Today is the Feast of St. John the Baptist. In the priest’s homily, he metioned that it was the only feast that can be celebrated on a Sunday. He gave a short explanation why, but it didn’t register at that time. The following is copied off Catholic Encyclopedia, I had to do some research to discover why.
The commemoration of his Nativity is one of the oldest feasts, if not the oldest feast, introduced into both the Greek and Latin liturgies to honour a saint. But why is the feast proper, as it were, of St. John on the day of his nativity, whereas with other saints it is the day of their death? Because it was meant that the birth of him who, unlike the rest, was “filled with the Holy Ghost even from his mother’s womb”, should be signalized as a day of triumph. … But the most solemn celebration in honour of this saint was always that of his Nativity, preceded until recently by a fast.
The whole liturgy of the day, repeatedly enriched by the additions of several popes, was in suggestiveness and beauty on a part with the liturgy of Christmas. So sacred was St. John’s day deemed that two rival armies, meeting face to face on 23 June, by common accord put off the battle until the morrow of the feast (Battle of Fontenay, 841). “Joy, which is the characteristic of the day, radiated from the sacred precincts. The lovely summer nights, at St. John’s tide, gave free scope to popular display of lively faith among various nationalities. Scarce had the last rays of the setting sun died away when, all the world over, immense columns of flame arose from every mountain-top, and in an instant, every town, and village, and hamlet was lighted up” (Guéranger). The custom of the “St. John’s fires”, whatever its origin, has, in certain regions, endured unto this day.
Over at the university where I took my undergraduate course, a priest, who used to celebrate noon mass, would explain the feast of the day, if there was any, and give a historical account of when it started being celebrated and why it is celebrated.
Locally, we celebrate St. John the Baptist’s feast as a wet day, even if it doesn’t fall on a rainy day. It is one of the feasts where Filipinos have literally celebrated its meaning. Some streets have children splashing pedestrians with water in honor of the Baptist and to the horror of the pedestrian. Some jeepneys are also splashed with water, soaking the commuters. If your car hasn’t gone for a wash for several weeks, drive by the San Juan area in Quezon City to get a free partial wash!
For the Filipinos reading this, remember that there are two other feastdays in honor of St. John, August 29 and September 23. Don’t say I didn’t warn you about the splashing water. 
June 26th, 2007 at 11:54 am
very nice that you placed some history and doctrine there. at least people will know the feast beyond a day to keep their cars windows closed to avoid getting wet
June 27th, 2007 at 1:08 pm
I was a “victim” of a splashing when I was a freshman. Can’t forget that day. I took a bus to Makati, and as usual I sat by the window. While waiting for passengers to fill the bus just before the Sucat toll gate, someone splashed cold water in my face. And the upper part of my top got wet, too. I was so shocked. I didn’t have anything to wipe myself with, I had to ask the other passengers for a hanky or something. No one gave me anything, but they all stared back at me. It was so effing embarrassing. I had no choice but to use my cellphone sock to dry myself. It was the only absorbent cloth that I had. Heh. I could only hope it was clean water. :/
I had no idea that it was John the Baptist’s Day that day until I got home. Filipinos are just in for the prank, I say.
June 27th, 2007 at 7:20 pm
That’s a nice custom! Here we think of his festive day as the one that parts the year in the middle. Only six months and it is Christmas again, the other prominent birthday Christians remember.
June 28th, 2007 at 8:05 am
Hi Zep. Yes, a nice custom for those who have fun with water in their own backyards, but not for those who get accidentally splashed on their way to work, school, or any other location that requires you to be dry.