1964Benedetta 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.

•In the Old Testament, the role of the priest was to offer animal sacrifices on behalf of the people. Why is it fitting to call Jesus a “high priest”?

•How does it make you feel to know that Jesus died on the cross so that your sins could be forgiven?

•What would you like to tell Jesus today?

•Blessed Benedetta Bianchi Porro suffered greatly in her life, yet through her suffering she brought people to Jesus. How can we use our times of suffering to bring people to Jesus?

Many Christian nations have the tradition of making Hot Cross Buns for breakfast on Good Friday. The cross on the top of the buns symbolizes Christ’s crucifixion.

As we reflect on Jesus’ suffering and death on the Cross this day, create a crown of thorns to have in your home. Use branches/vines, K’nex, or another building set to make a crown of thorns. You can also make one out of play-do hand toothpicks. Use black or brown play-doh or mix colors together to get this shade. Roll the play-doh out into two to three tube shapes. Twist or braid the play-doh and form into a circle shape. Place on a plate or tray. Stick the toothpicks around the crown.

Found at https://www.catholicicing.com/how-to-make-an-easy-and-cheap-crown-of-thorns-for-lent/

Pray the Stations of the Cross

Use the link in the Family Fun activity on Palm Sunday to pray the Stations of the Cross. If praying at home, use the Stations you created as a family. Alternatively, go to church and participate in the Stations at your parish.