Memorial Day Compassion

 Our troop helped out at the Memorial Day Mass by handing out programs before and flags and carnations for those wishing to decorate grave markers after. Then we had a petal meeting about the virtue of Compassion, St Marianne Cope, and the Corporal Works of Mercy. We took the remainder of the flowers to our cemetery to honor the graves of veterans of our parish and others buried there that were special to us. 

Wreath 5: Lesson 9

Virtue: Compassion Saint: Marianne Cope

Verse: “As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him” -Psalm 103:13

St Marianne Cope(1838-1880) immigrated from Germany to the U.S. and settled in Utica, NY. She dropped out of school at 14 to help support her family and when her father died, she entered the convent of the Sisters of St Francis. She taught other German immigrants about the faith and eventually became the Superior of her convent. She helped found new hospitals. In 1883 the King of Hawaii requested help with the leper community on the island as Fr Damien was dying of the disease. Over 50 other orders had already refused because of the deadliness of the disease. Sr Marianne joyfully said yes and with six sisters, traveled to Molokai and spent the rest of her life caring for people with leprosy. She never contracted the disease. She attended to St Damian as he died. Her feast day is January 23rd. 

“I am hungry for the work and I wish with all my heart to be one of the chosen Ones, whose privilege it will be, to sacrifice themselves for the salvation of the souls of the poor Islanders. I am not afraid of any disease, hence it will be my greatest delight even to minister to the abandoned lepers.” -Sr Marianne Cope

Compassion, like sympathy and empathy is about understanding another’s situation. However, compassion is an active virtue that asks us to do something about the suffering of others, to courageously, suffer with the other. The Corporal Works of Mercy focus on what we can do to show compassion to others and help relieve suffering.  

Obedience Petal Meeting & Archery Adventure 4/25/21

The Little Flowers spent a beautiful Sunday afternoon honing their archery skills while learning about the virtue of obedience, and St. Joan of Arc. 

Verse: If you love me, keep my commands. John 14:15

St. Joan of Arc (1412-1431) was a french peasant known to have visions of saints that gave her messages to enter into battles and speak to kings. She obeyed, though she’d prefer to stay home spinning wool beside her mother. She bravely entered battles carrying her banner with the Fleur de leis which is a symbol of the Trinity and Mary and was adopted by our city of St. Louis. Joan kept her hair short and often wore armor or military uniforms for practicality. She was once struck with an arrow, but recovered. She was martyred by being burned at the stake for her mysticisim and was later found innocent. Her feast day is May 30. St. Joan of Arc is the patron of soldiers and France.

We learned that our patron, St. Therese dressed up as Joan of Arc in play, and eventually joined her as co-patroness of France!

Quote:”I do not fear. I was born for this.” Her last words were, “Jesus, Jesus." 

We learned about the virtue of Obedience and discussed the boundaries of obedience regarding authority and conscience. It means quickly and cheerfully carrying out the wise direction of those responsible for me. The fourth commandment teaches us to obey.

We practiced archery, shooting straight arrows that obey our instruction. We made banners like St. Joan's that we used for targets for our arrows. We played, Mother Mary May I to better understand following God’s will instead of our own.

We were able to buy our own supply of bows and arrows, so be sure to borrow the equipment if a Little Flower would like to practice archery again (with adult supervision). 

We talked about how the Church, as directed by Christ, gave us the sacrament of Reconciliation so that we can find our ways back to Jesus if we disobey his commandments. We practiced the Act of Contrition: My God, I am sorry for my sins with all my heart. In choosing to do wrong and failing to do good, I have sinned against you whom I should love above all things. I firmly intend with your help to do penance, to sin no more, to avoid whatever leads me to sin. Our savior, Jesus Christ suffered and died for us. In his name, my God, have mercy.

The flower for Obedience is the white carnation because it reminds us of the Incarnation which came about through Mary’s obedience. White is the color of purity. The carnation is hearty and strong and gives off a sweet fragrance. 

We earned the Obedience petal. May God bless us and help us to obey. 

Everyone who persevered with their Lenten promises should have received their Holy Lent patch.

Next, we will earn Rosary patches by praying a daily rosary, or at least one decade of the rosary each day from May 1-May 30, Mary's month. A decade includes 1 Our Father, 10 Hail Marys and 1 Glory Be. Pick a regular time like on the way to school, or at bedtime to help you remember this holy habit Mary asks us to practice. The calendar will be e-mailed in case it wasn't picked up at the petal meeting. 

The Daffodils and Narcissus we planted in the fall to remember Industry and Truthfulness, were so beautiful in March and our Irises are blooming now. Did your Little Flower daffodils and Irises survive the winter? 

St Joan of Arc, Pray for Us!