Santa Lucia Day

Saint Lucy, you did not hide your light under a basket, but let it shine for the whole world, for all the centuries to see. We may not suffer torture in our lives the way you did, but we are still called to let the light of our Christianity illumine our daily lives.

Please help us to have the courage to bring our Christianity into our work, our recreation, our relationships, our conversation every corner of our day. Amen.

Celebrating the O Antiphons ~ Our plans for this year!

There is an old monastic custom of providing special treats, representing each of the "O Antiphons," leading up to Christmas. This has been a tradition in our home for a number of years now. It is such a fun way to teach the children about them and increase their excitement as Christmas gets closer! You can see what we have done the past couple years in either my Feast Day Plans post or under the "O" Antiphons label. There are even more great ideas over at Catholic Cuisine!

This year, since I don't know if I will be home or in the hospital, I have tried to keep our plans fairly simple (read: can be done whether or not I am home). Other than a couple of things that will have to be done on the particular day, I am all set for this year. Here's what I have planned for our family:

December 17th

O Wisdom that comest out of the mouth of the Most High, that reachest from one end to another, and orderest all things mightily and sweetly, come to teach us the way of prudence!

Since the symbol for wisdom is a book, this year I purchased a craft kit from Oriental trading for the children to make Christmas Bookmarks. Since we generally add a new Catholic Prayer Book or Catechism to our collection this day as well, this year we'll be giving the children A Catholic Child's Picture Dictionary which was originally published in 1956 but has recently been reprinted. I was flipping through it the other day, before wrapping it up, and it looks wonderful!

December 18th

O Adonai, and Ruler of the house of Israel, Who didst appear unto Moses in the burning bush, and gavest him the law in Sinai, come to redeem us with an outstretched arm!

The past couple years, we have emphasized the word "house" in this Antiphon, and have made our Gingerbread houses this evening. This year, I found a darling little village of houses made by Wilton which I purchased for the children instead. (I've seen it at both Wal Mart and Michaels for less than $10! If you use a coupon at Michaels, it would only be $5-6!) This way they will each get to decorate their own. Isn't it cute!

December 19th

O Root of Jesse, which standest for an ensign of the people, at Whom the kings shall shut their mouths, Whom the Gentiles shall seek, come to deliver us, do not tarry.

I was so happy when I received an email from a visitor letting me know that the main provider of Poinsettia's was removed from Life Decision's boycott list! Yay!! So, this year we will go back to purchasing our Poinsettia today and we will also read The Legend of the Poinsettia. (Speaking of which, have any of you read The Miracle of the First Poinsettia? It's not available at my library right now and looks good too!)

For dinner we will have Hearty Beef Stew, which is full of root vegetables. I even have it in the freezer, all ready to go into the crock pot, in case the baby has been born! And for dessert, maybe Carrot Cake.

December 20th

O Key of David, and Sceptre of the house of Israel, that openeth and no man shutteth, and shutteth and no man openeth, come to liberate the prisoner from the prison, and them that sit in darkness, and in the shadow of death.

Since this is initially a monastic tradition, and on this night, the monk in charge of the wine cellar would provide a special bottle of wine. We will also be having some special drinks with dinner. Costco has a great package of delicious fruit spritzers which I picked up.

I also plan to serve a Marie Calendar's Key Lime Pie which is already in the freezer!

December 21st

O Dayspring, Brightness of the everlasting light, Son of justice, come to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death!

For dessert I'm hoping to make "O Dayspring Ice Cream" inspired by a Blue Bunny recipe:

6 small tangerines, peeled

1 1/2 cups Vanilla Ice Cream

6 teaspoons orange marmalade

Place six freezer safe dessert plates in the freezer 30 minutes before serving. For each serving, gently pry segments of a tangerine apart. Place on dessert plate in a "spoke" like circle.

Place a 1/4 cup scoop of vanilla ice cream in center of tangerine "spoke"; top with 1 teaspoon orange marmalade. Repeat with remaining tangerines and serve immediately.

After the kids are in there pajamas, we will surprise them with a trip to town to see some of the Christmas lights! This is always such fun, and we all look forward to this little outing!

December 22nd

O King of the Gentiles, yea, and desire thereof! O Corner-stone, that makest of two one, come to save man, whom Thou hast made out of the dust of the earth!

There are lots of crown cakes to choose from over at Catholic Cuisine, but I think it would be fun to bake and decorate some of our Christmas sugar cookies as crowns!!

Needless to say, baking cookies, on December 22nd, probably won't happen this year, so I also purchased the King of the Golden City on CD. I'd been looking for an excuse to buy it anyways! ;) We do have the lovely cassettes by Simonetta, and the book and study guide from CHC, but I was so excited to see that Pro Multis Media has produced it as an audio dramatization with a talented cast of children actors! (It is also available from Catholic Child.) I can't wait to listen to it!

December 23rd

O Emmanuel, our King and our Law-giver, Longing of the Gentiles, yea, and salvation thereof, come to save us, O Lord our God!

This is the last of the O Antiphons... Tomorrow will be Christmas Eve! The treat for today is going to be another new Nativity Set for the kids to play with during the Christmas season. I purchased two this year, one which I gave them on the first Sunday of Advent (saving baby Jesus for Christmas of course) and one for this day. I just ran across another children's nativity set I love... I'm trying really hard to refrain from purchasing it as well!


You can also listen to the O Antiphons beautifully chanted in Latin here.

I am also considering purchasing An Advent Processions Based on the Great O Antiphons . Have any of you heard it before? Would you recommend it?

Our Plans for Advent...

... in addition to welcoming our own new little baby at some point!!

Hummm... I wonder just how many of these "plans" I'll be able to pull off! I tried to keep them fairly simple, without adding too many new activities, but I guess we will see!! Yesterday we pulled out all of our Advent Decorations, and (hubby and the boys) moved around the furniture in the living room to make room for our Christmas tree later in December. It's all so exciting! I just love Advent, don't you!?!

~ Around our Home ~

Advent Wreath and Prayers - This Sunday, the first Sunday of Advent, we will begin lighting our wreath every evening for dinner and family prayers, including St. Andrew's Christmas Novena. On Christmas we will replace the four Advent Candles with our white Christ Candle (which we will make on the feast of St. Ambrose, to cover on the feast of the Immaculate Conception the next day). I've posted the Advent Wreath prayers we use here.

**photos from past years

Candles in the Window - All during Advent through Christmas Eve.

"The candle in the window, still a favorite traditional Irish Christmas decoration, it harkens back to that ancient Christmas Eve, when Mary and Joseph could find no shelter. It is a symbol of Irish hospitality, their way of welcoming Mary and Joseph...and any travelers who might happen to pass by looking for a warm place to stay.

In the days when it was illegal (and dangerous) to practice the Catholic faith in Ireland because of the oppressive Penal Laws, the candle in the window of Irish homes at Christmas also signaled traveling priests that this was a home where they would be welcome and where they could safely conduct the traditional Irish Catholic Christmas Mass." Source

Advent Calendars - This is our favorite. I also purchased one Catholic Child had on clearance to add to our collection this year.

The Jesse Tree - In the past I have compiled posts with the readings and coloring pages for each day of Advent. This year, I happily signed my children up for Holy Heroes Advent Adventure! It should be fun!! I am also planning to incorporate a Jesse "Tea" at some point, thanks to Alice's creativity!

A Nativity Set - Each Sunday, during Advent, we add a few figures to the set leading up to the addition of Baby Jesus on Christmas. The Wise men follow on the feast of Epiphany, as they slowly make their way across the room!

Baskets of Books - I just finished filling up a couple baskets with all of our Christmas Books! We will read one or two each day during the Advent and Christmas Season. In addition to the new books for the feast of St. Nicholas this year, I also purchased an Advent Storybook and Destination: Bethlehem to read each night at bedtime. Elizabeth also mailed me the most precious book ever!! It is all about a family Waiting for Noel, their new baby which ends up being born on Christmas! It is such a perfect addition to our Advent reading this year!!!!

~ Special Days During Advent ~

November 29th, First Sunday of Advent "Stir-Up" Sunday:

In addition to beginning all our Advent Traditions, I'm thinking we will be stirring up some yummy treat to save for Christmas, though probably not Plum Pudding... Perhaps the Chocolate Coconut Balls we made last year!


December 3rd, St. Francis Xavier:

In the morning, we will pray the Litany of St. Francis Xavier and then read page 20 of More Saints Lives and Illuminations. In the afternoon, I will let the kids watch Francis Xavier and the Samurai's Lost Treasure by CCC. I don't know if we will get to it or not, but we may try to make some St. Francis Xavier Ornaments as well.

Last year, for dinner, I made Xaver Suppe, but this year hubby has requested Albondigas (Spanish Meatballs), Spanish Rice, and Flan. I've never made Albondigas before, so it should be interesting! Also, since St. Francis Xavier is most often pictured holding a cross, I think I will either make the flan in a cross shape, or add a whip cream cross to the top.


December 6th, St. Nicholas:

I've already shared our plans for this year. I am hoping that most of our preparations for this feast will take place the week before, during "N" week! ;)


December 7th, St. Ambrose:

Since St. Ambrose is the Patron Saint of Candlemakers, we usually decorate our Christ Candle on his feast day. In the past we've just decorated a tall white candle with decorating wax or candle pens. This year, inspired by Jen, I am hoping to carve a little niche out of the base for a wax baby jesus figure.

For an afternoon snack I plan on serving tea with Honey Stix and a tray of Baklava I just picked up at Costco. We will also read the story of St. Ambrose on pages 5-11 Once upon a Time Saints.

For dinner I plan to serve Honey-Curry Chicken, one of our favorites!


December 8th, The Immaculate Conception:

Today after Mass, we will come home for a yummy breakfast of Blueberry Muffins and White Hot Cocoa. We will drape a Blue Cloth, or tie a blue ribbon, around the Christ Candle we decorated the day before, in honor of the Blessed Mother. On Christmas Eve the cloth comes off and reveals Christ. This candle then takes the place of the Advent Candles for the Christmas Season.

We will also read about The Immaculate Conception.

One of the special treats for the day is gingerbread... It is baked on this day because it reminds us of the passage in the Book of Sirach, 24:20-21 that describes Mary smelling like spices:

I gave a sweet smell like cinnamon and aromatical balm; I yielded a sweet odor like the best myrrh; and I perfumed my dwelling as store, and galbanum, and onyx, and aloes, and as the frankincense not cut, and my odor is as the purest balm.

This year I thought it would be fun to bake and decorate a Gingerbread Nativity Scene using a Nativity Cookie Cutter Set.

December 9th, St. Juan Diego:

We will read page 19 of More Saints Lives and Illuminations and Our Lady of Guadalupe by Father Lovasik. (I still can't believe you can purchase a 10 pack of these books for only $1.50!!!) Then we will listen to Fresh Flowers in Winter: The story of Saint Juan Diego by Glory Stories while the children make St. Juan Diego Paper Dolls, and perhaps tilmas!

Since I have other plans for the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, we will have our Mexican Fiesta for dinner on this feast day!


December 10th, Our Lady of Loreto:

We usually pray the Litany of Loreto as a family and I pint out an online crossword of the Marian Titles from the Litany of Loreto. I've always loved Alice's idea to decorate a House of Loreto (using the Wilton Stand Up House Pan) for this feast, but I don't think this is the year to start... We'll see!

December 12th, The Christmas Rose Novena:

You can pray a novena to St. Therese at anytime, and there are a number to choose from, but one of my favorites is the Christmas Rose Novena which is prayed beginning on the 12th (12 days before Christmas), for 12 days, 12 times per day, to honor the 12 years of Christ's childhood.

December 12th, Our Lady of Guadalupe:

I am hoping to be able to have another of Alice's lovely Liturgical Teas in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe. They are just so much fun! And, of course, we will also read The Lady of Guadalupe by Tomie dePaola.

December 13th, St. Lucy:

The girls have already started making their St. Lucy Crowns for this year. If possible I am hoping to bake another Saint Lucia Bread, but it that doesn't work out, I may resort to round donuts with candles instead. We'll see how the month goes!

The girls are loving their St. Lucy paper dolls from "L" week, and I saved Charlottes St. Lucia and Star Boy Coloring Page for this feast.

We always read Hanna's Christmas (I was so excited to find a copy for our own collection this year!), and I also ordered Lucia, Saint of Light, which I am hoping arrives by December 13th!

O Antiphons, December 17th through 23rd - You can see my old O Antiphon posts here, though I am almost done with a post with this years plans. I also have "plans" to finish our O Antiphon House... lol! I think I will wrap up this post right now, and just finish it... I only have a few hours left to get it done before Advent begins!

Hail, and blessed be the hour and moment at which the Son of God was born of a most pure Virgin at a stable at midnight in Bethlehem in the piercing cold. At that hour vouchsafe, I beseech Thee, to hear my prayers and grant my desires. (Mention your intentions here) Through Jesus Christ and His most Blessed Mother. Amen.

Say 15 times a day from St. Andrew's Day (30 November), ending on Christmas Eve

On the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary

The Our Lady of the Rosary Candle from Saintly Soaps (which smells perfectly heavenly!) will be lit during our family rosary, followed by a special tea for afterwards!

Since we've had so many cupcakes lately, I decided to not make the Cupcake Rosary we made last year and use Jamie's variation instead! I didn't have any hershey kisses (those never last long around here!) but the boys made Pecan Clusters yesterday which worked perfectly.

We'll read our well loved copy of The Holy Rosary and color a beautiful Our Lady of the Rosary Coloring Page...

...and what perfect timing for some new Coloring Books

to arrive in the mail from Grandma!

My dearest Mother Mary, behold me, your child, in prayer at your feet. Accept this Holy Rosary, which I offer you in accordance with your requests at Fatima, as a proof of my tender love for you, for the intentions of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, in atonement for the offenses committed against your Immaculate Heart, and for this special favor which I earnestly request in my Rosary Novena: (Mention your request).

I beg you to present my petition to your Divine Son. If you will pray for me, I cannot be refused. I know, dearest Mother, that you want me to seek God’s holy Will concerning my request. If what I ask for should not be granted, pray that I may receive that which will be of greater benefit to my soul.

I offer you this spiritual “Bouquet of Roses” because I love you. I put all my confidence in you, since your prayers before God are most powerful. For the greater glory of God and for the sake of Jesus, your loving Son, hear and grant my prayer. Sweet Heart of Mary, be my salvation.

Our Lady of the Rosary ~ Pray for Us!

Celebrating Michaelmas ~ 2009

Here are a few pictures that were taken yesterday around our home

on the Feast of Michaelmas!

St. Michael's Waffles (though I ended up using a mix)
with Homemade Blackberry Syrup for Breakfast

A few activities from The Great battle for Heaven, stories from The Angels, and a lovely St. Michael candle from Saintly Soaps which arrived just in time!

Coloring Pages of St. Michael while listening to

Cat Chat: Amazing Angels & Super Saints.

Michaelmas Day Cupcakes

St. Michael atop a stack of Devil's Food Cupcakes

complete with swords for stabbing the devils!

Dinner consisted of Apple Chicken, Steamed Carrots, Angel Hair Pasta, and Sparkling Blackberry Izze Drinks.

And finally, stabbing those cupcakes...

Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; and do Thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host - by the Divine Power of God - cast into hell, satan and all the evil spirits, who roam throughout the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

St. Michael the Archangel ~ Pray for us!