St. Stephen of Hungary, August 16
Crowned around the year 1000 with a crown sent by the pope, Stephen was the first Christian king of Hungary. He organized dioceses, founded monasteries and gave the country its laws. His right hand is kept as a relic in Budapest.
On the General Roman Calendar, August 16 is an optional memorial: Saint Stephen of Hungary.
Other saints on August 16
- St. Roch, pilgrim who nursed plague victims (14th century)
Name days on August 16
In countries that keep name days, August 16 is the day for people named Roch and Rocco. These names come from the same saint, as variants, nicknames or forms used in other languages.
| Name | Feast day |
|---|---|
| Roch | August 16 |
| Rocco | August 16 |
August 16 on the calendar
August 16 is the 228th day of the year (the 229th in a leap year), with 137 days left until December 31. Here is the day of the week it falls on in the coming years:
| Year | Day |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Sunday |
| 2027 | Monday |
| 2028 | Wednesday |
| 2029 | Thursday |
| 2030 | Friday |
Keeping August 16
August 16 falls in summer. As an optional memorial, each parish or priest may choose whether to celebrate it. Families who keep name days often mark the day with a card, a candle or a favorite meal, and parishes named after the saint may hold a festival. If you know someone named Roch and Rocco, it is a good day to send a note.
Saints of the week around August 16
| Date | Saint or feast |
|---|---|
| August 13 | Sts. Pontian and Hippolytus |
| August 14 | St. Maximilian Kolbe |
| August 15 | Assumption of Mary |
| August 17 | St. Hyacinth |
| August 18 | St. Helena |
| August 19 | St. John Eudes |
The day before, August 15, is the day of Assumption of Mary. The day after, August 17, belongs to St. Hyacinth. Looking for a name? Try the name day calendar or go back to today’s saint.