As many families experience more together time, from distance learning or remote work or other life changes, now is an opportune time to revisit how you celebrate faith at home.
One easy way to intertwine busy schedules with your Catholic faith is by embracing liturgical living. The Church provides ample ways to do so — through “holy days,” or holidays and feasts. These celebrations can be tailored to each individual family and are a way to keep the excitement of the Catholic faith infused in weekly family schedules.
For many Catholics, the lives of the saints are a gateway to growing in deeper love and devotion to Christ. And for many Catholic families, learning more about the saints together is a way to form celebratory memories. The easiest way to get started — choose a patron saint for your family. There are patron saints of a variety of things, from animals (St. Francis), to lost items (St. Anthony), to hope for selling one’s home (St. Joseph). Why not adopt one for your family. When doing so, here are a few ideas:
A family patron saint could be a saint both spouses have particular devotion to. Or check out your wedding anniversary on a feast day calendar. This special saint would be patron for the entire family.
Include him or her in family prayers (a simple “St. XX, pray for us” after grace or during bedtime prayers is a great start).
Discover what patrons your children, your spouse and yourself could have. This saint could be a namesake, whomever’s feast you were born on, whomever’s feast you were baptized on, or your confirmation saint (or all four!).
Choose at least one patron for each person in your family and incorporate them into your yearly calendar.
Then celebrate!
But what does a patron feast celebration look like? It can be as simple or as elaborate as fits your family’s style and schedule. Here are just a few suggestions:
Read a book —or an excerpt from a book —about that saint’s life.
Be artistic. If you are celebrating the patron of a young child, see if you can find a printable coloring page for them to color while you read to them about the saint.
Watch a video about the saint. There are videos available for all age levels. Learn about their life and where they lived.
Cook a themed-dinner. Theme your dinner that night around the saint, as literally or creatively as you’d like. For example, if your husband’s patron is St. Bartholomew (Nathanael), who is known for being the disciple Jesus saw under the fig tree, stuff some figs with goat cheese and wrap in bacon, or grab some fig snack bars. Or if your daughter’s patron is St. Joan of Arc, you could serve French food (simple kid-friendly fare such as French bread pizza, éclairs or macarons). A fan of St. Peter? How about a pineapple upside down cake to remember how he was crucified upside down?
There really aren’t any rules. The real point of choosing patron saints for yourself and your family is to be inspired by the lives of the saints and to remember that living your Catholic faith is a daily commitment, 24/7. So have fun, involve the entire family and reap the graces.
Celebrating baptism birthdays As Christians, we believe we are reborn to new life in Christ when we are baptized. While not as physically significant as being actually born, this spiritual rebirth is a monumental moment in any Christian’s life. One way to continue reinforcing this importance is by celebrating “baptism birthdays” — the date your child was baptized.
Dig out their baptismal candle and light it while you renew your baptismal promises or say a baptismal prayer (see below) and bless your child with holy water.
Let them pick a special dinner or dessert like you would if it were their physical birthday.
Give them a small religious gift, like a saint medal, prayer card or statue.
Book Resources:
The Catholic All Year Compendium – Kendra Tierney
Around the Year with the Von Trapp Family – Maria Von Trapp
Feast! and More Feasts! – Daniel and Haley Stewart
Theology of the Home – Carrie Gress, Noelle Mering and Megan Schrieber
The Catholic Home – Meredith Gould
Prayer for a baptism birthday celebration
Remember this, [Name]. You have been washed In the saving waters of baptism And anointed with holy oil. Place on your head and in your heart The sign of the cross of salvation. Trace the sign of the cross on the child’s head and heart. Loving God, You created all the people of the world, And you know each of us by name. We thank you for [N.], Who celebrates the anniversary of his/her baptism. Bless him/her with your love and friendship That he/she may grow in wisdom, knowledge, and grace. May he/she love his/her family always And be ever faithful to his/her friends. Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Place your hands on the child’s head or shoulders. May God, in whose presence our ancestors walked, bless you. Amen. May God, who has been your shepherd from birth until now, keep you. Amen. May God, who saves you from all harm, give you peace. Amen.