Michael Brooks
Holy days, or Holy Days of Obligation, are days on which Catholics are expected to attend Mass. In addition to every Sunday, there are nine other Holy Days of Obligation in the Catholic calendar, though local bishops can suppress some of them or transfer them to Sundays. Holy Days are opportunities for Catholics to recognize important tenets of their faith. August is a transitional month in the Catholic seasonal calendar, and the month is dedicated to The Immaculate Heart of Mary. During this month, Catholics celebrate the feast of the Transfiguration and the feast of the Assumption, among other feast days devoted to saints.
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What You'll Learn
Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord
The Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord is a Catholic celebration of the transfiguration of Jesus. It is observed on the 6th of August, forty days before the Feast of the Triumph of the Cross. This feast day is considered a preparation for the Cross of Christ and our participation in His triumph.
The origins of the feast are uncertain, but it may be linked to the dedication of three basilicas on Mount Tabor. By the 9th century, it was present in various forms, and in the 15th century, it was made a universal feast by Pope Callixtus III to commemorate the raising of the siege of Belgrade.
The Transfiguration is a significant event in Jesus' life and ministry. According to the Gospels, Jesus took his three closest companions, Peter, James, and John, up a high mountain. There, he was transfigured before them, radiating pure white light, and conversing with Moses and Elijah. God the Father affirmed Jesus as His Son, confirming his deity and telling the disciples to listen to him.
This event was likely meant to strengthen the disciples' faith after Jesus foretold his suffering and death, reassuring them of the triumph of His Church over evil. It also serves as a reminder of the mystery and necessity of the Incarnation, emphasising that God had to become man so that man could be made right with God.
The Feast of the Transfiguration is a joyful celebration, and it is considered one of the seven minor Feasts of the Lord in the Coptic Orthodox Church. In the Armenian Apostolic Church, it is observed on the fourteenth Sunday after Easter, and in some Lutheran traditions, it was observed on the 6th of August before reforms in the 1970s.
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Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
The Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a Holy Day of Obligation for Catholics, celebrated annually on 15 August. The day commemorates the bodily assumption of the Virgin Mary into heaven. It is also referred to as the Dormition in the Byzantine tradition, signifying Mary's "Birth into heaven".
The history of this holy day can be traced back to the 5th century when it was introduced by Bishop Cyril of Alexandria and celebrated on 15 August. In the 6th century, the Eastern Church adopted this date as a Holy Day of Obligation. The Western Church followed suit, and by the 13th century, there was universal agreement on the doctrine.
The feast day was decreed for Constantinople in 600 by Emperor Maurice, and it was introduced in Rome about 50 years later. Over the centuries, various popes have contributed to the solemnity of the feast day. Pope Leo IV gave the feast a vigil and an octave, Pope Nicholas I placed it on par with Christmas and Easter, and Pope Benedict XIV declared it a "probable opinion, which to deny were impious and blasphemous".
On 1 November 1950, Pope Pius XII proclaimed the dogma of Mary's assumption, body and soul, into heaven. He expressed his hope that this belief would strengthen the faith in our resurrection. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin is a "singular participation in her Son's Resurrection and an anticipation of the resurrection of other Christians".
The day is marked by religious parades and popular festivals in many places. In Canada, Assumption Day is the Fête Nationale of the Acadians, and businesses in heavily francophone parts of New Brunswick close for the day. The feast day is also celebrated with great solemnity in the Maltese Islands, especially in seven localities known as the Seba' Santa Marijiet.
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Feast of St. Eusebius of Vercelli and St. Peter Julian Eymard
The Catholic Church celebrates the Feast of St. Eusebius of Vercelli and St. Peter Julian Eymard on 2 August. The Church commemorates two pastors separated by a millennium and a half.
St. Eusebius of Vercelli
St. Eusebius of Vercelli, whose name means 'good piety', was the first bishop in northern Italy in the fourth century. He is remembered for his resistance to the Emperor's support for the heresy of Arianism, which taught that Christ was not truly God. Arianism posed a threat to both the Church and society, as it would have ensured the reign of tyrannical dictators. Eusebius suffered greatly for his beliefs, enduring exile and mistreatment at the hands of the Arians. He is also credited with founding the Canons Regular, a community of priests dedicated to pastoral work, and setting up Marian shrines in the countryside to aid in devotion and conversion. Eusebius is considered the author of the Athanasian Creed, and a copy of the Gospels in his handwriting is preserved in the cathedral at Vercelli. He died on 1 August 371, and his courage inspired other bishops to oppose Arianism.
St. Peter Julian Eymard
St. Peter Julian Eymard, also known as the Apostle of the Eucharist, was born in La Mure d'Isere, southeastern France, and became a priest in the Diocese of Grenoble in 1834. He joined the Marists in 1839 and founded the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament in 1856. Throughout his life, he faced challenges such as poverty, illness, and opposition to his religious endeavours. Despite these obstacles, he deepened his Eucharistic devotion and preached in many parishes. Eymard also played a role in sculptor Auguste Rodin's entry into the Catholic Church, and a bust of the saint was created by Rodin in gratitude.
The Feast of St. Eusebius of Vercelli and St. Peter Julian Eymard is a day to reflect on the teachings and contributions of these two saints, who, despite their different eras, both demonstrated unwavering dedication to their faith and the Catholic Church.
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Feast of St. John Mary Vianney
The Feast of St. John Mary Vianney, also known as the Cure of Ars, is celebrated on August 4th, the anniversary of his death. St. John Vianney was born on May 8, 1786, in the small village of Dardilly, near Lyon, France. He was ordained a priest in 1815 and became the curate in Ecully. In 1818, he was sent to the remote French community of Ars to be a parish priest.
St. John Vianney is known for his dedication to confession and the Church. He spent much time in prayer and worked tirelessly for the conversion of his parishioners. He gave powerful homilies on the mercy and love of God, and it is said that even the most stubborn sinners were converted upon hearing him. In addition to his spiritual gifts, St. John Vianney is also known for his ability to read souls. He provided personalized and profound guidance to those who came to confession with him, offering comfort and encouragement.
St. John Vianney's fame spread beyond France, and people worldwide sought his spiritual guidance. However, this fame also brought many spiritual battles, as he faced attacks from the devil and endured physical ailments. Despite these trials, he remained steadfast in his faith and continued to serve God's people until his death on August 4, 1859. Over 1,000 people attended his funeral, and he was canonized by Pope Pius XI in 1925.
Today, St. John Vianney is remembered as a model of holiness and dedication to the priesthood. His legacy serves as a reminder that with determination, faith, and trust in God, one can overcome any obstacle and fulfill one's calling with great love and humility. He is the patron saint of parish priests, a title given in recognition of his exemplary dedication to his pastoral duties and the transformative impact he had on his community.
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Feast of St. Lawrence
The Feast of St. Lawrence is celebrated on 10 August. St. Lawrence is the patron saint of deacons, chefs, firefighters, school children, poor people, cooks, comedians, archivists, and librarians. He is also the patron saint of miners and is venerated by the Brotherhood of St Laurence, an Anglican charitable society.
St. Lawrence was born in Spain in the first half of the 3rd century. He was responsible for charitable activities in the diocese of Rome, administering goods and catering to the needs of orphans, widows, and the poor. In AD 258, Emperor Valerian issued an edict that all bishops, priests, and deacons must be put to death. St. Lawrence was burned on a gridiron and died a martyr for Christ.
The medieval Church of St Mary Assumed (Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta) in Amaseno, Italy, houses a reliquary containing relics of St. Lawrence, including his blood, flesh, fat, and ashes. Tradition holds that on the Feast of St. Lawrence, the blood in the ampulla miraculously liquefies during the Feast and re-coagulates by the following day.
The night sky around St. Lawrence's feast day is lit with bright lights, which, according to folk tradition, are "falling stars" or the tears St. Lawrence shed during his martyrdom.
Many churches, schools, parishes, towns, and geographic features around the world are named after St. Lawrence, including the St. Lawrence River in Canada and the United States.
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Frequently asked questions
Catholics celebrate the feast of the Transfiguration on 6 August and the feast of the Assumption on 15 August. The month of August is dedicated to The Immaculate Heart of Mary.
The feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord is celebrated on 6 August.
The feast of the Assumption, or the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, is celebrated on 15 August.
