September Catholic Calendar Free Printable + Feast Day Guide

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As the air begins to cool and the leaves start to turn, September ushers in not just a change in seasons, but also a fresh wave of grace in the Church’s liturgical calendar. For Catholic families, it’s a month brimming with Marian feasts, powerful saints, and reminders of the Cross.

September can be a beautiful time to settle into routine after the busy summer and let the rhythm of the Church year guide your home life.

To help you keep track of it all, I’ve created a free September Liturgical Calendar printable.

It’s a simple, family-friendly way to stay on top of feast days and plan little traditions without feeling overwhelmed. You can hang it on the fridge, tuck it into your planner, or let the kids color it as you go.

Why September Belongs to Mary

The Church dedicates September to the Seven Sorrows of Mary, and if you’ve never prayed with this devotion before, this is a wonderful month to start.

Sometimes we can think of Mary only as gentle and joyful, but the Church reminds us that she also knew heartbreak more deeply than any mother. She carried grief and loss while still trusting in God’s plan.

When we reflect on her Seven Sorrows, we see a mother who understands the pain of separation, of watching a child suffer, of not knowing what will happen next. That makes her such a tender companion in our own trials.

The Seven Sorrows of Mary

The prophecy of Simeon (Luke 2:25–35)
The flight into Egypt (Matthew 2:13–15)
The loss of the Child Jesus in the Temple (Luke 2:41–50)
Mary meets Jesus on the way to Calvary (Luke 23:27–31)
The Crucifixion and Death of Jesus (John 19:25–30)
The body of Jesus is placed in Mary’s arms (Luke 23:50–54)
The burial of Jesus (Luke 23:55–56)

Family idea: Light a candle and pray one Hail Mary for each sorrow. If you have little ones, you might use a set of seven simple pictures (hand-drawn or printed) to help them follow along. It doesn’t need to be complicated—just a few moments of prayer can make a big impression on children. Older kids may enjoy praying the Chaplet of the Seven Sorrows, which is prayed on a special rosary with seven groups of seven beads.

Marian Feasts in September

Besides the Seven Sorrows, September is packed with Marian feasts. Here are some simple ways to mark them at home:

Nativity of Mary (September 8)

The Church celebrates the birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary only three months after the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. Mary’s birth was the dawn of salvation history—the arrival of the pure vessel who would carry Christ Himself. The Catechism reminds us that her “yes” made possible the Incarnation. Celebrating her birthday reminds us that each life is precious and chosen by God.

Family ideas: Bake a birthday cake for Mary, light a candle, and sing a simple “Happy Birthday.” With little ones, let them decorate the table with flowers. For older children, read the genealogy of Christ in Matthew’s Gospel and talk about how God prepared Mary’s coming through the generations.

Holy Name of Mary (September 12)

Devotion to the name of Mary reminds us that her intercession is powerful. St. Bernard once wrote that “the name of Mary is a tower of strength.” This feast became widely celebrated after Christian forces defeated the Turks at the Battle of Vienna in 1683, a victory attributed to Our Lady’s protection.

Family ideas: Write Mary’s name on a piece of paper and decorate it as a craft. Practice saying her name reverently during prayer. Encourage children to whisper “Mary” when they feel afraid or sad. Teens might enjoy learning about the historical background of this feast and the role of Mary in Christian history.

Our Lady of La Salette (September 19)

In 1846, Mary appeared to two children in La Salette, France. She wept as she urged people to return to prayer, penance, and the sacraments. The apparition highlights Mary’s motherly concern not just for souls but also for daily life—she even mentioned how the people’s sins were leading to crop failures and suffering.

Family ideas: Share the story of La Salette with your children, and talk about the importance of prayer and mercy. Light a candle and offer a short prayer of repentance together. As a family, choose a small act of kindness or sacrifice for the week, like helping a sibling or skipping dessert for a day as a prayer for others.

Our Lady, Star of the Sea (Stella Maris, September 27)

Under the ancient title “Stella Maris,” Mary has been venerated as a guiding star for sailors, travelers, and all Christians making their way through life’s storms. Just as sailors look to the stars for direction, we look to Mary to point us toward Christ. Many coastal communities have long held processions and blessings of the sea under this title.

Family ideas: Make simple star crafts with your children and hang them near a statue or image of Mary. Pray the “Hail, Holy Queen,” focusing on the words “our life, our sweetness, and our hope.” If you live near water, consider taking a short walk along a lake or river and offering prayers there, entrusting your family’s journey to Mary’s care.

Saints of September

St. Teresa of Calcutta (September 5)

Mother Teresa’s life is a modern example of radical love. She cared for the poorest of the poor in Calcutta, seeing Christ in each person, no matter how sick or forgotten. Canonized in 2016, she continues to inspire Catholics around the world to “do small things with great love.”

Family ideas: Share a story of her life with your children. Choose one small work of mercy as a family—visiting a lonely relative, donating food to a pantry, or even simply smiling at someone who needs encouragement. Encourage kids to look for Jesus in the people around them.

Exaltation of the Holy Cross (September 14)

This feast celebrates the discovery of the True Cross by St. Helena, as well as the triumph of Christ’s Cross over sin and death. It is a reminder that the Cross is not just a symbol of suffering, but of victory and love. The Church invites us to “lift high the Cross” as our sign of hope.

Family ideas: Place a crucifix in a special spot and decorate it with flowers for the day. Invite each family member to kiss the Cross in thanksgiving for Jesus’ sacrifice. Children might enjoy making small paper or clay crosses. For prayer, read Philippians 2:6–11 together, which speaks of Christ’s humility and exaltation.

St. Hildegard of Bingen (September 17)

St. Hildegard was a 12th-century Benedictine abbess known for her visions, writings, music, and natural healing. She wrote extensively about creation and saw the natural world as filled with God’s glory. Pope Benedict XVI declared her a Doctor of the Church in 2012.

Family ideas: Listen to her beautiful chants (easily found online) and talk about how music can lift our hearts to God. Spend time outdoors noticing the beauty of creation, and thank God for it. Older children may enjoy looking up some of her herbal remedies or artwork.

St. Padre Pio (September 23)

Padre Pio of Pietrelcina was a Capuchin friar who bore the stigmata—the wounds of Christ—in his body. He was known for his long hours in the confessional and his deep devotion to prayer, especially the Rosary. His famous advice was, “Pray, hope, and don’t worry.”

Family ideas: Pray one decade of the Rosary together in his honor. Share his simple words, “Pray, hope, and don’t worry,” and encourage children to repeat them when they feel anxious. Teens might enjoy learning about his miracles and the thousands of confessions he heard during his lifetime.

Feast of the Archangels (Michaelmas, September 29)

On this day, we honor St. Michael, St. Gabriel, and St. Raphael—the three archangels named in Scripture. St. Michael is the great defender against evil, St. Gabriel is the messenger who announced the Incarnation, and St. Raphael is the healer who accompanied Tobias. This feast reminds us that the angels are real and active in our lives today.

Family ideas: Pray the St. Michael Prayer as a family. Talk about each archangel’s role in salvation history. Try a traditional Michaelmas treat, such as blackberry pie, since legend says blackberries were cursed by the devil after St. Michael cast him into hell. Let children draw or color pictures of angels to decorate your prayer corner.

Keeping It Simple

If all of this feels like a lot, take a deep breath. Liturgical living is not about doing everything perfectly—it’s about weaving the faith into your family’s life in small, joyful ways. You don’t need to make elaborate crafts or cook special meals every week. Sometimes the holiest thing is just pausing for a short prayer, lighting a candle, or mentioning the saint of the day at breakfast.

That’s why I love using a liturgical calendar. It’s a gentle reminder of the richness of our faith, without the pressure of reinventing the wheel every month.

Download Your Free September Liturgical Calendar

To make this all easy, I’ve put together a free September Liturgical Calendar printable for you. It highlights all the major feasts and saints, and gives you space to jot down your own family traditions or notes.

Download your free September Calendar here

How to Access the Free Printable

Drop your email in the box below.
Check your inbox and click through to the PDF.
Save it to your computer or phone.
Print it off at home or at your local printer.
For personal and non-profit use only. I get a lot of requests for parishes to use my printables. Thank you for asking, and you are absolutely welcome to do so. If you would like, you can buy me a coffee by using my Tip Jar, and please pray for me!
Watermark free versions may be available on my Etsy shop.

As you walk through September with Mary, the saints, and the Cross, may your family be drawn deeper into the Heart of Jesus.

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