May 2, 2023

Religious observances for month of May listed here

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