I’m always trying to figure out how to make it easier for families to observe the Christian Year because we felt so overwhelmed when we first started that journey (which is why we wrote the book we wish we had then). I thought it might be helpful for our family to have resources compiled for the month ahead so that we can plan in advance which special saints days we want to observe and I hope having them all in one place is helpful to you, too!
(And remember, just start with one or two special days a month! Keep it simple!)
And I pinned all of the following resources on a February Liturgical Year board on pinterest for your convenience!
February 1st: St. Brigid of Ireland
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Books:
We will read Brigid’s Cloak by Bryce Milligan with the kids (beautiful story with gorgeous illustrations.)
Ideas for celebrating:
- A Simple Meal for St. Brigid’s Day: Carrots for Michaelmas
- Grain-Free Irish Soda Bread: Elana’s Pantry
- The Feast of St. Brigid: Two Os Plus More
- Feast of St. Brigid: Surviving Our Blessings
- How to Make a St. Brigid’s Cross: Fish Eaters
- St. Brigid’s Feast Day, Literature, Crafts, and a Recipe: Campfires and Cleats
And check out this gorgeous St. Brigid print by Audrey Eclectic!
February 2nd: The Presentation of the Lord (Candlemas)
- Candle making with kids: Simple Homeschool (this is a GREAT tutorial!)
- Liturgical Living: Candlemas: Carrots for Michaelmas
- Candlemas Candle Craft: JOY{filled}family
- Candlemas and St. Blaise: Two Os Plus More
- Candlemas: Fr. Z
February 3rd: St. Blaise
- St. Blaise Cookies: Shower of Roses
February 5th: St. Agatha
- St. Agatha: Catholic Culture
- St. Agatha Rolls: Catholic Cuisine
February 6th: St. Paul Miki and Companions
- Make Simple Sushi (You can find Daniel’s recipe in our new cookbook, More Feasts!)
February 8th: St. Josephine Bahkita
- African Inspired Meal for St. Josephine Bahkita: Catholic Cuisine
February 10th: St. Scholastica
- St. Scholastica, virgin: Catholic Culture
Books:
The Holy Twins: Benedict and Scholastica by Kathleen Norris and Tomie DePaola
February 11th: Our Lady of Lourdes
- A (Blue) French Meal for Our Lady of Lourdes: Catholic Cuisine
February 13th: Mardi Gras
Food/Activities for Celebrating:
- Gluten Free King Cake: Celiac Family (my kids are allergic to gluten, so here’s a GF version!)
- Make a tradition New Orleans Sazerac (we share our recipe in our liturgical year cookbook Feast!)
- Make a Cajun dinner of Shrimp Remoulade. (Recipe here.)
It’s also the Eve of St. Valentine’s Day and since Ash Wednesday is a day of fasting and abstinence, maybe consider celebrating St. Valentine a day early?
- Seven Free Printable Valentines: Catholic All Year
- St. Valentine: The Martyr Not the Roses: Two Os Plus More
- REAL Valentines: This Ain’t the Lyceum (Sure to make you laugh!)
Books:
Saint Valentine by Robert Sabuda
February 14th: Ash Wednesday
Activities for Observing:
- Lenten Grass: Observing Lent with Children: Kitchen Parade
Lent
- Preparing for Lent: Planning and Resources: Carrots for Michaelmas
- Getting Ready for Lent (video in the Knot Bad series): A Knotted Life
- Printable Lenten Calendar for Kids: Catholic Icing
- Stations of the Cross Eggs for Catholic Kids: Catholic Icing
- Stations of the Cross Box for Kids: A Knotted Life
- Walking Through Lent with Small Children: Two Os Plus More
- 66 Things to Give Up or Take Up for Lent: Catholic All Year
- 100 Things to Do for Lent: His Pierced Hands
- The Freedom of Giving Up: Carrots for Michaelmas
- A Meaningful Lent (The Monstrously Long Post): Karen Edmisten
- Bury the Alleluia and Other Last Minute Lent Resources: Carrots for Michaelmas
- Great Books for Lent: Fountains of Home
- 40 Bags in 40 Days Decluttering Challenge: White House Black Shutters
- Podcast Episode: Taking the “Womp Womp” Out of Lent with Bonnie Engstrom: Fountains of Carrots
Lenten/Easter Picture Books:
- 8 Picture Books for Lent and Easter: Carrots for Michaelmas
February 21st: St. Peter Damian
- St. Peter Damian, bishop and doctor: Catholic Culture
February 22nd: The Chair of St. Peter the Apostle
- Make Candy Chairs at Catholic All Year
Food for thought:
- Black Metal, the Chair of St. Peter, and the Upside Down Cross: Daniel Bearman
Books:
Peter, Apostle of Jesus by Boris Grebille
Feel free to share more resources in the comments!
Want to learn more about the liturgical seasons and how to celebrate the Christian Year and saints days with real food recipes? Check out our cookbook Feast! Real Food, Reflections, and Simple Living for the Christian Year.
Haley, thank you so much for this! Lent always seems overwhelming, but somehow it ends up coming together. I think its saving grace is that it is a loooong season, so we always have time to adopt new things and adjust as needed. I love your monthly liturgical posts, they are so inspiring! Also– I have made your shrimp remoulade recipe probably ten times now, it is SO tasty! 😀
Wow! I had no idea February had so many events other than the beginning of Lent. Thanks for these resources.