The entire month falls within the liturgical season of Ordinary Time, which is represented by the liturgical color green. This 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. It is used in the offices and Masses of Ordinary Time.
The month of August is dedicated to The Immaculate Heart of Mary.
The Holy Father's Intentions for the Month of August 2026
For evangelization in the city: Let us pray that in large cities often marked by anonymity and loneliness we find new ways to proclaim the Gospel, discovering creative paths to build community.
Focus of the Liturgy
The Gospel readings for August are taken from St. Matthew. All Sunday readings are from Cycle A, and Weekday readings are from Year II.
| August 2nd Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time |
Cycle A, Mt 14:13-21: They all ate and were satisfied. |
| August 9th Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time |
Cycle A, Mt 14:22-33: Command me to come to you on the water. |
| August 16th Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time |
Cycle A, Mt 15:21-28: O woman, great is your faith! |
| August 23rd Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time |
Cycle A, Mt 16:13-20: You are Peter, and to you I will give the keys of the kingdom of heaven. |
| August 30th Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time |
Cycle A, Mt 16:21-27: Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself |
Highlights of the Month
August is often considered the transitional month in our seasonal calendar. It is the time of the year we begin to wind-down from our summer travels and vacations and prepare for Autumn — back to school, fall festivals, harvest time, etc. The Church in her holy wisdom has provided a cycle of events in its liturgical year which allow the faithful to celebrate the major feasts in the life of Christ and Mary. Most notably, during August, we celebrate the feast of the Transfiguration (August 6) and the feast of the Assumption (August 15).
The other main feasts of this month are:
St. Alphonsus Liguori (August 1),
St. John Mary Vianney (August 4),
Dedication of St. Mary Major (August 5),
Transfiguration of the Lord (August 6),
St. Sixtus II and Companions and St. Cajetan (August 7),
St. Dominic (August 8),
St. Lawrence (August 10),
St. Clare (August 11),
St. Jane Frances de Chantal (August 12),
Sts. Pontian and Hippolytus (August 13),
St. Maximilian Kolbe (August 14),
St. John Eudes (August 19),
St. Bernard (August 20),
St. Pius X (August 21),
the Queenship of Mary (August 22),
St. Bartholomew (August 24),
St. Louis of France and St. Joseph Calanz (August 25),
St. Monica (August 27),
St. Augustine (August 28),
and the Passion of St. John the Baptist (August 29).
The Blessed Virgin Mary is the most perfect example of Christian perseverance, but she is also our advocate in heaven where she is crowned Queen of Heaven and Earth (August 22). Mary is the "Mother of Perpetual Help", the patroness of the Congregation founded by St. Alphonsus Liguori (August 1). "No one who has fled to her protection is left unaided" is the claim of the Memorare of St. Bernard (August 20). Heretics have returned to the faith by the prayers of her Rosary, first preached by St. Dominic (August 8) in the twelfth Century, and hearts have been converted by the graces received while wearing her Miraculous Medal, promoted by St. Maximillian Kolbe (August 14) and adopted as the "badge" for the Pious Union he founded. Hail, holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope!
