Liturgical Living at Home
July 2026
July is dedicated to the Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ
July is dedicated to the Precious Blood of Jesus. One way to meditate on this in July is to pray the Litany of the Most Precious Blood. The feast of the Precious Blood of our Lord was instituted in 1849 by Pius IX, but the devotion is as old as Christianity. The early Fathers say that the Church was born from the pierced side of Christ, and that the sacraments were brought forth through His Blood.
Prayer
Almighty, and everlasting God, who hast appointed Thine only-begotten Son to be the Redeemer of the world, and hast been pleased to be reconciled unto us by His Blood, grant us, we beseech Thee, so to venerate with solemn worship the price of our salvation, that the power thereof may here on earth keep us from all things hurtful, and the fruit of the same may gladden us for ever hereafter in heaven. Through the same Christ our Lord.
Amen.
July 3: Saint Thomas the Apostle
Swiss Cheese is a great way to celebrate this feast day because Thomas didn’t believe Jesus had returned until he put his fingers into the holes in Jesus, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”
A week later Jesus’ disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”
July 4: St. Pier Georgio Frassati
“Every day that passes, I fall more desperately in love with the mountains… I am ever more determined to climb the mountains, to scale the mighty peaks, to feel that pure joy which can only be felt in the mountains.”
Pier Georgio Frassati is know for being a saint for the youth, active and adventurous: a skier, a jokester, he loved riding horses, hiking and climbing mountains too! Have an adventure, whether it’s kayaking, hiking, bike riding or something else, celebrate St. Pier Georgio with adventure today!
July 12: St. Louis and Zelie Martin
Saint Louis and Zélie Martin are the first husband and wife to be canonized together. They were the parents of Saint Therese of Lisieux and 4 other daughters that entered into the religious life! Saint Louis was a skilled watch maker, and Saint Zelie was a lace maker! The most important thing to remember on this day is that in the vocation of marriage, our job is to help our spouse and family, and those around us to get to heaven. We do this in the way that we live our lives. How can you lead others to Heaven?
July 14: St. Kateri Tekakwitha
St. Kateri is the first Native American to be recognized as a saint by the Catholic Church. Her mother was an Algonquin, who was captured by the Mohawks and who took a Mohawk chief for her husband. At age 19, St. Kateri converted to Catholicism, taking a vow of chastity and pledging to marry only Jesus Christ, which was very unpopular. She is the patron of the environment and ecology.
What is something you can do this month to care for the earth this month?
· Pick up litter: Spend 15 minutes clearing trash while walking a trail at nearby Sand Run Metro Park.
· Track local wildlife: Download the iNaturalist app and snap photos of plants and insects in your area to help biologists monitor park health.
· Reduce household waste: Swap out single-use plastics and make use of community drop-off sites.
· Say “no” to plastic straws for a month: Try to refuse plastic straws for an entire month and see if you can build a new habit.
July 26: Sts. Anne and Joachim
Saints Anne and Joachim are the grandparents of Jesus and saints that I often ask for intercession. I feel like grandparents often have a more seasoned perspective and just as I ask wiser adults for advice, I often ask them to intercede, knowing they raised Mary so they must have had it pretty together!
Today is a great day to celebrate Grandparents, but having them over for a special visit or meal or just to spend time together.
July 29: Sts. Martha, Mary & Lazarus
Jesus and his disciples were on their way, He came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
I am “a Martha,” trying to make sure all the preparations are made for a special occasion, take time today to make sure to take time with the Lord rather than keeping busy.
Today, try to write the worries or things that we need to give to Jesus. Envision them in His hands, and KNOW that He has them!
Prayer
Saint Martha, pray for us that we might serve Jesus better.
Help us to overcome our distractions and worries to listen to his words and be present to him this day.
Amen.
Saints you didn’t know you needed: Patience Edition
I found this on instagram @worthyofagape and thought I would share it because it's perfect as summer is in full swing (and is really HEATING up):
- St. Therese chose gentleness again and again in the face of annoyances--especially with the sisters who got on her nerves. Her "little way" is basically a mastercass in patient love and when you're overstimulated and tempted to snap hit her up for intercession.
- St. Francis de Sales was known for his calm and gentle approach, he famously struggled with his own temper and had to learn patience the hard way.
- St. Elizabeth was mom to John the Baptist in her old age after a lifetime of barrenness. Her story reminds us that God's timing can feel slow...and still be deeply intentional and full of dignity.
- St. Padre Pio faced intensive physical paint and public scrutiny, oven misunderstood by those around him--to the point that he was no longer allowed to say Masses in public. Yet he remained steadfast, obedient and rooted in prayer through it all.
- St. Gianna was a working mom, a doctor, and a saint! She lived the ordinary demands of family life with steady sacrificial love. Her patience wasn't flashy; it was faithful in the daily giving of herself. "Live holy the present moment," she reminds us.
- St. Monica prayed for years--decades, really--for her son's conversion. Through tears, disappointment, and what must have felt like unanswered prayers, she stayed faithful. Her story (and intercession) is for the parent that feels like nothing is "working" yet.
