The Season

March/April 2009 Issue | Posted by Daria Sockey in Season

Lent and Easter

Do not abandon yourselves to despair.

We are the Easter people and Alleluia! is our song.

— Pope John Paul II

Activities for you and your family.

Feasts, Traditions … and Fun

March

19

St. Joseph Husband of Mary

­ ­• In “Limbo,” Sister Mary Ada imagines a Holy Saturday reunion:

The ancient grayness shifted suddenly

and thinned like mist upon the moors before a

wind.

An old, old prophet lifted a shining face and said:

“He will be coming soon. The Son of God is

dead.

He died this afternoon.”

A murmurous excitement stirred all souls.

They wondered if they dreamed —

save one old man who seemed not even to have

heard.

And Moses standing, hushed them all to ask

if any had a welcome song prepared.

If not, would David have the task?

And if they cared could not the three young

children

sing the Benedicite, the Canticle of praise they

made

when God kept them from perishing in the fiery

blaze?

And there he was splendid as the morning sun

and fair, as only God is fair. And they, confused

with

joy, knelt to adore, seeing that he wore five

crimson

stars He never had before.

No canticle at all was sung. None toned a psalm,

or raised a greeting song.

A silent man of all that throng found tongue

not any other.

Close to his heart when the embrace was done

Old Joseph said: “How is your mother,

how is your mother, Son?”  

— Daria Sockey

25

Annunciation of the Lord

­ ­• The Annunciation is a liturgical solemnity, thus a break from Lenten penance is in order. Remind the kids why we are celebrating this rather “Advent-ish” feast in the middle of Lent: A mother is pregnant for nine months, and what day is nine months from today?

Serve dessert tonight, and either be­ fore or after dinner recite this blessing:

“Today, a prelude of joy for the whole world, the dawn of our salvation, is announced by Gabriel to the Virgin Mary. Let us hasten to celebrate with gladness the coming of Christ among us, who dwelt in the bosom of the Father before time be­ gan. We pray, O Lord, as once you came to dwell in Mary, that you come today to live among us, for you alone are the way, the truth, and the true life. Amen.”

Table Blessings: Mealtime Prayers Throughout the Year by Brother Victor-Antoine d’Avila-Latourrette

— Daria Sockey

Your own faith and family traditions in ­ ­

More Faith and Family Days in March

7

Saints Perpetua and Felicity

Both of these martyrs were mothers.

Read their story at FaithandFamilyLive.com

17

St. Patrick

Host an Irish feast. Check out page 66.

18

St. Cyril of Jerusalem

Pray for catechumens.

Feasts, Traditions … and Fun

April

9-11

Triduum

Holy Thursday

Today’s feast celebrates the institu­ tion of the Eucharist and the institu­ ­ tion of the priesthood. Make appreciation cards for your priests and bishops. Attend evening Mass as a family.

Good Friday

•Day of fast and abstinence.

•Keep the hours between noon and 3 p.m. solemn in your house. Give your kids silent projects during those hours, such as drawing the 14 Sta­ tions of the Cross, making their own crucifixion scene with popsicle sticks and construction paper people, copying Psalm 22 (“My God, My God, Why Have You Abandoned Me”) in its entirety in a scroll, or create outdoor Stations of the Cross in your own yard with pictures they made, affixed with wooden crosses.

•Begin the Divine Mercy novena today.

•Attend Good Friday service as a family.

Holy Saturday

Read the poem (previous page) about Christ’s descent into “hell” today. If you won’t be able to make the Easter Vigil Mass, consider borrowing a missal to read all the beautiful rituals that this sacred night holds.

(Click “Resources” at FaithandFamilyLive.com for more ideas and details about the above.)

— Maryan Vander Woude

12

Easter Sunday

• Greet each other with an ancient Christian greeting after Mass: Christus resurrexit, alleluia! Resurrexit vere, alleluia! (Christ is risen, alleluia! He is risen indeed, Alleluia!)

•The mealtime Angelus prayer is replaced with the Regina Caeli during the Easter season. Try to pray this as a family at mealtime.

•“The strife is o’er, the battle done.” Enjoy some Molten Chocolate Cake!

Molten Chocolate Cake With Whipped Cream

6 ounces bittersweet (or semisweet) chocolate,

chopped (the better the chocolate, the better

the taste)

1 1/2 sticks of butter, diced

3 eggs

3 additional egg yolks

6 tablespoons sugar

1/8 teaspoon salt

6 tablespoons all-purpose flour

whipped cream (fresh whipped is best)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease six custard cups (I use coffee cups that are oven safe). Melt chocolate and butter over medium-low heat. Cool for 10 minutes. Beat eggs, egg yolks, sugar, and salt at high speed for five minutes (until thick). Fold chocolate into the egg mixture. Sift flour and fold in. Divide batter equally into cups. Bake for 18 minutes (set edges, molten center). Serve immediately with whipped cream.

— Adapted from a recipe from Bon Appetit

— Maryan Vander Woude

Your own faith and family traditions in April:

More Faith and Family Days in April

2

St. Francis of Paola

Read his story at FaithandFamilyLive.com.

Hand out sparklers (use caution!).

19

Divine Mercy Sunday

Go to confession this weekend.

23

St. George

Read St. George and the Dragon.

Homework: Share your own faith and family traditions with us. Contact information, page 6.