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In honor of the Irish folklore and tradition which surrounds the feast of St. Michael the Archangel, we make an annual blackberry dessert. Last year I made cobbler which you can find here, and if you'd like a full guide to celebrating this feast day you can find that here. If you are here for the first time or have never heard the story, it goes like this. It is said that when Satan was kicked out of Heaven that he landed in a blackberry patch! He returns every year to curse and spit on the fruit that he landed on, making them sour so they cannot be picked after the feast of Michaelmas. This custom intriguingly springs forth from the natural cycles because blackberries are typically in season from May to September. To the delight of my wallet, blackberries were also on sale because of this reason, so we stocked up for the upcoming feast day. Blackberry turnovers are on the menu this year and I chose them because it's inevitable that as we transition into Fall I crave pies. A turnover is technically made with a puff pastry but to make my feast day baking simpler I use store bought pie crust. Often when turnovers are made with pie crust they are then called "hand pies." My husband thinks they resemble one of his favorite Italian foods so in my house they are jokingly referred to as "fruit calzones." This is all I can think of... Tie up your apron and let's get started! Prep Time: 20 minutes Bake Time: 17 minutes Yields: 10 servings Ingredients 2 and 1/2 cups fresh blackberries 1/3 cup granulated sugar 1 lemon zested 1 tablespoon and 1 teaspoon cornstarch 2 store bought pie crusts 1 egg, whisked, for egg wash Granulated sugar, for topping Begin by preheating the oven to 400 degrees and take the pie crust out of the wrapper to sit on the counter until room temperature. While the oven is heating, place 2 1/2 cups blackberries, 1/2 cup sugar, 1 lemon fully zested, and 1 tbsp & 1 tsp cornstarch. To release a little bit of the blackberry juice into the mixture, I lightly pressed on them with a fork. Don't mash them! Mix these ingredients together and set them aside for 10 minutes while you prepare the pie crust. Using a 4-5 inch bowl, cut out small circles in both pie crusts. You can use the scraps from both pie crusts to make a few more cut outs. Spoon your blackberry mixture into the center of the small pie crust circles. Don't over do it or the blackberry juice will pour out making it hard to seal the edges. Fold the crust in half and use your hands to press the edges together. Then use a fork to crimp the seal, and a knife to cut two small slits in the top so the steam can escape. Place them on your lined baking sheet so that it looks like this! Use your egg wash to brush the tops of each hand pie. If you want to add a splash of water into your egg wash you can do that too before brushing on. Bake for 15-17 minutes or until golden brown. Serve as is or with a scoop of ice cream and pray the St. Michael the Archangel prayer with me. Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil; May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; And do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan and all evil spirits who wander through the world for the ruin of souls. Enjoying your blackberry turnover/ hand pie/ fruit calzone? Share it with me on social media or in the comments so that I can see it. FB: @hisgirlsunday IG: @steffani_hisgirlsunday

On September 29th we celebrate St. Michael and the archangels. This is a very honored feast given the amount of devotedness that surrounds St. Michael, but is also a day that follows the Fall Ember Days, and ushers in the Fall season. For those that are unfamiliar with the Ember Days you can see my most recent post below to learn more about them. I've noticed a funny little difference in how Catholics pronounce the name of this feast day. Many Northern Catholics say (Mickle-mas) and a lot of Southern Catholics say (Mai-kle-mas). How do you say it? You can tell me in the comments! What's in this guide? A Brief About What to Eat How to Decorate Ways to Pray St. Michael's Lent Who is he? St. Michael is the archangel who fought against Lucifer, the fallen angel, and cast him out of Heaven. Did you know that today was a holy day of obligation until the 18th century? A few years ago I read Lamb’s Supper by Scott Hahn with my honors Theology students. In the book he touches on angels and the spiritual warfare that goes on with little to no awareness on our part. We were all intrigued by this point, that there is a battle for our souls which the angels of God are fighting for us and with us. Many of my students explained that they had just simply, never thought about it before. This is a great day to begin contemplating that reality on our own and with our families, and to give thanks for the many supernatural things they do on our behalf. What to eat? 1. Blackberry Desserts Have you heard of this traditional Irish folk tale about St. Michael and Lucifer? It is said that when Satan was kicked out of Heaven that he landed in a blackberry patch and he returns every year to curse and spit on the fruit that he landed on making them sour so they cannot be picked after the feast of Michaelmas. This story intertwines beautifully with the agrarian cycle given that blackberries are only in season from May to September. Every year around this time when I plan for our annual blackberry dessert tradition they are on sale at our local grocery store. Last year I made Blackberry Cobbler which you can find here. And this year I'll be making blackberry turnovers, which my husband calls fruit calzones. 😂 Nothing is sacred... 2. Carrots Scottish custom explains how they would dig a triangular hole in the ground which represented St. Michael's shield so that they could better access the root of the carrots while harvesting them. Here are some carrot recipes that I recommend. Honey Glazed Carrots Roasted Carrots with Garlic Breadcrumbs Whiskey Glazed Carrots 3. Goose He who eats goose on Michaelmas day; Shan’t money lack or debts pay. The tradition of eating goose on Michaelmas comes from certain areas within the United Kingdom, in fact some still refer to the feast of St. Michael as "Goose Day." A couple of legends point to the origins of this story but without entire certainty as to which was true. The first story states that when Queen Elizabeth I heard of the defeat of the Armada she was at dinner having goose. She saw goose as a token of good luck and promised to have it on Michaelmas every year. This custom spread and more people throughout the UK began doing it too. You can see that reflected in the rhyme above that those who eat goose will have good fortune. The other story explains that Michaelmas was around the time that the farming debts were due and that those who were trying to persuade their landlord to leniency would have sought to convince them with geese. You can see how this also relates to the rhyme. Either way, goose is a traditional dinner to have but if that is too expensive or difficult to find you could always adapt by doing turkey or roasting a whole chicken. How to decorate! The Aster flower, also known as the Michaelmas Daisy, is in bloom. The Michaelmas Daises, among the dede weeds, Bloom for St Michael’s valorous deeds. And seems the last of flowers that stood, Till the feast of S. Simon and St Jude. As the seasons change and the Spring and Summertime flowers begin to die, the little pointed and colorful astor flower named after St. Michael blooms. It gets its name in honor of the angel who fought against evil because this small yet brilliant flower fights against the impending gloomy, cold, and dark days of winter. It's in bloom all autumn and is fully of symbolism. It is difficult for me to find Aster flowers where I am so I usually just go grab a happy bouquet of daisies to put on the dinner table. What to pray! There are a wealth of St. Michael prayers out there and like everyone else I have my go-tos. To help you narrow in and avoid spending time scouring the internet for the perfect prayer, I'll share my three favorites. 1. The ever-so classic, St. Michael Prayer Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil; May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; And do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan and all evil spirits who wander through the world for the ruin of souls. 2. The St. Michael Chaplet Click here to see the full text and print. 3. St. Michael Novena “We honor you as a powerful protector of the Church and guardian of our souls. Inspire us with your humility, courage and strength that we may reject sin and perfect our love for our Heavenly Father. In your strength and humility, slay the evil and pride in our hearts so that nothing will keep us from God. St. Michael the Archangel, pray that we may be blessed by God with the zeal to live our lives in accordance with Christ’s teachings. St. Michael the Archangel, you are the prince of angels but in your humility, you recognized that God is God and you are but His servant. Unlike Satan, you were not overcome with pride but were steadfast in humility. Pray that we will have this same humility. It is in the spirit of that humility that we ask for your intercession for our petitions… (state your petitions) Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle, be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; and do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly host, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan and all the evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen." St. Michael's Lent In short, St. Michael's Lent is the period of prayer and fasting in which St. Francis of Assisi received stigmata. It became tradition in the history of the Franciscans to imitate St. Francis in his prayer and fasting but that has sense fallen out of practice. Thanks to the fervor of the laity this has been on the rise in homes across the US and is regaining popularity. You can learn all the details in my older post here. . . . . I pray that you were able to gather helpful ideas for bringing the cultural richness of this feast day into your home. Tell me how you pronounce this day and what you will be doing to celebrate in the comments.

Want to end the liturgical living guess work? Browse these five, straight-forward, authentic ways to get started from the heart of my home to yours. You may have seen this on social media, but the blog post has practical examples and guiding questions for you to consider that the social posts didn't! 😊 Tell me in the comments which of these ideas you practice in your home. Concrete Examples: My husband is Italian American, so every Christmas Eve we partake in the delicious and overwhelmingly wonderful feast of seven fishes. Growing up in East Texas so close to Louisiana, we always had a vibrant Shrove Tuesday experience complete with gumbo, parades, and the last bite of king cake for the season. Guiding Question: What culture or heritage do you come from? What about your spouse? Is there something from your ancestry that has been passed down to you? Are you able to look back into your family and find a meaningful tradition? Look up ways that your culture celebrated Catholicism and begin a new tradition! Concrete Examples: Mass is a priority for us every single Sunday! There are times where it is more challenging or we are exhausted, but we never skip out on Mass because we both fully believe that our liturgical life is nothing without this. If you haven't made Mass a priority, start by doing this! We accomplish daily prayer as a family through the simple act of prompting the other to pray before bed time. If I haven't asked my husband then he will ask me and vice versa. We have learned to hold each other accountable to praying together as a family once a day and also during meals that we share together. Guiding Question: About Mass Is there a Mass time that works best for you and your family? Do you sometimes let other things get in the way of going to church on Sunday? Do you have a regular life of confession so that you can receive the Eucharist in a state of grace? About Family Prayer Do you make time for personal prayer, prayer time with your significant other, and prayer time with your entire family? Have your children ever seen you and your spouse pray together? Is there a certain way that you prefer to pray? Are you holding realistic or unrealistic expectations when it comes to praying with children? Concrete Examples: 1. We usually celebrate at least one saint feast day a month and the usual way we do that is with dinner or baking a tasty treat. On these special days, I don't cook alone, my husband joins me in the kitchen and we cook together. Often talking about the saint we have chosen to honor and where the meal comes from. On the feast of St. Catherine of Siena, my husband and I make a clementine cake together because she likens the sweetness of Christ to a clementine. I then make us cups of tea and we enjoy our refreshing dessert in honor of my confirmation saint. 2. Sunday dinner is a tradition that my mother and father-in-law began and we are deeply indebted to them for this family custom. It doesn't matter what is going on, Sunday dinner will happen! Many of my brothers and sisters-in-law will be in the kitchen cooking alongside my mother-in-law and it is a joyful time filled with great conversation and laughter. There's usually always a guest, often times priests, who will come to participate in our large family and glad offering. Then we all sit down to eat together and relax there for hours while enjoying "family dinner." Guiding Questions: About Cooking Meals Have you tried cooking or baking for a feast day? Do you feel the burden of having to do it all yourself or do you invite your family to help you cook? Have you used the Liturgy Kitchen resources to make your planning simpler? About Sunday Dinner Could you begin a simple Sunday dinner tradition in your home? What if you made it an open door policy for your family and friends? When could you reasonably start this tradition and would it be weekly or monthly? Concrete Example: Often times I see others overwhelmed by liturgical living because they are attempting traditions that aren't meaningful to them. Take for example the custom of honoring the Sacred Heart. This devotion is not particularly special to everyone, but it is for my family. We had our home enthroned to the Sacred Heart and so that image is kept in a prominent place in our home. My mother and father-in-law also had their home enthroned which felt that much more special when we did it. Guiding Questions: What special devotions, customs, or practices do you have in your family? If you feel like you don't have any, which ones would you like to start? How can you narrow in on the feasts, seasons, or memories that are most important to you and your family instead of trying to do them all? Concrete Example: Seasonal decorating is a beloved gift that my parents handed down to me. Each time a new season or special day came around the entire house felt and smelled of that time in the year. I can still smell the Fall candles and decor that my mom kept in our hutch. I have always held that dear to my heart and now my home is decorated for each season. Guiding Question: What are authentic ways that you can bring a season or a feast day to life? What do you and your family enjoy doing and how can that be applied to the liturgical year? (Take my seasonal decorating as an example.) Have you asked yourself if your liturgical life is offering God praise or is it becoming a to do list? These are the things going on in my home throughout the year, but I would love to know what you do. I like to think of the saints in this instance, each one of them is so different yet they each gave God praise in their own way. Just like the saints we too extend love and offerings to Him in a way that makes sense to each one of us. If some of these tips are helpful, I encourage you to use them, but if it doesn't fit then try something else. Tell me all about it in the comments!

This blog post was written in collaboration with my followers, and together we have compiled the most supreme booklist that every Catholic household should own. You will certainly want to bookmark this post for later as you stock your Amazon carts and peruse your local book shops. From liturgy, to saints, to spirituality, this list has all of the essentials. If we missed one, I warmly welcome you to leave a comment so that other viewers can see your recommendations too. No more dilly-dallying, let's get to the books. Keep in mind this would be in addition to the two obvious must-haves, the Bible and the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Always keep the holy book in your hands, that it may nourish your soul by devout reading. -St. Jerome The Imitation of Christ by Thomas á Kempis The Raccolta Monastic Diurnal Divine Intimacy Household Blessings The Noonday Devil: Acedia, the Unnamed Evil of Our Times The Liturgical Year by Dom Gueranger, 15 Volumes Lives of the Saints Daily Missals Pope Benedict's Jesus of Nazareth Interior Castle by St. Teresa of Avila Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales Life of Christ by Fulton Sheen Confessions by St. Augustine The Didache The Summa Theologiae by St. Thomas Aquinas Mere Christianity by CS Lewis Orthodoxy by GK Chesterton Only God knows the good that can come about by reading one good Catholic book. -St. John Bosco 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. 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." Pull up a chair, friend!

St. Michael's Lent is the period of prayer and fasting in which St. Francis of Assisi received stigmata. The St. Michael's Lent begins on August 15th and ends on September 29th, Michaelmas. A lovely St. Michael feast day dessert can be found here. Just like the Lent prior to Easter it goes for 40 days and excludes Sundays. This is a period of fasting that we receive from St. Francis of Assisi, who while widely known for being the bird-bath saint, was actually a man of intense interior spiritual life and complexity. He was known for secluding himself from his community at times for solitude and a deepening of prayer. Two years before he died he went away to Mount La Verna where he fasted and prayed in honor of St. Michael the Archangel. It was during this time that he received stigmata, the holy wounds of Jesus, traditionally known to be on September 17th. This Lent became popular among the Franciscans before widely falling out of practice, but many Catholics are bringing this back. In the 13th century book, The Little Flowers of St. Francis, he says to his brothers, “My sons, we are drawing nigh to our forty days’ fast of St. Michael the Archangel; and I firmly believe that it is the will of God that we keep this fast in the mountain of Alvernia, the which by Divine dispensation hath been made ready for us, to the end that we may, through penance, merit from Christ the consolation of consecrating that blessed mountain to the honor and glory of God and of His glorious mother, the Virgin Mary, and of the holy angels.” This time, which we too are encouraged to participate in, is intended to give attention to deepening our relationship with Jesus and St. Michael who is our most powerful intercessor in fighting against spiritual enemies. While we often times think that penance is reserved for the traditional season of Lent, the liturgical year and the saints prompt us to regularly partake in this form of prayer. Feasting and fasting go hand in hand, and it is through both means that we can grow to live more closely to the divine life of Christ.

The feast of St. James the Great, settled deeply into the “dog days” of summer, is a welcome punctuation in these often hot, dry days. St. James’ Day brings James' remarkable witness and wisdom to us, of course and as well as seaside breezes, fresh citrus, and candlelit summer nights. It’s a holiday that so beautifully illustrates the liturgical calendar's knack for traveling far & wide, grafting regional customs into its lineage of tradition and letting those regional customs reflect back into its canon of holiday celebration. St. James' faith was legendary, along with his brother the Apostle John, these two "sons of thunder" were the first disciples to follow Jesus, and they were also present at the Transfiguration. Tradition tells us that James went on to preach the gospel in both the Holy Land and in Spain, where his influence still shines brightly. Then, after his martyrdom at the hand of Herod Agrippa I, legendary tales tell of St. James' body being returned to Spain, miraculously covered in shells after being shipwrecked. The presence of St. James' remains in the Santiago de Compostela have inspired generations of pilgrimages for well over a thousand years, and I find that continuity of devotion to be so moving. I'm reminded that we're all on a pilgrim journey, wherever we are, whatever our circumstances. Enjoying the classic Tarta de Santiago (Spanish for "Cake of St. James") for the feast of St. James is both delicious and illuminating, calling to mind all of these elements of his devotion! Spanish for "Cake of St. James," this humble tarta evokes the saint's ties with Spain, his miraculous appearance at the Battle of Clavijo, hence, the sword-pointed Cross of St. James imprinted on the cake, and his association with pilgrimage, if you walk the Camino de Santiago today, you can still find tartas for sale at every cafe and rest stop on the way! This flavorful almond cake dates back to the Middle Ages, though the earliest written reference hails from 1577 under the name Torta Real, or "royal cake," at the time. It's simple, quick, and perfect for a hot summer day! (Writing and Recipe by: Kristin Haakenson) I am so honored to have Kristin from Hearthstone Fables share her recipe for the feast of St. James. As a previous Camino pilgrim this feast day and cake are near and dear to my heart. A big, warm thank you for being a guest contributor at Liturgy Kitchen. tarta, st. james, spanish cake Prep Time: 15 minutes Bake Time: 30 minutes Yields: 8-10 slices of cake Ingredients 4 eggs 1 cup sugar 2 cups almond flour Zest from one lemon Optional: 1 tbsp grape liquor (called orujo is traditional) ½ teaspoon cinnamon 2 tbsps powdered sugar (for dusting the top) St. James Cross Stencil, download below (Photo: Hearthstone Fables) Instructions Preheat oven to 350F. Grease the sides and bottom of a round cake pan. Mix together the 4 eggs and 1 cup sugar, until somewhat frothy. Stir in the lemon zest. If using liquor, add 1 tbsp liquor and gently stir. Add the 2 cups almond flour and 1/2 tsp cinnamon to the egg mixture and stir gently. Pour batter into cake pan and bake for about 30 minutes. Allow to cool before removing from the pan. When completely cool, place a stencil of the Cross of St. James in the middle of the cake. Put powdered sugar into a fine-mesh strainer and gently tap to release the sugar over the top of the cake. Carefully remove the stencil when done. (Photo: Hearthstone Fables) (Photo: Hearthstone Fables) As a thank you to the His Girl Sunday readers, Kristin has offered us a discount code for her St. James printable paper scene. Here's the discount code for 75% off her St James printable! Code: HGS2023 https://www.etsy.com/listing/1509402396/printable-scene-digital-st-james-day?click_key=51936d110321b6182aaf96d243363e32c38b85e2%3A1509402396&click_sum=a97cd496&ref=shop_home_feat_2 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 see more of the great liturgical and seasonal insights of Kristin? Go follow her! Substack: http://www.hearthstonefables.com Instagram: @hearthstonefables Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/hearthstonefables And if you're not following along with the Liturgy Culture & Kitchen community, I welcome you to join us. 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 joyful.

St. Mary Magdalene is the patron saint of penitent sinners, so in a way she represents all of us in our journey to Heaven. Most people may have commonly heard her referred to as a prostitute, but did you know that this information is not well supported by Scripture? What we do know is that Jesus cast seven demons out of her, she was a witness to the crucifixion, the burial of Jesus, and the first to discover the Resurrection of Christ. After her great conversion she is mentioned by name as a follower of Christ along with the apostles and several other women. The story of St. Mary Magdalene teaches us of the grace and mercy that is needed in all of our lives. In honor of her profound love, fervor, and discipleship we make madeleines which is the French form of the name Magdalen. These delectable tea cakes can be made in four ways thanks to our recipe contributor Casey from Cozy Homemaking Vibes. You can find all Casey's accounts at the bottom of this post, and we are so grateful for her sharing these wonderful recipes with Liturgy Kitchen. st. mary magdalene, madeleines, liturgical living Here is what's in store for you! Honey Lemon Madeleines Honey Orange Madeleines With a Dark Chocolate Coating Gingerbread Madeleines Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Madeleines Prep Time: 20 mins Bake Time: 7-12 mins (ovens can vary) Yields: 12 cookies Honey Lemon Madeleines (Casey's Favorite) Ingredients 3 tablespoons unsalted butter 4 tablespoons honey 2 eggs 3/4 cup whole wheat or white flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 pinch salt 1 tsp lemon zest Oil for the pan Instructions Preheat the oven to 350F. Microwave 3 tbsps unsalted butter in 15 second intervals until just barely melted then set aside to cool while you make your batter. Whisk together the 2 eggs and 4 tbsps honey on high until it’s thick and airy, at least 4-5 mins. In a separate bowl, whisk together 3/4 cup whole wheat pastry flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1 pinch salt, and 1 tsp lemon zest until well blended. Then fold the dry mix into to the egg mixture with a spatula. Be gentle so it can stay a bit light and airy. Just before the flour is fully incorporated, fold in the melted butter. A proper Madeleine recipe will say to refrigerate for 5-20 mins. I rarely do this, but it's a great time to brush oil on the molds. Spoon heaping tablespoons of the batter into the center of each madeleine mold in the pan. Bake for 7-12 minutes. Oven heat varies so keep an eye on them, they cook quickly. We don’t want the edges to brown! After you take them out of the oven let them rest a minute before transferring to a cooling rack. Dust with powdered sugar. (Photo: Cozy Homemaking Vibes) Honey Orange Madeleines With a Dark Chocolate Coating Ingredients 3 tablespoons unsalted butter 4 tablespoons honey 2 eggs 3/4 cup whole wheat or white flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 pinch salt 1 tsp orange zest 3 squares of good 88% dark chocolate Oil for the pan Instructions Preheat the oven to 350F. Microwave 3 tbsps unsalted butter in 15 second intervals until just barely melted then set aside to cool while you make your batter. Whisk together the 2 eggs and 4 tbsps honey on high until it’s thick and airy, at least 4-5 mins. In a separate bowl, whisk together 3/4 cup whole wheat pastry flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1 pinch salt, and 1 tsp orange zest until well blended. Then fold the dry mix into to the egg mixture with a spatula . Be gentle so it can stay a bit light and airy. Just before the flour is fully incorporated, fold in the melted butter. A proper Madeleine recipe will say to and refrigerate for 5-20 mins. I rarely do this, but it's a great time to brush oil on the pan. Spoon heaping tablespoons of the batter into the center of each madeleine mold in the pan. Bake for 7-12 minutes. Oven heat varies so keep an eye on them, they cook quickly. We don’t want the edges to brown! After you take them out of the oven let them rest a minute before transferring to a cooling rack. Melt chocolate in a small microwave safe bowl in 20 second intervals, then dip cookies to coat the top of one side. (Photo: Cozy Homemaking Vibes) Gingerbread madeleines Ingredients 3 tablespoons unsalted butter 3 tablespoons honey 1 tablespoon molasses 2 eggs 3/4 cup whole wheat or white flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 pinch salt ¼ teaspoon cinnamon ¼ teaspoon ginger ⅛ teaspoon cloves ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg Oil for the pan Instructions Preheat the oven to 350F. Microwave 3 tbsps unsalted butter in 15 second intervals until just barely melted then set aside to cool while you make your batter. Whisk together the 2 eggs, 3 tbsps honey, and 1 tbsp molasses on high until it’s thick and airy, at least 4-5 mins. In a separate bowl, whisk together 3/4 cup whole wheat pastry flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1 pinch salt, ¼ teaspoon cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon ginger, ⅛ teaspoon cloves, and ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg until well blended. Then fold the dry mix into to the egg mixture with a spatula . Be gentle so it can stay a bit light and airy. Just before the flour is fully incorporated, fold in the melted butter. A proper Madeleine recipe will say to and refrigerate for 5-20 mins. I rarely do this, but it's a great time to brush oil on the pan. Spoon heaping tablespoons of the batter into the center of each madeleine mold in the pan. Bake for 7-12 minutes. Oven heat varies so keep an eye on them, they cook quickly. We don’t want the edges to brown! After you take them out of the oven let them rest a minute before transferring to a cooling rack. Dust with powdered sugar, I like extra on these! 😊 Bacon, Egg, & Cheese Madeleines Ingredients 3 tablespoons unsalted butter 1 tsp onion powder 1/2 tsp garlic powder 1 tsp parsley 1/4 tsp paprika 1 teaspoon baking powder 3 eggs 3/4 cup whole wheat or white flour Salt and pepper to taste 2 strips of bacon, chopped Colby Jack cheese sliced thinly into extra small cubes Olive oil for the pan Instructions Preheat the oven to 350F and fry your bacon in a skillet then set aside. Microwave 3 tbsps unsalted butter in 15 second intervals until just barely melted then set aside to cool while you make your batter. Whisk together the 3 eggs on high until it’s thick and airy, at least 4-5 mins. In a separate bowl, whisk together 1 tsp onion powder, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp parsley, 1/4 tsp paprika, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 3/4 cup whole wheat pastry flour, and a dash of salt and pepper until well blended. Fold the dry mix into to the egg mixture with a spatula . Be gentle so it can stay a bit light and airy. Just before the flour is fully incorporated, fold in the melted butter. Place the chopped bacon into the oiled madeleine mold first. Spoon heaping tablespoons of the batter onto the bacon in the pan. I put half the batter in, added small cheese cubes, then the rest of the batter. Bake for 7-12 minutes. Oven heat varies so keep an eye on them, they cook quickly. We don’t want the edges to brown! After you take them out of the oven let them rest a minute before transferring to a cooling rack. These are best served warm with a coffee. 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 Cozy Homemaking Vibes Blog Cozy Homemaking Vibes Youtube Cozy Homemaking Vibes Instagram 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 joyful.

liturgical living, transfiguration, august feast day The Scripture Account Jesus Is Transfigured Matthew 17: 1-8 Six days later, Jesus took Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And in their presence he was transfigured; his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, conversing with him. Then Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will make three tents here—one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah. While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud cast a shadow over them. Then a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased. Listen to him.” When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were greatly frightened. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Stand up, and do not be frightened.” And when they raised their eyes, they saw no one, but only Jesus. What's Happening Here? The Transfiguration is considered one of five major events in the life of Christ. The others being His Baptism, Crucifixion, Resurrection, and Ascension. You can find the account of the Transfiguration in all three synoptic Gospels: Matthew 17:1-8, Mark 9: 2-9, and Luke 9: 28-36. We can tell from the timing of this event that it must have happened during the Jewish Feast of Booths which is a week long holiday that takes place in the Fall. During this time Our Lord, about one year before His passion, death, and resurrection, takes Sts. Peter, James, and John up to Mt. Tabor. And while there He reveals His glory to them; His face shone, His clothes were dazzling white, and rays poured over His body. Jesus reveals to them the fullness of who He is, He is the Son of God. Initially, they were pleased to have seen the radiance of Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here." We then hear Moses and Elijah speak of Jesus' suffering and death which is a foreshadowing of what is to come. And towards the end of this account we hear God's voice claiming Jesus as His beloved Son. The disciples are immediately struck with fear at the sound of this, but Jesus walks to them and with a simple touch commands them to stand. Throughout this account we can see that Jesus is preparing them for what is to come. He is encouraging and strengthening them with these profound accounts so that their belief is reinforced and they can carry on with courage. Why are Moses and Elijah There? During the Transfiguration, Peter, James, and John notice that Moses and Elijah are there as well and many can't help but wonder, why. In short, their presence on either side of Jesus shows that Christ fulfills the Law, represented by Moses, and the prophets, represented by Elijah. In fact, many theologians will refer to Jesus as the New Moses, who brings the law to completion. There are many parallels that illicit this title such as the transfiguration taking place not long after the multiplication of loaves and fishes miracle. Moses too was able to feed the Israelites with Manna while he led them out of the wilderness. We can also call to mind the the account of Moses coming down from Mt. Sinai, after seeing God Scripture tells us that his face was radiant and many images depict his hair being completely white. The connection with Elijah is also intriguing, specifically in reference to the word and action of the exodus. During the transfiguration, Moses and Elijah speak about Jesus' departure. The Greek word that we see Luke use for departure is exodos, and how fitting is that connection with Moses who leads his people in an exodus to the promised land. And yet it is also appropriate in helping us understand why Elijah is there too. There are so many profound prophets that could have stood next to Jesus, yet we have Elijah. This is because he had an exodus of his own kind too, in that he didn't die, but was carried up body and soul into Heaven by flaming chariot. You can read more about this in the second book of Kings. And lastly, the prophecy of Malachi must be noted here which states that Elijah will be sent back to earth before "the great and terrible day of the Lord comes." Again, through Elijah's presence we see fulfillment of the prophets. Fun Liturgical Fact The Solemnity of the Transfiguration wasn't really celebrated in the Western church until the 11th century. Before then it was more commonly honored by the Eastern church, specifically the Syrian, Byzantine, and Coptic rites. This feast was officially integrated into the liturgical calendar in 1457 to commemorate the victory of over Islam in Belgrade. On July 22, 1456, Crusaders defeated the Turks at Belgrade. When news of the victory reached Rome on August 6th, Pope Callistus III placed the feast on the Roman calendar the following year. Have Your Grapes Blessed I encourage you to partake in this ancient tradition by having grapes blessed. This has lived on in the Church since the 4th century! In fact, we have the oldest prayer for the blessing of fruit from the Apostolic Constitution from the 4th century. There is a Prayer of Thanksgiving for new fruits from St. Hyppolytus from around 220AD. And from the 6th Ecumenical Council (680-681AD) we have Canon 28 which tells us that new wheat and grapes are to be blessed on this day. Grapes are an obvious connection to the Eucharist in that they become the wine which in turn becomes Christ’s blood. Creation is transfigured into something new and brilliant. When we partake in the Eucharist we too are transfigured as we become what we have received, the body of Christ. Christ then transfigures the world. On this day, God reveals to us the splendor that we were made for, the restoration of all that we are through His own transfiguration. If you don’t get to have your grapes blessed, then have a glass of wine, eat grapes, or make a meal with grapes. Other Ways to Celebrate Look at pictures of the Church of the Transfiguration situated on Mt. Tabor. Decorate your solemnity table in all white, read more about that here. Make food that resembles clouds, like mashed potatoes, meringue, or berries with cool whip. Happy Feasting! If you used any of these ideas, share with me on Facebook @HisGirlSunday or Instagram @steffani_hisgirlsunday. See you in the Eucharist, Steffani

Throughout July we celebrate the monthly dedication to the Precious Blood of Jesus. As a way to bring this topic into our food and drink recipes I thought I'd try my hand at a blood orange beverage. I'm so glad I did because this cold, fresh, and summery drink was just what I needed on a hot July summer day. As we sipped our drinks we read about the Precious Blood of Jesus and I came across this profound quote that I have to share with you. "The Precious Blood which we worship is the Blood which the Savior shed for us on Calvary and reassumed at His glorious Resurrection; it is the Blood which courses through the veins of His risen, glorified, living body at the right hand of God the Father in heaven; it is the Blood made present on our altars by the words of Consecration; it is the Blood which merited sanctifying grace for us and through it washes and beautifies our soul and inaugurates the beginning of eternal life in it." Make this recipe with me so you can sip and read more too! Prep Time: 5 minutes Total Time: 5 minutes Servings: 2 drinks Ingredients 1. 6 oz freshly squeezed blood orange juice 2. 2 oz lime juice 3. 3 oz tequila 4. 2 oz orange liqueur 5. 2 tsps sugar Combine all your ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake it for 30 seconds and pour your margarita into a glass lined with salt and filled with ice. Garnish with a lemon, lime, or blood orange wedge. Cheers! 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. 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 joyful.

In a sermon in the year 395, St. Augustine of Hippo said of Saints Peter and Paul: “Both apostles share the same feast day, for these two were one; and even though they suffered on different days, they were as one. Peter went first, and Paul followed. And so we celebrate this day made holy for us by the apostles’ blood. Let us embrace what they believed, their life, their labors, their sufferings, their preaching, and their confession of faith.” And while we’re learning, did you know that as early as the year 258AD, there was already a tradition in place to liturgically celebrate them on the same day? They were both founders of the See of Rome and both men tirelessly sought, in their own ways, to bring people to the faith. Sts. Peter and Paul carried on their ministry in Rome until they were eventually martyred there. These men, especially St. Peter since he was a fisherman, were given the title and command, "Fishers of Men." This phrase tells us that Jesus was called them to follow Him, and in turn build up the Kingdom of God on earth. We can better understand this through Scripture, Matthew 4:19, which expresses that they were to go out and cast their nets with the Good News, to teach, minister, and convert souls. But this phrase doesn't just apply to the Apostles, it is meant for us too. That we are to live our lives with Jesus, and in turn share the truths of our faith with others. In honor of these "Fishers of Men," we are going to make a fish dinner, and one that I've been wanting to try for some time now. Sheet pan shrimp quesadillas with chips and dip. 😍 Pick your favorite fish dinner for this feast day, it’s an easy way to call to mind the mission of both of these great saints, and our mission too. shrimp quesadillas, sts peter & paul, meatless meal Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 20 minutes Servings: 12 Ingredients 1. 1/2 cup olive oil 2. 1 lb peeled and deveined shrimp, halved 3. 1/2 medium yellow onion, diced 4. 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped 5. 1 red bell pepper, diced 6. 2 garlic cloves, chopped 7. 1 tsp chili powder 8. 1 tsp garlic powder 9. 1 tsp cumin 10. 1/2 tsp kosher salt 11. 1/2 tsp pepper 12. 3 cups mixed Mexican cheese 13. 1 tbsp butter for browning the tortillas Garnish Options Queso Salsa Guacamole Jalapeños Pico de Gallo Sour Cream Bean Dip Lime Juice Ready to get started? Dice 1/2 yellow onion and 1 red bell pepper, then chop 2 garlic cloves and 1/4 cup cilantro and set that aside. Over medium heat pour 2 tbsps olive oil then cook your shrimp in batches, only a minute each side until they are pink. You don’t need to worry too much about cooking them fully, they will go in the oven later. Replenish the olive oil in the skillet regularly so the shrimp don’t stick. Take the shrimp out and set it aside. Drizzle more oil into the skillet, 2 tbsps, and cook the onion, cilantro, bell pepper, and garlic for 5 minutes stirring regularly. While the veggies are cooking, cut the shrimp in half. After 5 minutes sprinkle in the chili powder, garlic powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Add in the shrimp and stir everything to combine! Preheat the oven to 425 and grease a baking sheet with oil or butter. Lay 7 burrito size tortillas on the sheet pan. Sprinkle 1 1/2 cups cheese, then evenly distribute the shrimp mixture, and sprinkle the other 1 1/2 cups cheese across the top. Fold the edges of the tortilla inward and lay a final burrito size tortilla on the top. Take a stick of butter and coat the top of the tortillas then place another baking sheet on the top. Bake at 425 degrees for 20 minutes with the baking sheet laying on top of the quesadillas. Take it out of the oven and let it cool a bit before cutting. Serve with your favorite toppings. I arranged this on a wooden serving tray with chips, queso, pico de gallo, and salsa. Feel free to add sour cream, guacamole, or jalapenos! Whatever your little heart desires! Life is good! 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. 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 joyful.

Quick Links & Resources for Catholic Liturgical Living in July As a short guide and aid to your July liturgical living, I have compiled some quick tips, ideas, and links to bring joy and festivity into your domestic church. This is not a list of every single July feast day, but will be a very good start. (liturgical living, july feast days, catholic life) Feast days that you will find in this post! 1. St. Maria Goretti 2. Our Lady of Mt. Carmel 3. St. Mary Magdalene 4. Sts. Anne & Joachim Note: This is not a full list of resources on my blog for feast day celebrations, activities, and recipes in the month of July. Go browse around for saints and feast days that are special to you. Enjoy! 😊 The Month of July is Dedicated to the Most Precious Blood St. Maria Goretti- July 6th About One of the largest crowds ever assembled for a canonization—250,000—symbolized the reaction of millions touched by the simple story of Maria Goretti. She was the daughter of a poor Italian tenant farmer, had no chance to go to school, never learned to read or write. When Maria made her First Communion not long before her death, she was one of the larger and somewhat backward members of the class. On a hot afternoon in July, Maria was sitting at the top of the stairs of her house, mending a shirt. She was not quite 12 years old, but physically mature. A cart stopped outside, and a neighbor, 18-year-old Alessandro, ran up the stairs. He seized her and pulled her into a bedroom. She struggled and tried to call for help. “No, God does not wish it,” she cried out. “It is a sin. You would go to hell for it.” Alessandro began striking at her blindly with a long dagger. Maria was taken to a hospital. Her last hours were marked by the usual simple compassion of the good—concern about where her mother would sleep, forgiveness of her murderer (she had been in fear of him, but did not say anything lest she cause trouble to his family), and her devout welcoming of Viaticum, her last Holy Communion. She died about 24 hours after the attack. Alessandro was sentenced to 30 years in prison. For a long time he was unrepentant and surly. One night he had a dream or vision of Maria gathering flowers and offering them to him. His life changed. When he was released after 27 years, his first act was to beg the forgiveness of Maria’s mother. Devotion to the young martyr grew, miracles were worked, and in less than half a century she was canonized. At her beatification in 1947, her 82-year-old mother, two sisters, and her brother appeared with Pope Pius XII on the balcony of St. Peter’s. Three years later, at Maria's canonization, a 66-year-old Alessandro Serenelli knelt among the quarter-million people and cried tears of joy. (Franciscan Media) Quick Links 1. Feast Day Fun 2. Learn More About Her St. Maria Goretti Prayer O God, author of innocence and lover of chastity, who bestowed the grace of martyrdom on your handmaid, the Virgin Saint Maria Goretti, in her youth, grant, we pray, through her intercession, that, as you gave her a crown for her steadfastness, so we, too, may be firm in obeying your commandments. Amen. Food 1. Gigli Pasta Recipe Here! Our Lady of Mt. Carmel- July 16th About Hermits lived on Mount Carmel near the Fountain of Elijah in northern Israel in the 12th century. They had a chapel dedicated to Our Lady. By the 13th century they became known as “Brothers of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.” They soon celebrated a special Mass and Office in honor of Mary. In 1726, it became a celebration of the universal Church under the title of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. For centuries the Carmelites have seen themselves as specially related to Mary. Their great saints and theologians have promoted devotion to her and often championed the mystery of her Immaculate Conception. Saint Teresa of Avila called Carmel “the Order of the Virgin.” Saint John of the Cross credited Mary with saving him from drowning as a child, leading him to Carmel, and helping him escape from prison. Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus believed that Mary cured her from illness. On her First Communion day, Thérèse dedicated her life to Mary. During the last days of her life she frequently spoke of Mary. There is a tradition—which may not be historical—that Mary appeared to Saint Simon Stock, a leader of the Carmelites, and gave him a scapular, telling him to promote devotion to it. The scapular is a modified version of Mary’s own garment. It symbolizes her special protection and calls the wearers to consecrate themselves to her in a special way. The scapular reminds us of the gospel call to prayer and penance—a call that Mary models in a splendid way. (Franciscan Media) Quick Links 1. Celebrating With Kids 2. Customs & Traditions 3. Watch the Story Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Prayer O Star of the Sea, help me and show me herein that you are my Mother. O Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and earth, I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart, to succor me in this my necessity. There are none that can withstand your power. O show me herein that you are my Mother. Amen. Food 1. Caramel Iced Coffee Recipe Here! St. Mary Magdalene- July 22nd About Except for the mother of Jesus, few women are more honored in the Bible than Mary Magdalene. Yet she could well be the patron of the slandered, since there has been a persistent legend in the Church that she is the unnamed sinful woman who anointed the feet of Jesus in Luke 7:36-50. Most Scripture scholars today point out that there is no scriptural basis for confusing the two women. Mary Magdalene, that is, “of Magdala,” was the one from whom Christ cast out “seven demons” (Luke 8:2)—an indication at the worst, of extreme demonic possession or possibly, severe illness. Writing in the New Catholic Commentary, Father Wilfrid J. Harrington, O.P., says that “seven demons” “does not mean that Mary had lived an immoral life—a conclusion reached only by means of a mistaken identification with the anonymous woman of Luke 7:36.” In the Jerome Biblical Commentary, Father Edward Mally, S.J., agrees that she “is not...the same as the sinner of Luke 7:37, despite the later Western romantic tradition about her.” Mary Magdalene was one of the many “who were assisting them [Jesus and the Twelve] out of their means.” She was one of those who stood by the cross of Jesus with his mother. And, of all the “official” witnesses who might have been chosen for the first awareness of the Resurrection, she was the one to whom that privilege was given. She is known as the “Apostle to the Apostles.” (Franciscan Media) Quick Links Try Doing These Things Saint Stories for Children Feast Day Ideas St. Mary Magdalene Prayer St. Mary Magdalene, woman of many sins, who by conversion became the beloved of Jesus, thank you for your witness that Jesus forgives through the miracle of love. You, who already possess eternal happiness in His glorious presence, please intercede for me, so that some day I may share in the same everlasting joy. Amen. Food Madeleines from Scratch Recipe Here! Sts. Anne & Joachim- July 26 About In the Scriptures, Matthew and Luke furnish a legal family history of Jesus, tracing ancestry to show that Jesus is the culmination of great promises. Not only is his mother’s family neglected, we also know nothing factual about them except that they existed. Even the names “Joachim” and “Anne” come from a legendary source written more than a century after Jesus died. The heroism and holiness of these people however, is inferred from the whole family atmosphere around Mary in the Scriptures. Whether we rely on the legends about Mary’s childhood or make guesses from the information in the Bible, we see in her a fulfillment of many generations of prayerful persons, herself steeped in the religious traditions of her people. The strong character of Mary in making decisions, her continuous practice of prayer, her devotion to the laws of her faith, her steadiness at moments of crisis, and her devotion to her relatives—all indicate a close-knit, loving family that looked forward to the next generation even while retaining the best of the past. Joachim and Anne—whether these are their real names or not—represent that entire quiet series of generations who faithfully perform their duties, practice their faith, and establish an atmosphere for the coming of the Messiah, but remain obscure. (Franciscan Media) Quick Links Things to Do Catholic Grandparents' Day Saint Story Video A Prayer for Grandparents Lord Jesus, you were born of the Virgin Mary, the daughter of Saints Joachim and Anne. Look with love on grandparents the world over. Protect them! They are a source of enrichment for families, for the Church and for all of society. Support them! As they grow older, may they continue to be for their families strong pillars of Gospel faith, guardians of noble domestic ideals, living treasuries of sound religious traditions. Make them teachers of wisdom and courage, that they may pass on to future generations the fruits of their mature human and spiritual experience. Amen. Food 1. Creme Saint Anne Recipe Here! Happy Feasting! If you used any of these ideas, share with me on Facebook @HisGirlSunday or Instagram @steffani_hisgirlsunday.

st john the baptist, nativity, celebration guide Happy Birthday, St. John the Baptist! Today is called the Solemnity of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist and is sometimes called the "summer Christmas" because of his relationship to Christ and his summer birthday. In fact, this is one of the Church's oldest and most prominent feast days. Streets used to be filled with people enjoying bonfires, food, water fights, and song, so we will keep that tradition going tonight and I encourage you to do that with your family and friends too. Below is a Blessing of Bonfires for you to use this evening! Why Bonfires? Check out our St. John the Baptist Bonfire Sticks. Throw them in and watch the fire's flames change colors! The Custom of Water Fights Eat Traditional Feast Day Food You could also try my tasty Struffoli with this recipe here. Remember the Role of St. John the Baptist He points us to Christ, "behold the lamb of God." (John 1:36) Learn More About This Feast's History I think it's time for you to call your friends and invite them over. While all of this may sound like a lot, it is very easy to throw together and can be done with relative ease by pitching in together as a community. For more ideas follow along on FB @hisgirlsunday and IG @steffani_hisgirlsunday!