St. Michael the Archangel Block Print & Prayer Cards

September 29th is the Feast of the Archangels Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael.

St. Michael is often a fan favorite, especially as the patron Saint of soldiers, police officers, and EMTs. He can be found in the Bible in Revelation 12:7-9 and Daniel 10 & 12. His name means "Who is like God," appropriate since St. Michael drove the prideful Satan out of Heaven.

I created this block print image of St. Michael especially with one of my nephews in mind- Michael has long been his favorite Saint. Click below for printables you can use yourself, including some prayer cards:

Click here for a 5x7" print:

Click here for an 8x10" print:

Click here for 8 small prayer cards:

If you are looking for a lesson to teach for their feast day, you might like this Lectio Divina style Bible Study on the Archangels, which also includes some matching bulletin board printables:

St. Catherine of Siena Block Print- Feast Day 4/29

“We are such value to God that he came to live among us … and to guide us home. He will go to any length to seek us, even to being lifted high upon the cross to draw us back to himself. We can only respond by loving God for his love." ~St. Catherine of Siena

I created this image of St. Catherine of Siena using the reduction method of block printing. Using a rubber block, I first carved and printed the lightest image. I then carved away more of the block and printed the medium color. Finally, I carved away the last of the details and printed the darkest image. This method "destroys" the block and no more prints can be created from it. Block printing has taught me a lot about patience, as well as the gift and challenge of making art that has no "erase" feature. Once carved, the block remains. It has been a great source of joy to create these images, while it has also challenged me to think differently and accept mistakes. 

Even though I can't create any more physical prints from this block, I can use a digital scan to continue to share this image! :) I'm happy to offer this print to you to display in your home or classroom, perfect for everyday inspiration or to celebrate her feast day!

(Please remember that these art prints are for personal use only- meaning that you can print a copy for your home or classroom, but they cannot be reproduced, printed in bulk, distributed, used as a pattern/image on another product, used in advertisement, or sold in any way. Thank you for honoring the proper use of the resources I offer!)

Click here for an 8x10 image:

Click here for a 5x7 image:

Click here for a set of prayer cards:

St. Catherine of Siena, pray for us!

Our Lady of Sorrows Block Print- Feast Day 9/15

Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his home. ~John 19:25-27

I created this image of Our Lady of Sorrows using the reduction method of block printing. Using a rubber block, I first carved and printed the lightest image. I then carved away more of the block and printed the medium color. Finally, I carved away the last of the details and printed the darkest image. This method "destroys" the block and no more prints can be created from it. Block printing has taught me a lot about patience, as well as the gift and challenge of making art that has no "erase" feature. Once carved, the block remains. It has been a great source of joy to create these images, while it has also challenged me to think differently and accept mistakes. 

Even though I can't create any more physical prints from this block, I can use a digital scan to continue to share this image! :) I'm happy to offer this print to you to display in your home or classroom, perfect for everyday inspiration or to celebrate her feast day!

(Please remember that these art prints are for personal use only- meaning that you can print a copy for your home or classroom, but they cannot be reproduced, printed in bulk, distributed, used as a pattern/image on another product, used in advertisement, or sold in any way. Thank you for honoring the proper use of the resources I offer!)

Click here for an 8x10 image:

Click here for a 5x7 image:

Click here for a set of prayer cards:

Our Lady of Sorrows, pray for us!

St. Mary Magdalene Block Print- Feast Day 7/22

Then the angel said to the women in reply, “Do not be afraid! I know that you are seeking Jesus the crucified. He is not here, for he has been raised just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead, and he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him.’ Behold, I have told you.” ~Matthew 28:5-7

I created this image of St. Mary Magdalene using the reduction method of block printing. Using a rubber block, I first carved and printed the lightest image. I then carved away more of the block and printed the medium color. Finally, I carved away the last of the details and printed the darkest image. This method "destroys" the block and no more prints can be created from it. Block printing has taught me a lot about patience, as well as the gift and challenge of making art that has no "erase" feature. Once carved, the block remains. It has been a great source of joy to create these images, while it has also challenged me to think differently and accept mistakes. 

Even though I can't create any more physical prints from this block, I can use a digital scan to continue to share this image! :) I'm happy to offer this print to you to display in your home or classroom, perfect for everyday inspiration or to celebrate her feast day!

(Please remember that these art prints are for personal use only- meaning that you can print a copy for your home or classroom, but they cannot be reproduced, printed in bulk, distributed, used as a pattern/image on another product, used in advertisement, or sold in any way. Thank you for honoring the proper use of the resources I offer!)

Click here for a 8x10 image:

Click here for a 5x7 image:

Click here for a set of prayer cards:

St. Mary Magdalene, pray for us!

St. Thérèse of Lisieux Block Print- Feast Day 10/1

"If God should take me soon to Himself, I ask you to continue each day this same prayer, for in Heaven my desire will be the same as upon earth; to love Jesus and to make Him loved." ~St. Thérèse of Lisieux

I created this image of St. Thérèse using the reduction method of block printing. Using a rubber block, I first carved and printed the lightest image. I then carved away more of the block and printed the medium color. Finally, I carved away the last of the details and printed the darkest image. This method "destroys" the block and no more prints can be created from it. Block printing has taught me a lot about patience, as well as the gift and challenge of making art that has no "erase" feature. Once carved, the block remains. It has been a great source of joy to create these images, while it has also challenged me to think differently and accept mistakes. 

Even though I can't create any more physical prints from this block, I can use a digital scan to continue to share this image! :) I'm happy to offer this print to you to display in your home or classroom, perfect for everyday inspiration or to celebrate her feast day!

(Please remember that these art prints are for personal use only- meaning that you can print a copy for your home or classroom, but they cannot be reproduced, printed in bulk, distributed, used as a pattern/image on another product, used in advertisement, or sold in any way. Thank you for honoring the proper use of the resources I offer!)

Click here for an 8x10 print of the St. Thérèse:

Click here for an 5x7 print of the St. Thérèse:

Click here for prayer cards of the St. Thérèse:

Corpus Christi Block Print

This block print was my project on the Solemnity of Corpus Christi! I'm happy to share a printable version with you, free for you to print and display in your home. 

You can watch a summary video of the carving and printing process here. 

“O sublime humility! O humble sublimity! That the Lord of the whole universe, God and the Son of God, should humble himself like this and hide under the form of a little bread, for our salvation.” ~St. Francis of Assisi

Click here for the free pdf printable of this block print. Both the plain gold chalice and host as well as the version with the red florals are included. (Please remember that these art prints are for personal use only- meaning that you can print a copy for your home or classroom, but they cannot be reproduced, printed in bulk, distributed, used as a pattern/image on another product, or sold in any way. Thank you for honoring the proper use of the resources I offer!)

Ascension or Assumption- Do your students know the difference?

 

I know this activity is coming in a little late to be useful this year, but I figured I might as well get it posted so it is ready for next year!

I think Ascension and Assumption are two of the most mixed up Catholic terms. The Ascension occurred forty days after Easter when Christ returned to Heaven. The Assumption happened at the end of Mary's earthly life when she was brought to Heaven body and soul by God.

We were back to school a little early this year, so for the first time in my memory I actually had classes on the Solemnity of the Assumption. We started with all school Mass, and then I used these activities during the rest of the day with my six junior high classes.

I used a collection of classic art to get the conversation started- and I was right- very few of my students knew much about the Ascension or the Assumption or the difference between the two. Starting with the art was a great way to get them talking and think about similarities and differences. For example, they readily noticed that the artists showed Christ rising on His own, while Mary is often being carried by angels.

After looking at the art and reading a short snippet about each from the Bible and the Catechism, they worked on sorting these facts into what was true about the Ascension and the Assumption or applied to both. (I included a couple of short videos in the slides as well.) We talked through their answers on the worksheet and they did quite well! 

While the Solemnity of the Assumption has already passed this month, you certainly could still use this activity during August! And of course it will make a great tool for the Ascension at the end of the Easter Season as well.

Click here for a slideshow with the art, quotes, and videos:

Click here for the Ascension or Assumption worksheet:

Click here for the answer key:

Click here for a version set up as a Venn Diagram:

And here for the key:

The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin is a singular participation in her Son's Resurrection and an anticipation of the resurrection of other Christians. ~CCC 966

Using Art to Help Kids Pray Through Holy Week

I'm honored to be contributing to the Heart of the Revival, the newsletter for the National Eucharistic Revival. Previous articles include Pope Benedict XVI's Legacy of the Love for the Eucharist (with quote coloring pages for kids) and tools to help share The Gift of One Holy Mass (including Mass offering cards).

This month's article is about helping kids pray through Holy Week using art. I love using Visio Divina, a companion of Lectio Divina, to help kids (and adults, myself included!) study and pray deeply with a beautiful piece of sacred art.

To make that easy, I have a guide to Visio Divina and a selection of public domain art ready for you to use during Holy Week. You can read all about it and see the rest of the resources here.

Along with the Visio Divina steps, here are some general discussion questions that work for most pieces of sacred art:

• What do you notice as you observe this piece of art? What sticks out to you?

• Who is present in this image? What is taking place?

• Can you connect this art to a story from the Bible? What details did the artist include?

• Where is the focal point of the art? Are there any details happening in the background?

• Which colors stand out to you? Do you think they symbolize anything important?

• What do you notice about the expression of the people? What can you guess about their emotions, thoughts, or actions?

• How does this piece of art make you feel? What questions does this art make you want to ask?

• What can we talk to Jesus about as we reflect on this artwork?

Click here for the set of printable art in at 11x17" size or 8.5x11" size:

(PS, you can print full color pages like this for around 50 cents each at a local office store. It is an inexpensive way to bring art into your home to use for prayer, study, and projects! You also can look up these titles on your computer or smart tv and view them digitally.)

Click here for the Visio Divina Guide in English:

And click here for the Visio Divina Guide in Spanish:

If you'd like to sign up to receive the Heart of the Revival Weekly Newsletter, sign up here.

Visio Divina with Bl. Fra Angelico

Today is the Feast Day of Blessed Fra Angelico. Known far outside just Catholic circles for his beautiful frescos and incredible talent as a painter, he was a Dominican friar who found his inspiration from his faith. Born in 1395 as Guido di Pietro and died in 1455, he was just officially beatified in 1982 by Pope John Paul II. At his beatification, JP2 said, "Fra Angelico, by consecrating himself to God, succeeded in becoming more man, not only with others but for others. His works are a perennial message of living Christianity, and at the same time a highly human message, based on the transhumanizing power of religion, by virtue of which every man who comes in contact with God and his mysteries becomes similar to him in holiness, in beauty, in bliss; that is, a man according to the primordial designs of his Creator."

I think that the occasion of his feast day is a perfect time to do some prayerful Visio Divina with some of Fra Angelico's work. I've pulled together a selection for you here, but you can find tons more in the public domain. Pull them up on your tv or smart board to examine more closely, and you can use these Visio Divina guides if they are helpful!

Click here for a slideshow with ten of Bl. Fra Angelico's paintings:

Click here for the Visio Divina guide for younger kids:

Click here for the Visio Divina guide for older kids:

Click here for the general Visio Divina steps:

And here is a set of other posts that use Visio Divina as a tool for prayer:

Art of the Blessed Sacrament Visio Divina*

Lenten Visio Divina Galley Walk*

Sacred Art for Advent & Christmas*

Memento Mori Visio Divina*

Art of the Blessed Sacrament Gallery Walk & Visio Divina

Visually telling the story of what we believe using paint, mosaic, and stained glass, beautiful sacred art from across the centuries is a gift to the Church. More than just decoration, these works are perfect teaching tools. With more and more art available online in the public domain, I love pulling together collections surrounding a theme I am teaching about to add another element to my students' studies and prayer.

I used these as part of a set of stations about the Eucharist that my students worked on over a few days in the classroom. I hung them around the room and students had time to walk, look, pray, and journal. I adapted the guidelines for Lectio Divina to work with Visio Divina- "Divine Seeing." I hope that the steps (which are familiar to my students) will help them slow down and really ponder this art.

I printed this set at an office supply store on 11x17 paper and then laminated them at school. Each page only cost $.60, so for less than $5 I've got a collection mini posters of classic art for my students to learn from and pray with.

Click here for  pdf with 12 pieces of art that you can print at home or an office store:

Click here for a student reflection sheet:

Click here for a guide on the steps of Visio Divina:

Click here for a set of the art in a Google Slideshow, perfect for pulling up on a smart board or screen, or something that you could share digitally with your students:

Click here for a Google Classroom ready assignment with all the Visio Divina steps:

Our Lady of Guadalupe {Free Block Print!}

 Happy Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe! (and Gaudete Sunday!)

“Am I not here, I, who am your Mother? Are you not under my shadow and protection? Am I not the source of your joy? Are you not in the hollow of my mantle, in the crossing of my arms? Do you need

anything more? Let nothing else worry you, disturb you.”

—Our Lady of Guadalupe to St. Juan Diego, December 12, 1531

Our Lady of Guadalupe one of my favorite Marian apparitions, and one of my favorite images that I created in my block carving Names of Mary series last year.

Today on Instagram, Stephanie Weinert shared a beautiful reflection on her sweet son Beckett and OLG's connection to care for the unborn. In honor of Beckett and to encourage prayers for Our Lady's intercession, I'd like to share a free print of my OLG carving with you. I hope that you display it in your home and when you see it are reminded of the dignity and worth of each individual person made in the image and likeness of God.

Click here to download the pdf so you can print your own 5x7" image:

Prayer to Our Lady of Guadalupe:

Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mystical Rose, make intercession for the holy Church, protect the sovereign Pontiff , help all those who invoke you in their necessities, and since you are the ever Virgin Mary and Mother of the true God, obtain for us from your most holy Son the grace of keeping our faith, of sweet hope in the midst of the bitterness of life of burning charity, and the precious gift of final perseverance. Amen.

Our Lady of Guadalupe, Pray for Us!

And if you are interested in more info on Our Lady of Guadalupe, the apparition has a whole chapter in my book Through the Year with Mary! Complete with a kid friendly explanation, full color artwork with discussion prompts, reflection questions, a prayer, and a connection to Jesus, the goal of the book is to help you have good conversations with your kids! 

Click here to find in from my publisher the St. Paul Center or here to find it on Amazon!