Autumn Feast Days Every Catholic Should Know About Before They Happen

It’s not a great feeling to discover at the end of the day that it’s actually an important feast day. You miss the opportunity to go to Mass, make plans to celebrate with friends, or prepare a special dish or treat. 

To prevent that from happening this fall, save this list of the key feast days in September, October, and November. 

1. September 8: The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary 

September kicks off with the joyful feast of Mary’s birth. On this day, we celebrate St. Anne bringing Mary, the Immaculate Conception, into the world. Our Lady was born completely free from sin and remained so for her entire life.

How to Celebrate: Pray a Rosary and place fresh white roses or lilies by a statue or image of Mary in your home. 

2. September 12: The Most Holy Name of Mary

Just a few days later, another Marian Feast falls. While the Feast of the Most Holy Name of Mary isn’t one of the most well-known Marian feasts, it’s an important one. We honor Mary’s name because it is a holy one belonging to the completely sinless, grace-filled virgin Mother of our Savior. 

How to celebrate: Pray a Rosary with special attention to every time Mary’s name is said. Also make an Act of Reparation to her name: “Blessed be the name of Mary, Virgin and Mother.” 

3. September 14: The Exaltation of the Holy Cross

This feast commemorates three events: the finding of the True Cross by St. Helena, the dedication of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in 335 AD, and the return of the True Cross to Jerusalem in 629 after it was stolen by the Persians. 

How to Celebrate: Spend time in adoration before a Crucifix. Say a special prayer thanking Jesus for taking up His Cross for you. 

4. September 15: Our Lady of Sorrows 

The Feast of our Lady of Sorrows is a beautiful reminder that Mary walks beside us through every sorrow. Under this title, Mary’s suffering stands out. We are the ones who caused all her pain, and yet, she loves us unconditionally and comforts us in our own afflictions. 

How to Celebrate: Spend time meditating on the Seven Sorrows of Mary. There is a special Seven Sorrows rosary that may help guide your meditation. 

5. September 29: The Feast of the Holy Archangels

The last big feast in September commemorates the Holy Archangels Michael, Raphael, and Gabriel. They are high-ranking angels who are all mentioned in the Bible and have a specific role. St. Michael is the protector of Heaven who cast Satan into hell. Raphael is known as the healer. And Gabriel is the messenger angel who announced to Mary that she would be the Mother of God. 

How to Celebrate: Attend Mass and read the Scripture passages that mention each Archangel. Traditional foods for this feast include blackberries and roast goose. 

6. October 2: Feast of Our Guardian Angels

Early in October, we commemorate every guardian angel. Each of us has our own angel whom God assigned to protect us physically and spiritually. Our angel is always with us, and we can pray to them and to our loved ones’ guardian angels. 

How to Celebrate: Say a special prayer to your guardian angel and thank them for their protection and service. Also thank God for giving you a piece of Heaven that is always with you. 

7. October 7: Our Lady of the Rosary

Also called the Feast of the Holy Rosary, this feast celebrates the Christian victory at the Battle of Lepanto in 1571 thanks to Mary’s intercession. The Christian forces prayed the rosary before going into battle and attributed their victory to Our Lady of the Rosary. This feast reminds us of the power of the Holy Rosary. 

How to Celebrate: Pray the Rosary reverently and read about its history. 

8. October 31: All Hallow’s Eve

Traditionally, churches held a vigil of fasting and prayer on this night to prepare for All Saints’ Day on November 1. Following the Mass on All Hallows’ Eve, Catholics would visit the graveyard and leave gifts and candles for the next day’s celebration. 

How to Celebrate: Make jack o’ lanterns, bake fall treats for the next day, spend time in prayer, and fast if you are able. 

9. November 1: All Saints’ Day

This is the only feast on the list that is a Holy Day of Obligation. That means that all Catholics are required to attend Mass. The Feast of All Saints celebrates all the holy men and women who made it to Heaven to live in eternal glory with God. They are called the Church Triumphant. 

How to Celebrate: Attend Mass and pray the Litany of the Saints. Say an extra prayer to your patron saints. Since it is a celebratory feast, many Catholics throw All Saints’ Day parties where all the children dress up as a saint. 

10. November 2: All Souls’ Day

On the heels of the joy and splendor of All Saints’ Day comes a more solemn feast. This day honors all of the faithful departed in purgatory. It reminds us to pray for our fellow Christians who need further purification before entering Heaven. 

How to Celebrate: Pray for all of the souls in Purgatory. You can offer a Rosary, a Mass, or your reception of the Eucharist for them. Many Catholics pray the Rosary at cemeteries to earn indulgences for the souls in Purgatory. 

11. November 21: The Presentation of Mary

The Feast of the Presentation of Mary recognizes the day that Mary’s parents offered her to God in the temple of Jerusalem when she was three. From the start of her life, she was chosen for something special. 

How to Celebrate: Read the account of Mary’s presentation to the temple in the Protoevangelium of James and meditate on her obedience and trust. 

12. November 22: The Solemnity of Christ the King

The last major feast in fall is that of Christ the King. It is a solemnity that celebrates Christ’s kingship over the whole universe. No matter who holds political power, Jesus is King and cannot be overthrown. 

How to Celebrate: Go to Mass and participate in the Eucharistic procession if your church has one. Consecrate yourself and/or your family to Christ the King. Cook a fancy dinner or dessert. 

This fall, remember these twelve feast days so that you can honor them and celebrate properly with your loved ones.