In my previous post , I shared the history, meaning, and biblical background of the Feast of St. Michael and All Angels, along with a delicious recipe for Blackberry Hand Pies to mark the day. If you missed it, be sure to go back and read that one first , it’s packed with theology, Scripture, and practical ways to understand who the angels are and why we celebrate them. Now, let’s keep the celebration going with a few more fun and meaningful traditions , perfect for gathering your family, engaging your kids, and connecting your table with the life of the Church. Fireworks & Festivities: Inspired by San Miguel de Allende In San Miguel de Allende, Mexico , Michaelmas is joyfully celebrated with La Alborada , a pre-dawn festival (yes, 4 a.m.!) filled with fireworks, music, and processions honoring St. Michael as defender of the light. Bring it home: Surprise your kids with a sparkler walk at dawn (or dusk!) Light candles and sing a hymn to start the day Enjoy a sunrise breakfast together as a celebration of light overcoming darkness Bake an Angel Food Cake There’s something so fitting about serving light, airy, and white angel food cake for a feast dedicated to heavenly messengers. Top it with seasonal blackberries for a nod to Michaelmas legends and a delicious, liturgically-minded dessert. Did you know? Blackberries were once believed to turn bitter after Michaelmas, cursed by the dragon (Lucifer) after his fall from heaven. Bake Traditional Scottish Bannocks In Scotland, bannocks , simple, round barley or oat cakes, were baked for Michaelmas. They symbolized sustenance, blessing, and the turning of the seasons. Make your own: Bannocks are quick to whip up and perfect for kids to help with. Serve warm with butter, jam, or honey for an easy, rustic breakfast or snack. Here’s a great recipe . Slay the Dragon! One of the most iconic images in Scripture comes from Revelation 12: St. Michael battling the dragon , a symbol of Satan and the forces of evil. This moment captures the spiritual warfare that continues even now, and the victory we have through Christ. Make it fun for kids: Create or buy a dragon piñata . Let children “slay the dragon” in the backyard with foam swords or wooden sticks. Talk about what it means for Michael to fight for us still today. Sing “Ye Watchers and Ye Holy Ones” This hymn is a powerful chorus of praise , joining our voices with the angels and saints: “Alleluia, angel choirs above are raising,Cherubim and seraphim, in unceasing chorus praising…” Perfect for family prayer time, morning devotions, or even while baking together. Tip: If your family enjoys singing, try teaching one verse each year and build your hymn knowledge slowly over time. Let’s Get Ready Together The Feast of St. Michael and All Angels gives us a vivid picture of the spiritual reality behind our everyday lives. It reminds us that we are not alone , that heaven is full of light and strength, and that God has surrounded us with help, protection, and love. As you mark this feast in your home, whether through blackberries and bannocks, fireworks or hymns, know that you’re joining a long tradition of Christians who have sanctified their time with joy, beauty, and meaning.

On September 21st , Christians around the world will celebrate the Feast of St. Matthew , honoring the remarkable story of one of the Twelve Apostles, who was once a despised tax collector but later became a beloved disciple, Gospel writer, and witness to the resurrection. Matthew’s life is a powerful testimony to transformation. When Jesus called him, Matthew left behind a career rooted in greed and social exclusion and stepped into the heart of God’s redemptive story. His feast gives us the opportunity to pause and reflect on mercy, vocation, and the joy of being called to follow Christ. Matthew or Levi? In the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, we meet this apostle at his calling, and you may notice he’s referred to by two names: Matthew and Levi, son of Alphaeus . This dual naming isn’t unusual for the time. Like many Jews living in a Greek-speaking world, Matthew likely had two names— "Levi" in Hebrew and "Matthew" in Greek or Latin, just as Saul was also known by the name Paul. Some scholars, though, suggest something more symbolic. The name Matthew means “gift of Yahweh” , and it may have been given or adopted after his conversion, reflecting his new identity as a disciple. Throughout the rest of Scripture and in Church tradition, he is remembered as Matthew , a name forever tied to the Gospel he would go on to write. The Call of St. Matthew A Tax Collector in Roman Judea Before his encounter with Christ, Matthew served as a tax collector under Herod Antipas. In first-century Judea, tax collectors (or publicans ) were seen as traitors and sinners, collaborators with Rome, often guilty of extortion, and considered ritually impure due to their contact with Gentiles. Their income was viewed as dishonest and unclean, and their presence unwelcome in both the temple and polite society. It’s no surprise that they’re frequently listed alongside “sinners” in the New Testament. Jesus’ Radical Mercy Against this backdrop, the moment Jesus calls Matthew is nothing short of scandalous. He sees him sitting at the customs booth and simply says, “Follow me.” Matthew immediately rises and leaves everything behind. That same day, Jesus shares a meal in Matthew’s home, surrounded by other tax collectors and sinners. The Pharisees, shocked, demand an explanation. But Jesus responds with words that echo through every generation: “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick… I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”(Matthew 9:12–13) This is the heart of Matthew’s story, and of the Gospel he would go on to proclaim: Christ came for the outsider, the broken, the unlikely. The Ministry and Legacy of St. Matthew After the resurrection and Pentecost, Matthew remained with the other apostles in Jerusalem and eventually traveled to share the Good News. Early Church writers like Irenaeus and Clement of Alexandria suggest he preached first to the Jewish community and later in lands as far as Ethiopia , where tradition holds he was martyred . One early legend tells of his confrontation with King Hirtacus , who tried to force a consecrated virgin, Ephigenia , into marriage. Matthew defended her, and for that, he was put to death, laying down his life in the very act of preaching the Gospel. Of course, his most lasting legacy is the Gospel of Matthew , the first book of the New Testament. It’s rich with references to the Old Testament and deeply rooted in Jewish tradition. His Gospel proclaims with clarity that Jesus is the long-awaited Messiah . Artists often depict Matthew as a winged man or angel , one of the four living creatures from Revelation 4:7, symbolizing his role as a Gospel writer (Evangelist). Ways to Celebrate the Feast of St. Matthew at Home Here are a few simple and symbolic ways to mark his feast day, at home, around your table, and in your heart. Read Scripture Read Matthew’s calling: Matthew 9:9–13 or Mark 2:13–17 . Reflect on Jesus’ words: “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” Enjoy Grapes or Grape Juice (or Wine!) In Logroño, Spain , the Fiestas de San Mateo coincide with the grape harvest. Celebrate with grapes, grape juice, or wine as a nod to the abundance of God’s mercy, and the joy of the season. Have a Pay Day Serve Pay Day candy bars or chocolate coins as a lighthearted reminder of Matthew’s past and the “treasure in heaven” he chose instead. Play Monopoly or Life A family game night with Monopoly or Life can spark conversation about money, generosity, and what it means to walk away from worldly success to follow Christ. Pancake Stacks Stack up little pancakes to resemble coins! Let’s Get Ready Together The Feast of St. Matthew is a beautiful reminder that no one is beyond the reach of God’s mercy , and that a single “yes” to Jesus can transform everything. As you prepare to celebrate at home, I’ll be sharing all the recipes, activities, and ideas you need to mark this feast in meaningful and memorable ways. Let’s continue walking together through the liturgical year, anchored in Scripture, tradition, and joy. the recipe - St. Matthew’s Day Coin Pancakes 1 egg 3 Tablespoons butter, melted 1 cup flour 1 Tablespoon sugar ½ teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 cup buttermilk Melt the butter. When cool, blend in the egg. In a separate bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients. Add the egg, butter, and buttermilk to the dry ingredients. Whisk until smooth. Heat a griddle to medium-low heat. Melt 1 tsp of butter in the griddle. Pour out the batter, making small circles. Flip when golden brown. Drizzle with honey or syrup.

So, you’re intrigued by the idea of liturgical living, but you’re not sure where to start. You’ve heard the term, you’ve seen glimpses of it in action, and now you’re wondering how to bring these sacred rhythms into your own home. The good news? You don’t need to overhaul your entire lifestyle. Liturgical living begins with small, intentional steps, allowing your faith to guide you day by day. 1. Begin with What You Already Know The easiest entry point is to build on traditions you already keep. Perhaps your family marks Advent, observes Lent, or has meaningful ways of celebrating Christmas or Easter. These are all part of liturgical living! From here, simply add one new layer. If you put up a Christmas tree, consider lighting candles in an Advent wreath . If you fast during Lent, try adding the practice of almsgiving . Starting with the familiar allows you to ease into liturgical practices without pressure. It’s not about perfection; it’s about intention. 2. Embrace the Church Calendar The Church calendar is your map for liturgical living. This centuries-old rhythm keeps us aligned with the life of Christ and the seasons of His Church. If you’re new, focus first on the “big four”: Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter. Each has its own themes, traditions, and practices to explore. During Advent, you might light an Advent wreath, pray together as a family, or celebrate St. Nicholas’ Day. In Lent, add a simple rhythm of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. As you become more comfortable, you can branch into feast days, saints’ commemorations, and the quieter but equally rich season of Ordinary Time. Want an easy way to keep track? My 2025–2026 Liturgical Year Poster is designed to guide you through every season. 3. Create Sacred Spaces at Home Liturgical living isn’t only about what you do, it’s also about where you do it. Creating a dedicated prayer space can make practices feel more intentional. This doesn’t have to be elaborate. A cross, an icon, a candle, or a well-loved prayer book can be enough to create a corner that draws your heart toward God. These spaces become visible reminders of your faith and help set the tone for your day. ( You can read more about creating a prayer space HERE . ) 4. Root Your Day in Prayer One of the simplest yet most transformative steps is incorporating prayer into the ordinary rhythm of your day. This might be grace before meals, Morning Prayer, or ending the night with Compline. If you have children, include them; even very short prayers can be powerful when practiced consistently. The Daily Office , the Church’s daily rhythm of prayer, is a beautiful gift. Don’t feel pressured to do it all. Start with just one office, Morning Prayer or Compline, and let it grow naturally. 5. Celebrate Feasts and Fasts with Joy Feast days and fasts are at the heart of liturgical living. Celebrating doesn’t have to be elaborate: bake a cake for a saint’s day, make a special dinner, or gather for prayer. The meaning lies in the intention to remember and rejoice. Fasting, on the other hand, helps us create space for God by setting aside distractions. This could be as simple as a fast on Fridays or giving something up during Lent. These practices turn our hearts back to God in humility and trust. 6. Practice Flexibility and Grace Liturgical living is not about following rigid rules; it’s about shaping your life around Christ. Some seasons will allow for more elaborate celebrations; others will call for quiet simplicity. Give yourself grace. If you miss a feast or forget a prayer, begin again tomorrow. The beauty of the liturgical year is that it always invites us back in. 7. Invite Your Family Along Liturgical living is most powerful when shared. Involving your family in daily prayers, feast day traditions, or learning about the saints weaves these rhythms into their hearts as well. Start small: pray Evening Prayer before bed, share a simple saint’s day meal, or serve together during Lent. These practices become cherished memories and living lessons of faith. Bringing It All Together Beginning liturgical living is like planting a seed. With time, intention, and care, it grows and blossoms, becoming a natural part of your daily life. Start small. Be flexible. Let the Church calendar guide you. And as the seasons turn, you’ll find your home and your heart more deeply rooted in Christ and His Church.

So, you’re intrigued by the idea of liturgical living , but you’re not sure where to begin. You’ve heard the term, you’ve seen glimpses of it in action, and now you’re wondering how to bring these sacred rhythms into your own home. The good news? It doesn’t require a complete lifestyle overhaul. Liturgical living is all about starting small and letting your faith guide you, step by step. Lighting an Advent Wreath 1. Start with What You Know The easiest way to begin liturgical living is to build on what you’re already familiar with. Maybe you already observe Advent or Lent, or perhaps you have a special way of celebrating Christmas or Easter. These are all liturgical practices! Take what you’re already doing and build on it. If you put up a Christmas tree, consider lighting candles in an Advent wreath . If you fast during Lent, considering adding the discipline of collecting alms for the poor . Starting with familiar traditions allows you to ease into liturgical living without feeling overwhelmed. It’s not about perfection; it’s about intention. Use a Liturgical Calendar to Keep Up With Special Days 2. Embrace the Church Calendar The Church calendar is your roadmap for liturgical living. It’s a beautiful, centuries-old guide that helps us align our lives with the life of Christ and the seasons of the Church. If you’re new to the Church calendar, start by focusing on the major seasons—Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter. Each of these seasons has its own unique themes, practices, and celebrations. For example, during Advent, you might light an Advent wreath, pray daily with your family, or celebrate St. Nicholas' Day . During Lent, consider adding more intentional acts of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. As you grow more comfortable with these major seasons, you can begin to explore the feast days of saints, the other seasons, and other liturgical moments that fill the year with opportunities for reflection and celebration. Setting up a prayer space in your home. 3. Create Sacred Spaces in Your Home Liturgical living isn’t just about what you do; it’s also about where you do it. Creating a sacred space in your home can help make your liturgical practices feel more intentional and meaningful. This doesn’t have to be elaborate—a small prayer corner with a crucifix, an icon, some candles, or a favorite prayer book is a great start. Having a dedicated space for prayer and reflection helps set the tone for your day and creates a visual reminder of your faith’s central place in your life. Read more about creating a prayer space in your home here . Praying Evening Prayer as a Family. 4. Incorporate Prayer into Daily Routines One of the simplest ways to start living liturgically is by incorporating prayer into your daily routines. This can be as simple as saying grace before meals, praying Morning Prayer, or ending the day with Compline. If you have children, involve them in these moments. Short, consistent prayers help anchor your day in faith and remind you of God’s presence in the ordinary. The Daily Office , which is the Church’s daily prayer rhythm is such a powerful addition to your life. While it may sound daunting, you can start with just one prayer time a day, such as Morning Prayer or Compline (Prayer Before Bed), and see how it fits into your routine. Celebrating St. James With a Traditional Almond Cake 5. Celebrate the Feasts and Fasts with Joy Feast days and fasting are key aspects of liturgical living. Celebrating feast days doesn’t have to be complicated—it can be as simple as making a special meal, baking a cake in honor of a saint, or gathering for a family prayer. What matters is the intention behind the celebration, making space to honor and remember. Fasting , on the other hand, invites us to create space for God in a different way. It’s a practice that teaches us to detach from the things that distract us and focus on our relationship with God. Whether it’s giving up something small during Lent or fasting on a traditional day like Friday, these acts can help you live more intentionally. 6. Be Flexible and Grace-Filled Remember, liturgical living is not about following a strict set of rules—it’s about growing in your relationship with God and letting your faith shape your everyday life. Some seasons will allow for more elaborate celebrations, while others may call for simplicity. Give yourself grace, and allow your practices to ebb and flow with the rhythms of your life. If you miss a feast day or forget a prayer, don’t worry. The beauty of liturgical living is that there’s always another opportunity to enter into the rhythm of the Church. It’s not about being perfect; it’s about being present and open to the ways God is moving in your life. 7. Invite Your Family Along Liturgical living is a beautiful way to involve your family in the life of the Church. Whether it’s through simple daily prayers, special celebrations, or learning about the saints together, inviting your family into these practices can help deepen their faith and create lasting memories. Start by including your family in the practices you’re already doing, and then look for ways to expand together. Maybe it’s praying Evening Prayer before bed, a special meal for a saint’s feast day, or a service project during Lent. The key is to make it meaningful and joyful for everyone. Bringing It All Together Starting with liturgical living is like planting a small seed of faith in your daily life. With a little intention and care, it will grow and blossom over time. Remember to start small, be flexible, and let the Church calendar guide you. Before you know it, liturgical living will become a natural, beautiful part of your everyday life, drawing you and your family closer to God and to the rich traditions of the Church.

The day is finally here! The Liturgical Home 2025–2026 Calendar has launched, and I could not be more excited to share it with you. This calendar has been such a labor of love, designed to make living the liturgical year at home both beautiful and practical. My hope is that it will be a daily reminder of the Church’s sacred rhythms, helping your family not only keep track of the feasts and fasts but truly live into them. Bring the beauty of the Church year into your home with this stunning 2025–2026 Circular Liturgical Calendar . The calendar visually guides you through the flow of the Christian year, showcasing the liturgical colors, holy seasons, and key feast days in a simple, elegant layout. Perfect for families, churches, and schools, it helps you stay rooted in the sacred cycle of Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Easter, Pentecost, and Ordinary Time. Hang it in your kitchen, classroom, or parish hall, and let it serve as both a teaching tool and a work of art, a way for children and adults alike to see at a glance where we are in the life of Christ. The calendar is printed on premium matte poster paper and measures 18" x 24" , making it both durable and striking as wall décor. You can also add a magnetic bamboo hanger for easy display, turning the passage of time itself into a sacred rhythm. Whether you are new to the liturgical year or have been walking through these seasons for decades, I pray this calendar blesses your home and helps you live more intentionally in step with the Church’s timeless story. Order your 2025–2026 Liturgical Calendar HERE

We often measure our lives by the dates and markers of the secular calendar, school terms, national holidays, birthdays, vacations. These rhythms are real and meaningful, but they cannot carry the full weight of our lives or give us the deepest sense of who we are. The secular calendar tells us when to shop, when to work, and when to rest for a day or two. The liturgical calendar, however, tells us a much greater story, the story of God’s redeeming love. A Story That Holds Us The liturgical year walks us, year after year, through the life of Christ. From the longing of Advent to the joy of Christmas, from the fasting of Lent to the triumph of Easter, from the fire of Pentecost to the quiet growth of Ordinary Time, the seasons of the Church teach us to see our lives as part of something larger. Each feast and fast reminds us that our days are not random or ordinary, they are woven into the mystery of Christ’s life, death, and resurrection. By contrast, the secular calendar trains us to orient our lives around deadlines, consumer cycles, and cultural milestones that pass quickly and fade. The Fourth of July ends with fireworks. Labor Day ends with sales. Even New Year’s Eve, with all its excitement, quickly collapses into resolutions we rarely keep. These markers may punctuate our schedules, but they do not shape our souls. Formation Through Time The Church, in her wisdom, gives us a different rhythm, a rhythm that sanctifies time itself. The early Christians understood that to follow Jesus was not simply to believe in Him but to walk with Him through the days and seasons of life. By marking time liturgically, we are formed slowly but surely into His likeness. We learn to wait with expectation, to feast with joy, to repent with humility, and to live in hope. Think of the way children absorb the life of faith by living the Church year at home. They learn that purple means preparation, green means growth, white means joy. They begin to expect Advent candles, Christmas hymns, Lenten prayers, Easter Alleluias. Without a single lecture, they come to know that their lives are bound up in the life of Christ. A Counter-Cultural Witness Choosing to live by the liturgical year is also an act of resistance. In a world that tells us our worth is found in productivity, consumption, or fleeting pleasures, the Church calls us back to the eternal. When we fast while the world feasts, when we keep celebrating Easter while the world has moved on, when we sanctify our homes with prayer and candles in the middle of Ordinary Time, we bear witness to a deeper truth: Christ is Lord of time, and our lives are hidden in Him. Shaped Into God’s People The secular calendar will always have its place, we need to know when to pay taxes, when school begins, when to honor our national history. But it cannot tell us who we are or where we are going. Only the liturgical year does that. By walking us through the story of Christ again and again, it slowly reshapes us. These seasons are not mere repetition, they are transformation. This is why the liturgical year shapes us more than the secular calendar: because it does not simply mark time, it redeems time. It teaches us, season by season, how to live, how to hope, how to love, and how to worship. It roots us in the story that will not fade, because it is the story of Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today, and forever. Interested in following the liturgical year? You can find all of my The Liturgical Home guidebooks HERE . They walk you through each liturgical season, with all of their feast days, traditions, recipes, and devotions. They give you everything you need to celebrate the liturgical year in your home. And coming soon … My liturgical wall calendar for the 2025-2026 year! Hang it in a promimnent place in your home, office, or church to keep up with every liturgical date for the year! (This is the calendar for 2024-2025 year)

Happy first day of September! September ushers us further into the season of Ordinary Time, carrying with it the gentle shift from summer’s fullness toward autumn’s quiet beauty. As the days grow shorter and the air begins to cool, this month invites us to steady our hearts, recommit to daily rhythms of prayer, and cultivate practices that keep us rooted in Christ. It’s a season for gathering, both in our homes and in our spirits, as we learn again that God is present not only in the feasts but also in the faithful work of every day. I’m so glad to walk through it with you! Here’s an overview with helpful links: September 14th - The Feast of the Holy Cross September 21st - The Feast of St. Matthew September 29th - The Feast of Michael and All Angels Current Season: Ordinary Time During the month of August, we continue our journey through the season of Ordinary Time. Here is a helpful article overviewing the season: The Season of Ordinary Time And check out my latest guidebook, The Liturgical Home: Ordinary Time . It gives you everything you need to know to celebrate the season of Ordinary Time in your home. September 14th - The Feast of the Holy Cross On the Feast of the Holy Cross, we lift high the cross of Christ, not as a symbol of defeat, but as the sign of victory and salvation. What was once an instrument of shame and suffering has become the very means by which the world is redeemed. In the shadow of the cross, we see both the depth of God’s love and the cost of our redemption. As Jesus declares, “And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself” (John 12:32), we are reminded that the cross is not only Christ’s glory but also our calling. This feast invites us to embrace the cross in our own lives, to follow where He leads, and to trust that through the cross comes resurrection and everlasting life. Holy Cross Day Basil Pesto for Holy Cross Day September 21st - The Feast of St. Matthew On the Feast of St. Matthew, we remember the tax collector turned apostle, whose life was utterly transformed by the call of Christ. As Matthew sat at his tax booth, burdened by a life many considered compromised and unworthy, Jesus simply said, “Follow me.” And Matthew rose, leaving everything behind to walk in the way of discipleship. His story reminds us that no one is beyond the reach of God’s mercy and that the Lord delights in calling the unlikely and overlooked into His service. As the author of the first Gospel, Matthew now bears lasting witness to the life, teaching, death, and resurrection of Jesus. This feast invites us to hear Christ’s call anew in our own lives and to rise, like Matthew, in faith and obedience, ready to follow wherever He leads. The Feast of St. Matthew, the Evangelist Coin Pancakes for the Feast of St. Matthew September 29th - The Feast of Michael and All Angels On the Feast of St. Michael and All Angels, or Michaelmas, the Church gives thanks for the unseen hosts of heaven who worship God and minister to His people. Scripture reveals Michael leading the heavenly armies, Gabriel announcing the coming of Christ, and countless angels who guard, guide, and join us in praise of the Lord of Hosts. This feast reminds us that we do not walk alone, the angels encamp around us, and invites us to lift our eyes in worship, joining our voices with theirs as we proclaim God’s victory and glory. How to Celebrate St. Michael and All Angels Day Happy Feast of St. Michael and All Angels Lemon and Rosemary Chicken for St. Michael and All Angels Follow along as I share everything you’ll need to celebrate every special day this month, including the history, recipes, and traditions!

Holy Cross Day is almost here! Holy Cross Day is the special day when Christians around the world celebrate the cross of Christ. Holy Cross Icebox Cake The cross is pivotal to the Christian faith. It is the instrument of Christ’s redemption for the whole world. It is such a holy object to us and the saving acts of God through the cross of Christ are reason to celebrate! Holy Cross Day is an ancient feast day that celebrates the cross and all that it means for our lives. It is the day that we discover not only the cross itself but its rediscovery after it was lost in the fall of Jerusalem. The earliest Christians considered the tomb where Jesus was buried to be a holy site. However, after the siege of Jerusalem in AD 70, the city was reduced to ruins. Later, in AD 130, Emperor Hadrian built a Roman colony over its ruins. He ordered the tomb of Christ filled to create a flat foundation for a temple dedicated to Venus. In the 4th century, Emperor Constantine and his mother, Helena Augusta, converted to Christianity and set about finding and restoring Christianity’s holy sites and objects. Constantine sent his mother to have the pagan temple over the tomb destroyed and the old ruins of the tomb excavated. During the excavation, three crosses were uncovered believed to be the cross of Christ and the two thieves. This was the cause of many celebrations and a feast day was created to commemorate it. Ways to Celebrate: Holy Cross Icebox Cake Make a dessert in the shape of the cross. I love this super easy and decadent Holy Cross Icebox Cake . Your kids will have so much fun making it! You simply layer crisp chocolate cookies with whipped cream. Stack in the shape of a cross, chill until set, and voila…total heaven! A Fun Toothpick Cross Craft Make a cross craft out of toothpicks . This is a fun and easy activity for your kids. Break up toothpicks and glue them in the shape of a cross on black construction paper. Punch holes in the corners of the paper, thread twine through, and hang or process through your house. Make homemade basil pesto. Make homemade basil pesto . Tradition says that basil was growing all over the hill where St. Helena found the cross of Christ buried. Because of this, priests hand out basil sprigs to in Greece the parishioners on Holy Cross Day. Gather up bundles of basil and tie them with a ribbon. Place the basil bundles on the table as decorations for your feast. For dinner, make homemade pesto and spread on slices of crusty bread or add to hot pasta. Show your children how to make the sign of the cross over themselves. People often believe that making the sign of the cross over ourselves is superstitious or weird but that was never how it was intended to be used. Making the sign of the cross is just a way that we remind ourselves that we are set apart for Christ. Let's Get Ready Together! Celebrating Holy Cross Day is a beautiful and meaningful way to honor the profound significance of the cross in our faith. As you gather with your family to reflect on the history and engage in these simple yet rich traditions, you’ll create lasting memories and deepen your connection to Christ’s sacrifice. I’m excited to journey alongside you as we celebrate not only this special day but many more throughout the liturgical year. Be sure to follow along this week as I share all of the recipes and tutorials you’ll need to celebrate Holy Cross Day in your home!

The Feast of St. Luke celebrated on October 18th, invites Christians around the world to honor the life and contributions of this beloved saint and evangelist. As the author of one of the four Gospels and the Book of Acts, St. Luke leaves a legacy not only on the Christian calendar but also on the hearts of those who treasure the Scriptures. Luke’s Background St. Luke, often referred to as Luke the Evangelist, was a physician from the city of Antioch in Syria. He was highly educated and, according to tradition, an artist and a man of letters. St. Paul converted him, and he became one of the earliest Christian missionaries. He traveled extensively with St. Paul, remaining with him while he was in prison and even until Paul died in Rome. In the final chapter of 2 Timothy, St. Paul touchingly writes, “Only Luke is with me” ( 2 Tim. 4:11 ).  He is one of the Four Evangelists, or Gospel writers, and is credited with writing the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles, collectively known as Luke-Acts. He is said to have gathered eyewitness accounts before writing his account, making his Gospel more historical in nature. His unique perspective and meticulous attention to detail make his writings invaluable sources of early Christian history and theology. Iconography Church tradition credits Luke as being the first iconographer or painter of icons. Tradition holds that he was a skilled painter and created one of the earliest images of the Virgin Mary. He is said to have painted many icons of the Virgin Mary and Child and of St. Peter and St. Paul. There are several churches around the world claiming to have an icon painted by St. Luke. The St. Thomas Christians of India claim to have one of the Theotokos icons that St. Luke painted and that St. Thomas brought to India. This is why, in the cities of late medieval Europe, guilds that protected painters were known as the “Guilds of St. Luke.” Later Life and Legacy Luke seems to have died at the age of 84 in Greece. According to tradition, St. Luke’s tomb was originally in Thebes, and his relics were transferred to Constantinople in the year 357. In iconography, St. Luke often appears with a winged ox or bull, a symbol originating from the four living creatures in Ezekiel 1 . The early church fathers believed these living creatures (also found in Revelation) symbolized the four Gospel writers. The Catholic Encyclopedia states that St. Luke is always represented by the bull or ox, the sacrificial animal, because “his Gospel begins with the account of Zachary, the priest, the father of John the Baptist.” The Significance of the Gospel of Luke and Acts The Gospel of Luke is cherished for its compassionate portrayal of Jesus Christ as the Savior who welcomes the marginalized, heals the brokenhearted, and calls all to repentance. Luke’s emphasis on Jesus’ parables, miracles, and interactions with women and the poor highlights the universality of God’s love and grace. Unique Features of Luke’s Gospel While sharing many stories and teachings found in the other Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke), the Gospel of Luke has distinct characteristics and content that set it apart. Also, unlike Matthew and John, St. Luke was not a disciple of Jesus. His methodology is unique in that he “carefully investigated everything from the beginning” ( Lk. 1:3 ). St. Luke often includes specific historical, geographical, and cultural details in his Gospel, such as accurately describing towns and cities and correctly naming various officials. St. Luke provides the most detailed account of the birth and early life of Jesus, including Zechariah and Elizabeth, the Annunciation to Mary, the visitation of Mary to Elizabeth, the birth of John the Baptist, the nativity of Jesus in Bethlehem, the angelic hosts appearing to the shepherds, the meeting with Simeon and Anna, and Jesus as a boy. Famous songs like the Magnificat (Mary’s Song, Lk. 1:46–55 ), the Benedictus (Zechariah’s Song, Lk. 1:68-76 ), and the Nunc dimittis (Simeon’s Song, Lk. 2:29–23 ) are unique to Luke. The Benedictus appears in our liturgy for Morning Prayer and the Magnificat and Nunc dimittis are featured during  Evening Prayer . Luke also gives us six miracles and eighteen parables, including the Parables of the Prodigal Son ( Lk. 15:11-15 ), which does not appear in the other Gospels. Luke strongly emphasizes Jesus’ concern for the poor, women, sinners, and social outcasts. Many stories and parables in Luke emphasize this theme, such as the Parable of the Good Samaritan and the Parable of the Prodigal Son.  Acts: The Sequel to Luke The Acts of the Apostles, often considered the sequel to the Gospel of Luke, traces the early history of the Christian Church. It narrates the spread of the gospel, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, and the missionary journeys of Paul. Acts underscore the crucial role played by the Holy Spirit in empowering believers to carry the message of Christ to the ends of the earth. Ways to Celebrate the Feast of St. Luke : Read the Magnificat (Song of Mary) or the Nunc dimittis (Song of Simeon) in the Bible. St. Luke is the only Gospel writer that includes these beautiful songs. Watch an overview of the Luke/Acts series from The Bible Project . Since St. Luke was a painter, paint a picture of the Virgin Mary with Jesus.  In Venice, Italy, they have a proverb that says that pumpkins go stale on St. Luke’s Day. Make sure to eat something with pumpkins in it! Eat something with sour cream in it. In Scotland, it was traditional to eat “sour cakes.” People would make these from fermented oats and then eat them with sour cream.  Enjoy the weather. Lovely summer-like days usually occur around his feast day in the northern hemisphere. We call these days “St. Luke’s Little Summer.” Tradition has it that St. Luke’s Day did not receive as much attention as St. John’s Day and Michaelmas. Therefore, to keep from being forgotten, St. Luke presented us with some golden days to cherish before the coming of winter. In Impruneta, Italy, they hold the “La Fiera di San Luca,” one of Europe’s oldest surviving livestock fairs. The origins go back a thousand years to a time when the shepherds migrated from the mountains to the valley and stopped to trade cattle. Since the symbol for St. Luke is an ox, people traditionally serve beef on this day. We are making my grandmother’s incredible pot roast for dinner! My Grandmother’s Pot Roast Ingredients: 1 Chuck Roast 3 Tablespoons olive oil 1 bag of baby carrots 1/2 bag of potatoes, peeled and cubed 1 can of cream of mushroom soup 1 can of water 1 packet of Lipton onion soup mix salt and pepper Directions: Liberally season the chuck roast with salt and pepper. Heat the oil in a Dutch oven. When the oil shimmers, add the roast and sear on all sides. Once the roast is seared, remove the Dutch oven from the heat. Add the carrots, potatoes, cream of mushroom soup, a can of water, and the soup mix packet. Cover the Dutch oven and bake at 350 degrees for one hour. Reduce heat to 250 degrees and continue cooking for four more hours.

On August 24th, the church celebrates St. Bartholomew, a faithful disciple of Jesus. St. Bartholomew was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus according to the New Testament. He is mentioned in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Unlike some of the other disciples, the details of his life and activities are not extensively documented in biblical texts. The Life of St. Bartholomew What we do know is that St. Bartholomew, as a disciple, traveled everywhere with Jesus, learning from him and helping him in his mission. He continued on with the other disciples after Jesus’ death, resurrection, and ascension and was in the upper room when the Holy Spirit fell. He also became an Apostle of the Lord and leader of the early church. According to tradition, after the baptism of the Holy Spirit, St. Bartholomew is said to have traveled extensively, preaching the gospel wherever he went. He is believed to have traveled to various regions including India, Armenia, and possibly parts of Africa. He is often credited with bringing Christianity to these areas. St. Bartholomew's Martyrdom St. Bartholomew's martyrdom is also a large part of his tradition. He is believed to have been martyred in Albanopolis in ancient Armenia. There are various accounts of his cause of death; that he was hanged upside down or that he was beheaded but the most famous account, and the one that you see represented in iconography and art, is that he was flayed alive. The most famous image is that of St. Bartholomew holding his flayed skin in The Last Judgement by Michelangelo. Although we don’t have many details about St. Bartholomew’s life, he is widely depicted in art and iconography, his name is associated with various churches, cathedrals, and monuments, and there are rich traditions celebrating his feast day, all honoring his memory and contributions to Christianity. Ways to celebrate St. Bartholomew’s Day: Make gingerbread. During the middle ages in England, gingerbread was often the special cake served on feast days. The saint's image was usually stamped on the cake. Gingerbread, with the image of Bartholomew, was served at Bartholomew Fairs that were held across the land. We are making Gingerbread Cake from one of my favorite seasonal cookbooks, Honey and Jam by Hannah Queen. (See recipe at the bottom of the post) Have a race and eat a currant bun. In Sandwich, Kent, England, villagers hold a St. Bartholomew's Bun Race. The children of the village race around the chapel of St. Bartholomew's Hospital and are rewarded with a currant bun for their efforts. Make Bartlemas Beef. St. Bartholomew is the patron saint of butchers since he was skinned alive. Yikes! Traditionally, the beef served on this day was known as Bartlemas Beef (“Bartlemas” means the mass of St. Bartholomew). The following recipe is given in “Cook’s Guide” from 1664. Take a fat Brisket piece of beef and bone it, put it into so much water as will cover it, shifting it three times a day for three dayes together, then put it into as much white wine and vinegar as will cover it,and when it hath lyen twenty-four hours take it out and drye it in a cloth, then take nutmeg, ginger, cinnamon, cloves and mace, of each a like quantity, beaten small and mingled with a good handful of salt, strew both sides of the Beef with this, and roul it up as you do Brawn, tye it as close as you can; then put it into an earthen pot, and cover it with some paste; set it in the Oven with household bread, and when it is cold, eat it with mustard and sugar. Let me know if you make this, especially what you decide to use as “some paste”! Eat watermelon and make lanterns out of watermelon. In Italy and Spain, it was traditional to eat watermelon since watermelon was at the height of its season during this time. A watermelon festival was thrown on St. Bartholomew’s Day and everyone gathered to celebrate the saint and enjoy the fruit. On Tiber Island, in the middle of the Tiber River running through Rome, there is a cathedral dedicated to St. Bartholomew known as San Bartolomeo all’Isola. Villagers gathered there for the celebrations. A watermelon festival and market were held, with vendors displaying whole or sliced watermelons. The villagers would attend mass and then eat watermelon and hold races to celebrate the day. On the Spanish island of Majorca, children made lanterns out of the watermelons and paraded through the village.

Tomorrow is the day the church celebrates Bartholomew, a disciple of Jesus. Bartholomew was one of the twelve disciples called by Jesus. Bartholomew traveled everywhere with Jesus and he continued on with the other disciples after Jesus’ death and resurrection. He traveled throughout India, preaching the gospel. He ended up spreading the gospel in Armenia where he was martyred. Legend has it that Bartholomew was flayed alive before his death which is why you often see him depicted without skin or holding his skin as in The Last Judgment by Michelangelo. Ways to celebrate St. Bartholomew’s Day: Make gingerbread. During the middle ages in England, gingerbread was often the special cake served on feast days. The saint's image was usually stamped on the cake. Gingerbread, with the image of Bartholomew, was served at Bartholomew Fairs that were held across the land. Have a race and eat a currant bun. In Sandwich, Kent, England, they hold a St Bartholomew's Bun Race. Children race around the chapel of St. Bartholomew's Hospital. Everyone who participates receives a currant bun. Make Bartlemas Beef. Bartholomew is the patron saint of butcher’s since he was skinned alive. Yikes! The beef served on this day is traditionally called Bartlemas Beef (“Bartlemas” means the mass of St. Bartholomew). The following recipe is given in “ Cook’s Guide ” from 1664. Bartlemas Beef. Take a fat Brisket piece of beef and bone it, put it into so much water as will cover it, shifting it three times a day for three dayes together, then put it into as much white wine and vinegar as will cover it,and when it hath lyen twenty-four hours take it out and drye it in a cloth, then take nutmeg, ginger, cinnamon, cloves and mace, of each a like quantity, beaten small and mingled with a good handful of salt, strew both sides of the Beef with this, and roul it up as you do Brawn, tye it as close as you can; then put it into an earthen pot, and cover it with some paste; set it in the Oven with household bread, and when it is cold, eat it with mustard and sugar. Let me know if you make this, especially what you use as “some paste”! Eat watermelon or make lanterns out of watermelon. In Italy and Spain it was traditional to eat watermelon. Watermelon was at the height of its season during this time. A watermelon festival was thrown on St. Bartholomew’s Day and everyone gathered to enjoy the fruit. On the Spanish island of Majorca, children made lanterns out of watermelons and paraded through the village. We are making Gingerbread Cake from one of my favorite seasonal cookbooks, Honey and Jam .

One of my favorite moments during our church service is the "passing of the peace." To someone who is not familiar with this tradition, "the passing of the peace" would seem very odd. After a very somber and quiet time during the service, the congregation stands up all at once and the priest exclaims in a very loud voice, “The peace of the Lord be always with you!” To which the people respond, “And also with you!” Then everyone starts hugging each other, shaking each other's hands, and saying to each other, “Peace be with you. And also with you.” It gets very loud and seems a little out of control. Visitors who are new to this tradition often wonder if the church service is over but it's not, far from it, we are only about half of the way through with the service! What is the meaning behind this strange tradition, and why is it so significant in the life of the church? The Meaning of the Passing of the Peace To understand the tradition of the “passing of the peace”, we have to look at the earliest gatherings of Christians. We know that Christians have been celebrating the Eucharist (Greek for “thanksgiving”) since the time of Jesus Christ. The Eucharist, also known as the Lord's Supper or Communion in various Christian traditions, is rooted in the Last Supper that Jesus shared with his disciples shortly before his crucifixion. Here's a brief timeline: The Last Supper: During this meal, described in the Gospels (e.g., Matthew 26:26-28; Mark 14:22-24; Luke 22:19-20), Jesus took bread and wine, gave thanks, and shared them with his disciples, instructing them to "do this in remembrance of me." This event is considered the origin of the Eucharistic celebration. Apostolic Age: The practice of breaking bread in remembrance of Jesus' death and resurrection became a central element of Christian gatherings soon after the resurrection. Acts 2:42 mentions that the early believers "devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers." Pauline Letters: The Apostle Paul, writing in the mid-first century, refers to the Lord's Supper in his First Letter to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 11:23-26), indicating that the Eucharistic celebration was already an established tradition among the early Christian communities. Subsequent Centuries: As Christianity spread and communities grew, the Eucharistic celebration became more formalized, with set prayers, rituals, and liturgies. By the time of the early Church Fathers in the 2nd and 3rd centuries, references to the Eucharist and discussions about its meaning were frequent in Christian writings. Early Christians believed that the Eucharist was the central act of Christian worship. The Eucharist was so holy that they believed there needed to be a time of preparation before they partook of it. Not only did they need to confess their sins before receiving but they needed to make peace with their brothers and sisters in Christ. The passing of the peace is the part of the service where we are given the opportunity to ask for forgiveness and to reenact the reconciling love of Christ with our neighbors. At its core, the passing of the peace embodies the Christian values of reconciliation, unity, and forgiveness. It's a moment when congregants extend goodwill to one another, mirroring God's love and grace. In this act, we're reminded of our shared journey of faith, bound together by the common thread of Christ’s redeeming work in our lives and the lives of others. Scriptural Foundation Several biblical passages underpin the significance of passing the peace in a liturgical service: Matthew 5:23-24: "Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First, go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift." Matthew 18:15: "If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over." 1 Corinthians 1:10: "I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought." I Corinthians 11:23-30: “ For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves. That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. “ 2 Corinthians 13:11: "Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you." The History of the Passing of the Peace Originally known as the “kiss of peace,” the “passing of the peace” has been a part of the Christian liturgy since the apostolic age. By the time we have more structured liturgical documents, the kiss of peace is already a recognized part of the liturgical practice: The Apostolic Tradition : An early Christian treatise attributed to Hippolytus of Rome, written in the early 3rd century, references the kiss of peace. This is one of the earliest liturgical documents we have that describes the rite of the Christian assembly, and it suggests that the kiss of peace was given before the presentation of the offerings and the Eucharist. Eastern Liturgies : The kiss of peace also appears in ancient Eastern Christian liturgies. For instance, in the Divine Liturgy of St. James, one of the oldest complete liturgies we possess, there's a reference to the kiss of peace. Western Liturgies : In the West, the kiss of peace became a standard part of the Roman rite, usually placed after the Lord's Prayer and before the distribution of the Eucharist. A Profound Symbol In today's liturgical services, the passing of the peace serves as a tangible reminder of our commitment to love, forgiveness, and reconciliation. It's this incredible moment when we acknowledge that, in Christ, we are one body, intricately connected and called to extend grace to one another. As we share this sacred practice, we embody the words of Jesus in John 13:34-35: "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this, everyone will know that you are my disciples if you love one another." In the passing of the peace, we participate in a beautiful tradition that bridges the past with the present, connecting us to the earliest followers of Christ. It's a reminder that, in our diversity, we find unity, and in our love for one another, we reflect the boundless love of our Savior.