At 15, Saint Therese entered the Carmelite convent in Lisieux to give her whole life to God. She took the religious name Sister Therese of the Child Jesus. Living a hidden, simple life of prayer, she was gifted with great intimacy with God. In a way she was a pioneer into showing us the way to finding holiness in the small simple daily things of life, and that we should not be discouraged in thinking we must compare ourselves to the saints we read about, but simply strive to be a saint within the means of who God made us. To be small is to be humble. I often prayer I often pray is to be smaller so that God is bigger in my life.  

Saint Therese wrote an incredible book called "Story of a Soul", which is one of my favorites! 

More Beautiful Quotes:

"If I did not simply live from one moment to another, it would be impossible for me to be patient; but I only look at the present, I forget the past, and I take good care not to forestall the future."

"True charity consists in bearing all our neighbor’s defects – not being surprised at their weakness, but edified at their smallest virtues."

"Holiness consists simply in doing God’s will, and being just what God wants us to be."

"Without love, deeds, even the most brilliant, count as nothing."

"The good God does not need years to accomplish His work of love in a soul; one ray from His Heart can, in an instant, make His flower bloom for eternity."

From The Catholic Kid

https://www.thecatholickid.com/saint-therese-of-lisieux-little-flower-coloring-page/

Lots of free coloring pages! 

Did you know that we each have a guardian angel? 

According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, from the moment of conception until a person's last breath, a guardian angel surrounds each human being with "their watchful care and intercession." The church honors these guardians with a feast day Oct. 2.

Guardian Angel prayer
Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom God's love commits me here, ever this day be at my side, to light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen.

Padre Pio, was granted the vision of his own guardian angel and the guardian angel of others. "How consoling it is to know that we are always under the protection of a heavenly spirit, who never abandons us, not even in the very act by which we displease God." “Padre Pio” 

Activity: Draw or make yourself with your angel!
I used precut people figures and angels from the dollar store, and I cut up cloth from my cloth bin for the kids to dress their paper selves, got some supplies out, googly eyes, glitter and more! 

Saint Francis of Assisi is the  patron saint of animals and environment  Saint Francis cared for the poor and sick. He gave away all of his possessions so that he could more fully give himself to God without any distractions. He preached sermons to animals and praised all creatures as brothers and sisters under God.

My daughter's favorite saint at the time of this birthday party was Saint Francis! We decided it would be fun to have a "Saint Francis and Friends" birthday Party. We found a company that would bring animals to the house, and we had a pony ride, bunnies, a pig, sheep, goat and lots of animals come to her birthday party for the children to enjoy a Saint theme party!

Fun idea for a Saint Francis Animal Birthday Party Invitation.

On this special day, we  find a creative way to make a rosay at home. It actually is a wonderful activity in many ways. They must count to 10  several times, and for the young ones it's great practice on dexterity, and in making a rosary, you can discuss together the different parts of the Rosary and the different prayers.
If you don't get the rosary- Think about how in your heart, you know that nobody on earth can love your child more than you do. Nobody on earth loved Jesus more than His mother, and so through her, she miraculously appears to people and tells them to love her son, that he is the way to salvation, and she has given us a very powerful and beautiful tool to love him, to get to know Him, to stay united with Him. The Rosary is so powerful, because it is dedicated time that we give to ponder, contemplate, pray about the life of Jesus and the Holy Family.  How often throughout our day to we dedicate our time to Him? The goal of our lives should be to dedicate everything we do to Him, to do everything for Him that is pleasing in His sight, as His sight is always on us, even if ours is not always on Him.
Activity: Make a Rosary
You don't have to be "professional" rosary makers. The point is the exposure and getting the basics down.
Directions:-on long String-pick out 10 "Hail Mary" beads 5 times. (5 mysteries, 10 times each)-4 "Our Father" same color bead
-Short String-cross-1-3-1-connector-tie them together. 

I keep a drawer filled with different beads we have collected and acquired. Over the years we have purchsed and aquired different rosary pieces. Rosary kits can be purchased online of any size. I got a variety pack and we have been able to use it over the years for different occasions, even when the kids what to make a gift for someone! They can make a rosary!  

If you don't pray the Rosary, today is a great day to start. Most people think it has to be a ridged on your knees kind of thing, but the most important thing we can do with our family and children is to not be ridged. Make it a reverent and wonderful thing and memory for child and family. We like to make rosary time cuddle time on the couch. We pray. the rosary cuddling on the couch, and the kids and I look forward to this. The kids can also choose to do a coloring sheet from the mysteries we will be praying. Each child has their own binder with the mysteries printed out!

 
Printables can be found on the www.TheCatholicKid.com

https://www.thecatholickid.com/category/catholic-coloring-pages/rosary-coloring-pages/

Awesome Rosary coloring book on Etsy: 

https://www.etsy.com/listing/765237025/catholic-mysteries-of-the-rosary

A very wonderful priest from Virginia Beach and his family said the very best time to pray the Rosary is together as a family right after dinner! We have been trying our very best to do this daily in the evening as a family, and it's a beautiful thing to contemplate as family all of the different mysteries of our Lord's life and what gifts and graces He bestows on us and our family in spending time with Him, thinking about Him, praying the rosary and learning about Him through Mary. What do we want to pass down and instill on our children? What are our priorities and what should they be? God should come first in everything- that is what we should instill in ourselves and our children, and what a beautiful thing to have our children inspire our holiness. What will we show them, that tv or shopping comes first and is more important? Through contemplating Jesus, we will grow in love, faith and knowledge of Him. Mysteries contemplated in the rosary:  

In the 16th century the Ottoman Turks, were a real danger to Christianity. After months of disagreements Pope Pius V was able to unite Spain, Venice, and the States of the Church in a naval expedition to fight the Turks.

The two navies met in the Gulf of Lepanto in Greece on October 7, 1571. On the same day, the Rosary was recited by the Confraternity of Rome with the special intention. The group recited the Rosary for the special intention of the Christians at battle. The Christians defeated the Turks in victory and believed it was the intercessory power of the Blessed Virgin that won the victory. Pope Pius V dedicated the day as one of to Our Lady of Victory. We recognize the power of her intercessory prayer. 

Another great resource from www.TheCatholicKid.com

This is by far the best Rosary prayer companion! Sold anywhere online and in most Catholic stores for a few dollars! 

As a family, sometimes, we love  watching the rosary as we pray it. It it an awesome way for the kids to see the mysteries through paintings of each mystery. It keeps them engaged! 

Glorious mysteries 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dN0OLnGuLKY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSd3w7-rYYM

Sorrowful Mysteries 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHPadz_Y6iw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efUsAsF_xgE

Joyful Mysteries 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8U7JLCOIcM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3T6_snBgiIk

Luminous Mysteries 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aavqAkGqctQ

If you are not familiar, the mysteries are below for you to take a look at how praying the rosary keeps you thinking about Jesus and His life, and connected with him in a way you otherwise would not. 

Monday and Saterday 

And when the angel had come to her, he said, "Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women."
(Luke 1:28)

Fruit of the Mystery:
Humility

Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and cried out in a loud voice: "Blest are you among women and blest is the fruit of your womb."
(Luke 1:41-42)

Fruit of the Mystery:
Love of Neighbor

She gave birth to her first-born Son and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the place where travelers lodged.
(Luke 2:7)

Fruit of the Mystery:
Poverty 

When the day came to purify them according to the law of Moses, the couple brought Him up to Jerusalem so that He could be presented to the Lord, for it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every first-born male shall be consecrated to the Lord."
(Luke 2:22-23)

Fruit of the Mystery:
Obedience 

On the third day they came upon Him in the temple sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.
(Luke 2:46)

Fruit of the Mystery:
Joy in Finding Jesus

Tuesday and Friday 

In His anguish He prayed with all the greater intensity, and His sweat became like drops of blood falling to the ground. Then He rose from prayer and came to His disciples, only to find them asleep, exhausted with grief.
(Luke 22:44-45)

Fruit of the Mystery:
Sorrow for Sin

Pilate's next move was to take Jesus and have Him scourged.
(John 19:1)

Fruit of the Mystery:
Purity

They stripped off His clothes and wrapped Him in a scarlet military cloak. Weaving a crown out of thorns they fixed it on His head, and stuck a reed in His right hand ...
(Matthew 27:28-29)

Fruit of the Mystery:
Courage

... carrying the cross by Himself, He went out to what is called the Place of the Skull (in Hebrew, Golgotha).
(John 19:17)

Fruit of the Mystery:
Patience

Jesus uttered a loud cry and said, "Father, into Your hands I commend My spirit." After He said this, He expired.
(Luke 23:46)

Fruit of the Mystery:
Perseverance

Wednesday and Sunday 

You need not be amazed! You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, the one who was crucified. He has been raised up; He is not here. See the place where they laid Him.
(Mark 16:6)

Fruit of the Mystery:
Faith

Then, after speaking to them, the Lord Jesus was taken up into Heaven and took His seat at God's right hand.
(Mark 16:19)

Fruit of the Mystery:
Hope 

All were filled with the Holy Spirit. They began to express themselves in foreign tongues and make bold proclamation as the Spirit prompted them.
(Acts 2:4)

Fruit of the Mystery:
Love of God

You are the glory of Jerusalem … you are the splendid boast of our people … God is pleased with what you have wrought. May you be blessed by the Lord Almighty forever and ever.
(Judith 15:9-10)

Fruit of the Mystery:
Grace of a Happy Death

A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.
(Revelation 12:1)

Fruit of the Mystery:
Trust in Mary's Intercession

Thursday 

And when Jesus was baptized, … the heavens were opened and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and alighting on Him, and lo, a voice from heaven, saying "this is My beloved Son," with whom I am well pleased."
(Matthew 3:16-17)

Fruit of the Mystery:
Openness to the Holy Spirit 

His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever He tells you." ... Jesus said to them, "Fill the jars with water." And they filled them up to the brim.
(John 2:5-7)

Fruit of the Mystery:
To Jesus through Mary

"And preach as you go, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.' Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without pay, give without pay."
(Matthew 10:7-8)

Fruit of the Mystery:
Repentance and Trust in God

And as He was praying, the appearance of His countenance was altered and His raiment become dazzling white. And a voice came out of the cloud saying, "This is My Son, My chosen; listen to Him!"
(Luke 9:29, 35)

Fruit of the Mystery:
Desire for Holiness

And He took bread, and when He had given thanks He broke it and gave it to them, saying, "This is My body which is given for you." ... And likewise the cup after supper, saying, "This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood."
(Luke 22:19-20)

Fruit of the Mystery:
Adoration

Make a point to pray as a country, as a community, as a family for or nation. As our Lady of Victory and our Lady of the Rosary showed us, any time that we join in prayer together like this, it is powerful! Teach your children the power of prayer, and normalize it through so many others praying at this time too. It is exciting to know that so many others are praying out there with us at the same time! 

"The spiritual battle has intensified with the forces of evil becoming even more extreme in their positions against Life from conception to birth to natural death and the Sanctity of Marriage and Family. These forces manifest a radical rebellion against God’s creation of man and woman into which they seek to indoctrinate even our children. While they call for acceptance of their positions, they are openly hostile against and completely intolerant of biblically based Christian beliefs and practice; in essence, against anyone who does not share their radical and unholy beliefs. It is in this environment that a Call to Spiritual Arms is being issued again and with even greater urgency to prayer warriors across the country and the world.

Rosary Coast-to-Coast will be anchored by the annual National Rosary Rally in front of the US Capitol in Washington DC. Plan to join together across the country in praying the Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary simultaneously at: 4 PM Eastern, 3 PM Central, 2 PM Mountain, 1 PM Pacific, Noon Alaska, 10 AM Hawaii."

For more information visit: rosarycoasttocoast.com

Click on picture for May 13th, the Feast of our Lady of Fatima for more on this day! 

Saint Luke wrote one of the major portions of the New Testament. He Luke  two works, the third gospel, an account of the life and teachings of Jesus, and the Book of Acts, which is an account of the growth and expansion of Christianity after the death of Jesus down through close to the end of the ministry of Saint Paul. Mary and Jesus. Saint Luke painted an icon image of 

Saint Luke is the patron Saint of artists, painters, brewers, butchers, notaries, physicians, surgeons. 

Family Activities:

Paint! 

Play the board game Operation! 

Eat steak! 

Drink beer (only if you are over 21!)

Today, channel your inner artist and like Saint Luke paint your own Mary and Jesus. Search online for “Mary and Jesus coloring sheet” and print it out. Often if I know someone will be painting on something printed, I will cut art paper to size that is equipped for paint and water paint! 

If you want to really have fun, if you have the game Operation, you can play that, and (if you are over 21) you can enjoy a beer while you are playing.