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Somehow this Fall my husband and I fell into a homemade Rice Krispies Treats craze! We were making them every few weeks because that marshmallow gooeyness was so delicious we just couldn't get enough. I don't think I can ever go back to the store bought version, I wasn't that big of a fan anyway, but this just solidified that. Last week when we went to the store I found orange Rice Krispies cereal and I knew I already had little decorative eyes at home so I decided it would be a fun way to celebrate the season by making mummies. I didn't get creative with the Rice Krispies, I just followed the directions on the box which I have put below for your convenience. Prep Time: 10 minutes Total Time: 30 minutes Yields: 12 servings Gather the Troops! 3 tablespoons butter 5-1/2 cups JET-PUFFED Miniature Marshmallows 6 cups Kellogg's® Rice Krispies® cereal, white or orange White chocolate for melting Decorative eyes In large saucepan melt butter over low heat. Add marshmallows and stir until completely melted. Remove from heat. Add Rice Krispies cereal. Stir until well coated. Using buttered spatula or wax paper evenly press mixture into 13 x 9 x 2-inch pan coated with cooking spray. Allow these to completely cool before drizzling the melted chocolate. Then cut into 2-inch rectangles so they have a mummy shape. Microwave the white chocolate melts in a glass bowl according to the package. For this part you need to move at a steady pace so that the chocolate doesn't begin to harden. Dip your rectangular Rice Krispies treats into the chocolate 1/3 of the way. Lay them on a lined baking sheet to set. Dip a tablespoon into the bowl of melted white chocolates, then hovering over the treats move the spoon side to side. The chocolate should drip off the spoon and make lines across the Rice Krispies treats. There doesn't need to be any uniform pattern, we want it to look messy to get the mummy effect. While the chocolate is still soft, take your decorative eyes and place them on the dipped portion of your treat. Again, they don't need to be perfectly side by side, the crazy eyes make this a little more silly and fun. If you have any eyes leftover you can also sprinkle them on your serving platter for extra Halloween flair. These didn't last very long and they were perfect to hand out to coworkers! They would also be a delightful classroom treat for the kids' friends and their teachers. Each one can be placed in a ziploc bag for ease in passing out. You can make the bags cuter by cutting off the top and tying it closed with Halloween colored ribbon! Did you make this recipe? If so I would love to see it, drop a picture in the comment or send it to me on social media Facebook @HisGirlSunday or Instagram @Steffani_HisGirlSunday. Hope you have a fun and prayerful All Hallows' Eve! God love you, Steffani

What could be more comforting than a warm, fragrant glass of mulled cider on a cold or rainy day? I have a fond memory from when I was younger of going to a dear friend's house and her mother would do a similar combination of this just in warm water to make their home smell of the season. It stands out to me so vividly as a scent and warmth that brought consolation and coziness. Serve up that same sense of home to your family and friends this Thanksgiving and Christmas season. Allow your domestic church to be a fond memory for others with this delicious drink. There is something so communal about standing around a simmering pot of cider with hands cupped around warm mugs. Ready to get started? Prep Time: 5 minutes Cook Time: 20 minutes Yields: 8-10 servings Ingredients 1. 8 cups apple cider 2. 2 cinnamon sticks 3. 3 allspice beads 4. 2 whole cloves 5. 1 whole orange sliced 6. 3 star anise 7. 1/4 cup fresh cranberries Directions 1. Pour 8 cups of apple cider into a large sauce pot or Dutch oven and bring that to a simmer, barely bubbling 2. Add in 2 cinnamon sticks, 3 allspice beads, 2 whole cloves, 1 whole orange sliced, 3 star anise, and 1/4 cup fresh cranberries 3. Let your ingredients simmer for at least 20 minutes 4. Ladle into warm in mugs (If there are undesired particulates use a sieve to remove when serving) 5. Garnish with a cinnamon stick and an orange slice on the rim Want to make this drink a little more jolly? Kick it up a notch by adding a touch of alcohol. This is what I would recommend. Spiced Rum Brandy Bourbon A good ratio would be 1 oz alcohol for every 7-8 oz glass of mulled cider. Or you can just pour a little uncalculated splash into each mug and say cheers! So, cheers, friends! Did you make this recipe? If so I would love to see it, drop a picture in the comment or send it to me on social media, Facebook @HisGirlSunday or Instagram @steffani_hisgirlsunday. For more liturgical living resources check out the blog section of my website or follow me on Facebook to see what Catholic things I am doing to celebrate feast days.

On of our Saturday morning traditions is to wake up and eat a nice breakfast and relax for as long as the day will allow us. I look forward to getting my bacon, eggs, and pancakes after a week of hustle and bustle. Since we had leftover homemade pumpkin puree we decided to add that to the pancake recipe that was passed down to us. Anybody else do pumpkin flavored recipes and treats into December? I do! These were so good I thought it would be sinful to not share the love! Prep Time: 10-15 minutes Bake Time: 15 minutes Total Time: 30 minutes Yields: 15-18 small pancakes The Cast and Crew 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour 1/2 tbsp coconut sugar (you can also use the same measurement of regular sugar) 1 1/2 tsp baking powder 3/4 tsp baking soda 3/4 tsp salt 1 1/2 tsps ground cinnamon 1 tsp ground ginger 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg 1 1/2 cups buttermilk 3/4 cup pumpkin puree 2 eggs 3 tbsps melted butter (and more for greasing the skillet) 1 tsp vanilla extract Grab a large glass bowl and measure out 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour. Add in 1 1/2 tsps baking powder. Sprinkle in 1/2 tsp salt. Measure out 1/2 tbsp sugar, as you can see I couldn't find my 1/2 tbsp! Grr... we make do. We have been using Coconut Sugar as a healthier alternative, but you could also use regular sugar at the same measurement, judgment free. Don't forget to put in the delicious spices to give it that holiday flavor. Add 1 1/2 tsps ground cinnamon! Next, put in 3/4 tsp baking soda. Back to the spices, measure out 1 tsp ground ginger and add that to the dry mix. Lastly, to give it a little love, add 1/2 tsp nutmeg. Whisk all of your dry ingredients together until they are thoroughly combined and set it aside to make your wet mix. In two separate glass bowls, separate the egg yolk and egg whites! This is a little family secret that has been handed down and will make your pancakes light, fluffy, absolutely delectable. To the bowl of egg yolk, add in 3 tbsps melted butter. Then pour in 3/4 cup pumpkin puree. You can use canned for this but I already had lots of puree from making Thanksgiving pies so I had it fresh. If you are interested in doing that check out my last post, it is so easy! https://www.hisgirlsunday.com/post/perfect-pumpkin-puree Take your beaters and make sure that everything is thoroughly combined. Then you are going to add 1 tsp vanilla extract. Pour in 1 1/2 cups buttermilk, seems like a lot I know but just trust me and keep pouring! Grab a rubber spatula and mix all of the wet ingredients together. Now get someone to hold the camera so you can safely pour all that pumpkin goodness into the flour mixture. I combine by hand with the same spatula, this is the start of that process! Keep on going! Alright, when you have perfectly mixed everything it will look like this, but we have one last thing to do! To give your pancakes that fluffiness that we all want you need to tend to your egg whites. Rinse off the beaters and place them into the egg whites. Set them on medium-high until they begin to look white and foamy like this. Don't stop there! You see those little snowy mountains? That is what you want to see when you raise your beaters up out of the egg whites. That is how you know you are finished! Slide those into the batter and fold them in. Fold, fold, fold! That is key, you don't want to mash the egg whites that you just worked so hard on. This is a close up of my batter with the folded egg whites. It's okay if they aren't entirely covered, you don't want big chunks of egg whites but a little peaking out like this is fine. Cooking Directions: Using some sort of scoop, you can pour them out onto a greased skillet on low to medium heat. I grease with spray canola oil but you can also use butter if your heart desires. Make sure you leave plenty of room between them for the batter to expand. Cook for a minute or two until the batter bubbles around the edges and then flip. This is my finished product with maple syrup and homemade butter courtesy of my mother in law! Yummmmmmm! Voila! Pumpkin pancakes, happy bellies, restful holiday season Saturday mornings. Did you make this recipe? If so I would love to see it, drop a picture in the comment or send it to me on social media Facebook @HisGirlSunday. For more liturgical living resources check out the blog section of my website or follow me on Facebook to see what Catholic things I am doing to celebrate feast days. Praying for you as we build tradition together!

Halloween is the season of seasonal delights, saintly costumes, and, of course, mouthwatering treats. While we all love a good stash of candy, there's something about creating your own Halloween-themed snacks that adds an extra layer of fun to the festivities. That's where Jalapeño Mummy Poppers come into play! These delicious morsels are not only a taste bud adventure but also a perfect addition to your Halloween party spread or a delectable snack for family movie night. Picture this: plump jalapeño peppers, oozing with tasty cheese, wrapped in a crispy, golden layer of bacon, and adorned with whimsical mummy-like features. These little bites are the perfect balance of spicy, creamy, and crispy, making them a treat that both kids and adults will adore. Whether you're planning a Halloween soirée or just want a little seasonal excitement in your kitchen, our Jalapeño Mummy Poppers will be sure to fly off the plates. In this blog post, we'll walk you through the step-by-step process of creating these festive and mouthwatering morsels. So grab your chef's hat, and let's get started on a culinary Halloween adventure like no other! Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 15-20 minutes Yields: 20 servings Ingredients 12 large jalapeno peppers 4 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature 4 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese 2 tbsps fresh cilantro, finely chopped 1 teaspoon onion powder 1 teaspoon garlic powder 12 strips of bacon Candy eyes Directions Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Slice the peppers in half and remove the insides and seeds. In a bowl, combine the 4 ounces cream cheese, 4 ounces shredded mozzarella, 2 tbsps fresh cilantro, 1 tsp onion powder, and 1 tsp garlic powder. Slice the bacon lengthwise so that each jalapeno can be wrapped in a thin slice of bacon. Wrap the jalapeno as you desire but leave some space open for the candy eyes to rest. I didn't do this uniformly so that there was fun and silly variation in the eye placement. Bake for about 15 minutes or until the bacon is completely cooked. Check them at 15 minutes to see if they need to cook for longer. Let the jalapeno poppers cool before arranging them on a plate and setting the eyes on them. Did you make this recipe? If so I would love to see it, drop a picture in the comment or send it to me on social media, Facebook @HisGirlSunday or Instagram @steffani_hisgirlsunday .

What is All Souls' Day? The feast of All Souls, observed on November 2nd, is a day when Catholics remember, honor, and pray for the faithful departed, especially those believed to be in purgatory. The Catholic Church teaches that purgatory is a temporary state of purification for souls who died in God's grace but still need cleansing to enter heaven. Prayers, Masses, and acts of charity offered by the living can help these souls on their journey to eternal peace in heaven. Where Do Soul Cakes Come From? The tradition of soul cakes is connected to medieval customs associated with All Souls' Day. People would bake and give out small cakes, often called “soul cakes,” in memory of the departed. These cakes would be offered to visitors or to the poor as they went “souling,” a practice in which people would go door to door, praying for the dead in exchange for food. The cakes were typically round and marked with a cross, symbolizing prayers for the souls in purgatory. This tradition of giving soul cakes is a way for communities to pray for and remember the deceased, share in charity, and pass down Catholic beliefs about the communion of saints and the power of intercessory prayer. Although the practice of “souling” has mostly faded, baking and sharing soul cakes remains a meaningful way for us to connect with the festivity of All Souls’ Day and to remember that our prayers continue to support and bring comfort to the faithful departed. Try My Recipe! Here's a unique and delicious take on Soul Cakes that blends traditional elements with modern flavors. My version adds a touch of warmth and comfort, perfect for the season! Orange Spice Soul Cakes with Honey-Maple Glaze Ingredients: For the cakes: - 2 cups all-purpose flour - ½ cup granulated sugar - 1 tsp baking powder - ½ tsp ground cinnamon - ¼ tsp ground nutmeg - ¼ tsp ground cloves - ¼ tsp ground ginger - ½ tsp salt - ½ cup cold unsalted butter, cubed - 1 egg - ½ cup milk - Zest of 1 orange - 1 tsp vanilla extract - ½ cup currants or raisins (optional) For the Honey-Maple Glaze: - ¼ cup honey - 2 tbsp maple syrup - 1 tbsp butter - Pinch of cinnamon Instructions: 1. Preheat and Prep: - Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). - Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it. 2. Make the dough: - In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger, and salt. - Cut in the cold butter using a pastry cutter or your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. - Stir in the orange zest and currants (if using). 3. Wet ingredients: - In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg, milk, and vanilla extract. - Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. The dough should be soft but firm enough to roll out. 4. Shape the cakes: - Lightly flour a surface and roll the dough out to about ½ inch thickness. - Use a round cookie cutter or glass to cut out circles. - Place the cakes on the prepared baking sheet and score the tops with a cross pattern using a knife. 5. Bake: - Bake for 15–18 minutes, or until the cakes are golden brown and slightly firm to the touch. 6. Glaze: - While the cakes are baking, make the glaze by heating the honey, maple syrup, butter, and a pinch of cinnamon in a small saucepan over low heat until smooth. - Once the cakes are done, brush the warm cakes with the glaze. 7. Serve: - Allow the cakes to cool slightly before serving. They’re best enjoyed warm with tea or coffee. These Orange Spice Soul Cakes offer a blend of old-world charm with the bright, refreshing flavor of orange and the warmth of spices, elevated with a luscious honey-maple glaze. Perfect for sharing on a cool autumn day! Remember, the secret ingredient to liturgical living recipes is sharing in the fun with your friends and family. Happy baking and may your kitchen be filled with laughter and the delicious scent of soul cakes!

Last year around this time I was planning an All Hallows' Eve celebration for a Catholic parish and school with over 2,000 people! While my degrees are in Theology and Education I was fortunate enough to learn the trade of event planning and have been able to serve the Catholic community in that way for over 7 years now. I have had more fun than you can imagine as an event planner and I've been able to combine that with my Masters in Theology to provide meaningful family and community celebrations and educational experiences. For the All Hallows' Eve celebration I did an outdoor trunk-or-treat with community prayer, Catholic games, saint costume contests, an outdoor movie, and food trucks. Due to Covid we aren't able to do that this year but it occurred to me, why don't I give you some of the fun resources that I used to do this at home with your own family or a small group of your close friends! I hope you enjoy this resource guide and learn a little bit about the meaning behind this season. The Meaning of Halloween! Halloween translates to All Hallows' Eve, or the eve of all holy men and women. During this time we are called to remember and celebrate the communion of saints, communio sanctorum. This terminology refers to the church militant for those living on earth, the church suffering for those in purgatory, and the church triumphant for those in Heaven. For Catholics, October 31 is supposed to be the celebration and liturgical vigil of All Saints (November 1), which is a solemnity and a holy day of obligation. We honor the Church Triumphant and recall the many great saints that we love and seek to be like. Following that we celebrate those soon to be saints on what is known as All Souls Day. We pray for the suffering church, those in purgatory, and especially our loved ones that have gone before us. All Hallows' Eve & All Saints 1. Catholic Saint Snacks These are adorable ideas from Catholic Icing but here are a few more. St. Bernadette's Firewood (Jumbo Pretzel Sticks) St. Isadore's Pumpkin Patch (Small Candy Pumpkins) St. Francis (Animal Crackers) St. Nicholas (Candy Canes) Our Lady of Mt. Caramel (Caramel Squares) St. Joan of Arc (Flaming Hot Cheetos) St. Lucy (Grapes or Olives for eyes) St. Elizabeth of Hungary (Small Sandwiches) St. Peter or St. Lawrence (Waffle Pretzels) Mary, Mother of God (They have no wine, water bottles) These printable saints from Happy Saints are perfect for cupcake toppers! Photo Credit: Happy Saints 2. Play Guess How Many Following the same food themes you could make a game out of it as well. Put those items in a jar and have your children or your guests guess how many! Photo Credit: Shower of Roses 3. Decorate with the Saints I like to do a mix of decorations but this year I integrated a Saint Shrine as well as a Saint Card Wreath to serve as reminders of the holy men and women that we are striving to be like. You could also hang these adorable All Saints prints from KolbesLittleFlowers! Here is the Etsy link, go check them out. https://etsy.me/3keqvQg 4. Dress Up as Saints or a Symbol of the Faith Pick a saint to learn about during this season and dress up like them. I love St. Rose of Lima so a few years ago I pulled together some things that I had at home and borrowed an altar server robe to look like her for Halloween. I made the veil out of a headband and fabric that I hot glued together! Confession ... I dressed up like her for a school function, after I got off work I had to run by a parish that my husband was working at to pick something up. As I was waiting for him an older lady came up to me and began telling me how much she loved the Dominican sisters and how she was taught by them as a young girl. She went on to tell me her fond memories of the sisters and how happy she was to see one around, mind you this parish hardly ever has sisters at it. Y'all, I didn't have the heart to tell her that I wasn't a sister so I just stood there with a stupid smile on my face! Lord help me! Moral of the story, I am the queen of the hot glue gun. Last year I was a bee, my favorite symbol of the faith, which also makes a little cameo in all of my graphics! 5. Make Your Own Saint Shrine I found this PDF template that you can download, color, and cut out. Place your favorite saint card or print in the shrine and add an electric tea light in front of it. http://www.ardanziger.com/2015/10/all-hallows-eve-shrine-templates.html 6. Read a Saint Story One of my favorite things to do is to read about the lives of the saints. Seeing that they could love God and strive for virtue in their own circumstances gives me hope and courage to do the same. For Kids... For Teens... For Adults... 7. Go To Mass All Saints is a solemnity and a holy day of obligation so go to Mass together. If you are social distancing take time to pray the Liturgy of the Hours as a family or pray a rosary. 8. Make a Saint Craft Engaging children in hands on activities can help them learn about and retain information in a more meaningful way. Pick a saint that you are going to learn about and create something together that you can display or play with. Photo Credit: Catholic Icing Photo Credit: Catholic Playground 9. Paint Saint Pumpkins While I suppose you could carve a saint pumpkin, why not have some fun with paint. You could trace an image onto a pumpkin or draw it free hand. Photo Source Unknown Just, wow... guess I should have started working on my pumpkin back in January. 10. Play Saint Games Whether you are having a big party or at home with your own kids these games from Happy Saints look like a lot of fun. Photo Credit: Happy Saints “The only real sadness, the only real failure , the only great tragedy in life, is not to become a saint .” - Leon Bloy Happy Allhallowtide! Steffani

As a short guide and aid to your October liturgical living, I have compiled some quick tips, ideas, and links to bring joy and festivity into your domestic church. This is not a list of every single October feast day, but will be a very good start. Feast days that you will find in this post! 1. St. Therese of Lisieux (October 1) 2. Holy Guardian Angels (October 2) 3. Our Lady of the Rosary (October 7 & Monthly Dedication) 4. St. John Paul II (October 22) Note: This is not a full list of resources on my blog for feast day celebrations, activities, and recipes in the month of October. Go browse around for saints and feast days that are special to you. Enjoy! 😊 October Quick View & 4 Highlights The Month of October is Dedicated to the Holy Rosary. Click the graphic below for this Memento Mori Rosary, handmade by a beloved Franciscan priest for Liturgy Market. St. Therese of Lisieux About “I prefer the monotony of obscure sacrifice to all ecstasies. To pick up a pin for love can convert a soul.” These are the words of Thérèse of Lisieux, a Carmelite nun called the “Little Flower,” who lived a cloistered life of obscurity in the convent of Lisieux, France. And her preference for hidden sacrifice did indeed convert souls. Few saints of God are more popular than this young nun. Her autobiography, The Story of a Soul , is read and loved throughout the world. Thérèse Martin entered the convent at the age of 15 and died in 1897 at the age of 24. Life in a Carmelite convent is indeed uneventful and consists mainly of prayer and hard domestic work. But Thérèse possessed that holy insight that redeems the time, however dull that time may be. She saw in quiet suffering a redemptive suffering, suffering that was indeed her apostolate. Thérèse said she came to the Carmel convent “to save souls and pray for priests.” And shortly before she died, she wrote: “I want to spend my heaven doing good on earth.” Thérèse was canonized in 1925. On October 19, 1997, Pope John Paul II proclaimed her a Doctor of the Church, the third woman to be so recognized in light of her holiness and the influence of her teaching on spirituality in the Church. Her parents, Louis and Zélie, were beatified in 2008, and canonized in 2015. (Franciscan Media) Quick Links Ideas for Celebrating the Feast of St. Therese of Lisieux Resource List for the Feast of St. Therese Crafts for St. Therese Morning Prayer Written by St. Therese of Lisieux O my God! I offer Thee all my actions of this day for the intentions and for the glory of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. I desire to sanctify every beat of my heart, my every thought, my simplest works, by uniting them to Its infinite merits; and I wish to make reparation for my sins by casting them into the furnace of Its Merciful Love. O my God! I ask of Thee for myself and for those whom I hold dear, the grace to fulfill perfectly Thy Holy Will, to accept for love of Thee the joys and sorrows of this passing life, so that we may one day be united together in heaven for all Eternity. Amen. Food French Toast In honor of her French culture. Holy Guardian Angels About John Paul affirms that "in the key moments [the angels] surround Christ and accompany him in the fulfilment of his salvific mission in regard to mankind". This is a logical consequence of the aforementioned text. Angels, created by God according to the importance and necessity of each situation, therefore "accompany" and "surround" the Church, the Mystical Body of Christ. In this way the mission is complete, embracing the whole Christ, Head and Body. This dynamic refers not only to the Ecclesial Community as such, but also individual Church members. But as part of the historical and ecclesiological profile it must also be mentioned that angels journey together with the Church in her mission of salvation and at the same time travel side-by-side with her members; all human beings have their own guardian angel to guard, protect and enlighten them. The Catechism of the Catholic Church proclaims that "from infancy to death human life is surrounded by their [angels'] watchful care and intercession. Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life. Already here on earth the Christian life shares by faith in the blessed company of angels and men united in God" (CCC, n. 336). Such protection will benefit those who respond to the Holy Spirit's direction and for those who willingly collaborate. In her liturgy, the Church prays to the angels for herself and others, calling upon their protection and intercession: it is sufficient to follow the liturgy of the Mass to be convinced. (EWTN) Quick Links List of Book Ideas for the Feast of the Guardian Angels 10 Ways to Celebrate Guardian Angels With Children Feast Day Fun for the Guardian Angels Angel of God Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom God’s love commits me here, ever this day (or night) be at my side, to light, to guard, to rule and guide. Amen. Food Angel Food Cake This tasty cake that will remind you and the entire family of their holy name and the protection that the Guardian Angels provide to each of us. Our Lady of the Rosary About Saint Pius V established this feast in 1573. The purpose was to thank God for the victory of Christians over the Turks at Lepanto—a victory attributed to the praying of the rosary. Clement XI extended the feast to the universal Church in 1716. The development of the rosary has a long history. First a practice developed of praying 150 Our Fathers in imitation of the 150 Psalms. Then there was a parallel practice of praying 150 Hail Marys. Soon a mystery of Jesus’ life was attached to each Hail Mary. Though Mary’s giving of the rosary to Saint Dominic is recognized as a legend, the development of this prayer form owes much to the followers of Saint Dominic. One of them, Alan de la Roche, was known as “the apostle of the rosary.” He founded the first Confraternity of the Rosary in the 15th century. In the 16th century, the rosary was developed to its present form—with the 15 mysteries: joyful, sorrowful and glorious. In 2002, Pope John Paul II added the five Mysteries of Light to this devotion. (Franciscan Media) Quick Links Praying the Family Rosary Sing the Salve Regina How to Pray the Rosary How to Pray the Rosary Food Blue Lemonade On this Marian feast, make a blue drink in honor of the color that brings Mary to mind! St. John Paul II About Karol Wojtyla, the future Pope John Paul II, lived an unusually varied life before his priestly ordination. As a teen, he split stone at a quarry, wrote poetry and supported a network that smuggled Jews to safety during the German occupation of Poland. As a young priest, he was a favorite with students at Lublin University who flocked to his classes and joined him on camping, hiking and canoeing trips. As the second-youngest cardinal ever named by the Vatican, he ran an informal office and celebrated holidays with Krakow actors. It should have been no surprise that he would redefine the traditional role and demeanor of the papacy by traveling extensively, continuing to enjoy outdoor activities and taking on a wide range of political and moral issues. As a high school student in his hometown of Wadowice, in southern Poland, Wojtyla impressed classmates by the intense way he would pray in church, a habit of deep meditation that remained with him for life "Even as a boy he was exceptional," said Rafat Tatka, a neighbor who knew the young boy as Lolek, a nickname that translates as Chuck. The Nazi takeover of Poland in September 1939 meant an official end to all religious training and cultural activities, but Wojtyla attended an underground university in Krakow and helped set up a clandestine theater group that performed in stores and homes. In addition to the quarry, he worked in a chemical factory -- experiences that provided material for his poetry and papal writings on labor. He participated in daily Mass, spiritual exercises, Marian devotion and Bible study. Friends said that when his father died in 1941, Karol knelt for 12 hours in prayer at his father's bedside. Soon after, he withdrew from the theatrical group and began studying for the priesthood, a decision that surprised many of his friends, who tried to convince him his talent lay in the theater. He studied in a clandestine seminary operated in Cardinal Adam Sapieha's Krakow residence in defiance of Nazi orders forbidding religious education. The archbishop saw him as a future church leader. Yet the young man who wrote poems and a doctoral dissertation on the mysticism of St. John of the Cross was attracted to monastic contemplation. Twice during these years he tried to join the Discalced Carmelites but was turned away with the advice: "You are destined for greater things." He was ordained Nov. 1, 1946, just as the communist regime replaced the Germans at the end of the war. (USCCB) Quick Links St. John Paul II Printable Resources Lessons to Use at Home Celebrating St. John Paul II With Little Ones Prayer to St. John Paul II Oh, St. John Paul, from the window of heaven, grant us your blessing! Bless the Church that you loved and served and guided, courageously leading her along the paths of the world in order to bring Jesus to everyone and everyone to Jesus. Bless the young, who were your great passion. Help them dream again, help them look up to the heavens again to find the light that illuminates the paths of life here on earth. May you bless each and every family! You warned of Satan’s assault against this precious and indispensable divine spark that God lit on earth. St. John Paul, with your prayer, may you protect the family and every life that blossoms from the family. Pray for the whole world, which is still marked by tensions, wars and injustice. You opposed war by invoking dialogue and planting the seeds of love: pray for us so that we may be tireless sowers of peace. Oh St. John Paul, from heaven’s window, where we see you beside Mary, send God’s blessing down upon us all. Amen. Food Papal Cream Cake Happy Feasting! If you used any of these ideas, share with me on Facebook @HisGirlSunday or Instagram @steffani_hisgirlsunday . See you in the Eucharist, Steffani

The Church teaches that there is a Communion of Saints, those on earth (the Church Militant), those that are in Purgatory (the Church Suffering), and those that have made it to eternal glory in Heaven (the Church Triumphant). The faithful souls being purified in purgatory are celebrated on November 2nd, but also the entire month of November. On this day we remember and honor them for the lives that they lived in great faithfulness to God so as to make it to Purgatory, and we also pray for them as they are being purified. Revelation 21:27 speaks of Heaven in this way, "...nothing unclean shall enter it." While we might not see the word purgatory in Scripture, we know that it means to purge, or to cleanse, and that this is important to being with Our Lord in the Heavenly Jerusalem. The theological meaning behind this feast day is that upon death, souls depart from the body and are to be cleansed from their venial sins before receiving the beatific vision. The faithful on earth can assist these souls with prayer and sacrifice, especially offering Mass for them. We all have loved ones that have passed away, people that were special to us or left an impact on our lives in one way or another. In honor of those lives, I have listed seven ways that we can not only remember them, but also show that we are still bonded to them as a Communion of Saints. 1. Remember the faithful departed Put up pictures of relatives that have passed away with a small tea light in front of each picture. This way your family can remember to pray for their souls and share fond stories of your passed loved ones. Keep it up all November! I had these "Eternal Rest" frames made as a Liturgy Market exclusive so that you could add a special photo to your home altar. Thank you rough2rustic for doing this for us! On November 1st, 2022, you can click the photo below to purchase, print a picture of your loved one, and hang on your home altar. 2. Make a Memorial Candle Purchase a glass candle from the dollar store and write their names on the outside or you could print their picture and names then tape it on. This is an easy and inexpensive way to honor the souls that we are praying for in our home. These were made with dollar store pillar candles, a printed photo of the beloved deceased, and mod podge. 3. Visit a Cemetery Visit the cemetery of a family member that has passed and pray for their soul. You could also read from scripture, pray a litany of the holy souls, walk around, or bring flowers to freshen up their grave. 4. Pray the Requiem Aeternam This is a traditional prayer for the poor souls in purgatory that you can pray on All Souls Day. My family prays the second half of this prayer every time we say grace over our meals. Prayer Before Meals Bless us, O Lord, and these Thy gifts, which we are about to receive from Thy bounty through Christ, our Lord. Amen. Prayer After Meals We give Thee thanks for all Thy benefits, O Almighty God, who livest and reignest world without end. Amen. May the souls of the faithfully departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen. 5. Learn about the phrase "Memento Mori" This means that we are to remember our own death, not out of a negative sense of fear, but a holy fear as a way of drawing us into a deeper relationship with Christ and virtue. When we meditate on our own death and the death of Christ, we are to remember the victory that was won for us, and live in accordance with that. There are lots of Memento Mori products out there to help remind us of this, check out some of them. 6. Make Soul Cakes During the Middle Ages, peasants and children called "soulers" would go around singing and praying for the souls of the dead. They would go door to door and beg for a soul cake in exchange for praying for that person's deceased family members. The story tells us that if the family did not give them a soul cake, their house would be cursed! This is thought to be the beginnings of what we now know as trick or treating. The Traditional All Hallows' Eve Song for Soul Cakes Soul, Soul, a soul cake! I pray thee, good missus, a soul cake! One for Peter, two for Paul, three for Him what made us all! Soul Cake, soul cake, please good missus, a soul cake. An apple, a pear, a plum, or a cherry, any good thing to make us all merry. One for Peter, two for Paul, & three for Him who made us all. 7. Request for a Mass to be offered for the dead In 1902, Pope Leo XIII in his encyclical Mirae Caritatis beautifully emphasized the connection between the communion of saints with the Mass: “The grace of mutual love among the living, strengthened and increased by the Sacrament of the Eucharist, flows, especially by virtue of the Sacrifice [of the Mass], to all who belong to the communion of saints. For the communion of saints is simply… the mutual sharing of help, atonement, prayers, and benefits among the faithful, those already in the heavenly fatherland, those consigned to the purifying fire, and those still making their pilgrim way here on earth. These all form one city, whose head is Christ, and whose vital principle is love. Faith teaches that although the august Sacrifice can be offered to God alone, it can nevertheless be celebrated in honor of the saints now reigning in heaven with God, who has crowned them, to obtain their intercession for us, and also, according to apostolic tradition, to wash away the stains of those brethren who died in the Lord but without yet being wholly purified.” Remembering you and the special intentions that you hold in your heart today, and I ask that you please pray for me in return. And may the souls of the faithfully departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace, Amen. God love you, Steffani

Honored to Share Three Marian-Inspired Halloween Costumes for Women! I'm thrilled to have Becca from The Art of Catholic Homemaking as a guest contributor on Liturgy, Culture & Kitchen. With All Saints' Day right around the corner, we're excited to dress up in a Catholic-inspired way. Becca has shared three amazing Halloween costume ideas for women that are inspired by Mary herself! We're grateful for her contribution, and we can't wait to try out these costumes. Thank you so much, Becca! catholic women marian halloween costumes There are so many options and ideas online for kids costumes, but there isn’t much for women and moms who also want to dress up as saints. I’m here to help you with that, and who better to dress up after than Our Mother Mary herself! We're confident that you'll adore these ideas and realize how effortless they are to implement. Our Lady of Pontmain Also known as Our Lady of Hope, this is an apparition of Our Lady, which is not often talked about. The people in the small village of France were saved from the Russians because of their prayers to our Lady. It is a visually stunning outfit and when you're done wearing it as a costume, you can switch their use for daily wear. Here is what you will need! Long sleeve blue dress Gold stars (tape or glue them on the dress) Gold crown Blue shawl or scarf Our Lady of Guadalupe Our Lady of Guadalupe appeared to St. Juan Diego beginning in the 16th century. The story of the apparitions convey her message of love, compassion, and her universal promise of assistance and protection to all humanity. The color pallette of this outfit is going to make this Marian costume easily identifiable. Here is what you will need! Tan dress Black flats Black waist ribbon or sash Teal shawl or scarf Gold stars (taped or glued onto the teal shawl or scarf) Gold crown Our Lady of La Salette Another beautiful apparition of Mary is Our Lady of La Salette. If you don’t already know what her message is about, you should read the story further. She warned against things like missing mass on Sundays, and using the Lord’s name in vain. Our Lady wore a very bright and distinguishable outfit that highly recognizable to other Catholics. Here is what you will need! White dress Yellow apron Flower crown and gold crown combination Floral flats Cross necklace As adults we must remember that it is our inheritance to take part in these liturgical feasts, not only for the example of our children, but for praising God and building a liturgical life for ourselves and our communities. I pray that you all have a very blessed Allhallowtide and have been encouraged to dress up in celebration and fun! Get more ideas and encouragement from Steffani and Becca! The Art of Catholic Homemaking Instagram And if you're not following along with the Liturgy Culture & Kitchen community, I welcome you to join us. His Girl Sunday Facebook His Girl Sunday Instagram For more resources on building Catholic tradition, check out the blog section of my website or follow me on Facebook or Instagram to see what Catholic things I am doing to make our day to day life more joyful.

It is my pleasure to welcome another guest writer and dear friend, Natalie Rodriguez. As we walk through November, a sacred month dedicated to the souls in purgatory, she shares her fond memories of celebrating All Souls' Day with her grandmother and the way that she invites her community into that same tradition today. In this inspiring recount of heritage and culture, we can all learn how to honor our beloved deceased in the embrace of those we love and care about. All Souls' Day is a very nostalgic day for me as I recall living with my grandmother in Mexico and seeing her so carefully prepare her altar. This took days and many hours as my sweet abuelita would think of the favorite meals and treats of each family member that would have a special place on her ofrenda. Making homemade pan de muerto, mole, and atole filled the house with the most delicious aromas. How I wish I could have bottled up the scent! I rejoice in these memories with abuelita Natalia as I prepared my own altar with my mother and children a few days ago. I pray they also grow up with special memories that they recall each time this special day approaches.  This year for Dia de Los Muertos, we decided to invite friends and neighbors to place pictures of their loved ones on our ofrenda. Sharing in a special meal and spending time in prayer connected us to our loved ones and each other. It is in these moments where we allow ourselves to be stretched that Christ comes to meet us through one another. It is an opportunity for each of us to be noticed by someone else, and for our loved ones who are no longer here to be noticed too. By welcoming others into honoring the beloved dead who have shaped us brings another layer to what it means to feel truly “seen.”  When we give ourselves away through the gift of hospitality the mess may increase but so do the memories and graces. Be encouraged that you have something special to give, and that in giving you will surely receive. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. -Natalie Rodriguez You can follow Natalie's liturgical living journey on Instagram @the_mamastery . If you'd like to learn more about the Triduum of Death: Halloween, All Saints' Day, and All Souls' Day you will really enjoy my new book Festive Faith. In this handbook for liturgical living you can get all the fascinating details about Catholic ofrendas and simple steps for creating your own.

Welcome to the His Girl Sunday Allhallowtide Guide  — a lovingly curated collection of theology, traditions, and practices to help you enter into this season of remembrance with intention and joy. From feast day recipes to outfit inspiration, prayers to party tips, this guide is here to help you celebrate all three sacred days  — All Hallows’ Eve, All Saints’ Day, and All Souls’ Day — in a way that’s both meaningful and memorable. Whether you’re new to these customs or looking to deepen your family traditions, there’s something here for you. The Triduum of Death, more commonly known as Allhallowtide includes these three days: All Hallows' Eve, All Saints' Day, and All Souls' Day. This is an ancient three day period where we celebrate, contemplate, and pray for the dead. All Hallows' Eve - Hallowe'en (October 31st) is the liturgical vigil of All Saints' Day and is a day to remember those who have died and entered Heaven. Christians from the 1st-3rd century paved the way for this liturgical vigil. As the early Church faced mass persecution, Christians sought one day to memorialize all the faithful departed. Initially on May 13th as a celebration for all martyrs, the Church moved the day to November 1st in the 7th century to include both saints and martyrs. Even though others may not celebrate with this in mind, it's important that as Catholics we stay rooted in our faith and our customs. Don't abandon them because someone else is doing something wrong or bad, stand firm in your faith and be a light to your local community. All Saint's Day (November 1st) is a Solemnity and a holy day of obligation where the entire Church celebrates all the saints in Heaven. Not all saints have been canonized by the Church so on this day we honor everyone in Heaven. As we go to Mass we are most closely united to the cloud of witnesses through the Holy Eucharist. All Souls' Day (November 2nd) is a day dedicated to remembering and praying for the souls who are undergoing purification in purgatory. Catholics believe that upon death, souls depart from the body, and if need be, they are made pure before entering Heaven by going to purgatory. As a part of the communion of Saints, the faithful can help these souls with prayer, sacrifice, and Mass. From antiquity the Church has been consistent in praying for the souls of the faithful departed. Credit is given to St. Odilo in the 13th century for instituting November 2nd as the universal date for the faithon on earth to pray for the departed. This liturgical triplet of days is intended to remember the Communion of Saints, the spiritual solidarity which binds together the faithful on earth (the Church Militant), the souls in purgatory (the Church Suffering), and the saints in Heaven (the Church Triumphant). I pray that this is a special three days for you, your family, and your friends. If you liked or used some of these ideas please tag us or share them. It is a great joy to see how we are in communion with one another!

A Cozy Fall Gathering of Food, Friends & Familiar Traditions We all know that Sunday is sacred, but the truth is that many of us find it difficult to break bad habits, often allowing our Sundays to catch all the things we didn't do during the week. Our faith tells us that every Sunday is a mini-Easter, it's our day. Perhaps we need a little inspiration and that's why I am starting the His Girl Sunday- Sunday Supper Club. This is a tradition that has served me and my husband well, and I think that if you give it a try you will feel that way too. Let the table becomes the heart of the home once again. Welcome to the very first edition of Sunday Supper Club  — your monthly dose of recipes, hosting tips, seasonal style, and cozy traditions meant to be shared. Whether you're cooking for a crowd or gathering just a few close friends, this is your gentle invitation to make Sunday dinners something special again. How to Start Your Own Supper Club There’s magic in making dinner a ritual with friends — not just a one-off invite. Here’s how to get your own rotation going: Pick your people. 4–8 guests is the sweet spot. Keep it casual and consistent. Choose a schedule. Once a month is manageable. Rotate homes or have the same host each time. Set a theme. It can be seasonal (Fall Harvest), regional (Southern Comfort), liturgical (see what feast days are on or near that Sunday) or potluck-style (everyone brings something). Keep it low-pressure. Not everything has to be homemade. It’s about connection, not perfection. Make it yours. Pray before the meal together. Maybe it’s always on the last Sunday of the month. Maybe you light the same candle. Small rituals make it feel special. The Menu: Classic Comforts Done Right Herb Butter Roast Chicken There’s no dish more classic or crowd-pleasing than roast chicken. For fall, try a simple herb butter rub: Mix softened butter with garlic, chopped rosemary, thyme, salt, pepper, and a squeeze of lemon. Rub under and over the skin before roasting at 425°F for about 1 hour (until golden and crisp). Let it rest while you make gravy from the pan drippings. Creamy Mashed Potatoes & Homemade Gravy Use Yukon Gold potatoes for the best flavor and texture. Boil, mash with warm cream and butter, and season generously. For gravy, whisk pan drippings with a touch of flour and chicken broth until smooth. Add a splash of cream if you're feeling indulgent. Southern Sweet Tea A Sunday staple in the South. Brew 3–4 black tea bags in hot water. Remove, add ¾ cup of sugar while warm, and dilute with cold water and lemon slices. Serve over ice in tall glasses — or mason jars if you're feeling nostalgic. Fall Style for Supper Club Hosts Just because you’re cooking doesn’t mean you can’t look amazing. In addition to the two outfits in the graphic, here are two more easy fall outfit ideas for hosting without the fuss: 1. Casual & Cozy A chunky cream knit sweater High-rise dark denim Ankle boots Add a silk hair bow or gold hoops to elevate the look 2. Warm & Polished A long-sleeved midi dress in a rust brown or olive tone Tights and loafers or heeled boots An apron with personality — gingham, linen, or vintage floral Keep it comfortable, but a little elevated — like your supper club itself. Hosting on a Budget: Simple Decor with Big Impact You don’t need a tablescape from Pinterest to set the tone. Here are a few easy, budget-friendly ideas to cozy up your space: Candle glow is everything  — Tie simple satin or velvet bows around candlesticks (great for using up scrap ribbon!). Use mismatched holders for charm. Fall centerpiece tip:  Fill a wooden bowl or tray with mini pumpkins, eucalyptus sprigs, and pinecones. Add a few tea lights in clear votives for warmth. Use what you have  — Stack a few cookbooks under a vase for height, or use old jars as glassware for a rustic touch to display fall flowers or sprigs. Supper club isn’t just about the food — it’s about reclaiming time, creating rhythm, and making memories. It’s about laughter echoing off the walls and stories passed like bread across the table. So light the candles, pour the tea, and welcome Sunday in — the way it was meant to be. Until next time!