Ora Pro Nobis Candy Boxes

Since the 16th century Catholic piety has assigned entire months to special devotions. As a reminder of our duty to pray for the suffering faithful in Purgatory, the Church has dedicated the month of November to the Holy Souls. The Holy Souls are those who have died in the state of grace but who are not yet free from all punishment due to their unforgiven venial sins and all other sins already forgiven for which satisfaction is still to be made. They are certain of entering Heaven, but first they must suffer in Purgatory. The Holy Souls cannot help themselves because for them the night has come, when no man can work (John 9:4). It is our great privilege of brotherhood that we can shorten their time of separation from God by our prayers, good works, and, especially, the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. (source)

Ora Pro Nobis Candy Boxes make a sweet and prayerful activity for the Holy Souls in the month of November, the month dedicated to the Church Suffering.  This idea was shared by one of my blog visitors (Thank you, Kim!) and I created the printable box or bag labels, calendar, and directions to share. If you have any trouble downloading the printable documents just send me an email and I will do my best to forward them to you directly. I ended up creating boxes to send home with all the children who attended our annual All Hallows' Eve party last night and my own children are so excited to begin today!

Supplies:

+ 30 pieces of candy per box (leftover All Saints candy is great for this!)

+ black treat boxes or bags

+ white foam sticker crosses or “Ora Pro Nobis” box/bag labels

+ color pencils, crayons, or another media of their choice

+ calendar (create your own or use free printable)

+ list of departed family, friends, religious

+ particular prayer(s) to be offered

Directions:

Place a cross or label on the front of each box (or bag)

Fill each box or bag with 30 pieces of candy. 

Have the children prepare and decorate their calendars. Write the name of a departed soul on the calendar for each day of the month. Perhaps even include a day for the “Most Forgotten Soul.” 

Each day of the month, after the child has offered a prayer for the departed soul listed, they may take one (1) piece of candy, or they may leave it in the box as an additional sacrifice for the departed soul!

The intention is to encourage prayers and sacrifices for the Church Suffering in a sweet and tangible way!

Printable Directions

Printable Ora Pro Nobis Box/Bag Labels

Printable Calendar for the Month of November

May the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace!

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Celebrating Michaelmas and Nameday Prayers for the Family

In honor of St. Michael, and a certain little boy's nameday, our family always celebrates today's feast with Devil's food cupcakes (this year it was a simple cake, made from a mix) topped with a St. Michael statue.  The celebration is never complete without little swords for stabbing the cake devil!

This year's feast is coming to an end, but I thought I'd pop in for a minute to share a picture, and the Nameday Prayers from My Nameday - Come for Dessert.   I hope you all had a very blessed feast!

Nameday prayers. Today the family prays the following:

Father: The Lord, King of archangels.

All: Come, let us adore, alleluia.

Father: I looked up and saw a man standing there clad all in linen and his girdle was of fine gold. Clear as a topaz his body was, like the play of lightning shone his face; and like burning crossets his eyes; arms and legs of him had the sheen of bronze, and when he spoke, it was like the murmur of a throng.

All: He bestows favors on those nations who honor him, and his prayer leads them to the kingdom of heaven, alleluia.

Father: The angel Michael, chief in paradise, to whom the angelic citizens pay honor.

All: Most glorious prince, archangel Michael, be mindful of us here and everywhere; pray ever for us to the Son of God, alleluia, alleluia.

Father: From the writings of Pope St. Gregory the Great:

Michael means "Who is like God!" When any work of remarkable power is to be done, we are told it is Michael who is sent, that from both his action and his name we may understand that none can accomplish what God in His might accomplishes.

All: Salvation belongs to our God, alleluia.

Father: Let us pray. O God, who ordained the services of angels and men in wonderful order, be pleased to grant that our life on earth may be guarded by those who stand always ready to serve You in heaven. Through Christ our Lord.

All: Amen. Christ conquers, Christ reigns!

Holy Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, 
Pray for us!

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Mealtime Prayers for Christmas

"When the family gathers for meals on Christmas Day and throughout Christmastide, it is a natural time to reecho the great fact: "This day Christ is born!" Many families find that special meal prayers which repeat the beautiful texts from the Christmas Masses and Office are a great help in keeping the Christmas theme in mind and in meditating on its meaning. Meal prayers can be as simple as the reading of one of the Christmas collects from the missal, together with the traditional grace." ~ The Twelve Days of Christmas

The following prayers, from The Twelve Days of Christmas Kit, are for before and after both breakfast and dinner and may be used throughout the Christmas season:

Before Breakfast

Leader: The Word was made flesh, alleluia, alleluia!
All: And dwelt among us, alleluia, alleluia!
Leader: Let the heavens rejoice and the earth be glad,
All: Before the face of the Lord, for He comes.
Leader: Bless us, O Lord, and these Thy gifts, which we are about to receive from Thy bounty. Through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.

After Breakfast

Leader: Glory to God in the highest!
All: And on earth peace to men of good will, alleluia!
Leader: The Lord has reigned,
All: And He is clothed with beauty.
Leader: O Almighty God, the Savior of the world, who hast nourished us with heavenly food, we give Thee thanks for the gift of this bodily refreshment which we have received from Thy bountiful mercy. Through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.

Before Dinner

Leader: All the ends of the earth have seen, alleluia!
All: The Salvation of our God, alleluia!
Leader: Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.
All: The Lord is God and He has shone upon us.
Leader: Lord, have mercy on us.
All: Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us.
Leader: Our Father....as it is in heaven.
All: Give us this day....Amen.
Leader: Bless us, O Lord, and these Thy gifts, which we are about to receive from Thy bounty. Through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.

After Dinner

Leader: The goodness of God our Savior has appeared.
All: Not by the works of Justice which we have done, but according to His mercy, He saved us.
Leader: A sanctified day has shone upon us, alleluia!
All: Come, you nations, and adore the Lord!
Leader: Let us pray. Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, that the new birth in the flesh of Thine only-begotten Son may set us free, whom the old bondage holds under the yoke of sin. Through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.
Leader: We give Thee thanks, Almighty God, for these and all Thy gifts, which we have received from Thy bounty. Who livest and reignest world without end.
All: Amen.

Wishing you all a very Blessed Christmas,
from all of us here at Catholic Cuisine!

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Menu ideas for Pentecost Sunday

Ok... I am on a roll with the Pentecost theme!! I promise this is my last post... at least for today! ;)

Since another name for Pentecost is "Whitsunday," there is a tradition to serve white foods. In Lent and Easter in the Christian Kitchen, the authors suggest serving a breakfast of powdered sugar doughnuts or an afternoon snack of milk and macaroons.

They also suggest serving Cornish Game Hens (ok--maybe I will post a recipe for this, unless someone else has one!!), to remind us of a dove, the symbol of the Holy Ghost, and a 12 Fruit Salad, symbolizing the 12 fruits of the Holy Ghost.

White side dishes for dinner could include: White Rice, Cauliflower, Potatoes and Pasta Alfredo, to name a few.

Another idea would be to go with a Red-Hot Theme since "the intense love and fire of the Holy Spirit are represented in the use of red as the liturgical color for Pentecost Sunday!" Examples would include: fiery hot food, food cooked over flames, and any other food that is red.

For Dessert we will be making a Pentecost Cake. Another idea, found in the above cookbook, would be to serve a frosted cookie topped with a red lifesaver holding a birthday candle to represent the flame, reminding us of the Holy Ghost in the Upper Room. As we blow out the candles we are reminded of the mighty wind that the apostles heard.

Don't forget to set your table with red if you can!! If you don't have a red tablecloth, you could make a centerpiece with seven red roses and seven red candles representing the seven gifts of the Holy Ghost!

Christine left a comment with even more decorating ideas: "If it [the tablecloth] is white, red flames cut from construction paper can be scattered on the tablecloth and hanging a dove from the dining room ceiling (either handmade or purchased from a craft store)." Thank you Christine!

However you celebrate, I hope you have a blessed Pentecost Sunday!!

Prayer to the Holy Ghost

COME HOLY GHOST, fill the hearts of thy faithful and kindle in them the fire of thy love

V Send forth thy spirit and they shall be created
R And thou Shalt renew the face of the earth

Let us pray. O God, who didst instruct the heart of thy faithful by the light of the Holy Ghost, Grant us by the gift of the same spirit to be truly wise and rejoice in his consolation. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen. Pin It