Custodians of Beauty

On November 1, we celebrate the host of saints in heaven. We ask them to intercede for us so that one day we too may join the holy soul for all Eternity. My four year old has told me many times that she wants to go to heaven to be with Mary and Jesus. This afternoon, while praying my rosary, she climbed onto my lap. She asked if she would see the apostles up there (heaven). I said yes, of course! And St. Francis, St. Maximillian, St. Nicholas, and St. Agnes!  Isn't it amazing to think about who you could rub elbows with in heaven? I mean how cool would it be to dine with St. Lawrence and St. Martha, share a hearty laugh with St. Bernard of Clairvaux or hike the mountains with St. John Paul and Blessed Pier Giorgio? Heaven will be GREAT! My husband and I desire our children to know and love the saints. To help them get to know their patrons, we read stories and celebrate their feast days with tasty foods and fun activities. Our children look forward to the All Saints Day...

The newest saint on the block, St. Teresa of Calcutta! Happy Feast of All Saints! I love celebrating this feast day; there's a host of holy men and women to learn about. This year, I searched around to find a few of my favorite holy cards to put on our home altar. Canonized this year is Saint Teresa of Calcutta. The outpouring of love and care that this fragile woman gave to the poor and unwanted is truly humbling. My aunt, a sister of the Sisters of Life, was blessed to have met and talked with Mother Teresa during her visit to NY. She recently sent us this card of the beloved saint. I'd like to share with you an extraordinary story about my fondness and devotion towards Mother Teresa. Shortly after my first daughter was born, I read about the early life of Mother Teresa. Turns out, the name given to her at birth (before she assumed the name 'Teresa') is the name we gave my daughter. Also, the day my daughter was born, September 10, was the same day...

Respond, ye souls in endless rest,  ye patriarchs and prophets blest,  Alleluia! Alleluia!  Ye holy twelve, ye martyrs strong,  all saints triumphant, raise the song:  Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!  Hymn from "Ye Watchers and Ye Holy Ones" This year for All Saints Day I adorned our fireplace with votives and holy cards. I wove an autumnal leaf garland around a few white pillar candles and framed pictures. It was fun to mill through my tin of alphabetized holy cards (a homeschool project from 8th grade) and pick out my favorites. Didn't realize how many third class relics I have in my assortment; Venerable Fulton Sheen, St. Maria Goretti, Blessed Miguel Pro, and St. Padre Pio, to name a few. Coloring pages are the best. I found these wonderful (and free!) coloring pages online. I intend to make extra copies to save for next year.  This coloring page is from  Audrey Eclectic's website...