August 22

On August 22, several feast days are observed across Christian denominations. The legendary greyhound Guinefort is venerated in local folk devotion in France. The Immaculate Heart of Mary was celebrated according to the 1960 Roman Catholic calendar to honor Mary's pure heart and loving compassion. The Queenship of Mary originally celebrated on this date elevates Mary's role as Queen of Heaven. Eastern Orthodox churches mark various saints and events with special liturgical readings and hymns on this day.

Saint Guinefort was actually a dog whose loyalty and protective instincts became the center of a local cult near Lyon. According to legend, Guinefort saved an infant from a serpent but was tragically killed by his owner who misunderstood the situation. Despite never being officially recognized by the Church, villagers built shrines and offered prayers at Guinefort's tomb. The feast day on August 22 was marked by pilgrimages and small offerings seeking protection for children. The devotion persisted in folk tradition for centuries, blending folklore and faith.

The devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary emphasizes Mary's sinless purity, maternal love, and compassion for humanity. Originally inserted into the 1962 Roman Missal under Pope John XXIII, the feast reflected the Church’s focus on Marian spirituality. Liturgical celebrations include Mass and the recitation of the Rosary focusing on the sorrows and joys of Mary's heart. The feast was part of the pre-Vatican II calendar and is still observed by some traditionalist Catholic communities. It underscores the role of Mary as intercessor and model of perfect discipleship.

The Queenship of Mary feast was established in 1954 by Pope Pius XII to honor Mary's exalted status as Queen of Heaven and Earth. Celebrations include liturgical Masses, Marian processions, and special prayers praising Mary's intercessory power. Devotion centers on Mary's spiritual motherhood and her role in salvation history. The feast follows the Solemnity of the Assumption on August 15, highlighting the continuity of Marian celebrations. It encourages the faithful to seek Mary's guidance and to model her virtues of humility and obedience.

On August 22, the Eastern Orthodox liturgical calendar remembers saints such as the Martyr Nympha, Venerable Zosimas of Solovki, and other local and monastic figures. Special hymns, readings, and Vespers services mark their testimonies of faith and ascetic struggles. The day's liturgical texts focus on the virtues of perseverance, humility, and love. In some traditions, faithful visit monasteries or churches dedicated to these saints for blessings. The observances foster a connection to the historical church and its spiritual heritage.