Happy Feast Day St.Philomena!

Today is one of our very special saint’s feast day. I first heard about her from another home school mom that signed her email with, “St. Philomena, pray for us.” I was walking through our neighborhood Catholic book store and “It’s Time to Meet St. Philomena” by Dr. Mark Miravalle was right in front of me. My goddaughter had been struggling with learning and emotional issues and I was struck by how much the artwork on Dr. Miravalle’s book looked like my goddaughter. St. Philomena was the perfect Saint to help us. Number One Son has his St. Philomena story to tell, he wears her medal and cord, Number Two Daughter wears her cord. They know that St. Philomena prays for them.
We said this chaplet at bedtime for over two months. I guess I’ll never memorize it, if after 60 days I still had to read it. My mom-brain is not what it used to be.

St. Philomena Chaplet
The Chaplet is usually made up of red and white beads. The red beads stand for the martyrdom of the Saint, and the white beads indicate her Virginity and Purity of Heart.
The Apostles Creed is recited on the Crucifix, asking for the gift of Faith. Three Our Fathers are said on the first 3 white beads in honor of the Most Holy Trinity giving thanks for the gifts given to the Holy Virgin. Then there are 13 red beads, each one represents a year in the life of St. Philomena. On the red beads the following prayer may be said, or substituted by the Hail Mary, followed by: “Saint Philomena, pray for us.”
Hail, O Holy Saint Philomena, my dear Patroness,
as my Advocate with thy Divine Spouse,
intercede for me now, and at the hour of my death.
Saint Philomena, beloved daughter of Jesus and Mary,
pray for us who have recourse to Thee.
On the chaplet's medal you say: “Hail, O, illustrious Saint Philomena, who so courageously shed your blood for Christ. I bless the Lord for all the graces, He has bestowed upon thee, during thy life, and especially at thy death; I praise and glorify Him for the honor and power with which He has crowned thee, and I beg thee to obtain for me from God the graces I ask through thy intercession. Amen.”

Quick (Mild) Vegetable Curry

I've been working on this one for a while. Everyone, even the meat-eater Hubby, likes it. The kids don't like black pepper, so Hubby and I add it at the table.

1 pound frozen cauliflower
2-3 T. Oil (canola or olive)
1/2 sweet onion, chopped
1 can chickpeas/garbanzo beans
1 can sliced, unsalted carrots
1 cup frozen peas
1 can coconut milk
1 t. Salt
1 T. Cumin powder
1 t. Ginger powder
1/2 t. Garlic powder
1/2 t. Onion powder
1 t. Turmeric
dash of Allspice
dash of Nutmeg

Cook/steam the cauliflower in the microwave. I cook mine for 6 minutes on high and then let it steam for 5 more minutes.
Saute the onion in the oil until it starts to soften. Drain the chickpeas and add them to the pan with the onions. Stir until the onions are done and the chickpeas start to brown. Add the cooked cauliflower, frozen peas, drained canned carrots, spices and coconut milk. Stir well, turn down the heat to simmer and cover for 5 minutes. Uncover and reduce the liquid, if desired.
I serve this with a dollop of sour cream. I'm sure it would be tasty with rice, but I'm the only one that can eat it, so we just eat it plain or over shredded lettuce.