Liturgical Living: Ideas in Practice
As promised in last week’s bulletin, today we are going to offer some ways to practice living liturgically at home. If liturgical living is new for you, do not feel overwhelmed about beginning! Incorporate new changes slowly and as they become habits, add new ideas into the family routine.
If you don’t already have a regular family prayer habit, establishing one is the first step in uniting your daily life with the Church (read the daily Gospel, morning offering, meal time prayers, and nightly prayers).
Next, lean into living liturgically by using the Church calendar and liturgical seasons to guide your domestic church. These three suggestions may provide a helpful start:
Highlight the big seasons
o Advent: Place an Advent wreath in the center of your dining room table. Pray special Advent prayers and light the candles before dinner.
o Christmas: Celebrate all 12 days of Christmas with fun activities.
o Lent: Practice fasting, praying and almsgiving as a family.
o Triduum: Attend the special services at your parish.
o Easter: Continue the Easter celebration for all 50 days.
o Ordinary Time: Maintain good regular prayer habits. While the feasts and big seasons are important, the ongoing, rhythmical nature of Ordinary Time is as essential as breathing.
Celebrate Baptismal Anniversaries
o Mark your calendar with all of the family members’ Baptismal Anniversaries. On those days, renew your Baptismal promises together and share a special meal.
Honor Saint feast days
o Celebrate the Saint feast days for all of the Saints that are important to your family: name Saints, patron Saints, Confirmation Saints, etc. Together, read or learn about the Saint’s life, then enjoy a family meal from the Saint’s country of heritage.
Here are a few great book recommendations for more reading on the topic:
The Catholic All Year Compendium
Living the Seasons
Festive Faith
We would also like to include a few of our favorite liturgical living websites, which are full of excellent ideas:
His Girl Sunday
Shower of Roses
Catholic All Year
Joyfully Domestic
Are you already doing all of these things and want to step up your liturgical living practices at home? Consider adding in the monthly devotions, Marian feasts, and decorating your home in the colors of the liturgical seasons. Check the bulletin each week for more inspiration!
