St. Edmund Campion (Dec 1); St. John Ruysbroeck (Dec 2); St. Francis Xavier (Dec 3); St. John Damascene (Dec 4); St. Sabas (Dec 5); St. Nicholas (Dec 6); St. Ambrose (Dec 7); St. Patapios (Dec 8); St. Juan Diego (Dec 9); St. Eulalia of Merida (Dec 10); St. Damasus I (Dec 11); St. Lucy (Dec 13); St. John of the Cross (Dec 14); St. Virginia Centurione Bracelli (Dec 15); St. Mary of the Angels (Dec 16); St. Olympias (Dec 17); St. Flannan (Dec 18); St. Dominic of Silos (Dec 20); St. Peter Canisius (Dec 21); St. John of Kanty (Dec 23); St. Marguerite d’Youville (Dec 24); St. Anastasia (Dec 25); St. Stephen (Dec 26); St. John the Evangelist (Dec 27); The Holy Innocents (Dec 28); St. Thomas Becket (Dec 29); St. Sabinus of Spoleto and Companions (Dec 30); St. Sylvester I (Dec 31)
HIGHLIGHTED SAINTS:
December 3 - St. Francis Xavier
St. Francis Xavier became the first Jesuit missionary priest. He was a friend of St. Ignatius of Loyola, and was known for his humility, care of the poor, and miracles including healings, speaking in tongues, and prophetic powers. His passion for Christ and zeal for souls won him many converts to the faith. He baptized over 40,000 people, and is considered by many to be one of the Church's greatest missionaries since St. Paul the Apostle. Celebrate by making some of these St. Francis Xavier recipes!
December 4 – St. John Damascene
St. John Damascene is a Doctor of the Church. He defended the Church’s understanding of the veneration of images and explained the faith of the Church in several other controversies. For over 30 years, he combined a life of prayer with these defenses and his other writings. His holiness expressed itself in putting his literary and preaching talents at the service of the Lord.
December 6 - St. Nicholas
St. Nicholas was a generous bishop who would toss bags of gold through the windows of families in need of money to secure good marriages for their daughters. Part of the legend includes finding coins in a shoe. Over time, a gift-giving tradition grew. In fact, every Christmas we all invite St. Nicholas to celebrate with us, but his name sounds just a little different! You know him as... Santa Claus! Enjoy these activities, or cook up some Chocolate Coins, German Spice Cookies, or Hot Cocoa for celebrating St. Nicholas Day!
December 7 - St. Ambrose
St. Ambrose is a Doctor of the Church. When he was just a baby, a swarm of bees landed on his face and left behind a drop of honey. His father believed this was a sign that Ambrose would develop a wonderful sense for speaking. He became a bishop and donated all of his land and money to the poor. Along with St. Augustine, he introduced liturgical reforms that kept in mind that liturgy is a tool to serve the people in worshiping God. He also composed many hymns and chants that are still used today. Celebrate St. Ambrose’s feast day with a coloring page or by making Honey Cookies, Peanut Butter Bumblebees, or Honey Trail Mix!
December 9 - St. Juan Diego
St. Juan Diego was a poor and humble peasant of the lowest class of Aztec Indians living in what is today Mexico. It was this faithful man to whom Our Lady appeared as a pregnant Aztec princess on the hill of Tepeyac as he was on his way to Mass. To help Juan Diego prove to the bishop that she had truly appeared, the Virgin Mary miraculously left her image on his tilma. This image is now famously known as Our Lady of Guadalupe. St. Juan Diego's tilma still bears the image of Our Lady, and it hangs in the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City. Juan Diego was the first indigenous saint from the Americas. Enjoy these crafts and playdough roses, a coloring page and resources, or cook up a Mexican Chocolate Cake, Rosy Treats, or Cheese Enchiladas and learn more about St. Juan Diego!
December 13 - St. Lucy
St. Lucy, whose name means “light,” brought food to Christians hiding from persecutors. She used a candle-lit wreath to light her way. Eventually, Lucy was captured and tortured. Her eyes were removed and she soon after died a virgin-martyr of the Faith. Today, St. Lucy is considered a bearer of light in winter’s darkness. Pray to St. Lucy for the eyes to see the light of faith. Each year, prior to Christmas, towns gather to celebrate her light! St. Lucy is the patron saint of the blind. Enjoy these coloring pages and try these recipes for St. Lucy Day!
December 14 - St. John of the Cross
St. John of the Cross was told in prayer that he should enter religious life in order to bring reform. St. John joined the ancient Carmelite Order, quickly earning a reputation for his humility, obedience, and religious fervor. He later met St. Teresa of Avila, and they founded the Discalced Carmelites, a contemplative order of strict religious observance. St. John was captured, imprisoned, and physically abused by his fellow friars. His sufferings helped him to write his most famous work, Dark Night of the Soul. Following a miraculous escape, this Doctor of the Church became an authority on the spiritual life. Pray this Novena to seek intercession from this holy priest!
December 26 - St. Stephen
St. Stephen was one of the Church's first deacons in Jerusalem and an eloquent preacher of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He was "a man full of faith, and of the Holy Spirit" and "full of grace and fortitude." The account of his martyrdom is recorded in the Acts of the Apostles. After boldly preaching against the Jewish leaders, he was accused of blasphemy and stoned to death by an angry mob. St. Stephen was the first Christian martyr. Check out this activity and learn more here.
December 27 - St John, Apostle and Evangelist
St. John the Evangelist (1st c.) was one of the Twelve Apostles and one of the four Gospel writers. He was known as “The Beloved,” and has a very special role in Church history. St. John was the only apostle to stand loyally beneath Christ at the crucifixion, where Jesus entrusted St. John and the Blessed Virgin Mary to each other. Enjoy this coloring page and honor St. John by baking up some fun food!
December 28 – The Holy Innocents
The Holy Innocents are the children mentioned in the account of Jesus' birth in Matthew's Gospel (2:16-18). When the Magi came to Jerusalem to find and adore the Baby Jesus, King Herod requested that they inform him of the Child's location under the pretense of offering Him adoration, too. When the Magi failed to report back to him, King Herod fell into a jealous rage. He ordered all the baby boys aged two years and under to be killed, in an attempt to kill the Baby Jesus. The Church venerates these babies as little martyrs for Christ. These first martyrs are now recognized as pro-life patron saints. We continue to pray for the protection of all God’s children, especially the unborn. Honor the Holy Innocents by sharing some holy treats!
December 8 - Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception
Try these recipes to celebrate the Feast Day of the Immaculate Conception! Celebrate this feast day by watching this video, and spend time with Jesus. Make a flower crown for Mary.
December 10 - Our Lady of Loreto
The memorial of Our Lady of Loreto refers to the humble home in which Mary was born and grew up, and where the angel Gabriel appeared to her at the Annunciation. This feast day was added to the Church calendar in 2019. Pray the Litany of Loreto, and build a gingerbread house. Learn more about the extraordinary story of Loreto, and about this feast day here.
December 12 - Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
The Virgin of Guadalupe appeared to Juan Diego. She is depicted with brown skin, an angel and moon at her feet, and rays of sunlight that encircle her. Pray to Our Lady and learn more about this feast day here. Try these recipes and enjoy a craft, an activity, or a coloring page to celebrate Our Lady of Guadalupe!
December 17-23 – The “O” Antiphons
The O Antiphons are a series of seven verses listing a name of Jesus taken from scripture. They are the basis of the popular Advent hymn, “O Come, O Come Emmanuel.” Use the antiphons as prayers, download these reflection cards, and try these recipes during the week of O Antiphons!
December 25 - The Nativity of the Lord – Christmas Day
Bless the family Christmas tree. Read the Christmas story and encourage your family to spend some quiet time in prayer near the Nativity scene at home. Learn about Catholic Christmas traditions, and start your own Christmas Customs or a Family Tradition to create holiday memories. Gather your family for Christmas prayers to reflect on and celebrate the joyous season! Learn about the Origin of the 12 Days of Christmas. Bake some Starlight Cookies and try more recipes to celebrate Christmas! Enjoy Christmas fun, coloring pages, activities, and more! Go to Mass, sing carols, give thanks for the gift of Christ, and the joy of the Christmas season to come.
The Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph
This feast day honors the Holy Family of Jesus, the Blessed Mother, and St. Joseph as the holiest of families, and a model for all families. Pray together with this video, and start a family prayer tradition. Consecrate your family to the Holy Family. Enjoy a coloring page or an activity, and prepare a meal or a fun snack to celebrate your holy family!
December 31 - New Year's Eve
Each year we thank God for the blessings of the past year and look forward to the new year. Check out these New Year’s Prayers and Blessings. Create a fun and holy New Year’s Eve with your family, and cook up a yummy Seafood Paella to ring in the New Year!
From the Archdiocese of Dubuque Pinterest Boards: www.pinterest.com/dbqarch
Check out these December Pinterest topics focused on the family - the Domestic Church!