LessonsLesson 7

Autumn Saints · Week 7

St. Rafqa

مار رفقا

saint

For younger children (5-6), focus on the vocabulary cards and coloring. For older children (8-10), engage with the discussion questions.

🙏 Opening Prayer

Read the prayer aloud slowly. Have the children repeat each line after you. Make the sign of the cross together.

بِاسْمِ الآبِ وَالابْنِ وَالرُّوحِ القُدُس، إلهٌ واحِد، آمين.

Bismil-Aab wal-Ibn war-Ruuh al-Qudus, Ilaahun waahid, aameen.

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, one God, Amen.

📖 This Week's Story

Today we'll learn about a very brave and faithful saint — St. Rafqa (Maar Rafqa)! St. Rafqa was a Lebanese Maronite nun who lived about 150 years ago. When she was young, she became a nun and dedicated her life to teaching children and serving God. She was kind, joyful, and full of faith. Later in her life, she suffered from a very painful illness that made her blind and caused her great pain. But even through all her suffering, she never stopped praying and thanking God. She said that her suffering brought her closer to Jesus, who also suffered on the cross. St. Rafqa teaches us about patience (sabr) and gratitude (shukr). Even when things are hard, we can trust that God is with us and loves us. She reminds us to always say "thank you" to God — shukr li-Allah!

Key Phrases

صبر

sabr

Patience

شكر

shukr

Gratitude

راهبة

raahiba

Nun

📝 Vocabulary

صبر

sabr

Patience

Maar Rafqa showed great sabr.

شكر

shukr

Gratitude

We give shukr to God every day.

راهبة

raahiba

Nun

Maar Rafqa was a raahiba.

🎮 Activity

craft

Draw something you are thankful for — it could be your family, your friends, nature, or anything else. Write the word 'shukr' (gratitude) on your drawing.

  1. 1What are you thankful for today?
  2. 2How did St. Rafqa show patience?
  3. 3How can we be patient when things are hard?

🙏 Closing Prayer

المَجدُ للآبِ وَالابنِ وَالرُّوحِ القُدُس، مِنَ الآنَ وَإلى الأبَد، آمين.

Al-majdu lil-Aab wal-Ibn war-Ruuh al-Qudus, minal-aana wa ila al-abad, aameen.

Glory to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, now and forever, Amen.

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