This week we celebrated the Feast Days of Dominic and Claire’s name saints:  St. Dominic on August 8 and St. Clare on August 11 (today).  Claire loves planning the crafts and Dominic likes to help with the food.  Aidan helps with planning and watching Lydia.  We always read something about the saint while we are having our family tea.

My favorite photo is the one of Lydia after she quietly discovered the craft box . . . unguarded!  She was a very glittery, colorful baby!

We have one more name saint feast at the end of the month:  St. Aidan. St. Aidan is very special to me; I can hardly wait!

A few thoughts about our family teas:

• Everything doesn’t have to be perfect!  My pride can lead me to obsess over the perfect games to match the day’s saint and the most elegant desserts to grace the table. (Where’s the tablecloth that matches the prayer card?  Is my favorite white enamel vase too big? Too small?)  I have to catch myself!!  The idea is to have fellowship with my family and build family traditions, and to honor the saints and learn more about their journeys to sainthood.  If the cake is crooked and the glitter gets glued onto the chair it’s okay!
• Even though the table doesn’t have to be perfect, I can help the children understand what it means to want to become a saint, to want to seek perfect holiness despite our limitations.  The saints were really ordinary people who led amazing lives because they loved God so much.  They sought perfection even in their imperfection.  This is the most important thing I want the children to know.

God of Mercy, You inspired Saint Claire with the love of poverty.  By the help of her prayers, may we follow Christ in poverty of spirit and come to the joyful vision of your glory in the kingdom of heaven.  We ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.  Amen.