Learn about the saints and enjoy activities to help remember their stories or develop virtues. Find a saint and activity each day of the month at www.TodayWithTheSaints.blogspot.com.
March 2: Saint Agnes of Bohemia
Because she was a princess, Agnes was promised in marriage to a prince when she was only 3 years old. When he died, she was promised to somebody else. Four times, Agnes was engaged but the marriage was called off. Finally, she was free to serve God full time as a Poor Clare sister at a hospital.
Activity: Even though she was of royal birth, Agnes always took care of the sickest patients herself, including lepers, to protect the other sisters from getting ill. Today, do the worst chore at your house, so that the other people in your family don’t have to.
March 8: Saint John of God
John was very impulsive, and had different jobs at different times. He was a shepherd, a soldier, a servant, a dockworker, and a book seller. He started his own hospital and homeless shelter for the poor. When the hospital caught fire, John saved many patients. Then he chopped off the burning half of the building with an ax to save the rest.
Activity: Saint John of God is the patron saint of firefighters. Today, pray for firefighters and bring your local station a little treat to enjoy – fruit, cookies, chips and salsa, anything you like.
March 17: Saint Patrick
Saint Patrick is a popular saint, but many people don’t realize how humble he was, nor how good he was at explaining God to others. He spent a lot of time talking to Irish people who had never heard about Jesus. Many people became Christians after hearing Patrick preach.
Activity: Saint Patrick used a plant the shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity. He would say that the one God has three Persons, just like one shamrock had three leaves. Today, make green paper shamrocks as decorations for your home.
March 26: Saint Margaret Clitherow
When Margaret joined the Church, it was illegal to be Catholic in England. Margaret hid priests in her home, where they celebrated Mass for her, her children and her Catholic neighbors. When this was discovered, she was sentenced to die. Soldiers took the front door off her house and crushed her beneath it.
Activity: Margaret had to keep her faith a secret to protect priests, but we can be open about our faith in Christ. Can people look at your front door and know that you are a Christian? If not, come up with a plan to make your front door deliver the message, “Christians live here!”
March 28: Saint Venturino
Father Venturino attracted huge crowds with his wonderful preaching. When he announced he was going to Rome, Pope Benedict XII misunderstood and thought he was coming to replace him. Venturino asked to see the pope, and he was arrested! He had to stay in jail until the next pope, Clement VI figured out that it was just a misunderstanding.
Activity: Sometimes, somebody accuses us of doing something we didn’t do, and they won’t listen to the truth. Think of a time that happened to you. If you still feel bad about it, pray that God will help you forgive the person who didn’t believe you.
IMAGE from Wikimedia Commons
Painting of St. John of God by Manuel Gómez Moreno, circa 1880, courtesy of the Museo de Bellas Artes de Granada.
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Celebrating March’s saints
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