Christianfeast days:
Acca of Hexham, Aderald, Artemius, Caprasius of Agen, Hedwig(in Canada, moved from Oct. 16), Irene of Tomar, Magdalene of Nagasaki, Margaret Marie Alacoque(in Canada, moved from Oct. 16), Paul of the Cross(in USA, moved from Oct. 19), Maria Bertilla Boscardin, Mater Admirabilis, October 20 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
A series of feast days in the Christian liturgical calendar honoring various saints and martyrs.
Observed on October 20 in various Christian denominations, these feast days commemorate saints such as Acca of Hexham, Hedwig, and Maria Bertilla Boscardin among others.
Each celebration reflects local traditions and theological significance, marking the virtues and contributions of these holy figures.
Often accompanied by special liturgies, prayers, and community gatherings, believers honor the memory and legacy of these saints.
The Eastern Orthodox Church includes additional commemorations on this date, integrating ancient liturgical hymns and readings.
Such observances foster spiritual reflection and reinforce communal identity within Christian communities worldwide.
feast days
Acca of Hexham
Aderald
Artemius
Caprasius of Agen
Hedwig
Irene of Tomar
Magdalene of Nagasaki
Margaret Marie Alacoque
Paul of the Cross
Maria Bertilla Boscardin
Mater Admirabilis
October 20 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
Acca of Hexham
Acca of Hexham
Aderald
Aderald
Artemius
Artemius
Caprasius of Agen
Feast day honoring Saint Caprasius of Agen, an early Christian martyr revered in France.
Born in Agen, Caprasius volunteered to take the place of a fellow Christian prisoner under Diocletian's persecution.
He was tried, tortured, and beheaded for refusing to renounce his faith around 303 AD.
His relics were enshrined in Agen, becoming a pilgrimage site throughout medieval Europe.
Venerated as a patron against sickness, his courage inspired many believers in Gaul.
His feast on October 20 celebrates steadfast faith in the face of oppression.
Caprasius of Agen
Hedwig(in Canada, moved from Oct. 16)
Commemoration of Saint Hedwig of Silesia, celebrated on October 20 in Canada.
Saint Hedwig (1174–1243) was a duchess renowned for her deep piety, charity, and monastic patronage.
Widowed early, she devoted her life to serving the poor and founding convents in Silesia.
Known for her humility and generous care of the sick, she became a model of noble service.
Canonized in 1267, her legacy endures in Central Europe, where many churches bear her name.
In Canada, the feast was moved from October 16 to October 20 to align with local liturgical calendars.
Believers honor her memory with prayers for peace and compassionate service.
Hedwig
Irene of Tomar
Feast of Saint Irene of Tomar, a 7th-century Portuguese nun and martyr.
Saint Irene of Tomar lived as a devout religious sister in Tomar during the early Middle Ages.
Legend holds that she was martyred for protecting her chastity and her faith under invading forces.
Her steadfastness in the face of danger made her a symbol of virtue for medieval Portugal.
A chapel was built in her honor by Gualdim Pais, the first Grand Master of the Knights Templar in Portugal.
Pilgrims still visit her shrine in Tomar, seeking her intercession for courage and purity.
Her feast on October 20 celebrates her life of devotion and martyrdom.
Irene of Tomar
Magdalene of Nagasaki
Honoring Saint Magdalene of Nagasaki, a Japanese martyr of the Christian faith.
Born in the early 17th century, Magdalene Odaka converted to Christianity during a time of persecution.
She was arrested in Nagasaki for practicing her faith and refused to renounce Christianity.
Tortured and executed by the Tokugawa shogunate in 1622, she became one of the Twenty-Six Martyrs of Japan.
Canonized by Pope Pius IX in 1862, her story symbolizes Japan's hidden Christian communities.
Her feast day on October 20 recalls her courage and the resilience of faith under oppression.
She inspires prayers for religious freedom and perseverance in adversity.
Magdalene of Nagasaki
Margaret Marie Alacoque(in Canada, moved from Oct. 16)
Feast of Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque, visionary of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque (1647–1690) was a French Visitation nun renowned for her visions of Christ's Sacred Heart.
Her mystical experiences emphasized divine love and prompted the institution of the First Fridays devotion.
Despite initial skepticism, her spiritual writings spread devotion to the Sacred Heart across Europe.
Canonized in 1920, she influenced Catholic spirituality and popular piety in the modern era.
In Canada, her feast was moved from October 16 to October 20 to fit the liturgical calendar.
Believers celebrate her legacy through Eucharistic adoration and acts of compassion.
Margaret Marie Alacoque
Paul of the Cross(in USA, moved from Oct. 19)
Celebrates Saint Paul of the Cross, founder of the Passionist congregation.
Saint Paul of the Cross (1694–1775) was an Italian mystic who founded the Passionists, dedicated to meditating on Christ's Passion.
He endured poverty and ill health while establishing hermitages across Italy for silent prayer and penance.
His austere lifestyle and profound sermons inspired renewed devotion to the suffering of Jesus.
Canonized in 1867, his order continues worldwide, serving in missions, retreats, and parish work.
In the United States, his feast was moved from October 19 to October 20 to harmonize with local observances.
The day invites reflection on sacrifice, compassion, and solidarity with the suffering.
Paul of the Cross
Maria Bertilla Boscardin
Feast day of Saint Maria Bertilla Boscardin, Italian nun and dedicated nurse.
Born in 1888, Maria Bertilla Boscardin joined the Sisters of Saint Dorothy and served as a nurse during World War I.
She cared tirelessly for soldiers, displaying compassion and humility amid the horrors of war.
Her selfless service earned admiration, though she lived in obscurity and shyness.
Beatified in 1998 and canonized in 2000, she is honored for her devotion to the sick and dying.
Her feast on October 20 celebrates her legacy of kindness, professional excellence, and faith.
She is invoked by healthcare workers seeking strength and compassion in their vocation.
Maria Bertilla Boscardin
Mater Admirabilis
Observance of Mater Admirabilis, a revered fresco of the Virgin Mary in Rome.
Mater Admirabilis is a 19th-century fresco located in the Trinità dei Monti convent by the Spanish Steps.
Painted by Pauline Perdreau in 1844, the image quickly became a symbol of maternal compassion and faith.
Legend credits the fresco with miraculous events, deepening devotion among pilgrims and students.
Every October 20, the community celebrates the Virgin Mary under this title with prayers and processions.
The devotion emphasizes Mary's role as a model of humility, purity, and heavenly intercession.
Visitors come to see the chapel, seeking solace and inspiration before the gentle features of Mater Admirabilis.
Mater Admirabilis