From the Vanderbilt University’s Center for Spiritual and Religious Life, this month’s list of religious observances.
Date |
Days | Holiday | Religion | Significance | Suggested accommodation |
May 8 May 9 |
sundown Monday sundown Tuesday |
Lag B’Omer |
Judaism |
Celebrates the end of a divine-sent plague and Roman occupation during Rabbi Akiva’s lifetime |
|
May 24 |
Wednesday |
Declaration of the Báb |
Bahá’í |
Commemorates the day in 1844 when the Báb, the prophet-herald of the Bahá’í faith, announced that he was the herald for the new messenger of God |
Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, and activities. Bahá’í students and employees suspend work on this day and will likely request to have this day off. |
May 25 May 27 |
sundown Thursday sundown Saturday |
Shavout |
Judaism |
The “Feast of Weeks,” celebrating the covenant established at Sinai between God and Israel, and the revelation of the Ten Commandments |
Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, and activities. These are non-work days and Jewish students and employees may request these days off. Jewish students and employees may have had little sleep. |
May 26 |
Friday |
Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord |
Christianity (C) |
Celebrated 40 days after Easter, commemorates the ascension of Jesus into heaven |
|
May 28 |
Sunday |
Pentecost |
Christianity (C, P) |
The seventh Sunday after Easter, commemorating the descent of the Holy Spirit on followers of Jesus; marks the birth of the Christian church; also known as Whitsunday |
|
May 29 |
Monday |
Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh |
Bahá’í |
Observance of the death in exile of Bahá’u’lláh, the prophet-founder of the Bahá’í faith |
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