Exaltation of the Holy Cross

X is for the CROSS

when we can't have our way, 

"All for Thee, JESUS,"

we must then learn to say

- God's Alphabet

The celebration of Holy Mass has the same value as the Death of Jesus on the Cross.

- St. Thomas Aquinas

From here on earth, Love cannot live without suffering. It is through loving the cross that we discover His Heart, for divine Love never lives without suffering.

- St. Bernadette Soubirous

From the archives:

Celebrating the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross and the Anniversary of the Implementation of Summorum Pontificum

You can find book suggestions in our September Book Basket.

Additional ideas for celebrating this feast can be found in the archives. 

I adore You, O glorious Cross, which was adorned with the Heart and Body of my Savior Jesus Christ, stained and covered with blood. I adore You, O Holy Cross, out of love for Him, Jesus, who is my Savior and my God.

(Pope Pius IX declared that reciting this prayer five times on Friday will free five souls from Purgatory and 33 souls by reciting it on Good Friday. This prayer should be recited before a crucifix with a contrite heart and praying a few minutes for the Pope.)

Feast of Saint Mary Magdalene

Happy Feast of St. Mary Magdalene! The Congregation of Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments recently raised the memorial of St. Mary Magdalene on July 22nd to a feast. You can read more about this over at Catholic Culture. 

"Mary Magdalen was well known as a sinner when she first saw Our Lord. She was very beautiful and very proud, but after she met Jesus, she felt great sorrow for her evil life. When Jesus went to supper at the home of a rich man named Simon, Mary came to weep at His feet. Then with her long beautiful hair, she wiped his feet dry and anointed them with expensive perfume. Some people were surprised that Jesus let such a sinner touch Him, but Our Lord could see into Mary's heart, and He said: "Many sins are forgiven her, because she has loved much." Then to Mary He said kindly, "Your faith has made you safe. Go in peace."

From then on, with the other holy women, Mary humbly served Jesus and His Apostles. And when Our Lord was crucified, she was there at the food of His cross, unafraid for herself, and thinking only of His sufferings. No wonder Jesus said of her: "She has loved much."

After Jesus' body had been placed in the tomb, Mary went to anoint it with spices early Easter Sunday morning. Not finding the sacred body, she began to weep, and seeing someone whom she thought was a gardener, she asked him if he knew where the Body of her beloved Master had been taken. But then the Person spoke in a voice she knew well: "Mary!" It was Jesus, risen from the dead! And He had chosen to show Himself first to Mary Magdalen, the repentant sinner."

Today I will often say the invocation, "Jesus, make me love You more and more." When the love of God fills our hearts, it purifies them from every stain of sin.  

~ Saints for Young People for Every Day of the Year, Volume II

Our 4 year old discovered the Risen Jesus and Mary Magdalene in his Easter Basket earlier this year, along with the He Is Risen! set from Naturally Catholic. Our little ones pulled it out of the basket to play with as we read the story of St. Mary Magdalene today.

I had to go to the office and work for a few hours this afternoon. When I got back home the little kids were "playing Mass," our oldest son had started preparing dinner, and our oldest daughter was finishing up a batch of Madeleines (her very first time making them!) to celebrate today's FEAST of Saint Mary Magdalene!

Saint Mary Magdalen form Saints: A Year in Faith and Art
Photo Credit: Twinkle Toes

You can find the recipe for these Madeleines over at Catholic Cuisine. (Madeleine is a variation of Magdalene.) This recipe is also perfect for the feast of St. James coming up on July 25h! 

"Playing Mass!" - Photo Credit: Twinkle Toes

 

Mary Magdalene from Lives and Legends of the Saints

St. Mary Magdalene, Ora Pro Nobis!

Our 2010 Jesse "Tea" for Advent

Our family really enjoyed the Jesse "Tea" we had last year, so we decided to do it again this year! Since this year it was just days after Thanksgiving and our road trip to visit my Husband's parents, we weren't able to have it on the first Sunday of Advent, but the following week was just as enjoyable! It really could be done anytime during Advent, or you could even serve a little something to go along with your Jesse Tree Ornaments and Readings each day of Advent!   Here are some pictures from this years "Tea."

Since our children are now very familiar with all the Old Testament stories, we all sat around the table and, as we got to each menu item, they took turns telling everyone the story it symbolized. I always love listening to the stories in their own words...

Here is what was included in our menu this year:

~ The Jesse "Tea" ~

A couple of us had tea and the rest opted for "Adam's Sparkling Apple Cider."

(We also decorated the table with the pretty Beeswax candles the girls made in Little Flowers.)

~ Adam's Apple ~

This year we had little bags of Sliced Apples with a gummi worm serpent!

"And the woman saw that the tree was good to eat, and fair to the eyes, and delightful to behold: and she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave to her husband who did eat." Gen. 3: 6

~ Noah's Ark ~

This year I adapted this darling idea from Kaboose.

I decided the first one was too big, so modified the snack ark to the smaller version below:

"And God said: This is the sign of the covenant which I give between me and you, and to every living soul that is with you, for perpetual generations. I will set my bow in the clouds, and it shall be the sign of a covenant between me, and between the earth. And when I shall cover the sky with clouds, my bow shall appear in the clouds: And I will remember my covenant with you, and with every living soul that beareth flesh: and there shall no more be waters of a flood to destroy all flesh.And the bow shall be in the clouds, and I shall see it, and shall remember the everlasting covenant, that was made between God and every living soul of all flesh which is upon the earth. And God said to Noe: This shall be the sign of the covenant which I have established between me and all flesh upon the earth. " Gen. 9: 12-17

~ Abraham's Stars ~

This year I made our own Chocolate Stars, one for each person, using a Wilton Candy Mold and White Chocolate Melts!

"And he brought him forth abroad, and said to him: Look up to heaven and number the stars, if thou canst. And he said to him: So shall thy seed be." Gen. 15: 5

~ Isaac's Bundle of Sticks ~

This year I used red string licorice instead of string cheese to tie our little bundles of 8 pretzel sticks together. It seemed to work a little better.

"And he took the wood for the holocaust, and laid it upon Isaac his son: and he himself carried in his hands fire and a sword." Gen. 22: 6

~ Jacob's Ladder ~

Using the Isaac's Bundle of Sticks, each person makes their own ladder.

(This photo is from last year.) 

"And he saw in his sleep a ladder standing upon the earth, and the top thereof touching heaven: the angels also of God ascending and descending by it." Gen. 28: 12

~ Joseph's Coat of Many Colors ~

Once again, these were very fun, and easy to make, following Alice's directions.

"Now Israel loved Joseph above all his sons, because he had him in his old age: and he made him a coat of divers colours. And his brethren seeing that he was loved by his father, more than all his sons, hated him, and could not speak peaceably to him." Gen. 37: 3-4

~ The Burning Bush ~

This year we dipped our Broccoli Florets dipped in Bowls of Tomato Basil Soup, since I wanted to add a few more healthy main items this year.  (It doesn't look like I got a picture of the soup though!) 

"And the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he saw that the bush was on fire and was not burnt. And Moses said: I will go and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt." Exodus 3: 2-3

~ Moses' Tablets of the Law ~

I bought Milano cookies, as recommended by Alice, but added Roman Numerals I-X with chocolate icing. I love how they turned out!

"And after this he said: Hew thee two tables of stone like unto the former, and I will write upon them the words which were in the tables, which thou brokest." Exodus 34: 1

~ Jonah and the Whale ~

I wasn't able to find the Whale Crackers this year, so our "Whales" were fish! :)

"Now the Lord prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonas: and Jonas was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights. And Jonas prayed to the Lord his God out of the belly of the fish. " Jonah 2: 1-2

~ The Root of Jesse ~

Baby Carrots since they are a "Root" Vegetable

"And there shall come forth a rod out of the root of Jesse, and a flower shall rise up out of his root." and "In that day the root of Jesse, who standeth for an ensign of the people, him the Gentiles shall beseech, and his sepulchre shall be glorious." Isaiah 11: 1 and 10

~ David's Star Tea Sandwiches ~

I just used two different sized Star Cookie Cutters to cut one star out of bread and a slightly smaller star out of cheese.

1 Samuel 17: 12-51

~ Bethlehem, House of Bread ~

A Plate of Rolls to go along with our soup!  Next year I think I might actually serve Bread Bowls filled with soup! 

"But they said to him: In Bethlehem of Juda. For so it is written by the prophet: And thou Bethlehem the land of Juda art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come forth the captain that shall rule my people Israel" Matthew 2: 5-6

~ John the Baptist's Honey ~

Last year I ordered a box of Honey Stix from Amazon for about $14.00, not realizing I would be receiving 384 of them (instead of 48)! I think I am going to have Honey Sticks until my children are grown! 

I also served shell shaped butter with the rolls. 

"And it came to pass, that when Elizabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the infant leaped in her womb." Luke 1: 41
"For this is he that was spoken of by Isaias the prophet, saying: A voice of one crying in the desert, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight his paths." Matthew 3: 3

~ Angelic Messengers ~

Eliminating another candy from last years menu, I decided to try Lacy's Angel Snack, using Kix instead of Oyster Crackers, since I already had them in the cupboard. My children loved these!

"And in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God into a city of Galilee, called Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And the angel being come in, said unto her: Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. " Luke 1:26-28

~ Flowers of Jesse ~

This year I used a White Cheesecake that we ended up saving from Thanksgiving and topped it with a few Roses.

"And there shall come forth a rod out of the root of Jesse, and a flower shall rise up out of his root. And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him: the spirit of wisdom, and of understanding, the spirit of counsel, and of fortitude, the spirit of knowledge, and of godliness. And he shall be filled with the spirit of the fear of the Lord. He shall not judge according to the sight of the eyes, nor reprove according to the hearing of the ears. " Isaiah 11:1-3

Be sure to visit Cottage Blessings for more ideas, recipes and her shopping list!

In Honor of St. Martin de Porres

Yesterday was the feast of St. Martin de Porres! Here are a few pictures from our little celebration in honor of this wonderful saint:

~ Books to Read ~

Saint Martin de Porres and the Mice

The Pied Piper of Peru

St Martin de Porres

~ Listen ~

Glory Stories - The Saint of the Broom: The story of Saint Martin de Porres

(My children love ALL of the Glory Story CD's, but the story of St. Martin is a favorite! They are great to turn on while the children are coloring!)

~ Crafts ~

Saint Martin de Porres Paper Dolls

~ Coloring Pages ~

• M is for St. Martin (from Catholic Artworks Teachers Helper #7 CD)
• Saint Martin de Porres (from Catholic Artwork's Faith Keepers CD -- All Catholic Artwork CD's are available 50% off for homeschoolers!)
• Saint Martin de Porres, Coloring page with brief description
• There is also a lovely coloring page of St. Martin in Fenestrae Fidei: A Coloring Companion for Catholic Mosaic.

~ Catholic Cuisine ~

St. Martin and the Mice Cupcakes

~ Prayer to St. Martin de Porres ~

Most humble, St. Martin de Porres, whose burning charity embraced not only the needy brethren, but also the very animals in the field. Splendid example of charity, we hail thee and invoke thee, from the high throne which you now occupy. Deign to listen to the supplications of your brethren, that by imitating your virtues, we may live contented in that state in which God has placed us, and carrying with strength and courage our cross, we may follow the footsteps of our Blessed Redeemer and His Most Afflicted Mother, that, at last,we may reach the kingdom of Heaven, through the merits of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Saint Martin de Porres, Pray for Us!