Blessed Victoria Rasoamanarivo (Feast Day August 21)

1848-August 21, 1894

Victoria grew up in Madagascar in a prominent family, practicing the animist religion of her ancestors. When she was 13 years old, Victoria went to a Catholic school. She was drawn to the Gospel and was soon baptized into the faith. Victoria was drawn to religious life, but her parents arranged for her to be married. Sadly, her husband was an alcoholic and unfaithful to his wife.

In 1883, Catholics faced persecution under the new monarchy and all missionaries were expelled from Madagascar. On the first Sunday after the missionaries had been removed, soldiers stood guard at the cathedral doors, trying to stop people from coming to Church. Victoria stood bravely in front of the soldiers and said, "If you must have blood, begin by shedding mine." Victoria went on to use her family's status to protect Catholics from persecution and to serve the poor. Victoria also helped Catholics gather in boarded up churches for catechesis, prayer, and Bible study. When missionaries were once again allowed to return to Madagascar, they discovered that even in the absence of priests and missionary workers, the Church was flourishing.

In 1888, Victoria's husband died after repenting and being baptized on his death bed. Victoria spent the remainder of her years serving the poor, sick, and imprisoned until she died in 1894. She was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1989.

• The beginning of today's Gospel is teaching us to love God even more than our own family members. Is it possible to love God that much? Why or why not?

• Today's Gospel also teaches us about what it takes to be a disciple of Jesus. Do you think it's hard to be a disciple of Jesus? Why or why not?

• To be a disciple requires us to sacrifice things in our life. Is being a disciple of Jesus worth the sacrifice?

• Blessed Victoria Rasomanarivo helped the Church grow when it was facing persecution. Do you know anyone who is facing difficulties? How can you help and support them?

Bubbles

Bubbles are fun for kids of all ages. Use this activity to remember how Blessed Victoria Rasomanarivo stood up for others.

Purchase some bubble solution or make your own using instructions from the Internet. Make homemade wands if desired.

As the kids blow bubbles, share this analogy: Just as we can fill a bubble with our breath, that's how God filled man with his breath when he created us. Since bubbles are easy to pop or burst, they must be treated with care. In the same way, human life is fragile and must be protected because it is so valuable. Of all of God's creation, he only shared his breath with humans, which makes us his most special creation.

Blow more bubbles together and talk about the differences in their shapes and sizes and discuss each person's uniqueness. Explain that though we are all different, we are similar in this: we have been made in God's image.

Hot Cross Buns

In today's Gospel, Jesus reminds us of the importance of carrying our own cross to be his disciples. Reflect on that as you make this dish. The cross on the top of the buns symbolizes Christ's crucifixion.

1 can refrigerated flaky biscuits
Raisins
2 Tbsp melted butter
Pumpkin pie spice
2 to 3 Tbsp orange juice
¼ cup powdered sugar
1 package white cookie icing

Preheat oven according to biscuit package instructions. Place parchment paper on 9 x 13 baking pan. Peel the top layer of a biscuit back about 2/3 of the way. Brush with melted butter and put 6 to 8 raisins in the middle. Place the biscuit in the pan, still slightly open. Repeat process until all the biscuits are in the pan. Sprinkle a bit of pumpkin pie spice inside each biscuit and fold them closed. Bake according to the package directions. While the biscuits bake, place the powdered sugar in the bowl and add just enough orange juice to make it into a glaze. Take the buns out of the oven when they are golden brown. Brush the orange glaze on top of them. Allow them to cool for a few minutes. Take the cookie icing and draw one line down each row of biscuits. Then draw a line across the middle of each row, forming a cross on the top of each biscuit.

https://www.catholicicing.com/easiest-hot-cross-buns-recipe-ever/

Pray the Stations of the Cross

While often prayed during Lent, the Stations of the Cross remind us of Jesus's journey with the Cross.

As a family, pray the Stations at your Church, find an outdoor set at a retreat center or cemetery, or pray the Stations at home. Find a version to pray together here: Stations of the Cross - My Catholic Life!

Look at your church's Stations of the Cross; how many stations show Jesus carrying the cross?

There are many ways to demonstrate carrying your own cross as Jesus did; one way is sacrificial giving. As a family, identify something your family can give up for the week, such as a luxury or a favorite activity; donate the saved resources to a charitable cause or your parish.

According to the Guinness World Book of Records, on May 15, 2019, in Mayfield Heights, Ohio, Gary Pearlman blew the largest soap bubble by hand at 5,492 cubic inches.