June Saints & Feasts

St. Justin Martyr (June 1); Ss. Marcellinus and Peter (June 2); St. Charles Lwanga and Companions (June 2); St. Clotilde (June 3); St. Boniface of Mainz (June 4); St. Marcellin Champagnat (June 6); St. Anne Mary Taigi (June 8): St. Columba (June 9); St. Ephrem (June 9); St. Barnabas (June 11); St. Anthony of Padua (June 13); St. Emily de Vialar (June 17); St. Aloysius Gonzaga (June 21); St. Thomas More and St. John Fisher (June 22); St. Paulinus of Nola (June 22; St. Joseph Cafasso (June 23); St. Josemaría Escrivá (June 26); St. Cyril of Alexandria (June 27); St. Ireneus (June 28); Ss. Peter and Paul (June 29); The First Martyrs fo the Holy Roman Church (June 30)

HIGHLIGHTED SAINTS:
June 1 – St. Justin Martyr
St. Justin was the first Christian philosopher. He wrote about the Eucharist and the Ancient Mass. In his writings, St. Justin defended Christianity despite being misunderstood, attacked, and ultimately martyred for his beliefs.

June 5 – St. Boniface of Mainz    
St. Boniface, also known by his baptismal name, Winfrith, became a well-known teacher and missionary, defending the Catholic faith throughout Germany. St. Boniface is often seen holding a cross, a sword, a book, or a bishop’s crook. He is an example of faith, perseverance, and strength.

June 11 – St. Barnabas
St. Barnabas was one of the earliest followers of Jesus, and was responsible for welcoming St. Paul into the Church. He dedicated his life to the Lord, spreading the gospel as an “Apostle to the Gentiles,” and built up the Church in Antioch.

June 13 – St. Anthony of Padua  
He was known for his wonderful homilies, and became a friend of St. Francis of Assisi. St. Anthony had a book of psalms that contained his notes and comments. One day the book was stolen, and he prayed that it would be found. The thief returned the book. St. Anthony is known as the “finder of lost articles.”

June 21 – St. Aloysius Gonzaga
St. Aloysius grew up in a royal family, and was expected to be a military hero. By age 9, went against his father’s wishes, because he had a great desire to know and serve God. He is the patron saint of Catholic youth, teenagers, and seminarians.

June 22 – Ss. John Fisher and Thomas More
These men bore witness to a deep faith in Christ and the Catholic Church. Both St. John and St. Thomas were martyred for opposing the divorce of King Henry VIII and his wife Catherine. St. John Fisher was an administrator, bishop, cardinal, and theologian. He is the patron saint of the Diocese of Rochester, NY. St. Thomas More was a scholar, lawyer, and father. He is the patron saint of adopted children, lawyers, politicians, and civil servants. Pray to both saints for the courage to resist the pressure to conform to the falsehoods of popular opinion.

June 26 – St. Josemaría Escrivá
St. Josemaria grew up in a devout Catholic family that endured much suffering. He was a humble priest, who taught that people can become holy by performing their work and daily duties with a Christian spirit. He founded Opus Dei, an institution within the Catholic Church dedicated to helping people in all walks of life to follow Christ, to seek holiness, and to grow in love for God and others. He is the patron saint of diabetics, because he himself suffered from type 1 diabetes.

June 28 – St. Irenaeus
St. Irenaeus is a Doctor of the Church. He was very protective of apostolic authority and the sacred teachings of the Church, and had a genuine concern for the Truth, which gave him strength despite confrontation and controversy. St. Irenaeus is the patron saint of catechists.

June 29 – Solemnity of Ss. Peter and Paul
Ss. Peter and Paul are the two great pillars upon which the Church is built. After Christ’s Ascension, St. Peter took on the leading apostolic role that Jesus had entrusted to him. He is often portrayed holding two keys, and is the patron saint of fisherman, locksmiths, and Popes. St. Paul is known as the “Apostle to the Gentiles.” Following his conversion, Paul went to Jerusalem to pay homage to St. Peter. He is often portrayed holding a sword and a book, and is the patron saint of evangelists, lay people and missionaries, reporters and publishers.

Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity
The mystery of the Holy Trinity can be difficult to understand. Your family can have fun learning about the Trinity with a 3 Persons of Trinity activity, family crafts and resources. And make Trinity Cake and Ice Cream for dessert!

Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ
Reflect on the Real Presence of Christ with a special activity on this great solemnity! Create a mosaic chalice, a golden monstrance, or a stained-glass window craft! Make a Mass Kit for kids, or enjoy a Corpus Christi coloring page. Check out Eucharist activities and resources for kids and for parents!

Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus
Pray the Litany of the Sacred Heart as a family. Check out the Pinterest board! Make a woven paper heart craft, and bake some Sacred Heart muffins or cheesecake, or cookies! Learn more about this solemnity here!

The Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Observe this memorial of our Blessed Mother with a family activity! Make an Immaculate Heart Cake or fruit pizza! Learn more about this feast day here!

June 24 - Solemnity of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist
Happy Birthday to St. John the Baptist! Celebrate this feast day by gathering your family for a bonfire and a blessing! Make a honey-sweetened grasshopper bars, or locust parfaits!

June 29 – Solemnity of Ss. Peter & Paul
Learn about St. Peter and St. Paul, and how these leaders helped to spread the Gospel of Jesus to the whole world! Invite your neighbors to a feast day fish fry, or pack a St. Paul picnic lunch with cupcakes and St. Peter’s Keys pretzels!
 

From the Archdiocese of Dubuque Pinterest Boards: www.pinterest.com/dbqarch

Check out these June Pinterest topics focused on the family - the Domestic Church!

• Most Holy Trinity for Children and for Youth
• The Eucharist for Children, for Youth and for Adults
• Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary 
• Prayer Time for the Domestic Church
• Parenting Resources for the Domestic Church
• Creative Crafting for the Domestic Church
• Conversation Starters for the Domestic Church