Holy Holidays! The Catholic Origins of Celebration

by Tobin, Greg

• ISBN13: 9780230104877
• ISBN10: 0230104878
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2011-03-01
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

Summary

How did Sunday become the "Sabbath Day?" Why did St. Valentine become the patron saint of lovebirds? Most people happily participate in Mardi Gras, Halloween, St. Patrick's Day and Valentine's Day with very little knowledge of the origins and meanings of those days. Here, in these witty and accessible chapters, Greg Tobin explains the often unknown and untold origins of the holidays and annual celebrations - inside and outside church - that bind our society and give color and spiritual content to our lives.

Author Biography

Greg Tobin is the author of several books on the Catholic Church, including Selecting the Pope and Holy Father. He was the editor of The Catholic Advocate, and appears frequently on national radio and TV programs as an expert commentator on the popes and the papal election process. He lives in New Jersey.

Table of Contents

Preface	p. ix
Winter	p. 1
Advent	p. 3
Christmas	p. 11
New Year's, Epiphany, and Presentation	p. 25
St. Valentine's, St. Patrick's, and St. Joseph's Days	p. 37
Essay: The Liturgical and Spiritual Year	p. 47
Spring	p. 57
Lent	p. 59
Holy Week and the Triduum	p. 71
Easter Sunday and Season	p. 83
Mother's Day and the Month of Mary	p. 97
Essay: The Gregorian Calendar	p. 107
Summer	p. 119
Ascension, Pentecost, and Father's Day	p. 121
Ordinary Time	p. 133
Sacred and Secular Summer Holidays	p. 143
Essay: The "Lord's Day" and Keeping it Holy	p. 155
Fall	p. 165
Halloween	p. 167
Angels and Saints	p. 179
Thanksgiving and Christ the King Sunday	p. 193
Essay: How the Second Vatican Council Changed the Church-and its Calendar	p. 203
Afterword	p. 211
Appendices	p. 219
Acknowledgments	p. 229
Bibliography	p. 231
Index	p. 233
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