Lent and Easter
Christus Resurrexit!
This year, we participated in the Triduum Masses and Good Friday liturgy at our parish again. Brendan felt privileged to be able to serve at the Easter Vigil. He has been wanting to serve at this Mass for a long time. He was happy to tell my dad that he would be doing so and to tell my brother…
Read MoreLighting of the Easter Candle
I am happy to be able to watch the lighting of the Easter Candle at our parish. My two youngest children fell asleep before Mass began, so I stayed inside with them during the lighting of the Candle.
Read MorePysanky Tip
“I’ve been making Pysanky since I was 12 — it can be a very spiritual tradition, gathering around the candle and thinking of the symbols and colors and their meanings. If you melt the wax with a candle flame, the flame has to be very tall: 1 1/2″ or more. The egg passes through the…
Read MoreStations of the Cross
Stabat Mater Stabat Mater dolorósa iuxta crucem lacrimósa, dum pendébat Fílius. Cuius ánimam geméntem, contristátam et doléntem pertransívit gládius. O quam tristis et afflícta fuit illa benedícta, mater Unigéniti! Quæ mærébat et dolébat, pia Mater, dum vidébat Nati poenas íncliti. Quis est homo qui non fleret, Matrem Christi si vidéret tanto supplício? Quis non posset…
Read MoreEaster Eggs and Pysanky
During Holy Week, we made pysanky for the first time. We were happy with our first attempts at this intricate art, but know there is a lot of room for improvement. When we used the candle to remove the wax, some of the eggs looked a little dark in places, leading us to discover that the best…
Read MorePassion Week and Holy Week
There were so many little things that happened over the past couple of weeks that I want to remember, so I am hoping that I have a few spare minutes here and there to write about them. On Saturday of Passion Week, we spent the day gardening. On Palm Sunday, Elizabeth acted ornery during Mass (unbeknownst…
Read MoreHappy Easter
Regina coeli, laetare, alleluia Quia quem meruisti portare, alleluia Resurrexit sicut dixit, alleluia Ora pro nobis Deum, alleluia. O Queen of Heaven, rejoice, alleluia. For He whom you did merit to bear, alleluia. Has risen, as he said, alleluia. Pray for us to God, alleluia. Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary, alleluia. For the…
Read MoreLent and Easter Picture Book Basket
The Beautiful Story of Jesus by Maite Roche Maite Roche chronicles the story of Jesus’ life from the Annunciation to the Descent of the Holy Spirit. I purchased this book from the Daughters of St. Paul at our local Catholic homeschool conference and I am happy that I did. Patrick really enjoys listening to it. Easter…
Read MoreCatechism Lessons in the Garden
We have been trying to spend a little time working outside in the garden each day. It needs a lot of attention! A couple of days ago, as I pulled grass out of the flower bed, I heard an interesting conversation between two of my children. Patrick asked, “Why do the bleeding hearts always come…
Read MoreLenten Discipline
GUIDE TO MAKING A SPIRITUALLY PROFITABLE LENT IN PREPARATION FOR THE PROPER CELEBRATION OF EASTER The Lenten discipline consists of three separate parts: 1. Corporal or External Fast, including the abstinence from certain foods, drinks, and amusements, i.e. music, and parties during Lent. These points of fast should be stressed today especially with the mania…
Read MoreShame on Me
Last night, I received a beautiful Smilebox from a friend, who I really miss, and realized that I failed to take a single “Easter” photo of my family.
Read MoreEaster Blessings 2009
God has truly blessed my family with an incredible parish. Today, I realized that we (actually, my husband and four eldest children) spent at least nine hours in the church between Holy Thursday and early Easter Sunday morning. Despite the long hours, my children have not stopped speaking about the Masses and Good Friday Liturgy.…
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