Religious Observances at Trinity
Trinity is a vibrant community made up of people of many faiths. We encourage students, faculty, and staff to be aware and respectful of the diverse religious observances of the University community’s members.
Religious Observance Excused Absence Policy for Students
Students who are absent from class in order to observe a religious holiday will be excused from classes under the following circumstances:
- A student’s absence from class does not excuse the student from any work missed during the absence.
- Students may not be penalized for excused absences; the student and instructor will devise an appropriate substitute for missed work, classes, and examinations.
- The responsibility to make up work lies solely with the student, who should discuss the missed assignments with the instructor.
- Students must discuss with the instructor as far in advance as possible the fact that they will miss classes to observe a religious holiday.
Religious Accommodations Policy
Trinity University is strengthened by its global and multicultural character and is committed to equity in education. This commitment includes embracing religious diversity and cultivating a community of inclusion and respect. To this end Trinity recognizes the importance of students having the opportunity to fulfill their religious obligations and practices and seeks to provide reasonable accommodation for an individual’s sincerely held religious beliefs and practices. Every effort will be made to meet an accommodation request unless doing so would result in undue hardship or would fundamentally alter the University’s work, program, or mission.
To learn more visit the Trinity Policy Portal.
To submit a request, complete the Trinity University Student Religious Accommodation Request Form.
Religious Observance Google Calendar
- Open the Google Calendar website
- On the left side, find “Other Calendars” and click on the down arrow
- Select “Subscribe to Calendar”
- In the field provided, enter h1fkc78ne7p70f5dmt8mac79ems@group.calendar.google.com
- Select “Add Calendar”
- The calendar will appear on the left side, under Other Calendars
Religious Observance Calendar
Major Holy Days 2025-2026
The days listed in this calendar are the most likely to affect the academic calendar. (Thank you to our friends at the Yale University Chaplain’s Office for developing this calendar.)
The calendar below is not a comprehensive list of holy days, but it includes dates of particular significance to traditions represented on campus that occur during the months that the academic year is in session. Suggestions for additions to this list may be directed to Chaplain Alex Serna-Wallender.
NOTE: * Begins at sundown the day before this date and ends at sundown on this date.
- June and July 2025
June 5-9
Eid Al-Adha | Muslim - The Festival of Sacrifice remembers Abraham’s devotion in offering his son as a sacrifice. Work is generally prohibited.July 4-5
Ashura | Muslim - For Shias, a commemoration of the martyrdom of Hussein, a grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, at Karbala.- August 2025
August 1
Krishna Janmashtami | Hindu - The birthday of Sri Krishna, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu who helped restore the balance of good over evilAugust 21-28
Paryushana Parva | Jain - Eight-day Festival of Forgiveness and Self-Discipline.August 26
Ganesh Chaturti | Hindu - Birthday of Sri Ganesha, revered as the god of wisdom, prosperity and good fortune and the remover of obstacles.- September 2025
September 22 - October 1
Navratri | Hindu -Festival of 9 nights celebrating the Goddess in her various forms, most typically as Ma DurgaSeptember 23-24*
Rosh Hashanah | Jewish - Beginning of the Jewish Year and High Holy Days. Work is generally prohibited.- October 2025
October 2*
Yom Kippur | Jewish - The Day of Atonement. Most solemn Jewish holy day. Adults fast from food and drink. Work is generally prohibited.October 6
Autumn Moon Festival | Buddhist- Celebrates the end of autumn and the full moon.October 7*- 13
Sukkot | Jewish -The Feast of the Tabernacles, where meals are consumed in a temporary outdoor structure. Harvest Festival. Work is generally prohibited on the first two days.October 14*
Shemini Atzeret | Jewish - Marks the end of Sukkot. Work is generally prohibited.October 15*
Simchat Torah | Jewish - Celebrates and marks both the conclusion of the annual cycle of public Torah readings and the beginning of a new cycle. Work is generally prohibited.October 17-22
Diwali | Hindu, Jain, Sikh - Festival of Lights. Light symbolizes a force against darkness, ignorance, and evil. Diwali is celebrated over a period of 5 days.October 22 & 23
Birth of the Bab and Birth of Baha'u'llah| Bahá’í Faith - Days honoring the birth of two of the founders of the Bahá’í Faith.October 31
Samhain | Wiccan/Pagan - Festival of Darkness honoring the dead.- November 2025
November 1
All Saint’s Day | Christian - Honors all the saints known and unknown.November 30
First Sunday of Advent | Christian- Season of expectant waiting and preparation of the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus at Christmas.November 30
Srimad Bhagavad Gita Jayanti | Hindu - Gita Jayanti is the date that Lord Krishna revealed the Bhagavad Gita, a Hindu sacred text, to Prince Arjuna.- December 2025
December 8
Bodhi Day | Buddhist - Celebration of Buddha’s attainment of enlightenment.December 15 - 22*
Hanukkah | Jewish - Festival of Lights. Marks the victory of the Maccabees and the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem.December 25
Christmas | Christian - Celebration of the Birth of Jesus Christ.- January 2026
January 7
Christmas | Orthodox Christian - Celebration of the Birth of Jesus Christ.January 14
Makara Sankranti | Hindu - A celebration marking the advent of the Sun’s northerly migration and forthcoming Spring.January 16*
Lailat al Miraj | Muslim - Commemoration of Prophet Muhammad’s ascension to Heaven.- February 2026
February 15
Maha Shivaratri | Hindu - An evening celebration of the wedding of Lord Shiva and his consort Goddess ParvatiFebruary 17
Lunar New Year - | - An East Asian celebration of the arrival of Spring and the beginning of a New Year on the Lunisolar Calendar.February 18
Ash Wednesday | Christian - The beginning of Lent, a 40-day period of fasting and reflection preceding Easter.February 18 - March 18*
Ramadan | Muslim - Holy month of fasting.- March 2026
March 2 - 20*
Nineteen Day Fast | Bahá’í Faith - Bahá’ís between the ages of 15 and 70 fast without food or drink from sunrise to sunset.March 3*
Purim | Jewish - Celebration of the story of Esther.March 3 - 4
Holi | Hindu - Festival of colors. A two-day festival, Holi celebrates the advent of spring and the enduring message that good will always be victorious over evil.March 15
Laylat Al Qadr | Islamic - Celebrates the night when the Quran was revealed to the Prophet MuhammadMarch 20*
Ostara | Wiccan/Pagan - Celebrates Spring, also known as the vernal equinox.March 21*
Nowruz (New Year) | Zoroastrian and Bahá’í Faith.March 21*
Eid Al-Fitr* | Islamic - Marks the end of Ramadan, Holy Month of fastingMarch 26
Rama Navami | Hindu - Celebration of the birth of Sri Rama, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu who helped restore the balance of good over evil.March 29
Palm/Passion Sunday | Christian - Celebration of joyful entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem. Beginning of Holy Week, preceding Easter.- April 2026
April 2 - 9*
Pesach (Passover) | Jewish - Festival of liberation of Israelites from Slavery in Egypt. Work is prohibited on the first and last two days.April 2
Holy Thursday | Christian - Commemoration of the Last Supper of Jesus with the Disciples.April 3
Good/Holy Friday |Christian - Commemoration of the Crucifixion of Jesus.April 5
Easter | Christian - Celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus.April 12
Pascha | Orthodox Christian - Celebration of Resurrection of Jesus.April 14
Vaisakhi | Sikh - Marks the formation of the Khalsa (religious community of Sikhs) by Guru Gobind Singh.April 20 - May 2*
Ridvan | Bahá’í Faith - Commemoration of the 12 days when its Founder, Baha’u’llah, declared his mission.- May 2026
May 1*
Beltane | Wiccan/Pagan - Festival of Light honoring Life and Fertility.May 22 - 24*
Shavuot | Jewish - Festival commemorating giving of the Torah at Mt. SinaiMay 26*
Eid al-Adha | Islamic - The Festival of Sacrifice remembers Abraham's devotion in offering his son as a sacrifice. Work is prohibited.