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SJU Holidays and Observances and Suggested Readings: 2024-2025

Religious Observances

Friday, September 15th: Rosh Hashana begins at Sundown
  • Jewish New Year 
Friday, September 24th - 25th: Yom Kippur begins at Sundown
  • Jewish Day of Atonement
Tuesday, September 26th: Mawlid 
  • Celebration of the birth of the Islamic prophet Muhammad
Friday, September 29th: Sukkot begins at Sundown
  • Jewish harvest celebration 
Sunday, November 12th: Diwali 
  • Hindu celebration of Light defeating Darkness, Good defeating Evil 
Wednesday, November 1st: All Saints Day
  • Catholic Holy Day dedicated to the Saints of the Church 
Sunday, December 3rd - 24th: Advent 
  • Season of Preparation before the arrival of Jesus 
Thursday, December 7th - December 15th: Hanukkah begins at Sundown 
  • Jewish festival of lights 
Monday, December 25th: Christmas 
  • Celebration of the birth of Christ 
Wednesday, February 14th: Ash Wednesday 
  • A  Catholic holy day of prayer and fasting to mark the beginning of Lent 
Wednesday, February 14th - March 28th: Lent 
  • Season of preparation and reflection before Easter
Tuesday, March 19th: Feast of Saint Joseph 
  • Feast Day of Saint Joseph: husband of Mary, foster father of Jesus, and patron saint of families, fathers, expectant mothers, workers, travelers, and immigrants, among others. 
Sunday, March 24th - March 25th: Holi begins at Sundown
  • Hindu festival of sharing and love
Sunday, March  24th - 30th: Holy Week 
  • Week commemorating Jesus' last week on Earth, includes: Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday 
Sunday, March 31st: Easter 
  • Celebrates the resurrection of Jesus 
Monday, April 24th - April 30th: Passover 
  • Celebrates deliverance of the Jewish people from Slavery in Egypt
Sunday, March 10th - April 9th/10th: Ramadan (exact dates not yet determined)
  • Muslim holy month of fasting
Tuesday, April 9th or Wednesday, April 10th: Eid-al-Fitr (exact date not yet determined) 
  • Muslim feast marking the end of Ramadan 

Selected Readings for Ramadan

Interfaith and Cross Cultural Conversations Selected Readings