February 29: Saint Oswald

A 12th Century painting
of St. Oswald

History

Born during the 10th century in England, Oswald was raised by his uncle, the archbishop of Canterbury. Oswald  became a Benedictine monk. When he became archbishop of York, he started some monasteries and improved education. Oswald especially loved the poor. Every Lent, he would wash the feet of 12 poor men every day, even when he was very old and it was hard to do. On February 29 in the year 992, he washed the feet of the 12th man, gave him a blessing and then died. His final act was serving the poor. 

Activity

In this Jubilee Year of Mercy, Pope Francis has called on all Catholics to do corporal and spiritual works of mercy throughout Lent. Today, make an extra effort to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked or shelter the homeless. If you can't think of an idea, call your local Catholic charities or Catholic social services and ask what you can do to help. 

Saint Oswald, pray for us! 

More reading for parents: 

American Catholic
Lives of the Saints
Chamber Book of Days

February 28: Pope Saint Hilary

Pope St. Hilary

History

Hilary was born in Italy during the 5^th century. He worked for Pope Saint Leo the Great, and when Leo was died, Hilary was elected to be his successor. During both Leo and Hilary’s papacy, people were arguing about whether or not the pope was the true leader of the Church and several other issues. So there was a lot of divisions, and Hilary worked very hard to bring people back together in Christian unity, and he succeed in France, Spain, Africa and Gaul (which is where Luxembourg and Belgium are today). 

Activity

Today there are even more divisions in the Church than there were 1500 years ago, with tens of thousands of non-Catholic denominations all teaching things a little differently. Bringing all of us back together as one Church is a huge challenge. It would take a miracle! Luckily God is good at miracles. Today, read John 17:20-23 in your bible, which is Jesus’ prayer that all Christians would remain one Church. Then pray that the Lord will help you work toward Christian unity with your non-Catholic family and friends.

Pope Saint Hilary, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

EWTN

Catholic Online

St. Hilary's essay, "The Fear of the Lord"

February 27: St. Leander of Seville

Saint Leander

History

Born in Spain, Leander was a monk who later became bishop of Seville. He taught the two princes of Seville about Jesus, and they became Christians, which made their dad – the king – so angry, he exiled Leander to Constantinople. While Leander lived there, he became close friends with the man who would become Pope St. Gregory the Great. In fact, it was Leander who suggested that Gregory write one of his most famous books, “Morals on the Book of Job.”

Activity

Because Saint Leander was a holy man who loved Jesus very sincerely, he was very good at inspiring other people to a deep faith in the Lord. The fact that he and three of his siblings all became saints must mean they were good at inspiring each other. So today, think of a way you can inspire your brother or sister to love Jesus more than they already do. (Don’t forget to ask Saint Leander to pray that you’ll come up with a good idea.)

Saint Leander, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

Catholic Encyclopedia

Tradition in Action

Catholic Online

February 26: St. Isabel of France

St. Isabel statue at
Saint-Germain l'Auxerrois, Paris
Photo by Marie-Lan Nguyen

History

Isabel was the daughter of King Louis VIII of France and the sister of Saint Louis. Many men wanted to marry her, but she wanted to give her life to God and only to God. She worked with the sick and the poor and founded a monastery, where she lived even though she never became a nun. 

Activity

You don’t have to be a nun or a priest to help the sick and the poor. Today, think of somebody you know who is sick and do something to help them out, whether that’s dropping off a box of tissue, calling them, sending a card or something else. 

Saint Isabel of France, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

Catholic Encyclopedia

Roman Catholic Saints

Catholic Online

February 25: Saint Tarasius

History

St. Tarasius was a very smart man and a very charitable one. When he was elected patriarch of Constantinople (the highest ranking bishop), his first goal was to organize a General Council to resolve some arguments that were happening between different dioceses within the Church. He also worked very hard to make sure all the priests and bishops and laypeople were living holy lives. He even went to visit every single house and every single hospital in Constantinople, offering help to whomever needed it.  

Activity

Saint Tarasius visited every person in the town where he lived. But sometimes, we get too busy to even notice our own neighbors Even if you live in farm country, where the houses are a half-mile or more apart, you still have neighbors. Today, make it a point to check in on a neighbor you haven’t seen for a while. Just pop over to say hello and find out how they are. If you find out they need something, offer to help. Either way, be sure you pray for them. 

Saint Tarasius, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

Catholic Encyclopedia

Magnificat

Catholic Online

February 24: Saint John Theristus

St. John Theristus

History

Born in Sicily, John grew up to be a Benedictine monk in Calabria. He was a holy person, and God was able to use him to work miracles. Once, he helped some farmers miraculously harvest a big crop before a terrible storm came and destroyed it all, which saved local people from starvation. This is why he is called “Theristus”, which means, “harvester.”

Activity

Saint John Theristus was more concerned about harvesting souls for the kingdom of God than he was harvesting veggies, but he did both. You can do both, too. Start some seeds for your own home garden. Even if you don’t have a yard that’s big enough to plant a full-fledged garden, you can grow tomatoes, lettuce, peppers,herbs and more in pots.  And if you don’t have a pot, you can just use a regular bag of potting soil as a planter. Use a seed starter-tray to get your seeds growing, or you can use a paper egg carton covered with plastic wrap and set on a sunny window sill. Then when you harvest your crops, remember to share the extras with people you know so that you can bring them the love of Christ in a very practical way. 

Saint John Theristus, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

SQPN

Catholic.Net

Catholic Online

February 23: Saint Polycarp

History

Polycarp lived at the same time as the Apostles. He was one of Saint John’s disciples, and he eventually became bishop of Smyrna. When he was 86, soldiers were sent to arrest him. Polycarp fed them a meal and asked for some time to pray. Then he spent two hours praying for everybody he had ever known. Polycarp was taken to the arena to be burned to death, but a miracle happened. When the fire was lit, the flames arched around him, and he seemed to glow like gold being melted. Finally, a soldier killed him.

Activity

Saint Polycarp was such a holy man, people knew it was an honor when he prayed for them. Today, pray this prayer, asking Saint Polycarp to pray for you.

Saint Polycarp, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

Catholic Encyclopedia

Catholic News Agency

Catholic Online

February 22: Saint Margaret of Cortona

St. Margaret of Cortona statue
at St. Margaret Mary Church
 in Puebla State, Mexico

History

Margaret had a rough start in life. Her mom died when she was young, and her step-mother wasn’t very nice. So, she ran away and stayed away for nine years. When she saw that she had been wrong, she went back to her father to apologize. He and his wife refused to take her back, so she went to live in a monastery. Still, she had trouble living a godly life. She ran away again for a short time, and when she came back, she had tied a cord around her neck to symbolize her desire to serve God. After that, she worked hard, taking care of the sick and the poor, and learned to pray and stay close to Jesus. 

Activity

It’s always hard to admit that we are wrong. It’s especially hard when we try to apologize and we’re not forgiven by the people we hurt. Lucky for us, Jesus is always ready to forgive! Today, make a cord necklace to wear as a reminder to apologize when you’re wrong and to trust the Lord to absolve you of your sins. You can use any kind of cord, such as parachute cord. If you like, follow this video to make a knotted heart in the center to represent God’s love. 

Saint Margaret of Cortona, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

Catholic Encyclopedia

EWTN

Catholic Online

February 21: St. Peter Damian

St. Peter Damian

History

Peter was orphaned when he was very young. He went to live with one of his big brothers, who treated him terribly. Another brother, who was a priest, sent him to school. There, Peter learned to love Jesus. When Peter grew up, he became a monk. He studied the Bible all the time, and he wrote several books about God. 

Activity

One of Saint Peter Damian’s most important works is De Divina Omnipotentia, which is all about the power of God. It is still used in seminaries and universities all over the world. Today, read Psalm 46, which is also about the power of God (but a lot shorter and easier to read than De Divina Omnipotentia). 

Saint Peter Damian, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

Catholic Encyclopedia

American Catholic

Catholic Online

February 20: Saint Wulfric

St. Wulfric

History

Wulfric lived in England almost 1,000 years ago. When he was a new priest, he was really selfish and cared more about doing what he wanted to do than helping others. Then he met a beggar, and his eyes were suddenly opened to what it meant to be a humble servant of the Lord. For the rest of his life, he lived as a hermit in a little cell next to a church. He ate and slept very little. Sometimes he would spend hours reciting the psalms while sitting in a bath of cold water. He became so holy, that people would come to see him for spiritual help and even physical healing. 

Activity

Sometimes making ourselves a little uncomfortable is a good way to make sure that we stay focused on what we are praying. In our culture, we usually kneel. Today, why not try one of Wulfric’s techniques? Pray when you are hungry – or pray while you take a cold bath or shower. (Cold water won’t hurt you or make you sick – and you’ll get just as clean. You simply won’t enjoy it.) 

Saint Wulfric, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

Catholic Herald

SQPN

February 19: Saint Barbatus

History

Barbatus was a wise and patient priest who was put in charge of a parish that was lazy and selfish. The people didn’t want to follow God’s commands, and the more Barbatus preached about the right way to live, the more they hated him. Then God told Barbatus about hard times that were coming. When he told the people about this, they got scared and changed their ways. Finally, they appreciated him.

Activity

Have you ever been in a situation where everybody around you was doing the wrong thing? It can be really hard to speak up for what is right, especially when you know that you’ll be hated for it. Today, pray that God will give you the same strength he gave to Saint Barbatus to speak the truth, no matter what. 

Saint Barbatus, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

EWTN

Holy Spirit Interactive

Catholic Online

February 18: St. Simon the Zealot

St. Simon the Zealot

History

Tradition tells us that Simon was a cousin to the Lord Jesus Christ, and some people say that it was his wedding that the Lord attended in John 2, when He did His first public miracle. Simon is called “the zealot” because of his firm faith in Jesus that could not be shaken. After Saint James, who was bishop of Jerusalem, was martyred, Simon was chosen to take his place. Even though the Christians in Jerusalem had to flee to another town because of a civil war, their numbers grew under Simon’s leadership. 

Activity

Read the story of the Wedding at Cana in John 2 and think about what Simon must have felt like to see his own cousin revealed a the Christ! 

Saint Simon the Zealot, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

Catholic Encyclopedia

EWTN

Catholic Online

February 17: Saint Alexis Falconieri

History

Alexis was one of seven wealthy men from Florence who saw a vision of the Blessed Virgin and left their riches behind to start a new order called the Servants of Mary or the Servites. But he was the only one who did not become a priest. He didn’t think he was called to the priesthood. Instead, he helped build their church and he managed all the little details that had to be handled every day. 

Activity

In every parish, just like in every religious order, there is somebody just like Saint Alexis Falconieri who is in charge of many little details. Most of the time, these are people who are taken for granted. The parish couldn’t run well without them, but nobody is really aware of everything they do. Today, write an email or short note thanking the person who keeps things running smoothly at your parish. 

Saint Alexis Falconieri, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

Catholic Encyclopedia

SQPN

Catholic Online

February 16: Saint Juliana of Nicomedia

St. Julian of Nicomedia
(note demon in chains
at her feet)
Photo by Wolfgang Sauber

History

Juliana lived in Turkey many years ago, before Christianity was legal. She and her family were all pagans. But when Juliana learned about Jesus, she secretly got baptized. When her dad found out she was a Christian, he had her thrown in prison. Then a demon came to her pretending to be an angel, but Juliana could tell what it was. She overcame the demon with God’s help, but in the long run, she was killed for believing in Jesus. 

Activity

When Juliana overcame the demon, it revealed to her that every time Christians attend Mass, the demons suffer. That’s another reason we should all go to Mass as much as we can! During this season of Lent, make a commitment to go to daily Mass as often as you can. Check the Mass schedule in your town and make your plans. (P.S. No need to stop when Lent is over!)

Saint Juliana, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

Bio at St. Juliana Catholic Church,West Palm Beach, Florida

Catholic Encyclopedia

Catholic Online

February 15: Saint Walfrid

St. Walfrid

History

Walfrid and his wife Thesia were happily married. After their children were grown, they felt God asking them to built two monestaries, one for Thesia and other women, and one for Walfrid and other men, including their son Gimfrid. After some time of living in vows to God, Gimfrid ran away in the middle of the night, stealing horses and important papers. Walfrid sent a search party and prayed that Gimfrid would come back. He also prayed that God would give Gimfrid a sign so that he would never forget his vows to God. When Gimfrid returned, one of his fingers had been injured so badly, he could never use it again. But he became a wise and wonderful leader, following in Walfrid’s footsteps. 

Activity

We often need to be reminded to think about God, like Gimfrid needed to be reminded. Draw a small cross on the back of your first finger today, where you will see it many times. When you see it, tell Jesus “Thank you” for whatever you are doing at the moment. At the end of the day, ask yourself if the reminder helped you stay closer to Jesus. 

Saint Walfrid, pray for us!

More reading for parents: 

SQPN

Catholic Online

February 14: Saint Valentine

St. Valentine

History

Valentine was a priest in Rome during a time when Christians were being attacked. He did what he could to help Christians until he was caught because he was offering the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony to young couples. While he was in prison, he prayed that God would heal the jailor’s daughter from her blindness, and she was! The emperor tried to convince Valentine to leave his faith in Christ, but Valentine just turned around and tried to get the emperor to become a Christian. For that, he was beaten and executed. 

Activity

On the night before he was executed for believing in Jesus, Valentine wrote an encouraging letter, signing it, "From your Valentine." Today, we think of valentines as goofy little cards and candy and flowers, but they can be so much more than that. Take a couple minutes today to write out a real valentine for somebody you love. Encourage them in their faith in Christ. And then deliver it or drop it in the mail (it’s okay if it get to the person a few days from now). 

Saint Valentine, pray for us!

More reading for parents: 

Catholic Encyclopedia

Christian Broadcasting Network

Catholic Online

"The Beauty of Married Love" by Bishop James D. Conley, Diocese of Lincoln

February 13: St. Catherine de Ricci

St. Catherine de Ricci 

History

When Catherine de Ricci became a nun at the age of 14, her superiors realized she was a very good spiritual leader. She exchanged letters with quite a few other people, including Saint Philip Neri and three men who would later become pope: Marcellus II, Clement VIII, and Leo XI. Every Thursday from noon until Friday at 4 p.m., she was given a holy experience called an ecstasy. During that time, she would be totally focused on the Passion of Christ, as if she could see nothing but Jesus’ love, poured out for us on the Cross. 

Activity

Take some time today to visit your parish and pray the traditional devotion of the Passion of Christ, the Stations of the Cross. 

St. Catherine de Ricci, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

Catholic Encyclopedia

EWTN

Catholic Online

February 12: Saint Buonfiglio Monaldo

St. Buonfiglio Monaldo (center)
and the other Seven Holy Founders

History

One day on the Feast of the Assumption, seven men from Florentine, Italy, were inspired by a vision to start living a life of prayer and constant communion with the Lord. So, they left their jobs and homes and became hermits called the Servants of Mary or the Servites. Saint Buonfiglio was their first leader. 

Activity

We all have very busy lives, and sometimes it can be hard for us to make time for God. Not everybody is called to do what Saint Buonfiglio and his brothers did by leaving their jobs and homes, but we should all take a little time away from everything for God. So today, get into a room by yourself – even if it’s only for a couple minutes – and pray to God. Then listen! Make a commitment to do this every day from now on. 

Saint Buonfiglio Monaldo, pray for us! 

More reading for parents:

365 Rosaries

SQPN

Catholic Online

February 11: Our Lady of Lourdes

February 11: Our Lady of Lourdes

History

On February 11, 1858, a wonderful thing happened. A beautiful Lady appeared to a peasant girl named Bernadette Soubirous in Lourdes, France. The beautiful lady appeared to Bernadette several more times, telling her to dig in the dirt. A miraculous spring came up out of the ground. On March 25, the Lady identified herself with the words, "I am the Immaculate Conception." This confirmed the dogma that Pope Pius IX had proclaimed more than three years earlier. Since Our Lady appeared to Bernadette, many people have visited Lourdes and many suffering people have bathed in the waters of the spring to be healed. 

Activity

The story of Our Lady's appearance is so inspiring! Tonight after dinner, watch "The Song of Bernadette" with your family. It's available at many libraries or for a small fee on Amazon Prime.

Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

Catholic Encyclopedia
American Catholic
Catholic Tradition

February 10: Saint Scholastica/Ash Wednesday

Special Note: 

Today is Ash Wednesday. While this is not a Holy Day of Obligation, going to Mass is a perfect way to start Lent. Remember that today is also a day of abstinence (no meat or anything made with meat, such as beef broth) and fasting (one small meal and two snacks to replace other meals with no eating between, limited to healthy people from teens to age 59 who are not pregnant, breastfeeding, suffering a chronic illness or manual laborers who need good meals in order to work). If you like, take a selfie featuring the ashes you receive and post it on social media sites with the hashtag #ashtag. 

Saint Scholastica
Lost Angeles County
Museum of Art

History

Both Scholastica and her twin brother, Saint Benedict, dedicated their lives to God.  Scholastica started a monastery for women about five miles away from Benedict's monastery. They were both so busy, they only saw each other once a year to pray together and talk about God. Once, it was time for Benedict to go back to his monastery, but Scholastica wanted him to stay. She prayed that God would keep Benedict with her one more day, and a terrible thunderstorm started so he had to spend the night. This is why many people ask Saint Scholastic to pray for them if they are stuck in a storm.

Activity

The prayer and conversations that Benedict and Scholastica shared helped both of them grow in their faith in God. Today, have a chat with one of your siblings (or a parent or cousin) about God.

Saint Scholastica, pray for us!

More reading for parents: 

American Catholic

Saint Nook

SQPN

Catholic Online

February 9: Saint Apollonia

St. Apollonia
by Ercole de Roberti

History

Apollonia was an important woman in the Church around the year 249. But she lived in Alexandria, Greece, and Christianity was against the law. An angry mob gathered around her, and some men hit her in the face until all her teeth were knocked out. Then they built a big fire and told her to renounce Jesus or they would throw her into the flames. Apollonia chose the fire instead of denying Christ. 

Activity

Because of how Saint Apollonia was tortured, she’s considered the patroness of toothaches and dental diseases. Today, pray for anybody you know who has a dental problem…and be sure you floss and brush your teeth well to take care of them.

Saint Apollonia, pray for us! 

More reading for parents:

Catholic Encyclopedia

Spiritual Living 360

Catholic Online

February 8: Saint Jerome Emiliani

St. Jerome Emiliani

History

Jerome Emiliani was a powerful military commander in Venice, Italy. He didn’t think he needed God…until Venice was overthrown by an army, and Jerome was thrown into prison. That’s when Jerome realized that he couldn’t do things on his own. He gave himself to God. When he got out of prison, he became a priest and dedicated himself to helping orphans. 

Activity

Sometimes, we think we can do things all by ourselves. But we really need God to help us. And when we rely on God, we can do even greater things than we ever could have imagined. Today, think about the things that you are used to doing “on your own” and instead, bring God into them by praying before you do them. Don’t forget to ask Him what He wants you to do – and listen for the answer. 

Saint Jerome Emiliani, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

Catholic Encyclopedia

American Catholic

Catholic Online