Justice, Inclusion, Diversity and Equity

This calendar resource encourages public awareness of the diverse religious and ethnic groups in our community. However, because of the vast number of religious, ethnic, and cultural groups worldwide we recognize that this resource cannot provide an exhaustive list for all our faith traditions. While these dates have been researched for accuracy using multiple resources, inaccuracies occur. Please bring to our attention any incorrect information. Thank you!

The dates of some holidays, particularly those that are calculated according to the lunar calendar and rely on sightings of the New Moon (e.g. Islamic holidays) vary according to region; other observances and dates (e.g. Buddhist holidays) vary greatly across cultures and strands of a tradition. We hope that this calendar encourages discussions about different religious and faith practices.

One of the best calendars of Interfaith events can be found at Xavier University. There are both dates and descriptions of the observances.

Reference:

Xavier University. (n.d.). Calendar of Religious Holy Days and Observances. In Jesuitresource.org. Retrieved June 5, 2024, from https://www.xavier.edu/jesuitresource/online-resources/calendar-religious-holidays-and-observances/index

Key and definitions of religious groups

  • Bahá’i – Belief is that there is only one God, unknowable in His essence, Who is the Creator and absolute ruler of the universe.
  • Buddist – Belief is that the human life is one of suffering and that meditation, spiritual and physical labor, and good behavior are the only ways to achieve enlightenment or nirvana.
  • Hindu – Belief is that the doctrines of samsara (the continuous cycle of life and death, and reincarnation and karma (the universal law of cause & effect). One of the key thoughts of Hinduism is “atman” or the belief in soul. This philosophy holds that living creatures have a soul and they’re all part of the supreme soul.
  • Jewish – Belief is that there's only one God who has established a covenant—or special agreement—with them. Their God communicates to believers through prophets and rewards good deeds while also punishing evil. Most Jews (with the exception of a few groups) believe that their Messiah hasn't yet come—but will one day.
  • Muslim or Islam - Belief is that "There is no god but God, and Muhammad is the Messenger of God" is central to Islam. This phrase, written in Arabic, is often prominently featured in architecture and a range of objects, including the Qur'an, Islam's holy book of divine revelations.
  • Orthodox Christian – Belief is that the Christian Faith expresses and points to the gracious and mysterious relationship between God and humanity. God became man in the person of Jesus Christ not to institute a new philosophy or code of conduct, but primarily to bestow upon us ‘new life’ in the Holy Trinity.
  • Protestant Christians – Have three essential beliefs 1) the Bible is the ultimate religious truth and authority. 2) Through a belief in Jesus Christ and the grace of God, human beings can find salvation. 3) All Christians are viewed as priests and can communicate directly with God.
  • Roman Catholic – The core belief of the Catholic Faith is found in the Nicene Creed, “I believe in one God, the father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and indivisible. I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God, born of the father before the ages.
  • Sikh – Sikhism advocates equality, social justice, service to humanity, and tolerance for other religions. The essential message of Sikhism is Spiritual devotion and reverence of God at all times while practicing the ideals of honesty, compassion, humility and generosity in everyday life.
  • Wicca - a modern, Earth-centered religion with roots in the ancient practices of our shamanic ancestors. Its practitioners, who call themselves Wiccans, honor the life-giving and life-sustaining powers of Nature through ritual worship and a commitment to living in balance with the Earth.