Celebrating the Feast Day of St. Lorenzo Ruiz

It is St. Lorenzo Ruiz's Feast Day today (Sept 28). Since it is still flooded outside due to Typhoon Pedring (which seems to have "calmed down" a bit, thank you for joining us in prayer!) I thought I'd try to come up with a post on how to celebrate his Feast Day. (Since I can't find one on Google! haha!)

But first, here is some information about the St. Lorenzo, or San Lorenzo Ruiz, as he is fondly called by Filipinos everywhere:

Lorenzo Ruiz is the first Filipino saint. He is also the first Filipino martyred for the Christian Faith. Lorenzo Ruiz was a layman, married, and had two sons and a daughter. Born in Binondo, Manila, about 1600's, he was educated in the school of the Dominicans there. He served as an altar boy and later was a helper and clerk-sacristan in the church of Binondo. He was a member of the Confraternity of the Rosary. 


He made his living probably as a calligrapher, one who renders documents in beautiful penmanship for private or official use. To be sure, that work denoted an accomplished and educated person, especially at a time when many an illustrious personage were far from excelling in this art. An adverse event made him leave the Philippines in 1636. When he was in his late twenties or early thirties, he became involved or was accused of being involved in a criminal case, the circumstances of which are far from clear. Whether he was involved or not, one thing was clear, he was afraid that, as a consequence of a trial or mistrial, he might be given a death sentence. 


Upon landing in Japan where Christians were being persecuted, he was arrested and imprisoned together with his companions. He underwent inhuman tortures and valiantly confessed his Christian Faith. Refusing to renounce his Faith, he told his executioner that he was ready to die for God and give himself for many thousands of lives if he had them. On September 27, 1637, he was hung from a gallows by his feet, his body falling into a pit. After two days of agony, he died of bleeding and suffocation. His body was cremated and the ashes thrown into the sea. 


He and fifteen companions, martyred in the same persecution, were beatified by Pope John Paul II inManila on February 18, 1981 and elevated to full honors of the altar by canonization on October 18, 1987 in Rome. Their feast day is on September 28th.

From: St. Lorenzo Ruiz - Saints & Angels - Catholic Online

And now, for the ideas on how to celebrate:

1. Watch a video about the life of San Lorenzo Ruiz
It is always best to accompany our kids when they watch something. That way we can explain scenes that need parental inputs. You can also ask questions during or after viewing to see if they understand what's going on. Here are some suggestions for San Lorenzo Ruiz videos:






Select which one is more appropriate for your kids (we will be using the second one, since it's the shortest! heehee!)

After watching, talk a little bit about San Lorenzo Ruiz, about being brave for God, about standing up for what is true and right. Ask your kids to give examples of how they can be brave for God and share Jesus' love every day (e.g. by not telling lies, helping others even if it's difficult for them, praying regularly, etc).

2. Art Appreciation
a. Look at different pictures of San Lorenzo Ruiz. Ask your kids to describe what he is doing, what the other people are doing (if any), what colors are used, what emotions are shown, etc. Here are some images (from my Google search) to get you started:







3. Draw and color a picture of San Lorenzo Ruiz and write a short essay about his life. (For older kids ;-) Something like what Chris did here:

For a sample essay on Lorenzo Ruiz, Chris also did one -  please click here  for the link to the Word document.

For the younger kids, they could color these pages that I ATTEMPTED to make. (The key word here is "attempt"! haha! Sorry, I only did these on Powerpoint. Will try to make nicer ones when I have the time!)

4. Learn to pray the Novena to San Lorenzo Ruiz.

Novena Prayer to San Lorenzo Ruiz

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

V. No one lives for himself; no one dies for himself.
R. We live and die for our God and our Lord, to him belongs all that lives. (Rom. 14:7-8)

Let us pray:
God our loving Father, we praise you!

We thank you for crowning our Filipino brother, Lorenzo Ruiz with martyrdom.

Through his intercession, enable us by your Holy Spirit of Love, to live and die for you and your beloved people, hoping that we may be transformed day by day into the likeness of your Son, Jesus.

United with him around the table of his Eucharistic Sacrifice, inspire us to surrender ourselves to be taken by you, Father, to be blessed, broken, and shared with and for others in love and unity, so that our beloved country may attain that peace we long for.

We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever.

Amen.

Our Father

Hail Mary (thrice)

Glory be

V. Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary,

R. Help us to ponder and live by the Mysteries of the life of Jesus.

V. San Lorenzo Ruiz and Companions.

R. Pray for us that we may live and die for our faith. Amen.

However you wish to celebrate, please do include in your prayers today all Filipino Catholic missionaries! San Lorenzo Ruiz, pray for us!