Custodians of Beauty

We made fresh butter on the feast of St. Brigid (Feb 1) and the kids LOVED it!  They eagerly took turns shaking the jar full of cream, listening and waiting for the sloshing to cease. What does St. Brigid have to do with cows and cream you might ask? Well, along with being one of Ireland's most famous saints, she is patron of midwives, dairy maids, and newborn babies. I read the story of  Brigid and the Butter to the kids while they enjoyed their slices of the freshly buttered bread. St. Brigid was born into slavery around the year 451. She was taken from her mother at birth, but at the age of ten, rejoined her on the farm working for their master. St. Brigid gave generously. She offered milk and butter to the poor and hungry, even when that meant she and her mother would go without food. Tradition holds that she knew St. Patrick and that he may have baptized her. When she grew up she became a consecrated sister, spreading Christ's love to all in Ireland. She later be...

Fast or slow, high or low, saints are always on the go! This brightly colored book, "Saints on the Go", by Chantal Baros from Shining Light Dolls company, is filled with stories of the saints and their modes of transportation. Short rhymes retell the stories of thirteen saints. From horse drawn carriages and buckboard wagons to trolleys and steam engines, the saints sure did know how to get around! This book has a fun "easter egg"-- hidden on each page is an ichthus (Jesus fish symbol). Our kids try to race each other to be the first to find the fish. I was excited to see that this book included saints, such as St. Katharine Drexel, St. Maximillian Kolbe, and St. Josemaria Escriva who are written about less frequently in children's books. Also published by Shining Light Dolls, is the delightful board book, " The Virgin Mary Around the World ".  Just like " Saints on the Go ", this book is vibrant with color and explains our faith in a...