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In a sermon in the year 395, St. Augustine of Hippo said of Saints Peter and Paul: “Both apostles share the same feast day, for these two were one; and even though they suffered on different days, they were as one. Peter went first, and Paul followed. And so we celebrate this day made holy for us by the apostles’ blood. Let us embrace what they believed, their life, their labors, their sufferings, their preaching, and their confession of faith.” And while we’re learning, did you know that as early as the year 258AD, there was already a tradition in place to liturgically celebrate them on the same day? They were both founders of the See of Rome and both men tirelessly sought, in their own ways, to bring people to the faith. Sts. Peter and Paul carried on their ministry in Rome until they were eventually martyred there. These men, especially St. Peter since he was a fisherman, were given the title and command, "Fishers of Men." This phrase tells us that Jesus was called them to follow Him, and in turn build up the Kingdom of God on earth. We can better understand this through Scripture, Matthew 4:19, which expresses that they were to go out and cast their nets with the Good News, to teach, minister, and convert souls. But this phrase doesn't just apply to the Apostles, it is meant for us too. That we are to live our lives with Jesus, and in turn share the truths of our faith with others. In honor of these "Fishers of Men," we are going to make a fish dinner, and one that I've been wanting to try for some time now. Sheet pan shrimp quesadillas with chips and dip. 😍 Pick your favorite fish dinner for this feast day, it’s an easy way to call to mind the mission of both of these great saints, and our mission too. shrimp quesadillas, sts peter & paul, meatless meal Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 20 minutes Servings: 12 Ingredients 1. 1/2 cup olive oil 2. 1 lb peeled and deveined shrimp, halved 3. 1/2 medium yellow onion, diced 4. 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped 5. 1 red bell pepper, diced 6. 2 garlic cloves, chopped 7. 1 tsp chili powder 8. 1 tsp garlic powder 9. 1 tsp cumin 10. 1/2 tsp kosher salt 11. 1/2 tsp pepper 12. 3 cups mixed Mexican cheese 13. 1 tbsp butter for browning the tortillas Garnish Options Queso Salsa Guacamole Jalapeños Pico de Gallo Sour Cream Bean Dip Lime Juice Ready to get started? Dice 1/2 yellow onion and 1 red bell pepper, then chop 2 garlic cloves and 1/4 cup cilantro and set that aside. Over medium heat pour 2 tbsps olive oil then cook your shrimp in batches, only a minute each side until they are pink. You don’t need to worry too much about cooking them fully, they will go in the oven later. Replenish the olive oil in the skillet regularly so the shrimp don’t stick. Take the shrimp out and set it aside. Drizzle more oil into the skillet, 2 tbsps, and cook the onion, cilantro, bell pepper, and garlic for 5 minutes stirring regularly. While the veggies are cooking, cut the shrimp in half. After 5 minutes sprinkle in the chili powder, garlic powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Add in the shrimp and stir everything to combine! Preheat the oven to 425 and grease a baking sheet with oil or butter. Lay 7 burrito size tortillas on the sheet pan. Sprinkle 1 1/2 cups cheese, then evenly distribute the shrimp mixture, and sprinkle the other 1 1/2 cups cheese across the top. Fold the edges of the tortilla inward and lay a final burrito size tortilla on the top. Take a stick of butter and coat the top of the tortillas then place another baking sheet on the top. Bake at 425 degrees for 20 minutes with the baking sheet laying on top of the quesadillas. Take it out of the oven and let it cool a bit before cutting. Serve with your favorite toppings. I arranged this on a wooden serving tray with chips, queso, pico de gallo, and salsa. Feel free to add sour cream, guacamole, or jalapenos! Whatever your little heart desires! Life is good! 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 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.

Quick Links & Resources for Catholic Liturgical Living in July As a short guide and aid to your July 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 July feast day, but will be a very good start. (liturgical living, july feast days, catholic life) Feast days that you will find in this post! 1. St. Maria Goretti 2. Our Lady of Mt. Carmel 3. St. Mary Magdalene 4. Sts. Anne & Joachim Note: This is not a full list of resources on my blog for feast day celebrations, activities, and recipes in the month of July. Go browse around for saints and feast days that are special to you. Enjoy! 😊 The Month of July is Dedicated to the Most Precious Blood St. Maria Goretti- July 6th About One of the largest crowds ever assembled for a canonization—250,000—symbolized the reaction of millions touched by the simple story of Maria Goretti. She was the daughter of a poor Italian tenant farmer, had no chance to go to school, never learned to read or write. When Maria made her First Communion not long before her death, she was one of the larger and somewhat backward members of the class. On a hot afternoon in July, Maria was sitting at the top of the stairs of her house, mending a shirt. She was not quite 12 years old, but physically mature. A cart stopped outside, and a neighbor, 18-year-old Alessandro, ran up the stairs. He seized her and pulled her into a bedroom. She struggled and tried to call for help. “No, God does not wish it,” she cried out. “It is a sin. You would go to hell for it.” Alessandro began striking at her blindly with a long dagger. Maria was taken to a hospital. Her last hours were marked by the usual simple compassion of the good—concern about where her mother would sleep, forgiveness of her murderer (she had been in fear of him, but did not say anything lest she cause trouble to his family), and her devout welcoming of Viaticum, her last Holy Communion. She died about 24 hours after the attack. Alessandro was sentenced to 30 years in prison. For a long time he was unrepentant and surly. One night he had a dream or vision of Maria gathering flowers and offering them to him. His life changed. When he was released after 27 years, his first act was to beg the forgiveness of Maria’s mother. Devotion to the young martyr grew, miracles were worked, and in less than half a century she was canonized. At her beatification in 1947, her 82-year-old mother, two sisters, and her brother appeared with Pope Pius XII on the balcony of St. Peter’s. Three years later, at Maria's canonization, a 66-year-old Alessandro Serenelli knelt among the quarter-million people and cried tears of joy. (Franciscan Media) Quick Links 1. Feast Day Fun 2. Learn More About Her St. Maria Goretti Prayer O God, author of innocence and lover of chastity, who bestowed the grace of martyrdom on your handmaid, the Virgin Saint Maria Goretti, in her youth, grant, we pray, through her intercession, that, as you gave her a crown for her steadfastness, so we, too, may be firm in obeying your commandments. Amen. Food 1. Gigli Pasta Recipe Here! Our Lady of Mt. Carmel- July 16th About Hermits lived on Mount Carmel near the Fountain of Elijah in northern Israel in the 12th century. They had a chapel dedicated to Our Lady. By the 13th century they became known as “Brothers of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.” They soon celebrated a special Mass and Office in honor of Mary. In 1726, it became a celebration of the universal Church under the title of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. For centuries the Carmelites have seen themselves as specially related to Mary. Their great saints and theologians have promoted devotion to her and often championed the mystery of her Immaculate Conception. Saint Teresa of Avila called Carmel “the Order of the Virgin.” Saint John of the Cross credited Mary with saving him from drowning as a child, leading him to Carmel, and helping him escape from prison. Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus believed that Mary cured her from illness. On her First Communion day, Thérèse dedicated her life to Mary. During the last days of her life she frequently spoke of Mary. There is a tradition—which may not be historical—that Mary appeared to Saint Simon Stock, a leader of the Carmelites, and gave him a scapular, telling him to promote devotion to it. The scapular is a modified version of Mary’s own garment. It symbolizes her special protection and calls the wearers to consecrate themselves to her in a special way. The scapular reminds us of the gospel call to prayer and penance—a call that Mary models in a splendid way. (Franciscan Media) Quick Links 1. Celebrating With Kids 2. Customs & Traditions 3. Watch the Story Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Prayer O Star of the Sea, help me and show me herein that you are my Mother. O Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and earth, I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart, to succor me in this my necessity. There are none that can withstand your power. O show me herein that you are my Mother. Amen. Food 1. Caramel Iced Coffee Recipe Here! St. Mary Magdalene- July 22nd About Except for the mother of Jesus, few women are more honored in the Bible than Mary Magdalene. Yet she could well be the patron of the slandered, since there has been a persistent legend in the Church that she is the unnamed sinful woman who anointed the feet of Jesus in Luke 7:36-50. Most Scripture scholars today point out that there is no scriptural basis for confusing the two women. Mary Magdalene, that is, “of Magdala,” was the one from whom Christ cast out “seven demons” (Luke 8:2)—an indication at the worst, of extreme demonic possession or possibly, severe illness. Writing in the New Catholic Commentary, Father Wilfrid J. Harrington, O.P., says that “seven demons” “does not mean that Mary had lived an immoral life—a conclusion reached only by means of a mistaken identification with the anonymous woman of Luke 7:36.” In the Jerome Biblical Commentary, Father Edward Mally, S.J., agrees that she “is not...the same as the sinner of Luke 7:37, despite the later Western romantic tradition about her.” Mary Magdalene was one of the many “who were assisting them [Jesus and the Twelve] out of their means.” She was one of those who stood by the cross of Jesus with his mother. And, of all the “official” witnesses who might have been chosen for the first awareness of the Resurrection, she was the one to whom that privilege was given. She is known as the “Apostle to the Apostles.” (Franciscan Media) Quick Links Try Doing These Things Saint Stories for Children Feast Day Ideas St. Mary Magdalene Prayer St. Mary Magdalene, woman of many sins, who by conversion became the beloved of Jesus, thank you for your witness that Jesus forgives through the miracle of love. You, who already possess eternal happiness in His glorious presence, please intercede for me, so that some day I may share in the same everlasting joy. Amen. Food Madeleines from Scratch Recipe Here! Sts. Anne & Joachim- July 26 About In the Scriptures, Matthew and Luke furnish a legal family history of Jesus, tracing ancestry to show that Jesus is the culmination of great promises. Not only is his mother’s family neglected, we also know nothing factual about them except that they existed. Even the names “Joachim” and “Anne” come from a legendary source written more than a century after Jesus died. The heroism and holiness of these people however, is inferred from the whole family atmosphere around Mary in the Scriptures. Whether we rely on the legends about Mary’s childhood or make guesses from the information in the Bible, we see in her a fulfillment of many generations of prayerful persons, herself steeped in the religious traditions of her people. The strong character of Mary in making decisions, her continuous practice of prayer, her devotion to the laws of her faith, her steadiness at moments of crisis, and her devotion to her relatives—all indicate a close-knit, loving family that looked forward to the next generation even while retaining the best of the past. Joachim and Anne—whether these are their real names or not—represent that entire quiet series of generations who faithfully perform their duties, practice their faith, and establish an atmosphere for the coming of the Messiah, but remain obscure. (Franciscan Media) Quick Links Things to Do Catholic Grandparents' Day Saint Story Video A Prayer for Grandparents Lord Jesus, you were born of the Virgin Mary, the daughter of Saints Joachim and Anne. Look with love on grandparents the world over. Protect them! They are a source of enrichment for families, for the Church and for all of society. Support them! As they grow older, may they continue to be for their families strong pillars of Gospel faith, guardians of noble domestic ideals, living treasuries of sound religious traditions. Make them teachers of wisdom and courage, that they may pass on to future generations the fruits of their mature human and spiritual experience. Amen. Food 1. Creme Saint Anne Recipe Here! Happy Feasting! If you used any of these ideas, share with me on Facebook @HisGirlSunday or Instagram @steffani_hisgirlsunday.

Quick Links & Resources for Catholic Liturgical Living in June As a short guide and aid to your June 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 June feast day, but will be a very good start. (liturgical living, june feast days, saints, tradition) Feast days that you will find in this post! 1. The Most Holy Trinity 2. Corpus Christi 3. Sacred Heart of Jesus 4. Immaculate Heart of Mary 5. Sts. Peter & Paul Note: This is not a full list of resources on my blog for feast day celebrations, activities, and recipes in the month of June. Go browse around for saints and feast days that are special to you. Enjoy! 😊 The Month of June is Dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus The Most Holy Trinity About "This week we return to the liturgical season of Ordinary Time. This Sunday and next Sunday, however, are designated as solemnities, special days that call our attention to central mysteries of our faith. Today, on the first Sunday after Pentecost, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity. This feast invites us to consider what we believe about God, who has revealed himself to us in the Trinity—one God in three persons." (Loyola) Quick Links 1. Popular Celebrations 2. Family Symbols Poster 3. Love More Like the Trinity Most Holy Trinity Prayer Glory be to the Father, Who by His almighty power and love created me, making me in the image and likeness of God. Glory be to the Son, Who by His Precious Blood delivered me from hell, and opened for me the gates of heaven. Glory be to the Holy Spirit, Who has sanctified me in the sacrament of Baptism, and continues to sanctify me by the graces I receive daily from His bounty. Glory be to the Three adorable Persons of the Holy Trinity, now and forever. Amen. Food 1. Tres Leches Cake Recipe Here! Corpus Christi About "The fact that the Church celebrates the solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ makes good sense, given the Eucharist’s centrality in the life of the Church, neatly described by the Catechism of the Catholic Church as the “sum and summary of our faith” (No. 1327). And there’s the Second Vatican Council’s famous reiteration of this reality in the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, calling the Eucharist the “source and summit of the Christian life” (Lumen Gentium, No. 11). These truths about the Eucharist seem to be at the heart of why the medieval saint Juliana of Liège was moved to guide the Church toward celebrating this yearly solemnity, more commonly known as Corpus Christi." (Simply Catholic) Quick Links 1. Celebrate Corpus Christi at Home 2. Living the Feast of Corpus Christi 3. Process With the Community Anima Christi Prayer Soul of Christ, sanctify me. Body of Christ, save me. Blood of Christ, inebriate me. Water from Christ’s side, wash me. Passion of Christ, strengthen me. O good Jesus, hear me. Within thy wounds hide me. Suffer me not to be separated from thee. From the malicious enemy defend me. In the hour of my death call me and bid me come unto thee, that I may praise thee with thy saints and with thy angels, forever and ever. Amen. Food 1. Homemade Bread Recipe Here! The Sacred Heart of Jesus About The Month of June is dedicated to the Sacred Heart. The Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus on the Friday following the second Sunday after Pentecost. In addition to the liturgical celebration, many devotional exercises are connected with the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Of all devotions, devotion to the Sacred Heart was, and remains, one of the most widespread and popular in the Church. Devotion to the Sacred Heart is a wonderful historical expression of the Church's piety for Christ, her Spouse and Lord: it calls for a fundamental attitude of conversion and reparation, of love and gratitude, apostolic commitment and dedication to Christ and his saving work. Devotions to the Sacred Heart of Jesus are numerous. Some have been explicitly approved and frequently recommended by the Apostolic See. (Catholic Culture) Quick Links Pray the Litany to the Sacred Heart Consecrate Your Home to the Sacred Heart Enthrone your Home to the Sacred Heart Sacred Heart of Jesus Prayer O most holy Heart of Jesus, fountain of every blessing, I adore you, I love you and with a lively sorrow for my sins. I offer you this poor heart of mine. Make me humble, patient, pure, and wholly obedient to your will. Grant, good Jesus, that I may live in you and for you. Protect me in the midst of danger; comfort me in my afflictions; give me health of body, assistance in my temporal needs, your blessings on all that I do, and the grace of a holy death. Within your heart I place my every care. In every need let me come to you with humble trust saying, Heart of Jesus, help me. Amen Food Flaming Strawberry Heart Cupcakes Recipe Here! Immaculate Heart of Mary About Around the 16th century, the Church began to dedicate each month to a specific devotion to help us sanctify our actions and give order to our days. With this in mind I can say, the beauty of the liturgical year really is something to behold and be delved into. Mother Church, in her infinite wisdom, knows that we need daily, weekly, and monthly encouragement to strengthen our relationship with God, Mary, and His saints. Sometimes these dedications change or rotate, but it is a tradition of the Church to have a monthly focus. Let's take advantage of this opportunity to learn something new or grow stronger in a devotion that we might already have. Quick Links Celebrate the Immaculate Heart Learn About the Immaculate Heart The Interior Life of Mary Immaculate Heart of Mary Prayer Immaculate Heart of Mary, my Mother, I come to you in childlike prayer. I earnestly desire that all the people of the world may be brought back to the humble knowledge and love of the Sacred Heart of your dear Son. I pray, dear Mother of my God, that the wonderful beauty and purity of your own Immaculate Heart may so win our souls that we may detest all sin and dedicate our lives to the honor and glory of the God who created us. You revealed the secrets of your own sad heart at Fatima and begged for penance, prayer, and conversion of the world to God. What more can I do than unite my heart to yours in this great yearning? What can I add but the fervent prayer that all the world may listen to your pleading? I give my heart to you, my heavenly Queen, and in confidence I leave to you what is best for me in answer to my prayer for love and reparation. Immaculate Heart of the Mother of my God, I implore through your powerful intercession, the conversion of the hearts of men, complete victory over sin, and the return of the peace which you have promised. Amen Food 1. Heart Cookies Recipe Here! Solemnity of Sts. Peter & Paul About On June 29 the Church celebrates the feast day of Sts. Peter & Paul. As early as the year 258, there is evidence of an already lengthy tradition of celebrating the solemnities of both Saint Peter and Saint Paul on the same day. Together, the two saints are the founders of the See of Rome, through their preaching, ministry and martyrdom there. Peter, who was named Simon, was a fisherman of Galilee and was introduced to the Lord Jesus by his brother Andrew, also a fisherman. Jesus gave him the name Cephas (Petrus in Latin), which means ‘Rock,’ because he was to become the rock upon which Christ would build His Church. St. Paul was the Apostle of the Gentiles. His letters are included in the writings of the New Testament, and through them we learn much about his life and the faith of the early Church. Before receiving the name Paul, he was Saul, a Jewish pharisee who zealously persecuted Christians in Jerusalem. Scripture records that Saul was present at the martyrdom of St. Stephen. (CNA) Quick Links Why Do We Celebrate Them on the Same Day Learn More About These Saints Bishop Barron Explains This Feast Sts. Peter & Paul Prayer Grant, we pray, O Lord our God, that we may be sustained by the intercession of the blessed Apostles Peter and Paul, that, as through them you gave your Church the foundations of her heavenly office, so through them you may help her to eternal salvation. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen Food 1. Lemon Herb Salmon- Fishers of Men Dinner Recipe Here! Happy Feasting! If you used any of these ideas, share with me on Facebook @HisGirlSunday or Instagram @steffani_hisgirlsunday.

The Solemnity of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist is tomorrow and is sometimes called the "summer Christmas" because of his relationship to Christ and his summer birthday. I am particularly excited about this one because, thanks to our friends, we were able to make this a communal celebration with lots of fun things that I will share. Many of these traditions were done on the eve of the feast (June 23rd) but there are plenty of customs to do on the day of as well. Whether you party together on the vigil or the feast day, do it up! As you've heard me share before, I believe that building tradition is best done in the company of others and this is the perfect feast day to start doing that. In fact, this is one of the Church's oldest and most prominent feast days. If you're like me that may catch you by surprise because not much seems to be done for it anymore. But in 506AD the Council of Agde listed this Solemnity as one of the highest feasts so attending Mass was a requirement and you were to abstain from doing any work on that day. In 1022AD, Germany prescribed a 14 day fast and abstinence period to prepare for this feast. I share this with you to stress just how special it had become! Many prayed that with the intercession of St. John, they would have blessed homes, crops, and countries. It's truly amazing to know that by celebrating with our group of family and friends, we are passing down hundreds of years of elaborate customs to honor St. John. Streets used to be filled with people enjoying bonfires, food, water fights, and song, so that is what we will be doing, plus crickets! Well... I may not eat the crickets because I'm a big chicken, but I'm a very good cheerleader for Team Aquila. The custom of bonfires began even earlier than the 6th century as a way to express the bright light that is St. John who pointed people to Christ out of sin and darkness. Many European cultures have them but I especially wanted to honor my Spanish/Mexican heritage which is known for their midsummer festivals and bonfires. While the tradition of gathering around a fire may be known to have pagan roots, the Church has in a sense baptized these customs, making them symbols and expressions of our faith. In fact, you could even invite a priest friend over to bless your bonfire! Our friend, Father Joseph, was invited over and he blessed our food and fire. Prayer: P: Our help is in the name of the Lord. All: Who made heaven and earth. P: The Lord be with you. All: May He also be with you. Let us pray. Lord God, almighty Father, the light that never fails and the source of all light, sanctify + this new fire, and grant that after the darkness of this life we may come unsullied to you who are light eternal; through Christ our Lord. All: Amen. The fire is sprinkled with holy water; after which the clergy and the people sing the following Hymn: Ut queant laxis 1. Ut queant laxis resonáre fibris Mira gestórum fámuli tuórum, Solve pollúti lábii reátum, Sancte Joánnes. 2. Núntius celso véniens Olýmpo Te patri magnum fore nascitúrum, Nomen, et vitae sériem geréndae Ordinae promit. 3. Ille promíssi dúbius supérni, Pérdidit promptae módulos loquélae: Sed reformásti genitus perémptae Organa vocis. 4. Ventris obstrúso récubans cubíli Sénseras Regem thálamo manéntem: Hinc parens nati méritis utérque Abdita pandit. 5. Sit decus Patri, genitaéque Proli et tibi, compare utriúsque virtus, Spíritus semper, Deus unus, omni Témporis aevo. Amen. 1. O for your spirit, holy John, to chasten Lips sin-polluted, fettered tongues to loosen; So by your children might your deeds of wonder Meetly be chanted. 2. Lo! a swift herald, from the skies descending, Bears to your father promise of your greatness; How he shall name you, what your future story, Duly revealing. 3. Scarcely believing message so transcendent, Him for a season power of speech forsaketh, Till, at your wondrous birth, again returneth, Voice to the voiceless. 4. You, in your mother's womb all darkly cradled, Knew your great Monarch, biding in His chamber, Whence the two parents, through their offspring's merits, Mysteries uttered. 5. Praise to the Father, to the Son begotten, And to the Spirit, equal power possessing, One God whose glory, through the lapse of ages, Ever resounding. Amen. P: There was a man sent from God. All: Whose name was John. Let us pray. God, who by reason of the birth of blessed John have made this day praiseworthy, give your people the grace of spiritual joy, and keep the hearts of your faithful fixed on the way that leads to everlasting salvation; through Christ our Lord. All: Amen. Prayer Source: Roman Ritual, The, Complete Edition by Philip T. Weller, S.T.D., The Bruce Publishing Company, Milwaukee, WI, 1964 In addition to that, I did some research to see what was customarily eaten on this Solemnity and found plenty of options. What's a bonfire birthday party without a feast? Here is a cultural menu for you to pick and choose from, the starred items are what we are doing. **In Mexico, you would find chicken tamales and stuffed peppers on the menu. However, right now in Texas it's not really tamale season so we will be doing tacos instead. **Latvia made this feast day a national holiday and families would open their homes to neighbors to share meats, bread, butter, honey, and sweet beer. This sounded so tasty to me and what immediately came to my mind was a charcuterie board so that, and beer, will be our contribution to the meal. My cheese board included sweet cherries, blue cheese, brie, and cheddar with salami, prosciutto, and jalapeno jam! Not bad... not bad at all! In Sweden, there would be salmon, potatoes, and a strawberry dessert on the table. An old English tradition is to make soup for the occasion which apparently dates back centuries. You could also try to make your own food tradition. Try something honey flavored in light of what was written about him in the Scriptures. Last year I tried my hand at a quick and easy weeknight struffoli. If you really want to go all out and try new things, order some flavored crickets off of Amazon and have a little food challenge. What could go better with a Charcuterie board than a Bacon and Cheese Cricket? I mean really! If you have teens this would be the perfect time to get them involved in some silly, faith filled fun. To go along with our cricket challenge we are going to have a water balloon fight and buckets of water to toss and play in. In Mexico, buckets of water would be thrown down the street and playfully at one another as an expression of joy at this hot summer festival. I don't care how old you are, a water balloon fight is just to hard to resist. You could always make that kid friendly by filling a small play pool, having a water gun fight, or even rolling out the slip-n-slide! So now that I have shared what we are doing I think it's time for you to call your friends and invite them over. While all of this may sound like a lot, it is very easy to throw together and can be done with relative ease by pitching in together as a community. And Happy Birthday to St. John the Baptist! We pray for your intercession and ask that you prepare a way for us too as we follow Christ and strive for holiness.

st john the baptist, nativity, celebration guide Happy Birthday, St. John the Baptist! Today is called the Solemnity of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist and is sometimes called the "summer Christmas" because of his relationship to Christ and his summer birthday. In fact, this is one of the Church's oldest and most prominent feast days. Streets used to be filled with people enjoying bonfires, food, water fights, and song, so we will keep that tradition going tonight and I encourage you to do that with your family and friends too. Below is a Blessing of Bonfires for you to use this evening! Why Bonfires? Check out our St. John the Baptist Bonfire Sticks. Throw them in and watch the fire's flames change colors! The Custom of Water Fights Eat Traditional Feast Day Food You could also try my tasty Struffoli with this recipe here. Remember the Role of St. John the Baptist He points us to Christ, "behold the lamb of God." (John 1:36) Learn More About This Feast's History I think it's time for you to call your friends and invite them over. While all of this may sound like a lot, it is very easy to throw together and can be done with relative ease by pitching in together as a community. For more ideas follow along on FB @hisgirlsunday and IG @steffani_hisgirlsunday!

This past Wednesday was the Solemnity of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist and I wanted to do something special. 💦 It also means that we are 6 months away from Christmas! Usually I'm soaking in the sun and enjoying the Texas heat but let's be honest this year has been something for the books and being out and about is a social no-no so I'm ready for that feel good season! 🎄 The life long mission of St. John the Baptist was to always give Christ the glory and prepare people to do that as well. Repent + Believe in the Gospel! He wanted them to KNOW Jesus, the way that he knew his own cousin from inside Elizabeth’s womb. So he does this by baptizing people, washing them of their sins and preparing them to stand holy in the sight of Christ. Have you ever wondered why St. John the Baptist was baptizing people when that was not an official part of Judaism? Baptism was unofficially practiced by some Jewish people (including the Essenes) and was a sign of repentance that was often repeated. It is likely that this is what influenced St. John the Baptist's ministry given that he may have very well known this group. This custom is of course different than the one we follow as Jesus baptizes us not just "with water" but also"with the Holy Spirit". (Luke 3:26) In Matthew 3:4 we learn that St. John the Baptist lived in the wilderness when he received his call as the forerunner for Christ. In that verse we see that his food was locusts and wild honey which is why it is our family tradition to incorporate honey into dinner or a treat. I know some might encourage a grasshopper challenge 🦗 but I just can’t do that! Instead, I did a couple of things this year, Italian Honey Clusters, also known as Struffoli, and Honey Basil Chicken Sliders which were so yummy. We highly recommend! I call this recipe the weeknight version because it is not the traditional way of making Struffoli but a much simpler version for an evening treat. I apologize in advance but this one is not a picture by picture! I cut the recipe in half so if you are only serving a few people that is more than plenty. struffoli, st john the baptist, honey treat Prep Time: 15 minutes Rise Time: 45 minutes to 1 hour Total Time: 1 hour and 15 minutes Yields: 10 Servings Ingredients 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 1 tbsp orange zest 1 teaspoon anise extract 1/4 teaspoon salt 4 eggs 1 1/4 cups honey 1/4 cup vegetable oil For Frying 5 cups vegetable oil for deep frying For Garnish (Optional Ideas) Sprinkles Honey Slivered Almonds Maraschino Cherries Powdered Sugar Directions: 1. In the bowl of your stand mixer, whisk the four eggs on medium for 2-3 minutes. 2. Pour in 1 tbsp orange zest, 1/4 cup vegetable oil, 1 tsp anise, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, 1/4 tsp salt, and 2 1/2 cups flour. Mix that together on medium until the dough comes together. It will have a sticky consistency. 3. Remove the dough from the bowl and turn it out on a lightly floured surface. Knead for 2-3 minutes until it is no longer sticky. If it still feels sticky, sprinkle in more flour little by little while kneading until it is no longer sticky. Note: We are aiming for smooth and stretchy! 4. Place the dough in a clean bowl and cover it with a tea towel. Let it stand for 45 minutes to 1 hour. Note: Towards the end of the rise time, lightly flour a large plate or baking sheet so that when you form your dough balls they have a non-stick place to sit. 5. Turn the dough back out on a floured surface and divide it into six pieces. Roll each piece into a rope roughly 1/4" in diameter. 6. Cut each rope into 1 cm pieces and roll them to form balls. Try to make them the same size! 7. In a dutch oven or pot, pour in your oil and heat to 350 degrees. Note: You can also heat your oven to 200 degrees and take out a heatproof bowl or small cake tin so that when you are done frying small batches you can keep them warm in the oven. 8. Place them in the hot oil until golden brown for 2-3 minutes or until golden brown. Take them out with a slotted spoon or frying spatula and drain them on a paper towel lined plate. Once they are drained of the oil put them in the cake tin to stay warm in the oven. 9. In a saucepan, pour in the honey and heat over low to medium temperature until the honey has thinned. 10. Drizzle the honey over the dough balls and mix together until they are thoroughly coated. 11. Garnish with sprinkles, powdered sugar, slivered almonds, or maraschino cherries. As I was writing for the dough to set I read an article that highlighted an interesting fact to go along with the popular St. John the Baptist quote, "he must increase but I must decrease." (John 3:30) The feast of the nativity of John the Baptist occurs just days after the summer solstice when the days are actually getting shorter (decreasing) ⬇️. Christ’s nativity falls just after the winter solstice when the days are getting longer (increasing) ⬆️. What a humbling and difficult message for us, if we are to be like St. John the Baptist that means we must make way for Jesus into our own lives and the lives of others. We too must decrease so that Jesus can increase, placing less emphasis on ourselves and giving more worship to God. Proclaiming and praising Him as a church, not being afraid to speak out for truth, and building an intimate relationship with him as John did. Hoping you enjoy this recipe just as much as we did! Follow along for more liturgical living, it's more fun when we participate all together. FB: @hisgirlsunday IG: @steffani_hisgirlsunday.

It is hot as all get out here so making popsicles for the feast of the Immaculate Heart was a no brainer. I decided to make my own so that we could stick with a healthier, less sugary version of this yummy summer treat. To honor Our Lady I chose blueberries to remind us of the color she wore and the shape of a heart to call to mind this sacred image and devotion. I initially made these with a watermelon mold that I had on hand but you can get heart molds here. What is the Immaculate Heart of Mary? This term refers to Mary's pure and perfect heart which gave the profound fiat to God's will. According to Catholic dogma, Mary was sinless throughout her entire life and she remained meek and cooperative with the redemptive mission as the Mother of God. It is her heart that helps us learn how to love God fully and faithfully. I'm ready to get started, are you! 💙 immaculate heart, blueberry popsicle, Marian feast day Prep Time: 5 minutes Freeze Time: 3 1/2-4 hours Yields: 4 servings Ingredients 2 cups frozen blueberries 2 tablespoons lemon juice 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey Heart shaped molds preferable or any mold you have on hand Measure two cups frozen blueberries and place those in your blender. I used my smoothie Ninja and that worked just the same. Note: You can use this exact same recipe with other fruit too! For strawberries, kiwi, and other fruits that are less dense I would change the measurement to 2 1/2 cups. Pour in 2 tablespoons lemon juice to add flavor and flair! And drizzle in one tablespoon of maple syrup or honey to give it a sweetness. I was going to go with honey but apparently I ran out so I did a quick, on the spot, substitute with maple syrup. Give that a good blitz until it is smooth and thoroughly blended. Some like little fruit chunks in their popsicles, I'll let you decide the consistency yourself. Fill your mold all the way to the top, add your popsicle sticks, and close the mold securely to be placed in the freezer for 3 1/2 to 4 hours. Tip: To take these out without breaking them, like I did 😒, run room temperature water from the kitchen sink over the outside of the mold for about 30 seconds. These were so good! The natural fruit taste is so much better than the artificial flavors and sweeteners, I just know your going to love these. Pack them in a cooler for a picnic, take them out poolside, or just kick back on the couch and enjoy. Before eating, pray this Immaculate Heart prayer to bring the spirit of liturgical living into your home. Immaculate Heart Prayer O God of infinite goodness and mercy, fill our hearts with a great confidence in our Most Holy Mother, whom we invoke under the title of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and grant by us her most powerful intercession all the graces, spiritual and temporal, which we need. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. Keep in touch for more liturgical living recipes and resources. Follow along on FB @hisgirlsunday or IG @steffani_hisgirlsunday.

Around the 16th century, the Church began to dedicate each month to a specific devotion to help us sanctify our actions and give order to our days. With this in mind I can say, the beauty of the liturgical year really is something to behold and be delved into. Mother Church, in her infinite wisdom, knows that we need daily, weekly, and monthly encouragement to strengthen our relationship with God, Mary, and His saints. Sometimes these dedications change or rotate, but it is a tradition of the Church to have a monthly focus. Let's take advantage of this opportunity to learn something new or grow stronger in a devotion that we might already have. For August, we are turning our minds and hearts toward the heart of Our Blessed Mother. The perfectly pure and holy heart of a woman who teaches us how to love God above all else. Mary knows how to do this with such great depth that she can draw us into herself with the only intention of helping us to better know Jesus, her son. What is the Immaculate Heart of Mary? This term refers to Mary's pure and perfect heart which gave the profound fiat to God's will. According to Catholic dogma, Mary was sinless throughout her entire life and she remained meek and cooperative with the redemptive mission as the Mother of God. It is her heart that helps us learn how to love God fully and faithfully. What is the Devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary? Devotions to the Immaculate Heart of Mary have long existed in more private and less formal ways but it finally began to flourish with the help of St. John Eudes. He spoke tirelessly about the hearts of Jesus and Mary along with the importance of drawing near to them as wellsprings of grace and mercy. Around the 17th century, parallel with an increase in devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the feast of the Holy Heart of Mary was established. And in the 19th century, the apparition to St. Catherine Laboure and the formation of a society was dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the devotion grew even more. In this closeness to Mary's heart we seek to transform our own hearts to be more like hers in virtue, and to help us love God as she does. This involves a total gift of self so that we can be united to God, through Mary's maternal love for us and her son. For all that Mary is, we honor and revere her extraordinary life, example, and motherhood. 6 Ways to Engage in this Devotion 1. Wear a Miraculous Medal On one side of the Miraculous Medal are the words, O Mary, Conceived Without Sin, Pray for Us Who Have Recourse to Thee. In her apparition to St. Catherine Laboure she is confirming the dogma of her Immaculate Conception. On the other side is an image of the cross with the letter "M," and underneath it the symbols of Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary, emphasizing the devotion to her holy heart. 2. Make a Heart Craft I really like this one from Shower of Roses. You cut a construction paper heart, cut up streamers, and glue them down to look like flowers and a flame on top. If you want more details on this craft, click here. (Image: Shower of Roses) 3. Start the First Five Saturdays Devotion Our Lady promised to assist at the hour of death, with all the graces necessary for salvation, all those who practice the First Saturday devotion on five consecutive months, with the intention of making reparation to her Immaculate Heart. What do you do? Go to confession Receive Holy Communion at a Saturday Mass Pray 5 decades of the rosary Keep Our Lady Company by meditating for 15 minutes on one or more of the mysteries of the Rosary 4. Make Heart Shaped Popsicles or Cookies Click the image to make heart shaped blueberry popsicles! I have a really good sugar cookie cutouts recipe here. Don't forget to decorate them! :) 5. Consecrate Yourself to the Immaculate Heart of Mary Here are three great resources to help you prepare and get started. 33 Days to Morning Glory True Devotion to Mary Militia of the Immaculata 6. Pray with the Prophecy of Simeon “This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many may be revealed – and a sword will pierce your own soul, too.” (Luke 2:34-35) These are six options that can easily be adapted for various age ranges and family structures, but whatever you choose to do, do it intentionally. I pray that these help all of us to think more intently about Mary, help us consider how we can grow to celebrate her example, and be more like her every day. For more tips and tricks I invite you to follow along on FB @HisGirlSunday or IG @steffani_hisgirlsunday! Praying for you, His Girl Sunday

The Church has dedicated the month of June to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and it also has its own special feast day on June 16th, the Friday following the second Sunday after Pentecost. A devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus has long existed in the history of the Church but was revitalized through St. Margaret Mary. sacred heart, liturgical living, June dedication What is the Sacred Heart of Jesus? The symbol which many of us have seen before is one that profoundly expresses Jesus’ undying love for the Church. The heart, a universal symbol for love, is wrapped in thorns to express the self-sacrificing nature with which He offers us redemption. According to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, the thorns also represent the sins that we commit which prick the heart of Jesus. The lance pierced side depicts the outpouring of His blood which nourishes and gives life to us all. The significance of this calls to mind the Blessed Sacrament, our spiritual sustenance given to not only enliven us but draw us into an intimate relationship. Not to forget about the flames, a biblical symbol of divinity but also an expression of passionate and all consuming love. The Church highly values this devotion as a way of fighting off the evils of the world and emboldening us in faith, morals, and piety. We can always take refuge in the heart of our Savior who will not forsake His children. "Consider often that it is only the humble of heart that can enter into the Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ and converse with Him, Love Him and be Loved by Him." St. Margaret Mary Getting to Know St. Margaret Mary She was born to a prosperous French country family in 1647 and as a little girl she loved spending time with them as well as her godmother. Sadly, her father died of pneumonia early on in her life and it left the family in very difficult financial times. As a result, she was sent to school with the Urbanist Sisters of Charolles. She adored life at the convent and was even able to make her first communion early. However, Margaret had to come home after she became very sick and was bed-ridden for about four years. After some time for healing she led a fairly normal life as a teenager but received a vision after coming home from a dance. It was of Christ being scourged, she interpreted that as having betrayed Jesus for worldly pleasures. At that point she decided to enter the convent at only 22 years old. After a few years there she began to have a series of visions that lasted a year and a half. The core message of these visions was Jesus asking her to spread a devotion to His Sacred Heart. The explanations of her visions were not received well, but a priest by the name of Father Claude de la Columbiere, now a saint, wrote them down and helped her spread the devotion. Over time, Margaret Mary was able to lead her convent in many ways to the Sacred Heart of Jesus until she became very sick at the young age of 43. Her final words were, “I need nothing but God, and to lose myself in the heart of Jesus.” 12 Promises from the Sacred Heart In an apparition to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, Jesus promised abundant graces to those who devote themselves to His Sacred Heart. 1. I will give them all the graces necessary for their state in life. 2. I will give peace in their families. 3. I will console them in all their troubles. 4. They shall find in my heart an assured refuge during life and especially at the hour of death. 5. I will pour abundant blessings on all their undertakings. 6. Sinners shall find in my heart the source and infinite ocean of mercy. 7. Tepid souls shall become fervent. 8. Fervent souls shall speedily rise to great perfection. 9. I will bless the homes in which the image of my Sacred Heart shall be exposed and honored. 10. I will give to priests the power to touch the most hardened hearts. 11. Those who promote this devotion shall have their name written in my heart and it shall never be effaced. 12. I promise you in the excessive mercy of my Heart that my all-powerful love will grant to all those who receive Holy Communion on the First Friday in nine consecutive months, the grace of final penitence: they will not die in my disgrace, nor without receiving the Sacraments. My Divine Heart shall be their safe refuge in this last moment. Lived Devotion to the Sacred Heart 1. Consecrate yourself to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. 2. Engage in the First Fridays novena. In an apparition to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, Jesus requested that people go to confession, attend mass, and receive the Eucharist on the first Friday of 9 consecutive months. 3. Strive to imitate Jesus self-sacrificing heart in your daily life. Maybe it’s less complaining, more service work, helping a friend or family member, or praying more regularly. Take time discerning this in your prayer life. 4. Enthrone your home, if you have this booklet you’ve already made a step! 5. Pray for the reparation of sin and grace to live out a vocation of love. Try These Prayers Sacred Heart of Jesus Prayer O most holy Heart of Jesus, fountain of every blessing, I adore you, I love you and with a lively sorrow for my sins. I offer you this poor heart of mine. Make me humble, patient, pure, and wholly obedient to your will. Grant, good Jesus, that I may live in you and for you. Protect me in the midst of danger; comfort me in my afflictions; give me health of body, assistance in my temporal needs, your blessings on all that I do, and the grace of a holy death. Within your heart I place my every care. In every need let me come to you with humble trust saying, Heart of Jesus, help me. Amen Prayer from St. Margaret Mary Alacoque O Sacred Heart of Jesus, For whom it is impossible not to have Compassion on the afflicted, Have pity on us miserable sinners And grant us the grace Which we ask of you, Through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, Your tender mother and ours. Amen Prayer of Gratitude to the Sacred Heart Lord, you deserve all honor and praise, because your love is perfect and your heart sublime. Me heart is filled to overflowing with gratitude for the many blessings and graces you have bestowed upon me and those whom I love. Forever undeserving, may I always be attentive and never take for granted the gifts of mercy and love that flow so freely and generously from your Sacred Heart. Heart of Jesus, I adore you. Heart of Jesus, I praise you. Heart of Jesus, I thank you. Heart of Jesus, I love you forever and always. Amen Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus Pray for 9 Consecutive Days In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. O my Jesus, you have said: “Truly I say to you, ask and you will receive, seek and you will find, knock and it will be opened to you.” Behold I knock, I seek and ask for the grace of… (Mention your Intention Here) Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you. O my Jesus, you have said: “Truly I say to you, if you ask anything of the Father in my name, he will give it to you.” Behold, in your name, I ask the Father for the grace of… (Mention your Intention Here) Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you. O my Jesus, you have said: “Truly I say to you, heaven and earth will pass away but my words will not pass away.” Encouraged by your infallible words I now ask for the grace of… (Mention your Intention Here) Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you. O Sacred Heart of Jesus, for whom it is impossible not to have compassion on the afflicted, have pity on us miserable sinners and grant us the grace which we ask of you, through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, your tender Mother and ours. Amen. Serve This Up Flaming Strawberry Heart Cupcakes Coq au Vin Out of all the ideas I recommend picking a few that fit your personal or family Catholic culture. For us, we partake in the First Friday devotion, we enthroned our home so we regularly pray in front of our Sacred Heart image, and I make flaming strawberries on the feast day as a fun dessert. What would you pick? Can't wait to see how you live closely to Jesus' merciful and loving heart! You can share with me in the comments or on social media. Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Have Mercy on Us!

About five years ago my husband and I took a pilgrimage to Italy with our parish and were very blessed to have visited a multitude of beautiful places, one of them being Padua. Before that I had not known much about St. Anthony accept to ask him to help me when I lost things, which is often! "Tony, Tony, look around. Something’s lost and must be found!" As a way to celebrate St. Anthony of Padua and other saints, I will look up the region that they come from and make something that stems from that culture or geographical area. For tonight we are serving up skillet Italian sausage with fresh peppers and onions. Tie on your apron and let's begin! (st. anthony of padua, italian sausage, feast day) Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 15 minutes Yields: 4-6 servings Ingredients 2 tbsps olive oil 1 lb sweet Italian sausage 1/2 white upon sliced 1/2 red onion sliced 1 red bell pepper, sliced 1 green bell pepper, sliced 1 orange bell pepper, sliced 3 garlic cloves, chopped 1 tsp sea salt 1/2 tsp black pepper 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes 1/2 cup chicken broth (for flavor) dried basil, for garnish Begin by slicing the onions and peppers. A dish with lots of color makes me happy! Then, over medium-high heat, warm up 2 tbsps olive oil. Cook the sausage links for 2-3 minutes on each side or until they are browned. Note: They will not be cooked through at this point. When you're finished browning the Italian sausage, slice them into 1 inch pieces and set them aside for later. Add 1/2 white onion (sliced) and 1/2 red onion (sliced) to the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes while stirring. Add in the sliced red, green, and orange bell peppers and sprinkle everything with 1 tsp sea salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning, and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes. Toss the peppers and onions to mix in the seasoning and cook for about 5 minutes. Pour in 1/2 cup chicken broth and stir to combine. Return the Italian sausage back to the pan and lower the heat to medium. Cover the pan with a lid and let it simmer for 10 minutes. Note: To help the liquid evaporate I then uncovered the pan and turned the heat up to medium high again for 2 minutes. If it is not evaporated in this time I strain the dish myself so to not overcook the sausage. Serve as is, over pasta, or a bed of rice and sprinkle with dried basil! How easy was that? Getting to know St. Anthony He was born in 1195, only 13 years after St. Francis, to a faithful family and discerned very early on in his life, age 15, to join the religious order of St. Augustine. However, after witnessing the return of five Franciscan martyrs that died for preaching about Christ in Morocco, he felt called to "put on the habit of your [the Franciscan] order." He was never able to go to Morocco to preach like he wanted to because he became sick, but after healing he ended up in Sicily where his renowned preaching began. So the story goes that after attending a Dominican and Franciscan Ordination, they got together to have dinner and the provincial suggested that one of them give a sermon. Like most people when put on the spot in a group they pulled what my family would call a "nose goes" and St. Anthony was then asked to speak. With lacking education and living as a hermit they didn't expect much, but to everyone's surprise St. Anthony had a gift for speaking about the Gospel. The Hammer of Heretics & His Incorruptible Tongue There are stories upon stories about not only the beauty of his words but the fearlessness of his preaching, which gave him the name "Hammer of Heretics". One of my favorite stories is the popular "sermon to the fishes". One day St. Anthony's preaching fell on the deaf ears of heretics so he went down to a river near Padua and preached to the fish. The legend goes that when the fish heard him they all swam to shore and poked their heads out of the water to listen! He wanted so badly for souls to be won over for Christ that he dedicated his life to traveling and presenting the truths of Christianity. At times St. Anthony could have had anywhere up to 30,000 people listening to him speak. He loved the poor and helped to satisfy them in anyway that he could. In fact, when we went to Padua we were able to see his tongue which is incorruptible, you have to go look this up! What is the story behind St. Anthony holding baby Jesus? Ever wondered why he is seen holding the baby Jesus? One night while staying as a guest with a benefactor, the owner walked by his room and noticed rays of light pouring out from under the door. As he walked by he saw St. Anthony kneeling in ecstasy and holding a loving, caressing child. The owner knew from the uncharacteristic beauty that the child was Jesus. St. Anthony had such great purity of faith that he is also seen holding a lily. In fact, there is a blessing of lilies on the feast of St. Anthony which you can ask your priest to do for you. One more story, I can't help myself! In France during a time of Church persecution many priests and nuns were being murdered along with convents and churches being destroyed. Many faithful Catholics would go to a surviving church on his feast day to leave lilies and months later the beautiful lilies that adorned that parish were still fresh. Even if you can't get your lilies blessed I would highly recommend placing some on your kitchen table or home altar in honor of St. Anthony. You could also make a traditional St. Anthony bread for this feast day. Pick what will be engaging and meaningful for your family like paying tribute to our trip will be for ours! The Blessing of Lilies on the Feast of St. Anthony The priest vests in surplice and white stole, and says: P:Our help is in the name of the Lord. All:Who made heaven and earth. P:The Lord be with you. All:And with thy spirit. P:Let us pray. God, the Creator and Preserver of the human race, the Lover of holy purity, the Giver of supernatural grace, and the Dispenser of everlasting salvation; bless + these lilies which we, Thy humble servants, present to Thee today as an act of thanksgiving and in honor of St. Anthony, Thy confessor, and with a request for Thy blessing. Pour out on them, by the saving sign + of the holy cross, Thy dew from on high. Thou in Thy great kindness hast given them to man, and endowed them with a sweet fragrance to lighten the burden of the sick. Therefore, let them be filled with such power that, whether they are used by the sick, or kept in homes or other places, or devoutly carried on one's person, they may serve to drive out evil spirits, safeguard holy chastity, and turn away illness--all this through the prayers of St. Anthony--and finally impart to Thy servants grace and peace; through Christ our Lord. All:Amen. Then he sprinkles the lilies with holy water, saying: P:Sprinkle me with hyssop, Lord, and I shall be clean of sin. Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Pray for us, St. Anthony. All:That we may be worthy of Christ's promise. P:Let us pray. We beg Thee, O Lord, that Thy people may be helped by the constant and devout intercession of Blessed Anthony, Thy illustrious confessor. May he assist us to be worthy of Thy grace in this life, and to attain everlasting joys in the life to come; through Christ our Lord. All:Amen. After this the lilies are distributed to the people. Keep in touch for more liturgical living recipes and resources. Follow along on FB @hisgirlsunday or IG @steffani_hisgirlsunday.

What is a Sunday without Mass followed by dinner at Nonna's house? My mother-in-law brings this big, Italian family together every single Sunday. I'm in awe of this simple yet profound tradition that she is the foundation of. Without fail there is a beautiful meal that she makes with her own hands and some kitchen helpers. One of my new favorites is her homemade bread. It's light on the inside and wonderfully crispy on the outside. It reminds me of my time walking the camino in Spain, you couldn't eat lunch without a piece of bread on the table just like this one. Mmm, so good! The thing I appreciate most about her recipes is that they are simple and no fuss! So many bread recipes out there have become very complex, and for the working woman or busy mom I find that can be impractical at times. This is something that I know you can do and your family & friends will certainly be impressed with your creation. If you have a little extra time you can put a lovely design on the top by using these bread stencils or this bread lame to score the top of your loaf in the way you like. Thank you so much, Diane, for sharing this recipe with all of us. Let's get baking! Prep Time: 3 hours Bake Time: 45 minutes Yields: 1 loaf Ingredients 3 cups 00 flour 1 tsp salt 1 package yeast 1 1/2 cups warm water Put 3 cups 00 flour, 1 package of yeast, and 1 tsp salt in a bowl and whisk together. Add 1 1/2 cups warm water and mix with your hands or a stand mixer to combine. Cover with a tea towel and let the dough rise for 2-3 hours. When it's about time to bake, preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Put your dutch oven, without the bread, in the oven while it is preheating. When the oven reaches 450 degrees take the dutch oven out of oven. Line your dutch oven with parchment paper, then take the dough out of the bowl and place it on top of the parchment paper. Cover the dutch oven with the lid and bake for 30 minutes. When the 30 minutes is up remove the lid and bake for another 15 minutes. Cut and enjoy with butter, jam, a cheese spread, or just as it is. Mangia! Mangia! 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.

St. Catherine of Siena is the patroness of Italy, saint, mystic, and doctor of the Church. She entered the Dominican order at just 16 years old and her great faith led her to become a spiritual guide for many prominent people, including the pope during the Avignon Papacy. When I initially read that I was incredibly intrigued, I didn't grow up around many priests other than our parish priest, and I had never actually known a sister until college. So when I heard her story, I couldn't get enough of her strong character and deep faith. As a mystic she had the "gift of tears" and a "mystical marriage to Christ". She is also known as an incorruptible saint meaning that parts of her body have never decayed. When I visited Siena, Italy I saw her head and thumb, I really didn't expect this reaction out of myself but I couldn't help but cry. A holy woman that I chose to be my spiritual role model and intercessor was right in front of me. The first image was taken by the Traveling Catholic, the second and admittedly very low quality photo of St. Catherine of Siena's head in Siena, Italy was taken by yours truly. 😂 Same photo credit to follow for images of her incorruptible thumb. Every year we gather in the kitchen to celebrate her by making Clementine Cake. When I shared this on social media many people were surprised to read this connection but it actually makes for the perfect opportunity to talk about her spiritual strength over a slice of cake. In a letter to Pope Urban VI, she writes about her experience in boiling oranges as an analogy for the spiritual sweetness of Christ. A key, and rather long, process to making Clementine Cake is boiling oranges! If you have never had it, I'm telling you right now that it is amazing. Damp! Dense! Aromatic! Prep Time: 2 hours Bake Time: 50 minutes Total Time: 3 hours Yields: 8-10 Slices The Ingredients 4 Clementines 6 large eggs 1 cup coconut sugar 2¼ cups almond flour 1 tsp baking powder 1 tsp nutmeg Begin by washing your clementines and throwing them whole into a small pot of water. Bring the water to a boil with the lid partially on for 2 hours. Note: Keep an eye on the water level and replenish as needed to avoid burning the clementines. After 2 hours you can drain the water and allow the clementines time to cool. Once you can handle them, cut off the pedicel, or the ends. Making the cake mix goes pretty quickly, so you can preheat your oven now to 375 degrees. Slice them in half and remove the pip, or the central core. Toss them whole, including the skin, into a food processor. Pulse the food processor until the clementines are completely blended into a liquid with fine parts. Crack 6 eggs into the clementine mixture and pulse the food processor until both ingredients are thoroughly combined. Now you can add everything else into the food processor at once. Put 2 1/4 cup almond flour with 1 tsp baking powder into a mixing bowl and whisk to combine. Then pour this gradually into the clementine mixture while the food processor is on low. Then I sprinkled in 1 cup coconut sugar. And last but not least, pour in 1 tsp nutmeg. Blend everything together until your clementine cake mixture looks like this. SmOoOoth! Pour into an 8" springform tin cake pan. Bake for a total of 50 minutes, after the first 30 minutes take the cake out and cover it with foil so that the top doesn't burn. Then put it back in the oven for another 20 minutes. You can test to see if your cake is ready by putting a toothpick or skewer in the side, if it comes out clean it is finished. Some years we have eaten this cake as is with some cool whip and other years we have made a simple glaze with confectioner's sugar, water, and clementine juice. Either way, this cake does not disappoint! ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Hello, again! I'm coming back to this post a couple of years later to offer some updated photos of our delicious cake. Hope you are enjoying it! :) Happy Feast Day, St. Catherine! Use this prayer to add on to your Catholic prayer before meals. Prayer for the Gifts of Saint Catherine of Siena God of Wisdom you made our sister Catherine burn with divine love in contemplating the Lord’s passion and in serving your Church. With the help of her prayers may your people, united in the mystery of Christ, rejoice forever in the revelation of his glory, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen. 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 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.