September 5: Blessed Teresa of Calcutta

1988 photo by Evert Odekerken

History

Born Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu in 1910, she joined the Sisters of Loreta to become a missionary. She served in Calcutta, India and became Mother Teresa after making her final profession of vows. When she was 36, she received a message from Jesus to “Come be My light,” and His desire to save souls became her focus for the rest of her life. She started a new religious community called the Missionaries of Charity to serve the poorest of the poor. In time, she became famous, winning the Nobel Peace Prize. Only after she died did the world find out that she felt rejected by God after starting her noble work. The fact that she continued to serve despite this doubt shows her great faith and commitment to Jesus.

Activity

Today, color a picture of Mother Teresa to hang in your room, remind yourself that even if you doubt God's love for you, He is there, loving you and helping you love others. Here’s a simple coloring page and one that is more complex for older children.

Blessed Mother Teresa, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

Vatican biography (includes link to Blessed John Paul II's homily on the occasion of her beatification)

American Catholic

Catholic Online

September 4: Saint Rosalia

Saint Rosalie by Martin Feuerstein 

History

Saint Rosalia was born into an important family. When she was still a young girl, she realized that Jesus was all that mattered to her. She left her beautiful home and moved into a cave, where she stayed hidden from the world and spent all her time praying to Jesus.

Activity

Rosalia understood that there were a lot of distractions in her life that could get in the way of her friendship with Jesus. We all have many distractions – friends and family, books and games, school, television and so much more. Today, let each child make a “cave” to stay in for a little while to keep away from all the distractions of the world. It can be an indoor tent or a sheet thrown over a folding table or anything else you can think of. Don’t take any toys or books into your “cave.” It should be just you and Jesus. You might find it hard to stay in the cave for very long, but you should try it for a little while. Remember, we all need some quiet time with Jesus without distractions.

Saint Rosalia, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

Catholic Encyclopedia

Catholic Online

SQPN

September 3: Saint Pope Gregory the Great

St. Gregory the Great's Mass
by Adriaen Ysenbrandt

History

Saint Gregory was born the son of a wealthy Roman senator. But Gregory was not interested in money, power or fame. He built seven monasteries and then became a monk himself when he was 35 years old. When he was 50, he became pope. His love for Christ made him famous all over the world. Despite all the work he had to do, he composed beautiful hymns to Christ, and he is now considered on of the Doctors of the Church. 

Activity

Even though Saint Gregory died more than 1400 years ago, the Catholic Church still uses many of the hymns that he wrote for the Liturgy. Read this English translation of one of Saint Gregory’s most beautiful hymns. (If you like, you can buy an MP3 of the Llandoff Cathedral Choir singing it at Amazon.com for 89 cents.) 

Saint Gregory the Great, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

Catholic Harbor of Faith and Morals

The Crossroads Initiative

Catholic Online

September 2: Saint Ingrid of Sweden

History

Saint Ingrid was raised to be a devout Christian. She was the first Swedish woman to become a Dominican nun, forming the first Dominican cloister in her country. After she died, people would pray for her intercession, and miracles occurred at her tomb, so the Swedish Bishops asked the Holy See to canonize her as a saint.

Activity:

Saint Ingrid lived a quiet, holy life as a nun, so we don’t know much about her other than the fact that her prayers were answered by God. Today, watch a classic movie, The Bells of Saint Mary, starring another famous Swedish woman named Ingrid, Ingrid Bergman.

Saint Ingrid of Sweden, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

St. Ingrid Biography at Dominican Nuns of Summit, NJ
Clare's Catholic Clutter

SQPN

Catholic Online

September 1: Saint Giles

St. Giles by Hans Memling

History

Saint Giles loved the Lord so much, he wanted to be alone with Him all the time. He sailed to another country, and then found a quiet cave in the woods where he could pray all day without being disturbed. The Lord sent him a deer to feed him with her milk. One day, the King and his hunting party shot at the deer, but the arrow hit Saint Giles’ leg instead. Disabled people used to go to Saint Giles for prayer because he was so close to Jesus, his prayers were very effective.

Activity

There are many disabled people who suffer every day of their lives. Some of them can’t get the medical treatment they need because it’s too expensive or because it’s not available where they live. Today, ask Saint Giles to pray for disabled people who need help. You can use your own words or this prayer.

Saint Giles, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

Catholic Encyclopedia

365 Rosaries

Catholic Online