• Faithful Catholics of Germany observe many sacred holidays throughout the year.oppenheim, germany image by Olga Shelego from Fotolia.com
  
  Germany is home to a great deal of religious history and is the birthplace of several important saints in the Catholic tradition. In addition to keeping the same traditions that faithful Catholics the world over have held for more than 1,000 years, German believers also observe several unique festivals and feasts not observed anywhere else.
  
  

Spring

• Maria Verkündigung is the Catholic feast day commemorating the announcement of the Incarnation of the Virgin Mary, observed on March 25. The most important Catholic holidays observed in Germany during the spring season are undoubtedly Easter and other days relating to the Passion of Christ. Easter, called "Ostern," follows the same dating convention that it does elsewhere in the world. The Friday prior is referred to as "Karlfreitag." The day following Easter is also regarded as a holiday in Germany ("Ostermontag").
  
  

Summer

• Most Catholic holidays in summertime are dated relative to when Ostern takes place. Ascension Thursday occurs 40 days after Ostern and is called "Christi Himmelfahrt." Pentecost, or "Pfingsten," is honored on the seventh Sunday and Monday following Ostern. The following Thursday is "Fronleichnam" or Corpus Christi Day. "Maria Himmelfahrt," the Ascension of Mary, is observed on August 15.
  
  

Fall

• September 25 is regarded as Michaelmas, the feast of St. Michael the Archangel.
  
  While Halloween is not as popular a holiday in Germany as it is in the United States, "Allerheiligen" (All Saints' Day), the day immediately following, is observed by German Catholics. Likewise, the next day, "Allerseelen" (All Souls' Day), is dedicated to remembering those who have passed on.
  
  November 11th is significant for two reasons. At the 11th minute after the 11th hour on this 11th day of the 11th month, the Lenten or Karneval season begins in Germany. It also happens to be Martinstag, or Martinmas, which children celebrate by making lanterns and parading through town.
  
  

Christmas

• Catholics, like all Germans who profess a Christian faith, honor several holidays associated with Christmas and the birth of Christ. The four Sundays prior to Christmas Day are referred to as Advent. On the December 6, Germans honor St. Nicholas on "Niklaustag," when children find small candies and gifts left in their shoes overnight. In addition to Christmas Eve and Christmas Day (Heiligabend and Weihnachtstag, respectively), December 26 is also regarded as a holiday, and businesses and schools are closed.
  
  

Winter

• New Year's Eve in Germany is called "Silvester" in honor of Pope Silvester I. Neujahr, or New Year's Day, follows the next morning. On January 6, Catholics in Germany observe "Heilige Drei Könige." That night, children dress as the three wise men for whom the holiday is named and go door-to-door collecting donations for the needy, leaving blessings upon each house written in chalk at the door. The second day of February is German Candlemas (called "Mariä Lichtmess"). Depending on when Easter occurs during the year, the Karneval season reaches its height during the months of February and March with the festival of Fasching or Mardi Gras. Parties and parades featuring colorful costumes and masks continue until Ash Wednesday.