How to Celebrate September Feast Days with Catholic Traditions
September is one of the richest months in the Catholic liturgical calendar. Within thirty days, the Church celebrates the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, Our Lady of Sorrows, St. Padre Pio, and the Archangels Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael. For Catholic families in Lafayette and across Acadiana, these feast days offer a natural rhythm of prayer and celebration that carries through the transition from summer to fall.
At Acadian Religious, we have been helping families observe Catholic feast day traditions since 1963. Here is a practical guide to the major September feast days.
1. The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (September 8)
The month opens with the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary on September 8, celebrating the birth of Mary. This feast has been observed since at least the sixth century and falls exactly nine months after the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception on December 8. A simple way to observe this day is to pray a rosary together as a family. With young children, baking a white cake in honor of Mary's birthday makes the feast tangible and memorable.
2. The Exaltation of the Holy Cross (September 14)
On September 14, the Church celebrates the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, a feast tracing back to the dedication of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem in 335 AD. This is a good day to display a crucifix in your home, pray the Stations of the Cross, or spend a few minutes in silent prayer before a cross.
3. Our Lady of Sorrows (September 15)
The Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows follows on September 15, the day after the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. Pope Pius X fixed the date in the early twentieth century to connect Mary's suffering with the celebration of the cross. The month of September is traditionally dedicated to this devotion, making it a central part of September devotion for many Catholics.
The Seven Sorrows of Mary are: the prophecy of Simeon, the flight into Egypt, the loss of the child Jesus in Jerusalem, Mary meeting Jesus on the road to Calvary, the crucifixion, the removal of Jesus from the cross, and the burial of Jesus.
To observe this feast day, consider praying the Seven Sorrows Rosary, which meditates on each of the seven sorrows. Many Catholics also pray seven Hail Marys while reflecting on each sorrow. Wearing an Our Lady of Sorrows pendant on this day is a personal way to carry the devotion with you. A sterling silver Our Lady of Sorrows pendant is one of the most traditional feast day gifts for this occasion.
4. St. Padre Pio (September 23)
St. Pio of Pietrelcina, known as Padre Pio, is celebrated on September 23, the anniversary of his death in 1968. Born Francesco Forgione in 1887, he became a Capuchin friar and was known for bearing the stigmata, which he received on September 20, 1918. He spent much of his ministry hearing confessions, sometimes twelve to fifteen hours a day. Pope John Paul II canonized him in 2002.
Padre Pio is the patron saint of civil defense volunteers, adolescents, and stress relief. His best-known advice: "Pray, hope, and don't worry. Worry is useless. God is merciful and will hear your prayer."
To celebrate his feast day, consider going to confession, since Padre Pio devoted so much of his life to the Sacrament of Reconciliation. You could also pray for someone going through a difficult time, light a candle, or give a St. Padre Pio pendant to someone who needs a reminder of his words about trust in God.
5. The Archangels Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael (September 29)
September closes with the Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael on September 29. Historically St. Michael's feast day alone, the calendar now celebrates all three archangels together. St. Michael is the patron of soldiers, police, and the sick. St. Gabriel is the messenger who announced the birth of Jesus to Mary. St. Raphael is associated with healing and appears in the Book of Tobit.
A traditional way to observe this feast is to pray the Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel, composed by Pope Leo XIII in 1886. For a feast day gift, a St. Michael medal is a popular choice, especially for anyone in law enforcement, the military, or a first responder role.
Making Feast Days Part of Your Family Rhythm
Catholic feast day traditions do not have to be elaborate. A shared meal, a prayer, a candle, a conversation about the saint of the day. These small practices build a rhythm of faith that children remember long after they grow up. The key is consistency over complexity.
If you are looking for feast day gifts to mark these occasions, we have a wide selection at Acadian Religious. For a broader guide to gift ideas across the fall season, our article on feast day gift ideas for the most popular saints of fall covers St. Padre Pio, the Archangels, St. Therese of Lisieux, and more.
At Acadian Religious, we are here to help you find the right items for your family's faith traditions. Visit us at 2819 Johnston Street in Lafayette, Louisiana, or browse our collection online. We have been a sign of good faith in Acadiana since 1963.
God bless you and your family this September.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Catholic feast days are celebrated in September?
Major September feast days include the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (September 8), the Exaltation of the Holy Cross (September 14), Our Lady of Sorrows (September 15), St. Padre Pio (September 23), and the Archangels Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael (September 29).
What is September devotion in the Catholic Church?
September is traditionally dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows. The devotion centers on the Seven Sorrows of Mary and is especially observed around the Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows on September 15. Many Catholics pray the Seven Sorrows Rosary or meditate on each of Mary's seven sorrows throughout the month.
How do you celebrate a Catholic feast day at home?
Common traditions include attending Mass, praying a rosary or special devotion, sharing a family meal, telling the story of the saint or holy person being honored, and giving a small religious gift such as a saint medal, candle, or prayer card. The specific tradition depends on the feast day being celebrated.
What is the Seven Sorrows Rosary?
The Seven Sorrows Rosary, also called the Servite Rosary, is a devotion that meditates on the seven sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary. You pray seven Hail Marys for each sorrow while reflecting on that specific moment of Mary's suffering. It is traditionally prayed during September, the month dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows.