Last year I wrote a post on Halloween, All Saints and All Souls Day.
Since it’s that time of year again — can you believe it?! — I’d like to share an updated and improved version of that post.
I’ll explain the connection between these three days and their meaning for Catholics.
Today, August 15th is the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
This is a Holy Day of Obligation, which means that Catholics must attend Mass.
In 1950, Pope Pius XII wrote on the teaching of the Assumption:
The Immaculate Mother of God, the ever Virgin Mary, having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory (Munificentissimus Deus 44).
The Solemnity of the Assumption — known as the Dormition of Mary in the Eastern Churches — is a special day for me and an important day for all Christians.
This Sunday, June 9th the Church celebrates Pentecost.
Merry Christmas!
I know it’s after December 25th, but it’s still Christmas.
Even though many treat Christmas like it’s one day, it’s actually a season that lasts much longer. (Good thing because that’s a lot of preparation for just one day!)
The Christmas season begins on December 24th with Christmas Eve Mass. During the Christmas season, we rejoice in the incredible mystery of the birth of Christ.
And the angel said to them [shepherds], “Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people; for to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a babe wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger” (Luke 2:10-12).
Many feasts occur during this season, including:
