Feast of St Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, March 20
“Hail, Guardian of the Redeemer, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary. To you God entrusted his only Son; in you, Mary placed her trust; with you Christ became man. Blessed Joseph, to us too, show yourself a father and guide us in the path of life. Obtain for us grace, mercy and courage, and defend us from every evil. Amen.“– Pope Francis
Sources: https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-joseph-husband-of-mary/; https://aleteia.org/2019/03/18/why-is-the-feast-of-st-joseph-on-march-19/; https://www.dioceseofcleveland.org/news/2021/03/18/celebrating-st-joseph-on-his-feast-day-and-with-a-special-year
St. Cyril of Jerusalem, March 18
On March 18, the Church honors St. Cyril of Jerusalem, a fourth-century bishop and Doctor of the Church whose writings are still regarded as masterful expressions of the Christian faith.
He is also remembered for his exhaustive Biblical knowledge and his endurance in the face of misunderstanding and opposition. In a 2007 general audience, Pope Benedict XVI praised the saint for providing an “integral” form of Christian instruction, “involving body, soul, and spirit.” St. Cyril’s teaching, the Pope said, “remains emblematic for the catechetical formation of Christians today.
St. Patrick, March 17
On March 17, Catholics celebrate St. Patrick, the fifth-century bishop, and patron of Ireland, whose life of holiness set the example for many of the Church’s future saints.
Legends about Patrick abound, but the truth is best served by our seeing two solid qualities in him: He was humble and he was courageous. The determination to accept suffering and success with equal indifference guided the life of God’s instrument for winning most of Ireland for Christ.
Ash Wednesday, February 22
Our Masses are at 8:30 AM & 7:00 PM
“If there ever is a day of the year when you can spot Catholics at a glance, Ash Wednesday is it. It is the one time when Catholics literally wear their faith on their foreheads.” – Susan Hines-Brigger, 2020, Franciscan Spirit Blog
Read Blog — https://www.franciscanmedia.org/franciscan-spirit-blog/ash-wednesday-wearing-our-faith-on-our-foreheads/.
Our Lady of Lourdes, February 11
On December 8, 1854, Pope Pius IX proclaimed the dogma of the Immaculate Conception. A little more than three years later, on February 11, 1858, a young lady appeared to Bernadette Soubirous. This began a series of visions. During the apparition on March 25, the lady identified herself with the words: “I am the Immaculate Conception.”
Our Lady of Lourdes is the Patron Saint of – Relief from Physical Ills.
Sources: https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint/our-lady-of-lourdes-144; https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/our-lady-of-lourdes/
World Day for the Sick, February 11
February 11 is World Day of the Sick, an observation introduced by Pope John Paul II as a way for believers to offer prayers for those suffering from illnesses.
“To the intercession of Mary, Health of the Sick, I entrust all of you who are ill; you who care for them in your families, or through your work, research and volunteer service; and those of you who are committed to weaving personal, ecclesial, and civic bonds of fraternity. To all, I impart my heartfelt blessing” – Pope Francis
Click HERE to read the full message of Pope Francis
Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, February 2
Forty days after Christmas, the Church celebrates the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, an event that the evangelist Luke recounts in Chapter 2 of his Gospel. In the East, the celebration of this feast dates back to the 4th century.
Around the middle of the 5th century, we know the feast was also celebrated in Rome. At a certain point, the blessing of candles was added to this feast to recall that Jesus is the “light to the Gentiles”. Thus, this feast is also sometimes referred to as Candlemas.
Sources: https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/presentation-of-the-lord/; https://www.vaticannews.va/en/liturgical-holidays/feast-of-the-presentation-of-the-lord.html
St Thomas Aquinas, January 28
Saint Thomas Aquinas showed that the Catholic faith is in harmony with philosophy and all other branches of knowledge. He is one of the great teachers of the medieval Catholic Church, honored with the titles Doctor of the Church and Angelic Doctor.
His best-known achievements are his works of theology– Summa Contra Gentiles, the Compendium Theologiae, and the great Summa Theologica, which was placed on the altar along with the Bible at the 16th century Council of Trent for easy reference during discussions.
He is the patron saint of Catholic Colleges and Universities, Educators/Teachers, Philosophers/Theologians and Students.
Source: https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint/st-thomas-aquinas-130; https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-thomas-aquinas/
St Francis De Sales, Bishop, and Doctor of the Church, January 28
At 35, he became Bishop of Geneva. His two well-known books are Introduction to the Devout Life and A Treatise on the Love of God. His writings, filled with his characteristic gentle spirit, are addressed to lay people. He wants to make them understand that they too are called to be saints.
He is the patron saint of authors, deafness, journalists, and writers.
Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children, January 23
In all the Dioceses of the United States of America, January 23 shall be observed as a particular day of prayer for the full restoration of the legal guarantee of the right to life and of penance for violations to the dignity of the human person committed through acts of abortion.
The Baptism of the Lord, January 9
We celebrate the Feast on January 9. We commemorate the Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River by St. John the Baptist. On this occasion, Jesus entered into His ministry and acquired His first disciples, St. John proclaimed Christ the Lamb of God, whose way he had prepared, and the Triune nature of the Godhead was manifested.
The Epiphany of the Lord, January 8
We celebrate the feast of the Lord’s Epiphany on January 8.
The word “epiphany” comes from the Greek epiphainen, a verb that means “to shine upon,” “to manifest,” or “to make known.” The feast of the Epiphany celebrates the many ways that Christ has made Himself known to the world, mainly the three events that manifested the mission and divinity of Christ: the visit of the Magi (Matthew 2:1-12), the baptism of Jesus (Mark 1:9-11), and the miracle at Cana (John 2:1-11).
Saint John Neumann, January 5
He was born in what is now the Czech Republic. He came to New York at 25 and was ordained a priest. He did missionary work in New York until he was 29, when he joined the Redemptorists and became its first member to profess vows in the United States. Well-known for his holiness and learning, spiritual writing and preaching, in 1963, he became the first American bishop to be beatified. Neumann took seriously our Lord’s words, “Go and teach all nations.” He is the patron saint of Educators and Teachers.
St Elizabeth Ann Seaton, January 4
She is one of the keystones of the American Catholic Church. She founded the first American religious community for women, the Sisters of Charity. She opened the first American parish school and established the first American Catholic orphanage. She was the first American-born citizen to be beatified (1963) and then canonized (1975). She is the patron saint of Catholic Schools, Educators/Teachers, Loss of Parents and Widows.
Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, January 1
Holy Family of Jesus Mary & Joseph, December 30
This feast day honors Jesus, the Blessed Mother, and St. Joseph as the holiest of families, and therefore a model for all Christian families. They placed God at the center of their family life, they loved and sacrificed for one another, and they radiated that love to others in the redemptive mission of the Word Incarnate.
Christmas Day, December 25
On this Fourth Sunday of Advent – December 18, light all three violet and the rose candles on your Advent wreath and pray that the light of Christ will enter your heart so that you may share the warmth of God’s love with those you meet.
Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, December 12
In 1531, the Blessed Mother appeared four times to St. Juan Diego asking for a church to be built in her honor.
The last time she appeared to St. Juan, on December 12th, 1531, she arranged roses in his tilma, which he then took to the bishop. When he opened his cloak, the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe was miraculously present on the tilma.
We therefore celebrate the feast day of Our Lady under the title of Guadalupe on December 12th. It is preceded on December 9th by the feast of St. Juan Diego, who was canonized in 2002 by Pope St. John Paul II.
On December 11, we celebrate the Third Sunday of Advent, Gaudete Sunday. At this halfway point in Advent, light two violet and one rose candle on your Advent wreath and Rejoice! For the Lord is near!
Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, December 8
In 1854, Pius IX solemnly proclaimed: “The most Blessed Virgin Mary, in the first instant of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege granted by almighty God, in view of the merits of Jesus Christ, the savior of the human race, was preserved free from all stain of original sin.”.
Mary was granted this extraordinary privilege because of Her unique role in history as the Mother of God. That is, she received the gift of salvation in Christ from the very moment of her conception.
The Solemnity is a time to celebrate the great joy of God’s gift to humanity in Mary, and to recognize with greater clarity, the truth that each and every human being has been created by God to fulfill a particular mission that he and only he can fulfill.
Sources:
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint/solemnity-of-the-immaculate-conception-of-the-blessed-virgin-77
https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/immaculate-conception-of-the-blessed-virgin-mary
We celebrate the Second Sunday of Advent on December 4. On this Second Sunday of Advent, light two violet candles on your Advent wreath and ask God for the strength to be like John the Baptist, preparing the way of the Lord.
We celebrate the First Sunday of Advent on November 27. Begin your Advent journey by blessing your Advent wreath. Light the first violet candle and sing “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.”
All Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, November 20
On the last Sunday of each liturgical year, the Church celebrates the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, or Christ the King.
Christ’s kingship is rooted in the Church’s teaching on the Incarnation. Jesus is fully God and fully man. He is both the divine Lord and the man who suffered and died on the Cross. One person of the Trinity unites himself to human nature and reigns over all creation as the Incarnate Son of God.
We love Jesus in our private lives, but we shrink from acknowledging the kingship of Christ in social life. When we celebrate the Solemnity of Christ the King, we declare to the world and remind ourselves that Jesus is the Lord of the Church and of the entire universe.
Click HERE to learn more!
All Saints & All Souls Day, November 1 & 2
St John Paul II, Pope, October 22
Born in Poland, Pope Saint John Paul was elected pope in Oct 1978. He was the first non-Italian pope in 455 years. He promoted ecumenical and interfaith initiatives.
“Christ is the center of the universe and of human history” was the opening line of John Paul II’s 1979 encyclical, Redeemer of the Human Race. In 1995, he described himself to the United Nations General Assembly as “a witness to hope.”
In the last years of his life, he suffered from Parkinson’s disease and was forced to cut back on some of his activities. Pope Benedict XVI beatified John Paul II in 2011, and Pope Francis canonized him in 2014.
https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-john-paul-ii
Feast Day of St. Teresa of Avila, October 15
Teresa lived in an age of exploration as well as political, social, and religious upheaval. She entered the Carmelites despite strong opposition from her father. Her writings on prayer and contemplation are drawn from her experience: powerful, practical, and graceful.
She founded over a half-dozen new monasteries. Her writings, especially the Way of Perfection and The Interior Castle, have helped generations of believers. In 1970, the Church gave her the title she had long held in the popular mind: Doctor of the Church. She and St. Catherine of Siena were the first women so honored.
Blessed Carlo Acutis, October 14
He died in 2006 and was beatified in 2020. Carlo spent four years creating a website dedicated to cataloging every reported Eucharistic miracle around the world. Presiding at the beatification service, Cardinal Agostino Vallini praised Carlo as an example of how young people can use technology to spread the Gospel “to reach as many people as possible and help them know the beauty of friendship with the Lord.”
St Francis of Assisi – October 4
Saint Francis of Assisi: founder of the Franciscan family, Patron Saint of ecology, inspiration to thousands, claimed by people of all faiths as well as by those with no particular faith, a truly “catholic and apostolic man.” Though born in the 13th century, he belongs to all ages.
Feast of the Guardian Angels – October 2
Angels play an important role in Sacred Scripture as messengers of God. The belief that each person has a guardian angel watching over him or her is an extension of that role and a reminder of God’s never-failing providence.
St Therese of the Child Jesus, Doctor of the Church, October 1
Saint Thérèse of Lisieux is perhaps one of the most known and best-loved saints in the Catholic calendar. A young Carmelite nun who wanted to go to the missions, she remained within the cloister yet became the patron of the missions.
St Jerome, Priest, and Doctor of the Church, September 30
Known mostly for his translation of the Scriptures into Latin, Saint Jerome was also an inspiring writer of letters and commentaries. He stands out as one of the four great Doctors of the Latin Church.
Saints Michael, Gabriel & Raphael, September 29
Angels appear frequently in Scripture, but only Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael are named. Each of these archangels performs a different mission in Scripture: Michael protects; Gabriel announces; Raphael guides.
Feast Day of St Vincent de Paul, September 27
St. Vincent de Paul was ordained a priest on September 23, 1600. Vincent devoted himself entirely to the alleviation of the suffering of the poor. To that cause, he established the Confraternities of Charity, later known as the Ladies of Charity, in 1617. In 1625, he founded the Congregation of the Mission, his community of priests and brothers. With Louise de Marillac, he co-founded the Daughters of Charity in 1633. Pope Leo XIII declared him the patron saint of all works of charity.
Catechetical Sunday, September 18
Catechetical Sunday is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the role that each person plays, by virtue of Baptism, in handing on the faith and being a witness to the Gospel.
This year, the theme is: “This is my body given for you”.
We invite our Catechists to be commissioned for their ministry at the Sunday 9:45 AM mass this weekend.
Our Lady of Sorrows, September 15
The feast of Our Lady of Sorrows commemorates the seven great sorrows which Mary lived in relation to Her Son, as they are recorded in the Gospels or through Tradition. Today we are invited to reflect on Mary’s deep suffering
Sources: https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint/our-lady-of-sorrows-595
Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, September 8
Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, September 14
The one symbol most often identified with Jesus and his Church is the cross. This feast traces its beginning to Jerusalem and the dedication of the church built on the site of Mount Calvary in 335. But the meaning of the cross is deeper than any city, any celebration, any building. The cross is a sign of suffering, a sign of human cruelty at its worst. But by Christ’s love shown in the Paschal Mystery, it has become the sign of triumph and victory, the sign of God, who is love itself.
We often make the Sign of the Cross over ourselves. We make it before prayer to help fix our minds and hearts on God. By the Sign of the Cross in Baptism, Jesus takes us as his own in a unique way. Let us make the Sign of the Cross and realize we bring our whole selves to God—our minds, souls, bodies, wills, thoughts, hearts—everything we are and will become.
Sources: https://www.loyolapress.com/catholic-resources/saints/saints-stories-for-all-ages/triumph-of-the-cross/ and https://www.vaticannews.va/en/liturgical-holidays/feast-of-the-exaltation-of-the-holy-cross.html
Memorial of The Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary, August 22
The Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, August 15
“Mary’s secret is humility. It is her humility that attracted God’s gaze to her. The human eye always looks for grandeur and allows itself to be dazzled by what is flashy. Instead, God does not look at the appearance. God looks at the heart (cf 1 Sam 16:7) and is enchanted by humility.”
“Today, then, let us ask ourselves, each one of us in our heart: how am I doing with humility? And let us pray to her now that she may accompany us on our journey that leads from Earth to Heaven. May she remind us that the secret to the journey is contained in the word humility. Let us not forget this word, and that lowliness and service are the secrets for obtaining the goal, of reaching heaven.”
~ Pope Francis, August 15, 2021
Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord, August 6
August 6 is the solemnity of the Transfiguration. This great day celebrates the privileged moment when three of Christ’s disciples glimpsed Christ’s divine glory.
All three Synoptic Gospels tell the story of the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-8; Mark 9:2-9; Luke 9:28-36). All three place the event shortly after Peter’s confession of faith that Jesus is the Messiah and Jesus’ first prediction of his passion and death. Tradition names Mount Tabor as the site of the revelation.
God became human in Christ so that humanity could share in the life of God. This is the great mystery of the Transfiguration unveiled. The revelation of Jesus Christ, who is God, is what the Church celebrates today.
Sources:
https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/transfiguration-of-the-lord;
https://www.wordonfire.org/articles/feast-of-the-transfiguration-of-the-lord
Feast of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, July 3
July 31 is the feast day of St. Ignatius of Loyola. The Spanish saint is known for founding the Society of Jesus, also known as the Jesuits, as well as for creating the “Spiritual Exercises” often used today for retreats and individual discernment.
Ignatian spirituality challenges us to encounter God in all things, witnessing the joy of the Gospel. We are women and men for and with others, hearing both the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor—and responding. And we do all for the greater glory of God.
Feast Day of Saint Junípero Serra, July 1
He was canonized as a Saint of the Catholic Church by Pope Francis during his official visit to the United States on September 23, 2015. In his Homily, Pope Francis identified the character of Saint Junípero Serra and the spirit of his missionary life.
“Today we remember one of those witnesses who testified to the joy of the Gospel in these lands, Father Junípero Serra. He was the embodiment of “a Church which goes forth”, a Church which sets out to bring everywhere the reconciling tenderness of God.”
Click HERE to learn more!
Memorial of the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary, June 25
This Marian devotion focuses on the Blessed Mother’s interior life, celebrating her joys and sorrows, her virtues, and her love for God. While the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus focuses on how Jesus’ heart is full of love for us, the devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary reflects on how Mary’s heart is full of love for the Savior. In this sense, it is another way of honoring Mary as the Mother of God.
Click HERE to learn more!
Memorial of the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary, June 25
This Marian devotion focuses on the Blessed Mother’s interior life, celebrating her joys and sorrows, her virtues, and her love for God. While the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus focuses on how Jesus’ heart is full of love for us, the devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary reflects on how Mary’s heart is full of love for the Savior. In this sense, it is another way of honoring Mary as the Mother of God.
Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, June 24
This is a feast that honors the Sacred Heart. In 1675, Jesus told St. Margaret Mary that he wanted the Feast of the Sacred Heart to be celebrated on the Friday after the Corpus Christi octave. In 1856, the Feast of the Sacred Heart became a universal feast. St. John Paul II, a great devotee of the Sacred Heart, said, “This feast reminds us of the mystery of the love of God for the people of all times.”
Click HERE to learn more!
Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist, June 23
Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, June 19
The Return of the Twelve and the Feeding of the Five Thousand.
Jesus spoke to the crowds about the kingdom of God and healed those who needed to be cured.
Now the men there numbered about five thousand. Then he said to his disciples, “Have them sit down in groups of [about] fifty.” They did so and made them all sit down. Then taking the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he said the blessing over them, broke them and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd. They all ate and were satisfied. And when the leftover fragments were picked up, they filled twelve wicker baskets. Lk 9:11b, 14-17
The Feast of the Most Holy Trinity, June 12
Jesus said to his disciples:
“I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now.
But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth.
He will not speak on his own, but he will speak what he hears,
and will declare to you the things that are coming.” Jn 16:12-13
“I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now.
But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth.
He will not speak on his own, but he will speak what he hears,
and will declare to you the things that are coming.” Jn 16:12-13
Pentecost Sunday, June 5
The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” Jn 20:20-21
The Lord’s Ascension on the 7th Sunday of Easter, May 29
“Then he led them out as far as Bethany, raised his hands, and blessed them. As he blessed them he parted from them and was taken up to heaven.” Lk 24:46-53
The Feast of the Visitation, May 31
“And Mary said: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name.”” Lk 1:39-56