September 30: Saint Jerome

Saint Jerome,
by Giovanni Francesco Barbieri

History

Born in the year 342, Saint Jerome was raised to be a Christian, but when he went to Rome as a young man to continue his education, he had both Christian and pagan instructors. Little by little, Jerome started to make his own pleasure more important than anything else, except on Sundays, when he would visit the tombs of the martyrs. Then he went on a trip to see the Holy Land. He ended up living with monks in the desert for four years, where he fought against temptation until he dreamed that he was being judged for his Christian life. “Where your treasure is, your heart is also,” the judge said. That’s when Jerome was able to leave behind all his selfish ways. He became an expert on the Biblical languages and provided a corrected Latin translation of the New Testament, the psalms and most of the Old Testament for the Church.

Activity

The Bible was Saint Jerome’s treasure, and that’s where his heart was. He worked very hard to make sure that all Christians had the most accurate translation of the Bible. Today, memorize Bible verse that gave Saint Jerome victory over temptation: Matthew 6:21 – “For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.”

Saint Jerome, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

Catholic Encyclopedia

Catholic Online

September 29: Feast of the Archangels

The Archange

History

The archangels are God's special servants. They help us out in many ways. The name Michael means, “Who is like God?”  and this is his battle cry when he takes on the powers of darkness. When satan and his followers fought against God, Michael led the good angels and triumphed over evil. Even in the early days of the Church, Christians asked Saint Michael the Archangel to be  our protector.

The name Gabriel means "God is my strength." He is the angel who told Mary that she would bear the Messiah, and that God's salvation was coming to help us all. 

The name Raphael means "God has healed." In the book of Tobit, he appears to guide Tobit's son Tobiah through a series of fantastic adventures, ending with Tobiah's marriage to Sarah, the healing of Tobit's blindness and the restoration of the family fortune.

Activity

God always provides what we need, and sometimes what we need is angels to defend us. In our family, we ask Saint Michael to defend us every single day. So, pray and memorize the prayer to Saint Michael the Archangel and be sure to use it whenever you are feeling weak, alone and frightened. 

Saint Michael, Saint Gabriel and Saint Raphael the Archangels,
pray for us!

More reading for parents:

Catholic Culture

American Catholic

National Catholic RegisterNational Catholic Register

September 28: St. Wenceslaus

History

St. Wenceslaus was born in Bohemia (now called Czech Republic). His dad was a duke, which was sort of like being a governor. Wenceslaus' grandmother taught him about Jesus. After his dad was murdered, Wenceslaus became duke at the age of 18. He wanted everybody to know about Jesus because he was sure they would all love the Lord as much as he did, but his brother Boleslaus, didn't like this. He and some other non-Christian Czech nobles invited Wenceslaus to a religious festival and killed him as he was on his way to Mass! People always remembered his great faith. 

Activity

Today is a national holiday in the Czech Republic. They have theatrical events and dances and eat delicious food, including sweet fruit dumplings called ovocné kynuté knedlíky. Here is an authentic recipe. Don't worry - they are quite easy to make and there is even a video to show you every step. 

Saint Wenceslaus, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

Catholic Encyclopedia
Catholic Online
American Catholic

Last year, we learned about St. Lorenzo and practiced our best handwriting.

Special note: Don't forget to pray for the unborn, their mothers and all abortion providers. It's 40 Days for Life! 

September 27: Saint Vincent de Paul

Saint Vincent de Paul
by Simon François de Tours

History

All his life, Saint Vincent remembered what it was like to be poor, because that’s how he grew up in a small town in France. He was able to go to a school taught by Franciscan monks, and he worked so hard that after just a few years, he was hired to be a private teacher for a wealthy family.  Some years later, he became a priest. He was travelling along the French coast when he was captured by African pirates and forced into slavery for two years until he was able to escape. He went back to France and accomplished many great things.

Activity

Saint Vincent did many great things, but he is most known for his work for the poor. Today, the Saint Vincent de Paul Society continues his work in dioceses all over the world. Find the Saint Vincent de Paul Society nearest your home and make a donation to honor this wise saint. You can make a donation of money, new or used household items or clothes, or even a donation of time by volunteer to sort donations, sweep floors, wash windows or do anything else that is needed.

Saint Vincent de Paul, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

Catholic Encyclopedia
American Catholic

Catholic Online

September 26: Saints Cosmas and Damian

Saint Cosmas and Saint Damian
by Gerard Seghers

History 

Cosmas and Damian were twin brothers. They were born in Arabia and raised to know and love Jesus. They became very skilled doctors, treating many people without ever receiving any money for their work. Cosmas and Damian were tortured for believing in Christ, but they never got so much as a scratch or a bruise. Finally, they were beheaded. But even after they died, Saint Cosmas and Damian cared for people. Once when a man was going on a long trip without his wife, he prayed and asked the brother saints to watch over his wife. Sure enough, a criminal tried to kidnap and kill her. But two angry men appeared and scared him away. The men brought her safely home, and when she asked their names, they said they were Cosmas and Damian and instantly disappeared.

Activity

In honor of these two doctor saints today, pray for all the doctors, nurses and other medical professionals that help take care of you and your family. Then pray for them again – twin prayers on the feast of twin doctors!

Saints Cosmas and Damian, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

Catholic Encyclopedia

Saints Cosmas and Damian Adult Home

Catholic Online

September 25: St. Finbar

St. Finbar window
from Christ Church
in Dublin. Photo
by Andreas F. Borchert

History

Born in Ireland, Saint Finbar was originally named Lochan, but the monks who were his teachers called him Finnbharr (fair head) because of his very blond hair. He went on a pilgrimage to Rome with some of the monks, later becoming a priest and then the first bishop of County Cork. God did many miracles in answer to Saint Finbar’s prayers. God always provided for Finbar – in fact, every evening, he went down to a pool near the monastery where he lived with a net, and every night, he caught a salmon to eat for dinner.

Activity

Since it’s Saint Finbar’s feast day, it’s a good day to feast like he did. Here are two different Irish-style salmon recipes that you can try tonight: poached salmon with Irish butter sauce, or a more economical option, Irish-style salmon patties. (The salmon patties recipe includes green mayonnaise with jalapeños in it, but you can omit the peppers to make it milder for children.)

Saint Finbar, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

Naomh Fionnbarra Club, Dublin

Catholic Online
SPECIAL NOTE: Today is the second day of 40 Days for Life, an annual campaign to pray and fast for children in danger of being aborted, their mothers, and everybody who is connected with the abortion industry. To learn more about how you can be involved, visit 40DaysForLife.com.

September 24: Martyrs of Chalcedon

History

When Diocletian became emperor of Rome at the end of the third century, Christians were enjoying a time of peace. But then other politicians influenced him, and he started attacking Christians. One day, his soldiers gathered up an entire church choir in the town of Chalcedon - a group of forty-nine people - and executed all of them.

Activity

All around the world, in every Catholic Church, there are people who sing in choirs to help lead us all into a deeper and more beautiful worship of Christ. Though most of them will never have to sacrifice their lives, they do sacrifice their time to practice and sing at Mass. Today, pray for all the people in the choir at your church. Don't forget the person who directs the choir, too!

All the Martyrs of Chalcedon, pray for us! 

More reading for parents: 

Saints SQPN

Catholic Online 

Last year, we learned about Saint Rupert of Salzburg and watched "The Sound of Music."

SPECIAL NOTE: Today is the first day of 40 Days for Life, an annual campaign to pray and fast for children in danger of being aborted, their mothers, and everybody who is connected with the abortion industry. To learn more about how you can be involved, visit 40DaysForLife.com.

September 23: Saint Pio of Pietrelcina (Padre Pio)

Statue of Saint Pio, St Barbara Church,

Saarfels, Germany. Photo by Lokilech

History

Saint Pio’s parents, who were poor farmers, named him Francesco after Saint Francis of Assissi. People always noticed there was something special about little Francesco. He was called to the priesthood when he was a young boy, and he was always very devout. He became a Capuchin brother, and when he was made a priest, he took the name Pio. On September 20, 1918 – 96 years ago – Padre Pio was kneeling in front of a crucifix in prayer when he received marks on his hands and feet and side, just like Jesus suffered during the Crucifixion. A doctor examined his wounds and could not determine what caused them. Sometimes, the wounds bled, but the blood smelled like flowers. Padre Pio heard confessions for ten or twelve hours every day, and the Holy Spirit always told him exactly what to say so he could help Christians return to God. When he died 60 years after receiving the wounds of Christ, his stigmata disappeared, and there was not even scars left behind.

Activity

Saint Pio took to wearing very long sleeves and fingerless cloves to cover up the stigmata on his hands. Why do you think he did that? Here is a coloring page with his image to complete. Don’t forget to ask Saint Pio to pray for you and your whole family today.  

Saint Pio of Pietrelcina, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

EWTN 

Catholic Online

September 22: St. Thomas of Villanueva

"St. Thomas of Villanueva
Distributing Alms"
by Bartolomé Esteban Perez

History

Born in Spain more than 500 years ago, Saint Thomas of Villanueva grew up wealthy, but even as a little boy, he shared what he had with the poor. After he became a priest, he worked even harder to help the poor. He raised money for them, but he also came up with ways to end poverty. He helped create more jobs and he started colleges for children of poor people so they could get better jobs. Saint Thomas wanted to have a heart like the Blessed Mother’s. He wrote a sermon about her love for Jesus, comparing her heart to the burning bush of Moses that was always on fire but never burned up.

Activity

Remember what Saint Thomas of Villanueva said about having a heart that burned with love for Jesus with this craft project. Glue a sheet of red construction paper onto light cardboard (the side of a cereal box works well). Cut out one red heart shape for each child. Punch a hole into the heart with a hole punch. Then, cut 1” and 2” squares of red, orange and yellow tissue paper. Place the center of each square on end of a pencil eraser and wrap the tissue paper down the sides of the pencil. This will be a little tongue of fire. Before removing it from the pencil, dab the flat center with a glue stick, and then use the pencil to press it onto your red heart. It’s easier to start in the center and work your way out. Don’t forget to leave the hole uncovered. Then, thread a ribbon or string through the hold so you can hang your burning heart up in your room.

Saint Thomas of Villanueva, pray for us!

More reading for parents: 

Catholic Encyclopedia

Catholic Online

September 21: Saint Matthew

The Apostle Matthew
by Mair von Landshut

History

Saint Matthew was one of Jesus’ twelve Apostles. He was a tax collector named Levi when Jesus called him and apparently gave him the name Matthew, which means, “Gift of God.” After Jesus ascended into heaven, Matthew went to Palestine and maybe Ethiopia and Persia (Iran) to tell people about Jesus. Matthew was very concerned with reaching his fellow Jews with the Good News about Jesus, and when he wrote the first Gospel in the Bible, he answered a lot of the questions Jewish people had about Jesus, proving He was the Messiah.

Activity

When Jesus called Matthew, He said, “Follow me,” and Matthew got up and followed Him immediately. Every day, Jesus calls each one of us the same way. To help you remember that Jesus is calling you, memorize Matthew 9:9.

" As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, 'Follow me.' And he got up and followed him."

Saint Matthew, pray for us!

More reading for parents: 

Catholic Encyclopedia

American Catholic

Catholic Online

September 20: Saints Andrew Kim Taegon, Paul Chong Hasang, and Companions

Image of the Korean Martyrs from the Vatican

History

Most people in Korea did not know about Jesus until the 1600s, when some Christians moved there. In time, there was such a large group of Christians, the lay leaders needed help, so the Paris Foreign Mission Society sent some missionaries to teach the people. Unfortunately, in the 1900, the Korean rulers began to attack Christians. A total of 103 Christians were killed, including the first Korean priest, Andrew Kim Taegon, and a lay teacher, Paul Chong Hasang. In fact, most of the Christians who were killed were ordinary men, women and children who died simply because they loved Jesus.

Activity

To honor these martyrs today, make a traditional Korean chicken and poached egg soup for supper. This recipe is quick and fairly easy – only 30 minutes from start to finish. The optional kochukaru hot sauce can be found at Asian markets and some larger grocery stores, or you can use your own favorite kind of hot sauce.

Saints Andrew Kim Taegon, Paul Chong Hasang and other Korean martyrs, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

American Catholic

Catholic Online

September 19: Saint Januarius

"The Martyrdom of Saint Januariusin
the Amphitheatre at Pozzuoli"by Artemisia Gentileschi 

History

Saint Januarius (San Gennaro in Italian) lived more than 1700 years ago. We don’t know much about him, other than it was hard to be a Christian in Italy back in those days because the emperor, Diocletion, was attacking anybody who believed in Christ. Januarius was a bishop, and he went to visit four men who had been put in prison because they were Christians. He was arrested, also, along with two helpers who were with him. All eight men were thrown to wild beasts, but the animals did not attack them. So, the soldiers killed them. Somebody kept a vial of Januarius’ blood as a relic. It dried up a long time ago, but every year on September 19 (and a couple other days) , it turns to liquid again. Scientists have tried to explain it, but nobody can.

Activity

People still crowd into the cathedral in Naples every year on September 19 for a glimpse of the liquefied blood. (You can watch a 1:29 video of the 2012 event here.) But we must remember that the Lord does a miracle for us at every Mass, when He turns the gifts of bread and wine into His own Body and Blood. It’s not a miracle we see with our eyes – it’s one that other people see in our lives as we are transformed by His grace every time we receive the Eucharist. Today, pray that God will enable people to see His grace in you every day of your life.

Saint Januarius, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

Catholic Encyclopedia

American Catholic

Catholic Online

September 18: Saint Joseph Cupertino

History

When Saint Joseph Cupertino was young, he was slow and easily distracted. He also had a bad temper. Nobody liked him – not even his own mother! He couldn’t find a job, and two monasteries rejected him. Finally, he got a job as a servant for the Franciscans. He had to work very hard, but he became gentle and humble, and more careful. The Franciscans made him a real member of their order and he became a priest. After he was ordained, God started working miracles through him. Very often when he was celebrating Mass, he would become so enraptured by God, he would even float up to the air.

Activity

It’s hard to imagine being so connected with God that you’d float in the air when you prayed to Him, isn’t it? It only happens rarely, and it only happens to people who have great faith, great humility and great love. To help you remember Saint Joseph Cupertino’s transformation from a boy nobody liked, who couldn’t do anything right, to a saint who levitated with his ecstasy for the Lord, make your own “levitating” saint. 

First, cut a small shape like a gingerbread man from a plastic grocery sack or produce bag (the thinner the plastic, the better). If you want to, you can draw on a little face. Then blow up a balloon and tie it shut. Rub the balloon on the hair of one side of your head, and rub the plastic man on the other side of your head for 30 seconds. Now, holding the balloon in front of you, float the plastic saint above the balloon. You should be able to walk around with your levitating saint floating above the balloon. (Watch a video of this science project to see more.)  

Saint Joseph Cupertino, pray for us!

More reading for parents: 

EWTN

Catholic Online

September 17: St. Robert Bellarmine

History

Saint Robert Bellarmine grew up in a very devout Catholic family. In fact, his great uncle was Pope Marcellus II. When Robert was 18 years old, he went to seminary to become a priest. He grew quite famous for his wonderful homilies. Later, he became the rector (or leader) of the Roman College. He was such a fine scholar, writer and devoted servant of God, he was eventually elevated to cardinal.

Activity

A priest must be very wise in order to be chosen by the pope to become a cardinal. Once he is made a cardinal, he wears a special cassock with red piping and a red hat called a zucchetto. (The pope wears a white one.) Over at Catholic Icing, you’ll find easy directions to make a red cardinal zucchetto in just a few minutes using felt and hot glue.  

Saint Robert Bellarmine, pray for us!

More reading for parents: 

Catholic Encyclopedia

Catholic Online

September 16: Saint Cornelius

History

Saint Cornelius was elected pope during a very difficult time. In fact, the pope before him, Pope Fabian, had been killed more than a year before Cornelius could be elected. Christians were being persecuted and killed so that the cardinals couldn't get together to vote. And then when Cornelius was finally elected, he had to deal with all the Christians who had abandoned the faith in order to avoid being attacked. Some priests wanted to just forget that some people had left the Church when it was dangerous to be a Christian, but Cornelius pointed out that it was a sin that must be confessed. 

Activity

When he was pope, Cornelius taught people that it was very, very important to take responsibility for their sins and to show God that they were sorry by receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The key prayer to this sacrament is the Act of Contrition. Spend some time today learning this prayer by heart.

Saint Cornelius, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

American Catholic
Catholic Online

September 15: Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows

History

There were seven sorrowful events that the Blessed Virgin Mary experienced, which is why we also call her Our Lady of Sorrows or Our Lady of Compassion (because compassion means “to suffer with”). Each one of those events involved Mary suffering for Jesus’ sake. Sometime during the 11^thcentury, Catholics began to set aside a day devoted to mediating on these seven events. It became an official feast day in 1482, and we now call it the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows.

The seven sorrows of Mary are:

1.     Simeon’s prophesy that Mary’s would be “pierced with a sword” (Luke 2:35)

2.     The flight into Egypt (Matthew 2:13)

3.     “Losing” Jesus in Jerusalem when He was 12 years old (Luke 2:48)

4.     Meeting Jesus on His way to Calvary

5.     Standing at the foot of the Cross with Jesus (John 19:25)

6.     Jesus being taken down from the Cross

7.     Jesus’s burial.

 Activity

It might seem odd to “celebrate” seven sorrowful occasions with a feast, but if you stop and think about each one of them, you will see that each of them is an opportunity for Jesus to be glorified. For your feast today, make a heart-shaped cake using your favorite recipe (or a mix), frost it anyway you like, and then piece it with a “sword.” I used our bread knife, wrapping the wooden handle in aluminum to look like a sword handle, and then I inserted it into the cake at an angle. Alternatively, you could bake heart-shaped cookies and then cut out small sword shapes out of aluminum and place one on each cookie (remove before eating).

Our Lady of Sorrows, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

Catholic Culture

American Catholic
Prayers to Our Lady of Sorrows

Sept 14: Exaltation of the Cross

"Saint Helena & Heraclius Taking
the Holy Cross to Jerusalem"
from the Museo de Zaragoza

History

Ever since the end of 600s, Catholics have celebrated two very important events on this day: the discovery of the cross on which Jesus died by Saint Helena in the year 320, and the dedication of the shrine built on Calvary by her son Constantine in 335. It's a day to remember how Jesus conquered death and opened the doors of Heaven for all of us. At Mass today, you will hear (or have heard) the entrance antiphon, "We should glory in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, for he is our salvation, our life and our resurrection: through him we are saved and made free."

Activity

One of the first prayers most of us ever learn is the Sign of the Cross. But sometimes, we can take it for granted and repeat the words without thinking about them, or simply wave our hands around instead of intentionally touching our foreheads, chests and shoulders. Today, make sure your whole family really learns how to pray the Sign of the Cross, and make a commitment to always picture Jesus on the Cross whenever you pray it. 

Saint Helena and Saint Constantine, pray for us!

More reading for parents: 

SQPN
Catholic News Agency
21 Things We Do When We Pray the Sign of the Cross

September 13: Saint John Chrysostom

History

This Saint John is called “Chrysostom,” or “golden mouth”, because he was such a great Christian teacher. He was trained to be a great speaker, and then he became a priest and later bishop of Constantinople. Even so, some important people didn’t like him, including the empress. She had him exiled so she wouldn’t have to listen to his teaching any more about how she should share her riches with the poor. Even though he was forced to live in a lonely place, John felt happy and peaceful because he had God’s friendship.

Activity

One of the things that Saint John Chrysostom taught people was the importance of knowing and memorizing Scripture. Memorizing Bible verses can help you all your life, because the verses you know by heart come back to you when you need them most. Even a preschooler can start learning how to memorize verses – just like they can memorize their favorite books or quotes from movies. Start with Psalm 1. The older people in your family can memorize the whole thing, but the younger kids might need to stick to just the first half of the first verse. Just do what you can – every little bit is a big help!

Saint John Chrysostom, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

Catholic Encyclopedia

American Catholic 

Catholic Online

September 12: Saint Ailbhe

History

Saint Ailbhe  (sounds like "Elfie" - He is also called Saint Elfeis or Elvis) lived so long ago, it’s a little hard to figure out which stories about him are true and which are legends. We know he was a bishop who Bishop and preacher who studied under Saint Patrick. He was a missionary all over Ireland. One of the legends about him is that he was left in the forest when he was a baby and raised by a wolf, who later came to him for protection when she was being hunted. This is why he is called the patron saint of wolves.

Activity

Today, play the game “Mr. Wolf What Time Is It?”, a popular game in the British Isles. American children will recognize it as something like the game “Red Light, Green Light.” One child plays the wolf and stands with his or her back to the others, some distance apart. The other children shout, “Mr. (or Mrs.) Wolf, what time is it?” The child who is the wolf calls out any time – 1 o’clock, 2 o’clock, etc. – and the other children take that many steps closer. They can be big steps or little steps. At any time, the wolf can say, “Dinner time!” and then turn and chase the others back to home base. If the wolf tags a child, then he or she is the next wolf. Alternatively, the children who are getting closer to the wolf can tag him or her, and that child will have to start their turn over.

If the weather isn’t too warm, you might also want to make Irish stew for supper to celebrate Saint Ailbhe.

Saint Ailbhe, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

EWTN

Catholic Online

September 11: Saint Paphnutius the Great

History

Paphnutius was from Egypt. After he learned about Jesus, he spent several years in the desert where he got spiritual direction from Saint Antony. Paphnutius eventually became a bishop. He was attacked for being a Christian, but he returned to his people as soon as he could and considered all his scars and losses to be a chance to glorify Jesus. He was invited to the first general council of the Church at Nicaea, where he spoke with great wisdom and mercy.

Activity

One of the things that came from the Council of Nicaea was the Nicene Creed. This simple statement of faith is a good reflection on the type of Christianity that Paphnutius taught and practiced. Today, pray the Nicene Creed as a family. 

Saint Paphnutius the Great, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

365 Rosaries

Catholic Online

September 10: Saint Peter Martinez

History

Saint Peter Martinez was born in Spain. As a young man, he became a Benedictine priest, eventually leading the whole abbey. At that time, there was a region of Spain where Christians were being forced out by people who had different ideas about God. Peter led the effort to reclaim that territory for Christianity. He was also one of the composers of theSalve Regina, a hymn and prayer that is still used today.  

Activity

Many Catholics pray the Salve Regina regularly. In English, we call this prayer, “Hail,Holy Queen.” It is cry to the Lord’s mother, begging her to pray for us while we struggle against sin. It has also been turned into Gregorian Chant, which you can listen to it here, and composed as a hymn, which you can hear here.  

Saint Peter Martinez, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

Catholic Online

Saints SQPN

September 9: St. Peter Claver

St. Peter Claver
Statue from St. Nicholas
Church in Strassburg

History

When Peter Claver was a young priest, his mentor, Saint Alphonsus Rodgriguez, inspired him to go to the America to preach the Gospel to “millions of perishing souls.” When Peter arrived in what we now call Columbia in the year 1610, he was horrified at the sight of the slave trade. He dedicated himself to serving the captives from Africa. He would meet the boats with medicine, water and food and hurry down to tend to the sick and dying. He taught the Africans about Jesus and administered Sacraments as they became Christians. He also traveled to the plantations where the slaves were forced to labor and begged their masters to treat them well.

Activity

Human trafficking is still a big problem in the world today, and just like Saint Peter Claver 400 years ago, there are priests and religious brothers and sisters, plus lay Catholics, who are working very hard to rescue the victims of modern-day slavery. Today, make a donation to Catholic Charities USA in honor of Saint Peter Claver, earmarked “for human trafficking victims.” You can mail your donation to Catholic Charities USA, P.O. Box 17066, Baltimore, MD, 21297-1066 or make a donation online. 

Saint Peter Claver, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

Catholic Encyclopedia

American Catholic

Catholic Online