That’s beautiful Abbey. Our homes can be a place of great spiritual enjoyment every day. We only need the simplest things like candles and our willingness to wonder together at the mystery of God’s love.
So much truth in this, Adrienne. At home, it’s much more about embodying and practicing in a low-key everyday way. When we try to get preachy with our own family, it goes nowhere fast.
I found it was easier for me to bring a sacramental vision to my classroom of fifth graders in a Catholic school than at home because the kids at school accepted my authority in such things (LOL Little did they know!). From September through November, I'd casually have them learn things, maybe even a Latin carol and then bring all the elements alive during advent. At home because the kids knew me, they very often picked up on my embarrassment or impatience. We still had a lovely time, but sometimes you have to have thicker skin with your own kinfolk.
Gah, I needed to read this today. Thank you so much. I've been praying about how to make my home the domestic church - the monastery that it needs to be for my family.
Even though my kids are 6 and 8, I need to learn how to engage their five senses in home prayer life. I've got a third little girl on the way next month so I'd love to have a foundation laid by the time she's able to immerse herself.
Brian, your desire is very beautiful. I hope you’ll be gentle with yourself and stay curious and playful with the process. Jesus teaches us that the yoke is easy and the burden is light. 💛 Matt. 11:28-30
Thank you. Being gentle on myself is the hardest part! I've find it difficult for me to teach my kids about the faith, especially because growing up, I didn't really have a proper figure to teach me at a childlike, yet loving level.
Brian, I'm so glad to hear this! I'd love for you to check out my series on St. Benedict's Rule of Life too, if you're interested in exploring the idea of the domestic monastery. I really enjoyed diving into the text of the Rule, and there's certainly a lot to be gleaned for us in the hustle and bustle of life with young kids! Here's the first post:
I'll be praying for you and your family as you prepare for your daughter's arrival and continue to develop that strong foundation of prayer and sacramental living!
This is so lovely and helpful, especially heading into Advent. Thank you both, Sara and Ann! My favorite part was the reminder that we are constantly in a cycle of forgetting and coming back to God; I feel this so much in the moments when I lose my temper or get frustrated at how long it takes to get everyone in the car (particularly when we’re trying to get to Mass, it seems). Thank you so much for sharing this!
I really loved this conversation. It is so good to build these body and sensory memories as a family. My kids love the home foot washing liturgy my church introduced a few years ago. Candles are a huge fave too.
"I had to slow down and learn to ask more beautiful questions. I learned to wonder and to let a question hang in the air to grow in a child’s heart (and in my own heart) instead of limiting her spiritual imagination by giving a quick rote answer"
I am a parent of a 2 year old and a 5 month old, and I am going to save this post so that I can come back to this quote. I loved this entire interview. There is so much wisdom here, Sara, Ann, thank you so much for sharing this. It's lovely.
Give me all the smells and bells and feasts and fasts!! Thank you for sharing this beautiful conversation...I've found that the catechesis I receive from these sacramental ways of approaching the faith is what really sets these things deeply into my heart.
Okay, this was beautiful. I had heard of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd before (not a Catholic Christian, myself... Protestant) and was intrigued. Thanks for sharing this interview!
Haley, thanks for reading so thoughtfully. Long ago, the woman who began CofTGS was a very humble soul and a Biblical scholar. She had many lessons in mind that she ended up discarding because they didn't resonate with the children. She was always looking for the childrens' "quiet joy." The way they would be absorbed in their "work" showed her that the lesson was a good one to keep. That's what I loved about it-- it was so humble. Meeting the child where they are--not forcing them into an adult agenda, or speaking down to them. So many Christian truths are ecumenical-- across the board for Catholics & Protestants. I think it's beautiful to have "a big tent and many voices singing together."
That’s beautiful Abbey. Our homes can be a place of great spiritual enjoyment every day. We only need the simplest things like candles and our willingness to wonder together at the mystery of God’s love.
So much truth in this, Adrienne. At home, it’s much more about embodying and practicing in a low-key everyday way. When we try to get preachy with our own family, it goes nowhere fast.
I found it was easier for me to bring a sacramental vision to my classroom of fifth graders in a Catholic school than at home because the kids at school accepted my authority in such things (LOL Little did they know!). From September through November, I'd casually have them learn things, maybe even a Latin carol and then bring all the elements alive during advent. At home because the kids knew me, they very often picked up on my embarrassment or impatience. We still had a lovely time, but sometimes you have to have thicker skin with your own kinfolk.
Gah, I needed to read this today. Thank you so much. I've been praying about how to make my home the domestic church - the monastery that it needs to be for my family.
Even though my kids are 6 and 8, I need to learn how to engage their five senses in home prayer life. I've got a third little girl on the way next month so I'd love to have a foundation laid by the time she's able to immerse herself.
Brian, your desire is very beautiful. I hope you’ll be gentle with yourself and stay curious and playful with the process. Jesus teaches us that the yoke is easy and the burden is light. 💛 Matt. 11:28-30
Thank you. Being gentle on myself is the hardest part! I've find it difficult for me to teach my kids about the faith, especially because growing up, I didn't really have a proper figure to teach me at a childlike, yet loving level.
Me too, Brian! I actually think this is an advantage. Staying humble and curious is the simple approach that Jesus taught.
Brian, I'm so glad to hear this! I'd love for you to check out my series on St. Benedict's Rule of Life too, if you're interested in exploring the idea of the domestic monastery. I really enjoyed diving into the text of the Rule, and there's certainly a lot to be gleaned for us in the hustle and bustle of life with young kids! Here's the first post:
https://wholeandholy.substack.com/p/the-home-as-the-domestic-monastery
I'll be praying for you and your family as you prepare for your daughter's arrival and continue to develop that strong foundation of prayer and sacramental living!
This is so lovely and helpful, especially heading into Advent. Thank you both, Sara and Ann! My favorite part was the reminder that we are constantly in a cycle of forgetting and coming back to God; I feel this so much in the moments when I lose my temper or get frustrated at how long it takes to get everyone in the car (particularly when we’re trying to get to Mass, it seems). Thank you so much for sharing this!
I really loved this conversation. It is so good to build these body and sensory memories as a family. My kids love the home foot washing liturgy my church introduced a few years ago. Candles are a huge fave too.
This is so deep, rich, and meaningful, and I learn so much as a charismatic evangelical Protestant.
I’m so glad you found something useful in this.
"I had to slow down and learn to ask more beautiful questions. I learned to wonder and to let a question hang in the air to grow in a child’s heart (and in my own heart) instead of limiting her spiritual imagination by giving a quick rote answer"
I am a parent of a 2 year old and a 5 month old, and I am going to save this post so that I can come back to this quote. I loved this entire interview. There is so much wisdom here, Sara, Ann, thank you so much for sharing this. It's lovely.
The children are blessed to have a humble father who cares about nurturing their spiritual life, and his own as well. 👊🔥
So so glad to hear you enjoyed it, brother.
Give me all the smells and bells and feasts and fasts!! Thank you for sharing this beautiful conversation...I've found that the catechesis I receive from these sacramental ways of approaching the faith is what really sets these things deeply into my heart.
Absolutely Kristin! We embody our faith in the sacraments.
Okay, this was beautiful. I had heard of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd before (not a Catholic Christian, myself... Protestant) and was intrigued. Thanks for sharing this interview!
Haley, thanks for reading so thoughtfully. Long ago, the woman who began CofTGS was a very humble soul and a Biblical scholar. She had many lessons in mind that she ended up discarding because they didn't resonate with the children. She was always looking for the childrens' "quiet joy." The way they would be absorbed in their "work" showed her that the lesson was a good one to keep. That's what I loved about it-- it was so humble. Meeting the child where they are--not forcing them into an adult agenda, or speaking down to them. So many Christian truths are ecumenical-- across the board for Catholics & Protestants. I think it's beautiful to have "a big tent and many voices singing together."
I remember those times well, Bridget! Thank you for reading!❤️