Liturgical calendar 2023: September — overview for the month

Welcome, we're journeying through the mystical Liturgical Calendar 2023, our compass trained in September. Dive deep with us into a sea of timeless traditions and joyous celebrations awaiting us in the coming month through the lens of this magnificent almanac of the sacred. Nestled within the embrace of the liturgical season called Tempus per Annum, or Ordinary Time, the emerald month of September mirrors our boundless hope and yearning for the celestial yield of heaven.

September – An Epoch of Spiritual Resonance

Tread on the sacred path of September, a month bathed in spiritual significance within the Liturgical Calendar. In this period, the Church unfurls the life-altering teachings and parables of Jesus, offering a unique canvas for reflection on our role as His devout followers. Through the undulating narrative of St. Matthew's Gospels, part of Cycle A, and the Weekdays following Year I, we find potent messages that stir our hearts and test our faith.

Sacred Observances of September 2023

1. The Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Sunday
2. The Birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Feast
3. Peter Claver, the beacon of the USA, Memorial
4. The Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Sunday
5. The Most Holy Name of Mary, Optional Memorial
6. John Chrysostom, Memorial
7. Exaltation of the Holy Cross, Feast
8. Our Lady of Sorrows, Memorial
9. Cornelius and Cyprian, Memorial
10. The Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Sunday
11. Januarius, Optional Memorial
12. Andrew Kim Taegon, Paul Chong Hasang, and their band of faithful; Ember Wednesday, Memorial
13. Matthew, Apostle, Feast
14. Pius of Pietrelcina; Ember Saturday, Memorial
15. The Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Sunday
16. Cosmas and Damian, Optional Memorial
17. Vincent de Paul, Memorial
18. Wenceslaus; Lawrence Ruiz and Companions, Optional Memorial
19. Michael, Gabriel & Raphael, Archangels, Feast
20. Jerome, Memorial

A Deep Dive into Liturgical Themes

September 2023 is our celestial guide through the labyrinth of St. Matthew's Gospels from Cycle A, Weekdays following Year I. These gospel narratives throw down the gauntlet, challenging us to live our faith authentically and fully. Let us pore over the essence of these Sunday Gospel readings for September:

September 3rd: The Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
Matthew 16:21-27
"'Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.'"

September 10th: The Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Matthew 18:15-20
"'If your brother or sister listens to you, you have won them over.'"

September 17th: The Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Matthew 18:21-35
"'I say to you, forgive not seven times, but seventy-seven times.'"

September 24th: The Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Matthew 20:1-16a
"'Are you envious because I am generous?'"

Highlights: A Spiritual Potpourri

September is a jewel-studded tapestry of spiritual wealth, centering on Christ's life and the exemplary journeys of the saints. Amidst this month's rich liturgical feasts, we're beckoned to embody their teachings and emulate their sanctity.

Here's a glimpse into the heart of the main liturgical feasts and celebrations of September 2023:

- Mary's Nativity (September 8)
- St. Peter Claver (September 9)
- The Holy Name of Mary (September 12)
- St. John Chrysostom (September 13)
- The Exaltation of the Holy Cross (September 14)
- Our Lady of Sorrows (September 15)
- Sts. Cornelius and Cyprian (September 16)
- St. Januarius (September 19)
- St. Andrew Kim and Companions (September 20)
- St. Matthew (September 21)
- St. Pio (September 23)
- Sts. Cosmas and Damian (September 26)
- St. Vincent de Paul (September 27)
- The Archangels Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael (September 29)
- St. Jerome (September 30)

Harvest Season's Blessings

Autumn is a symphony of months, with September, August, October, and November as its four movements, playing the melody of the harvest season. As Christians, we dedicate this time to gratitude for His unceasing protection and the year's plentiful yield.

The Ember Days of September, falling on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, invite us to a banquet of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. They are the closing chords of the harvest season, a pause for thanksgiving to the divine. Formerly, Ember Days were the chosen times for the ordination of priests, with a threefold focus: sanctifying each new season, gratitude for the harvest, and prayers for vocations to the priesthood and religious life.

With the restructuring of the Roman calendar in 1969, the Ember Days' observance now rests with each country's Episcopal Conference. Though no longer linked to specific Mass readings, their significance in the liturgical calendar remains intact.

On September 29, we honor the Feast of the Archangels Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, known as "Michaelmas" in many cultures, celebrated with unique customs and delicacies.

In Closing

As we traverse the celestial landscapes of September 2023, let us absorb the essence of Ordinary Time and delve into the teachings of Jesus Christ. The myriad liturgical feasts and celebrations allow ample spaces for reflection, gratitude, and spiritual blossoming. May this month kindle our faith, hope, and inspiration as we journey together in the Liturgical Calendar 2023.

*This article reflects the Liturgical Calendar and traditions of the Catholic Church.*