February

🌱 Soil Reflection

Soil under our feet goes unnoticed, though this first foot of soil is where most living organisms dwell. The health of the fragile skin of our earth is of utmost importance. Humility comes from the Latin word for soil, humus. From and unto dust is the humbling message to each of us. Soil is rich and fertile but also prone to erosion and pollution.

---

📖 Overview of February 2026

✨ Highlights of the Month

• February is traditionally dedicated to the Holy Family, recalling their example for Christian households.
• Feast of the Presentation (Candlemas, Feb 2) – Christ offered in the Temple, the “Light of Revelation to the Gentiles.”
  • Candlemas – Wikipedia
  • Feast of the Presentation – Young Catholics
• St. Blaise, Blessing of Throats (Feb 3)
  • Blessing of the Throats – Wikipedia
• World Day of Prayer for the Sick / Our Lady of Lourdes (Feb 11)
  • Sanctuaire Notre-Dame de Lourdes
• Shrove Tuesday (Feb 17, 2026)
  • Mardi Gras/Shrove Tuesday 2026 – CalendarDate
• Ash Wednesday (Feb 18, 2026)
  • Ash Wednesday 2026 – CalendarDate

---

🕯️ Liturgical Flow

• Candlemas (Feb 2) bridges Christmas and Easter.
• The Sundays of Ordinary Time gradually reveal Christ’s light until Ash Wednesday (Feb 18) propels us into Lent.
• Families may have home altar candles blessed on Candlemas, then receive throat blessings on St. Blaise’s feast.
• Mary, who offered her Son in the Temple and on the Cross, teaches us to embrace fasting, prayer, and almsgiving.

---

✈️ February Travel 2026

• Horse‑Drawn Sleigh Ride (All Month) – Yellowstone & Jackson Hole, wildlife viewing in winter wonderland.
• Saranac Lake Winter Carnival (Jan 30–Feb 8, 2026)
  • Saranac Lake Winter Carnival Official Site
• Groundhog Day (Feb 2) – Gobbler’s Knob, Punxsutawney Phil’s prediction.
• Quebec Winter Carnival (Feb 6–15, 2026)
  • Carnaval de Québec Official Site
• Super Bowl LX (Feb 8, 2026, Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, CA)
  • Super Bowl Locations – FOX Sports
• Tulipmania (Feb–Mar) – Pier 39, San Francisco.
• Valentine’s Day International Style (Feb 14) – German pigs for luck, Danish snowdrop poems.
• Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show (Feb 12–22, 2026)
  • Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show Official Site
• Carnival Season (Feb 17–18) – New Orleans, Rio, Venice, Nice, Binche.

---

🏜️ Iceman’s Calendar – Arizona Anchors

• Arizona Renaissance Festival (Jan 31–Mar 29, 2026)
  • Arizona Renaissance Festival Official Site
• Tombstone Old West Days – February.
• Saguaro National Park – Hiking in mild winter temps, East & West sections.
• Wickenburg Gold Rush Days & Senior Pro Rodeo (Feb 13–16, 2026)
• Yarnell – St. Joseph of the Mountains – pilgrimage site.

---

📅 Liturgical & Civic Calendar – February 2026

• Sat Feb 1 – St. Brigid, First Saturday
• Sun Feb 2 – Candlemas, Fourth Sunday after Epiphany
• Mon Feb 3 – St. Blaise, Blessing of Throats
• Wed Feb 4 – St. Agatha (First Wednesday)
• Thu Feb 5 – St. Philip of Jesus (Thursday Feast)
• Fri Feb 6 – First Friday
• Sun Feb 8 – Fifth Sunday after Epiphany
• Tue Feb 11 – Our Lady of Lourdes / World Day of the Sick
• Thu Feb 12 – Lincoln’s Birthday
• Fri Feb 13 – Friday Feast
• Sat Feb 14 – St. Valentine’s Day
• Sun Feb 15 – Septuagesima Sunday
• Mon Feb 16 – Presidents Day (U.S.)
• Tue Feb 17 – Shrove Tuesday
• Wed Feb 18 – Ash Wednesday (start of Lent)
• Sat Feb 21 – St. Peter Damian
• Sun Feb 22 – Sexagesima Sunday, Washington’s Birthday
• Tue Feb 24 – St. Matthias
• Thu Feb 26 – Carnival Thursday
• Fri Feb 27 – Carnival Friday
• Sat Feb 28 – Carnival Saturday
• Ramadan begins late February 2026 (date depends on lunar sighting).

---