The word “feast” often conjures images of lavish banquets and tables overflowing with dishes upon dishes of steaming food and extravagant decor. This image of opulence, however, could not be more different than the true message behind feast days in the Catholic faith.
Feast days are days dedicated to the veneration of saints, events and doctrine. This means they are days of worship and prayer to bring us closer to God and our community. While all feast days revolve around this common theme, they can be categorized into three main groups.
The first group is called Solemnities. These are the highest ranking and most widely celebrated of the feast days. Good examples of Solemnities are Christmas and Easter. These days are often accompanied by a church service and time spent with family.
The second group is your general Feast Days/ Memorials. These are lesser-known feast days and are often dedicated to distinguished saints and important events of the life of Jesus. While still important and respected, they are generally more esoteric in celebration.
And finally, there are the local and universal feast days. While universal feast days are celebrated by the entire catholic church, local feast days take part in specific regions and tend to commemorate people who are viewed highly by the people living there.
But the true meaning behind feast days is not found by asking when or where they take place, often it is not even hidden in the how. Feast days are centered around the why of celebration, and the how that makes them a reality. Why do we want to grow closer to God? How do we strengthen our connection to those we love? Why do we make mistakes and how can we improve?
As we near the holiday season, take a moment to reflect on how you celebrate, and how other do as well. Holidays are a wonderful time for many to spend time with family and share our love through gifts and food. But for many, holidays can be a time of struggle and loneliness. In spirit of the philanthropic nature of feast days, I encourage you to take a few moments to research how you can spread the love to those who need it. All Saints Day is the feast day we celebrate most in the month of November.
I’ve included a few links below to a few great organizations who follow this goal, feel free to check them out or even participate in their programs! Please enjoy the upcoming holidays and never stop being thankful for everything others have done for you. But more important, never stop being the person others are thankful for.
Sources– Feast Days: Celebrating the Church’s Calendar
https://www.britannica.com/topic/All-Saints-Day
The Salvation Army Adopt-A-Family Christmas Program – LIFT Foundation, Inc.
Volunteer Opportunities at Your Local Food Bank | Feeding America