Monthly Overview:

• Monthly Devotion: St. Joseph

• March 5th: Ash Wednesday

• March 15th: St. Louise de Marillac

• March 17th: St. Patrick

• March 19th: St. Joseph

• March 20th: St. Photina

• March 25th: The Annunciation

   

   

Monthly Devotion: St. Joseph

March is dedicated to St. Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus and the patron saint of the universal Church, workers, fathers, and a happy death. This devotion encourages families to reflect on his faith, humility, and protection.

Ash Wednesday

Feast day: March 5th

About the Feast: Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a 40-day period of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving leading up to Easter. It is a day of repentance, where Catholics receive ashes on their foreheads as a reminder of their mortality and need for God’s mercy.

Fun Facts:

1. The ashes come from burned palms from the previous Palm Sunday.

2. The phrase “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return” is said when ashes are distributed.

3. It is a day of fasting and abstinence for Catholics.

Ways to Celebrate:

1. Attend Mass and receive ashes as a family.

2. Begin a family Lenten sacrifice, such as giving up sweets or unnecessary screen time.

3. Read Matthew 6:1-6,16-18 about fasting, prayer, and almsgiving.

4. Start a Lenten prayer journal to reflect on growth in faith.

5. Make an "Ash Wednesday" craft by creating a cross with ashes or black paint.

St. Louise de Marillac

Feast day: March 15th

About the Saint: St. Louise de Marillac was the co-founder of the Daughters of Charity, an order dedicated to serving the poor. She worked closely with St. Vincent de Paul and devoted her life to acts of charity and education.

Fun Facts:

1. She was a widow and mother before becoming a nun.

2. She established free schools for poor children.

3. St. Vincent de Paul was her spiritual mentor.

Ways to Celebrate:

1. Read a short biography of St. Louise and discuss the importance of charity.

2. Volunteer as a family or donate to a local charity.

3. Make a "kindness jar" where children write ways they can serve others.

4. Pray for those who work in charitable organizations.

5. Create a craft depicting St. Louise’s work with the poor.

St. Patrick

Feast day: March 17th

About the Saint: St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland, known for bringing Christianity to the Irish people in the 5th century. His feast day is celebrated with parades, prayers, and Irish traditions.

Fun Facts:

1. He used a shamrock to teach about the Holy Trinity.

2. He was kidnapped by pirates as a young man and taken to Ireland as a slave.

3. He is credited with driving the snakes out of Ireland (a symbolic story of his role in eliminating pagan practices).

Ways to Celebrate:

1. Make shamrock crafts and discuss the Trinity.

2. Read the story of St. Patrick and his mission in Ireland.

3. Cook an Irish-inspired meal and talk about Catholic traditions in Ireland.

4. Pray the St. Patrick’s Breastplate prayer as a family.

5. Host a "green day" where kids dress in green and learn about Irish saints.

6. Book recommendation: Patrick: Patron Saint of Ireland

St. Joseph

Feast day: March 19th

About the Saint: St. Joseph, the husband of Mary and the foster father of Jesus, is honored as a model of faith, humility, and protection. His feast day is one of the most significant in the Church.

Fun Facts:

1. He is the patron saint of workers, fathers, and a happy death.

2. Many Italian communities celebrate with a St. Joseph’s table, a feast for the poor.

3. He is often depicted holding a lily, symbolizing purity.

Ways to Celebrate:

1. Cook a special meal together in honor of St. Joseph’s table.

2. Make a St. Joseph altar with candles, flowers, and holy images.

3. Pray the Litany of St. Joseph as a family.

4. Do a family service project to help those in need.

5. Create a wooden craft, honoring St. Joseph as a carpenter.

6. Book recommendation: Joseph, Guardian of the Holy Family

St. Photina

Feast day: March 20th

About the Saint: St. Photina, also known as the Samaritan Woman at the Well, is honored as the first recorded missionary. She met Jesus at the well, and her testimony led many to believe in Him.

Fun Facts:

1. Her conversation with Jesus is one of the longest recorded in the Gospels.

2. She became a Christian missionary and was later martyred.

3. She is considered a saint in both Eastern and Western Christianity.

Ways to Celebrate:

1. Read the story of the Woman at the Well (John 4) and discuss it with your children.

2. Decorate a "water jug" craft to symbolize her meeting with Jesus.

3. Talk about the importance of sharing faith with others.

4. Say a special prayer for missionaries around the world.

5. Reflect on the meaning of living water and how Jesus nourishes our souls.

The Annunciation

Feast day: March 25th

About the Feast/Devotion: The Annunciation celebrates the angel Gabriel’s visit to Mary, announcing that she would be the mother of Jesus. It is a significant moment in salvation history.

Fun Facts:

1. The Annunciation is exactly nine months before Christmas.

2. Mary's "yes" is called her "fiat," meaning "let it be done."

3. Many artists have painted the Annunciation scene, including Leonardo da Vinci.

Ways to Celebrate:

1. Pray the Angelus together as a family.

2. Create an angel craft to symbolize Gabriel’s message.

3. Read Luke 1:26-38 and discuss Mary's role in salvation history.

4. Bake an "Annunciation cake" and decorate it with an angel theme.

5. Light a candle and pray for expectant mothers.