December 31: Pope Saint Sylvester

Statue of Pope Saint Sylvester
at the Church of Saint Sylvester
Pisa, Italy

History

Born in Rome and ordained by Pope Saint Marcellinus, Sylvester became pope only two years after Christianity had become legal. One of the most important gatherings in Church history happened during his papacy: the Council of Nice in 325, where hundreds of priests, bishops and theologians met to talk about what God wanted to do with the Church.  But Pope Sylvester was too old to go. He sent two priests to represent him. When the Council ended. Pope Sylvester agreed with all their decisions, including the Nicene Creed

Activity

At every Sunday Mass, we stand together to pray the Nicene Creed. Read it together today. Do you know it by heart? If you memorize it, it’s easier to think through what the words mean as you say them at Mass. Work on memorizing the Creed today if you haven’t already. 

Pope Saint Sylvester, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

Catholic Encyclopedia

Catholic Online

December 30: Saint Anysia

History

Saint Anysia grew up wealthy, but she never wanted to live a rich life. She  dedicated herself to Jesus and her money to helping the poor. Everybody knew she did this because she was a Christian. One day, a soldier tried to drag Anysia into a pagan temple to make a sacrifice to his false gods. Anysia resisted, making him so angry, he drew his sword and killed her. 

Activity

We are so lucky we live in a time when we can act like Christians and help the poor without being afraid. Many of us help the poor before Christmas or even on Christmas day, but the poor need our help every day. To honor the memory of Saint Anysia, go through all your belongings and find good, useful things that don't work for you any more but could be used by somebody else. (No raggedy clothing or threadbare socks!) Maybe you got two of the same item for Christmas, so you can give away the spare. Take these items to a homeless shelter in your community to be given to somebody in need. 

Saint Anysia, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

Holy Spirit Interactive

Catholic Exchange

Catholic Online

December 29: Saint Aileran

History

Aileran was an Irish monk and a scholar. He liked to learn about Jesus and saints, and then write books about them. He wrote about all the great Irish saints who had lived before him, including Saint Patrick and Saint Brigid. The last thing Aileran ever wrote was about the genealogy of Christ that is found in the Gospel of Matthew. 

Activity

Today, read the first chapter of Matthew's Gospel. Matthew wrote this Gospel to prove to other Jews like Himself that Jesus is the Messiah. Why do you think it was important for Matthew to include Jesus' genealogy? That was one of the things that Saint Aileran found interesting.

Saint Aileran, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

Catholic Encyclopedia
Catholic Online

December 28: Saint Anthony the Hermit

St. Anthony the Hermit
(detail)
by Baltasar de Echave

History

Saint Anthony became a monk when he was a young man. For a while, he lived in a community, but he had so many men who wanted to learn from him, he didn’t have the time to focus on Jesus that he really wanted. So he ran away to a more quiet location and lived as a hermit, all by himself. Saint Anthony grew so close to Jesus that he understood the Lord’s will very well, and God was able to work miracles through him. 

Activity

With Christmas, it is a very busy time of year! Some of us have so many gatherings with family and friends spread throughout the week, we can forget to make special time for Jesus. Saint Anthony never forgot this and neither should we. Today, set a timer for 15 minutes and spend that time totally alone with Jesus, talking to Him and listening to Him. What would happen in your life if you did that every day? 

Saint Anthony the Hermit, pray for us! 

More reading for parents:

Catholic Online

December 27: Saint John the Apostle

Statue of Apostle John,  St.Isaac's Cathedral
Saint Petersburg, Russia.

History

John was one of the Twelve Apostles, and one of Jesus’ closest friends. Only John, his brother James and Peter witnessed certain important events in Jesus’ life on earth. John was also  the only one who stood by Jesus all the way through His death on the Cross instead of running away in fear. As He was dying for our sins, Jesus asked John to take care of Mary, which he did. John started many churches, and he wrote a Gospel about Jesus, three letters (Epistles) and the book of Revelation, which are all part of the Bible.

Activity

Saint John the Apostle is often represented as an eagle in church art. Today, make some eagle-shaped treats to celebrate one of Jesus’ best friends. 

Saint John the Apostle, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

Catholic Encyclopedia

American Catholic

Catholic Online

December 26: St. Stephen

The Stoning of St. Stephen by Luigi Garzi (1638–1721)

History

Shortly after Jesus ascended into heaven, the Church started to grow rapidly. Pretty soon, the Apostles realized they needed help, so they ordained seven deacons, and one of them was Stephen. Stephen helped take care of needy people in the Church. He also preached about Jesus, and that made people who didn’t like Christians angry. So they told some lies about him, and Stephen was condemned to die. Stephen talked about Jesus and asked God to forgive the men who were about to kill him. Only somebody who had the love of Jesus filling his heart could ask for that!

Activity

Sometimes, it’s really, really hard to forgive somebody who has been mean to you, called you names or hurt you in some other way. But having a forgiving heart is important for Christians. So today, ask Saint Stephen to pray that you will be able to forgive everybody who has ever did something wrong to you – and everybody who ever will do something wrong to you.

Saint Stephen, pray for us!

More reading for parents: 

American Catholic

Catholic Online

December 25: Merry Christmas!

May the peace of Christ be with you and yours on this holy day! Celebrate the birth of Jesus, God Incarnate by going to Mass (it's a Holy Day of Obligation) and enjoying other traditions.

All the saints in heaven, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

Catholic Online










Painting of the Birth of Christ (circa 1780)
by Francesco Pla Duran

December 24: St. Adele

A woman portrays
St. Adele

History

Adele was the daughter of King Dagobert II of Germany. After her husband died, she made sure her grown son was provided for and then became a nun. She started a convent and led the other sisters with holiness and good judgment. She influenced many people to lead holy lives – her grandson was Saint Gregory of Utrecht.

Activity

Saint Adele was devoted to Christ, and surely Christmas was a very special time for her. Today, watch this video of a famousGerman Christmas carol.  Here it is in English, too. 

Saint Adele, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

Catholic Online

December 23: Saint John of Kanty

Statue St. John of Kanty in Knyszyn
Photo by Henryk Borawski

History

John was a priest who worked as a professor of Scripture at a big university in Krakow, Poland. But some people told lies about him, and John was fired. He was sent to work as an assistant pastor for a small parish in Bohemia (now called the Czech Republic). The people there didn’t trust him. For years, John ministered with love and kindness and nobody was ever nice to him. Finally after eight years, the truth came out about his last job and he was able to return to Krakow. On the day he left, the Bohemian people of his parish followed him down the road for miles begging him to stay with them, much to his surprise.

Activity

The Bohemian people didn’t trust John because they thought anybody who had been fired deserved it. Sometimes we call that “black and white” thinking – making a snap judgement without having all the fats. Today, bake some Czech Black and White Cookies in honor of Saint John of Kanty. They’re great cookies to have at Christmas time.

Saint John of Kanty, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

Canons Regular

SQPN

Catholic Online

December 22: Blessed Jacopone da Todi

Bl. Jacopone da Todi

History

Jacomo was a successful lawyer from a wealthy Italian family. He married a beautiful Christian lady named Vanna. When Vanna died in a tragic accident, Jacomo found out how much she had suffered because of his sinful ways. He changed his life immediately. He gave away everything he had and dressed in rags. People called him Jacopone, which means “Crazy Jim.” But he didn’t mind being teased or humiliated because he knew he was nothing without Jesus. When he wanted to join a religious community, he wrote a poem for Jesus that proved he wasn’t actually crazy. After that, he wrote many beautiful poems and hymns that we still use today. 

Activity

Blessed Jacopone wrote several different poems for Christmas. In fact, while he lay dying on Christmas Eve in the year 1306, he sang songs about Jesus. Here is one of his Christmas poems to read today:

The Beautiful Mother

"The beautiful Mother is bending
Low where her Baby lies
Helpless and frail, for her tending;
But she knows the glorious eyes.

"The Mother smiles and rejoices
While the Baby laughs in the hay;

She listens to heavenly voices:
   
'The child shall be King, one day.'

"O dear little Christ in the manger,
Let me make merry with Thee.

O King, in my hour of danger,
Wilt Thou be strong for me?"

Blessed Jacopone da Todi, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

Catholic Encyclopedia

SQPN

American Catholic

December 21: St. Peter Canisius

Bust of St. Peter Canisius
in Munich, Germany
Photo by Dominik Hundhammer

History

Peter Canisius was a great Jesuit priest and teacher. People listened to him and respected him because he was always so kind and loving. In the 1550, there was a terrible split in Christianity. Some people broke away from the Catholic Church and started their own churches, and they worked very hard to get other people to leave the Catholic Church, too. Sometimes they did this by making people confused about what the Catholic Church taught. The Church needed a way to help people understand the Catholic faith better, so they wouldn’t get confused. So, Peter helped write the first Catechism of the Catholic Church – a book that explained our beliefs clearly, with Bible verses to support it. It was a huge success, so he wrote two more shorter Catechisms, one for young teenagers (we would call them “tweens” today) to help them develop virtues, and one for small children to help them learn how to pray.

Activity

Since St. Peter Canisius died, the Catechism of the Catholic Church has been updated several times. Today, there is even a free online version of the Catechism in several different languages. There is also the Compendium to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, which is set up as a question-and-answer book with easier language. This is especially helpful for families. And for teens, the YouCat is written to tackle the issues they are most concerned about. Today, look up a question in the Compendium (in your own copy or online) and read the answer out loud as a family. (Consider buying copies of the YouCat or the Compendium or the Catechism as Christmas gifts this year, too!)

St. Peter Canisius, pray for us!

More reading for parents: 

American Catholic

EWTN

Catholic Online

December 20: St. Dominic of Silos

St. Dominic of Silos
by Bartolomé Bermejo

History

Dominic was born in Spain. He became a Benedictine monk, later leading his community as abbot. A king tried to get Dominic to hand over some of the Benedictine property, but Dominic refused. So the king exiled him to a different kingdom, where Dominic became abbot of another community. There, he started a famous scriptorium – a special room for copying out the Bible. 

Activity

When Dominic was alive, the printing press had not been invented yet. That meant that the only way to make copies of the Bible was to write it out carefully by hand. Each page was checked over and if there was even one mistake, the whole page would be burned. This is how the Church made sure that every Bible was accurate. Today, choose a story in the Bible (or just a verse for little ones) and copy it out by hand in your very best handwriting. Imagine how long it would take to copy out the whole Bible! 

Saint Dominic of Silos, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

American Catholic

Catholic News Agency

Catholic Online

December 19: Blessed Pope Urban V

Pope Urban V
by Henri Segur

History

When Guillaume de Grimoard of France was elected pope, he chose the name Urban V because the four Urbans before him had all become saints, and he wanted to be a saint more than anything. Urban V resided in Avignon, France, instead of in Rome, because he was trying to bring peace to the area. He had many little wars to deal with and more tyrants (bad kings) than good leaders to work with. When he finally went back to Italy, things were so bad in Rome, he had to have an army and several princes in order to get to the basilica. He spent the rest of his life trying to bring wars to an end. 

Activity

You may not realize it, but even today, there are wars going on in different parts of the world. Today, pray that people will work for peace, and pray that God will bless our current holy father, Pope Francis, as he tries to convince people to live together peacefully instead of fighting. 

Blessed Urban V, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

Catholic Encyclopedia

American Catholic

Catholic Online

December 18: Saints Rufus and Zosimus

"Triumph of Faith" (Detail)
by Eugene Romain Thirion

History

Rufus and Zosimus were two of the earliest Christians, and they loved to tell people about Jesus. They lived in either Antioch or Philippi (nobody knows for sure) and were with Saint Ignatius when all three were arrested for being Christians. Rufus and Zosimus were taken to the Coliseum first, where they were thrown to hungry wild beasts and killed.

Activity

In most of the world today, Christianity is legal, so we don’t have to worry about being arrested and fed to wild animals. It’s exactly opposite of what things were like when Rufus and Zosimus were alive. So instead of being eaten by wild beasts, get yourself some animal crackers so you can eat the lions and tigers.

Saints Rufus and Zosimus, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

Catholic.Net 

Catholic Online

December 17: Saint Olympias

Statue of Saint Olympias
at St. Peter Square, Vatican City
Photo by Alfvan Beem

History

Olympias came from a rich family and married a rich man. When her husband died, many other men wanted to marry her, but she turned them all down. Instead, she and some other ladies started a religious community. Olympias had a lot of money to give to the poor. In fact, she gave so much money away, her friend Saint John Chrysostom told her she might want to slow down a little. She built a hospital and an orphanage and provided shelter for some monks who were kicked out of their country.

Activity

There’s an old saying, “No matter how much you give, you can’t out-give God.” Saint Olympias knew this, and we should know it, too. How much can you give today? If you don’t have money, think about giving away something you own to somebody who needs it.

Saint Olympias, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

Catholic Encyclopedia

EWTN

Catholic Online

SPECIAL NOTE: Today is the birthday of our Holy Father, Pope Francis! You can wish him a happy birthday via Twitter (@Pontifex). You can also honor his request that we all work together to end world hunger by making a donation to a local food bank or soup kitchen in Pope Francis' name, or by contributing to an on-line effort to buy food for hungry children over seas at Catholic Team Global.

December 16: Saint Ado of Vienne

St. Ado

History

Though he was born into a wealthy family, Ado left it all behind to become a Benedictine monk. He was very holy, which made other people so jealous, he had to leave town. He went to Rome on pilgrimage, but ended up staying for two years. Then he traveled more than 200 miles away to Ravenna. He found an old copy of the Roman Martyrology, a book that honors the people who died because of their faith in Jesus. Ado updated this book so more people could be inspired.

Activity

As part of your family prayers, read today’s entry in the Roman Martyrology. This is not the same one that Saint Ado wrote – it’s been updated since his ninth century version. 

Saint Ado, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

Catholic Encyclopedia

Catholic Online

December 15: Saint Maria (Paula) DiRosa

History

Paula Di Rosa grew up wanting to help people. When she was only 17, she was arranging retreats and missions for her parish and running the ladie’s guild. At 24, she was made the supervisor of a workhouse for poor girls. But she worried about the girls, because many of them were homeless. So she started a boarding house for poor girls where they would be safe at night after work. When she was 30, she became Sister Maria, superior of the Handmaids of Charity, who served hospital patients. When a war started, she and the other sisters went to work at a military hospital, even going out to the battlefield to comfort the soldiers who were hurt or dying. Once, the other army came to break into the hospital and kill all the wounded soldiers inside, but Sister Maria bravely met them at the door carrying a large crucifix, the army men felt ashamed and left.

Activity

Sister Maria would do anything to help people. Today, think of a way to help somebody before anybody asks you to help.

Saint Maria di Rosa, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

365 Rosaries

Catholic Online

December 14: Saint John of the Cross

Saint John of the Cross
Photo by Zarateman

History

John was homeless as a child. After he became a Carmelite, Saint Teresa of Avila asked him to help her correct some of the problems within the order. Teresa and John wanted the brothers and sisters to focus on prayer, but some of the Carmelites didn’t like being told to change. John was kidnapped by the men in his order, locked in a small, dark cell and beaten three times a week. He had nothing left but God, but God brought him joy, and John learned that there is no love greater than the Lord’s.

Activity

In his dark, cold prison, John found joy and love. Today, make your own scratch-art cross and find beauty in darkness. You start by using beautiful colors to cover a piece of cardboard. Then paint the whole thing black. After the black paint dries, use a toothpick to scratch away the black paint in the shape of a cross. Then add patterns and shapes to make your cross even more beautiful. Here are detailed instructions for making scratch art. 

Saint John of the Cross, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

Catholic Encyclopedia

Catholic Online

December 13: Saint Lucy

St. Lucy by Francesco del Cossa
National Gallery of Art
Washington D.C. 

History

Saint Lucy’s name means “light” and she wanted to serve Jesus and bring His light into the world. However, her mom, who was not a Christian, wanted her to get married to a certain man. Some legends say that Lucy prayed God would cure her mother of a sickness she had for a long time, and when He did, her mother believed, too. But the man Lucy was supposed to marry got angry and turned her into the government for being a Christian. When the soldiers came to arrest her, they thought they’d just pick her up and carry her away, but God made her very, very heavy so they couldn’t. 

Activity

Even though Lucy lived in Syracuse, the people of Sweden have adopted Saint Lucy – or Saint Lucia as they call her – for their own. Every year on December 13, girls dress up like Saint Lucy in white robes with a red sash and wear wreaths  with white candles on their heads. Then they bring breakfast rolls and coffee to their families. Here are instructions for making a Saint Lucia crown out of paper. If you want to make traditional Swedish Saint Lucia buns, here’s the recipe. (It calls for saffron, which you should find at any grocery store, If you can’t you can substitute 1/8 teaspoon of turmeric and ½ teaspoon of sweet paprika for every ¼ teaspoon of saffron.)

Saint Lucy, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

Family Prayer

EWTN

Catholic Online

December 12: Our Lady of Guadalupe

Saint Juan Diego's tilma with the original image
of Our Lady of Guadalupe, miraculously embedded
on the fibers of the cloak and preserved through
time, exposure  and an attempted bombing in 1921.
Photo by Joaquin Martinez Rosado

History

Today is the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, God’s special gift to the Americas. When the Spanish conquistadors first came to Mexico, they didn’t do a very good job teaching the native Mexicans about Jesus…especially because they made the native people their slaves instead of treating them like brothers and sisters. After 20 years, only a few hundred natives had become Christians. Then, as we learned last Monday, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to Saint Juan Diego dressed as a native princess. This appearance to a native by the mother of our Lord dressed as a native and speaking native language convinced the Mexican people that Christianity was true and it belonged to them, not just the European who took over their country. In a very short amount of time, 6,000,000 native Mexicans had been baptized Christians, and Catholicism remains a main religion there and throughout Central America.

Activity

Throughout Mexico and all the Americas, people are celebrating the appearance of Our Lady of Guadalupe today. Why not bake (or purchase) a Mexican chocolate cake for dessert tonight? Here’s an easy recipe. 

Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

Sancta  (Tons of information on this site!)

Catholic Encyclopedia

Catholic Online

December 11: Pope Saint Damasus I

Pope Saint Damasus I
Lithograph by
Pedro Augusto Guglielmi

History

Damasus I was elected pope in the year 366. But there were some people who didn’t want him – they tried to make a different man pope. The two sides fought, and even though Pope Damasus I remained pope, he had to deal with people who didn’t want him throughout his papacy - right up to the day he died. Still, he was able to do some really important things. He had Saint Jerome translate the Bible into Latin, the most commonly used language at that time. Pope Damasus I also used to write rhyming epigrams – little sayings about different saints. If you ever go to Rome, you can visit the Church of Saint Mary in Palmis, where a marble slab is carved with this epigram that Damascus I wrote (it rhymes in Latin but not in English):

"You that are looking for the names of Peter and Paul,
You must know that the saints have lived here."

Activity

Today, read Luke 1. There are five saints and one archangel mentioned: Saint Zechariah, Saint Elizabeth, Saint John the Baptist, Saint Joseph and Saint Mary, plus the angel Gabriel. Can you write an epigram about one of them?

Pope Saint Damasus I, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

Catholic Encyclopedia

American Catholic

Catholic Online

December 10: Pope Saint Gregory III

History

Gregory was a well-known Syrian priest who happened to be in Rome when Pope Gregory II died. But during the funeral procession, people in the crowd who recognized him started shouting that they wanted him to be the next pope. And that’s exactly what happened. Shortly after he became pope, Gregory III had to deal with the Byzantine emperor, Leo III. Leo thought that it was wrong to keep holy images like icons and statues around. He wanted to destroy them. Gregory III made it clear to the whole Church that destroying any image of Jesus, Mary or the saints would be wrong.   

Activity

Images of holy people, like statues, icons and paintings help us think about holy things. For some of us, these beautiful images help us concentrate better when we pray (other people concentrate better with their eyes closed, and that’s good, too). Since we are in the advent season, lots of people are putting up lights and decorations outside of their homes. Make sure there is something on or in your home that helps people think about Christ's birth. 

Saint Pope Gregory III, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

Catholic Encyclopedia

EWTN

Catholic Online

December 9: St. Juan Diego

St. Juan Diego receives roses
from Our Lady,  Shrine of
Our Lady of Guadalupe,
Irapuato, Mexico

History

Saint Juan Diego lived near Mexico City and worked as a weaver and farmer. On December 9, 1531, he got up early to walk to Mass 15 miles away, but as he passed a hill, a young woman dressed as an Aztec princess called to him. She revealed herself as the Virgin Mary and instructed Juan to tell his bishop to build a church where she stood. Juan obeyed, but the bishop asked for proof. When Juan met the lady again, she had him pick flowers growing out of the frozen ground. He gathered them in his tilma (cloak) and when he showed the flowers to his bishop, a beautiful image of Our Lady was imprinted on the cloak. So the church was built, and thousands of people became Christians, and Saint Juan Diego’s cloak was put on display for all to

Activity

Today is actually the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, as well as the feast of Saint Juan Diego. Celebrate with a special Mexican meal, at home or at a restaurant. Make your family’s favorite dishes or try quesadillas — fast and kid-friendly. (Here are some healthier quesadilla recipes from Eating Well).

Saint Juan Diego, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

American Catholic

EWTN

Catholic Online