February Feasts and Celebrations
The Pope's prayer intention for February is for vocations to the priesthood and religious life.
Let us pray that the ecclesial community might welcome the desires and doubts of those young people who feel a call to serve Christ's mission in the priesthood and religious life.
FEBRUARY 2
FEAST OF THE PRESENTATION OF THE LORD
Forty days after the birth of Jesus, today marks the day in which the infant Jesus was presented in the temple. According to Mosaic law, a woman was considered ritually unclean for forty days following childbirth. She was expected to present herself to the priests at the temple and offer sacrifice to mark her purification. Jesus was welcomed to the temple by Simeon and Anna who acknowledged the infant as the long awaited Messiah.
This feast emphasizes Jesus’ first appearance in the Temple more than Mary’s purification.


FEBRUARY 5
MEMORIAL OF SAINT AGATHA, VIRGIN AND MARTYR
Saint Agatha was martyred in Sicily in the mid 3rd century during a period of persecution.
She was born into a wealthy family in Catania, Italy and took a vow of virginity. Saint Agatha was arrested for being Christian, tortured, and sent to a house of prostitution. She was protected from being violated, but was subsequently killed. One year after her death, Saint Agatha was said to have stilled an eruption of Mount Etna. For that reason, she is the patron saint of firefighters and nurses.
FEBRUARY 6
MEMORIAL OF SAINT PAUL MIKI AND COMPANIONS, MARTYRS
As the first martyrs of the Far East, this feast day reminds us of the price followers of Jesus had to pay throughout history. Brother Paul Miki, a Jesuit and native of Japan, died in 1597 during a period of harsh persecution. His companions who also lost their lives included a Franciscan named St. Peter Baptist, catechists, doctors, artisans, servants, elderly men, and children. What bound them together was their common faith and love for Jesus.
While hanging from the cross in Nagasaki, Saint Paul Miki forgave his persecutors. He and the martyrs were canonized in 1862.


FEBRUARY 10
MEMORIAL OF SAINT SCHOLASTICA, VIRGIN
Saint Scholastica was an Italian Christian hermit who is traditionally regarded as the foundress of Benedictine nuns. She is honored as a saint of the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, and the Anglican Communion. Saint Scholastica is the patron saint of education and convulsive children.
A common story about her was when she would go once a year to visit her brother Benedict of Nursia at a place near his abbey, and they would spend the day worshiping and discussing sacred texts and issues. Sensing her death, she asked him to stay with her to continue their discussions. When he refused to stay with her, she prayed, and as a result, a wild storm started. Benedict was unable to leave her.
Three days later, Benedict saw Saint Scholastica’s soul leaving the earth and ascending into heaven in the form of a shining white dove.
FEBRUARY 14
MEMORIAL OF SAINTS CYRIL MONK, AND METHODIUS, BISHOP
Saints Cyril and Methodius were brothers, born in late 9th century Greece. Both men became monks and missionaries in Moravia, part of the present day Czech Republic. Cyril invented an alphabet, still used in some Easter liturgies. He and his brothers’ free use of the language caused opposition from the German missionaries.
Cyril died only 50 days after taking the monastic habit. Methodius continued mission work for another 16 years as a papal legate for all the Slavic people. He was then exiled for three years. Methodius was also charged with heresy.
Both men encountered opposition from the clergy for preaching in the local language. They are known as the patron saints of Slavic Peoples and Ecumenism.


FEBRUARY 22
FEAST OF THE CHAIR OF SAINT PETER, APOSTLE
We commemorate on this day Christ’s decision to choose Peter to sit in His place as earthly leader of the whole Church and become the first pope.
Saint Peter was the first disciple Jesus called to follow Him and is consistently named first of the twelve Apostles. He was a witness to the Transfiguration, the agony in the Garden, and the Resurrection.
The chair where the bishop presides over his people became a symbol of his teaching authority. It was so for Saint Peter and all popes after him.