Spirituality & Practice: Naming the Days

June 2: Anthony de Mello Day

Remembering the extraordinary life of Father Anthony de Mello, an Indian Jesuit spiritual director and retreat leader, who died on June 2, 1987.

June 10: Anniversary of the Founding of Alcoholics Anonymous

Reflections and practices to pay tribute to the practical spirituality of AA.

June 12: Anne Frank's Birthday

Remembering the voice that has outlasted the shouts of the murderers and soared above the voices of time.

June 15: Issa's Birthday

Haiku to read in honor of the Japanese poet who wrote hundreds of poems about bugs.

June 21: Father's Day

Coming to terms with our feelings for our fathers with a DVD film festival on the father-child bond.

June 27: Helen Keller's Birthday

Using films and quotes to celebrate a woman whose zest for life is a model for us all.

July 4: Interdependence Day

A day to reflect upon freedom and interdependence. We depend upon people. Lots of people.

July 5: Hazrat Inayat Khan's Birthday

Celebrating the birthday of the man who brought Sufism with its emphasis on courtesy and kindness to the West.

July 11: E. B. White's Birthday

Reading essays, watching stories for children, and contemplating quotes in honor of the writer who excelled in all these genres.

July 17: Abraham Joshua Heschel's Birthday

Quotes that illustrate the wisdom of the great Jewish teacher, theologian, and social activist.

July 28: Birthday of Gerard Manley Hopkins

How to follow the poet's example and find signs of the Divine all around you.

August 6 and 9: Anniversaries of the Bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki

Remembering with a DVD, prayers, and an e-card about just how many nuclear weapons the United States currently has.

August 11: Feast Day of St. Clare

Connecting to the spiritual stamina, joy, and the pleasures of humble service of others modeled by the saint from Assisi.

August 21: Start of Ramadan

The significance of this month in the Islamic calendar when Muslims fast and intensify their spiritual practices.

August 26: Birthday of Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta

Words of wisdom to carry in honor of the servant of Calcutta's poor, an exemplar of peace, kindness, and compassion.

August 26: National Dog Day

A tribute to best friends and spiritual companions: quotes, teaching stories, book recommendations, and 21 DVDs about dogs with soul.

September 1: Labor Day

Honoring workers and the meaning in our work through reflections, e-course practices, prayer, and talking about images of work in the movies.

September 8: Birthday of Mary, the Mother of Jesus

Inspirational readings and spiritual practices for the woman revered by Christians and Muslims.

September 19: Rosh Hashanah

The meaning of the Jewish New Year's festival with links to articles, symbols, and rituals.

September 21: International Day of Peace

A worldwide movement to create a global ceasefire and a day of peace and nonviolence.

September 22: Autumn Equinox

Reflections and suggested practices for the season of balancing light and dark, letting go, and accepting the impermanence of things.

September 19: Navrati

A Hindu holiday honoring Shakti or the Divine Femiknine; observe it with nine nights of meditation and a day of gratitude.

October 5 Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi

Practices, a life overview, a film clip, a movie, and many books and excerpts to paint a multifaceted picture of the popular Christian saint.

October 11: Thich Nhat Hanh's Birthday

Celebrating the work of this Buddhist master with some of his mindfulness verses for everyday actions.

October 17: Diwali

The Hindu holiday known as the festival of lights as a time to celebrate our inner light and cultivate spiritual wealth.

October 31: Halloween

A meditation on Halloween as an important ritual that gives children the freedom to explore the dark.

November 1: All Saints Day

A teaching story, quotes, recommended resources, and a special litany for your observances of the saints among us.

November 26: Thanksgiving

A teaching story, resources, and good web connections for exploring the spiritual practice of gratitude.

December 1: World AIDS Day

Websites with information on the global epidemic, DVDs that remind us of the human cost, and things to do to raise awareness.

December 10: Human Rights Day

Observing the anniversary of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights by reading up on a cause and viewing documentaries.

December 12: Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe

Marking the appearance of the Virgin Mary in Mexico in 1531 and her significance to the poor of the world.

January 1: New Year's Day

Spiritually literate New Year's resolutions, based on 11 practices from our alphabet of practices.

January 1: Birthday of E. M. Forster

Remembering the British writer who advised that we "only connect" by savoring our connections to special people and places.

January 2: St. Seraphim of Sarov Day

Taking the advice of the Russian Orthodox saint who taught that the best acquisition is the Holy Spirit.

January 4: Feast Day of Mother Elizabeth Ann Seton

Learning more about Mother Seton, the first native-born American to be canonized as a Catholic saint.

January 6: Epiphany

Admiring the stars and adoring God in commemoration of the Three Magis' visit to the baby Jesus.

January 11: Feast Day of Brother Lawrence

A day to practice everyday spirituality and entertain ourselves with God.

January 19: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Day

American holiday to remember the words and actions of the civil rights leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate.

January 24: Birthday of Henri J. M. Nouwen

Contemplating the spiritual teachings of the prolific Christian writer, theologian, and pastor.

January 31: Birthday of Thomas Merton

A tribute to the Trappist monk, social activist, pioneer in interreligious dialogue, and bestselling author.

February 2: Groundhog Day

A day to think about change, or the lack of it, with a Values & Visions Guide to a romantic comedy about transformation.

February 4: Birthday of Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Following the theologian's advice that we affirm God and give glory in the midst of all of our experiences.

February 7: Superbowl Sunday

Michael Dwinell's "God and the NFL," a spiritual way to look at the annual football extravaganza.

February 8: Birthday of Martin Buber

In honor of the Jewish philosopher, a reverence practice for your encounters with people, places, or things.

February 11: A. J. Muste Day

Reflecting on the life work of the Christian pacifist who reminded us that "There is no way to peace; peace is the way."

February 14: Valentine's Day

Eight ways to practice expressing love . . . because love is a spiritual practice, and you can get better at it over time.

February 17: Ash Wednesday

Two ways to mark the beginning of Lent, from creative Christian writer Edward Hays.

February 18: Birthday of Sri Ramakrisna

Observing the birthday of India's Hindu saint Sri Ramakrishna by diving deep in the quest for the Divine.

March 9-11: Purim

A celebration with cookies, a biblical story, noisemakers, and a chance to laugh at our enemies and ourselves.

March 20: First Full Day of Spring

Spring is a season of renewal and rebirth. As outside, so inside. Here are 12 spiritual exercises to help you begin again.

March 22: World Water Day

More than one billion of our fellow human beings have little choice but to use potentially harmful sources of water.

March 24: Oscar Romero

Honor Archbishop Oscar Romero who was assassinated on this day in 1980. He was a great defender of the poor and a seeker of justice.

March 26: Walt Whitman

Celebrate the durability of Walt Whitman, all-American poet and caresser of life. Hear the wonder in "Who Learns My Lesson Complete?"

March 27: Meister Eckhart

Soul-stretching quotes from the fourteenth century Catholic mystic on God, transformation, and work are remarkably nourishing today.

April 1: April Fool's Day

A day that began with a mixup about the schedule is an opportunity to turn playtime into spiritual time.

April 6: Ram Dass's Birthday

Celebrate the life and work of the man who taught us all how to "be here now."

April 10: Teilhard de Chardin

Quotations to ponder and a mantra to try from the French visionary who pioneered a holistic, earth-cherishing, and mystical spirituality.

April 10: Good Friday

"Patience" and "passion" both come from the Latin word meaning to suffer or endure. These are just two of the gifts of this day.

April 12: Easter

An alphabet of spiritual practices reminds us that we can practice resurrection in our daily lives.

April 22: Earth Day

For this celebration of the Earth and rededication to her care, we suggest nature projects, a DVD to watch, an art book to check out, and a vow.

May 1: Beltane - May Day

The start of the bright half of the year. One of four main festivals of Celtic spirituality, it's a time to make merry.

May 3 - 9: Be Kind to Animals Week

What to do and what to think abouat during the American Humane Society-sponsored annual celebration of the role of animals in our lives.

May 10: Mother's Day

Ten spiritual practices to honor all our mothers: human mothers, Mother Earth, Mother God, and everyone who raises things.

May 25: Ralph Waldo Emerson's Birthday

Observe the transcendentalist's birthday by building up your being in the present moment.

May 29: G.K. Chesterton's Birthday

Wit and wisdom to take to heart from one of the most jovial and brilliant apologists for the Christian faith.

May 31: Pentecost

Celebrating the gifts of the Holy Spirit with rituals, special meals, and lots of red things.