January 26: Saint Timothy

St. Timothy
Dordogne, France

History

Timothy was Saint Paul’s helper, and the two of them became so close, Paul would call Timothy his son. In the Bible, we have two letters that Paul wrote to Timothy. Both encouraged Timothy to take a stand against false teachers. The first has a lot of instructions for Timothy about worship and overseeing a church.  The other encourages Timothy to stay strong despite any problems. Timothy learned a lot from Paul and actually became the first bishop of Ephesus.

Activity

Today, memorize a very powerful verse, 2 Timothy 1:7 (Older kid and adults should read the whole chapter as well as memorizing this.) “God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but the Spirit of power of love and self-control.”

Saint Timothy, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

Catholic Culture

EWTN

Catholic Online

January 25: Saint Dwynwen

History

Dwynwen was the daughter of a king. She wanted to be a nun, but she was also in love with a young man named Maelon. It was really difficult for her to decide what to do, so she prayed for help. Then she had a strange dream. She dreamed an angel gave her a sweet drink that would Maelon fall out of love with her. But instead, when she drank it he turned to ice. She prayed that Maelon would be returned to life, that she would get rid of her desire to marry him so she could become a nun, and that all lovers would find happiness.

Activity

In Wales, people celebrate Saint Dwynwen Day just like we celebrate Valentine’s Day in the United States. You can celebrate today by making your Valentines a little early. Or if that’s not convenient, think about something that Saint Dwynwen always said: “Nothing wins hearts like cheerfulness,” and do your best to be cheerful no matter what happens today.

Saint Dwynwen, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

Saints SQPN

Catholic Online

January 24: St. Francis de Sales

St. Francis de Sales
Dordogne, France
Photo by Pére Igor

History

When Francis was a priest, a lot of people left the Church and started their own versions of Christianity. Francis decided it was his job to get about 60,000 people in Switzerland to come back to the Church. Nobody but his cousin would help him. For three years, people slammed doors in his face and threw rocks at him. Even his cousin gave up on him. Finally, Francis wrote out sermons by hand and slipped them under doors. That’s the first time anybody wrote a religious tract to teach people the truth. Francis didn’t win back all the people, but he did convince 40,000 of them to come back to the Church.

Activity

Saint Francis de Sales wrote a book called “Introduction to the Devout Life.” In that book, he told people that prayer was the key to loving God. "By turning your eyes on God...” he wrote, “your whole soul will be filled with God.” Today, color a picture of the Lord and hang it in your room where you can “turn your eyes” on it all the time as a reminder to pray. Here’s a simple one, here’s one of Jesus ascending into heaven, and here’s one of Jesus praying in the Garden. 

Saint Francis de Sales, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

Catholic Encyclopedia

American Catholic

Catholic Online

January 23: St. Ildephonsus

"Presentation of the
Chasuble to St. Ildephonsus"

History

Even though his father objected, Ildephonsus became a monk when he was a young man. He studied under St. Isidore of Seville and later became the head of his monastery. Ildephonsus wrote books, hymns and prayers. He did such amazing work that once the Blessed Virgin appeared to him and gave him a chasuble (cloak to wear at Mass) from heaven.

Activity

Today, pray this beautiful prayer that St. Ildephonsus wrote:

Virgin Mary, hear my prayer: 
through the Holy Spirit 
you became the Mother of Jesus; 
from the Holy Spirit may I too have Jesus. 
Through the Holy Spirit your flesh conceived Jesus; 
through the same Spirit may my soul receive Jesus. 
Through the Holy Spirit you were able to know Jesus, 
to possess Jesus, 
and to bring him into the world. 
Through the Holy Spirit may I too come to know your Jesus.
Imbued with the Spirit, 
Mary, you could say: 
"I am the handmaid of the Lord, 
be it done unto me according to your word"; 
in the Holy Spirit, 
lowly as I am, 
let me proclaim the great truths about Jesus. 
In the Spirit you now adore Jesus as Lord 
and look on Him as Son; 
in the same spirit, 
Mary, let me love your Jesus

Saint Ildephonsus, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

Catholic Encyclopedia

Salve Maria Regina

Catholic Online

January 22: St. Vincent Pallotti

St. Vincent Pallotti
by Don Lorenzo

History

Vincent was born in 1795. All his life he believed in worshiping the Lord and helping the poor. He only 16 years old when he knew God was calling him to be a priest. People who knew him understood how holy he was. Father Vincent did a great deal to help poor people and orphaned children, and he also made the Holy Family and Magi figures in the Vatican’s outdoor Nativity scene.

Activity

Saint Vincent really wanted priests and laypeople to work together to bring all people to Christ. Today, the society he started – the Pallottines – have an international prayer network of people who pray every day that God will help them show His love to the world. It only takes a few minutes a day to pray these prayers, and membership in the network is free. Make your commitment to pray and sign up today in honor of Saint Vincent Pallotti. 

Saint Vincent Pallotti, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

Biography at the Pallottines Website 

EWTN

Catholic Online

**Don't forget to pray for all those marching for Life today, and to pray for the end of abortion!**