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As summer draws to a close and families begin to prepare for the return to school and regular routines, the Church invites the faithful to pause and reflect on the richness of the spiritual life through the many feast days celebrated in August. It is a month imbued with deep Catholic tradition—a sacred time that honors the witness of saints, the glory of martyrdom, and the maternal intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
At the heart of August is the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (August 15), one of the most ancient and important Marian feasts in the Church. It celebrates the belief that Mary, at the end of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory. This feast is not only a celebration of Mary’s singular privilege but also a sign of hope for all believers of the glory that awaits us.
The month is also marked by the feast of St. John Vianney (August 4), the patron saint of parish priests, whose humble and holy life calls us to deeper trust in the mercy of God. St. Dominic (August 8), founder of the Dominican Order, reminds us of the importance of truth and preaching the Gospel with zeal. St. Maximilian Kolbe (August 14), a modern martyr of charity, exemplifies self-sacrificial love, offering his life in place of another in the horrors of Auschwitz.
Other notable feast days include St. Clare of Assisi (August 11), St. Bernard of Clairvaux (August 20), The Queenship of Mary (August 22), and St. Augustine (August 28)—each offering a unique glimpse into the power of grace, contemplation, and courageous faith.
In honoring these holy men and women, the Church not only commemorates their lives but also invites us to imitate their virtues. August, then, becomes more than a bridge between summer and fall; it becomes a season of spiritual harvest, where the seeds of grace planted in the quiet of summer may bear fruit in our daily lives.
Please let us know how we can better serve you and your parish as we carry out our mission of evangelization, helping parishes bring people to an encounter with Christ and a deeper appreciation of the Catholic faith. (Contact us at family@diocesepb.org)
May God's Mercy and Peace be with you and your family,
Cathy, Deacon Louie, Maria, Liliana, Andy,
Cindy, Rosario, and Beth.
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Together, let us build, unite, and grow our Church.
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