2011 Christian Holidays -
Ecumenical Mysticism/Wisdom Tradition
* 1/1: World Peace Day--Day to meditate for peace throughout the world. [Universal Hour of Peace: 7:00-8:00 a.m. EST.]
* 1/1: Day the first woman was ordained an Episcopalian priest in the U.S. (1977). [Rev. Jacqueline Means]
* 1/1: Day Pope John Paul II exhorted Christians to respect Nature, to preserve natural resources, and to stop environmental destruction (1990). [Citing Genesis, the Pope said that, because responsibility for Creation was entrusted by Deity to humankind, the ecological crisis is a moral issue of human responsibility. He believed the ecological crisis was caused by a lack of respect for life. He said that it implicates planetary peace as well as the quality of life of all. He was concerned about the depletion of the ozone layer, massive urban concentrations, vastly increased energy needs, industrial waste, the burning of fossil fuels, unrestricted deforestation, and the use of certain types of herbicides, coolants and propellants. He also expressed concern about genetically-modified plants and animals. He exhorted governments to cooperate internationally, and to internally adopt internationally-accepted standards, to ensure preservation of the environment.] [This was expressed in "Peace with God the Creator, Peace with All of Creation: Message of His Holiness Pope John Paul II for the Celebration of the World Day of Peace".]
* 1/4: Day ethnic discrimination was outlawed world-wide (1969); day to mourn all manifestations of racism. [Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination: signed/adopted 3/7/1966; entered into force 1/4/1969.] [Text of Convention] [The Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) monitors implementation of the Convention. For more information, see Human Rights Watch website.] [Article 2 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Text of Declaration) and Article 2 of the Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (Text of Covenant) also prohibit discrimination on account of race.] [The U.N. has designated 3/21 to 3/27 Week of Solidarity with the Peoples Struggling against Racism and Racial Discrimination.]
* 1/6 (OC 1/19): Epiphany--Christian feast recalling the adoration of Child Jesus by the Magi, and the beginning of Rabbi Jesus' ministry of love to humanity - when He changed water into wine at Cana. [See Glory Be prayer and Epiphany prayers.] [Orthodox Christians celebrate the Baptism of Jesus.] [a/k/a Epiphany of the Lord, Three Kings Day, Theophany]
* 1/7: Orthodox Christian Christmas. [See Thrice-Holy Prayers and Jesus Prayer.] [a/k/a Nativity of the Savior]
* 1/8: Death day of Galileo (1642), astronomer; day to mourn the persecution of scientists by religious authorities. [Birthday 2/15/1564]
* 1/13: Death day of George Fox (1691), founder of the Quakers. Quakers experience Deity within and practice egalitarianism, social activism, and peacefulness. [Born 7/1624: exact date unknown]
* 1/12: Day genocide was outlawed world-wide (1951); day to mourn all victims of genocide. [Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide: signed/adopted 12/9/1948; entered into force 1/12/1951.] [Text of Convention] [For more information, see Prevent Genocide International website.]
* 1/15: Feast of the Black Christ. [Originated in Guatemala and celebrated by Catholics in Central America and the Caribbean and immigrants and African-Americans in the U.S. Pilgrims travel to the Church of the Black Christ of Esquipulas annually during the week leading up to the feast.] [a/k/a Feast of Christ of Esquipulas, Fiesta Del Senor de Esquipulas]
* 1/15 (Obs. 1/17): Birthday of Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929), Baptist preacher and non-violent advocate for the rights of African Americans. [Death day 4/4/1968]
* 1/15: First appearance of Our Lady of Banneux, Virgin of the poor, the sick, and the suffering (Belgium 1933). [See The Eternal Blessed Mother.]
* 1/16: World Religions Day--Day to contemplate all religions as different paths to the one universal Deity of many names and aspects.
* 1/19: Theophany--Orthodox Christian celebration of the Baptism of Jesus. [See prayers and litany from the Great Blessing of Water.]
* 1/29: Birthday of Vladimir Soloviev (1853), Orthodox Christian mystic who bewailed humanity's alienation from Holy Wisdom and from Nature, Her manifestation. [Death day 8/12/1900]
* 1/31: Birthday of Fr. Thomas Merton (1915), Catholic mystic and poet, who found Deity in stillness and silence. [Death day 12/9/1968]
* 2/11: First appearance of Our Lady of Lourdes, Lady of healing waters (France 1858). [See Memorare prayer.]
* 2/11: Day the first woman was consecrated an Episcopalian bishop in the U.S. (1989). [Bishop Barbara Harris]
* 2/18: Death day of Michelangelo (1564), painter of the Sistine Chapel (where Our Father is shown embracing Our Mother while reaching out to humanity). [Photo] [Birthday 3/6/1475]
* 3/1: Day the production and use of landmines was outlawed world-wide (1999); day to mourn their victims. [Protocol on Prohibition or Restrictions on the Use of Mines, Booby-Traps, and Other Devices a/k/a Convention on Landmines a/k/a Mine Ban Treaty, amending the 1980 Convention on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons Which May be Deemed Excessively Injurious or to Have Indiscriminate Effects: Treaty signed/adopted 10/10/1980; entered into force 12/2/1983; Protocol signed 12/3/1997; entered into force 3/1/1999.] [Text of Convention] [The U.S., Cuba, Russia, Poland, Georgia, Armenia, Lebanon, Finland, Micronesia, Tonga, and Marshall Islands have not ratified the Protocol.] [Landmines maim and kill civilians, including children. Those that survive endure a lifetime of hardship.] [In the name of Jesus Christ, and for love of Jesus Christ, Christians should renounce the production and use of landmines, and should demand removal and destruction of all existing landmines.] [For more information, see International Campaign to Ban Landmines website.] [The U.N. has designated 4/4 International Day for Mine Awareness.]
* 3/2 to 3/8 (OC 2/26 to 3/4): Carnival/Meat Fare--Christian time of feasting, dancing, and revelry. [Ends on Shrove Tuesday/Mardi Gras, final day before Lent.]
* 3/8: International Women's Day--Day to mourn victims of gender-based oppression and misogyny (past and present), make peace, and celebrate women's empowerment. [See U.N. website on International Women's Day; A history of International Women's Day.]
* 3/9 to 4/21 (OC 3/7 to 4/16): Ash Wednesday (fast day) and Lent--Christian time of purification by self-reflection, peace-making, reparation for harm done, and helping those in need. [On Ash Wednesday, a cross of ashes is imposed on foreheads of Christians. They are reminded of their mortality and exhorted to repent of their sins. Some observe a partial fast and abstain from meat on Fridays throughout Lent.] [See prayers for Ash Wednesday and prayers for Lent.] [Lenten Truce (through Easter): Time to cease all forms of conflict (at least temporarily), extend a greeting to your adversary, and share a meal for peace.] [a/k/a Great Lent]
* 3/12: Day Pope John Paul II, in the name of the Catholic Church, asked Deity's forgiveness and apologized: to Christians of other denominations for intolerance to them, to Jews for anti-Semitism, to peoples of all non-Christian religions for intolerance and contempt for their religious traditions, to women for their humiliation and marginalization, and to the poor and the powerless for indifference to them (2000). [On the first Sunday in Lent in the Jubilee Year, as a part of the liturgy of the Mass inside St. Peter's Basilica, at the Vatican, Pope John Paul II made this public confession with the aid of seven cardinals and bishops. See Transcript of Confession and Request for Forgiveness.] [While the Catholic Church instigated the Crusades, forcibly converted non-Christians, and killed Christian dissidents, ordinary Catholics at the time had no say in it. Nor did any Christian alive today. While it is appropriate to expect atonement from the Catholic Church, it is immoral to blame all Catholics/Christians for the past abuses committed by the Church.]
* 3/13: Birthday of Joseph Priestley (1733), Unitarian who found Biblical basis for belief in a unitary Deity, and believed Jesus to be Deity's Great Prophet. [Death day 2/6/1804]
* 3/16: Day Pope John Paul II expressed remorse for the failure of Christians to prevent the murder of six million Jews during World War II (1998). [This was expressed in "We Remember: A Reflection on the Shoah".] [Pope John Paul II also expressed sorrow for the suffering of Jews at the hands of Christians in a note left at the Western Wall in Jerusalem on 3/26/2000. However, Pope John Paul II planned to beatify Pope Pius XII, until protests dissuaded him. Pope Pius XII, who became Pope in 1939, was silent about the Nazi persecution of Jews, other than a 1942 Christmas message that acknowledged that "hundreds of thousands of persons...because of nationality or race, have been consigned to death". For commentary on the beatification controversy, see America magazine.]
* 3/19: Christian feast of St. Joseph, partner of Blessed Mary and foster-father of Blessed Jesus - honors him as nurturer, teacher, protector, and guide of all fathers. [a/k/a St. Joseph's Day, Feast of St. Joseph, Solemnity of St. Joseph]
* 3/24: Feast of Gabriel, Angel of Truth.
* 3/25 (OC 4/7): Annunciation Day--Christian feast commemorating Blessed Mary's fiat - choosing to conceive Child Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit and to become catalyst of liberation and redemption. [See Hail Mary prayer.] [a/k/a Annunciation of the Virgin Mary, Annunciation of the Lord]
* 3/26: Day production and use of biological weapons was outlawed world-wide (1975); day to mourn their victims. [Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on their Destruction a/k/a Biological Weapons Convention: signed 4/10/1972; entered into force 3/26/1975.] [Text of Convention] [Russia is believed to currently have a biological weapons program in spite of the Treaty's prohibition. Russia has ratified the Treaty.] [In the name of Jesus Christ, and for love of Jesus Christ, Christians should renounce the production, acquisition, and use of biological weapons, and should demand destruction of all existing weapons.] [For more information, see Wikipedia article on Biological Warfare. See also U.N. Office for Disarmament Affairs (U.N.O.D.A.) website; Federation of American Scientists (F.A.S.) Biological and Chemical Weapons Main Page.]
* 4/1: Day that same-sex marriage was first legally recognized (2001). [Same-sex marriage has been legalized in the Netherlands (2001), Belgium (2003), Spain (2005), Canada (2005), South Africa (2006), Norway (2009), Sweden (2009), Portugal (2010), Iceland (2010), and Argentina (2010). It has also been legalized in the U.S. states of Massachusetts (2004), Connecticut (2008), Iowa (2009), Vermont (2009), New Hampshire (2010), Washington D.C. (2010), and New York (2011). In addition, some countries and some U.S. states recognize same-sex civil unions or domestic partnerships. However, some U.S. states have passed constitutional amendments banning same-sex marriage, and others have statutes or judicial decisions banning same-sex marriage. The Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), enacted in 1996, bans same-sex marriage under federal law and allows states to not recognize same-sex marriages contracted elsewhere. However, in 2011, the Obama Administration concluded that the law is unconstitutional and indicated that it will not defend it in court.] [For more information, see Wikipedia article on same-sex marriage.] [Christian denominations that perform same-sex marriage ceremonies include the Metropolitan Community Church, the Unitarian Universalist Association, the United Church of Christ, and the Ecumenical Catholic Church. Some Episcopal churches, Presbyterian churches, and Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) meetings also perform same-sex marriage or blessing ceremonies.]
* 4/3: Christian feast of Blessed Mary, partner of St. Joseph and mother of Blessed Jesus - honors her as nurturer, teacher, protector, and guide of all mothers. [a/k/a Mothering Sunday, Laetare Sunday, Rose Sunday]
* 4/7: World Health Day--Day to pray for healing of all those chronically and seriously ill; day to advocate for adequate health care for all. [Day the World Health Organization (W.H.O.) was founded in 1948.] [For information on World Health Day, see World Health Organization website.] [For information on the World Health Organization, see World Health Organization website.]
* 4/11: Day Pope John XXIII called for world peace, recognition of human rights, and justice under law (1963). He recognized that peace will only be realized when social justice is realized. [The Pope believed that it is the function of government to create a juridical order, in harmony with the moral order. He recognized that each person is vested with rights and duties that are universal, inviolable, and inalienable. The Pope said that each person has: the right to live, the right to the means necessary for life, the right to freedom of speech, the right to pursue the profession of choice, the right to an education and to receive information about public events, the right to religious freedom, the right to found a family, the right to work, the right to a just and living wage and work conditions conducive to family life, the right to own property, the right of meeting and association, the right to emigrate and immigrate, the right to participate in public life, and the right to legal protection of these rights. He indicated that government, with due regard for the equality of all, has a duty to accommodate the rights and duties of all, preventing the rights of some to impede the rights of others. Government must be particularly concerned with the welfare of the weak, minority groups, and refugees. The Pope believed that governments should, in their international relations, also act with truth, justice, and respect. He also believed that wealthier countries should aid the poorer ones. He encouraged countries to work together through the United Nations and other international entities. The Pope condemned the arms race and the development of nuclear weapons, and said that disarmament is necessary for world peace. He disapproved of war, recognizing that weapons of mass destruction could not serve justice.] [This is expressed in Pope John XXIIIs Encyclical on Peace on Earth.]
* 4/17 (OC 4/17): Palm Sunday--Christian feast marking Savior Jesus' entrance into Jerusalem to teach love and justice for all humanity and to sacrifice Himself for the liberation and redemption of all. [See prayer from the Liturgy of the Palms & Sanctus prayer.] [See also The Beatitudes.] [a/k/a Passion Sunday, Sunday of the Passion] [Palm Sunday is the beginning of Holy Week (a/k/a Great and Holy Week), which commemorates the last week of the earthly life of Jesus.]
* 4/21 (OC 4/21): Maundy Thursday/Last Supper of Savior Jesus--He washed the feet of His male and female disciples, gave them bread and wine as His body and blood, told them to love one another, and told of the Paraclete who would come after Him. [See Maundy Thursday Collect and The Gospel Accounts of the Passover Seder: the Feet-Washing, the Love Commandment, the Eucharist & the Paraclete.] ["Paraclete" means "Comforter" and "Advocate" and is identified with the Holy Spirit. See Acts 1:5, 1:8, 2:4, 2:38. Christian mystics believe the apparitions of Our Lady at Guadalupe, Lourdes, Fatima, etc., were manifestations of the Holy Spirit as the Paraclete.] [a/k/a Holy Thursday, Great and Holy Thursday, Christ's Passover Seder]
* 4/22 (OC 4/22): Passion Friday--Fast day to mourn the torture and killing of Savior Jesus by civil and religious authorities, and to contemplate the sacrifice made for the liberation and redemption of all. [See Collect for Good Friday, Compassion prayer, and Prayer to Jesus Christ.] [See also prayers at the Stations of the Cross.] [While a few Jews (and Romans) were instrumental in the crucifixion of Jesus (who was also a Jew), most Jews at the time had nothing to do with it. And no Jew alive today participated. It is immoral to blame all Jews for the acts of a few, committed in the distant past.] [a/k/a Good Friday, Holy Friday, Great and Holy Friday]
* 4/22: Earth Day--Day to honor the Earth and to meditate on Deity manifesting as Mother Earth. [For information about Earth Day activities, see Earthday Network website; Envirolink website; U.S. government website for Earth Day; U.S. E.P.A. website for Earth Day.] [a/k/a International Earth Day, National Earth Day]
* 4/22: Day the world's nations guaranteed asylum to those persecuted in their homelands on account of their ethnicity, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group (1954). [Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees: signed 7/28/1951; entered into force 4/22/1954.] [Text of Convention] [For more information, see United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (U.N.H.C.R.) website; Human Rights Watch website.]
* 4/23 (OC 4/23): Holy Saturday--Vigil remembering Savior Jesus in His cave tomb. [Some fast during the day. In the evening, fire and water are blessed, and the Holy Spirit is entreated to bring about regeneration and renewal. Baptisms are then performed. At the climax of the ritual -- traditionally at midnight -- the resurrection is proclaimed.] [See Easter Eve Collect, Lighting of the Paschal Candle, Liturgy of the Word Creation Readings, and Thanksgiving Over the Water.] [a/k/a Easter Vigil, Easter Eve, Great and Holy Saturday]
* 4/24 (OC 4/24): Easter/Pascha--Christian celebration of Lord Jesus' resurrection by the power of the Holy Spirit. [Eggs are blessed and distributed.] [See Gospel Accounts of the Resurrection and Easter Collect.] [a/k/a Great and Holy Paskha]
* 4/24 to 4/30 (OC 4/24 to 4/30): Easter Week/Bright Week--Christian celebration of rebirth. [See Prayer for Easter Virtues.]
* 4/29: Day production and use of chemical weapons was outlawed world-wide (1997); day to mourn their victims. [Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons a/k/a Chemical Weapons Convention: signed 1/13/1993; entered into force 4/29/1997.] [Text of Convention] [The U.S. and Russia are currently in the process of destroying their chemical weapons in compliance with the Treaty.] [In the name of Jesus Christ, and for love of Jesus Christ, Christians should renounce the production, acquisition, and use of chemical weapons, and should demand destruction of all existing weapons.] [For more information, see Wikipedia article on Chemical Warfare. See also U.N. Office for Disarmament Affairs (U.N.O.D.A.) website; Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (O.P.C.W.) webpage; Federation of American Scientists (F.A.S.) Biological and Chemical Weapons Main Page.] [a/k/a Day of Remembrance for All Victims of Chemical Warfare] [See U.N. website on Chemical Warfare Victims Remembrance Day.]
* 5/1: Christian feast celebrating the sacred marriage of Blessed Mary and St. Joseph. [Also honors St. Joseph as the Laborer.]
* 5/1: Birthday of Fr. Pierre Teilhard de Chardin (1881), Catholic mystic and evolutionary who experienced the union of consciousness with all Nature. [Death day 4/10/1955]
* 5/1: Day Pope John Paul II affirmed that capitalism must be tempered by social justice and restrained by human rights and environmental laws (1991). [Pope John Paul II rejected communism and totalitarianism, as well as consumerism and unbridled capitalism. He reaffirmed the fundamental rights of workers to their own labor, to dignity in work, to reasonable working conditions, to humane working hours, to a just and living wage, to a family life, to associate with other workers for their collective good, and to participate in a democratic process of governance under the rule of law. He indicated the government has an obligation to seek full employment of all workers through its economic policies, to provide social security for those unable to work, and to provide unemployment insurance and retraining for the unemployed. He also reaffirmed the right to private ownership of property, including technology, but cautioned that the government should not favor the wealthy over the poor. Rather, it is the responsibility of the government to protect all people, but especially the poor and the vulnerable, from exploitation by rich and powerful companies, particularly in times of economic and industrial change. He also indicated that governments should not allow companies, in the name of capitalism, to exploit the natural resources of the Earth irresponsibly and destroy the environment.] [Expressed in Pope John Paul II's Social Encyclical, issued on the 100th Anniversary of Rerum Novarum, the Social Encyclical of Pope Leo XIII, which it strives to reinterpret.]
* 5/5: National Day of Prayer--Day to pray for freedom of expression, freedom of religion, and separation of religion and government throughout the world. [Freedom of expression, freedom of religion, and separation of religion and government is guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution's First Amendment. For text and information on the First Amendment, see Cornell University's Legal Information Institute website. For domestic organizations that advocate for freedom of religion, see Americans United for Separation of Church and State website; American Civil Liberty Union website. For information on religious freedom in countries around the world, see U.S. State Department's International Religious Freedom Report; Oslo Coalition on Freedom of Religion or Belief website.]
* 5/8: Christian feast of St. Julian of Norwich (d. 1419) - mystic who believed Deity to be Father and Mother, everywhere in everything.
* 5/18: Day Fr. Matthew Fox nailed his own 95 Theses to the door of the church where Martin Luther nailed his theses, to spur an eco-egalitarian Christian reformation (2005). [A mystic, theologian, and teacher of Creation Spirituality, he recognizes Deity to be Mother and Father, immanent and transcendent.] [See Matthew Fox's 95 Theses.] [See also Friends of Creation Spirituality website; Creation Spirituality Communities website.]
* 5/22: Day to mourn Pope John Paul II's edict barring women from the priesthood in the Catholic Church (2004). [See Pope John Paul II's Apostolic Letter on Holy Ordination. On 11/18/1995, the Vatican declared that the Church's ban on women's ordination was an infallible teaching. See New York Times article. However, Catholic women still advocate for women's ordination. See the Women's Ordination Conference website and the Women Priests website.]
* 5/25: Day Pope John Paul II reaffirmed the Catholic Church's commitment to ecumenism (1995). [He asked for mutual forgiveness and reconciliation amongst the various Christian denominations, in spite of continuing differences and a painful past. He called for continuing dialogue, cooperation, and solidarity in the service of humanity.] [This was expressed in Pope John Paul II's Encyclical on Commitment to Ecumenism.]
* 5/30 to 6/1: Rogation Days--Christian days of prayer for bountiful crops, sustainable development, and healing of environmental abuses. [See prayers for Rogation Days.] [See also A Song of Creation.]
* 5/31: Christian feast of Our Lady, Queen of Heaven. [See Queen of Heaven prayer.]
* 6/2 (OC 6/2): Ascension Day--Christian feast marking Lord Jesus' ascension into Heaven. [See Ascension Prayer.] [See also The Good Shepherd & Psalm 23.] [a/k/a Ascension of the Lord]
* 6/6: First appearance of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, Compassionate Mother who answers all pleas (France 1830). [See Mother of Perpetual Help prayer]
* 6/12 (OC 6/12): Pentecost/Whitsunday--Christian feast celebrating the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the male and female disciples of Lord Jesus; honors Her as the Paraclete, Grace, Wisdom, Justice, and Providence. [See prayers for Pentecost.] [Christian mystics identify the Holy Spirit (Hebrew "Ruach") with Holy Wisdom (Hebrew "Hokhma"), who aided the Heavenly Father in Creation of the Universe. See Genesis 1:1-2, 1:26-27, Job 38:4-11; 38:28-30; Psalm 104:24-30; Proverbs 3:19-20; 8:22-31; Wisdom of Solomon 8:2-6; 8:21-9:4; 9:9-11; and Ecclesiasticus 1:1-5; 24:1-6. Because Jewish mystics consider Ruach and Hokhma to be feminine, Christian mystics consider the Holy Spirit to be feminine. However, most mainstream Christians consider the Holy Spirit to be masculine.] [a/k/a Holy Pentecost]
* 6/13 (OC 6/13): Day of the Holy Spirit--Christian celebration of the Holy Spirit. [See prayers to the Holy Spirit.] [Wisdom of Solomon 7:22-27 describes Holy Wisdom (Hokhma) - - The Holy Spirit: "In Wisdom there is a Spirit intelligent and holy, unique in its kind yet made up of many parts, subtle, free-moving, lucid, spotless, clear, invulnerable, loving what is good, eager, unhindered, beneficent, kindly towards humanity, steadfast, unerring, untouched by care, all-powerful, all-surveying, and permeating all intelligent, pure, and delicate spirits. For Wisdom moves more easily than motion itself, She pervades and permeates all things because She is so pure. Like a fine mist, She rises from the power of Deity, a pure effluence from the glory of the Almighty; so nothing defiled can enter into Her by stealth. She is the brightness that streams from everlasting light, the flawless mirror of the active power of Deity, and the image of goodness. She is but one, yet can do everything; Herself unchanging, She makes all things new; age after age She enters into holy souls, and makes them Deity's friends and prophets...."] [a/k/a Whitmonday, Whit Monday, Monday of the Holy Spirit]
* 6/13: Christian feast of St. Anthony (d. 1231), guardian of the poor and the powerless, and guide of social justice activists.
* 6/16: Birthday of Fr. Sergei Bulgakov (1871), Orthodox Christian mystic who believed the one universal Deity to be Father and Mother, Spirit and Matter. [Death day 7/12/1944]
* 6/19: Trinity Sunday--Christian celebration of the one universal Deity as Holy Heavenly Father, Holy Spirit Mother, and Holy Christ Child. [See Trinity Sunday prayers.] [Christians consider the Trinity to be a singular Deity with three distinct aspects - not three Deities. Christian mystics identify the Holy Spirit as "Mother" and consider the Holy Spirit Mother coequal with the Holy Heavenly Father and the Holy Christ Child. However, most mainstream Christians do not.]
* 6/23 (some transfer to 6/26): Corpus Christi--Christian day for veneration of Christ Immanuel in the Host - divine immanence in the grain. [See Hail Divine Child prayer.]
* 6/24: First appearance of Our Lady of Medjugorje, Queen of Peace, Mother of All Peoples (Yugoslavia 1981).
* 6/25: Day the first woman was ordained a Universalist minister in the U.S. (1863). [Rev. Olympia Brown]
* 6/26: Day torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment were outlawed world-wide (1987); day to mourn their continued existence. [Torture is an illegal, immoral, and ineffective means of interrogation and punishment. All officials have a legal duty and moral obligation to refuse an order to commit torture and to prevent it from occurring. Anyone who attempts, conspires, or commits torture is legally culpable. All acts of torture should be investigated, prosecuted, and punished. Neither war nor civil strife nor emergency justifies torture.] [Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment: adopted 12/10/1984; signed on 2/4/1985; entered into force 6/26/1987.] [Text of Convention] [The Committee Against Torture monitors implementation of the Convention. For more information, see U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights website; Human Rights Watch website.] [Article 5 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Text of Declaration) and Article 7 of the Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (Text of Covenant) also guarantee freedom from torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.] [See U.N. website on Torture Victims' Day.] [a/k/a International Day in Support of Victims of Torture]
* 6/30: Vigil for peace, democracy, religious freedom, ethnic equality, and the end of slavery and genocide in Sudan. [About the Darfur crisis] [For more information on the Darfur conflict, see Global Security website and Wikipedia article on War in Darfur. And for information on the conflict between north and south Sudan, see Wikipedia article on the Second Sudanese Civil War (which ultimately resulted in the secession of South Sudan on 7/9/2011). For information on the human rights situation, see Human Rights Watch report: Sudan; U.S. State Department International Religious Freedom Report for 2010: Sudan.]
* 7/1: Day the world's nations committed to stop proliferation of nuclear weapons (1968); vigil to protest the production and use of all nuclear weapons world-wide. [Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons: signed 7/1/1968; entered into force 3/5/1970.] [Text of Convention] [The U.S. used 2 atomic bombs on Japan in 8/1945: over 270,000 civilians died from the bombs and radiation. The original nuclear powers (including the U.S., the U.K., France, and Russia) have failed to destroy their nuclear weapons in spite of the Treaty's requirement that they work towards disarmament. 9 countries are known to currently possess nuclear weapons, and other countries are attempting to develop or acquire them, in spite of the Treaty's prohibition.] [In the name of Jesus Christ, and for love of Jesus Christ, Christians should renounce the production, acquisition, and use of nuclear weapons, and should demand destruction of all existing weapons.] [For more information, see Wikipedia article on Nuclear Warfare. See also U.N. Office for Disarmament Affairs (U.N.O.D.A.) website; International Atomic Energy Agency (I.A.E.A.) website.]
* 7/1: Day endangered species became internationally protected (1975); day to celebrate all the world's creatures. [Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora: signed/adopted 3/3/1973; entered into force 7/1/1975.] [Text of Convention] [For more information, see U.N. Environmental Programme CITES website; World Wildlife Fund website; EarthJustice website.]
* 7/2: Visitation Day--Christian feast marking St. Elizabeth's recognition of Blessed Mary's divine destiny as catalyst for human liberation and redemption. [See Magnificat prayer.]
* 7/2: Day discrimination on the basis of ethnicity, gender, and religion was prohibited in public accommodations, employment, and education (1964). [The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson.] [Pub. L. 88-352, 78 Stat. 241, 42 U.S.C. 2000a et seq.] [Text of statute] [Title II prohibits discrimination in public accommodations, Title III and Title VI prohibit discrimination by local governments, Title IV and Title IX prohibit discrimination in education, and Title VII prohibits discrimination in employment.] [For information on fighting discrimination based on "race" and "color", see U.S. E.E.O.C. website, and for information on fighting discrimination based on national origin, see U.S. E.E.O.C. website. For information on fighting discrimination based on gender (including sexual harassment), see U.S. E.E.O.C. website. For information on fighting discrimination based on religion, see U.S. E.E.O.C. website.]
* 7/10: Day Pope John Paul II acknowledged the evil of sexism and apologized for the Catholic Church's past oppression of women (1995); day to mourn the continued subordination of women by the Church. [See Letter to Women.] [See also Catholic Perspective on: Women in Society and in the Church. And see the Catholic feminist response: "Feminist Christology" by Elizabeth Johnson; "Heart of Flesh: A Feminist Spirituality for Women and Men" by Joan Chittister O.S.B.; "Equality: A Radical Democratic Ekklesial Vision" by Elisabeth Schssler Fiorenza; "Feminist Theologians Speak Encouragement to Women"; and the Catholic Network on Women's Equality website.]
* 7/11: Day Srebrenica, Bosnia, fell to attacking Serbs (1995), beginning a massacre of thousands of civilians because of their ethnicity and religion; vigil for true peace, justice, religious tolerance, and respect for the human rights of all in the Balkans. [Though it was declared a U.N. "safe haven," Srebrenica, Bosnia, was attacked and fell to Orthodox Christian Serb aggressors on 7/11/1995. 8,000-15,000 civilian Muslim Slavs were killed there from 7/12-7/17/1995 because of their ethnicity and religion. On 8/2/2001, Bosnian Serb General Radislav Krstic was convicted of genocide for his part in the massacre.] [For more information, see Report of the Secretary General Pursuant to General Assembly Resolution 53/35 (1998). See also Peace Pledge Union article on the Bosnian Genocide. For information on the human rights situation today, see Human Rights Watch report: Serbia; Human Rights Watch report: Bosnia-Herzegovina; Human Rights Watch report: Croatia; U.S. State Department International Religious Freedom Report for 2010: Serbia; U.S. State Department International Religious Freedom Report for 2010: Montenegro; U.S. State Department International Religious Freedom Report for 2010: Bosnia-Herzegovina; U.S. State Department International Religious Freedom Report for 2010: Croatia.] [While some Orthodox Christians participated in this massacre, most Christians then and now were horrified by it. It is immoral to hold all Christians responsible for the acts of a few.]
* 7/12: Anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne (1690); vigil for true peace, justice, religious tolerance, and equal rights for all in Northern Ireland. [The Battle of the Boyne, which marked the defeat of Catholic James II by Protestant William III, occurred on 7/12/1690. Following this defeat, the law discriminated against Catholics.] [Protestants annually celebrate their victory over Catholics on this date, providing an impetus to civil strife. Day to demand the end of hostility between Protestants and Catholics and for religious tolerance of all Christians by all Christians.] [While some Protestants oppressed Catholics, others actively opposed it. While some Catholics participated in terrorism against Protestants, others actively opposed it. It is immoral to hold all Protestants/Catholics responsible for acts committed by some Protestants/Catholics.] [Protestants and Catholics committed to peaceful coexistence, power-sharing, and disarmament by signing the Good Friday Peace Agreement on 4/10/1998.] [For a history of the conflict, see CAIN Web Service: The Northern Ireland Conflict 1968 to the Present; BBC News website: The Troubles.]
* 7/16: Birthday of Mary Baker Eddy (1821), founder of Christian Science, who honored Deity as Father-Mother God. [Death day 12/3/1910]
* 7/22: Christian feast of St. Mary Magdalen, disciple and priestess--Savior Jesus made her His priestess by purifying her seven times; she anointed Him in preparation for His sacrifice and witnessed His torture, death, and resurrection.
* 7/26: Christian feast of St. Anna, mother of Blessed Mary and grandmother of Blessed Jesus; guide of grandmothers and elderly women.
* 8/1: Day the production and use of cluster munitions was outlawed world-wide (2010); day to mourn their victims. [The Convention on Cluster Munitions a/k/a C.C.M.: Treaty adopted 5/30/2008, signed 12/3/2008; entered into force 8/1/2010.] [Text of Convention] [See Cluster Convention website; Wikipedia article on Convention on Cluster Munitions.] [See also U.N. Charter Article 26, which gives the U.N. Security Council authority to regulate armaments.] [Text of U.N. Charter, chapter V, article 26 ] [The treaty was opposed by countries that produce or stockpile significant quantities of cluster munitions, including the U.S. and Russia.] [Cluster bombs disperse smaller bomblets over a wide area. They are inherently inaccurate, making civilian casualties more likely. Unexploded cluster bombs remain a life-threatening hazard for civilians long after conflict ends.] [See Wikipedia article on Cluster Munitions.] [In the name of Jesus Christ, and for love of Jesus Christ, Christians should renounce the production and use of cluster munitions, and should demand removal and destruction of all existing cluster munitions.]
* 8/2: Feast of the Black Madonna. [a/k/a Feast of the Virgin of the Angels]
* 8/5: Day that six women were excommunicated for failing to renounce their claims to the priesthood (2002). They had been ordained Catholic priests without Vatican authority on 6/29/2002. [See Declarations issued by the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.]
* 8/6 (OC 8/19): Transfiguration Day--Christian feast celebrating the revelation of Lord Jesus as the Cosmic Christ and friend to all humanity. [See Transfiguration Day Prayer.] [See also The Lord's Prayer & Hail Holy Father prayer.] [a/k/a Transfiguration of the Lord]
* 8/10: Remembrance day for Nicholas of Cusa (d. 1464) - Christian mystic who believed all Creation to be the unfolding of Deity. [Birthday & death day unknown]
* 8/11: Christian feast of St. Clare of Assisi (d. 1253), guide of environmentalists.
* 8/12: Day Pope Pius XII proclaimed the theory of evolution to be consistent with Catholic teaching and Christian faith (1950). Pope John Paul II concurred. [See Encyclical Humani Generis.] [See Message to Pontifical Academy of Sciences (10/22/1996).]
* 8/15 (OC 8/28): Assumption Day--Christian feast commemorating Blessed Mother Mary rising into Heaven and being crowned Queen of Heaven and Earth. [See Hail Holy Queen prayer.] [Christian mystics believe she was transformed into Our Lady, the Paraclete - the Holy Spirit - who appears everywhere to comfort and aid those in need, and who advocates the cause of the departed in heaven.] [a/k/a Assumption of the Virgin Mary]
* 8/17: Vigil for peace, justice, religious tolerance, and respect for the human rights of all in Indonesia. [Since 1/1/1999, due to forced conversions to Islam and destruction of Christian churches, there has been interreligious violence between Muslims and Christians in Indonesia.] [Indonesia Independence Day is 8/17.] [Articles 2 and 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Text of Declaration) and Articles 2 and 18 of the Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (Text of Covenant) guarantee freedom of religion and prohibit discrimination on account of religion.] [For more information, see Human Rights Watch report: Indonesia; U.S. State Department International Religious Freedom Report for 2010: Indonesia.]
* 8/22: Christian feast of Our Lady, Queen of Angels.
* 8/27: Birthday of Mother Teresa (Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu) (1910), Catholic nun who served the poorest of the poor and saw Deity in each person. [Death day 9/5/1997]
* 8/28: Day of Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s peaceful march on Washington, D.C., for recognition of the rights of African Americans (1963). [Rev. King made his inspiring "I have a dream" speech at this rally.]
* 8/28: Opening of the Second World Parliament of Religions (1993), attended by members of all the world's religions. A Global Ethic was adopted that condemns hatred, aggression, oppression, and environmental abuses committed in the name of religion. [Text of Global Ethic] [See also website for the Parliament of the World's Religions.]
* 9/3: Day gender discrimination was outlawed world-wide (1981); day to mourn all manifestations of sexism. [Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women: adopted by U.N. General Assembly 12/18/1979; signed 3/1/1980; entered into force 9/3/1981.] [Text of Convention] [The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) monitors implementation of the Convention. For more information, see U.N. Women: United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women website; Feminist Majority Foundation website; Human Rights Watch website.] [Article 2 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Text of Declaration) and Article 2 of the Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (Text of Covenant) also prohibit discrimination on account of gender.]
* 9/3: Day Pope John Paul II beatified symbols of progressive religious authority (Pope John XXIII) and autocratic religious authority (Pope Pius IX) (2000). [Pope John XXIII instigated the reforms of the Vatican II Council in 1962, and advocated freedom of religion, peace, and social justice. Pope Pius IX adopted the doctrine of papal infallibility at the Vatican I Council in 1870, and rejected the doctrines of separation of church and state, freedom of religion, and freedom of speech in his Syllabus of Errors in 1864.] [See articles by American Catholic (about Pope John XXIII) and National Catholic Reporter (about Pope Pius IX).]
* 9/6: Day Latin American Catholic Bishops espoused Liberation Theology (1968). They believe that the Gospel requires Christians to aid the poor and oppressed in the struggle for economic and social justice. [The Second Latin American Bishops Conference was held in Medellin, Colombia on 9/6/1968.] [See "A Concise History of Liberation Theology" by Leonardo and Clodovis Boff, "Liberation Theology: Religious Response to Social Problems. A Survey" by Marian Hillar, and Liberation Theology website.]
* 9/8 (OC 9/21): Birthday of Blessed Mary, catalyst of liberation and redemption. [See Hail Mother of God prayer.] [a/k/a Nativity of the Virgin Mary]
* 9/8: Death day of Mother Ann Lee (1784), mystic and founder of the Shakers, who worshipped with ecstatic dance and song, and believed Deity to be Father, Son, Mother, and Daughter. [Birthday 2/29/1736]
* 9/9: Christian feast of St. Joachim, father of Blessed Mary and grandfather of Blessed Jesus; guide of grandfathers and elderly men.
* 9/10: Birthday of Thomas Thayer (1812), Universalist who believed Deity to be at work in evolution and continuing Creation. [Death day 2/12/1886]
* 9/11: Day terrorists killed over 3,000 innocent civilians of many ethnicities and religions from 86 nations (2001); day to mourn all victims of terrorism. [Al-Qaeda terrorists, using passenger planes, struck the World Trade Center (in New York, N.Y.) and the Pentagon (outside Washington, D.C.). Because passengers on a fourth plane resisted, to prevent it from being used as a weapon, it was crashed near Shanksville, P.A.] [For statements by Muslims around the world condemning the terrorist attacks of 9/11/2001 as horrific and un-Islamic, see Muslim Voices Against Extremism and Terrorism; Islamic Statements Against Terrorism; Muslims Condemn Terrorist Attacks.] [Fatwas (religious edicts) condemning terrorism have been issued by Muslim clerics. Saudi Arabia's leading Islamic authority (the Permanent Committee of Religious Research and Ifta) issued a fatwa against terrorism on 6/7/2004, contending that terrorism is forbidden under Islam and constitutes a severe form of injustice. The Spanish Islamic Commission issued a fatwa condemning terrorism on 3/11/2005, and called Osama bin Laden an apostate. Britain's Sunni Council issued a fatwa against terrorism on 7/17/2005, indicating that killing others is a sin and that suicide bombers will go to hell. The British Muslim Forum issued a fatwa condemning terrorism on 7/18/2005, indicating that terrorist acts are contrary to Islam. The Fiqh Council of North America issued a fatwa against terrorism on 7/28/2005, indicating that all terrorist acts targeting civilians are forbidden in Islam.] [Al-Qaeda terrorists have struck other targets. See list of Al-Qaeda's terrorist attacks.] [For international efforts against terrorism (which constitutes a crime against humanity), see U.N. Action to Counter Terrorism.] [For incidents in which governments have used the fight against terrorism as an excuse to suppress civil liberties, see Human Rights Watch website.] [While some Muslims commit terrorist acts, most Muslims do not; and most Muslims do not authorize or approve of the terrorist acts committed. While it is appropriate to hold accountable the individuals, organizations, and governments that commit or fund the terrorists acts, it is immoral to blame all Muslims for the acts of a few.]
* 9/13: Day Israelis and Palestinians committed to peaceful coexistence (1993); vigil for true peace, justice, religious tolerance, and equal rights for all in the Middle East. [Declaration of Principles (a/k/a Oslo Accords) was signed by Israel & the P.L.O. on 9/13/1993.] [See Wikipedia article on the Oslo Accords.] [The History of the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict]
* 9/15: International Day of Democracy--Day to celebrate democratic systems of government throughout the world, bound by rule of law, principles of human rights, and civilian control. Day to affirm democracy's compatibility with all peoples, all cultures, and all religions. [In a democracy, both military and police are subject to rule of law and subordinate to civilian government. The military exists to protect the lawful civilian government and civilians; the police exists to enforce the law and protect people from criminals.] [See U.N. website on International Day of Democracy.] [a/k/a Democracy Day]
* 9/15: Day the first woman was ordained a Congregational/Unitarian minister in the U.S. (1853). [Rev. Antoinette Blackwell]
* 9/17: Christian feast of St. Hildegard von Bingen (d. 1179)--mystic who sang praises to the Holy Spirit as Grace (Caritas) and Wisdom (Sapientia). She recognized the Holy Spirit to be the feminine aspect of the Holy Trinity, and found Her everywhere in Nature.
* 9/19: Appearance of Our Lady of La Salette, Mother of the Harvest (France 1846).
* 9/21: International Day of Peace--Day to demonstrate for peace with justice throughout the world. [Peace can be realized where there is recognition of sovereignty/autonomy, compliance with just law, respectful behavior, responsible sharing of resources, cooperation to attain common goals, and reasonable compromise to enable all to meet lawful goals.] [See International Day of Peace website; International Day of Peace Vigil website.]
* 9/29: Feast of Michael, Angel of Protection, and Uriel, Angel of Justice.
* 9/30: Christian feast of Hagia Sophia (Holy Wisdom), Soul of the Universe, and source of faith, hope, and love. [See Hail Holy Spirit prayer.]
* 9/30: Birthday of Elhanan Winchester (1751), Universalist who exhorted people to lives of personal ethics and social reform. [Death day 4/18/1797]
* 10/1: Day Russia enacted the Law on Freedom of Conscience and Religious Associations (1997); vigil for the end of persecution of Protestants and Catholics by Orthodox Christians and for religious tolerance of all Christians by all Christians. [Though the law endorses freedom of religion and separation of religion and government, it also requires religious groups to register with the government and allows government officials to decline to register disfavored groups.] [The Russian Orthodox Church was persecuted under Communism, but it has been made the de facto official religion of post-communist Russia, and has been instrumental in the persecution of non-Orthodox Christians. Russia has forced some non-Orthodox churches to close and given their property to the Russian Orthodox Church. Adherents of religions deemed "non-traditional" (e.g., Jehovah's Witnesses and Scientology) are also persecuted. Though Judaism, Islam, and Buddhism are identified as "traditional" religions, adherents of these faiths are also targeted for discrimination and harassment.] [Articles 2 and 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Text of Declaration) and Articles 2 and 18 of the Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (Text of Covenant) guarantee freedom of religion and prohibit discrimination on account of religion.] [See U.S. State Department International Religious Freedom Report for 2010: Russia.]
* 10/2: Feast of the Guardian Angels; day to honor one's personal guardian and guide.
* 10/2: Birthday of Mahatma Mohandas Gandhi (1869), Hindu advocate for human rights and self-reliance, who practiced active non-violent resistance to injustice. [Gandhi envisioned a world where women and untouchables would be empowered and respected. Gandhi envisioned a world where members of all faiths (including Hindus, Muslims, and Christians) would live harmoniously together. ] [Death day 1/30/1948] [a/k/a Gandhi Jayanti]
* 10/4: Christian feast of St. Francis of Assisi (d. 1226), and Animal Blessing Day. [See Prayer of Saint Francis.]
* 10/11: Opening of Vatican II Council, during which the Catholic Church committed to ecumenism, freedom of religion, and social justice (1962). [The Council met from 10/11/1962 to 12/8/1965.] [For information about the Vatican II Council and its aftermath, see Wikipedia article and National Catholic Reporter articles. See also Documents of the Vatican II Council.]
* 10/12: Day the first woman was ordained a Methodist minister in the U.S. (1880). [Rev. Anna Howard Shaw]
* 10/13: Final appearance of Our Lady of Fatima, Lady of Oracles and Miracles (Portugal 1917).
* 10/15: Christian feast of St. Teresa of Avila (d. 1582), mystic who loved Deity passionately.
* 10/18: Day the Clean Water Act was enacted (1972); day to give thanks for the water we drink. [Pub. L. 92-500, 86 Stat. 896, 33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.] [Text of statute] [See also EarthJustice website.]
* 10/21: Day military attacks on civilians were outlawed world-wide (1950); day to mourn all civilian victims of war. [All soldiers have a legal duty and a moral obligation to refuse an order to attack a noncombatant. Anyone who plans, orders, or carries out such an act is legally culpable. All attacks on noncombatants should be investigated, prosecuted, and punished.] [Convention Relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War a/k/a Fourth Geneva Convention: signed 8/12/1949; entered into force 10/21/1950.] [Text of Convention] [See Wikipedia article on Fourth Geneva Convention.]
* 10/24: Feast of Raphael, Angel of Healing.
* 10/24: Day the first woman was ordained a Presbyterian minister in the U.S. (1956). [Rev. Margaret Ellen Towner]
* 11/1: All Saints Day--Day Christians remember all the virtuous dead, known and unknown.
* 11/2: All Souls Day--Day Christians remember all the beloved dead. [See Collect from the Mass for the Dead & All Souls Day Prayer.]
* 11/2: Day the first openly gay man was consecrated an Episcopalian bishop (2003). [Bishop Gene Robinson]
* 11/3: Christian feast of St. Martin of Porres (d. 1639), healer and advocate of social equality and inter-ethnic harmony; guide of healers and human rights activists.
* 11/4: World Community Day--Day for celebrating the unity behind diversity and remembering we are all one people - all children of the one universal Deity of many names and aspects.
* 11/7: Anniversary of the first Re-Imagining Conference, where worship of Holy Spirit Wisdom was introduced to mainstream Christianity (1993). [This conference was organized by the Women's Ministry Unit of the Presbyterian Church USA. 24 other Christian churches and organizations also participated. 2200 Christian leaders, scholars, clergy, and laity attended the conference between 11/4/1993 and 11/7/1993 to address the problem of patriarchy in the church and in society. Following the conference, there was backlash against its organizers, who were accused of heresy.] [See Wikipedia article on the Re-Imagining Conference.]
* 11/8: Birthday of Dorothy Day (1897), activist for peace, economic justice, and workers' rights. [Founder of the Catholic Worker Movement.] [Death day 11/22/1980]
* 11/9: Birthday of Fr. Thomas Berry (1914), Catholic priest, eco-theologian, and cosmologist, who advocates for deep ecology and eco-spirituality. [He believes the Universe, our Solar System, and planet Earth, in themselves, and in their evolutionary emergence, constitute the primary revelation of the ultimate Mystery from which all things emerge into being.] [See Thomas Berry's Twelve Principles for Understanding the Universe and the Role of the Human in the Universe Process.] [See also Thomas Berry's website.] [And see Thomas Berry's Earth Spirituality and the "Great Work" and Thomas Berry and a New Creation Story.]
* 11/10: Birthday of Martin Luther (1483), Christian reformer who rejected blind obedience to religious authority and recognized the priesthood of all believers. [Death day 2/18/1546]
* 11/11: Death day of Lucretia Mott (1880), Quaker preacher and non-violent advocate for the rights of women and African Americans. [Birthday 1/3/1793]
* 11/12: Birthday of Sr. Juana Ines de la Cruz (1651), Catholic nun and feminist poet. [Death day 4/17/1695]
* 11/16: Tolerance Day--Day to promote harmony in diversity through mutual respect and understanding of all, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion, culture, language, nationality, or economic status. [Despite international and domestic laws providing for equal rights, freedoms, and protections, members of minority groups are still harassed and discriminated against because of societal intolerance arising from fear and ignorance.] [Intolerance often results from projection of "collective guilt": it is immoral to blame an entire group for the acts of a member unless the entire group empowered the member who acted or endorsed the acts.] [See U.N. website on International Day for Tolerance; Wikipedia article on Declaration of Principles on Tolerance.] [a/k/a International Day for Tolerance]
* 11/17: Fast for an Abundant World Harvest--Day to fast and commit to action to help prevent deaths from malnourishment world-wide. [a/k/a Fast for a World Harvest] [For more information, see the Oxfam America website.]
* 11/20: Remembrance day for Meister Johannes Eckhart (d. 1328), Christian mystic. He taught the four ways of the mystic's journey - the creating, positive, negating, and transforming ways. [1260-1328: Birthday & death day unknown]
* 11/24: Thanksgiving Day--Day to give thanks for the abundance of our land and for our food, clothes, shelter, and health.
* 11/26: Death day of Sojourner Truth (1883), Christian preacher and non-violent advocate for the rights of women and African Americans. [Born 1797: exact date unknown]
* 11/27 to 12/24 (OC 11/28 to 1/6): Advent/Festival of Lights--Christian vigil for the birth of the Cosmic Christ. Advent candles are lit. [See Advent Evening Hymn and Collects for Advent.] [a/k/a Christmas Lent]
* 11/28: Day the Women's Ordination Conference opened, advocating the ordination of women priests in the Catholic Church (1975). [See Women's Ordination Conference website.]
* 11/29: International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People--Vigil for recognition of the state of Palestine, for recognition of all human rights of all its citizens (whether Muslim, Jewish, or Christian), and for peaceful coexistence with the state of Israel. [See U.N. website on Solidarity with the Palestinian People Day.] [The History of the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict] [The Palestinian Authority formally requested full membership in the U.N. -- and recognition of statehood -- on 9/23/2011.]
* 12/1: World AIDS Day--Day to pray for healing of all those suffering with AIDS and HIV. [For information on World AIDS Day, see World AIDS Day website. For information about the global fight against AIDS, see UNAIDS website.]
* 12/1: Day China began a crackdown on unauthorized Christian churches (2010). Vigil for freedom of religion in China. [Though its intensity waxes and wanes, persecution of independent Christians has been ongoing. China also persecutes Tibetan Buddhists, Uighur Muslims, and Falun Gong practitioners. China only recognizes 5 official religious organizations and controls their religious expression.] [Articles 2 and 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Text of Declaration) and Articles 2 and 18 of the Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (Text of Covenant) guarantee freedom of religion and prohibit discrimination on account of religion.] [See U.S. State Department International Religious Freedom Report for 2010: China and Tibet.]
* 12/6: Christian feast of Old St. Nicholas/Santa Claus, who leaves gifts for all good children.
* 12/8: Christian feast celebrating St. Anna's conception of Blessed Mary.
* 12/10: Birthday of John Murray (1741), Trinitarian Universalist who believed that Jesus died to save all humanity, not just Christians. [Death day 9/3/1815]
* 12/10: Day the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted, and fundamental rights were recognized world-wide (1948). [The U.N. General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (U.D.H.R.) in Resolution 217 A(III).] [Text of Declaration] [For information on the history of the U.D.H.R., see Franklin & Eleanor Roosevelt Institute website. The U.D.H.R. is generally recognized as binding customary international law: all countries are required to respect the rights within it. In 1966, the concepts of the U.D.H.R. were expanded and drafted into two binding international treaties with enforcement mechanisms. The Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (Text of Covenant) is enforced by the Human Rights Committee. The Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (Text of Covenant) is enforced by the Committee on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights. For more information, see U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights website; Human Rights Watch website; Amnesty International website.] [a/k/a International Human Rights Day]
* 12/12: First Appearance of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mother of God and Mother of the Oppressed, at the former shrine of Aztec Moon Goddess Coatlicue (Mexico 1531).
* 12/14: Christian feast of St. John of the Cross (d. 1591), whose suffering - for advocating church reform - generated mystical union with Deity.
* 12/15: Day the Bill of Rights became part of the U.S. Constitution, guaranteeing fundamental rights to all (1791). [Text of Bill of Rights] [For more information about the Bill of Rights and the U.S. Constitution, see U.S. National Archives & Records Administration website and the Bill of Rights Institute website. For information on organizations that advocate for enforcement of rights and liberties in the Bill of Rights, see Center for Constitutional Rights website; American Civil Liberties Union website.] [a/k/a Bill of Rights Day]
* 12/15: Death day of Fr. Pavel Florensky (1943), Orthodox Christian mystic who taught that Holy Wisdom is Our Mother, the Holy Spirit, third part of the Holy Trinity. [Birthday 1/21/1882]
* 12/15: Day the Catholic Church silenced Fr. Matthew Fox for teaching Creation Spirituality (1988); day to mourn the silencing of all religious dissenters and reformers. [He was ordained a priest in the Catholic Church in 1967. Due to his controversial teachings, he was forbidden to teach theology by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger (now Pope Benedict XVI) in 1988, and he was dismissed from the Dominican order in 1992. He was received into the Episcopal Church in 1994, and continues to teach and write.]
* 12/16 to 12/24: Christmas Novena/Las Posadas--Christian remembrance of the journey of Blessed Mary and St. Joseph to Bethlehem and their taking refuge in a cave-stable. [See Christmas Novena prayer.]
* 12/17: Day the Clean Air Act was enacted (1963); day to give thanks for the air we breathe. [Pub. L. 88-206, 77 Stat. 392, 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.] [Text of statute] [See also EarthJustice website.]
* 12/19 to 12/25: Christmas Truce--Time to cease all forms of conflict (at least temporarily), extend a greeting to your adversary, and raise a glass for peace. [In the midst of World War I, during the week leading up to Christmas in 1914, British, French, and German soldiers exchanged seasonal greetings and songs from their trenches, and some even ventured into no-man's land between the trenches to bury the dead, exchange food and drink, and play football.]
* 12/23: Birthday of Joseph Smith (1805), founder of the Mormon Church (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints). He promoted a religion that was egalitarian and communitarian, and worshipped Deity as a Heavenly Father and Heavenly Mother. [Death day 6/27/1844]
* 12/24 eve: Mother Night--Christian vigil for the laboring Blessed Mary. [See Christmas Carols.]
* 12/25 (OC 1/7): Christmas--Christian celebration of Blessed Mother Mary giving birth to Child Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit. [See Christmas Carols.] [a/k/a Feast of the Nativity]
* 12/28: Day the first woman was ordained a Catholic priest - without Vatican authority (1970). [Mthr. Ludmila Javorova was ordained by Catholic Bishop Felix Maria Davidek in Czechoslovakia. Her ordination is not recognized by the Vatican.] [See Wikipedia article on Ludmila Javorova. See also "Out of the Depths: The Story of Ludmila Javorova, Ordained Roman Catholic Priest" by Miriam Therese Winter.]
* 12/28: Day the Endangered Species Act was enacted (1973); day to mourn those creatures already extinct. [Pub. L. 93-205, 87 Stat. 884, 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.] [Text of statute] [See also U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service website; Endangered Species Coalition website on endangered species preservation; EarthJustice website.]
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
[The Christian holy scripture is the Bible, which includes the Old Testament (the Hebrew Bible) and the New Testament (the Gospels of Jesus and the Letters of the Apostles). Some denominations also recognize the Old Testament Apocrypha as a canonical or instructive text. Christian beliefs are reflected in the Nicene Creed and the Apostles Creed. Some denominations also recognize the Athanasian Creed. Christians believe in the existence of one Deity manifested as a Trinitarian Godhead, and believe in the divinity and humanity of Christ Jesus.) Christians follow the Ten Commandments and Jesus' instruction: to love Deity with all one's heart, soul, and mind; and to love one's neighbors throughout the world as oneself. Christian communal worship occurs on Sunday for most denominations, though some denominations hold communal worship on Saturday or other days. Christians attend churches to hear Biblical readings and interpretation, and to partake of the Eucharist/Lord's Supper. While theological and ritual differences exist among the various denominations, it is not the intent of this calendar to prefer one over another. Rather, it is our intent to be inclusive and ecumenical.]
[Christianity encompasses mystic Christianity (also known as Christian mysticism or the Wisdom Tradition), based on the Wisdom Literature of the Bible and writings of Christian mystics. Christianity also includes progressive social interpretation: the Social Gospel (embracing social justice), Liberation Theology (embracing social equality, economic justice, and empowerment of the oppressed), and Feminist Theology (embracing gender equality, empowerment of women, and recognition of the femininity of the Holy Spirit), and is sometimes called Liberal Christianity, Progressive Christianity, Humanistic Christianity, and Vatican II Catholicism. Christianity also includes environmentalist interpretation (Creation Spirituality, deep ecology, and Christian stewardship). Christianity also is reflected in ethnic interpretation (such as Celtic Christianity and Hispanic Christianity) and in the interfaith dialogue of ecumenism.]
[This Christian calendar is an ecumenical calendar (interfaith calendar). It includes Eastern Orthodox holidays, Catholic holidays, Episcopal holidays, and Protestant holidays. Thus, it constitutes an Eastern Orthodox Christian calendar, a Catholic calendar, an Episcopal calendar, and a Protestant calendar. Not all Christian denominations observe all the Christian holidays reflected in this calendar. For example, while Eastern Orthodox Christians, Catholics, Episcopalians (Anglicans), and some Protestants celebrate the feasts of many saints (saints days or feast days), they do not recognize all the same saints. And some Protestants do not recognize saints. Dates for Christian holidays may vary from denomination to denomination, with Eastern Orthodox dates at variance with Catholic, Episcopal, and Protestant dates because of the difference between the Julian and Gregorian calendars. Holiday dates may also vary because of a difference between a traditional date and a recent Church reform.]
[Please note: Because this calendar is a multifaith calendar, the term "God" is used only when referring to a male Deity. The term "Deity" is used to refer to a gender-neutral Deity or a Deity that encompasses both male and female characteristics.]
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
About the Feminine Aspect of Deity...
Biblical & Apocryphal Sources:
The Suppression of Asherah
The Feminine Holy Spirit
Eloah/Hokhma/Shekhinah/Ruach/Holy Spirit as
Supernal Co-Creatrix
Eloah/Hokhma/Shekhinah/Ruach/Holy Spirit as Life & Bounty
Eloah/Hokhma/Shekhinah/Ruach/Holy Spirit as Wisdom & Understanding
Eloah/Hokhma/Shekhinah/Ruach/Holy Spirit as Justice & Mercy
Non-Biblical Sources:
Conceived by the Holy Spirit: The Apostles' Creed
Writings of St. Hildegard of Bingen
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Permission to use and distribute these excerpts is granted for non-commercial purposes, provided the following information is included:
Excerpted from
THE MYSTIC'S WHEEL OF THE YEAR 2011
A Multifaith Calendar Reflecting Eco-Egalitarian Spirituality
© 2010 Marija Miovski
www.WheeloftheYear.com
