How to Celebrate Feast Days

Celebrate the feast day of Saint Francis with a quiet family gathering.

On a saint's feast day, those who share the saint's name mark their special relationship to this saint with prayers and celebrations. Feast days are not the sole purview of Catholics or Orthodox Christians; Protestants have been known to celebrate saint's days as well. Those whose profession is patronized by a particular saint (i.e. Saint Florian, the patron of firefighters) may wish to celebrate their feast day as a sign of thanksgiving, regardless of their faith.

Instructions

1. Speak with your local clergy and ask them to solicit your fellow churchgoers for a special mention in their prayers on your feast day. In Orthodox churches, it is not uncommon for the person whose saint is being celebrated to assist in offering the Eucharist during that day's service. The singing of the hymn, "God Grant You Many Years," concludes the name day celebrations in many Orthodox churches. Similar prayers are offered in Catholic services for feast days. For those uncomfortable with that much public attention, ask your family to gather prior to church services for a period of silent meditation and prayer in celebration of your saint.

2. Host an intimate gathering at your home after church services to celebrate your name day. Cake, coffee, tea and punch are perfect for a simple yet festive Name Day celebration. Place an image or icon of your saint on the dining room table or any other prominent place in your home, and accompany the image with flowers and candles. If you have invited friends who are unfamiliar with your saint's story, have printouts of their history available.

3. Include the symbols that distinguish your saint's story; celebrants on the Feast of Saint Catherine of Alexandria (November 25) might give guests small paper pinwheels as they depart to remind them of Saint Catherine's martyrdom on a spiked wheel. For those celebrating the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi (October 4), small stuffed sheep might be given to children, and the party might conclude with the singing of his "Hymn to the Sun." Medallions can be given to each guest to commemorate your saint, as can personalized prayer cards.

Tips & Warnings

• To locate your specific saint's feast day, speak with a local clergy member or consult a name day calendar, available at many Catholic and Orthodox websites.

References

• Theologic; Celebrating Your Patron Saint's Day; Phyllis Meshel Onest
• Catholic Culture: Nameday Celebration for Saint Francis of Assisi
• Global Catholic Television Network; My Nameday - Come for Dessert; Helen McLoughlin; August 1962
• Fish Eaters: Feast of Saint Catherine of Alexandria
• Catholic Online: Catherine of Alexandria
• City of Columbia, MO: Saint Florian, Patron Saint of Fire Service

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish