{pretty, happy, funny, real} :: Road Trip with the Girls!
The floating boardwalk in Coeur d’Alene is really long! In fact, at 3,300 feet long, 12 feet wide, and 10 feet deep, with a 60-foot-long bridge on the west side, it is the longest floating boardwalk in the world. The girls and I stopped to check it out just before Mass on our way out of town!
I’ll be back soon with some pictures from our next stop!
The Boys of St. Paul’s Choir School: Christmas in Harvard Square {Christmas Gift Idea & Giveaway!}
I had a package arrive in the mail this afternoon, from one of my new sponsors, and just had the pleasure of listening to the beautiful sacred music created by The Boys of St. Paul’s Choir School!
Note: When you purchase this recording you are also helping the The Choir School with their many funding needs.
To thank you for helping me promote and spread the word about this new recording I have three review copies to give away to my visitors here at Shower of Roses! Please enter the giveaway using the Rafflecopter box below:
Feasts & Seasons :: Our October Book Basket
At the beginning of each month I fill a basket with books featuring the the various saints whose feast days will be celebrated during the month and place it in the living room. Throughout the month I will find the children curled up on the couch reading books they have chosen from the basket, either on their own or to their younger siblings. I also choose books from the basket for some of our afternoon family read-alouds. Our collection started very small and we have continued adding additional books over the years which we have either purchased or have been given as gifts. Some are picture books, some are chapter books, and some are collections of saint stories. This post is a work in progress and I will continue adding links as I sort through our collection.
Month of October – Respect Life
October 1st, St. Thérèse of Lisieux (New) (Trad. – Oct. 3rd):
- Catholic Treasure Box Books (also available from TAN)
- Therese (Around the Year Once Upon a Time Saints) by Ethel Pochocki
- St. Therese of Lisieux (Lives and Legends of Saints) by Carole Armstrong
- Saint Therese of Lisieux (More Saints: Lives and Illuminations) by Ruth Sanderson
- T – Alphabet of Catholic Saints by Nippert
- Saint Therese (Saints for Girls) by Father Gales (Neumann Press)
- The Little Flower of Jesus by Sister Julita (Neumann Press)
- Therese: The Little Flower of Lisieux by Sioux Berger
- Therese of Lisieux: Little Flower of Love by Barbara Yoffie
- God’s Little Flower: The Story of St. Therese of Lisieux by Chris Driscoll
- Saint Therese the Little Flower by Alice Joyce Davidson
Chapter Books
- Saint Therese of Lisieux: And the “little way” of love (Along the Paths of the Gospel Series)
- St. Therese and the Roses (Vision) by Helen Walker Homan
- The Little Flower by Mary Fabyan Windeatt
- The Little Queen of Lisieux (1959) by Mary Elizabeth Martin
- Olivia and The Little Way by Nancy Carabio Belanger
- Olivia’s Gift by Nancy Carabio Belanger
A Few of My Personal Favorites
- The Story of a Soul (Study Edition)
- The Story of a Family: The Home of St. Therese of Lisieux
- Therese and Lisieux by Pierre Descouvemont
- Archbishop Fulton Sheen’s St. Therese – A Treasured Love Story (also available in paperback)
- St. Therese, The Little Flower: The Making of a Saint
- Daily Journal: St Therese the Little Flower
Audio
- Praying the Rosary with St. Therese of Lisieux
- God’s Little Flower: The Story of Saint Therese of Lisieux (Glory Stories: Volume II – available from Holy Heroes)
Movies
October 2nd, The Holy Guardian Angels (New, Trad.):
- Guardian Angels (Around the Year Once Upon a Time Saints) by Ethel Pochocki
- Guardian Angels (Saints and Angels) by Claire Llewellyn
- Catholic Treasure Box Books
- The Guardian Angel Prayer
(Board Book)
- The Angels by Father Lovasik
- A Book of Angels by Marigold Hunt
- My Guardian Dear: A Story of the Angels by Susan Brindle (study guide in Catholic Mosaic)
- Morning Prayer to the Guardian Angels (Saints for Girls) by Father Gales (Neumann Press – also available from TAN)
- Choirs of Angles Coloring Book
- Counting On Faith
- The Guardian Angels: Our Protectors by Daniel Lord
October 3rd, St. Thérèse of Lisieux (Trad.) (New. – Oct. 1st):
- See October 1st for Book list.
October 4th, St. Francis of Assisi (New, Trad.):
- Francis of Assisi (Around the Year Once Upon a Time Saints) by Ethel Pochocki
- Saint Francis and the Wolf (Legends of Saints and Beasts) by Ann Marie Jauss
- St. Francis of Assisi (Saints and Angels) by Claire Llewellyn
- St. Francis of Assisi (Lives and Legends of Saints) by Carole Armstrong
- Saint Francis and the Wolf (Brother Wolf, Sister Sparrow) by Eric A. Kimmel
- Saint Francis of Assisi (More Saints: Lives and Illuminations) by Ruth Sanderson
- St. Francis of Assisi: Preacher to the Birds (The Book of Saints and Heroes) by Andrew Lang
- Saint Francis (Saints for Boys) by Alma Savage (Neumann Press)
- F- St. Francis of Assisi (An Alphabet of Saints) by Robert Hugh Benson (Neumann Press – also available from TAN)
- F – Alphabet of Catholic Saints by Nippert
Picture Books
- The Good Man of Assisi by Mary Joslin (OOP but will be re-released April 2015)
- Saint Francis by Brian Wildsmith
- Clare and Francis by Guido Visconti
- Brother Francis and the Friendly Beasts by Margaret Hodges
- St. Francis of Assisi by Fr. Lovasik
- Saint Francis and the Wolf by Richard Egielski
- St. Francis and the Proud Cow by Bernadette Watts
- Francis Woke Up Early by Josephine Nobisso
- Francis: The Poor Man of Assisi by Juliette Levivier
- Brother Sun, Sister Moon by Katherine Paterson
- Adventures in Assisi: On the Path with St. Francis by Amy Welborn
- St. Francis of Assisi Coloring Book
Chapter Books
- Francis and Clare, Saints of Assisi (Vision) by Helen Walker Homan
- The Joyful Beggar: A Novel about Saint Francis of Assisi by Louis de Wohl
October 5th, St. Faustina Kowalska (New/some places):
- Helen’s Special Picture: A children’s story about Saint Maria Faustina by David Previtali
- Jesus, I Trust in You!: The Story of St. Faustina Kowalska (Glory Stories: Volume IV – available from Holy Heroes) )
October 7th, Our Lady of the Rosary (Victory of Lepanto) (New, Trad.):
- The Holy Rosary by Father Lovasik
- Saint Dominic and the Rosary (Vision Books) by Catherine Beebe
- The Blood-Red Crescent by Henry Garnett
- Rosary Coloring Book
- Coloring Book about the Rosary
- Rosary Meditations for Children by Christine Henderson
- The Rosary for Little Catholics
October 8th, St. Bridget of Sweden (Trad.) (New – July 23rd):
- Saint Bridget of Sweden (More Saints: Lives and Illuminations) by Ruth Sanderson
October 12th, St. Wilfrid of York (Hist.):
- W- St. Wilfrid of York (An Alphabet of Saints) by Robert Hugh Benson (Neumann Press – also available from TAN)
October 13th, St. Edward the Confessor (Trad.):
- Edward the Confessor (Once Upon a Time Saints) by Ethel Pochocki
October 15th, St. Teresa of Jesus (Teresa of Avila) (New, Trad.):
- St. Teresa of Avila (Saints and Angels) by Claire Llewellyn
- St. Teresa of Avila (Lives and Legends of Saints) by Carole Armstrong
- Saint Teresa of Avila (More Saints: Lives and Illuminations) by Ruth Sanderson
- Saint Teresa (Saints for Girls) by Eve Rouke (Neumann Press)
October 16th, St. Hedwig (New, Trad.):
- Hedwig (Around the Year Once Upon a Time Saints) by Ethel Pochocki
October 16th, St. Gerard Majella (Hist.):
- St. Gerard (Lives and Legends of Saints) by Carole Armstrong
- To Heaven Through the Window (The Story of St. Gerard) Audio Available from Regina Martyrum Productions
October 16th, St. Margaret Mary Alocoque (New) (Trad. – Oct. 17th):
- Saint Margaret Mary (Saints for Girls) by Father Gales (Neumann Press)
- St. Margaret Mary by Mary Fabyan Windeatt
October 18th, St. Luke (New, Trad.):
- Luke (Lives and Legends of Saints) by Carole Armstrong
- St. Luke (Saints and Angels) by Claire Llewellyn
- St. Luke the Evangelist (Lives and Legends of Saints) by Carole Armstrong
- Counting On Faith (four evangelists)
October 19th, Sts. Isaac Jogues, John de Brebeuf & Comps (New) (Trad. – Sep. 26th):
- St. Isaac and the Indians (Vision) by Milton Lomask
- Ondessonk: Priest of the Red Man (The Story of St. Isaac Jogues) Audio Available from Regina Martyrum Productions
October 21st, St. Ursula & Her 11,000 Comps. (Trad.):
- U- St. Ursula (An Alphabet of Saints) by Robert Hugh Benson (Neumann Press – also available from TAN)
October 22nd, St. John Paul II (New):
- A Boy Who Became Pope: The Story of Saint John Paul II
- Karol: The Boy Who Became Pope: A Story of Saint John Paul II (Neumann Press)
- Karol from Poland: The Life of Pope John Paul II for Children by M. Leonora Wilson
- Lolek: The Boy Who Became Pope John Paul II by Mary Hramiec Hoffman
- Our Holy Father the Pope: The Papacy from Saint Peter to the Present
- Blessed John Paul II: Be Not Afraid
- John Paul II: The Journey of a Saint
- Pope Saint John Paul II “Be Not Afraid” (Glory Stories: Volume XI – available from Holy Heroes) )
October 23rd, St. Anthony Mary Claret (Trad.) (New – Oct 24th):
- Aflame for Souls Audio Available from Regina Martyrum Productions
- The Heavenly Helpers (Around the Year Once Upon a Time Saints) by Ethel Pochocki
- The Angels: God’s Messengers and Our Helpers by Fr. Lovasik
October 27th, St. Tekla:
October 28th, Sts. Simon & Jude (New, Trad.):
- Saint Jude: A Friend in Hard Times by Michael Aquilina III
- Jude Thaddeus (The Twelve Apostles) by Marianna Meyer
- Simon (The Twelve Apostles) by Marianna Meyer
October 31st, St. Quentin (Hist.):
- Q- St. Quentin (An Alphabet of Saints) by Robert Hugh Benson (Neumann Press – also available from TAN)
October 31st, All Hallows’ Eve (New, Trad.):
- Father Phillip Tells a Ghost Story: A Story of Divine Mercy
- For books about All Saints see the November Book Basket
Other Links for October:
Harvey House Publishing {Sponsored Giveaway}
In honor of the feast of St. Therese during this month of October, Harvey House Publishing has offered to send one of my visitors here at Shower of Roses autographed copies of Olivia and the Little Way and Olivia’s Gift!
I’ve reviewed both of these excellent books in the past and added them to our girls’ bookshelf. Our oldest daughter recently read Olivia and the Little Way and now it’s one of her favorites! She just started reading Olivia’s Gift, which also includes dear St. Therese and is perfect for Respect Life Month with it’s strong pro-life theme encouraging a deeper respect of life.
Olivia and the Little Way
Fifth grader Olivia Thomas has moved to a new school in a new state, and is eager to make friends! Her best friend quickly becomes someone she has never seen—St. Therese of Lisieux. Follow Olivia’s trials as she tries to fit in at St. Michael’s School. With the help of her grandmother, she learns about the “Little Way” of serving God and how it can change everything!
This touching and heartfelt Catholic novel celebrates the life of St. Therese and will inspire young readers to follow her example and discover their own “Little Way” miracles. This engaging story is beautifully accompanied by Sandra Casali LewAllen’s stunning illustrations.
Olivia’s Gift
In Olivia and the Little Way, Olivia Thomas was the new girl in school when she felt St. Therese of Lisieux enter her life. Now her relationship with the Little Flower has blossomed into a beautiful friendship as she prepares to follow the Little Way into seventh grade.
School is out for the year and it’s time for a fun beach adventure. However, Olivia discovers that sometimes it can be difficult to be a good Catholic when you are in middle school—she discovers she needs God and St. Therese more than ever. In this beautiful novel that celebrates modesty and the precious gift of life, Olivia learns that it takes blind faith every day —and that God is never far away, even on vacation. This captivating story is beautifully accompanied by Sandra Casali LewAllen’s stunning illustrations.
I’ve included Amazon links above so you can read additional reviews, but these books can be ordered directly from Harvey House Publishing with optional inscriptions from the author at no additional charge and FREE standard shipping! Click here to buy the books!
15 Years Ago on the Feast of the Guardian Angels
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| “Uncle David is so little!!!” Hard to believe that he was only three when we got married and now he’s in college… |
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| Snuggles and Rose were excited to spot their Godfathers in this picture. … and Bud wanted to know why he still hasn’t even gotten to meet his! 😉 |
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| “Gampa!!!” {aka “grandma” lol} |
Rose Cupcakes for St. Thérèse
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| The Little Flower of Jesus by Sister Julita |
Two boxes of cake mix = cupcakes to celebrate three back-to-back feast days for our family of nine with just a few leftover! I baked the white cupcakes yesterday, while baking the face for St. Jerome’s lion, and decorated them this afternoon with cream cheese frosting, white roses from Wilton, and my attempt at some ribbon roses and leaves with the extra frosting… They are far from perfect but still turned out pretty!
The Catholic Child and the Saints :: Little Flower
St. Jerome and the Lion
‘God be with me,’ he prayed, but still the lion came on, roaring to split the sky, but now his tone seemed to the Saint more hurt than angry; and then he saw this lion limped on three legs, one front paw hung swollen, bleeding, and misery had so furrowed his face that the Saint could see he had not come to devour but to ask for charity.
For three nights and days the lion had not slept.
His flanks were thin, his gold eyes wept
as he wandered in pain and fever, roaring, as if asking why
a lion should suffer. ‘A weasel or goat or bad serpent, but i,
the King of Beasts, to find a thorn such woe!’
(He had fallen into a thicket of thorns a week ago
and one had festered.) All this Saint Jerome seemed to know,
and laid his hand on the hot snuff-coloured brow.
‘Lord Jesus is the King of Kings,’ he said, ‘but I shall read you how
He suffered with a hundred thorn wreath pricks.’
The lion listened thoughtfully, gave the hand lion licks
to show his pity, and tried to sink his roaring to a moan.
‘Lord Jesus! Then His beast is not alone,’
and he limped up to the convent gate with Saint Jerome. . .
– Excerpt from St. Jerome and the Lion by Rumer Godden
Celebrating Michaelmas
Novena to Saint Thérèse
Novena to Saint Thérèse
The feast of St. Thérèse is coming up! On the traditional calendar her feast is celebrated October 3rd. (It was moved to October 1st on the new calendar.) Novenas for her intercession can be said anytime, but we will be praying a few different novenas for a special intention this year, beginning today in anticipation of her feast and ending on October 2nd, the eve of her traditional Feast and our 15th wedding anniversary! We will then pray another Novena to St. Therese which begins on her feast day.
You can find additional ways to celebrate the feast of St. Therese here and here.
Rose Novena Prayer
(You can find a printable Rose Novena prayer card here.)
THE TWENTY-FOUR ‘GLORY BE’S’ NOVENA TO ST. THERESE
The Glory Be is said 24 times each day for nine days, in thanksgiving for all the blessings and favours given to Saint Therese of the Child Jesus during the 24 years of her life. Start the novena each day with this prayer:
“Holy Trinity, God the Father, God the Son, and God, the Holy Spirit, I thank You for all the blessings and favours You have showered upon the soul of Your servant Therese of the Child Jesus, during the 24 years she spent here on earth, and in consideration of the merits of this, Your most beloved Saint, I beseech You to grant me this favour, if it is in accordance with Your most Holy Will and is not an obstacle to my salvation.”
After this prayer, follow with the 24 Glory Be’s, between each of which should be included this short prayer”
“Saint Therese of the Child Jesus, pray for us.”
A NINE DAY NOVENA TO SAINT THERESE
O St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus, who during your short life on earth became a mirror of angelic purity, of love strong as death, and of wholehearted abandonment to God, now that you rejoice in the reward of your virtues, cast a glance of pity on me as I leave all things in your hands. Make my troubles your own, speak a word for me to Our Lady Immaculate, whose flower of special love you were — to that Queen of Heaven “who smiled on you at the dawn of life” Beg her powerful intercession the grace I yearn for so ardently at this moment…and that she join with it a blessing that may strengthen me during life, defend me at the hour of death, and lead me straight on to a happy eternity. Amen.
O God, who did inflame with the Spirit of Love, the soul of your servant Thérèse of the Child Jesus, grant that we also may love you and make you much loved. Amen.
DAY ONE
O Thérèse of the Child Jesus, well beloved and full of charity, in union with you, I reverently adore the majesty of God, and since I rejoice with exceeding joy in the singular gifts of grace bestowed upon you during your life, and your gifts of glory after death, I give Him deepest thanks for them; I beseech you with all my heart’s devotion to be pleased to obtain for me (…mention request here). But if what I ask of you so earnestly does not tend to the glory of God and the greater good of my soul, do you, I pray, obtain for me that which is more profitable to both these ends. Amen.
St. Therese of the Child Jesus, pray for us.
DAY TWO
Almighty God, giver of all good gifts, who did will that Blessed Therese, being watered by the heavenly dew of your guiding grace, should bloom in Carmel with the beauty of virginity and patience in suffering, grant that I your servant may go forward in the order of her sweetness an may be found worthy to become a devoted and loyal follower of Christ. Amen.
St. Therese of the Child Jesus, pray for us.
DAY THREE
O Therese of the Child Jesus, lily of purity, ornament and glory of Carmel, I greet you, great saint, seraph of divine love. I rejoice in the favours our Lord so liberally bestowed on you. I humility and confidence I ask you to help me, for I know God has given you love and pity as well as power. Tell Him, now, I beseech you, of the favour I seek in this novena… Your request will crown my petition with success and bring joy to my heart. Remember your promise to do good here on earth. “I shall spend my heaven doing good on the Earth After death I shall let fall a shower of roses.
St. Therese of the Child Jesus, pray for us.
DAY FOUR
O Little Flower of Jesus, who at an early age had your heart set on Carmel and in your brief earthly life did become the mirror of angelic purity, of courageous love and of whole hearted surrender to Almighty God, turn your eyes of mercy upon me who trusts in you. Obtain for me the favour I seek in this novena…and the grace to keep my heart and mind pure and clean. O dear saint, grant me to feel in every need the power of your intercession; help to comfort me in all the bitterness of this life and especially at its end, that I may be worth to share eternal happiness with you in heaven. Amen.
St. Therese of the Child Jesus, pray for us.
DAY FIVE
O Little Flower of Carmel, Almighty God endowed you, consumed by love for him, with wondrous spiritual strength to follow the way of perfection during the days of your short life. Sickness touched you early but you remained firm in faith and prayer was your life. O pray for me that I may benefit by your intercession and be granted the favour I ask in this novena…
St. Therese of the Child Jesus, pray for us.
DAY SIX
O Little Flower of Jesus, you have shown yourself so powerful in your intercession, so tender and compassionate toward those who honour you and invoke you in suffering and distress, that I kneel at your feet with perfect confidence and beseech you most humbly and earnestly to take me under your protection in my present necessity and obtain for me the favour I ask in this novena…Vouchsafe to recommend my request to Mary, the merciful Queen of Heaven, that she may plead my cause with you before the throne of Jesus, her divine Son.. Cease not to intercede for me until my request is granted.
St. Therese of the Child Jesus, pray for us.
DAY SEVEN
Therese of the Child Jesus, most loving Saint, in union with you I adore the divine Majesty. My heart is filled with joy at the remembrance of the marvellous favours with which God blessed your life on earth and of the great glory that came to you after death. In union with you, I praise God, and offer him my humble tribute of thanksgiving. I implore you to obtain for me, through your powerful intercession, the greatest of all blessings — that of living and dying in the state of grace. I also beg of you to secure for me the special favour I seek in this novena…
St. Therese of the Child Jesus, pray for us.
DAY EIGHT
O glorious St. Therese, who, burning with the desire of increasing the glory of God, invariably attended to the sanctification of your soul by the constant practice of prayer and charity so that, becoming in the Church a model of holiness, you are now in Heaven the protector of all those who have recourse to you in faith, look down upon me who invokes your powerful patronage and join your petition to mine that I be granted the favour I seek in this novena…
St. Therese of the Child Jesus, pray for us.
DAY NINE
O St. Therese, seraphic virgin, beloved spouse of our Crucified Lord, you who on earth did burn with a love so intense toward your God and my God, and now glow with a bright and purer flame in paradise, obtain for me, I beseech you, a spark of that same holy fire which shall help me to put things of the world in their proper place and live my life always conscious of the presence of God. As I conclude my novena I also beg of you to secure for me the special favour I seek at this time…
St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus, pray for us.
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