Saint James Vicariate For Hebrew Speaking Catholics in Israel
Faith and Practice
Feast of the Assumption of Mary - August 15
On this day, August 15, the Catholic Church celebrates the Assumption of the Virgin Mary into heaven, after she fell asleep at the end of her life. The belief that Mary was assumed bodily into heaven is an ancient belief among Christian faithful who had always stressed the fact that Mary was born, lived and fell asleep without sin and thus did not suffer corruption. However, this belief was only defined as a fundamental essential of the faith in 1950. Here we publish a short homily of Father David Neuhaus in honor of the feast.
Feast of Saint Maximilian Kolbe – August 14
Daniel from the Jaffa community sent us an article about Saint Maximilian Kolbe, whose feast is celebrated on August 14.
Feast of Saint Clare- August 11
Clare (1194-1253) (Chiara Offreduccio) was an Italian noblewoman who became the foundress of an order of nuns now called "Poor Clares".
Feast of Saint Edith Stein – August 9
On August 9, the Catholic Church celebrates the memory of Edith Stein, the German Jewish philosopher and Catholic mystic who became a Carmelite, taking the name Teresa Benedikta of the Cross. She perished at Auschwitz together with her sister.
Feast of Saint Dominic – August 8
Saint Dominic is the founder of one of the most important orders of monks in the Catholic Church. His feast is celebrated on August 8.
Feast of the Transfiguration – August 6
Lucia from the Jerusalem community writes about the feast. This feast was established in order to remember an event which is described in the three Synoptic Gospels as well as in the Second Letter of Peter. As his passion and death approached, Jesus allowed three of his chosen disciples to see his glory.
Feast of Saint Jean-Marie Vianney – August 4
Saint Jean-Marie Vianney is known as "the parish priest of Ars" and serves as a model for parish priests. In humility, he worked for many years cultivating the faith of those faithful whom he directed with commitment and love.
Feast of Saint Maccabees: Mother and Seven Sons Who Died as Martyrs – August 3
In the days of King Antiochus Epiphanes IV (175 – 163 BC), severe edicts were issued against the Jews in the attempt of the king to wipe out the belief in the God of Israel and life according to the Torah of Moses. II Maccabees, a book that is not in the Jewish TaNaKh but is preserved within the Christian Bible, describes the suffering of the people of Israel at that time.
Feast of Saint Ignatius of Loyola – July 31
Ignatius of Loyola founded the order of the Jesuit Fathers, which he named "Society of Jesus" in the 16th century. He also bequeathed to the Church a method to do "Spiritual Exercises", which help the faithful to discern their way in life.
Feast of Saints Martha and Mary – July 29
These two sisters welcomed Jesus to their home in Bethany and later led Jesus to the tomb of their brother Lazarus.
Feast of Saints Joachim and Anne – July 26
Joachim and Anne are the parents of Mary, mother of Jesus and thus they are the grandparents of Jesus Christ. Although they are not mentioned in the New Testament, later writings tell their story.
Feast of Saint Sharbel – July 24
Sharbel, a Lebanese Maronite monk and priest, lived a life of devotion to God as a man of prayer. In the Maronite Church, Sharbel is one of the most loved of the saints.
Feast of Saint Mary Magdalene – July 22
A disciple of Jesus, Mary Magdalene stayed with him until the end, when he died on the cross, and she was also among the first witnesses to his resurrection.
Feast of the Prophet Jeremiah – July 21
Jeremiah is one of the greatest of Israel's prophets. He suffered much because of his faithfulness to God during a period of sin and refusal of God's Word. The Catholic Church remembers him on July 21 each year.
Feast of the Prophet Elijah – July 20
The Biblical prophet Elijah is a central figure in the books that tell the story of the people of Israel. Tradition ties him to Mount Carmel and the Christians in the Holy Land celebrate him on July 20 each year, especially in Haifa.
Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel – July 16
On this feast, the Church remembers Mary, protectress of the Carmelite monks, who settled on Mount Carmel in Haifa.
Feast of Saint Bonaventure – July 15
Daniel, from the Jaffa community, has sent us a brief article about Saint Bonaventure, a great Franciscan theologian and a doctor (teacher) of the Church whose feast is celebrated on July 15.*
Feast of Saint Benedict – July 11
Sister Gabriele of the Benedictine Monastery on the Mount of Olives sent us this article about Saint Benedict. His feast is celebrated on July 11.
Feast of Maria Goretti – July 6
Maria Goretti was only 11 years old when she was murdered by a young man, who sought to rape her. She is the patron saint of rape victims.
Feast of Saint Thomas – July 3
The Apostle Thomas is best remembered because of his doubt when his fellow apostles told him that Jesus had risen from the dead and appeared to them. According to one tradition, he brought faith in the Risen Jesus to India.
