https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/ As the earth cycles annually through its seasons, just so the Church celebrates with quiet, deliberate rhythm the seasons of the liturgical year – always the same, yet ever new and renewing. en-us https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2026-09-15 Today is the Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows. Devotion to the Seven Sorrows of Our Lady has its roots in Sacred Scripture and in Christian piety, which always associates the Blessed Mother with her suffering Son. Today's feast was introduced by the Servites in order to intensify devotion to Our Lady's Sorrows. In 1817 Pius VII--suffering grievously in exile but finally liberated by Mary's intercession--extended the feast to the universal Church. Tue, 15 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2026-09-14 The Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross was observed in Rome before the end of the seventh century. It commemorates the recovery of the Holy Cross, which had been placed on Mount Calvary by St. Helena and preserved in Jerusalem, but then had fallen into the hands of Chosroas, King of the Persians. The precious relic was recovered and returned to Jerusalem by Emperor Heralius in 629. Mon, 14 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2026-09-13 Excerpt from Sunday's Gospel: "His master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to. Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant, as I had pity on you?' Then in anger his master handed him over to the torturers until he should pay back the whole debt. So will my heavenly Father do to you, unless each of you forgives your brother from your heart" (Mt 18:32-35). Sun, 13 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2026-09-12 On this day dedicated to the Optional Memorial of the Most Holy Name of the Blessed Virgin Mary let us repeat that wonderful prayer of Saint Bernard, responding to Pope Benedict XVI's invitation to "invite everyone to become a trusting child before Mary, even as the Son of God did. Saint Bernard says, and we say with him: 'Look to the star of the sea, call upon Mary … in danger, in distress, in doubt, think of Mary, call upon Mary. May her name never be far from your lips, or far from your heart … If you follow her, you will not stray; if you pray to her, you will not despair; if you turn your thoughts to her, you will not err. If she holds you, you will not fall; if she protects you, you need not fear; if she is your guide, you will not tire; if she is gracious to you, you will surely reach your destination"' (Benedict XVI, address at Heiligenkreuz Abbey, September 9, 2007). Sat, 12 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2026-09-11 The Roman Martyrology commemorates the martyrs Saints Protus and Hyacinth (d. 257). They were Romans by birth, brothers and servants in the house of St. Basilla. They were burned alive around 257, during the persecution of Valerian and Gallian. St. Hyacinth is unique among Roman martyrs in that his epitaph and grave in the cemetery of Basilla on the Old Salarian Way were found intact in modern time (1845); in it were the charred bones of the martyr, who had been put to death by fire. Part of the empty tomb of St. Protus was also found. Fri, 11 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2026-09-10 The Roman Martyrology commemorates: Thu, 10 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2026-09-09 Today the Church celebrates the Memorial of St. Peter Claver (1581-1654), who was born of a distinguished family in Catalonia, Spain. He became a Jesuit in 1604, and left for Colombia in 1610, dedicating himself to the service of black slaves. For thirty-three years he ministered to slaves, caring for the sick and dying, and instructing the slaves through catechists. Through his efforts three hundred thousand souls entered the Church. He is the Patron of the African Missions, proclaimed in 1896 by Pope Leo XIII. Wed, 09 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2026-09-08 The Church celebrates the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Roman Martyrology states Mary was "of the lineage of Abraham, born of the tribe of Judah and of the progeny of King David, from whom the Son of God was born, made man by the work of the Holy Spirit, to free humanity from the ancient bondage of sin." Tue, 08 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2026-09-07 The Roman Martyrology commemorates St. Regina (Reine) (d. 286). She, after undergoing many cruel torments, was beheaded for the faith at Aliza. Aliza was formerly a large town called Alexia, famous for the siege which Caesar laid to it, now a small village in the diocese of Autun in Burgundy. Her martyrdom happened in the persecution of Decius, in 251, or under Maximian Herecleus in 286, as different Martyrologies disagree. She is honored in many ancient Martyrologies. Her relics are kept with great devotion in the neighboring abbey of Flavigni, a league distant, whither they were translated in 864, and where they have been rendered famous by miracles and pilgrimages, of which a history is published by two monks of that abbey. --Butler's Lives of the Saints Mon, 07 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2026-09-06 Excerpt from Sunday's Gospel: "Amen, Amen, I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything for which they are to pray, it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them" (Matt 18:19-20). Sun, 06 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT