This year on the 25th of June, we celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The Immaculate Heart of Mary signifies the purity and love our Blessed Virgin Mary has for God. It also expresses her maternal love for Jesus Christ, her Son, and her love and compassion for all mankind.
The Latin words Corpus Christi translates to “Body of Christ”. On the 16th of June we celebrate the Solemnity of the most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, Corpus Christi. On this day we acknowledge and celebrate the true presence of Christ within the Eucharist. This is one of the few liturgical celebrations that doesn’t reflect on a specific even from Jesus or Mary’s life, but rather his presence during Mass, through the bread and wine.
On Sunday the 15th of May, Pope Francis recognised 10 new Saints into the Catholic Church. This was the first canonization since 2019 where John Henry Newman among others were canonized.
This year on Sunday the 10th of April, we start the first day of Holy Week, which is historically the most sacred time of year. Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem.
On the 19th of March we celebrate the Feast of Saint Joseph. Joseph is the patron saint of many things but is more commonly recognised as the patron and protector of the Catholic Church.
Ash Wednesday is one of the most important events in the Liturgical Calendar. It marks the beginning of Lent and the preparation for Easter, the celebration of Christ’s Resurrection. This year, we celebrate Ash Wednesday on the 2nd of March.
On the 2nd of February, we celebrate the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. This occurs 40 days after the Birth of Jesus. Before the revision of the Roman Catholic Calendar, this date indicated the end of the Christmas period. Some Catholics, uphold the tradition of keeping Christmas decorations, including the Nativity scene, on display until this day. This day is also called ‘Candlemas’, and was formerly known as the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary, in the Roman Catholic Church.
The Feast of Christ the King, celebrated on the last Sunday of Ordinary Time, this year being Sunday 21st November, serves to remind us of his love. We are urged not to lose our perspective. Through the power of love, we can effect change in our world and continue to create a life filled with forgiveness and mercy in a world where justice and peace reign supreme.
November 10th is a day to celebrate Saint Leo the Great, also known as Pope Saint Leo I, his response to the call of the Lord transforming him into one of the greatest popes of Christian history. In fact, he was the first pope to be given the title, ‘the Great’.
St Luke, in Christian tradition, is the author of the Gospel according to Luke as well as the Acts of the Apostles.
Luke is believed to have been a Greek Gentile (non-Jew) from Antioch (modern Turkey). In Colossians, (4:14) Paul describes Luke as the ‘beloved physician.’