April is a beautiful time in the Church calendar to deepen our family’s love for Jesus in the Eucharist and celebrate the lives of some truly inspiring saints. Whether you're planting spring flowers or planning simple saint-inspired crafts with your kids, there's plenty to embrace this month in your domestic church!

Monthly Overview:

Monthly devotion: the Blessed Sacrament

April 3rd: Saint Richard of Chichester

April 11th: Saint Gemma Galgani

April 12th: Saint Zeno of Verona

April 16th: Saint Bernadette

Monthly Devotion: The Blessed Sacrament

Fun Facts:

1. The Blessed Sacrament refers to the consecrated Eucharist — the real presence of Jesus, Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity.

2. Eucharistic Adoration is a way to spend time with Jesus outside of Mass.

3. Saints like Mother Teresa and John Paul II had a deep devotion to the Eucharist.

4. The monstrance, often ornate and golden, is used to display the Eucharist for Adoration.

5. “Eucharist” means “thanksgiving” in Greek!

Ways to Celebrate:

• Attend Eucharistic Adoration as a family (even for just 5–10 minutes!).

• Make a “Jesus in the Eucharist” craft using a paper monstrance and glitter.

• Read John 6:51-58 and talk about how Jesus feeds us with His love.

• Bake simple unleavened bread together and talk about the Last Supper.

• Light a candle during quiet prayer time and imagine being in Jesus’ presence.

April 3: Feast of Saint Richard of Chichester

Fun Facts:

1. St. Richard was a bishop in England during the 13th century.

2. He’s best known for his beautiful prayer: “May I know Thee more clearly, love Thee more dearly, follow Thee more nearly.”

3. He walked everywhere because he believed in living simply.

4. He was known for standing up for what was right, even against kings!

5. He is the patron saint of coachmen and the Diocese of Chichester.

Ways to Celebrate:

• Learn his prayer together as a family.

• Go on a “prayer walk” and thank God for your neighborhood and friends.

• Have a simple picnic lunch outdoors in honor of his love for walking.

• Create a family motto inspired by his prayer and decorate it for your home.

• Talk about how we can be brave when standing up for what’s right.

About Saint Richard:

St. Richard lived during a time when it was hard to be faithful, but he stood firm in truth and humility. He served the poor, challenged powerful leaders when necessary, and inspired many with his simple, faithful life. His famous prayer remains a beautiful guide for Christians today.

April 11: Feast of Saint Gemma Galgani

Fun Facts:

1. St. Gemma was born in Italy in 1878 and was known for her deep love of Jesus and Mary.

2. She experienced the stigmata — the wounds of Christ — during prayer.

3. She is considered a modern mystic and had visions of her guardian angel.

4. Though she longed to be a nun, poor health kept her at home.

5. She is the patron saint of students, pharmacists, and those suffering from back pain.

Ways to Celebrate:

• Make angel crafts and talk about how angels protect and guide us.

• Pray the Guardian Angel prayer together.

• Read a simple biography of her life and reflect on her love for Jesus.

• Write letters to Jesus, just like Gemma did in her journals.

• Decorate a “St. Gemma prayer jar” to fill with prayer intentions.

About Saint Gemma:

Despite suffering greatly in her short life, St. Gemma had an incredible spiritual depth. Her heart was on fire for Jesus and Mary, and she inspires us to unite our sufferings with Christ and trust deeply in His love — even from our own homes.

April 12: Feast of Saint Zeno of Verona

Fun Facts:

1. St. Zeno was a bishop in the 4th century known for his joy and humor.

2. He baptized over 500 people during his ministry!

3. He’s the patron saint of fishermen and newborns.

4. He loved to fish and often taught using fishing metaphors.

5. He helped the poor and was beloved in Verona for his kindness.

Ways to Celebrate:

• Go fishing or make a “fishing for faith” game at home using paper fish with Bible verses.

• Talk about baptism and share your child’s baptism story or photos.

• Say a special prayer for newborn babies and pregnant mothers.

• Watch a short children’s video about St. Zeno’s life.

• Draw or paint fish and decorate a wall with a reminder to be “fishers of men.”

About Saint Zeno:

St. Zeno lived in a time of great change in the Church, and he helped people come to know Christ through baptism and joyful preaching. He reminds us that holiness doesn’t have to be solemn — it can be joyful and filled with laughter!

April 16: Feast of Saint Bernadette Soubirous

Fun Facts:

1. St. Bernadette saw the Blessed Virgin Mary 18 times in Lourdes, France.

2. She was only 14 years old when the apparitions began.

3. A miraculous spring appeared where Mary told her to dig — it still flows today!

4. Her body remains incorrupt — a sign of her sanctity.

5. She is the patron saint of the sick and those ridiculed for their faith.

Ways to Celebrate:

• Watch a family-friendly film or short video about Our Lady of Lourdes.

• Create a Marian shrine in your home with flowers and a statue or image of Mary.

• Fill a jar with holy water or spring water and explain its symbolic meaning.

• Pray a decade of the Rosary together for someone who is sick.

• Paint rocks blue and white to resemble Lourdes and place them in a garden.

About Saint Bernadette:

Though she came from a poor family and was often ill, Bernadette was chosen by Our Lady for a special message. Her obedience, humility, and simplicity made her a powerful witness of faith. Her story reminds us that God often chooses the littlest ones for the biggest missions.