I’m always trying to figure out how to make it easier for families to observe the Christian Year because we felt so overwhelmed when we first started that journey (which is why we wrote the book we wish we had then). I thought it might be helpful for our family to have resources compiled for the month ahead so that we can plan in advance which special saints days we want to observe and I hope having them all in one place is helpful to you, too!
I pinned all of the following resources on a Liturgical Living in September pinterest board for your convenience!
As always, remember not to get overwhelmed. You don’t have to observe every saints day! (We certainly don’t at our house.) The liturgical year is a gift. It shouldn’t feel like a burden!
September 3rd: St. Gregory the Great
Activities:
- Listen to some Gregorian Chant.
- Pope Saint Gregory the Great coloring page from Catholic Playground.
September 4th: St. Teresa of Calcutta!
It’s so exciting that Mother Teresa will be canonized on this day this year!
Books:
Ignatius Press just came out with two great picture books about Mother Teresa:
Mother Teresa: The Smile of Calcutta
Celebrating Around the Table:
- Make a simple Garden Fresh Curry (You can find the recipe in our cookbook Feast!)
September 8th: The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
It also happens to be my birthday!
Food/Activities for Celebrating:
- Celebrating the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary: two Os plus more
- Lemon Blueberry Cake for Our Lady’s Birthday: Better Than Eden
- Edible Donut Rosary: A Slice of Smith Life
- Coloring Pages: Delphina Rose
Book:
Mary, the Mother of Jesus by Tomie dePaola
September 14th: Triumph of the Holy Cross
Food for Thought:
- Harry Potter, Dumbledore’s Mercy, and the Triumph of the Holy Cross: Carrots for Michaelmas
September 15th: Our Lady of Sorrow
Activities:
- Sing the Stabat Mater Dolorosa.
September 20th: St. Andrew Kim Taegon
Celebrating Around the Table:
- Make Bulgogi Wraps! (You can find a recipe in our cookbook More Feasts!)
September 21st: St. Matthew
Activities:
- Celebrating the Feast of St. Matthew: two Os plus more (I love Sarah’s suggestion to listen to St. Matthew’s Passion!)
September 22nd: St. Pio of Pietrelcina
Activities:
- Pray the Stay with Me Prayer: Totus Tuus Family
September 29th: Michaelmas! (The Feast of the Archangels)
Celebrating Around the Table:
- Have a Michaelmas feast! Michaelmas Traditions: Prayers, Food, and Flowers: Carrots for Michaelmas
- We share some of our favorite Michaelmas recipes in our cookbook Feast!
Activities and More:
- Feast Day Fun: The Archangels: Equipping Catholic Families
- Pray the St. Michael Prayer. Kendra has a great printable you can find here!
Food for Thought:
- St. Michael’s Question: Catholic Exchange
- Raphaelmas, I Want You to Be a Thing, Too: Better than Eden
Do you have any special traditions for saints days or holy days in September? I’d love to hear about them in the comments!
Check out our real food liturgical year cookbook: Feast! Real Food, Reflections and Simple Living for the Christian Year. You can buy the ebook for $7.99 or the print version for $21.99.
(Links to Amazon are affiliate links. Thank you for supporting Carrots!)
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WRITING THIS! I have an almost two year old and a newborn and I feel the Holy Spirit is pushing me to start observing the liturgical year. I haven’t seen a “Liturgical Living At A Glance” post from you in awhile and I was going to email you to ask if you could write one for September. I love that you organized this so we don’t have to. Thank you again.
I’m so glad it’s helpful, Sarah!
I love this! One of my “Church New Year” goals is to become more mindful of the rhythm of the Church calendar (In my case, the Byzantine Church calendar since my husband and I attend an Orthodox Church). Your list was an inspirational springboard in creating my own similar list. I know the Eastern church commemorates angels later in the year, but I love the Michaelmas’ connection to the harvest period (since Fall is my favorite season), so I may just celebrate Michalmas anyways on my own! Also, as an aside, I love reading your blog since liturgical life is new to me. Thank you again for all of your insights! Much love in Christ from an Orthodox friend <3
I am so excited to bake a birthday cake for Mary next week! Any tips for baking with a 15-month-old, though?
Just patience and lots of extra time, lol 🙂
I love this! Please keep them coming. My husband and I try to observe the liturgical year (because it’s such a fun way to celebrate!), and your suggestions are great!
Love that you do this, Haley! And happy early birthday! You share it with my husband.