February 2021 - Overview for the Month

The month of February is dedicated to the Holy Family. This year the first 16 days of February fall during the liturgical season known as Ordinary Time which is represented by the liturgical color green. Green, the symbol of hope, is the color of the sprouting seed and arouses in the faithful the hope of reaping the eternal harvest of heaven, especially the hope of a glorious resurrection. The remaining days of February are the beginning of Lent. The liturgical color changes to purple — a symbol of penance, mortification and the sorrow of a contrite heart.

Violence Against Women: We pray for women who are victims of violence, that they may be protected by society and have their sufferings considered and heeded. (See also Apostleship of Prayer)

The feasts on the General Roman Calendar celebrated during the month of February are:

2. Presentation of the Lord, Feast
3. Blaise; Ansgar, Opt. Mem.
5. Agatha, Memorial
6. Paul Miki and Companions, Memorial
7. FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, Sunday
8. Jerome Emiliani; Josephine Bakhita, Opt. Mem.
10. Scholastica, Memorial
11. Our Lady of Lourdes, Opt. Mem.
14. SIXTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, Sunday
21. FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT, Sunday
22. Chair of St. Peter, Feast
23. Polycarp of Smyrna; Ember Friday, Opt. Mem.
27. Gregory Narek, Opt. Mem.
28. SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT, Sunday

The Gospel readings for the Sundays in February are taken from St. Mark and are from Year B, Cycle 1 of the readings.

The month of February is traditionally dedicated to the Holy Family. Between the events which marked Christmas and the beginning of Christ's public life the Church has seen fit to recall the example of the Holy Family for the emulation of the Christian family.

The Feast of the Presentation (February 2) or Candlemas forms a fitting transition from Christmas to Easter. The small Christ-Child is still in His Mother's arms, but already she is offering Him in sacrifice.

The saints that we will focus on this month and try to imitate are St. Blaise (February 3), St. Agatha (February 5), St. Paul Miki & Companions (February 6), St. Jerome Emiliani and St. Josephine Bakhita (February 8), St. Scholastica (February 10), Our Lady of Lourdes (February 11), the Chair of St. Peter (February 22) and St. Polycarp (February 23).

The feasts of Sts. Cyril and Methodius (February 14) and St. Peter Damian (February 21), is superseded by the Sunday Liturgy. The feast of the Seven Founders of the Orders of Servites (February 17) is superseded by the Ash Wednesday Liturgy.

Though the shortest month of the year, February is rich in Liturgical activity. It contains a feast (Presentation of our Lord) that bridges two other seasons (Christmas and Easter)! In addition, the faithful may receive in February two of the four major public sacramentals that the Church confers during the liturgical year: blessed candles and the blessing of throats.

The Solemnity of the Presentation of the Lord on February 2nd harkens back to the Christmas mystery of Light except that now, Christ, the helpless babe, is “the Light of Revelation to the Gentiles who will save his people from their sins.” Candles, symbolizing Christ our Light, will be carried in procession this day, as will be the Paschal candle during the Easter Vigil Liturgy.

"The Light of Revelation" shines more brightly with each successive Sunday of Ordinary Time, until its magnificence – exposing our sinfulness and need for conversion – propels us into the penitential Season of Lent. We prepare to accept the cross of blessed ashes on Ash Wednesday (March 1) and plunge ourselves into anticipating the major exercises of Lent – fasting, prayer, almsgiving – laying our thoughts and prayers on the heart of our Mother Mary. She, who offered her Son in the temple and on the Cross, will teach us how to deny ourselves, take up our cross daily, and follow after her Son.