Each month, The Tidings lists dates in the church's calendar which commemorate saints and other noteworthy celebrations during the upcoming month, and archdiocesan parishes named in their honor. The list may not include all the feast days in a particular month.
Nov. 1: All Saints, originally a feast for all martyrs. It was extended to the whole church in the ninth century and given this date to counter a pagan feast on the same day, and now honors all saints, known and unknown. Parish: All Saints, Los Angeles.
Nov. 2: All Souls. Christians have prayed for the dead since the early church and some monastic foundations reserved this day in the seventh century to pray for deceased members. Parish: All Souls, Alhambra.
Nov. 4: St. Charles Borromeo, 16th century archbishop of Milan and leader in the Catholic reformation after the Council of Trent. "Begin each day in the presence of God," his motto. Parish: St. Charles Borromeo, North Hollywood.
Nov. 11: St. Martin of Tours, fourth century bishop of Tours, founded the first monastery in Gaul and started the division of dioceses into parishes. Parish: St. Martin of Tours, Los Angeles.
Nov. 13: St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, born in Italy and the first American citizen to be canonized; founded the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart, worked for immigrants, died in 1917. Parish: St. Frances X. Cabrini, Los Angeles.
Nov. 15: St. Albert the Great, 13th century bishop and doctor of the church, born in Germany, taught Thomas Aquinas and is patron saint of scientists. Parish: St. Albert the Great, Compton.
Nov. 16: St. Gertrude, only woman saint to be called "great," known for mystical visions, devoted to the Sacred Heart, 13th century nun. Parish: St. Gertrude, Bell Gardens.
Nov. 17: St. Elizabeth of Hungary, 13th century daughter of a king, who married at 14 and as a widow entered Third Order of Franciscans; was known for her prayer, penance and works of charity. Parishes: St. Elizabeth, Altadena; St. Elizabeth, Van Nuys.
Nov. 21: Christ the King, a feast day to pay public homage to Christ as ruler of the world, instituted by Pope Pius XI in 1925. Parish: Christ the King, Los Angeles (Hollywood).
Nov. 22: St. Cecilia, venerated martyr of the early church, probably third century, patron saint of musicians who sang to God in her heart. Parish: St. Cecilia, Los Angeles.
Nov. 23: St. Clement, recognized as third pope in succession to Peter in first century, martyred in exile. Parish: St. Clement, Santa Monica.
Nov. 23: St. Columban, seventh century Irish monk, traveled to France, Switzerland and Italy to preach the Gospel. Parish: St. Columban, Los Angeles.
Nov. 25: St. Catherine of Alexandria, probably fourth century martyr, tortured by being broken on a wheel and then beheaded for protesting persecution of Christians; patroness of young girls, philosophers and nurses. Parish: St. Catherine of Alexandria, Avalon (Santa Catalina).
Nov. 25: Thanksgiving Day. Though not a "saintly" feast day, President Abraham Lincoln officially established this observance in 1863; in 1970, Native Americans proclaimed a National Day of Mourning to recognize losses of all Indian tribes since Colonial Days.
Nov. 28: First Sunday of Advent, begins ecclesiastical year in Western churches; derived from Latin ad-venio, to come to and is preparation for feast of Nativity.
Nov. 30: St. Andrew, first century apostle and disciple of St. John the Baptist. Parishes: St. Andrew, El Segundo (Russian-Greek); St. Andrew, Pasadena. Editor's note: In the Oct. 1 issue, two feasts were incorrectly identified.
The Feast of St. Clare is Aug. 11; Oct. 3 commemorates her first "translation" by the Poor Clares, the day the saint's body was moved to a new chapel.
Oct. 10 is the feast for St. Victor, soldier saint, but the parish in West Hollywood is named for the first African pope and martyr who was also the first Latin-speaking pope; his feast is July 28. |