Traditionally, October is dedicated to the Holy Rosary and more recently, to the sanctity of human life. We can easily see the connection between Our Lady, who bore the Savior, and the precious life in the womb (and all the vulnerable). We can also easily combine the two, by reciting the Rosary diligently this month, for the intention of life. As the world unravels, all the more important it is to seek God’s mercy through prayer…and to participate in whatever pro-life activities we can this month.
Most importantly, we celebrate the traditional feast of Christ the King on October 25th. Below is a listing of additional notable feasts. There is only one Doctor of the Church, Saint Therese of Lisieux, who extraordinarily acquired this title after spending only 24 years on this earth. We have a feast for the Guardian Angels and also St. Raphael the Archangel. We have 2 Marian feasts, along with the 103rd anniversary of the Miracle of the Sun on the 13th (don’t forget our Fatima Holy Hour!). Also, two 20th century popes and several great visionaries, including St. Faustina Kowalska (this is the first year of her feast, which was announced in May!). Our month concludes with All Hallows Eve, the Triduum of Death.
1-St. Therese of Lisieux, Doctor, “Doctor of the Little Way of Spiritual Childhood & Merciful Love” (new)
2-First Friday / The Holy Guardian Angels
3-First Saturday / St. Therese of Lisieux (trad)
4-St. Francis of Assisi
5-St. Faustina, Seer of the Divine Mercy
7-OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY
8-St. Bridget of Sweden
11-DIVINE MATERNITY OF OUR LADY / Pope St. John XXIII
16-St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, Seer of the Sacred Heart (new)
17-St. Margaret Mary Alacoque (trad)
18-St. Luke, Evangelist
22-Pope St. John Paul II
24-St. Raphael the Archangel
25-CHRIST THE KING
28-Sts. Simon & Jude, Apostles
31-All Hallows Eve (not a feast, though evening prayer prior to All Saints Day, is part of liturgical observance)
Please don’t laugh at my photography…it's conceptual!