Four Feast Day Recipes for July

Silvia Patalano provides feast day meal ideas: celebrate our rich Catholic traditions with these delicious dishes. Download our printable recipe cards to get started.

This July, celebrate faith and food with these four special Catholic feast days! These flavorful and traditional dishes bring families and communities together, which is exactly what sharing a meal is all about. These recipes are easy enough for anyone to make with ingredients found in almost every kitchen. The linked recipes below are foundational: feel free to add your own twist and make them your own! 

July 11: Saint Benedict

Who is Saint Benedict?  

Saint Benedict is best known as the founder of Western monasticism and author of the Rule of St. Benedict. His Rule is followed by Benedictine monks as well as other monastic orders. Many of these rules include habits and values that we can all incorporate into our daily lives, such as patience, humility, work, and hospitality. His feast day is a time to reflect on his wisdom and legacy.  

Traditional Foods for Saint Benedict's Feast Day  

To honor Saint Benedict, we can consider a meal that reflects the simplicity and heartiness of monastic fare. There are two ingredients that can do just that: honey and lentils. The lentil soup recipe below can be considered the most basic, though you really must try my traditional Italian lentil soup I learned from my grandmother. Honey, on the other hand, goes hand in hand with monks of old, who were famous for their beekeeping (not just their ale making!) Drizzling honey on a simple dessert cake would be a delicious finish after a warm bowl of lentil soup!  

Benedictine Lentil Soup 

Ingredients:  

• 1 cup dried lentils, rinsed
• 1 onion, chopped 
• 2 carrots, chopped 
• 2 celery stalks, chopped 
• 2 cloves garlic, minced 
• 1 bay leaf 
• 1 tsp thyme 
• 4 cups vegetable broth 
• Salt and pepper to taste 
• 2 tbsp olive oil  

Steps:  

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot. Add onion, carrots, and celery. Cook until vegetables are tender.
2. Add garlic and cook for another minute.
3. Add lentils, vegetable broth, bay leaf, and thyme. Bring to a boil.
4. Reduce heat and simmer for about 30-40 minutes, or until lentils are tender.
5. Season with salt and pepper. Remove bay leaf before serving.
6. Serve warm with crusty bread.

July 15: Feast of Saint Bonaventure  

Who was Saint Bonaventure?  

Saint Bonaventure, known as the "Seraphic Doctor," was a medieval Italian Franciscan theologian and philosopher. His feast day honors his intellectual contributions and intense spirituality. He was known for his keen memory, which allowed him to connect tradition and doctrine in new and deeper ways. Through his teachings and sound management, the Franciscan order flourished.  

Traditional Foods for Saint Bonaventure's Feast Day 

Given St. Bonaventure’s Italian heritage, and the simple fare of monastic life, any recipe from "la cucina povera" would do. I can list several rustic meals I enjoyed growing up, blissfully ignorant of their austere origins, only knowing that whatever came out of Nonna and Nonno's kitchen was utterly cozy and comforting. This basic ribollita below is a good start for anyone venturing into old-country Italian cuisine - bread required.  

Tuscan Ribollita  

Ingredients: 

• 1 cup cannellini beans, cooked 
• 1 onion, chopped 
• 2 carrots, chopped 
• 2 celery stalks, chopped 
• 3 cloves garlic, minced 
• 1 bunch kale, chopped 
• 1/2 head savoy cabbage, chopped 
• 1 can diced tomatoes 
• 4 cups vegetable broth 
• 4 slices stale bread, torn into pieces 
• 2 tbsp olive oil 
• Salt and pepper to taste  

Steps:  

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot. Add onion, carrots, and celery. Cook until vegetables are tender.
2. Add garlic and cook for another minute.
3. Stir in tomatoes, vegetable broth, kale, cabbage, and beans. Bring to a boil.
4. Reduce heat and simmer for about 30 minutes.
5. Add bread pieces and cook until they break down and thicken the soup.
6. Season with salt and pepper. Serve hot.

July 22: Feast of Saint Mary Magdalene  

Honoring Saint Mary Magdalene  

Saint Mary Magdalene seems to be one of the most underestimated saints of the original crew (a tarnished and controversial legacy hasn't helped, either). However, she was one of Jesus' most devoted followers, and is celebrated for her direct witness to Jesus’ resurrection. A woman whose path began in darkness and ended in pure light, her feast day is a perfect time to reflect on one's faith and devotion.  

Traditional Foods for Saint Mary Magdalene's Feast Day  

It is customary to enjoy lighter, elegant dishes that reflect Mary Magdalene's role in the Gospel. You can go several ways with this, but I do recommend the simple ratatouille below. It is filling yet easy on the body, full of flavor yet absolutely fresh in its ingredients. Try to get the freshest basil and vegetables possible — it's worth the effort! 

Provençal Ratatouille  

Ingredients:  

• 1 eggplant, diced 
• 2 zucchinis, sliced 
• 1 bell pepper, chopped 
• 1 onion, chopped 
• 4 tomatoes, chopped 
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 3 tbsp olive oil 
• 1 tsp thyme 
• 1 tsp rosemary 
• Salt and pepper to taste  

Steps:  

1. Heat olive oil in a large pan. Add onions and garlic, and sauté until soft.
2. Add eggplant and cook for 5 minutes.
3. Add bell pepper and zucchini, cook for another 5 minutes.
4. Stir in tomatoes, thyme, and rosemary.
5. Simmer for 20 minutes until vegetables are tender.
6. Season with salt and pepper. Serve warm with crusty bread.

July 26: Feast of Saints Joachim and Anne  

Who are Saints Joachim and Anne? 

Saints Joachim and Anne, the parents of the Virgin Mary, are celebrated as the “original grandparents.” Though we cannot assume they traveled and lived with Mary, Joseph, and Jesus throughout his life, we can absolutely assume their unconditional love and devotion to their daughter and her family. Today, grandparents Their feast day honors their faith and the upbringing of Mary.  

Traditional Foods for Saints Joachim and Anne’s Feast Day 

What better way to honor the feast day of such celebrated grandparents as a meal that is wholesome, traditional, and family-oriented? A simple roast chicken and vegetable platter is one of those meals meant to be served on Sundays with family all around the kitchen table. There are countless ways to enjoy this combination, and you may already have the perfect one in mind! 

Family-Style Roast Chicken and Vegetables  

Ingredients: 

• 1 whole chicken 
• 4 carrots, cut into chunks 
• 4 potatoes, cut into chunks 
• 2 onions, quartered 
• 4 cloves garlic, smashed 
• 2 tbsp olive oil 
• 1 tsp thyme 
• 1 tsp rosemary 
• Salt and pepper to taste  

Instructions:  

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a roasting pan, place the carrots, potatoes, onions, and garlic. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt, pepper, thyme, and rosemary.
3. Place the chicken on top of the vegetables. Rub the chicken with olive oil and season with salt, pepper, thyme, and rosemary.
4. Roast in the oven for about 1 hour and 30 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and the vegetables are tender.
5. Let the chicken rest for 10 minutes before carving. Serve the chicken and vegetables together.

Which July feast day recipes will you try?  

Preparing a feast for Catholic feast days in July not only honors the saints and their contributions to Christianity but also brings family and friends together. These Catholic feast day recipes provide a way to celebrate with delicious, meaningful meals. Embrace the tradition and enjoy the rich culinary heritage that accompanies these special days!

Did you try this recipe? Share your thoughts with the Catholic Mom community! You'll find the comment box below the author's bio and list of recommended articles.

Copyright 2024 Silvia-Maria Patalano-Ross
Images: Canva