Blog Series: Why Do Catholics Do That? Make the Sign of the Cross

Though I was raised Catholic and attended Mass regularly, received the sacraments, and had faithful parents, I didn’t really start praying from the heart until I started having children of my own.

And by praying from the heart, I mean sitting in silence with the Lord and speaking to Him straight from the heart. No structured prayer. No plan per se. Just sitting in His presence and inviting Him into conversation. Sharing my life with Him. Thanking Him. Asking Him questions. Laying my worries and cares at His feet. And then leaving room for Him to respond.  

I’m not really sure why I began to pray this way when I did. Whatever the reason, it was God’s grace that moved me to this type of intimacy with my Lord.

As a Catholic, I have always begun prayers by making the sign of the cross. And while I knew what I was doing, suffice it to say that I made the sign of the cross countless times without thinking about why I was doing it.

It wasn’t until I began to pray from the heart that this sign that had become routine for me finally became a very devout prayer in and of itself. 

And that’s essentially what the sign of the cross is for Catholics – a prayer. 

When we make the sign of the cross, we are invoking the Holy Trinity – the very thing that makes Christians Christian. And when I make the sign of the cross, I picture my Father in Heaven, His Son my Savior, and the Holy Spirit, whom I am inviting to dwell within me. 

But it’s not just a prayer.

Three things happen when we make this sign over our bodies:

1. We are recalling our own Baptism – when we became children of God.

2. We are calling to mind the reality of the crucifixion and remembering God’s great love for us by sending His son to die for our salvation.

3. We are marking ourselves as disciples, accepting our own crosses as we follow Jesus Christ in our daily lives.

And the earliest Christians marked themselves with the sign of the cross, too.

Tertullian, one of the early Church Fathers who wrote in the second and third centuries said, “In all our travels and movements, in all our coming in and going out, in putting on our shoes, at the bath, at the table, in lighting our candles, in lying down, in sitting down, whatever employment occupies us, we mark our foreheads with the sign of the cross” (Source).

John Chrysostom, bishop of Constantinople in the fourth century, said, “When, therefore, you sign yourself, think of the purpose of the cross, and quench any anger and all other passions. Consider the price that has been paid for you” (Source). 

As with so many things within Catholic culture, our signs and gestures are outward reflections of an innermost reality. 

Over the years, in my walk with the Lord, my prayer life has transformed my heart – prayer by prayer, always beginning and ending with the sign of the cross. 

It’s like an anchor that keeps me grounded in this Truth – that I am a child of God who is loved beyond measure and a disciple of Jesus Christ the King. 

What Happens When We Keep Score in Our Marriages?

It happened again. And it didn’t surprise me that it happened again. 

Earlier that night, I had reacted to how my husband handled a situation with one of our children. And my reaction was total disapproval. Without thinking through my response, and worse, without praying about my response, I instead observed, judged, and reacted. 

And, unsurprisingly, my outrage was unfounded. 

But my disapproval may have been merited. And there is a difference. 

The difference lies in the tiny space between righteous anger and wrath. Between patience and impulsiveness. Between responding and reacting.

I realized that I had been subconsciously keeping count of the times I’d disagreed with his discipline approach for a long time. 

Sometimes I’d discuss it with him, and other times I would silently tuck it away in my memory to come back to when I felt it necessary. And it was this quiet “keeping score” that caused me to observe, judge, and react on this particular night.

I had been holding on to instances from the past that I perceived as his parenting failures. Simply holding on to these perceived wrongdoings meant I never forgave him for any of his previous mistakes. Further, he wasn’t even aware of my feelings about them until now, when I self-righteously scolded him for doing the wrong thing … again.

Our Lord Jesus tells us, “If you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.” (Mt. 6:14-15)

When we operate in unforgiveness, our hearts become hardened. And it can end in disaster. It looks ugly. Instead of a situation where we could have discussed a better approach, it became me versus him, with me as the self-proclaimed perfect parent. 

I think this is what Jesus means when he says, “neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.” If I am not operating in forgiveness, my heart is hardened. How can our Lord pierce my heart with his love if it remains hardened in unforgiveness? And if I don’t allow the Lord to pierce my heart with love, how can I love others well?

Thankfully, in our situation, the stakes weren’t dire — just typical husband and wife disagreements. And while we always strive to parent as a united front, we do occasionally disagree.

Nonetheless, righteous anger or discontent should lead us to take steps to resolve problems, but never to wrath. Anger should be the bridge to a solution. And with patience, which is a fruit of the Holy Spirit, we can respond rather than react to any disagreement that may arise in our marriages. 

If You Feel Sad When Christmas is Over, There's a Solution for You

Imagine learning that the Savior of the world has been born and then going back to regular life the very next day. Sounds crazy, right? 

But so often, that is what the world does at Christmas. 

As Christians, we’re constantly being refined and transformed by Christ, so why would we treat His birth as anything but a celebration worthy of an entire season?

In the Catholic Church, we are just getting started with celebrations on Christmas Day, but the entire Christmas season – also known as Christmastide – lasts at least two weeks. And this year, it will last 18 days, to be exact.

Let’s walk through the beauty of the Christmas season from a Catholic perspective, including the why behind what we do. 

Advent

Let’s start at the very beginning, a very good place to start. (A nod to “The Sound of Music,” which is also, you guessed it, Catholic!)

Though it’s not technically part of Christmastide, it’s essential to preparing for it. 

Advent includes the four weeks leading up to Christmas, when the faithful prepare their hearts for Christ’s birth as well as anticipate His second coming. Each week focuses on a different theme – Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love – and each theme helps us to draw closer to the Lord in preparation for His arrival. 

Advent is a time of waiting. Advent is a time when we’re reminded that waiting is good. 

The faithful are called to wait hopefully, patiently, and joyfully as we prepare for the anniversary of Jesus’ birth.

I try to teach my kids that waiting is good; that if we always get what we want without waiting, it actually takes the joy out of things and leaves us a bit disappointed. I realize I’m still learning this lesson, too. It’s funny how parenting humbles us. 

Instant gratification molds us into people who are always looking for the next best thing.

But we’re called to something more. And that is what we are meditating on throughout the season of Advent. 

For the secular world, December fills quickly with to-do lists, activities, shopping, cooking, baking, and often stress. But the Church, in its wisdom, offers a different way through Advent. 

Christmas Eve and The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas Day)

For most, even some Catholics, all of the preparation and excitement culminate in these two days – Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

It’s Jesus’ birthday! It’s the big day we’ve been preparing for, and we celebrate with presents under the tree on Christmas morning, and then we gather with family and friends in the afternoon and evening

There’s probably not much more that I can say here that you don’t already know, regarding what happens on these two days, as Christmas Eve and Day are celebrated by almost everyone in America – 88 percent, to be exact, according to a recent Gallup poll. 

Although, sadly, according to the poll, “Most who celebrate Christmas take part in secular traditions, such as exchanging gifts, gathering with family and friends, and decorating their homes. At the same time, fewer than in the past report incorporating religious customs, such as attending church or displaying religious holiday symbols.” 

But like so many traditions that have been adopted by the secular world, their roots are distinctly Catholic. You can’t have Christmas without Jesus Christ. And you really can’t have the popular traditions and customs without His Church.

Like Saint Nicholas, aka Santa Claus, for example. The big, fat man with the long white beard who is comin’ to town. (Thank you, Bing Crosby!)

The real Saint Nicholas, of course, never went down any chimneys, but he did become known for his generosity to those in need and for his love for children. 

The Bishop of Myra (present-day Turkey), Nicholas devoted himself to Jesus Christ and was so obedient that after his parents died, he used his entire inheritance to assist the needy, the sick, and the suffering. He dedicated his life to serving God and others. 

Over the years, Saint Nicholas has been transformed by culture into the jolly old Saint Nick who we know today and has become a staple for the almsgiving and gift-giving traditions associated with Christmas Day. 

The Octave of Christmas and Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God 

You know that week between Christmas and New Year’s Day when everything’s a blur, the house is a mess, you’ve eaten way too many Christmas cookies, and you really don’t know what day it is?

Yeah, me neither … 

Catholics call that week the Octave of Christmas. It’s the eight (octave) days beginning on December 25th and ending on January 1st. This is the true Christmas season in the Catholic Church. 

The Octave always begins on Christmas Day. Each day after Christmas repeats the solemnness of Jesus Christ’s birth, as we continue to ponder, rejoice, celebrate, and sing joyfully that the Lord has come. 

The Octave ends with the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God – the one who carried our Lord and Savior in her womb. On this day, we honor our Blessed Mother for her unique role in salvation and for her model of faith. This feast day takes place on New Year’s Day. I can’t think of a more fitting way to head into the new year.

So, if you’re looking for a different way to decompress after the holiday that will fill your spirit more than your belly, then the Church has an alternative for you. But hey, no judgment – you can have your cookies, too!

Two significant celebrations take place during the Octave – our Lord and Savior is born and we honor His Mother for her unique role in salvation history. 

The new Adam and the new Eve.

But Christmas is not over yet – we’re still celebrating!

The next four days will carry us through to another Solemnity – the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord. A Solemnity is the highest form of celebration around the mysteries of the faith.

And there you have the 12 Days of Christmas.

The 12 Days of Christmas 

But why twelve? 

Let me begin by explaining that the Octave is part of the 12 Days of Christmas. Math is not my strong suit, so if you’re like me, all of these numbers can get confusing. So, let’s break it down.

There is actually great historical and biblical significance to the number twelve. There were twelve sons of Jacob, twelve tribes of Israel, and twelve apostles. 

The Church uses these twelve days to draw our hearts and minds to the Incarnation – when God became man and dwelt among us – Jesus Christ’s birth. 

Additionally, each of the twelve days is dedicated to recognizing saints whose lives were a witness to Christ’s love made manifest. Here’s a breakdown of each day and who we recognize on it:

Day 1: The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas Day)

Day 2: St. Stephen, the first martyr

Day 3: St. John the Apostle, the only apostle to stay by Jesus’ side through His passion

Day 4: Holy Innocents, the male children ages two and under who were killed at the order of King Herod in an attempt to kill Jesus

Day 5: St. Thomas Becket, bishop and martyr

Day 6: A designated day for deeper spiritual reflection on the nativity

Day 7: St. Sylvester I, pope

Day 8: Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God

Day 9: St. Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen, Doctors of the Church and fierce defenders of the Trinity

Day 10: The Holy Name of Jesus

Day 11: St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, a Catholic convert and pioneer for Catholic education in the U.S. 

Day 12: St. John Neumann, known for establishing Catholic schools and serving immigrants

This leads us right into the Epiphany, which is celebrated on the 13th day after Christmas.

Epiphany of the Lord

The term “Epiphany” means “divine revelation.” One of the most beautiful celebrations within the Church is the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord.

This solemnity takes place on the Sunday after the twelve days of Christmas, when we recognize and reflect on the wisemen (or Magi) who traveled from the East, following the star to Bethlehem to bring gifts to the baby Jesus, recognizing Him as King. 

This is the moment where we recognize the Magi as representatives of all the nations (us). The moment when it is revealed that Jesus Christ did not only come to save the Jews, but He came to save you and me. 

We reflect on the three gifts brought to the Lord – gold for His Kingship, frankincense for His divinity, and myrrh used for burials, pointing to His death and resurrection.

Going along with the theme of three, the solemnity also reflects upon the three mysteries that revealed Christ’s divinity and divine mission – the visit from the Magi, the Baptism of Jesus, and His first miracle at the wedding in Cana.  

The Epiphany is truly the star at the end of a beautiful Christmas celebration, although it is not quite the end in the Church. We’re almost there!

The Baptism of the Lord

Next, we celebrate the Baptism of the Lord, which takes place on the Sunday after Epiphany. 

To recap, we’ve discussed:

• Advent – the four weeks leading up to Christmas, where we prepare our hearts for the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ

• Christmas Day – Jesus’ actual birthday

• The Octave and The Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God – the continued rejoicing and celebrating the fact that the Lord has come, and honoring our Blessed Mother for her unique role

• The 12 Days of Christmas – the pondering of the Incarnation

• The Epiphany – when we reflect on Jesus Christ as King of all nations and His divine mission. 

And the final celebration to end the Christmas season is Jesus’ baptism in the Jordan River, the Baptism of the Lord. 

This is the moment where Jesus begins his public ministry. 

Choosing the ultimate form of solidarity, He unites Himself to us by entering into humanity in all its brokenness, and taking all of our sins on by Himself, suffering, and ultimately being crucified on the cross. 

Jesus’ baptism in the Jordan is not the same as the baptism that you and I have received. It is a baptism of repentance. While Jesus was completely and totally without sin, He freely chose to get down on our level, to receive the baptism of repentance, and to fully take on our sins by becoming one with us. 

In our Baptism, we then become one with Him by the power of the Holy Spirit.

And this day, the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, marks the official end to the Christmas season, and sets us up to head into Ordinary Time.

But there is nothing ordinary about the next several weeks of the liturgical year. This is a time for deeper contemplation on the life of Jesus Christ as we strive to follow Him and unite our own lives more fully with His.

SOURCES

https://news.gallup.com/poll/700271/secular-christmas-traditions-persist-sacred-ones-decline.aspx

https://www.stnicholascenter.org/who-is-st-nicholas

https://focus.org/posts/what-are-the-12-days-of-christmas/

https://www.usccb.org/

Do We Really Have to Confess Our Sins to a Priest?

Though it’s been more than 25 years, I remember it like it was yesterday.

The irritability, the sass. The snark and eyerolls. The disrespect and woe-is-me, award-winning theatrical displays. The feeling that no one understood, most especially not my mother.

It’s true, teenage me was a handful at times. And the one who bore the brunt of my disrespect was my beloved mom. 

My mom was the best. She was energetic, joyful, and hardworking. She overflowed with love – the gentle kind and the tough kind. She never preached or scolded, but instead taught by example.

I remember one specific instance when she was at the kitchen sink washing dishes. Several minutes before, we had a disagreement about something. I can’t even remember what it was about because it wasn’t so much the disagreement but her response that made it memorable. 

After convincing myself that I was justified in my anger, I stomped up to my bedroom in a huff, slammed the door, and flung myself onto the pink and purple tie-dyed comforter of my bed. 

Well, that felt better, I thought to myself. 

But that feeling passed quickly. It was soon replaced with something else.

That fit of rage, taken out on my sweet mom, who absolutely didn’t deserve it .…

I felt terrible. I felt sorrowful. My heart broke for treating someone I loved so unjustly, so disrespectfully. I felt so sorry for how I acted.

Without another thought, I ran downstairs to where she was still washing the dishes and gave her a hug with tear-filled eyes.

“I’m so sorry, Mom,” I said. 

She turned off the water, turned to me with a big smile on her face, and she laughed. She laughed! 

“Oh, honey, I knew you’d come around!” she said, warmly.

That was it. She not only forgave me, but she welcomed me with open arms, a smile, and a good chuckle.

It’s not that she was excusing my behavior. Quite the opposite. 

It’s that she knew my heart. She saw my remorse. And she rejoiced at my desire to make things right.

This is how our Lord responds to you, too, when you turn back to Him after falling away in sin.

When we make a mistake, when we sin, when we fall short, He is waiting for us to turn back to Him and set things straight. 

And as Catholics, we get to do this very thing with our Creator in the Sacrament of Confession.

You might hear some people say, “God knows my heart.” Or, “I just go right to God with my sins.”

And here’s the thing … both statements are true! 

God is all-knowing and indeed does know your heart. And you should absolutely pray to God about your sins.

But take my story, for example. I could have felt bad for how I acted, but if I had never taken the time to go to my mom to apologize and seek forgiveness, that would, over time, corrode our relationship. 

From the stirrings in my heart, I was moved to take action to make things right. I was moved to find my mom, tell her I was sorry, and seek her forgiveness. And in turn, she had the opportunity to accept my apology and to forgive me. 

All of this took action from each of us.

And this is exactly what happens between us and God in the Sacrament of Confession.

In Mathew 16:19, Jesus says to Peter, “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." This power of binding and loosing was also given to the apostles. (CCC1444)

When we go to Confession, the priest is acting in the person of Jesus.  

And here’s the gift: when we go to Confession, not only do we get to go straight to Jesus to apologize, but we get to receive His forgiveness too. 

Our relationship with Christ is at the center of the Catholic life. Christ gave His church the sacraments as tangible ways to unite our lives with His. 

The Sacrament of Confession is the gift of repentance and reconciliation. It is there for receiving for me and you. 

It is the sacrament that keeps us in relationship with our Creator. It’s the sacrament that transforms us every time we receive it.

If it’s been a while since your last Confession, I encourage you to go soon. Jesus is waiting patiently. 

“It is the movement of a 'contrite heart,' drawn and moved by grace to respond to the merciful love of God who loved us first.” (CCC 1428)

SOURCES

https://usccb.cld.bz/Catechism-of-the-Catholic-Church2

Christians Have an Obligation to Seek the Truth

My 15-year-old recently came to me, looking concerned, and said, “Mom, I can’t tell which side is good and which one is bad. Everyone is saying that Republicans are racist.” 

This past summer, my husband and I decided to let our son have social media for the first time. This was a decision we did not take lightly and one that came with lots of conversations between us and him about our reasons for withholding it for as long as we did. 

This is not a story about the appropriate age for kids to have phones or social media, and it is certainly not about my opinion on that topic, either. It’s also not about my political views.

I remember being my son’s age when I started to ask questions about religious beliefs and political views. 

At the ripe age of fifteen, the norms, beliefs, and values with which we raise our children are present but not fully formed. This is the age when peers' and society's opinions begin to come into view. This is where the tough questions start to emerge.

Before social media, these questions may have come up at school or in the locker room. But now our kids are exposed to every opinion and emotion under the sun daily through social media.

Growing up, my outlook on life and the world was rooted in my Catholic faith and values, and still is. My parents helped form my opinions through how they raised me, how we spent our time, and the conversations we had around the dinner table. 

Today, as my husband and I raise our family, it looks a lot like my own upbringing. 

Except for one thing: social media. What’s new is the rapid rate at which information is shared – both true and false. 

It’s like the game of telephone. You remember the popular party game where you whisper a phrase from person to person, and the last person to get the message says it aloud. The humor is that the original phrase is altered by the time it reaches the last person due to misinterpretations along the way.

It’s similar to how news is shared via social media today. Except it’s not a game.

Add in emotional language from social media users, and you’ve got a real-life version of the game of telephone. 

The danger in the real-life version is that certain groups and individuals are often wrongly vilified. Even more dangerous is that this type of information sharing is how many people form their opinions. 

This happens on both sides of the political spectrum.

Scripture tells us to seek the truth at all times. The Lord instructs us to speak the truth in love (1 Corinthians 13). 

As Catholics, we know that God is the ultimate source of Truth. So, we turn to His Word to instruct us in all truth.

But how can we discern what we see online as either true or false?

The Church devotes an entire section of the Catechism to guide the faithful in proper media use, including the duties of both journalists and consumers (CCC 2493-2499).

“The information provided by the media is at the service of the common good. Society has a right to information based on truth, freedom, justice, and solidarity:

The proper exercise of this right demands that the content of the communication be true and–within the limits set by justice and charity–complete. Further, it should be communicated honestly and properly. This means that in the gathering and in the publication of the news, the moral law and the legitimate rights and dignity of man should be upheld” (CCC 2494).

The fact is, to do this, we must turn down the emotional temperature in the proverbial room. We must seek out the full context of quotes, news stories, public policy, and current events.

Our future depends on it. Our peace depends on it. 

My response to my son was simple: don’t get overwhelmed by the fighting and name-calling that you see online. Instead, pray and study your faith; stay curious and ask questions; and listen more than you speak.

But above all else, love your neighbor and always seek the truth.

Your faith will shape your values, and your values will form your political opinions, and both should be God-honoring.

Halloween is Catholic, But Not in the Way You Might Think

Take a walk through any suburban neighborhood this time of year, and you’re likely to be met with decorations ranging from friendly ghosts to wicked witches to downright horrifying renditions of serial killers from popular horror movies. 

“Spooky season” has been celebrated this way by popular culture for decades. For most, Halloween is a time to plan a fun costume, decorate, carve jack-o-lanterns, and go trick-or-treating. It’s a time to have a little fun and visit a haunted house for thrills. It’s a time that most Americans enjoy. 

But is that all there is to it? And where did these traditions even come from? Why do we celebrate Halloween at all, and what’s the point of this holiday?

As with many traditions in our country, its roots are set in early Christianity. Halloween, as it was originally intended, is Catholic.

Let’s take a deep dive into the origins of Halloween. What it is and what it isn’t. And how it has come to look like the holiday we celebrate today in America.

Where Does the Word Halloween Come From?

The word “Halloween” comes from “All Hallows' Eve” and refers to the night before a very special feast day in the Catholic Church called All Saints’ Day. 

Hallow means Holy or Saint, and Eve refers to the night before. In Catholic tradition, it’s common to hold vigils the evening before Holy Days, just like Christmas Eve!

Over time, All Hallows’ Eve was shortened to Halloween. 

For Catholics, Halloween marks the first day of a celebration called Allhallowtide, the time of year when living Catholics honor and remember those who died in Jesus Christ and pray for the souls in purgatory (2 Maccabees 12:46) (Matthew 12:32).

These two very important religious celebrations (also called feast days) include All Saints’ Day, celebrated on November 1st, and All Souls’ Day, celebrated on November 2nd.

All Saints’ Day is when we honor all the martyrs who died defending their faith in Jesus Christ and all the faithful in Heaven – both known saints and those unknown. All Saints’ Day has been celebrated by the Catholic Church since the mid-300s.

All Souls’ Day is when we pray for all the souls in purgatory awaiting purification to enter into Heaven perfectly (Rev. 21:27) ( Corinthians 3:11-15). 

So, really, the word Halloween simply refers to the night before two very important days of prayer for all the Christians who’ve gone before us.

Does Halloween Have Any Ties to the Worship of Evil Spirits?

Happy to report: No. 

The claim that Halloween has roots dating back to an ancient Celtic religious ceremony called Samhein (pronounced “sow-win”) – where Celts believed that on October 31st, the barrier between the physical world and the spiritual world was at its thinnest, thereby allowing spirits to walk the Earth and commune with the living – is a MYTH.

First, it’s important to note that the claim that the Celtic people had a shared religion at all is a myth. Celts were made up of several different cultures spread out over various regions, and they did not have a common language, culture, or religion (Source).

Evidence does, however, support a celebration among Celtic people, but it points to customs more akin to a Harvest Festival. After all, “Samhain” translates to “summer’s end”.

The very common misconception that a large group of Celtic people took part in a shared religious celebration where they communed with the dead is based on folklore. While it’s possible that some groups of people took part in some sort of celebration like this, the evidence is lacking that it was taking place among large groups of pagan peoples.

Nonetheless, this folklore tale has been passed down as historical fact and, over time, has been linked by some to Halloween and why we celebrate it today.

That couldn’t be further from the truth. Although it could explain why many non-Catholic Christians believe Halloween to be an evil day that should not be celebrated at all.

Is All Saints’ Day a Christian Response to Samhain?

And once again, no. 

There is no connection whatsoever between Halloween and its original Catholic meaning and the folklore tales associated with Samhain. 

Early Christians have been honoring those martyred for their faith in Jesus Christ since the mid-300s. All Saints’ Day became a day marked by the Catholic Church to celebrate all the faithful departed in the early 600s, and originally took place on May 13th. 

It wasn’t until the mid-700s that Pope Gregory III moved it to November 1st.

Then, in the mid-800s, Pope Gregory IV instituted All Saints’ Day as a day to be observed by the universal church, and so this holy day spread and became one celebrated by all Catholics (Source).

While there’s no written reason for the change of dates for this holy day, it makes sense that it would be observed in the Fall, when flowers wilt, leaves fall, and we prepare for the dark of winter. As Catholics, it draws our attention to our own mortality, and reminds us to take notice of how we are living – are our lives witnesses to Jesus Christ, or are there areas where we can improve?

Where Do Popular Halloween Traditions Come From, Anyway?

America is often referred to as a “melting pot”. This couldn’t be truer with the Halloween traditions we see today.

When European Catholics immigrated to America, they brought with them Catholic customs – some having roots in All Saints’ Day. 

For instance, the English would go door to door begging for “soul cakes,” offering to pray for the departed loved ones of those who gave them the cakes. This practice looks a lot like trick-or-treating today. 

Some of the other traditions you see today have no connection to the Catholic faith, but are instead a mix of customs brought by English, Irish, and French immigrants, such as the jack-o-lantern. The jack-o-lantern itself has no religious significance at all!

And then you take into account the influence of consumerism and secular culture, and you can see how we’ve gone from a religious celebration to a secular holiday that seems to glorify evil, violence, and horror.

But the truth is that the roots of Halloween are Catholic; from the meaning of the word to the way we observe it, Halloween is meant to draw our eyes to Heaven and Eternity.

So, if you’re a Catholic who wants to observe Halloween and the feast days that follow it as the holy days that they are, you can.

And if you also want to have fun with your decorations, costumes, and trick-or-treating, you can do that, too. Just make sure you avoid the things that glorify evil!

God bless and Happy Halloween!

Sources:

Robert A. Davis, “Escaping Through Flames: Halloween As A Christian Festival” in Trick or Treat, Halloween in a Globalizing World via Catholic Answers Podcast with Joe Heschmeyer

Ronald Hutton, “The Stations of the Sun: A History of the Ritual Year in Britain” via Catholic Answers Podcast with Joe Heschmeyer

https://www.catholic.com/audio/sp/143421

https://ucatholic.com/blog/the-catholic-origins-of-halloween/

One Simple Thing Families Can Do to Restore Unity in America

There’s so much talk in the news right now about how we can unite as a country at a time when we’re more divided than ever. Often, we turn to policy to answer this question. But it’s so much bigger than that.

And while the problem is big, I believe it’s actually the little things that we do in our own families that will ultimately lead to the change that will result in the unity of our country.

You have to change culture before you can change policy.

There is one thing at the very top of the list that I want to draw attention to. I firmly believe that if American families committed to doing this one thing, it would significantly aid in bringing peace to the weary soul of our nation.

We are living in a time where hustle is glorified. Where distractions are endless. Somewhere between the time I was growing up to now, as I raise my children, we have become a society that is always trying to keep up.

Maybe it’s the rise of convenience: cell phones, online shopping, apps, ohhhh the apps! — all designed to make our lives easier, but have become tools that have created a false sense of urgency.

How many times have you picked up your phone to make an appointment only to get distracted by a little red notification on your child’s sports app? If you’re like me, you feel that urgency to check to make sure you haven’t missed something. You check the app only to find that it’s the parent group chat discussing the next team meal, which reminds you that you need to contribute.

So you sign up and add a few things to your shopping list. Done. You put your phone down, totally forgetting about why you picked it up in the first place — to make that appointment.

Or how about online shopping and next-day delivery? Don’t get me wrong, it’s saved me more times than I care to admit. However, I have eyes to see how it’s led me to have a real materialistic outlook, too. How many times have I decided that I needed a new dress before that event coming up in a few days, even though I have five perfectly good dresses that I’ve only worn once before?

Text messages, emails, app notifications, and alerts have all inadvertently caused us to become tethered to our phones. This reality of feeling like we must always be available leads to a feeling of pressure to keep up.

Online shopping and next-day delivery have contributed to an increase in materialism and the need for instant gratification.

And then there’s the 24/7 news cycle, YouTube, YouTube shorts, Facebook Reels, and the list goes on. There is no “off” button. Of course, one could argue that it’s up to us to use some self-control. I wholeheartedly agree. And many of us do.

But now more than ever, we’re consuming sound bytes, reels, and shorts that never end. Anyone can post anything. And often, the content I’m seeing is mindless and pointless.

We need to replace reels and shorts with a desire to study, learn, and grow.

We need to replace a culture of hustle with a culture of curiosity.

Replace distraction with purpose.

Replace instant gratification with patience.

Replace pressure with peace.

So how do we do that?

I believe we do it by prioritizing rest in our own families.

We are uniquely designed for rest. Our God made us for rest. God Himself rested, and commands us to do the same.

And even more importantly, he made rest holy (Genesis 2:2–3).

We see many times throughout scripture where Jesus goes away to a private place and rests. In one of my favorite passages, Mark 4:36–41, Jesus departs (with his disciples) from the crowds to rest. Then he performs one of his greatest miracles upon waking up.

In Mark 6:31, Jesus sees that his disciples are weary and encourages them to follow his example and make time to relax and rest.

Maybe you’re wondering how to make rest a priority.

It’s not so much how you do it as your reason behind it. The kind of rest I’m speaking about is the kind that brings you real peace. A pause in your daily grind to refocus your heart, mind, and soul.

God commands rest because rest is good and He only commands that which is good for us.

So, when you are thinking about ways to prioritize rest in your family and in your home, make sure that it’s the kind of rest that makes way for His presence, which will naturally bring you the peace that only He can provide.

I think what you’ll find is that you’ll respond rather than react.

You’ll notice more — the beauty around you, the blessings, the areas in your life that may need attention, or the people in your life who may need more of you.

You will feel gratitude. And you’ll know Who to thank because you’ll know where it came from.

What does that look like for your family? Comment below and tell me how you incorporate rest in your home!

What Is Grace, Anyway?

Let’s break it down!

To answer this question, we first need to understand that, according to Catholic Tradition and teaching, there are two types of grace: Sanctifying Grace and Actual Grace.

Let’s begin with Sanctifying Grace since that one technically happens first.

To sanctify means to be made holy. And the word grace is defined as the free and undeserved gift from God.

I once had a dear Protestant friend tell me that she had never seen an infant baptism and asked me what it was like. At the time, I didn’t know how to answer her — I thought all babies were baptized.

However, I now understand that the primary difference between the Catholic understanding of Baptism and the Protestant understanding lies in the supernatural change that occurs during the sacrament.

All human beings are born in the image and likeness of God, but because of the Fall (Adam and Eve in the Garden, the apple … you may be familiar with the story), we are born with original sin.

This sin is not of our doing, but is actually Adam and Eve’s fault! Because they are our ancestors, we are born with sin.

And this is exactly why Catholics baptize infants! During the sacrament of Baptism, sin is literally wiped away. Further, the infant is infused with Sanctifying Grace.

This supernatural transformation of the infant’s soul makes him or her a child of God, which will then provide him or her with the foundation to receive Actual Grace as he grows in age and wisdom.

Which leads us to the second type of grace that occurs in a child of God, or a Baptized person — Actual Grace.

Have you ever felt that nudge to push you to do something outside your comfort zone to benefit someone else?

Maybe you’re in a hurry and notice a little elderly woman struggling to put groceries in her car. Though it may make you late, you decide to stop to help the woman. Something inside of you urges you to put your own needs aside and put those of someone else first.

Maybe you’re drinking your coffee in the morning, and instead of scrolling Facebook, you feel a strong desire to say a prayer for someone in need.

These are examples of God’s grace working inside of you — also known as Actual Grace. It comes from outside of you (God) and causes you to act in a way that is pleasing to Him.

Sources

https://www.catholic.com/tract/grace-what-it-is-and-what-it-does