June is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus! The Liturgical Season we are now in is Ordinary Time, so the Church’s color in June is GREEN.
 
This month, the Holy Father’s intentions are for the beauty of marriage. Let us pray for the protection of marriage and for all who are preparing for marriage. We pray for holy marriages to reflect the love of Christ to the world, and for marriages that are in a difficult time and are in need of God’s grace.
 
June 2: Begin the Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
You can find the prayers for the Novena here.
 
June 3: Feast Day of Saint Charles Lwanga and Companions
Today we honor 22 martyrs from Uganda. Saint Charles was baptized a year before his death, was a true disciple of Christ, and encouraged his friends in the faith – even personally baptizing some of them! Saint Charles said before his death that he was glad to be dying for the True Faith, and was martyred on June 3, 1886. In the image below, Charles is numbered 13. The image comes from Ex Umbris Et ImaginibusHere are some ways to remember and honor these amazing witnesses of faith with your family:
  • Make Amandazi as a family! Incorporating cultural foods of the saints can be fun and educational, and this recipe representative of Ugandan culture comes from Catholic Cuisine
  • Pray for courage as Saint Charles Lwanga displayed at the time of his death! Pray for Christians who suffer because of their faith, and ask Saint Charles Lwanga to pray for you.
June 6: Most Holy Body and Blood of Jesus
Make it a goal this month to attend Adoration as a family! Even if it is just for 5 minutes, try to go all together and spend time with our Lord.
 
June 11: Sacred Heart of Jesus
The Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus begins on June 2nd and ends today! To celebrate this day with family, you can:
  • Bake and decorate heart shaped cookies. With little ones, talk about how Jesus loves them and today is a day to celebrate this amazing love! With older children, let them take charge of the decorating and see who they can share their treats with. Make cards to go with the treats if you pass them out, that say “Jesus loves you!”
  • You can find a free coloring sheet here and use this as a craft as you talk about Jesus’ love for us.
  • Include a prayer to the Sacred Heart as part of your daytime or nighttime prayers. If you have teenagers, ask them to read/lead the prayer! Find a list of prayers here.
 
June 13: Feast Day of Saint Anthony of Padua
Saint Anthony of Padua was a Franciscan priest who, on his way to Morocco, was shipwrecked. He lived in a cave for some time! When asked to preach at a monastery, his listeners were so impressed that he was constantly requested to travel in order to teach and evangelize. One of the famous stories of Saint Anthony of Padua is the “multitude of fish” that rose up out of the water in order to hear him preach. Share this fun story with kids, and color pictures of this moment or have a crafting afternoon to make some fish.
 
June 20: Father’s Day
Pray over the fathers in your life! Have children pray over their father and ask God the Father to lead him and watch over him always. Saint Joseph, pray for the fathers in our lives!
 
June 24: Birth of John the Baptist
Today is the day we traditionally celebrate John the Baptist’s birthday! For a fun snack with kids, make “grasshoppers” with celery sticks, peanut butter, raisins, and pretzel sticks. You can find the recipe here.
 
June 26: Feast Day of Saint Josemaria Escriva
Saint Josemaria said, “Great holiness consists in carrying out the little duties of each moment.” (Parents, this one is for you!) He wrote The Way, which is a great book to kickstart moments of personal prayer. If your children are teens, share this book with them!
 
June 29: Feast Day of Saints Peter and Paul
Today we remember these two amazing witnesses of faith and the role they played in the foundation of the Catholic Church. Share with your children Peter’s role as the first Pope or Paul’s incredible conversion of faith. 
  • If your children are little, you can talk as you color this free coloring sheet
  • If your children are older, have them read from Peter or Paul’s writings in Scripture during a time of family prayer. For verses on the family, read 1 Peter 3:8-12, 1 Peter 5:5-11, or 1 Corinthians 12:12-26. On suffering, read 1 Peter 3:13-18. On hope, read Romans 5:1-5. Ask your child questions about the passage they read- If you need one to start with, you can say “What stood out to you?” Share what stood out to you as well.