Celebrating May in the Liturgical Year
- ashleytumlinwallac
- May 1
- 2 min read
Happy first day of May!
This is such a fun month in the Liturgical Year as we continue to move through the 50-day celebration of the resurrection, also known as the season of Easter! I can’t wait to celebrate it with you! Here’s an overview with helpful links:
May 1st - The Feast of St. Philip and St. James
May 11th - Good Shepherd Sunday
May 25th-28th - Rogation Days
May 29th - The Feast of the Ascension
May 31st - The Feast of the Visitation
Current Season: Easter
During the month of April, we transition from the season of Lent to the season of Easter. Here are some helpful articles overviewing each season:
Check out my guidebook, The Liturgical Home: Easter. It gives you everything you need to know to celebrate the Easter season in your home.
May 1st - The Feast of St. Philip and St. James
St. Philip and St. James were both early followers of Jesus and are considered two of Jesus’ twelve apostles, but little is known about them beyond that. We celebrate them on the same day because even though they died at different times and in different places, their bodies were moved and brought to the Church of the Twelve Apostles in Rome.
May 11th - Good Shepherd Sunday
On Good Shepherd Sunday, the Church reflects on Jesus as the Good Shepherd who knows, leads, and lays down His life for His sheep. The readings, hymns, and prayers highlight Christ’s tender care and guidance for His people.
May 25th-28th - Rogation Days
Rogation Days come right before Ascension Day and are a time set aside to pray for God’s blessing on the land, the sea, and the bounty that comes from them. They start on the sixth Sunday of Easter, which is known as “Rogation Sunday” since it is the Sunday that precedes the Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday known as the “Rogation Days.”
May 29th - The Feast of the Ascension
The Feast of the Ascension is the day we remember Jesus’ bodily ascent into heaven and its profound significance. The Ascension might suggest sadness since Jesus physically left the earth. However, instead, it abounds with great joy as we celebrate the triumph of the risen Lord. It signifies the completion of Christ’s work of our salvation, his glorious entry into heaven, and his pledge of our glorification with him.
May 31st - The Feast of the Visitation
The Feast of the Visitation commemorates the joyous encounter between the Virgin Mary and her cousin Elizabeth. This feast highlights Mary’s journey to the hill country of Judea to share the news of her miraculous pregnancy and to support Elizabeth, who was expecting John the Baptist.
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