July Feast Days (Precious Blood of Jesus, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, St. Kateri Tekakwitha + More!)

July 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! ✨

🌹 Monthly Devotion: The Precious Blood of Jesus

Focus: Honoring the redeeming love of Christ poured out for us.

Family Ideas:

• Pray the Litany of the Precious Blood as a family.

• Set up a small altar space with red cloth, a crucifix, and flowers.

• Read Bible stories about Jesus’ Passion and Resurrection.

• Discuss how Jesus’ love covers and redeems us.

✨ July 3 – Feast of St. Thomas the Apostle

About the Feast:

St. Thomas, often called "Doubting Thomas," is known for his honest questions and his bold faith. After Jesus’ Resurrection, Thomas initially doubted but later made one of the strongest declarations of faith: "My Lord and my God!" Tradition holds that Thomas traveled to India, spreading the Gospel far from home.

Fun Facts:

1. Thomas’ name means “twin” in Aramaic.

2. He is the patron saint of architects and builders.

3. He evangelized as far as India and is still beloved by Christians there today.

4. His feast day was once celebrated on December 21 in the Roman calendar.

5. His bold proclamation of faith is still used in prayers today.

Ways to Celebrate:

• Build something together (blocks, Legos, a fort) and talk about Thomas as the patron of builders.

• Read John 20:24-29 as a family and talk about faith and doubt.

• Say a simple prayer: “St. Thomas, help us to believe in Jesus with all our hearts!”

• Print a map and trace where Thomas traveled to spread the Gospel.

• Bake a special “builder’s bread” or simple rolls as a family snack.

✨ July 4 – Feast of St. Ulrich

About the Feast:

St. Ulrich was a bishop known for his humility, kindness to the poor, and courageous defense of his people during times of war. He was the first saint formally canonized by a pope, setting the process the Church still uses today.

Fun Facts:

1. He was canonized in 993 AD by Pope John XV.

2. He is the patron saint of pregnant women and childbirth.

3. St. Ulrich loved animals, especially birds and fish.

4. He served as Bishop of Augsburg in Germany.

5. His symbol often includes a fish, which he fed to 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 or items to a local charity.

• Enjoy a family fish dinner in honor of St. Ulrich.

• Talk about how saints help take care of God’s people in hard times.

✨ July 12 – Feast of St. Veronica

About the Feast:

St. Veronica is remembered for her act of compassion when she wiped the face of Jesus on His way to Calvary. Tradition holds that Jesus' image remained on her veil. Veronica’s story teaches us about courage and kindness, even in difficult moments.

Fun Facts:

1. Veronica’s name means “true image” in Greek and Latin.

2. She bravely stepped forward in a hostile crowd.

3. Her veil is believed to have been preserved as a relic.

4. She is the patron saint of photographers and laundry workers.

5. Her act is commemorated in the Sixth Station of the Cross.

Ways to Celebrate:

• Make a simple cloth craft or tissue paper veil with your children.

• Pray the Stations of the Cross as a family, focusing on Veronica’s story.

• Talk about acts of kindness we can do, even when it’s hard.

• Discuss what it means to see the “face of Jesus” in others.

• Draw a smiling face on a cloth as a sweet reminder of compassion.

✨ July 14 – Feast of St. Kateri Tekakwitha

About the Feast:

St. Kateri Tekakwitha, the Lily of the Mohawks, is the first Native American saint. She converted to Catholicism as a teenager and is known for her deep love of Jesus and quiet, prayerful life. She found beauty in God’s creation and is a powerful role model for young Catholics.

Fun Facts:

1. She is the patron saint of ecology, the environment, and Native Americans.

2. Her name means “she who bumps into things” because of her poor eyesight.

3. Kateri made her First Communion at age 19.

4. Her face was marked by smallpox scars that miraculously disappeared after her death.

5. She built a cross from sticks in the woods for prayer.

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 and cultures.

• Read a children's book about St. Kateri.

• Make a "Lily of the Mohawks" craft with white paper flowers.

✨ July 16 – Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel

About the Feast:

Our Lady of Mount Carmel is a beloved title for Mary, who appeared to St. Simon Stock and gave the brown scapular—a symbol of her protection. Carmelites have a long tradition of prayer, silence, and devotion to Mary.

Fun Facts:

1. The Carmelite order began on Mount Carmel in the Holy Land.

2. Mary gave the brown scapular as a sign of her care.

3. The brown scapular is worn by many Catholics as a sign of devotion.

4. Carmelites focus on prayer, contemplation, and simplicity.

5. Our Lady of Mount Carmel is often shown holding the baby Jesus and scapulars.

Ways to Celebrate:

• Learn about the scapular and what it means.

• Make a scapular craft with felt or paper.

• Pray the Hail Mary or Flos Carmeli (a Carmelite hymn).

• Create a “prayer corner” in your home to grow your family’s devotion.

• Talk about how Mary always leads us closer to Jesus.

✨ July 25 – Feast of St. James the Greater

About the Feast:

St. James was one of Jesus’ closest apostles and the brother of St. John. He is known for his missionary travels and is especially connected to the famous Camino de Santiago pilgrimage in Spain.

Fun Facts:

1. St. James is the patron saint of pilgrims and travelers.

2. His symbol is a scallop shell, often worn by pilgrims.

3. He is one of the first apostles to be martyred.

4. His shrine in Santiago de Compostela, Spain, has welcomed pilgrims for centuries.

5. His feast is often celebrated with joyful festivals in Spain.

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 Bible stories about St. James (Matthew 4:21-22).

• Make a snack shaped like a shell or bake shell-shaped cookies.

✨ July 29 – Feast of St. Martha

About the Feast:

St. Martha was a close friend of Jesus and is known for her hospitality and strong faith. When her brother Lazarus died, Martha declared, “I believe that you are the Christ.” She reminds us to serve with love while trusting in Jesus.

Fun Facts:

1. Martha is the patron saint of homemakers and cooks.

2. She bravely welcomed Jesus into her home.

3. She witnessed Jesus raise her brother Lazarus from the dead.

4. Martha’s story is in Luke 10:38-42 and John 11.

5. According to tradition, she tamed a dragon in southern France (the Tarasque legend).

Ways to Celebrate:

• Cook or bake something special as a family in Martha’s honor.

• Act out the story of Martha and Mary with simple costumes.

• Talk about how serving others is a way to love Jesus.

• Pray together, asking St. Martha to help you find balance between work and prayer.

• Make a simple dragon craft and share the Tarasque story.

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. Some weeks you might go all in with crafts and stories, other times a simple prayer or conversation is enough. 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! 🌻