For centuries, the Catholic Church has offered an abundance of splendid traditions that extend religious and spiritual practice into daily life. Now, Meredith Gould reintroduces these customs and rituals to modern Roman Catholics.

Using the liturgical calendar, The Catholic Home provides familiar and new ways to celebrate each season and its special days. Gould reviews major holy days, select saints’ days, familiar prayers, and suggests meaningful ways to prepare as a family for such sacraments as Baptism, Confirmation, First Eucharist, and Matrimony.

This book includes a concise history of each ritual and clarifies the meaning behind it by highlighting celebrations of Catholic holidays from different parts of the globe. Your family will learn to make Advent wreaths, Jesse trees, St. Lucy’s crowns, King’s cakes, All Souls altars, traditional foods, and participate in family devotions.

Throughout The Catholic Home, Gould’s down-to-earth practicality and sense of humor give the activities she describes modern relevance no matter how ancient their origins. Excerpts from the official Catechism of the Catholic Church are included to illuminate Church doctrine on matters of faith and ritual. This indispensable guide will appeal to Catholics young and old and inspire beloved family traditions to be handed down from one generation to the next.

Average Customer Review: ( 24 customer reviews )
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It is densely filled with holidays and feast days throughout the year, their histories and suggestions for celebrations. Dr. Gould's friendly and relaxed style of writing makes me feel as if all this wonderful information is being given to me while sitting across from her having a cup of tea.

My only sadness is that this wonderful book was not written thirty years ago when I had young children. A young family using the book as a resource and basis for family celebrations throughout the year could not help but grow into a strong spiritual unit with sound values that would be shared with their community.

Some of the traditions she describes are very familiar, some happily ring a distant bell, and some are new to me. Dr Gould has blessed us by making all of this available in an attractive and enjoyable form.

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