I'm on Relevant Radio's Morning Air show today (Monday, January 3rd, 7:30 a.m. central time.) We're chatting about the liturgical year so I wanted to pull together a few of the many wonderful resources that are available to help us observe and celebrate:
- for Advent and the Christmas season: O Night Divine
- Ann Ball's Catholic Traditions in Cooking and her Catholic Traditions in the Home and Classroom: 365 Days to Celebrate a Catholic Year
Observing the liturgical year doesn't have to be complicated or intimidating. Sometimes links such as the above sites and books can be overwhelming if you're just dipping into such efforts. We have worked our way slowly into many of our observances, incorporating things that we like, discarding what we don't, hanging onto activities and ideas that work for us. But some things will always be beyond my desire and/or capability, and that's fine, too. Choosing what's doable for your family is key. Sometimes what's doable is a sumptuous feast. Other times, it's as simple as a candy bar, a prayer or reading a short bio on a child's saint/name day.
Happy Tenth Day of Christmas!
(Image thanks to ImageChef.com)
P.S. Jennifer, in the comments, mentioned Women for Faith & Family, another great resource. My list above is just a sprinkling, off the top of my head -- feel free to mention your own favorite resources in the comments!
4 comments:
Oh, wish I could listen! I cannot make that radio program work on my computer!
Thanks for the tip about the Continual Feast blog -- I didn't know about that!
Women for Faith and Family http://www.wf-f.org/LiturgicalCalendar-info.html is another terrific resource.
Oh, yes, Jennifer, thanks! I forgot to list them but I do often turn to that resource. They're terrific.
And so is your blog -- I don't think I'd even heard the word "feria" prior to reading your blog! :)
I have a question and it does not really have to do with this particular post. However, I would like to ask a "reliable" person - you!! I perhaps will visit with my priest as well.
Anyway, I read the book Hungry Souls, about purgatory. I know a holy fear of God is healthy, but this book is quite chilling. My concern is about the children and purgatory. I am sure you are familiar with Fatima and Our Lady says 'Amelia" will be in purgatory until the end of the world. I just wondered if you would have any "uplifting" thoughts about this.
The book has also made me realize I should be praying for the poor souls. And if we can pray for them to go to Heaven, then my thought goes to this poor 'Amelia' again from Fatima and I think can we not pray for her to get to Heaven sooner than the end of the world?
I have so many questions on this topic. I have always "believed" in purgatory, I just did not realize the true stories from the souls that are there, especially hearing that young children must spend time in what must be a very unpleasant place. Now, I fear for my own children, which I am not sure is healthy or not. I know Saint Padre Pio tells us to 'pray, trust, and don't worry' - but it is hard now that I have read that book!
So, no pressure or anything!
But if you would ever put together thoughts/posts on this I would be very interested to read what you have to say!
Oh, one more thought I have is in raising our families Catholic, which I feel so blessed to be able to do, but I cannot help but wonder if non Catholics get "a pass" (for lack of better words) on things like, missing mass, that is not a mortal sin for them, but for my children it will be and so with Catholic "higher morals/values" than someone else are we more apt to have more time in purgatory since we "know better"?
I am so sorry to put all this on you, please do not feel obligated to write on all this, but if you do, I will read it!!!
Oh, dear, I meant to respond to this last week and then that icky sickness set in and I lost track of everything. :/
Anyway, I definitely think you should talk to your priest about your concerns. I am not an expert in any way, and can share only my personal approach to the subject.
I have read conflicting reports about the age of Amelia -- some say she was 16 or 18 and may have been in mortal sin, but I don't really know enough about that and don't want to further speculate other than to say I agree with you that we can include in our prayers for all the souls in purgatory.
My other thought is just that I don't think the Lord wants us to needlessly worry, but rather to be faithful and vigilant and trusting.
We pray during Holy Mass to be "protected from all anxiety" ... I think that if we do all we can to stay close to the Lord and close to His sacraments, then we can only trust that in His mercy our purgatory will be just the right amount of cleansing each of us needs, as He sees fit.
On your last point, I think that, again, yes, we are responsible to give God our best, but it's ultimately up to Him to decide our level of culpability for our failings. Trust in His mercy, and stick with Padre Pio's excellent advice, to pray, hope and don't worry! :)
I don't know if that helps at all?
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