February Feast Days

Hello from the Holy Heroes team!  

Once again, time has flown by, and February is almost upon us, which means more Catholic feast days to celebrate!  Yay!

There are so many wonderful saints out there that we can’t possibly celebrate them all. So we’re going to focus on 4 awesome feast days this February!  

Below are just a few suggestions on how to incorporate these traditions into your family life or classroom curriculum.

BUT FIRST–

a quick video overview,

followed by the printable calendar for your fridge!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-KuhJ81eBs

February 2nd – Presentation of Jesus

• Be sure to watch our FREE Gospel video for the day!

• Pray the Rosary as a family.  Many of you already do this, and we commend you for it.  If you’re new to the rosary, consider starting with just one decade, and meditating on the Presentation in the Temple.  Here is just one of countless sites that explains how to pray this centuries-old prayer!  
  

• Older kids and parents can use the Rosary of Saint John Paul II book to lead prayer as a group or individually meditate.  The book is beautifully and practically organized, and makes the perfect addition to any home altar.      
  

• For squirmy children, The Childhood of Jesus Coloring Book may help them focus as they pray.  Another trick is to trace out five large circles on a sheet of paper, connecting them like a rosary; the kids can draw a picture for each of the 5 Joyful mysteries.  
  

• Finally, the Joyful Mysteries Audio CD is a great tool to help your kids understand each step of the Rosary; all the prayers and reverently prayed and explained by kids, making it super easy to pop into the CD player or car radio.  
  

• Read Simeon’s Canticle from the Bible as a family (even better, read all of Luke 2:25-40.  Fun fact: Simeon’s words are recited by monks and nuns every night during Compline, the last prayer of the day)!  Talk about what words stand out to you, focusing on the joy Simeon expresses at God fulfilling His promise! With older kids, talk about how Mary must have felt when she heard that “a sword will pierce your heart.

February 3rd – St. Blaise

• St. Blaise is invoked against diseases of the throat; the story goes that he saved a boy from choking on a fishbone (yikes!).  Check to see if your parish offers a special Blessing of the Throats after Mass…it’s a great tradition that will fascinate the kids!  You can also download a PDF Blessing of the Throats coloring page here, to color after Mass.

• Talk with your kids about how we use our mouths and throats to glorify God.  What we sing, say, and eat matters; every Sunday, we receive the King of the Universe in our mouth!  Brainstorm with your kids about how they can use their words for good, whether through words of affirmation, compliments, or uplifting song.  
  

February 11 – Our Lady of Lourdes

• Has your family ever visited Lourdes, France?  If not, pull up some pictures of St. Bernadette’s home, the grotto, and the basilica!  The images will help them understand the reality of Bernadette’s life and visions. The classic film “The Song of Bernadette” is wonderful for family viewing as well.  (Hint: the Saint Bernadette Tiny Saint charm is a perfect favor for group movie night gatherings)!

• Listen to the St. Bernadette Glory Story today, perhaps while enjoying a French feast!  Cheese, baguette bread, quiche, and croissants are child-friendly, or perhaps macaroons, pastries, or crepes for the more adventurous!  Moms, this is a perfect excuse to break out the wine and chocolate too.
  

• Be sure to end the evening by singing “Immaculate Mary” (otherwise known as the Lourdes hymn)!  The refrain is easy for children to remember, and you may catch them singing it around the house long after!  If your family is musically inclined, how about arranging it for the instruments in your home? Praise God with song before falling asleep (ideally, on a St. Bernadette Prayer Pillowcase).
  

February 22 – Chair of St. Peter the Apostle

• Today we honor all the Popes who have guided our Church, from St. Peter onwards!  These men are not perfect (even Saint Peter denied Jesus 3 times), but the Holy Spirit guides them in protecting and shepherding the Catholic Church throughout the ages.  Tradition reveals that this feast has been celebrated from the earliest days of Christianity! Today, make a special effort to PRAY for the Vatican, especially those in positions of power and influence.

• Download a PDF Keys of the Kingdom coloring page here: use it on its own, or to start a discussion about the faith.  Read Matthew 16:13-19 (Peter as the rock), and follow up with John 17 (Jesus prays that all may be one). Ask your kids: how is the Church One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic?  For older kids and parents, listen to Jeff Cavin’s Catholicism 101 presentations (specifically, talk #7 on the Papacy)

• Finally, you could put some gummy fish candies in small “net” mesh bags as a treat for the kids…after all, the priests, bishops, and Pope are all “fishers of men”!

How does your family celebrate these feast days?  We’ve love to know! Send pictures or descriptions of your day to holyheroes.com@gmail.com and you could be featured on our social media or blog!

May God bless you this coming month!