ChristianFeast Day:
Adrian and Natalia of Nicomedia(Roman Catholic Church), Corbinian, Disibod, Nativity of Mary(Roman Catholic Church), (Anglo-Catholicism)Monti Fest(Mangalorean Catholic), Our Lady of Charity, Our Lady of Covadonga(national holiday inAsturias), Our Lady of Good Health of Vailankanni, Pope Sergius I, September 8 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics), Feast Day of Our Lady of Meritxell(national holiday inAndorra)
A series of Christian feast days celebrated on September 8, honoring the Nativity of Mary and various saints.
September 8 marks a significant day in the Christian liturgical calendar. It celebrates the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, one of the oldest Marian feasts in the Roman Catholic and Orthodox traditions. On this day, Catholics and Anglicans worldwide honor saints such as Adrian and Natalia of Nicomedia, Corbinian, and Disibod. In regions like Asturias, Andorra, and Malta, the feast is tied to local patroness celebrations such as Our Lady of Covadonga and Our Lady of Meritxell. Festivities include special Masses, processions, and community gatherings. In Mangalore, India, Monti Fest blends regional culture with Anglo-Catholic traditions. The Eastern Orthodox Church also commemorates the Nativity of Mary with liturgies across its jurisdictions. This day unites diverse Christian communities in reverence and celebration.
Feast Day
Adrian and Natalia of Nicomedia
Roman Catholic Church
Corbinian
Disibod
Nativity of Mary
Roman Catholic Church
Anglo-Catholicism
Monti Fest
Mangalorean Catholic
Our Lady of Charity
Our Lady of Covadonga
Asturias
Our Lady of Good Health of Vailankanni
Pope Sergius I
September 8 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
Feast Day of Our Lady of Meritxell
Andorra
National Day (Andorra), also the feast ofOur Lady of Meritxell
Andorra’s National Day celebrates the country’s patron saint, Our Lady of Meritxell.
Andorra’s National Day on September 8 combines patriotic celebration with religious devotion to Our Lady of Meritxell, the nation’s patroness. Festivities begin with a morning Mass at the Meritxell Basilica, followed by civic ceremonies led by the Co-Princes and government officials. Traditional music, folk dances, and parades fill the streets of Andorra la Vella. Citizens gather for communal meals of local specialties, sharing a sense of national identity and unity. Cultural exhibitions and historical reenactments celebrate Andorran heritage and independence. The religious aspect emphasizes gratitude and prayer, as locals honor the Virgin who is believed to have protected the country. Evening events include concerts and firework displays that light up the Pyrenees. National Day in Andorra reflects a deep bond between faith and nationhood.
National Day (Andorra)
Our Lady of Meritxell
National Day (Asturias), also the feast ofOur Lady of Covadonga
Asturias commemorates its regional identity and patroness, Our Lady of Covadonga.
On September 8, the autonomous community of Asturias in northern Spain celebrates its National Day alongside the feast of Our Lady of Covadonga. The day begins with pilgrimages and liturgical ceremonies in Covadonga’s basilica, honoring the Virgin’s role in Asturian history. Civic authorities and local communities participate in flag-raising events and official speeches that highlight regional pride. Festivities include traditional Asturian music, dance, and the tasting of cider and local gastronomy. The celebration recalls the historic Battle of Covadonga, a symbol of Christian resistance in the Iberian Peninsula. Cultural exhibitions and folk performances showcase Asturias’s unique language and heritage. Children’s workshops teach the story of the region’s founding and its natural landscapes. Fireworks and concerts conclude the day, uniting communities in joyful celebration.
National Day (Asturias)
Our Lady of Covadonga
National Day (Extremadura), also the feast ofOur Lady of Guadalupe
Extremadura’s regional holiday honors its heritage and patroness, Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Extremadura in western Spain marks its National Day on September 8, coinciding with the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The region observes the occasion with religious services at the Monastery of Guadalupe, where the Virgin’s statue is venerated. Civic ceremonies in Mérida and other cities include official speeches, flag ceremonies, and awards recognizing contributions to regional development. Cultural events feature traditional music, dance, and theater celebrating Extremadura’s history and rural traditions. Gastronomic fairs offer local products such as Iberian ham, cheeses, and wines. Educational programs in schools explore the region’s Roman and medieval heritage. The day strengthens community bonds and fosters pride in Extremadura’s cultural richness. Evening festivities conclude with concerts and spectacular firework displays over historic landmarks.
National Day (Extremadura)
Our Lady of Guadalupe
Victory Day, also the feast ofOur Lady of Victoriesoril-Vittorja(Malta)
A Maltese public holiday marking naval victory and honoring Our Lady of Victories.
On September 8, Malta celebrates Victory Day (il-Vittorja), commemorating the 1565 defeat of Ottoman forces and honoring the feast of Our Lady of Victories. Festivities in Valletta begin with a solemn Mass at St. John’s Co-Cathedral, followed by a military parade and civic ceremonies. The Grand Harbour area hosts reenactments, concerts, and cultural displays highlighting Malta’s strategic maritime heritage. Locals and tourists enjoy traditional band marches and fireworks illuminating the capital. The religious aspect honors the Virgin Mary, believed to have protected the island during the Great Siege. Museums and historical sites offer free entry, educating visitors about Malta’s resilient history. Street parties and folk performances add a community spirit to the day. Victory Day in Malta blends faith, history, and patriotism in a vibrant celebration.
Victory Day
Our Lady of Victories
Malta
Adrian and Natalia of Nicomedia(Roman Catholic Church)
A feast day honoring Saints Adrian and Natalia, a married couple martyred in Nicomedia for their Christian faith.
Saint Adrian and his wife Natalia are commemorated on September 8 in the Roman Catholic Church for their steadfast faith and charity.
Adrian, a military officer in Nicomedia, renounced his post to defend Christians during the Diocletian persecution.
Natalia tended to Christian prisoners, providing comfort and aid before her arrest.
Both endured torture and martyrdom around 304 AD, becoming symbols of spousal devotion and courage.
Their story has inspired art, literature, and devotion throughout the centuries.
Pilgrims visit their shrines, especially in places where their relics are venerated.
The feast highlights themes of marital unity, sacrifice, and compassion for the oppressed.
Adrian and Natalia of Nicomedia
Roman Catholic Church
Corbinian
Feast of Saint Corbinian, an early medieval bishop and missionary celebrated for his evangelization of Bavaria.
Saint Corbinian, who died on September 8, 725, served as the first bishop of Freising in present-day Germany.
Born in France, he traveled to Rome before undertaking missionary work in Bavaria at the invitation of Duke Theodo.
Corbinian established monasteries and fought paganism, laying the foundation for the Christian Church in the region.
Legends tell of his taming of a bear to carry his luggage, a symbol of his humility and authority.
He attended church councils in Aachen and Pavia, advocating ecclesiastical discipline and education.
Today, Saint Corbinian is revered as the patron saint of Freising, with his emblem of the bear featured on local coat of arms.
His feast remains a time of liturgical celebration and local festivals in Bavaria.
Corbinian
Disibod
Feast day of Saint Disibod, an Irish monk and missionary who founded the monastery at Disibodenberg.
Saint Disibod arrived from Ireland in the 7th century and lived as a hermit near the Nahe River in present-day Germany.
Around 640 AD, he founded the monastery of Disibodenberg, which later became a center for religious learning.
He mentored Saint Hildegard of Bingen, who received her early religious formation at his monastery.
Disibod’s simple life of prayer, manual labor, and pastoral care exemplified early monastic ideals.
His feast on September 8 honors his contributions to the spread of Christianity and monastic scholarship.
Pilgrims visit the ruins of Disibodenberg Abbey to reflect on his legacy.
The day invites reflection on the transformative power of devotion and community life.
Disibod
Nativity of Mary(Roman Catholic Church), (Anglo-Catholicism)
Monti Fest(Mangalorean Catholic)
Celebration of the birth of the Virgin Mary, a major feast in the Catholic Church and Anglo-Catholic Communion.
The Nativity of Mary, observed on September 8, venerates the birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary, mother of Jesus.
Rooted in ancient Christian tradition, the feast emphasizes Mary’s purity and role in salvation history.
In the Roman and Anglo-Catholic Churches, special Masses and processions mark the occasion.
In Mangalore, India, the feast known as Monti Fest blends Catholic worship with harvest thanksgiving, featuring floral offerings.
Families gather to pray, share festive meals, and bless new crops in a vibrant display of faith and community.
Church decorations include crowns of flowers and depictions of Mary’s joyful infancy.
This feast invites believers to reflect on Mary’s example of obedience and humility.
Nativity of Mary
Roman Catholic Church
Anglo-Catholicism
Monti Fest
Mangalorean Catholic
Our Lady of Charity
Feast day of Our Lady of Charity, honored as the patroness of Cuba and a symbol of hope and protection.
Our Lady of Charity, or ‘La Virgen de la Caridad del Cobre’, is celebrated on September 8 as Cuba’s beloved patroness.
The devotion began in the early 17th century when fishermen discovered a statue of the Virgin Mary in the Bay of Nipe.
She became a unifying figure, blending Catholic faith with Afro-Cuban cultural traditions.
Pilgrims from across Cuba travel to her shrine in El Cobre to seek healing, guidance, and social justice.
The feast features colorful processions, traditional music, and offerings of tobacco and flowers.
Declared patroness of Cuba by Pope Benedict XV, her image appears on coins and national symbols.
The day honors themes of charity, national identity, and spiritual solidarity.
Our Lady of Charity
Our Lady of Covadonga(national holiday inAsturias)
Regional public holiday in Asturias celebrating Our Lady of Covadonga, the revered Marian shrine and symbol of Reconquista.
Our Lady of Covadonga is honored on September 8 as both a religious feast and a public holiday in Asturias, Spain.
Legend holds that the Virgin guided Christian forces to victory at the Battle of Covadonga in 722 AD, marking the start of the Reconquista.
The Holy Cave of Covadonga houses a shrine where pilgrims light candles and offer prayers for protection.
Each year, Asturians gather for Mass, traditional folk dances, and communal meals amid the Picos de Europa mountains.
The feast blends deep religious devotion with regional pride and cultural heritage.
Processions carry a statue of the Virgin through the town, accompanied by bagpipes and choral music.
This day unites faith, history, and identity in one of Spain’s most cherished traditions.
Our Lady of Covadonga
Asturias
Our Lady of Good Health of Vailankanni
Feast of Our Lady of Good Health at Vailankanni, one of India’s largest Marian pilgrimages.
The shrine of Our Lady of Good Health in Vailankanni, Tamil Nadu, hosts millions of pilgrims each year around September 8.
According to tradition, the Virgin Mary appeared to a young boy and later to a shepherd girl, leading to miraculous healings.
The annual feast begins with a flag-hoisting ceremony, followed by novenas, Masses, and rosary processions.
Devotees travel from across India, offering milk, flowers, and candles at the basilica.
The celebrations feature choirs, dance performances, and communal meals shared by visitors.
Recognized by Pope John XXIII as a major pilgrimage site, Vailankanni is often called the ‘Lourdes of the East.’
The feast highlights themes of compassion, miracle, and universal devotion.
Our Lady of Good Health of Vailankanni