The Feast of St. Barnabas is coming up on June 11th. St. Barnabas was a true pioneer of the early church. Although St. Barnabas is not as well known as Peter or Paul, his faithfulness, generosity, and encouragement changed the course of the Church. He reminds us that sometimes the most powerful witness comes not from preaching but from believing in others, walking beside them, and helping them grow in Christ. St. Barnabas in Scripture We first meet Barnabas in the Book of Acts. His name was originally Joseph, but the apostles gave him the name Barnabas, meaning “son of encouragement” (Acts 4:36). He was from the tribe of Levi and was born in Cyprus. Barnabas sold a field he owned and gave the proceeds to the apostles to support the early Christian community in Jerusalem. From the very beginning, his life was marked by generosity, self-giving, and a willingness to put himself at the service of others. That spirit of encouragement would become one of the defining features of his ministry. He played a key role in the life of St. Paul. After Paul’s dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus, the other disciples were understandably hesitant to trust him. It was Barnabas who stepped in, believing Paul’s story, standing beside him, and introducing him to the apostles (Acts 9:27). His willingness to believe in someone others feared helped launch one of the greatest missionary journeys in the Church’s history. Barnabas was later sent to Antioch to encourage the new Christian community there, and he brought Paul with him. Together, they taught the believers and strengthened the Church. The Church in Antioch would eventually send them with famine relief to Jerusalem and later commission them for their first missionary journey. Barnabas and Paul traveled together through Cyprus and Asia Minor, preaching the Gospel and planting churches. Eventually, Paul and Barnabas disagreed over whether to bring John Mark on their next journey. Because Mark had previously left them during their work, Paul was reluctant to entrust him with another mission. But Barnabas, true to his name, wanted to give Mark a second chance. The disagreement was strong enough that they parted ways: Paul went one direction with Silas, and Barnabas took Mark back to Cyprus (Acts 15:36–39). Though this may seem like a sad ending, it led to the expansion of the mission, and we know that Paul and Mark eventually reconciled. Paul even asks for Mark in his letters (2 Timothy 4:11), a quiet testament to Barnabas’ faithful influence. Tradition holds that Barnabas continued preaching and was eventually martyred in his native Cyprus. He is remembered as a foundational figure in the early Church, one who encouraged the discouraged, stood up for the misunderstood, and built up the body of Christ. Ways to Celebrate Read Acts 4:36–37; 9:26–27; and 11:22–30. Spend time reflecting on the life and legacy of Barnabas. Consider reading these passages aloud with your family or during personal prayer, noticing the quiet faithfulness of Barnabas and the ways God used him to encourage others. Make Haystacks In England, St. Barnabas’ Day fell around the summer solstice, the traditional beginning of the haymaking season. Because of this, he is often depicted holding a hay rake! Farmers would begin cutting and drying hay, and after a hard day’s labor, they’d feast together with joy and music. A sweet way to remember this tradition is to make haystacks, no-bake treats made from butterscotch chips and chow mein noodles that resemble small bundles of hay. Barnaby bright, Barnaby bright, the longest day and the shortest night. ~ Traditional English saying Decorate with Woodruff and Roses. English churches were often decorated with woodruff and roses for St. Barnabas’ Day. Woodruff is a delicate, white flowering herb that grows in the forest, beautiful, fragrant, and easy to dry. If you can find it or a similar small white flower, add it to your kitchen table along with some roses in honor of the day. Make Walnut Streusel Coffee Cake. There’s a charming tradition from Glastonbury, England, that a walnut tree in the abbey churchyard would only bud on St. Barnabas’ Day. Celebrate with a simple Walnut Streusel Coffee Cake, perfect for breakfast or afternoon tea as you remember this faithful saint. Walnut Streusel Coffee Cake 1 1⁄2 cups all-purpose flour 3⁄4 cup sugar 2 1⁄2 teaspoons baking powder 1⁄2 teaspoon salt 1⁄4 cup butter 3⁄4 cup milk 1 egg 1⁄2 cup brown sugar, packed 2 teaspoons cinnamon 1⁄2 cup finely chopped walnuts 2 tablespoons butter, melted Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease and flour a round layer cake pan or a square 8"x 8" or 9"x 9" pan. Blend the first seven ingredients; beat vigorously for 30 seconds. Mix brown sugar, cinnamon, nuts, and melted butter in a small bowl. Pour half of the cake batter into the pan. Sprinkle half of the brown sugar mixture over the batter. Pour the remaining cake batter into the pan. Top with the remaining brown sugar mixture. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Welcome to Part Two in the Series Creating a Sacred Home! One of the most overlooked aspects of Christian life is the role of the table. We live in a culture that treats food as fuel and meals as one more task to accomplish. We eat in the car, at our desks, in front of screens, rushing from one thing to the next. Yet when we turn to Scripture, we discover that meals occupy a surprisingly important place in the story of God’s people. God has always been a generous host. He creates, He provides, He sets a table. The hunger He built into us is not a lack but an invitation, an opening through which His generosity continuously flows. From the very beginning, food is presented as one of God’s gifts to humanity. In Genesis, Adam and Eve are placed in a garden filled with trees that are good for food and pleasing to the eye. Food is not merely a necessity. It is part of the goodness of creation itself, a sign that God provides abundantly for His people. This theme runs throughout all of Scripture. The Psalms describe God as the One who opens His hand and satisfies every living thing. Israel’s story is marked by meals that help God’s people remember His faithfulness. And in one of the clearest examples of how God uses the table to form His people, He gives Israel the Passover. After delivering His people from slavery in Egypt, God instructs them to observe a yearly meal of remembrance. In Exodus 13, He tells them: “When the Lord brings you into the land of the Canaanites...you shall keep this service in this month. Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread, and on the seventh day there shall be a feast to the Lord... And when in time to come your son asks you, ‘What does this mean?’ you shall say to him, ‘By a strong hand the Lord brought us out of Egypt.’” Notice how faith formation happens here. God does not simply tell His people to remember His faithfulness in their hearts. He gives them a meal. He creates a shared experience that naturally leads to questions, conversations, and storytelling. Children ask what the meal means, and parents tell the story of God’s salvation. The table becomes the place where faith is remembered, practiced, and passed from one generation to the next. By the time we reach the Gospels, meals have become one of the primary settings of Christ’s ministry. Jesus shares meals with tax collectors and sinners. He feeds hungry crowds in the wilderness. He attends wedding feasts. He institutes the Eucharist at a shared table with His disciples. After His resurrection, He is recognized in the breaking of bread and prepares breakfast for His disciples along the shore. These are not incidental details. They reveal something essential about the Kingdom of God. Again and again, Christ uses the table as a place of welcome, teaching, reconciliation, and communion. Through meals, He demonstrates the hospitality of God and invites people into relationship with Him and with one another. The early Church continued this pattern. In Acts 2, the first Christians devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, the breaking of bread, and prayer, and these were not separate activities. Believers gathered in one another’s homes, shared meals, worshiped together, and cared for one another’s needs. The table was one of the primary places where the Christian community was formed and sustained. Long before formal church programs existed, much of Christian formation happened around the table. Families prayed together before meals. Scripture was told and retold. Children learned gratitude by giving thanks for God’s provision. Hospitality was extended to neighbors, travelers, and those in need. The table was not simply a place where food was consumed. It was a place where faith was lived. This has direct implications for our homes today. Many of us long for deeper connection within our families, yet shared meals are often among the first things sacrificed when life becomes busy. Yet the table remains one of the most natural places for the kind of formation that cannot be programmed or scheduled, the kind that happens in ordinary conversation, in the passing of bread, in the simple act of giving thanks together. Beginning a Rhythm of Shared Meals None of this requires elaborate cooking or a beautifully styled table. Christian families throughout history did not gather around perfect meals. They gathered around ordinary meals offered with gratitude. The significance was never in the menu but in the practice of coming together and recognizing God’s provision. Begin by protecting one shared meal each day. For some families, that will be breakfast. For others, dinner. The specific meal matters less than the commitment to gather regularly. Light a candle. As we explored in the first post in this series, candlelight signals that a moment has been set apart. At the table, that simple act changes the atmosphere, for children and adults alike, from merely consuming food into holy time. (inexpensive taper candles, thrift store candlesticks or these wooden ones, kid-friendly candle lighter, candle snuffer) Put away phones and devices. This is not a small thing! Presence is the precondition for everything else the table can offer. Begin with a simple blessing. Thank God for His provision. Ask one another about the day. Share joys, concerns, and prayer requests. Allow children to help set the table, serve food, or offer the blessing. These practices may seem small, but repeated faithfully over time, they become powerful habits of connection and formation. On Hospitality The table also opens naturally into one of the essential practices of Christian life, hospitality. Throughout Scripture, God’s people are called to welcome the stranger, care for the needy, and make room for others. In the early Church, hospitality was not a special ministry reserved for gifted individuals. It was an ordinary expression of Christian love. For many of us, hospitality feels intimidating because we imagine it requires perfect homes and elaborate meals. It does not. Christian hospitality has never been about entertaining. It is about making room. Sometimes that looks like inviting another family for dinner. Sometimes it means sharing coffee with a neighbor, bringing a meal to someone who is sick, or welcoming a new family from church. Start small. The practice will grow. Every day, we eat. Every day, we have opportunities to give thanks, gather together, and extend welcome to others. These ordinary moments, repeated faithfully and offered to God, become part of the spiritual formation of a family. The sacred home is not built only through prayers and devotions. It is built around the table as well, in shared meals, grateful hearts, meaningful conversations, and open doors. God has given us this gift. We need only receive it. Next in the series: Formation Through the Liturgical Year

Welcome to Part One in the Series “Creating a Sacred Home.” One of the things that has struck me as I have studied Christian history is how seriously Christians have always taken the formation of the home. Today, we often think of spiritual formation as something that happens primarily at church. We attend worship on Sunday, participate in Bible studies, and enroll our children in Sunday School or youth programs. These things are good and important, but for most of Christian history, the home was understood to be one of the primary places where faith was formed and nurtured. This understanding is deeply rooted in Scripture. In Deuteronomy 6, Moses instructs the people of Israel: “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.” Notice how ordinary these instructions are. Sitting in the house. Walking along the road. Lying down. Rising up. The assumption is that faith is woven into the fabric of everyday life, not reserved for the sanctuary, but present in the most unremarkable moments of an ordinary day. The early Church took this same vision seriously. Christians gathered for prayer in the morning, at midday, and in the evening. They read the Psalms, listened to Scripture, and shaped their days around regular encounters with God’s Word. This was not considered extraordinary devotion. It was simply how Christian households lived. What strikes me about this history is how available it makes faith formation feel. These were not elaborate programs or carefully designed curricula. They were families returning to Scripture and prayer at regular intervals throughout the day, trusting that faithfulness in small moments accumulates into something profound over time. That same simplicity is available to your family today. But before we talk about structure, let’s talk about how you begin. One of the simplest and most beautiful ways to mark the transition into prayer is to light a candle. Throughout Christian history, candles have served as symbols of Christ, the Light of the World. But they also do something practical: they help us mark a moment as different from the rest of the day. In a home filled with noise, screens, and competing demands, the simple act of lighting a candle signals that something is about to happen that matters. Children respond deeply to this kind of tangible practice. It creates a sense of anticipation. It draws their attention without a word being spoken. If your children are old enough, give them roles. One child lights the candle. Another reads the Scripture passage. Another extinguishes the candle when you are finished, and if you want to make it memorable, purchase a candle snuffer and let them use it. These small rituals often become the moments children carry with them longest, precisely because they are invited to participate rather than simply observe. (inexpensive taper candles, thrift store candlesticks or these wooden ones, kid-friendly candle lighter, candle snuffer) Beginning a Rhythm of Prayer and Scripture If the idea of daily prayer and Scripture reading feels overwhelming, start small. One of the most common mistakes families make is trying to do too much too quickly. We imagine an ideal routine and then become discouraged when real life interrupts. But the Christians who shaped these practices across centuries were not living in monasteries. They were ordinary people with work and children and interruptions and tired evenings. The rhythms they developed were designed to survive real life, not ideal conditions. Choose one moment in your day that already exists and attach your practice to it. Breakfast, the start of homeschooling, dinner, or bedtime, find what your family already does and let prayer grow from there, rather than trying to carve out entirely new space. A simple rhythm might look like this: Light a candle Read a Psalm or a short passage of Scripture Share prayer requests Pray the Lord’s Prayer together The entire practice can take five minutes. And five faithful minutes, day after day, will do more for your family than an elaborate routine practiced sporadically. If you have young children, adapt freely. Let older children help read or lead. Give younger children something quiet for their hands while they listen. Keep your expectations realistic and remember that participation looks different at every age. Where to Begin You don’t need a special book or a formal program to begin. A Bible and a willingness to show up are enough. But if you find it helpful to have some structure as you start, here are a few accessible resources I created: Most importantly, do not wait for the perfect season. The great insight of Deuteronomy 6 is that faith formation does not require ideal circumstances. It requires only faithfulness in the ordinary moments, when you sit, when you walk, when you lie down, when you rise. The Church across the centuries has shown us that this is enough. Your home provides the moments. What remains is simply to begin. Light a candle. Open your Bible. Gather your family. That is enough. This is the first in a series on creating a sacred home. Next: The Table: Shared Meals and Hospitality.

Summer has arrived once again with its long days, warm evenings, and slower rhythms. School books are tucked away, gardens are beginning to flourish, and many of us find ourselves spending a little more time at home. There is a gentleness to this season, an invitation to linger a little longer at the table, take evening walks, and embrace a pace of life that often feels elusive during the rest of the year. And in the Church, we find ourselves once again in the season of Ordinary Time. This long green season has become one of my favorite times of the year. Without the anticipation of Advent or the solemn preparations of Lent, Ordinary Time gives us the opportunity to focus on the quiet work of growth. It reminds us that much of the Christian life is not lived in extraordinary moments but in the ordinary rhythms of everyday faithfulness. It is in the ordinary that habits are formed, relationships are nurtured, and discipleship takes root. As I have reflected on Ordinary Time this year, I have found myself thinking about the places where most of that formation happens. For many of us, it happens at home. Around the dinner table. During bedtime prayers. While folding laundry, tending gardens, welcoming friends, or reading aloud to our children. Historically, Christians understood the home as more than a place to eat and sleep. It was a place where the faith was practiced and passed down, where hospitality was offered, where daily work became an offering to God, and where the rhythms of the Church shaped the rhythms of family life. So this summer, I want to invite you into a new series: Creating a Sacred Home Over the next several weeks, we will explore what it means to cultivate a home that is intentionally ordered toward the presence of God. Not through perfection or elaborate projects, but through simple practices and faithful rhythms that help us live our faith in the midst of everyday life. Here’s what’s coming: Prayer: Ordering Time Around God How can we weave prayer naturally into the rhythms of our homes and create spaces that remind us of God's presence throughout the day? The Table: Shared Meals & Hospitality Why have Christians always placed such importance on gathering around the table, and how can shared meals shape our families and communities? Rhythms & Rituals From Friday fasts to feast day traditions, we will explore how repeated practices form our hearts and anchor us in the life of the Church. Beauty & Creation Gardens, candles, music, handmade objects, and the beauty of the seasons all have a place in the Christian home. We will consider how beauty helps lift our hearts toward God. Presence & Attention In a distracted age, how do we cultivate homes marked by listening, conversation, quiet, and genuine connection? Hospitality & Mercy Christian homes have always been places of welcome. We will explore simple ways to practice generosity, hospitality, and care for others. Formation Through the Liturgical Year How does the Church calendar shape our homes and help us tell the story of Christ throughout the year? Work as Holy Cooking, cleaning, gardening, sewing, parenting, and all the ordinary tasks that fill our days can become opportunities for faithfulness and gratitude. As always, each post will include practical ideas, historical insights, and simple ways to begin incorporating these practices into your own home, regardless of your season of life or experience with liturgical living. Creating a sacred home is not about achieving a particular aesthetic or getting everything right. It is about cultivating a place where faith can flourish, where Christ is welcomed into the ordinary moments of daily life, and where the slow work of spiritual formation can take root. So join me this Ordinary Time as we explore together what it means to create a sacred home. After all, the home has always been one of the most important places where the Christian life is lived.

The Feast of the Visitation (full title: The Visitation of the Virgin Mary to Elizabeth and Zechariah), celebrated on May 31st, commemorates the joyful meeting between the Virgin Mary and her cousin Elizabeth as recorded in the Gospel of Luke. Following the Annunciation, Mary journeyed to the hill country of Judea to visit Elizabeth, who was miraculously expecting John the Baptist in her old age. What unfolds is one of the most beautiful encounters in all of Scripture—a moment filled with joy, recognition, prophecy, and praise. The Visitation reveals God’s faithfulness at work through two faithful women. It is a feast that celebrates the fulfillment of God’s promises, the work of the Holy Spirit, and the recognition of Christ even before his birth. It is also a reminder of the beauty of Christian fellowship as Mary and Elizabeth rejoice together in the marvelous works of God. At the center of this feast are Elizabeth’s prophetic greeting and Mary’s Magnificat, a hymn of praise that has been prayed by Christians for centuries. The Visitation in Scripture After the angel Gabriel announced that she would conceive by the Holy Spirit and bear the Son of God, Mary set out “with haste” to the hill country of Judea to visit her cousin Elizabeth, who was six months pregnant with John the Baptist. Luke tells us that Mary remained with Elizabeth for three months. Upon Mary’s arrival, something extraordinary occurred. Elizabeth’s unborn child leaped within her womb, recognizing the presence of Christ. Filled with the Holy Spirit, Elizabeth proclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! But why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.”— Luke 1:42–45 These words are remarkable. Before Jesus was born, Elizabeth recognized him as Lord and Messiah. Through the illumination of the Holy Spirit, she perceives what no human eye could yet see. Her greeting also forms part of the prayer Christians have prayed for centuries in the Hail Mary: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.” The Visitation is therefore both a deeply personal family encounter and a profound theological revelation. The Magnificat Mary responds to Elizabeth’s greeting with one of the most beloved hymns in all of Scripture, the Magnificat. Named from the opening word of the Latin translation, Magnificat anima mea Dominum (”My soul magnifies the Lord”), this canticle is Mary’s joyful response to God’s grace and faithfulness. My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; For he has regarded the lowliness of his handmaiden. For behold, from now on, all generations will call me blessed; For he that is mighty has magnified me, and holy is his Name. And his mercy is on those who fear him, throughout all generations. He has shown the strength of his arm; he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He has brought down the mighty from their thrones,and has exalted the humble and meek. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent empty away. He, remembering his mercy, has helped his servant Israel, as he promised to our fathers, Abraham and his seed for ever. - Luke 1:46-55 The Magnificat is both intensely personal and profoundly universal. Mary praises God for what he has done in her own life, but she also proclaims his faithfulness throughout salvation history. Her song celebrates God’s mercy, justice, and unwavering commitment to his covenant promises. The themes of reversal that appear throughout the canticle, the humble being exalted, the hungry being filled, and the proud being scattered, point to the coming kingdom of God inaugurated through Christ. Canticles of Faithfulness The Magnificat is one of the Church’s most treasured canticles. A canticle is a psalm-like hymn drawn directly from Scripture, and the Magnificat has been prayed by Christians since the earliest centuries of the Church. It is also known as the Song of Mary, the Canticle of Mary, and in the Byzantine tradition, the Ode of the Theotokos. It is one of four great hymns found within the infancy narratives of Luke’s Gospel: The Magnificat (Luke 1:46–55) The Benedictus, or Song of Zechariah (Luke 1:67–79) The Gloria in Excelsis Deo, sung by the angels (Luke 2:13–14) The Nunc Dimittis, or Song of Simeon (Luke 2:28–32) These ancient hymns became central to Christian worship and eventually found a permanent place within the Liturgy of the Hours and later within the Daily Office of the Book of Common Prayer. Patterned after the hymns of praise found throughout the Psalms, they proclaim God’s mercy, justice, faithfulness, and the fulfillment of his promises to Israel. For nearly two thousand years, Christians have joined their voices with Mary, Zechariah, the angels, and Simeon in praising God through these sacred songs. The Magnificat as Thanksgiving Because of its themes of praise and thanksgiving, the Magnificat became closely associated with Evening Prayer and Vespers. As the day draws to a close, Christians have traditionally prayed Mary’s song in gratitude for God’s faithfulness and providential care. Today it continues to be sung and prayed throughout the world, especially during Advent when the Church reflects upon the events surrounding Christ’s incarnation. The Magnificat serves a rich catechetical purpose. It teaches believers about God’s holiness, mercy, justice, and covenant faithfulness. It reminds us that God lifts up the humble, remembers his promises, and works throughout history to accomplish his purposes. As Christians pray these words repeatedly, they are formed by them. Mary’s song becomes our song. The Meaning of the Visitation The Visitation is far more than a family reunion. It is a passage filled with rich theological significance that reveals God’s redemptive plan unfolding before our eyes. Recognition of Jesus as the Messiah Elizabeth’s greeting is one of the earliest confessions of Jesus as Lord. Before his birth, Jesus was recognized as the promised Messiah. Elizabeth’s declaration, “the mother of my Lord,” affirms both Christ’s identity and Mary’s unique role within salvation history. The Church has long seen in this passage a confirmation of Mary’s title as Theotokos, the God-bearer or Mother of God, not because Mary is the source of Christ’s divinity, but because the child she carries is fully God and fully man. The Role of the Holy Spirit Luke emphasizes the active work of the Holy Spirit throughout this encounter: Elizabeth is filled with the Holy Spirit upon hearing Mary’s greeting and is given divine insight into the identity of Mary’s child. John the Baptist responds to Christ’s presence by leaping within the womb. Mary herself responds with a Spirit-inspired hymn of praise that magnifies God’s greatness and faithfulness. The Visitation reminds us that the Holy Spirit opens our eyes to recognize Christ and empowers us to proclaim God’s mighty works. Mary as the New Ark of the Covenant One of the most beautiful theological themes within the Visitation is the connection between Mary and the Ark of the Covenant. In the Old Testament, the Ark was the sacred dwelling place of God’s presence among his people. It contained the tablets of the Law, the jar of manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded. The Church has long seen these items as foreshadowing Christ: The Tablets of the Law: Jesus is the fulfillment of the Law. The Jar of Manna: Jesus is the Bread of Life. Aaron’s Rod: Jesus is our eternal High Priest. Just as the Ark carried God’s presence, Mary carries Christ himself within her womb. Luke’s account contains striking parallels to 2 Samuel 6. When David encounters the Ark, he exclaims: “How can the ark of the Lord come to me?” Elizabeth echoes these words when she asks: “Why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” The parallels continue. The Ark remained in the house of Obed-Edom for three months, bringing blessing to the household. Likewise, Mary remains with Elizabeth for three months, and her presence brings blessing and joy. Both accounts are marked by rejoicing, divine presence, and God’s blessing upon his people. The Importance of Community The Visitation also reminds us of the importance of Christian community. Mary and Elizabeth are united by God’s calling and favor. Together they marvel at what God is doing and encourage one another in faith. The Holy Spirit brings them together not for competition or comparison, but for mutual joy and support. In a culture that often prizes individualism, the Visitation reminds us that God frequently works through relationships and community. We are called to rejoice together, pray together, and bear witness together to God’s faithfulness. A Foretaste of the Church’s Mission The Visitation also foreshadows the mission of the Church. Elizabeth’s prophetic greeting and Mary’s Magnificat both proclaim God’s saving work in Christ. Together they bear witness to the coming Messiah before his birth. In this way, the Visitation anticipates the Church’s ongoing mission to recognize, celebrate, and proclaim God’s presence in the world. Like Mary, we are called to carry Christ into the world. Like Elizabeth, we are called to recognize and rejoice in God’s work. And like both women, we are called to proclaim his faithfulness with joy. Ways to Celebrate: Read Luke 1:39–56 Spend time reading and meditating on the account of the Visitation. Pay special attention to Elizabeth’s greeting and Mary’s Magnificat. Pray the Magnificat Incorporate the Magnificat into your prayer life by praying it during Evening Prayer or as part of your personal devotions. Gather with Friends Because the Visitation celebrates fellowship and shared joy in God’s goodness, consider inviting friends or family to gather together and celebrate the day. Listen to Sacred Music Listen to The Magnificat by John Michael Talbot or another musical setting of Mary’s canticle. Bake a Blueberry Galette Since blue is traditionally associated with the Virgin Mary, a blueberry galette makes a fitting and festive treat for the feast. Galettes are simple rustic pastries filled with fruit, sugar, and butter, a beautiful way to celebrate the day with family and friends. As we celebrate the Feast of the Visitation, may we join Mary and Elizabeth in recognizing God’s presence, rejoicing in his faithfulness, and proclaiming his mighty works. May their example encourage us to magnify the Lord with our lives and trust in the fulfillment of his promises. the recipe - Blueberry Galette Crust: 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour, plus more for rolling 1/4 cup granulated sugar 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 cup unsalted butter, frozen ¼ cup ice water Filling: 4 cups blueberries 1/4 cup sugar 2 tbsp all-purpose flour 1 tbsp lemon zest 2 tbsp lemon juice Egg wash: 1 egg 1 tbsp milk For the pastry: Add the 2 1/2 cups flour, sugar, and salt into a food processor. Give it a few pulses. Cut COLD butter into tbsp-sized pieces. Transfer to a food processor and pulse until the butter is cut into small lentil-sized clumps. Slowly drizzle in about 1/4 cup of the ice water while pulsing the processor. If the mixture doesn’t hold together when you squeeze a clump in your hand, add a bit more water and pulse. Transfer the dough onto a pastry mat or sheet of plastic wrap and knead 2-3 times to help it come together a bit. Gently flatten into a one-inch-thick disk, cover with plastic wrap, and chill for an hour. Once your pie crust is chilled, preheat the oven to 425 F. Remove the dough from the fridge and let it warm up on the counter for a few minutes; this will prevent cracking. Roll the pie crust to about 1/4 of an inch and transfer it to a baking sheet. For the filling: In a bowl, gently stir together the berries, lemon juice, zest, sugar, and flour. For the assembly: In a small bowl, lightly beat the egg with a tablespoon of cream. Spoon the filling onto the dough, leaving a 2-3 inch border uncovered around the edge. Fold the edge up and over the filling, forming loose pleats. Brush pastry with egg wash and sprinkle with sugar if desired. Bake at 425 F until the filling is bubbling and the pastry is golden brown (about 25 minutes). Recipe from Preppy Kitchen.

This Sunday, we entered a new liturgical season: Ordinary Time. And yet, there is nothing “ordinary” about it. After the great feasts and celebrations of Eastertide and Pentecost, the Church now invites us into a long green season of growth, a season not marked by spectacle, but by steady faithfulness. Ordinary Time, sometimes called the season after Pentecost or Trinitytide, is where the Christian life takes root and begins to flourish in the daily rhythms of ordinary life. The word “ordinary” comes from the Latin ordinalis, meaning ordered or numbered time. It is the ordered unfolding of the life of Christ within us. This is the season where we learn what it means not only to celebrate the mysteries of the faith, but to live them. And perhaps this is why Ordinary Time is such a gift. Because most of life is not lived in mountaintop moments. Most of life is lived in kitchens and carpools, at dinner tables and in quiet prayers before bed, in daily work, hidden sacrifices, acts of mercy, repentance, forgiveness, and perseverance. It is here, in the steady and often unseen places of life, that God forms his people. Throughout Scripture, we see that God works not only through miraculous moments but through long seasons of faithfulness. Israel wandered in the wilderness. The disciples learned to follow Christ day by day. The early Church was built through ordinary believers living lives of quiet devotion in the midst of the world. This is the invitation of Ordinary Time: to become faithful disciples in the everyday. The liturgical color for this season is green, symbolizing life, growth, and fruitfulness. Just as the earth flourishes under the warmth of the sun, so too our souls are meant to flourish in the light of Christ. Week by week, we hear the teachings of Jesus proclaimed in the Gospels, his parables, miracles, commands, and call to discipleship, and we are gradually shaped into his likeness. Ordinary Time teaches us that holiness is not found only in extraordinary moments, but in the continual offering of our lives to God. In a culture constantly seeking distraction, novelty, and excitement, this season reminds us of something deeply countercultural: spiritual growth is often quiet, slow, and hidden. The Christian life is not sustained by emotional highs alone, but by abiding in Christ day after day. St. Augustine once wrote: “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in You.” Ordinary Time is where we learn that rest, not only in moments of celebration, but in the faithful rhythms of daily prayer, worship, repentance, and love. So as we begin this long green season together, let us embrace its beauty. Let us reclaim the sacredness of ordinary life. Let us seek Christ not only in feast days and celebrations, but also in the quiet moments that make up our days. For even here, especially here, God is at work. And so with the Church throughout the ages, we pray: “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name!” — Psalm 103:1 May this season be one of deep growth, renewed faith, and abiding joy as we walk faithfully with Christ in the everyday moments of life. Ways to Celebrate Read Acts 1 and 2 about the early church flourishing after the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Pray for the Holy Spirit to fill you anew and help you to flourish and grow. Buy my latest liturgical guidebook, The Liturgical Home: Ordinary Time! It gives you everything you need to celebrate the season of Ordinary Time in your home. All of the feast days, their significance and meaning, traditional recipes and ways to celebrate from around the world, and devotions for the special days. You are going to love it! Decorate your home with all things green! I love this beautiful muted green table cloth with cream flowers. These adorable striped napkins, or linen napkins. You could also add a throw pillow like this. Fill a jar or vase with green herbs or branches from the backyard. May God bless you and your family during this season of Ordinary Time!

Pentecost is almost here, which means it is time for one of my favorite simple and meaningful feast day crafts! This Gifts of the Holy Spirit Mobile is such a fun way to celebrate Pentecost together as a family. Children love cutting out the flames, hanging them on branches, and watching them sway in the breeze while learning about the Holy Spirit and the fruits He grows within us. Pentecost is one of the great feast days of the Church year. It is the day that we celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit and the birth of the Church. Fifty days after Easter, the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples like wind and fire, filling them with boldness, courage, and joy. Before Jesus ascended into heaven, He told His disciples to wait and pray in Jerusalem until they received the gift He had promised. Jesus promised to send a Helper and Comforter to His people. Through the Holy Spirit, God would dwell with His people, give them new hearts, and fill them with power to carry the Gospel into the world. What an incredible promise! One of the things I love most about Pentecost is that it reminds us that God does not leave us alone. Through the Holy Spirit, He guides us, comforts us, strengthens us, and transforms us. In Galatians 5, we are told that when the Holy Spirit dwells within us, He produces fruit in our lives. As you make this simple Pentecost mobile together, talk about the fruit of the Spirit and pray that the Holy Spirit would continue to work in your hearts and your home. The Fruits of the Holy Spirit Love Joy Peace Patience Kindness Goodness Faithfulness Gentleness Self-control Ways to Celebrate Pentecost Read Acts 1–2 together as a family and talk about the coming of the Holy Spirit. Read Galatians 5:22–23 and discuss the fruit of the Spirit. Talk about what each fruit means and how we can grow in these virtues through the work of the Holy Spirit. Make a Gifts of the Holy Spirit Mobile. How to Make a Gifts of the Holy Spirit Mobile This simple craft is a beautiful visual reminder of the flames of Pentecost and the fruits of the Holy Spirit. Hang it in your home on Pentecost as a reminder of God’s presence with us. You Will Need: White cardstock or construction paper Yellow, orange, and red cardstock or construction paper Scissors Glue stick Hole punch Twine or string A branch, hanger, or chandelier to hang your mobile from The printable patterns (download below) Instructions: Print the dove and flame patterns onto cardstock or trace them onto your paper. Cut out: One white dove Nine large yellow flames Nine medium orange flames Nine small red flames Glue one orange flame onto each yellow flame. Then glue one red flame on top of each orange flame to create layered flames. Turn the flames over and write one fruit of the Holy Spirit on the back of each flame. Punch a hole near the top of each flame and in the dove. Tie loops of twine through each piece. Arrange the flames and dove on a branch and hang your mobile in your dining room, on your kitchen table, in a window, or anywhere in your home where your family can enjoy it throughout the Pentecost season. As you hang each flame, say a prayer together and ask the Holy Spirit to fill your home with His presence. Happy Pentecost!

Sunday is Pentecost! Pentecost is the day that the church celebrates the gift of the Holy Spirit and the birth of the church. It is a major feast day so get ready to celebrate! Before Jesus ascended into heaven, he instructed his disciples to wait and pray in Jerusalem until they received the gift that he had promised. Jesus promised to send a helper, a comforter to his people. This Comforter would come bringing a baptism of fire and power. Through this Comforter, God would dwell with his people and he would give us new hearts and he would place a new spirit within us. What an amazing thing! In 1 Corinthians 12, we are told that when we are filled with the Holy Spirit, he gives us all gifts. “Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit the gift of wisdom, to another the gift of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues,and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.” Ways to Celebrate Read Acts 1-2 and 1 Corinthians 12:7-11. Learn about the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Look up and go over what each gift means. Make a Gifts of the Holy Spirit Mobile and as you are making it, pray that the Holy Spirit would give those gifts to you! Instructions for the Gifts of the Holy Spirit Mobile Trace and cut out a clip art image of a dove on white paper. Trace and cut out seven large yellow flame shapes, seven smaller orange tear drop shapes and seven even smaller red tear drop shapes. Glue an orange and then a red tear drop onto each yellow flame. Punch a hole in your dove and flames, write a gift of the Holy Spirit on the back of each flame, tie loops of twine through each shape and hang on a branch or from a chandelier. Happy Pentecost!

The Day of Pentecost is one of the highest feast days in the liturgical year. It is the day that we remember and celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit and the birth of the Church. This pivotal moment in Christian history is the fulfillment of Christ’s promise to send a helper, a comforter, who would empower and guide his followers after his Ascension into heaven. The coming of the Holy Spirit transformed the disciples into bold witnesses of the Gospel. What began in an upper room in Jerusalem spread outward into the entire world and continues even now through the life of the Church. Pentecost is not simply the story of a miraculous event long ago. It is the story of God dwelling within His people and empowering them to carry the light of Christ into the world. The word Pentecost comes from the Greek word meaning “fiftieth” because it occurred fifty days after Passover. It was originally the Greek name for the Jewish Feast of Weeks, or Shavuot, during which the people brought the first fruits of the harvest to Jerusalem. This is why Jews from every nation had gathered in the city when the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles. Although the Christian Pentecost no longer aligns with the Jewish festival, we continue to call this feast Pentecost because it falls on the fiftieth day of Easter. It is also known as Whitsunday, or “White Sunday,” because throughout history Pentecost became one of the great days for baptisms. Newly baptized Christians would wear white robes to symbolize the washing away of sin and their new life in Christ. Pentecost not only concludes the Easter season but also marks the beginning of the long season after Pentecost, Ordinary Time. Pentecost in Scripture Before Jesus ascended into heaven, He instructed His disciples to remain in Jerusalem and wait for the gift of the Holy Spirit. He promised they would receive power from on high and be baptized with the Holy Spirit and fire. For ten days, the disciples, the women, Mary, the mother of Jesus, and the other believers gathered together in prayer in the upper room. Then, on the Day of Pentecost, everything changed. Suddenly, a sound like a mighty rushing wind filled the house, and tongues of fire appeared and rested upon each of them. They were filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in different languages. At the same time, devout Jews from every nation were gathered in Jerusalem for Shavuot, the Festival of Weeks. When they heard the noise, they were astounded and asked, “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? We hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” (Acts 2:7-11). Some were amazed while others mocked them, assuming they were drunk. But Peter stood before the crowd and proclaimed that this was the fulfillment of the prophecy from Joel: “And it shall come to pass afterward,that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh;your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,your old men shall dream dreams,and your young men shall see visions.”— Joel 2:28 Peter boldly preached that Jesus, who had been crucified, was risen and exalted at the right hand of God as Lord and Messiah. His words pierced the hearts of the people, and many asked what they should do. Peter called them to repentance and baptism in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, promising that they too would receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. That very day, about three thousand people were baptized. These new believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, the breaking of bread, and prayer. They lived in unity, shared what they had, gathered together daily, and praised God with glad and sincere hearts. The Meaning of Pentecost The Day of Pentecost is filled with deep theological significance. Pentecost is the fulfillment of Joel 2:28-32, which foretold that in the last days, God’s Spirit would be poured out on all flesh, leading up to the return of Christ. It also fulfills Jesus’ promise to send the Holy Spirit upon his disciples after his Ascension (John 14:16-17, 26; John 16:7). Pentecost is believed to be the birth of the Church. Before this event, the followers of Jesus were a disparate group of disciples. The coming of the Holy Spirit empowered them. It united them into a single body with a shared mission, marking the beginning of the Church as a distinct entity committed to following Jesus. The Holy Spirit united the followers of Jesus and called them to fulfill Jesus’ Great Commission, to spread the Gospel throughout the earth. The Holy Spirit’s descent on Pentecost gave the disciples the spiritual gifts necessary for ministry and mission. God not only called but also empowered them. This was immediately demonstrated through Peter’s bold proclamation of the Gospel and the conversion of about 3,000 people in a single day. Pentecost reverses the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11:1-9), where God confused human languages, scattering the people. On the Day of Pentecost, the apostles speaking in various tongues enabled them to communicate despite language barriers, symbolizing the unifying power of the Holy Spirit and the universal nature of the Gospel’s reach. The disciples were given boldness to proclaim the Good News of Jesus, and the people who heard it were able to understand and believe. The Holy Spirit’s arrival at Pentecost leads to spiritual transformation within individuals, producing spiritual fruit (Galatians 5:22-23), granting diverse spiritual gifts to build up the Church (1 Corinthians 12), and renewing hearts and minds to reflect Christ more closely. Pentecost Traditions Around the World Pentecost has long been celebrated with joyful and vibrant customs throughout the Christian world. Similar to Ascension Day, a popular custom is to climb a hill or a mountain, often barefoot, to pray for the Holy Spirit. In the Alps, people decorate the cattle with garlands of flowers and send them up into the high pastures. In Austria, young men go out with long whips and crack them. Then they fire ancient guns on the mountainsides. Since red is the liturgical color of Pentecost, symbolizing the fire of the Holy Spirit, churches are traditionally filled with red banners, flowers, vestments, and decorations. Families often wear red clothing and decorate their homes with red and orange flowers. In the Middle Ages, Western European cathedrals had a Holy Ghost hole: a small circular opening in the roof that symbolized the entrance of the Holy Spirit into the midst of the congregation. On Pentecost, red flower petals or burning straw (!) would rain down upon the congregation through the Holy Ghost hole. Sometimes, they would lower a figure of a large wooden dove through the hole and would hover over the congregation while a lector read the narrative of Pentecost. In France, trumpets were sounded during the service to imitate the mighty rushing wind described in Acts. In Australia, Pentecost comes during the fall, so red poinsettias decorate churches. Many churches select members of their congregation to stand up all at once and read aloud the story of Pentecost in their particular language. They do this to reflect the first Pentecost, where the Holy Spirit enabled the apostles to speak in various tongues. Ways to Celebrate Pentecost Read the Pentecost Story Read Acts 2:1–11 together as a family. Then read Jesus’ words about the Holy Spirit in John 15:26–27 and John 16:12–15. Discuss the Gifts of the Holy Spirit Read 1 Corinthians 12:7-11 and discuss the different gifts of the Holy Spirit. Then, make a fun Pentecost Mobile with a dove and seven tongues of flame for the seven gifts of the spirit. You can find the tutorial here. Wear Red Dress in red clothing to symbolize the fire of the Holy Spirit. Decorate Your Home Decorate your dining table with red flowers, red candles, or red and orange streamers to symbolize the flames of Pentecost. Scatter rose petals across the table or use a red tablecloth for your Pentecost meal. Read Books About Pentecost Read my favorite children’s books on Pentecost. Eat Red Foods Celebrate with foods that reflect the liturgical color of the feast, such as strawberries, cherries, watermelon, roasted red peppers, tomato dishes, or Red Velvet Cake. the recipe - Red Velvet Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting Cake: 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon salt 1 cup buttermilk 1 tablespoon liquid red food coloring 1 teaspoon white vinegar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/4 pound (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature 1 1/2 cups sugar 2 extra-large eggs at room temperature Cream Cheese Frosting: 8 ounces of cream cheese at room temperature 12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter at room temperature 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 3 1/2 cups sifted confectioners’ sugar Directions for Cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour two 8-inch cake pans. Sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a small bowl. Combine the buttermilk, food coloring, vinegar, and vanilla in a large measuring cup. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and sugar at medium speed for one minute until it is light. Add the eggs, one at a time, and beat until combined. With the mixer on low speed, add the dry and wet ingredients alternately in three parts, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients, and mix until combined. Stir with a rubber spatula to mix the batter. Pour the batter into two 8-inch cake pans. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely in the pans and frost the cupcakes with cream cheese frosting. Directions for Frosting: Place the cream cheese, butter, and vanilla in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and mix on medium speed just until combined. Add the sugar and mix until smooth.

The Feast of the Ascension, also known as Ascension Day, is one of the highest feast days in the liturgical year. It is the day that we remember Jesus’ bodily ascent into heaven and the profound significance of this moment in the story of our salvation. At first glance, the Ascension might seem like a sorrowful event. Jesus physically leaves the earth and disappears from the sight of His disciples. But the Church has always celebrated this day with great joy because the Ascension is not an ending—it is a triumph. The Ascension marks the completion of Christ’s saving work, His glorious return to the Father, and the beginning of something entirely new. Jesus ascends in victory, opening heaven to humanity and preparing the way for the coming of the Holy Spirit and the birth of the Church. It is both a conclusion and a commencement. The Ascension in Scripture The Ascension is mentioned in every Gospel except the Gospel of John and is recounted most fully in the Book of Acts. After His resurrection, Jesus remained with His disciples for forty days. He ate with them, taught them about the kingdom of God, and prepared them for what was to come. One day, while He was eating with them, He told them to remain in Jerusalem and wait for the gift His Father had promised. He told them they would be baptized with the Holy Spirit, receive power, and become His witnesses throughout the world. On the fortieth day after Easter, Jesus led them out to the Mount of Olives. He lifted His hands and blessed them, and as He blessed them, He was taken up into the clouds. While the disciples stood looking into heaven, two men dressed in white appeared beside them and asked why they were staring into the sky. They told them that Jesus would return in the same way He had ascended. And then something beautiful happens: the disciples worship. Filled with joy, they return to Jerusalem where they devote themselves to prayer alongside Mary, the mother of Jesus, and the other believers as they await Pentecost. Why the Ascension Matters There is so much theological richness packed into the Ascension. The Ascension marks the completion of Jesus’ earthly ministry and confirms that His mission of salvation has been fulfilled. Christ ascends victorious, having conquered sin and death. Through the Ascension, Jesus is exalted and enthroned at the right hand of the Father. The Church has always understood this moment as Christ’s coronation as King over heaven and earth. The Ascension also reminds us that Jesus continues to intercede for us. Though He is no longer physically present on earth, He remains actively involved in our lives, mediating between humanity and the Father. And perhaps most importantly, the Ascension prepares the way for Pentecost. Jesus tells His disciples that it is necessary for Him to go so that the Holy Spirit may come. The Ascension, therefore, becomes the bridge between Easter and Pentecost and the beginning of the Church’s mission in the world. The Ascension also points toward our own future hope. Jesus ascends bodily into heaven, carrying human nature with Him. In doing so, He opens the way for our own resurrection and glorification with Him. And finally, the Ascension directs our eyes toward Christ’s promised return. Just as He ascended into heaven, so He will come again. The Feast of the Ascension in the Life of the Church Since Jesus appeared to the disciples for forty days after His resurrection, Ascension Day is celebrated forty days after Easter. Traditionally, it falls on a Thursday, though some churches transfer the celebration to Sunday so that more people may participate in the feast. The nine days between Ascension and Pentecost are known as a novena and are considered the very first novena of the Church. Just as the disciples gathered in prayer while waiting for the Holy Spirit, Christians throughout history have spent these days praying and preparing their hearts for Pentecost. The Feast of the Ascension was already firmly established by the fourth century. A Spanish nun named Egeria recorded Christians in Jerusalem processing to the Mount of Olives, where hymns were sung, Scripture was read, and prayers were offered in remembrance of Christ’s ascension. Ascension Traditions Around the World Ascension Day has been celebrated with beautiful and fascinating customs throughout the Christian world. In many places, Christians process through fields and pastures while praying for God’s blessing on the land. In England, this became known as “Beating the Bounds,” where parish boundaries were walked and prayed over with bundles of sticks. In Portugal, Ascension Day is celebrated as Dia da Espiga (“Day of the Wheat Ear”). Families gather wheat stalks, rosemary, olive branches, and poppies, and hang them in their homes as symbols of blessing and provision for the coming year. In some churches throughout Europe, statues or crucifixes of the Risen Christ were raised through openings in the ceiling called “Holy Spirit holes,” while flowers, fruit, and cookies rained down upon the congregation. In western Germany, bakers traditionally sold pastries shaped like birds to symbolize Christ ascending into heaven. In parts of Italy, families celebrated with picnics and children caught crickets, which were believed to bring blessings. And in Venice, during the Feast of the Ascension, crowds still gather at the clock tower in Piazza San Marco to watch the mechanical Magi emerge and bow before Christ. Ways to Celebrate Ascension Day Read Acts 1:1–11 Read the story of the Ascension together as a family and reflect on Christ’s kingship and promise to return. Eat Fowl Traditionally, Christians ate birds such as duck, pheasant, or dove because they “fly upward” toward heaven. Roast chicken or turkey makes a simple modern alternative. Make Bird-Shaped Cookies In parts of Germany, bird-shaped pastries were traditionally eaten on Ascension Day. Hike a Hill or Mountain Just as Jesus led His disciples up the Mount of Olives, many Christians traditionally climb to a high place on Ascension Day to pray, picnic, or fly kites. Make Divinity This fluffy white candy symbolizes the clouds into which Christ ascended. the recipe - Divinity 2 ½ cups sugar ½ cup water ½ cup light corn syrup ¼ teaspoon salt 2 egg whites 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 cup chopped pecans, toasted Cook the first four ingredients in a heavy saucepan over low heat until the sugar dissolves and a candy thermometer registers 248 degrees. Remove from heat. Beat egg whites until stiff peaks form. Slowly pour half the hot syrup into the egg whites while beating continuously. Return the remaining syrup to the heat and cook until it reaches 272 degrees. Slowly pour over the egg white mixture with the vanilla extract, beating until the mixture holds its shape. Stir in pecans. Drop by spoonfuls onto wax paper and allow to cool.

The Feast of the Ascension, or Ascension Day, is one of the highest feast days in the liturgical year. It is the day we remember Jesus’ bodily ascent into heaven and its profound significance. The Ascension might suggest sadness since Jesus physically left the earth. However, instead, it abounds with great joy as we celebrate the triumph of the risen Lord. It signifies the completion of Christ’s work of our salvation, his glorious entry into heaven, and his pledge of our own glorification with him. It represents both a conclusion and a commencement: Jesus finished his earthly work while setting into motion the gift of the Holy Spirit and the birth of the Church. In Scripture The Ascension appears in each Synoptic Gospel (those of Matthew, Mark, and Luke) and the Book of Acts. After Jesus’ resurrection, he revealed himself to his disciples for forty days. He ate with them and taught them all about the kingdom of God. While eating with them one day, he instructed them to stay in Jerusalem and wait for the gift his Father had promised. He then told them that they would be baptized by fire and the Holy Spirit, that they would receive power, and be his witnesses throughout the world. On the fortieth day, Jesus brought them to the summit of the Mount of Olives. He lifted his hands and blessed them. As he was blessing them, he ascended into the clouds. While the disciples looked up into the sky, two men dressed in white stood beside them and asked why they were looking into the sky. They explained that Jesus would return in the same way that he went into heaven as prophesied in Zechariah 14:4. The disciples immediately began worshiping the Lord. Filled with great joy, the disciples returned to Jerusalem to the upper room where they were staying. The women, Mary the mother of Jesus, and Jesus’ brothers, continued with one accord in prayer and supplication. They remained there for nine days, praying and praising God, until the Holy Spirit fell on the day of Pentecost. Meaning The Ascension holds profound meaning for Christians. These few verses feature so much happening and so much deep theological significance! The Ascension marks the end of Jesus’ physical presence on earth and the completion of his earthly ministry. It serves as the culmination and fulfillment of his redemptive work. As he ascended to the Father in glory, it confirms to us all that he completed his mission of salvation. Through the Ascension, Jesus is exalted and glorified as he is seated at the Father’s right hand. This event is seen as Jesus’ enthronement, emphasizing his divine nature, kingship, and ongoing reign over heaven and earth. With his Ascension, Jesus takes his place at the Father’s right hand, where he intercedes on behalf of humanity. This role is crucial as it shows us that he continues to be actively involved in our lives, mediating between us and God. The Ascension sets the stage for the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Jesus had promised his disciples that he would send the Holy Spirit to guide, empower, and comfort them. His Ascension is necessary for the Church to receive this gift, making it a foundational moment. Jesus’ Ascension in his resurrected body carries a profound implication for humanity: it points to a future where we will join him in heaven, highlighting the hope of resurrection and Ascension for everyone united with Christ. With Jesus’ departure, the responsibility to continue his work on earth shifts to his disciples and, by extension, to us (the Church). This moment signals the transition from Jesus’ direct ministry to the era of the Church, driven by the Holy Spirit’spower. The Ascension not only recalls Jesus’ departure but also anticipates his promised return. This eschatological (relating to the end of the world) aspect encourages us to look forward to the Second Coming of Christ, which will consummate God’s kingdom. The Feast of the Ascension Since Jesus appeared to the disciples and was with them for 40 days before ascending to heaven, we celebrate Ascension Day 40 days after Easter. There are nine days between the day that Jesus ascended (The Ascension) and the day that the Holy Spirit fell on the disciples (Pentecost). The Church calls these nine days a novena. Ascensiontide became the first such novena ever celebrated. The Anglican Church allows the traditional celebration of Ascension on Thursday to be moved to Sunday. A general trend has developed to move High Holy Days from weekdays to Sundays to encourage more Christians to observe theologically important feasts. According to the travel diary of Egeria, a Spanish nun who journeyed to the Holy Land, the Feast of the Ascension was a well-established feast by the 4th century. Those in Jerusalem celebrated it with a procession of the faithful to the top of the Mount of Olives, where, as she describes, lessons are read there with hymns interspersed, antiphons too are said suitable to the day and the place. Also the prayers which are interspersed have similar references likewise. The passage from the Gospel is also read where it speaks of the Lord’s Ascension, also that from the Acts of the Apostles which tells of the Ascension of the Lord into heaven after His Resurrection. (The Pilgrimage of Egeria) Celebrations Around the World Christians around the world celebrate Ascension Day as a major feast day. In many countries, processions occur in imitation of Christ’s journey with the disciples to the Mount of Olives. The faithful walk with prayer and song through fields and pastures, and the priest blesses the boundaries of the properties. In England, they call this the “beating of the bounds” because they beat the boundaries of the property with bundles of sticks and pray over them. In Portugal, it is known as Dia da Espiga (the day of the ear of a cereal plant, usually wheat). They gather wheat stalks, an olive branch, rosemary, and poppies and place them in their homes. Then, they hang this bundle upside down, behind the entrance or kitchen door or somewhere inside the house, until the Dia da Espiga of the following year, when it is replaced by a new one. They believe that the ears picked on this day provide happiness and abundance to the home. Some churches lift a crucifix or statue of the Risen Lord on wires through a hole in the ceiling known as the Holy Spirit hole. Then, gifts of cookies, fruit, flowers, and green branches rain down from the hole into the church. Since Ascension Day marks Jesus’ return to his Father, Germany commemorates Father’s Day at the same time. Traditionally, men were placed in a cart or carriage and brought to the village square. There, the father who had fathered the most children received a prize from the mayor. In Venice, twice a year, once on the Feast of the Epiphany and once on the Feast of the Ascension, “a Festa della Sensa” occurs in the clock tower in the Piazza San Marco. Underneath the clock is a niche with a figure of Mary holding baby Jesus. Doors on either side of Mary and Jesus open up, and the three Magi, led by an angel, appear. The angel and the three Magi make their way around Mary and Jesus. The angel lifts his trumpet to his lips, and the Magi bow down and remove their crowns. Crowds gather from all over the world to see this special event. Ways to Celebrate Read Acts 1:1-11. Eat fowl. It is traditional on this day to eat fowl since fowl fly up into heaven. This usually includes birds like doves, ducks, or pheasants. Since that might be hard to come by, make something with chicken or turkey. Make cookies with a bird-shaped cookie cutter. In western Germany, bakers sold pastries in bird shapes Hike a mountain or hill. Just as Jesus led his disciples up a mountain before he ascended, people enjoy hiking to the highest place in their area and having a picnic or flying kites. If you don’t live by a hill or mountain, go to a field or beach. Catch crickets. No one knows why anymore but in some parts of Italy, they catch crickets and exchange them with friends. Families throw a picnic while the children look for crickets, which tradition says bring blessings. Read this awesome children’s book - Breathe: A Children’s Guide to the Ascension by Laura Alary. Make Divinity to symbolize the clouds in the sky. Divinity 2 ½ cups sugar ½ cup water ½ cup light corn syrup ¼ teaspoon salt 2 egg whites 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 cup chopped pecans, toasted Cook the first four ingredients in a heavy 2-quart saucepan over low heat until the sugar dissolves and a candy thermometer registers 248 degrees(about 15 minutes). Remove the syrup mixture from the heat. Beat egg whites at high speed with an electric mixer until stiff peaks form. Pour half of the hot syrup in a thin stream over egg whites, constantly beating at high speed, for about five minutes. Cook the remaining half of the syrup over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until a candy thermometer registers 272 degrees(about four to five minutes). Slowly pour the hot syrup and vanilla extract over the egg white mixture, beating constantly at high speed until the mixture holds its shape (about six to eight minutes). Stir in one cup of chopped pecans. Drop mixture quickly by rounded teaspoonfuls onto lightly greased wax paper. Allow to cool.

As I began my journey through the liturgical year, I often wondered how we got the food traditions that we have. For instance, why do we eat watermelon at the Feast of Saint Bartholomew? Why do we eat Cuccia made from wheat berries for the Feast of Saint Lucy? The answer is actually quite simple: those things were in season at the time of the feast day. Throughout history, Christians around the world celebrated the liturgical year with meals that reflected both the seasons and the land where they lived. They gathered whatever was fresh and available in their region and transformed it into meals that honored the feasts and fasts of the Church. In Sicily, wheat berries were eaten for St. Lucia in December because wheat was a staple food, and the dish commemorated God’s provision during famine. In late August, watermelon appeared on tables for St. Bartholomew because it ripened during the heat of summer. In England, hot cross buns were baked during Lent and Easter when spices and dried fruits from winter stores were still available. In France, families feasted on galette des rois during Epiphany using butter, eggs, and preserved fruits saved for winter celebrations. These traditions were not carefully curated for aesthetics or novelty. They were born naturally from a people who lived close to the land and ordered their lives around the rhythms of the Church. The liturgical year and the agricultural year were deeply intertwined. Feast days arrived as strawberries ripened, apples were harvested, wheat was gathered, or citrus came into season. Christians received these gifts with gratitude and folded them into their celebrations as a way of sanctifying time itself. This practice wasn’t just about practicality; it was a profound way of living in harmony with God’s creation and appreciating the gifts He provides throughout the year. Before refrigeration and modern shipping, people simply ate what God provided in its season. There was anticipation and longing built into this way of life. Tomatoes were not expected in winter, and citrus was not available year-round. The arrival of certain foods marked the turning of the seasons and became woven into the memory of the feasts themselves. In our modern world, where convenience often trumps tradition, it is easy to forget the richness that comes from eating seasonally. We can buy strawberries in December and apples in June without ever considering where they came from or what season we are in. Food has become disconnected from the earth, and often from gratitude itself. Yet there is something profoundly grounding about returning to this practice. When we choose to celebrate the liturgical year with foods that are in season, we reconnect with the natural rhythms established by a loving God who blesses us with bounty. We begin to notice again the world around the God who sustains it and us. Eating seasonally also teaches us something important about the Christian life: there are seasons for everything. Seasons of feasting and seasons of fasting. Seasons of abundance and seasons of waiting. The Church calendar gently forms us through these rhythms year after year. The rich foods of Christmas and Easter feel more joyful after the simplicity of Advent and Lent. Fresh spring vegetables during Eastertide feel celebratory after the soups and preserved foods of winter. Even our meals begin to proclaim the story of redemption. Practical Ways to Get Started Know Your Seasons: Start by familiarizing yourself with what’s in season in your area. Local farmers’ markets are wonderful places to learn about seasonal produce and even gain inspiration for your meals. Take note of what appears and disappears throughout the year. Plan Liturgical Feasts: As you plan your liturgical celebrations, think about how you can incorporate seasonal foods into your menus. A Lenten soup might feature spring onions and fresh greens. Pentecost could include strawberries or bright red foods. Michaelmas in autumn might feature apples, blackberries, or roast chicken. Advent desserts can incorporate winter spices, dried fruits, and citrus. Try Traditional Recipes: Look up traditional recipes connected to feast days and liturgical seasons. Many of these dishes have been passed down through generations and are deeply rooted in the seasonal bounty of their regions. These recipes connect us not only to the Church calendar but also to Christians throughout history who celebrated these same feasts around their own tables. Get Creative: Don’t be afraid to adapt recipes based on what is available where you live. The goal is not rigid historical reenactment, but learning to notice and celebrate God’s provision in your own region and season. Involve the Family: Make this a family affair. Bring your children to the farmers’ market, let them help prepare meals, and teach them why certain foods are connected to certain feasts. Over time, these traditions become part of the memory and culture of your home. The smell of cinnamon may begin to signal Advent. Fresh berries may remind them of Pentecost. Warm soups and homemade bread may speak of Lent. When we begin to eat with the seasons of the Church and the seasons of the earth, we slowly recover something many Christians before us understood well: all of creation points back to God. Every harvest, every feast, every loaf of bread, and every shared meal becomes an opportunity to give thanks to the One from whom all good things come.