Resources by Date for September 2023

The readings for the 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A focus on our natural longing for God. Possible themes for this weekend’s readings are sacrificial love, longing for God, prayer, and water. Here are some ideas.

St. Gregory the Great called himself a servant of God. His writings are extensive and some of his influences are still seen today. He donated generously to the poor and called deacons to service of those in need. When famine struck Rome he ordered that the assets of the Church be used to give relief to the people in the area. And he is famously known for establishing the form of music now known as Gregorian chant.

The Feast of The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary celebrates the birth of Our Blessed Mother. Her immaculate conception and birth prepare for the coming of Jesus Christ into the world. This feast day is celebrated annually on September 8.

St. Peter Claver was a Jesuit priest who ministered to slaves arriving in the Caribbean port city of Cartagena. He fed them and treated their diseases and wounds. His feast day is September 9.

The readings for the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A focus on a conversion of heart. Possible themes for this weekend’s readings are conversion of heart, the sacrament of Reconciliation (confession), or overcoming hatred.

This feast day of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross on September 14 celebrates the cross as a sign of Christ’s victory over sin for us. It is also called the Feast of the Triumph of the Cross. The cross is not a sign of defeat, but a sign of redemption.

The Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows commemorates the extreme sorrow that the Blessed Virgin Mary experienced during the life, passion, and death of Jesus Christ. The Seven Sorrows Devotion is a traditional Catholic devotion related to the seven sorrows of Mary.

Saints Cornelius and Cyprian were 3rd century Christians. St. Cornelius was a pope. At the time, many Christians were being martyred. Some renounced their faith and then later repented. A priest named Novatian said that these Christians should not be allowed back in the Church. Pope St. Cornelius successfully opposed Novatian’s position. St. Cyprian was a bishop who also opposed Novatian’s views. He offered support and encouragement to Cornelius. He also encouraged him to grow in holiness.

The readings for the 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A focus on mercy and forgiveness. Possible themes for this weekend’s readings are spiritual works of mercy and forgiving others.

St. Matthew was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ. He also wrote the Gospel of Matthew. He is from Galilee and was a tax collector before following Jesus. His fellow Jews would have despised him for working with their Roman occupiers. When Jesus called him, and the faithful Jews objected, Jesus said Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do.

St. Padre Pio, also known as Saint Pius of Pietrelcina, was a 20th century Capuchin friar and priest. He is known for his piety and charity. He had the stigmata, the wounds of Christ in his hands and feet. He also had many mystical experiences, including frequently seeing guardian angels and predicting that Karol Wojtyła, a priest, would ascend to the highest post in the church Karol Wojtyła later became Pope John Paul II.

The readings for the 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A highlight God’s generosity. So for this weekend we might discuss being generous with our own resources and helping others.

Our Lady Undoer of Knots is a devotion to our Blessed Mother. In this devotion, Catholics ask Mary to assist us in untying the knots in our lives through her intersession to our Lord Jesus.

The archangels are leaders of angels in the army of God. These three archangels are mentioned in scripture. Their feast day is on September 29.

St. Jerome was born in 347 A.D. He became a Christian in his late teens.He is best known for translating the Bible into Latin. His translation is called the Vulgate. He is considered a Doctor of the Church for his efforts in spreading the Word of God.