July Feast Days (St. Benedict, St. Mary Magdalene, St. Kateri Tekakwitha + More)
Jun 30, 2025July is a beautiful month filled with celebrations of courage, compassion, and deep devotion. It’s also the month of the Precious Blood of Jesus, reminding us of Christ’s incredible love and sacrifice.
Whether you’re enjoying summer adventures or savoring slow days at home, this month is full of opportunities to weave the faith into your family life. Let’s explore the saints and feasts we’ll celebrate together this month! โจ
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Monthly Overview
Tap any feast below to jump straight to it. โ
Monthly Devotion: The Precious Blood of Jesus
Key Feast Days & Saint Celebrations:
July 3: St. Thomas the Apostle
July 4: St. Ulrich
July 11: St. Benedict of Nursia
July 12: St. Veronica
July 12: St. Zélie Martin
July 14: St. Kateri Tekakwitha
July 22: St. Mary Magdalene
July 25: St. James the Greater
July 28: Pope St. Victor I
July 29: St. Martha
About the Monthly Devotion: The Precious Blood of Jesus
July is dedicated to the Precious Blood of Jesus, honoring the redeeming love that Christ poured out for us on the Cross. This devotion reminds our families of the greatest truth of all: Jesus loves us so much that He gave everything to save us. It’s a beautiful month to thank Jesus for His love and to remember that His mercy covers and heals us.
Family Ideas for July:
Pray the Litany of the Precious Blood as a family.
Set up a small prayer space with a red cloth, a crucifix, and flowers.
Read Bible stories about Jesus’ Passion and Resurrection.
Talk about how Jesus’ love saves and redeems us.
Bring the July devotion into your mornings. Our Catholic Morning Menu features a beautiful cover and tracing page for each month’s traditional devotion—including July’s devotion to the Precious Blood of Jesus—plus prayers, a Bible memory verse, the liturgical season, and gentle preschool learning to start each day with the faith. See the Morning Menu →
July 3: St. Thomas the Apostle
Fun Facts:
Thomas’ name means “twin” in Aramaic.
He is the patron saint of architects and builders.
He traveled as far as India to share the Gospel.
Christians in India still lovingly honor him today.
His words “My Lord and my God!” are still prayed today.
Ways to Celebrate:
Build something together (blocks, Legos, a fort) and talk about Thomas the builder.
Read John 20:24–29 and talk about faith and doubt.
Pray: “St. Thomas, help us to believe in Jesus with all our hearts!”
Trace a map of where Thomas traveled to spread the Gospel.
Bake simple rolls or “builder’s bread” as a family snack.
His Story:
St. Thomas, often called “Doubting Thomas,” is remembered for his honest questions and his bold faith. When the other apostles told him Jesus had risen, Thomas said he wouldn’t believe until he saw for himself—but when Jesus appeared and showed him His wounds, Thomas fell to his knees and made one of the greatest declarations of faith in the whole Bible: “My Lord and my God!” Tradition says he later traveled all the way to India to share the Gospel, where Christians still honor him today.
What Kids Can Learn from St. Thomas:
It’s okay to have questions about our faith. Like St. Thomas, when we truly meet Jesus, we can believe with our whole hearts and say, “My Lord and my God!”
A Little Prayer:
St. Thomas, you doubted at first, but then believed with all your heart. Help our family to trust Jesus, even when we cannot see, and to say with you, “My Lord and my God!” St. Thomas, pray for us. Amen.
July 4: St. Ulrich
Fun Facts:
He was the first saint formally canonized by a pope (in 993 AD).
He is a patron saint of pregnant women and childbirth.
He loved animals, especially birds and fish.
He served as Bishop of Augsburg in Germany.
His symbol is a fish, which he gave to feed the poor.
Ways to Celebrate:
Draw or craft fish to remember his care for the poor.
Pray for pregnant mothers and babies today.
Donate baby supplies to a local charity.
Enjoy a family fish dinner in his honor.
Talk about how saints help take care of God’s people in hard times.
His Story:
St. Ulrich was a bishop in Germany in the 900s, loved for his humility, his kindness to the poor, and his courage in protecting his people during hard times. He was the very first saint to be formally canonized by a pope, setting the pattern the Church still uses today. He loved animals and often gave fish to feed the hungry. St. Ulrich shows us that holiness means serving others generously and bravely.
What Kids Can Learn from St. Ulrich:
God calls us to be generous and brave, caring for others in good times and hard. Like St. Ulrich, we can share what we have with those in need.
A Little Prayer:
St. Ulrich, you cared for the poor and protected your people with a brave and humble heart. Help our family to be generous, courageous, and kind. St. Ulrich, pray for us. Amen.
July 11: St. Benedict of Nursia
Fun Facts:
He had a twin sister, St. Scholastica, who loved God just as much as he did.
He wrote the Rule of St. Benedict, a guide for monks that is still used today.
He is a patron saint of Europe, and his famous motto is Ora et labora—“pray and work.”
Ways to Celebrate:
Build a monastery out of blocks and talk about how monks live together and pray.
Have a “pray and work” morning: say a short prayer, then tidy up a room together.
Ring a little bell for family prayer times, just like a monastery bell.
Make a St. Benedict medal craft from a paper circle and crayons.
Bake or share simple bread, like the monks who baked for guests and the poor.
His Story:
St. Benedict was born in Nursia, Italy, around the year 480. As a young man he went to Rome to study, but the busy city was full of bad examples, so he left to live alone in a cave and pray. Soon other men came to learn from him, and Benedict started monasteries, including the famous one at Monte Cassino. He wrote a gentle Rule that taught monks to pray, to work, to welcome every guest as if he were Jesus, and to live together in peace. Benedictine monks have followed his Rule for about 1,500 years, keeping prayer, learning, and kindness alive.
What Kids Can Learn from St. Benedict:
Every part of our day—our prayers and our chores—can be a gift to God. Like St. Benedict, we can pray, work hard, and welcome others with kindness.
A Little Prayer:
St. Benedict, you taught us to pray and work for the glory of God. Help our family to do our tasks with joyful hearts, to make time for prayer, and to welcome everyone as Jesus. St. Benedict, pray for us. Amen.
July 12: St. Veronica
Fun Facts:
Veronica’s name means “true image.”
She bravely stepped forward in a hostile crowd to help Jesus.
Her veil is believed to have been preserved as a relic.
She is a patron saint of photographers.
Her act is remembered in the Sixth Station of the Cross.
Ways to Celebrate:
Make a simple cloth or tissue-paper “veil” craft.
Pray the Stations of the Cross, focusing on Veronica’s station.
Talk about kind acts we can do, even when it’s hard.
Discuss what it means to see the “face of Jesus” in others.
Do one small, brave act of kindness for someone today.
Her Story:
St. Veronica is remembered for a single, beautiful act of love. As Jesus carried His cross to Calvary, she pushed through the crowd and used her veil to wipe the blood and sweat from His face. Tradition says that Jesus left the image of His face on her veil as a gift—which is why her name means “true image.” Her small, brave act of kindness is remembered in the Sixth Station of the Cross, and it reminds us that even one act of compassion matters deeply to Jesus.
What Kids Can Learn from St. Veronica:
One small act of kindness can mean so much. Like St. Veronica, we can be brave and comfort others, seeing the face of Jesus in everyone we meet.
A Little Prayer:
St. Veronica, you comforted Jesus with a loving heart. Help our family to be kind and brave, and to see the face of Jesus in everyone we meet. St. Veronica, pray for us. Amen.
July 12: St. Zélie Martin
Fun Facts:
She was the mother of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, the “Little Flower.”
She ran her own business making beautiful Alençon lace in France.
She and her husband, St. Louis Martin, were canonized together in 2015—the first married couple ever canonized together.
Ways to Celebrate:
Make a “lace” craft by decorating paper doilies.
Look at family photos together and thank God for each person in your family.
Draw a card or picture for Mom or Grandma.
Pray together for all mothers and fathers.
Make a little paper flower in honor of her daughter, St. Thérèse.
Her Story:
St. Zélie Martin was born in France in 1831. As a young woman she hoped to become a nun, but God had a different plan for her. She became a skilled lacemaker in the town of Alençon, and there she met Louis Martin, a gentle watchmaker. They married and had nine children. Four of their little ones went to Heaven very young, which brought Zélie great sorrow, but she kept trusting God. She worked hard, prayed with her family every day, and filled her home with love. Zélie went home to God when her youngest daughter, Thérèse, was only four. All five of her surviving daughters became nuns, and Thérèse became a great saint.
What Kids Can Learn from St. Zélie:
Families can become saints together! Like St. Zélie, we can love God in our everyday work, our family prayers, and the way we care for one another.
A Little Prayer:
St. Zélie, you made your home a place of prayer, hard work, and love. Help our family to love God together and to trust Him in happy times and sad. St. Zélie, pray for us. Amen.
July 14: St. Kateri Tekakwitha
Fun Facts:
She is the first Native American saint, called the “Lily of the Mohawks.”
She is a patron saint of ecology and the environment.
She loved to pray in the quiet beauty of nature.
She made a little cross out of sticks in the woods.
She became Catholic as a teenager, even when it was hard.
Ways to Celebrate:
Go on a nature walk and thank God for the beauty around you.
Build a simple stick cross like Kateri did.
Pray for Native American communities.
Read a children’s book about St. Kateri.
Make a “Lily of the Mohawks” craft with white paper flowers.
Her Story:
St. Kateri Tekakwitha, called the “Lily of the Mohawks,” is the first Native American saint. She was born in what is now New York, and though smallpox left her with poor eyesight and scars, her heart was full of love for God. As a teenager she became Catholic, even when it was hard and others didn’t understand. She loved to pray in the quiet of nature and made a little cross out of sticks in the woods. Kateri shows us that we can love Jesus deeply, right where we are.
What Kids Can Learn from St. Kateri:
We can find God in the beauty of nature and love Him with a quiet, faithful heart. Like St. Kateri, we can be brave in our faith, even when it’s hard.
A Little Prayer:
St. Kateri, you loved Jesus in the quiet beauty of creation and stayed faithful even when it was hard. Help our family to pray, to love God’s creation, and to be brave in our faith. St. Kateri, pray for us. Amen.
July 22: St. Mary Magdalene
Fun Facts:
She was the first person to see the risen Jesus on Easter morning.
She is called the “Apostle to the Apostles” because Jesus sent her to tell them the Good News.
In 2016, Pope Francis raised her memorial to a full feast day.
Ways to Celebrate:
Act out the Easter morning garden scene with toys or simple costumes.
Build an empty tomb from a box or play dough and roll the “stone” away.
Pick or draw flowers and talk about how Mary met Jesus in a garden.
Make a “He is risen!” card to give to someone.
Practice saying each other’s names lovingly, the way Jesus said, “Mary!”
Her Story:
St. Mary Magdalene came from Magdala, a town by the Sea of Galilee. The Gospel tells us that Jesus healed her, and from then on she followed Him with all her heart, helping Him and the apostles as they traveled. She stayed close to Jesus even at the foot of the Cross. Early on Easter morning she went to His tomb and found it empty. She was crying when a man she thought was the gardener spoke her name: “Mary!” Right away she knew it was Jesus! He sent her to tell the apostles that He was risen, and she ran to share the best news ever.
What Kids Can Learn from St. Mary Magdalene:
Jesus knows each of us by name. Like St. Mary Magdalene, we can stay close to Jesus and joyfully tell others that He is alive!
A Little Prayer:
St. Mary Magdalene, you loved Jesus faithfully and were the first to share the joy of Easter. Help our family to stay close to Jesus and to tell everyone the Good News. St. Mary Magdalene, pray for us. Amen.
July 25: St. James the Greater
Fun Facts:
He is the patron saint of pilgrims and travelers.
His symbol is a scallop shell, worn by pilgrims.
He was one of the first apostles to give his life for Jesus.
His shrine in Santiago de Compostela, Spain, has welcomed pilgrims for centuries.
He was the brother of the apostle St. John.
Ways to Celebrate:
Take a family walk or mini “pilgrimage” in your neighborhood.
Collect or craft scallop shells.
Talk about how we are all on a journey to Heaven.
Read about St. James in Matthew 4:21–22.
Bake shell-shaped cookies or a shell-shaped snack.
His Story:
St. James the Greater was one of Jesus’ closest apostles and the brother of St. John. Along with Peter and John, he was with Jesus for special moments like the Transfiguration. After Jesus rose and ascended to Heaven, James boldly preached the Gospel and became one of the first apostles to give his life for the faith. Tradition says he is buried at Santiago de Compostela in Spain, where pilgrims have walked “the Camino” to his shrine for over a thousand years, often wearing a scallop shell.
What Kids Can Learn from St. James:
We are all pilgrims walking toward Heaven. Like St. James, we can follow Jesus closely and share His love bravely along the way.
A Little Prayer:
St. James, you followed Jesus closely and gave your life to share the Good News. Help our family to walk faithfully toward Heaven and to be brave in our faith. St. James, pray for us. Amen.
July 28: Pope St. Victor I
Fun Facts:
He led the Church as pope near the end of the 100s, about 1,800 years ago.
Tradition tells us he came from Africa, making him the first pope from that continent.
He worked so that Christians everywhere would celebrate Easter on a Sunday.
Ways to Celebrate:
Find Africa and Rome on a globe or map.
Pray together for our Pope today.
Make a paper pope hat (a mitre) and take turns wearing it.
Draw a big sun and talk about how every Sunday is a “little Easter.”
Make paper “keys” to remember the keys Jesus gave to St. Peter, the first pope.
His Story:
We don’t know many details about Pope St. Victor I, but the Church has remembered him for a very long time. He became pope around the year 189, when Christians still often had to be brave about their faith. Tradition tells us he came from Africa. Pope Victor cared very much that the whole Church would be united, and he worked so that all Christians would celebrate Easter, the day Jesus rose, on a Sunday. Tradition also honors him as a martyr, someone who gave his life for Jesus. Pope St. Victor reminds us to love the Church and to celebrate Jesus together.
What Kids Can Learn from Pope St. Victor I:
The Church is one big family. Like Pope St. Victor, we can help our family stay united and celebrate Jesus together every Sunday.
A Little Prayer:
Pope St. Victor, you led God’s people with care and helped the whole Church celebrate Easter together. Help our family to love the Church and to keep every Sunday holy. Pope St. Victor, pray for us. Amen.
July 29: St. Martha
Fun Facts:
She is the patron saint of homemakers and cooks.
She joyfully welcomed Jesus into her home.
She witnessed Jesus raise her brother Lazarus from the dead.
Her story is found in Luke 10:38–42 and John 11.
A French legend says she tamed a dragon called the Tarasque.
Ways to Celebrate:
Cook or bake something special together in her honor.
Act out the story of Martha and Mary with simple costumes.
Talk about how serving others is a way to love Jesus.
Ask St. Martha to help you balance work and prayer.
Make a friendly dragon craft and share the Tarasque legend.
Her Story:
St. Martha was a dear friend of Jesus, who often welcomed Him into her home in Bethany with her sister Mary and brother Lazarus. She is remembered for her busy, loving hospitality—and for one of the greatest professions of faith in the Gospels. When her brother Lazarus died, Martha ran to Jesus and said, “I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God.” Then Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead! Martha teaches us to serve others with love while keeping our hearts fixed on Jesus.
What Kids Can Learn from St. Martha:
We can love Jesus both by serving others and by trusting Him completely. Like St. Martha, we can welcome Jesus into our homes and believe in Him with all our hearts.
A Little Prayer:
St. Martha, you welcomed Jesus with love and believed in Him with all your heart. Help our family to serve others joyfully and to trust Jesus in everything. St. Martha, pray for us. Amen.
That’s a wrap on July’s feast days! Pick what fits your season, skip what doesn’t, and enjoy finding small, doable ways to bring the saints and the liturgical year into family life. There’s no pressure to do it perfectly—just real, meaningful moments with your family as you go. Wishing you a joyful, faith-filled July! ๐ป
More Monthly Feast Day Guides
Looking ahead or catching up? Explore more of our monthly feast day guides for Catholic families:
June Feast Days — St. Kizito, Bl. Yolanda of Poland & St. Peter.
August Feast Days — St. Dominic, St. Rose of Lima, St. Augustine of Hippo & more.
Want to build your own family rhythms around the liturgical year? Start with Create Feast Day Traditions Based on Your Love Languages and Liturgical Living Made Simple.
Make July’s feasts simple—with free printables โจ
You don’t need to plan it all from scratch. Join the free Catholic Creativity Corner for instant access to saint coloring pages, crafts, and feast day activities designed for Catholic families and communities—ready whenever you are.
