Collection: Shop by Month

We don’t have any special foods or activities we traditionally use to celebrate today, just a normal dinner, a dessert to celebrate, and a conversation about how much people can change, if they are willing to be open to God’s grace. And how God wants to use us, with all our flaws and imperfections. But, if you’re a planner and want to make something intentional, why not Middle Eastern food, like falafel and a side of hummus!

The word Agnes means “lamb” in Latin, so she’s usually pictured holding a lamb. To celebrate, you could make a lamb cake . . . but those turn out creepy, like, 90% of the time. That’s kind of their charm. But you can make a slightly-less-weird-looking Rice Krispie Lamb in a fraction of the time. Everyone wins! Let a kid do the sculpting and then you won’t have to take credit for your lamb’s looks. #momhack

Saint Lucy was a fourth-century virgin martyr, denounced as a Christian by a disappointed suitor. Her tortures are said to have included having her eyes gouged out, and in images she is often shown holding her eyes on a plate. Saint Lucy saffron buns (also known as lussekatter) are traditionally enjoyed on her feast day. If this isn’t the year for from-scratch bread-making, try this simple cheater version using canned cinnamon roll dough!

I don’t know if Carlo ever combined his favorite treats (Nutella and ice cream) into a sundae, but I decided to try it, and it’s . . . amazing. But only for special occasions.

Traditional Catholic prayers, Bible passages, songs, and devotions for the month of the Blessed Sacrament!

Traditional Catholic prayers to use in your home on Candlemas and the feast of Saint Blaise.

Luke 8:1-3 tells us that Mary Magdalene was healed by Jesus of seven evil spirits. As a reminder of that, we like to include 7UP on our feast day table. And, because my mom was raised in the South, I know that an excellent way to include more 7UP at a party is with a traditional Southern 7UP pound cake. This recipe is adapted from a 7UP company promotional recipe pamphlet, published in 1953.

Saint Blaise is the patron saint against throat ailments. What better way to remember this saint all year long than with this tasty and effective, all-natural throat soothing concoction? It’s time-tested, simple, and convenient. The jars are so pretty, they make great gifts for teachers and co-workers.

Your calendar medallions for the month of March!

Today we celebrate that Mary was miraculously preserved from the stain of Original Sin! And what better way to reflect on the purity of our Blessed Mother than with all white foods! This dish is the perfect way to remember her Immaculate Conception, and enjoy added chicken–instead of fish–for the solemnity, too!

Make cupcakes that are fit for a queen’s birthday with these cute toppers and wrappers!

Use this digital download to help your family have a conversation about things you think should be changed around your home on the feast of St. Catherine of Siena, on April 29th!

Traditional Catholic prayers, Bible passages, songs, and devotions for the month of the Sacred Heart!

I was pretty excited to learn that there was in fact a traditional pastry meant to be eaten on Good Friday, and considered so Catholic that their sale was forbidden by decree of Elizabeth I (not a fan of Catholics). When I first looked up the recipe, they seemed awfully sweet and tasty for such a somber day. However, my love of tradition won out and now, I actually think their deliciousness adds to the mortification of having them for a collation. We WANT to eat ten of them, but we only eat two (and they are small). If you prefer, you can omit the icing cross and instead cut a cross into the top of each bun before baking.

Any type of tea bag or a combination of teas can be used. Traditional Southern sun tea is usually made with a black tea blend, like Lipton. Herbal teas are also great, though. I’m partial to Raspberry Zinger, myself.

You can go out for Japanese food, but today’s also a great day to try making it yourself at home! Homemade sushi can feel intimidating, but this easy sheet pan recipe is foolproof. Plus, it’s a fun activity for kids! Don’t like imitation crab? Feel free to substitute with cooked fish, shrimp, or even beef (as long as it’s not a Friday)!

Use this download for the entire month of August!

Another option for a warm spiced beverage on a cool day is mulled cider. Putting it together at home is simple and tastes so much better than pre-made! One spice bag will flavor up to 8 quarts of mulled cider in one batch. Just keep the ratio of one part orange to three parts apple juice.

The month of December is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception! Display this print all month long and don’t forget to pray the prayer on the back for her feast day!

Enthrone the Sacred and Immaculate Hearts in your home for the month of June with this Diptych! Simply cut out, fold, and place in a spot of honor. The prayer on the back by Saint John Eudes is perfect to pray throughout the month too!

These fun platters can be made to any size, for a few or a crowd. My first exposure to them was when a friend brought a couple to a party we hosted, and they were a bit hit. They can be made with any red/orange/yellow fruits and veggies you prefer.

The legends about St. George and the dragon date back to the thirteenth century. The story goes that there was a pagan city called Silene, which had a lake that was inhabited by a terrible, venomous dragon. One day, when he happened to be passing by, St. George picked up a princess who had been chosen as an offering to the dragon so it wouldn’t destroy everything in sight. But, when the dragon dared to show its head, brave St. George made the sign of the cross and smote the dragon with his spear, Ascalon, and threw the dragon to the ground. So today, enjoy these metaphorically slayed dragon noodles, and remember the importance of calling on Christ in your most trying times. He will always come to your aid!

All the saint of the day images for the month of April!

Pretzels are more fun when you have something to dip them in! While your pretzels bake, throw together this quick and tasty sauce featuring two main ingredients: beer and cheese. Historically cheese and other animal products were given up during Lent, but—perhaps surprisingly—beer was traditionally part of a Lenten diet. Some orders of monks fasted on beer only, with the express permission of the pope! This recipe combines the two into a tasty (and meat-free) Lenten snack!

Ossi di Morto, or “Bones of the Dead” are traditional Italian cookies, typically baked for Hallowtide.

Work your brain with this word search featuring words from St. Monica and St. Augustine's story!

A breastplate is a heavy piece of armor covering the chest to protect from injury. In this case, it is a symbol for divine protection. This prayer is traditionally sung on Saint Patrick’s Day and is a powerful hymn of hope for God’s help in adversity. Christ be with us!

St. Josephine is the patron saint of Sudan, one of the world’s top exporters of peanuts. So why not make Sudanese peanut macaroons? These delicious little bites taste more like meringue than a French macaroon, and capture the sweet and salty history of St. Josephine’s life as a child forced into the slave trade. The horrors she endured are all true. But it’s also true that she found peace and happiness for the last fifty years of her life, through God and forgiveness and service to others and her Catholic faith. St. Josephine, pray for us!

Apparently, in many European countries, the traditional dinner for the solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, was a whole suckling pig. To remind us of motherhood? I guess? That sounds very dramatic, and I’m sure it would make quite an impression on my kids if I were to pull one of those babies (literally) out of the oven while everyone is hanging out watching football. Maybe one of these years I’ll give it a try. In the meantime I think a corn dog is a reasonable approximation!

Hot mulled wine is also known as Bishop’s wine or Bisschopswijn after Saint Nicholas, third century bishop of Myra. It’s deliciously warming, and perfect for a December evening with family and friends. One spice bag will flavor up to 8 bottles of wine in one batch.

Pope St. John Paul II’s favorite food, famously, is a puffed pastry and custard cream dessert now known as kremówka papieska or “papal cream cake.” Other than that, he was known for eating whatever was placed before him, and not making his food preferences known. I’d like to think that the Polish nuns who did his cooking might have occasionally made him something like this one-pan kielbasa skillet dinner!

These pastries are a very impressive (and tasty) way to honor St. Therese. The trick is to slice the apples as thin as you possibly can. The thinner the slices are, the easier they roll into pretty roses. It's a little bit fiddly - but the perfect thing to offer up in the name of St. Therese's "Little Way".

Inspired by St. Teresa’s writing on the interior castle, this historical English dessert, traditionally called “Castle Pudding”, is steamed in the microwave for a quick, tasty dessert, perfect for the fall!

This prayer was composed by Pope John Paul II and included in Ecclesia in Oceania, a post-synodal apostolic exhortation published in 2001!

Decorate for the month of the Sacred Heart with this banner which includes all of the Hearts of the Holy Family!

Saint Anne is one of MANY patron saints of lacemaking, which, I guess, seems complicated enough to warrant that. These cookies, on the other hand, are pretty straightforward. And quite tasty. Almond flour is available in the baking aisle of my local grocery store, but can also be created by pulsing sliced blanched almonds in a food processor until they make a crumbly flour. Lace cookies can be enjoyed as is, or, after cooling, brushed on the bottom with a coat of chocolate.

The husband was raised in Chicago, and our family spent a couple years living there. Portillo’s Hot Dogs is a popular local restaurant chain famous for hot dogs, beef sandwiches, and . . . cake shakes. This is—yes—a milkshake into which is blended a whole piece of chocolate cake! Portillo’s moist chocolate cake is made in-house with a box mix supplemented with mayonnaise. It sounds crazy, but it tastes amazing. And since mayo is just eggs + oil, it’s not really all that off. The association with Blessed Alvaro del Portillo is mostly just a coincidence of names, but it’s also a Chicago thing. Blessed Alvaro visited Chicago in 1988, famously leaving behind a pair of shoes that were saved by a priest at the residence and, after Blessed Alvaro’s beatification, cut up into tiny pieces and attached to holy cards. I don’t know if anyone in Chicago took him out for a hot dog and a cake shake during his visit, but one can hope!

St. Catherine was born and raised in Siena, a city located in Tuscany. Her life and legacy are deeply intertwined with the region, and she is considered the patron saint of Italy, alongside St. Francis of Assisi. Although we can neither confirm nor deny that St. Catherine’s mom prepared this very meal for her 25 children, we can still enjoy this simple yet flavorful creamy Tuscan sauce with bread, rice, pasta, or creamy mashed potatoes in her honor to celebrate today’s feast!

Simple and sweet, these ice cream sundaes are a tasty way to celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday. We use red and blue fruit and/or sprinkles to represent the rays of love and mercy that emanate from the heart of Jesus. I think vanilla ice cream makes for the prettiest presentation, but my kids prefer more exciting ice cream flavors. Fresh or frozen berries will work.

These tasty flatbreads are quick and easy and make an excellent side for curries and any meal that needs a “pusher.” They’re great with dips or folded and filled with sandwich fixins. They are relatively flat, but allowed to rise (chametz again). A more authentic addition to a Passover meal would be store-bought or homemade matzo bread (more like crackers).