March 31: St. Benjamin the Deacon

St. Benjamin

History

Benjamin was born in Persia around the beginning of the fifth century. He was a deacon for the Church, but due to the government persecuting Christians, he was sent to jail for a year. He was set free on the condition that he would never speak to anybody who worked for the king about religion. But Benjamin believed it was his duty to preach about Jesus to anyone and everyone. In the end, he was arrested again and cruelly tortured until he died. 

Activity

These ways, we shouldn't have to be afraid of telling other people about Jesus, but we often are. Maybe we think the person we tell will make fun of us, or get angry. But if Jesus is the best part of our lives (and He is!), we shouldn't be any more afraid to tell our friends about Jesus than we are afraid to tell our friends about our favorite movies or music or ice cream. Today, spend a little time asking Jesus who He wants you to talk to. Then, go tell that person how wonderful Jesus is and invite her or him to Easter Mass with you this Sunday. 

Saint Benjamin the Deacon, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

EWTN

365 Rosaries

Catholic Online

March 30: St. John Climacus

"The Ladder of Divine Ascent"
(St. John Climacus is pictured at the top,
being welcomed to heaven by Christ.)

History

John lived in Palastine in the 7^th century. He became a religious hermit when he was only 16, living on Mt. Sinai, where he studied the lives of the saints. God gave him a great gift for writing, and John wrote “The Ladder of Divine Ascent,” which explains how to use ascetic virtues — like humility, forgiveness, contentment, penance and honesty — to become closer to God. He used Jacob’s Ladder as the framework, and developed 30 steps to correspond with the age of Jesus at His baptism.

Activity

Today, make a Jacob’s Ladder toy out of wood, ribbon and small wire nails (I have also had excellent results with tacky glue instead of nails). Here are the instructions. To remind yourself of St. John Climacus' "Ladder of Divine Ascent," on one side, use a permanent marker to draw a cross. On the other, draw a triangle to represent the Holy Trinity. 

Saint John Climacus, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

EWTN

Catholic Online

"The Ladder of Divine Ascent"

March 29: St. Berthold

St. Berthold

History 

Berthold was a priest in Palestine. There were a lot of people living as hermits all over the region, each doing their own thing. Berthold got them together to live in a community on Mount Carmel. So, he helped start the Carmelite Order, which is still very large and active today. He was the first superior of the order, which means he created their rule of life.

Activity

It's Palm Sunday for Carmelites and for the whole Church! When you receive palms at Mass today, remember these are sacramentals and need to be treated respectfully. Tuck them behind the crucifixes or icons hanging in your home,  Here's the whole story at Catholic Culture - plus some links for how to weave palms or fold them into crosses.

Saint Berthold, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

EWTN

Catholic Online

March 28: Saint Venturino

St. Venturino

History

Venturino was an Italian priest. Because God gave him the gift of wonderful preaching, he attracted huge crowds wherever he went. Venturino announced he was going to Rome in 1335, but Pope Benedict XII misunderstood and thought he was coming to Rome to take over. The pope sent letters to Venturino’s superiors asking them to stop his trip, but the letters didn’t arrive in time. Twelve days after Venturino got to Rome, he found out he wasn't supposed to be there, so he left. But he wanted to talk things over with the pope so there would be no hard feelings. When Venturino asked to see the pope, he was arrested instead! He had to stay in jail until the next pope, Clement VI figured out that it as all a big misunderstanding. He got Venturino out of prison and asked him to be the head of an important crusade. 

Activity

Anybody can make a mistake, even the pope! Sometimes, we are accused of doing something we didn’t do, and nobody will listen when we try to explain. Today, think of a time that happened to you. How did you react? Now, pray that God will help you forgive the person who punished you for something you didn’t do…and if you didn’t take the punishment with grace, ask God to build your faith so that if and when it happens again, you will respond the way He wants you to. 

Saint Venturino, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

Saints SQPN

Catholic Online 

March 27: St. Rupert

St. Rupert 

History

Saint Rupert was born in what we call Germany in the 7^th century, where he became a priest and then a bishop. He worked very hard to tell people about Jesus so that they would become Christians. Then the Duke of Bavaria (also part of Germany) asked Rupert to take over a town that was almost deserted, called Iuvavum. Rupert build a church, a monastery, and a school. He brought in missionaries to work with the people. Now Iuvavum is known as the thriving city of Salzburg, Austria. 

Activity

St. Rupert knew that the best way to save a dying town was to encourage their souls. That’s why he built a church first. You can see film of Salzburg in the movie, "The Sound of Music." Watch it with your family this evening. 

St. Rupert, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

Catholic Encyclopedia

Catholic News Agency

Catholic Online

March 26: St. Margaret Clitherow

History

Margaret was raised Anglican, but a few years after she was married, she joined the Catholic Church. Catholic priests were being persecuted and even killed by order of Queen Elizabeth I, so Margaret hid priests in her home, where they said Mass for her, her children and all her Catholic neighbors. Then she was found out and arrested. When she refused to give up Catholicism and return to the Anglican Church, she was sentenced to die. She wrote to a friend, “…I feel the weakness of my flesh, which is troubled at this news, but my spirit rejoices greatly. For the love of God, pray for me and ask all good people to do likewise."

Activity

 

St. Margaret Clitherow had to keep her faith a secret to protect the priests who were giving people the Sacraments during a time when Catholicism was illegal. When she was executed, soldiers took the front door off her house and crushed her beneath it. Most of us live in places where we can be open about our faith in Christ. Can people look at your front door and know that you are a Christian? If not, come up with a plan to make your front door deliver the message, "Christians live here!"

St. Margaret Clitherow, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

Catholic Encyclopedia

EWTN

Catholic Online

March 25: Feast of the Annunciation

"Ecce Ancilla Domini!"  (The Annunciation)
by Dante Gabriel Rossetti

History

Today is the day the Church celebrates God's promise of salvation in the Feast of the Annunciation. As we read in Luke 1, an angel appeared to a godly young woman named Mary and told her she would bear the Christ. Mary was initially confused about how this could possibly happen, so the angel explained to her that she would become miraculously pregnant by the power of the Holy Spirit. Even though this could have put her in danger, because unmarried pregnant women could be legally executed in those days, Mary had received the fullness of Grace from God, and she accepted this role, full of faith and love for her Lord and Savior.

Activity

Since this is one of the most important solemnities of the Church, all Lenten penances are lifted for the day. You can and should feast to celebrate God's great love for us in sending us His Son. After dinner tonight, serve an angel food cake with fruit, symbolizing the appearance of the angel and the "blessed Fruit" conceived in Mary's womb: Jesus. Also, today is the day that Catholics all over the world pray for the unborn. And don't forget to ask God to give you the kind of faith that Mary had.

Blessed Mother of God, pray for us!

More reading for parents: 

Catholic Culture
EWTN
Catholic Online

March 24: St. Catherine of Genoa

St. Catherine of Genoa by Giovanni Agostina Ratti

History

Catherine tried to become a nun when she was 13, but she was too young. Three years later, she married a nobleman named Julian, who was very selfish. Because she didn't know what else to do, Catherine also became really selfish. One day, she went to confession, and God gave her a new understanding of her sins and how much He loved her anyway. She turned her life around and that made Julian realize he needed Jesus, too. By then, they were broke due to their selfish habits. They moved into a hospital and serve the poor for the rest of their lives. 

Activity

God gives us so many graces when we go to Confession! Take some time today to prepare your heart and go to confession. 

Saint Catherine of Genoa, pray for us! 

More reading for parents: 

Catholic Encyclopedia
American Catholic
Christian Classics Ethereal Library

Last year, we learned about Saint Aldermar the Wise and memorized John 16:33. 

March 23: St. Turibius of Mongrovejo

St. Turibius of Mongrovejo

History

Saint Turibius was one of the first saints of the New World. He was born in Spain where he was a brilliant student, law professor, then judge. When he was appointed Archbishop of Lima in Peru, he wasn’t even a priest yet! But the pope knew he was holy and faithful, and could solve all the problems in that archdiocese. He was quickly ordained priest and bishop and got on a boat for Peru. He arrived to find that the Spanish conquistadors had forced the native people into slavery. Turibius worked very hard to correct the problems. 

Activity

Saint Turbibius is the patron for Native American rights because of the work he did to raise the dignity of the Natives in Peru from poverty and slavery to a more comfortable way of life. He studied the people’s language and traveled all over to meet everybody, winning them over with his deep love for Christ and for them. Today, learn how to pray the Our Father in Spanish (the predominant language in Peru today). This video can help you. 

Saint Turibius of Mongrovejo, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

Catholic Encyclopedia

American Catholic

Catholic Online

March 22: St. Lea

St. Lea

History

We don’t know much about St. Lea, other than that she lived about 1700 years ago. She was a faithful Christian who had a very rich and comfortable lifestyle. After her husband died, she moved to a monastery and lived a very simple, modest life. In a letter St. Jerome wrote about her, we can see that she used to order a lot of servants around, but once she became superior at the convent, she led the other sisters by example. 

Activity

Saint Jerome’s letter indicates that he and St. Lea were kneeling together, reciting Psalm 73 together, when she died. This is a very interesting psalm for St. Lea, because it talks about the frustrations of knowing rich people never want for anything, while the poor struggle, but both fall into sin. St. Lea knew must have known this from both perspectives, as a rich lady and as a poor sister. Today, read Psalm 73, and then memorize verse 26: “Though my flesh and my heart fail, God is the rock of my heart, my portion forever.”

Saint Lea, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

Catholic News Agency

Catholic Fire

Catholic Online

March 21: St. Nicholas of Flüe

St. Nicholas of Flüe
or "Brother Klaus"

History

Nicholas was a heroic Swiss soldier. During times of peace, he worked for his governor. People thought Nicholas would make a good governor, too, but he kept refusing to take the office.  When he was 50, he and his wife agreed that he should live as a hermit and devote all his time to praying to God. For 19 years, his only food was the Holy Eucharist. But people still came to him for advice and help. Once he stopped a civil war in Switzerland, just by dictating an agreement that both sides were happy to sign.

Activity

When St. Nicholas of Flüe became a hermit, he was able to really focus on God and learn what His will is. By fasting from all food except the Eucharist, he was able to ask God to fill him up with the wisdom he needed to use his gifts to serve God and others. If you can give up a meal today, do so and go to Mass so that all you receive is the Eucharist for a time. When your hunger bothers you, ask God to fill you with wisdom about what your gifts are and how you should be using them. (You can still pray for that even if you can't miss a meal today.)

Saint Nicholas of Flüe, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

Catholic Encyclopedia

EWTN

Catholic Online

March 20: St. Cuthbert

St. Cuthbert

History

Cuthbert was a poor shepherd boy from the British Isles. Once while playing with some friends, another boy blurted out, "Cuthbert, how can you waste your time playing games when you have been chosen to be a priest and a bishop?" This confused both Cuthbert and the boy who had said it! When he was 15, Cuthbert did become a priest. He would visit people in their homes to help them grow in their faith. Because he spoke the same way poor people did, he was trusted and admired.

Activity

Not everybody is fortunate enough to have a friend tell them what they are supposed to be doing with their lives! The fact is, God is always telling us and drawing us to the work He wants us to accomplish. Today, spend a few minutes alone with God. Ask Him to tell you want He wants you to do with your life, and then sit quietly and listen. Don’t be frustrated if you don’t hear a clear word today. He will reveal His purpose when the time is right, so just ask again daily. 

Saint Cuthbert, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

Catholic Encyclopedia

Holy Spirit Interactive

Catholic Online

March 19: Feast of Saint Joseph

St. Joseph
(with the Christ Child)
by Robert Delonge

History

Not much is known about Saint Joseph, the foster-father of Jesus. He was a carpenter, and he was a righteous man. When Joseph found out Mary was pregnant with the Son of God, he bravely accepted what the angel told him and took Mary home as his wife. When the king tried to kill Baby Jesus, he protected Mary and the Christ Child and took them to Egypt as an angel directed him. He loved Jesus and took care of him.

Activity

All around the world today, Catholics are celebrating the Feast of St. Joseph. Many wear red to honor him. Another tradition is to put a small table on top of a larger one and heap both with food, giving most of it to the poor. In Europe, it’s very popular to eat an Italian supper with pasta and fava beans. They enjoy sfinge (a sort of fritter filled with a sweetened ricotta cream and chocolate chips) or zeppole (a round of flaky, fried dough filled with vanilla custard). If you live in a city with an Italian bakery, you might be able to buy some of those pastries. In many countries, St. Joseph Day is also Father’s Day, and people honor the dads in their family with gifts, cards and hugs. So, put on some red clothing, explore these St. Joseph’s Feast recipes and tell your dad you love him. 

Saint Joseph, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

Catholic Encyclopedia

American Catholic

Catholic Online

March 18: St. Cyril of Jerusalem

St. Cyril of Jerusalem
by Francesco Bartolozzi

History

When Cyril was a bishop in the fourth century, poor people came to him for help, he sold a few extra items in the parish so he could buy them food. Meanwhile, a terrible thing was happening. Some people said that Jesus wasn’t God, and they convinced many Christians to believe that lie. Cyril knew Jesus was divine, but somehow managed to get himself in the middle of all of this. A bishop who disagreed with Cyril  accused him of selling church goods for profit and had him sent away to another country.

Activity

Sometimes, we work really hard to do what Jesus wants us to do, but we never get to see any good come from it. And sometimes, we want to do something to help, but we can’t for some reason – like when Cyril was sent away. That doesn’t mean we should give up. We have to learn to trust that God is using our efforts for the good of His Kingdom, even if we can’t see it. Today, ask God to help you always trust in Him. 

Saint Cyril of Jerusalem, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

Catholic Encyclopedia

American Catholic

Catholic Online

March 17: St. Patrick

St. Patrick

History

Saint Patrick is a popular saint, but most people don’t realize how humble and brave he was, and how good he was at explaining the things of God to others. He worked as a missionary priest in Ireland, going to the north and west borders where people had never heard about Jesus. Most of them were druids, following a pagan religion. Many people became Christians after hearing Patrick preach. 

Activity

Saint Patrick had to be creative in order to share the Gospel with people who had never heard of God, let alone Jesus. He used a plant that is very common in Ireland – the shamrock – to explain the Holy Trinity. Patrick would say that the one God has three Persons, just like one shamrock had three leaves. Here are instructions for making a shamrock out of strips of paper and a stapler from Sugar Bee Crafts. 

Saint Patrick, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

American Catholic

Catholic News Agency

Catholic Online

March 16: Saint Dentlin

History

We don’t know much about Saint Dentlin because he had such a short life. He was born in either France or Belgium, and it was said he loved Jesus from birth. Dentlin had a wonderful gift for telling people about Jesus and the joys of being a Christian. He died of an illness when he was only 7 years old, and miracles were reported by people who prayed at his gravesite. His dad, his mom and all three of his siblings also became saints.

Activity

Saint Dentlin shows us that we don’t have to be an important person, or a well-educated person, or a well-trained preacher to share the Good News about Jesus. Dentlin could do it as a young child, and so can we. So today, look for an opportunity to share your love for Christ with somebody else.

Saint Dentlin, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

SQPN

Catholic Online

March 15: St. Louise de Marillac

St. Louise de Marillac

History

Louise wanted to be a nun all her life, but her priest insisted she enter into an arranged marriage instead. She came to love her husband very much, and they had a little boy. But then her husband got sick and died. Louise and her son had to move from their comfortable home to a poor neighborhood. There, she started to go to Saint Vincent de Paul for spiritual direction. He was very busy, and he needed somebody who could help him serve the poor by understanding their needs. Then Saint Vincent realized he had the perfect solution to his problems in Louise de Marillac. Louise considered this an answer to her prayers. She started working with St. Vincent and training other women to help. Eventually, the Daughters of Charity became a full-fledged religious order and Louise finally became a nun as she had always wanted. 

Activity

Sometimes, we feel a deep urging in our hearts to do something great for God, but it’s not the right time. For Saint Louise de Marillac, her years of being married, falling in love with her husband, and raising her son prepared her to serve poor women and children in a very compassionate way. Today, pray that God will give you the patience to accept His perfect timing for your life. 

 Saint Louise de Marillac, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

Catholic Encyclopedia

American Catholic

Catholic Online

March 14: Saint Matilda

St. Matilda

History

Matilda was born into a wealthy, important family in Denmark. She was raised in a convent, where she learned to love Jesus first and foremost. Then she married the future king of Germany. Matilda always gave generously to the poor. After her son, Otto the Great, became king, he and his brother Henry fought about the crown. She solved the problem by getting Otto to make Henry a duke. Then both of them started complaining about how generous she was in giving to the poor, so she left all her possessions with them and moved away. In time, the brothers realized their mother was right and apologized. 

Activity

There is a saying, “You can never out-give God.” This is true, because everything we have, comes from God. Matilda looked upon all the riches she had as coming from God – hers to manage and hers to give away, but not hers to keep. Lent is a time for giving. So today, find a way to give generously. Give away something you thought you could never go without. 

Saint Matilda, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

Catholic Encyclopedia

Holy Spirit Interactive

Catholic Online

March 13: Saint Agnellus

St. Agnellus

History

Saint Agnellus was received into the Franciscan order by Saint Francis himself. He was sent to Oxford, England, to start a new monastery. He also started what would become Oxford University, because he understood that education is very, very important. In time, he became friends with King Henry III. When the king started quarrelling with a local earl, he asked for Agnellus to help stop a civil war. Agnellusnegotiated peace before he died. He was buried at Oxford. 

Activity

Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers,” and Saint Agnellus certainly took that to heart. Today, make sure you are a peacemaker. If you hear people arguing about something, do your best to help them resolve the issue and come to an understanding. Don’t forget to ask the Holy Spirit to guide you. 

Saint Agnellus, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

Catholic Encyclopedia

365 Rosaries

Catholic Online

March 12: Saint Fina

History

Fina (or Seraphina) was born into a family that started out okay but became very poor. Even though she didn’t have much to eat, she saved half of her food to give to people who were even worse off than she was. Then her father died, and Fina caught a disease that left her paralyzed. All she could do was lay still on a board while her mother left to find work or beg for food. So Fina prayed. She prayed that she would care more about Jesus’ suffering on the cross than her own pain. When she died, white violets were found growing out of the board she had been lying upon. 

Activity

Today, get some white violet seeds and start them indoors so you can plant them in your yard. Then every time you see them, you can remember Saint Fina and her determination to make Jesus’ suffering for our sins more important than her own problems. You can plant the seeds in any sort of pot – even an empty paper egg carton would work. 

Saint Fina, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

Loyola Press

Holy Spirit Interactive

Catholic Online

March 11: Saint Constantine of Cornwall

St. Constantine of Cornwall

History

Constantine was king of Cornwall. After his wife died, he repented of his sins and became a Christian. Then he gave the kingdom over to his grown son and became a monk. He was not treated like a king any more – he did all kinds of chores and lived just like the other monks as he studied for the priesthood. After he was ordained, he served as a missionary to Scotland. 

Activity

St. Constantine's Well today

As the story goes, Saint Constantine had a well that produced miraculous waters. After his death, the people in Cornwall let it fall into disrepair. Then came a time of drought. The people begged the priest for advice, and he told them to find and restore the well. They didn’t take him seriously, and the drought continued. Twice more, the priest told them about Saint Constantine’s well, and they finally listened. They found the well and restored it, and clean, cold water gushed out of it. Then rain fell and they were saved from their drought. Today, there are parts of the world that are suffering from drought. Ask God to end their drought, and ask Saint Constantine to pray for them, too. 

Saint Constantine, pray for us! 

More reading for parents:

SQPN 

Catholic Online

March 10: Saint John Ogilvie

St. John Ogilvie

History

John was born into an important Scottish family who were all Protestant Christians. After studying a debate between a Protestant theory that God created only a few people to be saved and the Catholic truth that Jesus came to save the whole world, John to realize that Catholicism was right. So at 17, he converted to the Catholic Church. He became a Jesuit priest in France, later returning to his homeland as a missionary. Because it was illegal to be Catholic in Scotland, John was eventually arrested and told to reveal the names of other Catholics in the country. Even though he was starved, poked with sharp sticks and had his hair pulled out, he refused to reveal their names, protecting them.

Activity

Saint John Ogilvie was eventually sentenced to death, but he told the judge, “I fear death no more than you fear your dinner.” So today, enjoy a traditional Scottish dinner – sausage rolls. They are very easy to make with purchased puff pastry.

• 1 package of pre-made puff pastry
• 1 pound loose sausage
• Dijon mustard
• 1 egg, beaten

1.    Preheat your oven to 400° and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper

2.    Cut each sheet of puff pastry into six squares for a total of 12. 

3.    Divide the sausage into 12 equal portions and roll each one into a log an inch shorter than the pastry squares. Brown in a skillet to get rid of some of the fat, then drain on paper towels.

4.    Spread a little mustard on each square, and then place a sausage roll on each one. 

5.    Roll the pastry around the sausage, using a bit of egg to seal the dough (leave the ends open). Brush each roll with the rest of the egg. Use a sharp knife to cut a few slashes diagonally across the top.

6.    Bake for 10-15 minutes or until golden brown all over. 

March 9: Saint Frances of Rome

St. Frances of Rome
by Guercino, detail from
"The Crucifixion with
St. Elizabeth of Hungary
and St. Frances of Rome"

History

Frances felt she was called to be a nun when she was only 11. Her father refused to let her because she had already been promised in marriage to a boy from another wealthy family. Frances stubbornly prayed that God would stop the marriage and went to see her confessor. He asked her, "Are you crying because you want to do God's will or because you want God to do your will?" After that Frances learned to accept God’s will as her own. She got married, served the poor, and loved Jesus. During a famine, God answered her prayers with miraculous supplies of corn and wine. He also allowed her to see and hear her guardian angel. After her husband died when she was 52 years old, she finally became a nun. 

Activity

Did you know that you have your very own guardian angel? Our angels help us turn away from sin, protect us from temptation and guide us toward God’s will. While we can’t see and hear our guardian angels the way Saint Frances of Rome did, we can still rely on them for help. Today, learn the Guardian Angel prayer if you don’t already know it. And make sure you pray it every morning before you start your day. 

Saint Frances of Rome, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

Catholic Encyclopedia

American Catholic

Catholic Online