Daily Rhythm
After a break filled with health scares, holy days, family outings, and cherished restful days with my beloved, we are easing back into our regular daily rhythm. It’s a gentle but necessary shift, one that mirrors the wisdom Holy Mother Church offers us in her liturgical timing.
How prudent it is, as Catholics, to align our lives with the liturgical calendar that the Church has established—times for feasting and fasting, rest and labor, prayer and work. It’s not about perfection but about deepening our love and obedience to our duties of state, trusting that each small act done with great love has eternal significance.
“A steadfast attention to the work at hand, with no hurry or agitation, is the surest way to accomplish it well.” #StFrancisdeSales
The rhythm of daily life, grounded in faith and simplicity, is an offering of love to God and those entrusted to us.
I give thanks for the moments of respite and for the beauty of God’s creation, which has nourished us in every way. Those sacred pauses, shared with family and embraced in His love, have renewed us for the tasks ahead.
Now we return, not with burdens, but with joy—grateful for the order that sustains us and ready to carry on, step by step, for His greater glory. 🙏🏼
Habit Tracker
As we work towards becoming the best versions of ourselves, tracking our daily habits can be a game-changer. I’ve created a simple habit tracker that I’m using to stay intentional and focused on the goals God has placed on my heart.
If you’d like to join me, here’s a blank habit tracker for you to fill in with your own priorities—whether they’re related to health, prayer, family, or self-care. It’s a tool to help us stay accountable and see the progress we’re making, one small step at a time.
This tracker isn’t about perfection—it’s about progress. Use it to reflect, adjust, and celebrate the victories God gives us each day.
Let me know if plan to use it! Let’s keep lifting each other up as we work on our habits with grace and perseverance.
In Christ,
Lena
Protected: RISE 2024-2025
More Than A Decoration
My sons and husband had the honor of putting up a Nativity scene at the CA State Capitol — a beautiful and powerful public witness to the Kingship of Christ.
As Traditional Catholics, we know that Christ is not only the King of our hearts and homes but also the rightful King of society. His reign extends over every government, every law, and every public square, even when the world tries to forget or reject Him.
In a society increasingly hostile to faith and truth, this simple yet profound gesture reminds us that Christ came to save ALL. By publicly proclaiming the mystery of His Incarnation—God made man—we testify that there is no division between faith and the world. Our King desires to reign, not only in churches but in the hearts of nations.
The Nativity isn’t just a decoration; it’s a declaration. It tells a weary world that hope has come, that true peace is found in Christ alone, and that governments and societies flourish when they acknowledge and submit to His rule.
I’m so proud of my boys for embracing this mission. In their hands, hammers and nails became tools to build not just a structure, but a statement of faith. In my husband’s leadership, I see the reflection of St. Joseph—a protector of Christ and His Church, working humbly for the glory of God.
May this Nativity stir hearts, call souls back to Him, and remind all who see it that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.
May we never cease proclaiming that Christ is King of Kings and Lord of Lords!
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)
The First Day of Advent
Happy New Year! May you have a holy and fruitful Advent, preparing your heart and home for the coming of the Christ Child.
➕
Our Lord, in the Gospel of this day, directs our attention to the end of the world and the Last Judgment. He speaks of the terrible signs which shall then appear in the heavens, when the light of the sun shall grow dim, the moon shall no longer give her light, the stars shall fall from the firmament, and the world shall be covered with more than Egyptian darkness; and of those other signs which shall then appear upon the earth—of the violent disturbance of the sea, of the distress of nations, and the withering away of men through fear.
All these things warn us to enter upon the new Ecclesiastical Year with serious thoughts, and to profit by this season of grace for the advancement of our eternal interests…
In the natural year, spring, summer, autumn, and winter follow each other in visible and endless succession; so, also, the ecclesiastical year revolves in a mysterious orbit, elevating and consecrating the various seasons by its graces and blessings.We are thus doubly warned and invited to sanctify ourselves and to travel onward to our heavenly goal. Yet, for vast numbers, these merciful dispensations of Providence are profitless. Time passes, the years, months, and days rush swiftly by, and there is no growth in virtue, no progress in holiness, to be discerned in their souls.
How many years have you, my brethren, already spent without gaining any thing for eternal life!
Far from increasing in merit, your sins and vices, perhaps, have rendered you utterly bankrupt in divine grace. Most justly, then, does the Apostle exhort us, today, “to cast off the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light;” and, to the end that you profit by his warnings, and those of the present Gospel, I will explain to you that the care for your salvation is:
I. The most necessary;
II. The most sublime; and
III. The sweetest duty of our life.
BishopEhrler 1891
📸 Out youngest placing an earned straw in the manger for baby Jesus
Feast of St. Nicholas
I thought I was ahead of the game this year, but I put off the final touches, which led to an even earlier start than my usual 4 a.m. wake-up. However, JOYfilled Dad stepped in, as he always does—this is his feast day to spearhead, and he makes it happen with love and dedication.
He even surprised me with my own St. Nicholas treat: a personal space heater, knowing how I’m always cold, even in our California winters. 🥰
We kept it simple (though I know the pictures may not look that way—welcome to large family life!). Each of the kids received a new pair of slippers and something cozy like a coat, blanket, or pajamas, along with a few sweets. We decided against gifting new spiritual reads this year, as we’re deeply immersed in our renewal of the Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary.
Our day was filled with unexpected blessings, too! We received thoughtful St. Nicholas treats from our #1 and her family, and the greatest gift of all—a surprise visit from the grandbabies/niece and nephew. 💙 💗
Our youngest received a package with St. Nicholas coins from his godparents.
Our beloved Sisters also showered the children and me with St. Nicholas goodies.
The boys and I were able to assist at Holy Mass and offer an hour of adoration for the reparation of the Sacred Heart of Jesus given it was also a First Friday this year.
There was one particularly unexpected treat (last slides!) that truly felt like an answered prayer for one or more of my sons. I’m convinced it was a gift from Our Lord through the intercession of St. Nicholas and our other spiritual benefactor — hence the name, Nicola Mary Anthony Peter.
Our hearts are full of gratitude as we journey deeper into Advent, preparing our home and hearts for the coming of the Christ Child. May St. Nicholas inspire us all to grow in generosity and love during this season of joyful anticipation!
🎁✨ What was one your favorite St. Nicholas treats/memories from this year’s feastday?
Protected: QAS Campus Christkindl
Prayers for St. Michael’s Lent
While St. Michael’s Lent is not an official tradition of the Church, it was one of the many periods of fasting and prayer observed by St. Francis throughout the year. This second ‘Lent’ begins on the Feast of the Assumption and concludes on the Feast of St. Michael.
During this time, St. Francis would fast, abstain, and practice penances and mortifications to discipline himself, grow in virtue, and honor God. Notably, it was during this ‘St. Michael’s Lent’ that he received the stigmata.
To emulate St. Francis and observe the 40-day St. Michael’s Lent in his honor, in honor of Our Lady and St. Michael the Archangel, and to consecrate yourself to St. Michael on his feast day, one could follow these suggested steps:
- Obey the precepts of the Church, including attending Mass and going to Confession as needed.
- Fast and abstain, as you would during Lent, from the Feast of the Assumption on August 15 to Michaelmas (the Feast of St. Michael the Archangel) on September 29 or otherwise make some daily sacrifice to God on those days.
- Pray the Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel, all of the supplications and accompanying prayers (the Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be), and the Litany to St. Michael every day from the Assumption to Michaelmas.
- On Michaelmas, make the Act of Consecration to St. Michael the Archangel.
Note that the period between the Assumption and Michaelmas consists of 46 calendar days, but, as in the pre-Easter Lent, Sundays and holy days don’t count and aren’t penitential, so this devotion consists of 40 days’ worth of partial abstinence and fasting. – Fish Eaters
Below are fasting suggestions provided by A Catholic Life. Since St. Michael’s Lent is a purely devotional fast without a historical basis like Lent or the Assumption Fast, these guidelines are offered to help you observe this period with intention.
Fasting for St. Michael’s Lent:
- This fasting period begins on the Assumption (August 15) and ends on the feast of St. Michael (September 29).
- It excludes Assumption Day itself and all Sundays, which are never days of fasting although they may be days of abstinence if one so chooses to keep them as such.
- Use the standard for 1 meal, 1 frustulum, and 1 collation would be a good rule to follow here too.
- Add, if you don’t already, Wednesdays and Saturdays (in addition to Fridays) as days of abstinence.
Visit A Catholic Life for more on traditional fasting and abstinence observances.
Here is a St. Michael’s Lent printable for download. This is reformatted daily prayer guide for St. Michael’s Lent, originally shared by an SSPX Chapel, here. My printable includes all the suggested prayers for the devotion, along with a Consecration to St. Michael and a convenient planning page to help you stay organized throughout the season.
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Lena | Traditional Catholic (@joyfilledfamily)
Fourth of July Homage
As the international horizon grows darker with the spectrum of a World War III drawing closer, coupled with a chaotic civil war; when our temporal institutions are sinking in an ocean of corruption, incompetence and tyranny, we can place little hope in natural means to resolve such problems.
This is why we turn to Thee, O Star of the Sea, asking that Thou dost come to our help! Save us, our families and our country so that the excellent vocation God gave to this great nation may be fulfilled and not be lost.
Do not permit, O Queen of the Angels, that our nation be annihilated as one of the many nations that will have this fate. Give us the grace to pass through the coming Chastisement and be living stones for the construction of Thy Reign. — TIA
#olbpilgrimage going through the city streets with young carrying flags which represent our beliefs — God & Country. The one in the middle carries our banner of Our Lady, to whom we entrust it all to.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- …
- 124
- Next Page »
