Marian Feast Days - Feast Days in The Catholic Church

Feast Days in The Catholic Church

During the month of May, May devotions to the Blessed Virgin Mary take place in many Catholic regions. There is no firm structure as to the content of a May devotion. It includes usually the singing of Marian anthems, readings from the Scriptures, a sermon, and/or a presentation by local choirs. The whole rosary is prayed separately and is usually not a part of a Marian devotion, although Hail Mary's are included. The devotion, was promoted by the Jesuits and spread to Jesuit colleges and to the entire Latin Church and since that time it has been a regular feature of Catholic life. Marian devotions may be held within the family, around a "May Altar" consisting of a table with a Marian picture decorated with many May flowers. The family would then pray together the rosary. May devotions exist in the entire Latin church and since that time have been a regular feature of Catholic life.

Traditionally, the month of October is "rosary month" in the Catholic Church, when the faithful are encouraged to pray the rosary if possible. Since 1571, Mary, Queen of the Holy Rosary, is venerated on October 7. Pope Benedict XVI, following all his predecessors, also encourages the rosary during the month of October:

The month of October is dedicated to the Holy Rosary, the unique contemplative prayer through which, guided by the Lord's Heavenly Mother, we fix our gaze on the face of the Redeemer in order to be conformed to his joyful, light-filled, sorrowful and glorious mysteries. This ancient prayer is having a providential revival, thanks also to the example and teaching of the beloved Pope John Paul II. I invite you to reread his Apostolic Letter Rosarium Virginis Mariae and to put into practice its directions on the personal, family and community levels.

Among the most prominent Marian feast days in the ordinary Roman Catholic Calendar are:

• January 1 Mary, Mother of God
• January 8 Our Lady of Prompt Succor
• February 2 Purification of the Virgin
• February 11 Our Lady of Lourdes
• March 25 Annunciation by Archangel Gabriel (it may be either moved to the day before Palm Sunday should this date be on Holy Week; or to the Monday after the second Sunday of Easter if this date falls on either Friday or Saturday of Holy Week or during Easter Week)
• April 26 Our Lady of Good Counsel
• May 1 Queen of Heaven
• May 13 Our Lady of Fatima
• May 24 Mary Help of Christians
• May 31 Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
• June 27 Our Lady of Perpetual Help
• July 16 Our Lady of Mount Carmel
• August 2 Our Lady of Angels
• August 5 Dedication of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major
• August 15 Assumption into Heaven
• August 21 Our Lady of Knock
• August 22 Queenship of Mary
• August 22 Black Madonna of Częstochowa
• August 31 The Virgin Mary Mediatrix
• September 8 Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
• September 12 The Most Holy Name of the Blessed Virgin Mary
• September 15 Our Lady of Sorrows
• September 19 Our Lady of La Salette
• September 24 Our Lady of Walsingham, Feast of Our Lady of Ransom
• October 7 Most Holy Rosary
• November 16 Our Lady of Mercy
• November 21 Presentation of Mary
• December 8 Immaculate Conception
• December 12 Our Lady of Guadalupe
• 1 day after Ascension of Jesus - Our Lady of the Apostles
• 1 day after Pentecost - Our Lady of Holy Church
• 9 days after Corpus Christi - Immaculate Heart of Mary

In the General Roman Calendar of 1962, the Visitation is on July 2 (May 31 in the present General Roman Calendar); the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary on May 31 (August 22 in the present General Roman Calendar); the Immaculate Heart of Mary on August 22; the Seven Dolors of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Friday in Passion Week (the week prior to Holy Week) and on September 15; and the Motherhood of the Blessed Virgin Mary on October 11. The General Roman Calendar of 1954 differs from that of 1962 in not having the feast of the Queenship of Mary, which was instituted in the following year.