Sign In  |  Register  |  Shopping Cart Shopping Cart  |  RSS Subscribe to RSS Feed  
Spirituality & Practice
Free E-Newsletter Our e-newsletter alerts you to special days and ways to celebrate, along with other new posts on the site.

Sign up here.
Search This Site
Powered by Google

Naming the Days




Join us as we meditate upon the meaning of our days and "name" them through rituals, spiritual practices, and special activities — everything from household rituals to DVD viewing to community service projects.

 

June
Anthony de MelloJune 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.

The Big Book of AAJune 10: Anniversary of the Founding of Alcoholics Anonymous

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

Anne FrankJune 12: Anne Frank's Birthday

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

Don't Worry, SpiderJune 15: Issa's Birthday

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

Father's DayJune 21: Father's Day

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

Helen KellerJune 27: Helen Keller's Birthday

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

 

July
4th of July FireworksJuly 4: Interdependence Day

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

Hazrat Inayat KhanJuly 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.

Stuart LittleJuly 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.
Abraham Joshua HeschelJuly 17: Abraham Joshua Heschel's Birthday

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

Gerard Manley HopkinsJuly 28: Birthday of Gerard Manley Hopkins

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

August
Nagasaki BombAugust 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.

St. Clare of AssisiAugust 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.

Ramadan MubarakAugust 21: Start of Ramadan

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

National Dog DayAugust 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
Labor DaySeptember 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.

Labor DaySeptember 8: Birthday of Mary, the Mother of Jesus

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

Rosh HashanahSeptember 19: Rosh Hashanah

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

International Day of PeaceSeptember 21: International Day of Peace

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

AutumnSeptember 22: Autumn Equinox

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

The Goddess SarasvatiSeptember 19: Navrati

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

 

October
St. Francis of AssasiOctober 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.

Thich Nhat HanhOctober 11: Thich Nhat Hanh's Birthday

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

Julian of NorwichOctober 17: Diwali

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

HalloweenOctober 31: Halloween

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

 

November
Julian of NorwichNovember 1: All Saints Day

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

ThanksgivingNovember 26: Thanksgiving

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

 

December
World Aids DayDecember 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.
Human Rights DayDecember 10: Human Rights Day

Observing the anniversary of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights by reading up on a cause and viewing documentaries.
Our Lady of GuadalupeDecember 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
New Year's DayJanuary 1: New Year's Day

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

E. M. ForsterJanuary 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.

St. Seraphim of SarovJanuary 2: St. Seraphim of Sarov Day

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

Mother Elizabeth Ann SetonJanuary 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.

The Magi at the MangerJanuary 6: Epiphany

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

Brother LawrenceJanuary 11: Feast Day of Brother Lawrence

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

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.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.

Henri J. M. NouwenJanuary 24: Birthday of Henri J. M. Nouwen

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

Thomas MertonJanuary 31: Birthday of Thomas Merton

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

 

February
Groundhog DayFebruary 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.

Dietrich BonhoefferFebruary 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.

FootballFebruary 7: Superbowl Sunday

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

Martin BuberFebruary 8: Birthday of Martin Buber

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

A. J. MusteFebruary 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."

Valentine's DayFebruary 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.

Ash WednesdayFebruary 17: Ash Wednesday

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

Sri RamakrishnaFebruary 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
Purim CookiesMarch 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.

Oscar RomeroMarch 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.

Walt WhitmanMarch 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?"

Meister EckhartMarch 27: Meister Eckhart

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

 

April
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
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.

Mother's DayMay 10: Mother's Day

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

Ralph Waldo EmersonMay 25: Ralph Waldo Emerson's Birthday

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

G.K. ChestertonMay 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.

PentecostMay 31: Pentecost

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

 




Everyday Spirituality

Being Home
by Gunilla Norris

Care of the Soul
by Thomas Moore

The Dirt from Tripp Street
by Daniel Wolk

The Dove in the Stone
by Alice O. Howell

Everyday Sacred
by Sue Bender

Grace's Window
by Alice O. Howell

How to Want What You Have
by Timothy Miller

Listening to Your Life
by Frederick Buechner

A Place Like Any Other
by Molly Wolf

The Re-enchantment of Everyday Life
by Thomas Moore

Simple Abundance
by Ban Breachnach

Spiritual Literacy
by Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat

The Temple in the House
by Anthony Lawlor

A Tree Full of Angels
by Macrina Wiederkehr

Rituals

The Book of Ceremonies
by Gabriel Horn

The Ceremonial Circle
by Sedonia Cahill and Joshua Halpern

The Circle of Life edited
by David Cohen

Feasting with God
by Holly Whitcomb

From Beginning to End
by Robert Fulghum

Great Occasions
edited by Carl Seaburg

The Joy of Family Rituals
by Barbara Biziou

The Magic of Ritual
by Tom Driver

Marrying and Burying
by Ronald Grimes

The Power of Ritual
by Rachel Pollack

Remembering Well
by Sarah York

Ritual: Power, Healing and Community
by Malidoma Patrice Some

Rituals for Our Time
by Evan Imber-Black and Janine Roberts

Making Time Sacred

Addicted to Hurry
by Kirk Byron Jones

Holidays and Holy Nights
by Christopher Hill

Marking Time
by Linda Witte Henke

No Word for Time
by Evan T. Pritchard

The Music of Silence
by Brother David Steindl-Rast

In Praise of Slowness
by Carl Honore

Sabbath
by Wayne Muller

Sabbath Sense
by Donna Schaper

Sabbath Time
by Tilden Edwards

Sacred Time and the Search for Meaning
by Gary Eberle

A Sideways Look at Time
by Jay Griffiths

Time and Soul
by Jacob Needleman

Zen O'Clock
by Scott Shaw