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There’s something deeply nostalgic and joy-filled about gathering around the grill in the summertime. The Fourth of July has always been a big outdoor cooking day for my family—we fire up the grill, lay out blankets, laugh a lot, and eat even more. This year, while the hamburgers and spiral hot dogs (recipe coming your way in another post!) were sizzling away, we tried something new: grilled corn with lime butter and ancho chili rub . And let me tell you—it was a hit with the whole family. Corn is in season right now, and if you've ever had it straight off the grill, you know it's practically a dessert on its own: sweet, juicy, smoky. Add a zesty lime butter, crumbly queso fresco, and a bold ancho chile rub? You've just turned it into a star dish. The best part? It’s actually really simple to make. No fancy techniques. Just fresh ingredients, a bit of prep, and a grill. Whether you’re brand-new in the kitchen or you’re a seasoned summer host, this recipe is approachable and guaranteed to impress. Ingredients 4 ears fresh corn, unshucked 1/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature 1 lime zested 1/4 bunch cilantro (use to your liking) Sprinkle of salt and freshly ground black pepper 1/4 pound queso fresco, crumbled Ancho Chili Rub (store bought or mix yourself) Ancho Chili Rub Ingredients: 1/2 tsp chili powder 1/2 tsp ground cumin 1/4 tsp paprika 1/2 tsp ancho chili pepper 1 tsp dried oregano 1/4 tsp garlic powder 1/8 tsp ground cinnamon Directions: Soak the corn in a large container of water for 1 hour. This keeps the husks from burning and helps the corn steam inside. Prepare the grill. Place the soaked corn directly on the hot grates and grill for 35 minutes, turning frequently. The corn is ready when it feels soft to the touch through the husks. While the corn is grilling, make the lime butter and Ancho Chili Rub: In a bowl, combine 1/4 cup softened butter, 1 lime zest, cilantro, salt, and pepper. Mix well and spread onto a plate. In a separate bowl combine the 1/2 tsp chili powder, 1/2 tsp ground cumin, 1/4 tsp paprika, 1/2 tsp ancho chili pepper, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1/4 tsp garlic powder, and 1/8 tsp ground cinnamon. Stir to combine. Spread the queso fresco on a separate plate. Once the corn is done, carefully peel back the husks (they’ll be hot!) and remove the silks. Roll each ear in the lime butter, then sprinkle on the queso fresco and Ancho Chile Rub Serve immediately on a large platter—and try not to eat them all before they hit the table! Whether you're grilling for the Fourth, a Sunday cookout, or a quiet dinner with friends, this recipe brings a little extra joy to the season. It’s festive, flavorful, and encourages us to step outside, gather around the table, and share something special with the people we love. Bring the festivity of the season into your cooking, and use moments like these to create community and memories. Watch the full cooking video here and subscribe for more ways to romanticize the seasons with your table, your time, and your faith-filled heart.

A Fancy-Feeling French Dessert for the Feast of Sts. Louis & Zélie: Gluten-Free Blueberry Clafoutis When you're looking to celebrate the feast day of Saints Louis and Zélie Martin, there's no better way to honor their French heritage than with a beautiful, simple French dessert. Enter clafoutis — a custard-meets-cake baked treat that looks and tastes elegant, but is surprisingly easy to make. This gluten-free version, adapted from the Savory Lotus blog, is light, wholesome, and bursting with fresh seasonal blueberries. Why This Dessert? July is the perfect time to make clafoutis. Blueberries are in season, affordable, and full of flavor — but feel free to swap them out for cherries (the traditional choice), blackberries, or sliced stone fruit if that’s what you have on hand. This version uses nourishing ingredients like almond and tapioca flour, full-fat coconut milk, and coconut sugar, making it suitable for many dietary needs without sacrificing taste or texture. And the best part? This is a one-blender recipe. Truly. Honoring Saints Louis & Zélie Saints Louis and Zélie Martin were a remarkable French couple who lived in the 19th century and were canonized together in 2015 — the first married couple to be canonized as a pair. They are perhaps best known as the parents of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, but their own lives were full of deep faith, sacrificial love, and holy example in the context of marriage and family life. Louis was a watchmaker; Zélie, a lace maker. Together, they raised nine children, five of whom became religious sisters. Their devotion to God and to each other is a shining example of how holiness can flourish in the everyday, even amid the challenges of parenthood and grief. Celebrating them with a sweet French treat like clafoutis feels both meaningful and accessible — and a lovely way to bring the liturgical year to life in your own home. Gluten-Free Blueberry Clafoutis Recipe Ingredients: Fat of choice to grease pan (butter, ghee, coconut oil, or avocado oil) 3 eggs 1 cup full-fat coconut milk 1/3 cup coconut sugar 1 tsp vanilla extract 1/2 cup + 2 tbsp blanched almond flour 1/4 cup tapioca flour Pinch of salt Sprinkle of cinnamon Zest from one lemon 2 1/2 cups fresh blueberries Extra lemon zest for garnish Directions: Preheat oven to 375°F Grease a 10-inch ceramic quiche pan or glass pie dish Arrange blueberries evenly across the bottom of the pan In a mixer, combine eggs, coconut milk, coconut sugar, vanilla, almond flour, tapioca flour, cinnamon and salt. Blend until creamy and smooth Stir in lemon zest by hand Slowly pour the batter over the blueberries Bake for 25-28 minutes, until golden on top and center is set Let cool before serving Garnish with a sprinkle of lemon zest A Sweet Way to Celebrate the Saints This clafoutis may look fancy, but it comes together quickly and easily — and it’s a perfect reminder that celebrating the saints doesn’t have to be complicated. A simple, wholesome dessert with a French flair is a joyful and tangible way to enter into the liturgical year. Plus, this healthier twist means we can feel good about sharing it with our families. You can watch the full cooking video over on the His Girl Sunday Instagram account , and if you’d like more liturgical living recipes like this one, don’t forget to subscribe! Bon appétit — and happy feast day!

As we step into June, we enter more deeply into Ordinary Time—a season that invites us to grow steadily in faith through the everyday rhythms of life. Far from being "ordinary" in the mundane sense, this liturgical season encourages us to find Christ in the quiet, in the daily tasks, and in the beauty of creation that flourishes this time of year. June is also uniquely marked by devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, a reminder of Christ’s boundless love and mercy. This month becomes a sacred opportunity to root our hearts more deeply in His. Liturgical living in June offers a beautiful blend of reflection and celebration. Throughout the month, we honor beloved feast days like Corpus Christi, the Nativity of St. John the Baptist, the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and, of course, the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart. These special days offer natural moments to pause, fast, feast, and deepen our devotion. Whether it’s through prayerful novenas, setting up small altars, or marking days with special foods and traditions, we’re invited to live our faith not just at Mass, but at our dinner tables, in our homes, and in our hearts. This blog post will guide you through ways to embrace June with intentionality and joy. You’ll find ideas for fasting and feasting, traditional seasonal recipes, simple decor to reflect the sacred themes of the month, modest and meaningful outfit inspiration, and devotions that can anchor your daily life in prayer. Whether you're just beginning to explore liturgical living or have been on this journey for years, there is something here for every Catholic home seeking to live June fully, heart to heart with Christ. To learn more about the Ember Days get my Rhythms of Fasting and Abstinence Companion ! The outfit and home decor slides were created with a lot of intentionality! Since June holds the dedication to the Sacred Heart but also the progression into Ordinary Time we went with red and green colors while also maintaining the His Girl Sunday vintage glam look. With touches of summer sunglasses and hats you can express the beauty of the faith in subtle yet stunning ways. Red Gingham Dress Wicker and Ribbon Hat Black Sunglasses Miraculous Medal Floral Grace Earrings Woven Shoulder Bag Floral Slide Sandals White and Brown Leather Tote Bag Linen Block Heel Polka Dot Dress Gold Twist Hoop Earring Blush Slim Oval Sunglasses Hair Scarf Green Floral Dress White Tulip Purse Floral Heels Green Hair Scarf Cabana Perfume Green Dishes Immaculate and Sacred Heart Medallions Floral Candle Sticks Rose Planters Cherry Candles Tablecloth Strawberry Glass Cups Gold Scalloped Bowls Wicker and Ribbon Basket Want to learn more about the liturgical year and how we can dwell deeply in the seasons? Subscribe for more ideas, theology, and tips or you can follow on IG or FB.

There’s something about July that feels both slow and vibrant all at once—long sunlit days, gardens heavy with fruit, and a rhythm that invites us to live a little more simply, a little more intentionally. In the heart of summer, the Church continues her quiet work in Ordinary Time, gently reminding us that even in the seeming stillness, grace is active, and growth is happening. July is traditionally dedicated to the Precious Blood of Jesus—a devotion that might feel unfamiliar at first, but is deeply powerful when we begin to reflect on the mystery it holds. It calls us to consider the depth of Christ’s sacrifice, the love poured out for us, and the invitation to live in that love daily. It’s a month that asks us not just to rest, but to rest in Him. This blog post will guide you through ways to embrace July with meaning. You’ll find ideas for fasting and feasting, traditional seasonal recipes, simple decor to reflect the sacred themes of the month, modest and meaningful outfit inspiration, and devotions that can anchor your daily life in prayer. Whether you're just beginning to explore liturgical living or have been on this journey for years, there is something here for every Catholic home seeking to live July fully, heart to heart with Christ. Learn more by downloading my Rhythms of Fasting and Abstinence Companion ! The outfit and home decor slides were created with a lot of intentionality! Since July holds the dedication to the Most Precious Blood, but also the progression of Ordinary Time we went with red and green colors while also maintaining the His Girl Sunday vintage glam look. With touches of summer updos and gold for our King, you can express the beauty of the faith in feminine yet stunning ways. Red Puff Sleeve Dress Vintage Gold Earrings Green Floral Earrings Green Silk Dress Floral Gold Necklace Gold Hair Bands White Lace Headband White High Heels Burgundy Flower Heels Gold Candlesticks Green Striped Tablecloth Want to learn more about the liturgical year and how we can dwell deeply in the seasons? Subscribe for more ideas, theology, and tips or you can follow on IG or FB.

As the rain of April gives way to the blossoming beauty of May, we enter a month that is traditionally dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. It’s a time of renewal, gentleness, and grace—perfect for refreshing our homes and gardens with Marian-inspired touches that reflect her beauty and holiness. To celebrate, I’ve curated a little collage of beautiful Catholic Marian products that evoke the spirit of this season—soft florals, serene blues, and delicate reminders of Our Lady. These aren’t affiliate links—I’m not sponsored or paid to share any of these. They’re simply pieces I found and loved, and that I personally would be delighted to decorate with. Whether you're looking to build a Mary garden, set up a home altar, or just bring a bit of gentle beauty into your daily surroundings, I hope this collection inspires you. Scalloped Wicker Planter Floral Garden Gloves Gold Floral Gooseneck Watering Can Brass Outdoor Thermometer Navy Floral Rain Boots Holy Family Garden Statue Cream Springtime Sweater Seed Starter Pack Garden Tools Wicker Basket Scalloped Clay Planters Praying Mary Garden Statue Blue Striped Patio Umbrella Marian Garden Flag I hope these pieces encourage you to create a space that’s both spiritually nourishing and visually uplifting. May your May be filled with beauty, prayer, and the sweet intercession of Our Lady, who always leads us gently toward her Son. Let me know if you’ve found any Marian treasures this season—I’d love to see them!

May is a month overflowing with meaning — in the Church, in nature, and in the home. In this blog post, I want to offer a well-rounded and deeply intentional approach to liturgical living during this sacred and vibrant season. In it you will see the rich feast days of May, from Marian celebrations to beloved saints, grounding each one in tradition and offering ways to observe them meaningfully with your community. We also highlight springtime foods that are naturally in season this month — not just for taste, but to connect us to God’s rhythms in creation and the nourishment He provides. You’ll find ideas for Marian-inspired home decor that invite beauty and reverence into your space, anchoring your domestic church in the grace of Our Lady. Plus, we share lovely dresses and clothing choices that reflect both Mary’s virtues and the freshness of spring, making even how we dress a quiet act of devotion. And let's not forget the fasts and penitential days either — because joy and sacrifice walk hand in hand. And we share liturgical living traditions that help bridge the sacred and the ordinary. This isn’t just a list of things to do — it’s a holistic invitation to live May with intentionality, rooted in the Church, inspired by the season, and centered on Christ through Mary. If you see something you like in the collage, look for the links! These are not paid partnerships, I just share them because I like helping you find beautiful things. Like the dress? Get it here ! Marian Inspired Blue Floral Tablecloth Daisy Wreath Milk Glass Pendant Light Blue Floral Pillow Covers Want to learn more about the liturgical year and how we can dwell deeply in the seasons? Subscribe for more ideas, theology, and tips or you can follow on IG or FB.

Want to learn more about the liturgical and Catholic customs that take place after a Pope passes away? Check out part one here and part two here ! And if you like learning the how and the why of our Catholic liturgical life, I invite you to join us on your favorite platform. You can subscribe to His Girl Sunday or follow along on Facebook or Instagram.

Want to learn more about the liturgical and Catholic customs of a conclave ? Check out the that blog post before you leave! And if you like learning the how and the why of our Catholic liturgical life, I invite you to join us on your favorite platform. You can subscribe to His Girl Sunday or follow along on Facebook or Instagram.

Want to learn more liturgical and Catholic customs when a Pope passes away? Check out the 2nd part in this mini-series. And if you like learning the how and the why of our Catholic liturgical life, I invite you to join us on your favorite platform. You can subscribe to His Girl Sunday or follow along on Facebook or Instagram.

By the time we reach the Fourth Sunday of Lent—Laetare Sunday—we can feel Lent’s weight. We’ve been fasting, praying, and giving alms for weeks now, and Easter still seems far away. If you’ve been struggling, you’re not alone. The Church, in her wisdom, knows that we need a little encouragement at this point, and that’s exactly what Laetare Sunday offers. This Sunday is different from the others in Lent. The penitential purple gives way to joyful rose vestments, the music may feel a little lighter, and the word “Rejoice!” (which is what Laetare means) is proclaimed in the entrance antiphon. But why? And how can we truly live out this joy in our homes and hearts? Let’s dive into the meaning of Laetare Sunday, its history, and some practical ways to celebrate it with your family. What Is Laetare Sunday? Laetare Sunday is the halfway point of Lent, a moment of joyful anticipation amid our penitential journey. The name comes from the opening words of the Introit (entrance antiphon) of the Mass: "Laetare, Jerusalem! Rejoice, O Jerusalem! Be glad for her, all you who love her; rejoice with her in joy, all you who mourn over her." (Isaiah 66:10-11) This isn’t just a nice thought—it’s a profound theological reality. The Church is telling us to lift our heads, to recognize that our sacrifices and sufferings are leading somewhere. Easter is near. The Resurrection is coming. We are not meant to dwell in sorrow forever , and even in the midst of penance, joy is possible. Liturgically, this Sunday mirrors Gaudete Sunday in Advent. Just as Gaudete Sunday gives us a taste of the joy of Christmas, Laetare Sunday reminds us that Lent is not meant to be endless gloom but a path leading us to the victory of Christ. A Little History: The “Golden Rose” Tradition Laetare Sunday has been marked by a special papal tradition dating back to at least the 11th century—the blessing of the Golden Rose. Popes would bless a golden rose and send it as a gift to Catholic rulers or significant churches, symbolizing the joy and hope of the season. This custom, though not as commonly practiced today, reinforces the idea that joy is a gift meant to be shared. The rose vestments that priests wear on this day connect to this same theme. The somber purple of penance is lightened, pointing us toward the glory ahead. The color reminds us that suffering and joy are intertwined —Jesus’ Passion leads to the Resurrection. Living Out Laetare Sunday in Your Home The liturgical life of the Church isn’t just meant to take place in the church itself—it’s meant to shape how we live in our homes, too. Laetare Sunday is an opportunity to pause, reflect, and bring a little foretaste of Easter’s joy into our everyday lives. Here are a few ways to do that: 1. Lighten the Atmosphere at Home Since Laetare Sunday is about lifting our spirits, let your home reflect that! Open the curtains, let in fresh air, set fresh flowers on the table, and maybe even bring out a pink candle or tablecloth as a nod to the rose vestments. 2. Enjoy a Slightly Festive Meal While we are still in Lent, the Church allows for a small reprieve on Laetare Sunday. If you’ve been abstaining from treats, consider making a special dessert—something light and joyful, like a fruit tart or a cake with pink frosting. A rosé wine or sparkling cider could also be a nice addition. 3. Pray the Laetare Introit as a Family Before or after dinner, read aloud the entrance antiphon: "Rejoice, O Jerusalem! Be glad for her, all you who love her; rejoice with her in joy, all you who mourn over her." Talk about what this means for your Lenten journey. How has Lent been going? Where have you seen God’s grace? Where do you need encouragement? 4. Reflect on the Joy of Salvation Take a moment to read John 3:14-21 or Ephesians 2:4-10 as a family or in personal prayer. These passages highlight the mercy and love of God, reminding us that our sacrifices are not in vain. 5. Acts of Joyful Charity One of the best ways to live out Laetare Sunday is to spread joy. Consider reaching out to someone who could use encouragement—a friend, a family member, or a fellow parishioner who might be struggling this Lent. A simple text, call, or even an old-fashioned letter can brighten someone’s day. 6. Reflect on What It Means to Rejoice in the Lord We often think of joy as an emotion, but in the Christian life, joy is a virtue, an interior disposition . Laetare Sunday invites us to recognize that even amid suffering, we have reason to rejoice—because Jesus has already won the victory. Take a Breath, And Let's Keep Going Laetare Sunday is a breath of fresh air in Lent, a day when the Church reminds us to press on toward Easter with hope. It’s a time to lift our heads, take a deep breath, and remember that the sacrifices we make are leading us to something glorious. So, as you go about your day, let joy find a home in your heart. Smile a little more. Laugh with your family. Pray with gratitude. And above all, remember—you are walking toward the light of Christ, and that is always a reason to rejoice. Laetare, Jerusalem! Would you like to celebrate Laetare Sunday in a special way this year? Let me know in the comments how you plan to bring joy into your home!

As Lent approaches, many of us are seeking to deepen our spiritual practices and draw closer to our faith. Whether you're looking for guidance, inspiration, or reflection during this sacred season, books can be invaluable companions on your Lenten journey. Idea: Household Book Stacks or Baskets Something that I like to do at the start of a new liturgical season is to freshen up our prayer corner with a book stack that fits the themes and topics we are approaching. For Lent, we delve into the usual trifecta of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, but we also give consideration to themes like self-discipline, communion with God, and transformative suffering. These seasonal stacks can be done for anyone in your household, whether it be for yourself, your spouse, or children. It's beneficial for everyone to sit and spend time with a good book. When I was teaching littles I would put together book baskets for the children with carefully chosen reading materials that would help them grow at an age appropriate level. They loved taking their little baskets to a cozy corner with pillows and stuffed animals to enjoy quiet reading time. Tip: Reading Routine and Timers Especially for children it might be helpful for you to set a regular reading time and I have found in my years as a teacher that having a reading timer is also useful to create positive expectations for how long quiet reading time will be. This will also give you the relatively uninterrupted quiet reading time that you need too. Here are some book recommendations to help enrich your Lenten experience. If there is a book that you'd like to share with us please put that in the comments. Apart from the cross there is no other ladder by which we may go to Heaven. -St. Rose of Lima Lenten Book Recommendations for Spiritual Growth Trusting in Jesus: This beautiful journal will help cultivate intentional prayer by providing daily Scripture and prayer prompts for the forty days (as well as the six Sundays) leading up to Easter, fostering joy and gratitude for what Jesus has done through His death and resurrection. Festive Faith: Festive Faith is a treasury of more than seventy festive traditions celebrated in various cultural groups during specific seasons or on particular days of our liturgical year. For each one, Aquila shares a brief history, a description of what the custom involves, and practical adaptations for celebrating it today. She tells you the why and the how of these traditions and shares tips on how to make them accessible, attainable, and authentic for everyone in your household, neighborhood, and parish communities. Divine Intimacy : This Book of Meditations is a classic and is seeped in Carmelite spirituality. For every day it offers two meditations, in liturgical arrangement, that enable the soul to enter the conscious presence of God and to reflect on the theme of the day. The Bible Lent and Easter Wisdom from St. Pope John Paul II : Each daily reflection--from Ash Wednesday through the Second Sunday of Easter--begins with thoughts from Pope John Paul II on some appropriate theme, supported by Scripture, a prayer, and a suggested activity for spiritual growth. Mary, Teach Me to Be Your Daughter : Offers inspiration to live out Mary’s virtues with prayerfulness and peace. You will find themselves drawn closer to the Blessed Mother and uncover new depths to their relationship with her and her Son. The Passion of Christ Through the Eyes of Mary : You will find two of the most stirring revelations of Christ’s passion and death ever recorded by Doctors of the Church—Saint Anselm, the Magnificent Doctor, along with writings attributed to Saint Bernard, the Mellifluous Doctor. These private revelations given by Our Lady will enhance one’s prayer life while drawing one deeper into the passion narratives of the Gospels. The Little Way of Lent : While reading the autobiography of St. Thérèse, Fr. Caster had an 'ah ha' moment that transformed his experience of Lent from one of narrow concern over what to give up to one of joyful freedom to enter into the sacrificial love of Jesus Christ. "What struck me," he says, "was her insistence on the way we do things for God and not the things we do for him. It wasn't about what I was offering; it was about why." In Sinu Jesu : In Sinu Jesu recounts the graces experienced in the life of one priest through the healing and strengthening power of Eucharistic adoration. At the same time, it issues an urgent call to all priests—and, indeed, to all Christians—to be renewed in holiness through adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament and consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Mediatrix of All Graces. Introduction to the Devout Life : A book to be read with pencil in hand again and again. It is a book to make your guide for the rest of your life. It goes to the heart of becoming good. Its aim is to help you be rid of sin and even the inclinations to sin. The Tears of Christ : "Jesus wept, not merely from the deep thoughts of his understanding but from spontaneous tenderness, from the goodness and mercy, the encompassing loving-kindness and exuberant a ffect ion of the Son of God for his own work, the race of man.'' This precious insight takes us to the heart of the interior life of St. John Henry Newman (1801-1890), from the treasures of which these meditations are offered as a devotional aid for the season of Lent. Life of Christ by Fulton Sheen : Hailed as the most eloquent of Fulton J. Sheen's many books. The fruit of many years of reflection, prayer, and research, it is a dramatic and moving recounting of the birth, life, Crucifixion, and Resurrection of Christ, and a passionate portrait of the God-Man, the teacher, the healer, and, most of all, the Savior, whose promise has sustained humanity for two millenia. Confessions by St. Augustine : The autobiography of his early life in a time of gratuitous indulgence and sin. Having rigorously engaged in such a life, before converting and being baptised into Christianity, Augustine is perhaps one of the most relatable saints of all time. The Screwtape Letters : C.S. Lewis gives us the correspondence of the wordly-wise devil to his nephew Wormwood, a novice demon in charge of securing the damnation of an ordinary young man. The Screwtape Letters is the most engaging account of temptation—and triumph over it—ever written.  “Indeed the safest road to Hell is the gradual one--the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts...Your affectionate uncle, Screwtape.” Tell me in the comments which of these books you've read and if any of them are your favorite. If you found this post helpful I invite you to subscribe for more or share this post. Every day I put out practical tips and tricks for engaging in the liturgical year with lots of theology to help you understand the "why." Welcome! 🙏

by Father William Saunders Shrove Tuesday is the last day of what traditionally was called "Shrovetide," the week preceding the beginning of Lent. The word itself, Shrovetide, is the English equivalent for "Carnival," which is derived from the Latin words carnem levare, meaning "to take away the flesh." (Note that in Germany, this period is called "Fasching," and in parts of the United States, particularly Louisiana, "Mardi Gras.") While this was seen as the last chance for merriment, and, unfortunately in some places, has resulted in excessive pleasure, Shrovetide was the time to cast off things of the flesh and to prepare spiritually for Lent. Actually, the English term provides the best meaning for this period. "To shrive" meant to hear confessions. In the Anglo-Saxon "Ecclesiastical Institutes," recorded by Theodulphus and translated by Abbot Aelfric about AD 1000, Shrovetide was described as follows: "In the week immediately before Lent everyone shall go to his confessor and confess his deeds and the confessor shall so shrive him as he then may hear by his deeds what he is to do in the way of penance." To highlight the point and motivate the people, special plays or masques were performed which portrayed the passion of our Lord or final judgment. Clearly, this Shrovetide preparation for Lent included the confessing of sin and the reception of absolution; as such, Lent then would become a time for penance and renewal of faith. While this week of Shrovetide condoned the partaking of pleasures from which a person would abstain during Lent, Shrove Tuesday had a special significance in England. Pancakes were prepared and enjoyed, because in so doing a family depleted their eggs, milk, butter, and fat which were part of the Lenten fast. At this time, some areas of the Church abstained from all forms of meat and animal products, while others made exceptions for food like fish. For example, Pope St. Gregory (d. 604), writing to St. Augustine of Canterbury, issued the following rule: "We abstain from flesh, meat, and from all things that come from flesh, as milk, cheese, and eggs." These were the fasting rules governing the Church in England; hence, the eating of pancakes on Shrove Tuesday. Keep in mind, for this same reason, Easter was celebrated with decorated eggs and fresh breads. Another interesting note surrounding the Easter egg, just as an aside, is that it symbolized the resurrection: just as a little chick pecks its way out from the egg shell to emerge to new life, so Christ emerged from the tomb to new and everlasting life. One last point: When the "carnival" or "mardi gras" became for some people a debauched party, the Church tried to restore the penitential nature of this time. In 1748, Pope Benedict XIV instituted the "Forty Hours of Carnival," whereby prayers were offered and the Blessed Sacrament was exposed in churches during the three days preceding Ash Wednesday. In a letter entitled, "Super Bacchanalibus," he granted a plenary indulgence to anyone who adored the exposed Blessed Sacrament by offering prayers and making atonement for sins. As we prepare to begin Lent, perhaps after a hearty dinner of pancakes on Shrove Tuesday, may we take time for extra prayer, particularly the Stations of the Cross, and various penances to overcome our weaknesses and to atone for our sins. Fr. Saunder is pastor of Our Lady of Hope Church in Potomac Falls. Copyright ©2004 Arlington Catholic Herald. All rights reserved.