Just recently I learned that each month of the year is dedicated to a specific theme, in a similar manner as each Saturday being dedicated to Mary. The Church thinks of everything! The more I delve into truly living the faith in day to day life, the more I discover, “Hey, someone thought of that already!” It’s a comforting thing for me to have the Church be ahead of me, so that when I have questions there almost always seem to be answers. My question came, this time, when I was thinking about how the Pope has certain intentions that he asks us to pray for or about. Specifically he has designated 2016 to be the Year of Mercy. Well this is wonderful! It gives me a theme to carry through the year. This got me curious to know whether or not there was a set theme for each day and month as well. It turns out that, yes, indeed, there is a theme for each month. We all know about November being about All Saints and All Souls, (but really the month is dedicated to the pour souls in Purgatory). And I think everyone, religious or not, knows that the month of May is dedicated to Mary. But what about the rest? And how can we observe them?
Here are the months and what each is dedicated to:
- January is the month of the Holy Name of Jesus
- February is the month dedicated to the Holy Family
- March is the month of devotion to St. Joseph, whose feast falls on March 19th
- April is dedicated both to devotion to the Eucharist and devotion to the Holy Spirit
- May is the month of Mary
- June is the month of the Sacred Heart
- July is the month dedicated to the Precious Blood of Our Lord; the Feast of the Precious Blood is the first Sunday of the month
- August is dedicated to the Blessed Sacrament
- September is traditionally dedicated to the Seven Sorrows (or Dolours) of Mary
- October is the month of the Rosary
- November is dedicated to the poor souls in purgatory
- December is dedicated to Advent and the coming of Christ
If nothing more, this gives us a great starting off point to observe a theme for Ordinary time on the calendar. Seasons of Lent and Advent give us a certain theme to be focused on. Focusing on a theme can be more difficult in Ordinary time, when we may become a little less “into” bringing the Liturgical themes into our day-to-day because there isn’t a particular holy day (holiday) to focus our attention on and prepare for. But the day-to-day is where the grit and gist of our life is lived. We should put forth some effort in this Ordinary time as well!
The coloring page I created includes several verses to look up that refer to Our Lord by different names. It’s amazing how many references there are in the Old and New Testament combined. Not only is Jesus our Savior and Lord, but he is King, Author of life, Judge, Beloved, Christ, Cornerstone, and may more. Use the graphic to learn some of the many places you will find reference to him.
Also included, on the sides are two strips that can be cut and used as book marks.
You can download the PDF from here.
Please join me in praying the Litany of the Holy Name of Jesus as well.
Litany of the Holy Name of Jesus
V. Lord, have mercy on us.
R. Christ, have mercy on us.
V. Lord, have mercy on us. Jesus, hear us.
R. Jesus, graciously hear us.
V. God the Father of Heaven
R. Have mercy on us.
V. God the Son, Redeemer of the world,
R. Have mercy on us.
V. God the Holy Spirit,
R. Have mercy on us.
V. Holy Trinity, one God,
R. Have mercy on us.
V. Jesus, Son of the living God, R. Have mercy on us.
Jesus, splendor of the Father, [etc.]
Jesus, brightness of eternal light.
Jesus, King of glory.
Jesus, sun of justice.
Jesus, Son of the Virgin Mary.
Jesus, most amiable.
Jesus, most admirable.
Jesus, the mighty God.
Jesus, Father of the world to come.
Jesus, angel of great counsel.
Jesus, most powerful.
Jesus, most patient.
Jesus, most obedient.
Jesus, meek and humble of heart.
Jesus, lover of chastity.
Jesus, lover of us.
Jesus, God of peace.
Jesus, author of life.
Jesus, example of virtues.
Jesus, zealous lover of souls.
Jesus, our God.
Jesus, our refuge.
Jesus, father of the poor.
Jesus, treasure of the faithful.
Jesus, good Shepherd.
Jesus, true light.
Jesus, eternal wisdom.
Jesus, infinite goodness.
Jesus, our way and our life.
Jesus, joy of Angels.
Jesus, King of the Patriarchs.
Jesus, Master of the Apostles.
Jesus, teacher of the Evangelists.
Jesus, strength of Martyrs.
Jesus, light of Confessors.
Jesus, purity of Virgins.
Jesus, crown of Saints.
V. Be merciful, R. spare us, O Jesus.
V. Be merciful, R. graciously hear us, O Jesus.
V. From all evil, R. deliver us, O Jesus.
From all sin, deliver us, O Jesus.
From Your wrath, [etc.]
From the snares of the devil.
From the spirit of fornication.
From everlasting death.
From the neglect of Your inspirations.
By the mystery of Your holy Incarnation.
By Your Nativity.
By Your Infancy.
By Your most divine Life.
By Your labors.
By Your agony and passion.
By Your cross and dereliction.
By Your sufferings.
By Your death and burial.
By Your Resurrection.
By Your Ascension.
By Your institution of the most Holy Eucharist.
By Your joys.
By Your glory.
V. Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world,
R. spare us, O Jesus.
V. Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world,
R. graciously hear us, O Jesus.
V. Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world,
R. have mercy on us, O Jesus.
V. Jesus, hear us.
R. Jesus, graciously hear us.
Let us pray.
O Lord Jesus Christ, You have said, “Ask and you shall receive, seek, and you shall find, knock, and it shall be opened to you.” Grant, we beg of You, to us who ask it, the gift of Your most divine love, that we may ever love You with our whole heart, in word and deed, and never cease praising You.
Give us, O Lord, as much a lasting fear as a lasting love of Your Holy Name, for You, who live and are King for ever and ever, never fail to govern those whom You have solidly established in Your love. R. Amen.
