Exciting saints for children to know

[gardenswithkids]

I read the “saint of the day” story to my children, and today-- the princess who was kidnapped by pirates seemed particular fascinating to them. Many children share their interest in princesses and pirates, so I thought I’d share with you here.

**Please post the stories of other saints that are of particular interest to children. **

Today (January 30th) is the feastday of St. Bathildas and she led an exciting life. St. Bathildas was a Christian girl born in England around the year 630 A.D. Pirates kidnapped her and took her from her home in England to France. She was sold as a slave to the manager of the king’s palace. She paid careful attention to her chores, doing the best she could. King Clovis noticed this shy, gentle Christian girl. He married her, and they lived happily ever after…well sort of. They had three sons together, (all whom became kings) but her husband King Clovis died. St. Bathildis ruled as regent until her son, Cloraire III, grew older. She cared for the poor and she set up seminaries and convents. Later, St. Bathildas gave up the royal life and entered a convent, living as a humble and obedient nun for the rest of her days. She died on January 30, 680. Now she lives happily ever after.

 

[Genesis315]

My patron, St. Sebastian

He was a commander in the Roman army. He preached the Gospel to his soldiers and to prisoners. When his superiors tried to make him stop, he refused. So they tied him to a tree and shot him full of arrows and left him for dead. But, due to his strong body he survived. And, instead of giving up, he went straight to emperor Diocletian and preached to him. For this, he was beaten to death.

http://www.catholic-forum.com/saintS/sts03010.jpg

 

[LSK]

My patron saint: St. Cecilia

Cultivated young patrician woman whose ancestors loomed large in Rome’s history. She vowed her virginity to God, but her parents married her to Valerian of Trastevere. Cecilia told her new husband that she was accompanied by an angel, but in order to see it, he must be purified. He agreed to the purification, and was baptised; returning from the ceremony, he found her in prayer accompanied by a praying angel. The angel placed a crown on each of their heads, and offered Valerian a favor; the new convert asked that his brother be baptised.

The two brothers developed a ministry of giving proper burial to martyred Christians. In their turn they were arrested and martyred for their faith. Cecilia buried them at her villa on the Apprian Way, and was arrested for the action. She was ordered to sacrifice to false gods; when she refused, she was martyred in her turn.

The Acta of Cecilia includes the following: “While the profane music of her wedding was heard, Cecilia was singing in her heart a hymn of love for Jesus, her true spouse.” It was this phrase that led to her association with music, singers, musicians, etc. Died martyred c.117; suffocated for a while, and when that didn’t kill her, she was beheaded; her grave was discovered in 817, and her body removed to the church of Saint Cecilia in Rome; the tomb was opened in 1599, and her body found to be incorrupt Name Meaning blind Patronage Academy of Music, Rome; Albi France; composers; martyrs; music; musicians; musical instrument makers; archdiocese of Omaha, Nebraska; poets; singers Representation musical instruments, especially a lute or organ; roses