sacred time during Winter intercession.
Recommendations (or Tips) for Supporting the WPI Community
- Be aware of Kwanzaa as a cultural celebration for African American employees.
- Because Kwanzaa focuses on community, staff members may be encouraged to celebrate African American culture with their work community, e.g., sharing of food, cultural stories, etc.
- Because Kwanzaa and the winter break holidays overlap, scheduling employees’ time off will need attention.
Spring High Holiday Observances
Lunar New Year (Varies January/February)
The Lunar New Year can be a secular, religious or cultural celebration. It is often associated with East Asian traditions. The Lunar New Year is the first day of the month of the lunar calendar. It kicks off the 15-day Spring Festival that marks the end of winter. At the end of the Spring Festival is the Lantern Festival, a community time of celebration when children carry lanterns in parades and fireworks are set off. Traditional celebration includes food and celebration with friends and family.
*WPI does hold classes during Lunar New Year celebration. Students are likely to travel home or off campus during this sacred time.
Recommendations (or Tips) for Supporting the WPI Community
- WPI community members may enjoy a New Year’s celebration by sharing foods and customs.
- Avoid major events on the second day of Lunar New Year, which is typically spent with family.
Lent (Varies February thru April)
The Great Lent is celebrated by Christians. Orthodox Christians and Western Christians share the belief that Jesus is believed to be the Savior, the Son of God. Ash Wednesday (February 14th) commemorates the period of time leading up to the death and resurrection of Jesus. This period of time is called a great period of Lent, or “Great Lent.” It is a time of fasting and repentance in remembrance of the account of Jesus’ 40 days of fasting in the desert. People will enter into a time of contemplation, which can include a conscious review of spiritual life and journey.
*WPI does hold classes during the Lenten season. Students and employees are likely to abstain from eating and drinking during the day from dawn to sunset. With this lifestyle change, changes in sleeping, eating, and physical activity levels are consequently affected. The Lenten Season ((C), (P) - March 30th (O) May 5th)) ends with Easter celebrations and students are likely to travel home or off campus during the sacred time.
Recommendations (or Tips) for Supporting the WPI Community
- Be aware that many people may fast or give up certain foods or activities during Great Lent. This may not be a good time for large celebrations centered on food.
- If food is provided, vegetarian and pescatarian options are advised.
- Some Orthodox Christians may observe Ash Wednesday.
Maha Shiv Ratri (Varies February/March)
Maha Shiv Ratri is one of the most important sectarian Indian festivals for Hindus. This is the day when the marriage of Shiva and Shakti is celebrated. The celebration involves all-night worship the night before, fasting on the day, prayer, and vigil.
*WPI may hold classes during Maha Shiv Ratri (pending Spring Break). Students are likely to travel home locally or off campus for temple visits during this sacred time.
Recommendations (or Tips) for Supporting the WPI Community
- Encourage stories from employees and students about how they observe.
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Hindu students/employees observing may be fasting, and/or schedule time off for temple visits and other celebrations.
Holi (Varies February/March)
Holi the festival of colors is a celebration of the victory of good over evil. It is also a celebration of the commencement of spring season in India after the winter season. It is celebrated with utmost joy throughout India, as the festival unites Hindus of all backgrounds. People of all ages celebrate Holi by dancing and smearing each other with vivid colors. The colors represent the range of human emotions and the diversity of life’s many experiences. Holi is generally celebrated on “Phalgun Purnima” (last full moon in March per the lunar calendar). On the night before Holi, a bonfire is lit, and people burn their old things, symbolically forgiving people who have hurt them in the past. Holi’s burning fire and colorful play represent the release of stored anger and other negative attitudes by believing in God’s power and keeping faith. Typical observance of Holi includes applying color to the face and spraying others around them with dry powder and colored water. Large bonfires are built, and singing, dancing and celebrations happen all day.
*WPI does hold classes during Holi. Students are likely to travel home or off campus during this sacred time.
Recommendations (or Tips) for Supporting the WPI Community
- Encourage stories from students and employees about the Holi festival.
- Remember that Holi is a fun-filled festival for Hindus.
- Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, and activities.
Ramadan (Varies March thru April)
The holy month of Ramadan is the 9th month in the Islamic lunar calendar. It is a month of fasting, worship, service, communal gathering, and spiritual development. Some may declare the month to begin a day before or after the predicted date. Likewise, the holiday commemorating the end of fasting, most often called Eid al-Fitr (April 10th) may fall on different days according to varying family, cultural, or interpretive preferences.
*WPI does hold classes during the Ramadan season. Students and employees are likely to abstain from eating and drinking during the day from dawn to sunset, eating only within a short overnight period. With this lifestyle change, changes in sleeping, eating, and physical activity levels are consequently affected. Eid al-Fitr (April 8-10) marks the end of Ramadan and may fall on different days according to varying family, cultural, or interpretive preferences. Students are likely to travel home or off campus during the sacred time.
Recommendations (or Tips) for Supporting the WPI Community
- Be aware when Ramadan begins and ends (various annually).
- Assuming they are in good health, Muslim staff members, faculty members and students may be fasting during Ramadan. It is good to bear this in mind when planning activities, parties, etc., that involve food or beverages.
- Muslims may want to pray more frequently during Ramadan, so providing a private space for prayer is important. Many may want to take time off for the conclusion of Ramadan, called Eid al-Fitr. This is a time of celebration with gift giving and traditional foods.
- Muslim students/employees will fast during daylight hours, which may result in less stamina.
- Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, and activities on Eid al-Fitr.
- For evening events, provide food accommodations as requested (Islamic dietary restrictions apply).
Good/Holy Friday and Easter (Varies March/April)
Good Friday is considered by many one of the holiest days of the liturgical year. Part of the Triduum, Good Friday is the day the Church turns its attention to the cross on Calvary. It is the somber day Jesus Christ was crucified. Parishes of whom observe this day can be seen with a bare altar and with the door of the empty tabernacle open. As the Church mourns, Catholics are also called to solemnly observe this holy day. Good Friday is followed by Easter Sunday, the day Christians commemorate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. While both of these holy days are observed by all Christians, (C)atholic and (P)rotestant Christian dates of observance differ from (O)rthodox Christian dates of observance. This difference in dates is because (C)atholic and (P)rotestant Christians follow the Gregorian calendar instituted by Pope Gregory XIII and (O)rthodox Christians follow the Julian calendar instituted by Julius Ceasar.
*WPI does hold classes during Good Friday. Students are likely to travel home or off campus during the sacred time.
Recommendations (or Tips) for Supporting the WPI Community
- Some Christian students and employees may be fasting.
- Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, and activities on Easter.
Mahaveer Jayanti (Varies March/April)
Mahavir Jayanti is one of the most significant festivals among the Jain community. The festival commemorates the birth of Lord Mahavira. Those who observe will visit temples and/or gather with family. The festival is celebrated to champion the cause of peace and harmony, and also spread the teachings of Lord Mahavira. A procession is carried out in the form of “rath yatra” with Lord Mahavira’s idol neatly placed on the top. Temples are decorated with flags and those observing offer food and clothes to the needy.
Recommendations (or Tips) for Supporting the WPI Community
- Students and employees may visit temples on this day or travel off-campus.
Passover (Varies March/April)
Passover marks the liberation of the children of Israel from bondage and their subsequent exodus from Egypt in an (8) day celebration. A Passover seder - a meal following a specific ritual order retelling the story of the exodus, and including prayers, songs, and special food - is one of the most observed Jewish practices. In addition to attending seders, many Jewish individuals observe Passover by refraining from eating or benefiting from chametz - bread or wheat/grain products, for the duration of the holiday.
*WPI does hold classes during the Passover season. With this lifestyle change, changes in sleeping, eating, and physical activity levels are consequently affected. Wednesday April 30th marks the end of Passover and students are likely to travel home or off campus during the sacred time.
Recommendations (or Tips) for Supporting the WPI Community
- Be sensitive to eating situations during Passover (Pesach) and consider providing a Kosher for Passover (Pesach)meal or option for those observing.
- Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, and activities.
- If planning an event, provide food accommodation as requested (kosher restrictions might apply).
Yom HaShoah/International Holocaust Remembrance Day (Varies April/May)
Yom HaShoah, also known as Yom Hashoah VeHagevurah or International Holocaust Remembrance Day means the “day of remembrance of the Catastrophe and the Heroism.” The observance is held one week after the seventh day of Passover. Rituals and traditions for this holiday are still in the process of being formed. Services vary from synagogue to synagogue. Most synagogues and Jewish communities gather together for a day of worship, music and poetry, and stories from survivors. Today many commemorate Yom HaShoah by trying to incorporate themes of personal social justice into their observances.
*WPI does hold classes during this day.
Recommendations (or Tips) for Supporting the WPI Community
- Students and employees may visit temples on this day.
Buddha Jayanti (May)
Buddha Jayanti, Buddha's Birthday, or "'Buddha Day"' (also known as Buddha Purnima and Buddha Pournami) is a primarily Buddhist festival that is celebrated in most of South, Southeast and East Asia, commemorating the birth of the prince Siddhartha Gautama, who became the Gautama Buddha and founded Buddhism. Buddhists will often visit temples, pray, meditate, and read the teachings of Buddha.
Recommendations (or Tips) for Supporting the WPI Community
- Students and employees may visit temples on this day.
Eid al-Adha (Varies June/July)
Eid al-Adha or Festival of Sacrifice is a four-day holiday observed by Muslim community members that commemorates Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son, who was miraculously replaced by a lamb. It also highlights the end of the annual pilgrimage to Mecca, called Hajj. Prayers are held at the mosque followed by an evening feast.
*WPI does hold classes during this time. Students are likely to travel home or off campus during the sacred time.
Recommendations (or Tips) for Supporting the WPI Community
- Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, and activities.
ODIME Religious Holiday Calendar
The Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Multicultural Education (ODIME) has curated a number of religious holidays and holy days students and employees might be observing during the year. The religious holidays and observances included in this resource are neither exclusive nor exhaustive. This resource is a snapshot for the user's consideration and mindfulness around planning, scheduling, and support of members of the WPI community observing these holidays.