Family Faith Resolutions: Keeping Catholic Traditions Alive Year-Round

It's a new year, which means it's time to set some resolutions! As Catholic families, we have a unique opportunity to incorporate faith-filled traditions into our daily lives. This year, let's make a commitment to grow closer to God as a family.

Establish a Daily Prayer Routine

One of the best ways to nurture our faith is through consistent prayer. Decide on a time that works best for your family - maybe it's before bedtime, after dinner, or first thing in the morning. Gather everyone together and take turns leading a short prayer. You could even rotate through different types of prayer, like the Rosary, the Divine Mercy Chaplet, or spontaneous intentions. Making prayer a habit will help your children develop a lifelong love for communicating with God. The Angelus is a Catholic devotion focused on the Incarnation. It involves reciting specific prayers three times a day, traditionally at 6:00 am, noon, and 6:00 pm, to honor the angel's visit to Mary and her acceptance of God's will. Many families find it a simple yet powerful way to center their lives on Christ and foster a sense of unity.

Celebrate the Saints

A great way to get to know the saints more deeply is to choose a family saint of the year to learn about and ask intersessions from. Throughout the year, read stories of their heroic virtues, and find ways to honor them. Some saint's are special to certain areas of the world and there may be unique and beautiful traditions surrounding that saint your family can learn about. You could make a craft, cook a traditional dish, or perform an act of service in their name. Celebrating the saints is a wonderful way to pass on the rich heritage of our Catholic faith. Families can also make an effort to closely follow the calendar of saint's feast days. It can be a great way to learn about saints you may not have heard of.

Serve Others

One of the best ways to live out our faith is by serving those in need. Brainstorm service projects your family can do together, like volunteering at a soup kitchen, making cards for the elderly, or collecting items for the homeless. Engaging in acts of charity not only blesses others but also teaches our children the joy of giving.

Incorporate Catholic Traditions

There are so many beautiful Catholic traditions that can enrich our family life. Observe the liturgical seasons by decorating your home accordingly, baking special treats, or learning about the significance of each season. Celebrate feast days with festive meals or special activities. Pass on cherished devotions, like the Stations of the Cross during Lent or the May Crowning of Mary.

As we embark on this new year, let's make a commitment to weaving our faith into the fabric of our daily lives. By establishing consistent prayer, celebrating the saints, serving others, and incorporating Catholic traditions, we can ensure that our children grow up with a deep love for their faith. Here's to a year filled with family, faith, and fun!