May 21: Saint Eugene de Mazenod

St. Eugene de Mazenod
Marseille Cathedral, France
Photo by Finoskov

History

Eugene was born into a middle-class French family shortly before the French Revolution started. Because of the uprising, he and his family had to flee to Italy. His family life was very unhappy. His parents argued all the time, and his grandmother and his aunt (who lived with them) were always rude to his father for not having enough money. For a while, Eugene was tutored by a priest in Italy, who taught him to love and serve Christ. As a young man, Eugene thought he might want be careless and selfish like the wealthy young men he knew. Then on Good Friday in 1807, when he was praying in front of a Crucifix, Eugene suddenly realized the full impact of God's love. He became a priest and eventually a bishop. 

Activity

Because of his own family life, Saint Eugene de Mazenod is a patron for dysfunctional families. We all know of a family where nobody gets along - and where the parents are thinking about divorce. Today, pray for them and ask Saint Eugene to pray for them as well. (If you are in a position to do so, suggest that a couple considering divorce try Retrouvaille first, a self-directed program of rediscovery that has helped many couples remember why they fell in love in the first place.) 

Saint Eugene de Mazenod, pray for us! 

More reading for parents: 

Biography on the Vatican web site

Catholic Saints Info

Catholic Online

May 20: Saint Bernardine of Siena

St. Bernardine of Siena

History

Even though Bernardine was very good at caring for sick people, he did not know if that was what God wanted him to do. He fasted and prayed until he realized he should join the Franciscans. The Franciscans were missionary preachers, but Bernardine’s voice was weak and hoarse, so he spent his first 12 years praying that God would prepare him for mission work. The first time he preached, his voice was so strong and commanding, everybody loved what he had to say. Pope Pius II compared him to the Apostle Paul, too. Bernardine preached until he died peacefully when he was almost 64 years old. 

Activity 

One of the things that Saint Bernadine loved to preach about most was the name of Jesus. In fact, the Church thinks that he is the one that invented the "IHS" symbol that you see in so many churches. In Greek, the letters "IHS" are the first three letters of Jesus' name. Today, make an IHS sign to hang in your bedroom. Here's a simple coloring page, a fancy one, and one with a decorative cross. 

Saint Bernadine of Siena, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

Catholic Encyclopedia

American Catholic

Catholic Online

May 19: Pope St. Celestine V

Pope St. Celestine V

History

Named Peter when he was born, Pope Celestine V became a hermit when he was 20, spending all his time in prayer and Bible study. When he was 84, the world had been without a pope for 2 years because the College of Cardinals could not agree whom to elect. Peter wrote them a note telling them that God was not pleased, so the cardinals elected him pope! Peter was not happy – he even tried to run away. Finally, he accepted and took the name Celestine V. Unfortunately, he was so humble and unable to say no, people started to use him to get what they wanted. After five months, Pope Celestine went to the cardinals to apologize for doing a terrible job. He resigned and a new pope was elected. 

Activity

It can be really hard to figure out what we are supposed to do. Sometimes, even the people who God gives us as leaders can make a mistake and give us tasks that are way too hard for us. When that happens, we must remember to be like Pope Saint Celestine V. He tried and when he realized he was failing again and again, he resigned. Think about your own life today - is there something you need to humbly admit that you're not able to handle? 

Pope Saint Celestine V, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

Catholic Encyclopedia

EWTN

Catholic Online

May 18: Pope Saint John I

History

John was only pope for a little less than three years, from 523 to 526. He was a very frail man when he was elected, but the emperor at that time sent him all the way to Constantinople anyway, on a peace-seeking mission. Everything went very well – maybe too well, because the emperor decided that Pope John must have been conspiring against him with the ruler of Constantinople. When Pope John returned to Italy, he was arrested, and he died in prison.  

Activity

Pope John I wasn’t strong or powerful, but God didn’t need him to be anything other than faithful. That’s why Pope John was able to do such good work for the Lord. Today, memorize I Corinthians 2:9, “ And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”  

Pope Saint John I, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

Catholic News Agency

Catholic Encyclopedia

Catholic Online

May 17: St. Paschal Baylon

St. Paschal Baylon

History

Saint Paschal Baylon's parents were poor Spainards, but they were rich in faith. So when he was born on the Feast of Pentecost, which is called "the Pasch" in Spain, they named him Paschal. Paschal had to work as a shepherd instead of going to school, but he would carry a book with him, and if anybody walked by, he would ask that person to teach him letters and words until he learned how to read. He grew up to become a monk, and he often had visions when he was praying before the Blessed Sacrament. He prayed all the time, even while working. 

Activity

In honor of Saint Paschal Baylon today, make a simple Spanish tortilla for dinner. It's sort of like a frittata or an omelet, and it's a good, cheap meal. 

Saint Paschal Baylon, pray for us!

More reading for parents: 

American Catholic

EWTN

Catholic Online

May 16: St. Simon Stock

St. Simon Stock receiving the
 brown scapular from the
Blessed Mother

History

Simon was a Carmelite monk who started a lot of Carmelite communities in Europe. He became Vicar General of the order, but that mean dealing with a lot of problems. Some people made fun of the monks. Other people were tired of donating money to them. And the monks argued with each other. One day when Simon was praying, he saw a vision of the Blessed Mother with a brown scapular. She told him that it would make a difference for his order, and it did.  Things got better almost immediately. 

Activity

The idea of a scapular is rooted in the words of Christ: “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:29-30) The brown scapular is two small pieces of brown wool with string or wool connecting them so that the wearer has one piece of fabric over his or her chest and the other over his or her back. Any Catholic can wear one – even a baby – but you have to have your scapular blessed and “imposed” by a priest – basically, that means that as the priest places the scapular over your head, he prays a certain prayer.  If you don’t have a brown scapular, get one today – you can even get one for free on this website. 

Saint Simon Stock, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

CatholicEncyclopedia

BrownScapular History
Catholic Online

May 15: St. Dymphna

St. Dymphna

History

When Dymphna was 14, her mother died and her dad became very depressed. He tried desperately to find another woman who looked just like Dymphna’s mother so he could marry her, but Dymphna was the only girl around who looked like her mother. Her dad tried to pretend that Dymphna could become his wife, so she ran away with her priest and two other friends. Her dad caught them and killed the priest and Dymphna.

Activity

Soon after Saint Dymphna’s tragic death, it was discovered that when people who suffered mental illnesses would get well when Saint Dymphna was asked to pray for them. Do you know anybody who is nervous or angry or sad all the time? Today, ask Saint Dymphna to pray for them using this traditional prayer:

O God, we humbly beseech You through Your servant, St. Dymphna, who sealed with her blood the love she bore You, to grant relief to those who suffer from mental afflictions and nervous disorders, especially __________. 
St. Dymphna, helper of the mentally afflicted, pray for us. (Follow this with the Glory Be.)

Saint Dymphna, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

Catholic Encyclopedia

National Shrine of St. Dymphna

Catholic Online