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The month of November is dedicated to the Holy Souls in Purgatory whose feast is celebrated on November 2.
Highlights
November 26
Solemnity of Christ the King
The last Sunday of the Liturgical Year. This feast is a public, social and official declaration of the royal rights of Jesus, as God the Creator, as The Word Incarnate, and as Redeemer.
Recipe of the Month
Hungarian Goulash
The Hungarian version of pot roast, known as gulyas in Hungary, this is a stew made with beef or other meat and vegetables and flavored with Hungarian paprika. This is offered in honor of all the saints who come from Hungary.
Activity of the Month
All Saints' Day Procession
Celebrate this feast with your family. If there are children involved, we suggest saints costumes, goodies and games such as bobbing for apples or snap apples (a variation) and playing "Who Is my Saint?".
SymbolsAll Saints
The crown refers to sanctity, the scrolls with the inscription Sanctus allude to the chant of the redeemed, "Holy, Holy, Holy." The left half of the shield indicates the brightness of the Heavenly life in contrast to the black right half and the trials of the earthly life.
The Presentation of Mary This emblem, a heart with wings and pierced by a sword and suggestive of Mater Dolorosa, is a reference to the words of Simeon, "Yea, a sword shall pass through thine own soul also."
St. Cecilia
The only apparent reason for her to be known as the patroness of music is that St. Cecilia is said to have been skilled in singing the divine praises, oft accompanied by an instrument.
St. Catherine of Alexandria
Patron of chastity and learning. The wheel set with spikes refers to that mentioned in the legend, which is said to have been broken by divine interposition, when persecutors attempted to break her upon it.
St. Andrew
The patron of Russia, Scotland, and the Ecumenical Patriarchate. According to tradition St. Andrew was crucified on an X-shaped cross, known as a saltire of St. Andrew's cross, in Achaia.
Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine.
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The month of October is dedicated to the Holy Rosary. The Memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary is celebrated on October 7.
Highlights
October 18
St. Luke
St. Luke was a physician from Antioch and a disciple of St. Paul. He is the author of the third Gospel and of the Acts of the Apostles. In his Gospel he highlights the universality of salvation.
Recipe of the Month
Paella
Paella is a delicious, typical Spanish dish which has literally hundreds of ways to be prepared. Try making a version of this recipe in honor of the Spanish saint, Teresa of Avila, whose feast is October 15.
Activity of the Month
Display Flip-Easel for the Mysteries of the RosaryFor the month of the rosary, gather some images of each mystery of the rosary and put them on display. This will provide a helpful visual to meditate on the mysteries.
SymbolsSt. JudeThe sailing vessel here represents the Church, which St. Jude (also known as Thaddeus or Lebbaeus) carried to many ports as he journeyed as a missionary.
St. Simon
The companion of St. Jude on many missionary journeys, St. Simon was known as a great fisher of men through the power of the Gospel.
St. Francis
St. Francis, the father of the Franciscan Order, for two years before his death bore the marks of the Lord's Passion upon his hands, feet and side. The tears on the cross represent the marks of the stigmata.
St. Ignatius of Antioch
A convert of St. John, reputedly consecrated Bishop of Antioch by St. Peter, St. Ignatius was an important link between the first and second centuries of the Church. He was the writer of seven epistles as he proceeded to his martyrdom when condemned by Trajan.
Thou, O daughter, art blessed of the Lord, for through thee have we been made partakers of the fruit of life.
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The month of September is dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows, whose memorial the Church celebrates on September 15.
HighlightsSeptember 14Triumph of the Cross
This feast commemorates the rescue of the true Cross of Christ by Emperor Heraclius in a victory over the Persians. Our Mother the Church sings of the triumph of the Holy Cross, the instrument of our salvation.
Recipe of the MonthSt. Michael's Waffles or Gaufres In France, paper-thin sweet wafers called gaufres were baked by street vendors. Serve waffles on St. Michael's Day to continue this tradition.
Activity of the Month
Make a Cross The Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross is an appropriate feast day to thank God for the blessing of Christ dying on the Cross, which opened the gates of heaven for mankind. Here is a family project which involves making a homemade cross.
Symbols
MaryThe Monogram of the Blessed Virgin. The letters of the name "Maria" are evident in this ancient symbol. A crown was sometimes placed over the monogram by medieval artists.
St. Matthew
The moneybags refer to the occupation of St. Matthew before he was called to follow Christ. He was a tax gatherer known as Levi.
St. John Chrysostom
The great work of the Archbishop of Constantinople to overcome crime, heresy, and corruption was interrupted by avaricious enemies who effected his exile, which lasted four years, and ended with his death.
St. Jerome
One of the Four Western Fathers, along with Sts. Augustine of Hippo, Ambrose of Milan and Gregory the Great. He contributed courage and wisdom in his defense of the truth. His translation of the Bible into Latin, known as the Vulgate, is in general, the version authorized in the Roman Catholic Church.
O afflicted Virgin, O soul great in virtues, as in sorrows, both the one and the other spring from that great fire burning in they heart for God, the only love of thy heart! --St. Alphonsus Ligouri
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The month of December is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception.
Highlights
December 12
Our Lady of Guadalupe
Mary, who was "intimately united with the birth of the Church in America, became the radiant Star illuminating the proclamation of Christ the Saviour to the sons of these nations." --John Paul II
Recipe of the Month
Speculaus
This hard spice cookie is made for the feast of St. Nicholas in Holland. It is a delicious cookie and appropriate for Christmas as well.
Activity of the Month
Jesse Tree
The Tree of Jesse, with its symbols representing Old Testament stories and events leading up to the birth of Christ, is another approach to the meaning of Christmas.
Symbols
Immaculate Conception
Based on dogma, the singular grace of Our Lady is celebrated on December 8th.
St. John
This emblem of St. John, the "Beloved Apostle," refers to the legend of a poisoned chalice being offered to him in an attempt made on his life.
St. Stephen
These arms, evidently of French origin, are displayed at Dijon. The stones refer to the manner of his death and the palm to his spiritual victory.
St. Lucy
This wealthy Sicilian maiden was, after torture, killed by a sword thrust through her throat. The emblem refers to her continuing devotion to Christ--an early symbol of martyrdom, deriving possibly from the Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins.
O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to Thee.
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This is Pope Francis' fourth encyclical, in which he strongly encourages the traditional Catholic devotion to the Sacred Heart: "In the end, that Sacred Heart is the unifying principle of all reality, since Christ is the heart of the world, and the paschal mystery of his death and resurrection is the center of history, which, because of Him, is a history of salvation." In this 28,000-word encyclical, Francis emphasizes that "devotion to Christ's heart is essential for our Christian life to the extent that it expresses our openness in faith and adoration to the mystery of the Lord's divine and human love." And he says, "the Sacred Heart is a synthesis of the Gospel."
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This is the Introduction to Humanae Vitae and Catholic Sexual Morality, a major study in response to the Pontifical Academy for Life's Etica Teologica della Vita, published in 2022. The 368-page book features essays by 17 different Catholic theologians, philosophers and ethicists on the foundational issues, the doctrinal dimension, the anthropological dimension, and the beauty and wisdom of Catholic sexual morality. It can be purchased through Catholic University of America Press.
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This is the descriptive Introduction to Lived Experience and the Search for Truth, which is a response to the Pontifical Academy for Life's unfortunate 2022 document, Theological Ethics of Life: Scripture, tradition, practical challenges. As the introduction explains, this new book seeks to recover an authentically Catholic understanding of sexual morality through a more thorough inductive analysis. The book is a collection of contributions by some 25 theologians, philosophers, ethicists and experts in other fields exploring the the problems of the modern sexual revolution under five headings: Philosophical and Theological Foundations, Reflections on the Revolution, Dispatches from the Front Lines, and The Science of Love, and Policy Considerations. The book itself, which is nearly 600 pages long, is available for purchase from Enroute Books and Media.
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This is the descriptive preface to Gender Ideolog and Pastoral Practice: A Handbook for Catholic Clergy, Counselors, and Ministerial Leaders. The book itself features essays and analysis by 21 different Catholic experts in various aspects of the problems created by the newly-induced confusion over sexual identity. Its seven parts cover sexual identity, ideological colonization, theological principles, pastoral principles, pastoral care for all those impacted, pastoral care in light of American legal considerations, and language-usage. The entire book is nearly 500 pages long and may be purchased from En Route Books and Media.
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The month of June is dedicated to The Sacred Heart of Jesus.Highlights
June 13 St. Anthony
Called the Wonder Worker, he is one of the most popular saints in the Catholic Church and is implored as the patron of lost things and a hundred other causes. He was a preacher and theologian and was declared a Doctor of the Church by Pope Pius XII.
Recipe of the Month
Nameday Cookies
To different saints' days, make sugar cookie dough and roll out with symbolic cookie cutters.
Activity of the Month
Stitching Feast-Day SymbolsResearch with your children the different symbols for saints and feast days, and do some stitching of the symbols.
Symbols
St. Boniface The Archbishop of Mentz established the foundation for Christianity in Germany. His emblem refers to his defense of the Gospel as he met the blow of death while confirming baptized converts.
St. Barnabas One of the Apostolic Fathers, whose feast day in olden times was celebrated by young lads and clerks bedecked with roses. This shield is divided.
St. Peter & St. PaulThe interwoven symbols of Sts. Peter and Paul are used at Winchester, where the cathedral church is dedicated to these saints.The Trinity The triquetra is one of the many symbols that clearly express the doctrine of the Blessed Trinity.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place my trust in Thee.
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An interview with Eugeniusz Mróz, who lived in Wadowice in the same tenement house as Wojty?a's family. He attended high school with Karol Wojty?a. The two remained friends for 70 years.
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