34 results for tag: Feast Day


Memorial of Saint Clare of Assisi – 11th August 2023

Clare of Assisi (born Chiara Offreduccio, sometimes spelled Clara, Clair, Claire; 16 July 1194 – 11 August 1253) was an Italian saint and one of the first followers of Francis of Assisi. Inspired by the teachings of St. Francis, she founded the Order of Poor Ladies, a monastic religious order for women in the Franciscan tradition. The Order of Poor Ladies was different from any other order or convent because it followed a rule of strict poverty. Clare wrote their Rule of Life, the first set of monastic guidelines known to have been written by a woman. Following her death, the order she founded was renamed in her honor as the Order of ...

Memorial of the Dedication of the Basilica of St Mary Major – 5th August 2023

On Saturday 5th: here in St Mary’s we will commemorate the feast of the Dedication of the Basilica of St Mary Major, one of the Four Major Papal Basilicas in Rome. It is considered the oldest church in the West built in honour the Blessed Virgin Mary the largest Catholic Marian church in Rome. The Council of Ephesus in 431 formally proclaimed the mother of Jesus as the Mother of God, and the church (basilica) of St Mary Major on the Esquiline Hill in Rome was built shortly afterwards to celebrate her motherhood. As a papal basilica, Santa Maria Maggiore is often used by the pope. The Holy Father presides over the rites for the annual ...

Memorial of Saint John Vianney – 4th August 2023

Today, we celebrate the feast of St John Vianney, patron saint of parish priests. Known as the "Curé d'Ars," St John was born in Lyons, France; he was a 'delayed vocation' who had great difficulty with his seminary studies. Sent to Ars, where few people practiced their faith, he transformed the parish by his holiness, preaching, prayer and penance. People flocked to Ars to confess to this holy pastor, who often spent 16 hours a day in the confessional. After 42 years in Ars, St John Vianney died on this date and was canonised in 1925 by Pope Pius XI. We give thanks to all our priests for their service to the community in proclaim...

Memorial of Saint Dominic – 3rd August 2023

Today*, holy Mother Church celebrates the feast day of one of the most famous saints: St Dominic. Dominic de Guzman was born in Old Castle, Spain. He became a diocesan priest with thoughts of missionary work in north Europe. Dominic lived and preached in evangelical poverty, gathered others around him and thus founded the Order of Preachers (also known as the Dominicans). Dominic placed emphasis on preaching and the importance of study. St Dominic is featured in the great northern window of our Cathedral where he is holding Rosary Beads, due to his devotion to Our Lady and a prominent feature of the Dominican Habit. Today we ...

Memorial of Saint Ignatius of Loyola – 31st July 2023

Today, Mother Church celebrates the feast of St Ignatius of Loyola, priest and theologian. Ignatius, who has a profound influence on Catholic life, was born at Loyola in the Basque area of Spain. He became a soldier and was wounded in battle. Ignatius turned to Christ during his long recovery. A strong and holy organiser, Ignatius founded the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) at Paris in 1534. The Jesuits effectively worked for Church renewal especially in the missions and in Catholic education. The Spiritual Exercises Ignatius developed helped many others to conversion. Ignatius was canonised in 1622 and is the patron saint of soldiers....

Memorial of Saints Martha, Mary & Lazarus – 29th July 2023

Today, Mother Church celebrates the Feast of St Martha, sister of Mary of Bethany and Lazarus. Martha received the Lord with hospitality into their home in Bethany, near Jerusalem. Martha diligently waited on the Lord and with expectant faith beseeched the return of her brother from the dead. St Martha is the patron saint of sacristans, cooks, butlers, maids, dietitians and servers. Memorial of Saints Martha, Mary & Lazarus - St Mary's Cathedral Schedule 9am Mass of the Memorial of Sts Martha, Mary & Lazarus (livestreamed); 11am-12noon Sacrament of Confession; 12noon Mass of the Memorial of Sts Martha, Mary & Lazarus; 4:30pm-5...

Memorial of Saints Joachim & Anne – 26th July 2023

Today we celebrate the Feast Day of St Joachim and St Anne, the parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary. There are no mention of their names in the Bible and what is known about them comes from legend and tradition. The parents of Mary nurtured, taught and bought her up to be a worthy Mother of God. Their faith allowed Mary to be strong and courageous as she stood by her Son at the Cross as he was crucified and still believe. St Joachim and St Anne are the patron saints of grandparents, whilst St Anne is also the patron saint of Christian mothers and women in labour. Memorial of Saints Joachim & Anne - St Mary's Cathedral Schedule 6:4...

Feast of Saint James the Apostle – 25th July 2023

Today we celebrate the feast of St James, the Apostle. Son of Zebedee and brother of John the Evangelist and Apostle. James was born at the town Bethsaida in Galilee. He was present at the special miracles worked by the Lord and witnessed all the Lord's Glory at the Transfiguration. James was also the first apostle to die, when he was martyred by Herod Agrippa I in 43 or 44 AD. Known as 'James the Greater' because of his status within the disciples and to distinguish himself from the other apostle named James; he has been specifically honoured since the ninth century at Compostela in Spain where his remains can still be found today in ...

Feast of Saint Mary Magdalene – 22nd July 2023

The sculpture of St. Mary Magdalene on the sanctuary of the Cathedral. Standing across from her is the Risen Christ on Easter Sunday. The imagery is taken from today's Gospel reading (John 20:1-2, 11-18) when Mary questions the "gardener" on the whereabouts of Christ's body only to discover that the gardener was Our Lord who had conquered death! Mary therefore falls to her knees as seen here. Mary stood at the foot of the cross with the Lord's Mother and John when the other apostles fled. She helped bury the Lord's body, went to the complete burial on Easter morning and became the first to see the Risen Christ. St Mary Magdalene, the apostle ...

Solemnity of St Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary – 19th March 2022

Solemnity of Saint Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary Patronage: Patron of the Universal Church, fathers, workers, married people, carpenters, sick and dying, for a holy death. St Mary's Cathedral Schedule 9am Mass (livestreamed on our YouTube Channel); 11:30am - 11:55am Sacrament of Confession; 12pm Mass; 4:30pm - 5:30pm Sacrament of Confession; 5:30pm First Vespers for the Third Sunday of Lent (livestreamed on our YouTube Channel); 6pm Vigil Mass for the Third Sunday of Lent