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

We are really, really lucky these days. Most of us live in countries where we are free to talk about Jesus openly. But there are some nations where Christians can be arrested for preaching about Christ. Today, pray that God will strengthen those Christians who live under the threat of arrest – or worse – if they share the Gospel. Because everyone in those countries needs to learn about Jesus, too. 

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

On Easter Sunday - just two days ago - many Christians in Palastine were gathered in a park to celebrate the Lord's Resurrection. Tragically, a terrorist killed more than 70 or them and injured hundreds others, just because they believe in Jesus. Today, ask St. Berthed to pray for those martyrs, for their families, for the Church in Palastine, and for all terrorists who hate Christians to convert and learn about the love of God. 

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: Alleluia! Christ is Risen!

"Resurrection of Christ" by Noel Coypel

History

Today we celebrate the Resurrection of Christ. When Jesus rose from the dead, He conquered sin and death. Heaven was opened so that we can (someday) join Him there, worshiping God in all His glory. Easter (or Pascha) is  the biggest feast and the holiest day of the year. The traditional greeting for this holy day is, “Christ is risen!”, which is answered with, “He is risen indeed!”

Activity

It’s appropriate to decorate your home with flowers. Hang a wreath of lilies on your front door. Prepare a special meal as well. But be sure to start your festivities with Mass. If you didn’t attend Vigil Mass last night, go as early as you can this morning so that you can spend the entire day celebrating Jesus’ great gift to us. 

Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!

More reading for parents:

Catholic Encyclopedia

EWTN

Catholic Culture 

March 26: Holy Saturday

History

Holy Saturday, the day before Easter, is the quietest day of the year in the Church. Today, we remember Jesus being in the tomb. We remember the grief of His Apostles, who abandoned Him at His darkest hour. We remember the tears of His mother, Mary, who suffered the emotional and spiritual pain of watching her innocent Son tortured and crucified for the sins of others. Some people believe she waited by Jesus’ tomb until His resurrection, knowing in faith that God would conquer death. There is no Mass until after sundown, when Easter begins with the glorious Vigil Mass. At Vigil Mass, the new fire is kindled, the new Paschal candle is lit that will burn at every Mass till next year, and tens of thousands of new Catholics will be received into the Church all over the world. 

Activity

Today is the day of preparation for Easter. There isn’t anything to celebrate yet, but we can prepare for it by putting together little gifts for family and friends or making various dishes for our Easter feasts. (Here is a recipe for “Empty Tomb Rolls” using refrigerated dough that you may want to try.) Dying Easter eggs is a popular custom that stems from a tradition about Mary Magdalene in the Orthodox Church: They say that Tiberius Caesar scoffed at the idea of Jesus’ resurrection over dinner, telling Mary Magdalene, “A man cannot rise from the dead any more than the egg in your hand will turn red.” Of course, it immediately turned red!

Jesus Christ, have mercy on me, a sinner!

More reading for parents: 

Catholic Encyclopedia

Catholic Culture

Jimmy Akin at National Catholic Register

March 25: Good Friday

Special Note: Today is a day of fasting and abstinence as we remember the suffering of Christ for our sins.

Abstinence (everybody age 14 and up) means abstaining from meat products. Fish/seafood is allowable, but remember the point is to make this a day of penance, not feasting.

Fasting (everybody aged 18-59) means limiting yourself to one regular-sized meal and two smaller meals (glorified snacks) with no eating between meals. You can choose when to eat your regular-sized meal. Exceptions are made for people who have medical issues or strenuous jobs. Pregnant and nursing moms are also excluded.

History

This is the saddest day of the Church year. Today, we mourn the death of our Savior. Today, we remember how He was stripped, beaten and ridiculed, abandoned by His friends and left to suffer the most cruel and painful death ever imagined because we’re sinners, and we needed Him to die to save us. 

Activity 

Today we fast and pray. If you can set aside your usual activities – work, school, watching television, etc. – then do so. Try to limit your speaking to saying only what is necessary. Focus your mind and heart on Jesus’ suffering, and be sure to find out when services will be held at your parish. There will be not be a Mass anywhere in the Church until the great Easter Vigil Mass on Saturday night. However, parishes have the “Celebration of the Lord’s Passion.” The altar will be completely empty – not even a cloth or a candle laid on it. The Scriptures describing Jesus’ last hours will be read, and usually a large Crucifix will be offered for people to come up and touch. After receiving the reserved Eucharist, everyone will leave the church in silence. 

Jesus Christ, have mercy on me,  a sinner!

More reading for parents:

Catholic Culture

Catholic Encyclopedia

Fisheaters

March 25: Saint Dismas

"Christ and the Good Thief" by Titian

History

There is very little known about Saint Dismas, other than the fact that he was one of the two thieves crucified with Jesus. Dismas is the one who recognized Jesus as the Savior, and Jesus said to him, “Today you will be with Me in paradise.”

Activity

Lent is always a good time to think about the price Jesus paid for our sins. In the 1770s, a poet named William Cowper was so depressed, he wanted to die. But a “still small voice” in his mind kept stopping him. At last, he thought about how God can erase any sin, and he wrote the hymn, “There is a Fountain Filled With Blood,” which mentions Saint Dismas as “the dying thief” who “rejoiced to see” Jesus’ sacrifice for his sins. Take a few moments to listen to this hymn and thank the Lord for saving us from our sins! 

Saint Dismas, pray for us!

More reading for parents

Tradition in Action

Catholic Online

March 24: Maundy Thursday

Christ Washing St. Peter's Feet

History

Maundy Thursday is a profound day in the Church that begins the Holy Triduum (TRID-oo-um), the three solemn days before Easter. On Maundy Thursday, we celebrate the beginning of the ordained Catholic priesthood, and in many Cathedrals, there is a solemn Mass where the bishop blesses the oil of chrism used for baptisms and confirmations. (In my diocese, this is moved to the Monday prior).  We also celebrate Jesus beginning the Holy Eucharist at the Last Supper. At the evening Mass, you may see the priest or bishop washing the feet of some parishioners to re-enact Jesus washing the feet of His Apostles. In many parishes, the Blessed Sacrament is placed in a monstrance right after Mass, and round-the-clock adoration begins, lasting all the way to Easter Vigil Mass on Saturday night. 

Activity

The theme for Maundy Thursday is cleansing. In many countries, families use this day for spring cleaning, scrubbing their homes from top to bottom. You may only have time to clean your living room today, but do a thorough job – move the furniture, scrub the floors, wash the windows (weather permitting). Don’t forget to attend Mass tonight!

All the Apostles of Christ, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

Catholic Encyclopedia

Catholic Culture

CatholicOnline

March 23: St. Turibius of Mongrovejo

St. Turibius of Mongrovejo

Special Note: Today is "Spy Wednesday," the day that commemorates Judas Iscariot's betrayal of Christ. This is a good day to examine how you have followed through with your promised Lenten sacrifices. If you haven't been to confession since Ash Wednesday, make it a point to examine your conscience and get to confession today or in the next few days. The Lord's Paschal Feast is almost here! 

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: Saint Enda

History

Enda was a warlord in Ireland. His sister, Saint Fanchea, eventually convinced him to stop fighting and live a Christian life of peace. He was supposed to get married, but the young lady died before the wedding. Enda decided to become a monk. After a pilgrimage to Rome, where he was ordained, he came back to Ireland to build churches and monasteries. He taught the brothers to live simply and work hard. 

Activity

Enda and the other brothers in his monasteries lived very simple lives, with only one outfit of clothes, no heat in the winter, simple meals, and so on. They alway slept on the bare ground or on a rug, but never on beds. Tonight, as we near the end of Lent, make an extra sacrifice by sleeping on your bedroom floor instead of a bed.

Saint Enda, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

EWTN
Catholic News Agency
Catholic Online

Last year, we learned about St. Nicholas of Flüe and gave up a meal. 

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: St. Eusebia

History

When Eusebia was only 8 years old, her dad was murdered, and her mom sent her to live in the abbey her great-grandmother, Gertrude, had started, so she'd be safe. Four years later, Gertrude died, leaving Eusebia as abbess, even though she was only 12! Eusebia's mom thought that was a terrible idea, so she made the sisters merge with another order. Most of the sisters were not happy about this. After a long time, Eusebia was able to take the sisters back to their old abbey and be their abbess. By then, Eusebia had grown in wisdom, and she ended up being a really good leader. 

Activity

Even though Eusebia was only a 12-year-old girl, her great-grandmother saw she would be a good leader of the abbey. Today, take some time to pray that the children you are close to will know their vocations and be obedient to their calling.

St. Eusebia, pray for us! 

More reading for parents:

Catholic Fire

Catholic Online

Last year, we leaned about another young saint, Saint Dentlin. 

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