Explore my liturgical living content!

Say a prayer for the feast of St. Catherine. Add this to your mealtime prayer or before bedtime! Bring your family and friends together around the table by making foods associated with St. Catherine. Get ready to prep your grocery list! Try my recipe for Clementine Cake here! Pass along the story of "The Lady With the Lamp." Remember these wise words from St. Catherine of Siena. Print out the quote or write in a place where everyone in your household can see it today. Bless your fire today in honor of her famous quote! Learn more about St. Catherine of Siena with these fast facts. Did you enjoy this post or find it helpful to your liturgical living? Share it with a friend! If you used any of the ideas, we'd love to see them on Facebook or Instagram. Post pictures and tag us!

A Catholic May Crowning is a traditional devotion wherein a statue or image of the Blessed Virgin Mary is crowned with a wreath of flowers. Typically this is done on May 1st, which is also known as May Day, but this can also be done anytime during the month of May which is dedicated to Mary. This ceremony is a way for all of us to honor Mary as the Queen of Heaven and Earth and to express our love and devotion to her as our Mother. Keep in mind that there is no official rite for a May Crowning within the home, classroom, or with a group. I have compiled this ceremony from various May Crownings that I have been to and felt were reverent, prayerful, and honoring of our Blessed Mother. Feel free to adapt and adopt what you need to for the needs of your household or group. Often a May Crowning will include prayers, hymns, Scripture readings, and reflections on the role of Mary in the life of the Church and in the lives of individual believers. And it is often accompanied by the recitation of the Rosary or other Marian prayers. Performing a May Crowning ceremony at home or with a group can be a beautiful way to honor the Blessed Virgin Mary, especially during the month of May. Here's a general outline of how you can do it: 1. Preparation: Choose a suitable location for the ceremony, such as a prayer corner, garden, or a room with a small altar. Gather a statue or picture of the Blessed Virgin Mary to crown. You can also decorate the area with flowers, candles, tablecloth, a crucifix, and any other symbols of devotion to Mary. Create a crown for Mary using real or artificial flowers. I have a step by step tutorial for making a real flower crown which you can watch in this video. Click the button below. I also have an heirloom crown that you can purchase here. Decide on whether or not you will incorporate a short procession. Print the prayers, hymns, and reflections that you would like the group to follow along with. Invite family members or friends to participate in the ceremony. 2. Selecting Participants: Choose someone to lead the prayers and Scripture readings. This could be a family member, a friend, or yourself. Select individuals to participate in the crowning. This could include children, family members, or friends. 3. Order of the Ceremony: Start together by taking a moment a silence to center yourself, your group, and your family for this time of prayer. Use the place where you will be crowning Mary as a focal point. The leader can begin with an opening prayer, asking for God's blessing on the ceremony and for Mary's intercession. Here are some examples: O Blessed Mother of God and our Mother too, protect our families and all the children of the world, especially the poor, hungry, and helpless. Teach us to remember that we are all brothers and sisters, children of God, now and forever. O God, who have been pleased to gladden the world By the Resurrection of you Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, Grant, we pray, that through his Mother, the Virgin Mary, We may receive the joys of everlasting life. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, One God, for ever and ever. Amen. As a group, recite the Rosary or a selection of Marian prayers. You can include prayers such as the Hail Mary, the Memorare, or the Hail Holy Queen. Let one of the participants read a passage from the Bible that honors Mary, such as the Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55) or the Wedding at Cana (John 2:1-12). Optional: Someone can offer a brief reflection on the Scripture reading or a few thoughts for the group to consider. Sing or recite hymns dedicated to Mary, such as "Hail, Holy Queen Enthroned Above" or "Immaculate Mary." If you have a procession, carry the statue or picture of Mary to the designated spot while singing or reciting one of the hymns mentioned above. Once at the spot, offer the Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Litany: Leader reads the title of Mary, the family members or group responds with “Pray for us!” Queen of Angels. . . Queen of Patriarchs and prophets. . . Queen of Apostles and martyrs. . . Queen of Confessors and virgins. . . Queen of all saints. . . Queen conceived without sin. . . Queen assumed into heaven. . . Queen of the Rosary. . . Queen of Peace. . . Leader: Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God. Group: That we may become worthy of the promises of Christ. Crown the statue or picture of Mary with a wreath of flowers. You can use real or artificial flowers for the crown. Conclude with the Consecration to Mary prayer, or another final prayer, and another Marian hymn. Encourage participants to spend some time in personal prayer or reflection. Remember to adapt the ceremony to suit the preferences and traditions of your group, and feel free to include any additional prayers or rituals that are meaningful to you. The most important thing is to approach the ceremony with reverence and devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. I pray that you were able to gather helpful ideas for bringing this time-honored tradition into your home. Tell me how it went in the comments or by sharing pictures with me on Facebook or Instagram.

The Essential Meaning of Holy Thursday Holy Thursday, also known as Maundy Thursday, is a significant day in the Church's liturgical calendar. It gets the name maundy from the Latin word "mandatum" which also means "commandment." In John 13:34-35 Jesus says, "a new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” In this way Jesus prepares us for what is to come, His death, and a life in which He will no longer be physically present on earth, but present through us, His Church. With that in mind Jesus institutes the Eucharist, shows us how to serve by washing the feet of his Apostles, and institutes the priesthood. All of these actions are essential components that we need to be united with Him through the sacraments and one another, this is what establishes the Church. We hear the words of the Last Supper at every Mass, "do this in memory of me," and not as in remember, but to be re-membered with Jesus' own body and that of the Church as the body of Christ. Liturgically Speaking Holy Thursday also concludes the end of Lent and the start of the Paschal Triduum which also embraces Good Friday, the Easter Vigil, and concludes on the evening of Easter Sunday. It is a time of solemn reflection on the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. By commemorating the events of Holy Thursday, we prepare ourselves spiritually for the remembrance of Jesus' crucifixion and his ultimate triumph over death. Holy Thursday Liturgy Highlights 1. The Last Supper: Holy Thursday marks the occasion of the Last Supper, where Jesus gathered with his disciples to celebrate the Passover meal. During this meal, Jesus instituted the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist by consecrating bread and wine, saying, "This is my body" and "This is my blood." He instructed his disciples to "do this in memory of me," and this establishing the practice of the Eucharist. 2. The Institution of the Priesthood: At the Last Supper, Jesus also washed the feet of his disciples, demonstrating acts of humility and service. This symbolizes Jesus' call to his followers to serve one another in love. Furthermore, it serves as a model for the priesthood, emphasizing the importance of humility and service in their ministry and vocation. 3. The Agony in the Garden: After the Last Supper, Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. It was here that he experienced intense anguish and distress, knowing the suffering and crucifixion that awaited him. Jesus' prayer in the garden reflects his submission to the will of God and serves as an example of surrender and trust in God's plan, even in the face of great suffering. This is where the tradition of visiting seven churches began and if you scroll down you can see more about that. 4. Altar of Repose: The altar of repose is an altar other than the main altar where the consecrated host is kept for adoration and reserved for use on Good Friday. Traditionally, the congregation will process to this altar towards the end of the Holy Thursday Mass to spend time in reflection and adoration with Jesus just as he asks his apostles to stay awake and keep watch with him. Notice that the liturgy didn't conclude? See the next point! 5. Start of a Three Day Liturgy: One of the interesting elements to the Holy Thursday liturgy is that there is no dismissal or final blessing. That is because the Paschal Triduum liturgy begins on Holy Thursday, but it doesn't until Easter Sunday. Are you thinking, that's four days? Let me clear that up for you. The Paschal Triduum is one liturgical celebration that encompasses three days. Beginning on Holy Thursday and ending the evening of Easter Sunday. You may be thinking, that's four, 1) Thursday, 2) Friday, 3) Saturday, 4) Sunday. Remember, the Church counts these days liturgically, so the “day” begins the evening before. Just as we read in Genesis, “evening came, and morning followed, the first day." Day 1: Thursday evening to Friday evening Day 2: Friday evening to Saturday evening Day 3: Saturday evening to Sunday evening The Origin Story Tradition says that the "Seven Churches" visited by St. Philip Neri and his friends were the seven ancient basilicas in Rome. These basilicas are considered significant sites in the history of Christianity and some Catholics even associate a meditation with each church and a scripture passage. Church One 1. St. Peter's Basilica (Basilica di San Pietro in Vaticano): Located in Vatican City, St. Peter's Basilica is one of the largest and most important churches in the world. It is built over the traditional burial site of Saint Peter, one of the twelve apostles and the first pope according to Catholic tradition. Reflection: Recall Jesus going from the Last Supper to His agony in the garden. Scripture: Luke 22: 39-46 Church Two 2. St. Paul Outside the Walls (Basilica di San Paolo fuori le Mura): This basilica is located outside the ancient walls of Rome and is dedicated to Saint Paul the Apostle. It is said to be built over the burial site of Saint Paul. Reflection: Recall Jesus being taken out of the garden by the guards and crowd to the house of Annas where He is interrogated. Scripture: John 18:19-22 Church Three 3. St. John Lateran (Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano): Officially known as the Archbasilica of the Most Holy Savior and Saints John the Baptist and the Evangelist at the Lateran, this basilica is the cathedral church of Rome and is considered the mother church of all Roman Catholic churches worldwide. Reflection: Recall Jesus being held captive in the house of Caiaphas where he is beaten and ridiculed. Scripture: Matthew 26:63-65 Church Four 4. St. Mary Major (Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore): Also known as the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, this church is one of the four major basilicas in Rome and is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is one of the oldest churches dedicated to Mary in the Western world. Reflection: Recall Jesus being brought before Pontius Pilate. Scripture: John 18:35-37 Church Five 5. St. Lawrence Outside the Walls (Basilica di San Lorenzo fuori le Mura): This basilica is dedicated to Saint Lawrence, a deacon in the early Christian Church who was martyred during the persecution of Emperor Valerian. It is one of the seven pilgrimage churches of Rome. Reflection: Recall Jesus being taken before King Herod where he is mocked and abused. Scripture: Luke 23: 8-9;11 Church Six 6. Holy Cross in Jerusalem (Basilica di Santa Croce in Gerusalemme): This basilica is located in Rome and is known for containing relics purportedly from the Holy Land, including soil from Jerusalem. Reflection: Recall Jesus being brought before Herod a second time where he is scourged and crowned with thorns. Scripture: Matthew 27: 22-26 Church Seven 7. St. Sebastian Outside the Walls (Basilica di San Sebastiano fuori le Mura): This basilica is dedicated to Saint Sebastian, a Christian martyr who was killed during the persecution of Christians under the Roman Emperor Diocletian. Reflection: Recall Christ carrying his cross and enduring a painful death. Scripture: Matthew 27: 27-31 Prayer Recommendations Overall, Holy Thursday is a day of profound significance for us, as it commemorates the foundational events of our faith, including the institution of the Eucharist and the priesthood, as well as Jesus' selfless example of service and his obedience to the will of God unto death. It is a time for reflection, prayer, and deepening one's commitment to following Christ's teachings of love, humility, and self-sacrifice. I pray that you have a blessed Paschal Triduum! If you participated in the seven churches tradition, share your experience with me so that I can share with others. Let's be a helpful inspiration to one another. You can tag me on Facebook here, or on Instagram here.

Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week, commemorating Jesus Christ's triumphant entry into Jerusalem. It's a time of reflection and celebration for Catholics as we seek to draw closer to Jesus in his passion, death, and resurrection. Engaging children in crafts related to this significant event can help them understand its importance in a hands-on, interactive way. In this blog post, we'll explore a sweet craft idea to make palm branches with the most precious palms of our children. My stencil hand print craft will surely create a memorable Palm Sunday for the entire family. Craft Supplies Needed: Construction paper (preferably green, but you can use any color) Scissors Pencil Tape Craft stick or popsicle stick (if you don't have this on hand you can use any stick like object like a plastic knife, paper towel roll, or a stick from outside) Washable markers or crayons for writing and drawing Instructions: Step 1: Prepare the Materials Gather all the necessary materials listed above. Ensure that you have enough space to work comfortably with the children, covering the area with newspapers or a protective sheet to prevent mess from the markers. Step 2: Trace Hands Have the children trace their hands 5-6 times. You may need to help them keep their hand in place or move the pencil around their fingers. Step 3: Cut Hand Prints Depending on the child's age, they may need assistance with this step. Once traced, carefully cut out the handprints. Step 4: Personalize the Palms Using a crayon or washable marker, personalize each palm by writing Palm Sunday phrases like "Hosanna," or prayers like "for grandma's heath," or they can draw on them. Let the creativity flow! Step 5: Assemble the Palm Branch Once all the components are ready, it's time to assemble the palm branch. Arrange the handprints in a fan-like shape to resemble palm leaves. Then, tape the palm leaf handprints to the popsicle stick or craft stick. Step 6: Play and Display Encourage the children to display their creations proudly, whether it's at home, in a classroom, or at a church event. If you do a family procession, have the children walk around waving their hand made palm branches. Creating stencil hand palm branches for Palm Sunday is a wonderful way to engage children in the observance of this important day in the liturgical calendar. Through this hands-on activity, children can learn about the symbolism of palm branches and reflect on the meaning of Jesus's entry into Jerusalem. Crafting together fosters creativity, strengthens bonds, and provides an opportunity for meaningful conversations about faith and tradition. So, gather your supplies, get creative, and enjoy making these memorable Palm Sunday crafts with your children. Did you make these? I'd love to see them! Tag His Girl Sunday on Facebook here, or Instagram here.

Y'all! I cannot believe how close we are to Palm Sunday and Holy Week! Where did the time go? I feel like we just started Lent and I was getting into that groove and now I'm switching gears again to get into all that Holy Week holds. All good things, but woah! I would love to hear about how you plan your Holy Week. Usually my husband and I sit down the week prior to Holy Week with our planners to discuss the traditions that we did last year and if we want to do them again, and what liturgies we are going to. We did a lot of these traditions before we got married with our own family and friends, which really made it easy to bring into our marriage, and now many of the traditions feel like second nature. We know the Holy Week routine, how it goes, and it gets a lot easier when the traditions actually become traditions as opposed to the earlier phases of adopting a tradition when we have to really reflect on whether or not it was helping or hindering our closeness to Christ. This may be the phase that you're in right now and that's great because it means you're trying new things and seeing what helps you give God a greater sense of praise! Keep going! I always get asked if there are any traditions associated with the Monday and Tuesday of Holy Week and the answer is yes, and they aren't just ideas drummed up in my own head, they are actual customs and traditions tied to the liturgical year. 😂 Below you will find a very digestible description for the meaning behind each day of Holy Week with a handful of attainable ideas to get you started. These traditions are also easily adaptable to fit your season of life. I recently had college students reach out to discuss how they can bring these liturgical living ideas into their current lifestyle, that is exactly what this is about! I love it! These traditions are for YOU, it doesn't matter if you're single, married, with children, without children, young, old, it doesn't matter, liturgical living and the church year is for you. You know how people say that Scripture fits us in every time of our life, that it is always relevant? Well guess what, the liturgical year is just like that, it's relevant in every part of our life because praising God and all that He has given us can and should be a part of our day to day. Before we get into it, you are always welcome to chat with me, tag me, or email me so that I can lift you up in your liturgical living. You can find me on Facebook here, Instagram here, or by subscribing to my website www.HisGirlSunday.com. Palm Sunday Try this full guide for liturgical living in the home on Palm Sunday. You can also make palm branches with the precious palms of your children. Use this craft guide! Do you need a recipe for Holy Thursday? Try my Garlic Lamb Loin Chops recipe. Want to try your hand at making Hot Cross Buns? I've got you covered, here is my recipe. Have you ever made Easter Bread? My recipe for this beautiful braided loaf is sure to impress!

There's something deeply comforting about the aroma of freshly baked bread filling the kitchen, especially when it's a beloved recipe passed down through generations. Irish Soda Bread is one such classic, a staple in Irish households for centuries. With its rustic charm and simple ingredients, it's a testament to the beauty of traditional baking. In this blog post, I'm excited to share with you my family's cherished recipe for Irish Soda Bread, perfect for any occasion and sure to evoke feelings of warmth and nostalgia. Did you know? Irish Soda Bread doesn't require any yeast, instead the dough relies on the reaction between the baking soda and the acidic buttermilk to rise. Irish Soda Bread has deep roots in Irish culture and history. It dates back to the 19th century when baking soda became a popular leavening agent in Ireland. Its popularity grew further during times of hardship, such as the Great Famine, when it provided sustenance to families with limited resources. St. Patrick's Feast Day Resources If you're looking for other ways to celebrate I have this DIY tutorial for Clover Pins, a traditional St. Patrick's Day morning custom, and this celebration guide. Just click the buttons below! Or you can read this sassy little St. Patrick's Day post where I suggested a beer, gasp, all in the name of trying to encourage you to use what you can, even if it is small, to celebrate the saints and live a festive Catholic life. 😊 Three essential tips for baking successful Irish Soda Bread: 1. Handle the dough gently: Irish Soda Bread is known for its tender crumb and rustic texture. To achieve this, it's crucial not to overwork the dough. Mix the ingredients until just combined and knead lightly. Overmixing can result in a tough loaf, so handle the dough with care. 2. Use fresh ingredients: Since Irish Soda Bread relies on the reaction between the baking soda and the acidic buttermilk to rise, it's essential to use fresh ingredients, especially the baking soda and buttermilk. Check the expiration date on your baking soda, and make sure your buttermilk hasn't soured. Fresh ingredients will ensure that your bread rises properly and has the best flavor. 3. Score the dough: Before baking, score a deep cross into the top of the dough. This not only adds a traditional aesthetic but also helps the bread to expand and bake evenly. Be sure to use a sharp knife and make the cuts deep enough to allow for proper rising during baking. This step is crucial for achieving a beautiful, evenly baked loaf. By following these tips, you'll be well on your way to baking a perfect loaf of Irish Soda Bread every time. Enjoy the process, and savor the delicious results! Who's ready to start baking a loaf of hospitality and fresh bready goodness? Prep Time: 15 minutes Bake Time: 45-50 minutes Servings: 12 Ingredients 4 1/4 cups unbleached flour 1 tsp baking soda 1 tsp salt 1 cup raisins (optional) 1/4 cup butter 1 3/4 cups buttermilk 1 orange, zested (optional) 1 egg parchment paper or cooking spray Directions Begin by preheating your oven to 375 degrees and taking out a dutch oven. You can also bake the bread in a greased cast iron skillet that is oven safe, or a sheet pan lined with a silicone mat or lightly coated with cooking spray. In a medium sized bowl, whisk together 1 3/4 cups buttermilk and 1 egg then set that aside for later. In a large glass mixing bowl, pour in 4 cups flour, 4 tablespoons sugar, 1 tsp salt, and 1 tsp baking soda then whisk the dry ingredients together. Slice the cold butter into cubes and using either a fork or a pastry blender mix the butter into the dry ingredients. Cut the butter into the flour mixture until it forms the size of small pebbles. Measure one cup raisins and pour them into the flour mixture. Then add in the zest of one orange and whisk to combine. Pour in the buttermilk mixture and using either a wooden spoon or a whisk mix to form the dough as much as you can. This is a rather sticky dough so I only got so far with the whisk before I floured both of my hands and combined the ingredients myself. Then, turn the dough out onto a floured surface and using the remaining 1/4 cup of flour form the dough into a round ball. It will be pretty sticky at first, that's normal, just keep rolling the dough into the flour and it will begin to form. After shaping your dough, you only have to knead it for about a minute. Irish Soda Bread will become hard if you over work it. Score the top of the dough with a very sharp knife in the shape of an X. I floured the knife a bit so that it wouldn't stick. Bake for 45-50 minutes or until the loaf is golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean. I technically had to bake mine for 48 minutes but keep an eye on it towards the end. Once the bread is finished baking I let it cool for about 10 minutes or so on a wire baking rack. Slice the bread and serve with butter or jam for spreading. *Use the picture by picture directions below and see the St. Patrick's Day prayer at the end. Enjoy! Note: Keep the butter in the refrigerator until it is time to use it. We want to cut in butter that is cold, not room temperature. Begin by preheating your oven to 375 degrees and taking out a dutch oven. You can also bake the bread in a greased cast iron skillet that is oven safe, or a sheet pan lined with a silicone mat or lightly coated with cooking spray. In a medium sized bowl, whisk together 1 3/4 cups buttermilk and 1 egg then set that aside for later. In a large glass mixing bowl, pour in 4 cups flour, 4 tablespoons sugar, 1 tsp salt, and 1 tsp baking soda then whisk the dry ingredients together. Slice the cold butter into cubes and using either a fork or a pastry blender mix the butter into the dry ingredients. Cut the butter into the flour mixture until it forms the size of small pebbles. Measure one cup raisins and pour them into the flour mixture. Then add in the zest of one orange and whisk to combine. Note: These ingredients are both optional, but they really do add a pop of fresh flavor. You could also use currants if you don't care for raisins. Pour in the buttermilk mixture and using either a wooden spoon or a whisk mix to form the dough as much as you can. This is a rather sticky dough so I only got so far with the whisk before I floured both of my hands and combined the ingredients myself. Then, turn the dough out onto a floured surface and using the remaining 1/4 cup of flour form the dough into a round ball. It will be pretty sticky at first, that's normal, just keep rolling the dough into the flour and it will begin to form. After shaping your dough, you only have to knead it for about a minute. Irish Soda Bread will become hard if you over work it. This is how it started! And this is how it looked when I placed it into the dutch oven lined with parchment paper. Score the top of the dough with a very sharp knife in the shape of an X. I floured the knife a bit so that it wouldn't stick. What is scoring bread? Scoring bread is the process of making shallow cuts or slashes on the surface of bread dough before it is baked. Bake for 45-50 minutes or until the loaf is golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean. I technically had to bake mine for 48 minutes but keep an eye on it towards the end. Once the bread was finished baking, I let it cool on a wire baking rack for about 10 minutes or so. Slice the bread and serve with butter or jam for spreading. St. Patrick's Day Lorica Prayer Did you make this recipe? If so I would love to see it, drop a picture in the comment or send it to me on social media, Facebook @HisGirlSunday or Instagram @steffani_hisgirlsunday.

When I was writing my book last year, one of the honors I had was to sit down with people from various cultural backgrounds and listen to their stories and traditions. Experiencing firsthand accounts from those who lived in Ireland and witnessed its traditions being brought to life was truly invaluable, and I'm immensely grateful for the opportunity. I've learned that it is one thing to hear about some of these recipes, experiences, and activities from the internet or other people who have learned about them, and it's another to hear them from those who have lived them. It really gave me a greater sense of pride and care for sharing these liturgical living traditions, especially when they are so intimately tied to a culture, because these are people's living experiences of the faith. These traditions communicate a person's story, and an expression of how people gave God and the saints praise, and are more than mere activities. One of the Irish traditions that was shared with me and is typically not done much anymore but used to be done in generations past is the clover pin. On the morning of St. Patrick's Day, no matter what day it fell on, everyone would celebrate by first going to Mass. While everyone was getting ready to go to church, the woman of the house would ask her husband or children to run outside and pick her fresh clovers to wear on her blouse or dress. This simple gesture ties together a feast day with faith and pride of country. And the way the children remember picking clovers for their mother is an endearing memory to behold, and I thought we could imitate and bring this back to life. The materials and steps are very easy to do and follow along with. Let's make a DIY Clover Pin to wear on the feast of St. Patrick. If you'd like to watch the tutorial, you can do that here! Materials Tape Safety Pin Clovers Scissors Twine or Ribbon Directions Step One: Tape your clovers together by wrapping a small piece of tape all the way around it until the clovers are secure. Step Two: Wrap the twine around the tape. To start, lay the end of the twine along the tape, then wrap the twine up and down the length of the clover stems. Step Three: Tape or glue the twine to secure the end. Step Four: Pin the clover to your blouse or dress and head off to your St. Patrick's Day Mass. Creating a Clover Pin is a delightful way to celebrate the feast of St. Patrick. This simple craft not only provides a festive activity, but also adds a touch of homemade charm to your liturgical living. So, gather your materials, unleash your creativity, and enjoy crafting your very own Clover Pin. And if you're not able to make your own pin because you don't have access to clovers, but you'd like to wear something with St. Patrick flair, we have this lovely necklace available. Just tap the picture! Did you enjoy making this craft? Let me know how it went by signing up to leave a comment.

As the month of March dawns upon us, the air fills with a palpable sense of excitement and festivity, especially among the Catholic communities worldwide. Amidst the vibrant green decorations adorning streets and the merry tunes of traditional Irish music, lies a deeper significance—the celebration of St. Patrick's Day. While it's often associated with parades, shamrocks, and all things Irish, the roots of this joyous occasion delve deep into the annals of Catholic history. St. Patrick's Day, observed on March 17th, commemorates the life and legacy of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. Beyond the revelry and reveling in Irish culture, this day holds a profound religious significance for Catholics, serving as a testament to faith, resilience, and the power of spiritual transformation. Embark on a journey with me to uncover rich Irish Catholic tradition through prayer, lore, food, and more! St. Patrick's Day Celebration Guide Did you enjoy this celebration guide or try out any of the traditions? Let me know how it went by signing up to leave a comment or sharing it with me on Facebook or Instagram.

Shamrock Shocker: Suggesting Beer for St. Patrick My Appreciation for a Legendary Saint Every month I create an all in one calendar for my liturgical living friends to see the feasts, fasts, activities, prayers, and meal suggestions for the month ahead. In February I created the March calendar and March is a month jam-packed with feasting and fasting. We are in the thick of Lent but there are also major saints to be praised like St. Patrick and St. Joseph. I am particularly fond of St. Patrick, I have a lot of Irish heritage from my dad's side and I've always been drawn to St. Patrick's story and the lore that has developed around him. When I was writing my book last Fall I finally took the opportunity to read the Confession of St. Patrick, a fascinating autobiography of his bold faith and how he converted Ireland. His feast day is steeped in tradition and while modern day Ireland might not be the practicing Catholic country that it was after the great efforts of St. Patrick, there are still a lot of cultural ties to their legendary patron. Sometimes I Rile Someone Up One of the things I suggested to do was to use his feast day as an opportunity to pray and perhaps share a beer. And as my family says when I've upset someone, "I went and riled 'em up." My suggestion was labeled "shameful," and I was told that this was a horrible way of honoring a saint that made some tremendous efforts for God. This really got me thinking about the impacts a simple feast day gesture like sharing a beer can accomplish. But first, and as you know, my mission is to share authentic expressions of tradition in a meaningful and attainable way. In Ireland, it's common and customary to share a beer for the feast of St. Patrick, along with a list of other things you can do which you can find in a separate post. I really strive to behold what cultures and communities do for days of feasting and fasting while breathing new life into it. And I also like encouraging you to partake in traditions that are within your reach. Big Dreams Made Achievable Of course in my big dreams of liturgical living as a parish and as a community we would all come together for the feast of St. Patrick to joyfully celebrate as Catholics with music, food, drinks, dancing, praying, and sharing tales of St. Patrick. I want more than anything for our liturgical living efforts to correspond to the tremendous efforts of the saints, and I often share that if we celebrated together then we probably could do more. The more people that are involved the more we can offer. Yet, my dreams have not yet been realized, and I may never get to see the fruits of what I believe is my life's purpose; to bring true festivity (festivity that honors God and life) back to the world and our communities. So in the meantime, liturgical living is coming to life by the individual efforts of one or two people within a household and because that is the case things need to be made achievable. I Am but a Mere Mortal For the feast of St. Patrick, you can honor him by going to Mass and then coming home to spend time in prayer, and sip a beer while reading the Confession of St. Patrick, wearing green, sharing the lore of the clover with your household, or eating traditional Irish soda bread. These are things that you are completely capable of doing and each one of those expresses liturgical and cultural tradition. Sure, these may seem like measly expressions of celebration in comparison to a saint that was captured by pirates and enslaved for many years, then sought out the priesthood, became a bishop, rebuked a corrupt culture of druids, and converted an entire country. My mind is blown just reading back that list of events. I can't even get some parishes to live the liturgical year; a significantly smaller leap than converting pagans to Catholicism! 😜 St. Patrick received his reward for those extraordinary efforts from God, a God who can reciprocate love for His children in an extraordinary way. God's affirmation completely corresponds and even surpasses the tremendous efforts of a saint. I am but a mere mortal, with mere mortal means of celebrating. In my human way of celebrating, God provides me with the means. It is God that provides the ingredients for a feast day meal, for beer, for gatherings, for the day, etc. I simply use what God has offered me to return praise to Him. And isn't that so profound to consider that even our own efforts to live liturgically are truly only possible because God provides what is needed. This very idea probably needs to be its own separate post. A "Corresponding" Form of Praise And so the question came to me, what is the highest and greatest form of praise that I can offer on a feast day? The answer to that is simple, the Mass, and not so ironically the only reason for that is because we don't solely offer the work of the Mass by our own efforts. The liturgy is not only, "the work of the people," as many will singularly define it. It is also the work of God in which we, the Church, participate. And that is because we cannot accomplish our own salvation, we will always need God to make the perfect offering. Then, we take this ritual celebration which we experience in the Mass and the sacraments and we try to pull that into our daily life, hence liturgical living. And Then There's Beer I suppose the best suggestion I could give for every saint's feast day is for you to live liturgically by going to Mass, but that would make for an easily predictable newsfeed wouldn't it? 😉 Of course the Mass should be a part of any good Catholic celebration, but we can also honor God and the saints by utilizing what God has given us and what we delight in. In fact, most traditions associated with a feast day are expressions of people partaking in the things they enjoyed as a whole community. The Irish like to celebrate special occasions with a beer, so it is only natural that if they are marking the feast of St. Patrick that they share in something they enjoy. Many practicing Irish Catholics will tell you that they will have a beer for the feast of St. Patrick, and this goes without saying but of course in moderation, don't get drunk, do the right thing, etc. It is good to participate in festivities with things you enjoy because it is human. It is human to celebrate! Celebration is an expression of joy, connection, and cultural belonging. As humans we have a natural inclination to mark significant events and milestones whether personal, communal, or in our faith life. These days of feasting and fasting bring us together and give us an experience to express our emotions, bind us together as a Church, and create lasting memories. When we celebrate together we are connecting not only to one another but to God, and in this way life is given meaning! This is what a beer accomplishes on the feast of St. Patrick, it's what fish accomplishes for the Italian community on Christmas Eve, and it's what molding a lamb out of butter does for the Polish community on Easter. How can sharing a beer correlate to the greatness of a world renowned saint like St. Patrick? By, hopefully, drawing us out of our mundane, ordinary lives to be with other people in Christian community so that we can express some real emotion for the saints and be reminded that our lives have greater meaning when joyfully lived together in faith. I pray that you will spend this feast day trying to go to Mass, saying a prayer in your home with your loved ones, and sharing a dang beer with your friends for goodness sake! Get out of the house and rejoice over the saints. These small forms of celebration can draw us to show our faith to a world that desperately needs God and the profound example of St. Patrick.

Nix "Family Life Ministry" & Do This Instead What Every Parish Priest, Employee, & Parishioner Should Know This is something that I wish that I could tell every single priest, parish employee, and parishioner. This message is just as much for you because you belong to a parish. I feel so passionately about community wide liturgical living, Catholic culture, and interpersonal faith connections through the liturgical year. I truly and fully believe that if we could do what I'm about to share with you that it would change up the dynamics of our parish communities. For context, I've been in ministry since I was 19 years old. I took my first job at that very young age and have held a variety of ministerial and administrative jobs within Catholic schools and parishes for 15 years now. You can now do the math on my age! I have a lot of experience in this area and have seen where ministerial efforts go well, where they are stagnant, where they are dying, and what's contributing to those results. Stop Saying Family Life Ministry I feel bold in saying this, not because this is groundbreaking, but because it seems that if anyone else has noticed what I'm about to share they aren't saying it. As a Church we haven't done a good job of opening our minds to understand what the word family means when we talk about "family life ministry." Most parishes have "family life ministry" and in some parishes you might find "parish life ministry" and only one parish that I know of has "liturgical life ministry" because I was given the gift to be able to start it myself. I want to share why I think we need to stop calling "family life ministry" by that title, even though I'm for what is going on in that ministry. Much of what takes place in that ministry is actually liturgical living: communal prayer, devotions, activities, feast day celebrations, engaging traditions, etc. tied in to the liturgical year. Yet, when the only "open invitation" (i.e. an event not belonging to a specific ministry group) at our parish is called "family life ministry" those who do not fit a specific view of family, that being parents with small children, feel as if they don't know if they can go. That is an overwhelming amount of our parish population not attending communal experiences. You may immediately think I am talking about single people and those without children. This is indeed true, but ironically the non-attending population also includes the more "stereotypical" type of family, parents who have children that are older or are teenagers, but they don't go either because the name of the ministry itself insinuates that these experiences are for parents with young children. Next time you have a family life event observe whether or not there are elderly people there, single people, young adults, teens, married couples without children, etc. You'll see what I'm referring to. What I have witnessed, is that those who don't attend "family life ministry" end up seeking to form their own break off groups just to do those same things happening in "family life ministry" with people in their own season of life. This indicates to me that we have our wires crossed. For example, I got an email from a gentleman who wants to start an adult group to do a lot of liturgical living type things: prayer, service, communal celebrations, feast day gatherings, going to Mass together, etc. When he emailed, he explained that he wasn't sure if it should just be an adult group open to everyone, or if it should be a group for singles. Here's my response to that. If someone is starting a Catholic singles group, or any specific group for that matter, that's great and mostly a separate topic of conversation from the point of this post which I'll get to next. It is necessary and good to have more specific ministry groups in which those in similar circumstances or life experiences can relate to one another. As a Church we are very good at doing specified ministry groups. It's no surprise because they tend to be more clear cut, straight forward, and simpler when planning the mission and goals of the group. For example, the point of a singles group is to meet other singles, so the activities and opportunities will be geared towards that end. On the other hand, if the goal is to create an adult group that is open to everyone, that tells me that we've missed the mark on our "family life ministry" or "parish life ministry." You see, his proposal just reiterated to me that it's not clear in the name or the mission because if it were there wouldn't need to be another "open invitation" group for adults. This is where we need to embrace the messiness of gathering as an entire parish community. We sometimes hesitate to do things where the age range might be too wide, or the cultures may vary, or the season of life might not be the same as another. Embrace the mess, that's the beauty and reality of being a Catholic village. We are better when we are together and we are enriched by the lives of others. If we can go to Mass and the sacraments as a mixed group of parishioners, then we should be able to extend that similarly into our communal life. It's in the Name: The Liturgy Gives Our Parishes Life I think all "family life ministry" and "parish life ministry" should be given the same name across the board, and I think it if were between one name or the other it needs to be parish life. Parish life better communicates and welcomes in anybody and everybody that belongs to the parish to join in on whatever is going on. An even better expression of this, in name and in mission, would be to call your "family life ministry" or "parish life ministry" by the name "liturgical life ministry." Every opportunity that we take as a community to pray, eat, engage in tradition, celebrate a feast day, live the seasons, embrace a devotion, etc. is an extension of the Church's liturgy. There is nothing more central to our faith than the Mass and the sacraments, and these liturgical celebrations are what gives life to the Church. The liturgy gives our parishes life! And this is why I think we need to nix family life and even parish life ministry for liturgical life ministry. We have tried through our own efforts to create community through family life and parish life but guess what, God has already done that through the liturgical year. We just have to get together to share in that with one another. Communal liturgical life works because God established it and what He creates is good! What's a Family? We could also stand to help ourselves and our parish friends see and know the many ways that a family can take shape. Different families are different. Some families are elderly couples who have kids that are grown and gone, some are married couples with 10+ kids, 2+ kids, and everything in between. Some families are married couples without children, others are single parents with children. Even single people get put in our parish database and viewed as a "family member" of the parish. This seems obvious, but often when families don't fit into a specific box or view they end up siloed. It's not intentional, but it is in fact happening. The common parish response has been to just create more break off ministry groups for each of these different populations. I am saying, it's not wrong to do that, but people are craving community and it is our responsibility reach out to one another. I would love to be at a parish wide event with the seniors, with the littles, with people my age, and with those who come from a different culture. Living and celebrating the faith as a village nourishes our humanity, and shows us the bigger picture that we are all on the same road to sainthood and we can all be in Heaven together one day. Here's What You Can Do I am imploring you, help your parish life/family ministry. Advocate for this to be "liturgical life ministry" and share how it can be a lived experience of the liturgical year and of each other. This is how we build Catholic culture, when we come together and celebrate a certain way, at certain times, on certain days, it's a common expression that is done together. And it has to be done together! Liturgical life ministry will get at the core of liturgy and ritual celebration for God, self, and other and we need to do that together. Pulling a variety of generations together can only help to give life to our community because everyone has their own gifts to offer. If you need help with this I invite you to send me an email at steffani.hisgirlsunday@gmail.com or follow me on Facebook or Instagram so that I can offer you support. I welcome you to connect me to your people so that we can do this as a team. I've been blessed with many opportunities to help people revamp, change, or nourish their parish community life programs and I can do the same for you. Let me know what questions you have in the comments. Finally, know that I am praying for you and the liturgical life of your parish!

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 Bitter and Sweet: 7 Weeks of Daily Readings, time-tested practices, and ancient wisdom. Each day within those weeks has has a scripture reading suggesting to go with it, a question for you to ponder, a prayer, and a song recommendation to listen to. 40 Days With Jesus: 7 week study that will help you connect the dots between Old Testament prophecies about Jesus and the life of Jesus in the New Testament, explain the ministry of Jesus as recorded in the gospels, and provide a refreshing, in-depth study of familiar passages that will renew your passion for the good news of the gospel. Men Women Heart of Christ: 40-day collection of devotionals, poems, and prayers to walk the believer into deeply knowing the person of Jesus Christ. 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 affection 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! 🙏

Candlemas Lefse and Lemon Curd "Candlemas is celebrated forty days after Christmas, on February 2nd, and commemorates the Feast of Presentation of Jesus at the Temple, also known as the Purification of Mary. These forty days are twofold: the first reason being that Mary and Joseph presented their firstborn son, Jesus, in the Temple in Jerusalem forty days after his birth. This is also the timeframe that a woman needed to be purified after birth. For Catholics, Candlemas also marks the end of the Christmas season in the traditional calendar. It is customary on Candlemas to bless candles that will be used throughout the liturgical year in the parish and in the home. The candlelight is significant in that it represents the last feast of the season of light and represents an outward and visible sign of Christ who illumines our hearts. For many, February 2nd is also Groundhog Day, determining whether winter will continue for an additional six weeks. I live in the area in which the 1993 film with Bill Murray by the same name was filmed, so Groundhog Day is a big deal here! What I love most about this day though is the promise of Spring. In the Midwest, we are still often battling frigid temperatures and snow. But by February I'm ready to get seeds started inside and moved into the greenhouse as soon as possible. Lemon recipes at this time of year remind me of warmer, hands in the dirt, sunny days ahead. Lemon curd is super simple to make and only uses four ingredients. It can be used as a filling in cakes or pies, in layered desserts like parfaits, or my favorite as a spread on toast, English muffins, and lefse. Lefse is soft Norwegian flatbread made out of mashed potatoes. In a move that would appall my ancestors, I use instant mashed potato flakes. In France, crepes are traditionally served on Candlemas. Their round shape and golden color symbolizes the sun, and warmer days to come. As a proper Scandinavian growing up in Minnesota, lefse, though a little heavier than crepes, represents the same thing. I love the contrast of the heaviness of the lefse against the lightness of the lemon curd. It reminds me that following the long winter, spring will come. The light, the sun, and the Son will come again." (Elizabeth Baker, Catholic Mama's Liturgical Living) I am so honored to have Elizabeth share her recipe for the feast of Candlemas. She is one of the women who manages Catholic Mama's Liturgical Living, a Facebook group that creates community and practical support for women seeking to bring the liturgical year to life in their home. A big, warm thank you for being a guest contributor at Liturgy Kitchen. (candlemas lefse and lemon curd) Lemon Curd Prep Time: 10 minutes Lemon Curd Cook Time: 10 minutes Lemon Curd Yields: 1 Cup Lefse Prep Time: 10 minute and overnight chilling Lefse Bake Time: 15 minutes Lefse Yields: 8-10 Pieces Lemon Curd Ingredients 3/4 cup sugar 2 eggs 2 egg yolks Juice and zest of three lemons 6 tablespoons cold butter Instructions Whisk sugar, eggs, and egg yolks in a heavy bottom saucepan until light pale yellow Add juice and zest Cook over low to medium heat until thick and bubbly, 5-7 minutes Pour mixture through fine-mesh sieve Stir in butter one tablespoon at a time until melted The curd will thicken as it cools Store in refrigerator Lefse Ingredients 1 1/2 cups instant mashed potato flakes 1/2 teaspoon of salt 2 tablespoons butter 1/2 cup water (approximately) 1/2 cup milk 1 cup flour Instructions Mix salt and potato flakes in a medium sized bowl Put butter in a 1/2 cup measuring cup and add water to cup to fill Place is small saucepan and bring to a boil Pour over potatoes and mix with a fork Add milk and flour and mix thoroughly Cover with plastic wrap and cool for about one hour After cooled roll into 1 1/2 inch sized balls Cover tightly and refrigerate overnight On a floured surface roll thinly with a rolling pin Cook on skillet or griddle over medium to high heat, approximately 1 minutes each side until there are light brown spots Check out this delicious food! We're eagerly anticipating the opportunity to present a heartfelt meal for the celebration of Candlemas. Did you make this recipe? If so, we would love to see it. Drop a picture in the comment or send it to us on social media. Want to be a part of Elizabeth's liturgical living group? Join here! Catholic Mama's Liturgical Living And if you're not following along with the Liturgy Culture & Kitchen community, I welcome you to a seat at the table. His Girl Sunday Facebook His Girl Sunday Instagram For more resources on building Catholic tradition, check out the blog section of my website or follow me on Facebook or Instagram to see what Catholic things I am doing to make our day to day life more celebratory.