May 14: 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 13: Saint John the Silent

History

John became a monk when he was 18. Ten years later, he was made bishop of Colonia in Armenia, but John struggled with this role because he was having trouble with certain sins. While praying one night, he saw a bright cross form in the air and heard a voice tell him to follow the light to a nearby monastery. So, he became a monk again and stayed alone with God as much as he could.

Activity

We all have sins that we struggle to overcome, whether it’s being lazy about our responsibilities or not getting along with a family member or something else. We can find the answer when we some silent time alone with God, so He can show us what to do.

Saint John the Silent, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

Saints SQPN

EWTN

Catholic Online

May 12: Saints Nereus and Achilleus

Flavia Domitilla with
with Sts.  Nereus & Achilleus
by Peter Paul Reubens

History

During the first century, there were two Roman soldiers named Nereus and Achilleus who were from the household of the wealthy Flavia Domitilla. They were instructed to arrest and execute Christians by the emperor. They followed these orders until they met St. Peter. Peter taught them about Jesus, and they both became Christians, baptized by Peter himself. This took a great deal of courage on the part of Nereus and Achilleus, because they knew exactly what kind of martyrdom awaited them for believing in Christ. With Flavia Domitilla, who had also become a Christian, they were exiled and then killed for their faith. 

Activity

Do you ever feel like hiding your faith in Christ or your status as a Catholic Christian so that people will not tease you or reject you? Even though we don’t have to worry about being killed for our faith, it can still take courage to be open about our love for Jesus. Today, ask Saints Nereus and Achilleus to pray that you will be brave, and pray this traditional Prayer for Courage.

Saints Nereus and Achilleus, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

Catholic Culture

American Catholic

Catholic Online

May 11: St. Ignatius of Laconi

St. Ignatius of Laconi

History

When Ignatius was 17 years old, he got very sick. He promised God he would become a friar if he got well. But when he was healed, Ignatius’ father would not let him go to the monastery, because they needed his help on their farm. A few years later, Ignatius was almost killed in an accident with his horse. Knowing that God had saved him, Ignatius immediately went into the monastery. He never did anything spectacular as a friar. Mostly what he did was go house to house and ask for food and donations for the poor. But as he did it, he comforted the sick, helped enemies forgive each other, and led sinners to Jesus.

Activity

It’s easy to think you have to become an important person before you can accomplish great things for God, but that’s not true. Ignatius never did anything special, but his loving, face-to-face conversations made a big difference in people’s lives. Today, think of a way to do what Saint Ignatius of Laconi. Comfort somebody who is sick, help two arguing people make up, or remind somebody that Jesus died for their sins.

Saint Ignatius of Laconi, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

Catholic News Agency

Capuchin Franciscans

Catholic Online

May 10: Saint Damien of Molokai

History

Saint Damien was born in Belgium. He joined the Sacred Hearts Fathers and went to Honolulu, Hawaii, to work in missions. Then when he was 33, he volunteered to work in a leper colony on smaller Hawaiian island called Molokai. Back then, there was no cure for leprosy (or Hansen's Disease) like there is today, so the colony was completely cut off from other people. Damien built hospital facilities and clinics and churches to take care of the patients there. He also built about 600 coffins. Eventually, he caught the disease himself, and he died in 1889. 

Activity

Even though there are medicines that cure Hansen's Disease, there are people around the world who still suffer from the disease. The Damien the Leper Society works to provide medicine and care for lepers who are forced to live in remote jungles of Vietnam and the Philippines. Today, make a donation (any amount) to this society in St. Damien's name. 

Saint Damien of Molokai, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

StDamien.org 

EWTN

Catholic Online

May 9: Saint Pachomius

St. Pachomius

History

Pachomius was born around 292 and he became an Egyptian soldier. Christians were so kind to him and the other soldiers that he was drawn to the love of Christ. When he got out of the army, he became a Christian, too. He joined a monk named Palemon, and the two of them prayed constantly, day and night. After a while, Pachomius started the first ever-monastic order, writing the Rule of living for all the men and women who joined it.

Activity

A monastery is kind of like a family, except with only brothers or sisters living together. Each monastery has a Rule to help everybody live in harmony. Families also have rules to live by – sometimes written out, sometimes “unwritten” rules. It’s a good idea to have written rules that keep your family’s faith front and center at all times. Today, write out your family’s faith rules. You can make them fancy (see example at the right) or simple, but be sure they get on the wall today.

Saint Pachomius, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

Catholic Encyclopedia

EWTN

Catholic Online

May 8: St. Peter of Tarantaise

St. Peter of Tarantaise

History

Peter was born in France and joined the Cistercian Order when he was 20 years old, along with his two brothers and his dad (his mom and sister also entered the religious life). Peter had a great gift for hospitality. When he was the abbot of Tamie in the Tarantaise Mountains, he built a hospice for travelers. He always helped the poor, and he started a custom of providing free bread and soup to farmers in spring, when their winter stores had been used up but their new plants were not yet producing. 

Activity

St. Peter of Tarantaise’s custom of distributing bread and soup to farmers during their “hungry” springtime lasted for more than 600 years, until the French Revolution. And even today in France, people make “May Bread” (pain de mai) all year round. It’s a delicious sandwich bread that toasts beautifully. Here is a recipe with step-by-step photos (this chef bakes it in a special pan, but a regular loaf pan works just as well). If you can, make an extra loaf and some soup and take it to somebody in your parish whom you know is having trouble making ends meet – a single mom, a disabled person, or an elderly couple on a fixed income. 

Saint Peter of Tarantaise, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

American Catholic

EWTN

Catholic Online