#Patron Saint of Advent

[momentsbeforemass]

A heart that's truly free

(by request)

Today is the feast of the Immaculate Conception.

Right in the middle of Advent. We’re supposed to be waiting in hope. Focused on the One who is to come.

But no.

We’re messing it up. With some random thing about Mary. Because, why not?

Just more of the Mary stuff we do as Catholics. We drag Mary into everything. Why not Advent? Even if it makes no sense, right?

Actually, the truth goes something like this:

“Joy to the world, the Lord is come!

Let earth receive her King!

Let every heart prepare Him room,”

Today is all about the first heart to “prepare Him room.”

The Immaculate Conception is about Mary. That Mary was conceived free from original sin. Why?

So that Mary’s answer to the angel, the one we hear in today’s Gospel, could be a truly free choice. Not clouded by ego and pride. Not made desperate by separation from God through sin.

But an answer freely given. From a heart that’s truly free.

Some people think that Mary, being conceived free from original sin, means that Mary was God’s perfect robot. That Mary really had no choice.

Okay. Let’s look at the history of choices made by people conceived free from original sin.

Mary. Free from original sin. Said “yes” to God.

Jesus. Free from original sin. Said “yes” to God.

Adam. Free from original sin. Said “no” to God.

Eve. Same thing.

That’s 50%. Half the people born free from original sin used that freedom to say no to God.

Clearly, lack of a sinful nature does not mean lack of a free choice.

Great, but what does this have to do with Advent?

Advent has its roots in the Prophets. Isaiah, Elijah, and the others who foretold the One who is to come. The longing of age after age for a Savior.

Mary is the patron saint of Advent.

Because the Immaculate Conception grabs hold of the longing of the ages. And takes it from dreamtime. To our time.

Mary’s “yes” to God takes it from someday. To today.

Because she said “yes.” Because she first, prepared Him room, we can say,

“Joy to the world, the Lord is come!”

Mary shows us the power of saying yes to God.

Imagine what could happen if we said yes.

Today’s Readings

[ltwilliammowett]

St. Nicholas Day

Today is St. Nicholas' Day, which is celebrated on 6 December. So far so good, but what is behind this day?

The history of Saint Nicholas goes back to the third, fourth century AD. As the son of a wealthy family, Nicholas was raised to be a devout Christian. When his parents fell victim to an epidemic, he distributed his wealth among the poor and became a priest. Later he became Archbishop of Myra - in what is now Turkey - and from there word of his good deeds spread throughout the Mediterranean countries.

Saint Nicholas saves a ship, c. 1425 (x)

St. Nicholas is considered the patron saint of seafarers because, during the Council of Nicaea, he is said to have appeared to a ship in distress and saved it. In Nicaea, today's Íznik in Turkey, the first Christian council in history took place in 325 AD. Nicholas took part in it as a bishop and was recognised there by the saved Sailors, who venerated him.

In the course of time and the belief in miracles, Nicholas became the patron saint of all sailors and merchants and especially of children. After his death - the date of death is 6 December 342 or 343 - the great veneration of St. Nicholas spread rapidly to southern Italy, the Mediterranean and then to the port cities of the Atlantic and North Sea coasts. As the patron saint of seafarers, he helps in a storm and is said to bring the ship safely through all perils if he is asked for help.

There was the custom of making St. Nicholas ships out of paper or other material, in which the saint is supposed to place his gifts, has been known since the 15th century. The background to this custom is probably the patronage of sailors. Even today, many merchant ships still bear an image of St. Nicholas. The little St. Nicholas ship was later replaced by a boot, shoe or stocking, to which the gift plate was later added. On the eve of St. Nicholas Day, children put shoes, boots or plates in front of the door or hang stockings in front of the fireplace so that the saint can fill them with nuts, mandarins, chocolate, gingerbread, etc. on his way through the night.

I hope that your boots were also filled and that when you read this you will give a smile to St Nicholas and think of all the sailors out there and wish them a safe journey.

[black-rose-irl]

You know what's kinda fucked up?

Having your cutesy book about Christmas time saints feature a story about three girls in danger of being sold to a brothel because of their father's debts. (St. Nicolas, whose myth of saving those 3 girls from being forced into prostitution by giving them money has turned into the story of Santa Claus)

I mean, it's accurate to the supposed story, but also, looking back at it, it was kind of a fucked up thing to have your kid (like 8 or 9) read out loud to your other children (6 or younger), when you're trying to learn where your names came from.

[incomingalbatross]

Top 5 tropes, top 5 dog breeds, top 5 saints

Ooh, good questions! Thank you for the ask :)

tropes:

Happy endings emerging from the jaws of despair; eucatastrophe

When you have two guys who are friends but they like pretending to hate each other (I was a sucker for this at eleven when I saw Star Trek: TOS, and I have remained a sucker ever since)

Mortal-immortal friendships, in all their variations

Characters getting trapped in their nightmares and other characters having to save them

Anything with memory loss/wipes, especially if it's thoroughly explored

dog breeds:

Labradors are a classic kind of dog.

Cocker spaniels are very different but also classic, and I think they're cute.

Terriers! Is this partly because of Snowy from Tintin? yes.

Newfoundlands are BIG and FLUFFY and I appreciate this.

Beagles because the only dog I've taken care of long-term was a beagle. She IS loud and she IS an inveterate food thief but I love her anyway <3

Saints:

Mary, Mother of God. Of course she's at the top of the list. She's Our Lady.

Saint Joseph is equally clearly next! Most valiant, most humble, most obedient, guardian of virgins, protector of family life, model of laborers, patron of the dying... Chaste Guardian of the Virgin and Foster-Father of the Son of God.

St. Mary Magdalene - I don't know if I exactly have a special devotion to her, but I do love remembering her life. Model of penitents and one of the holiest and most beloved of Christ's followers. (I do also adhere to the belief that she is the same person as Mary sister of Lazarus; this is a long-standing tradition, and it makes sense to me.)

St. Alphonsus Liguouri - his month's worth of daily meditations for Adoration are beautiful and have made him familiar to me, even though I know very little about his life. (He also wrote a set of prayers/reflections for the Stations of the Cross that a lot of parishes use.)

St. Frances of Rome - my confirmation saint, a 14-century Roman noblewoman who was wife and mother over a large household, and founded a religious order for widows after her husband's death. Is the patron saint of automobile drivers, because an angel is said to have lighted the way for her when she went out on charitable works at night. I love how well she followed God while fulfilling her duties in the world.

Secret sixth spot (because Our Lady's spot is hardly information): Blessed Herman the Cripple, 11th-century Benedictine polymath who wrote Salve Regina, the Advent and Christmas Marian antiphon Alma Redemptoris Mater, and Veni Sancte Spiritus. If you ask me, that alone should qualify him for canonization, but I suppose his cause is waiting for more posthumous miracles.

[holyguardian]

I’m feeling so validated about my portrayal of Aerith the deeper I get into Rebirth. It’s difficult to explain, I started to write this gremlin at a weird point in time where a lot of people only knew her through the Kingdom Hearts franchise or the Advent Children movie. She tends to be a character who’s given the patron saint / kindness and rainbows treatment, or at least she was during those years before Remake. I’m a lot more confident in my own take.

[maypoleman1]

13th December

St Lucy’s Day

Saint Lucia’s Day. Source: The Book of Christmas, The Enchanted World, Time-Life Books

Today is St Lucy’s Day. Lucy, or Lucia, was a devout Christian virgin on the island of Sicily in the fourth century AD who was pursued by an ardent suitor who told her he was in love with her eyes. In a desperate attempt to get her admirer to lose interest, Lucia plucked out her own eyes and handed them to the horrified man with the words ‘Now let me live in God’. God recognised her sacrifice and restored Lucia’s eyes soon afterwards. Lucia however was eventually executed by the pagan Roman authorities who burned her alive.

Lucia’s death by flame is the only discernible link between her and the festivities in Scandinavia to celebrate her day. These celebrations have entirely pagan roots and derive from winter sun festivals held on the northern solstice to brighten the darkest nights of the year. On the morning of 13th December, girls would dress as Lucia in a plain white shift and bring their parents festive cheer, their heads crowned with a wreath of lingonberry or holly mounted with the four Advent candles. St Lucia’s Day traditionally marks the beginning of the Christmas season.

St Lucia’s Day coincided with the Norse festival of Yule and was marked by the old rhyme : ‘Lucy light, the shortest day and the longest night’ . St Lucy was also the patron saint of people suffering poor eyesight which is partially a reference to the saint’s self blinding but also to the long dark night of her named day.

[lord-aldhelm]

Saint Aldhelm of Malmesbury

Although most of the characters in The Last Kingdom and The Saxon Stories were based on real historical people, Aldhelm was a completely fictional character just made up for the story. However, there was a Saint Aldhelm, a man of historical significance in Anglo-Saxon England. He is the patron saint of musicians and songwriters.

Aldhelm was born in 639 in Wessex. As a young boy he was educated in Canterbury and studied Latin and Greek literature, and could also read and write Hebrew. When he returned to Wessex, he joined the monks at Malmesbury and became a popular teacher, and people would journey from as far as France and Scotland to learn from him. He also loved to write poetry, and composed music and sang. He could play the harp, fiddle, and pipes. Aldhelm was well known for his theatrical way of preaching, and would sing in addition to preach to get the attention of the commonfolk outside of church. Over a century later, King Alfred regarded him highly as one of the great poets and bards of his time, and wrote stories about him.

In 683, Aldhelm was appointed the Abbot of Malmesbury, where he continued to make it a seat of education. He enlarged the monastery and built several churches and founded more monasteries in the area. In 705 he was made Bishop of Sherborne, where he rebuilt the church and oversaw the construction of more churches and a nunnery.

On 25th May 709, Aldhelm died at Doulting in Somerset, and after his death he was sainted. May 25 is a feast day for St Aldhelm. The Church of St Aldhelm (built in the 12th century) and St Aldhelm's Well in Somerset are dedicated to him. St Aldhelm has a flag in his honor, with a white cross on a red background.

Name Meaning

The name Aldhelm and the Old English version "Ealdhelm", is derived from the Germanic elements ald "old" and helm "helmet, protection".

Links:

Wikipedia Article about Saint Aldhelm

Aethelstan Museum

New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia

St Aldhelm's

Early British Kingdoms biography

Catholic Online article about Aldhelm

OrthoChristian.com article about St Aldhelm

[cetra]

I felt inspired by this post to use the general strike as an opportunity to share Palestinian art. Sadly i myself am not an artist but as you guys do know I'm a Christian and I thought on this day of global strike for Palestine during the Advent/Nativity season we could celebrate the land's rich religious history and enjoy these photos of the beautiful St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Beit Jala, Bethlehem in Palestine.

St. Nicholas is the patron saint of Beit Jala, and each year on December 19th the people of the town celebrate a festival in his name as part of a three-day celebration beginning on the 17th. There's concerts, parades, plays and even a bazaar. Although Beit Jala's populace is said to be around 65% Christian many Muslims partake in the festivities as well.

It appears as though this year there will be no Christmas celebrations held in Bethlehem due to the ongoing genocide in Gaza. I hope that the Palestinians, whether they be in the occupied territories or in Gaza, or in the diaspora worldwide, of any or no faith, know that God and all the saints and all the prophets are with them. May they one day return to their homes. May they one day never know the sound of an Israeli airstrike. May they one day know only peace and love here on earth as their martyrs do in the kingdom of heaven, Amen

I'm ending this post with a prayer from Sabeel: "Emmanuel, God with us, Advent in Palestine this year feels like a paradox. We meditate on the hope of the incarnation whilst we live in a hopeless reality where children are killed, lives lost become mere numbers and statistics, women have no safe place to give birth, and injustice is celebrated. Lord, this is your story. As we meditate on your incarnation, let it be a time of active waiting which feeds the hungry, clothes the naked, heals the sick, and struggles with the oppressed for their liberation."

Thanks for reading 🧡🇵🇸

[abmediumaevum]

(BL Egerton MS 2781; The "Neville of Hornby Hours"; 14th c. f.76v)

Today (Nov. 30th) is Andermas, the feast day of Saint Andrew: apostle, martyr, and patron saint of Scotland (amongst many other patronages). Traditionally, Saint Andrew's Day marks the beginning of Advent (starting the Sunday closest to November 30th) in both the Eastern and Western Christian liturgical calendar.

Saint Andrew has been the patron saint of Scotland for some 700 years, beginning in 1320 with the Declaration of Arbroath addressed to Pope John XXII. Written and sealed by fifty-one Scottish barons and magnates in the reign of King Robert I - popularly known as 'the Bruce' - (r.1306-1329) the Declaration was part of a broader diplomatic effort to assert Scotland's position as an independent kingdom during the First War of Scottish Independence (1296-1328) in spite of the Pope's recognising of King Edward I of England's claim to overlordship of Scotland in 1305 and his excommunication of Robert from the Church in 1306.

(National Records of Scotland; The Declaration of Arbroath [Online], URL: https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/Declaration)

Elsewhere in the United Kingdom, such as in Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and Northamptonshire, 'Tandrew' or 'Tandry' - as St. Andrew's Day was colloquially known - was traditionally once a major festival in many rural villages. Thomas Sternberg, describing popular customs in mid-19th-century Northamptonshire writes that "the day is one of unbridled license [...] drinking and feasting prevail to a notorious extent. Towards evening the villagers walk about and masquerade, the women wearing men's dress and the men wearing female attire, visiting one another's cottages and drinking hot elderberry wine, the chief beverage of the season." (Sternberg, 1851: pp.183-85).

--

As the nights grow longer, Christmas steadily begins to come into our view, be sure to think upon this old folk-rhyme on this chilly night.

(Northfall, G.F. (1892), "English Folk Rhymes: A collection of traditional verses relating to places and persons, customs, superstitions, etc.", (London: Kegan Paul, Trench, Trübner & Co. Ltd.), p.455)

[czerwonykasztelanic]

I'm very much aware that I complain about it every time I leave a bookstore (so: on an almost monthly basis), but popular perception of historical and contemporary events alike is a product of siege mentality.

In Poland, specifically: a keen but suppressed awareness of the West's decline and inevitable collapse, paired with a visceral fear of the nebulous Orient, leads the average citizen of this liberal Christian democracy to believe that he must seek out a Noah to build him an ark, lest the coming deluge drown him alongside the unenlightened. He sees the downfall of the prevailing order as a natural outcome of his class's social decomposition, of its descent into mindless self indulgence, and perhaps of its too-lenient attitude towards deviants and saboteurs. His fortress will succumb to the horde of infidels because its watchmen abandoned their posts and opened the gates to carriers of the plague; it is a conquest well-deserved. For all that, the impending catastrophe may still be averted, but only through the advent of a Great Man, this long-awaited tyrant Noah, an individual force capable of delivering the ingenuous townsfolk from the Mongol swarm, rallying a holy legion against the rotten of the Earth. He will be crowned patron saint of the enterprising and lord-protector of industry. And he will reign over the besieged with an iron fist, turning boys into men and men into machines, crushing underfoot anyone who refuses to bow before him, paying no heed to the cries of the destitute, weeding out the weak and lathering himself in gold. All this - in the name of an abstract freedom. Triumphant! Order prevails in the Western world. The citadel becomes an empire.

And so the bookshelves are lined with the works of the prophets du jour, variations on the theme of Why China is going to destroy us and War with the East; right next to them, the biographies of Hitler, Mussolini, Churchill, Bismarck and Bonaparte. Voilà the free market.

[momentsbeforemass]

A heart that’s truly free

(by request)

Today is the feast of the Immaculate Conception.

Right in the middle of Advent. We’re supposed to be waiting in hope. Focused on the One who is to come.

But no.

We’re messing it up. With some random thing about Mary. Because, why not?

Just more of the Mary stuff we do as Catholics. We drag Mary into everything. Why not Advent? Even if it makes no sense, right?

Actually, the truth goes something like this:

“Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King! Let every heart prepare Him room,”

Today, is all about the first heart to “prepare Him room.”

The Immaculate Conception is about Mary. That Mary was conceived free from original sin. Why?

So that Mary’s answer to the angel, the one we hear in today’s Gospel, could be a truly free choice. Not clouded by ego and pride. Not made desperate by separation from God through sin.

But an answer freely given. From a heart that’s truly free.

Some people think that Mary, being conceived free from original sin, means that Mary was God’s perfect robot. That Mary really had no choice.

Okay. Let’s look at the history of choices made by people conceived free from original sin.

Mary. Free from original sin. Said “yes” to God.

Jesus. Free from original sin. Said “yes” to God.

Adam. Free from original sin. Said “no” to God.

Eve. Same thing.

That’s 50%. Half the people free from original sin used that freedom to say no to God.

Clearly, lack of a sinful nature does not mean lack of a free choice.

Great, but what does this have to do with Advent?

Advent has its roots in the Prophets. Isaiah, Elijah, and the others who foretold the One who is to come. The longing of age after age for a Savior.

Mary is the patron saint of Advent.

Because the Immaculate Conception grabs hold of the longing of the ages. And takes it from dreamtime. To our time.

Mary’s “yes” to God takes it from someday. To today.

Because she said “yes.” Because she first, prepared Him room, we can say,

“Joy to the world, the Lord is come!”

Mary shows us the power of saying yes to God.

Imagine what could happen if we said yes.

Today’s Readings

[scotianostra]

January 3rd the year 671 saw the birth in Ireland of Saint Maelrubha, a monk who founded a monastery at what is now Applecross.

On his father's side Maelrubha was eighth in descent from the famous Niall of the Nine Hostages, King of Ireland, and through his mother he belonged to the kindred of St Congal of Bangor. He was born on 3rd January 642 AD, probably in the south-east part of what is now Londonderry.

After residing for some time in the monastery at Bangor, he embarked for Scotland in 671 AD. His early missionary enterprises were concentrated in districts now included in Argyll, planting churches at Kilarrow in Islay, and on the mainland at Killarow in the modern Killean and Kilchenzie parish; Kilmory, now Strathlachlan parish; and Kilmorrie near Dunstaffnage Castle.

In 673AD St Maelrubha arrived at Apercrossan, now Applecross, in Ross-shire, and made it the nucleus of his Christian missionary work throughout that part of the west coast and eastwards as far as the shores of the North Sea. He continued to be the abb of the muinntir for an incredible fifty-one years and died on 21st April 722AD. The privileged ground around the monastery, its garth or sanctuary, extended six miles in all directions and came to be known in the Gaelic as A'Chomraich, i.e. the sanctuary, a name still applied in the Highlands to the present parish of Applecross.

Not surprisingly, Maelrubha was considered to be, "the patron of all the coast, from Applecross to Loch Broom." Traditions in the Black Isle tell us that St Maelrubha was martyred in the parish of Urquhart and that his body was carried back to Applecross for interment.

According to another tradition, he was killed by Scandinavian pirates in Strathnaver in Sutherland, and was buried at a spot close to the river Naver, about nine miles from its mouth. It is said that the spot was marked by a rough stone bearing an incised cross.

You have to make your choices in these matters but personally, I favour the Strathnaver version of the story. The churches of Forres in Moray and Fordyce in Banffshire were dedicated to St Laurence and St Talarican respectively but, since there was, in each of these parishes, a fair - known as Samareve's in the former,and New Summaruff's in the latter - the reader might conclude that there must have been some dedication to St Maelrubha in both parishes. There was also a Samarive's Fair in the parish of Keith, whose church was under the invocation of Maelrubha, giving the township its ancient name of 'Kethmalruf'. These are possible exaamples of old "Celtic dedications" being supplanted with new dedications which were more acceptable to the medieval Church as it became more Roman in its outlook.

The community at Applecross played a major rôle in the advent of Christianity in the north and north-west of Scotland. It acted, in those parts, in the same way that Iona did in Dalriada and the western isles. It is not surprising to find that its influence spread as far as the north east.

Pics are of thev 15th century ruined chapel at Applecross and St Maelrubha's Scottish Episcopal Church, Poolewe.

[mask131]

Autumn feasts of France: La Saint-André

Taken from "L'Inventaire des Fêtes de France, d'hier et d'aujourd'hui"

The celebration of saint André, on the 30th of November, marks the beginning of the liturgical year followed by the Church: the Advent, the four weeks before Christmas, start on the Sunday closest to the Saint Andre's Day.

Saint Andre, friend of the Christ, was a fisherman on the Tiberiad lake during the first century - just like his older brother Simon, better known by his nickname of "Peter". Even though the Gospels barely speak of him, saint Andre - the first of the Apostles, the first man that followed the Christ - is a very popular saint. He was the patron of various European country that he had - according to late tales - supposedly evangelized: Greece, Russia, Scotland... He was also the patron of regions located north and east of France.

The Bourgogne dukes, who were supposed to be descendants of the Scythians (people from southern Russia), had taken as their emblem the cross of Saint-Andre. According to the tradtion, this X-shaped cross was the symbol of the instrument that caused the saint's martyrdom in Patras (Greece) - even though this cross only became André's symbol around the 14th century.

The night of the Saint-André was believed to be magical, because it was located right between autumn and winter, and marked the opening of the Advent. Very close in terms of customs to the Saint-Nicholas night, in Alsace and Lorraine children received gifts upon this night - and there was also the arrival of a terrifying character, similar to Père Fouettard/Father Whipper, holding rods and bells. In a more general way, Saint Andre's night was a night of miracles, during which maidens of eastern France begged saint Andre so that he would give them a husband: like many local saints, he was said to preside over the fate of lovers. Through various means, young girls read their fortune and interpreted the dreams they had after begging the saint to "show them while asleep the husband they'll have during their life". To do so, they had various magical rituals, such as throwing melted lead in water on saint Andre's eve. As it cooled down, the lead took a shape that had to be recognized - it could be a tool, marking a specific trade, or the initial of a name. These traditions were very similar to those of the Saint-Catherine (which is a neighbor-celebration, on the 25th of November), and to those of other "magical nights": the eve of the Epiphany, the eve of the First of March, the eve of May Day, or Midsummer's Eve.

[liesmyth]

Random asks to know you better, what do you wish more people knew about Italy.

OH i love this question. Fun Italy fact! Italian as a language wasn't really spoken by most Italians in Italy until the 20th century.

Longer answer: regionalisms! Especially regional languages! They're cool. Italy isn't that big but we really have a plurality of regional cultures from being politically fragmented from the early middle ages onwards. You see it in pretty much all aspects - local traditions; cuisine; specific cultural influences, local history patron saints and whatnot; even architectural styles - but language is THE big one. We have a ridiculous amount of dialects and several actual "regional languages", classified as a whole different language from Italian - the biggest one is Neapolitan, which has over 2 million native speakers. I live a couple hours from Napoli and absolutely can't understand a word.

The tl;dr historical explanation is that after the dissolution of the Roman Empire, vulgar Latin evolved differently in different areas of Italy that didn't have as much contact with each other. Modern Italian is very close to the Florentine dialect Dante used for the Divine Comedy, and the Florentine dialect really caught on as the language of cultured Italy through the Renaissance. Ofc if you couldn't read or write then you spoke your local dialect / regional Romance language, and they really can be WILDLY different from each other. To this day some of the major regional languages are pretty hard to understand even if you are a fluent Italian speaker (I can't understand my older Sicilian relatives at all, the less I say about Neapolitan the better, and sometimes when I'm in the north I have to ask @valarinde to translate). Even after Italy was unified in 1861, Italian as a language really didn't take off because education was really low. The advent of mass communication was a game changer, and television especially really changed the game. Italy's first TV broadcast was in 1954, and it became relatively common for even very small towns to have a tv at the local pub over that decade. My Italian lit teacher in hs used to say that Mike Bongiorno singlehandedly taught Italian to millions of people and u know what, she was right.

thank you for indulging me with this <3

[always open to random asks!]

[catholicjourneys]

Seasons of Pilgrimage to Rome: Best Times to Visit for Religious Festivals

Rome, the eternal city, holds a special place in the hearts of pilgrims worldwide, drawing them year-round to its sacred sites and vibrant religious celebrations. For those planning a pilgrimage to Rome, timing your visit to coincide with major religious festivals can enhance your spiritual journey and offer a deeper connection to the city's rich religious heritage. Here’s a guide to the best times to visit Rome for religious festivals and events that attract pilgrims from around the globe.

Easter Celebrations

Easter is one of the most significant religious festivals in Rome, commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The celebrations begin with Palm Sunday, marking Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem, followed by Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday leading up to Easter Sunday. Pilgrims flock to Rome to participate in solemn processions, Masses at St. Peter's Basilica, and the moving Stations of the Cross at the Colosseum. The Easter Vigil Mass celebrated by the Pope in St. Peter's Basilica is a highlight not to be missed, offering a profound spiritual experience amidst the grandeur of Vatican City.

Feast of St. Peter and St. Paul

Celebrated on June 29th, the Feast of St. Peter and St. Paul honors the two apostles who are patron saints of Rome. Pilgrims gather to pay homage to St. Peter, the first pope, at his basilica in Vatican City, where Mass is celebrated with great reverence. The feast day also includes special liturgical ceremonies and the traditional "Papal Pallium" ceremony, symbolizing the unity of the Church under the leadership of the Pope. The festivities culminate with a vibrant atmosphere in Rome, as pilgrims join locals in celebrating the city's patron saints with processions and cultural events.

Immaculate Conception

On December 8th, Rome celebrates the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, commemorating the belief that the Virgin Mary was conceived without original sin. Pilgrims gather at major basilicas, especially the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, which houses the revered relic of the Holy Crib. Masses and processions honor Mary's role in the redemption of humanity, drawing pilgrims seeking spiritual renewal and reflection during the Advent season.

Planning Your Pilgrimage

When planning your pilgrimage to Rome during these religious festivals, consider booking accommodations and tours well in advance, as these times attract large crowds. Arriving early to Masses and events allows you to secure a seat and fully immerse yourself in the spiritual atmosphere. Dress respectfully for religious ceremonies, and be prepared for varied weather conditions, especially during Easter and December.

Enhancing Your Experience

To enrich your pilgrimage experience, consider participating in guided tours that offer insights into the historical and spiritual significance of Rome's religious sites. Engage in local traditions, such as attending evening prayers or exploring lesser-known churches dedicated to saints and martyrs. Take time to reflect and meditate in Rome's peaceful sanctuaries and chapels, allowing the city's spiritual energy to inspire and uplift your soul.

Final thoughts 

Visiting Rome during its pilgrimage seasons for religious festivals provides a unique opportunity to witness centuries-old traditions, deepen your faith, and connect with a global community of believers. Whether you choose to experience the solemnity of Easter, the jubilance of the Feast of St. Peter and St. Paul, or the reverence of the Immaculate Conception, each festival offers pilgrims a profound encounter with Rome's spiritual essence. Apart from Rome, plan your pilgrimage to Lourdes wisely, embrace the city's sacred atmosphere, and let the timeless beauty of Rome's religious festivals leave an indelible mark on your pilgrimage experience.

[maypoleman1]

25th January

St Dynwen’s Day/ Burns Night

A Piper Piping in the Haggis at a Burns Night Supper. Source: Visit Scotland website

Today is St Dynwen’s Day. Dynwen, despite being celibate, became Wales’ patron saint of lovers. Apparently visiting her shrine at Llanddwyn Island on Anglesey is a must for all couples who want their love to proper.

Tonight is also Burns Night, on which the life and works of poet Robert Burns are celebrated all over Scotland today, his birthday. The first Burns Night was held in 1801, but at that stage it was a private gathering of the poet’s friends, wishing to celebrate Burns’ contribution to Scottish literature. By the 1860s, the day had become a Scottish cultural event with Burns’ Nights involving traditional the enjoyment of Scottish fare, pipers, traditional dancing and much whisky. Burns himself was a romantic influenced by the Classics, but also by Scottish rural life and Celtic myth and ghost stories. His songs and poems were often written and recited in the Scots dialect. Long before the advent of the SNP, Burns Nights provided the opportunity for expressions of Scottish cultural pride and nationalist sentiment.

Lake Semerwater. Source: Herriot Country website

On this day in rural North Yorkshire, St Paul manifested (today is also the feast day of his conversion) and went door to door in a nearby magnificent city, begging for alms, to see how Christian the Yorkshire folk were. Suffice it to say, they weren’t very, and poor Paul was sent packing from every house he visited, save one, a Quaker dwelling on the outskirts of the city. The good Quakers gave the saint room and board and overnight heard him calling on Simmerwater to rise, Simmerwater to sink. The next day the family found their guest was gone and so was the city, replaced by a huge lake - Lake Semerwater. When the weather is calm, the walls and roofs of the submerged town can be seen from the lakeside. Or so they say…