August 2024 — Overview for the Month
Description
The month of August is dedicated to The Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Highlights
August 15
The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
The Blessed Virgin Mary, at the close of her earthly life, was taken up, body and soul, into the glory of heaven.
Recipe of the Month
Barbecue Pilaf
The Eastern Church celebrates the Feast of the Transfiguration with sheaves of wheat, baskets of fruit, and clusters of flowers decorating the altar. A pilaf made of cracked wheat is the feature of the feasting. In Rome raisins are blessed on this day, and new wine is used in the Mass. This recipe combines both East and West flavors for celebrating the Transfiguration.
Activity of the Month
Celebrating the Assumption
Home festivities for marking the Assumption at home can incorporate special food, flowers, herbs, a fancy tea, and integration of the Liturgy with your domestic church.
Symbols
Armenia and India are believed to have been the areas of his missionary work. He is said to have been flayed alive and crucified.
A native of North Africa, converted by St. Ambrose and educated at Carthage, the Bishop of Hippo was the writer of his "Confessions" and the "City of God." This symbol refers to his intense zeal and devotion to Christ.
The foundress of the Order of the Poor Clares, whose emblem refers to her dispersion of Saracen invaders by facing them, bearing the Blessed Sacrament, in defense of the convent.
The archdeacon of Rome who, when ordered to deliver the treasures of the Church to pagan authorities, produced the poor and sick of the Christian community as the richest treasures of the Church. He was condemned and burned to death over a gridiron, retaining his cheerful attitude to the end.
With Mary Immaculate, let us adore, thank, implore and console the Most Beloved and Sacred Heart of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.
Publisher & Date
Catholic Culture, August 16, 2023
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The entire month falls within the liturgical season of Ordinary Time, which is represented by the liturgical color green. This symbol of hope is the color of the sprouting seed and arousesin the faithful the hope of reaping the eternal harvest of heaven, especially the hope of a glorious resurrection. It is used in the offices and Masses of Ordinary Time.
The Holy Father's Intentions for the Month of August 2024
For political leaders: We pray that political leaders be at the service of their own people, working for integral human development and for the common good, especially caring for the poor and those who have lost their jobs.(See also Apostleship of Prayer.)
Feasts for August
1. Alphonsus Liguori, Memorial2. Eusebius of Vercelli; Peter Julian Eymard, Opt. Mem.
4. EIGHTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, Sunday
5. Dedication of St. Mary Major, Opt. Mem.
6. Transfiguration, Feast
7. Sixtus II and companions; Cajetan, Opt. Mem.
8. Dominic, Memorial
9. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, Opt. Mem.
10. St. Lawrence, Feast
11. NINETEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, Sunday
12. Jane Frances de Chantal, Opt. Mem.
13. Pontian and Hippolytus, Opt. Mem.
14. Maximilian Kolbe, Memorial
15. ASSUMPTION OF MARY, Solemnity
16. Stephen of Hungary, Opt. Mem.
18. TWENTIETH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, Sunday
19. John Eudes, Opt. Mem.
20. Bernard, Memorial
21. Pius X, Memorial
22. Queenship of Mary, Memorial
23. Rose of Lima, Opt. Mem.
24. Bartholomew, Apostle, Feast
25. TWENTY-FIRST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, Sunday
27. Monica, Memorial
28. Augustine, Memorial
29. Passion of John the Baptist , Memorial
Focus of the Liturgy
The Gospel readings for August are taken from St. Mark and St. John. All Sunday readings are from Cycle B, and Weekday readings are from Cycle II.
August 4th | Cycle B, Jn 6:24-35: Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst." |
August 11th | Cycle B, Jn 6:41-51: "I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world." |
August 18th | Cycle B, Jn 6:51-58: "Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him." |
August 25th | Cycle B, Jn 6:60-69: Simon Peter answered him, "Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God." <--You are Peter, and to you I will give the keys of the kingdom of heaven.--> |
Highlights of the Month
August is often considered the transitional month in our seasonal calendar. It is the time of the year we begin to wind-down from our summer travels and vacations and prepare for Autumn — back to school, fall festivals, harvest time, etc. The Church in her holy wisdom has provided a cycle of events in its liturgical year which allow the faithful to celebrate the major feasts in the life of Christ and Mary. Most notably, during August, we celebrate the feast of the Transfiguration (August 6) and the feast of the Assumption (August 15).
The other main feasts of this month are:
St. Alphonsus Liguori (August 1),
St. Eusebius of Vercelli and St. Peter Julian Eymard (August 2),
Dedication of St. Mary Major (August 5),
Transfiguration of the Lord (August 6),
St. Sixtus II and Companions and St. Cajetan (August 7),
St. Dominic (August 8),
St. Teresa Benedicta (August 9),
St. Lawrence (August 10),
St. Jane Frances de Chantal (August 12),
Sts. Pontian and Hippolytus (August 13), St. Maximilian Kolbe (August 14),
St. Stephen of Hungary(August 16),
St. John Eudes (August 19),
St. Bernard (August 20),
St. Pius X (August 21)
the Queenship of Mary(August 22),
St. Rose of Lima (August 23),
St. Bartholomew (August 24),
St. Monica (August 27) St. Augustine (August 28)
and the Passion of St. John the Baptist (August 29).
The feasts of St. John Mary Vianney (August 4), St. Clare (August 11), St. Louis of France (August 25), and St. Joseph Calanz (August 25)and fall on a Sunday so they are superseded by the Sunday Liturgy.
A Time to Persevere
The days of summer have provided a welcome change of pace. However, while vacations afford us the time to relax and refresh, the change of habits and routines can also have a negative impact on our spiritual lives. As if to re-ignite us, the Church offers us in the plethora of August feasts vivid examples of the virtue of perseverance: six martyrs—two who are named in Canon I of the Mass and two who were martyred during World War II; seven founders of religious congregations, as well as three popes and two kings; the apostle, St. Bartholomew; the great Doctor of the Church, St. Augustine and St. Monica, his mother; the humble patron saint of parish priests, St. John Vianney, and the patron of deacons, St. Lawrence, who joked with his executioners while being roasted alive.
It is never too late to begin—as the life of the reformed sinner, St. Augustine teaches us—nor too difficult to begin again, as demonstrated by the conversion of the martyr, St. Teresa Benedicta (Edith Stein). We present-day members of the Mystical Body are certain of the reward to which we are called, for Christ's Transfigured body (August 6) is a preview of that glory. Moreover, in the Assumption of his Mother (August 15), Our Lord has demonstrated his fidelity to his promise. Her privilege is "the highest fruit of the Redemption" and "our consoling assurance of the coming of our final hope—the glorification which is Christ's" (Enchiridion on Indulgences).
The Blessed Virgin Mary is the most perfect example of Christian perseverance, but she is also our advocate in heaven where she is crowned Queen of Heaven and Earth (August 22). Mary is the "Mother of Perpetual Help", the patroness of the Congregation founded by St. Alphonsus Liguori (August 1). "No one who has fled to her protection is left unaided" is the claim of the Memorare of St. Bernard (August 20). Heretics have returned to the faith by the prayers of her Rosary, first preached by St. Dominic (August 8) in the twelfth Century, and hearts have been converted by the graces received while wearing her Miraculous Medal, promoted by St. Maximillian Kolbe (August 14) and adopted as the "badge" for the Pious Union he founded. Hail, holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope!
This item 12553 digitally provided courtesy of CatholicCulture.org
