Liturgical Living at Home
January 2026
Welcome back to our monthly Liturgical Living email:
Since it is a new year, consider something new:
- Chalk your doorway with an Epiphany House Blessing (here’s how) Epiphany will technically be on Tuesday, January 6, though the Church celebrates it the Sunday closest to that date!
- You could choose a Patron Saint for your family for the year
- Choose a new devotion to cultivate as a family. Consider the Angelus, Daily or Weekly Family Rosary, Divine Mercy Chaplet, etc!
- Renew your baptismal vows on the Baptism of the Lord (that’s next Sunday, January 11, 2026).
January is dedicated to the Holy Name of Jesus,
a Catholic devotion emphasizing the power, mercy, and salvation found in His name. Devotions involve prayers like the Jesus Prayer ("Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner"), displaying the IHS monogram (Jesus, Savior of Men), acts of charity, Eucharistic adoration, and teaching reverence, recognizing the name as a source of strength, comfort, and protection against evil.
Historical Roots: While rooted in Scripture (Philippians 2:9-10), the devotion was popularized by St. Bernardine of Siena in the 15th century to foster peace.
Ways to Practice the Devotion:
- Prayer: Recite prayers like "O good Jesus, have mercy on me" or the Jesus Prayer.
- Reverence: Bow your head when the name "Jesus" is mentioned in prayers or liturgy.
- Symbolism: Display the IHS monogram (from the first three letters of Jesus in Greek) as a reminder of His salvific role.
- Acts of Reparation: Pray for forgiveness for the misuse of Jesus' name and perform acts of charity.
- Eucharistic Adoration: Spend time in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament.
By honoring the Holy Name of Jesus in January, believers seek to deepen their connection with Christ and invoke His saving power in their lives.
As a family, renew your Baptismal Promises
My favorite Liturgical Living guru, Kendra Tierney, suggests a great option for celebrating St. John the Baptist dunking Jesus in the Jordan River than dunking bread in cheese, so why not a fondue party to celebrate and renew your Baptismal Promises as a family.
Usually the head of the household will act as a the leader and all others will enthusiastically respond.
Leader (L): Do you reject Satan?
Response (R): I do.
L: And all his works?
R: I do.
L: And all his empty promises?
R: I do.
L: Do you believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth?
R: I do.
L: Do you believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was born of the Virgin Mary was crucified, died and was buried, rose from the dead, and is now seated at the right hand of the Father?
R: I do.
L: Do you believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection on the body, and life everlasting?
R: I do.
L: God, the all-powerful Father of our Lord Jesus Christ has given us a new birth by water and the Holy Spirit, and forgiven all our sins. May be also keep us faithful to our Lord Jesus Christ forever and ever.
R: Amen.
St. Hilary, January 13
St. Hilary of Poitiers was a 4th-century Bishop, Doctor of the Church, and defender against Arianism, known as the "Hammer of the Arians" for his strong writings on the Trinity. If you come to Mass at St. Hilary this weekend you will celebrate with us all, surely get to hear the hymn Fr. Steve wrote for the 50th Anniversary of our parish and celebrate with some special snackies after every single Mass.
If you're hoping to celebrate St. Hilary on his feast day, think of doing something with THREES because of his strong writings on the Trinity. You may also do a little look and find around the church for all the purposefully hidden triangles that are there in honor of St. Hilary and the trinity!
St. Sebastian, January 20
St. Sebastian is the patron saint of athletes. Try playing a game or sport as a family.
St. Sebastian was a Roman soldier-martyr famous for surviving being shot with arrows, only to be beaten to death later; he's the patron saint of athletes and soldiers, often depicted as pierced with arrows, and is invoked against plagues, with his story inspiring famous Renaissance art and even naming a king who was born on his feast day (King Sebastian I of Portugal).
St. Agnes, January 21
Her life and her path to holiness is fascinating like so many of our holy heroes that have come from all walks of life to show us how to know, love and serve God.
Since Agnes means lamb you might consider a fun activity with a lamb. Once I made my butter into a lamb, it was fun to let the butter get to room temperature and make it into a lamb shape in a piping bag. Kids would LOVE to do this too!
Conversion of St. Paul (Jan 25)
The Conversion of St. Paul took place around A.D. 35 on the road to Damascus. Formerly known as Saul, he was a Pharisee zealous in persecuting early Christians. His life changed dramatically when a bright light from heaven knocked him to the ground and he heard the voice of Jesus asking, “Why do you persecute Me?” Blinded and shaken, Saul was led into Damascus, where he was healed by a disciple named Ananias. This profound encounter transformed Saul into Paul, one of the greatest missionaries and writers of the New Testament. He embarked on numerous missionary journeys, founded Christian communities throughout the Roman Empire, and authored epistles that continue to shape Christian theology and spirituality. His radical conversion and subsequent devotion exemplify how God’s grace can redirect even the most misguided life toward truth and purpose.
We can learn a lot from St. Paul's story:
- Stay Open to Change: Paul’s conversion shows that even strong opinions and habits can shift. In modern life, be willing to rethink assumptions and remain open to growth, especially when confronted with new insights or constructive feedback.
- Use Your Gifts for Good: Before encountering Christ, Paul used his zeal against Christians. After his conversion, he channeled that same passion into spreading the Gospel. Look at your own talents and passions; ask how you can redirect them in a way that benefits others and honors God.
- Be Courageous in Sharing Your Story: Paul didn’t hide his past. He used it to demonstrate God’s power to transform.
St. Paul, chosen instrument of Christ, pray for us that we may be open to God’s transforming grace in our lives. Obtain for us the courage to share our own stories of change and to use our gifts in service of the Gospel. Through your intercession, may we grow in faith, humility, and zeal for the love of Jesus. Amen.
(Found at: https://catholicexchange.com)
St. Thomas Aquinas (Jan 28)
Saint Thomas Aquinas (c. 1225–1274) was an Italian Dominican friar, philosopher, and theologian, considered one of the most influential thinkers in Western tradition, known for synthesizing faith and reason in his writings, most famously the Summa Theologica, earning him titles like "Doctor of the Church" and "Angelic Doctor". He championed the harmony between natural knowledge and divine revelation, arguing reason could prove God's existence while acknowledging truths requiring faith, and is patron of academics, students, and Catholic schools.
Thomas’ friends nicknamed him a “dumb ox” so consider pin the tail on the ox or tic-tack-toe (Xs & Os).
Have you tried a new liturgical tradition in your family?
Snap a photo and send it our way so we can show others how much fun you're having! There's so much to celebrate and enjoy this month as Christmas is wrapping up and we are back to Ordinary time for a short bit.
The McCarthy Family continued a long-time family tradition to make a special Angelfood Cake for Christmas and sang "Happy Birthday" to Jesus with family.