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National Calendar for England

Feasts

The bishops have received the recognitio of the Holy See for their decision to raise to the rank of feast:

• The English Martyrs — 4 May
• St Augustine of Canterbury — 27 May
• St Gregory the Great — 3 September
• St Thomas Becket — 29 December

Prayers of Reparation and Atonement

The bishops in their statement on the abuse of children ask that the four Fridays of May 2010 be Days of Special Prayer for Prayers of Reparation and Atonement.

• Bishops' Statement
• Prayer Resources

Synod of Bishops

The XII General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops met in the Vatican 5–26 October. The theme of the Synod was The Word of God in the Life and Mission of the Church.

• More information

Year of St Paul

Pope Benedict has declared June 2008 - June 2009 a Year of St Paul in celebration of the 2000th anniversary of the Apostle's birth.

• Resources
  • Leaflets for 2 Corinthians, Ephesians, Galatians & Colossians added
• Conversion of St Paul - 25 January 2009

Summorum Pontificum

Pope Benedict has written an Apostolic Letter on the use of the Roman Liturgy prior to 1970.

• Apostolic Letter in the form 'Motu Proprio' Summorum Pontificum
• Pope Benedict's accompanying letter to Bishops
• Press release from Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales
• Information about Holydays of Obligation and the Extraordinary Form
• Universae Ecclesiae - Instruction, May 2011 (pdf)

Holydays of Obligation

With effect from the 1st Sunday of Advent 2006, three of the present holydays of obligation are transferred to Sundays. This decision was made by the Bishops of England and Wales, and has been confirmed by the Holy See. For more details...

The Liturgy Office has prepared Resources to help parishes:

• celebrate the Sacrament of Penance.
• explore the General Instruction of the Roman Missal
  • Documents
  • Celebrating the Mass
  • Formation Material
  • With Hearts and Minds
  • In Communion with Christ
• make use of The Gift of Scripture

• A Time of Prayer