St. Fabian (January 20)
Fabian was a layman who came into the city of Rome from his farm one day as people were preparing to elect a new pope. Fabian may have come for the same reason many still come to Rome today during a p...
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St. Fabian (January 20)
d. 250
Fabian was a layman who came into the city of Rome from his farm one day as people were preparing to elect a new pope. Fabian may have come for the same reason many still come to Rome today during a papal election: concern for the future of the faith, curiosity about the new pope, and a desire to grieve for the pope who had passed. Many important people gathered to make this momentous decision. During the deliberations, a dove descended from the ceiling and settled on the head of Fabian. The people interpreted this as a sign that Fabian was worthy to be pope, and much to Fabian’s surprise, he was elected.
With Fabian’s election, the Church entered a time of peace and Fabian was able to build up the structure of the Church of Rome. The emperor at the time, Philip, was friendly to Christians; the persecution stopped, and Christians gained acceptance. However, when Philip died, so did the time of peace. The new emperor, Decius, ordered all Christians to deny Christ. Many didn’t have the courage to stand up for their faith, but Fabian did. He died a martyr in the year 250.
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What similarities do you see between Cephas (Peter) and St. Fabian?
St. Sebastian (January 20)
According to legend, Sebastian was born at Narbonne, Gaul. He became a soldier in the Roman army and encouraged two Christians, Marcellian and Marcus, under sentence of death, to remain firm in their ...
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St. Sebastian (January 20)
c. 256 – January 20, 287
According to legend, Sebastian was born at Narbonne, Gaul. He became a soldier in the Roman army and encouraged two Christians, Marcellian and Marcus, under sentence of death, to remain firm in their faith. Sebastian made numerous converts: among them were Nicostratus, who was in charge of prisoners and his wife, Zoe, a deaf mute whom he cured; the jailer Claudius; Chromatius, Prefect of Rome, whom he cured of gout; and Chromatius’ son, Tiburtius. After Chromatius was healed, he set the prisoners free, freed his slaves, and resigned as prefect.
Sebastian was captain in the praetorian guards during the reign of Emperors Diocletian and Maximian. Neither knew that Sebastian was a Christian, but when it was discovered that he was a Christian, he was ordered to be executed. He was shot with arrows and left for dead, but when the widow of St. Castulus went to recover his body, she found he was still alive and nursed him back to health. Soon after, Sebastian intercepted the Emperor, denounced him for his cruelty to Christians, and was beaten to death on the Emperor’s orders.
St. Sebastian is the patron saint of athletes because of his physical endurance and his energetic way of spreading and defending the Faith.
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In what way did St. Sebastian exhibit courage in his life as a Christian?
Blessed Ladislao Batthyány-Strattmann (January 22)
Ladislaus was the sixth of ten brothers, born into an ancient noble family in Hungary. He knew from a very young age that he wanted to be a doctor so he could serve the poor. Ladislaus and his wife, C...
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Blessed Ladislao Batthyány-Strattmann (January 22)
October 28, 1870-January 22, 1931
Ladislaus was the sixth of ten brothers, born into an ancient noble family in Hungary. He knew from a very young age that he wanted to be a doctor so he could serve the poor. Ladislaus and his wife, Countess Maria Teresa Coreth, had 13 children together. They attended Mass together every day and prayed the rosary every night as a family. In 1902 Ladislaus opened a hospital and worked there during World War I, taking care of injured soldiers.
When his uncle died in 1915, Ladislaus inherited a castle in Hungary. Five years later, he moved his entire family into the castle and made one wing of their home into a hospital that specialized in ophthalmology. Ladislaus became well-known all over Hungary and across Europe as a “doctor of the poor.” When people came to him for medical treatment, he never charged them any money. Instead, he would tell his patients that their “fee” was to pray an Our Father for him. As a doctor, Ladislaus was able to live his personal vocation in a powerful way.
Ladislaus prayed before every surgery he performed, asking God to bless the operation, and believed that he was merely an instrument in the hands of God. Dr. Ladislaus died in 1931 after suffering with bladder cancer for over a year. Even in moments of great pain, he said, “I am happy. I am suffering atrociously, but I love my sufferings and am consoled in knowing that I support them for Christ.”
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Blessed Ladislao Batthyány-Strattmann turned half of his home into a hospital. How can your home be a place of welcome and healing for others?
St. Vincent Pallotti (January 22)
St. Vincent Pallotti was born in Rome in 1795. He was a well-known priest because many people sensed that God worked extraordinary graces through him. He raised large sums of money and organized schoo...
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St. Vincent Pallotti (January 22)
April 21, 1795 – January 22, 1850
St. Vincent Pallotti was born in Rome in 1795. He was a well-known priest because many people sensed that God worked extraordinary graces through him. He raised large sums of money and organized schools for shoemakers, tailors, coachmen, carpenters, and gardeners, as well as evening classes for young farmers and unskilled workers. In his lifetime, he founded the Union of Catholic Apostolate. At that time, the Church did not actively involve the laity, but St. Vincent wanted to inspire people from all walks of life to work constantly for God's kingdom. He called the members of the Union of Catholic Apostolate (laity, sisters, priests, and brothers) to charity, patience, humility, zeal, and love of God. St. Vincent Pallotti died, leaving a legacy that inspires people worldwide. Today the Union of Catholic Apostolate in the United States is composed of the Pallottine Fathers and Brothers, the Pallottine Sisters, the Pallottine Missionary Sisters, and various lay groups.
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St. Vincent Pallotti left a legacy that continues to inspire people today. What do you want your legacy to be? How do you want people to remember you?
Blessed Benedetta Bianchi Porro (January 23)
Benedetta was born the second of six children in Italy. At only three months old, she contracted polio, and suffered with repeated bronchitis. Benedetta grew up wearing a leg brace and orthopedics to ...
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Blessed Benedetta Bianchi Porro (January 23)
August 8, 1936-January 23, 1964
Benedetta was born the second of six children in Italy. At only three months old, she contracted polio, and suffered with repeated bronchitis. Benedetta grew up wearing a leg brace and orthopedics to prevent her spine from deforming. When she was thirteen, she began to lose her hearing. Still, Benedetta persevered, and traveled to Milan where she first studied physics, but later discerned that she was called to study medicine. Benedetta wanted to become a doctor so she could help those who needed medical care most. She studied diligently despite her hearing loss. It was later discovered that Benedetta had a condition called neurofibromatosis, or Von Recklinghausen disease. The disease would eventually force her to leave medical school and leave her blind and deaf.
Benedetta was confined to her home with her illness. She began to write letters to others, in which she shared her faith and her love for God. Multiple operations left her paralyzed and she slowly lost her five senses. In 1962, Benedetta went on a pilgrimage to Lourdes, praying for a miracle. While she was there, she met a young woman, sobbing beside her. Benedetta held her hand and encouraged her to pray, asking for the Blessed Virgin’s intercession. The young woman was healed. When Benedetta returned home, people started traveling to see her, as her reputation for being a kind and holy woman grew. Many came wanting to comfort Benedetta, and left feeling they had been comforted by her presence as well.
Near the end of her life, Benedetta was completely immobile except some movement in one hand. She once said, “I want to say to those who are suffering, to the sick, that if we are humble and docile, the Lord will do great things in us.” Her love for the Lord and for others never wavered as she endured a lifetime of illness. She succumbed to her illness in 1964.
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St. Francis de Sales wrote a book to remind people that all are called to be holy, not just priests and religious. As a family, how can we become more holy?
St. Emerentiana (January 23)
Emerentiana's mother was the wet nurse and nanny of St. Agnes. The influence of Agnes and her parents had a profound effect on Emerentiana. A slave by birth but a milk-sibling, Emerentiana was inspire...
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St. Emerentiana (January 23)
d. 304
Emerentiana's mother was the wet nurse and nanny of St. Agnes. The influence of Agnes and her parents had a profound effect on Emerentiana. A slave by birth but a milk-sibling, Emerentiana was inspired by her mistress Agnes who was teaching her the holy Faith so that she might be baptized a Christian.
Her course of study was abruptly ended with the glorious death of Agnes. Several days after Agnes was publicly martyred, Emerentiana went to the tomb to pray. Mocked by a group of pagans who saw her there grieving, she courageously defended her mistress.
This brave rebuttal raised the fury of a group of pagans and they stoned Emerentiana to death on the very tomb of her dear mistress Agnes. The tomb of the teacher became the throne of martyrdom for the disciple. It is a beautiful scene that confirms what has been believed and taught since the first centuries of the Church: martyrdom is equivalent to baptism for those not yet baptized.
At the Easter Vigil, the Church welcomes catechumens into the Catholic Church in parishes across the whole world. Like St. Emerentiana, these individuals were inspired by someone who witnessed their faith and w
ere led by teachers and mentors to be baptized into new life.
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Many people are baptized as infants; others are baptized when they are older, often at the Easter Vigil. What do you think it’s like to be baptized as an adult? What do you think it feels like to have all your sins washed away for the first time in the waters of baptism and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit?
St. Marianne Cope (January 23)
Born into a poor farming family in Germany, Barbara Koob immigrated to Utica, New York. When her father became ill, Barbara left school in 8th grade and went to work in a factory to support her family...
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St. Marianne Cope (January 23)
January 23, 1838-August 9, 1918
Born into a poor farming family in Germany, Barbara Koob immigrated to Utica, New York. When her father became ill, Barbara left school in 8th grade and went to work in a factory to support her family. When her father died in 1862, Barbara’s siblings were old enough to support themselves, allowing her to pursue her long desire of entering religious life. That same year, Barbara entered the Sisters of Saint Francis in Syracuse, New York and took the name Sister Marianne.
Sister Marianne worked as a teacher and principal in a school for German Catholic immigrants. She took on a leadership role in her religious order and help found the first two Catholic hospitals in central New York. She was later appointed the provincial of her community. In 1883, King Kalākaua of Hawaii wrote to Mother Marianne asking for her help in caring for people suffering with leprosy (now known as Hansen’s disease). He had already been denied assistance by over 50 other religious organizations because leprosy was considered highly contagious. Mother Marianne took six other sisters with her and arrived in Hawaii in November that year.
Mother Marianne went to work immediately managing a hospital on O’ahu, where patients with Hansen’s disease were gathered from the surrounding islands. In 1888, she traveled to Kalaupapa on Molokai, where she met Fr. Damien (now Saint Damien of Molokai), who had spent his life caring for people suffering from Hansen’s disease. She cared for Fr. Damien as he neared the end of his life and took over the care of Hansen’s disease patients on Molokai after his death. Mother Marianne remained in Hawaii for another 30 years, caring for the people of Molokai until her death in 1918.
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What do you think it was like for St. Marianne Cope to minister to the lepers in Hawaii?
Venerable Satoko Kitahara (January 23)
Satoko Kitahara was born in Japan in 1929 to a wealthy aristocratic family, descended from samurai. When World War II began in 1940, Satoko went to work in an airplane factory, while her father and br...
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Venerable Satoko Kitahara (January 23)
August 22, 1929-January 23, 1958
Satoko Kitahara was born in Japan in 1929 to a wealthy aristocratic family, descended from samurai. When World War II began in 1940, Satoko went to work in an airplane factory, while her father and brother joined the army. While working at the factory, she lived in constant fear of attacks and miraculously escaped when her workplace was bombed. As a result of the bombing, Satoko became sick with tuberculosis. After the war, most of Japan was in ruins, including Satoko’s home. When introduced to the Mercedarian Sisters at a nearby Catholic school, she was drawn to the sisters’ deep faith. In 1949, Satoko was baptized, taking the name Elisabeth Maria. Although Satoko desired to be a member of the religious order, she was not accepted because of her poor health.
As a lay single person, Satoko dedicated her life to serving the poor of her community in an area known as the “Village of Ants,” where children and young people survived by collecting and selling garbage. She gave up her money and belongings to live among the people, teaching them to read, building a school, and working to provide clean living conditions for them. Satoko died of tuberculosis in 1958 at the age of 28. Pope Francis declared Satoko venerable in 2014.
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Thinking about Venerable Satoko Kitahara’s commitment to the “Village of Ants,” what lengths would you take to help someone in need? How could you help them grow closer to God?
Roasted Chicken with Prosciutto and Peas
3 to 3 ½ pounds whole chicken (or use chicken breasts) ½ cup dry white wine 6-8 oz. prosciutto, diced 1 medium sweet onion, diced ½ cup heavy whipping...
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Roasted Chicken with Prosciutto and Peas
3 to 3 ½ pounds whole chicken (or use chicken breasts)
½ cup dry white wine
6-8 oz. prosciutto, diced
1 medium sweet onion, diced
½ cup heavy whipping cream
1 package frozen peas
2-4 Tbsp cornstarch
Pasta
(optional) Parmesan cheese
Cook the chicken, wine, prosciutto, and onion in the crock pot on low for 8 hours. Once cooked, remove the chicken and keep warm. Cook pasta. Pour the liquid in the crockpot (including the prosciutto and onion) into a pan over medium heat. Add whipping cream and frozen peas to the liquid to make the sauce. Heat to simmer and allow to simmer uncovered for 10 minutes to allow the peas to cook. Then add 2 Tbsp cornstarch to the sauce to thicken. Consider dissolving the cornstarch in a little water first so that it is not clumpy when you add it. Add additional cornstarch for thicker sauce. Carve the chicken. Serve over the pasta and top with sauce. Add parmesan cheese if desired.
Roasted Chickpeas
2 cans chickpeas (garbanzo beans) 2 Tbsp. olive oil salt any additional spices you want Preheat oven to 400 F. Drain chickpeas and rinse. Dry on a kit...
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Roasted Chickpeas
2 cans chickpeas (garbanzo beans)
2 Tbsp. olive oil
salt
any additional spices you want
Preheat oven to 400 F. Drain chickpeas and rinse. Dry on a kitchen towel and remove any loose peels. Cover the chickpeas with the olive oil in a bowl. Spread on a baking sheet and sprinkle generously with salt. Cook for 20 minutes or until crisp. Add any additional spices you would like over the chickpeas. These make a great snack. They can also be used on top of soups or salads.
Hungarian Cucumber Salad
2 English cucumbers (peel if preferred) 1 – 2 Tbsp salt (optional) 1 onion, sliced thinly 1 - 2 cloves of garlic, minced (optional) 2 Tbsp sugar 2 Tb...
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Hungarian Cucumber Salad
2 English cucumbers (peel if preferred)
1 – 2 Tbsp salt
(optional) 1 onion, sliced thinly
1 - 2 cloves of garlic, minced
(optional) 2 Tbsp sugar
2 Tbsp vinegar
2/3 cup sour cream
ground black pepper (to taste)
a sprinkle of paprika
Prepare the cucumber and slice thinly. Place the cucumbers and onion in a bowl or colander. Sprinkle with salt and let sit for 30 minutes. You can refrigerate it. Rinse the salt and drain the excess liquid from the cucumbers by squeezing out the water. Add the sour cream, sugar, vinegar, garlic, pepper, and paprika and mix well together. Refrigerate salad for a few hours, even overnight, before serving.
Cauliflower and Broccoli Salad
1 head broccoli 1 head cauliflower ¾ pound cooked bacon, crumbled ½ cup red onion, chopped ½ cup raisins 1 cup sunflower seeds 1 cup Miracle Whip ½ cu...
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Cauliflower and Broccoli Salad
1 head broccoli
1 head cauliflower
¾ pound cooked bacon, crumbled
½ cup red onion, chopped
½ cup raisins
1 cup sunflower seeds
1 cup Miracle Whip
½ cup white sugar
¼ cup white vinegar
Chop up the broccoli and cauliflower and place in a large mixing bowl. Add bacon, onion, raisins, and sunflower seeds. In a smaller bowl, mix Miracle Whip, sugar, and vinegar together. Pour over broccoli and cauliflower mix. Stir and enjoy. Refrigerate if not serving immediately.
Easy Chicken and Dumplings
One 2 ½ pound chicken, cut into 8 pieces 1 large onion, chopped 2 bay leaves 2 chicken bouillon cubes Salt and pepper to taste 1 can condensed cream o...
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Easy Chicken and Dumplings
One 2 ½ pound chicken, cut into 8 pieces 1 large onion, chopped 2 bay leaves 2 chicken bouillon cubes Salt and pepper to taste 1 can condensed cream of chicken soup Dumplings: 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon pepper 1 can flaky layer biscuits
Place the chicken, onion, bay leaves, and bouillon in a large pot. Add 4 quarts of water, and simmer over medium heat. Simmer chicken until it is tender and no longer pink, about 40 minutes. Remove the chicken from the pot and, when it is cool enough to handle, remove the skin and separate the meat from the bones. Return the chicken meat to the pot. Keep warm over low heat. Add the cream of chicken soup to the pot with the chicken and simmer gently over medium-low heat.
To prepare the dumplings, mix the flour with the salt and pepper in a shallow bowl or plate. Take each biscuit and tear into three layers. Dip each layer into the flour mixture (both sides). Cut each layer into three pieces using a pizza cutter or knife or tear them for a more rustic-looking dumpling. Do NOT stir the pot once the dumplings have been added, or they will dissolve. Gently push the pieces of dough down into the broth. Gently move the pot in a circular motion so the dumplings become submerged and cook evenly. Cook until the dumplings are no longer doughy, about 10 minutes.
To serve, ladle chicken, gravy, and dumplings into warm bowls.
Chicken Cacciatore Slow Cooker Recipe
1 bag frozen chicken breast tenderloins 1 -14oz. can tomato paste 1/3-1/2 cup red cooking wine 4-5 whole cloves garlic chopped 3 jars tomato basil s...
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Chicken Cacciatore Slow Cooker Recipe
1 bag frozen chicken breast tenderloins
1 -14oz. can tomato paste
1/3-1/2 cup red cooking wine
4-5 whole cloves garlic chopped
3 jars tomato basil sauce
whole mushrooms
¼ tsp. dried basil
¼ tsp. black pepper
¼ tsp. red pepper flakes
¼ tsp. salt
1 chopped red pepper
Optional:
sliced/diced onion
dried rosemary – ¼ tsp.
Combine all ingredients in crock pot. Cook on low for 7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
Pineapple Rosemary Agua Fresca
3 cups pineapple chunks 4 cups water divided 2 Tbsp. rosemary 3/4 cup water 1/4 cup sugar 2 cups pineapple juice 4 cup ice pineapple chunks and rose...
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Pineapple Rosemary Agua Fresca
3 cups pineapple chunks
4 cups water divided
2 Tbsp. rosemary
3/4 cup water
1/4 cup sugar
2 cups pineapple juice
4 cup ice
pineapple chunks and rosemary sprigs for garnish
Combine pineapple chunks, 2 cups water and rosemary in a blender or food processor. Blend until completely liquified. Allow the rosemary to steep in the liquid for about 15 minutes. Strain into a large pitcher. Add remaining water, sugar and pineapple juice and ice to the pitcher. Stir to combine. Portion Agua Fresca in glasses and garnish with chunks of pineapple and rosemary sprigs.
From https://cookeatshare.com/recipes/pineapple-and-rosemary-aqua-fresca-789018/external
Yaki Onigiri (Grilled Rice Balls)
2 cups Japanese short grain rice or sushi rice, cooked 4-5 Tbsp. soy sauce Olive oil or butter Soy sauce or Miso paste (optional) vinegar and salt (op...
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Yaki Onigiri (Grilled Rice Balls)
2 cups Japanese short grain rice or sushi rice, cooked 4-5 Tbsp. soy sauce Olive oil or butter Soy sauce or Miso paste (optional) vinegar and salt (optional) butter
Let the rice cool to where it is easy to handle with your hands but is not completely cool. Divide the rice into about 6 even amounts and tightly shape into a ball or triangle. You can shape it in plastic wrap or rub vinegar on your hands and salt on your fingertips to prevent sticking. Over medium heat, warm a skillet with oil or butter. Grill the shaped rice for about 1 minute on each side. Brush with either soy sauce or miso paste on both sides of the shaped rice. If using soy sauce, brush on the shaped rice each time you turn it over. Grill each side until crispy. Top with butter and then serve.
