Feasts of Mary

Holy Mary, Mother of God, Pray for us!

As the Mother of our Lord Jesus and as our model Saint, the life of Mary is celebrated on many days throughout the year.  These feasts explore the profoundness of her life and her complete and total commitment to the Will of God.  Our Lady holds a special place in the hearts of Catholics; she is our Mother, our Intercessor, our Advocate, our Protector, and the Mother of God!

Below are some of the feast days of Mary.

SOLEMNITY OF MARY, MOTHER OF GOD

The solemnity of Mary, Mother of God is a Holy Day of Obligation.  It was given to Mary during the Council of Ephesus in 413. It celebrates the fact that Jesus, fully human was also a Divine person. Mary is not just the Mother of Jesus, but the Mother of God.  The Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God is celebrated on January 1st.

FEAST OF OUR LADY OF LOURDES

The feast of Our Lady of Lourdes celebrates the day in which Mary Most Holy, revealed herself as the Immaculate Conception to Bernadette Soubirous, in Lourdes, France in 1858.  Mary asked for a shrine to be erected and venerated in the place known as ‘Massabielle’ in the town of Lourdes.” This Feast is celebrated on February 11th.

FEAST OF THE ANNUNCIATION

On the feast of the Annunciation, we celebrate the moment when Mary received the message from the Angel Gabriel… ” Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you!” and told her she would conceive from the Holy Spirit and bear a Son, Jesus( read Luke 1:26-38). The Feast of the Annunciation is celebrated on March 25th.

FEAST OF MARY, MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSEL

Our Mother of Good Counsel has been called the Madonna of the Popes. Pope Leo XIII deserves to be ranked among the great lovers of this devotion. He established the white scapular worn by her servants, and his motto is like a watchword to the clients of Mary: “Children,” he told the faithful, “follow her counsels!” To all she gives what is most needed to help us in this vale of tears; she gives us her Good Counsel . This Feast is celebrated on April 26th.

FEAST OF OUR LADY OF FATIMA

This feast is celebrated on the date of the first Apparition of Our Lady to the three children in Fatima, Portugal in 1917.  When speaking with Bernadette, Mary told her, “I am the Immaculate Conception.” The feast of Our Lady of Fatima was approved by the local bishop in 1930; it was added to the Church’s worldwide calendar in 2002.  This Feast is celebrated on May 13th.

FEAST OF THE VISITATION
Mary, having heard that her cousin Elizabeth had conceived also, left her home to spend three months helping Elizabeth. When she arrived, Mary sang her song of praise, known as the Canticle of Mary of Magnificat (Luke 1: 39-56). The Feast of the Visitation is celebrated on May 31st.

SOLEMNITY OF THE ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

The solemnity of the Assumption is a Holy Day of Obligation.  This feast celebrates that at the end of her life, Mary was taken to heaven, body and soul. The Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is celebrated on August 15th.

SOLEMNITY OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

The solemnity of the Immaculate Conception is a Holy Day of Obligation.  This feast celebrates that Mary was conceived without original sin in aspect of the merits of Jesus Christ. The Feast of the Immaculate Conception is celebrated on December 8th.

FEAST OF OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE

Our Lady of Guadalupe appeared to Blessed Juan Diego as an “Aztec Princess” in 1531, near now what is known as Mexico City. Mary’s message was one of love, compassion and hospitality. Our Lady of Guadalupe is also known as the Patron Saint of the Americas. The Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe is celebrated on December 12th.  **Please note: since the church building here at St. Lawrence was dedicated on December 12, we can only offer the Mass of the Anniversary of the Dedication of a Church on that day and not the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe.


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