Celebrating summer feasts in the church

During the summer months, many of us find that our daily schedule changes, at least for a time, long or short.  We may take time to have a relaxing experience. However, after some time relaxing, we may begin to realize that we are not being as faithful to our prayer life. This lack of fidelity to our prayer life, however, is not a necessary part of our vacation. 

God is always with us inviting us to communicate with him. Our church continues to offer us feast days throughout the summer, feast days–which if we are aware of them–enable us to turn to God, often through Our Lady or the saints. 

One Marian feast celebrated in July is the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel on July 16.  This title of Mary is not found in Scripture. It originates from the Stella Maris Monastery situated on Mount Carmel–a Monastery that is the spiritual headquarters of the Carmelite Order.  The Carmelites, therefore, pray to Mary under the title of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. However, their Marian prayer also contains a rich collection of lovely Marian titles, titles such as “fruitful vine, splendor of heaven, Blessed Mother of the Son of God, Immaculate Virgin…”

A 1996 doctrinal statement which was approved by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments states: “Devotion to Our Lady of Mount Carmel is bound to the history and spiritual values of the Order of the Brothers of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel and is expressed through the scapular.” At different times, the church has made other statements about the meaning and privileges of the Brown Scapular, the habit worn by the order. It has stated that the scapular “is both a sign and a pledge–a sign of belonging to Mary; a pledge of her motherly protection…” But it is important to remember that the devotion is to Mary; the Brown Scapular is only a sign of the devotion.

Scriptural saints whose feast days occur in July include St. Mary Magdalen whose feast day is on July 22; St. James, an apostle of Our Lord with his feast day on July 25; Sts. Joachim and Ann, the parents of Our Lady, with their feast on July 26; and St. Martha whose feast comes on July 29.

St. Mary Magdalen is described as “the Mary called Magdalene from whom seven demons had been cast out” (Lk 8:2). Released from her sinful past, Mary Magdalen is described with other women, as “providing for them (Jesus and the Apostles) out of their resources” (Lk 8:3).  We are told that she was present on Calvary when Jesus died, and according to Mark’s Gospel, she was the first to see the risen Lord (Mk 16:9).  After her conversion, then, she grew in total dedication to Jesus. On her feast day and at any time, let us pray to her that we too may grow in our dedication to and love of Him.  

St. James was the son of Zebedee and the brother of St. John the Apostle. As one of the 12 apostles, he was present at most of the preaching and miracles performed by Jesus. Like Jesus, Herod put him to death.  Like him, we can offer ourselves to Jesus as his close followers.

A very ancient tradition tells us that Sts. Joachim and Ann were the parents of the Virgin Mary. We know little about the details of their lives. As the parents of Mary, they were, of course, the grandparents of Jesus. Let us pray to them that we may grow in the knowledge and love of him who was grandson to them.

July 29 brings us the feast of St. Martha, the sister of Mary and Lazarus. When she received the Lord as a guest at their home in Bethany, she devoted herself to most careful preparation for His meal. We are told that “Martha served” (Jn 12:2) while Lazarus reclined at the table with Jesus, and Mary anointed His feet. Martha is the practical saint, the saint who takes care of human needs such as meal preparation and service, which is done totally out of love and respect for Jesus. So too we can put our most ordinary talents into practice in totally spiritual ways.

The month of July, then, offers us many feast days putting us in contact with saints from Scripture and from the history of the church.  Let us continue to be in touch with Jesus through the Scriptural and liturgical aids offered us at all times.