Celebrating the Liturgy at home
What makes us Catholic? Going to Mass, celebrating the Sacraments, trying to live a life of discipleship? Yes, to all of those. But it is also the "smells and bells" -the Catholic customs and traditions we incorporate into our daily life. For example, there are many different customs when celebrating a Saint's feast day. The key is to find the right fit for your family and start including these Catholic customs into your daily life.
Maybe your family will pick one Saint a month to learn about and discover how your family can look to him or her as an example for how to live a life centered around Christ. On the Saint's feast day, celebrate the day with a special dinner and daily Mass (if possible) or a special prayer. Maybe you'll pick feast days based upon your family's ethnic roots. Did your family immigrate to the U.S. from a Scandinavian country? Then perhaps your family should start observing St. Lucy's Day on December 13. Or maybe your family will pick patron saints based upon your interests. Are you a musical family? If so, St. Cecilia is the patron of musicians, and her Feast Day is November 22.
Are there Catholic customs or traditions that your family used to observe during holidays that have fallen out of practice? Bring them back! Start to use an Advent Wreath at dinner each night during the Advent season to help keep your children's focus on Jesus- the reason for the season- and not the presents under the tree.
Our family is primarily of German and Austrian descent. So, using the Advent Wreath (a custom that started in Germany) is a big deal for us- it's not Advent without the wreath! We also don't get the Christmas tree until the last possible moment (when the Christmas tree farm closes!) and leave it bare until Christmas Eve. The Christmas Tree symbolizes the everlasting life we receive through Jesus Christ and the waiting to decorate is in harmony with our waiting for the Christ Child and His Second Coming during the season of Advent.
So, what will your family do to celebrate the Catholic faith at home? We've added info about the Saints on our Faith Formation Calendar- use it to help your family pick a patron saint and then do some more research on them. Catholic.org is a good resource for information on the saints of the Church. And Catholicicing.com is great for ideas for faith activities and traditions to start with your children. Also check out CatholicFamilyCrate.com!
The Catholic customs you celebrate within your home will be treasured memories and traditions your kids can share with their own children one day. So don't wait- start some new- or revive some old traditions today!
Maybe your family will pick one Saint a month to learn about and discover how your family can look to him or her as an example for how to live a life centered around Christ. On the Saint's feast day, celebrate the day with a special dinner and daily Mass (if possible) or a special prayer. Maybe you'll pick feast days based upon your family's ethnic roots. Did your family immigrate to the U.S. from a Scandinavian country? Then perhaps your family should start observing St. Lucy's Day on December 13. Or maybe your family will pick patron saints based upon your interests. Are you a musical family? If so, St. Cecilia is the patron of musicians, and her Feast Day is November 22.
Are there Catholic customs or traditions that your family used to observe during holidays that have fallen out of practice? Bring them back! Start to use an Advent Wreath at dinner each night during the Advent season to help keep your children's focus on Jesus- the reason for the season- and not the presents under the tree.
Our family is primarily of German and Austrian descent. So, using the Advent Wreath (a custom that started in Germany) is a big deal for us- it's not Advent without the wreath! We also don't get the Christmas tree until the last possible moment (when the Christmas tree farm closes!) and leave it bare until Christmas Eve. The Christmas Tree symbolizes the everlasting life we receive through Jesus Christ and the waiting to decorate is in harmony with our waiting for the Christ Child and His Second Coming during the season of Advent.
So, what will your family do to celebrate the Catholic faith at home? We've added info about the Saints on our Faith Formation Calendar- use it to help your family pick a patron saint and then do some more research on them. Catholic.org is a good resource for information on the saints of the Church. And Catholicicing.com is great for ideas for faith activities and traditions to start with your children. Also check out CatholicFamilyCrate.com!
The Catholic customs you celebrate within your home will be treasured memories and traditions your kids can share with their own children one day. So don't wait- start some new- or revive some old traditions today!