FAITH LEADERS AT ST. Philip Benizi Catholic Church in Fullerton who are tasked with preparing the church’s teenagers for the Sacrament of Confirmation felt it would be more impactful for the youngsters to become their favorite saint, and not simply read about them in a book.
ARLET AND ISAIAS COBARRUBIAS TRY THE FISHING GAME AT ST. ANDREW’S STATION. PHOTOS BY LOU PONSI/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
So as part of the teens’ preparation, Maribel Alvarado, faith formation coordinator at St. Philip Benzi, and Imelda Pribe, the church’s conformation coordinator, organized the
Festival of Saints.
Held on Oct. 26 in conjunction with All Saints Day, the Festival of Saints gave students, many joined by their families, the opportunity to dress as their favorite saint and set up a display with items or activities associated with their chosen saint.
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) characterizes saints as “persons in heaven (officially canonized or not), who lived heroically virtuous lives, offered their life for others, or were martyred for the faith and who are worthy of imitation.”
AN ARCHERY CLASS PAID HOMAGE TO ST. JOAN OF ARC.
“So, in developing their faith, we’re wanting them to embrace, not only their faith, but to also put it into practice and to share it with others,” Pribe said. “We’re able to showcase that people lived a life for Christ and were witnesses of their faith and we recognize them as saints.”
Saints represented included St. Joseph, the patron saint of families, fathers and carpenters, and the Blessed Virgin Mary, the spiritual mother of all people and patron saint of many causes.
A tribute to St. Peter, the patron saint of fisherman, featured an activity where children “fished” for mini bags of fish crackers.
Juan Soto, a student at Sunny Hills High School, was dressed as St. Joseph.
ST. PHILIP BENIZI CATHOLIC CHURCH HOSTED A FESTIVAL OF SAINTS ON OCT. 26 IN CONJUNCTION WITH ALL SAINTS DAY.
“He just really resonates with me,” said Soto, who was confirmed at St. Philip Benizi and volunteers there. “I just like coming back and helping with the program.”
A highlight of the festival was an archery class that took place to pay homage to St. Joan of Arc as a model of faith and courage.
As the patron saint of France, soldiers, prisoners and those in need of courage, Joan of Arc is revered as a defender of the French nation for leading the French army to victory in the siege of Orléans in 1428 at age 17.
“She was a person that did her work for her Lord within the age range that they’re in,” Alvarado said. “It kind of makes that connection with the children. And saints are people who we can look up to. They all have different charisma.”
Delfina Rocha, a parent volunteer, had her son dress as St. Isidore to honor her grandfather.
“My grandpa’s name is Isidro,” Rocha said. “We call him Isidro, but it’s Isidore. And the fact that he’s the saint of all the poor and everybody that wants to help. I remember my
grandpa was the same way growing up. He would always help everybody in his community, in Mexico especially.”
The activity also gave the teens the opportunity to learn about saints who are less widely known, Pribe said.
“St. Catherine of Bologna is not one of the saints who is as commonly known as the some of the others,” she shared.
St. Catherine of Bologna is the patron saint of artists because she expressed her faith through art, including paintings of Jesus, Mary and Joseph.