Pope’s Prayer Intentions

Pray for Priests

Lent

40 Days for Life

Safe Haven Sunday

Catholic Sisters Week

Holy Week

• Chrism Mass
  The Chrism Mass is held during Holy Week in every Catholic diocese. In the Diocese of Toledo, it is traditionally celebrated on the Tuesday of Holy Week. During this Mass, the priests, deacons and representatives of the entire diocesan community gather around the bishop, who blesses the Holy Oils for use in the coming year.

• Triduum
  The summit of the Liturgical Year is the Easter Triduum—from the evening of Holy Thursday to the evening of Easter Sunday. Though chronologically three days, they are liturgically one day unfolding for us the unity of Christ's Paschal Mystery.

  The single celebration of the Triduum marks the end of the Lenten season, and leads to the Mass of the Resurrection of the Lord at the Easter Vigil.

Easter

Divine Mercy Sunday
Divine Mercy Sunday, celebrated on the Second Sunday of Easter, is a special day devoted to reflecting on and receiving the mercy of God. The devotion was promoted through the revelations of St. Faustina Kowalska and later established for the universal Church by Pope John Paul II in 2000. On this day, the Church highlights Christ’s message of forgiveness, reconciliation and trust in God’s mercy. Catholics are especially encouraged to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation and Holy Communion, trusting in Jesus’ words: “Jesus, I trust in You.”

Child Abuse Prevention Month
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. It serves as an annual reminder of the importance of families and communities working together to prevent child abuse and neglect. The Catholic Church remains dedicated to being at the forefront of raising awareness about the scourge of child abuse, implementing the best policies and procedures to protect children from potential abusers, and working with professionals to bring healing to those who have been abused.

World Day of Prayer for Vocations
 The purpose of World Day of Prayer for Vocations is to publicly fulfill the Lord's instruction to, "Pray the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into his harvest" (Mt 9:38; Lk 10:2).

National Day of Prayer
The National Day of Prayer is an annual observance held on the first Thursday of May, inviting people of all faiths to pray for the nation. Established by Congress and signed into law by Harry S. Truman in 1952, the day encourages public prayer, reflection and gatherings across the country. It offers an opportunity for individuals and communities to come together in prayer for the needs of the nation and its leaders.

Transitional Diaconate Ordination
See the Diocese of Toledo calendar for details.

Priesthood Ordination
See the Diocese of Toledo calendar for details.

Mother’s Day
Mother’s Day, celebrated each year on the second Sunday of May, is a time to give thanks for the gift of mothers and the beautiful vocation of motherhood. As we honor our mothers, we also turn in gratitude to our Blessed Mother, Mary, who lovingly intercedes for us, particularly during this month dedicated to her.

Pentecost/Adult Confirmation
The feast of Pentecost commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles, who were gathered in prayer with the Mother of the Lord, as described in Acts of the Apostles (chapter 2). Celebrated on the 50th and final day of the Easter season, Pentecost marks the birth of the Church and the moment the Apostles were sent forth to proclaim the Gospel. In the Diocese of Toledo, this feast is also the occasion when Adult Confirmation is celebrated, as adults receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit in the Sacrament of Confirmation.

World Communications Day
World Communications Day highlights the importance of sharing the Gospel through modern media and supports the Church’s mission through the Catholic Communication Campaign. This national collection helps fund Catholic media efforts across the United States and in developing countries, including television, radio, print, and digital outreach. Half of the funds collected remain in the local diocese to support important communications initiatives. In the Diocese of Toledo, these funds help support efforts such as Graceful Living magazine and other projects that share the stories of faith across northwest Ohio.

World Day of Prayer for the Sanctification of Priests
The World Day of Prayer for the Sanctification of Priests takes place every year on the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.

World Refugee Day
World Refugee Day, celebrated annually on June 20th, draws global attention to the plight of millions of refugees— individuals forcibly displaced from their homes due to various forms of conflict, violence, or persecution.

Religious Freedom Week
Religious freedom allows the Church, and all religious communities, to live out their faith in public and to serve the good of all.  Beginning June 22, the feast of Sts. Thomas More and John Fisher, the USCCB invites Catholics to pray, reflect, and act to promote religious freedom.

Natural Family Planning Awareness Week
Natural Family Planning (NFP) Awareness Week is a national campaign that highlights the Church’s teaching on responsible parenthood and married love. Observed each year around the anniversary of Humanae Vitae (July 25) and the feast of Saints Joachim and Anne (July 26), the week promotes education about NFP methods and their role in marriage.

Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Each year on the Vigil of the Assumption, the faithful gather in Carey for a large Marian celebration. The annual event draws thousands of pilgrims and includes a candlelight Rosary procession followed by Mass at Shrine Park. Bishop Daniel E. Thomas traditionally presides at the celebration.
See the Diocese of Toledo calendar for details.

World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation
The World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation is observed annually on September 1, inviting Catholics and people of goodwill to pray for the protection of the earth and reflect on their responsibility to care for creation. Established by Pope Francis, the day encourages renewed commitment to stewardship of the environment through prayer, reflection, and practical action. It also marks the beginning of the broader Season of Creation, a time dedicated to spiritual and ecological awareness within the Church.

World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly

Hispanic Heritage Month
Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated each year from September 15 to October 15—dates that coincide with national independence days in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Mexico and Chile. Here in the United States, more than half of Hispanics identify as Catholic so these weeks are an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the rich contributions of the Hispanic community, not only to our nation, but also to our Church.

40 Days for Life
40 Days for Life is an internationally coordinated 40-day campaign that aims to end abortion locally through prayer and fasting, community outreach, and a peaceful all-day vigil in front of abortion businesses.

Catechetical Sunday
Catechetical Sunday is an annual observance in the Catholic Church that highlights the importance of teaching and handing on the faith. Celebrated on the third Sunday in September in the United States, it recognizes and commissions those who serve as catechists in parishes and schools. The day also invites the entire Church community—especially parents, the primary teachers of the faith—to reflect on their shared responsibility to proclaim the Gospel and nurture faith in the next generation.

Priesthood Sunday
Priesthood Sunday is a special day set aside to honor priesthood in the United States. It is a day to reflect upon and affirm the role of the priesthood in the life of the Church as a central one. This nationwide event is coordinated and sponsored by the US Council of Serra International.

National Migration Week
National Migration Week is an annual observance in the Catholic Church in the United States, typically held during the last week of September. The week invites Catholics to reflect on the experiences of migrants and refugees and to pray for those who leave their homes in search of safety, opportunity, and a better life. It also highlights the Church’s ongoing commitment to welcome, accompany, and advocate for migrants while promoting awareness of migration issues within parishes and communities.

Pro-Life Ministries

• Project Rachel

• The Joseph Ministry

The Bishop’s Corner

Graceful Living