February is dedicated to the Holy Family

February, 2013 - Overview for the Month

BENEDICT XVI'S PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR FEBRUARY

VATICAN CITY, 31 JAN 2012 (VIS) - Pope Benedict's general prayer intention for February is: "That all peoples may have access to water and other resources needed for daily life".
  His mission intention is: "That the Lord may sustain the efforts of health workers assisting the sick and elderly in the world's poorest regions".
BXVI-PRAYER INTENTIONS/                    VIS 20120131 (70)


http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/overviews/months/02.cfm

The month of February is dedicated to the Holy Family. The first two and a half weeks of February fall within the liturgical season of Ordinary Time which is represented by the liturgical color green. Green, the symbol of hope, is the color of the sprouting seed and arouses in the faithful the hope of reaping the eternal harvest of heaven, especially the hope of a glorious resurrection. The remaining days of February are the beginning of Lent. The liturgical color changes to purple — a symbol of penance, mortification and the sorrow of a contrite heart.

The Holy Father's Intentions for the Month of February 2013

General: That migrant families, especially the mothers, may be supported and accompanied in their difficulties.

Missionary: That the peoples at war and in conflict may lead the way in building a peaceful future. (See also www.apostleshipofprayer.net)

Feasts for February

The feasts on the General Roman Calendar celebrated during the month of February are:

2. Presentation of the Lord, Feast
3. Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Sunday
5. Agatha, Memorial
6. Paul Miki and Companions, Memorial
8. Jerome Emiliani; Josephine Bakhita, Opt. Mem.
10. Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Sunday
11. Our Lady of Lourdes, Opt. Mem.
14. Cyril and Methodius, Memorial
17. First Sunday of Lent, Sunday
21. Peter Damian, Opt. Mem.
22. Chair of St. Peter, Feast
23. Polycarp of Smyrna, Memorial
24. Second Sunday of Lent, Sunday

Focus of the Liturgy

The Gospel readings for the Sundays in February are taken from St. Luke and are from Year C Cycle 1 of the readings.

February 3rd - Fourth Sunday of Ordinary Time	In this Gospel Jeus is rejected by his own townfolk.
February 10th - Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time	This Gospel is about the miraculous catch of fishes after Peter and the Apostles had fished all night.
February 17th - First Sunday of Lent	Jesus is tempted by the devil in the desert.
February 24th - Second Sunday of Lent	The Gospel relates the story of the Transfiguration of Christ.

Highlights of the Month

The month of February is traditionally dedicated to the Holy Family. Between the events which marked Christmas and the beginning of Christ's public life the Church has seen fit to recall the example of the Holy Family for the emulation of the Christian family.

The Feast of the Presentation (February 2) or Candlemas forms a fitting transition from Christmas to Easter. The small Christ-Child is still in His Mother's arms, but already she is offering Him in sacrifice. February 12, Shrove Tuesday, will find us preparing for Ash Wednesday.

The saints that we will focus on this month and try to imitate are St. Agatha (February 5), St. Paul Miki & Companions (February 6), St. Jerome Emiliani and St. Josephine Bakhita (February 8), Our Lady of Lourdes (February 11), Sts. Cyril and Methodius(February 14), Peter Damian (February 21), Chair of St. Peter (February 22) and St. Polycarp(February 23).

The feast of St. Blaise (February 3), St. Scholastica (February 10) and the Seven Founders of the Orders of Servites (February 17), will not be celebrated this year because they are superseded by Sunday.

From Feast to Fast

Though the shortest month of the year, February is rich in Liturgical activity, for it typically begins in one Liturgical Season (Ordinary Time), ends in another (Lent), and contains a feast (Presentation of our Lord) that bridges two other seasons (Christmas and Easter)! In addition, the faithful may receive in February three of the four major public sacramentals that the Church confers during the liturgical year: blessed candles, the blessing of throats and blessed ashes.

The Solemnity of the Presentation of the Lord on February 2nd harkens back to the Christmas mystery of Light except that now, Christ, the helpless babe, is “the Light of Revelation to the Gentiles who will save his people from their sins.” Candles, symbolizing Christ our Light, will be carried in procession this day, as will be the Paschal candle during the Easter Vigil Liturgy.

"The Light of Revelation" shines more brightly with each successive Sunday of Ordinary Time, until its magnificence – exposing our sinfulness and need for conversion – propels us into the penitential Season of Lent. We accept the cross of blessed ashes on Ash Wednesday (February 22) and plunge ourselves into the major exercises of Lent – fasting, prayer, almsgiving – laying our thoughts and prayers on the heart of our Mother Mary. She, who offered her Son in the temple and on the Cross, will teach us how to deny ourselves, take up our cross daily, and follow after her Son.