by Communication Director | Aug 8, 2024 | Liturgical Living
On 13 August, we have the joy of celebrating the feast day of Saint Philomena, a young virgin and martyr whose unwavering faith continues to inspire countless faithful around the world. Known as the “Wonder-Worker,” Saint Philomena’s powerful intercession has been credited with numerous miracles, making her a beloved saint in the Church.
Who is Saint Philomena?
Saint Philomena was a Greek princess who lived in the early days of Christianity. Her story, though largely passed down through tradition, is one of profound faith and courage. At a young age, she made a vow of virginity to Christ. When the Roman Emperor Diocletian sought her hand in marriage, she refused, choosing to remain true to her promise. Her refusal led to severe persecution, but she remained steadfast in her love for Christ. After enduring numerous tortures, she was martyred at the tender age of 13.
Her relics were discovered in the catacombs of Rome in 1802, and since then, devotion to her has spread rapidly. Saint Philomena has become known for her powerful intercession, particularly for those seeking healing, purity, and strength in their trials.
Ideas for Celebrating Saint Philomena’s Feast Day at Home
Celebrating the feast day of Saint Philomena at home is a beautiful way to honor this young saint and to teach your children about the virtues of faith, purity, and courage. Here are some ideas for your family:
1. Create a Saint Philomena Prayer Space
Set up a small prayer space or altar in your home dedicated to Saint Philomena. Include a statue or image of the saint, a candle, and flowers. This space can serve as a focal point for your family’s prayers throughout the day.
2. Pray the Chaplet of Saint Philomena
The Chaplet of Saint Philomena is a powerful devotion that consists of 13 small beads and three large ones. Gather as a family to pray this chaplet, asking for her intercession in your needs. Reflect on her virtues of faith, hope, and love as you pray.
3. Read the Story of Saint Philomena
Spend time as a family reading or sharing the story of Saint Philomena. If you have young children, you might choose a simplified version of her life that highlights her courage and love for Jesus. For older children, discussing the historical context of her life and martyrdom can deepen their understanding.
4. Create a Craft or Artwork
Engage your children in a creative activity that honors Saint Philomena. You could make a crown of flowers, symbolic of her purity and martyrdom, or draw a picture of her with the symbols of her martyrdom, such as an anchor or arrows.
5. Bake a Special Treat
Celebrate the day with a special treat, such as a cake or cookies decorated in red and white, representing martyrdom and purity. As you bake together, discuss the importance of Saint Philomena’s virtues and how your family can live them out.
6. Acts of Service
In honor of Saint Philomena’s dedication to Christ, consider doing acts of service as a family. Whether it’s helping a neighbor, donating to a charity, or simply showing kindness to one another, these acts are a beautiful way to live out the Gospel in your daily life.
7. Attend Mass or Pray a Family Rosary
If possible, attend Mass together to celebrate the feast day. If Mass isn’t an option, gather to pray a family Rosary, offering it for the intentions of your family and asking Saint Philomena to guide and protect you.
One POPCS Family’s Devotion
The Adams-Young clan takes the “feast” part of Feast Days very seriously, and celebrated St. Philomena’s Feast Day with a Greek dinner. While little is known about Philomena, patron saint of babies, children, and mothers, it is believed she was born in Corfu. Amelia Young, who is a 4th grader at POP, made orzo, Viktor and Kolbe Adams, K5, helped their mother Carrie make the marinade for the chicken, and Isla Young, the family’s oldest child who is a 7th grader this year, acted as sous chef, while their father Dave Young was the grill master. Fresh figs, Athena melon, and olives were served up as well.
The family closed out St. Philomena’s Feast Day by saying a rosary gathered around their statue of Mary, which will soon leave the living room and take up permanent residence in a garden being made for her.
Carrie’s devotion to St. Philomena began with the twins’ stay in the NICU, asking for her intercession several times daily. The boys were born at 33 and a half weeks, and surprised doctors by quickly gaining weight and coming home only two weeks later, having suffered no complications along the way.
Four years later, Isla dressed as St. Philomena, who is often depicted wearing a floral crown, for her first year celebrating All Saints Day at POPCS. The family decorated with fresh flowers in honor of St. Philomena.
Leading up to St. Philomena’s Feast Day, Dave and Carrie have said a novena asking for St. Philomena’s intercession and protection for all four of their children, that this year at POPCS will be both happy and fruitful.
Conclusion
Saint Philomena’s life is a testament to the power of faith, purity, and courage. As you celebrate her feast day on August 13th, may your family grow closer to Christ, inspired by the example of this young and mighty saint. Through her intercession, may you experience the peace and strength that only God can give.
by Communication Director | Jul 21, 2024 | Liturgical Living
30 July: Blessed Solanus Casey. Born Bernard Francis Casey to Irish immigrants in 1870, he first considered the priesthood after witnessing a brutal murder as a young man. In seminary, he struggled with studies and mastering languages. Because of his poor grades, Blessed Solanus was dismissed. He was sent to a Capuchin Franciscan community. Blessed Solanus was hesitant but heard the Blessed Mother tell him to “go to Detroit” and so he did. He donned the Franciscan habit and chose the name Solanus, after a 17th-century missionary. Franciscan life was a good fit, but academic difficulties caused his superiors to decide he would remain a “simplex priest” (meaning he could not preach or hear confessions). Fr. Solanus was assigned to be the monastery’s porter: the main link from the friars to the outside world. He soon became renowned as “the doorkeeper” who gave gentle counsel and miraculous intercession. He would listen to anyone at any time, day or night. People would line up for blocks just to have a moment with him. He told them to “thank God ahead of time.” One story of his miraculous intercession is told about a friar who came to see Solanus on his way to have emergency dental work done. Fr. Solanus blessed him and told him to trust God. While the friar was at the dentist, a lady who came to visit the monastery brought Fr. Solanus two ice cream cones. Too busy to eat them, Fr. Solanus shoved the cones into his desk drawer, much to the dismay of his secretary. After more than half an hour, the friar returned from the dentist, his tooth found miraculously healthy. He went to thank Father Solanus, who pulled out perfectly frozen ice cream cones from his drawer on the hot summer day, which he offered to the friar to celebrate. Fr. Solanus was also known for quirky habits such as playing his harmonica to the monastery bees; for singing in a loud squeaky voice as he played his violin; and for eating his breakfast all mixed together as a penance– cereal, prune juice, coffee, and milk in the same bowl. Blessed Solanus’ last years were spent suffering severe pain but he never complained. He died on July 31, 1957, and tens of thousands lined up to view his body before burial. Thousands more have sought his miraculous intercession. Blessed Solanus was beatified in 2017. November 3 and July 30 are both dates associated with his feast.
Ideas for celebrating this feast day at home:
-
- Enjoy ice cream cones today! For a crazy menu twist, try mixing up all your breakfast foods and drinks in the same bowl, like Blessed Solanus did, as a penance.
- Do something for the poor. Fr. Solanus is known for starting the Capuchin Soup Kitchen, which to this day cares for Detroit’s poor. Our own parish ministry, St. Vincent de Paul, is teaming up with the Knights of Columbus to provide turkey dinners and warm coats to those in need this holiday season. See the bulletin for specifics on how you can help them take care of the poor in our community.
- Watch a fascinating video on the extraordinary life of Blessed Solanus Casey. Click here to watch for free on FORMED.
by Communication Director | Jul 16, 2024 | Liturgical Living
This liturgical feast was likely first celebrated in England in the 14th century to give thanksgiving to Mary, the patroness of the Carmelite Order. The Order was founded at the site thought to have been the location of Elijah’s cave, 1,700 feet above sea level on Mount Carmel. (The mountain overlooking the Mediterranean Sea on which the prophet Elijah famously challenged the priests of Baal and won the people over to the true God.) According to Carmelite tradition, hermits lived at the site from the time of Elijah until the Carmelites. They think that from the time when Elijah and Elisha dwelt on Mount Carmel, priests and prophets, Jewish and Christian, lived holy lives at the adjacent fountain of Elisha. A Carmelite monastery was founded at the site shortly after the Order itself was created, and was dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary under the title “Star of the Sea” (“stella maris” in Latin). The Carmelite Order has grown to be one of the major Catholic religious orders worldwide, although the physical monastery at Carmel has had a difficult history. During the Crusades, the monastery often changed hands (it was converted into an Islamic mosque, a hospital, and then in 1821 was destroyed). A new monastery was constructed on Mount Carmel over a cave. The cave, now the crypt of the church, is called “Elijah’s grotto” by the Carmelite friars who have custody of the monastery. One of the oldest scapulars is also associated with Mount Carmel and the Carmelites. The Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, according to Carmelite tradition, was presented by Our Lady to St. Simon Stock (the Carmelite Father General) on July 16, 1251. Our Lady gave Saint Simon the following promise, saying: “Receive, My beloved son, this habit of thy order: this shall be to thee and to all Carmelites a privilege, that whosoever dies clothed in this shall never suffer eternal fire… It shall be a sign of salvation, a protection in danger, and a pledge of peace.” The Carmelites refer to her by the title “Our Lady of Mount Carmel.” The spread of the Carmelites in Europe is also largely attributed to the work of St. Simon Stock. The Carmelite Order was formally approved in 1274 at the Council of Lyon. The Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel entered the Church calendar in the 18th century. However, since the 15th century, devotion to Our Lady of Mount Carmel has centered on the Brown Scapular, a sacramental associated with promises of Mary’s special aid for the salvation of the devoted wearer. {Note: wearing the Scapular demonstrates a commitment to follow Jesus, like Mary, the perfect model disciple of Christ. It is an expression of the belief that the bearers of the scapular will reach heaven, aided by Mary’s intercession. The Carmelites insist that it is not a magical charm, an automatic guarantee of salvation, or an excuse for not living the Christian life. It is instead a sacramental approved by the Church for centuries which demonstrates a commitment to follow Jesus, like Mary, and to live a life of prayer and faithfulness to God.}
Ideas for celebrating this feast at home:
- Feast day treats should be “carmel” themed: cookie bars with caramel icing; Oatmeal ‘Carmelite’ Bars; Brown scapular cake; candy scapular sundaes; “brown scapular” brownies; caramel dip with fruit; caramel apples; or really, just about anything drizzled in caramel syrup – like a big scoop of ice cream!
- Learn more about the Brown Scapular. Today’s feast is a perfect time to start wearing one, if you don’t already. Purchase one, or for a feast day activity, make your own! Ask a priest to enroll you in the brown scapular society (in order to receive all the blessings associated with the Scapular, it is necessary to be formally enrolled. The enrollment is made once by a priest or authorized person).
- Our Lady of Mount Carmel coloring pages for kids available here.
- Build a Mary garden on her feast day: ideas here.
by Communication Director | Jun 7, 2024 | Liturgical Living
7 June: Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. This Solemnity is celebrated on the Friday after the Feast of Corpus Christi. The Sacred Heart is depicted as a flaming heart surrounded by a crown of thorns, with a cross on top and bleeding from a wound. (It is often displayed with the Immaculate Heart of Mary, which is also on fire, surrounded by a crown of flowers and pierced by a sword.) This feast was celebrated in seventeenth century France at the request of St. John Eudes. But the history of this devotion goes much farther back; it was highlighted by the fathers of the Church, including Origen, St. Ambrose, St. Jerome, St. Augustine, St. Hippolytus, St. Irenaeus, St. Justin Martyr, and St. Cyprian. This devotion was also given form in the 12th century by St. Bernard of Clairvaux in his famous “O Sacred Head Surrounded.” In 1673, Jesus appeared to a French nun, St. Margaret Mary Alacoque. He told her that he wished to be honored in Eucharistic adoration during a holy hour on Thursdays, that he desired a feast day devoted to his Sacred Heart, and that he desired the faithful to receive Holy Communion on first Fridays. It took years, but eventually devotion to the Sacred Heart spread throughout the world. In 1856, Pope Pius IX established the Feast of the Sacred Heart as obligatory for the whole Church.
8 June: Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. In the midst of WWII, Pope Pius XII put the whole world under the protection of our Savior’s Mother by consecrating it to her Immaculate Heart. He decreed that the Church should celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary so as to obtain by her intercession “peace among nations, freedom for the Church, the conversion of sinners, the love of purity and the practice of virtue” (Decree of May 4, 1944). This is not a new devotion; in the seventeenth century, St. John Eudes preached it together with that of the Sacred Heart; in the nineteenth century, Pius VII and Pius IX allowed a feast of the Pure Heart of Mary. In Scripture, Simeon’s prophecy portrayed Mary with her heart pierced with a sword; and at the foot of the Cross, we are shown the Heart of Mary. Mary was not merely passive at the crucifixion, “she cooperated through charity” as St. Augustine says, “in the work of our redemption.”
Both of these feasts use the heart as a symbol of love. In the Sacred Heart, the emphasis is on God’s love and mercy. Love so intense that the symbol is a human heart encircled with a crown of thorns, crowned with a cross, and radiating flames: this is how much Christ loves us. Devotion to the Immaculate Heart stems from Mary’s privileged status as the Mother of God. She provides a model for what our own hearts should look like. Devotion to the Sacred Heart is one of gratitude for Jesus’ great love for us; devotion to the Immaculate Heart indicates our desire to emulate the way in which Mary loves Jesus.
NOTE: these are moveable feasts
Ideas for celebrating these feast days at home:
(sources: teachingcatholickids.com; The Catholic All Year Compendium; Catholic Encyclopedia, 1913 ed.; catholicculture.org)
by Communication Director | May 25, 2024 | Liturgical Living
26 May: Feast of Saint Philip Neri. Born in 1515, Philip Neri gave up material wealth at the age of 17 and chose to serve God instead of a career in business. He went to Rome and studied philosophy and theology until he thought his studies were interfering with his prayer life. He then threw away his books. After dark he would go to the catacombs to pray. One night, he felt a globe of light enter his mouth and sink into his heart. This gave him so much energy to serve God that he went out to work at the hospital of the incurables and starting speaking about God to everyone from beggars to bankers. Philip found the city of Rome suffering great spiritual deterioration due to ill effects of the Renaissance. Philip committed to re-evangelize Rome. He began with the youth. Philip did pilgrimages for children to keep them out of trouble. He took them to the seven churches of the city, talking all the way and opening their hearts with his joyful spirit. (The practice of pilgrimage to the seven churches is still followed, especially on Holy Thursday.) Philip also reached out to businessmen, giving talks on theology and religion, followed by prayers. These gatherings grew in great numbers. After his ordination into the priesthood, Philip remained a champion of the Faith. He instituted the devotion known as Forty Hours, in which the Blessed Sacrament is exposed for 40 hours while continuous prayer is made. He established a group of priests, the Oratorians. St. Philip was known for his burning love of God. So ardently did this fire of divine love affect him that once during Pentecost the beating of his heart broke two ribs. It was a wound that never healed. For years, Philip worked tirelessly in Rome. He revived the practice of frequent Holy Communion. He promoted frequent confession, himself spending hours a day in the confessional. As a confessor he was in great demand; among his penitents was St. Ignatius. Philip made himself available to everyone at any hour, even at night. He said: “They can chop wood on my back so long as they do not sin.” Humility was the virtue he most tried to teach others and to learn himself. When one man asked if he could wear a hair shirt, Philip said yes – if he wore the hair shirt outside his clothes! The man obeyed and found humility in the jokes he received. There are stories of Philip himself wearing ridiculous clothes or walking around with half his beard shaved off. The greater his reputation for holiness the sillier he would be for the sake of humility. On the Feast of Corpus Christi in 1595, Philip’s doctor told him his health was poor. Philip realized it was his time to go to God. The rest of the day, he listened to confessions as normal. Before heading to bed, Philip stated, “Last of all, we must die.” That night, Philip suffered a heart attack and died. Four years later, his body was exposed and found in good condition. It was moved to the new Oratorian Church, Chiesa Nuova, where it rests today. He was beatified by Pope Paul V in 1615. In 1622, Pope Gregory XV canonized St. Philip Neri with the title “The Apostle of Rome.” He is the patron saint of Rome, United States Army Special Forces, humor and joy.
“Cheerfulness strengthens the heart and makes us persevere in a good life. Therefore the servant of God ought always to be in good spirits.” – St. Philip Neri
Ideas for celebrating this feast at home:
- Click here to read quotes from St. Philip; print one to hang on your wall.
- Download a St. Philip Neri activity for kids here.
- St. Philip Neri was known for his sense of humor. Today, try to laugh at yourself when something annoying happens. Try to make someone else happy with your cheerful disposition or loving act of service. Tell jokes and share smiles around the dinner table.
- St. Philip’s favorite feast was Corpus Christi: make a visit to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.
(sources: catholic.org, saintsfeastfamily.com, The Church’s Year of Grace by Pius Parsch)
