Little Flowers participated in the Daffodil Show, making arrangements that were Wizard of Oz and colorfully themed. Several earned 1st or 2nd place ribbons for their efforts.
Along with the Liturgy committee, Little Flowers facilitated the annual Holy Saturday chalk art event to decorate the plaza for Easter.
We had a petal meeting to learn about the virtue of Fortitude, moral courage. We also learned about St Julie Billiart and the hyacinth. We decorated flip flops to remind us to stand firm in our faith. Congratulations to Little Flower, Rachel who wasn't able to join us because she was celebrating her First Communion!
Wreath 3: Lesson 8
Virtue: Fortitude Saint: Julie Billiart Flower: Hyacinth
Verse: Be on your guard, stand firm in the faith, be courageous, be strong.-1 Corinthians 16:13
St Julie Billiart(1751-1816) grew up working hard on her French family farm. She often played “school” for fun and would catechize her friends. The local priest allowed her to receive communion at age 9 which was young at the time. When she was 14 she took a vow of chastity. When she was 30 she suffered an illness that left her paralyzed. She persevered and began teaching catechism, giving spiritual advice, and making linens for the Church from her bed. She suffered for many years, but continued to follow God’s will for her life. During the French Revolution she was in danger because of her assistance in hiding many priests. She was moved about many times for her protection, always evangelizing wherever she was taken. She was given a vision of the congregation of religious sisters she should form. Soon, she began the Sisters of Notre Dame which educated girls. When the first class made their vows, and after she had prayed a novena to the Sacred Heart out of obedience, she was miraculously cured after 22 years of paralysis. St Brilliart would go on to found 15 convents. She said, “By union with God we shall gain hearts…. Without this union we will but make a little noise.” And, “How good is the good God.” Her feast day is April 8.
Fortitude is a Cardinal Virtue and one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit received at confirmation and is often referred to as moral courage. From CCC 1808, Fortitude is the moral virtue that ensures firmness in difficulties and constancy in the pursuit of the good. It strengthens the resolve to resist temptations and to overcome obstacles in the moral life. The virtue of fortitude enables one to conquer fear, even fear of death, and to face trials and persecutions.
Hyacinth is a bulb flower that comes back early each spring. It is regarded as a symbol of Christian prudence, peace of mind, and the desire for heaven. This was derived from the myth of the Greek hero, Hyacinthus, upon whose death the flower sprung forth.
And finally, we worked in our Iris garden that runs along the school playground, identifying and labeling the flowers that have bloomed.
St Billliart, pray for us and help us to grow in the virtue of Fortitude.
Be sure to keep track of the time spent in adoration to earn the end of the year adoration badge by May 21.
No comments:
Post a Comment