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The Catholic Child and the Souls in Purgatory

Nov 2, 2019 | | 5 Comments

My dear Child: The Holy Souls in Purgatory need your help. You can do so much for them; they can do nothing for themselves.

Their time of merit is past; they have saved their souls; they are the friends of God; but they must suffer until they are fit to be admitted to the presence of God. 

Grandma Gordon, who recently passed away in August, was the first to be added to this year’s calendar for November ♥

Perhaps your own relatives are waiting there, hoping that they will soon be released.

How you should pity them! How fervently you should pray for them. When they reach heaven, they will not forget you. 

A Prayer for the Holy Souls

O DEAR Jesus! have mercy on the Souls in Purgatory. Have pity on them, dear Lord, and do not keep them long in their pain. Let them come to Thee in heaven to be happy with Thee forever. Amen. 

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord! And let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen. 

Excerpt from Jesus, Make Me Worthy – A reprint of the original can be found here

I started filling this year’s Ora Pro Nobis Candy Boxes on Wednesday and shipped three of them (along with some letters from siblings and other things) to our two college boys with an extra for their roommate… I didn’t think they would arrive by November 1st, all the way on the other side of the country, but they did! 

Ora Pro Nobis Candy Boxes make a sweet and prayerful activity to help remember the Holy Souls during the month of November, the month dedicated to the Church Suffering. Fill each box or bag with 30 pieces of candy. Write the name of a departed soul on the calendar for each day of November. Each day of the month, after the child has offered a prayer for the departed soul listed, they may take one piece of candy. The intention is to encourage prayers and sacrifices for the Church Suffering in a sweet and tangible way!

Note: Free calendars to print and color can be found in the archives:

https://showerofrosesblog.com/2014/11/ora-pro-nobis-candy-boxes.html

Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Most Precious Blood of Thy Divine Son, Jesus, in union with the masses said throughout the world today, for all the holy souls in purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the universal church, those in my own home and within my family. Amen.

Celebrating the Saints :: Our 2019 Costumes

Nov 2, 2019 | , | 4 Comments

St. Lucia, St. Cecilia, St. Pio, St. Zelie, The Little Flower, St. Louis and St. Philomena – All Saints in Heaven, Pray for us! 

“On the feasts of the saints consider their virtues, and beseech God to deign to adorn you with them.” – St. Teresa of Jesus

.: St. Lucia :.

Twinkle Toes (age 16) as St. Lucia
Twinkle Toes didn’t decide on a costume until the day before so that really limited her options. We don’t have much in the costume boxes in teen/adult sizes! She ended up going with St. Lucia!
Can you believe that Santa Lucia Day is NEXT MONTH already?!?

.: St. Philomena :. 
Chiquita (age 14) as St. Philomena
This is a repeat costume from three years ago, but she really wanted to be St. Philomena again here at our new parish. Plus she is planning to choose St. Philomena as her Confirmation Saint next spring. 
She had outgrown the old blue costume, but this beautiful dress worked perfectly, plus she didn’t need to wear it backwards like last time! We ordered it in a women’s size small. It took us awhile to find our Rose Garland for her head, but it all came together and she looked so pretty! 
.: Sts. Louis & Zelie Martin and their Little Flower :. 
Snuggles (age 12) as St. Louis Martin and Rose (age 9) as St. Zelie
Lily (2 months) as The Little Flower
Rose and Bud were both trying to get their older brother to dress up with them – Rose wanted him to be St. Louis and Bud wanted him to be St. Pio as his bilocating double! We were able to round up the stuff for a St. Louis costume, so that won. The only thing I purchased for his costume was this watch.

St. Zelie’s costume was super easy with this medium sized costume from Amazon. She also rounded up a doily and some knitting needles for her lace work to carry around. Her idea!
.: St. Pio of Pietrelcina :.

Bud (age 7) as St. Pio

The fake beard we ordered for this costume was so fun and kept him toasty warm for the outdoor games up here in Northern Idaho, plus it looked so cute! After I took a picture of him standing, he asked me to take one more and knelt down to pray. Love this little guy! 



.: St. Cecilia :.
 
  
Grace (age 2) as St. Cecilia
St. Cecilia is aways popular with our girls. Twinkle Toes dressed up as her back in 2007 and Rose dress up as her in 2011. We reused Rose’s costume and picked up a new wig. 
I love the long blond wigs on tiny little girls… So cute! 
We’re missing the older boys, who are both back at Christendom, but we sure loved having them home for fall break last week. Won’t be long and they’ll be back for Christmas and winter break!
Happy Feast of All Saints! 

All Saints Guessing Jars {8 More Saints!}

Oct 30, 2019 | | 5 Comments

Our annual All Saints Guessing Jars are filled and ready for the party tomorrow night! This year I decide to re-use some of our past ideas/labels (there are now so many to choose from!) adding in some new ones to the mix. You can click the link to download the free printable for this year’s new labels at the bottom of this post! 
Trader Joe’s was my first stop for supplies. I love that they don’t use artificial dyes and have such fun snacks! I picked up Petite Pumpkin Spice Cookies, Pinks & Whites, Fleur de Sea Caramels, Chocolatey Cats Cookies, Scandinavian Swimmers, Organic Animal Crackers, and Cinnamon Schoolbook Cookies. 

I also got some carving pumpkins for Saint-O-Lanterns!


Instead of reusing the Cat Cookies for St. Jerome, I made up a new label for St. Gertrude of Nivelles, Patron of Cats.  Instead of using the animal crackers for St. Francis of Assisi again, they are now “wild beasts” for Its. Perpetual and Felicity. 
I always enjoy browsing candy isles at the grocery store to see what else I can come up with for new ways to connect candy to the saints. 
Now that Christmas stuff is available so early, I had even more options! As soon as I saw the Kissmas Tree Hershey Kisses I thought they would be perfect for St. Boniface, recalling the picture book Kristoph and the First Christmas Tree (included in our 2015 New Christmas Books for the Feast of St. Nicholas). 
 
I also had someone email me asking if I had any ideas for St. Sebastian (along with a couple other saints), and I had been planning to include him this year with Super Sports Chocolate Candy, since he is the Patron of Athletes!
I love how these three jars turned out. So fun!

I never did pick up Dove chocolates for St. Teresa of Avila, but a label is included in the new printable for this year. 
I also included labels for St. Teresa of Calcutta (any white and blue striped candy would work like these, these or these) and St. Maria Faustina (I think these could work for “Rays of Mercy”). 

All Saints Guessing Jars {Dye-Free Edition}

Oct 29, 2019 | | 5 Comments

I’m currently working on a few new additions for this year’s All Saints Guessing Jars, but I recently realized that I never did share the new additions from a couple years ago! I’m going to quickly share them now in case anyone would like some new ideas. 
That year (2017) we had a smaller, mostly family party, since we had such a difficult baby at the time, and I focused on jars featuring our three newly confirmed teens’ Confirmation Saints – St. Maximilian Kolbe, St. Augustine, and St. Elizabeth of Hungary. We also have a teen with an artificial dye allergy, so I included some dye free options. I never did get around to making any last year, since the movers were unloading the truck at our new home on October 31st! 
Gummy Soda Bottles are perfect for St. Augustine, patron of brewers!
*I can’t remember if these were dye free or not… 
 For St. Maximilan Kolbe we used Fudge Stripes. 
This jar filled with Sun Drops Milk Chocolates (from the Health Food store) commemorating the 100th Anniversary of Our Lady of Fatima and the Miracle of the Sun. 
Wooden Saints from Naturally Catholic!
*Naturally Catholic is closing shop soon for the season, 
so order now if you’d like any Christmas gifts!
Petite Pumpkin Spice Cookies from Trader Joe’s for St. Fiacre
Organic Delish Fish for St. Andrew
Andes Mints for St. Teresa of the Andes
*these do include dye… 

Milky Way Midnight Minis for St. Dominic, patron of astronomers

Download my free printable jar labels here: 
All Saints Guessing Jars 2017

I’ll be back with a few more new additions soon… 

Find links to more of my All Saints Party Printables here!

A Dr. Seuss Birthday Cake for Father Gordon

Oct 21, 2019 | , , | 13 Comments

This past weekend we celebrated my husband’s youngest brother’s birthday! This is the first time the kids and I have ever lived close enough to celebrate his birthday with him so we were all excited when he agreed to come over for dinner! I sent him a text message the week before asking if he had any special requests…. 
I texted the boys a screenshot at college and they agreed: 
“Hahaha you could pull it off” 
Well… okay then! 
#ChallengeAccepted

A Few Supplies: 

I printed out the image on a sheet of 8×11 paper and covered it with some wax paper. 

Starting with some black candy melts, I outlined the buildings, windows, stairs, and bridges. 

Next I mixed a little of the black candy melts into some white to create various shades of gray for the stairs and filled them in with melted candy. 

Next I added the blue to some of the roofs, buildings, and the bridge, making sure to make it thick enough to not break apart too easily.

The last color I added was all the pink, filling in all the remaining gaps and covering it all with extra to hold it together. At this point I slipped it into the fridge and had no idea if it was going to turn out or not… 

It turned out! 

When Father arrived, he apologized for being late and I said, “Oh, that’s ok! It gave me time to finish your cake!” He laughed and said he had to come up with something impossible for me… but then looked towards the kitchen, spotted the cake and said “What?! You actually MADE IT!” 
Why yes… Yes I did!

He liked my little addition of the church as well, noticing the cross on the largest building. 

  

Happy Birthday Father Gordon!

St. Francis of Assisi’s Sermon to the Birds

Oct 4, 2019 | , , , | 7 Comments

“And as he went on his way, with great fervour, St Francis lifted up his eyes, and saw on some trees by the wayside a great multitude of birds; and being much surprised, he said to his companions, “Wait for me here by the way, whilst I go and preach to my little sisters the birds”; and entering into the field, he began to preach to the birds which were on the ground, and suddenly all those also on the trees came round him, and all listened while St Francis preached to them, and did not fly away until he had given them his blessing.

And Brother Masseo related afterwards to Brother James of Massa how St Francis went among them and even touched them with his garments, and how none of them moved. Now the substance of the sermon was this:

“My little sisters the birds, ye owe much to God, your Creator, and ye ought to sing his praise at all times and in all places, because he has given you liberty to fly about into all places; and though ye neither spin nor sew, he has given you a twofold and a threefold clothing for yourselves and for your offspring. Two of all your species he sent into the Ark with Noe that you might not be lost to the world; besides which, he feeds you, though ye neither sow nor reap. He has given you fountains and rivers to quench your thirst, mountains and valleys in which to take refuge, and trees in which to build your nests; so that your Creator loves you much, having thus favoured you with such bounties. Beware, my little sisters, of the sin of ingratitude, and study always to give praise to God.”

As he said these words, all the birds began to open their beaks, to stretch their necks, to spread their wings and reverently to bow their heads to the ground, endeavouring by their motions and by their songs to manifest their joy to St Francis. And the saint rejoiced with them. He wondered to see such a multitude of birds, and was charmed with their beautiful variety, with their attention and familiarity, for all which he devoutly gave thanks to the Creator. 

Having finished his sermon, St Francis made the sign of the cross, and gave them leave to fly away. Then all those birds rose up into the air, singing most sweetly; and, following the sign of the cross, which St Francis had made, they divided themselves into four companies. One company flew towards the east, another towards the west, one towards the south, and one towards the north; each company as it went singing most wonderfully; signifying thereby, that as St Francis, the bearer of the Cross of Christ, had preached to them and made upon them the sign of the cross, after which they had divided among themselves the four parts of the world, so the preaching of the Cross of Christ, renewed by St Francis, would be carried by him and by his brethren over all the world, and that the humble friars, like little birds, should posses nothing in this world, but should cast all the care of their lives on the providence of God.”

– Excerpt from The Little Flowers of St. Francis
The First English Translation, Revised and Emended by Dom Roger Hudleston. Source

The wooden trees and figures pictured (excluding our St. Francis from Catholic Folk Toys) are all made by Ostheimer. I purchased the Bird Tree, along with a couple birds, from The Wooden Wagon for our daughter’s birthday a couple years ago and the tooth fairy has been adding additional birds, one at a time, to her collection ever since!

St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

Michaelmas Daybook

Sep 30, 2019 | , , , | 12 Comments

St. Gabriel, St. Michael, and St. Raphael from Naturally Catholic

Outside my window…
It snowed yesterday, last night, and is snowing again today… I’ve been told that this is not normal for up here in Northern Idaho and I’m hoping we have some warmer days ahead. I’m not ready for winter yet! The picture below is the view from some of our back windows looking out at the horse pastures. Our property ends at the white fence but we’ve been admiring all the fall colors on our neighbor’s beautiful trees!

I am thankful… 
My mom just had another MRI this past week and there has been no measurable growth on her acoustic neuroma tumor this past year which means she can continue to wait/watch and postpone brain surgery! Such wonderful news!! Deo Gratias!

I am thinking…
I can’t believe it has been nearly a year since we signed papers (October 1st), took possession (October 8th) and moved in (October 31st) to this home… and yet so much has changed!

Celebrating the liturgical year…
Michaelmas, St. Jerome, St. Therese, Holy Guardian Angels, St. Francis of Assisi…
So many favorite feast days coming up this week!

From the kitchen…
our annual Michaelmas Cupcakes.

I am working…
on setting up my new laptop! My old laptop was starting to have problems, not to mention the hard drive had been completely full for the past year (I had to go through and sort/delete photos every time I wanted to try and upload more) so maybe now it will be a little easier to blog a little more often? We’ll see!

I am creating…
a list of posts that I’d like to go back and add eventually, starting with some recent sacraments and past birthday parties. This blog has always been a family scrapbook of sorts and our kids love going back and looking through the archives.  Bud isn’t happy that I’ve only blogged his first three (of seven) birthdays!

I am going…
out for a quick coffee date with Sean. We didn’t get to stay long since the coffee shop was closing in “seven minutes” but it worked out for the best since the baby was cranky by the time we got home. The girls mentioned that it happens to be National Coffee Day!

 

I am hoping…
to continue recovering from this postpartum depression and start feeling like myself again. I’ve been making some progress and doing a little better than I was a couple weeks ago. Did you know that wearing your baby may help alleviate postpartum depression? I’m not sure if it does or not, but the baby sure loves being tucked into my Moby Wrap.

Pondering these words…
from St. Frances de Sales:

“The many troubles in your household will tend to your edification, if you strive to bear them all in gentleness, patience, and kindness. Keep this ever before you, and remember constantly that God’s loving eyes are upon you amid all these little worries and vexations, watching whether you take them as He would desire. Offer up all such occasions to Him, and if sometimes you are put out, and give way to impatience, do not be discouraged, but make haste to regain your lost composure.”

I am praying…
for the soul of my mother-in-law, for Veronica Cools, for the Hatkes, and for so many others in need of prayer.


I am reading…
a chapter or two from Little House in the Big Woods to my little ones each night after we pray our family rosary. I had been neglecting reading aloud to them this past year and it’s nice to be doing it again.

One of my favorite things…
Captain’s Instagram stories, Ranger’s late night phone calls home, and our family group texting string! We are all counting the days until they come home for a visit.

Around the house… and a little peek at my day… 
I keep spotting St. Michael!

Illuminated Ink Archangel Blank Book from last month’s Saints Around the World Box

Just getting started… 
St. Michael Keepsake Box (one of Bud’s recent First Holy Communion Gifts from friends!) 
St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle; be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the Devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do Thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host, by the power of God, cast into Hell, Satan and all the other evil spirits, who wander throughout the world, seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

Lisieux Nail Polish {Giveaway}

Sep 28, 2019 | , | 0 Comments

It is currently snowing … SNOWING ?!?! … but it is cozy inside our home and the girls have been painting their nails this afternoon in preparation for the upcoming feast days of St. Therese (both the new and traditional) and the Holy Guardian Angels! 

The girls have such a fun collection of color options! 

 

“Oooohhhh! Pretty!” 

Little Flower Nail Polish and St. Therese of Lisieux Quote Mug
Dress from Baby My Love Etsy

.: Giveaway :. 

We picked out three favorite colors to give away… One lucky visitor will receive Little Flower, Guardian Angel and Mystical Rose sponsored by Lisieux!

Please enter the giveaway using the Rafflecopter box below: 

Giveaway ends on October 3rd, the traditional feast of St. Therese.
The winner will be announced on October 4th!


Our Family

Sean & Jessica, Captain-25, Ranger-23, Twinkle Toes-22, Chiquita-20, Snuggles-18, Rose-15, Bud-13, Grace-8 and Joy-6 (blog nicknames)

A Little About Me

Hi! I'm Jessica, a Roman Catholic wife and home educating mother to our nine children. I was home educated myself, along with my eleven younger siblings. I have a special devotion to St. Therese, through whom I have been given much help and many blessings--the beautiful "Shower of Roses" that she has sent my way! Here I will record a few of the blessings I treasure. Please remember that what you see here is just a little glimpse at our lives, so please say a prayer for us, as we continue to strive for holiness.

My Other Blog: Catholic Cuisine

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Prayer of Mothers

Father in heaven, grant me the grace to appreciate the dignity which you have conferred on me. Let me realize that not even the Angels have been blessed with such a privilege—to share in your creative miracle and bring new Saints to heaven. Make me a good mother to all my children after the example of Mary, the Mother of your Son. Through the intercession of Jesus and Mary I ask your continued blessings on my family. Let us all be dedicated to your service on earth and attain the eternal happiness of your kingdom in heaven. Amen.


Our Family

Sean & Jessica, Captain-25, Ranger-23, Twinkle Toes-22, Chiquita-20, Snuggles-18, Rose-15, Bud-13, Grace-8 and Joy-6 (blog nicknames)

A Little About Me

Hi! I'm Jessica, a Roman Catholic wife and home educating mother to our nine children. I was home educated myself, along with my eleven younger siblings. I have a special devotion to St. Therese, through whom I have been given much help and many blessings--the beautiful "Shower of Roses" that she has sent my way! Here I will record a few of the blessings I treasure. Please remember that what you see here is just a little glimpse at our lives, so please say a prayer for us, as we continue to strive for holiness.

My Other Blog: Catholic Cuisine

Please Visit My Sponsors…

This Week's Popular Posts

Shower of Roses Affiliate Links

All About Spelling
All About Reading
All About Reading Giveaways
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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Shower of Roses Alphabet of Saints

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