November 9: Saint Benignus

Saint Benignus window at
St. Benin's Church in County Galway
Ireland. Photo by Andreas F. Borchert

History

Saint Benignus did not know about Jesus until he heard Saint Patrick of Ireland preach. Once he became a Christian, Benignus became Saint Patrick’s “psalm singer” – in other words, he led the singing and chanting when Saint Patrick celebrated Mass. Later, Benignus became the bishop of Ireland.

Activity

Today, you can be a psalm singer, too. Many of the hymns we sing at Mass are psalms set to music, such as Psalm 29. Pick your favorite and sing it out loud.  

Saint Benignus, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

Catholic Encyclopedia

Catholic Online

November 8: Four Crowned Martyrs

Four Crowned Martyrs
from the San Silvestro Chapel
Basilica of Sts. Quattro Coronati

History 

There are two separate groups of four martyrs celebrated on November 8. The first group were Carpophorus, Secundius, Severian, and Victorinus, who were beaten to death for refusing to sacrifice to one of his gods right around the year 300. The second group was Castorius, Claudius, Nicostratus, and Symphorian, who were artists in Rome around the year 305. They were asked to carve a pagan statue by the same emperor, but refused to do it. So, he had them tortured and murdered.

Activity

Use a mini-muffin pan and bake your favorite cupcakes (from scratch or from a box). Frost as desired. Using gold or yellow paper or aluminum foil, make little crowns to put on top of the cupcakes. (It’s up to Mom or Dad whether you get to eat four crowned cupcakes or not!)

Martyrdom of the Four Crowned Martyrs
by Mario Minitti, San Pietro dal Carmine, Sicily

Crowned Martyrs, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

Catholic Encyclopedia

Catholic Online

November 7: St. Willibrord

St. Willibrord by
Cornelis Bloemaert (1603-1684)

History

Born in England, Saint Willibrord began studying for the priesthood when he was still a small child. He was sent out as a missionary to the Netherlands with a dozen companions. He had a lot of problems with pagans who threatened to kill him, but he bravely continued his work. Then a new duke took over the territories where Willibrord worked and undid everything Willibrord had accomplished. When the duke died, Willibrord started all over again, with great faith in God, building a whole new church.

Activity

After Willibrord was made a saint, his bones were moved to a place of honor. The procession included five bishops, 2 Swiss guards, 16 men holding flags, 3,045 singers, 136 priests, 426 musicians, 15,085 dancers and 2,032 other people, and they all danced with joy. Today, put on some lively music that praises God and dance!

Saint Willibrord, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

Catholic Encyclopedia

Catholic Online

November 6: Saint Leonard of Noblac

St. Leonard Window
Gradenegg, Germany

History

Saint Leonard was a monk who lived in France. After he prayed that the queen would have her baby safely, King Clovis I rewarded Brother Leonard with all the land he could travel around on a donkey in one day. Leonard founded a monastery called Noblac on this land, and it grew into the town of Saint-Leonard.

Activity

Saint Leonard’s great faith inspired King Clovis I in both faith and generosity. Today, make this milk jug donkey and pretend you are Saint Leonard, riding around the land the king has provided.

Saint Leonard, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

EWTN

Catholic Online

November 5: Saint Elizabeth

"The Visitation" (of the Blessed Mother
and Saint Elizabeth) by Dieric Bouts (1445)

History

Elizabeth must have had a hard time, because she and her husband, Zachariah, were unable to have children for most of their married life. Then she got pregnant with John, whom we know as John the Baptist. When the Blessed Mother found out that she was pregnant with Jesus, the Messiah, and that her cousin Elizabeth was also pregnant in her older years, Mary went to visit her, and Elizabeth said, “Blessed are you among women and blessed is the Fruit of your womb!”  

Activity

Elizabeth is the patron of pregnant women. So today, pray for all the ladies you know who are having babies…and pray for all the women who, like Elizabeth, have wanted a baby for years but still are not expecting a child.

Saint Elizabeth, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

Catholic Encyclopedia

EWTN

Catholic Online