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"The
family is the 'domestic church'
where God's children learn to
pray."
- Catechism of
the Catholic Church, Par. 2685
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One of the most pathetic scenes in Scripture
is that in which the prodigal son is found eating the pigs' food after
leaving his father and throwing away his inheritance. Like the
prodigal, Christian families are "eating pigs' food" when it comes to family religion--having cast
away their spiritual inheritance provided by their spiritual fathers.
Many are simply ignorant of what's available. Returning humbly to those sources
is a crucial duty for parents today and the CLAA's Family Religion
resources are intended to help.
WHERE TO BEGIN
The American impulse is to pull
out the credit card and look to buy a solution. This,
however, is a great part of the source of our trouble, not its
solution. When we look through history at the holiest men
and women we find a universal love for simplicity of life.
Our Lord said, "You cannot serve God and
money." St. Paul exhorted us to "be content with food and
clothing". An expensive lifestyle creates a high-stress life,
which wars against the simplicity and sanctity of true religion.
Therefore, family religion does not begin
at the Catholic book shop. It begins with the family schedule.
We must be free to serve the Lord and to be so you must exit the
mainstream American culture. We encourage you to read Mr.
Michael's article,
"How to Create a Schedule" to get started.
THE BASICS
The Church is the center of
family religious life. It alone has the power to
administer the sacraments, through which Christ gives grace to
His disciples. Therefore, a family that ignores the Church
ignores Christ. Re-orient your family around the schedule
of your local parish. Your family members should be
baptized. Your family should attend Mass. Your
family should go to Confession, and so on.
Second, your family must establish an
order of prayer. The Church offers the Liturgy of the Hours to us
as the official prayer of the faithful and we recommend that you learn
more about the LotH. To begin, start with a set time for Morning
and Evening Prayer. When that is established, you may consider
adding Midday and Night prayer. Children (and adults) can begin with our
Student Prayer Guide, which provides a
script for prayers at waking time and before going to bed.
Third, begin with classic Catholic
devotions: the Rosary should be prayed daily. Don't allow people
to confuse you with 1,001 different devotions and prayers: such
people usually don't pray much themselves. The most pious families live simply and
focus on just a few essential elements of religious life, practicing
them consistently and over a long period of time. |
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PRACTICAL
MEASURES
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True religion teaches us to
take practical measures if we would be holy. Here
are some suggestions: |
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1. Church-Oriented
Schedule |
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The Church is the ark of
salvation and your family needs to be in it. If
you find your family life detached from the life of your
parish, you have work to do. Instead of driving
your kids wildly around the state for soccer games and
boy scout meetings, why not drive them to Mass?
Confession? Eucharist Adoration? Our excuses
for not participating in spiritual duties never seem to
apply to worldly activities, do they? |
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2. Family Chapel |
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You cannot meditate and pray
in the middle of the kitchen. There needs to be a
sacred (set apart for the Lord) space in the home where you can go for quiet
prayer, read a devotional book, meditate before a
crucifix, etc. Rather than devoting a room to the
television or to extra beds, devote it prayer and
worship. |
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3. No TV/Radio |
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This may seem extreme, but
what do you expect to find there? If you have free time,
help someone, go for a walk, work in the garden,
throw a ball around with the kids-something healthy and
productive. If you want to listen to music, buy a
handful of the best Catholic CDs. If you want to
watch a movie, buy something that edifies and makes you
wiser and holier. There's no wisdom in
having your mind controlled by what someone else
schedules on a TV channel or radio station. |
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4. Simplify Your
Life |
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You wouldn't
have piles of laundry if you had a daily routine and stuck to
it. Your children wouldn't need ten outfits and they
wouldn't be randomly changed (and thrown into the hamper
or on the floor) throughout the day. You
wouldn't have piles of dishes and hours of food
preparation if you simplified your diet. The
hectic housewife is a product of her family's inordinate
tastes and impractical schedule. |
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5. Serve the Poor |
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Most American families are
idle and invent problems for themselves. Scripture
tells us, "You who have two tunics (shirts) give to him who
has none, and you who have food do likewise." One
of the causes of impiety and unhappiness is selfishness.
Get out of your house and go help the poor, the elderly,
etc.. They need clothing, food and friendship. |
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6. Religious Items |
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There are some basic items
you should plan to purchase for your family: a
crucifix for your chapel, rosaries for every person over
seven, a statue of the Blessed Virgin, a Catholic family
Bible, a prayer book, a few devotional classics, a few
pieces of Catholic art. |
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7.
Catechize Your Children |
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Your children
must be taught the faith in order for them to believe
it. The CLAA provides you with an easy-to-manage
and trustworthy
Catechism program.
If you'd
like to discuss these issues in detail, join over 400
families on line at the
CLAA
Family Forum. |
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LITANY OF ST. JOSEPH
As a remedy against the plague of
negligent fathers and idle boyhood, we are urging families to
pray the Litany of St. Joseph. Please join us as we pray
the litany weekly on Monday mornings or whenever you are able.
 Lord,
have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Jesus, hear us.
Jesus, graciously hear us.
God, the Father of Heaven,
Have mercy
on us.
God, the Son, Redeemer of the world,
God, the Holy Spirit,
Holy Trinity, One God,
Pray for us.
Holy Mary,
St. Joseph,
Renowned offspring of David,
Light of Patriarchs,
Spouse of the Mother of God,
Chaste guardian of the Virgin,
Foster father of the Son of God,
Diligent protector of Christ,
Head of the Holy Family,
Joseph most just,
Joseph most chaste,
Joseph most prudent,
Joseph most strong,
Joseph most obedient,
Joseph most faithful,
Mirror of patience,
Lover of poverty,
Model of artisans,
Glory of home life,
Guardian of virgins,
Pillar of families,
Solace of the wretched,
Hope of the sick,
Patron of the dying,
Terror of demons,
Protector of Holy Church,
Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world,
Spare
us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world,
Graciously
hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who take
away the sins of the world. He made him the lord of his
household. And
prince over all his possessions. |
Let us pray, --- O God, in your ineffable providence you were
pleased to choose Blessed Joseph to be the spouse of your most
holy Mother; grant, we beg you, that we may be worthy to have
him for our intercessor in heaven whom on earth we venerate as
our Protector: You who live and reign forever and ever.
Saint Joseph, pray for us. |
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