Ask most Catholics which month belongs to Mary, and they will answer without hesitation: May. They are right. But August has a compelling claim of its own. For while May blossoms with Marian devotion, August shines with Marian glory. This month, the Church celebrates some of the most beautiful mysteries of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Together, they reveal who she is, where she is, and how she leads us to her Son. The Dedication of St. Mary Major On August 5, the Church celebrates the Dedication of St. Mary Major in Rome, the oldest and most important Marian basi...

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NDCCW Day of Reflection to Focus on Being “Anchored in Christ” The Norwich Diocesan Council of Catholic Women will host its 2026 Day of Reflection, “Anchored in Christ,” on Saturday, September 19, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at St. Andrews Church and Hall in Colchester. Teresa Jorgenson will serve as the guest speaker for the day. Bishop Richard Reidy will celebrate Mass and join participants for lunch. Jorgenson is a graduate of Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio, where she majored in history, philosophy and theology. Following colleg...

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If you’re like me, you’ve probably noticed something. The Fourth of July comes and goes, the school supplies appear in the stores, and before you know it, people are talking about back-to-school shopping, football season, and pumpkin spice everything. Hold on a minute. It’s only the beginning of August. Summer isn’t over yet. There’s still plenty of time for one more cookout, one more day at the beach, or at least one more excuse to put off raking leaves. We have a tendency to rush through life, always looking ahead to what&rs...

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The Catholic Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Saturday, August 15. While the Assumption is ordinarily a Holy Day of Obligation in the United States, there is no obligation to attend Mass this year because the solemnity falls on a Saturday. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) explains: “Whenever ... August 15, the solemnity of the Assumption ... falls on a Saturday or on a Monday, the precept to attend Mass is abrogated.” The USCCB’s 2026 liturgical guidance also confirms th...

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