Traditional Catholic Calendar
Explanation
The Catholic Liturgy has different rankings for feasts. On any particular day, there may be a major feast and also a minor feast of some saint. Sundays typically outrank the feast of a saint which falls on the same day. Major feasts (example: the Assumption) will outrank a Sunday. For the purpose of this online calendar, we show both the major and minor feasts, so as to give you information on each saint.
Liturgical Colors
White - the symbol of light, typifies innocence and purity, joy and glory
Red - symbolizes fire and blood, indicates burning charity and the martyrs' generous sacrifice
Green - the hue of plants and trees, bespeaks the hope of life eternal
Purple - symbolizes mortification of the senses and penance for our sins
Black - the universal emblem of mourning, signifies the sorrow of death and the sombreness of the tomb
Laws of Fast
The laws of fast apply to persons between the ages of 21 and 59.
On a fast day one may eat one full meal and two light meatless meals, which together would not equal the main meal. Meat may be taken at the principle meal only, except on days of abstinence. Liquids such as water, milk and fruit juices may be taken between meals. If fasting poses a serious risk to health or impedes the ability to do necessary work, it does not oblige.
Laws of Abstinence
The laws of abstinence apply to everyone 7 years of age and over.
Complete Abstinence
On a day of complete abstinence, no meat, meat gravy or soup made from meat may be taken.
Partial Abstinence
On a day of partial abstinence, meat may be taken once.
There is no obligation of fast or abstinence on a holy day of obligation, even if it falls on a Friday.
Ember Days
Ember days are the days at the beginning of each of the 4 seasons ordered by the Church as days of fast and abstinence. They are the Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday of that week, where Wednesday and Saturday are Days of Fast and Partial Abstinence, and the Friday is a Day of Fast and (of course) Full Abstinence.
Feria Days
The term “Feria” (or “Ferial”) is used to denote the days of the week with the exception of Sunday and Saturday. Those days are called Ferial upon which no feast is celebrated. In most cases, a Ferial day has the mass of the preceding Sunday, but some Ferial days have a specific mass for that liturgical week. Feria days are numbered using the ancient method of naming Sunday as day 1 of the week. Thus, Monday is Feria II, Tuesday is Feria III, Wednesday is Feria IV, etc.
The laws of fast apply to persons between the ages of 21 and 59.
On a fast day one may eat one full meal and two light meatless meals, which together would not equal the main meal. Meat may be taken at the principle meal only, except on days of abstinence. Liquids such as water, milk and fruit juices may be taken between meals. If fasting poses a serious risk to health or impedes the ability to do necessary work, it does not oblige.
Laws of Abstinence
The laws of abstinence apply to everyone 7 years of age and over.
Complete Abstinence
On a day of complete abstinence, no meat, meat gravy or soup made from meat may be taken.
Partial Abstinence
On a day of partial abstinence, meat may be taken once.
There is no obligation of fast or abstinence on a holy day of obligation, even if it falls on a Friday.
Ember Days
Ember days are the days at the beginning of each of the 4 seasons ordered by the Church as days of fast and abstinence. They are the Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday of that week, where Wednesday and Saturday are Days of Fast and Partial Abstinence, and the Friday is a Day of Fast and (of course) Full Abstinence.
Feria Days
The term “Feria” (or “Ferial”) is used to denote the days of the week with the exception of Sunday and Saturday. Those days are called Ferial upon which no feast is celebrated. In most cases, a Ferial day has the mass of the preceding Sunday, but some Ferial days have a specific mass for that liturgical week. Feria days are numbered using the ancient method of naming Sunday as day 1 of the week. Thus, Monday is Feria II, Tuesday is Feria III, Wednesday is Feria IV, etc.
Common Abbreviations
Ab Abbot
Ap Apostle
App Apostles
B Bishop
Bb Bishops
C Confessor
Cc Confessors
Comp Companions
D Doctor
Ev Evangelist
M Martyr
Mm Martyrs
P Pope
Pp Popes
St Saint
Ss Saints
V Virgin
Vv Virgins
W Widow
(St. Name) Commemoration
Ab Abbot
Ap Apostle
App Apostles
B Bishop
Bb Bishops
C Confessor
Cc Confessors
Comp Companions
D Doctor
Ev Evangelist
M Martyr
Mm Martyrs
P Pope
Pp Popes
St Saint
Ss Saints
V Virgin
Vv Virgins
W Widow
(St. Name) Commemoration