Beauty Tuesday: The Communion of Saints

Welcome to another Beauty Tuesday.  Please link your post below and remember to link back to this post. Thanks.

We live in a fallen world. Whatever can go wrong will. It is easy to feel alone or discouraged even when we know that God is always with us.

This is the beauty of the saints.  I know that I know that I know that there is a God and He will never fail me, that Christ rose from the dead and He reigns.  However, I am just a humble mom here on earth a little pin prick on the blue planet, a speck of life in human history.

What do I really know of our All Powerful God?  The saints on the other hand, they are amazing but they were just like me.  Many were simple moms, some were very young, others  late bloomers, all were sinners.

The saints chose the better part here on earth and have gained their reward.  Although I feel so deeply flawed, I know it is possible for anyone to become a saint.  I also know those who have obtained the crown of glory, are praying for us still in the trenches.

Calling on a patron saint at any time is a great blessing of our faith.  There is a patron saint for everything and anything.  Did you know St Veronica is the patron of laundry??

The saints and angels surround and pray with us each Mass.  We are incredibly blessed to get to meet Heaven here on earth and have the backing of those who have fought the good fight, know our incredible struggles, and are cheering us into the ever after of eternal rest.

Have you sought the aid of any heavenly friends today?

An InLinkz Link-up

Happy St Valentine's Day!!

I am jumping on here quickly to wish everyone a happy St Valentine's Day.  Little Lady is asleep in her swing and I have lots to do but, I wanted to give you a peak at our annual tea.

 

A simple one this year because of time and money constraints but everyone enjoyed it and it is always nice to have some family time apart from the normal hustle and bustle.

We signed up for the Ninevah90 yesterday--had I known we were going to, I would have planned this over the weekend instead.  I know we are supposed to be fasting but, St Valentine is a favorite saint of ours, so we are feasting in his honor. Tomorrow back to the fast!!

If you pop back tomorrow, I will have up my modified Ninevah90 that the kids and I designed for them to participate.  I did not want them to be overwhelmed by the requirements, nor me to have to keep on top of them to make sure they are following the plan.  If you have kids, this could be the perfect way for you to join in and still keep your sanity!

Until tomorrow, Little Lady wishes you a good day!

 

7QT Review and Giveaway--Holy Heroes

Thank you for bearing with me as I attempt to get back up to speed!  Don't forget about the summer reading bundle giveaway that closes tonight!

1

Have you heard of Holy Heroes?  If you haven't, you must check them out. I know I have mentioned them before. They really are my favorite Catholic family business, mostly because they are a truly Catholic family who run a business aimed at making everyone's family better Catholics.  There are many small businesses with Catholic stuff, not that there is anything wrong with that but sometimes stuff is just stuff, very few really teach and preach the Faith like Holy Heroes. My family is hooked!

2

I have so many favorites from Holy Heroes, it is difficult to narrow it down into Seven Quick Takes. So here are five favorite product lines/services from Holy Heroes.  First off are the wonderful "Adventures" sponsored by Holy Heroes. They are free to join and have become a staple in our home for Advent and Lent.  Kids teaching kids to love God and follow His Commands, excellent!  The adventures are entertaining, informative, and truly inspiring for the whole family.  If you are looking for a way to live the Liturgical year at home, look no further. This is the easiest way to bring your faith home, and did I mention it's free!

3

Glory Stories are CDs or MP3 downloads of dramatized lives of saints. The stories are written and produced by the Holy Heroes family and include actors from their family and community.  Saints come to life and really touch the hearts of all who listen. My children cannot get enough of these. We have about five, I wish I could afford to buy them all, though. Even though we don't have that many, my children listen over and over and over, again, to these stories.  The saints become their friends and inspire them to do better. What I like best is that while these are produced for children, they are not watered down. The story told is the complete story!

4

As part of the CD line, there are five Rosary cds.  Now, there are many rosary cds out there.  What makes these special is that first they are lead by children. However, my absolute favorite part is that each mystery is so well explained. After the initial presentation of the mystery after each Our Father, there is a Bible verse that tells the story of the mystery read after each Hail Mary of the decade.  It helps everyone focus and really meditate on the mystery, not just say the words.

5

The final CD that I would like to highlight is the Stations of the Cross.  Ours has gone missing, so I must get a new one before Lent begins. We seriously missed having it this year. It was a wonderful way to fruitfully pass our time in the car during Lent. As with all the Holy Heroes CDs, it is well dramatized, entertaining, yet reverent.

6

Lastly, Holy Heroes makes coloring books of the Life of Christ. Each book corresponds to a set of mysteries of the Rosary. The books are well laid out, pictures are detailed, but still easy to color.  We have a set that we bring to Adoration for when certain little boys get a little wiggly. :)

7

Now, for the giveaway!  One of my blessed readers will receive TWO Glory Story CDs, Volumes 1 and 9. (These are my children's favorites, although there isn't any that they don't like.) Also, The Childhood of Jesus coloring book. Simply visit Holy Heroes and tell me what Glory Story you would like to experience in the comments below. Entries close June 12th at midnight. Winner will be announced on the 13th.

Linking up with Kelly for Seven Quick Takes. 

Joyful Penitence and a Homeschool Conference

This past weekend, I was blessed to attend the Chaplet Homeschool Conference. I have much to share about it and will be doing so in the coming days, but the great highlight for me was getting to hear TWO traditional Latin Masses in one day!

The morning Mass was a High Mass, a real treat, as I have not experienced a High Mass of any kind in quite awhile.  I can remember, as a child, regularly having High Mass in the Ordinary Form, however it does not seem to be as popular now.  There is just something so moving and holy about sung prayers. After all, the angels sing God's praises without end, and whenever someone is scripture is greatly blessed by God, they sing!  Perhaps that is where the saying, "Singing is praying twice." originated.

Before morning Mass, we walked a procession across the grounds of the parish, to a grotto with a large crucifix. As we walked, we sung the traditional Litany of the Saints.  Despite it being Easter Season, the priest wore purple and it was considered a day of penance.

I felt as if the sermon was written for me. I needed to here the words that penance and prayer can deliver us from evil. I needed to be reminded that invoking Our Blessed Mother and the intercession of the saints can turn the tide and triumph over darkness.  The words, "After all, it took only one person to save Nineva." spoke right to my heart. It was the Sermon that wrapped up my novena and slated any doubts of whether or not it had been a good idea.  It was the type of Sermon that I wish I could have recorded and played over and over.

I have decided to start praying the Litany of the Saints daily for triumph over evil. There sure seems to be a lot of darkness out there.  If you are interested in joining me, the entire litany in English and Latin is listed below, courtesy of Fish Eaters. God bless!

Litany of the Saints

Lord, have mercy on us. (Lord have mercy on us.)  Christ, have mercy on us. (Christ have mercy on us.) Lord, have mercy on us. (Lord, have mercy on us.)  Christ, hear us. (Christ, hear us.) Christ, graciously hear us. (Christ, graciously hear us.)  God the Father of heaven, (have mercy on us.)  God the Son, Redeemer of the world, (have mercy on us.)  God the Holy Ghost, (have mercy on us.)  Holy Trinity, one God, (have mercy on us.)
Holy Mary, Holy Mother of God, Holy Virgin of virgins, St. Michael, St. Gabriel, St. Raphael, All ye holy Angels and Archangels, All ye holy orders of blessed Spirits, St. John the Baptist, St. Joseph, All ye holy Patriarchs and Prophets, St. Peter, St. Paul, St. Andrew, St. James, St. John, St. Thomas, St. James, St. Philip, St. Bartholomew, St. Matthew, St. Simon, St. Thaddeus, St. Matthias, St. Barnabas, St. Luke, St. Mark, All ye holy Apostles and Evangelists, All ye holy Disciples of the Lord, All ye holy Innocents, St. Stephen, St. Lawrence, St. Vincent, SS. Fabian and Sebastian, SS. John and Paul, SS. Cosmas and Damian, SS. Gervase and Protase, All ye holy Martyrs, St. Sylvester, St. Gregory, St. Ambrose, St. Augustine, St. Jerome, St. Martin, St. Nicholas, All ye holy Bishops and Confessors, All ye holy Doctors, St. Anthony, St. Benedict, St. Bernard, St. Dominic, St. Francis, All ye holy Priests and Levites, All ye holy Monks and Hermits, St. Mary Magdalen, St. Agatha, St. Lucy, St. Agnes, St. Cecilia, St. Catherine, St. Anastasia, All ye holy Virgins and Widows,	p r a y f o r u s
All ye holy Saints of God, (Make intercession for us.)  Be merciful, (Spare us, O Lord.)  Be merciful, (Graciously hear us, O Lord.)
From all evil, O Lord From all sin, From Thy wrath, From sudden and unlooked for death, From the snares of the devil, From anger, and hatred, and every evil will, From the spirit of fornication, From lightning and tempest, From the scourge of earthquakes, From plague, famine and war, From everlasting death, Through the mystery of Thy holy Incarnation, Through Thy Coming, Through Thy Birth, Through Thy Baptism and holy Fasting, Through Thy Cross and Passion, Through Thy Death and Burial, Through Thy holy Resurrection, Through Thine admirable Ascension, Through the coming of the Holy Ghost, the Paraclete. In the day of judgment.	d e l i v e r u s
We sinners, That Thou wouldst spare us, That Thou wouldst pardon us, That Thou wouldst bring us to true penance, That Thou wouldst vouchsafe to govern and preserve  Thy holy Church, That Thou wouldst vouchsafe to preserve our Apostolic Prelate, and all orders of the Church in holy religion, That Thou wouldst vouchsafe to humble the enemies of holy Church, That Thou wouldst vouchsafe to give peace and true concord to Christian kings and princes, That Thou wouldst vouchsafe to grant peace and unity to the whole Christian world, That Thou wouldst call back to the unity of the Church all who have strayed from her fold, and to guide all unbelievers into the light of the Gospel That Thou wouldst vouchsafe to confirm and preserve us in Thy holy service, That Thou wouldst lift up our minds to heavenly desires, That Thou wouldst render eternal blessings to all our benefactors, That Thou wouldst deliver our souls, and the souls of our brethren, relations, and benefactors, from eternal damnation, That Thou wouldst vouchsafe to give and preserve the fruits of the earth, That Thou wouldst vouchsafe to grant eternal rest to all the faithful departed, That Thou wouldst vouchsafe graciously to hear us, Son of God,	w e b e s e e c h T h e e, h e a r u s
Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world, (spare us, O Lord.) Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world, (graciously hear us, O Lord.) Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world, (have mercy on us.)  Christ, (hear us.) Christ, (graciously hear us.) Lord, have mercy, (Lord, have mercy.) Christ, have mercy, (Christ, have mercy.) Lord, have mercy, (Lord, have mercy.) [Our Father inaudibly] And lead us not into temptation (but deliver us from evil.)

Latin version:
Litaniae Sanctorum

Kyrie, eleison (Kyrie, eleison.)  Christe, eleison (Christe, eleison.)  Kyrie, eleison (Kyrie, eleison.)  Christe, audi nos (Christe, audi nos.)  Christe, exaudi nos. (Christe, exaudi nos.)  Pater de caelis, Deus, (miserere nobis.)  Fili, Redemptor mundi, Deus, (miserere nobis.)  Spiritus Sancte, Deus, (miserere nobis.)  Sancta Trinitas, unus Deus, (miserere nobis.)
Sancta Maria, Sancta Dei Genetrix, Sancta Virgo virginum, Sancte Michael, Sancte Gabriel, Sancte Raphael, Omnes sancti Angeli et Archangeli, Omnes sancti beatorum Spirituum ordines, Sancte Ioannes Baptista, Sancte Ioseph, Omnes sancti Patriarchae et Prophetae, Sancte Petre, Sancte Paule, Sancte Andrea, Sancte Iacobe, Sancte Ioannes, Sancte Thoma, Sancte Iacobe, Sancte Philippe, Sancte Bartolomaee, Sancte Matthaee, Sancte Simon, Sancte Thaddaee, Sancte Matthia, Sancte Barnaba, Sancte Luca, Sancte Marce, Omnes sancti Apostoli et Evangelistae, Omnes sancti discipuli Domini, Omnes sancti Innocentes, Sancte Stephane, Sancte Laurenti, Sancte Vincenti, Sancti Fabiane et Sebastiane, Sancti Iohannes et Paule, Sancti Cosma et Damiane, Sancti Gervasi et Protasi, Omnes sancti martyres, Sancte Sylvester, Sancte Gregori, Sancte Ambrosi, Sancte Augustine, Sancte Hieronyme, Sancte Martine, Sancte Nicolae, Omnes sancti Pontifices et Confessores, Omnes sancti Doctores, Sancte Antoni, Sancte Benedicte, Sancte Bernarde, Sancte Dominice, Sancte Francisce, Omnes sancti Sacerdotes et Levitae, Omnes sancti Monachi et Eremitae, Sancta Maria Magdalena, Sancta Agatha, Sancta Lucia, Sancta Agnes, Sancta Caecilia, Sancta Catharina, Sancta Anastasia, Omnes sanctae Virgines et Viduae	o r a (te) p r o n o b i s
Omnes Sancti et Sanctae Dei, (intercedite pro nobis.) Propitius esto, (parce nos, Domine.)  Propitius esto, (exaudi nos, Domine.)
Ab omni malo, Ab omni peccato, Ab ira tua, A subitanea et improvisa morte, Ab insidiis diaboli, Ab ira et odio et omni mala voluntate, A spiritu fornicationis, A fulgure et tempestate, A flagello terraemotus, A peste, fame et bello, A morte perpetua, Per mysterium sanctae Incarnationis tuae, Per adventum tuum, Per nativitatem tuam, Per baptismum et sanctum ieiunium tuum, Per crucem et passionem tuam, Per mortem et sepulturam tuam, Per sanctam resurrectionem tuam, Per admirabilem ascensionem tuam, Per adventum Spiritus Sancti Paracliti, In die iudicii,	l i b e r a n o s, D o m i n e
Peccatores, Ut nobis parcas, Ut nobis indulgeas, Ut ad veram paenitentiam nos perducere digneris, Ut Ecclesiam tuam sanctam regere et conservare digneris, Ut domum Apostolicum et omnes ecclesiasticos ordines in sancta religione conservare digneris, .  Ut inimicos sanctae Ecclesiae humiliare digneris, Ut regibus et principibus christianis pacem et veram concordiam donare digneris, Ut cuncto populo christiano pacem et unitatem largiri digneris, Ut omnes errantes ad unitatem Ecclesiae revocare, et infideles universos ad Evangelii lumen perducere digneris, Ut nosmetipsos in tuo sancto servitio confortare et conservare digneris, Ut mentes nostras ad caelestia desideria erigas, Ut omnibus benefactoribus nostris sempiterna bona retribuas, Ut animas nostras, fratrum, propinquorum et benefactorum nostrorum ab aeterna damnatione eripias, Ut fructus terrae dare et conservare digneris, Ut omnibus fidelibus defunctis requiem aeternam donare digneris, Ut nos exaudire digneris, Fili Dei,	T e r o g a m u s, a u d i n o s
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, (parce nobis, Domine.)  Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, (exaudi nos, Domine.) Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, (miserere nobis.) Christe, (audi nos.) Christe, (exaudi nos.) Kyrie, eleison. (Kyrie, eleison.) Christe, eleison. (Christe, eleison.) Kyrie, eleison. (Kyrie, eleison.) [Pater noster silentio] Et ne nos inducas in tentationem. (Sed libera nos a malo.)

Pretty-Happy-Funny-Real: The St Joseph's Table Edition

Blessed feast of St Joseph to all my wonderful readers.  We had a wonderful afternoon celebrating this marvelous saint with Little Man's Godmother and God siblings.  It is such a blessing to have such good friends.

PRETTY

This is a simple St Joseph's table but it still looks so pretty with the linens and lace.  I didn't get to do a lot of cooking, but I tried really hard to find some special delights to share. I've found that it is more important to do something to mark a feast day, than to do something spectacular.

HAPPY

The spaghetti in the crystal bowl is called pasta aliege.  It is one of my favorite Italian dishes. Traditionally, my family enjoys this on Christmas Eve, but this year we didn't get to celebrate.  I was so happy to finally get to make it for the feast today. A traditional St Joseph's Table contains twelve fish dishes representing the twelve apostles who were fishermen, or at least fishers of men. We had only one, but it was so good it made up for the missing eleven;)  Below is the recipe, I urge you to try it even if you don't like seafood. It isn't very fishy tasting, but is bursting with flavor.

Pasta Allege
One pound spaghetti of your choice
3-4 chopped cloves of garlic
3 Tbsp olive oil
One can anchovy filets in oil

Prepare the spaghetti according to package, I like mine all dente. Add olive oil and garlic to sauce pan. Sautee on medium-low heat until it begins to brown. Add can of anchovies and gently stir with wooden spoon until anchovies melt. Yes, they will melt.  Toss with pasta and serve.

 FUNNY

This is the St Joseph's statue that I bought for my husband as a surprise for when Cowgirl was born.  I remember that there were a few different version with slightly different color schemes. I liked this one the best because St Joseph is cuddling the Christ Child. What I have always found funny is that St Joseph and the Christ Child are dressed in shades of pink and we ended up having a girl, even though everyone had me convinced it would be a boy.

REAL

I don't have a photo for this, only vivid memories in my mind.  The fact is, this is my heritage. These foods and traditions are part of me, my childhood memories, my ancestry.  I have to try very hard to keep them alive for my children.  

I remember all the big family gatherings in my grandmother's cellar with endless plates of food, good wine, and lots of noisy, animated conversation.  The tables that seemed a hundred feet long, crowded with aunts, uncles, and tons of cousins.  Growing up, my lexicon included many Italian phrases and every recipe began by browning garlic in olive oil.  My children haven't had the privilege of growing up that way.  The few traditional occasions and holidays that they have experienced, were when they were too young to remember.  In the struggle to care for my mom and cope without my father, we began to lose what made us an Italian family.

I love my heritage.  All of our children have Biblical first names and saint middle names.  My oldest two are named for Italian saints.  Little Man isn't, but his first name is also a namesake of my Italian Grandmother's brother.  (Both my grandmother are Italian, but only one is still alive).  My mother used to always say, "My parents were Italian, I'm Italian-American, you are American-Italian, and youth children will be American-American." 

I always thought she was crazy, but it's true.  My children will unfortunately never have the Italian-focused childhood that I did, but I am determined to give them tastes of where they came from.  At least they all have Italian stomachs:)

Linking up with Like Mother Like Daughter.

St Joseph Novena Pray Along Day 9

The last day of our Novena. I think we all need to do this again sometime. Today, I am praying for unwed mothers and the protection of the unborn. May God richly bless you for your prayers. Stop by tomorrow for Pretty Happy Funny Real: The St Joseph Table edition.

PATRON OF A HAPPY DEATH

Saint Joseph, how fitting it was that at the hour of your death Jesus should stand at your bedside with Mary, the sweetness and hope of all mankind. You gave your entire life to the service of Jesus and Mary; at death you enjoyed the consolation of dying in Their loving arms. You accepted death in the spirit of loving submission to the Will of God, and this acceptance crowned your hidden life of virtue. Yours was a merciful judgment, for your foster-Son, for whom you had cared so lovingly, was your Judge, and Mary was your advocate. The verdict of the Judge was a word of encouragement to wait for His coming to Limbo, where He would shower you with the choicest fruits of the Redemption, and an embrace of grateful affection before you breathed forth your soul into eternity.

You looked into eternity and to your everlasting reward with confidence. If our Savior blessed the shepherds, the Magi, Simeon, John the Baptist, and others, because they greeted His presence with devoted hearts for a brief passing hour, how much more did He bless you who have sanctified yourself for so many years in His company and that of His Mother? If Jesus regards every corporal and spiritual work of mercy, performed in behalf of our fellow men out of love for Him, as done to Himself, and promises heaven as a reward, what must have been the extent of His gratitude to you who in the truest sense of the word have received Him, given Him shelter, clothed, nourished, and consoled Him at the sacrifice of your strength and rest, and even your life, with a love which surpassed the love of all fathers.

God really and personally made Himself your debtor. Our Divine Savior paid that debt of gratitude by granting you many graces in your lifetime, especially the grace of growing in love, which is the best and most perfect of all gifts. Thus at the end of your life your heart became filled with love, the fervor and longing of which your frail body could not resist. Your soul followed the triumphant impulse of your love and winged its flight from earth to bear the prophets and patriarchs in Limbo the glad tidings of the advent of the Redeemer.

Saint Joseph, I thank God for your privilege of being able to die in the arms of Jesus and Mary. As a token of your own gratitude to God, obtain for me the grace of a happy death. Help me to spend each day in preparation for death. May I, too, accept death in the spirit of resignation to God's Holy Will, and die, as you did, in the arms of Jesus, strengthened by Holy Viaticum, and in the arms of Mary, with her rosary in my hand and her name on my lips!

                                                                                  

NOVENA PRAYER
*(prayer to be said at the end of each day's devotion)

Saint Joseph, I, your unworthy child, greet you. You are the faithful protector and intercessor of all who love and venerate you. You know that I have special confidence in you and that, after Jesus and Mary, I place all my hope of salvation in you, for you are especially powerful with God and will never abandon your faithful servants. Therefore I humbly invoke you and commend myself, with all who are dear to me and all that belong to me, to your intercession. I beg of you, by your love for Jesus and Mary, not to abandon me during life and to assist me at the hour of my death.

Glorious Saint Joseph, spouse of the Immaculate Virgin, obtain for me a pure, humble, charitable mind, and perfect resignation to the divine Will. Be my guide, my father, and my model through life that I may merit to die as you did in the arms of Jesus and Mary.

Loving Saint Joseph, faithful follower of Jesus Christ, I raise my heart to you to implore your powerful intercession in obtaining from the Divine Heart of Jesus all the graces necessary for my spiritual and temporal welfare, particularly the grace of a happy death, and the special grace I now implore:

(Mention your request).

Guardian of the Word Incarnate, I feel confident that your prayers in my behalf will be graciously heard before the throne of God. Amen.

MEMORARERemember, most pure spouse of Mary, ever Virgin, my loving protector, Saint Joseph, that no one ever had recourse to your protection or asked for your aid without obtaining relief. Confiding, therefore, in your goodness, I come before you and humbly implore you. Despise not my petitions, foster-father of the Redeemer, but graciously receive them. Amen. 

St Joseph Novena Pray Along Day 8

Finally getting this up...whew...a very busy day and a super cranky toddler do not make for easy blogging.  Here is today's pray along.  Today, I am praying for our leaders both in the Church and our government, that they will be honest and just and turn to God in all matters. God bless you!

FRIEND IN SUFFERING

Saint Joseph, your share of suffering was very great because of your close union with the Divine Savior. All the mysteries of His life were more or less mysteries of suffering. Poverty pressed upon you, and the cross of labor followed you everywhere. Nor were you spared domestic crosses, owing to misunderstandings in regard to the holiest and most cherished of all beings, Jesus and Mary, who were all to you. Keen must have been the suffering caused by the uncertainty regarding Mary's virginity; by the bestowal of the name of Jesus, which pointed to future misfortune. Deeply painful must have been the prophecy of Simeon, the flight into Egypt, the disappearance of Jesus at the Paschal feast. To these sufferings were surely added interior sorrow at the sight of the sins of your own people.

You bore all this suffering in a truly Christ-like manner, and in this you are our example. No sound of complaint or impatience escaped you -- you were, indeed, the silent saint! You submitted to all in the spirit of faith, humility, confidence, and love. You cheerfully bore all in union with and for the Savior and His Mother, knowing well that true love is a crucified love. But God never forsook you in your trials. The trials, too, disappeared and were changed at last into consolation and joy.

It seems that God had purposely intended your life to be filled with suffering as well as consolation to keep before my eyes the truth that my life on earth is but a succession of joys and sorrows, and that I must gratefully accept whatever God sends me, and during the time of consolation prepare for suffering. Teach me to bear my cross in the spirit of faith, of confidence, and of gratitude toward God. In a happy eternity, I shall thank God fervently for the sufferings which He deigned to send me during my pilgrimage on earth, and which after your example I endured with patience and heartfelt love for Jesus and Mary.

You were truly the martyr of the hidden life. This was God's Will, for the holier a person is, the more he is tried for the love and glory of God. If suffering is the flowering of God's grace in a soul and the triumph of the soul's love for God, being the greatest of saints after Mary, you suffered more than any of the martyrs.

Because you have experienced the sufferings of this valley of tears, you are most kind and sympathetic toward those in need. Down through the ages souls have turned to you in distress and have always found you a faithful friend in suffering. You have graciously heard their prayers in their needs even though it demanded a miracle. Having been so intimately united with Jesus and Mary in life, your intercession with Them is most powerful.

Saint Joseph, I thank God for your privilege of being able to suffer for Jesus and Mary. As a token of your own gratitude to God, obtain for me the grace to bear my suffering patiently for love of Jesus and Mary. Grant that I may unite the sufferings, works and disappointments of life with the sacrifice of Jesus in the Mass, and share like you in Mary's spirit of sacrifice.

NOVENA PRAYER
*(prayer to be said at the end of each day's devotion)

Saint Joseph, I, your unworthy child, greet you. You are the faithful protector and intercessor of all who love and venerate you. You know that I have special confidence in you and that, after Jesus and Mary, I place all my hope of salvation in you, for you are especially powerful with God and will never abandon your faithful servants. Therefore I humbly invoke you and commend myself, with all who are dear to me and all that belong to me, to your intercession. I beg of you, by your love for Jesus and Mary, not to abandon me during life and to assist me at the hour of my death.

Glorious Saint Joseph, spouse of the Immaculate Virgin, obtain for me a pure, humble, charitable mind, and perfect resignation to the divine Will. Be my guide, my father, and my model through life that I may merit to die as you did in the arms of Jesus and Mary.

Loving Saint Joseph, faithful follower of Jesus Christ, I raise my heart to you to implore your powerful intercession in obtaining from the Divine Heart of Jesus all the graces necessary for my spiritual and temporal welfare, particularly the grace of a happy death, and the special grace I now implore:

(Mention your request).

Guardian of the Word Incarnate, I feel confident that your prayers in my behalf will be graciously heard before the throne of God. Amen.

MEMORARERemember, most pure spouse of Mary, ever Virgin, my loving protector, Saint Joseph, that no one ever had recourse to your protection or asked for your aid without obtaining relief. Confiding, therefore, in your goodness, I come before you and humbly implore you. Despise not my petitions, foster-father of the Redeemer, but graciously receive them. Amen.

St Joseph Pray Along Day 7

Day seven of our pray along, already. It goes by so quickly when we pray together.  Today I am praying for those trying to buy home, build homes, and especially the poor homeless the they may find shelter.

PATRON OF WORKERS

Saint Joseph, you devoted your time at Nazareth to the work of a carpenter. It was the Will of God that you and your foster-Son should spend your days together in manual labor. What a beautiful example you set for the working classes!

It was especially for the poor, who compose the greater part of mankind, that Jesus came upon earth, for in the synagogue of Nazareth, He read the words of Isaiah and referred them to Himself:  "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He has anointed Me to bring good news to the poor..." (Luke 4:18). It was God's Will that you should be occupied with work common to poor people, that in this way Jesus Himself might ennoble it by inheriting it from you, His foster-father, and by freely embracing it. Thus our Lord teaches us that for the humbler class of workmen, He has in store His richest graces, provided they live content in the place God's Providence has assigned them, and remain poor in spirit for He said, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Matt. 5:3).

The kind of work to which you devoted your time in the workshop of Nazareth offered you many occasions of practicing humility. You were privileged to see each day the example of humility which Jesus practiced -- a virtue most pleasing to Him. He chose for His earthly surroundings not the courts of princes nor the halls of the learned, but a little workshop of Nazareth. Here you shared for many years the humble and hidden toiling of the God-Man. What a touching example for the worker of today!

While your hands were occupied with manual work, your mind was turned to God in prayer. From the Divine Master, who worked along with you, you learned to work in the presence of God in the spirit of prayer, for as He worked He adored His Father and recommended the welfare of the world to Him, Jesus also instructed you in the wonderful truths of grace and virtue, for you were in close contact with Him who said of Himself, "I am the Way and the Truth and the Life."

As you were working at your trade, you were reminded of the greatness and majesty of God, who, as a most wise Architect, formed this vast universe with wonderful skill and limitless power.

The light of divine faith that filled your mind, did not grow dim when you saw Jesus working as a carpenter. You firmly believed that the saintly Youth working beside you was truly God's own Son.

Saint Joseph, I thank God for your privilege of being able to work side by side with Jesus in the carpenter shop of Nazareth. As a token of your own gratitude to God, obtain for me the grace to respect the dignity of labor and ever to be content with the position in life, however lowly, in which it may please Divine Providence to place me. Teach me to work for God and with God in the spirit of humility and prayer, as you did, so that I may offer my toil in union with the sacrifice of Jesus in the Mass as a reparation for my sins, and gain rich merit for heaven

NOVENA PRAYER
*(prayer to be said at the end of each day's devotion)

Saint Joseph, I, your unworthy child, greet you. You are the faithful protector and intercessor of all who love and venerate you. You know that I have special confidence in you and that, after Jesus and Mary, I place all my hope of salvation in you, for you are especially powerful with God and will never abandon your faithful servants. Therefore I humbly invoke you and commend myself, with all who are dear to me and all that belong to me, to your intercession. I beg of you, by your love for Jesus and Mary, not to abandon me during life and to assist me at the hour of my death.

Glorious Saint Joseph, spouse of the Immaculate Virgin, obtain for me a pure, humble, charitable mind, and perfect resignation to the divine Will. Be my guide, my father, and my model through life that I may merit to die as you did in the arms of Jesus and Mary.

Loving Saint Joseph, faithful follower of Jesus Christ, I raise my heart to you to implore your powerful intercession in obtaining from the Divine Heart of Jesus all the graces necessary for my spiritual and temporal welfare, particularly the grace of a happy death, and the special grace I now implore:

(Mention your request).

Guardian of the Word Incarnate, I feel confident that your prayers in my behalf will be graciously heard before the throne of God. Amen.

MEMORARERemember, most pure spouse of Mary, ever Virgin, my loving protector, Saint Joseph, that no one ever had recourse to your protection or asked for your aid without obtaining relief. Confiding, therefore, in your goodness, I come before you and humbly implore you. Despise not my petitions, foster-father of the Redeemer, but graciously receive them. Amen. 

St Joseph Novena Pray Along Day 5

This is late being posted because I spent my day at my beautiful Goddaughter's Confirmation. What a lovely day!

Today I am praying for all the confirmandi and cathacumen. Come pray along with me!  God bless!

PATRON OF THE CHURCH

Saint Joseph, God has appointed you patron of the Catholic Church because you were the head of the Holy Family, the starting-point of the Church. You were the father, protector, guide and support of the Holy Family. For that reason you belong in a particular way to the Church, which was the purpose of the Holy Family's existence.

I believe that the Church is the family of God on earth. Its government is represented in priestly authority which consists above all in its power over the true Body of Christ, really present in the Blessed Sacrament of the Altar, thus continuing Christ's life in the Church. From this power, too, comes authority over the Mystical Body of Christ, the members of the Church -- the power to teach and govern souls, to reconcile them with God, to bless them, and to pray for them.

You have a special relationship to the priesthood because you possessed a wonderful power over our Savior Himself. Your life and office were of a priestly function and are especially connected with the Blessed Sacrament. To some extent you were the means of bringing the Redeemer to us -- as it is the priest's function to bring Him to us in the Mass -- for you reared Jesus, supported, nourished, protected and sheltered Him. You were prefigured by the patriarch Joseph, who kept supplies of wheat for his people. But how much greater than he were you! Joseph of old gave the Egyptians mere bread for their bodies. You nourished, and with the most tender care, preserved for the Church Him who is the Bread of Heaven and who gives eternal life in Holy Communion.

God has appointed you patron of the Church because the glorious title of patriarch also falls by special right to you. The patriarchs were the heads of families of the Chosen People, and theirs was the honor to prepare for the Savior's incarnation. You belonged to this line of patriarchs, for you were one of the last descendants of the family of David and one of the nearest forebears of Christ according to the flesh. As husband of Mary, the Mother of God, and as the foster-father of the Savior, you were directly connected with Christ. Your vocation was especially concerned with the Person of Jesus; your entire activity centered about Him. You are, therefore, the closing of the Old Testament and the beginning of the New, which took its rise with the Holy Family of Nazareth. Because the New Testament surpasses the Old in every respect, you are the patriarch of patriarchs, the most venerable, exalted, and amiable of all the patriarchs.

Through Mary, the Church received Christ, and therefore the Church is indebted to her. But the Church owes her debt of gratitude and veneration to you also, for you were the chosen one who enabled Christ to enter into the world according to the laws of order and fitness. It was by you that the patriarchs and the prophets and the faithful reaped the fruit of God's promise. Alone among them all, you saw with your own eyes and possessed the Redeemer promised to the rest of men.

Saint Joseph, I thank God for your privilege of being the Patron of the Church. As a token of your own gratitude to God, obtain for me the grace to live always as a worthy member of this Church, so that through it I may save my soul. Bless the priests, the religious, and the laity of the Catholic Church, that they may ever grow in God's love and faithfulness in His service. Protect the Church from the evils of our day and from the persecution of her enemies. Through your powerful intercession may the church successfully accomplish its mission in this world -- the glory of God and the salvation of souls!

Saint Joseph, I, your unworthy child, greet you. You are the faithful protector and intercessor of all who love and venerate you. You know that I have special confidence in you and that, after Jesus and Mary, I place all my hope of salvation in you, for you are especially powerful with God and will never abandon your faithful servants. Therefore I humbly invoke you and commend myself, with all who are dear to me and all that belong to me, to your intercession. I beg of you, by your love for Jesus and Mary, not to abandon me during life and to assist me at the hour of my death.

Glorious Saint Joseph, spouse of the Immaculate Virgin, obtain for me a pure, humble, charitable mind, and perfect resignation to the divine Will. Be my guide, my father, and my model through life that I may merit to die as you did in the arms of Jesus and Mary.

Loving Saint Joseph, faithful follower of Jesus Christ, I raise my heart to you to implore your powerful intercession in obtaining from the Divine Heart of Jesus all the graces necessary for my spiritual and temporal welfare, particularly the grace of a happy death, and the special grace I now implore:

(Mention your request).

Guardian of the Word Incarnate, I feel confident that your prayers in my behalf will be graciously heard before the throne of God. Amen.

MEMORARERemember, most pure spouse of Mary, ever Virgin, my loving protector, Saint Joseph, that no one ever had recourse to your protection or asked for your aid without obtaining relief. Confiding, therefore, in your goodness, I come before you and humbly implore you. Despise not my petitions, foster-father of the Redeemer, but graciously receive them. Amen. 

St Joseph Novena Pray Along Day 4

It's day four of our pray along. Thank you for journeying with me. Today, I am praying for the persecuted and refugees, LORD please grant them protection and deliverance. I am also praying that the hearts of out enemies may be converted. God bless!

FAITHFUL SERVANT

Saint Joseph, you lived for one purpose -- to be the personal servant of Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh. Your noble birth and ancestry, the graces and gifts, so generously poured out on you by God -- all this was yours to serve our Lord better. Every thought, word, and action of yours was a homage to the love and glory of the Incarnate Word. You fulfilled most faithfully the role of a good and faithful servant who cared for the House of God.

How perfect was your obedience! Your position in the Holy Family obliged you to command, but besides being the foster-father of Jesus, you were also His disciple. For almost thirty years, you watched the God-Man display a simple and prompt obedience, and you grew to love and practice it very perfectly yourself. Without exception you submitted to God, to the civil rulers, and to the voice of your conscience.

When God sent an angel to tell you to care for Mary, you obeyed in spite of the mystery which surrounded her motherhood. When you were told to flee into Egypt under painful conditions, you obeyed without the slightest word of complaint. When God advised you in a dream to return to Nazareth, you obeyed. In every situation your obedience was as simple as your faith, as humble as your heart, as prompt as your love. It neglected nothing; it took in every command.

You had the virtue of perfect devotedness, which marks a good servant. Every moment of your life was consecrated to the service of our Lord: sleep, rest, work, pain. Faithful to your duties, you sacrificed everything unselfishly, even cheerfully. You would have sacrificed even the happiness of being with Mary. The rest and quiet of Nazareth was sacrificed at the call of duty. Your entire life was one generous giving, even to the point of being ready to die in proof of your love for Jesus and Mary. With true unselfish devotedness you worked without praise or reward.

But God wanted you to be in a certain sense a cooperator in the Redemption of the world. He confided to you the care of nourishing and defending the Divine Child. He wanted you to be poor and to suffer because He destined you to be the foster-father of His Son, who came into the world to save men by His sufferings and death, and you were to share in His suffering. In all of these important tasks, the Heavenly Father always found you a faithful servant!

Saint Joseph, I thank God for your privilege of being God's faithful servant. As a token of your own gratitude to God, obtain for me the grace to be a faithful servant of God as you were. Help me to share, as you did, the perfect obedience of Jesus, who came not to do His Will, but the Will of His Father; to trust in the Providence of God, knowing that if I do His Will, He will provide for all my needs of soul and body; to be calm in my trials and to leave it to our Lord to free me from them when it pleases Him to do so. And help me to imitate your generosity, for there can be no greater reward here on earth than the joy and honor of being a faithful servant of God.

Saint Joseph, I, your unworthy child, greet you. You are the faithful protector and intercessor of all who love and venerate you. You know that I have special confidence in you and that, after Jesus and Mary, I place all my hope of salvation in you, for you are especially powerful with God and will never abandon your faithful servants. Therefore I humbly invoke you and commend myself, with all who are dear to me and all that belong to me, to your intercession. I beg of you, by your love for Jesus and Mary, not to abandon me during life and to assist me at the hour of my death.

Glorious Saint Joseph, spouse of the Immaculate Virgin, obtain for me a pure, humble, charitable mind, and perfect resignation to the divine Will. Be my guide, my father, and my model through life that I may merit to die as you did in the arms of Jesus and Mary.

Loving Saint Joseph, faithful follower of Jesus Christ, I raise my heart to you to implore your powerful intercession in obtaining from the Divine Heart of Jesus all the graces necessary for my spiritual and temporal welfare, particularly the grace of a happy death, and the special grace I now implore:

(Mention your request).

Guardian of the Word Incarnate, I feel confident that your prayers in my behalf will be graciously heard before the throne of God. Amen.

MEMORARERemember, most pure spouse of Mary, ever Virgin, my loving protector, Saint Joseph, that no one ever had recourse to your protection or asked for your aid without obtaining relief. Confiding, therefore, in your goodness, I come before you and humbly implore you. Despise not my petitions, foster-father of the Redeemer, but graciously receive them. Amen. 

St Joseph Novena Pray Along-Day 2

Day two is here. Today, I am praying for hard-working fathers and fathers who are struggling to provide for their families. Please pray with me and remember to leave any intentions you have in the comments. God bless!

Second Day
VIRGINAL HUSBAND OF MARY

Saint Joseph, I honor you as the true husband of Mary. Scripture says: "Jacob begot Joseph, the husband of Mary, and of her was born Jesus who is called Christ" (Matt. 1:16). Your marriage to Mary was a sacred contract by which you and Mary gave yourselves to each other. Mary really belonged to you with all she was and had. You had a right to her love and obedience; and no other person so won her esteem, obedience, and love.

You were also the protector and witness of Mary's virginity. By your marriage you gave to each other your virginity, and also the mutual right over it -- a right to safeguard the other's virtue. This mutual virginity also belonged to the divine plan of the Incarnation, for God sent His angel to assure you that motherhood and virginity in Mary could be united.

This union of marriage not only brought you into daily familiar association with Mary, the loveliest of God's creatures, but also enabled you to share with her a mutual exchange of spiritual goods. And Mary found her edification in your calm, humble, and deep virtue, purity, and sanctity. What a great honor comes to you from this close union with her whom the Son of God calls Mother and whom He declared the Queen of heaven and earth! Whatever Mary had belonged by right to you also, and this included her Son, even though He had been given to her by God in a wonderful way. Jesus belonged to you as His legal father. Your marriage was the way which God chose to have Jesus introduced into the world, a great divine mystery from which all benefits have come to us.

God the Son confided the guardianship and the support of His Immaculate Mother to your care.Mary's life was that of the Mother of the Savior, who did not come upon earth to enjoy honors and pleasures, but to redeem the world by hard work, suffering, and the cross. You were the faithful companion, support, and comforter of the Mother of Sorrows. How loyal you were to her in poverty, journeying, work, and pain. Your love for Mary was based upon your esteem for her as Mother of God. After God and the Divine Child, you loved no one as much as her. Mary responded to this love. She submitted to your guidance with naturalness and easy grace and childlike confidence. The Holy Spirit Himself was the bond of the great love which united your hearts.

Saint Joseph, I thank God for your privilege of being the virginal husband of Mary. As a token of your own gratitude to God, obtain for me the grace to love Jesus with all my heart, as you did, and  love Mary with some of the tenderness and loyalty with which you loved her.

*NOVENA PRAYER

*(prayer to be said at the end of each day's devotion)

Saint Joseph, I, your unworthy child, greet you. You are the faithful protector and intercessor of all who love and venerate you. You know that I have special confidence in you and that, after Jesus and Mary, I place all my hope of salvation in you, for you are especially powerful with God and will never abandon your faithful servants. Therefore I humbly invoke you and commend myself, with all who are dear to me and all that belong to me, to your intercession. I beg of you, by your love for Jesus and Mary, not to abandon me during life and to assist me at the hour of my death.

Glorious Saint Joseph, spouse of the Immaculate Virgin, obtain for me a pure, humble, charitable mind, and perfect resignation to the divine Will. Be my guide, my father, and my model through life that I may merit to die as you did in the arms of Jesus and Mary.

Loving Saint Joseph, faithful follower of Jesus Christ, I raise my heart to you to implore your powerful intercession in obtaining from the Divine Heart of Jesus all the graces necessary for my spiritual and temporal welfare, particularly the grace of a happy death, and the special grace I now implore:

(Mention your request).

Guardian of the Word Incarnate, I feel confident that your prayers in my behalf will be graciously heard before the throne of God. Amen.

MEMORARE

Remember, most pure spouse of Mary, ever Virgin, my loving protector, Saint Joseph, that no one ever had recourse to your protection or asked for your aid without obtaining relief. Confiding, therefore, in your goodness, I come before you and humbly implore you. Despise not my petitions, foster-father of the Redeemer, but graciously receive them. Amen. 

St Joseph Novena Pray Along Day 1

Today begins the novena in preparation for the feast of St Joseph on March 19th. I am sponsoring a pray along. Each day I will post the Novena prayers for the day along with intentions that need prayer. Please share with family and friends, and share any prayer requests in the comments. Let's pray for and with each other!

Today, I am praying for struggling marriages, reconciliation within families, and those trying to sell their home. God bless!

Source

Novena to 

St. Joseph

Day One
FOSTER-FATHER OF JESUS

Saint Joseph, you were privileged to share in the mystery of the Incarnation as the foster-father of Jesus. Mary alone was directly connected with the fulfillment of the mystery, in that she gave her consent to Christ's conception and allowed the Holy Spirit to form the sacred humanity of Jesus from her blood. You had a part in this mystery in an indirect manner, by fulfilling the condition necessary for the Incarnation -- the protection of Mary's virginity before and during your married life with her. You made the virginal marriage possible, and this was a part of God's plan, foreseen, willed, and decreed from all eternity.

In a more direct manner you shared in the support, upbringing, and protection of the Divine Child as His foster-father. For this purpose the Heavenly Father gave you a genuine heart of a father -- a heart full of love and self-sacrifice. With the toil of your hands you were obliged to offer protection to the Divine Child, to procure for Him food, clothing, and a home. You were truly the saint of the holy childhood of Jesus -- the living created providence which watched over the Christ-Child.

When Herod sought the Child to put Him to death, the Heavenly Father sent an angel but only as a messenger, giving orders for the flight; the rest He left entirely in your hands. It was that fatherly love which was the only refuge that received and protected the Divine Child. Your fatherly love carried Him through the desert into Egypt until all enemies were removed. Then on your arms the Child returned to Nazareth to be nourished and provided for during many years by the labor of your hands. Whatever a human son owes to a human father for all the benefits of his up-bringing and support, Jesus owed to you, because you were to Him a foster-father, teacher, and protector.

You served the Divine Child with a singular love. God gave you a heart filled with heavenly, supernatural love -- a love far deeper and more powerful than any natural father's love could be.

You served the Divine Child with great unselfishness, without any regard to self-interest, but not without sacrifices. You did not toil for yourself, but you seemed to be an instrument intended for the benefit of others, to be put aside as soon as it had done its word, for you disappeared from the scene once the childhood of Jesus had passed.

You were the shadow of the Heavenly Father not only as the earthly representative of the authority of the Father, but also by means of your fatherhood -- which only appeared to be natural -- you were to hide for a while the divinity of Jesus. What a wonderfully sublime and divine vocation was yours -- the loving Child which you carried in your arms, and loved and served so faithfully, had God in Heaven as Father and was Himself God!

Yours is a very special rank among the saints of the Kingdom of God, because you were so much a part of the very life of the Word of God made Man. In your house at Nazareth and under your care the redemption of mankind was prepared. What you accomplished, you did for us. You are not only a powerful and great saint in the Kingdom of God, but a benefactor of the whole of Christendom and mankind. Your rank in the Kingdom of God, surpassing far in dignity and honor of all the angels, deserves our very special veneration, love, and gratitude.

Saint Joseph, I thank God for your privilege of having been chosen by God to be the foster-father of His Divine Son. As a token of your own gratitude to God for this your greatest privilege, obtain for me the grace of a very devoted love for Jesus Christ, my God and my Savior. Help me to serve Him with some of the self-sacrificing love and devotion which you had while on this earth with Him. Grant that through your intercession with Jesus, your foster-Son, I may reach the degree of holiness God has destined for me, and save my soul.

*NOVENA PRAYER

*(prayer to be said at the end of each day's devotion)

Saint Joseph, I, your unworthy child, greet you. You are the faithful protector and intercessor of all who love and venerate you. You know that I have special confidence in you and that, after Jesus and Mary, I place all my hope of salvation in you, for you are especially powerful with God and will never abandon your faithful servants. Therefore I humbly invoke you and commend myself, with all who are dear to me and all that belong to me, to your intercession. I beg of you, by your love for Jesus and Mary, not to abandon me during life and to assist me at the hour of my death.

Glorious Saint Joseph, spouse of the Immaculate Virgin, obtain for me a pure, humble, charitable mind, and perfect resignation to the divine Will. Be my guide, my father, and my model through life that I may merit to die as you did in the arms of Jesus and Mary.

Loving Saint Joseph, faithful follower of Jesus Christ, I raise my heart to you to implore your powerful intercession in obtaining from the Divine Heart of Jesus all the graces necessary for my spiritual and temporal welfare, particularly the grace of a happy death, and the special grace I now implore:

(Mention your request).

Guardian of the Word Incarnate, I feel confident that your prayers in my behalf will be graciously heard before the throne of God. Amen.

MEMORARE

Remember, most pure spouse of Mary, ever Virgin, my loving protector, Saint Joseph, that no one ever had recourse to your protection or asked for your aid without obtaining relief. Confiding, therefore, in your goodness, I come before you and humbly implore you. Despise not my petitions, foster-father of the Redeemer, but graciously receive them. Amen. 

On the Feast of St Blaise--Living the Liturgical Year

Thank you all for being patient as I inconsistently blog. I have been so busy cleaning out my childhood home. It has left me exhausted both physically and emotionally.

Today is the Feast of St Blaise. As happens many years, icy roads and sniffly children has kept us from attending our parish' s blessing of the throats.  This feast is very special to our family, though. Not only is it the first traditional feast day that I introduced to my husband when he decided to convert, but it is also a namesake day of one of our children.

To make up for missing the blessing, again, I tied a red cord around two of the candles that my children made last Candlemas. I am going to have my husband bless each of our throats with the traditional blessing.

Through the intercession of Saint Blase, bishop and martyr, may God deliver you from every disease of the throat and from every other illness:

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, + and of the Holy Spirit.

Each person responds: Amen.

Since this is a name day for our family, I try to make a special dinner.  Here is a list of some feast related recipes:

This Double Raisin Bread Pudding  from Family Plus Food Equals Love is delicious!

Catholic Cuisine has a cute tutorial for candle inspired cookies, no baking required.

This Bubenshenkel (fried dough) sounds delightful!

None of these recipes work for our family, though, due to various food allergies. So, we are trying something different.  We will be having homemade, baked, gluten-free penne and white cheddar cheese. The penne represent the candles.  

I also read that it is common to have chicken soup, since what is better for a sore throat than chicken soup?  So, I will make a simple chicken and rice soup--organic chicken stock, frozen mixed vegetables, and brown rice. This will really help everyone with scratchy throats and runny noses. (Myself included)  I usually cook a chicken and make my own stock to turn into soup with fresh vegetables, but I'm not feeling that ambitious. ;)

For dessert, I am making Christine at Memories of a Catholic Mother's pumpkin bake. I am substituting a half cup of rice flour and a teaspoon of cornstarch for the flour, so that it is gluten free. I am going to also add some raisins, a traditional food for St Blaise, it will be our gluten-free version of bread pudding.  The pumpkin is roasting away in my crock pot, and I will use my new Ninja (a Christmas gift from my sister) to whip up the batter.  If you have never made your own pumpkin filling, you must! Simply buy a pumpkin small enough to fit in a slow cooker, the smaller ones are better for baking anyway.  Then, wash off the pumpkin, making sure to rinse very well, and place in crock pot without drying.  Cook on low until skin can easily be pierced by a table fork, usually about 6-8 hours. Once pumpkin is cooked, it is easy to split and the insides separate readily from the flesh.  Puree for extra smoothness. I often skip this step, it tastes just as good just a little stringier. An average sized sugar pumpkin yields enough to substitute for one can of pumpkin.

However you celebrate today, I hope that you are warm, safe, and well. God bless!