End of summer Feast Days Around the Archdiocese of Newark (Photos)

Archdiocese of Newark parishes with feast days in August and September celebrated with Masses, processions, and feasts.

Here’s how parishes have honored their holy feast days.

Feast of St. Joseph

St. Joseph’s Parish in Lodi held its feast day from Aug. 30 to Sep. 2 with a Solemn Mass and procession, 50/50 raffle, games, and entertainment.

St. Joseph, who is recognized as the husband of Mary, the mother of Jesus, and the legal father of Jesus under Jewish law, stands as a model of humility and fidelity to God’s will. Originally celebrated as early as the ninth century, the feast of St. Joseph was universally established in the 15th century. In 1870, Pope Pius IX declared St. Joseph the patron of the universal Church. He is also venerated as the patron saint of carpenters, the dying, and workers. His feast day is celebrated on March 20.

(Photos courtesy of St. Joseph’s Parish)

Feast of St. Bartholomew the Apostle

St. Bartholomew the Apostle Church in Scotch Plains held its Annual Italian Festival, which featured family-friendly activities, food, and live music.

Saint Bartholomew, also known as Nathanael, was one of the 12 Apostles chosen by Christ. He shared a profound friendship with Jesus, undergoing a deep spiritual transformation through Him. Devoted and courageous, he dedicated his life to spreading the Gospel and ultimately laid down his life for his faith. Saint Bartholomew is revered as a model of sanctity and is considered one of the cornerstone figures of the Church, embodying its apostolic authority bestowed by Christ. His feast day is commemorated on Aug. 24.

(Photos courtesy of Bishop Elias Lorenzo, O.S.B. shown center)

St. Valentine’s Family Festival

St. Valentine Church in Bloomfield celebrated its Family Festival from Sept. 6-8 with rides, games, and diverse foods.

According to a tradition, St. Valentine risked his life to marry couples in a Christian way during a time of persecution. He finally gave his life in martyrdom, which is the ultimate manifestation of love. The love of this holy priest for Jesus Christ and for defending the Sacrament of Matrimony inspires us to raise human love to the heights of the divine love for which we were created.

(Photos courtesy of the Archdiocese of Newark/Shania Mosquera)

Feast of the Madonna Dei Martiri

St. Francis Church in Hoboken honored the Madonna Dei Martiri with the 98th annual Mass and procession, followed by a feast day filled with entertainment and family fun.

As a tradition holds, an 800-pound statue of Madonna Dei Martiri was carried through the streets of Hoboken from St. Francis Church to reenact the Blessing of the Fleet. The tradition of the Madonna Dei Martiri goes back many years. It was in the year 1399, on the orders of the King of Napoli, Ladislao di Durazzo, that the street festival and religious celebration were first combined to celebrate the “Miracle” and blessings of the Madonna. This celebration is traditionally held on Sept. 8, which is the Universal Feast of the Nativity of Mary. The actual “Miracle” of the Madonna occurred many years before this date.