Liturgical Calendar

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Liturgical Calendar of the Ancient Catholic Church

The Liturgical Calendar is the living framework of our worship. It sanctifies time by highlighting—through seasons, solemnities, feasts, and memorials—the pivotal mysteries of salvation history, the life of our Lord, and the enduring witness of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the saints. Here you will find the major feasts and solemnities observed by the universal Church, as well as the local celebrations that honour Britain’s own spiritual heritage. Our calendar includes:

Universal Celebrations: The institution of our faith—from the Annunciation and Nativity of the Lord to His Resurrection, Ascension, and the Pentecost.
Marian Feasts: Honours to Our Lady, from the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God to the Immaculate Conception, Assumption, and more.
Feasts of Jesus: Celebrating His baptism, transfiguration, and the many aspects of His ministry.
Local and Celtic Observances: Commemorating the saints of Wales, Scotland, England, and Northern Ireland (such as St. David, St. George, St. Patrick, St. Alban, and St. Augustine of Canterbury) along with celebrated Celtic saints of the early Church in England (e.g. St. Aidan, St. Cuthbert, St. Columba).
Additional Local Commemorations: Including the feasts of St. Benedict of Nursia, St. Felix of Dunwich, St. Edward (King), St. Frances Xavier, St. Edmund (Bishop), and St. Thomas of Canterbury (Martyr Bishop).
Special Devotions: Such as Mary, Mother of the Church – Memorial (observed during Week 10 of Ordinary Time, Psalter Week II) and Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Eternal High Priest Feast (celebrated in England and Wales).

Below is our detailed calendar arranged by month and fixed date. Where the celebration is moveable, the notation “Moveable Feast” is given.

January

January 1 – Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God Proclaiming Mary’s divine maternity and her pivotal role in Our Salvation.

January 6 – Epiphany of the Lord Celebrating the revelation of Christ to the Gentiles through the Magi.

(Moveable) – Baptism of the Lord Usually observed on the Sunday after Epiphany, marking the public beginning of Jesus’ ministry.

February

February 2 – Presentation of the Lord (Candlemas) Commemorating Jesus’ presentation in the Temple and the Purification of Mary.

March

March 1 – Feast of St. David, Patron Saint of Wales Honouring the gentle and wise patron of Welsh Christianity

March 8 – Feast of St. Felix of Dunwich Celebrating the first bishop of the East Angles, whose missionary zeal helped introduce Christianity to Anglo-Saxon England.

March 17 – Feast of St. Patrick, Patron Saint of Ireland and Northern Ireland Commemorating the apostolic mission of St. Patrick, whose witness transformed a nation.

March 19 – Solemnity of St. Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary Honouring the humble guardian of the Holy Family.

March 25 – Solemnity of the Annunciation Celebrating the angel Gabriel’s announcement to Mary, whose “fiat” made the Incarnation possible.

April

(Moveable – Holy Week and Easter Triduum)

Palm Sunday
Holy Thursday
Good Friday
Easter Sunday – The pinnacle feast, proclaiming Jesus’ Resurrection
(Moveable) – Baptism of the Lord (if not observed in January)

May

May 1 – Feast of St. Joseph the Worker Affirming the dignity of labour and the example of St. Joseph in the world of work.

(Moveable) – Corpus Christi (The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ) A feast celebrating the Real Presence in the Eucharist.

Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Eternal High Priest Feast Highlighting Christ’s perpetual intercession and priestly ministry.

Sunday, 11 May – 4th Sunday of Easter A joyful celebration within the Easter Season, recalling the continuing light of the Resurrection.

Tuesday, 20 May – Tuesday (5th week of Easter) Marked in our local calendar for the World Day of Prayer for Vocations and the remembrance of Survivors of Sexual Abuse.

(Moveable) – Feast of the Most Holy Trinity Celebrated on Trinity Sunday, usually falling in May or early June.

June

Sunday, 1 June – 7th Sunday of Easter (Pentecost Season) Often the celebration that coincides with Pentecost—the descent of the Holy Spirit.

June 24 – Nativity of St. John the Baptist Honouring the forerunner whose life pointed the way to Christ.

June 29 – Feast of St. Peter and St. Paul Celebrating the apostles who laid the foundation of the Church.

(Moveable) – Feast of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus A devotion to Christ’s compassionate heart, typically celebrated in June following the octave of Corpus Christi.

July

July 11 – Feast of St. Benedict of Nursia Remembering the father of Western monasticism and the author of the Rule of St. Benedict.

August

August 6 – Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord Celebrating the moment when Christ’s divine glory was revealed to His disciples.

August 15 – Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Honouring Mary’s bodily assumption into heavenly glory—a promise of our future resurrection.

September

Friday, 14 September – Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross Honouring the instrument of our salvation and the triumph of Christ over sin and death.

(Moveable) – 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time A Sunday in Ordinary Time that invites reflection on the Word and our discipleship.

October

(Moveable) – Feast of the Most Holy Trinity Alternate local observance in some dioceses if not celebrated earlier.

October 13 – Feast of St. Edward, King Celebrating the life and royal witness of a revered English saint. (Note: Depending on local tradition, the feast of St. Edward may be observed on another fixed date.)

November

Sunday, 2 November – Solemnity of All Saints A universal celebration honouring all the saints, known and unknown.

Monday, 3 November – Commemoration of All Souls A day for prayer for the faithful departed.

Sunday, 9 November – Dedication of the Lateran Basilica Commemorating the dedication of the Mother Church of the world.

Local – Feast of St. Edmund, Bishop Honouring one of England’s revered episcopal witnesses.

Sunday, 23 November – Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe Proclaiming Christ as the sovereign Lord over all creation.

Additional UK and Celtic Observances

England: St. Alban (the first martyr) and St. George, patron of England.
Scotland: St. Andrew, patron of Scotland (November 30 is often observed locally).
Wales: St. David (March 1 is observed in Wales, as listed in March).
Northern Ireland: St. Patrick (March 17 is observed in Northern Ireland, as listed in March).
Celtic Saints of the Early Church in England: St. Aidan, St. Cuthbert, and St. Columba continue to inspire the local liturgical spirit.

December

Wednesday, 3 December – Migrants’ Day A special day of prayer and solidarity commemorating the journey and hopes of migrants.

(Moveable/Memo.) – Mary, Mother of the Church Memorial Observed during Week 10 of Ordinary Time (Psalter Week II) in our local calendar, this memorial honours Mary as the spiritual mother of the Church.

Monday, 8 December – Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary Celebrating the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception—a cornerstone of Marian dogma.

Thursday, 25 December – Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord (Christmas) The joyous celebration of God incarnate, whose birth transforms the world.

Sunday, 28 December – Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph A celebration of the first family, whose life of love and faith offers a model for all Christian households.

December 29 – Feast of St. Thomas of Canterbury, Martyr Bishop Honouring the martyrdom of St. Thomas (Becket), whose sacrifice continues to inspire Christian witness.

Also in December, additional local feasts include:

St. Frances Xavier – commonly observed on December 3 in some traditions; if overlapping with Migrants’ Day, each may be celebrated locally on alternate schedules
The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary is also emphasized in our Marian devotions, as noted on December 8

Additional Moveable and Regional Observances

In addition to the fixed-date celebrations, our calendar includes a number of moveable feasts and observances determined by the date of Easter and local liturgical tradition:

Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Eternal High Priest Feast (in England and Wales): A local observance that highlights Christ’s unending intercession on our behalf.
The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi): Celebrated with a solemn procession in many parishes.
The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus: A feast that invites reflection on the tender love of Christ’s heart.
The Nativity of St. John the Baptist and St. Peter and St. Paul: These feasts remind us of the witnesses who prepared the way and spread the Gospel.
First Sunday of Advent: Marked on Sunday, 30 November (our local observance), when the Church enters a season of hopeful preparation for the coming of our Saviour.
The Epiphany of the Lord and The Baptism of the Lord: Both of these feasts underscore the revelation of Christ and His public ministry.

Embracing Our Tradition

This liturgical calendar is both a remembrance of the universality of our faith and a celebration of our own local heritage. From the solemnities of Christ’s birth, Passion, and Resurrection to the devotions of Our Lady and the memory of Britain’s own saintly witnesses—from St. David, St. Felix, and St. Patrick to St. Augustine, St. Edward, St. Benedict, St. Felix of Dunwich, St. Edmund, and St. Thomas of Canterbury—we are invited to enter ever more deeply into the mysteries of God’s redemptive love.

May this calendar guide your prayer, enrich your liturgical participation, and draw you closer to the living tradition of the Ancient Catholic Church.