J+M+J
Preserving Catholic Traditions for Tomorrow's Faithful
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J+M+J
Preserving Catholic Traditions for Tomorrow's Faithful Please Visit Our Web Shop Your purchases help support this site
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Saint Agatha
Costumes for Saint Agatha can be varied. You might wish to dress in an early period gown with chains to represent her imprisonment. Or perhaps select an outfit that reflects this holy saint's beauty and wealth which she rejected.
St. Agnes was born in Rome during the beginning of the third century. She was brought up as a Christian and grew to be a very beautiful young woman. By the age of twelve, Agnes was already receiving suitors for her hand in marriage. And already by the age of twelve, Agnes had developed a deep spirituality that directed her to devote her life to God as a consecrated virgin. 
Saint Cecilia is the Patron Saint of musicians. She was a very cultivated young woman whose family was quite prominent in Rome's society. She vowed virginity to God, but her parents forced her to marry. It is said that while the profane music played at her wedding, she sang in her heart a hymn of love to Jesus, her true spouse. She was accompanied by an angel and told her husband that if he wished to see it, he had to be purified. He did so and on returning, the angel placed crowns on both of their heads. Her husband and brother were converted and began a ministry of burying Christian martyrs. They, too, were martyred for this kindness. Saint Cecilia was then ordered to worship false gods and when she refused, she joined them in martyrdom. 
Costumes for Saint Cecilia might be chosen from the elegant gowns in red to reflect her martyrdom. This one has a crown, like the one she received from the angel.
Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton was born into a wealthy Episcopalian family and married a very successful businessman. They traveled to Italy with their children and while they were away, his business failed and the country was gripped with rampant illness. They were thrown into a pauper's hospital with the only care coming from her husband's business partner, who was a Catholic. Soon her husband died, leaving her a penniless widow. Saint Elizabeth and her children were sent back to America through the kindness of the partner and she embraced Catholicism, alienating her family. To support them all, she began a Catholic school in Boston. 
Here is a typical prisoner costume. 
The costume at the left presents typical garb for the era. You may wish to add a cape, but it is doubtful that St. Thomas More was put on trial in full regalia.
Saint Lucy of Syracuse was a wealthy young Christian of Greek ancestry who wanted to live for God only. Her father died when she was young forcing her mother to arrange a marriage for her. Lucy did not want to marry, and stopped the wedding for three years, praying at the tomb of Saint Agatha for help in the hope that her mother's mind would change. Her prayers obtained a cure for her mother who suffered from hemorrhaging and she relented - but her fiancee, a pagan, did not. She was imprisoned and condemned to a life of prostitution, but her guards could not move her even with a team of oxen. They tortured her by plucking out her eyes and much worse.
This simple gown with red cover cloak is perfect for depicting the martyrdom of Saint Lucy - and it is a dress that your child can wear again.
Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha was known as the Lily of the Mohawks although she was half Algonquin. Her story is one of terrible suffering for Christ. She was ridiculed, scorned and unjustly accused. She was likely the object of racial discrimination as well, and suffered from smallpox - a terrible disease that miraculously disappeared after her death! Please visit the 
Here is a beautiful Kateri Tekakwitha costume in faux white suede with buff colored accessories.