We begin on May 1st with the feast of Saint Joseph the Workman, a feast which reminds us of the dignity of holy employment. There is much that can be contemplated on this, these days. So many people are drawn into working for a system which is worldly at best and diabolical at worst. It takes great trust to be willing to leave a job because it compromises your Catholic beliefs. It is a leap of faith that God certainly will look kindly upon. Let us pray to Saint Joseph for all those struggling with these issues.
The Ascension of Our Lord is celebrated on the traditional Thursday, the 9th or Sunday, the 12th. Check your diocese to see if the 9th is a Holy Day of Obligation, though of course, those who love Our Blessed Lord would flee with great joy to attend Holy Mass and receive His Body…lest these great privileges be taken from us once again, as they were during the dreadful and unjust time of Covid lockdown.
We have several Marian feasts in this month of Our Lady. Our Lady of Fatima, whom Nomen Christi Apostolate is dedicated to, is celebrated on the 13th, the date of the first Fatima apparition to the 3 children. In the new calendar, we have the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church, on the 20th. On the 31st, we have a double Marian feast…the Visitation in the new and the Queenship in the trad. There are so many ways to honor Our Lady during this month. Consider attending Mass on one of her feasts or choose another devotion. This is a wonderful time to think about the requests of Our Lady of Fatima, such as starting the First Saturday Devotions and praying the Rosary daily.
Pentecost or Whitsunday is celebrated (following the Vigil) on the 19th, followed by the traditional Octave of Pentecost. Trinity Sunday is one week later, beginning a new Liturgical Season in the trad, Time After Pentecost, which remains until Advent. We also remain in the Cycle of Easter, when we meditate upon the Mystery of the Redemption. Upon Advent, we begin the Cycle of Christmas, the Mystery of the Incarnation.
Corpus Christi (Body of Christ) is the 30th, Thursday after Trinity Sunday.
We’re not done yet! May gives us not only the Minor Rogation Days from the 6th to the 8th, but also the Ember Days of Summer, the 22nd, 24th and 25th. So, a lot of prayer and penance this month for the coming season and for mercy. The Rogation Days and The Ember Days are similar in spirit and intention, but with different origins. A few more notable feasts…
3rd-Saints Philip and James the Less, new
11th-Saints Philip and James the Less, trad
14th-Saint Matthias
15th-Saint Isidore the Farmer (we like him!) Another link. Farmers need our support these days. Let’s not forget about our local farms. Saint Isidore, pray for us!
Here is the full trad calendar for May: calefactory.org