"Is it forbidden for a Catholic to use essential oils?" I’ve been asked this question several times lately since I started my essential oils business and the first time I was baffled by it. For that question to even be asked I think there must be serious misunderstanding of what essential oils are, so let’s start with the basics: What Are Essential Oils? An essential oil is a highly concentrated … [Read more...]
40+ Resources for Lent and February Liturgical Traditions
I'm always trying to figure out how to make it easier for families to observe the Christian Year because we felt so overwhelmed when we first started that journey (which is why we wrote the book we wish we had then). I thought it might be helpful for our family to have resources compiled for the month ahead so that we can plan in advance which special saints days we want to observe and I hope … [Read more...]
9 Reasons the Weasleys Are (Probably) a Catholic Family
I first read the Harry Potter series before converting to Catholicism and the Weasleys were my favorite family in the books (obviously). Imagine my delight when I discovered that they’re a big Catholic family! Well….OK, the books don’t come right out and say they're Catholic but I think there's some solid reasons to assume they are. Reason #1: They’re open to life, even to the point … [Read more...]
The Incarnation and the Pietá
The Incarnation of Christ, celebrated in the liturgical season of Christmastide, takes on a richer significance for me with each passing year. The story of the Nativity is fuller–but undeniably stranger. It loses the saccharine quality of greeting cards and becomes complicated. Christmas becomes more intricately connected to Holy Week and I’m reminded that the miracle of the Incarnation isn’t … [Read more...]
The Carrots (Last Minute) Christmas Gift Guide!
A gift guide? Less than two weeks before Christmas? That's how things roll around here this year. Last year I was ON THE BALL and we did all family gifts on St. Nicholas Day on December 6th so that we could just relax during Advent and get geared up for the 12 Days of Christmas. This year, not so much. Thanksgiving travel really added the crazy to our pre-Advent time. So here I am two weeks … [Read more...]
Liturgical Living at a Glance: December 2015
I thought it might be helpful for our family to have resources compiled for the month ahead so that we can plan in advance which special saints days we want to observe and I hope having them all in one place is helpful to you, too! And I pinned all of the following resources on a December Liturgical Living pinterest board for your convenience! As always, remember not to get overwhelmed. You … [Read more...]
Why Advent Should Terrify You
image source Every year since I was a little girl, my mother and I go to a sing-along of Handel’s incredible masterpiece, the Messiah, during Advent. We bundle up, grab our music scores, find a seat with our fellow altos, and sing our hearts out. If you’ve never really listened to the Messiah you must do it this Advent. It begins with the words of the biblical prophets foretelling the coming … [Read more...]
Hallowmas with Harry: What Harry Potter Taught Me About Death and the Communion of Saints
“ And in many ways, all of my characters are defined by their attitude to death and the possibility of death.”- J.K. Rowling Hallowtide, the three days of All Hallow’s Eve, All Saints Day (or Hallowmas), and All Souls Day, is an ancient part of the Christian Year. Before becoming Catholic I thought of Halloween as morbid and I couldn’t understand how to celebrate All Souls, or the Day of the … [Read more...]
Liturgical Living at a Glance: November 2015
I’m always trying to figure out how to make it easier for families to observe the Christian Year because we felt so overwhelmed when we first started that journey (which is why we wrote the book we wish we had then). I thought it might be helpful for our family to have resources compiled for the month ahead so that we can plan in advance which special saints days we want to observe and I hope … [Read more...]
Can You Pray the Rosary with Little Kids in the House?
This post is sponsored by Chews Life. Mothers of young children are always being told how important the Rosary is as a spiritual devotion to help them raise holy families. And I totally agree. The Rosary is powerful! It is amazing. The problem is, the Rosary is hard to pray when you’ve got lots of little folks waking up before dawn and not leaving you with a quiet moment until everyone … [Read more...]
