Saint Joseph Lap Book

Last March Rascal made a 3-D Cut & Color St. Joseph Altar and started making a Lap Book in honor of St. Joseph.  That same week my Grandfather passed away and we ended up spending March 19th, the feast of St. Joseph, in the car traveling out of state to attend his funeral.  Needless to say, Rascal's Lap Book never was completed.  A year later (I can't believe it has been a year!) I finally pulled it back off the shelf so he could finish it up in time for this year's feast!

I've included links (and uploaded any of our own documents) in case anyone would like to use them as well.

~ Books read ~

Good St. Joseph

Father and Son: A Nativity Story

Song of the Swallows

Other Resources:
From An Angel in a Dream: The Story of St. Joseph
Favorite Prayers to St. Joseph
The Virtual St. Joseph Altar
SQPN

~ Cover ~

For the cover Rascal colored this picture of St. Joseph. (Charlotte also has a lovely coloring page and you can find even more options here.)

~ Inside First Folder ~

For the left flap of the first folder we pasted the Litany of St. Joseph.  (Here is my document to download.)

In the middle, a the top, we included a 2 Flap Flap Book for the two "Feasts of St. Joseph."  (You can download my file here - the font is different since it was originally made on my other computer.  Rascal completed this part of the lapbook last year, otherwise I probably would have had him write it in himself.) 

• On the outside of the first flap we pasted placed a picture of St. Joseph holding the baby Jesus and on the inside it says  "March 19th ~ St. Joseph, Spouse of the Virgin Mary".
• On the outside of the second flap we pasted a picture of St. Joseph working, and on the inside it says "May 1st ~ St. Joseph the Worker".
  

Next we printed out a "Petal Pentagon" and wrote five things that St. Joseph is the patron of on the five different "petals," and "St. Joseph, Patron of..." in the center.  Although St. Joseph is patron of many things, we choose the ones he is most known for:  1) Universal Church; 2) Workers; 3) Families; 4) Fathers; and 5) the Dying / Holy Death.   Rascal added illustrations as well. 

We then added a 2 Flap Book to list the two main symbols used by The Church for St. Joseph.  On the outside we wrote "Symbols of St. Joseph."  On the inside flaps we wrote "The Lily" on one, and "Carpenter's Square" on the other.  In the very middle we have an image of St. Joseph holding both.   (Here is my document to download.) 

At the bottom of the page Rascal wanted to write his Blue Knights prayer to St. Joseph:

"Dear St. Joseph, who took such good care of the baby Jesus and His Holy Mother Mary be our protector too.  Guide us on a path that is safe and sure and be with us all the way to heaven.  Amen."

For the right side flap of the first folder, we made a Nine Layer, Layered Book for the Nine Day Novena to St. Joseph.  We pasted this image on the cover and titled it "Nine Day Novena".  We then placed the nine days of prayers, in order, on each of the nine layers and added "Day One, Day Two, etc..." on the bottom of each layer.  (And here is this document. You'll need to make the Layer Book yourself, though you can use the 7-Layer Book at this link to get you started.) 

~ Inside Second Folder ~ 

On the left flap we included the Blessing of the St. Joseph Altar.

In the center we included a picture of our mini St. Joseph Altar, which Rascal made using this pdf.  I printed out this image (at 150%) to frame our picture.

Beneath our picture of our homemade St. Joesph Altar, we printed out and added the history of the Saint Joseph Altar from Viva San Giuseppe by St. Joseph Guild.

On the right flap we placed a couple pockets for our St. Joseph Memory Match Playing Cards.

~ Back Cover ~ 

Rascal colored a beautiful stained glass coloring page (pdf here) and glued it to a piece of cardstock.  We glued the side and bottom edges of the cardstock and attached it to the back cover creating a pocket.

We used the pocket to store the St. Joseph Paper Doll we downloaded, colored, and cut out, from Paper Dali.

~ Additional Activities ~ 

Since Rascal still has a little room on the outside of the two end flaps, we are planning on using a few of the ideas from Domestic-Church's Exploring Saint Joseph.   Our favorites were: 

• Interview your Dad about his childhood (Prepare a list of questions in advance and use a cassette tape recorder to record the interview. This could be a real treasure in the coming years. -- They provide a list of suggestions.)
• Complete the Sentence  (Have the children complete that following sentence in as many ways as they can. Saint Joseph.... Some suggestions: was a hard worker, was a virtuous man, taught Jesus, was a loving father.)
• Saint Joseph and Dad (Discuss with your siblings how Saint Joseph and Dad are alike. How are they not alike? Is Dad getting more and more like Saint Joseph?)

Participate in the 1st Annual St. Joseph Altar Blog Fest.  You can find all the information here.

Bake!  Lots of recipes for the feast of St. Joseph can be found at Catholic Cuisine.

Oh, St. Joseph, whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt before the throne of God. I place in you all my interests and desires. Oh, St. Joseph, do assist me by your powerful intercession, and obtain for me from your devine Son all spiritual blessings, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. So that, having engaged here below your heavenly power, I may offer my thanksgiving and homage to the most loving of Fathers.

Oh, St. Joseph, I never weary of contemplating you, and Jesus asleep in your arms; I dare not approach while He reposes near your heart. Press Him in my name and kiss His fine head for me and ask him to return the Kiss when I draw my dying breath. 

St. Joseph, Patron of departing souls - Pray for me.

St. Joseph Memory Match Playing Cards

My children love playing Mary Memory. (I'm sorry I can't find a link... It is a Matching Game, using various images and titles of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  It was given to Twinkle Toes by her Godparents.)

Since March is dedicated to St. Joseph, I decided to make a set of St. Joseph Cards for my children as well!  Since he doesn't have nearly as many titles as Our Lady, I wasn't sure how many cards I'd be able to make.  I ended up with 18 different cards, which is plenty for playing Memory Match and Go Fish.

If any of you would like to make a set of cards for your children, you can download my documents, print two sets onto cardstock, and cut them out.  

Saint Joseph Card Set, Page One

Saint Joseph Card Set, Page Two

Our Very First St. Joseph Altar

3D Cut & Color Virtual St. Joseph Altar

by Rascal (age 7)

As simple as it may be, our first ever St. Joseph Altar has been a hit! I am so glad we had a chance to put it together. Next year I am hoping that we can expand on this tradition, but this year the rest of our plans for the feast of St. Joseph will have to be put on hold until after we get home from my Grandfather's funeral. . . I had hoped to post some pictures of the progress Rascal has made with his St. Joseph Lap Book, but that will have to wait as well. Instead I will leave you with a little more information about the St. Joseph Altar, which is from Viva San Giuseppe by St. Joseph Guild:

The History of the Saint Joseph Altar

The people of Sicily prayed. For too long there had been no rain to nourish the crops that sustained life for most of the island. The dried out wheat stalks cracked beneath the feet of the poor farmers as they walked through their barren fields. Only a sea of dust and withered vines remained from what had once been row upon row of brightly colored fruits and vegetables. And so the people prayed. They pleaded to St. Joseph, their patron, for relief from the famine that gripped the island. At last the skies opened, sending down the life-giving water. The people rejoiced. Some time later, to show their gratitude, they prepared a table with a special assortment of foods they had harvested. After paying honor to St. Joseph, they distributed the food to the less fortunate. The first St. Joseph Altar set up on the Island of Sicily was a small one, of course. But as time went on and the tradition took hold, the flamboyant nature and creative spirit of the Italians caused the altars to grow larger and more ornate. Today, the artistic quality of the breads, cookies and pastries, which are baked in such shapes as chalices, staffs and pyramids, often rivals the exquisite flavor of the food offerings. Though Sicilian immigrants introduced the custom to America, the celebration is not confined to any nationality. Rather, it has become a public event which its devoted participants embrace for a host of private and personal reasons. The feast is alternately a source of petition and thanksgiving. Many families believe that having a St. Joseph Altar can bring good fortune. And it is common to hear stories about favors received (a loved one's recovery from an illness, for example), which are in turn attributed to the family's dedication to St. Joseph. But whatever the reasons people become involved. St. Joseph's Feast Day is a tradition that centers on the entire family. One of the special customs calls for the selection of children to portray members of the Holy Family—Jesus, Mary and Joseph. Angels and favorite saints may also be included in the ritual, which begins with the "saints" going door to door to seek aid until finally reaching the place where the altar is on display. After the Holy Family has eaten, guests may partake of the meal. Most of the foods presented on the altar are acquired through begging, a symbol gesture that represents what the poor of Sicily were forced to do. When the feast is over, the remaining food and whatever money has been contributed are given to the poor. Whether a St. Joseph Altar is an elaborate display at an elegant church or a humble table in a modest home, it is a reflection of deep devotion to St. Joseph, the patron of those in need—workers, travelers, the persecuted, the poor, the aged, the dying. And it is a custom that has enjoyed resurgence in recent years, as young and old have begun to rediscover their heritage. After many centuries, the St. Joseph Altar still serves as a reminder that those who have enjoyed some measure of good fortune must share it with those who have less.

Jenn has a great post over at Catholic Cuisine right now with Foods for the St. Joseph Altar, and be sure to check out The Virtual St. Joseph Altar as well! I hope you all have a blessed feast of St. Joseph!

Viva San Giuseppe!

An Alphabet of Saints

Next week we will begin Along the Alphabet Path.

Along with each letter of the alphabet the children will be introduced (or re-introduced as the case may be) to a Saint using the beautiful book An Alphabet of Catholic Saints.

Elizabeth suggests making a Wee Felt Saint each week. They are darling, however I decided it might be fun to try my hand at painting instead, inspired by Catholic Folk Toys. So, while I was grocery shopping on Saturday, I picked up an inexpensive paintbrush and a bottle of skin tone paint -- I had other colors in my craft bin from some projects I planned last year, which were never completed. I do need to pick up a bottle of blue sometime.

I had never been very good at drawing or painting, but they didn't turn out too bad! I truly surprised myself and my family. My husband said he was "impressed," and Captain said, "WOW mom! I didn't know you were an artist!" It was very cute, and made my day, though I am sure the Saints must have been helping me!!

I painted most of Saturday afternoon/evening and then a couple more hours on Sunday evening. I have only finished A-J, but couldn't wait to share them with you!

I do need to seal them somehow... any suggestions out there for this amateur?

(Updated to add: I'll continue updating this post, as I paint more saints.)


A is for Angel...



and also St. Anne...




B is for St. Bernadette...




C is for St. Cecilia...


This was my first, and my favorite! I always loved St. Cecilia as a child, and always thought she was the most beautiful saint in my Picture Book of Saints. My hubby laughed when he noticed that I highlighted her hair! ;)


D is for St. Dominic...




E is for St. Elizabeth Ann Seton...




F is for St. Francis...




G is for St. George...




H is for St. Helena...




I is for St. Ignatius...




J is for St. Joseph...




K is for St. Kateri...




L is for St. Lucy...




M is for St. Martin...




N is for St. Nicholas...


O is for St. Odilia...




P is for St. Patrick...

Q is for Queen of All Saints...

 

R is for St. Rose...




S is for St. Sharbel...




T is for St. Therese...




U is for St. Ursula...



V is for St. Vincent de Paul...



W is for St. Wenceslas...



X is for St. Francis Xavier...

Y is for St. Joseph Yuen...

 

Z is for St. Zita...

"These are just some of the Saints, 

but there are many more.

They give us good examples

to keep us good and pure."

A few more to add to the collection:

St. Anthony (pictured here)

St. Catherine of Siena (pictured here)
St. Clare (pictured here)
St. Teresa of Andes (pictured here)

Our Lady of Altagracia (pictured here)
Our Lady of Guadalupe (pictured here)
Our Lady of Lourdes (pictured here)

If you end up trying out this idea yourself, let me know... I'd love to see yours too!