Catholic Action To All Hibernians: The month of May is traditionally a month dedicated to Mary. This year May falls within the Easter season, the liturgical color being white. The Ascension of the Lord, a solemnity and holy day of obligation, falls this year on May 26. Many dioceses of the United States transfer the Ascension to the following Sunday. MAJOR SAINTS AND FEAST DAYS OF JANUARY May 2AthanasiusMemorialMay 3Philip and James, ApostlesFeastMay 10Damien de Veuster (The Leper)May 14Matthias, ApostleFeastMay 20Bernardine of SienaMay 26The Ascension of the LordSolemnityMay 31The … [Read more...] about Catholic Calendar – May 2022
Catholic Calendar – January 2022
Catholic Action To All Hibernians: In the early part of January, we are still within the Christmas season. The Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God (Jan. 1) is a holy day of obligation. At the Baptism of the Lord (January 9), we pass from the Christmas season to a segment of Ordinary Time prior to the Lenten season, from the liturgical color white to green. In the month of January, two American saints are commemorated, Elizabeth Ann Seton (January 4) and John Neumann (January 5). January 22 is a day of prayer for the legal protection of the unborn. MAJOR SAINTS AND FEAST DAYS OF … [Read more...] about Catholic Calendar – January 2022
Catholic Calendar – December 2021
Catholic Action To All Hibernians: In December we pass through the liturgical season of Advent into that of Christmas. Advent represents the time of preparation for the coming of the Savior. The liturgical color, representative of repentance and humility, is violet, except on the Third Sunday of Advent, traditionally known as Gaudete Sunday, when the color rose represents the joy of approaching the Christmas season. The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, celebrated on December 8, is the patronal feast of the United States, and a holy day of obligation. The Christmas season begins … [Read more...] about Catholic Calendar – December 2021
Catholic Calendar – September 2021
Catholic Action Greetings to All Hibernians: The month of September is still part of Ordinary Time, with green being the liturgical vestment color. MAJOR SAINTS AND FEAST DAYS OF MAY September 3Gregory the Great, Pope and DoctorMemorialSeptember 13John ChrysostomMemorialSeptember 14Exaltation of the Holy CrossFeastSeptember 16Cornelius, Pope and Martyr; Cyprian, Bishop and MartyrMemorialSeptember 21Matthew, Apostle and EvangelistFeastSeptember 23Pius of Pietrelcina (Padre Pio)MemorialSeptember 27Vincent de PaulMemorialSeptember 29Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, … [Read more...] about Catholic Calendar – September 2021
Catholic Calendar – August 2021
Catholic Action The month of August falls entirely within the cycle of Ordinary Time. The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, August 15, usually a holy day of obligation, falls upon a Sunday this year. MAJOR SAINTS AND FEAST DAYS OF MAY August 4John VianneyMemorialAugust 6Transfiguration of the LordFeastAugust 9Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein)August 11ClareMemorialAugust 13Our Lady of KnockAugust 14Maximilian KolbeMemorialAugust 15Assumption of the Blessed Virgin MarySolemnityAugust 20BernardMemorialAugust 21Pius XMemorialAugust 24Bartholomew, ApostleFeastAugust … [Read more...] about Catholic Calendar – August 2021
Catholic Calendar – April 2021
We begin the month of April with the culminating observances of Holy Week and the Easter Triduum. The Lenten liturgical color of violet gives way to white for Holy Thursday, red for Good Friday, and white for Easter and the Easter season. It is hoped that many Hibernians will be able to participate really, not just virtually, in the liturgies of Holy Week and Easter. The Sunday following Easter is Divine Mercy Sunday, so designated by Pope Saint John Paul II, building upon the mystical experiences of the Polish contemplative nun, Faustina Kowalska (d. 1938). MAJOR SAINTS AND FEAST DAYS OF … [Read more...] about Catholic Calendar – April 2021
Catholic Calendar – March 2021
In the month of March, we are entirely within the Lenten season, a season of penance leading up to Our Lord's Passion, Death, and Resurrection. Traditionally, Lenten penance has comprised fasting, prayer, and almsgiving. The liturgical color for Lent is violet, except that rose may be worn on the Fourth Sunday, Laetare Sunday (March 14). March 28 is Palm Sunday. Good Friday is a day of fast and abstinence; all the Fridays of Lent are days of abstinence. Check with your local parish or diocese for Lenten regulations on abstinence and fasting, for greater opportunities for confession, and … [Read more...] about Catholic Calendar – March 2021
Catholic Calendar – February 2021
February this year is a transitional month as far as the Church year is concerned. After two Sundays of Ordinary Time, the season of Lent begins with Ash Wednesday on Feb. 17. The liturgical color transitions from green to the penitential violet. As the season of Lent in preparation for Easter approaches, check with your diocese or parish for fast and abstinence regulations, as well as other opportunities for penance. MAJOR SAINTS AND FEAST DAYS OF JANUARY February 2The Presentation of the LordFeastFebruary 3Blaise, Bishop and MartyrOptionalFebruary 5Agatha, Virgin and … [Read more...] about Catholic Calendar – February 2021
Catholic Calendar – January 2021
In the early part of January, we are still within the Christmas season. The Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God (Jan. 1) is a holy day of obligation, at least in normal times. At the Baptism of the Lord (January 10) , we pass from the Christmas season to a segment of Ordinary Time prior to the Lenten season, from the liturgical color white to green. In the month of January, two American saints are commemorated, Elizabeth Ann Seton (January 4) and John Neumann (January 5). In the United States, January 22 is a day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children, in recognition of the … [Read more...] about Catholic Calendar – January 2021
Catholic Calendar – December 2020
In December we pass through the liturgical season of Advent into that of Christmas. Advent represents the time of preparation for the coming of the Savior. The liturgical color, representative of repentance and humility, is violet, except on the Third Sunday of Advent, traditionally known as Gaudete Sunday, when the color rose represents the joy of approaching the Christmas season. The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, celebrated on December 8, is the patronal feast of the United States, and a holy day of obligation. The Christmas season begins with the vigil Mass of Christmas. The … [Read more...] about Catholic Calendar – December 2020
Catholic Calendar – November 2020
November is a month to remember the departed, especially on All Souls' Day (Nov. 2). In November, we conclude a period of Ordinary time and the liturgical year with the Feast of Christ the King on Sunday, November 22. We open the new liturgical year with the first Sunday of the Advent season, November 29. Advent is a period of preparation for the Christmas season, and the liturgical color is violet. The Solemnity of All Saints, November 1, is a holy day of obligation. Thanksgiving Day falls on November 26. MAJOR SAINTS AND FEAST DAYS OF AUGUST November 1All SaintsSolemnityNovember … [Read more...] about Catholic Calendar – November 2020
Catholic Calendar – October 2020
The month of October still remains within Ordinary Time. October is a month dedicated to Mary, the Mother of God. MAJOR SAINTS AND FEAST DAYS OF AUGUST October 1Theresa of the Child Jesus, VirginMemorialOctober 2Guardian AngelsMemorialOctober 7Our Lady of the RosaryMemorialOctober 15Teresa of Avila, Virgin and DoctorMemorialOctober 17Ignatius of Antioch, Bishop and MartyrMemorialOctober 19John de Brebeuf, Isaac Jogues, and Companions, MartyrsMemorialOctober 22Pope St. John Paul IIMemorialOctober 28Simon and Jude, ApostlesFeast THE BATTLE OF LEPANTO In the sixteenth century, … [Read more...] about Catholic Calendar – October 2020