Why do Episcopalians not honor the Blessed Mother, especially on Her Holy days of obligation? -Anonymous

Dear Anonymous,

Thank you for asking about the Mother of our Lord Jesus Christ!  While Episcopalians do not use the same terminology as the Roman Catholic church about Holy Days and Feast Days in the church calendar, that is, we do not use the term "Holy days of obligation," we do honor The Blessed Virgin in the church calendar. 

In large Episcopal churches that schedule worship services every day of the week, Her holy days would be celebrated on those appropriate days on the calendar.  And there are more than one!  Mary's Holy Days are March 25, The Annunciation of Our Lord Jesus Christ to the Blessed Virgin Mary; May 31, The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary; and August 15 is the Feast of Saint Mary the Virgin, Mother of Our Lord Jesus Christ.  Interestingly enough, The Annunciation and The Visitation are Holy Days that are transferable to the next Sunday if their calendar dates do not fall on Sundays, but Mary's Feast Day is not transferable to a Sunday celebration.

Episcopalian worship comes in slightly different flavors.  There are larger churches able to keep every day on the calendar with its appropriate Holy or Feast or Fast day observed. There are Episcopal churches who celebrate in the "high" tradition and perhaps venerate the Mother of Our Lord more so than do the churches in the "low" tradition.  But without exception, Episcopalians, because of our catholic roots and our orthodox tradition, hold the Mother of Our Lord Jesus in high esteem.

In the Book of Common Prayer, there are Collect prayers for Mary's Holy Days and her Feast Day:

The Annunciation   March 25
Pour your grace into our hearts, O Lord, that we who have
known the incarnation of your Son Jesus Christ, announced
by an angel to the Virgin Mary, may by his cross and passion
be brought to the glory of his resurrection; who lives and
reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now
and for ever  Amen.


The Visitation  May 31
Father in heaven, by your grace the virgin mother of your
incarnate Son was blessed in bearing him, but still more
blessed in keeping your word: Grant us who honor the
exaltation of her lowliness to follow the example of her
devotion to your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who
lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for
ever and ever.  Amen.


Saint Mary the Virgin  August 15
O God, you have taken to yourself the blessed Virgin Mary,
mother of your incarnate Son: Grant that we, who have been
redeemed by his blood, may share with her the glory of your

eternal kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives

and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God,

now and for ever.  Amen.