Family in Feast and Feria

The Loveliness Fair of Easter is up and hosted by Divinagrace. Grab some of your Easter candy (dark chocolate would be my choice) and share the Easter joy.

Christ is risen, Alleluia! He is risen indeed, Alleluia!

The Solemnity of St. Joseph honors the spouse of the Blessed Virgin and the foster-father of Jesus. The lessons we learn from this great saint require some meditation, for the Gospels recorded no words spoken by this saint. The awesomeness of his duty to care for the Holy Family, showing patience, peace, gentleness, prudence, and so many more virtues. His feast elevated to a solemnity shows that it is not just personal devotion. Many popes have written about St. Joseph, including several encyclicals.


Personal devotion has never waned over the centuries since his death. Seeing his list of patronages one can see how loved he is. I offered to host this Loveliness Fair because St. Joseph is one of my favorite saints. He is one of the patrons of our family, and rarely a day goes by without some thoughts and prayers sent up to dear St. Joe.

A very popular form or devotion is the St. Joseph Altar or Table (this link will provide several places where you can view photos of large St. Joseph Altars). The tradition originates from Sicily, and the United States have adapted this custom in many areas. This year some of the 4Real Families adapted this devotion into their home, and I'm just thrilled to see the variety of ways to honor this dear saint. Just like the Mystical Body, each altar is different but all united in the same intention.

As we visit the various altars in the homes, let us invoke St. Joseph for the virtues needed to be loving wives and husbands, good parents, holy families, strong in our Faith, and ever growing in Love of God.

From the Litany of St. Joseph:

Joseph most just, Pray for us.
Ruth at Just Another Day in Paradise shares her feast day happenings with wonderful Italian foods, coloring pages, prayers and her altar, with the many statues of St. Joseph she found around the house, and a wonderful slide show of images of St. Joseph.

Joseph most chaste, Pray for us.
Jennifer at Let the Little Ones Come shared pictures of their patronal saint and the relationship of her family with St. Joseph. Her altar includes an icon of gentle St. Joseph.

Joseph most prudent, Pray for us.
Maryan at A Lee in the Woudes gives St. Joseph a place of honor on his feast. The statue is very beautiful. No apologies necessary for the small tribute, as St. Joseph doesn't except pomp and circumstance, but true simplicity.

Joseph most valiant, Pray for us.
Cay at her Cajun Cottage shares some pictures of her altars from the past. These are magnificent, and just a taste of those Louisiana tributes to St. Joseph.

Joseph most obedient, Pray for us.
Lisa at Catholic Mom's Journey has done altars for several years. She provided some background and information about the St. Joseph Altar, and then pictures of her altar. Included are cookies in the shape of fish, and canned goods to give to the poor.

Joseph most faithful, Pray for us.
MaryM at Our Domestic Church shares her first time St. Joseph Altar. She was able to find fava beans, and added a basket for petitions. The Santos is the Southwestern addition to the altar. Here is proof that even if you just see pictures and read about a tradition one can still make it a reality in your home.

Mirror of patience, Pray for us.
Dawn at By Sun and Candlelight shares all her wonderful family feast day celebration with Donuts and Crafts for St. Joseph. The homemade altar is just so sweet and lovely. What terrific activities to reinforce this saint for her boys.

Lover of poverty, Pray for us.
My sister Celeste shared pictures of her St. Joseph Altar that she and her daughters made. The specially shaped breads are just works of art -- and I don't think I'm being biased!

Model of all who labor, Pray for us.
I only had a A Small Tribute to St. Joseph, but it was fun gathering and decorating for one of my favorite saints.

Glory of family life, Pray for us.
One more late entry from Alison sharing her Feast of St. Joseph at home. I love the images of the swallows and St. Joseph. Just a sweet gesture of love!

Last night I found this delightful poem, which echoes my thoughts about St. Joseph's feast day:

St. Joseph's Month

Saint of the Childhood and the Hidden Life,
Why is it that thy month is always Lent?
What hadst thou with the Passion? Mary went
To Calvary with Jesus; but the knife
Of that fierce sorrow was spared thee. Thy strife
In anxious care and fostering patience spent:
Now to a stable, now to Egypt sent,
And then long years with the humblest labor rife.
But this thy portion of the coming Cross --
Which o'er they path its forward shadow threw.
And is not ours like thine -- to walk content
In that long shadow, counting all things loss
Save what for Jesus we endure or do? --
To teach us this thy month is always Lent.

--B.D. Hill, C.S.P, March 1875

ETA: Julie at Trinity Acres shared pictures of her parish's St. Joseph's Altar. WOW!

It is an annual ritual for me. The month of March I pull out all my Liturgical Year cookbooks and books on St. Joseph and plan what I will make for his feast day. Every year I promise myself I will make St. Joseph Cream puffs, but it hasn't become a reality yet. My 40th Birthday Bash Weekend kept me a little busy, so this year's hopes and plans for a grand St. Joseph's Altar were dashed.

So I thought. My mother and my sisters surprised me and helped me make an impromptu St. Joseph Table (Altar) for my second surprise party on Sunday, the day before the Solemnity. My husbands planned this little "ladies' only" party for me, and told me the night before. He had bought most of the food. After Mass I bought a few things such as flowers and a St. Joseph Candle from the Hispanic section of the grocery store. How convenient!



I included Easter pysanky eggs in the decoration, as part of the St. Joseph Altar. I read that it is giving a glimpse of the upcoming Easter celebration. We are almost there!



Earlier, some of the 4Real ladies were brainstorming on simple ways for a family St. Joseph altar. My sister Fuzzy decided to make the St. Joseph tower or altar of cream puffs for me.



It was lovely and delicious!



Another sister, Jess, brought over her larger statue of St. Joseph (she has many in her household that claim him as a patron saint) and it finished the table perfectly!

It was so nice to be able to honor one of my favorite saints. It wasn't the perfect Sicilian or Italian St. Joseph Altar, but it's a start.

My sister Celeste and her 5 girls in Nebraska prepared this lovely St. Joseph altar. It's her first time, but I think it is absolutely lovely.



She set it up in her living room, with the three tiers, and added some family heirloom tablecloths to dress up the tables.



The statue is her outdoor St. Joseph statue.






Her mother-in-law lives in Baton Rouge and helps prepare their big parish St. Joseph altar. She sent many clippings and inspirations, plus some fava beans to help prepare their altar. The puffs are profiterole puffs, in imitation of the St. Joseph Cream Puffs (sfinge) made on this day.



The St. Joseph's bread is made in many shapes. Celeste took her French bread recipe which she makes regularly and created these shapes. This is the Host and Sheaf of Wheat. The Sheaf pattern was from My Little House Crafts Book: 18 Projects from Laura Ingalls Wilder's.



And grapes and chalice bread.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...and Kathryn at one of my favorite blogs, The Bookworm, is hosting the Loveliness of Preparation Fair. Brew a cup of tea (or coffee) and enjoy the hospitality of these moms sharing how they are preparing for Christ's birth.

Kathryn at The Bookworm is hosting the Loveliness of Preparation Fair. If you looked around my house, you'd see I'm in no way ready for Christmas. This has been an Advent of errands, interruptions, and appointments that sap time away from home. Plus a week on the couch due to a minor foot injury at the beginning of Advent and I'm way behind. Everything is in process, or halfway done. I have Christmas cards, stamps, addresses, waiting for the pictures. The Christmas tree only has lights. The presents aren't wrapped, and some aren't even bought. I'm not despairing or lamenting. I recognize it as a work in progress, and chipping away slowly.

I'm enjoying seeing our Advent saints and feasts filling up our house giving visible signs that Christmas is nearing. First it was the Advent Wreath and Advent Calendars, then St. Barbara's candle. St. Nicholas added ornaments and statues and cookies, and our Juan Diego and Our Lady of Guadalupe candles are on display. And our Mary Candle is on the mantle since the feast of the Immaculate Conception. Tonight it was the Lucia Crown and Swedish Candle Chimes.

But there is one part of our preparation that is done, and that is thanks to my husband. Well, even that needs one little touch, but it's minor. I had an informal poll at 4Real if anyone had Christmas tree platforms. Only a few people who responded knew what they were, but there were happy memories attached to those who knew of it. I'm beginning to think it's commonly found in areas that had railroading, or families who were big train people.

My husband grew up in Western Pennsylvania, in Altoona (big train area), and always had a Christmas tree platform. In fact, they had two platforms. One was on the floor (this one was used all-year round for his brother's Lionel train), and the other was raised off the ground. My mil still uses hers. It is about 4 x 6 feet, with a hole cut out in the middle for the tree and the light cords. It is covered in the green paper for train displays, with detachable legs to make it either on the ground or about 18 inches high, with the brick corrugated paper around to disguise the bottom. The top displays a village, a nativity, and a train.

Dh decided that this year we would make a platform part of our family tradition. For those with handyman husbands who already have a home workshop, this means nothing. But this was momentous for us. Dh had to purchase some power tools and this was his first real woodworking project. It's a beautiful job, and I'm really proud of him. And our son just loves it. And that's what it's about -- making happy family memories.











Our Thomas wooden railway has already made its arrival on the platform. Dh also built a little box to stand the tree higher, so that's what you see under the platform. I still have to add the faux brick corrugated paper (called Corobuff) around the edges to hide the bottom, but it's wonderful as it is right now. I'm happy to embrace my husband's family tradition for our home. I'm looking forward to struggling over the decision of what kind of train, shall we do a village, and if so what kind, shall we just set a manger with Jesus or a whole nativity scene or both--and what kind? Planning is so much fun!

ETA: Here are the final pictures. We decided against an elaborate train set for awhile, as our son is so young and hands-on. We thought it would be better to incorporate the Wooden Railway. We did buy the battery operated Christmas set, and it works so nicely with the rest of the trains, but I don't have to worry about ds touching and breaking things. And he's enjoying it so much, although I couldn't catch a smile on the film, there have been plenty!

Advent begins this year on December 3. I always look forward to this season--the anticipation of the newborn Babe on Christmas, the cooler weather (at least in this hemisphere) which makes the house glow with warmth and hospitality, and the promise of new beginnings. After all, it's a new Liturgical Year...I can renew myself spiritually, make resolutions, and start from scratch.

In this season we prepare for Christ's coming in 3 ways:
1) Remembering the past in which Christ was born in the stable of Bethlehem on Christmas,
2) Meditating on His present coming in grace and in the Eucharist and
3) And making ready our souls for the future as Christ comes as the Judge at the end of time.

Advent is the Church's season that the liturgy easily unfolds for tangible customs, ideas, and traditions that incorporate all our senses that can help prepare our families spiritually for the birth of Christ. A short tour of the wonderful entries for this Advent Fair of Loveliness will also inspire you to also Prepare for Christmas....

....With Food for Thought
Kira at Showered With Grace provides a wonderful meditation on Advent in Preparing Our Hearts. She quotes from Caryll Houselander on the Living Bread that came down from heaven to Bethlehem (which means "House of Bread"), and preparing our hearts to receive that wondrous gift.

Elizabeth at Real Learning with her new wee one understands well the coming of a baby at Christmas, and provides much food for thought at the significance of the season. Stockings Hung with Care emphasizes the Loveliness of it all. A Breath of Heaven at Christmastime and Entertaining Angels: a look at genuine hospitality both give reminders that we must give of ourselves for others. It's not about "Decking the Halls" but taking time to savor the moment and giving of self to really provide hospitality.

...By Organizing and Prioritizing
This year I'm realizing that the key to Advent is to start preparing in October and November...the preparation turns off the panic and pressure prevalent in December. Mary Ellen created a whole blog dedicated to celebrating Christmas with that point in mind. O Night Divine is filled with all sorts of ideas and tips for organizing, plus loads more to enhance the season, with many guest writers who share their wisdom.

Margaret at Minnesota Mom realizes in "Pardon me, Sir, but have you seen my Advent?" that she has to shake the negative feelings for the over-commercialized season and reveals her plans on how to refocus on the preparation for Christmas. But no cream in the coffee? That might be too much for me!

Cay at her Cajun Cottage has found that organizing her Advent season was one of the best ideas. She shares a few of her plans for the season, including her reading and goodie bags, and a picture of her beautiful Advent table in 'Tis the Season to Get Ready.

Ruth at Just Another Day in Paradise is also prepared, and shares How Our Family Celebrates Advent, which includes Gifts for Baby Jesus, O Antiphon Activities, The Advent Wreath, The Nativity Scene, The Christ Candle and The Jesse Tree.

And Genevieve at The Good Within shows her beautiful Christmas notebook and some of her Advent traditions at Christmas At Home.

Cheryl at My Thoughtful Spot is PREPAREd. See how the Loveliness of Advent is illustrated in her home. I love the idea of the wrapped books for counting down the days.

...By Counting the Days
The Advent Calendar is one of the older beloved Advent traditions, with such a variety of presentations.

Leonie at Living Without School gives us a peek at all the Advent activities in their family in Loveliness of Advent including a sneak peek at what goes inside those pockets in her Advent calendar. It's a wonderful list of activities, but all quite doable and practical. No apologies for the premade gingerbread kit--I think it's a grand idea!

...By Focusing on the Roots
Another form of countdown is the Jesse Tree. This tradition helps us understand the prophecies, covenant, foretelling, and genealogy of the Messiah.

Alice's Cottage Blessings shared her brilliant idea for her Jesse Tree with Advent Cubes.

Mary G at St. Athanasius Academy did Variations on a Theme: Alice's Advent Blocks .... . She uses Alice's suggestions for the wooden blocks, but then takes the craft on her own and decorates a box to store the Advent memories.

Katherine shares her version of the Jesse Tree and here is Ruth's version.

...By Praying with the Ancient Liturgy of the Church
One of my favorite parts of Advent is the O Antiphon Days, seven antiphons that date back to the seventh or eighth century.

Alice's Advent Cubes included the "O Antiphons", and Katherine at A Living Education adapted the idea for her O Antiphon Houses, Part 1 and Part Two.

Marjorie at Lettres de mon Moulin realizes Advent is the time to "fling open every door" and prepare our hearts for our King's Christmas arrival. Opening every door is her family's theme this year. She found a fun craft using Altoid tins for the "O Antiphons" in Fling Open Every Door - An Altoid Advent.

Helen at Castle of the Immaculate has another twist to Alice and Katherine's O Antiphons. O Antiphon Activities.

....By Preparing the Manger
Straws in the Manger is beloved tradition especially for young children. My family did this tradition for many years.

Rebecca at A Gypsy Caravan shares her version of The Christ Child and the Manger. We have the same statue in our house, and I love the gesture of Baby Jesus' arms just reaching up and out to us.

...By Lighting the Darkness
Rebecca's Advent Log is a wonderful way of anticipating the Light of the World coming on Christmas.

Alice has a variation on the Advent Log with her A Christmas Caravan, put together by her handy husband.

And Dawn at By Sun and Candlelight creates her Advent Log from her birch branch, showing another unique Advent Wreath.

Jennifer S/V Mari Hal-O-Jen provides a nautical theme to her Advent Wreath. See the added ocean elements to the light at Loveliness of Advent.

...By Praying with the Communion of Saints
There are many feasts of saints during Advent, and invoking these saints to help us along our path will help us in our preparation for Christmas.

St. Nicholas is one of the more well-known feast days. I have some ideas on this saint Saint Nicholas: Part One Reading Materials and Part Two: Feastday Celebrations.

Katherine incorporates many saints with her Advent Trees and Feast Day Ornaments, another variation on a theme...I love this innovative use of my favorite Christmas tree ornaments.

And finally, long awaited by me, MaryM's new blog Our Domestic Church shares her Advent and Jesse Tree in Advent in Our Domestic Church. It's marvellous...and I can't wait for more!


Whew! I think that's all. Thank you for all the wonderful submissions! This was so wonderful to see how Advent is celebrated in your homes. What really inspires me is the uniqueness of each entry...even if it's the same tradition, each person puts their unique "stamp" in their Domestic Church. May you all have a blessed Advent!

I'm a bit late for Dawn's Loveliness Fair, but I just wanted to share this little craft that I've been doing for years that makes a perfect gift. It requires medium skill, as it can be somewhat challenging to fold and glue just right...and a bit messy in the glitter department.

I'm talking about old Christmas cards recycled into Christmas ornaments. My eighth grade teacher taught us how to make these. She made them when she first married and had no money to decorate her tree. She covered her tree with these and they have been her favorite ornaments. I've been making them ever since that art class...that was 1982. Imagine my surprise when this book from Martha Stewart came out and I saw my ornaments...but lacking the glitter. I found instructions online here, so I won't try to reinvent the wheel. But a few tips from years in making....

Supplies needed: Christmas cards--front with picture, and cards with a solid colored back like gold or silver, blue, red, green.
Circle and triangle templates --The site above gives an example, but you can make them bigger, which will make the entire ornament bigger. Just make sure the triangle stays in proportion to the circle.
Glue Tacky glue, or something that dries fast, doesn't run, and holds well. I haven't tried all the new glues to know if a better one than Tacky glue would work.
Scissors
Thread or string--to suspend ornament
Glitter--

If you don't save your cards, it's not hard to get people to give you their old ones. I've got a whole large box full, and always get more. People now know that I make these, and always are donating. I've also been successful from Freecycle, friends that tell their friends, etc. My sister's in-laws are antique dealers and come across old cards that aren't valuable...and pass them my way.

Since I have a large supply, I sort them by types of pictures. I like to have my baby Jesus, Holy Family, Wise Men, Shepherds, Christmas tree, Santa, etc. all separated. I use large envelopes to keep them separated. I trace the circles and cut out, then I divvy up the ornaments. I try to match color themes, so things don't clash. I use 15 picture and 5 solid colored circles for each ornament. Fold the circles on the triangle.

When you make the first "row", before you put the 5th circle, cut a length of crochet thread, knot it in a circle (make a large knot) and then glue it inside the first row, to come out through the top. Be generous with the glue...this will suspend the ornament, and when this breaks off, it's harder to find a way to hang the ornament. Add the 5th circle and then continue with the next row, which will be 10 circle, but alternating with a picture and a solid color. Then complete the 5th row, creating the globe ornament.

Since I use glitter, the edges don't have to be perfectly lined up. The glitter will cover up a lot of faults. Using glitter glue or tacky glue, make a line of glue along each edge and sprinkle with glitter. I do the glitter in stages, letting parts dry so I can hold onto the ornament while glittering the rest.

Here are the photos on Flickr...and the badge below.

www.flickr.com

Although simple and inexpensive, they really are beautiful and make wonderful gifts.