Entering into Passiontide

Sister Christina shares how you can enrich your family life with the beauty of the upcoming holy days.

As we approach these holiest days of the year, memories surface from Passiontides past—both recent and from years ago.

Things are going to be so different for me this year, living in a different place and not being sacristan anymore.

I fondly remember getting the old, brown suitcase down from the top cabinets in the sacristy. It held all the special things we would need for this special time of year: violet-colored cross covers, the wooden clapper, things for the Easter candle, and more.

Even outside the liturgy, there are so many special and unique things tied to this time of year. Two of my favorites are dyeing Easter eggs on Holy Saturday afternoon and making Hot Cross Buns to serve on Holy Thursday.

I would do a thorough cleaning of the sanctuary and of the candle holders and the vigil light rack during the last days of Holy Week. The timing was perfect due to the circumstances of these days with no adoration and changes in chapel décor.

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Although my experience is surely different from your own, I’d like to share a list of ideas for enriching your family life with the beauty of these holy days.

Make Hot Cross Buns and learn about their history.
Volunteer as a family to help clean or decorate your parish church for Easter.
Boil and dye Easter eggs together.
Attend one or more of the Triduum liturgies.
Talk about the significance of various liturgical items and traditions, such as the clapper and cross cover.
Learn how to braid palms.
Pray the Stations of the Cross together.
Make Easter cards (and deliver them) for local nursing home residents.

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Which of these customs do you observe with your family? Share your thoughts with the Catholic Mom community! You'll find the comment box below the author's bio and list of recommended articles.