Blessed Charles de Foucauld was born into an aristocratic family in Strasbourg, France. When he was a teenager, Charles distanced himself from the faith and claimed that he no longer believed in God. In 1876, Charles joined the French army and was sent to Algeria. His experience in the army inspired him to take up travel and exploration. Charles set out for a one-year exploration expedition to Morocco. Because Europeans were forbidden in Morocco, Charles disguised himself as a Jew.

When he returned to France, he felt a strong interior grace to go back to Church. He would spend long hours there repeating this strange prayer: “My God, if you exist, allow me to know you!” Eventually, Charles felt the call to leave everything and follow Jesus. He became a Trappist monk, and after 7 years, Charles left the monastery and worked as a gardener and sacristan for the Poor Clare nuns in Nazareth, and then later in Jerusalem. At the age of 43, he returned to France and was ordained a priest. Later that year Charles journeyed to Beni-Abbes, Morocco, to serve among the Tuareg people, a nomadic ethnic group. He was deeply respectful of the faiths and cultures he lived among and became a “brother” to the people. De Foucauld was the inspiration for the founding of several lay associations, religious communities, and secular institutes of laity and priests. He was assassinated by a band of men at his hermitage in the Sahara on Dec. 1, 1916. On May 26, 2020, Pope Francis approved a second miracle attributed to de Foucauld’s intercession, paving the way for his canonization.

• What emotions do you think Jesus felt while he was in the desert? What do you think he thought or prayed about when he was there?
• Today’s Gospel says that angels ministered to Jesus. Have you ever felt the presence of angels in your life?
• Jesus said, “This is the time of fulfillment.” What does he mean by this?
• What would it be like to be a missionary to people of other faiths and cultures?

You’ll be tempted to peek under the lid of this recipe when it smells so good!

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Watch a family movie set in the desert. Consider The Prince of Egypt, Aladdin, or Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Pop some popcorn, grab some blankets, and enjoy your time together!

Alternatively, select a movie where someone is alone for a long period of time like Up, Frozen, or Moana.

The Our Father and Guardian Angel Prayer

We hear today of Jesus being tempted and the angels ministering to Him. Today, ask for God’s protection by praying the Our Father and calling on your Guardian Angel.

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Our Father

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

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Guardian Angels Prayer

Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom God's love commits me here, ever this day be at my side, to light and guard to rule and guide. Amen.

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