Michael Brooks
Catholicism is one of the largest religions in the world, with about 83% of the population identifying with the Catholic Church. There are ten official Catholic holidays, the most important and only religious public holiday being Christmas. Other holidays include Easter and All Saints' Day, which celebrate the life of Christ, historical saints, and various faith-based values. April 16 is not a Catholic holiday, but it is dedicated to St. Bernadette, one of many saints celebrated in April.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 16 April |
| Saint of the Day | St. Bernadette |
| Prayer of the Day | Prayer for our Family #1 |
| Events | In Poland, young people throw an effigy of Judas from the top of a church steeple. |
| The effigy is then dragged through the village and drowned in a nearby stream or pond. | |
| Commemorates | The treachery of Judas, who bargained with the high priest to betray Jesus for 30 silver pieces |
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What You'll Learn
St. Bernadette
On February 11, 1858, the fourteen-year-old Bernadette was sent with her younger sister and a friend to gather firewood. Above a rose bush in a grotto called Massabielle, she saw a vision of a beautiful lady dressed in blue and white. The lady smiled at Bernadette and made the sign of the cross with a rosary of ivory and gold. Bernadette fell to her knees, took out her own rosary, and began to pray. This was the first of eighteen visions that Bernadette experienced of the lady, who identified herself as the Immaculate Conception.
During her visions, Bernadette was instructed to drink the water of the spring, wash in it, and eat the herbs that grew there as an act of penance. She was also told that a chapel should be built at the site of her visions, which eventually led to the construction of several chapels and churches, including the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, one of the major Catholic pilgrimage sites in the world.
Bernadette's reports of her visions were initially met with skepticism, and she was rigorously interviewed by officials of the Catholic Church and the French government. However, on February 18, 1862, her reports were declared "worthy of belief," and the apparitions were confirmed as authentic by the Catholic Church authorities. The Marian apparition became known as Our Lady of Lourdes.
Bernadette spent the rest of her life working as an assistant in the infirmary and creating ornate embroidery for altar cloths and vestments. She died on April 16, 1879, and her body has been exhumed multiple times, with relics sent to Rome and an imprint of her face molded for a wax mask. The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes continues to be a significant site for Catholic pilgrims, with hundreds of thousands of people attending events each year.
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Spy Wednesday
April is dedicated to The Holy Spirit in the Catholic faith. The first three days of the month fall during the season of Lent, and the remainder of the month is part of the Easter season.
April 16 is not a Catholic holiday. However, it is the feast day of St. Bernadette. The Wednesday before Easter Sunday, which can fall in April, is sometimes called Spy Wednesday. This name is more commonly used in the Roman Catholic tradition. Spy Wednesday is an alternative name for Holy Wednesday, Great and Holy Wednesday, or Good Wednesday. It is a particularly dark day in Holy Week, which centres on Judas Iscariot's betrayal of Jesus Christ.
According to Christian beliefs, Judas agreed to betray Jesus to the authorities, leading to his arrest and crucifixion. The term "spy" reflects the idea that Judas was acting as an informant. In the biblical account, Judas agreed to this for thirty pieces of silver. The Gospel of Matthew 26:14-16 states:
> Then one of the twelve, whose name was Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, 'What will you give me if I deliver him over to you?' And they paid him thirty pieces of silver.
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Judas' betrayal
April 16 is the feast day of St. Bernadette in the Catholic Church.
Now, onto Judas's betrayal. Judas Iscariot is one of the most notorious figures in Christian history due to his betrayal of Jesus Christ. This act is seen as the catalyst for the events that led to Jesus's crucifixion and resurrection, which, according to Christian theology, brought salvation to humanity.
The Gospels of Luke and John suggest that Judas was possessed by Satan when he betrayed Jesus. The Gospel of John also depicts a confrontation between Jesus and Judas, where Jesus alludes to Judas as the betrayer and foretells his own betrayal. This is further supported by the fact that Judas refers to Jesus as "Rabbi" instead of "Lord," indicating a lack of closeness between the two.
Judas's betrayal involved identifying Jesus with a kiss to the Jewish leaders, which led to Jesus's arrest and eventual crucifixion. After learning of Jesus's impending crucifixion, Judas attempted to return the money he was paid for his betrayal and then hanged himself. The money was used to buy a field, known as the "Field of Blood."
The impact of Judas's betrayal cannot be overstated, as it was a turning point in the Holy Week and had significant cultural and historical repercussions. Judas has become one of the most despised figures, with his name bearing a stigma and his portrayal as ugly, evil, and repugnant in legends that evolved after his betrayal.
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Mary's second fiat
April 16 is the feast day of St. Bernadette, one of the saints celebrated in April. It is not a widely recognized Catholic holiday.
Now, Mary’s second fiat is an important concept in Catholic theology and Mariology, referring to her response to the angel Gabriel's announcement that she would give birth to the Son of God. Mary's exact words, as recorded in the Gospel of Luke (1:38), were, "Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word." The term "fiat" comes from the Latin present imperative form of the verb "to be," indicating a command or imperative.
Mary's fiat is also seen as an example of radical Christian humility. By submitting to God's will, Mary demonstrates a joyful desire to collaborate with God's plan, even without fully understanding its implications. This submission is not a simple resignation but an active participation in God's mission. Just as Mary received Christ into her womb, we are called to emulate her receptiveness to the Word of God, allowing Him to transform us and work within us.
In conclusion, Mary's second fiat, "Let it be," is more than just an acceptance of God's will; it reflects her profound humility, obedience, and collaboration in the work of salvation. Her response serves as an example for all believers, calling us to follow in her footsteps and allow God to work within us.
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The Immaculate Conception
April 16 is not a widely recognized Catholic holiday. However, it is the feast day of St. Bernadette, as per the Catholic calendar. The day is also referred to as "Spy Wednesday", which is the Wednesday of Holy Week, and it commemorates the treachery of Judas, who made a bargain with the high priest to betray Jesus for 30 silver pieces. This is detailed in the Gospel of Matthew, Mark, and Luke.
Over the centuries, the Catholic Church has honored Mary with numerous titles, many of which are found in the Litany of Loreto. These titles include "Mirror of Justice," "Seat of Wisdom," "Mystical Rose," "Gate of Heaven," "Refuge of Sinners," and "Comforter of the Afflicted." These titles reflect Mary's diverse roles and attributes as they are understood and venerated in Catholic tradition.
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Frequently asked questions
No, April 16 is not a Catholic holiday. However, it is the day of Saint Bernadette.
Catholic holidays celebrate the life of Christ, historical saints, and various faith-based values.
The most important and only religious public holiday in Catholicism is Christmas.
