November Feast Days
November 1
Solemnity of All Saints
November 2
All Soul’s Day
November 4
Memorial of Saint Charles Borromeo
November 11
Remembrance Day
The Solemnity of the Assumption this year was also the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II. With this in mind, Alessio Loiacono and Chris deSilva composed an original hymn text and tune to reflect the Solemnity of the Assumption and the fact that it coincided with the end of World War II. Their hymn text, titled Serving our Country and Beyond, uses four titles of Mary in the refrain: Our Lady, Star of the Sea; Our Lady, Queen of Peace; Our Lady, Help of Christians and Our Lady of the Assumption. These four titles of Mary are used to invoke her protection on our armed forces – ‘whether by land, air or the sea’.
Alessio has also composed original music for the setting of the prayer The Memorare by Saint Bernard of Clairvaux (1090 – 1153), whose memorial falls within the octave of the Assumption on August 20. This prayer is also suitable to commemorate the sacrifice made by members of the armed forces during wartime as it prays that our petitions do not go unanswered and that we will fly to Mary’s protection. This setting of The Memorare has been composed as a solo piece for use in the liturgy.
The Basilica of Saint Patrick was chosen since many of those who signed up for World War II would have left from the Port of Fremantle. We gratefully acknowledge the Director of Music at the Basilica of Saint Patrick, Dominic Perisinotto for the use of the organ for these recordings.
November 9
Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica
November 10
Memorial of Saint Leo the Great
November 11
Memorial of Saint Martin of Tours
November 12
Memorial of Saint Josaphat
November 17
Memorial of Saint Elizabeth of Hungry
November 21
Memorial of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
November 22
Solemnity of Christ the King
November 24
Memorial of Saint Andrew Dung Lac and Companions
November 30
Feast of St Andrew the Apostle