Celebrations

The Catholic Church observes a rich array of celebrations throughout the year, known as "feasts" or "solemnities," which honor significant events in the lives of Jesus Christ, the Virgin Mary, and the saints. These celebrations are deeply rooted in the liturgical calendar and are marked by prayer, reflection, and worship. They serve as moments to deepen faith and connect with the broader Catholic community across the globe. While many of these feast days are universally recognized, the specific dates and traditions may vary depending on local customs or regional practices. Below is a list of major Catholic celebrations that highlight key moments in the Church's history and spiritual life.

Monthly Observances

January

•Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God (January 1)

•Epiphany of the Lord (January 6, traditionally celebrated on the Sunday between January 2-8)

•Feast of the Baptism of the Lord (Sunday after Epiphany)

February/March/April (Lenten and Easter Seasons)

•Feast of the Presentation of the Lord (February 2)

•Ash Wednesday (Begins Lent, date varies based on Easter)

•Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes (February 11)

•Palm Sunday (Sunday before Easter)

•Holy Thursday (Maundy Thursday) (The Thursday before Easter)

•Good Friday (The Friday before Easter)

•Holy Saturday (The Saturday before Easter)

•Easter Sunday (Date varies, usually in March or April)

•Divine Mercy Sunday (The Sunday after Easter)

•Feast of St. Joseph the Worker (May 1, in some places)

May

•Feast of the Ascension of the Lord (40 days after Easter, usually celebrated on the 6th Sunday

of Easter)

•Pentecost Sunday (7th Sunday of Easter)

•Feast of the Holy Trinity (First Sunday after Pentecost)

•Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi) (Thursday or Sunday after Trinity Sunday)

•Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (Friday after Corpus Christi)

•Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (Saturday after Sacred Heart)

June

•Feast of Saints Peter and Paul (June 29)

November

•All Saints' Day (November 1)

•All Souls' Day (November 2)

•Feast of Christ the King (Last Sunday of the liturgical year, usually in November)

December

•Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary (December 8)

•Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe (December 12)

•Christmas Day (Nativity of the Lord) (December 25)

•Feast of the Holy Family (The Sunday after Christmas)

•Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God (December 31, vigil for the New Year)

Special Observances

•Advent (The four weeks leading up to Christmas, beginning on Sunday closest to November 30)

•Lent (The 40 days of penance before Easter, begins on Ash Wednesday)

•Eastertide (The 50 days from Easter to Pentecost)

This list includes the most widely observed solemnities and feast days. Local diocesan and national feasts, such as patron saint days or regional celebrations, can also be part of the liturgical calendar depending on your location.

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