According to the planner, St. John Vianney’s feast day fell last Thursday, August 4th. It is always a challenge to find simple ways to celebrate and honor the saints. While my planner and some brainstorming earlier in the month has helped us live the liturgical year more intentionally, feast days (like anything else in life) continue to sneak up on me. If I can do something meaningful with minimal planning, effort, or materials, I consider it a major win!
Simple food, simple ways…
I love the idea of celebrating feast days with food, and the resources on Catholic Cuisine are perfect for that purpose. I tend to use recipes that involve only things I always have on hand, that way I’m never stuck without the key ingredient to our celebratory dish on the feast we intend to observe.
The same idea applies to the activities we do to celebrate a particular saint. If it is overly involved or requires a special trip to the store, it probably isn’t going to happen. I have found that the traditions that are simple are the easiest to repeat year after year and are often the most meaningful.
In Honor of St. John Vianney…
St. John Vianney, as the patron saint of parish priests, provides the perfect opportunity to show appreciation of our parish priests. How often do we let the man who has given his life for the service of God and His flock feel valued, encouraged, and love? Unfortunately, we tend to lay all the problems of our parish on his shoulders and neglect to see the good.
A note…
In years past, the kids and I have often made cards for our local priest on the feast of St. John Vianney. The children draw pictures or write a note (depending on their abilities) expressing their appreciation. I write a card along with the children and try to encourage him and point out the good things I see him doing.
For the shepherd who feeds us the Bread of Life…
This year, I was intending to make a meal for Father, but the week leading up to the feast day just didn’t allow for that. The Holy Spirit must have struck me one morning, because I thought of making bread for some family we were going to visit and thought I would make a loaf for Father as well. And what could be more appropriate for the man who feeds us the Bread of Life?
I pulled out all the stops and made my family’s Blue Ribbon Wheat Bread. I love to bake bread and have made dozens of different recipes, but this particular recipe is PHENOMENAL! It is my go-to recipe when I want to really impress someone. It is perfectly moist, delicately sweet, and not-too-crumbly. It always gets rave reviews.
We wrapped up Father’s loaf in plastic wrap, tied it with a ribbon, and walked it to his front door along with our cards. Father, as always, was appreciative. I know the kids enjoyed hand delivering our treats. As we walked away, we talked about everything Father does for our parish. We also discussed how serving others is a wonderful way to love God and honor the saints.
Other ways to celebrate St. John Vianney:
While this is what our family does, you may like even more ideas for celebrating this special saint.
- A French Meal
- A St. John Vianney Feast (from Catholic Cuisine)
- Paint a St. John Vianney Peg Doll
Book Ideas
(For me and my little ones, a feast day is never complete without a good snuggle session on the couch learning about the saint of the day through good books!)
- St. John Mary Vianney: The Holy Cure of Ars
- A Story of St. John Vianney
- St. John Vianney: A Priest for all People
- The Cure of Ars: The Story of St. John Vianney
- The Cure of Ars: The Priest who Outalked the Devil
- The Little Catechism of the Cure of Ars (a book intended for adults, but could be read aloud in short sections as a form of family devotion)
Other posts you’ll like:
Do you have a favorite way to celebrate St. John Vianney?
