Happy first day of May! This is such a fun month in the Liturgical Year as we continue to move through the 50-day celebration of the resurrection, also known as the season of Easter! I can’t wait to celebrate it with you! Here’s an overview with helpful links: May 1st - The Feast of St. Philip and St. James May 11th - Good Shepherd Sunday May 25th-28th - Rogation Days May 29th - The Feast of the Ascension May 31st - The Feast of the Visitation Current Season: Easter During the month of April, we transition from the season of Lent to the season of Easter. Here are some helpful articles overviewing each season: The Season of Easter Check out my guidebook, The Liturgical Home: Easter . It gives you everything you need to know to celebrate the Easter season in your home. May 1st - The Feast of St. Philip and St. James St. Philip and St. James were both early followers of Jesus and are considered two of Jesus’ twelve apostles, but little is known about them beyond that. We celebrate them on the same day because even though they died at different times and in different places, their bodies were moved and brought to the Church of the Twelve Apostles in Rome. Celebrating the Feast of St. Philip and St. James May 11th - Good Shepherd Sunday On Good Shepherd Sunday, the Church reflects on Jesus as the Good Shepherd who knows, leads, and lays down His life for His sheep. The readings, hymns, and prayers highlight Christ’s tender care and guidance for His people. May 25th-28th - Rogation Days Rogation Days come right before Ascension Day and are a time set aside to pray for God’s blessing on the land, the sea, and the bounty that comes from them. They start on the sixth Sunday of Easter, which is known as “Rogation Sunday” since it is the Sunday that precedes the Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday known as the “Rogation Days.” Blessings Abound: Exploring the Meaning and Traditions of Rogation Days May 29th - The Feast of the Ascension The Feast of the Ascension 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 glorification with him. Celebrating the Feast of the Ascension May 31st - The Feast of the Visitation The Feast of the Visitation commemorates the joyous encounter between the Virgin Mary and her cousin Elizabeth. This feast highlights Mary’s journey to the hill country of Judea to share the news of her miraculous pregnancy and to support Elizabeth, who was expecting John the Baptist. Celebrating The Feast of the Visitation

Happy first day of June! This is an exciting month in the Liturgical Year as we continue along in the season of Ordinary Time (which is anything but "ordinary"!). June 11th - The Feast of St. Barnabas The first feast of the month is the Feast of St. Barnabas, where we celebrate a faithful follower of Jesus and a companion t o St. Paul on his missionary journeys. June 24th - The Feast of the Nativity of St. John, the Baptist On this day we celebrate the birth of John the Baptist, th e greatest of all the prophets who prepared the way of the Lord! June 29th - The Feast of St. Peter and St. Paul Such a special day where we celebrate two men whose lives were radically changed by Christ and who went on to be foundational in the shaping of Christianity.  Follow along as I share everything you’ll need to celebrate every special day this month, including the history, recipes, and traditions! Helpful Links: Current Season: Ordinary Time Flourishing With the Holy Spirit: Embracing the Season of Ordinary Time   The Season of Ordinary Time   The Feast of St. Barnabas How to Celebrate the Feast of St. Barnabas The Feast of the Nativity of St. John, the Baptist Celebrating the Nativity of John the Baptist: A Fiery Feast and Water Wars The Feast of St. Peter and St. Paul The Feast of St. Peter and St. Paul

The Feast of the Visitation (full name: The Visitation of the Virgin Mary to Elizabeth and Zechariah ), celebrated on May 31st, commemorates the joyous encounter between the Virgin Mary and her cousin Elizabeth, as described in the Gospel of Luke. This feast highlights Mary’s journey to the hill country of Judea to share the news of her miraculous pregnancy and to support Elizabeth, who was expecting John the Baptist. The Visitation is this incredible moment of recognition and celebration of God’s work, marked by Elizabeth’s prophetic greeting and Mary’s Magnificat , a song of praise for God’s mercy and faithfulness. It is also a moment of profound connection between two faithful women, both miraculously blessed by God. The Visitation in Scripture After the Annunciation, when the angel Gabriel told Mary that she would conceive by the Holy Spirit and bear the Son of God, Mary hurried to the hill country of Judea to visit her cousin Elizabeth, who was six months pregnant with John the Baptist. She would stay with Elizabeth for three months. Remarkably, upon Mary’s arrival, Elizabeth’s baby leaped within her womb. Filled with the Holy Spirit, she exclaimed, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! But why am I so favored that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!” (Luke 1:42-45). The Magnificat Mary responded to Elizabeth with the Magnificat , a song of praise to God that highlighted God’s faithfulness, mercy, and justice:  My soul magnifies the Lord,and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior;For he has regardedthe 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, BCP rendering) Canticles of Faithfulness The Magnificat , Latin for “magnifies,” is a canticle or psalm-like song. It also goes by the Song of Mary, the Canticle of Mary, and, in the Byzantine tradition, the Ode of the Theotokos . It is one of four of our most ancient Christian hymns, used from the early days of the Church, all taken from the infancy narrative in the Gospel of Luke. Along with the Magnificat (1:46-55), these include Zechariah’s Benedictus (1:67–79), the angels’ Gloria in Excelsis Deo (2:13–14), and Simeon’s Nunc dimittis (2:28–32). These passages appeared in the Liturgy of the Hours and later became part of the Daily Office in the Book of Common Prayer as part of Evening Prayer. Patterned on the “hymns of praise” in the Book of Psalms, these hymns remind us of God’s mercy, justice, and faithfulness in the fulfillment of his promises to Israel. The Magnificat as Thanksgiving The Magnificat, with its themes of thanksgiving and praise for God’s mighty deeds, was seen as a fitting hymn to conclude the day and was included during Vespers or Evening Prayer. It is also sung during our worship services, especially in the Advent season when these verses are traditionally read. The canticle serves a theologically rich purpose by proclaiming God’s greatness, holiness, mercy, justice, and faithfulness. It highlights the reversal of fortunes, the fulfillment of God’s promises, and Mary’s unique role in salvation history. By praying it, believers are catechized in the faith and encouraged to internalize these truths. The Meaning of The Visitation The Visitation is a poignant moment of mutual support and recognition of God’s grace at work. It is a beautiful passage about two women called by God who rejoice together in God’s marvelous acts. It is also filled with deep theological significance. Recognition of Jesus as the Messiah Elizabeth’s exclamation acknowledges Jesus as the Lord and Messiah even before His birth. This recognition underscores Jesus’s divine nature and affirms Mary’s role as Theotokos , the God-bearer. The Role of the Holy Spirit Luke’s account emphasizes the active presence of the Holy Spirit in the event. The Holy Spirit fills Elizabeth when she hears Mary’s greeting, giving her divine insight into who Mary and Mary’s unborn child truly are. Upon hearing Mary’s voice, the unborn John the Baptist is filled with the Holy Spirit and leaps in Elizabeth’s womb. Mary, filled with the Holy Spirit, offers a glorious song of praise to God.  Mary as the New Ark of the Covenant The Visitation echoes Old Testament imagery, presenting Mary as the new Ark of the Covenant. In the Old Testament, the Ark of the Covenant was the dwelling place of God’s presence. Just as the Ark carried the presence of God, so we see Mary, the Mother of Jesus, as the bearer of God’s presence in a unique way through her role in the Incarnation. The Ark of the Covenant contained the tablets of the Law, a jar of manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded. The Church sees these items as prefigurations of Jesus: Tablets of the Law: Jesus is the fulfillment of the Law. Jar of Manna: Jesus is the Bread of Life. The High Priest Aaron’s Rod: Jesus is the eternal High Priest. In 2 Samuel 6:9-16, just as the Ark was brought to the house of Obed-Edom for three months, so Mary journeyed to Elizabeth’s house and remained for three months. Both accounts involved joyful receptions and the presence of God blessing the household.  The Importance of Community God’s favor and plan for their lives united Mary and Elizabeth. The Holy Spirit brought them together to marvel at and proclaim God’s mighty acts. When we embrace God’s plans and purposes, we are united in unity, wonder, and praise. An Anticipation of the Church’s Mission The Visitation prefigures the Church’s mission of proclaiming the Gospel. Elizabeth’s prophetic greeting and Mary’s Magnificat both involve witnessing to God’s redemptive work. This narrative sets a precedent for the Church’s role in recognizing, celebrating, and proclaiming God’s presence and action in the world. Ways to Celebrate Read Luke 1:39-56.  Since Mary and Elizabeth were sharing in the goodness of the Lord, you could invite friends over to celebrate the day. Listen to “The Magnificat” by John Michael Talbot. Since the color for Mary is blue, make a Blueberry Galette. A galette is a simple dessert of pastry dough wrapped over a filling made from fruit, sugar, and butter. 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 .

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.

Rogation Days come right before Ascension Day and are a time set aside to pray for God’s blessing on the land and the sea and the bounty that comes from them. They start on the sixth Sunday of Easter which is known as “Rogation Sunday” since it is the Sunday that precedes the Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday known as the “Rogation Days.” Rogation Days originated in the 5th century in Vienne, France, and were created in response to a series of natural disasters that hit the area. The bishop of the area, Bishop Mamertus, called his people to days of fasting and prayer. They prayed that God would have mercy on the growth of their crops and spare them from famine. The word “rogation” comes from the Latin ‘rogare” and means “to ask.” During Rogation days, Christians would gather at their church and participate in processions around the parish called “The Beating of the Bounds.” The congregation would gather together and walk the boundary of the parish, beating the border of the parish with willow branches. They prayed for the blessing of their land and if they lived by water for the blessing of the water. This tradition was also known in the northern parts of England as 'Gang-day' or 'gan week', after the old English name for walking. Once the parish boundaries were “beaten”, the community would gather for a celebration. They would drink “ganging beer” which was a beer brewed for the day and they would eat a mysterious food with no known recipe called “rammalation biscuits” which scholars believe is a form of the word “perambulate” which means to walk around (a parish, forest, etc.) in order to officially record its boundaries. To this day, Christians celebrate Rogation Days as a way to give thanks to God for the gifts of creation and to pray for His blessing on the land, crops, and the people who work the land. If you live on the coast, it might be referred to as the “blessing of the fleet.” Most of us have become disconnected from the food we eat and where it comes from. Rogation Days are a beautiful time to be reminded that our lives and the food that we eat are in God’s hands. It is a time to be mindful of this and to pray for all of those who work so hard to bring us the food that we eat. It is a time to pray for bountiful harvests and for protection from natural disasters. It is also a time to offer thanks for creation, those who tend it, and the food that we eat. Ways to celebrate: Starting on Rogation Sunday, during your normal time of prayer, light a candle and read the special collect for the day. A collect is a short prayer, especially one assigned to a particular day or season. If you want to go "old school", gather bunches of sticks or reeds with your children or friends and go around the edge of your yard, praying the collect for the day, offering prayers of thanksgiving for your home, and praying that God would bless your space. Pray for those who work the land or fish the seas for our food. Make a point to support local farmers or fishermen in your area by buying food from them. Traditionally, people ate foods from the first fruits of the harvest like new potatoes or beans. Try this delicious dish - Marinated Green Beans. the recipe - Marinated Green Beans with Tomatoes, Olives, and Feta 2 pounds fresh green beans, trimmed ¼ cup olive oil 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 cup kalamata olives, pitted and sliced 2 tomatoes, seeded and chopped 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar 1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano ½ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper 1 (8 ounces) package of crumbled feta 1 bunch of fresh oregano sprigs Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over medium heat. Add green beans; cook until slightly tender, but still crisp, 8 to 10 minutes. Immediately drain green beans and plunge them into ice water to stop cooking further. Drain beans and place them in a shallow serving dish. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook garlic in oil for about 30 seconds. Remove the skillet from heat. Stir in olives, tomatoes, vinegar, oregano, salt, and pepper. Pour mixture over green beans; toss together until beans are evenly coated. Sprinkle feta cheese on top and garnish with oregano sprigs. Chill at least 3 hours before serving.

This vibrant green bean salad is a fresh, flavorful way to celebrate the gifts of the land. Inspired by Mediterranean flavors, this dish combines crisp green beans with briny Kalamata olives, sweet tomatoes, fresh oregano, and a generous sprinkle of feta. The whole mixture is marinated in olive oil and red wine vinegar, allowing the flavors to deepen and mingle beautifully. Served chilled, this recipe is perfect for Rogation Days or any spring gathering where you're giving thanks for the harvest to come. It’s simple enough to prepare on a quiet weeknight and special enough to grace your feast table. Consider it a prayer of gratitude, offered with olive oil and salt. Best made a day ahead so the flavors have time to marry, this dish invites you to slow down, taste what the earth has given, and remember the Giver of All Good Gifts. Ingredients 2 pounds fresh green beans, trimmed ¼ cup olive oil 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 cup kalamata olives, pitted and sliced 2 tomatoes, seeded and chopped 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar 1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano ½ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper 1 (8 ounces) package of crumbled feta 1 bunch of fresh oregano sprigs Directions Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over medium heat. Add green beans; cook until slightly tender, but still crisp, 8 to 10 minutes. Immediately drain green beans and plunge them into ice water to stop cooking further. Drain beans and place them in a shallow serving dish. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook garlic in oil for about 30 seconds. Remove the skillet from heat. Stir in olives, tomatoes, vinegar, oregano, salt, and pepper. Pour mixture over green beans; toss together until beans are evenly coated. Sprinkle feta cheese on top and garnish with oregano sprigs. Chill at least 3 hours before serving.

If you've ever looked at the Church calendar and thought, This is beautiful, but how do I live this out with my family , you’re not alone. For many of us, especially those rediscovering the ancient rhythms of the Church after growing up in traditions that didn’t follow the liturgical calendar, the yearning is real. We want more than just Sunday morning. We want our homes to echo the seasons of the Church. We want our children to grow up knowing not just about Advent or Easter, but what it feels like to wait, to long, to rejoice, to fast, to feast. The good news? You don’t need a theology degree or a Pinterest-perfect home to do this. You just need a heart willing to pay attention, and maybe a candle or two. The Liturgical Year Is for You The Church's calendar is a gift. It's not a burden or just "extra credit" for the very pious. It’s a way to let the life of Jesus shape our actual days, not just our beliefs. When we mark time with the Church, we’re invited to step into a deeper, slower rhythm that forms us in love. And here's the thing: the Church year meets us right where we are . Whether you’re single, raising little ones, homeschooling, working full time, or somewhere in between, there are simple, meaningful ways to live this out in your home. Start Small: Anchor Your Days If you're just beginning, start with the big seasons: Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter . Light an Advent Wreath in December. Make a Paper Chain Countdown in Lent. During Easter, celebrate for 50 days by reading excellent children’s books all about the resurrection and what it means. Let these touchstones anchor your year. Don't worry about doing everything. In fact, don’t try to. Instead, ask: How can we mark this season in a way that draws us closer to Christ, in our actual life right now? Bring the Church into the Kitchen Feasting and fasting are central to the liturgical year, and they naturally invite us into the kitchen. Even one simple, seasonal dish can help set the tone. Make Saffron Buns on St. Lucy’s Day. Eat pancakes on Shrove Tuesday. Prepare something decadent for Easter like Tiramisu , or a meatless meal like French Onion Soup for Fridays in Lent. You don’t have to be a gourmet chef. You're forming memories, not curating a magazine spread. Use Your Walls (and Your Windowsills) One of the easiest ways to live the liturgical year is to change out a little space in your home to reflect the season. This could be a kitchen table, a windowsill, or just a shelf. Use colors of the Church calendar, purple, white, red, green. Add a candle, a saint card, a piece of art, a seasonal flower. It doesn’t need to be elaborate. Just let it speak of the sacred. Invite the Saints In One of the great joys of the liturgical year is getting to know the communion of saints, not just the “big names,” but the quiet, faithful ones too. Choose one or two feast days a month to remember. Light a candle. Read their stories aloud. Let their lives shape yours. Children especially love this. Saints are real-life heroes who remind us that holiness is possible, right in the middle of real life. Let It Be Simple, Let It Be Joyful There’s no perfect way to live the liturgical year. Some seasons you may be able to do more; others may feel quieter. That’s okay. The point is not to check all the boxes, it’s to let the rhythm of the Church form your family, gently, year by year. And I promise: the more you step into this rhythm, the more natural it will feel. It won’t be another thing on your to-do list. It will become the way your home breathes. Whether you're lighting your first Advent candle this year or preparing for your hundredth St. Lucy’s Day, know this: you are not alone. You are part of a great cloud of witnesses, past and present, learning to keep time with the Church. And that is a beautiful, holy thing. Ready to begin? Here are my favorite calendars, printable planning tools, and guidebooks -

From the first Easter morning to the present day, Christians around the world have hailed each other with the Easter Greeting: Alleluia! Christ is Risen! He is Risen Indeed! Alleluia! Jesus Christ is not dead, he is alive! Through his miraculous resurrection, sin and death have been defeated and we have been reconciled to God. Our joy overflows and we cannot be silent, we must cry out! These are events so deserving of praise and cheers that, as Jesus said in Luke 19:40, if we kept quiet, the stones along the road would burst into cheers!” Alleluia! Let’s begin with the word Alleluia . Alleluia is the Greek form of the Hebrew Hallelujah, which means Praise the Lord . We first find Hallelujah in the book of Psalms where it is two words, not one. Psalm 104, for example, ends with the acclamation, “Praise the LORD.” The word “Praise” is Hallel, which is the greatest expression of praise for God in Hebrew. The second word is Jah and means LORD. So Hallelujah is the greatest expression of praise that we can offer to God. The Hebrew word Hallelujah was carefully preserved, untranslated, by the Early Christians. They used it as their highest expression of thanksgiving, joy, and triumph. It can be found in the earliest Christian liturgies, such as the fourth-century Liturgy of St. Mark. Christ is Risen! “Christ is Risen!’ is adapted from Matthew 28. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary have come to the tomb of Jesus and found it empty. An angel tells them: “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen , just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee.” (Matthew 28:5-7) “He has risen indeed” comes from the Gospel of Luke. After Jesus revealed himself to the two men on the way to Emmaus , they ran back to Jerusalem and told the eleven disciples: “ The Lord has risen indeed , and has appeared to Simon!” (Luke 24:34) . The Easter Greeting Tradition in Other Languages According to legend, after the Holy Spirit fell on the followers of Jesus, Mary Magdalene went to share the gospel with Emperor Tiberius Caesar in Rome. She went to proclaim the resurrection of Jesus Christ. She exclaimed for the first time what is now the universal Easter proclamation among Christians, “Christ is risen!” If Mary did share the Easter Greeting with the Emperor, what language would she have used?  If Greek: Christos Anesti! Alithos Anesti! If Latin: Christus surréxit! Surréxit vere, allelúja! If Ukrainian (ok, we know Mary didn’t use Ukrainian!) : Khristos voskres! Voistinu voskres! The Easter Liturgy The Easter Greeting can be found in our earliest liturgies. In the Great Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday, we move through the lighting of the Paschal Candle, the reading of the Exultet, the baptisms and finally we arrive at the celebration of the Holy Eucharist. It is at this moment, when we are about to partake of the body and blood of Christ, that the priest stands before God’s people and leads them in this ancient greeting. Celebrant: Alleluia! Christ is Risen!People: The Lord is Risen Indeed! Alleluia! The Easter Greeting has been unleashed! For the next fifty days, Christians all over the world will now greet each other with this special greeting, some also exchanging a triple kiss of peace on each other’s cheeks. It will be used throughout the whole season of Easter and is so pervasive that some Christians even answer their phones with the phrase! A Resurrection Reminder The Easter Greeting is not just a way of saying hello, but a proclamation of our faith. It reminds us every time we shout it in church or greet one another with it of the hope and joy that we have in Christ, and it serves as a reminder that the resurrection is not just an event that happened in the past, but a present reality that we can experience in our lives today! Alleluia! Christ is risen! The Lord is risen indeed! Alleluia! For more about Easter and how to celebrate it in your home, check out my guidebook, The Liturgical Home: Easter Let us keep the feast!

It’s Eastertide, a season that invites us to live into resurrection, not just as a belief, but as a practice. It’s the long, joyful stretch of days where we keep saying He is risen! and begin to notice how that truth reshapes even the most ordinary parts of life. For me, one of the most tangible ways I practice resurrection is in the kitchen. Taking time to create something beautiful, from scratch, with my hands, especially when I could have defaulted to convenience, feels like an act of hope. I've been wanting to try a new recipe, one that I've been creating in my mind for some time but have not had time to make. First, let me give you some background on this recipe. I am a very adventurous eater, there is not much out there that I don't like, especially when it comes to desserts but traditional banana pudding is one of those things that I will not eat. Maybe it's the boxed pudding with the artificial banana flavor or the eggy flavor of the meringue or all of the above, I don't know. I just know that there is something about it that has always been really gross to me. My mind changed toward banana pudding when Mrs. Marsha Layfield, a dear friend of my mom's, shared her version of banana pudding with my family. She used vanilla pudding mix which dialed down the artificial banana flavor, Cool Whip instead of the eggy meringue, and a secret ingredient...sour cream which cut the intense sweetness and added some depth. This was a Southern banana pudding that I could get behind! My mom's friend's banana pudding is now a family staple, made at many a family event but as I've gotten older and become a cook myself, I've always wondered if I could make it even better by making most everything from scratch. I'm not adventurous enough to try to make homemade Nilla Wafers but I did want to make a new recipe with homemade custard and whipped cream. Well, I was finally able to make it today, and let me just say that if you've ever avoided banana pudding, you should not anymore! This recipe is SO good! The bananas, the homemade custard, the Nilla Wafers, and the whipped cream all come together to make absolute heaven! the recipe - The Best Banana Pudding 6 bananas, sliced 1 box of Nilla Wafers 1 cup of sour cream Custard: 1 1/3 cups whole milk 12 egg yolks 1 1/2 cups of sugar Whipped Cream: 2 cups heavy whipping cream 1/4 cup sugar To make the custard: In a saucepan, heat up the milk on medium-high heat. Add the egg yolks and the sugar. Stir constantly with a whisk until the custard thickens to a pudding-like consistency. Transfer the custard to a bowl and place plastic wrap directly on top of the custard. This will keep a film from forming on the top of the custard. Place in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. To make the whipped cream: In a stand mixer, fixed with a whisk attachment, add the heavy cream and sugar. Whip on high speed until stiff peaks form. To make the pudding: Layer half of the sliced bananas on the bottom of a 9 X 13 casserole dish. Next, add a single layer of Nilla Wafers. Fold in the sour cream and half of the whipped cream into the cooled custard. Spread half of the custard mixture onto the banana/wafers layer. Layer the remaining sliced bananas, wafers, and custard mixture. Top with the remaining whipped cream. Cover and chill for an hour.

Happy first day of April! This is such a monumental month in the Liturgical Year as we finish out the season of Lent, move through Holy Week, celebrate Easter (hooray!) and begin to move through the 50 day celebration also known as the season of Easter! I can’t wait to celebrate it with you! Here’s an overview with helpful links: Holy Week April 13th - Palm Sunday April 17th - Maundy Thursday April 18th - Good Friday April 19th - Holy Saturday Easter Season April 20th - Easter Sunday April 21st-26th Easter Week April 28th - St. Mark, the Evangelist Current Season: Lent then Easter During the month of April, we transtion from the season of Lent to the season of Easter. Here are some helpful articles overviewing each season: The Season of Lent The Season of Easter And since we are entering a new season, the season of Easter, during this month, check out my guidebook, The Liturgical Home: Easter . It gives you everything you need to know to celebrate the season in you home. April 13th - Palm Sunday Throughout Lent, we have been on a journey with Jesus as he makes his way to Jerusalem and to his eventual death. On Palm Sunday, we remember Jesus’ triumphal entry into the holy city of Jerusalem and we begin to walk him him through his last days also known as Holy Week. Celebrating Palm Sunday Make a Palm Sunday Mobile Make Pa x Cakes for Palm Sunday Make a Palm Sunday Wreath Palm Sunday Printable Play Set April 17th - Maundy Thursday Maundy Thursday is the Thursday before Easter, commemorating the Last Supper Jesus shared with His disciples. The word "Maundy" comes from the Latin mandatum , meaning "command," referring to Jesus' command to "love one another as I have loved you." On this night, Jesus washed His disciples' feet and instituted the sacrament of Holy Communion. It marks the beginning of the Triduum, the three sacred days leading up to Easter, and invites Christians to reflect on humility, service, and the depth of Christ's love. Commemorating Maundy Thursday in Your Home April 18th - Good Friday Good Friday is the most solemn day of the church year. It holds profound significance for Christians, commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death at Calvary. We solemnly remember the sacrificial acts of Jesus, who bore the sins of humanity and “reconciled to himself all things, whether in heaven or on earth, making peace by the blood of his cross.” (Colossians 1:20) Commemorating Good Friday in Your Home Make Hot Cross Buns on Good Friday April 19th - Holy Saturday Holy Saturday is a day of quiet waiting and sacred stillness. The body of Christ lies in the tomb, and the Church holds her breath in hope. This in-between day invites us into silence and reflection, lingering in the mystery of death before the joy of resurrection breaks forth. How to Commemorate Holy Saturday April 20th - Easter Sunday (the season of Easter begins!) Easter Sunday is the glorious culmination of the Triduum and the highest feast of the Christian year. It celebrates the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, the definitive victory over sin and death. On this day, the Church rejoices in the fulfillment of God’s promises, the dawning of new creation, and the hope of eternal life. Every Sunday finds its meaning in this day, the feast of feasts, when the tomb was found empty and death was defeated forever. Easter is Here! Easter Celebrations in Your Home The Significance of the Easter L amb Make an Easter Lamb Cake My Favorite Children's Books for Easter Christ is Risen! A Guide to the Easter Greeting Tradition The Significance of Eggs in Easter Cracking the Tradition: The Significance of Red Easter Eggs How to Dye Easter Eggs Red Using Onion Skins Make Tsoureki: The Symbolic Greek Easter Bread Easter Fun With Egg-Cracking Games How to Make Beginner Pysanky (Ukrainian Easter Eggs ) The History of Pysanky Eggs April 21st-26th Easter Week The week after Easter, known as the Octave of Easter, is a continuation of the feast itself, eight days of sustained celebration in the joy of the Resurrection. Each day is liturgically treated as Easter Day, overflowing with alleluias , light, and renewal. The Church doesn't move on quickly; she lingers in the miracle. With the Octave, the season of Easter has begun, fifty days of rejoicing that stretch from Easter Sunday to Pentecost. It’s a time of deepening joy, of basking in the light of the Risen Christ, and watching the early Church take shape in the readings. Death is defeated. Everything is being made new. Easter Beyond Sunday: Embracing the Fullness of the Season of Easter Easter Surprises: Discovering the Hidden Gems of the Easter Season How to Celebrate Easter Monday Practice Resurrection During the Easter Season Practice Resurrection With Easter Flowers Celebrate Easter: Plant Seeds Celebrate Easter With Strawberry Shortcake April 28th - St. Mark, the Evangelist On the Feast of St. Mark, we celebrate the author of the Gospel of Mark and a companion of both St. Peter and St. Paul. According to early tradition, Mark founded the Church in Alexandria, making him one of the first to bring the Gospel to Africa and an early patriarch of the Coptic Church. His feast day highlights his role as both a writer and a missionary, emphasizing the bold proclamation of the Good News. Celebrating the Feast of St. Mark This is such an important month and I can't wait to celebrate it with you!

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 St. Bartholomew? Why do we eat Cuccia made from wheat berries for the Feast of St. Lucia? The answer is actually quite simple because 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 the seasons. They gathered whatever was fresh and available in their region, creating dishes that honored both their faith and the God-created natural cycles of the earth. This practice wasn't just about practicality; it was a profound way of living in harmony with God's creation, appreciating the gifts He provides throughout the year. In our modern world, where convenience often trumps tradition, it's easy to forget the richness that comes from eating seasonally. 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. Practical Ways to Get Started Know Your Seasons : Start by familiarizing yourself with what’s in season in your area. Local farmers' markets are great places to learn about seasonal produce and even gain inspiration for your meals. Plan Liturgical Feasts : As you plan your liturgical celebrations, think about how you can incorporate seasonal foods into your menus. For example, a Lenten soup could feature fresh spring greens, while an Advent dessert might use winter spices and preserved fruits. Try Traditional Recipes : Look up traditional recipes that align with the liturgical seasons. Many of these dishes have been passed down through generations and are deeply rooted in the seasonal bounty of their regions. Get Creative : Don’t be afraid to get creative and adapt recipes based on what’s available. The goal is to honor the spirit of the season and the liturgical celebration, not to follow recipes rigidly. Involve the Family : Make this a family affair. Involve your children in picking out seasonal produce, cooking, and learning about the liturgical significance of each meal. It’s a wonderful way to teach them about faith, gratitude, and the natural world.

We are celebrating the resurrection of Jesus for 50 days! 50 days of feasting and celebrating! One of the ways I love to celebrate the Easter season is with flowers. Lately, I've seen all of these gorgeous pictures of blossoming branches in vases in people's homes. Unfortunately, I live in a coastal area where we don't have a lot of blossoming fruit trees, so I decided to make this tissue paper cherry blossom arrangement and create my own version of the blooming branches. I found a branch on my morning walk, perfect for a white ceramic pitcher I like using for floral arrangements. You can create a design as large or as small as you want. Just choose a container that balances with the height of the branches. I used two shades of pink tissue paper for this tutorial, but any other colors would look lovely as well. Anyway you choose, this easy-to-make spring decor is perfect for dressing up your home and reminding you of Easter. And as always, I created this tutorial with children in mind. Now go make your customized version of this tissue paper cherry blossom arrangement! Happy Easter! ~ Ashley Supplies Needed for the Arrangement Supplies: Branches Container (you could use mason jars with small twigs, a pitcher, a vase, etc.) Tissue paper (I used two shades of pink, but you could use yellow, white, or lavender. Really, any color will do!) Clear Glue or Hot Glue (I used hot glue and clear glue in case you have little children and don't want them to burn themselves. Both worked just fine.) Scissors Ruler A retractable pen Measure and cut out 3" X 3" squares of your two different colors of tissue paper. Stack the squares and cut into a four-petal shape. This is not an exact science! Your shapes might look rough, but the next steps will hide any flaws. Overlay a petal shape from each color. Take the end of a retractable pen that has been retracted and push it into the center of the two pieces of tissue paper. Push the shapes over the pin and lightly twist the tip. Set aside. Continue making blossoms until you have enough to cover each branch tip. Add a branch or branches to your container. Hot glue or glue the tips of the petals to the ends of your branches. If you are using hot glue, it should be done by an adult rather than a child. It is too easy to burn yourself. I used hot and clear school glue, and preferred the clear school glue. It did not burn, and it did not leave those long threads of hot glue everywhere. Keep gluing on blossoms until all of the branch tips are covered.