Exploring the Lives of the Saints in Our Homeschools

Join Ginny and Mary Ellen in a lively, joyful discussion on the saints, our great friends and allies on our homeschooling journey. And as always, they share their experiences with their unique blend of humor, love, and practical advice.  Prepare for dozens of examples from the saints to inspire and guide your homeschooling family in faith formation and education. - Welcome to the lesson book from our family of saints!       Exploring the Lives of the Saints in Our Homeschools ● Studying the lives of the saints gives our children models of virtue, holiness, and faith. ● Knowing more about the saints helps kids understand and connect with their Catholic faith.  ● It's essential to know that many saints were sinners first. Their lives were transformed through a willingness to be open to grace and a sincere desire to follow Christ.  ● Listen for the "aha moment."   Saints for Homeschool Parents - Because we welcome all the help we can get! ● Thomas Aquinas (the dumb ox) is the patron saint of academic progress.  - He defined the four cardinal virtues as prudence, temperance, justice, and fortitude.  - Doctor of the Church and is considered one of the greatest theologians who ever lived.  - He was recruited as a boy by Dominicans.  - His family imprisoned him for a year before allowing him to take vows.  - He is a model of Perseverance. ● St. Elizabeth Ann Seton homeschooled her children.  - The first American-born saint.  - Widowed with four young children in a foreign land. - Disowned by her in-laws. - She started schools and an order of nuns she nurtured like her children. ● St. Monica is a patroness of patience, perseverance, and mothers.  - Mother of Saint Augustine. - Prayed for decades for her wayward son and NEVER gave up on him. - Her prayers resulted in her son becoming one of the Church's greatest saints. ● St. John Bosco is a patron saint of students and magicians.  - Believed in educating children from a place of love. ● St. Marcellin Champagnat, patron of education and teachers. - Founded the Marist Brothers.  - He struggled as a student and was beaten, but with determination and perseverance, he completed his education.  - He wanted to teach all children to love Jesus. ● St. Jean Marie Vianney (The Cure of Ars) was such a poor student that he barely made it out of the seminary – but became the patron saint of parish priests ● St. Expeditus is the patron saint of expeditious solutions to overcome procrastination.    The Takeaway Explore ways to foster a personal connection with the saints through: - Prayers - Devotions - Traditions Celebrate feast days with: - Food - Crafts - Movies - Visits to shrines Research patron saints for their names and activities.   Resources ● Butler's Lives of the Saints  ● Art books (Seton's) ● Picture books (Tomi DePaolo, Demi, Diane Stanley, Ethel Pochoki) ● Vision books ● Holy Heroes/Glory Stories ● Movies: Song of Bernadette, A Man for All Seasons, The Scarlet and the Black.   Learn More About Seton Home Study School Seton Home Study School Seton Testing Services