Enjoy Part III of our summer blog series, curating suggestions for making the most out of the months of break. You can read Part I, ‘Nurturing a Love for Reading’ linked here, and Part II, ‘An Invitation to Wonder’, linked here.
“As the family goes, so goes the nation and so goes the whole world in which we live.”
– Saint John Paul II
As we approach the end of summer, I find myself savoring the sweet joys of the season: pool days that smell like sunscreen, summer BBQs, and carefree naps in the hammock. Each year, we anticipate this summer liturgy of sorts, finding comfort in the warm familiarity of these routines and traditions.
Summer rituals bring a joyful rhythm of memories for our families to reflect on. Routines, seasons, and liturgy create the rhythm from which our identity is composed. And, the beauty of our Catholic faith is that it provides us with the tools to make every day (not just the summer months) exciting! Our faith is rich with liturgical seasons, Feast Days, stories of the Saints, and more. When we invite Christ into the mundane, he makes life joyful, deep, and adventurous. Our faith isn’t limited to Sundays; when we genuflect and walk out of the sanctuary, we carry holiness home with us.
Children especially need the Truth of the Gospel to echo through their daily lives—from the kitchen to the wardrobe, from bedtime stories to family traditions rooted in the life of Jesus and His Saints. After all, the Truth is the Good News, and the greatest story ever told.
With one month left of summer, why not seize this precious time to cultivate a few faith-filled traditions that can carry into the school year? Here are four ideas to get you started.
4 Ways to Bring the Liturgy to Your Home
1. The Liturgical Calendar.
Example of Liturgical Calendar craft
We are so blessed to have the seasons in the Church! Some weeks are solemn, others more joyful and, just like our lives, the majority are ordinary. We get to reflect on Jesus’s story through this “seasonal lens”. Instead of the leaves turning, the vestments change, and our attention is called to something different and new. To anticipate and teach about these shifts, display a liturgical calendar in your home! You can buy one, or make one with your children. On the first Sunday of a new season, my mother used to wear the corresponding color to Mass and point it out to us. I still try to wear purple on the first Sunday of Advent!
2. Bedtime Stories of the Saints.
Who doesn’t love a good bedtime story? All children are drawn in by swords, heroes, and villains. But the most moving tales that truly impact little minds are those that tell of sacrifice, or even of martyrdom! My father read or told a story to me (and my four younger siblings) almost every night in my childhood. The tales of our Heavenly friends were always my favorite. While the mystique of Hansel and Gretel curiously intrigued me, the courage of St. Joan has continued to deeply enthrall me. The truthfulness of a saint’s story will inspire Faith and evoke a movement of the heart. The greatest part: these stories are riveting for the whole family. So, when bedtime rolls around, tell the story of a saint! Our dreams for holiness have to start somewhere.
3. Fasting & Feasting.
“Give us this day our daily bread”. Every day, we consume! We need to eat, and we love good food. What sparks our attention more than a grumbling tummy or the smell of a delicious meal? One simple way to direct the household hunger is to encourage fasting on Fridays (in remembrance of Christ’s Passion) and feasting on Sundays or feast days. On Fridays, your family could abstain from eating meat or you could invite your kids to give up a dessert as a small sacrifice. Or, perhaps the more exciting option, choose a few feast days to celebrate! Eat a meal from the region of the day’s saint or choose a recipe from this list to try out on the given day.
“Noon prayer at harvest” Theodor Christoph Schuz
For a feast around the corner, check out the delicious recipe ideas for Our Lady of Mount Carmel on July 16!
4. Liturgy on the Road.
If you are traveling this during these last weeks of summer, give Jesus a spot in the car! Listening to the Daily Mass Readings or praying the Rosary is a wonderful way to spend time on the road. If you are near a Catholic Church, stop in. Let your kids know that as Catholics, we will always have a home where the Eucharist is present. If you are near any Saints’ tombs, take a detour and make a visit! Our Faith has no boundaries. Traveling is the opportune time to expose your children to the universality of the Church!
Bringing the Liturgy into your home doesn’t have to be complicated or overwhelming. Start small, choosing one or two ideas that resonate with your family. Remember, the goal is to weave the richness and joy of our Catholic faith into everyday life! I still cherish the family rosaries (which were often interrupted by giggling siblings), spontaneously celebrating feast days with donuts, and my mom and dad asking us about the homily during breakfast after Sunday Mass! My parents had their hands full raising nine kids, and I am grateful for every little effort they made. These practices led me to understand that Christ is present with us in every moment. He is not a part of my week; He is in my family. This summer (and always), let your Domestic Church flourish, reflecting the beauty and joy of Christ in all you do. May your family’s journey of faith be filled with wonder, learning, and love.
Resources:
Liturgical Calendar for the home
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Recipes (July 16)
Lucy Frain is the Campus Minister at Holy Spirit Preparatory School.
