All Saint’s Day is the 1st of November. In many cultures, it is a day to visit family graves, clean them up, and leave flowers and small food gifts on the tombs.
Saints
Blessed Thomas Bellacci
Thomas Bellacci, a patron saint of butchers, was a butcher’s son. Despite being a Patron of Butchers, he himself in later life ate only bread, root vegetables, and water.
Isidore, Patron Saint of Farmers
The 15th of May is Saint Isidore’s day. On this day, many towns in Spain hold processions in his name to bless the fields for the coming growing season.
Lady Day
The 25th of March is Lady Day. It was one of the four quarters of the Western year. It was an important date in the food and agricultural calendar.
Martinmas
Martinmas, on the 11th of November, was traditionally the day on which pigs and geese were slaughtered. Roast goose is traditional on this day.
Medard of Noyon
Medard of Noyon is the Patron Saint of brewers and good harvests. Farm workers would be grateful for any help they could get in an era when rain at the wrong time could ruin vital food for the coming winter.
Michaelmas Day
The 29th of September is the feast of St Michael the archangel, who, among other things, is the patron saint of grocers. The feast day was known as Michaelmas. Goose is traditional.
Québec National Day
The 24th of June, St-Jean-Baptiste day, is the national day of Québec, and an official holiday, with everyone getting the day off work.
St Andrew’s Day
The 30th of November is the day of St Andrew, the Patron Saint of Scotland. Apple peels were used for fortune telling on this night. You may wish to serve Scottish food.
St Anthony’s Day
The 17th of January is the Feast Day of St Anthony of Egypt, the Patron Saint of Butchers. He is often depicted with a pig at his side.
St Bibiana’s Day
The 2nd of December is St Bibiana’s Day. Bibiana, as in ‘to imbibe’, has become the Patron Saint of Drunks and Hangovers — even if accidentally.
St Brigid’s Day
The 1st of February is St Brigid’s Day. St Brigid is the patron saint of dairy in Ireland. Fresh butter would be churned, and some set on a window sill for her.
St Catherine’s Day
The 25th of November is St Catherine’s Day. It’s traditionally celebrated with taffy.
St Columba’s Day
The 9th of June is St Columba’s Day. Among St Columba’s food dealings were changing water into wine, causing water to come out of a rock, making a herd of cows increase miraculously, and exorcising a demon from a pail of milk.
St David’s Day
The 1st of March is St David’s Day. Today is much more though than a celebration of St David; it’s a celebration of Welsh culture, heritage, identity and survival.
St Dwynwen’s Day
The 25th of January is St Dwynwen’s Day. Some call it the “Welsh Valentine’s Day”, but instead of chocolate, carved wooden lovespoons are given.
St Gallus Day
The 16th of October is the feast day of St Gallus. It was used as a marker in the agricultural calendar: apples and plant seeds should be stored by now, after today cows stay indoors, and today people start smoking hams.
St George’s Day
St George is the Patron saint of England. St George’s mushrooms start to appear on this day in England.
St Honoré’s Day
St Honoré’s day is the 16th of May. He is the patron saint of bakers. He is also the patron saint of confectioners, pastry chefs, flour sellers, and candlemakers.
St Joseph’s Day
The 19th of March is St Joseph’s Day. For those observing, it is a day of great feasting. A special display table of food is assembled to honour the saint.
St Lucy’s Day
In Sweden, the 13th of December is called “Luciadagen.” It marks the start of Christmas celebrations in Sweden, and the start of a festival of lights.
St Macarius’s Day
The 2nd of January is the Feast Day of St Macarius of Alexandria, who has been dubbed St Macaroon, owing to his name and his association with pastry chefs.
St Martha’s Day
Today is St Martha’s Day. She is the Patron Saint of Cooks. Irma Rombauer chose St Martha for the cover of the first edition of her book “The Joy of Cooking.”
St Milburga’s Day
The 23rd of February is St Milburga’s Day. She caused water to spring out of a rock, and a farmer’s barley harvest to grow all in one day. Simnel cakes were given out as treats on her day.