April 30: Pope Saint Pius V

Pope Saint Pius V
by August Kraus

History

His given name was Antonio Ghislieri, and he became a monk when he was only 14. Then, during a very difficult time in Christian history, he was called on to bring people back to holiness. He was so famous for his devotion to Christ, he was elected pope in 1566 and took the name Pius V. Then he worked even harder to make sure that all Catholics understood the teachings of the Church and how to love and follow Christ. When the Turks were threatening to invade Europe and get rid of Christianity, Pope Pius V organized a resisting force and got people to pray the Rosary all over Europe. The Europeans won the battle.

Activity

One of the things that Pope Pius V did was create the Catechism of the Catholic Church. The Catechism collects all the teachings of the Church in an organized book, so it’s easy to look up the information you need. There are many different Catechisms, and you can read two of them online. The full catechism is here. The Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church is a simplified, question-and-answer version of the Catechism that is great for families. You can read the Compendium here. Today, use these online resources to look up the answer to a question you or somebody in your family has. Don’t forget to bookmark both resources!

Pope Saint Pius V, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

Catholic News Agency

EWTN

Catholic Online

April 29: St. Catherine of Siena

St. Catherine of Siena
by Baldassare Franceschini

History

Catherine was only 6 years old when she started to see heavenly visions. First, she could see guardian angels protecting people. When she was 16, she started to have visions of Jesus, His mother and the saints. She didn’t learn to read or write until she was almost grown up, but she was very, very smart about theology, and she was a good teacher. Popes and other people listened to her, and she has been named one of the Doctors of the Church.

Activity

One of the things that Saint Catherine of Siena told people is, “Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire.” Today, make yourself a special votive candle holder to remember her words. You can get plain glass votive cups from craft stores for less than $1. Cut up small pieces of tissue paper in any color you like. Then paint a little decoupage glue (like Modge Podge or a mixture of equal parts white glue and water) and place a bit of tissue paper on it. Continue working around the votive cup until it’s all covered with overlapping tissue paper. Then paint the whole outside of the cup with your decoupage glue again. (Add a second coat when it dries). When it’s completely dry, place a small votive candle in the cup, light it and ask Saint Catherine of Siena to pray for you!

Saint Catherine of Siena, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

American Catholic

"Unforgettable Fire" by Elizabeth Scalia (First Things)
Catholic Online

April 28: Saint Peter Chanel

St. Peter Chanel

History

Peter was a French priest who went to the South Pacific on a missionary journey. Peter visited the island of Futuna with two laymen. King Niuliki was happy to meet them – at first. But once the missionaries learned the local language and started to teach people about Jesus, the king felt his position as high priest in their pagan religion was being compromised. When the prince decided to become a Christian, that was the last straw. King Niuliki had the missionaries killed. But that didn’t end Christianity on that island. Within months, almost everybody was a Christian, including the man who killed Peter Chanel.

Activity

Christians on the island of Futuna were very sorry that Saint Peter Chanel had been martyred. They created a special song and dance as a prayer of penitence. It’s called the eke, and it is still performed today. Watch this video to see it and think about how God was able to use Saint Peter Chanel to spread the Gospel even after he was killed.

Saint Peter Chanel, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

Catholic Encyclopedia

EWTN

Catholic Online

April 27: Divine Mercy Sunday

"Jesus, I trust in You!"

History

In the 1930s, a Polish nun named Mary Faustina Kowalska had visions of the Lord Jesus. One of the things He asked of her was to make sure that a feast was held in celebration of His Divine Mercy on the first Sunday after Easter every year. But Sister Faustina was not able to accomplish this in her lifetime. It wasn’t until the year 2000 that Pope John Paul II answered our Lord’s request and established the Feast of Divine Mercy. This feast is very important, because any person who has been to confession recently and goes to Mass to receive the Holy Eucharist on this day can receive total forgiveness for all the sins that he or she has committed. Read more about how to get an indulgence today here: 

Activity

Today is an extra special day not only because of this wonderful feast and the promise that Jesus made us, but also because two of our holy popes were canonized saints by the Church today (4 a.m. Eastern time; watch 2-minute video here!). The first is Saint John XXIII; the second is Saint John Paul II (whom many anticipate will be called Saint John Paul the Great). So be sure to feast today, even if all you do is add a special dessert to your normal meal. Also, in gratitude for the mercy we receive from Jesus that enables all of us to become saints, choose one of the works of mercy listed below and make a commitment to practice it every day this week, starting today.  (Some of these are too difficult for children to do, but even a very young child can visit somebody who is sick, take somebody a drink and pray for the living and the dead.)

The Corporal Works of Mercy

•   Feed the hungry

•   Give drink to the thirsty

•   Clothe the naked

•   Shelter the homeless

•   Visit the sick

•   Visit the imprisoned

•   Bury the dead

The Spiritual Works of Mercy

•   Admonish the sinner

•   Instruct the ignorant 

•   Counsel the doubtful

•   Comfort the sorrowful

•   Bear wrongs patiently

•   Forgive all injuries

•   Pray for the living and the dead

Pope Saint John XXIII, Pope Saint John Paul II, and Saint Faustina, pray for us! 

More reading for parents:

Divine Mercy Sunday website

EWTN

American Catholic
Explanation of Canonization Process

April 26: Pope Saint Cletus

St. Cletus

History

The name “Cletus” means, “One Who Has Been Called,” and that is the perfect name for him because Cletus was called by God to serve the Church. He was ordained a priest by Saint Peter himself. Cletus (sometimes called Anacletus) also became the third pope, serving from the year 76 to 88. He ordained quite a few priests himself, as the Church was growing quickly at that time.

Activity

One of the smart things that Pope Saint Cletus did was he divide Rome into 25 parishes so that the people could be served more efficiently. Today, look at your diocese’s website and find out how many parishes are overseen by your local bishop or archbishop. Pray for each parish by name, asking God to bless them.

Saint Cletus, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

Catholic Encyclopedia

Saints SQPN

Catholic Online