from The Year and Our Children, Mary Reed Newland
St. Elizabeth of Hungary (November 17)
We have always loved this saint because she was so lovable, so beautiful, young, holy, and so much in love with her husband.
It is refreshing to find a saint who made a fool of herself over her husband, and St. Elizabeth surely did (or so the court thought, at any rate).
The legend that the bread in her basket turned to roses is probably not authentic, but it could have happened; so we like to tell it each year.
Elizabeth is supposed to have been taking bread to the poor and met her husband, King Ludwig, on the way. He asked what was in her basket, lifted the napkin, and there underneath he found roses.
Elizabeth, full of humility, was not exposed as the great benefactress of the poor. This is not consistent with her reputation for openly giving away to the poor everything thing she could get her hands on, but it is a charming story and gives us the cue for our St. Elizabeth’s Day custom.
We bake bread that afternoon so that it will be done by nightfall. It is shaped into large buns – or small loaves (if you prefer), wrapped carefully in linen napkins, and put into baskets.
The children bundle up, get their flashlights, take notes explaining the day and the custom, and go off down the lane to the neighbors with hot bread for their suppers.
It is given away for the love of Christ. Then, when you return home, the bread for your own supper tastes that much sweeter.
St. Gomer (October 11)
He is the patron of the unhappily married, and since everyone who ever gets married thinks sooner or later that he is unhappily married, it is high time we stirred up devotion to this saint.
He is probably an expert at showing up for what they are all hurt feelings, self-pity, piggishness, and all the other things we suffer or perpetrate but don’t admit.
For those truly unhappily married, I am sure that he will show them that eternal happiness is bought with such sufferings as theirs.
Omer Engelbert writes of him: “Courageous soldier and relative of Pepin the Short, who thought to reward him by making him marry Gwin Marie; he suffered terribly from the frightful disposition of this incorrigible woman.
He ended by leaving her and withdrawing to a solitary place which became after his death a place of pilgrimage and the site of the town of Lierre (Belgium).”
So this saint knows what an unhappy marriage is all about.
He is also the patron of woodcutters, turners, glove-makers, and cowherds, and is invoked against hernia.
*******************************************************************
****************************************************************
“Show an interest in your child’s welfare. You can do this by devoting time to him, every day if possible. Try to discuss with him his experiences, problems, successes and failures. By giving yourself to him in this intimate way, you give him the feeling that he can always depend upon you to understand and help him in his difficulties.” – Rev. George A. Kelly, How to Be a Good Father, Catholic Family Handbook
*****************************************************************
Today is the 100th anniversary of the Miracle of the Sun in Fatima! Let us continue to live this message in our lives….to pray the daily Rosary, to do penance and to make reparation. -Finer Femininity
******************************************************************
Coloring pages for this wonderful Anniversary!
*****************************************************************
Advent Package Special! The Catholic Mother’s Traditional Advent Journal & Celine’s Advent
Details
Two Special Advent Books for a Package Price!
The Catholic Mother’s Traditional Advent Journal:
Advent is such a special season! And you are about to make it more meaningful than you ever have!
This Advent journal is for busy moms who need a little help making this season special within the home. It will help you stay on track and be consistent with the customs you have decided to incorporate within your four walls.
I have broken it down into bite-sized tidbits that, when laid out for you, will be easy to accomplish. As you check each item off you will get a sense of fulfillment knowing you are getting done what is truly important in this expectant season! The other things will get done….but first things first!
At midnight, on Christmas Eve, when Baby Jesus arrives, you and your family will look back upon your Advent and sigh with satisfaction, knowing you truly have celebrated with the Church, that you have put your best foot forward in making this a spiritual, enchanting, holy time for all!
The first few pages of this book will have a run-down of the special Advent customs and activities that will be on your checklist each day. They are simple, they are doable.
I hope this Advent is more special than ever as we walk hand-in-hand making the Liturgy come alive in our homes!
Celine’s Advent:
Take a walk through Advent as Celine and her family prepare for the coming of the Baby Jesus at Christmas! You will enjoy celebrating the beauty of the season with Celine as she helps her mom with the special traditions and activities that make the liturgy come alive in their home! Her “peanut gallery” consists of a mouse named Percy and some charming and delightful Christmas Angels! They are sure to capture your heart!
Harvest Beauty Apron! Feminine and Beautiful!
Make a statement with this lovely and graceful “Harvest Beauty” handcrafted apron….fully lined….made with care. Aprons tell a beautiful story…..a story of love and sacrifice….of baking bread and mopping floors, of planting seeds and household chores. Sadly, many women have tossed the aprons aside and donned their business attire. Wear your apron with joy….it is a symbol of Femininity….”Finer” Femininity!
Available here.
“With sweet Mother’s pleading she asked us to pray, do penance, be modest, the rosary each day. Ave Ave Ave Maria, Ave Ave Ave Maria!”
Happy Great Feast Day – Our Lady of Fatima!
St. Elizabeth of Hungary is much loved in our home…her feast day was the day my hubby proposed to me. 🙂 However, her feast is on Nov. 19th, not 17th. Not sure if that was a misprint or maybe the new calendar?
I never heard of St. Gomer! Thanks for bringing him to our attention. I just adore the writing style of Mary Reed Newland.
Thanks for the correction on the date, Erica.