Building "Little T" Family Faith Traditions

Caitrin Bennett explains how the lowercase-t traditions of the Church can enrich our faith, just as a family vacation tradition bonds her family together. 

The Beach Trip Tradition 

This week, I am relaxing on the beach in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Nearly every summer of my life, my family has gathered here to catch some rays, play board games, and drink champagne in the hot tub. It’s my favorite week of the year. 

My grandparents started this tradition when I was a baby. Since their passing, my parents have taken the lead and welcomed a new generation to join: my own kids. One day, I hope my husband, Chris, and I find ourselves back at the beach with a gaggle of kids, grandkids, uncles, aunts, and cousins. I want to keep the tradition going!  

Traditions in the Church 

One thing I love about being Catholic is that the Church has so many beautiful traditions, too. Lowercase-t “traditions” are pious beliefs and practices handed down from generation to generation of faithful Catholics. These traditions do not come directly from Scripture but are often drawn from the writings of the early Church Fathers, oral histories, or private revelations to saints. The tradition of praying the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, for example, comes to us from the private revelations of Saint Faustina. The tradition that Our Lady’s parents were named Anne and Joachim comes from the proto-evangelium of James. 

Catholics are not required to adopt every traditional practice as a daily habit, and may be more or less attached to various details of private revelations. Little-t traditions are not essential to matters of faith or morality. Picking and choosing traditions to adopt is not about filling holes in an otherwise incomplete faith, but about enriching and invigorating our spiritual lives.

So, if praying the Chaplet of Divine Mercy enriches your prayer life, do it! If you are a new grandparent and want to ask for the intercession of Jesus’ grandparents, Saints Anne and Joachim, go for it. Take the practices that work best for you and weave them into the beautiful tapestry of your own personal faith.  

Pass It On 

But don’t stop with your own personal faith life! I urge you to share your favorite faith-filled practices with your family and loved ones. Imagine your entire extended family praying the Chaplet at your funeral, all of them familiar with the prayers because they prayed it with you so many times during your life. A tradition like that could really bond your family together. 

Every family has its own flavor and quirks. Your family might prefer hiking in the mountains to our annual week at the beach. Yours might love watching football games together — we couldn't care less about football over here. Each family can pick and choose which traditions we keep up because we are attached to them and they bond us together. It’s like that with Catholic traditions, too. Which ones are dearest to you and your family? 

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Copyright 2025 Caitrin Bennett
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