the month of August 2026
The month of August is dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary refers to contemplation of the interior life of Mary, her joys and sorrows, her virtues and hidden perfections, and, above all, her virginal love for God the Father, her maternal love for her son Jesus Christ, and her motherly and compassionate love for all mankind.
Scriptural reference:
In the Gospel of Luke, chapter 2, it is twice stated, Luke 2:19; 51, that Mary kept all things in her heart, that there she might ponder over them. Luke 2:35 recounts the prophecy of Simeon that her heart would be pierced with a sword. This image (the pierced heart) is the most popular representation of the Immaculate Heart.
Consecration of the World to the Immaculate Heart of MaryIn 1984 Pope St. John Paul II consecrated the whole world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Immaculate Heart! Help us to conquer the menace of evil, which so easily takes root in the hearts of the people of today, and whose immeasurable effects already weigh down upon our modern world and seem to block the paths towards the future. From famine and war, deliver us. From nuclear war, from incalculable self-destruction, from every kind of war, deliver us. From sins against the life of man from its very beginning, deliver us. From hatred and from the demeaning of the dignity of the children of God, deliver us. From every kind of injustice in the life of society, both national and international, deliver us. From readiness to trample on the commandments of God, deliver us. From attempts to stifle in human hearts the very truth of God, deliver us. From the loss of awareness of good and evil, deliver us. From sins against the Holy Spirit, deliver us, deliver us. Accept, O Mother of Christ, this cry laden with the sufferings of all individual human beings, laden with the sufferings of whole societies. Help us with the power of the Holy Spirit to conquer all sin: individual sin and the “sin of the world”, sin in all its manifestations. Let there be revealed, once more, in the history of the world the infinite saving power of the Redemption: the power of merciful Love! May it put a stop to evil! May it transform consciences! May your Immaculate Heart reveal for all the light of Hope! Amen |
The Holy Father's Intentions for the Month of August 2026
Evangelization in the City: That in large cities often marked by anonymity and loneliness we find new ways to proclaim the Gospel, discovering creative paths to build community.
Feasts for August
August 1 - Alphonsus Liguori, Memorial
August 2 - Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
August 4 - John Vianney, Memorial
August 5 - Dedication of St. Mary Major, Optional Memorial
August 6 - Transfiguration of the Lord, Feast
August 7 - Sixtus II and companions; Cajetan, Optional Memorial
August 8 - Dominic, Memorial
August 9 - Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
August 10 - Lawrence, Optional Memorial
August 11 - Clare, Memorial
August 12 - Jane Frances de Chantal, Optional Memorial
August 13 - Pontian and Hippolytus, Optional Memorial
August 14 - Maximilian Kolbe, Memorial
August 15 - Assumption of Mary, Solemnity
August 16 - Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
August 19 - John Eudes, Optional Memorial
August 20 - Bernard, Memorial
August 21 - Pius X, Memorial
August 22 - Queenship of Mary, Memorial
August 23 - Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time
August 24 - Bartholomew, Apostle, Optional Memorial
August 25 - Louis IX of France; Joseph Calasanz, Optional Memorial
August 27 - Monica, Memorial
August 28 - Augustine, Memorial
August 29 - Passion of John the Baptist , Memorial
August 30 - Twenty Second - Sunday in Ordinary Time
This Week on Formed
Watch this Week
| FORMED has content from over 60 apostolates, including Augustine Institute, Ignatius Press, and the Knights of Columbus, with material that is professionally produced, engaging, and solid in its catechism. |
|
Are you hesitant to return to the Sacrament of Reconciliation after a long absence? Watch Forgiven: The Transforming Power of Confession. Have you despaired of finding good movies that your family can enjoy together on a Friday night? Start with Mother Teresa, the story of the selfless saint who brought hope and love to the poorest of the poor. You can enjoy FORMED on your computer or on your television with an inexpensive Roku device or Apple TV. You can even listen on your phone as you commute to work or do chores. The content on FORMED will enrich, deepen, and inspire your faith. Please pray for our benefactors who have made a FORMED subscription a reality for our parish. Please pray for the people at the Augustine Institute who create this wonderful and much-needed Catholic content for our people. |
How to Receive Holy Communion
This is a reminder for everyone about the proper way to receive. First, we are to make a sign of reverence before we reach the minister of either the Precious Body or the Precious Blood; our bishops have asked that this be a profound bow of our head. Nevertheless, genuflections or receiving on one’s knees are welcome. We are to respond “Amen” when Holy Communion is offered to us.
To receive on the tongue, please open your mouth, tilt your head back and place your tongue on your bottom lip. If your tongue is relaxed and not flexed, the Sacred Host will not move.
To receive in the hand, place one hand on top of the other, raised up a bit (not down at the waist) and flat so that the Host doesn’t slide. After you are given the Host, take the Host with your bottom hand and place it in your mouth IMMEDIATELY (please refrain from passing the Host from hand to hand or other such things).
Furthermore, Please do not turn after receiving the Host and walk off with it in your hand. You may take at most two steps to the side. After receiving, it is customary to bless oneself by making the sign of the cross. If you choose to receive the Precious Blood when it is offered, please take the chalice very carefully with two hands and take a tiny sip. Parents are asked to keep an eye on your children so that they receive our Lord reverently. May we show the greatest amount of respect and reverence for our Lord who is fully present in the Holy Eucharist.
Spiritual Communion Prayer
My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love you above all things, and I do desire to receive you into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive you sacramentally come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace you as if you were already there and unite myself wholly to you. Never permit me to be separated from you.
Tune into Archangel Radio
Archangel Radio is our very own Catholic Radio station based out of Mobile (WNGL 1410 AM). Please listen online at archangelradio.com. They could use our financial support.
The life of Bishop Michael Portier
This documentary highlights the remarkable life of
Bishop Michael Portier, the first bishop of Mobile.
"The Life of Bishop Michael Portier” is a 50-minute video
produced by 4PM Media.
Watch the latest Episodes of "Native Soil"
Native Soil,” a 4PM Media production, seeks to further build up a “Culture of Vocations” in the Archdiocese of Mobile. We are challenged to consider how God is calling us to renew our 'native soil.'
Watch the latest episodes of Native Soil at:
https://www.nativesoil.org/episodes
As you listen, allow your understanding of what it means to be part of the “Body of Christ” to deepen and expand.
Native Soil
An Act of Spiritual Communion
With this Act of Spiritual Communion we unite ourselves to God through prayer when we are unable to complete that union with Him in the reception of Holy Communion.
My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.
I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally,
come at least spiritually into my heart.
I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You.
Never permit me to be separated from You.
Amen.
Archdiocese of Mobile - Generations of Faith Video
To learn more about Generations of Faith, click the link visit
campaign.mobarch.org.
