Feast Days Of The Blessed Virgin Mary (Part Two).

Text and Illustrations from Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia,
unless otherwise stated.

English: Michelangelo's Pietà in Saint Peter's Basilica in the Vatican, Italy.

Français: La Pietà de Michel-Ange située dans la Basilique Saint-Pierre, au Vatican.

(Cropped and cleaned version of Image:Michelangelo's Pieta 5450.jpg). 

Photo: Stanislav Traykov).

This File: 19 December 2005.

User: Glimz.

(Wikimedia Commons)

Other differences in Feasts relate to specific events that occurred in history. For instance, the Feast of Our Lady of Victory (late renamed Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary) was based on the 1571 victory of the Papal States against the Muslims in the Battle of Lepanto, and is unique to Roman Catholics. Note that the Protestant Reformation had already started several decades before the Battle of Lepanto.

During the month of May, May Devotions to the Blessed Virgin Mary take place in many Catholic regions. There is no firm structure as to the content of a May Devotion. It includes, usually, the singing of Marian Anthems, Readings from the Scriptures, a Sermon, and/or a Presentation by local Choirs. The whole Rosary is prayed separately and is usually not a part of a Marian Devotion, although Hail Marys are included. 

The Devotions in May were promoted by the Jesuits and spread to Jesuit Colleges, and to the entire Latin Church, and since that time it has been a regular feature of Catholic life. Marian Devotions may be held within the family, around a "May Altar", consisting of a table, with a Marian picture, decorated with many May flowers. The family would then pray together the Rosary. May Devotions exist in the entire Latin Church and, since that time, have been a regular feature of Catholic life.

Inmaculada Concepción (La Colosal) (The Immaculate Conception).

Artist: Bartolomé Esteban Murillo (1617–1682).

Date: 1650.

Source: http://www.juntadeandalucia.es/cultura/museos/MBASE/index.jsp?redirect=S2_3_1_1.jsp&idpieza=25&pagina=3.

Author: Bartolomé Esteban Murillo (1617–1682).

(Wikimedia Commons)

Traditionally, the month of October is "Rosary month" in the Catholic Church, when the Faithful are encouraged to Pray the Rosary, if possible. Since 1571, Mary, Queen of the Holy Rosary, is venerated on 7 October. Pope Benedict XVI, (now Pope Emeritus), following all his predecessors, also encouraged the Rosary during the month of October: The month of October is dedicated to the Holy Rosary, the unique contemplative Prayer, through which, guided by the Lord's Heavenly Mother, we fix our gaze on the Face of the Redeemer, in order to be conformed to his Joyful, Light-Filled (introduced by Pope John Paul II), Sorrowful and Glorious Mysteries. 

This ancient Prayer is having a providential revival, thanks also to the example and teaching of the beloved Pope John Paul II. The reader is invited to re-read his Apostolic Letter, Rosarium Virginis Mariae, and to put into practice its directions on the personal, family and community levels.

The following Italic Text is taken from The Feast Days of  Our Lady, appearing in The Saint Andrew Daily Missal (1945 Edition): 

2 February The Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

11 February The Apparitions of the Immaculate at Lourdes.

25 March The Annunciation.

26 April Our Lady of Good Counsel.

(Friday in Passion Week) The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

31 May The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mediatrix Of All Graces.

27 June Our Lady of Perpetual Succour.

16 July Our Lady of Mount Carmel.

2 July The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

5 August Dedication of the Church of Our Lady Of The Snow.

14 August The Vigil of the Assumption.

15 August The Assumption.

22 August The Octave Day of the Assumption.

(Saturday within the Octave of the Sacred Heart) The Most Pure Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

8 September The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

12 September The Most Holy Name of Mary.

15 September The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

24 September Our Lady of Ransom.

7 October The Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

11 October The Maternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

21 November The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

27 November Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal.

1 December Our Lady of Guadalupe.

7 December The Vigil of the Immaculate Conception.

8 December The Immaculate Conception.

15 December The Octave Day of the Immaculate Conception.

English: The Immaculate Conception.

Deutsch: Unbefleckte Empfängnis, Szene: Maria und Heilige: Hl. Katharina, Hl. Margaretha, Hl. Evangelist Johannes, Hl. Petrus, Hl. Philippus Benitius und Hl. Antoninus von Florenz (Antoninus Pierozzi, Bischof von Florenz)

Artist: Piero di Cosimo (1462–1521).

Date: Circa 1505.

Current location: Galleria degli Uffizi, Florence, Italy.

Note: Deutsch: Urspr. für die Tedaldi-Kapelle der Santissima Annunciata in Florenz.

Source/Photographer: The Yorck Project: 10.000 Meisterwerke der Malerei. DVD-ROM, 2002. 

ISBN 3936122202. Distributed by DIRECTMEDIA Publishing GmbH.

Permission: [1].

(Wikimedia Commons)

Among the most prominent Marian Feast Days, in the Ordinary Rite of the Roman Catholic Calendar, as distinct from the Extraordinary Rite of the Roman Catholic Calendar, are:

1 January Mary, Mother of God.
8 January Our Lady of Prompt Succor.
2 February Purification of the Virgin.
11 February Our Lady of Lourdes.
25 March Annunciation by Archangel Gabriel (it may be either moved to the day before Palm Sunday,  should this date be on Holy Week; or to the Monday after the Second Sunday of Easter, if this date falls on either Friday or Saturday of Holy Week or during Easter Week).
26 April Our Lady of Good Counsel.
1 May Queen of Heaven.
13 May Our Lady of Fatima.
24 May Mary Help of Christians.
31 May Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
27 June Our Lady of Perpetual Help.
16 July Our Lady of Mount Carmel.
2 August Our Lady of Angels.
5 August Dedication of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major.
15 August Assumption into Heaven.
21 August Our Lady of Knock.
22 August Queenship of Mary.
22 August Black Madonna of Częstochowa.
31 August The Virgin Mary, Mediatrix.
8 September Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
12 September The Most Holy Name of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
15 September Our Lady of Sorrows.
19 September Our Lady of La Salette.
24 September Our Lady of Walsingham, Feast of Our Lady of Ransom.
7 October Most Holy Rosary.
16 November Our Lady of Mercy.
21 November Presentation of Mary.
8 December Immaculate Conception.
12 December Our Lady of Guadalupe.
1 day after Ascension of Jesus - Our Lady of the Apostles.
1 day after Pentecost - Our Lady of Holy Church.
9 days after Corpus Christi - Immaculate Heart of Mary.

English: Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception.

Espanol: Inmaculada Concepción.

Artist: Diego Velázquez (1599–1660).

Date: Circa 1618.

Source: Web Gallery of Art: Image Info about artwork.

Author: Diego Velázquez (1599–1660).

(Wikimedia Commons)

In the General Roman Calendar of 1962, the Visitation is on 2 July (31 May in the present General Roman Calendar); the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary on 31 May (22 August in the present General Roman Calendar); the Immaculate Heart of Mary on 22 August; the Seven Dolours of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Friday in Passion Week (the week prior to Holy Week) and on 15 September; and the Motherhood of the Blessed Virgin Mary on 11 October. The General Roman Calendar of 1954 differs from that of 1962 in not having the Feast of the Queenship of Mary, which was instituted in the following year.

Among the most prominent Marian Feast Days in the Eastern Orthodox and Greek-Catholic Liturgical Calendars are:

2 February Purification of the Most Holy Theotokos.
25 March Annunciation of the Theotokos.
15 August Dormition of the Theotokos.
8 September Nativity of the Theotokos.
1 October Protection of Our Most Holy Lady Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary.
21 November The Entry of the Most Holy Theotokos into the Temple.
9 December Feast of the Conception of the Most Holy Theotokos.
26 December Synaxis of the Theotokos.

Note: Feasts ranked among the twelve Great Feasts are in BOLD TYPE. Minor Feasts are in ROMAN TYPE.

English: The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Deutsch: Maria Himmelfahrt, Hochaltar für Sta. Maria Gloriosa die Fari in Venedig.

Français: L'Assomption de la Vierge.

Artist: Titian (1490–1576).

Current location: Institution:Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari, Venice, Italy.

Source/Photographer: The Yorck Project: 10.000 Meisterwerke der Malerei. DVD-ROM, 2002. 

ISBN 3936122202. Distributed by DIRECTMEDIA Publishing GmbH.

Permission: [1].

(Wikimedia Commons)

In Calendars throughout the Anglican Communion and Continuing Anglican Churches, the following Marian Feasts are observed:

2 February Purification of the Blessed Virgin.
11 February Our Lady of Lourdes.
25 March Annunciation of Our Saviour to the Blessed Virgin Mary (Lady Day).
1 May Queen of Heaven.
31 May Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
15 August Falling Asleep of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
8 September Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
15 October Our Lady of Walsingham (Catholic Feast on 24 September, as of 2001).
8 December Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

THIS CONCLUDES THE ARTICLE ON THE FEAST DAYS OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY.

Feast Days Of The Blessed Virgin Mary (Part One).

Text and Illustrations from Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia,
unless otherwise stated.

The Virgin at Prayer.

Artist: Giovanni Battista Salvi da Sassoferrato (1609–1685).

Description: Giovanni Battista Salvi "Il Sassoferrato", Jungfrun i bön (1640-1650). 

National Gallery, London.

Date: Between 1640 and 1650.

Current location: National Gallery, London.

Source: Web Gallery of Art: Image Info about artwork.

(Wikimedia Commons)

Marian Feast Days are specific Holy Days of the Liturgical Year, celebrated by Christians as significant Marian Days for the Celebration of events in the life of the Blessed Virgin Mary and her veneration. The number of Marian Feasts celebrated, their names (and, at times, dates) can vary among Christian denominations.

The earliest Feasts, that relate to Mary, grew out of the Cycle of Feasts that celebrated the Nativity of Jesus. Given that according to the Gospel of Luke (Luke 2:22–40), forty days after the birth of Jesus, along with the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple, Mary was purified according to Jewish customs, the Feast of the Purification began to be celebrated by the 5th-Century, and became the Feast of Simeon in Byzantium.

A separate Feast for Mary, connected with the "Nativity of Jesus" Cycle of Feasts, originated in the 5th-Century, even perhaps before the First Council of Ephesus took place in 431 A.D. It seems certain that the Sermon, by Proclus, before Nestorius (the Archbishop of Constantinople, whose Nestorianism rejected the title of Theotokos), which began the controversy that lead to the 431 A.D. Council, was about a Feast for the Virgin Mary.

Our Lady of Sorrows, by Moreno,Warfhuizen, Holland.

The venerated image of Our Lady of Warfhuizen.

Photo: 10-08-2007.

Source: Own work.

Author: Broederhugo.

(Wikimedia Commons)

In the 7th- and 8th-Centuries, four more Marian Feasts were established in the Eastern Church. Byzantine Emperor, Maurice, selected 15 August as the date of the Feast of Dormition and Assumption. The Feast of the Nativity of Mary was perhaps started in the first half of the 7th-Century in the Eastern Church.

In the Western Church, a Feast dedicated to Mary, just before Christmas, was celebrated in the Churches of Milan and Ravenna, in Italy, in the 7th-Century. The four Roman Marian feasts of Purification, Annunciation, Assumption, and Nativity of Mary, were gradually and sporadically introduced into England and, by the 11th-Century, were being celebrated there.

Over time, the number and nature of Feasts (and the associated Titles of Mary), and the venerative practices that accompany them, have varied a great deal among diverse Christian traditions. Overall, there are significantly more Titles, Feasts and venerative Marian practices among Roman Catholics than any other Christian tradition.

English: Blessed Virgin Mary with the Infant, Jesus, with Pope Sixtus II and Saint Barbara.

Deutsch: Sixtinische Madonna, Szene: Maria mit Christuskind, Hl. Papst Sixtus II. und Hl. Barbara.

Artist: Raphael (1483–1520).

Date: 1513 - 1514.

Current location: Gemäldegalerie, Dresden, Germany.

Note: Deutsch: Urspr. Hochaltar von San Sisto in Piacenza.

Source/Photographer: The Yorck Project: 10.000 Meisterwerke der Malerei. DVD-ROM, 2002. 

ISBN 3936122202. Distributed by DIRECTMEDIA Publishing GmbH.

Permission: [1].

(Wikimedia Commons)

Some differences in Feasts originate from Doctrinal issues - the Feast of the Assumption is such an example. Given that there is no agreement among all Christians on the circumstances of the death, Dormition or Assumption of Mary, the Feast of Assumption is celebrated among some denominations and not others. In his early years, Martin Luther used to celebrate the Feast of the Assumption, but, towards the end of his life,  he stopped celebrating it.

While the Western Catholics celebrate the Feast of the Assumption on 15 August, some Eastern Catholics celebrate it as Dormition of the Theotokos, and may do so on 28 August, if they follow the Julian Calendar. The Eastern Orthodox also celebrate it as the Dormition of the Theotokos, one of their 12 Great Feasts. The Armenian Apostolic Church celebrates the Feast of Dormition not on a fixed date, but on the Sunday nearest 15 August. Moreover, the practices that go beyond Doctrinal differences also vary, e.g. for the Eastern Orthodox, the Feast is preceded by the fourteen-day Dormition Fast.

Feasts continue to be developed, e.g. the Feast of the Queenship of Mary was declared in 1954 in the Papal Encyclical "Ad Caeli Reginam" by Pope Pius XII. The initial Ceremony for this Feast involved the Crowning of the Salus Populi Romani icon of the Virgin Mary, in Rome, by Pope Pius XII, as part of a Procession in Rome, and is unique to Roman Catholics.

PART TWO FOLLOWS.