By Mattie
Grey is November,
cold as cold.
Stormy November,
wind and rain.
No snow.
No ice.
No glittering sun.
Grey is November,
except
by the bright fire
with a story,
a cushion for the cat,
the dark shut outside
and
the light in the flames
where mysteries lie
and
we dream.
Elsa Beskow, Around the Year
To me that's exactly what November brings to mind! Just to say the name, I can only see gray skies and a nice warm stove and Joshua reading in front of it:
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| And yes, it gets this nice with the stove that short sleeves are the only option :) |
But that's just the cozy side of things :) What about the spiritual aspect of it?
Well to me it is grey as well! Funny isn't it!? Maybe it is because this month is dedicated to the Souls in Purgatory? Or maybe because it's the last stretch before Advent (my favorite Liturgical Time)? I am not sure, but to me November = grey.
So shall we look into this grey month and find some glittering sun?
Well, first of all there is the radiant sun of the Feast of All Saints on November 1st!
Wow, what a fantastic feast! To be able to celebrate ALL the Saints in one day! As a family we first go to Mass, since it is a Holy Day of obligation, and then we gather all of our saints icons, holy cards, etc... and make a beautiful altar displaying them all with candles and foliage. And then the best part: stories! (I told you this poem was EXACTLY what November means to me :)) We gather all of our saints books and start reading. And that's how we spend our day: no school, just saints! And of course cake and candies!
Next is All Souls Day, on November 2nd. Another beautiful day for us to start with Mass to pray for the souls of our deceased loved ones.
Here are the guidelines to obtain a Plenary Indulgence on that day as well (or during the that week).
At home, I have made a poster with the pictures of all our deceased loved ones, and I add funeral cards every year. We leave this poster displayed for the month and pray for each soul everyday. And that is where the story part comes in: talking to the children about each departed soul! What a memory maker and how much the children love to learn about their deceased family members and remember dear friends.
On the 3rd, it is Saint Martin de Porres! A ray of sunshine straight from Peru. Maybe Rudy and Carmen will be able to share a little bit of the Peruvian traditions that accompany his feast day... Stay tuned!
Also on the 3rd is a favorite patron saint in our house: St. Hubert! Patron saint of hunters! He gets a cake with a Playmobil elk and a hunter (usually a knight)!
November 11th: Veterans Day and St. Martin de Tours' feast day. Perfect day to donate old coats to a homeless shelter! He is the Patron Saint of tailors ... and drunkards!
Horseshoe Cookies for Martinmas
November 13th: St. Frances Xavier Cabrini. For us Denverites, nothing easier than to go visit her shrine in Golden!
Italian Fare for the Feast of Mother Cabrini.
November 16th: St. Margaret of Scotland
A Scottish Feast to Celebrate Saint Margaret and Saint Andrew (November 30th)
November 22nd: Saint Cecilia, patroness of musicians and the Academy of Music in Rome.
Just turn up the music! This year, her feast day falls on Thanksgiving day: a good opportunity for double celebration!
November 25th: Christ the King
A big day in our family as it is both Christian and Christine's feast day, or name day!
We do celebrate everyone's name days throughout the year. Not as big a deal as birthdays but still we have cake and the person's whose feast day it is receives a small spiritual/religious present. We started with a book or movie about their patron saints (including middle name patron saints) and are slowly moving towards favorite saints, devotions, etc... Books, Icons, etc... make wonderful Name Day gifts.
On November 27th, we celebrate the Miraculous Medal of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This is a special day for Christine and Christian because it is the day they met! This year will mark for them the 38th anniversary of their meeting.
And then off into Advent! Yeah!
So give thanks, find the glittering sun during this grey month, and praise the Lord!
Click here to read on the lives of all the saints for the month of November. Make sure to bookmark this site!
Next is All Souls Day, on November 2nd. Another beautiful day for us to start with Mass to pray for the souls of our deceased loved ones.
Here are the guidelines to obtain a Plenary Indulgence on that day as well (or during the that week).
At home, I have made a poster with the pictures of all our deceased loved ones, and I add funeral cards every year. We leave this poster displayed for the month and pray for each soul everyday. And that is where the story part comes in: talking to the children about each departed soul! What a memory maker and how much the children love to learn about their deceased family members and remember dear friends.
+Louis+Janmot+(1814-1892)-Passage+of+Souls.jpg) |
| The Passage of Souls by Louis Janmot (18140-1892) |
Also on the 3rd is a favorite patron saint in our house: St. Hubert! Patron saint of hunters! He gets a cake with a Playmobil elk and a hunter (usually a knight)!
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| Cool hunting shirts can be found here |
Horseshoe Cookies for Martinmas
November 13th: St. Frances Xavier Cabrini. For us Denverites, nothing easier than to go visit her shrine in Golden!
Italian Fare for the Feast of Mother Cabrini.
November 16th: St. Margaret of Scotland
A Scottish Feast to Celebrate Saint Margaret and Saint Andrew (November 30th)
November 22nd: Saint Cecilia, patroness of musicians and the Academy of Music in Rome.
Just turn up the music! This year, her feast day falls on Thanksgiving day: a good opportunity for double celebration!
A big day in our family as it is both Christian and Christine's feast day, or name day!
We do celebrate everyone's name days throughout the year. Not as big a deal as birthdays but still we have cake and the person's whose feast day it is receives a small spiritual/religious present. We started with a book or movie about their patron saints (including middle name patron saints) and are slowly moving towards favorite saints, devotions, etc... Books, Icons, etc... make wonderful Name Day gifts.
And then off into Advent! Yeah!
So give thanks, find the glittering sun during this grey month, and praise the Lord!
Click here to read on the lives of all the saints for the month of November. Make sure to bookmark this site!
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