It’s another historic day in the Catholic Church as our Holy Father visits the United States of America and Father Junípero Serra becomes the very first saint to be canonized on U.S. soil!
Junípero Serra was a Spanish Franciscan friar who founded a mission in Baja California and the first nine of 21 Spanish missions in California from San Diego to San Francisco, which at the time were in Alta California in the Province of Las Californias in New Spain. (source: stjunipero.org)
Here are seven ways to commemorate this special day with children:
1 – Picture Books
There are some great picture books available about the Papacy, Pope Francis and the soon-to-be canonized Saint Junipero Serra. Snuggles received a new book about our Holy Father (“his Pope“) in his Easter basket last year. Many of these books are available from Sacred Heart Books and Gifts, Catholic Child, and through my affiliate links below. Here is the list of the books we’ll be reading:
Jorge from Argentina: The Story of Pope Francis for Children by Marlyn Monge
Our Holy Father the Pope: The Papacy from Saint Peter to the Present – An excellent book for teaching children about the Papacy.
 |
| “Only the Pope may declare men and women to be saints.” – Our Holy Father the Pope |
The Mission Bell (OOP) – The story of Father Junipero Serra’s travels in the California wilderness, of his interest in the Indians and of his building of the missions.
 |
| The Mission Bell |
Song of the Swallows – First published in 1948, was written and illustrated by Leo Politi about Mission San Juan Capistrano, the 7th of 9 missions established by Father Serra.
The First Californian: The Story of Fray Junípero Serra (OOP) – Chapter book by Donald DeMarest and originally published in 1963.
 |
| The First Californian |
I’m still waiting for our copies of the following two books to arrive:
Serra: American Founding Father
Junípero Serra: Founder of the California Missions (Pre-Order! I’ll probably save this for one of the children’s Stacks of Books on Christmas Morning or for next year’s Easter Baskets since it hasn’t been released yet.)
2 – Coloring Pages & Worksheets
Free Online Resources:
Pope Francis printables from Tiny Saints
Pope Francis in the United States from Paper Dali
Blessed Junipero Serra’s Canonization Day from Paper Dali
Pope Francis coloring pages from St. John the Baptist Religious Education
Blessed Junipero Serra from Catholic Playground
 |
| From Catholic Playground, Saints of the Americas, and Paper Dali |
Coloring Books to Purchase:
Bl. Junipero Serra from Saints of the Americas Coloring & Activity Book
Pope Francis Coloring & Activity Book
Popes Coloring Book (Dover)
California Missions Coloring Book (Dover)
3 – Lap Book
If you never downloaded the Papal Lap Book and Unit Study I created during the Election of Pope Francis, now is another great time for a Unit Study on the Papacy. Here is a list of my published posts on the Lap Book. (I never did get back to completing the posts for the last couple units.)
Scroll through all my Papal Unit Study posts here
(Note: A number of my posts include suggestions for reading from My Catholic Faith. This was a childhood favorite of my husband’s and we have been using it with our children ever since our teenagers were toddlers. This beautiful book has just been released in Audio format!!! Today we will be listening to the following sections: 74. One Body in Christ: Communion of Saints, 93. The Veneration of Saints, and 94. Relics and Images.)
4 – Crafts
California Missions to Cut Out (Book 1) and California Mission to Cut Out (Book 2)
Summer with the Saints: Blessed Junipero Serra (homemade holy cards)
Mission Drawings on Brown Paper and Drawing Guides
5 – Catholic Cuisine
Celebrating Bl. Junipero Serra with California Mission Foods over at Catholic Cuisine
Mexican Chocolate Bread Pudding over at Catholic Cuisine
Flan — A Spanish Delight over at Catholic Cuisine
Italian Cream Cupcakes with Vatican Flag and Pope Francis’ Papal Coat of Arms Cupcake Toppers
Keys of Heaven Candies for my children using this Key Mold and Yellow Candy Melts
Chicken Paella from CatholicMom.com
More ideas can be found over at Catholic Culture
Fig Newtons – The Black Mission Fig was named after the mission fathers who planted the fruit as they made their way north along the California coast!
6 – Gift Ideas
Hand-painted Bl. Junipero Serra Doll from {JOY}filled Family
St. Junipero Serra from Naturally Catholic
Pope Francis and Saint Junipero Serra from Tiny Saints
Blessed Junipero Serra print form Portraits of Saints
Monk Rag Doll from Jacob’s Toy Box
7 – Watch the Live Coverage
The Official Schedule for Pope Francis’ Visit to the U.S.
Live Streaming and Archived Videos from the Vatican YouTube Channel (English)
Yesterday we pulled out the iPad and started watching the World Meeting of Families using the EWTN app and AirPlay! Our older boys set their alarms to wake up extra early this morning to watch the welcoming ceremony at the White House before meeting with their math tutor! EWTN will also be streaming the canonization. You can view their schedule here.
Wow! Thank you for such a "SAINTLY" post! I just purchased a couple of books and the audio format of My Catholic Faith…wonderful! Now to start coloring, crafting, cooking, reading, and listening to ALL these ways to celebrate and honor the Treausres of the Church! ❤️ my Catholic faith!
2015-09-23 13:06:40
This post is a terrific resource for building my grandchildren's library and so many other great ideas. Thanks.
2015-09-24 17:08:35
God be praised!!!
2015-09-25 01:42:31
Is that lovely map of the missions included inside the book next to it, the California Missions to Cut Out Part 1 book? Thanks!
2015-09-25 19:36:35
No, the map is not from the California Missions to Cut Out Part 1. It's a large laminated map. I tried looking for it online but I didn't have any luck… Isn't it great?! It lists all 21 California Missions in the order of their founding and I especially love the artwork on this map. I'm not positive where it came from, but I am pretty sure we purchased it while visiting some of the missions years ago. In the bottom left corner it says ©R.M.K., Inc., 1968 and then ©Hubert A. Lowman, 1996. Sorry I don't have a link for you!
2015-09-26 01:11:46
I have tried many times to contact this company to address my problem with the download. The password they sent has never worked and I can not access the download. I have called and left messages and sent emails. Do you have a direct contact name? This is very disappointing.
2015-10-10 14:02:18
Oh no! When I get over to my computer later this morning I will email you the address I have for them and forward your message to them too.
2015-10-10 14:14:18
Hi again! I forwarded your comment to Chris at My Catholic Faith. His business email is: [email protected] I also sent it to his personal email as well. Please let me know if you don't hear from him. Hopefully he can get it all resolved for you soon!
2015-10-10 16:16:44
Issue resolved! They were so kind! Thank you for the email address and helping in this situation.
2015-10-13 20:44:45