"The Church has celebrated Mary’s birth since at least the sixth century. A September birth was chosen because the Eastern Church begins its Church year with September. The September 8 date helped determine the date for the feast of the Immaculate Conception on December 8."Franciscan Media Image: The Birth of the Virgin | fresco by Giotto
"International Literacy Day, celebrated annually on 8 September, is an opportunity for Governments, civil society and stakeholders to highlight improvements in world literacy rates, and reflect on the world's remaining literacy challenges. Sustainable Development Goal 4 has as one of its targets ensuring all young people achieve literacy and numeracy and that adults who lack these… Read More »International Literacy Day
"When he was 29 years old, Peter left his home in Spain and went to Cartagena (in what is now Colombia), South America. There he continued his studies and was ordained a priest. Cartagena was the main market for the slave trade in the New World. Whenever a ship carrying Africans arrived in port, Peter… Read More »Saint Peter Claver
Organized by the International Association for Suicide Prevention, World Suicide Prevention Day provides the opportunity for people across the globe to raise awareness of suicide and suicide prevention. World Suicide Prevention Day #WSPD2020 Action Today is a good day to find out about suicide prevention services in your local area. Does your household, parish, school… Read More »World Suicide Prevention Day
"On September 11, 2001, 19 militants associated with the Islamic extremist group al Qaeda hijacked four airplanes and carried out suicide attacks against targets in the United States. Two of the planes were flown into the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, a third plane hit the Pentagon just outside… Read More »2001: ‘9/11’: Terrorist attacks on New York City and Washington D.C., killing nearly 3,000 people
"In the early years of European settlement on the Darling Downs relations between the two races were mostly friendly. However, by the 1840s relations had turned sour. The European settlers did not understand the indigenous population's deep spiritual connection to the land and so often treated their sacred sites (natural features of the land) poorly.… Read More »1843: Battle of One Tree Hill near Toowoomba, QLD, between Aboriginal landowners and European settlers
The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) was adopted by the General Assembly on Thursday, 13 September 2007, by a majority of 144 states in favour, 4 votes against and 11 abstentions. Today the Declaration is the most comprehensive international instrument on the rights of indigenous peoples. It establishes a universal… Read More »2007: Adoption by the UN of Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
"The cross is a sign of suffering, a sign of human cruelty at its worst. But by Christ’s love shown in the Paschal Mystery, it has become the sign of triumph and victory, the sign of God, who is love itself."Loyola Press
"Pope John Paul II issued Laborem Exercens to mark the ninetieth anniversary of Rerum Novarum. It is also known by the English title On Human Labour. John Paul II’s own experience as a manual labourer and his personalist philosophical ethics shape this social encyclical. Unemployment and the impact of technology on work are major concerns of this encyclical. As… Read More »1981: Pope John Paul II’s encyclical Laborem Exercens (‘On Human Work’)
"As we mark Democracy Day, I urge all governments to respect the right to active, substantive and meaningful participation; and I salute all of you who strive tirelessly to make this happen." — UN Secretary-General, António Guterres United Nations