At its heart, liturgical living is about embedding the rhythms and seasons of the Church's calendar into our everyday lives. Contrary to what Instagram may make you believe, good liturgical living doesn't mean you have to craft something out of popsicle sticks or bake a fancy dessert for every feast day. The true essence of liturgical living isn't found in the complexity or grandeur of your activities but in the genuine spirit of reverence, celebration, and togetherness that you foster within your family. It's about taking these sacred days and weaving them into the fabric of your home life in a meaningful and fun way for you and your family. The beauty of these celebrations lies in their flexibility; they don't necessarily have to be elaborate or meticulously themed to achieve the goal. For your family, it could mean enjoying an extra pack of fruit snacks on a special feast day, treating yourselves to a pizza night, or simply spending quality time together playing a game, watching a movie, or taking a walk.

To celebrate feast days, you will find it oh-so-important to acknowledge that each family has a unique rhythm and style. This means accepting who your family is and not trying to pretend that you have a rhythm or interests that you indeed do not have.

Inspired by Jen Fullwilers podcast, which talked about the beauty of mothers with different talents and lifestyles, here are 10 "mom" personalities with tips on how to celebrate feast days with your family when you have that type.

1. Nature Mom: Nature-loving moms can incorporate their love for the great outdoors into celebrating the liturgical year in myriad meaningful ways. Each feast day could be an opportunity to explore nature's wonders concerning the virtues and life of the saint being commemorated. For example, a hike on a saint's feast day can be coupled with stories of that saint's journey, drawing parallels between the natural surroundings and the spiritual path the saint followed. Certain saints and their patronages can even inspire specific activities, such as bird-watching or tree-planting. Nature can be an incredible classroom where children learn about flowers and animals but also understand the spiritual lessons that saints and seasons of the church year offer. Simple traditions like observing the changing seasons in sync with the liturgical calendar or doing a Rosary walk outside can foster a sense of awe and gratitude towards creation while deepening the family's faith connection.

    

2. Gamer Mom: Gamer moms have the unique opportunity to infuse the thrill of gameplay into the observance of the liturgical year, creating an engaging, interactive platform for kids to learn about and celebrate the faith. Board games can be customized to focus on the virtues of a particular saint on their feast day, or trivia games can be developed to learn about the saint's life and legacy. Video games can be utilized, too, to simply enjoy time together as a family! No need for the games to be on-theme to create a spirit of celebration for the feast! Physical games, such as scavenger hunts or relay races, can be crafted around stories from the Bible or the lives of the saints, making the learning process fun and memorable.

    

3. Craft Mom: For moms who love to create and express themselves artistically, celebrating the liturgical year can be a wonderful opportunity to blend faith and creativity. This can involve crafting with your children based on the saints and seasons, providing not only a creative outlet but also a tangible means to understand the richness of the liturgical calendar. For instance, during Advent, you could craft a homemade Advent wreath or a Jesse tree illustrating the lineage of Christ. The beauty of crafting lies in its flexibility; whether it's simple paper crafts or more elaborate painting projects, it's about coming together to celebrate Church traditions.

    

4. Baker Mom: Bring flavor to your feast day by preparing traditional dishes from the saint's homeland. Picture your family gathered in the kitchen on St. Patrick's Day, kneading dough for Irish soda bread or stewing a hearty Irish lamb stew. These culinary traditions create aromatic links to Irish culture, adding depth to your celebration. Or, honor St. Elizabeth of Hungary, known for her charitable acts, by baking bread. Sharing your freshly baked loaves with neighbors or donating to a local charity can be an excellent lesson in generosity for your children, embodying the spirit of St. Elizabeth.

    

5. Survival Mode Mom: Celebrating the liturgical year can still be simple and fulfilling if you're a mom who may be running on empty while juggling many responsibilities or navigating life's challenges. The beauty of liturgical living is that it does not require grand gestures or elaborate plans but thrives in small, meaningful moments. A quick prayer or a quiet reflection on the day's saint can be woven into the morning or bedtime routine. Listening to sacred music or a podcast about the saints while driving the kids to the park can be an efficient way to work in some reflections on the saints as a family. A simple meal shared on a feast day, a brief conversation about the saint's virtues, or a candle lit in their honor can gently remind the sacred amid the mundane. In moments of hardship, the stories of the saints, who often endured their trials, can provide comfort and inspiration.

    

6. Bookworm Mom: For the Bookworm Mom, celebrating the liturgical year can become a cherished narrative unfolding within the family. The rich stories of saints and traditions provide abundant reading and discussion resources. To celebrate a feast day, consider reading a biography of the saint or a story that embodies their virtues. Picture books and illustrated stories can engage younger children, while older kids might delve into more in-depth accounts or theological writings. Reading together or setting aside a quiet reading hour can turn these days into memorable occasions. 

    

7. Movie Mom: She knows that film is a powerful storytelling medium and uses it to make the liturgical year come alive. Also, couch cuddles and movie snacks are important, too! On saints' feast days, it's all about finding films or documentaries that dig into the saints' lives or embody their virtues. Depending on the family's tastes and the kids' ages, these could be anything from animated films to historical dramas. A cozy family movie night makes these feast days feel special without much fuss. A quick pause here and there for a chat about what's going on in the film can spark some insightful conversations, helping everyone understand the saint's life better. This chill, cinema-inspired approach to the liturgical year is Movie Mom's way of mixing faith, education, and family time.

    

8. Sporty Mom: Sporty Mom brings energy and excitement into celebrating the liturgical year with her family by turning feast days into opportunities for physical activity and friendly competition. Whether it's a family game of soccer on the feast day of St. Sebastian, the patron saint of athletes, or a bike ride in honor of St. Christopher, the patron saint of travelers, she makes sure each celebration gets her family moving. She uses these activities to discuss the virtues of the saints they're honoring and how they can manifest in sportsmanship and teamwork. These aren't just games or outdoor adventures for her - they're also tangible and enjoyable ways of illustrating the life and teachings of the saints. This blend of faith and fitness provides a dynamic environment where her family can connect with the liturgical year while promoting physical health and well-being.

    

9. Decorator Mom: According to the liturgical calendar, she finds joy in transforming her living space. She believes the home environment can significantly impact how her family connects with each feast day. She subtly alters the house decor for each feast day to reflect the saint's life or the liturgical season. This could mean incorporating specific colors, symbols, or floral arrangements related to the saint. For example, she may drape a cloth of a particular color on the dinner table or create a small display area with icons, images, or books about the saint. She might even hang up fairy lights or banners during festive seasons. This visible reminder serves not only to beautify the home but also to keep the family conscious and in tune with the Church's rhythm. Decorator Mom's knack for visually pleasing aesthetics creates a tangible and immersive way for her family to embrace and live out the liturgical year.

10. Musical Mom: Musical Mom tunes into the rhythm of the liturgical year by harnessing the power of song. For her, each saint's feast day and liturgical season has a melody. She might create playlists for each liturgical season or learn hymns dedicated to specific saints. These playlists can become the soundtrack of their daily lives, playing softly in the background during meals, homework time, or even when the family is just hanging out. She might also encourage her family to learn and sing these songs together, turning these moments into fun, bonding experiences. On the feast days of saints known for their musical contributions, she might delve deeper into their compositions or discuss their influence. She doesn't shy away from dancing either - it's not uncommon for their living room to transform into a spontaneous dance floor. This rhythmical celebration is her unique way of making the liturgical year come alive in her home, creating a joyful and melodious atmosphere that resonates with her family's faith journey.

Which kind of mom are you? Leave a comment and tell me!

The main goal of all of this is to maintain a connection with the liturgical year and to foster a deeper understanding of the saints' lives and virtues. In essence, liturgical living is about infusing everyday life with faith, not creating an additional burden or complicated rituals. It's about bringing the richness of our faith into our homes and hearts in authentic and joyful ways. This approach focuses on the core reason for liturgical living, to weave the tapestry of our faith into the fabric of our daily lives, nurturing a tangible and meaningful connection to the liturgical year that those in history have celebrated for centuries.