IN just the next seven days, the Church in Australia celebrates the feasts of St Jerome, St Therese of the Child Jesus, the Holy Guardian Angels, St Francis of Assisi, St Faustina Kowalska and Our Lady of the Rosary.
To help you navigate a jam-packed week on the liturgical calendar, we’ve produced explainers for each feast.
Let’s start with today.
St Jerome – September 30
“I am like the sick sheep that strays from the rest of the flock. Unless the Good Shepherd takes me on His shoulders and carries me back to His fold, my steps will falter, and in the very effort of rising, my feet will give way.” – St Jerome
St Jerome, sometimes called by his Greek name Hieronymus, is best known for producing the Latin Vulgate, the translation of the Bible into Latin.
He completed it sometime in the fourth century and it was important because it provided a standardised Latin version of the text.
The Vulgate became the official Bible of the Catholic Church and was widely used throughout Western Europe for centuries.
It remained the dominant Bible in the Church until the Reformation and the rise of vernacular translations.
Even after, it continued to influence Christian theology and was reaffirmed as authoritative at the Council of Trent.
St Therese of the Child Jesus – October 1
“The guest of our soul knows our misery; He comes to find an empty tent within us – that is all He asks.” – St Therese of the Child Jesus
St Thérèse of the Child Jesus, also known as St Therese of Lisieux or simply the Little Flower of Jesus, was a French Carmelite nun who lived at the end of the 19th century.
She is beloved by the Church for her simple but profound spiritual path, known as The Little Way.
Her approach emphasised doing small, ordinary things with great love and trust in God, rather than grand acts of holiness.
Despite living a short, hidden life in a convent, St Therese’s humility, childlike trust, and deep love for Christ inspired millions.
Her autobiography, Story of a Soul, became widely influential.
She was declared a Doctor of the Church in 1997 for her spiritual insights, and she remains a powerful symbol of God’s love and grace in the everyday lives of people.
Holy Guardian Angels – October 2
“Our angel is not only with us; he also sees God the Father.” – Pope Francis
The Catholic Church has always maintained and affirmed the existence of angels, who serve God as messengers and guides for Creation.
The Church also teaches that every human being is gifted an individual guardian angel by God to serve as their personal helper on the way to Heaven.
Guardian angels have three main tasks – to guide us towards Christ, to intercede for us with prayer and to protect us from evil.
The feast emphasises God’s care for each person and the intimate, protective role that guardian angels play in daily life.
Their importance lies in their constant, unseen presence and their mission to help people grow closer to God.
St Francis of Assisi – October 4
“The deeds you do may be the only sermon some persons will hear today.” – St Francis of Assisi
St Francis of Assisi is one of the Church’s most popular and beloved saints.
He was known for his radical commitment to living the Gospel, his deep love for the poor, and his profound connection to Creation.
He was born into a wealthy family, he gave up his wealth to embrace a life of poverty, humility, and service to others, following Christ’s example.
St Francis founded the Franciscan Order, which emphasised simplicity, humility, and caring for the marginalised.
He is also known for his reverence for all of God’s creation, earning him the title of the patron saint of animals and the environment.
St Faustina Kowalska – October 5
“Love endures everything, love is stronger than death, love fears nothing.” – St Faustina of Kowalska
St Faustina Kowalska was a Polish nun and mystic, best known for her role in promoting the devotion to the Divine Mercy.
Through a series of visions and messages from Jesus, she was instructed to spread the message of God’s boundless mercy for all people, regardless of their sins.
Her diary, Divine Mercy in My Soul, records her mystical experiences and has become a central text in the devotion.
She is beloved by Catholics for her emphasis on trust in God’s mercy, her humility, and her spiritual depth.
St Faustina’s message led to the establishment of Divine Mercy Sunday, celebrated the Sunday after Easter, and continues to inspire a widespread devotion to God’s compassionate love.
Our Lady of the Rosary – October 7
“Abandon yourself in the hands of Mary. She will take care of you.” – St Padre Pio
Our Lady of the Rosary is a Marian feast day instituted by Pope Pius V in 1571 to commemorate the Battle of Lepanto, a naval victory of Christian forces over the Ottoman Empire, which was attributed to the intercession of the Virgin Mary through the praying of the Rosary.
This feast emphasises the importance of the Rosary as a powerful tool for prayer and meditation on the life of Christ.
The Rosary is a way to grow in faith, seek Mary’s intercession, and deepen one’s relationship with Christ.
The feast highlights the role of prayer, especially the Rosary, in overcoming spiritual and worldly challenges.
