Lives of the Saints, by Alban Butler, Benziger Bros. ed. 1894
March 8.—ST. JOHN OF GOD.
NOTHING in John's early life foreshadowed his future sanctity. He ran away as a boy from his home in Portugal, tended sheep and cattle in Spain, and served as a soldier against the French, and afterwards against the Turks. When about forty years of age, feeling remorse for his wild life, he resolved to devote himself to the ransom of the Christian slaves in Africa, and went thither with the family of an exiled noble, which he maintained by his labor. On his return to Spain he sought to do good by selling holy pictures and books at low prices. At length the hour of grace struck. At Granada a sermon by the celebrated John of Avila shook his soul to its depths, and his expressions of self-abhorrence were so extraordinary that he was taken to the asylum as one mad. There he employed himself in ministering to the sick. On leaving he began to collect homeless poor, and to support them by his work and by begging. One night St. John found in the streets a poor man who seemed near death, and, as was his wont, he carried him to the hospital, laid him on a bed, and went to fetch water to wash his feet. When he had washed them, he knelt to kiss them, and started with awe: the feet were pierced, and the print of the nails bright with an unearthly radiance. He raised his eyes to look, and heard the words, "John, to Me thou doest all that thou doest to the poor in My name: I reach forth My hand for the alms thou givest; Me dost thou clothe, Mine are the feet thou dost wash." And then the gracious vision disappeared, leaving St. John filled at once with confusion and consolation. The bishop became the Saint's patron, and gave him the name of John of God. When his hospital was on fire, John was seen rushing about uninjured amidst the flames until he had rescued all his poor. After ten years spent in the service of the suffering, the Saint's life was fitly closed. He plunged into the river Xenil to save a drowning boy, and died, 1550, of an illness brought on by the attempt, at the age of fifty-five.

Reflection.—God often rewards men for works that are pleasing in His sight by giving them grace and opportunity to do other works higher still. St. John of God used to attribute his conversion, and the graces which enabled him to do such great works, to his self-denying charity in Africa.

1.) Grilled Black Bean Avocado Wrap

2.) Pumpkin Alfredo 

3.) Cauliflower Buffalo "Wings"

4.) Lentil Pot Pies

5.) Thai Peanut Salmon Burgers

Lives of the Saints, by Alban Butler, Benziger Bros. ed. 1894
February 22.—ST. PETER'S CHAIR AT ANTIOCH.
THAT St. Peter, before he went to Rome, founded the see of Antioch is attested by many Saints. It was just that the Prince of the Apostles should take this city under his particular care and inspection, which was then the capital of the East, and in which the faith took so early and so deep root as to give birth in it to the name of Christians. St. Chrysostom says that St. Peter made' there a long stay; St. Gregory the Great, that he was seven years Bishop of Antioch; not that he resided there all that time, but only that he had a particular care over that Church. If he sat twenty-five years at Rome, the date of his establishing his chair at Antioch must be within three years after Our Saviour's Ascension; for in that supposition he must have gone to Rome in the second year of Claudius. In the first ages it was customary, especially in the East, for every Christian to keep the anniversary of his Baptism, on which he renewed his baptismal vows and gave thanks to God for his heavenly adoption: this they called their spiritual birthday. The bishops in like manner kept the anniversary of their own consecration, as appears from four sermons of St. Leo on the anniversary of his accession or assumption to the pontifical dignity; and this was frequently continued after their decease by the people, out of respect for their memory. St. Leo says we ought to celebrate the chair of St. Peter with no less joy than the day of his martyrdom; for as in this he was exalted to a throne of glory in heaven, so by the former he was installed head of the Church on earth.

Reflection.—On this festival we are especially bound to adore and thank the Divine Goodness for the establishment and propagation of His Church, and earnestly to pray that in His mercy He preserve the same, and dilate its pale, that His name may be glorified by all nations, and by all hearts, to the boundaries of the earth, for His divine honor and the salvation of souls, framed to His divine image, and the price of His adorable blood.

Download free coloring pages!

Jesus Gives Peter the Keys to the Church
Pope; Bishop of Rome
St. Peter's Basilica Rome

Find a notebooking page for today's feast in our February Notebooking Butler's Lives of the Saints download!

1.) Porcini Mushroom Lasagna

2.) Roasted Vege Sandwhich

3.) Potato Gratin with Rosemary Crust

4.) Skillet Eggplant Parmigiana

5.) Vegetarian Mexican Stuffed Shells

For 100's more meatless recipes visit our previous Feria Friday posts!

Lives of the Saints, by Alban Butler, Benziger Bros. ed. 1894
February 8.—ST. JOHN OF MATHA.
THE life of St. John of Matha was one long course of self-sacrifice for the glory of God and the good of his neighbor. As a child, his chief delight was serving the poor; and he often told them he had come into the world for no other end but to wash their feet. He studied at Paris with such distinction that his professors advised him to become a priest, in order that his talents might render greater service to others; and, for this end, John gladly sacrificed his high rank and other worldly advantages. At his first Mass an angel appeared, clad in white, with a red and blue cross on his breast, and his hands reposing on the heads of a Christian and a Moorish captive. To ascertain what this signified, John repaired to St. Felix of Valois, a holy hermit living near Meaux, under whose direction he led a life of extreme penance. The angel again appeared, and they then set out for Rome, to learn the will of God from the lips of the Sovereign Pontiff, who told them to devote themselves to the redemption of captives. For this purpose they founded the Order of the Holy Trinity. The religious fasted every day, and gathering alms throughout Europe took them to Barbary, to redeem the Christian slaves. They devoted themselves also to the sick and prisoners in all countries. The charity of St. John in devoting his life to the redemption of captives was visibly blessed by God. On his second return from Tunis he brought back one hundred and twenty liberated slaves. But the Moors attacked him at sea, over- i powered his vessel, and doomed it to destruction, with all on board, by taking away the rudder and sails, and leaving it to the mercy of the winds. St. John tied his cloak to the mast, and prayed, saying, "Let God arise, and let His enemies be scattered. O Lord, Thou wilt save the humble, and wilt bring down the eyes of the proud." Suddenly the wind filled the small sail, and, without guidance, carried the ship safely in a few days to Ostia, the port of Rome, three hundred leagues from Tunis. Worn out by his heroic labors, John died in 1213, at the age of fifty-three.

Reflection.—Let us never forget that our blessed Lord, bade us love our neighbor not only as ourselves, but as He loved us, Who afterwards sacrificed Himself for us.

1.) Healthy Hashbrown Casserole

2.) Koren-inspired Black-eyed Peas and Kale Bowl

3.) Winter Minestrone and Garlic Bruschetta (change the chicken broth for veg. and skip the panchetta)

4.) Potato and Cotija Patties

5.) Jumbo Shrimp Parmesan

Every Friday here on our little blog we share the story of the day's saint from Butler's Lives of the Saints and five meatless recipes. Feria in latin means without, the Church usually uses the word to denote a day in the Liturgical Calendar that is without a saint's feast. Or at least a day in which the Church does not celebrate a mass of a saint. 

The story of today's Saint was shared in the previous post in our 12 Days of Christmas Give-A-Way. Below you will find this weeks five meatless recipes. May you all have a most blessed weekend and a most Holy Feast of the Epiphany this Sunday!

1.) Alsatian Potato Pie

2.) Savory Mushroom Strudel (includes a meatless recipe link-up!)

3.) Meatless Lasagna Pie (this looks like fun to make!)

4.) Garlicky White Bean Stew

5.) Slow Cooker Vegetarian Cannellini Bean and Kale Soup

Here we are on the last Friday before that Most Holy Night, and also an Ember Day. Below is this week's Saint story along with five recipes for Friday Fare. A day that not only do we abstain from eating flesh meat in honor or Our Lord's Death on the cross but an Ember Day were we fast in edition in thanksgiving for the abundance that God has provided us with. Feria in Latin means, without and is used in the Liturgical Year to mean a day in which a feast is not celebrated at mass. For our blog series we use Feria to mean 'without' meat. Have a blessed Friday as we approach the end of the 3rd week of Advent!



Lives of the Saints, by Alban Butler, Benziger Bros. ed. 1894

December 21.—ST. THOMAS, Apostle.
ST. THOMAS was one of the fishermen on the Lake of A Galilee whom Our Lord called to be His apostles. By nature slow to believe, too apt to see difficulties, and to look at the dark side of things, he had withal a most sympathetic, loving, and courageous heart. Once when Jesus spoke of the mansions in His Father's house, St. Thomas, in his simplicity, asked: "Lord, we know not whither Thou goest, and how can we know the way?" When Jesus turned to go toward Bethany to the grave of Lazarus, the desponding apostle at once feared the worst for his beloved Lord, yet cried out bravely to the rest: "Let us also go and die with Him." After the Resurrection, incredulity again prevailed, and whilst the wounds of the crucifixion were imprinted vividly on his affectionate mind, he would not credit the report that Christ had indeed risen. But at the actual sight of the pierced hands and side, and the gentle rebuke of his Saviour, unbelief was gone forever; and his faith and ours has ever triumphed in the joyous utterance into which he broke: "My Lord and my God!"

Reflection.—Cast away all disquieting doubts, and learn to triumph over old weaknesses as St. Thomas did, who "by his ignorance hath instructed the ignorant, and by, his incredulity hath served for the faith of all ages."


Read more about St. Thomas and see where on the map he is placed over at All the Saints and Peter and Paul!

Read more about the Ember Friday of Advent over at Crusader's for Christ

Download our St. Thomas coloring page

1.) Sweet Potato Soup in a Flash

2.) Spinach, feta and Potato Gratin

3.) Hashbrown & Quinoa Casserole

4.) Pumpkin Pasta

5.) Mushroom Stroganoff with the veg. broth option

Its the first Friday of Advent! Every Friday here at Sanctus Simplicitus we share the Saint story of the day along with 5 recipes for Friday Fair. In regards to 'feria' on the Liturgical Calendar it is used to describe a day in which the Church does not celebrate a mass honoring a Saint. As Feria means 'without' we use it here in regards to the day in which we go 'without' meat in honor of Our Lord's suffering and passion on Friday. To read other Feria posts and glean more recipes visit our Feria Friday posts from the past!



Lives of the Saints, by Alban Butler, Benziger Bros. ed. 1894

December 7.—ST. AMBROSE, Bishop.

AMBROSE was of a noble family, and was governor of Milan in 374, when a bishop was to be chosen for that great see. As the Arian heretics were many and fierce, he was present to preserve order during the election. Though only a catechumen, it was the will of God that he should himself be chosen by acclamation; and, in spite of his utmost resistance, he was baptized and consecrated. He was unwearied in every duty of a pastor, full of sympathy and charity, gentle and condescending in things indifferent, but inflexible in matters of principle. He showed his fearless zeal in braving the anger of the Empress Justina, by resisting and foiling her impious attempt to give one of the churches of Milan to the Arians, and by rebuking and leading to penance the really great Emperor Theodosius, who in a moment of irritation had punished most cruelly a sedition of the inhabitants of Thessalonica. He was the friend and consoler of St. Monica in all her sorrows, and in 387 he had the joy of admitting to the Church her son, St. Augustine. St. Ambrose died in 397, full of years and of honors, and is revered by the Church of and as one of her greatest doctors.

Reflection.—Whence came to St. Ambrose his grandeur of mind, his clearness of insight, his intrepidity in maintaining the faith and discipline of the Church? Whence but from his contempt of the world, from his fearing God alone?


See St. Ambrose on the map and read his story from the Liturgical Year over at All the Saints and Peter and Paul!


Get a free coloring page of St. Ambrose and read even more about him over at Crusaders for Christ!

1.) Veggie & Quinoa Burritos (& Picky Kids!)

2.) Vegan French Onion Soup Sandwhiches

3.) Quinoa Sushi Rolls plus 5 other Quinoa recipes

4.) Oregon Tuna Melts

5.) Hoisen-Lime Salmon with Asparagus Couscous

There is no better saint to end the Time after Pentecost and begin Advent! As he sets a wonderful example in keeping to the cross and following Christ. Let us keep this saint in mind as we enter into a penitential season with the Church this Advent.

Lives of the Saints, by Alban Butler, Benziger Bros. ed. 1894

November 30.—ST. ANDREW, Apostle.

ST. ANDREW was one of the fishermen of Bethsaida, and brother, perhaps elder brother, of St. Peter, and became a disciple of St. John Baptist. He seemed always eager to bring others into notice; when called himself by Christ on the banks of the Jordan, his first thought was to go in search of his brother, and he said, "We have found the Messias," and he brought him to Jesus. It was he again who, when Christ wished to feed the five thousand in the desert, pointed out the little lad with the five loaves and fishes. St. Andrew went forth upon his mission to plant the Faith in Scythia and Greece, and at the end of years of toil to win a martyr's crown. After suffering a cruel scourging at Patræ in Achaia, he was left, bound by cords, to die upon a cross. When St. Andrew first caught sight of the gibbet on which he was to die, he greeted the precious wood with joy. "O good cross! " he cried, "made beautiful by the limbs of Christ, so long desired, now so happily found! Receive me into thy arms and present me to my Master, that He Who redeemed me through thee may now accept me from thee." Two whole days the martyr remained hanging on this cross alive, preaching, with outstretched arms from this chair of truth, to all who came near, and entreating them not to hinder his passion.

Reflection.—If we would do good to others, we must, like St. Andrew, keep close to the cross.

To see St. Andrew on the map and read more about him from the Liturgical Year books visit All the Saints and Peter and Paul! Download a coloring page and rread his story from the Goffine's Devout Instruction on Crusader's for Christ.

The Saint Andrew Novena also starts tonight! 

Hail and blessed be the hour and the moment in which the Son of God was born of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in the piercing cold.  In that hour vouchsafe, O my God, to hear my prayer and grant my petitions, through the merits of Jesus Christ Our Lord.  Amen.

 It is piously believed that whoever prays this prayer 15 times a day from the feast of St. Andrew (November 30) until Christmas Day will receive their petitions.

1.) Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers 

2.) No-Cream Mushroom Soup (dairy-free)

3.) Vegetable Pot Pie

4.) Cheese Enchiladas

5.) Shrimp Po-boys

One week closer to Advent! Only one week left to prepare, are you ready? 

This week's Feria Friday will feature some wonderful fall recipes! As always we also share the Saint story for today according to Butler's Lives of the Saints. Friday is the day in which no meat is taken in honor of Our Lord. Thus Feria in this posts case means 'without', on the Church calendar it is used to denote a day without a Feast to celebrate. Have a blessed weekend!



Lives of the Saints, by Alban Butler, Benziger Bros. ed. 1894

November 23.—ST. CLEMENT OF ROMEST. CLEMENT is said to have been a convert of noble birth, and to have been consecrated bishop by St. Peter himself. With the words of the apostles still ringing in his ears, he began to rule the Church of God; and thus he was among the first, as he was among the most illustrious, in the long line of those who have held the place and power of Peter. He lived at the same time and in the same city with Domitian, the persecutor of the Church; and besides external foes he had to contend with schism and rebellion from within. The Corinthian Church was torn by intestine strife, and its members set the authority of their clergy at defiance. It was then that St. Clement interfered in the plenitude of his apostolic authority, and sent his famous epistle to the Corinthians. He urged the duties of charity, and above all of submission to the clergy. He did not speak in vain; peace and order were restored. St. Clement had done his work on earth, and shortly after sealed with his blood the Faith which he had learned from Peter and taught to the nations.

Reflection.—God rewards a simple spirit of submission to the clergy, for the honor done to them is done to Him. Your virtue is unreal, your faith in danger, if you fail in this.

1.) Sweet and Sassy Sweet Potato Pita Pockets

2.) Sweet Potato Dumplings (would go great with some vegetarian fried rice and some tea)

3.) Vegetarian Yuba Wrapped Thanksgiving Rolls & Thanksgiving Tower

4.) Rutabaga Gratin

5.) Sweet Dumpling Squash stuffed with Lemon-Herb Rice

Just two more weeks before Advent! My where does the time go?! This Feria Friday's post is about the daughter of a saint that was on the calendar in October. We are always discussing how amazing it was that so many of the Saints were related and had family members that were saints, or were trained by another saint. Enjoy one of these examples and this weeks saint story!

ST. GERTRUDE, Abbess.
GERTRUDE was born in the year 1263, of a noble Saxon family, and placed at the age of five for education in the Benedictine abbey of Rodelsdorf. Her strong mind was carefully cultivated, and she wrote Latin with unusual elegance and force; above all, she was perfect in humility and mortification, in obedience, and in all monastic observances. Her life was crowded with wonders. She has in obedience recorded some of her visions, in which she traces in words of indescribable beauty the intimate converse of her soul with Jesus and Mary. She was gentle to all, most gentle to sinners; filled with devotion to the Saints of God, to the souls in purgatory, and above all to the Passion of Our Lord and to His Sacred Heart. She ruled her abbey with perfect wisdom and love for forty years. Her life was one of great and almost continual suffering, and her longing to be with Jesus was not granted till 1334, when she had reached her seventy-second year.

Reflection.—No preparation for death can be better than to offer and resign ourselves anew to the Divine Will—humbly, lovingly, with unbounded confidence in the infinite mercy and goodness of God.

Fall is only around for another month or so and winter is heading its way in. Many parts of the country have seen their first snow and there is nothing like soup to warm a person up! This week's Friday Fare features five soup recipes! If soup isn't your fare, visit our archives to search our many other other meatless recipes!

1.) Creamy Roasted Veggie Soup

2.) Cheesy Vegetable Chowder

3.) Curry Noodle Soup

4.) Lentil Soup with Coriander and Cumin

5.) Roasted Tomato Basil Soup

Lives of the Saints, by Alban Butler, Benziger Bros. ed. 1894

October 26.—ST. EVARISTUS, Pope and Martyr.

ST. EVARISTUS succeeded St. Anacletus in the see of Rome, in the reign of Trajan, governed the Church nine years, and died in 112. The institution of cardinal priests is by some ascribed to him, because he first divided Rome into several titles or parishes, assigning a priest to each; he also appointed seven deacons to attend the bishop. He conferred holy orders thrice in the month of December, when that ceremony was most usually performed, for holy orders were always conferred in seasons appointed for fasting and prayer. St. Evaristus was buried near St. Peter's tomb on the Vatican.

Reflection.—The disciples of the apostles, by assiduous meditation on heavenly things, were so swallowed up in the life to come, that they seemed no longer inhabitants of this world. If Christians esteem and set their hearts on earthly goods, and lose sight of eternity in the course of their actions, they are no longer animated by the spirit of the primitive Saints, and are become children of this world, slaves to its vanities, and to their own irregular passions. If we do not correct this disorder of our hearts, and conform our interior to the spirit of Christ, we cannot be entitled to His promises.

1.) Homestyle Potato Soup (Skip the bacon bits)

2.) Sweet Potato-Poblano Lasagna

3.) Slow Cooker Veggie Lasagna

4.) Cajun Crawfish and Shrimp Etouffe

5.) Asparagus, Leek, and Gruyere Quiche