Top 5 Feast Days & Devotion to Live                              LITurgically

                         in the Little Church You Call Home

September is Dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows (Seven
Sorrows of Mary)

As summer gives way to fall, the Church gently turns our eyes toward Our Lady of Sorrows,
whose feast follows immediately after the Exaltation of the Holy Cross on Sept 15.

September reminds us that discipleship isn’t simply about celebrating joyful moments—it is also about
remaining faithful through suffering.

Mary teaches us how to stand at the foot of the Cross with courage, hope, and unwavering trust
in God’s plan. She didn’t understand everything that would happen, but she remained close to
Jesus through every sorrow.

As we enter a new school year, busier schedules, and changing
seasons, September invites us to place our own joys and crosses into Mary’s hands and allow
her to lead us ever closer to her Son.

Living liturgically means recognizing that God is present not only in feast days and celebrations,
but also in ordinary sacrifices, hidden acts of love, and seasons of waiting.

This month, let your
home become a place where hope is stronger than fear and where every cross is united to
Christ.

Simple ways to honor the monthly devotion:

● Pray the Seven Sorrows Chaplet or meditate on Mary’s sorrows.● Offer daily inconveniences, sufferings or discomfort for someone in need.
● Light a candle while praying for those who are suffering.
● “Offer It Up: Finding Hope in Suffering” is a great Living LIT podcast to check out with
special guest Megan Hjelmstad (author of the book: Offer It Up). Many of us are
carrying heavy crosses and experiencing sorrow. This podcast episode will have you
looking at “Offering it Up” differently and with hope. listen here
● A beautiful Children’s book is: Our Lady Of Sorrows by Patrick O’ Hearn (Adults will
love too)

 Saint Teresa of Calcutta
September 5

What We Celebrate:

Saint Mother Teresa is one of the greatest modern saints—a woman who saw Jesus hidden in
“the poorest of the poor.”
Saint Mother Teresa reminds us that holiness isn’t measured by grand accomplishments but by
small acts of love done faithfully. She served Christ in the abandoned, forgotten, sick, dying, and
lonely because she truly believed Jesus’ words:
“Whatever you did for one of the least of these…you did for me.”
Her feast reminds us that every Christian is called to become the hands and feet of Christ.

Live It LITurgically
● Enjoy blueberries-a nod to St Mother Teresa’s blue-trimmed sari.
● Visit someone who is lonely or homebound.
● Watch or listen to the Living LIT podcast “From Calcutta to Your Kitchen Table: Honoring
St Mother Teresa” for more ideas to Live Liturgically for this feast day. Ideas to celebrate
here

The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
September 8

What We Celebrate:

Today we celebrate Mary’s birthday!
While Scripture doesn’t record her birth, the Church has celebrated Mary’s Nativity for centuries
because her birth marks the beginning of God’s beautiful plan of salvation unfolding through her
“yes.”
Every birthday is a reminder that God created each person for a purpose—and Mary’s purpose
was unlike any other. Through her came Jesus, our Savior.

Live It LITurgically
● Bake a birthday cake for Mary. Enjoy it in her honor.
● Decorate with blue and white (Colors associated with Our Blessed Mother)
● Place flowers before a statue of Mary.
● Listen to the Living LIT podcast “Celebrating Mary’s Birthday: Honoring Our Blessed
Mother” for more ways to celebrate.
● Pray one decade of the Rosary (or all of it) together.

The Exaltation of the Holy Cross

September 14

What We Celebrate:
At first glance, celebrating an instrument of execution seems strange.
But because Jesus willingly died upon the Cross, it became the greatest sign of victory the
world has ever known. Through the Cross came forgiveness, redemption, and eternal life.
Today we don’t celebrate suffering itself—we celebrate Christ’s triumph through suffering.
Every crucifix in our homes reminds us that love is stronger than death.

Live It LITurgically
● Venerate your family crucifix in your home. “We Adore you Oh Christ, and we Praise
you, because by your Holy Cross You have redeemed the world.”
● Display crucifixes prominently around the home.
● Pray the Stations of the Cross.
● Listen/Watch Living LIT podcast “The Exaltation of the Holy Cross-Lifting High the Cross
of Christ” to understand and live more of this feast day.
● Talk about carrying our daily crosses with Jesus.

Saint Padre Pio
September 23

What We Celebrate:
Saint Padre Pio was a humble Capuchin friar known for his deep prayer, love for the Eucharist,
countless hours hearing confessions, and bearing the stigmata—the wounds of Christ.
He reminds us that holiness grows through prayer, frequent confession, trust in God’s mercy,
and perseverance in suffering.
One of his most beloved sayings still encourages millions today:
“Pray, hope, and don’t worry.”

Live It LITurgically
● Go to Confession as a family.
● Spend time in Eucharistic Adoration.
● Enjoy donuts for fun–in honor of pray, hope and Do-not worry!
● For more on St Padre Pio’s feast day-listen to the Living LIT podcast “Pray, Hope, and
Donut Worry: Celebrating St Padre Pio”
● Create a “Prayer Jar” where everyone places intentions to pray for throughout the
month.

Michaelmas~St Michael and the ArchAngels
September 29
~Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel & Raphael

What We Celebrate:

On Michaelmas, we celebrate the three archangels named in Scripture who
faithfully serve God and help carry out His divine plan. St. Michael is the great
defender against evil, St. Gabriel is God’s messenger who announced the Good
News to Mary, and St. Raphael is the compassionate guide and healer from the
Book of Tobit. This feast reminds us that God is always at work, surrounding us with
His protection, guidance, and care through the ministry of His holy angels.

Live It LITurgically
● Pray the Saint Michael Prayer.
● Listen to/watch Living LIT podcast “Defend us in Battle: Celebrating St Michael & the
Archangels” for more Living Liturgical thoughts.
● Serve a traditional blackberry dessert (a nod to old Michaelmas traditions). Or Angel
food cake.
● Bless your children before bed with the Sign of the Cross.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

September gently prepares our hearts for the seasons ahead. As the days grow shorter, the
Church reminds us to remain rooted in Christ. We learn compassion from Mother Teresa, joyful
trust from Mary, courage from the Cross, perseverance from Padre Pio, and confidence from the
holy angels.

Living liturgically isn’t about adding more to an already busy schedule—it’s about allowing the
rhythm of the Church’s calendar to shape the rhythm of your home. Even one small tradition can
become a lasting family memory and a simple way to draw closer to Jesus. Visit LivingLIT.org
for more Liturgical and Domestic Church Living.
Until next month, may your home be filled with truth, light, and the joy of living LIT—for