May 7: Saint Rose Venerini

St. Rose Venerini

History

Born in Italy, Rose entered a convent soon after the man she planned to marry died. But then her father died, and she had to go back home to take care of her mother. Rose started leading all the girls and women in the neighborhood in the Rosary every evening. Then she discovered that many of them did not know much about their faith, so she started to teach them. She also trained other teachers and started schools in various places. Sometimes people didn’t want the schools and even set them on fire, but Rose kept on teaching, full of faith that this was what God wanted her to do. 

Activity

Praying the Rosary as a family every evening can help keep everyone tuned into to what God wants each of you to do. If you are not doing this devotional – or if you’ve fallen out of the habit, start praying together again today. If you have very small children, you might just want to do part of the Rosary (say, the first decade) and finish the rest of it with your older kids and/or spouse after the little ones are in bed.

Saint Rose of Venerini, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

Catholic News Agency
American Catholic
Catholic Online

May 6: St. Lucius of Cyrene

The Church in Antioch
founded by St. Lucius and others

History

Lucius is mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles, chapter 13, He was a missionary with Paul (and possibly also with Luke), and he one of the people who helped start a parish in Antioch. He also was one of the first Christians to preach the Gospel to non-Jewish people. Later on, he became the first bishop of Cyrene. 

Activity

The Church still relies on missionaries like Lucius to go out into the world and tell people about Jesus. Missionaries usually have to leave behind their moms and dads, their homes, and every comfortable thing. Some of them even risk their lives by going to countries where Christianity is illegal. Today, pray for all the missionaries in the world, that God will encourage them and protect them so they can do what He has called them to do. 

Saint Lucius of Cyrene, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

Saints SQPN

Catholic Online

May 5: Feast of the Ascension

 

L'Ascension
by Guillaume Fouace

History

Today is a Holy Day of Obligation for Catholics all over the world - although in some dioceses, the feast has been moved to Sunday. Be sure to go to Mass today - even if the feast has been moved in your diocese, make the effort! It's a very special day. This feast celebrates Jesus ascending into Heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father, just like we say in the Creed at every Mass. This is a very important event because it is like a promise to us that we, too, will go to heaven some day, Lord willing.

This feast has been celebrated for many centuries in different ways. In parts of Italy, families go on a picnic and the children hunt for crickets, which they keep as singing pets! 

Activity

Read about Jesus' ascension in Acts 1:1-11. Today is also the first day of the Novena to the Holy Spirit - sign up here for daily prayers sent straight to your email box. Because it's a feast day, make sure you feast! Some sort of poultry is traditional (because birds fly and Jesus flew up to heaven) Even if you only have time for an ordinary dinner, have a special dessert. Tiramisu is a great choice, because its name means "lift me up" in Italian!
Here's a delicious recipe from Food Network, and here's an easier version from Betty Crocker. Both recipes use purchased lady fingers, espresso and a homemade filling. If the kids balk at the idea of this coffee-flavored dessert, then get a box of blue raspberry gelatin and some non-dairy whipped topping to make cloud parfaits. Simply make the gelatin as directed. When set, use a fork to scrape it up into shreds. Spoon the shreds into parfait glasses, pausing now and then to add a dollop of whipped topping to look like clouds. 

All the saints in heaven, pray for us!

More reading for parents: 

Catholic Encyclopedia

ChurchYear.net

Fisheaters

May 4: Saint Florian

St. Florian
Photo by Oliver Abels

History

Saint Florian was an officer of the Roman army, and he was a Christian. Once he came upon a town where there was a raging fire. Florian prayed to the Lord and then threw a single bucket of water on the fire, and the flames died down immediately. Then the emperor found out that Florian was a Christian and sentenced him to be burned to death. Florian stood on top of the pile of wood and preached about Jesus. He told the soldiers that if they tried to burn him, he would climb the flames to heaven. So instead, the soldiers beat him and then threw him into a river with a heavy stone tied around his neck. 

Activity

Saint Florian is a patron against fire. In his honor today, make sure that your family has a safety plan in case of fire. Every person in your family needs to know what to do when faced with fire, even the very youngest children. Plus, you should check your smoke detectors (vacuum them thoroughly!) and make sure you have a working fire extinguisher. Here is a checklist you can use.

Saint Florian, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

Saints SQPN

Saint Florian parish in Michigan

Catholic Online 

May 3: Saint James the Lesser

St. James the Lesser

History

Among the 12 Apostles called by Jesus, there were two named James. The first was one James, son of Zebedee. The other James is called “James the Lesser”, probably because he was younger than the other James. After Jesus ascended into heaven, James the Lesser was a great help to the Church. He was the first bishop of Jerusalem, and he wrote a very important letter that is now in our New Testament. He was stoned to death a few years after writing the letter because he was a follower of Christ.

Activity

The Epistle of James is packed with a lot of wisdom. James covers a lot of topics, but one of the most important questions he addresses is faith verses works. Some Christians thought they only had to believe in Jesus to be saved (some Christians still think that today!), but James explained that we must put our faith into action. Today,read the second chapter of James’ epistle. Then, memorize verse 26: For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is also dead.”

Saint James the Lesser, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

Catholic Encyclopedia

EWTN

Catholic Online

May 2: Saint Athanasius

History

St. Athanasius was born in Alexandria in the third century. He grew up in a Christian family and was always very devoted to Jesus. He eventually became Bishop of Alexandria. Around that time, there was a man named Arius who was trying to teach people that Jesus wasn’t really God. This is called a “heresy,” a false teaching that is offensive to God. Athanasius very successfully fought against Arius. It wasn’t easy, and Athanasius suffered a lot of unfair things, but he stayed true to Jesus. 

Activity

St. Athanasius wanted everybody to celebrate Jesus’ divinity – the fact that Jesus is God. Did you know there is a special kind of candy called divinity? It’s not hard to make, although it’s a little easier if you have a candy thermometer and it’s not too humid in your kitchen. Here’s the recipe. (You can make it with or without nuts). 

Saint Athanasius, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

Catholic Encyclopedia

American Catholic

Catholic Online

May 1: Saint Joseph the Worker

St. Joseph with the Infant Jesus

History

We don’t know much about the foster-father of Jesus, other than he was a man of great faith, and he was a carpenter. We can also tell that Joseph took his role of husband and father seriously and would do anything to protect them, including escaping in the middle of the night to go to another country where Jesus and Mary would be safe. Today is the day that the Church honors Saint Joseph and everyone who works to provide for a family. 

Activity

Saint Joseph worked very hard to provide shelter for Mary and Jesus. Because he was a carpenter, and because it’s spring and birds are looking for safe places for their own family, build a bird house today! If you aren’t handy around saws and lumber, you can get a simple kit from a hardware store or craft store and put it together quite easily. 

Saint Joseph the worker, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

American Catholic

Catholic News Agency

Catholic Online