A step-by-step guide to assembling your own rosary!

Our Lady promised to give a sign that could be seen by others, and boy did she deliver! To a crowd of tens of thousands of onlookers, it’s reported that the sun broke through rain clouds and began to dance across the sky. This creamy smoothie is liquid sunshine, encapsulating the splendor of the amazing “Miracle of the Sun” that happened back in 1917!

In his encyclical Laborem Exercens, Pope Saint John Paul II stated: “the Church considers it her task always to call attention to the dignity and rights of those who work. . .” Saint Joseph is held up as a model of such work. Reflect on the gift of labor in your own life and how you can pursue it with his help today–and every day!

Through Our Lady of Fatima, God wants to share his message of mercy on the whole world. She will help and guide us, but we need to respond by living Christ-centered lives and fulfilling the requests she made for prayer and penance. Let’s start with this beautiful prayer card!

At thirteen years old, Saint Michael the Archangel guided and encouraged Saint Joan to fight evil with good in a series of visions. Gradually, he revealed her mission from God, that she would liberate France from invaders and lead thousands of troops into battle through trust and obedience. She did so bravely, and at the young age of seventeen!

One of the best parts of my high school career was eating at the home of a friend who came from an Italian-American family. Every meal his mom cooked was amazing, but the most fun were the days when they would invite big groups of kids for what we called Pasta Alla Tavola or “Pasta on the Table.” Mrs. Vitale would dump pots of pasta with butter and parmesan cheese in the middle of the “table.” Then we would all eat it . . . with our hands. It was the BEST. It’s perfect for the feast of St. Joseph. As a carpenter, Joseph worked with his hands. In honor of his day, we eat with our hands! It’s not much of a “recipe,” per se, but here it is . . .

This feast was established in 1955 to remind everyone that the dignity of work is a very Christian tradition, rooted in the Garden of Eden, despite what Communists were trying to tell everyone at the time. Today is a great day to tackle a hands-on project, like these time intensive donut holes! As you knead–or “work”–the dough, remember to pray for laborers and for the conversion of communist nations.

In 1917, Our Lady appeared to three peasant children in Portugal six times, emphasizing prayer, making sacrifices for sinners, a devotion to the Immaculate Heart, and saying a daily Rosary. To commemorate the day, plan to say a family Rosary together. These biscuit cookies can be used to form an edible decade, or enjoyed together afterward as you watch the movie Fatima!

Saint Joseph models the holiness of labor to us. Pope Pius XII emphasized this when he said, “. . . no worker was ever more completely and profoundly penetrated by [the spirit] than the foster father of Jesus, who lived with Him in closest intimacy and community of family life and work.” This crossword highlights his pursuit of virtue and dedication to work!

Pentecost marks the day that the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles and is often referred to as the birthday of the Church. Spread the Good News by throwing a party, and adding this cute topper to your cake. Bonus points if you use red frosting!

Rome–we mean Roam–in the footsteps of Ss. Peter and Paul as they spread Jesus’ message and established the beginning of the Church.

The symbols of Pentecost are wind, fire, and a dove! Although a dove isn’t specifically mentioned in Acts, it recalls the imagery at Jesus’ baptism: “After Jesus was baptized, he came up from the water and behold, the heavens were opened [for him], and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove [and] coming upon him” (Matthew 3:16 RSCVE).

Celebrate the birthday of the Church with a festive cake! We recommend a white cake with red frosting or fruit on top. If you’re feeling ambitious, you can add twelve candles for the apostles and seven strawberry hearts for the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Consider adding the twelve fruits of the Spirit somewhere, too, using fruit or frosting!

It’s little-known these days, but every Friday of the year is still a required day of penance, and the recommended act of penance is still abstinence from meat (although an alternate sacrifice is permitted in some dioceses outside of Lent) . . . EXCEPT when a solemnity falls on a Friday, which the solemnity of the Sacred Heart ALWAYS DOES! Time to celebrate!