General strategy for celebrating a feast day:
-Get to Mass
-Donate to St. Vincent de Paul
-Engage in a devotion, e.g. the Chaplet of St. Michael
-Enjoy a special meal/dessert/latte
-Finally read, in solitude and in quiet, one of the myriad edifying articles I have tabbed on my phone! What luxury! A feast, indeed!
Of course, there is an embarrassment of riches when it comes to Catholic feast days, so one must curate and plan ahead.
This year, on September 29, I will celebrate God’s archangels on their joint feast day by reading something for each of them. (Unless, alas, the babies are at it again.)
— In honor of Michael, something to help in spiritual battles: the introduction to my pastor’s latest book, Beheading Hydra
— In honor of Gabriel, something to help me hear the Good News: “The Bible Isn’t Primarily a History Book” from the Church Life Journal
— In honor of Raphael, something to help me see God’s restorative work in the world: “Thomas Aquinas and the Healing Grace of Study”
Happy Michaelmas! May your day be blessed with the last blackberries of the season and the need for a light sweater in the gloaming.