Celebrations For May

(Plain Text Version)

CELEBRATIONS FOR MAY

May 1: St. Joseph the Worker.  St. Joseph was chosen by God to be the husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the foster father of Jesus Christ.  Today, we think about the many years of Joseph’s physical labor.  Through his work, he provided for his family and helped his neighbors. 
The work we do sustains our life, but it also brings benefits to many other people.  Even if we are wealthy, we can learn to use what we have to help other people, too.
St. Joseph is an example for us, but more importantly, he adds his prayers to ours as he lives with God in Heaven forever.  We can pray to him and ask him to help us and our families.

May 13: Our Lady of Fatima.  In 1917, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to three children in Portugal, asking them to tell everyone in the world to pray and to give up some comforts as a small payment for our sins. 

May 21 (May 24 in some places): The Ascension of the Lord.  Forty days after His Resurrection, Jesus gave final instructions to His disciples, and then He returned to Heaven.

May 29: St. Paul VI, Pope.  St. Paul VI served as pope from 1963 until his death in 1978.  Like the first St. Paul, he labored for the conversion of the whole world.  He made it easier for the faithful to participate in the Mass.  He reaffirmed the teaching that marital relations must always be open to new life.

May 31: Pentecost Sunday.  After the Ascension, while the disciples prayed, they received the gift of the Holy Spirit, and started to preach the Gospel effectively.  On this day, three thousand people from many nations were baptized.