How to Celebrate Saint Valentine's Day on Ash Wednesday

The Lenten Season is around the corner and this year with some interesting twists. To begin, the Lenten season's official start is Ash Wednesday and it coincides with another feast day that everyone enjoys to celebrate... Saint Valentine's Day.

These two celebrations are an interesting combination because Ash Wednesday is a day of fasting, abstinence and penance while Valentine's Day has become a day to indulge and celebrate. Combining traditions from each day may seem impossible but it's not!

Roses, chocolates and special trinkets have become the normal way to enjoy the feast day of Saint Valentine. Oddly enough, Saint Valentine was a priest that was sentenced to death because he married Christian couples and associating with the people that were being persecuted under Claudius so the association of couples, love and marriage are due to Saint Valentine's patronage as a Saint. The popularity of the color red on this day was because it represents martyrs.


The entire holiday has lost it's real value and most don't know about the history behind February 14th. Taking a real look into the true meaning of Valentine's Day and incorporating it with the customs of Ash Wednesday will make it a more meaningful holiday.

Here are some ways to celebrate both liturgical days together:

1. Attend Mass

This suggestion isn't really a suggestion. Ash Wednesday is a Holy Day of Obligation and Saint Valentine was martyred in honor of our faith. Spending time with those you love with God is the best place to spend your Valentine's Day.

2. Give SAINT Valentine Cards

Valentine Cards are a fun tradition but they don't embrace the Saint that is being honored on his feast day. Make sure to give these Saint Valentine cards to not only friends and family but those that are forgotten on days like this. Visit a Nursing home, the imprisoned or the sick.

3. Give Gifts

Lavish gifts are sometimes exchanged to impress our Valentines. Instead of giving jewelry or gadgets, why not give Lenten devotionals, monetary donations or the gift of your time to help those in need? Burying the Alleluia on Ash Wednesday is one of my family's favorite traditions. You could expand this tradition by wrapping up your Easter decorations and open it for Easter Sunday.

4. Don't forget the Chocolates

Lent is a time of preparation for the Easter Season. Although you can't indulge in sweets on Ash Wednesday, begin your preparations for your Easter celebrations by saving those chocolates. Besides you can always capitalize on those Valentine candies going on sale the next day too!

5. Wear Red

Red is the color of martyrs and love. Although the Lenten season color is purple, red is the color of the Triduum as well. Celebrate love, sacrifice and Lent by rocking your favorite red outfit to Mass and work.

6. Make a Special Dinner

Ash Wednesday is a day of fasting and abstinence while it is popular to share a special meal with your love on the feast of Saint Valentine. During a fast you are allowed one regular meal with two smaller meals that do not equal a regular meal. Abstinence means no meat but you can enjoy seafood. Make your regular meal count. You may not be able to indulge in wine and cocktails but a delicious sparkling water will quench your thirst and adds that little something extra to your dinner just as well.

The combination of Saint Valentine's Day and Ash Wednesday may make you feel like you have to chose one or the other to celebrate. I hope this has helped to illuminate the importance of combining these liturgical celebrations and reflecting on the real meaning behind the celebrations. I hope this is a blessed Lenten season and you enjoy your Ash Wednesday and Saint Valentine's Day this year.

#WorthRevisit: Saint David's Day

The beginning of March was the beginning of Lent, also known as Ash Wednesday. What some may not have known, is that it was also Saint David's Day.His feast day is celebrated on March 1st so it is almost always within the Lenten Season. Here is my #WorthRevisit with Reconciled to You and Theology is a Verb.

Sunday, February 28, 2016

Saint David's Day

I have been making greater efforts to become more knowledgeable about Saints that I am not very acquainted. One of those Saints feast day is this Tuesday, March 1st. Saint David of Wales is a very intriguing Saint because there are many stories that are told of Saint David, including one about a sea monster and him standing on the ground as a small hill formed beneath him to raise him above a crowd with a dove on his shoulder! There is even another story about Saint David blessing poison bread and consuming it without being hurt. Being a mom of two boys I think these stories will be big enough to catch their attention while we celebrate this amazing man but insanely enough, there are even more stories. He is the patron saint of doves, poets and Wales. There are also a number of symbols used to represent Saint David such as the leek and daffodils! I think it would be a great experience to be in Wales on Saint David's Day to be included in the festivals and activities that are held on March 1st in his honor. 

SO... Here are a few of my thoughts on this feast day because I can honestly think of a million different things we could do to make this fun and memorable for my family!

Activities: 

Write a poem!! Saint David is the patron saint of poets and was known for the way he prayed, studied and wrote during his life. 

Only drink water today... Saint David only drank water and was even nicknamed "The Waterman". and never drank wine or beer! 

Plant some flowers because daffodils are a symbol of Saint David and his country of Wales. He was also a great laborer and said "every man is his own ox"... this would be the perfect day to start you Resurrection gardens too! There are still 3 weeks left in Lent for them to grow into beautiful displays for Easter.

Depending on your child's maturity, you could discuss Corpse Candles. Personally, my boys are a little too young but I am intrigued and may do some additional research on this subject for my own knowledge. 

Food:

Anything made with leeks or a vegetarian meal with some bread would be a great way to honor Saint David. 

Potato Leek Soup 

Spinach and Leek White Bean Soup

Rosemary Tomato Leek Soup

Some options other than soup:

Quiche with Tomato, Kale and Leek

Baked rice with leeks and bok choy

Vegetable Pot Pie (Including Parsnips, carrots, sweet potato and leeks)

I love to scroll through recipes on Catholic Cuisine and AllRecipes.com... AND Remember to drink some water with dinner :)

Tradition:

Obviously I won't be traveling on March 1st to Saint David's Cathedral but it is on my list of religious places I want to visit before I leave this world for the next but it is said that visiting the Cathedral of St Davids in Pembrokeshire where his remains are buried have become a popular place of pilgrimage. It was also said that two pilgrimages to St David's is equalled to one pilgrimage to Rome and three equalled one to Jerusalem. I am not sure of the validity of this statement but if anyone has some insight, I would appreciate it!

Prayer:

There are some prayers that you can start 9 days prior to the Feast of Saint David. I wish I would have done research on this really amazing Saint earlier so I could have done a Novena. Like I said earlier, he is a Saint I didn't know much about prior to my research I started the past few days. As a side note...The website linked to the Novenas is a great resource for any prayer you may want to find.

Video/ Audio:


There is a short YouTube Video that gives a short animation portrayal of how Saint David became a Saint. I think my boys will enjoy it. 

There is also a neat site called Storynory that has an audio on Saint David of Wales.

I really have enjoyed learning about Saint David as his Feast Day approaches. If you have any other information on Saint David or customs/ traditions used to honor this Saint, please let me know! Saint David is a great example of how to complete Lenten Sacrifices and reading about his life has inspired me to make this Lenten Season the best that it can be!

I leave you with with Saint David's last words...

"Be joyful, and keep your faith and your creed. Do those little things that you have seen me do and heard about."

The Lenten Season and the Five Senses

If you read my previous post on Ash Wednesday then you already know that I am feeling behind on my Lenten preparations. Today is the First Sunday of Lent and I have challenged myself to get my home and plans solidified by the end of the day. I am feeling pretty confident that I will have everything accomplished but I am trying not to count my chickens before they hatch too. It is time to dive into the Lenten Season head first and be engulfed by the beautiful simplicity and meaningful moments that can come from fully participating.

First things first. How do you create an atmosphere for Lent? With Decorations? Music? Changing up your Family Meal Plans? I dapple in each of these areas since I like to immerse my family in the season and I have a sensory child that enjoys and understands the concepts more with his environment being overtaken with sights, sounds, touches, scents and tastes. What could be better than finding a way to entice your senses while on your journey to a closer relationship to God. After all, he created us with these senses, he surely wants us to use them!

SIGHT

Let's start with the sense of sight. The breathtaking colors of Violet and Purple and the rustic accents of branches, thorns and wilderness really make Lent come to life. Simplicity is key. So far I have adorned our fireplace mantle with a DIY board I created of the Stations of the Cross and flame-less votive candles. The twinkling flames against our Stations as they each go out one by one as we pray the Stations on Fridays, create a nice prayerful ambiance. I also have plain branches in a vase that is tied with a violet ribbon on our dining room table and a beautiful picture that represents Lent to my family on display. I also tied a grapevine wreath with the same purple ribbon as the vase on our front door. Our home altar has been cleaned and looks very simple with a purple cover, crown of thorns, sacrifice bean jar, our operation rice bowl and a beautiful purple rosary I won in a giveaway hosted by Mrs. Andy Anchored by Faith. This is one of the areas I just completed today and I am feeling quite proud of the Lenten feel that is in my home.

SOUND

Sounds are a little more difficult for me to chose during this season. When I think of a prayerful place, I think of quite, which is not something you will find in our crazy little home. So to embrace both Lent and the crazy that is happening in my home at all times, I thought some nice background music would be good or some nice calm prayers. My children and I are huge fans of Holy Heroes line of audio CDs. They offer the Stations of the Cross, the Rosary and Glory Stories about the Saints! and I was also given a great review about Music for Children's Liturgy of the Word by Christopher Walker that I purchased to add to our collection. I would love to hear what you consider a "sound of the season" for Lent.

TOUCH

The most difficult sense for me to decide on is always Touch. To satisfy the sense of touch, I have collected a nice amount of coloring pages. Once again, I have to mention Holy Heroes. They offer a FREE Lenten Adventure that send you coloring pages, word searches, cross words and much more that is relevant to the season of Lent. I also would like you to check out Life, Love and Sacred Art for some great coloring pages. In addition to coloring, there are some great crafts to have readily available. Burying the "ALLELUIA" is one of my children's absolute favorite crafts. We will also be creating a Resurrection Garden that you start during Lent so it is in bloom for Easter. Making Sacrifice Beads, Rosaries and Lenten Trees are also some fun and simple crafts you could do as a family.

Books are another touch that would be great to dive into during Lent. Devotionals and stories that explain the Lenten season and some of the feast days we celebrate during the 40 days. I was struggling with a Lenten devotional I wanted to focus on since I had already read a Walk in Her Sandals, I knew I would reread that during Holy Week but I was stumped about what to do the rest of the season. I decided I would read Rediscover Jesus: An Invitation and Resisting Happiness both written by Matthew Kelly. I am excited about these National Best-Sellers because there are questions in each section that allow me to ponder what I have read and how it relates to me so I can write in my prayer journal.

TASTE

When I think of tastes, the first thing that comes to mind is food and drink! The whole premise of the Lenten season is simplicity so simple meals, snacks and drinks are what I consider to captivate my family's sense of taste. I love baking pretzels and special meatless meals each Friday. The Crock pot is my lifeline during the incredibly busy season of Lent so it makes my home smell delicious and gets our taste-buds ready for our tasty meals. Here is a short list of Lenten recipe ideas below:

Shrimp Pasta

Shrimp Tacos

Tuna Sandwich

Vegetable Soups

Simple Salads

Spaghetti Squash and Marinara

Fruit Salad

Three Bean Salad

Homemade Pretzels

Macaroni and Cheese

Breakfast Bread

What are some of your go-to recipes? Do you prefer to cook out or go out? Are you active in the Knights of Columbus Spaghetti Dinners and Fish Frys? We are going to a Knights of Columbus Fish Fry this upcoming Friday!

Scents

What other scents do you think of for the Lenten Season? I think there could be an argument for incense and essential oils as an important aspect of your Lenten experience as well. Frankincense is a great option. Maybe purchase some candles made by monks or nun to keep in your home during seasons on extra prayer!

Let's also not forget the smells of Spring Cleaning! We use organic products in my home called Legacy of Clean and they smell amazing!

Still need more ideas to tingle your senses? Check out the CWBN Blog Hop! So many wonderful ideas and suggestions to bring the full season of Lent to your families with sacrifice, prayers and alms-giving.

It is important to remember that Lent is what you make it. You can make it simple or as complicated as you like and just like anything else in life, you will get out of it what you put into it.

Happy Lent and God Bless!

Ash Wednesday: A Story You Won't Forget

I am struggling with this Lenten season already: I have not started a devotional yet, I have not set out our Lenten decor and I am feeling a little unmotivated. I feel like these are the very same reasons I need to get my butt in gear and finalize my late preparations and immerse myself in this blessed season as soon as possible and so this is the reason behind this post. I wanted to refocus on what is truly important and share all about my awesome experience this past Ash Wednesday.

Ash Wednesday is the official kick off day of the Lenten season and for Catholics means a day of fasting and abstinence (no eating meat). It is Day 1 in your Lenten sacrifice, additional prayers and alms-giving. Honestly, I have a deep love of Lent. It is always an enlightening experience and I feel that I make great strides in my vocation as a wife, mother and friend while growing closer in my relationship to God. 

Well, this Ash Wednesday was a little different and I can promise you that I will never forget it.

I have two children, Little Man (age 9) and Goalie (age 6). Little Man is old enough to receive Communion and often Altar Serves on a regular basis in our parish. Goalie on the other hand is too young to really participate in the Mass besides as a parishioner and he is often saddened that he cannot receive Communion or help as an Altar boy yet. In addition to Goalie's sadness about just getting to sit with mommy, he is developmentally delayed and undergoing autism testing (they are pretty sure he has Aspergers). I am sharing this background so you can truly understand my experience this past Wednesday.

Little Man was Altar Serving at the Ash Wednesday Mass we attended in the evening and Goalie and I were sitting in the front pew, as we always do, so we can see Little Man in action and Goalie can be close enough to the Choir to feel as if he is a part of it. Mass was going great! No real outbursts from Goalie and Little Man was doing an amazing job attending to his duties.

The ashes were blessed and we were in line to receive them on our foreheads. I can't even begin to describe Goalie's excitement to receive his ashes. He had made it seem like it would be the highlight of his life! We were blessed with our ashes and returned to our pew. 

Then it happened....

Goalie is holding his hands in front of him like he is fighting the urge to grab his face with both his hands and his face is contorted like he is in pain!

I ask him, "Are you Okay?" "What's wrong?"

He begins to shake his little hands and points at his head while exclaiming "My head is on fire!"

I was completely taken by surprise by this answer and obviously his head was not on fire but I think I sat there for a minute of two starring at my child while he was having a complete sensory meltdown. When I finally understood what was happening, I calmly explained that the ashes maybe felt strange but I assured Goalie he was not on fire and he was okay. This conversation about Goalie's head being on fire went on until right before the Consecration of the Eucharist. The poor little guy couldn't move past the idea that his forehead was on fire so in my desperation to make him feel better and screaming "My head is on fire!",  I allowed him to rub his ashes off. 

Looking back on this story now, it is actually quite funny, I mean it is the kind of story people joke about happening but I got to live it. 

If you think that's the end of my story you would be wrong, here's the icing on the cake.

After Goalie had calmed himself, I realized that I heard the bell ringing that is normally rung when the Eucharist is being blessed. But the Eucharist was not being held up by the priest yet. I looked up toward the Altar Servers to see Little Man ringing the bells like there is no tomorrow and he is just grinning from ear to ear. It was his first time getting the honor of ringing the bells and he obviously was excited and also had no clue what he was doing. One of the other servers was trying to get his attention to stop, but their efforts were in vain.

Between Little Man ringing the bells throughout the entire Consecration and Goalie's head "being on fire". It was quite the eventful Mass to say the least. 

 As promised I guaranteed you a story you would not forget! I can promise you that although this was the most hilarious Ash Wednesday, it was also one of the most special. Goalie was able to receive ashes for the first time (even though it was short lived) and Little Man had his first experience with more responsibility as an Altar Server and was extremely enthusiastic. We all made a memory we would never forget and found ourselves closer to God, that's what it is all about anyway right? The picture above is our #ashtag we shared in honor of Ash Wednesday.

Now, I want to hear from my readers! How is your start to Lent going? Are you feeling like me, behind and unorganized? Or have you already dove into this amazing season with two feet and feeling the blessings that come with a meaningful Lenten season? Have you had any experiences like me with burning heads and an excited Altar boy?

A Prayer for Ash Wednesday:

Gracious God, today begins a period of inner reflection and examination. The days stretch before me and invite me inward to that silent, holy space that holds your Spirit. This special time beckons me to see my life through Christ's eyes and the truth and reality of your love incarnate. Give me the grace to enter the space of these days with anticipation of our meeting. And, when I open my soul to your presence, let your loving kindness flow over me and seep into the pockets of my heart. I ask this for the sake of your love.

Amen.

Shrove Tuesday: Feast Before You Fast

Today is the last day before we begin our 40 day journey into Lent. Ash Wednesday is tomorrow but before you begin your Lenten walk, make sure to feast on Shrove Tuesday, also known as Fat Tuesday. This day is meant to be the day for you to purge your home of the ingredients you should attempt to stay away from during the Lenten season such as butter, milk, sugar and eggs. You know... the tasty ingredients that make our foods full flavored. It is for this reason that pancakes are super popular on Shrove Tuesday and is sometimes referred to as Pancake Day! I know we have an annual Pancake dinner every Fat Tuesday. I also learned that there is another reason that pancakes are so popular on the day before Lent. They represent the four pillars of the Christian faith. Eggs symbolize creation, flour is the mainstay of the human diet, salt represents wholesomeness and milk is a symbol for purity.

In our home we spend this day enjoying our delicious pancakes and normally a king cake. I was unable to get a king cake this year so we settled on a beautiful cake decorated in a similar fashion. We also prepare for Lent by discussing the things that we will be fasting from during the upcoming 40 days.

I have to admit I am somewhat behind on having I need ready for Lent but I should have everything completed by tomorrow. Check out my post about the Lenten Season to get ideas on how to celebrate this amazing season of Lent with your families.I will be sharing more tomorrow on Ash Wednesday as well.

Do you have traditions for Shrove Tuesday? If so, I would love to hear all about them! What about Lenten activities too?

I hope you and your families were able to feast before fasting begins tomorrow. Honestly, Lent is one of my favorite times of the year. A time to embrace a positive change in faith, love and life. Get ready for an amazing journey and be ready to accept your Lenten adventure. I can't wait to see what is in store for us all.

Prayer for Shrove Tuesday:

Lord, give us grace to inaugurate with holy fasting the defenses of Christian warfare, so that we who are to fight against spiritual wickedness, may be helped and strengthened by self-denial.
Amen

My Experience: A Walk in Her Sandals

I was blessed to receive a copy of A Walk in Her Sandals: Experiencing Christ's Passion through the Eyes of Women in exchange for my honest reaction and review.

As the month of January comes to a close, I have been contemplating some resolutions I made for myself this year. Reading more, creating fellowship through my parish and striving to improve my relationship with God were among these resolutions. I came across a book that touched all areas that were important to me and I am happy and honored to share what I have learned in hopes that you will take the chance of reading and sharing your experience as well. This book is a special devotion created especially for women to follow through the Lenten season.

Christ's Passion has always been an emotional topic for me. In high school I participated in a Youth Group that hosted the Stations of the Cross during Lent and no matter what I did, I would weep as I read the station I was assigned to share. As a women, I often hear the words empathetic, loving and emotional as a description of my experiences in life. Sometimes it can seem as if these words are thrown at us in a negative manner but I am here to tell you that they are special qualities that we, as women, have been blessed with by God. A Walk in Her Sandals not only explains these amazing gifts in descriptive detail but will make you proud to embrace these qualities while opening your eyes to a new perception of our Savior's Passion that will touch your heart in a very unique way.

Suffering is a part of life. It will touch every person on this earth at some point, multiple times throughout their life. Men and women experience and deal with pain and suffering in different ways, it is how God created us. The Passion of Jesus is an experience of suffering and pain that is so deeply touching that it can reach anyone receptive to its true message on some level. It reveals itself to us in our own sufferings as daughters, mothers and women. It is time for us to come together in a fellowship of womanhood and embrace each other as we grow in faith by sharing our stories of suffering, love and enlightenment. 

This book is not just a book, it is an adventure. An adventure that you can chose to take alone or in the sweet embrace of a group.On this adventure, you will be introduced to Anah, Huldah, Miriam, Veronica, and Zilpah and experience these special women and their encounters with Jesus. There are special, intimate stories shared from the author and a deep look into the scripture. As if these inspiring factors weren't enough, there are Questions for Group Discussion that you could discuss with a group or answer within your prayer journal.

I honestly felt a change within me while I read this book each evening and I am looking forward to opening this book again during the Lenten Season. I was amazed by the perception and detail and of the stories and I am not afraid to admit that I cried through every chapter. I cried tears of love, joy and understanding and loved every minute of it.

I am often guilty of losing focus of myself, as most women are, and focusing on my children and husband most of the time. Use this Lenten season to grow your faith with this truly amazing book. I would love to hear about your experience as you start your adventure too.

Interested in learning more? I am working with some extraordinary women that took on this book and all the touching stories are being shared at the CWBN Blog Hop. Make sure to hop over and see what other women learned during their reflections.

Start planning how to host your own Lenten Book Club or join Between the Wines: Lenten Book Club hosted on WINE (Women in the New Evangelization) online featuring Walk in Her Sandals. Since I completed this book alone the first time, I am looking forward to starting a book club or joining one for my second experience.

#WorthRevisit: Mothering Sunday

Have you ever noticed how similar Advent and Lent are? Both are periods of waiting, preparation and anticipation and they also follow a similar flow through the liturgical year. This upcoming Sunday is Gaudete Sunday and the vestments worn during this day are rose just like the vestments worn during Mothering Sunday during Lent. Advent is suppose to be a mini-Lenten season and sometimes that is overlooked or not noticed. I hope your Advent has been prayerful and meaningful. Take a look at Mothering Sunday from Lent and see just how similar it is to the celebration of the third Sunday of Advent. Here is my #WorthRevisit with Reconciled to You and Theology is a Verb:

Sunday, March 6, 2016

Mothering Sunday 2016

Laetare Sunday is the fourth Sunday of Lent. It is also known as Mothering Sunday and Rose Sunday. Laetare means "rejoice" and as the name "mother" insinuates, the mood of this day is more hopeful and a reminder that Easter is almost here. It was once a custom to visit the cathedral, or Mother Church on Mothering Sunday. The vestments for this day are rose/pink not violet. The rose color is symbolic of the hope and rejoice of the day but is also in reference to the Golden Rose, an ornament made of pure gold that the popes have blessed each year on this day and is a symbol of the Risen Christ. Traditionally, I try to have everyone in our family wear something pink to Mass on this day to help set the tone for the day.

In celebration of this day, I have our usual big Sunday family dinner planned with the addition of a Simnel Cake. A Simnel Cake is pretty much a yellow cake that contains 2-8 layers and covered with almond paste icing and decorated with 11 or 12 almond paste balls. The almond paste balls symbolize Jesus's apostles but exclude Judas. If you decide to make a cake with 12 almond paste balls, the 12th is Jesus himself. Traditionally I am sure these cakes took many hours to prepare because they were prepared in a special way for children away from home to bring a gift to their mothers With the convenience of yellow cake mix I will be saving a lot of time! Sometimes I like to do things the more traditional way to fully understand the experience and make the celebration more interesting but during weeks like the one we have been having I am so thankful for the boxed mix! There are many different recipes you can find at CatholicCulture.com including traditional and ways to use the box mix :)

A fun craft would be to make your family a Golden Rose to have on display on your home altar or dinner table. You could purchase some fresh yellow roses and adorn them with gold glitter or you could purchase some craft roses from the dollar tree and spray paint them gold to reuse ever year! Today would still be a great day to make your Resurrection Garden too! There is still 3 more weeks for them to sprout before Easter.

Sundays in general are my FAVORITE day of the week! It is the day my family goes to Mass together and we try to do something fun together like hiking, going to the movies or bowling. No matter the activity we plan, we always end the day with a nice big family dinner {I really enjoy using my crockpot on Sundays to because I can throw the ingredients in before Mass and dinner is ready when we return home in the evening}! I try my best to eliminate any chores or errands that may interrupt our family time throughout the week. Sunday is my "reset" button to shake away the stresses of the previous week and it helps everyone in our household to start fresh the following week. I hope everyone enjoys their Mothering Sunday with their families and is starting their preparations for the feasts of Saint Perpetua, Saint Patrick and Saint Joseph. Palm Sunday and Holy Week are quickly approaching too!

"There shall come forth a rod out of the root of Jesse, and a flower shall rise up out of his root."
--Isaiah 11:1

Good Friday and Holy Saturday

As Lent comes to a close, the weather in our area has become quite chilly! There is another winter storm on the way! Looks like we will be having our first White Easter in Colorado :) Here's a quick snapshot of my families Good Friday and Holy Saturday. Around the holidays I tend to take many many many pictures, I hope you are ready to get a good look at my hilarious family!

Good Friday:

Tomato soup and grilled cheese is my families' traditional Good Friday dinner. I love having symbolic meals during our Liturgical Celebrations. The boys always seem to remember the food more than any other memory. We watched first part of The Animated Passion of the Christ with the family and I also was lucky enough to be able to watch The Passion of the Christ with my husband. We were so blessed that the boys Spring Break fell during Holy Week this year. It is really important to me that the boys are able to fully grasp the importance of the Holy Tridium. I don't normally take many pictures on Good Friday because it is a day of prayer and preparation. In all honesty, I was just too busy doing my last minute cleaning, cooking and organizing our Easter Celebration. Also I started our Divine Mercy Novena.

Holy Saturday:

Similar to Good Friday, Holy Saturday is another day of prayer and preparation and during the day we completed the rest of our to dos. The boys were most excited about the plans for the evening when we get to start having some fun when the Easter Vigil begins. We were going to attend the Easter Vigil Mass on Holy Saturday but my husband found out he was going to have to work early Sunday morning. We decided to go to Mass Sunday morning without my husband instead. His job requires him to work a lot of weekends but we normally have more time to organize our daily schedules without interrupting his sleep schedule to compensate for his long work hours.

Easter egg decorating is always a main event on Holy Saturday night. We started the evening with a crock pot dinner of BBQ Chicken and rice and started on the main event...

If you checked out my recent {pretty, happy, funny, real} post, you already know that my boys are in a big Star Wars phase. We had to get the egg coloring kit with Star Wars stickers and shrink wraps. It was also my husbands first time coloring Easter eggs with us :)

I love that my husband enjoys doing these activities as much as the kids. He was so excited that he was able to do all the "shrink wrapped" eggs. I don't really trust the boys around boiling water with a metal utensil to scoop eggs so... it made everyone happy that daddy was able to help!

The boys were able to recycle the empty cartons from our eggs used in our Star Wars coloring to create Resurrection Eggs too. I feel bad that I wasn't able to get any good pictures of the boys symbols before they "played" with them until they disintegrated into confetti on the floor. Goalie is still learning how to use his scissors and cut most of his into tiny pieces before Little Man joined in to help and his also ended in pieces. I am glad Little Man wanted to help his little brother though.

During our Saint Patrick celebration, (that I was never able to write a blog about...oops) we watched our Saint Patrick movie and they remembered that in honor of Holy Saturday, Saint Patrick lit a huge bonfire. They really wanted a bonfire but I convinced them that the fireplace was just as good! It was actually very relaxing and helped the boys calm down from our egg decorating extravaganza. I would like for this to become a new tradition we can add to our families Holy Saturday activities.

There are so many activities I enjoy completing during Holy Week but I decided to make it super simple this year so we could enjoy the moment a little more. I hope that the end of the Lenten season has been prayerful and meaningful for everyone and their families as much as it was for me and mine.

Holy Thursday Dinner

I am a HUGE fan of Jessica's blog at Shower of Roses and a couple years ago I ran across her idea for a Holy Thursday Lenten Tea. She also writes about her many Liturgical Teas at Catholic Cuisine (another blog I frequently visit). I began doing a special dinner for my family on Holy Thursday but it varies just a little than the Lenten Tea Jessica writes about. Little Man and Goalie normally do better listening and retaining information if they can physically touch things.... so I incorporated building our dinner with symbols according to the story of the Last Supper.  There are so many ways to involve your family in Holy Thursday celebrations, I love Holy Week. I have attempted to do feet washing too but Goalie gets way too excited and we all end up drenched :)

Back on track now...

We start our dinner with a clean table that has no cups, plates, bowls or silverware. The table will be filled with dinner by the end of the story. I normally start with the Anointing of Jesus at Bethany:

Now when Jesus was in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, a woman came up to him with an alabaster jar of costly perfumed oil, and poured it on his head while he was reclining at table. When the disciples saw this, they were indignant and said, “Why this waste?

It could have been sold for much, and the money given to the poor. 

Since Jesus knew this, he said to them, “Why do you make trouble for the woman? 

She has done a good thing for me. The poor you will always have with you; but you will not always have me.

In pouring this perfumed oil upon my body, she did it to prepare me for burial.

Amen, I say to you, wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be spoken of, in memory of her.”

Mathew 26:6-13

I allow the boys to bring over the plates, bowls, glasses and silverware. They also place the salad dressing (made with olive oil) on the table. When everyone has been seated again the story continues.

Read about the Preparations of the Passover:

"On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Where do you want us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?” He replied, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, "The Teacher says: My appointed time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house." So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover.

When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve. And while they were eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.”

They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, “Surely you don’t mean me, Lord?”

Jesus replied, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.”

Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, “Surely you don’t mean me, Rabbi?”

Jesus answered, “You have said so.”

Mathew 26:17-25

I allow the boys to bring out our "Unleavened Bread" and bring it over to the table. They cut it in portions in preparation of our dinner.

then the story of the Last Supper:

While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.”

Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you.  This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.  I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”

Mathew 26:26-29

At this point, the bread is passed out and we normally buy some sort of sparking juice that we pass around the table to fill our cups. then we pass around some water as well because water is very symbolic. It represents when Jesus washes he disciples feet and Pilot washing his hands of Jesus's death. 

Then we continue the reading:

When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

Mathew 26:30

The boys bring over the plate of "Mount Olive" that is encircled with 30 cucumber slices that as you've probably already guessed symbolize the 30 pieces of silver Judas will receive for betraying Jesus.

Then Jesus said to them, “This night all of you will have your faith in me shaken, for it is written:

‘I will strike the shepherd,

and the sheep of the flock will be dispersed’;

but after I have been raised up, I shall go before you to Galilee.”

Peter said to him in reply, “Though all may have their faith in you shaken, mine will never be.”

Jesus said to him, “Amen, I say to you, this very night before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.”

Peter said to him, “Even though I should have to die with you, I will not deny you.” And all the disciples spoke likewise.

Mathew 26:31-35

Since Peter's betrayal has been discussed, I fill everyone's bowl with some sort of chicken soup. The boys had their go-to Chicken Noodle and I enjoyed some Chicken and rice. The soup is normally very hot because its been in the crock pot or simmering on the stove while we read so it has time to cool while we finish our story.  I forgot to get a picture of the bowls alone so they are pictured with a plate of "leafy greens" that symbolizes the palm branches that were laid down for Jesus earlier on Palm Sunday and the Garden of Gethsemane. 

Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.”

He took along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to feel sorrow and distress.

Then he said to them, “My soul is sorrowful even to death. Remain here and keep watch with me.”

He advanced a little and fell prostrate in prayer, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet, not as I will, but as you will.”

When he returned to his disciples he found them asleep. He said to Peter, “So you could not keep watch with me for one hour?

Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Withdrawing a second time, he prayed again, “My Father, if it is not possible that this cup pass without my drinking it, your will be done!”

Then he returned once more and found them asleep, for they could not keep their eyes open.

He left them and withdrew again and prayed a third time, saying the same thing again.

Then he returned to his disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? Behold, the hour is at hand when the Son of Man is to be handed over to sinners.

Get up, let us go. Look, my betrayer is at hand.”

Mathew 26:35-46

Since Jesus is now in the Garden praying, I have the boys bring over our "garden vegetables" which normally consist of tomatoes and carrots and our plates of leafy greens.

While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived, accompanied by a large crowd, with swords and clubs, who had come from the chief priests and the elders of the people.

His betrayer had arranged a sign with them, saying, “The man I shall kiss is the one; arrest him.”

Immediately he went over to Jesus and said, “Hail, Rabbi!” and he kissed him.

Jesus answered him, “Friend, do what you have come for.” Then stepping forward they laid hands on Jesus and arrested him.

And behold, one of those who accompanied Jesus put his hand to his sword, drew it, and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his ear.

Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its sheath, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword.

Do you think that I cannot call upon my Father and he will not provide me at this moment with more than twelve legions of angels?

But then how would the scriptures be fulfilled which say that it must come to pass in this way?”

At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to seize me? Day after day I sat teaching in the temple area, yet you did not arrest me.

But all this has come to pass that the writings of the prophets may be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples left him and fled.

Mathew 26: 47-56

When I think of being betrayed by a friend with a kiss there are many different symbols I have used in the past. I have used dill pickles because they are bitter, I have also incorporated vinegar. This year I forgot I was out of both so we had nothing for this part of the story this year. We continue to hear about how Jesus is brought before the Sanhedrin:

Those who had arrested Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled.

Peter was following him at a distance as far as the high priest’s courtyard, and going inside he sat down with the servants to see the outcome.

The chief priests and the entire Sanhedrin kept trying to obtain false testimony against Jesus in order to put him to death, but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. Finally two came forward who stated, “This man said, ‘I can destroy the temple of God and within three days rebuild it.’”

The high priest rose and addressed him, “Have you no answer? What are these men testifying against you?”

But Jesus was silent. Then the high priest said to him, “I order you to tell us under oath before the living God whether you are the Messiah, the Son of God.”

Jesus said to him in reply, “You have said so. But I tell you:

From now on you will see ‘the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Power’ and ‘coming on the clouds of heaven.’”

Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has blasphemed! What further need have we of witnesses? You have now heard the blasphemy; what is your opinion?” They said in reply, “He deserves to die!”

Then they spat in his face and struck him, while some slapped him, saying, “Prophesy for us, Messiah: who is it that struck you?”

Mathew 26:57-68

To symbolize the three days that it would take to rebuild the Temple and the Holy Trinity, we bring a bowl of three cheese blend. Sometimes we add ice to our water and sparkling juice to represent the clouds of heaven too. We didn't do that this year because we had just returned home from football practice and we were all still freezing!! Sorry no picture again. And to finish our story we read of Peter's denial:

Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. One of the maids came over to him and said, “You too were with Jesus the Galilean.”

But he denied it in front of everyone, saying, “I do not know what you are talking about!”

As he went out to the gate, another girl saw him and said to those who were there, “This man was with Jesus the Nazorean.”

Again he denied it with an oath, “I do not know the man!”

A little later the bystanders came over and said to Peter, “Surely you too are one of them; even your speech gives you away.”

At that he began to curse and to swear, “I do not know the man.” And immediately a cock crowed.

Then Peter remembered the word that Jesus had spoken: “Before the cock crows you will deny me three times.” He went out and began to weep bitterly.

Mathew 26:69-75

Roasted and salted sunflower seeds are what we use to symbolize Peter's salty tears. at the end of this reading we say Grace and we begin to build our salads from the symbols used to illustrate our story. Then we enjoy our cooled soup and yummy salad. The kids always really enjoy this Holy Thursday tradition. 

 I love feeling like my children fully grasp the emotions and events that occurred during the Last Supper and onwards. After dinner we normally watch The Animated Passion but the boys were exhausted from our crazy day so we decided to watch it on Good Friday. I wish I would have finished this post last night too but I think I need to get a little more organized in my picture taking. I hope you all had a blessed Holy Thursday and are enjoying a prayerful Good Friday! Remember you Divine Mercy Novena starts today!