Christmas Poems from St. Mary's 5th Grade
December 1996

These poems are a testimony to faith and to the children's joy found in Christmas. Every child is a reflection of the child of Bethlehem, precious and irreplaceable. The birth of our Savior is celebrated each year in the love we share with our children.


Melanie T . . .

Christ our Savior,
Christ our Lord,
Christ our Lord is born.

A star shines over Him in Bethlehem,
Marks the great place of his birth
In a manger-- in a barn.

Shepherds came from countries afar;
Kings came bearing great gifts;
Angels came singing their songs of love.

People came from countries afar,
Bearing great gifts,
Following the bright star.

Cameron T . . .

Once there was a woman named Mary
Who was highly favored by God.
God sent an angel to Mary
And asked her to be the Mother of God.

On to Bethlehem, Mary went
To be taxed with Joseph her husband.
The journey was long and hard for Mary.
No space was to be found
And Mary was ready to give birth to God's Son.
Only a manger was available so
God's son was born in a lowly place, filled with grace.

Choirs of angels announced the event
And people came from near and far.
Wise men were guided by a star.
All came to give homage to the Son of God.

Gregory R . . .

In a manger far away
Lay a child on the hay.
Sleeping peacefully through the night,
He will be our guiding light.

Shining above is a star,
watching over from afar.
Three kings have come with gifts in a jar,
Following the yonder star.

Not many people are aware,
That God's Son, Jesus, is there.
Jesus will always care,
And we are thankful He's always there.

Angela G . . .

Christmas is that time of day
When all the children want to play.
They play and play around
Until they fall on the ground.

In a manger far away
Lay a baby in the hay.
He will sleep all through the night
Until he sees a bright light.

While Jesus sleeps and children play--
Yes, that's what happenss on Christmas day!

Steven B . . .

O joy! Christmas day!
O dear! My brother Roy,
He's not up.
O joy! We will open presents!
O dear! My mom isn't present,
To watch us open the presents,
O dear!

Carrie F . . .

There lay a manger in a barn
With a baby so nice and warm.
The glorious day this child was born,
We call it Christmas.

When Christmas comes
We shouldn't think of gifts.
We should think of Jesus;
This gives our spirits a lift.

Christmas is a time of joy;
We go to church and pray
And sing and celebrate
The birth of Christ.

This festive time brings lots of cheer.
We think of those we hold so dear;
Of Christ's birth, Mary and Joseph, too.
I love this time of Christmas!

Ryan T . . .

The North Star lit the night sky.
The wise men followed the bright star.
They traveled long and far
And brought gifts for our Savior.

Our Savior was born in a manger
One sweet night.
It became known as Christmas.
To celebrate his coming, we sing songs of joy
And under our tree, maybe a toy,

He died on a cross for our sins.
He hoped one day to bring out the angel within.
Today we continue the teachings that he began.

Freddie C . . .

There was a star in the sky so very high.
The kings had just said, "Hi" to little Jesus.
As he was lying in a manger.
The new strangers gave Jesus gifts.
While he lied there, everything was quiet,
Not even a sniffle.
This day is known as Christmas.
It is much fun, like no other day.

Maureen S . . .

It was Christmas Eve, a dark cold night,
Snowflakes were falling like angels in flight.

The Christmas tree with lights all a glow
Filled the room with warmth and only Santa would know.

The presents were wrapped with neatness and delight.
It made us know St. Nick's flight was just right.

As Christmas day comes to an end,
We know the joy and loving will happen again.

Mary W . . .

Oh Christmas Day!
What a wonderful way
For God to say he loves us.
To give us his only Son
Was a true sign of his affection for us.

Joe M . . .

Christmas is the time of year
When everyone is full of cheer.
Yet we should never forget the true meaning of this day
That started with a baby laying in the hay.
The brightest star showed wise men where to come;
They traveled by star instead of by sun.
Little did they know our savior would be lost;
He saved us all by dying on the cross.
We celebrate Christmas, the day God became man.
I celebrate his birthday because I am his biggest fan.

Matthew S . . .

Baby Jesus will be born tonight,
But some of the inns will put up a fight.
All they say is go away
And find some other place to stay.

They found a stable nice and warm
And that is where Baby Jesus was born.
Three wise men from near and far
Decided to follow a bright star.

They did not rest until they were there
To see this occasion that was rare.

Christmas comes just once a year,
That is why Baby Jesus is so dear.
Although his birthday is once a year,
You should have it in your heart all year long.

Scottie C . . .

Away in a manger,
Tucked away from danger,
There he lay,
Tucked away in the hay.

As the shepherds arrive,
They lay down by his side.
Kings come each with a great gift
That will surely be left.

The light of the star
Has guided the visitors far.
As they watch the Baby Jesus
He gets up and sneezes.



Tommy A . . .

When I think of Christmas time,
I don't think of presents, not me.
I think of the birth of Christ
And of the many people of earth.

I think of sparkling trees, wreaths
And tales galore of Santa's lore.
Decorations fill the house and lawn,
Lights, of Christmas spirit fill the air.

I think of love spoken near and far
And gifts donated to the poor.
The songs of carolers singing out
The magic, the wonder, of a child of God.

Chris D . . .

In the manger there he lay
All bundled up in cloth and hay,
Little Jesus there he lie
While three wise men by his side.

Bearing wonderful gifts they did,
Looking at him in that little crib.
What a wonderful sight it was,
The newborn king, there he was.

Christmas is a wonderful thing
Because it is so pleasing.
It is so pleasing because
It's the birthday of King Jesus.

Carrie T . . .

Roses are red,
Violets are blue,
I like Christmas
And so should you.

Christmas spirit
Should be remembered
All year through.

Keep Jesus in your heart,
So don't think about
A pretty shopping cart.

The wise men brought gifts
And followed the star.
We give gifts,
Right where we are.

Christmas is filled with love
And shared with family
Friends, and God above.

Bethany F . . .

Christmas is a time to share.
Christmas is a time to care.
You wish you were a holiday prayer.
So God could be with you everywhere.

Then you would go with Him anywhere,
To be with Him side by side.
So that you can see Him every time,
Just keep on praying and you'll find Him high.

Up above the world so high,
You know you don't want to die.
Christmas is a time of love,
So love the Lord to get above.

Erica D . . .

Joseph and Mary went on a caravan,
So they could get to Bethlehem.
They traveled both day and night,
But they did not worry with fright.
They asked many if they had a place to stay,
But they all answered, "No, you cannot stay."
Someone let them use his barn
With animals who meant no harm.
There little baby Jesus was born
And the Noel angel played its horn.
While the three wise men followed a star,
They wondered how long and how far.
When they reached the barn,
They layed their gifts for the baby,
Who deserved the myrrh, frankencense and gold.
Then everyone was happy with love and merrimas
For on every Dec. 25, they call this Christmas.

Richard N . . .

Jesus was born in Bethlehem.
Kings and shepherds came to praise him.

His birth gave peace and joy
To every man, woman, girl, and boy.

On Christmas eve we pray for nice weather
So family and friends can get together.

We gather around the Christmas tree
To open presents happily.

Michelle G . . .

At the time when Jesus was born,
There wasn't a lot of corn.
The name of this time of year is all around the bus,
And it is called Christmas.
This is the time of year when little ones look for Santa,
Especially little Tana.
This is the time of year,
When we get liitle gadgets and gears.
We have a big pine tree in our family room,
Which we like to groom.
This is the time of year
When sugar plums and candycanes dance in our heads,
As our parents tuck us in our beds.
And in the morning,
It won't be boring,
Because we open presents
And they don't have any dents.

Patrick C . . .

Christmas is a time of joy,
Children think it's about a toy.
Christmas is a time of play,
Christmas is Jesus' birthday.

Christmas is not just for decoration,
Christmas is a time for celebration.
Christmas is a time for thanks,
Not a time to pull some pranks.

Christmas is a time of joy
For every girl and boy.
Christmas is a time for fun,
Christmas is for everyone.

Christopher B . . .

Stars are shining,
Christmas is here.
Baby Jesus is born a'near,
Born in a stable, let's say a prayer,
Let's celebrate with holy praise.

Joyous love we have for you
To celebrate all year through!

Steven C . . .

Once upon a midnight cherry
To Mrs. Claus, he said, "Bye deary."
Over many a house and chimney of brick and stone,
He flew and chuckled, eyes a twinkling--
Suddenly he got an inkling--
As of many children thinking,
Thinking of their Christmas joys,
"Tis some children," Santa muttered,
"Thinking of their Christmas joys,
Only this, some girls and boys?"

Bridget L . . .

On Christmas day,
There he lay,
Baby Jesus in the hay,
With the shepherds by his side watching over him.

Then everyone says our Savior is born,
So let's go to seek
The special Lord-- the Lord is born--
Let's give him thanks and praise.

Then the wise men come on their camels
Bringing their gifts, following the yonder star.
They each bring a special gift: frankencense, myrrh, and gold.

Andrew G . . .

Christmas is near,
Santa is near.
Christmas is near,
Jesus is near.

Time to put up the Christmas set,
Time to put up the Nativity Set,
Time to see the North Star,
But most important, the Christmas Star.

On Christmas, kids might have joy
For a Christmas toy.
But Christmas is about the day
Jesus is born and love us he may.

Robbie C . . .

In a manger a child lay
Asleep in the hay,
Sleeping peacefully through the day,
He will be our guiding light.

Shining above is a star,
Watching over from afar.
Three kings have arrived from far,
Who came by the light.

People are not aware
That the Son of God is here.
His Son will care for us
And we are thankful he is here.

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Way of the Cross from St. Mary's
5th Grade, March 1997

The season of Lent is a special time to meditate upon the Passion and Death of our Lord. Christ's brokenness seems to find an affinity in the vulnerability and dependence of children. They describe his suffering as if they are actually there. In the sense that our sins put Jesus to death, they are right, we are all there.


First Station
Jesus is Condemned to Death

Chris D. - Jesus was condemned to death because the Jews thought he was blaspheming about God. So the Jews took him before Pontius Pilate. Pilate said, "Do you want Barabbas or Jesus set free?" The crowd shouted, "Barabbas! We want Barabbas!" then Pontius Pilate said, "I wash my hands of the guilt of this just man, Jesus." (Then) the Jews condemned Jesus to death.

Carrie F. - Jesus was brought to the Roman governor to be judged. The people in the crowd wanted him to be punished, but Pontius Pilate knew Jesus was innocent. On that very day, Jesus was condemned to death on the cross. If I were in the crowd, I would have said, "Don't condemn him!" He did nothing wrong. All he did was preach the truth, forgive people spiritually, and heal them physically. Why should a person die for doing helpful things for the world?

Second Station
Jesus is Made to Carry His Cross

Carrie T. - When Jesus got his cross, he [already] had a crown of thorns on his head. He had gotten his cross by preaching good things about God [that] made everyone angry at him. So they made him carry his cross to Golgatha where he would be crucified. Before he got his cross, he said, "If anyone wishes to come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me."

David S. - The soldiers brought Jesus the heavy and huge cross for him to carry. Jesus [must have] thought the cross [weighed] a ton. Blood [was] dripping from his forehead; he was truly in pain. The cross was very, very heavy; but Jesus [accepted] it to show his love for us and all mankind.

Scottie C. - Jesus is made to carry his cross. When he was condemned to death, they thought he was bad. Jesus had to carry his cross up that mountain-- it must be four miles long. Jesus was a great man [and yet he was also God] to die for us. He did not even kill or hurt a fly. I think, they [should not] have condemned him. Barabbas should be hanging on the cross, not Jesus.

Third Station
Jesus Falls the First Time

Erica D. - It was hard for Jesus to carry the cross. The cross was heavy and big. He got very tired of walking under all that weight. The soldiers would beat him if he slowed down at any point. Finally, after he had been carrying the cross for such a long time, he fell to the ground for the first time.

Bridget L. - When Jesus fell the first time, the nasty soldiers hit and kicked him. They also spat on him and yelled at him to get up. The weight of the cross was so heavy that it was hard for Jesus to get up. So the soldiers continued hitting, spitting, kicking and yelling at him.

Andrew G. - Jesus is weakened by all the whipping and insults, as well as being spat on and the crown of thorns. His head was in throbbing pain. He had done nothing wrong, but for some reason, people thought he had done something wrong. Anyway, his feet are weak from walking on the rocks barefooted. And then he fell.

Fourth Station
Jesus Meets His Sorrowful Mother

Bethany F. - I feel so sad. Mary is trying to be brave. Jesus looks at her and he knows she is in pain. It hurts to see your Son being persecuted [and tortured]. He is walking slowly to his death on the cross.

Joe M. - When Jesus Christ was put to death, he was able to see his mother one last time before he was hanged on the cross. It was not easy for Mary. Jesus comforted his mother and told her it would be all right.

Fifth Station
Simon of Cirene Helps to Carry the Cross

Chris B. - Jesus' strength began to weaken because of the heavy weight of the cross. After Jesus fell to the ground, he could no longer carry the large cross. The Romans gave a person from the crowd, named Simon of Cirene, permission to help Jesus carry the big heavy cross. Without Simon of Cyrene's help, Jesus would not have been able to continue.

Cameron T. - Simon of Cirene is ordered to help Jesus carry the cross. Simon was ordered to help Jesus, not because the crowd wanted to help Jesus. They saw how very weak Jesus was getting and they knew how heavy the cross was. They were afraid Jesus would die before they were able to nail him to the cross and have him suffer some more. Simon was willing to help Jesus carry the cross. When we see how heavy the cross is, we should be reminded of how heavy the cross is with our sins. We should be like Simon and pick up the cross.

Sixth Station
Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus

Sam T. - As Jesus continued on his way up to Mount Calvary, he has been whipped, stripped, spat upon, and sworn at by the crowd and soldiers. His face was [covered] with sweat and blood. One of his friends, Veronica, offered to wipe his face with her cloth.

Maureen S. - During Jesus' life he showed love and compassion for others. When people needed things, he gave it to them. I think that what Veronica did was very loving.

Seventh Station
Jesus Falls the Second Time

Amanda K. - When Jesus was walking, he fell for the second time. The cross was very heavy as I imagine [it] in my mind. It was all Pontius Pilate's fault for making Jesus suffer like that. How would he feel if he was forced to carry a very heavy wooden cross and had to wear a crown of thorns? After Jesus fell, he found it very hard to get back up. The crowds were pushing him and the guards were whipping him to get back up. He kept his strength and got back up. Please, let's all remember [this] prayer: Lord Jesus, give me the strength to please you even when my friends refuse to do what is right. Amen.

Angela G. - When Jesus was [condemned], Pontius Pilate and his men made him walk up a hill, carrying a cross, [and wearing a crown of] thorns on his head. Jesus fell a first time and then fell again. Jesus found it very hard to get up after he fell a second time. The crowds just pushed and pulled at him to make him get up and keep going. Jesus stood up and walked again. Jesus was laughed at and made fun of, but he did not care, he forgave them.

Thomas A. - Jesus carries the heavy cross and his sweat mixes with blood from the crown of thorns. He falls. He falls because he is tired and exhausted from carrying it. We have all fallen and we know how it hurts. Now think of a [heavy] cross on scars and whip marks on your back [as you are] going up a hill. That is the pain Jesus felt. Here is a short prayer: "O Jesus, despite my good resolutions I have sinned repeatedly. But your sufferings assure me of forgiveness if only I return to you with a contrite heart. I repent for having offended you. Help me avoid sin in the future."

Eighth Station
The Women of Jerusalem Weep for Jesus

Melanie T. - Jesus struggles down the street with the big, heavy cross. His clothing was torn and ragged. His face was covered with blood. The women and children nearby started to weep. Even though Jesus was having a difficult time carrying the cross, he did not want them to feel sorry for him. He told them to pray for themselves and for others in need.

Chris S. - The women set their eyes upon Jesus with his torn up clothes and his bloody whip marks on his back. The women turned their heads and cried in sorrow for Jesus; but Jesus said to them:  "Don't cry for me, but for yourselves and your children." [None] would have to suffer anywhere near the amount Jesus did.

Ninth Station
Jesus Falls a Third Time

Matthew S. - As Jesus began to walk up the steep hill, he fell a third time. He was so tired. He could not get up again, [and yet, he had to]. He was very embarassed as the people laughed at his trying to get up again. He knew he was going to die.

Richard N. - While Jesus was walking up the mountain carrying a big heavy cross, he fell three times. [Even though] Simon of Cirene was pulled out of the crowd to help Jesus, [this happened].

Tenth Station
Jesus is Stripped of His Garments

Michelle G. - Jesus walked up the hill carrying his cross. When he came to the top of the hill, the soldiers stripped him of his clothes. Jesus was bleeding because his scabs were stuck to his clothes and they were pulled off with his clothes. He was standing there naked with everyone yelling at him in strict voices. [Nevertheless he was] getting prepared to die on the cross. Prayer: Lord, help me to only care what you think about me. Please help me not to judge other people. Amen.

Eleventh Station
Jesus is Nailed to the Cross

Steven C. - When Jesus was nail[ed], the people were not doing anything. As they drove the big metal nails into his wrists, all the people watched. They said that if you are the almighty, then take yourself off the cross. But he did not. He knew what he was going to happen [later]. He died for us. We should [be willing to offer our] sufferings for him.

Cheryl H. - Jesus is nailed to the cross. Jesus was put on the cross with his hands and feet nailed to it. They left him for a few hours on the cross to die and then came back [to make sure] that he had died.

Twelfth Station
Jesus is Raised on the Cross and Dies

Ryan T. - In this sacrament, Jesus is raised upon his cross and faces a tragic death that no one deserves. Even though these harsh people kill him, Jesus prays to God to forgive them. [Along] with Jesus on the cross, there were two men beside him. They were thieves and murderers; but one of them asked to be forgiven. And Jesus said, "You will be with me in paradise." After that, he prayed for his family and friends. He told his mother that he had done all that [the Father] wanted him to do. When he was done talking, he bowed his head and died.

Thirteenth Station
Jesus is Taken Down From the Cross

Robbie C. - Once the soldiers saw Jesus was dead, they did not break his legs. One of them pulled out a lance and stabbed Jesus. Jesus was taken down from the cross.

Fourteenth Station
Jesus is laid in the Tomb

Gregory R. - A rich man named Joseph of Arimathea asked for Jesus' body from Pilate. Joseph anointed Jesus' body with myrrh and aloe and put a new linen sheet on top of him. Joseph and a friend named Nicodemus laid Jesus in the freshly cut rock tomb. They covered the entrance with a large stone. Mary Magdalen and [the women] sat there facing the tomb.

Freddie C. - After Jesus died, his friend Joseph took him down. Joseph was very sad. It had to be hard to take [charge of his] Lord's [body]. Joseph prepared Jesus for the tomb. He also had to clean his cuts in his hands and ankles. I would have been very sad if my best friend died.

Ryan B. - When we think about the fourteenth station we should be happy and sad at the same time. We should be happy Jesus died for our sins, opening the gates of heaven, and getting the people from hell [the righteous dead] into heaven. We should be sad because Jesus had to suffer greatly-- whipped, crowned with thorns, and hanged upon the cross. The miracle of Jesus' [subsequent] resurrection [means] we should be happy!!

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St. Mary's 5th Grade:  
Reflections on All Saints' & All Souls' Day
October 1997
It is good to know that besides the scary stuff of Halloween and the candy, the children can also appreciate the continuing role of the saints in their lives and the need to pray for the holy souls.

Eddie M. - ALL SOULS' DAY - The feast of All Souls' Day is celebrated on November 2 every year. On All Souls' Day we pray for all the souls in purgatory. The souls in purgatory are those souls that have not [yet] made it to heaven. They don't deserve to go to hell, but they are not ready to go to heaven. We should pray for the souls in purgatory because they still need our prayers. Their souls are not in heaven, next to God yet. If we pray for them they could get there faster.

          O gentle Heart of Jesus, ever present in the Blessed Sacrament, ever consume
               with the burning love for the poor captive souls in Purgatory, have mercy on them.
          Be not severe in Your judgments, but let some drops of Your precious Blood
              fall upon the devouring flames.
          And Merciful Savior, send Your angels to conduct them to a place of refreshment,
              light, and peace. Amen. 

ALL SAINTS' DAY - All Saints' Day is the day when we celebrate all the saints in heaven, those who are "official" saints and those who are not. All Saints' Day is celebrated each November 1. On this day we remember all the good people who have died and gone to heaven. These people lived on earth in the image of Jesus, but are not canonized saints. We should pray to these unnamed saints to ask them to help us get to heaven. A person I think of on All Saints' Day is my grandmother, who went to church every day and was always helping people. I am sure she is in heaven and will help me get there too. I also think of Mother Teresa and all the missionaries who have died helping the poor. / All Saints' Day is also a time to pray to all the named saints, like St. Patrick, St. Edward, St. Francis, St. Joan of Arc, and all the other saints. We can pray to these saints to ask for guidance in the way we live so that some day we too can be in heaven.

Mary Beth H. - GRANDPA - Grandpa, Grandpa, I love you so I pray for your heart and soul. / I pray for you night and day. I think of you throughout the day. The first thought that pops in my mind is your forever-smile. I'll never forget you throughout my life. I miss your stories. I miss your hugs. There are some days in my heart it tugs. You told good jokes and made life brighter; even when you got sick you stayed a fighter. I know you watch over me each day so I will keep you in my prayers each day. Until we meet again--

Katie H. - ALL SAINTS' DAY - All Saints' Day is when [we celebrate the fact that] all of the saints pray for us. They are in heaven and are praying for us to get to heaven when we die. On All Saint's Day the priest will wear a white vestment [sometimes replaced with gold]. / One of my favorite saints is Saint Francis. He is one of my favorites becasue he was good with animals and the animals trusted him. I love animals and would love to work with them. I admire St. Francis and what he did. I hope to improve my life and become a saint.

Shannon P. - MY PRAYER FOR ALL SAINTS' AND ALL SOULS' DAY - Heavenly Father, today of all Holy Days I offer my prayers to all of Heaven's Saints in hopes that they will hear them and continue to watch over my family's health and happiness. And to help me to do good things for teh poor and to share whatever I have with those who have less. Lord, I pray for my great-grandpa, my grand-dad, and hope that they are with you Lord. I offer my prayers for all the souls that may be in purgatory that their [exile] will end and they can finally go to heaven and be with you Lord.

Aisling M. - THE DAYS WE CELEBRATE SOULS AND SAINTS - All Souls' Day (Nov. 2) is a special day on which we pray for the souls in purgatory. Purgatory is the temporary place between heaven and hell to which you go only when you are [still] preparing for heaven. The people I usually pray for on All Souls' Day are my grandfather (Pop pop), Mrs. Hoyer, my godmother, and all my family members who have died, even the ones whom I don't know about. I also pray for the people who don't have anyone on earth to pray for them. / All Saints' Day (Nov. 1) is a day on which we celebrate the people who went to heaven, and ask them to pray for us. All saints in their own special way show us how to act like Jesus. There are saints all over the world and in heaven. Let's hope they will pray for us, too.

Jacki W. - ALL SAINTS' AND ALL SOULS' DAY - All Saints' and All Souls' day are sacred in the church. The church believes the saints are great images of God and should have respect just like everybody else. So on All Saints' Day we ask the saints to pray for us so we can be good images of God like they are. On this day the priest wears white. On All Souls' Day the Church says we shall pray for all the people in purgatory-- that they get to heaven. On this day the priest wears white or black [or purple]. On both of these days we should go to Church.

Erin T. - ALL SAINTS' AND ALL SOULS' DAY - Pray for me. Pray for me all saints that like me. I pray for all the souls because I love you. This is the day. Love me all saints. I will do good for all. I love you, all souls, you [are] on your way to God's hall. I light a candle for your soul, now fly away to be consoled. This is your day . . .

Katie R. - ALL SOULS' DAY - All Souls' Day is a time to help people in Purgatory. Purgatory is a place for people that have died but [have] not fully made amends for their wrongdoings while on earth. The souls must stay in Purgatory to suffer before they can enter heaven. All Souls' day is on November second. We might go to Mass on that day (called the Requiem Mass). We celebrate this day in the Catholic or (Orthodox?) Church. We help the souls by praying for them.

Stephen H. - A PRAYER FOR THE SOULS IN PURGATORY - I pray for my great grandparents' souls, that they and the other souls [might] get out from the pain that [comes with] having their sins taken away. I hope they will soon be relieved of pain and go to heaven. When my grandmother and grandfather dies, I pray that they go straight to heaven. I also hope that Mother Teresa went straight to heaven and became a saint. I wish that one day there will be world peace so that every one would go right to heaven, [with] no stops. I pray for the dying, that before they die they [might] understand the realness of God. Amen.

Ricky C. - A PRAYER - O Lord, I pray for your peole that are waiting in purgatory. I pray that they will get to heaven soon. I pray that we pray enough to send good people to heaven from purgatory. I pray that my family goes to heaven-- that my friends go to heaven-- that my cousins go to heaven-- that my aunts go to heaven-- that my uncles go to heaven-- that my grandmothers and grandfathers [go to heaven]. I pray that no people go to hell and [that] everybody goes to heaven. I pray that I have a good life from now on. I pray that guardian angels watch out for me and my family and friends. Amen.

Stephanie H. - ALL SOULS' DAY - All Saints' Day is about praying for the people who died and who are in purgatory. People in purgatory are going to heaven. God sees all [our] sins and knows if [we are a true] Image of God. Soon, at the end of the world, there will be no more purgatory. Some people will go to hell and some will go to heaven.

Tony M. - ALL SAINTS' DAY - Please all saints in heaven, I pray [for] you to help me get to heaven. I pray especially to Saint Anthony, for he is my saint. I ask him to give me tolerance, courage, and wisdom. I hope to go to heaven, but I sometimes give in to temptation and evil. But, on All Saints' Day, I pray with the saints and praise the awsome power of God the Father. I also ask of the saints, to tell God about my needs so he can help me with my life. This is what I pray for. Please God, help me avoid sin. Amen.

ALL SOULS' DAY - On All Souls' day I pray for all the souls in purgatory, especially my great grandma Mimi and my great grandad Pop-Pop. Dear God, help them please! My God, I also ask [that] if Mimi and Pop-Pop are in heaven, [then] help the person who needs a prayer-- [especially] the haters, the evil, and the whiners. I hope so much that everyone who's dead is in purgatory or heaven; so I ask you, Almighty Father, please bring the souls in purgatory to heaven with their families and friends. To all the souls in purgatory, I hope you go to heaven [soon]. Amen.

Jason S. - ALL SOULS AND ALL SAINTS DAY - On All Souls I pray for the souls of all my deceased friends and relatives. In my prayers, I ask God that my deceased friends' and relatives' sins be forgiven and that their souls enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. / We celebrate All Saints Day on the first day of November every year and [All Souls on the second]. All Saints is a Holy Day when Catholics go to church to pray [to the saints for special help]. Our prayers on [All Souls] are for all of the souls in purgatory. We pray for the souls so they will go to heaven some day. We pray that the saints will pray for us on earth. We ask the saints for prayers that will help us to avoid sins and to do better in school and at home.

Elisabeth P. - UNTITLED - All Souls Day is a time when we should pray for those who are in purgatory. Those people in purgatory need us to pray for them. Most of the people [there] don't have families so when you pray you should pray for [these souls especially] stuck in purgatory. / All Saints Day is a day when you pray to those who have already gotten into heaven [for assistance] so [that] you can go to heaven. If they pray for you then you might [possess better confidence that] you [will] go to heaven.

Geaton D. - UNTITLED - All Saints Day is a time to remember the saints who [went] before us. All Saints [are those who] were good and [did not] turn to evil. They turned to God for help and [did not] take revenge on others. Some saints were bad kids but as they got older, they learned to love God and not the devil. In the Middle Ages, it was thought that devils would come and try to ruin All Saints Day. That is why Halloween developed and was put on October 31. All Souls Day is to remember the people still in purgatory.

Nicholas D. - ALL SOULS DAY - All Souls Day is a day when we pray for the souls in purgatory. The priests say special Masses on this day. They can wear [one of] three different vestments: black, purple, or white. We do not need to pray for the people in heaven because they have already accomplished their goal. The day we celebrate All Souls Day is November 2nd. When we pray for the people in purgatory, we are helping them get to heaven. If no one prayed for these people, there would be lots of people remaining in purgatory.

Kyle D. - ALL SAINTS DAY - All Saints Day is the day after Halloween, November 1st. All Saints day was made because the Church [wanted] to honor all the saints, but there were too many to give each a separate day. So, they combined all the feasts of the saints together on the same day, which made All Saints Day. Many people used to think Halloween was part of the Christian holiday, All Hallows Eve. Halloween really does not have anything to do with All Saints Day. The day, All Saints, might have been chosen by the Church to fight against the Festival of Death, which is Halloween. [In contrast,] All Saints Day is to honor all the saints.

Louis M. - UNTITLED - The feast of All Saints is when we commemorate the souls that have gone to haeven. On All Souls day we pray for the souls [who] are judged [and wait in purgatory]. All Saints Day is on November 1 and All Souls Day is November 2. All Saints Day is observed by Eastern Christians, [too.]

On the First Sunday of Pentecost [in] the year 609 or 610, Emperor Phocas gave the Roman temple called the Pantheon to Pope Boniface IV as a church. The Pope rededicated it to the Virgin Mary and the Christian Martyrs. [The cult around this church] is probably the origin of All Saints Day.

John S. - UNTITLED - All Saints Day [is] also known as All Hallows or Hallowas. The festival is celebrated on Nov. 1st. The Roman Catholic and Anglican churches [observe it] in honor of God and of all his saints known and unknown. It became a Church festival early in the 7th century when the Pantheon in Rome was consecrated as the Church of the Blessed Virgin and All Martyrs. Pope Gregory IV gave the custom official authorization in 835. Nov. 1st may have been chosen because it was the day of one of the four great festivals of the pagan nations of the north. It was Church policy to supplant pagan with Christian obervances.

Erin L. - UNTITLED - God please help all those in Purgatory to get closer to being in Heaven. I would especially like to pray for my Uncle Mike, Uncle Billy, my Aunt Kat, and my Dad's parents, my Grandparents. Let us pray to God for those in Purgatory who have no one to pray for them on Earth. Let us also pray for those who still have people on earth to pray for them, but [could] still [use] our prayers. Also remember all those who have died this year, especially Mother Teresa. Pray for these intentions. Amen.

Elizabeth B. - SAINT MICHAEL - My favorite saint is Saint Michael because of his bravery. He fought the devil with courage. Saint Michael won the fight but the devil was not beaten yet. The devil is in our every day lives, tempting us to do the wrong thing. In one of the prayers we say at Mass, we ask Saint Michael to be our protection against the devil. If we want Saint Michael to help us, he will. Saint Michael will [oppose] the devil forever. Where ever the devil lurks for someone to tempt, Saint Michael will be there. No other saint [or angel] fought like Saint Michael.

Stacy S. - SAINT ELIZABETH ANN SETON - St Elizabeth Ann was born in 1775. Her maiden name was Elizabeth Ann Bayley. Her feast day is celebrated on January 4. She was the first native American to be canonized by the Catholic Church. Elizabeth Seton was canonized on September 4, 1975. / Elizabeth Bayley married William Seton in 1774. William's dad died and he and Elizabeth had to take care of William's seven brothers and sisters. They had so much to do that they could not afford it, so they declared bankruptcy. William began to get sick and the Setons had to sail to Italy. Will ended up dying in Italy from tuberculosis. Trying to deal with the deaths of people so close to her, she got her calling from God. Her Italian friends guided her in the Catholic instructions. She joined the Catholic Church in 1805. Elizabeth pronounced her poverty, chasity and obedience for one year at taht time, and from then on she was called Mother Seton. Mother Seton died of tuberculosis in 1821, at the age of 46.

Eric S. - SAINT LAWRENCE, MARTYR - In 257, a Pope named Sixtus made Lawrence a priest of the Roman Church. Lawrence was still young. One day the Pope made Lawrence one of seven deacons. The day after that the Romans told the Pope to surrender the money to them. Before the Romans took the money, Lawrence distributed the money to the poor. The Romans who acme to the church found out that Lawrence [had] distributed the money to the poor. They took Lawrence to a hill and got a fire going. They roasted Lawrence over the fire and he died. That is how Lawrence became a saint.

Mitchel W. - MOTHER TERESA - Mother Teresa, or Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu, was born on August 26, 1910, and was baptized the next day in Skopje, Macedonia. Her whole family belonged to the Albanian community. Agnes liked to go to church. She also like to read, pray, and sing. She went to church every day; she prayed every evening; she prayed the rosary every day in May; and she also assisted the service for the Holy Virgin. / When she nine years old, her father, Kole died. Her mother, Drana, had to raise Agnes and her two older sisters by herself. It was a challenge. When she was twelve, since she had enormous faith in God, she decided to let Him tell her what to do. / When she was eighteen years old, she joined the Sisters of Our Lady of Loretto, which were very active in India, and chose the anme Sister Teresa. On December 1, she goes to India, the country of her dreams. She cannot go to church for weeks. Finally she gets to Calcutta. She receives her first two vows on May 24, 1937 in Darjeeling. She regularly visits the slums, hospitals, and the poor. God tells her to help and to live with the poor. At age 38, Sister Teresa leaves her sisters to go to Panta. she continues visiting poor, slums, and hospitals for the rest of her life. In 1997 she dies and hopefully goes to heaven.

Kristi S. - BLESSED VIRGIN MARY - Mary is the most celebrated woman because she was the Mother of Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD. Mary's popular title is the Blessed Virgin Mary. The teaching of the Church to which all Catholics must give assent is that Mary was conceived without being touched by original sin. Mary was the daughter of Ann and Joachim who lived in Nazareth. She was engaged to Joseph who was a carpenter in Nazareth. The Gospels tell us how the angel Gabriel told her she was to have a son named Jesus. Mary and Joseph went to Bethlehem to be enrolled in a census as the Roman emperor had ordered. In Bethlehem, Jesus was born in a manger.

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Last Updated on October 23, 1997