St. Agnes, Feast Day January 21

 St. Agnes' feast day is January 21. A young martyr of the Church of Rome, Agnes lived during the persecution of Diocletian. Born in 291 AD, she died on January 21, 304. As with most of the saints from the early Church, little is known; however, it is believed she came from a wealthy family, was beautiful, and sought after by many young men. She had made a promise to Jesus as a young girl to be a bride of Christ, which outraged a young suitor. He went on to report her as a Christian to the authorities. 

Agnes was given opportunities to recant her Christian faith, which she did not do. Finally, she was sentenced to death. Legend has it that a variety of tortures were attempted, but all failed except the last which was death by a sword. It is not certain whether Agnes' head was cut off or if she was stabbed in the throat. All accounts have people wiping up her blood, for her brave act was viewed by fellow Christians as heroic, worthy of emulation, and her flesh holy, worthy of honor. St. Ambrose, 340 - 397 AD, bishop of Milan, referred to St. Agnes as a model for the young in her virginity and steadfastness in the faith.

With young children, you might want to spare the gory details of St. Agnes' death and focus on her brave witness and and love of Jesus.

BOOK for children 5 - 8 years

This book is by Muldoon and Wallace and can be purchased at Pauline Book and Media. It contains 62 short stories on many popular saints, among them St. Agnes. 

Years ago, our family had a book from Pauline Book and Media by M.R. Berardi and illustrated by De Luca called Saint Agnes. It told the story of St. Agnes' life and martyrdom for children. The illustrations were beautifully and tastefully done. Unfortunately the book is no longer available. You might find it if you search for it, but most of us do not have the time to do anything but a brief look online. 

St. Agnes is the patron saint of young girls and of chastity. On her feast day it is customary for two lambs to be brought in to the Pope to be blessed. On Holy Thursday they are sheared and the wool is woven into a pallium to be given to a newly consecrated  archbishop.  A pallium is a vestment worn around the neck which denotes ecclesiastical authority.

 

PRAYER TO ST. AGNES

Protect the Young

O Little St. Agnes,
so young and yet made so strong
and wise by the power of God,
protect by your prayers
all the young people of every place
whose goodness and purity are threatened by the evils
and impurities of this world.

Give them strength in temptation
and a true repentance when they fail.
Help them to find true Christian friends
to accompany them in following the Lamb of God
and finding safe pastures in His Church
and in her holy sacraments

May you lead us
to the wedding banquet of heaven
to rejoice with you and all the holy virgin martyrs in Christ
who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.

… St Agnes, Pray for Us …

In lieu of a recipe, I am offering a link to a summary poster of ancient Roman foods. It was researched by an intern at the Smithsonian. I hope you will find it informative as we reflect on the life of St. Agnes lived during the first centuries of Christianity in Rome.

Skip to the end of the images gallery

https://naturalhistory.si.edu/sites/default/files/media/file/2010-brown-poster.pdf

Skip to the beginning of the images galleMy First Book Of SaintMuldoon & Wallac

St. Hilary of Poitiers, Doctor of the Church, January 13

St. Hilary of Poitiers was a married man, convert to the faith, priest, bishop, and a Doctor of the Church. He came from a wealthy, well-educated, pagan family. He had studied Greek and Latin. It was while he was reading the Scriptures that he found the One, True, God, Three Persons in One, and became a great defender of the Holy Trinity. 

Hilary was born in 315 A.D. and died in 368. It was a challenging time for a convert with heresies abounding including Arianism. Arianism was the heretical teaching of Arius, a priest of Alexandria, Egypt. It held that Jesus Christ was not divine, not the Son of God, but merely a good man.

The Ecumenical Council of Nicaea was called to address this heresy. Over two hundred and twenty bishops who attended the council signed the Nicene Creed which affirmed the divinity of Jesus Christ," ...true God from true God, begotten not made...." Bishop Hilary attended the council and went on to write the first theological book on the Holy Trinity. His writings were well-received and explained faithfully and in depth this mystery of God. 

Hilary was a defender of the dogma of the Holy Trinity and like St. Athanasius who zealously defended it, he was driven from his diocese for his defense of this teaching. He spent four years exiled in Phrygia, although he was able to rule the diocese of Poitiers from there. During this time he continued to write. After four years he returned to Poitiers. Bishop Hilary has been called "Hammer of the Arians" He was made a Doctor of the Church after his death. This honor affirms that the writings and/or preachings are outstanding for the faithful in all ages of the Church. Besides theological writings, Bishop Hilary also wrote hymns. Let us ask St. Hilary to pray for us as we seek to write and compose well.

                                                                       St. Hilary, Pray for Us!

I have made this recipe many times. I love beignets! I hope when you have a chance you will try them and let me know what you think.

BEIGNETS: A French Treat in Honor of a French Bishop and Doctor of the Church

YIELDS: 20

INGREDIENTS                                                                                               EQUIPMENT

¾ cup lukewarm water (105 – 115 degrees)                                        Large bowl or Kitchen Aid Mixer

1 pkg.  active dry yeast or 2 ¼ tsp.                                                         Microwave container or small pot

1/3 cup of sugar                                                                                          Measuring cups

3 ¾ cups all-purpose flour                                                                        Measuring spoons

Pinch of salt (about 1/16 tsp.)                                                                 Whisk and small bowl

1 large egg                                                                                                    Floured board or pastry sheet

½ cup evaporated milk                                                                              Frying or candy thermometer

3 tbsp. melted butter                                                                                 Biscuit cutter – 1 ½ or 2 inches round

1 tsp. vanilla extract                                                                                   4-quart pan or Dutch oven

Oil for frying – Canola or Vegetable                                                       Paper Towels

Confectionary Sugar                                                                                   Paper Bags, a couple

DIRECTIONS:

1.      In a large bowl or Kitchen Aid Mixer combine lukewarm water and yeast. Let stand for five minutes until dissolved.

2.      In a small bowl, lightly whisk egg, evaporated milk, vanilla extract, salt, and sugar. Add to yeast mixture.

3.      Measure out two cups of flour and mix by hand or in standard mixer until incorporated. About 2 minutes for standard mixer.

4.      Melt butter in microwave container or in pan on stove. Add to dough and mix until dough is sticky but smooth. Add additional flour to make a soft dough.  May save some for flouring board.

5.      Turn dough onto lightly floured board or pastry sheet and knead, 1 – 2 minutes. Lightly grease bowl. Return dough to greased bowl, turning once to coat it.

6.      Cover bowl and let dough rise in a warm, draft free place for two hours or until double in size.

7.      Punch the dough down and remove from bowl.

8.      Roll dough out on lightly floured surface to ¼ inch thickness. Then cut dough in round 2-inch shape. Let dough rest for 10 minutes before frying.

9.      Add oil to pan about 2-inches in depth. Heat to 350 degrees F.  Working in batches of four and five depending on the size of your pan. Fry the beignets two to three minutes until they are golden brown on both sides. Remove carefully and place on paper towels.

10.   Place two cups of confectionary sugar in a paper bag and add warm beignets. Shake gently to coat beignets completely. Remove from bag and enjoy with a cup of your favorite hot drink!

 

This book was published in November 2021. It is for young people ages 8 - 12. It looks very good. You can review it yourself on Amazon. I am going to buy it for my own children's library and it looks like the kind of book I will be giving for a gift for First Holy Communion and other occasions.

Prayer to St. Hilary of Poitiers

Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. Hilary as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the devotion to You that he showed in his life, from the time of his conversion to Christianity. 

St. Hilary, you were raised and educated in the pagan religion. Despite this, you opened yourself up to Christianity and chose to serve God.

Please bring my petitions before God Whom you chose to serve!

As you studied the writings of the Old and New Testaments, you came to see that Christianity was the truth. You and your family were baptized, and you devoted yourself to God for the rest of your life.

Pray for me, that I may choose to serve God in my life each day. Pray that I may remain devoted to God for the rest of my life.

                      St. Hilary, pray for us!

St. Andre Bessette, January 6 in U.S., January 7 in Canada

St. Andre Bessette is pictured here on a street in Montreal named after him. Born August 9, 1845, he was the eighth of twelve children. His family was poor but happy. Unfortunately, when he was only nine years old his father died leaving his mother without money to support the family. 

St. Andre named Alfred at birth was a sickly child. He rarely went to school and did not learn how to read until he was in his mid-twenties. His mother favored him due to his delicate health. She was a woman of deep faith and kept him by her side as they prayed the evening rosary. Alfred like his mother developed a deep faith.

When Alfred was twelve his mother died. From this point on, until his early twenties he moved from relative to relative and trade to trade, never quite mastering any one set of skills.

He had a great love and familiarity with St. Joseph. He would talk to him in prayer constantly. When Alfred was twenty-five it was recommended that he apply to the Congregation of Holy Cross in Montreal as a lay brother. After one year with the Order they declined to let him continue because of his delicate health. 

During this period of time, the Archbishop of Montreal came to visit the Holy Cross Order. Alfred seeing his chance told the archbishop of his desire to remain with the Order. The archbishop assured Alfred that he would be allowed to remain. On February 2, 1874, Alfred's name was changed to Andre and he pronounced his final vows and became a lay brother.

For forty years, Brother Andre was a porter at the door of a boys school, ages 7 - 12,  called Notre Dame College. His health continued to bother him and often he only ate flour dropped in boiling water, a sort of a dumpling, and water-downed milk.

Two qualities stand out in Brother Andre's spirituality: his deep love for St. Joseph and those in need. As a porter at the school door, his reputation grew for helping the needy. Many stopped by looking for healing for their ailments. He rub them with oil, gave them a St. Joseph medal, and prayed with them. Many miraculous healings took place. Br. Andre always credited St. Joseph for the healings.

In 1904, Br. Andre asked permission to build a chapel to St. Joseph on the mountain near Notre Dame College. The Archbishop of Montreal gave him permission but with one stipulation that he raise the necessary money. He was not allowed to borrow money. The chapel started out small, really only a shelter of sorts where Mass could be said. Over time, many pilgrims came for Mass and to honor St. Joseph. Eventually, the shelter became a small stone chapel. In 1924, Br. Andre received permission to build a large basilica named St. Joseph's Oratory on the side of the mountain near the stone chapel. 

The devotion of the pilgrims to St. Joseph and Br. Andre, the miraculous healings of body and soul, and the donations given made the building of the large basilica possible. The building of the oratory did not go unimpeded. It suffered from lack of funds. In 1936 when the construction of the project had been halted for a number of years, Br. Andre spoke to the Council of the Oratory. He said, "We all want to cover the basilica as soon as possible. Let us put a statue of St. Joseph within its unfinished walls. He will soon find a roof for himself !" Soon thereafter, with a new plan in place funds were raised and the construction resumed.

Br. Andre did not live to see the Oratory of St. Joseph completed. He died January 6, 1937, at the age of ninety-one. The oratory was finished thirty years later in 1967. It was a testament to his love and devotion for St. Joseph, and the recognition by those he had helped through his prayers and at times miraculous healings to grow closer to God through the spouse of Mary, the foster father of Jesus.

St. Andre was canonized by Pope Benedict XVI on October 17, 2010.

St. Joseph and the Child Jesus in the Oratory of St. Joseph,
Montreal, Canada

                                            RECIPE

 Recipe for Maple Syrup Oatmeal Muffins from: https://www.ihearteating.com/maple-brown-sugar-oatmeal-muffins/#recipe

St. Andre is from Canada which next to Vermont, U.S., is second in production of maple syrup. I chose a maple syrup recipe to try from a food blogger that looks pretty impressive. I have not tried it. When I do I will rate it on her blog. Her name is Kate Dean and you can read more about her there.

                            BOOKS FOR CHILDREN

Andre Bessette: A Heart of Strength, by Barbara Yoffie, Liguori Publications, Amazon, also

Saint Andre Bessette: Miracles in Montreal, by Patricia Edward Jablonski, Pauline Books & Media, Amazon, also

DVD

God's Doorkeeper: St. Andre of Montreal, Available on Amazon

              Prayer to St. Andre Bessette for his intercession

Lord,

you have chosen Brother André

to spread devotion to Saint Joseph,

and to dedicate himself

to all those who are poor and afflicted.

Grant through his intercession

the favor that we now request ...

(state your intention)

Grant us the grace

to imitate his piety and charity,

so that, with him,

we may share the reward promised

to all who care for their neighbors out of love for you.

We make this prayer in the name of Jesus the Lord.

Amen.

Happy Feast Day of St. Andre Bessette!

Merry Christmas! Hodie Christus Natus Est

Happy Birthday Jesus!

The First Week of Advent, we listened to the angel, and we baked angel cookies. (Luke 1: )while waiting for the birth of Jesus.

 The Second Week of Advent, we heard the great promise to the Shepherd/King David (2Samuel 7:12),and we baked shepherd staff cookies while waiting for the birth of Jesus.

The Third Week of Advent, we listened to the prophet Isaiah tell us of the people waiting in darkness had seen a great light (Isa. 9:2). We made sugar cookie candle cut-outs and waited for the birthday of the Light of the World, Jesus.

The Fourth Week of Advent, we learned of the star the Chosen People of God were waiting for. It was the Morning Star found in the book of Numbers 24:17. We continued to wait for the promise of that Morning Star while we made Star Sugar Cookies. 

Merry Christmas, all season long!

On Christmas Day, our waiting was over. We celebrated the birth of Jesus, the Savior Child of Blessed Mary. We celebrated the fulfillment of God's promise to King David and the birth of the Light of the World. And finally we celebrated the appearance of the true Morning Star promised to the Chosen People of Israel. On Christmas Day, we celebrate all these things and more. Here is our birthday cake to Jesus. Happy Birthday, Jesus! Thank you for becoming God made Man.