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| While there are no existing images of Bl. Humphrey Lawrence, this drawing shows how he was executed. |
Tuesday, July 7, 2015
July 7: Blessed Humphrey Lawrence
Monday, July 6, 2015
July 6: Saint Maria Goretti
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| St. Maria Goretti |
History
Saint Maria Goretti was born in 1890 on a farm in Italy. She was always a very faithful Christian, even after her father died when she was only six. When she was twelve, a farmhand named Alessandro Serenelli attacked Maria. She fought back, telling him he was sinning. In a rage, he choked her and stabbed her. She was taken to a hospital, where she died two days later, but not before she forgave Alessandro and asked God to forgive him. While in prison for his crime, Alessandro saw a vision of Maria. He became a Christian and asked the Church to name her a saint.
Activity
Saint Maria Goretti was only a child when she stood up for what was right. Today, ask her to pray that you will be equally faithful and brave. “Saint Maria Goretti, from your place in heaven, pray that I may always be pure and holy. Pray that all young people may be heroes in our fight against evil. Amen."
Saint Maria Goretti, pray for us!
More reading for parents:
Sunday, July 5, 2015
July 5: Saint Anthony Mary Zaccaria
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Saint Antonio Maria Zaccaria
St. Francesco College, Lodi, Italy |
History
Saint Anthony Mary Zaccaria was a doctor who later became a priest in the year 1528, working mainly in hospitals and poor houses. He started a religious congregation called the Barnabites that was focused on teaching people about the Eucharist and about Jesus crucified for our sins. Saint Anthony got a lot of people to use a 40-hour prayer devotional before the Blessed Sacrament to help them grow in their faith in Jesus. He also revived an old tradition of ringing church bells at 3 p.m. on Fridays to remind people of the Crucifixion.
Activity
Talk about why Jesus’ death on the Cross is a crucial part of our salvation. Then, ring bells at 3 p.m. and thank Jesus for dying for our sins.
Saint Anthony Mary Zaccaria, pray for us!
More reading for parents:
Saturday, July 4, 2015
July 4: Saint Elizabeth of Portugal
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| "Isabel of Portugal with Saint Elizabeth" By Petrus Christos |
History
Saint Elizabeth (or Isabel) was a Spanish princess who married the king of Portugal when she was only 12 years old. Not only was she beautiful and kind, she was devoted to Jesus and went to Mass every day. One day, somebody told the king a lie about Elizabeth, which he believed. He tried to punish her and her servant, but the servant went to Mass every day, too, following the queen’s example. He was at Mass when he was supposed to be punished, and instead, the person who told the lie was punished in his place. The King realized God had saved the innocent servant and lived a holy life after that.
Activity
Sometimes, we forget that Mass is a place where miracles happen! We should all go to Mass as often as we can, just like Saint Elizabeth of Portugal and her page. Today is a national holiday in the U.S., so use an hour of your free time today to go to daily Mass as a family.
Saint Elizabeth of Portugal, pray for us!
More reading for parents:
Friday, July 3, 2015
July 3: Saint Thomas
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| "Doubting Thomas" by Bernardo Strozzi (ca 1620) |
History
Saint Thomas was one of the 12 Apostles that Jesus called. After Jesus rose from the dead, He appeared to many of the Apostles, but Thomas wasn’t there. He had trouble believing that the other Apostles had truly seen the Lord, which is where we get the term, “Doubting Thomas.” He said he would need to put his fingers in the holes of Jesus’ hands and his hand into the hole in Jesus' side before he would believe it. Eight days later, Jesus appeared to the Apostles again and called Thomas over to touch His wounds. Then Thomas believed and cried out, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said that Thomas was blessed for believing in what he had seen, but other people would be blessed for believing in what they could not see.
Activity
Talk about how we can’t see Jesus with our eyes or put our fingers in the nail holes of his hands, but we can still believe in Him because we know He is real. As a family, practice saying, “My Lord and My God!” and remember to pray this at the consecration during every Mass, when the priest holds the Eucharist above his head.
Saint Thomas, pray for us!
More reading for parents:
Thursday, July 2, 2015
July 2: Saints Processus and Martinian
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"Martyrdom of St Processus
and St Martinian" by Valentin de Boulogne |
History
Saint Processus and Saint Martinian were Roman soldiers who were assigned to work in the prison where Saint Peter was jailed. According to legend, when they learned about Jesus from Saint Peter, they believed in Christ, too. Miraculous, water flowed into Peter’s cell and he was able to baptized both Processus and Martinan. Later on, they were both arrested for being Christians, too.
Activity
Today, remember the importance of your own baptism. Look at family photos of everybody’s baptism and talk about how important this sacrament is.
Saints Processus and Martinian, pray for us!
More reading for parents:
Wednesday, July 1, 2015
July 1: Saint Gall
History
Saint Gall was an Irish missionary who traveled with a group of priests to Switzerland. Saint Gall became ill, so he had to stay while the others continued on to Italy. He lived as a hermit, but he was widely known as a very holy man. Once, he was walking through a forest when a bear threatened him. He rebuked the bear in the name of Jesus, and the bear stopped its attack and became Saint Gall’s constant companion.
Activity
Today, carry a teddy bear with you to remind you of Saint Gall’s holy devotion to Christ.
Saint Gall, pray for us!
More reading for parents:
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