Awe over the Saints

Each day during the five minute silent lunch time for the first and second graders, I read about the life of a saint. Sr. Mary Clare started this great tradition for two main reasons: first, to get the students to stop distracting each other and eat their lunch; and second, to learn more about the saints. Sister could not have picked a more perfect book that outlines descriptive, yet succinct, stories of various saints with beautiful illustrations (that usually only I enjoy). The one below is an example--St. Francis of Assisi.

Almost every day I am asked if I will be reading and if for some reason I don't read (whether the Kindergarteners need a bit of extra help or I forgot the book), I am met with some pretty sappy first and second graders.

The room is (almost) always completely silent as I read about St. Nick transforming into what they know of Santa Claus or Juan Diego revealing the impossibly beautiful depiction of Our Lady of Guadalupe. And at the end of each story, there is a big round of applause--not sure if it's for me showing I can read, for the saints that I highlight, or because clapping usually is not allowed in the lunchroom. Either way, each tale of the sacrifice, courage, or humility of these saints puts intrigue and excitement on their faces as they gobble up their last scraps of food.