Per Christum

I aways get a good chuckle this time of year. It seems like all the Catholics come out of the woodwork, and suddenly they can’t eat this or that because they gave it up for Lent.

Giving something up for Lent is one of the last vestiges of the Domestic Church in America. Of course there is no rule in the Catholic Church that you have to give something up for Lent. Catholics are more likely to show up to an Ash Wednesday Mass than on January 1st for Mary, Mother of God. It seems that society barely gains anything from these sacrifices, except maybe the fast food chains, who bring out their seldom seen fish sandwiches. But it survives. I have a few theories why, but in the end it comes from tradition (little t).

I know many people say “the family that prays together stays together,” but I think as Catholics we are encouraged to take this a step or two further. Praying is just one important component of the Catholic home. We have so many wonderful traditions that are being ignored and slowly fading away. And yet I’ve heard many people lament that their children leave the Catholic Church when they enter college. Some of these people I know well, others I can only guess what happens in the family home. But from experience, I’m guessing that their homes have a similar make-up: church is reserved for Sundays, and religion is something to be covered only in religion classes. Feasts come, and unless society covers them, they pass forgotten. We need to bring the Church home with us.

Lately, I’ve been trying to remember customs that my family practiced in my childhood. As the years progressed, my family simplified our celebrations so much that I hardly remember details. Because David and I firmly believe in teaching our children to celebrate Catholic feasts in the home, I’ve been doing research to fill the holes in my memory. Some of the traditions I do remember include Hot Cross Buns on Good Friday, Butter Lamb on Easter (you can still get these in several Cleveland, Ohio grocery stores), and celebrating Saint or Name days. A great idea I’ve come across recently is creating Easter Vigil Notebooks. Its a great way for young children to participate in Lent and prepare for the Easter Vigil. Yes, I just mentioned children at the Vigil. The notebook not only teaches children about the Vigil, but provides them with something concrete to look at while attending the Vigil. Another idea, found on Mommy Life, is an Easter cookie recipe complete with scripture readings, to help explain the Triduum.

For anyone who might also be interested in developing their domestic church, here are a few sources I’ve found helpful. (Besides our very own ChurchYear.net. :) ) I’ve been reading Around the Year with the Trapp Family, by Maria Augusta Trapp. The actual book is no longer in print but EWTN has provided the text on their site. The Book of Catholic Customs and Traditions covers the basics of each season and provides craft ideas. I’ve also found several blogs such as Family in Feast and Feria, Family Food for Feast and Feria, Simple Gifts, and In the Heart of my Home. And of course, since I love to cook, Cooking with the Saints by Ernst Schuegraf, which has been a great source for celebrating Saint Feast days or Name days.

What books or sites would you recommend? Traditions?

Cat courtesy of Lolcats ‘n’ Funny Pictures.

Lamb courtesy of Forgotten Buffalo.