Today is Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. Lent is the perfect time to refocus ourselves and look to ways in which we can better serve God and open our hearts to him.
Category: Feast Days
The Conversion of Saul
The 25th January is the Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul. I’m sure we all know the story of Saint Paul. When he was Saul, he was a persecutor of Christians. One day he was off to Damascus (to persecute some more Christians) when he was suddenly blinded by a bright light. This event, and those that followed, resulted in one of the most well known accounts of conversion in the bible and a change in the course of the new Christian Church.
The Canonisation of Saint Mary of the Cross
Mary MacKillop was canonised on October 17th, 2010 at Saint Peter’s Basilica, Rome. Pope Benedict XVI proclaimed Mary’s sainthood during a canonisation mass, which was streamed live around the world.
Saint Mary of the Cross
August 8 is the solemnity of St Mary of the Cross (Mary MacKillop). Mary MacKillop is Australia’s first saint. She led a remarkable life in service of others.
The Feast of Nativity of John the Baptist – 24th June
St John the Baptist, the son of Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth, is the only saint other than the Virgin Mary, whose birthday is celebrated by the Church in a liturgical feast.
Why is Ascension Day Important?
The Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord is on the 2nd June in 2019. Ascension Day is celebrated on a Thursday, forty days after Easter Sunday, because Jesus spent forty days with his disciples after he rose from the dead and before he ascended into heaven.
The Events of Easter – Part Two
On Good Friday, Jesus was crucified, died and was buried. On Sunday Morning, Mary Magdalene and several other women went to the tomb to embalm his body. Of course, we all know what happened next! When they got there, the tomb was empty!
The Events of Easter – Part One
Easter is the celebration of Jesus’ resurrection on the third day after his crucifixion. It is one of the most important days in the Catholic calendar and is the foundation of the Christian faith.
Easter is the fulfilled prophecy of the Messiah who would be persecuted, die for our sins, and rise on the third day.
St Patrick’s Day
Saint Patrick’s Day is celebrated every year on 17 March, which marks the date when Saint Patrick died.
Who was Saint Patrick?
Ash Wednesday
Ash Wednesday marks the start of Lent. We celebrate Ash Wednesday on the 6th March.
On Ash Wednesday, people will have ashes placed on their heads, in the sign of the cross, as a symbol of repentance. This is one of the most important holy days in the liturgical calendar. Ash Wednesday opens the season of Lent, a season of prayer, fasting and almsgiving.