Missionary Childhood Association
Saint of the Month Archive
The saints are our friends in heaven, and we can count on them for their help, prayers, and intercession. These short lesson plans each tell a saint’s story, ask follow-up questions, and suggest activities that help your students understand that saints are ordinary people who follow the God’s path in their lives. Each saint will help your students become better missionary disciples!
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Saint Scholastica
Imagine being the parents of twin saints! If you were the parents of twins Scholastica and Benedict, you’d know what it was like. Benedict liked to follow the letter of the law; Scholastica was more about the spirit of it. Both entered religious life and served God in their own way. Learn how Scholastica taught her brother a valuable life lesson in this class plan. Saint Scholastica’s feast day is February 10th and she is the patron of books, reading, women’s communities, and is invoked to keep storms away.
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Saint Thérèse of Lisieux
Born Marie Françoise Martin, Saint Thérèse of Lisieux joined a Carmelite convent when she was only 15 years old. Her dream was to become a missionary to French Indochina – now Vietnam. Her poor health kept her confined to her convent until her death at age 24. So, how did this young woman who lived in a monastery become the patroness of missionaries and the missions? Learn about her life of prayer and her “Little Way.” The feast day of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux is October 1st and she is the patron saint of the missions.
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Saint Walburga
Saint Walburga (also known as Walpurgis, Walpurgis, and Valpurga) was a member of a wealthy, holy family. Her father, mother, maternal uncle and two brothers have also been declared saints! Because her uncle, Saint Boniface, was the first missionary to call for the aid of women in the cause of evangelization in another country, Walburga answered! Learn more about this “saint machine” of a family! Saint Walburga’s feast day is May 1st and she is the patron saint of sailors and invoked against storms at sea.
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Saint William and His Woods of Welcome Craft
Have you ever moved to a new place and wondered if you’d like it? Would you make new friends? Would you ever see your old friends again? Saint William of Eskilsoe went through the same thing and probably didn’t like some of the answers he got. Find out how prayer and the grace of God got him through some of the tough times as he followed God’s path for him – without being able to send old friends an email! Saint William of Eskilsoe’s feast day is April 6th. This lesson plan includes templates for craft to create a “family tree.” Write words of kindness, welcome, or friendship on your tree’s leaves and display it on a classroom door to welcome “travelers.”
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Saint Wulfstan of Worcester
Saint Wulfstan of Worcester, England was an interesting fellow – well educated, humble, creative, and kind. He was known to love to pray the Psalms but annoy his fellow travelers by reciting them aloud as they rode along. A learned man, he would be called as a witness in a court case, only to fall asleep if that matter did not pertain to faith! Learn more about this quirky vegetarian who must have sometimes had people shaking their head at his ways. Saint Wulfstan of Worcester’s feast day is January 19th and he is the patron saint of vegetarians and dieters.
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Saints Francisco and Jacinta Marto
Brother and sister Saints Francisco and Jacinta Marto are two of the shepherd children who witnessed the apparition of the Blessed Mother in Fatima, Portugal in 1917. At first, no one believed them about their visions, and they were mocked and even detained by local secular authorities. Both died in the Spanish flu pandemic in the early 20th century. They are among the youngest of Catholic Saints. Their feast day is February 20th and they are the patron saints of Portuguese children, captives, and people ridiculed for their piety.
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Saints Louis and Zelie Martin
Saints Louis and Zelie Martin were a French married couple and the parents nine children. Five lived to adulthood and became nuns! One of them was Saint Therese of Lisieux, who is the patron saint of the missions! They are the first spouses to be canonized as a couple. Their feast day is July 12th and they are the patron saints of married couples.