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SIMPLE40 - DAY 25 - Liturgical Living Everyday


The motto at Integrated Life has always been "Christ at the Center". If you truly desire to grow in wholeness and holiness, there is no other way. Christ must be at the center of your life, your thoughts, your decisions, your actions. One of the most beautiful ways the Church helps us do this is through liturgical living. The liturgical calendar gives rhythm and structure to our days, reminding us that our lives are meant to revolve around Christ and His saving work. I like the analogy of the earth rotating around the sun in a set orbit. In a similar way the life of the Church revolves around Christ according to the pattern of the liturgical year. Through the seasons and feasts, we continually return to the great mystery of our redemption. Scripture, the lives of the saints, and the events of Christ’s life unfold before us again and again.


Even though we celebrate the same seasons each year, they are never the same. Each time we journey through Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, and Ordinary Time, the Lord reveals new insights, new graces, and new opportunities for growth.

In the course of the year, (the Church) unfolds the whole mystery of Christ...Thus recalling the mysteries of the redemption, she opens up to the faithful the riches of her Lord's powers and merits, so that these are in some way made present in every age; the faithful lay hold of them and are filled with saving grace. ~CCC 1163

Over time, liturgical living becomes less about adding more things to your schedule and more about letting the life of the Church shape the life of your family. Slowly, it becomes second nature. And without even realizing it, you are doing something powerful: planting seeds of faith that will grow and bloom in the lives of your children, and even your grandchildren.


spiritual

Attending Sunday Mass and Holy Days of Obligation already place you at the threshold of liturgical living. From there, you can begin to incorporate other beautiful rhythms of the Church into your life, especially as we approach Holy Week.

Simple ways to deepen this rhythm include:

  • First Fridays and First Saturdays

  • Eucharistic Adoration

  • Stations of the Cross

  • Eucharistic processions

  • Celebrating saint feast days and solemnities

These practices gently keep our hearts oriented toward Christ and help simplify life according to God’s will rather than our own full schedules. As I mentioned Monday, Catholic All Year, founded by Kendra Tierney offers wonderful guidance for living the liturgical year at home. She beautifully writes:

I have found liturgical living in the home to be a beautiful way to connect with my family, my faith, my community, and the long history of our Church. ~Kendra Tierney

self One of the healthiest ways you can care for yourself and others is by expressing your needs clearly and kindly. Instead of shutting down or expecting others to guess, you can practice speaking with humility and honesty.


Simple examples might sound like:

  • “I could really use a hug right now.”

  • “I think I need a short break before continuing.”

  • “Could we try a different coffee shop today?”

  • “I would rather go shopping now so I can meal prep later.”


These small, honest statements are not demands, they are invitations into relationship. When you express your needs calmly and respectfully, you build trust and allow others to love you well.


Today, in addition to your 40 minutes of intentional movement, pay attention to what you might need and practice naming it with kindness and simplicity.

service Consider creating your own Family Litany of Saints, like the one shown in the image. This can become a beautiful prayer your family returns to again and again...at bedtime, after the Rosary, or during family prayer.


The Church has long prayed the Litany of the Saints, invoking the intercession of holy men and women who have gone before us. It is one of the Church’s oldest prayers and is used in major liturgies like the Easter Vigil and ordinations.


For family prayer, you can create a personal version that reflects the saints who are especially meaningful in your life.


Start by brainstorming together as a family. Consider including:

  • Your namesake saints (saints who share your first or middle name)

  • Confirmation saints

  • Saints connected to family devotions or heritage

  • Saints whose feast day falls on a birthday

  • Saints who are patrons of your vocation, struggles, or hopes

You might also add:

  • Your parish patron

  • Saints your children love learning about

  • Saints connected to your ethnic heritage or family history

  • A saint your family chooses to focus on each year


Once you have made your list, write them in a simple litany format:

St. Joseph, pray for us.

St. Monica, pray for us.

St. Francis, pray for us.

Finish with:“All you holy men and women, pray for us.”


Print it, frame it, or place it near your prayer corner. Over time, this list of heavenly friends becomes a reminder that your family is never praying alone, you are surrounded by the communion of saints.


If you missed Monday’s post about discovering your patron saints, revisit it here: SIMPLE40 - DAY 23 - Living in the Rhythm of the Church


You may be surprised how many saints are already part of your family story.

simple recipe ROASTED SOUTHWESTERN VEGGIE TACOS

Use a sheet pan to roast your perfectly seasoned veggie tacos. Serve these with avocado, sliced cabbage, fresh cilantro, and your favorite salsa or taco sauce.

Ingredients

  • 1 head cauliflower, cut into florets (about 3-4 cups)

  • 1 medium sweet potato, diced into ½ inch cubes

  • 1 medium carrot, peeled and sliced in 1/2 slices

  • 1 red bell pepper, cut into chunks

  • 1 red onion, cut into chunks

  • Optional: 1 cup frozen or fresh corn

  • 2 tablespoons avocado oil

  • ½ medium lime, juiced

  • 1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained

  • 2 Tbsp southwest taco seasoning (use more or less to taste)


Directions

  • Preheat the oven to 400. Line a large sheet pan with parchment paper. (You may need to use two pans in order to fit all of the veggies.)

  • Add all the veggies to the prepared pan. Drizzle with avocado oil and lime juice. Sprinkle seasoning over all the veggies. Use a tong or clean hands to combine all the veggies so they are well coated with the spices and oil.

  • Place sheet pan in the oven and roast the veggies for 30-40 minutes, stirring halfway through. They are done when the sweet potatoes are fork tender. During the last 5 minutes of baking, remove the pan from the oven and sprinkle the rinsed and drained black beans right over the veggies and toss a bit. This is to warm the beans up without needing to use another pot or bowl.

  • Serve with your favorite taco shell/tortilla and all the toppings you love.

Thank you for following along.


Please reach out to me if you have any questions or comments. katie@integratedlife.co If you are enjoying SIMPLE40, please share with a friend. Click the link to sign up. It's never too late! SIMPLE40

 
 
 

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