Each month has a special Catholic dedication, and the month of May is dedicated to Mary, Our Lady
- 1. Joseph the Worker, Opt. Mem.
2. Athanasius, Memorial
3. Philip and James, Apostles, Feast
7. FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER, Sunday
10. Damien de Veuster (USA); John of Avila, Opt. Mem.
12. Nereus and Achilleus; Pancras, Martyrs, Opt. Mem.
13. Our Lady of Fatima, Opt. Mem.
14. SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER, Sunday
15. Isidore the Farmer (USA); Minor Rogation Day, Opt. Mem.
18. John I, Opt. Mem.
20. Bernardine of Siena, Opt. Mem.
21. ASCENSION SUNDAY or the SEVENTH SUNDAY OF EASTER, Solemnity
22. Rita of Cascia, Opt. Mem.
25. Bede; Gregory VII; Mary Magdalene de Pazzi, Opt. Mem.
26. Philip Neri, Memorial
27. Augustine of Canterbury, Opt. Mem.
28. PENTECOST, Sunday
31. Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Feast
Pagan Celtic Celebrations in May
Beltane
Beltane is a Pagan holiday and one of the eight Sabbats. It falls about halfway between the spring equinox (Ostara) and the coming summer solstice, Litha. The holiday celebrates spring at its peak and the coming summer. Beltane also sometimes goes by the name May Day.
Beltane means “bright fire” in Celtic and honours the god Belenus, associated with healing and light. The festival involves lighting bonfires, decorating homes and animals with flowers, dancing around a maypole, and honouring the union of the God and Goddess. Beltane is a time of fertility, joy, and romance. Some Pagans also visit holy wells or collect dew to enhance their beauty and youthfulness. Beltane is one of the four main Gaelic seasonal festivals, along with Samhain, Imbolc, and Lughnasadh.
Reference: AI from this prompt ‘Beltane is a Pagan holiday and one of the eight Sabbats. It falls about halfway between the spring equinox (Ostara) and the coming summer solstice, Litha. The holiday celebrates spring at its peak and the coming summer. Beltane also sometimes goes by the name
What significance does Beltane hold for Celtic Christians?
In the Northern Hemisphere Beltane occurs on May Day – May first which is the Feast of Joseph the worker, and foster father of Jesus.
Here is the Beltane Blessing – how might christians rewrite it?
Am Beannachadh Bealltain (The Beltane Blessing)
Bless, O threefold true and bountiful,
Myself, my spouse, my children.
Bless everything within my dwelling and in my possession,
Bless the kine and crops, the flocks and corn,
From Samhain Eve to Beltane Eve,
With goodly progress and gentle blessing,
From sea to sea, and every river mouth,
From wave to wave, and base of waterfall.
Be the Maiden, Mother, and Crone,
Taking possession of all to me belonging.
Be the Horned God, the Wild Spirit of the Forest,
Protecting me in truth and honour.
Satisfy my soul and shield my loved ones,
Blessing everything and everyone,
All my land and my surroundings.
Great gods who create and bring life to all,
I ask for your blessings on this day of fire
Citation: Wigington, Patti. “Am Beannachadh Bealltain (The Beltane Blessing).” Learn Religions, Feb. 8, 2021, learnreligions.com/am-beannachadh-bealltain-beltane-blessing-2561668.
In the Southern Hemisphere Beltain occurs on October 31st and ‘May Day’ is November 1st. The climax of Spring! For Christians, some association or connection with All Saints and All Souls could be made.
This is a sentence that captures the magic and wonder of Beltane, a festival that celebrates the arrival of summer and the renewal of life. Beltane is a time when the boundaries between the natural and the supernatural are blurred, and when you might catch a glimpse of the elusive fairies (Or Saints) that dwell in the hidden realms. So, keep your eyes open and your heart ready for some enchantment because you never know what you might find on this special day! AI From the above sentence. go here to Beltane_Southern-Hemisphere_by-Jane-Hardwicke-Collings.pdf (christ-our-hope-community.net) for the complete article.