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Living the Liturgical Year - September

September — Following Christ with Mary

Monthly Theme: The Cross, Mary, and Faithful Discipleship

September usually falls entirely within Ordinary Time, when the Church continues to walk with Jesus through the Gospel and learn what it means to live as his disciples. The liturgical color is green, reminding us of Christian life, growth, and hope.

September has also traditionally been associated with Our Lady of Sorrows, whose memorial is celebrated September 15. This provides families an opportunity to reflect on Mary's faithful discipleship—especially her willingness to remain with Jesus even at the Cross. 

Family challenge for September: Place a crucifix in a prominent place in your home and take a few moments each day to pray together before it.

🌿 Living Ordinary Time at Home

Ordinary Time doesn't mean that nothing important is happening. During these weeks, the Church follows Jesus' ministry, teachings, parables, and miracles and asks us to grow as his disciples.

For families, September is a good month to reestablish a regular spiritual rhythm as school and fall activities begin.

Try three simple habits:

Sunday — Worship. Make Sunday Mass the anchor of the family's week.

During the week — Scripture. Read the coming Sunday's Gospel together sometime during the week.

Every day — Prayer. Establish a short family prayer routine—even five minutes at dinner or bedtime.

One Simple Goal This Month

Don't try to celebrate everything.

Choose one new Catholic practice for your household this September.

For example: pray before dinner every night, read Sunday's Gospel on Saturday evening, place a crucifix in your family prayer area, celebrate one saint's feast day, or begin attending Sunday Mass together consistently.

Liturgical living isn't about making the home busier. It's about allowing Christ and the life of his Church to become part of the ordinary rhythm of family life.

 

Feasts for September

Happy Birthday, Mary!

The Church celebrates the birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary on September 8.

This can be one of the easiest feast days for children to understand: celebrate Mary's birthday as a family.

Try this at home

Have a small birthday dessert after dinner. Place a Marian image near the table, light a candle, and pray a Hail Marytogether.

Parents might ask younger children:

“Why do you think God chose Mary to be Jesus' mother?”

Older children can read Luke 1:26–38 and discuss Mary's response:

“May it be done to me according to your word.”

Talk about what it means for our family to say yes to God.

The Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross gives families an excellent opportunity to talk about the most recognizable symbol of Christianity.

The Cross was an instrument of suffering and death, but through Christ it became a sign of salvation, victory, and God's extraordinary love for us.

Try this at home

Walk through your home together and find your crosses and crucifixes.

Choose one that has special significance to your family and talk about where it came from.

Parents can teach children to make the Sign of the Cross slowly and intentionally:

In the name of the Father,
and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Ask:

“When we see a crucifix, what does it tell us about how much Jesus loves us?”

Matthew gives families a wonderful opportunity to talk about conversion and vocation.

Matthew was a tax collector when Jesus called him:

“Follow me.”
— Matthew 9:9

And Matthew got up and followed him.

Family conversation

Ask everyone:

“What does following Jesus look like in our family?”

For younger children, make it concrete:

  • How can I follow Jesus at school?
  • How can I follow Jesus when someone hurts my feelings?
  • How can I follow Jesus when I don't want to share?
  • How can our family serve someone this week?
September ends with a wonderful celebration for children: the Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, Archangels.

The three archangels named in Scripture help children understand that angels are not imaginary characters. They are spiritual creatures who serve God.

Introduce each archangel through Scripture:

Michael — “Who is like God?”
Read Revelation 12:7–9.

Gabriel — God's messenger
Read Luke 1:26–38.

Raphael — God heals
Read Tobit 12:6–15.

Then pray the Prayer to St. Michael together.

Liturgical living doesn't always need another lesson.

Sometimes the best catechesis happens around the dinner table.

During September consider:

September 8 — Mary's Birthday:
Cake, cupcakes, or another favorite family dessert.

September 14 — Holy Cross:
Make cross-shaped cookies or bread.

September 15 — Our Lady of Sorrows:
Place a Marian image at the dinner table and pray a Hail Mary for someone who is suffering.

September 29 — Michaelmas:
Make waffles for dinner or breakfast. 

September Family Prayer

Lord Jesus,
help our family follow you faithfully.

When life is joyful,
teach us to give thanks.

When life is difficult,
help us remain close to you as Mary did.

Teach us to carry our crosses with love,
to care for those who suffer,
and to become your disciples
in our home, school, work, and community.

Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows, pray for us.
Saints Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, pray for us.

Amen.

Additional Family Resources

Catholic All Year — Family-oriented ideas for bringing the Church calendar, saints, fasting, feasting, and Catholic traditions into the home.

Catholic Sprouts — Especially useful for families with children, with Catholic activities, saint resources, crafts, and catechesis.

Catholic Culture - Liturgical Year — An extensive collection of calendars, prayers, activities, recipes, saints, and explanations of Catholic traditions.

USCCB — Daily Bible Readings — An excellent place for families to read the day's Mass readings or prepare for Sunday's Gospel.