CAC Honors September Holy Days and Holidays | National Hispanic Heritage Month, Hildegard Feast Day, Rosh Hashanah, and Rumi’s Birthday
This September, the Center for Action and Contemplation (CAC) celebrates holy days and holidays that span diverse communities and faiths.
National Hispanic Heritage Month: Celebrating Hispanic Roots
The non-violent technique does not depend for its success on the goodwill of the oppressor, but rather on the unfailing assistance of God. —César Chávez
September 15 to October 15 is designated to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month — a month to honor the rich culture, origins, and contributions of Hispanic and Latinx Americans.
How do different cultures enrich your spiritual life? Share your experience on Facebook or Instagram.
Hildegard Feast Day: Embracing Viriditas
Hildegard Feast Day falls on September 17 and gives us an opportunity to reflect on the legacy of St. Hildegard of Bingen.
Hildegard’s teachings reference nature, growth, and cosmology, inviting us to connect deeper with Mother Earth through the lens of Mother Mary and Mother Sophia. She frequently used the term “viriditas” — which means “greening” — to describe the life-giving force of nature.
In honor of this holiday, we invite you to spend some time gardening; whether in your own garden or in a community garden (or even better, volunteer for a community garden that donates food to neighbors in need!).
How do you practice viriditas in your life? Share your experience on Facebook or Instagram.
Rosh Hashanah: A Moment for Self-Examination
Rosh Hashanah, which is also called the “Day of Judgment,” is the two-day Jewish observance of the New Year. In 2025, Rosh Hashanah begins on September 22. Rosh Hashanah is the beginning of the 10-day period known as the “Days of Awe,” ending with Yom Kippur — the “Day of Atonement.”
It’s easy to feel isolated as we navigate the harshness of this world. But Rosh Hashanah invites you to reflect on your journey: What did this past year bring? How did you grow? Who inspired you? Who stood beside you? What does that mean for where you’re heading?
In celebration of Rosh Hashanah, we invite you to join us in a video reflection from Mirabai Starr who shares weekly Sabbath Notes on her YouTube channel.
Which practices do you foster to step into deeper self-examination? Share your experience on Facebook or Instagram.
Rumi’s Birthday: A Poetic Theologian
Why paint night over nightless day?
Every religion has Love
but Love has no religion.
Love is an ocean—
no borders, no shores.
Drown there and you won’t lament it.
The drowned have no regrets.
—Rumi, “Gold”
September 30 is Rumi’s birthday. Few have captured the essence of divine love as luminously as scholar, mystic, and Sufi poet, Jalāl ad-Dīn Mohammad Balkhy, or Rumi.
Rumi was born in 13th century Afghanistan, raised in Turkey, and trained as a scholar of the Qur’an. Rumi’s deep knowledge of theology has been expressed through his poetry.
How have you been touched by Rumi’s poetry? Share your experience on Facebook or Instagram.
Resources to Bring You Deeper in Your Faith
- Season 12 of the “Turning to the Mystics” podcast invites listeners to turn to the mystical wisdom of Brother Lawrence and “The Practice of the Presence of God.”
- Enrollment is open for our reimagined online course — Falling Upward: Life As a Spiritual Journey.
- Online access is still available for the live “ReVision: What Do We Do With Christianity?” webcast taking place October 24– 26.
- Explore the power of a “word” in this conversation with Christine Valters Paintner.