share our JOY

JOY{filled}family

striving to radiate Him always

St. Bathildis ~ Patience ~ Lily of the Valley

by Filed Under: 01 January, 01 January Saints, Patience, St. Bathildis, Wreath III 1 Comment

P1140010I met for my fifth Little Flowers meeting for 2011-2012.  We had a wonderful time coming together to celebrate Mass, learn about a new saint and study a virtue.  Eleven of the girls were with Father L for preparation for First Holy Communion.  They joined us for the second half of the meeting.  Thirty-two girls were in attendance.
We did the normal routine; grace, snack, review last month’s saint and virtue, introduce the saint and virtue of the month, listen to a talk from Father L, receive a blessing, work on a related craft,  update LF binders, and close with a prayer.
This month’s saint was St. Bathildis.
saint-bathildes-queen

Feast Day – January 30
Paton: against bodily ills, against illness, against sickness, children, sick people, and widows.
Represented: crowned nun often performing menial tasks of giving alms to the poor, ladder extending into heaven, or standing before an altar of the Blessed Virgin Mary

The girls were intrigued by the story of St. Bathildis.  She was newLeonhard Beck (German, 1480-1552) . Sancta Bathildis (St. Bathilda). to us all.  I told the girls about how St. Bathildis was kidnapped in her youth.  When asked if they would be scared to be on a pirate ship without family, C replied, “No, I wouldn’t be alone.  I would have my guardian angel with me.”  Her words were such a beautiful testament to child-like faith.  The other girls agreed, God and the Blessed Virgin Mary are always with them.  The girls took turns guessing how St. Bathildis’s story unraveled from being a slave.  They were on the seat of their chairs to hear about the heroic virtue that St. Bathildis displayed.  Most noteable was St. Bathildis’s patience.

Patience – the virtue (Fruit of the Spirit) that prevents us from being disturbed by the evil around us.
We are not obliged to pray for crosses and sufferings, as some of the saints have done; but it is absolutely necessary that we should bear the trials which God sees fit to send us, with patience and loving confidence in Him.  ~ Father Lasance, Catholic Girls Guide

I extended the lesson of patience into the craft.  I chose something that would be new and a bit challenging—something that required a significant amount of patience.  I chose finger knitting.
P1140034
The girls were excited to learn finger knitting.  They caught on faster than I had anticipated.  The diligently worked on their knitting as they exercised the virtue of patience.  They did not complain, say “I can’t,” yell for help, ort all together give up.  It was a bit of a challenge at times but all the girls, including my five year olds, were able to successfully acquire the skill of finger knitting.
P1140030
Father L stopped by for a visit after his First Holy Communion lesson.  He reviewed the most recent feast days.  Then he quizzed the girls on St. Bathildis.  He, too, was intrigued by her story.  Father gave the girls their blessing before he departed.  Please keep father L in your prayers.

St. Bathilidis ~ ora pro nobis

Resources:st bathildis statue
Handouts:

Resources:



Finally, look up to heaven. Behold the eternal beauty and blessedness of paradise. If for a brief period you suffer here with courage and patience, you will after death be released from all suffering and enjoy unspeakable bliss for evermore. Such are the blessed fruits of patience.  ~ Father Lasance, Catholic Girls Guide


The Feast of the Holy Family


 by  Filed Under: 01 January, 01 January Saints, Holy Family 1 Comment
clip_image002


 The special devotion which proposes the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph as the model of virtue of all Christian households began in the XVIIth century. It started almost simultaneously in Canada and France. — The Association of the Holy Family being founded in Montreal in 1663, and the Daughters of the Holy Family in Paris in 1674. Numerous other congregations and associations under the Patronage of the Holy Family have been established, since that time, and they are spread over the world. The Archconfraternity was established by Pius IX in 1847. In 1893 Leo XIII approved a feast for Canada, and Pope Benedict XV extended the Feast of the Holy Family to the whole Church and ordered its celebration to be kept on the Sunday after the Epiphany.


holyfamilyFIRST SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY     
The Feast of the Holy Family


O Lord Jesus Christ, who by thy wondrous holiness didst adorn a human home, and by thy subjection to Mary and Joseph didst consecrate the order of earthly families ; grant that we being enlightened by the example of their life with thee in thy Holy Family, and assisted by their prayers ; may at last be joined with them in thine eternal fellowship.  Who livest and reignest with the Father. Amen.


~~~


Mother Teresa’s Prayer for Families


Heavenly Father, you have given us the model of life in the Holy Family of Nazareth.  Help us, O Loving Father,to make our family another Nazareth where love, peace and joy reign.


May it be deeply contemplative, intensely EucharisNativity-Bicci-di-Lorenzo-detail1-300x225tic, revived with joy.  Help us to stay together in joy and sorrow in family prayer.


Teach us to see Jesus in the members of our families, especially in their distressing disguise.  


May the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus make our hearts humble like his and help us to carry out our family duties in a holy way.


May we love one another as God loves each one of us, more and more each day, and forgive each other’s faults as you forgive our sins.


Help us, O Loving Father, to take whatever you give and give whatever you take with a big smile. 


Immaculate Heart of Mary, cause of our joy, pray for us.  
St. Joseph, pray for us.     
Holy Guardian Angels, be always with us, guide and protect us.     
Amen.


~~~


Lesson V


To all fathers of families, Joseph is verily the best model of paternal vigilance and care.  In the most holy Virgin Mother of God, mothers may find an excellent example of love, modesty, resignation of spirit, and the perfecting of faith.  And in Jesus, who was subject to his parents, the children of the family have a divine pattern of obedience which they can admire, reverence, and imitate.  Those who are of noble birth may learn, from this Family of royal blood, how to live simply in times of prosperity, and how to retain their dignity in times of distress.  The rich may learn that moral worth is to be more highly esteemed than wealth.  Artisans, and all such as are bitterly grieved by the narrow and slender means of their families, if they would but consider the sublime holiness of the members of this domestic fellowship, cannot fail to find some cause for rejoicing in their lot, rather than for being merely dissatisfied with it.  In common with the Holy Family, they have to work, and to provide for the daily wants of life.  Joseph had to engage in trade, in order to live ; even the divine hands laboured at an artisan’s calling.  It is not to be wondered at, that the wealthiest men, if truly wise, have been willing to cast away their riches, and to embrace a life of poverty with Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.


~~~


Holy-family


Resources:



 


~~~


Prayer to the Holy Family


This prayer is taken from Prayer Book for Religious, compiled by Fr. F. X. Lasance, S.J. (Benziger Brothers, 1904)


O most loving Jesus, Who by Thy sublime and beautiful virtues of humility, obedience, poverty, modesty, charity, patience and gentleness, and by the example of Thy domestic life, didst bless with peace and happiness the family Thou didst choose on earth, in Thy clemency look down upon this household, humbly prostrate before Thee and imploring Thy mercy. Remember that this family belongs to Thee; for to Thee we have in a special way dedicated and devoted ourselves. Look upon us in Thy loving kindness; preserve us from danger; give us help in time of need, and grant us the grace to persevere to the end in the imitation of Thy Holy Family; that having revered Thee and loved Thee faithfully on earth, we may bless and praise Thee eternally in heaven. 


O Mary, most sweet Mother, to thy intercession we have recourse, knowing that thy Divine Son will hear thy prayers. 


And do thou, O glorious Patriarch, St. Joseph, assist us by thy powerful mediation, and offer, by the hands of Mary, our prayers to Jesus. Amen. 


~~~


Sancta Familia ~ ora pro nobis


Feast of the Epiphany


 by  Filed Under: 01 January, 01 January Saints, Epiphany Of Our Lord 3 Comments
We attended Mass as a family for the Feast of the Epiphany.  We picked up our blessed Epiphany water and chalk that was blessed on the Vigil of the Epiphany.


epiphany holy water and blessed chalk


Dad marked our home upon our return.dad blessing


~~~


Epiphany Chalk Blessing


The lintel of the main door of the house is marked with blessed chalk by the father of the household in the following manner:


20+C+M+B+12 while saying the following prayer:




The Three Wise Men


C  Caspar


M  Melchior


B  & Balthasaar, followed the star of God’s Son who became Man


20 Two-thousand


12 and twelve years ago


+ May Christ


+ Bless our home


+ and remain with us


+ through the new year.




Almighty God, incline Thine ear.  Bless us and all who are gathered here.  Send Thy holy angel who will defend us, and fill with grace all who dwell here.  Amen


~~~


epiphany blessing


We opted for a humble feast day celebration that represented the humility in which Christ was born.  Eating meat on a Friday was a simple treat that we enjoyed.  


We pray to continue to bring our gifts to Jesus, throughout the new year.


Happy feast of the Epiphany.


~~~


 First Friday Link Up


Epiphany of the Lord


 by  Filed Under: 01 January, 01 January Saints, Epiphany Of Our Lord Leave a Comment
Omnes de Saba venient       
aurum et thus deferentes        
et laudem Domino annuntiantes.        
Alleluja. 


epiphany 3


THE EPIPHANY OF OUR LORD


DOUBLE, FIRST CLASS / WHITE


The word "Epiphany" means "manifestation." The Church in the Mass commemorates a triple manifestation of Christ: to the Magi, that is, to the Gentiles; in His Baptism, when the Voice from heaven declared: "This is My beloved Son"; and in the miracle of changing water into wine at Cana.


The mystery of the Christ-birth is a rich and glorious beginning, splendid with promise. Today we worship a partial fulfillment when Jesus, as an Infant King, is manifested to wise men of the Gentile world and through them to all peoples. His royalty is neither frightening nor pompous, for the kingly majesty of the sovereign Redeemer is robed in babyhood. Coming in the simplicity of true greatness, Jesus makes Himself acceptable and at home to the little and the great of every nation under heaven.


~~~


How can we bring similar offerings to Christ?




We offer gold to Him, when we love Him with our whole heart, and out of love to Him, present Him our will by perfect obedience and continual self-denial, as our will is our most precious treasure. We also offer Him gold when we assist the poor by alms given in His name. We offer Him frankincense when we devoutly and ardently pray to Him, especially when we meditate upon His omnipotence, love, goodness, justice and mercy. We offer Him myrrh when we avoid carnal desires, mortify our evil inclinations and passions, and strive for purity of body and soul.


~ The Church’s Year by Rev. Fr. Leonard Goffine’s 




~~~


epiphany


Litany 


(from Christmas to Epiphany)


….O Blessed parents of the Infant Jesus, Mary and Joseph,we humbly and earnestly implore you to beg for us, at the crib of your Infant Son, that like Him and as His true and faithful followers, we may love to live in true humility, disengagement from creatures, contempt of the world and it’s vanities, constant recollection of the holy presence of God, fervour and fidelity in all of our duties, and in the practice of the tenderest charity to all persons.  May we never blush at the humility of the crib, nor at the poverty  and simplicity of Bethlehem.  May we ever rejoice at our happy lot as children of the true Church; ever in tender charity look with a compassionate eye on those who live but for this world; and continually pray that all may come to bless, to praise and to love the Saviour, who comes to redeem them…Amen


~Excerpt from the Litany from Christmas to Epiphany, taken from the MC & LMC Prayer Book.


~~~


Resources:



 


All they from Saba will come,      
bringing gold and frankincense,       
and announcing the praise of the Lord.      
Alleluia. 


~Gradual for The Feast of the Epiphany. The text is from Isaiah 60:6


Sit nomen Dómini benedíctum!


 by  Filed Under: 01 January, 01 January Saints, Most Holy Name of Jesus 1 Comment
"Blessed be the Name of the Lord!"


Holy_Name_Pic


THE HOLY NAME OF JESUS


DOUBLE, SECOND CLASS / WHITE


The Archangel Gabriel told Mary that her Son was to be called Jesus. Joseph, too, was told by an angel; and at the circumcision ceremony the foster father officially gave the name of Jesus to Mary’s Son.


The name means "God saves," and it describes the mission of the divine Child as the Savior of mankind. The redeeming life of this newly named Babe will be climaxed when He is lifted on Calvary above the hosts of men, when He rises from the tomb as Redeemer of the human race.


~~~


Litany to the Most Holy Name of Jesus


…Have Mercy on Us..


Jesus, splendor of the Father.  Jesus, brightness of eternal light. Jesus, King of glory. Jesus, sun of justice. Jesus, Son of the Virgin Mary. Jesus, most amiable.   
Jesus, most admirable. Jesus, the mighty God. Jesus, FathFile:IHS monogram Gesu.jpger of the world to come. Jesus, angel of great counsel. Jesus, most powerful. Jesus, most patient. Jesus, most obedient.  Jesus, meek and humble of heart.    
Jesus, lover of chastity. Jesus, lover of us. Jesus, God of peace. Jesus, author of life. Jesus, example of virtues.  Jesus, zealous lover of souls. Jesus, our God.    
Jesus, our refuge. Jesus, father of the poor. Jesus, treasure of the faithful. Jesus, good Shepherd. Jesus, true light. Jesus, eternal wisdom. Jesus, infinite goodness. Jesus, our way and our life. Jesus, joy of Angels. Jesus, King of the Patriarchs. Jesus, Master of the Apostles. Jesus, teacher of the Evangelists. Jesus, strength of Martyrs. Jesus, light of Confessors.  Jesus, purity of Virgins.    
Jesus, crown of Saints. 


~~~


Resources:



~~~


“Glorious name, gracious name, name of love and of power! Through you sins are forgiven, through you enemies are vanquished, through you the sick are freed from their illness, through you those suffering in trials are made strong and cheerful. You bring honor to those who believe, you teach those who preach, you give strength to the toiler, you sustain the weary” 


~St. Bernardine of Siena






Subscribe to our Newsletter