May 31

The Anniversary of the Royal Brunei Malay Regiment marks the founding of Brunei’s premier ground defense unit in 1961. Each year on May 31, military parades and wreath-laying ceremonies honor the regiment’s history and the sacrifices of its members. Exhibitions of military equipment and cultural performances showcase the regiment’s traditions and community ties. Serving personnel and veterans gather to remember fallen comrades and reaffirm their commitment to national security. Educational programs and public displays offer insights into the regiment’s role in safeguarding Brunei’s sovereignty and heritage. Families of servicemen also attend community events to pay tribute and strengthen civilian-military bonds.

On May 31, the Christian Church celebrates several feast days in both Western and Eastern traditions. In Western Christianity, the Visitation of Mary commemorates the Virgin Mary’s visit to her cousin Elizabeth, highlighting themes of joy and service. The Roman Catholic Church also honors saints such as Camilla Battista da Varano, Hermias, and Petronella, remembering their faith and martyrdom. In Eastern Orthodox liturgics, May 31 includes commemorations of early martyrs and bishops whose lives inspired the faithful. Churches worldwide hold special liturgies, prayers, and readings from sacred texts. These observances connect believers to centuries of Christian heritage and encourage reflection on grace, courage, and communal support.

Kaamatan is an annual harvest festival culminating on May 31 in the Malaysian state of Sabah and the Federal Territory of Labuan. Rooted in indigenous Kadazan-Dusun traditions, it honors the Rice Spirit and expresses gratitude for the year’s crops. Festivities include the Unduk Ngadau beauty pageant, gong-beating competitions, traditional dance performances such as the Sumazau, and communal gatherings. Villagers offer tumpung rice wine and local delicacies to elders and spirits. Artisan crafts, music, and storytelling events preserve cultural heritage and bring communities together. Tourists are invited to experience vibrant costumes, folk arts, and the warm hospitality of Sabah’s indigenous peoples.

Since 1987, the World Health Organization designates May 31 as World No Tobacco Day to draw global attention to tobacco-related illnesses and deaths. Each year features a theme targeting a specific challenge, such as advertising bans, plain packaging, or protecting youth from nicotine addiction. Governments, health organizations, and community groups organize events like public marches, educational seminars, and media campaigns. Activists lobby for stronger legislation, higher taxes on tobacco products, and smoke-free public spaces. Individuals are encouraged to quit smoking, avoid secondhand smoke, and support loved ones in cessation efforts. Over time, World No Tobacco Day has become a pivotal moment for collective action against the leading preventable cause of death worldwide.

Saint Camilla Battista da Varano (1458–1524) was born into the noble Varano family of Urbino, Italy. She joined the Order of Saint Clare and became known for her mystical visions, ascetic life, and spiritual writings. Her works, including meditations and letters, influenced the development of Baroque spirituality. Beatified in 1765 and canonized by Pope Francis in 2015, her legacy endures in Poor Clare convents worldwide. On May 31, the Church honors her devotion through Mass, prayer services, and readings from her writings. Pilgrims and scholars study her life to gain insight into Renaissance-era mysticism and the role of women in the Church.

Saint Hermias was a Christian martyr, believed to have lived in the 2nd century under Roman persecution. According to tradition, he refused to renounce his faith despite torture and imprisonment. His steadfast witness inspired early Christian communities and contributed to the veneration of martyrs. On May 31, liturgical services recount his martyrdom, and believers offer prayers for perseverance in the face of adversity. While historical records are scarce, Hermias’s story is preserved in hagiographies and iconography. Veneration of Saint Hermias underscores the sacrifices made by early Christians and the enduring call to remain true to one’s convictions.

Saint Petronella is venerated as a virgin martyr of the early Church, often identified as the spiritual daughter of the Apostle Peter. Though details vary, tradition holds that she lived in Rome and suffered martyrdom for her unwavering faith. Early Christian communities honored her with a dedicated tomb near the Vatican, which became a pilgrimage site. On May 31, the Church observes her feast with prayers and reflections on her example of purity and devotion. Artistic depictions portray her with a lamp or cross, symbols of her martyrdom and guiding light for the faithful. Petronella’s story highlights the closeness of the first generation of Christians to the foundations of the Church.

The Feast of the Visitation commemorates Mary’s journey to the hill country of Judea to greet her cousin Elizabeth, as recounted in the Gospel of Luke. During this encounter, Elizabeth’s unborn child leaped in recognition of the Messiah, prompting Mary’s hymn of praise, the Magnificat. In Western Christianity, this feast is celebrated on May 31 with special liturgies, hymns, and prayers reflecting themes of joy and service. Churches are adorned with symbols of spring and new life, and congregations meditate on the virtues of humility and hospitality. The event encourages believers to seek opportunities to support and uplift one another. It also reminds the faithful of Mary’s role in salvation history and the strength found in community.

In the Eastern Orthodox liturgical calendar, May 31 honors a diverse group of saints, including martyrs, bishops, and ascetics. Orthodox parishes celebrate with the Divine Liturgy, chanting hymns specific to each saint and reading from the Synaxarion. Faithful venerate icons of the commemorated figures and offer prayers seeking their intercession. The day emphasizes the unity of the Church across time and geography, connecting contemporary worshipers with the witness of past generations. Fasting rules and liturgical colors may vary by local tradition, but the spirit of remembrance remains constant. May 31 serves as a reminder of the enduring call to holiness exemplified by those who lived and died for their faith.