Pope Benedict XVI's Legacy of Love for the Eucharist

I'm super excited and honored to be a new contributor for the Heart of the Revival, the newsletter of the National Eucharistic Revival. Beginning last year and continuing until 2025, the Bishops of the United States are calling us as a nation- as dioceses, parishes, and individuals- to renew our devotion to Jesus, Truly Present in the Holy Eucharist. I hope you've heard about it in your local area by now, but you might not know that they are building a website full of resources- great articles, videos, reflections, and now the beginning of a collection of activities for kids. :)

My first contribution for the month of February was also a tribute to Pope Benedict XVI. Few kids will know much about him, but I think his recent death is a perfect opportunity to introduce them not only to his life, but to the legacies he leaves behind. One of those is his Apostolic Exhortation Sacramentum Caritatis, which you can read in entirety here. Kiddos won't likely be picking up that text anytime soon, but I'm a big fan of bringing things to their level without watering them down- so I chose a few quotes about the love of God we experience in the Eucharist and turned them into coloring pages and little Valentine cards. 

You can read more about how to talk about these quotes with kids in the full blog post on the Eucharistic Revival website, and I encourage you to sign up for the Heart of the Revival Newsletter- you'll get updates on the latest posts each week. I'll be sharing a Eucharist themed kids activity at the beginning of each month. For now, here are links to the coloring pages in both English and Spanish!

Click here for the coloring pages with Pope Benedict XVI quotes about the Eucharist:

And click here for the same pages in Spanish:

If you are looking for resources to help your kids get to know Pope Benedict, I'd recommend:

• Friendship with Jesus: Pope Benedict XVI Talks to Children on Their First Holy Communion edited by Amy Welborn, Ignatius Press
• Joseph and Chico: The Life of Pope Benedict XVI as Told by a Cat by Jeanne Perego, Ignatius Press
• Be Saints! An Invitation from Pope Benedict XVI by Amy Welborn, Ignatius Press
• Pope Benedict Biographical Activity Page from Catholic Paper Goods
• Pope Benedict Coloring Page from Catholic Paper Goods

February Books for Catholic Kids

February Catholic Kids Book List

Below are a few favorite titles that fit well with devotions and feast days this month! This list contains Amazon Affiliate links, which means if you click through and make a purchase, I earn a small commission at no cost to you. I'd also love to encourage you to shop directly with the publisher or with your local bookshop, or try to request these at your local library! I'm sure I've missed some books that would be great for this month, so feel free to add your own recommendations in the comments! You can find my giant list of Catholic Kid Books by topic here.

The Month of the Holy Family

The Illustrated Bible for Children- Kieffer, Jean Francois

Jesus, Son of Mary- Sheen, Fulton

Mary's Story- Boss, Sarah Jane

Mary, the Mother of Jesus, Tomie de Paola

Mary Stories from the Bible

Joseph: Guardian of the Holy Family- Monge, Marlyn Evangelina

St. Joseph, Watch over My Family- DuMesnil, Sabine

St. Joseph's Story- Guadagno, Geraldine

Go To Joseph for Children: Consecration to St. Joseph for Children and Families- Ortega, Renzo & Monica

Saint Feast Days this Month

2/1- St. Brigid

Brigid and the Butter-Love, Pamela

The Saint Chronicles Collection 2

St. Brigid and the Cows- Betz, Eva

2/8- St. Josephine Bakhita

Little Saint Stories- Josephine Bakhita, Cassie Herrington

St. Bakhita- Ann M Brown 

2/10- St. Scholastica

The Holy Twins- de Paola, Tomie

2/11- Our Lady of Lourdes

Saint Bernadette, the Miracle of Lourdes- Bar, Brunor

Saint Bernadette of Lourdes: The Girl Who Saw Mary

Saint Bernadette and the Miracle of Lourdes-Demi

Bernadette: The Little Girl from Lourdes- Sophie Maraval-Hutin 

Saint Bernadette Soubirous: And Our Lady of Lourdes-Anne Eileen Heffernan 

Our Lady of Lourdes- Reverend Lawrence G Lovasik S.V.D. 

The Saint Chronicles Collection 3

2/14- St. Valentine

The Legend of the First Valentine: A Story of God's Love , Bilinsky, Cornelia

Saint Valentine-Robert Sabuda

2/12- Sts. Jacinta and Francisco Marto

Our Lady of Fatima: The Graphic Novel- Estrada, Sam

Our Lady Came to Fatima- Ruth Fox Hume

The Children Of Fatima: And Our Lady's Message to the World- Mary Fabyan Windeatt

2/22- The Chair of St. Peter

Follow Me, Peter Lays Down His Net- Rottmann, Eric

St. Peter's Story- Thomas, Marion

Peter and Jesus by a Charcoal Fire- Maura Roan McKeegan

Lent Begins

Favorite Stations of the Cross Books For Kids

A Little Catholic's Book of Liturgical Colors Board Book- Theresa Kiser

Lent: One Day at a Time for Catholic Teens- Prejean McGrady, Katie

Brother Lorenzo's Pretzels: Prayer and the Holy Trinity, Bilinsky, Cornelia

Lenten Traditions- Catholic Children's Classics

The Shepherd at the Crib and the Cross- Patrick O'Hearn 

Brother Raphael and the Rainy Day Devils- Vivian Dudro 

Black History Month

A great opportunity to learn about Black American Catholics on the road to Sainthood!

Fr. Augustus Tolton- Liturgical Training Press
Julia Greely- Secret Angel to the Poor, Maura Roan McKeegan
Black Catholics on the Road to Sainthood, Michael Heinlein
Thea Bowman: We are Beloved, Karianna Frey
From Slave to Priest: The Inspirational Story of Fr. Augustus Tolton, Hemesath

February Radiant Roundup

Happy February! We welcome in the month of the Holy Family during this short chunk of Ordinary Time. Here are some resources to enrich your home or classroom this month, including a look ahead at Lent, which begins on March 2nd!

Resources with a * mean that they contain free printables (or shareable digital files).

Month of the Holy Family:

Holy Family Coloring Page*
Holy Family Hearts Coloring Pages and Prayer Cards*
Holy Family Hearts Embroidery Pattern*
50 Ways to Pray with Your Kids in 5 Minutes or Less*
Ten Ways to Encourage Parent Involvement*

The Presentation: February 2nd

Simeon and Anna Coloring Page*

Joseph, Lover of Poverty Print (Two Turtledoves)* (Scroll to the bottom)

St. Abigail (St. Gobnait): February 11th
St. Abigail coloring pages*

St. Valentine: February 14th
Saintly Friends Bingo Game*
Psalm 26:4 Coloring Page*
Proverbs 17:17 Coloring Page** 
Owl Love Valentine's Exchange Bag 
Holy Family Hearts Coloring Pages and Cards* 

Sacred Heart of Jesus Coloring Pages* 

Sacred Heart of Jesus and Anima Christi Prayer Cards*

Lent:

While Lent begins on March 2nd this year, I know many of you will be planning ahead!

Lent: Ideas for 40 Days* (Round-up Post of Links)

Lent Looks Different (Classroom decorations)
What Lent Looks Like* Coloring Page/Printable
What the Triduum Looks Like* Coloring Page/Printable
Lent: Pray, Fast, Give Foldable* (Also in Spanish)
Lenten Prayer Challenge Board* (Also editable)
Holy Week Family Retreat & Journal* (In English, Spanish, and French, and with an editable schedule)

Books for Lent and Holy Week for Kids and Adults
Stations of the Cross Sunset & Silhouette art project
Practical Ideas for Lenten Acts of Mercy using the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy *
Lent Notes Foldable*
Lent Word Cloud*
Using the Stations of Cross as Inspiration for Acts of Charity Foldable*
Connecting the Passover and the Passion*- A Youth Bible Study
Give Up & Take Up*: Lent Youth Group Lesson, Videos, and Resources
Paschal Candle Craft for Kids
The Sound of Lent: A Lent Playlist
Videos for Lent, Holy Week, and Easter: A playlist
Passion & Resurrections Peg Doll Set
Lent Youth Group Resources
Lenten Art Gallery Walk & Visio Divina

Lent Family Weekly Plan*- Sunday Gospels and Fasting/Giving using the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy (editable)

Saintly Friends Bingo Game

Iron sharpens iron. I want my students to understand that holiness often grows exponentially among groups of friends or family members who are all choosing to pursue God and His will for their lives. So many of the Saints who have gone before us have been companions or family members of other Saints- holiness begets holiness.

So for Catholic Schools Week, we are going to play this Saintly Friends Bingo with our Buddy Classrooms (older grades with younger grades). The game features a Bingo board with 24 pairs of Saints who knew each other in real life. The "calling cards" tell a short fact about the pair of Saints before the players cover them on their Bingo cards. (With room for variations- play it like trivia, tell a story about the pair, tie breakers using facts, etc.) I think this game would also be perfect for St. Valentine's Day parties!

There are 24 different Bingo Cards- great for a classroom set. And if you want to save a little paper, you can print them two per page and make mini Bingo cards that are still perfect for play. If you are only going to play one round, kids can color each square as it is called. Or you can use any small object for Bingo markers (math manipulatives, dried beans, legos, etc.) An "O" shaped marker like cheerios or lifesavers would be super cute- like a halo for each Saint! You can also take the game a step further and have the students flip over their card and draw a picture or write a list of facts about one of the Saint pairs. Reading the card can also function as a special Saintly Friends litany. Lots of possibilities!

You can read more about Saints growing in holiness in pairs or groups in these articles here, here, and here. This list is comprised of married couple who are canonized (or on their way!). And Kendra has my very favorite "Love Like the Saints" Valentine Cards in this post- they are so cute!

My Confirmation students complete an activity called "Saintly BFFs" where they try to connect their chosen Confirmation Saint to Saintly friend or family member- it's always awesome to see how many connections they can find! I started a doc as a resource list for me that I plan to continue to add to, but if it's helpful check out this growing list of Saintly friends and family members.

I hope you have lots of fun with this versatile Saint game!

Click here for the Saintly Friends Bingo Cards:

Click here for the Saintly Friends Clues:

If you are looking for books to go along with your Saintly Friends Bingo game, here are a few that feature some of these holy pairs. (I'm sure there are many more- this was just a stack I pulled out to use! Feel free to add your favorites in the comments.)
(Amazon Affiliate Links)

Books about Saints who were friends:

• Brigid and the Butter by Pamela Love (Brigid & Patrick)
• Saints and Their Stories by Maria Loretta Giraldo (Joachim & Anne)
• Joachim and Anne, Love for Generations by Barbara Yoffie
• Louis and Zelie Martin, Saints for Matrimony by Barbara Yoffie
• Saintly Rhymes for Modern Times by Meghan Bausch (Therese, Louis, & Zelie, and Lucia, Jacinta & Francisco)
• The Children’s Book of Saints by Louis M. Savary (Francis & Clare, John Bosco & Dominic Savio, Martin de Porres & Rose of Lima, Jane Frances de Chantal & Francis de Sales)
• A Catholic Child’s Illustrated Lives of the Saints (Francis & Clare, John Bosco & Dominic Savio, Martin de Porres & Rose of Lima, Jane Frances de Chantal & Francis de Sales, Augustine & Monica, Joachim & Anne, Ignatius of Loyola and Francis Xavier)
• Holy Friends: Thirty Saints and Blesseds of the Americas by Diana M. Amadeo (Rose of Lime and Martin de Porres)
• The Holy Twins, Benedict & Scholastica by Kathleen Norris
• Stories of Daring Teen Saints by Colleen Swaim (Kizito & Charles Lwanga, Dominic Savio & John Bosco)

Holy Family Hearts Coloring Pages and Card

The month of February is dedicated to the Holy Family. With Valentine's Day later this week, it's a perfect time to share love with others through the devotion to the Sacred Heart, Immaculate Heart, and Pure Heart of St. Joseph.

I just found this adorable poem to the Holy Family that works perfectly with the Holy Family Hearts.  As best I can tell, it was published in a Sunday School Teachers' Handbook in 1861.  Have you ever heard this prayer before?

Heart of Jesus, I adore Thee,

Heart of Mary, I implore thee,

Heart of Joseph, pure and just,

In these hearts I put my trust.

I have a couple new coloring pages for you and a card using this poem that would make perfect Valentines:


Click here for the card:

 And here for the poem in cursive:

 And here for the poem in print:

You might also like the coloring pages and prayer cards linked in this post, and I usually have Holy Family Hearts stamps in my Etsy shop, but right now I think they are all sold out except for the Pure Heart of St. Joseph stamp.  You can always send me a message there if you want to be notified when there will be a restock. :)

May the example of the Holy Family guide us in the right way to love.

Holy Family Hearts Coloring Page + Prayer Cards

The month of February is dedicated to honoring the Holy Family.  I'm so happy to share with you a few printables celebrating the Holy Family using the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Immaculate Heart of Mary, and Pure Heart of St. Joseph.  Perfect for any time of year, they would also be awesome, holy activities for this Lenten St. Valentine's Day as well. :)

Click here for the Holy Family Hearts Coloring Page:

I just made these cute little aspiration cards for a ladies' youth group event and realized they'd make great Valentines too.  They have the Holy Family Hearts on one side and on the other side there are eight short, easy prayers to memorize and use frequently during your day like "Jesus, I trust in You," and "Come Holy Spirit."

Click here for the Holy Family Hearts Aspiration Cards:

The Holy Family Hearts are also available in my Etsy shop as both a rubber stamp and a couple of different kinds of stickers.  I have to hold back to not stamp it on every thing I own. ;)

I also have tons of versions of coloring pages and prayer cards for the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, including these pretty stained glass coloring pages.

Click here for more printables:
Sacred Heart of Jesus Coloring Pages
Sacred Heart of Jesus & Anima Christi Prayer Cards
Sacred Heart of Jesus Color-A-Novena
Immaculate Heart of Mary & Seven Sorrows of Mary Coloring Pages
Immaculate Heart of Mary & Hail Holy Holy Queen Prayer Cards

“I wish to invoke the protection of the Holy Family of Nazareth…it is therefore the prototype and example for all Christian families…St. Joseph was a “just man”…may he always guard, protect and enlighten families. May the Virgin Mary, who is the Mother of the Church, also be the Mother of “the Church of the home”…May Christ the Lord, the Universal King, the King of Families, be present in every Christian home as He was at Cana, bestowing light, joy, serenity, and strength”
~St. John Paul II