Rosebuds and Stella Matutina Girls Camps, Phoenix
Some of the hottest days of July in Phoenix saw a group of about 50 girls age 7 to 12 running around in the priory of Our Lady of Sorrows.
What was going on? They were the participants of our “Rosebuds” camp, and were searching For a hidden treasure.
The protector of this year’s camp was Saint Francis of Assisi, since it was the 800th anniversary of his holy death. Saint Francis can be called an “Echo of Christ”, and so the girls were taught that they too, could imitate Christ, could be an “Echo of Christ” in everything they do during their day, Even while having fun. And fun they had: two days were barely enough to fit everything in: learning about the life of Saint Francis, treasure hunt, preparing a salt dough and after modeling it into little artworks, it was baked and colored. They had even more fun with water games and dances. The days started off with Holy Mass and the camp ended with the Benediction. Thanks to Saint Francis and to all the generous helpers!
Our annual camp “Stella Matutina” for girls hosted 42 girls age 12 to 18. The theme of the camp was “Go, and rebuild My Church”, words which Christ spoke to Saint Francis, and words He is saying now more than ever to every single one of us. The conferences of Fr. McFarland enlightened the young ladies on how to live a life as Catholics, and so help to rebuild the Church.
The girls lived in an atmosphere of joy and spirit of generosity, notwithstanding great sacrifices asked of them, as exhausting treasure hunts and Olympic games, day hikes and sunrise hikes; they competed against each in practicing virtue, trying to help each other, to be cheerful, and obedient.
Our hope is that they take this spirit back home and grow in their spiritual lives in an unfriendly world, becoming strong and faithful young women.
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Lively Summer Update
October 5, 2026
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What is a Stella Matutina Camp?
“Stella Matutina” — the Morning Star — is one of the oldest and richest Marian titles, one we use in the Litany of Loreto.
This phrase, drawn from Ecclesiasticus, is applied to Our Lady as the one who appears just before the dawn: visible while it is still dark, heralding a light greater than herself, and giving hope and direction to those still traveling in the night.
The spiritual image
She precedes, she does not replace. The morning star is not the sun. Mary’s whole significance, in this title, is that she points beyond herself to Christ, the “Sun of Justice” (Malachi 4:2). A camp is Marian in method, but ordered entirely to Christ as the end.
She shines in darkness. The morning star is seen before the light comes, when things are still obscure. Mary announced Christ’s coming before it was fully manifest — and by her ongoing role guiding souls through life to heaven above.
She gives hope to those still journeying. Sailors and travelers used the morning star to know dawn was near even while surrounded by night. If things may be dark now, the light is coming, and Mary, steadfast with love and hope, leads us to the light.
Smallness and humility. Unlike the sun, the morning star is faint — a small, quiet sign rather than an overwhelming one. Through Mary, children and youth are naturally drawn to littleness, hiddenness, and quiet fidelity to virtue in a spirit of love, grace, joy, and fraternal charity.
The camp’s spirit
Formation ordered to Christ through Mary — devotions, recreations, and daily life at camp through Mary point to the Sun she precedes.
Our Hope and joy living in the world — through our faith, hope and joy, we carry our examples into the world the way the morning star gives courage to travelers still in night.
Rising early — morning and night prayers, early Mass, Angelus, rosary, a rhythm of life tuned to the natural day as a symbol of the spiritual one.
Quiet, humble witness — the star is small and precedes something greater, and so we teach humility and fidelity to virtue preparing the way through Our Lady to Our Lord.
Mary as model and guide — our model of virtue and formation of character cultivating purity; our guide to the light, to the Most Sacred Heart; to God Almighty, author of Heaven and Earth. Deo Gratias!
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Deo Gratias!
The Consoling Sister
of the
Sacred Heart of Jesus
