Joshua Bennett
Catholics observe feast days to remember and celebrate significant people or events in their faith. The word 'feast' comes from the Latin 'festes', meaning 'joy'. While many Catholics don't celebrate feast days at home, they can be important for spiritual growth and are an opportunity to experience the joy that God provides. Catholics may attend Mass, pray, read about saints, volunteer, or enjoy festivities and special foods. Some feast days are celebrated with processions and festivals, while parishes may hold a special Mass or novena. Catholics may also choose to observe their saint's day or name day instead of their birthday.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Frequency | There are a couple of celebrations per month, with more than 10,000 officially canonized saints celebrated throughout the year. |
| Purpose | To remember and celebrate someone or something important to the Catholic faith, including saints, holy men and women, and expressions of God's love in the lives of Jesus and Mary. |
| Custom | Catholics may be named after a saint at Baptism and celebrate their saint's day instead of their birthday. |
| Activities | Attending Mass, reading about saints, volunteering, praying, partying, processions, festivals, special foods, and festivities. |
| Examples | St. Patrick's Day, St. Joseph's Day, the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. |
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What You'll Learn
Attending Mass
Mass attendance is an essential part of Catholic feast days, and it is considered a Holy Day of Obligation. While it is not mandatory to attend Mass on every feast day, Catholics are encouraged to do so whenever possible. Feast days that are not Holy Days of Obligation may still be marked by attending Mass, as it is an opportunity to come together and celebrate as a community.
On some feast days, parishes may hold a special Mass to commemorate the occasion. For example, St. Joseph's Day, celebrated on March 19th, is observed with a special Mass and festivities, especially in Canada and Europe. If the feast day falls on a Friday during Lent, abstinence from meat and fasting are usually not required to give the day its full recognition.
Additionally, attending Mass on feast days can be an opportunity to learn more about the saint being honoured. Catholics can educate themselves about the saint's life, struggles, and contributions, gaining a deeper understanding of their faith and its history. This knowledge can enhance their spiritual journey and strengthen their relationship with God and the saints.
In summary, attending Mass is a central and encouraged practice during Catholic feast days. It provides an opportunity for worship, community celebration, and spiritual reflection, allowing Catholics to honour the saints and deepen their faith.
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Praying
Catholics celebrate feast days by praying and attending Mass. Feast days are days designated to celebrate the life of a certain saint or event in the life of the Church. The saints are remembered on their individual feast days with special mention, prayers, and possibly a scripture reading.
One way to celebrate a feast day is to pray a decade of the Rosary. If it is a Marian feast day, honouring the Virgin Mary, this is especially appropriate. If it is not a Holy Day of Obligation, Catholics may still choose to attend Mass and spend time in prayer with their patron saint. Some saints are associated with particular forms of prayer, such as Saint Dominic and the Rosary, or Saint Margaret Mary and devotion to the Sacred Heart. Participating in any prayer form uniquely attached to a particular saint is a good way of observing their name day authentically.
Catholics may also choose to observe a saint's feast day by making a pilgrimage to a shrine or other holy place associated with the saint. Observing each family member's feast day can also be an important way to celebrate a saint's day properly.
In addition to prayer, Catholics may prepare for a feast day by selecting songs to sing and planning meals that correspond to the feast day. For example, a meal with all white foods might be prepared for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception to represent purity.
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Partying
Catholics celebrate feast days as a way to experience and participate in the joy that God provides. The liturgical year is punctuated with a wide array of feast days and celebrations, many of which are Christianized versions of holidays that once closely tracked the agricultural calendar of planting and harvesting.
The two largest and best-known Catholic feasts are Christmas and Easter, but there are also spin-offs like Epiphany and Pentecost. In addition, there’s the feast of Mary, Mother of God (New Year’s Day); Ascension Thursday; Corpus Christi; the feast of the Immaculate Conception; All Saints' Day (with Halloween and the Day of the Dead); and Mardi Gras, which has strayed far from its Catholic origin as the last celebration before the Lenten fast. Every Sunday is also a feast day for Catholics, where they celebrate Christ’s resurrection.
Saints’ days are the perfect excuse for Catholics to come together and celebrate. For example, Catholics celebrate the solemnity of St Patrick on 17 March, in honour of one of the world's most popular saints. St Patrick was born in Roman Britain and was captured by Irish pirates at 14, taken to Ireland as a slave, and later escaped. He had a vision of God, became a priest, and converted thousands of people, building churches across the country. He worked miracles and wrote about his love for God until his death on 17 March, 461.
Catholics can prepare for feast day celebrations by planning their meals, crafts, prayers, and songs in advance. For instance, for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, a meal with all white foods representing purity can be prepared. Families can also browse Catholic blogs and Pinterest for fun ideas to celebrate.
Overall, feast days are meant to be fun and provide an opportunity for Catholics to come together as a community and praise God.
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Volunteering
Catholics celebrate feast days to commemorate significant moments, figures, or mysteries of faith in the Catholic Church. These celebrations are rooted in scripture, tradition, and the Church's understanding of salvation history. The liturgical year, including feast days, shapes Catholic worship and prayer life throughout the seasons.
One way that Catholics can celebrate feast days is through volunteering. The Catholic Volunteer Network offers a wide variety of service opportunities that individuals can get involved in. These programs are faith-based and aim to transform lives across the globe.
Additionally, volunteering can be a form of penance for Catholics on feast days. For example, Ember Days are dedicated to voluntary penance, where individuals may choose to fast or abstain from meat. This act of self-denial can be an opportunity for Catholics to volunteer their time or resources to those in need, further emphasizing the spirit of generosity and community that feast days symbolize.
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Reading about saints
Catholics celebrate feast days to remember and celebrate something or someone important to their faith. There are more than 10,000 officially canonised saints whom the Church celebrates throughout the year. On a saint's day, Catholics are often asked to reflect upon the meaning of the observance of the saint's feast day.
There are many ways to celebrate a saint's feast day, including attending Mass, reading about the saint, volunteering, or simply enjoying the festivities with family. Reading about saints can be a great way to learn more about their lives, their impact on the Catholic Church, and their relevance to Catholics today. Here are some suggestions for reading about saints:
- Biographical Information: Reading about the life of a saint can be inspiring and enlightening. Many saints led extraordinary lives, facing challenges and overcoming obstacles in their dedication to God. For example, St. Patrick of Ireland was captured by Irish pirates at the age of fourteen and taken to Ireland as a slave. After escaping, he had a vision of God and became a priest, converting thousands and building churches across the country.
- Anecdotes and Inspiration: In addition to biographical facts, anecdotes about saints can provide a more personal and relatable perspective on their lives. These stories often highlight the saint's virtues, such as their faith, courage, or generosity. Inspirational quotes or reflections attributed to the saints can also be a source of motivation and guidance for Catholics.
- Prayers and Devotions: Many saints are associated with specific prayers or devotions that have been passed down through the centuries. Reading and learning these prayers can be a way to honour the saint and incorporate their intercession into your spiritual practice.
- Liturgical Calendar and Feast Days: Understanding the liturgical calendar and the feast days of various saints can help you plan your readings and celebrations throughout the year. You can find online resources and Catholic blogs that provide information on the saint of the day or upcoming feast days, along with suggestions for prayers, reflections, and ways to celebrate.
- Popular Saints: Some saints are particularly well-known and revered by Catholics worldwide. These include St. Francis of Assisi, St. Katharine Drexel, St. Patrick, and St. Michael the Archangel. Reading about these popular saints can give you a sense of their enduring significance and impact on Catholic spirituality.
- Local and Patron Saints: In addition to widely celebrated saints, there are also saints who are specific to local areas or who are chosen as patron saints by individuals or communities. Learning about these saints can connect you to a particular place or group and deepen your understanding of the diverse ways in which saints are honoured.
By reading about saints, Catholics can gain a deeper understanding of the lives and legacies of these holy men and women who have gone before us. It can be a source of inspiration, guidance, and community as we strive to live out our faith in our own lives.
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Frequently asked questions
A Catholic feast day is any day when Catholics remember and celebrate something or someone important to their faith. The word "feast" comes from the Latin "festes", meaning "joy".
Celebrating feast days directs spiritual growth and brings joy, as well as providing an opportunity to extend Jesus' hospitality and generosity to others.
Catholics celebrate feast days in various ways. Some attend Mass, while others might read about their saint, volunteer, or simply enjoy a treat like ice cream. On some feast days, Catholics host festivals and processions through the streets.
There are many Catholic feast days throughout the year, including St. Patrick's Day (March 17), St. Joseph's Day (March 19), and the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Catholics also celebrate the feast days of saints who are particularly meaningful to them or their families.
No, Catholics do not have to celebrate feast days. However, it is a good opportunity to honour the saints and participate in the joy that God provides.
