Marian Celebrations of the
Liturgical Year*
- Immaculate Conception (December
8), solemnity: "Joint
celebration of the Immaculate Conception of Mary, of the basic
preparation for the coming of the Saviour, and of the happy beginning
of the Church without spot or wrinkle" (Marialis Cultus**
or MC,3)
- Fourth Sunday of Advent:
"It recalls the ancient
prophecies concerning the Virgin Mother and the Messiah and includes
readings from the Gospel concerning the imminent birth of Christ
and His Precursor. (MC 3)
- Mary Mother of God (January
1), solemnity: Celebrates
"the part played by Mary in the mystery of salvation,"
exalts "the singular dignity which this mystery brings to
the 'holy Mother,'" renews adoration to the newborn Prince
of Peace," and implores from God, through Mary's intercession,
"the supreme gift of peace" (MC 5).
- Presentation of the Lord (February
2), feast: "Joint
commemoration of the Son and of the Mother," that is, "a
celebration of a mystery of salvation accomplished by Christ,
a mystery with which the Blessed Virgin was intimately associated
as the Mother of the Suffering Servant of Yajweh, as the one who
performs a mission belonging to ancient Israel, and as the model
for the new people of God, which is ever being tested in its faith
and hope by suffering and persecution" (MC 7)
- Our Lay of Lourdes (February
11), optional memorial.
- Annunciation of the Lord (March
25), solemnity: "A
joint feast of Christ and of the Blessed Virgin: of the Word,
who becomes 'Son of Mary' (Mk 6:3), and of the Virgin, who becomes
Mother of God" (MC 6)
- Our Lady Mediatrix of All Grace
(May 8), optional memorial (local celebration).
- Visitation (May 31), feast:
"The Liturgy recalls the
Blessed Virgin Mary carrying her Son within her, and visiting
Elizabeth to offer charitable assistance and to proclaim the mercy
of God the Savior" (MC 7)
- Immaculate Heart of Mary (Saturday
after the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus), optional memorial:
It
expresses "tendencies which have emerged in contemporary
devotion" (MC 8).
- Our Lady of Mount Carmel (July
16), optional memorial: "Originally
celebrated by a particular religious family, but
today,
by reason of the popularity [it has] gained, it can truly be considered
ecclesial" (MC8).
- Dedication of Saint Mary Major
(August 5), optional memorial
- Assumption (August 15), solemnity:
"It
is the feast of [Mary's} destiny of fullness and blessedness,
of the glorification of her immaculate soul and of her virginal
body, of her perfect configuration to the Risen Christ; a feast
that sets before the eyes of the Church and of all mankind the
image and the consoling proof of the fulfillment of their final
hope." (MC6)
- Queenship of Mary (August 22),
memorial: "The
Solemnity of the Assumption is prolonged in the celebration of
the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which occurs seven days
later. On this occasion we contemplate her who, seated beside
the King of Ages, shines forth as Queen and intercedes as
Mother" (MC6).
- Birth of Mary (September 8),
feast. It
commemorates a salvific event: "Mary the hope of the entire
world and the dawn of salvation" (MC 7).
- Our Lady of Sorrows (September
15), memorial: "A
fitting occasion for reliving a decisive moment in the History
of Salvation and for venerating, together with the Son lifted
up on the Cross, His suffering Mother" (MC 7)
- Our Lady of the Rosary (October
7), memorial: A
truly "ecclesial" celebration (MC 8)
- Mary, Mother of the Church (October
11), optional memorial (local celebration).
- Presentation of Mary (November
21), memorial. It
proposes a "lofty and exemplary" value and carries on
a venerable tradition "having" [its] origin especially
in the East" (MC 8).
- Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal
(November 27), optional memorial (local celebration).
- Our Lady of Guadalupe (December
12), memorial: A
commemoration "connected with local devotions" which
has "acquired a wider popularity and interest" (MC 8)
* This list here is taken from Dictionary
of Mary (New York: Catholic Book Publishing Co., 1985)
pp.387-392.
** In 1974, "Pope Paul VI issues
the Apostolic Constitution Marialis Cultus which
treats at length of liturgical Marian piety, popular Marian devotion,
indicates the criteria for deciding which Marian practices are
completely valid and for introducing new ones, and concludes with
the theological and pastoral value of devotion to Mary."
(Dictionary of Mary, p.416)