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.
April 3: Divine Mercy Sunday
In the 1930s, a Polish nun had visions of the Lord Jesus, who asked her to help establish a feast in celebration of His Divine Mercy. Pope John Paul II established the Feast of Divine Mercy in 2000. This feast is very important, because any person who has been to confession recently and goes to Mass to receive the Holy Eucharist can receive total forgiveness for all the sins that he or she has committed.
Activity: Before you go to Mass, make sure you are able to meet the qualifications to receive today’s indulgence. Also, feast with a favorite dinner and dessert and pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy or go to a Divine Mercy service.
April 10: Saint Michael de Sanctis
Saint Michael de Sanctis always wanted to become a monk and worship God. As a religious brother, he set a high standard for himself, which inspired others. Sometimes during Mass, he would be so filled with joy and love for Christ, it was like his body was on earth but his mind was in heaven.
Activity: Saint Michael de Sanctis loved to pray “face to face” with Jesus by adoring the Blessed Sacrament. After Mass today, stay and pray before the tabernacle for a while. Be sure to listen to the Lord, so that it’s a two-way conversation.
April 14: Saint Bernadette Soubirous
Bernadette was 14 years old when the Blessed Mother appeared to her in a cave, and they prayed the Rosary together. Bernadette would meet Our Lady in the same spot 18 times altogether. During one of these visits, the Lord’s mother identified herself to Bernadette as the “Immaculate Conception.” This confirmed what the pope had said some years earlier.
Activity: Bernadette was shy and quiet – she didn’t want any attention for herself, but she willingly told her story. Today, ask Our Lady of Lourdes to pray that you will be a faithful witness for Christ.
April 25: Saint Mark the Apostle
Saint Mark and his mom were two of the first Christians. The Church met in their house in Jerusalem for quite some time. Mark and his cousin, Saint Barnabas, were missionaries with Saint Paul, and Mark also assisted Saint Peter in Rome. Later, Mark wrote the story of Christ as Saint Peter had told it, which became the second Gospel of the New Testament.
Activity: Saint Mark’s symbol is the lion. Bake cupcakes and frost them with golden yellow frosting. Use some black decorator gel to draw on a simple face. For the mane, use chocolate candy sprinkles.
April 30: Pope Saint Pius V
He was so famous for his devotion to Christ, he was elected pope in 1566 and took the name Pius V. Pope Pius V got people all over Europe to pray the Rosary for the Christian army that was trying to keep invadors out of Europe, and they succeeded.
Activity: Pope Pius V created the Catechism of the Catholic Church, making it easy to look up the Church’s teachings. If your family doesn’t have a copy, get one or find it online at Vatican.va. There is also the Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, a simplified, question-and-answer version that is great for families.
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Celebrating April’s saints
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