Feast Day Gift Ideas for the Most Popular Saints of Fall

Fall brings some of the most beloved feast days in the Catholic calendar. From the Nativity of Mary in early September to the Archangels at month's end and St. Therese of Lisieux on October 1, autumn is full of opportunities to honor the saints through prayer, shared meals, and thoughtful gifts.

At Acadian Religious, we have been helping Catholic families find meaningful feast day gifts since 1963. Here is a guide to gift ideas for the most popular saints of the fall season.

1. Our Lady of Sorrows (September 15)

The Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows on September 15 is the heart of September devotion. The day commemorates the seven sorrows Mary endured, from the prophecy of Simeon to the burial of Jesus. September is traditionally dedicated to this devotion, and many Catholics pray the Seven Sorrows Rosary throughout the month.

An Our Lady of Sorrows pendant is the most traditional gift for this feast day. We carry several sterling silver designs, each die struck and hand polished by New England Silversmiths. The round double-sided pendant comes on an 18-inch chain in a velvet gift box. It can be blessed by a priest and worn daily as a reminder of Mary's faith through suffering.

For a smaller gift, a prayer card with the Seven Sorrows prayer or a Seven Sorrows chaplet also makes a meaningful presentation.

2. St. Padre Pio (September 23)

St. Padre Pio, born Francesco Forgione in 1887, was a Capuchin friar who bore the stigmata for fifty years. He spent much of his ministry in the confessional, sometimes hearing confessions twelve to fifteen hours a day. He was canonized by Pope John Paul II in 2002, and his feast day is September 23.

Padre Pio is the patron saint of civil defense volunteers, adolescents, and stress relief. His most famous words, "Pray, hope, and don't worry," have become a daily mantra for Catholics facing anxiety.

A St. Padre Pio pendant is a natural gift for his feast day. We carry a sterling silver oval medal depicting him with the stigmata, along with a round version. Both come on a 24-inch chain in a velvet gift box. For someone going through a stressful season, a Padre Pio pendant paired with his famous quote on a card makes a gift that is both personal and practical.

We also carry a Padre Pio candle in eucalyptus and sage, designed for prayer and quiet reflection. It pairs well for someone who spends time in adoration or personal prayer.

3. The Archangels (September 29)

The Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael on September 29 closes out the September feast days. St. Michael is the patron of soldiers, police, and the sick. St. Gabriel is the messenger of the Annunciation. St. Raphael is associated with healing and appears in the Book of Tobit.

For St. Michael, a patron saint medal is the most popular gift. We carry St. Michael medals in sterling silver, frequently purchased for family members in law enforcement, the military, or first responder roles. The Prayer to St. Michael, composed by Pope Leo XIII in 1886, is often printed on holy cards and makes a simple, meaningful gift.

4. St. Therese of Lisieux (October 1)

St. Therese of Lisieux, celebrated on October 1, is one of the most popular saints in the Catholic Church. A Carmelite nun who died at age 24 in 1897, she is known for her "little way" of doing small things with great love. She is the patron saint of florists, missionaries, and the sick. Her feast day is also called the Feast of the Little Flower.

A traditional gift for St. Therese's feast day is a rose, since she promised to "send down a shower of roses from heaven." Pairing a rose with a St. Therese medal or a prayer card bearing one of her quotes makes a thoughtful gift. For a more lasting gift, a sterling silver St. Therese medal is a piece that can be treasured for years.

5. The Exaltation of the Holy Cross (September 14)

The Exaltation of the Holy Cross on September 14 honors the cross as the instrument of salvation. While not tied to a specific saint, it is one of the most important September feasts and a natural occasion for a cross or crucifix gift.

A standing crucifix for a desk or prayer table, a wall crucifix for a bedroom, or a simple cross pendant are all appropriate gifts. We carry a range of crucifixes and crosses, from small pocket crosses to standing St. Benedict crucifixes in cold cast bronze.

Choosing the Right Gift

The best feast day gifts connect the recipient to the saint being honored. A medal worn daily, a candle lit during prayer, a rosary used for the Seven Sorrows devotion. These are tools of faith that turn a feast day from a date on the calendar into something a person carries with them.

If you want to learn more about the traditions behind these feast days, our guide on how to celebrate September feast days with Catholic traditions walks through the history, prayers, and family practices for each one. For those drawn to the September devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows, our Our Lady of Sorrows pendant page has more details about the pendant and the history of the devotion.

At Acadian Religious, we are here to help you find the right gift for every feast day. Visit us at 2819 Johnston Street in Lafayette, Louisiana, or browse our full collection online. We have been a sign of good faith in Acadiana since 1963.

God bless you and your family this fall season.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good gift for Our Lady of Sorrows feast day?

An Our Lady of Sorrows pendant in sterling silver is the most traditional gift for the September 15 feast day. Other options include a Seven Sorrows Rosary chaplet, a prayer card with the Seven Sorrows prayer, or a Marian statue. Many people also have these items blessed by a priest before giving them.

What is a good St. Padre Pio gift?

A St. Padre Pio pendant or medal is a popular choice for his September 23 feast day. The pendant depicts him with the stigmata on his hands. A Padre Pio candle, a Padre Pio rosary, or a prayer card with his famous quote "Pray, hope, and don't worry" also make meaningful gifts.

Who is the patron saint of stress relief?

St. Padre Pio is recognized as the patron saint of stress relief, along with civil defense volunteers and adolescents. His advice, "Pray, hope, and don't worry. Worry is useless. God is merciful and will hear your prayer," is widely shared among Catholics facing anxiety.

What Catholic feast days are celebrated in fall?

Major fall feast days include the Exaltation of the Holy Cross (September 14), Our Lady of Sorrows (September 15), St. Padre Pio (September 23), the Archangels Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael (September 29), and St. Therese of Lisieux (October 1).