We started this tradition at Dominic and Sarah’s wedding. It is called the “Marriage Crucifix”. You can see the crucifix on their kneeler behind Dominic. They hold it as they say their vows. “After the wedding, the newlyweds cross the threshold of their home to enthrone that same Crucifix in a place of honor. It becomes the reference point of their lives and the place of family prayer, for the young couple believes deeply that the family is born of the Cross.” It is a beautiful custom. You can read more about it here.
From Plain Talks on Marriage by Rev. Fulgence Meyer, O.F.M., 1927
The family crucifix should be the most precious object, and should form the most cherished and frequented shrine of the entire house. Around it center the sweetest and dearest family memories and traditions. Perhaps it is an heirloom that has come down from father to son, or from mother to daughter in uncounted generations; or perhaps it is a wedding present from the pastor or some dear friend.
When the young couple for the first time entered their own household, it was before this crucifix that they mutually renewed the pledge of their great love and lasting union.
And when the first trials of married life came upon them, it was before this crucifix that they poured out their grief together and asked for solace, courage and strength.
When God gave them the grand blessing of their first child they again knelt before this crucifix in warm appreciation and fervent gratitude.
They repeated this act of whole-hearted joy and recognition at each new addition to the family .circle.
When God, in His inscrutable providence, withdrew one of the children He had given, perhaps the best and dearest or the only one, their first impulse was to throw themselves down before this sacred crucifix, and exclaim grief-stricken but resigned: “The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away: as it has pleased the Lord, so is it done: blessed be the Name of the Lord” (Job, 1, 21).
And at the death of each member of the family this hallowed crucifix receives the last conscious sigh and kiss of love from him or her who derived their sweetest solace from it in all the vicissitudes and fortunes of life.
A Catholic couple will give evidence of their fear of the Lord by closely keeping the commandments of God and the Church.
This observance must have become such a habit with them and be so ingrained in their character that their children are convinced their parents would rather die than willfully miss holy Mass on a Sunday or holyday of obligation, or violate the Friday or other days of fast and abstinence, or otherwise transgress God’s holy law.
This conviction on the part of their sons and daughters will be the best Catholic education the parents can give them.
“Lord, Help me to be a good wife. I fully realize that I don’t have what it takes to be one without Your help. Take my selfishness, impatience, and irritability and turn them into kindness, long-suffering, and the willingness to bear all things. Take my old emotional habits, mindsets, automatic reactions, rude assumptions, and self-protective stance, and make me patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle, and self-controlled. I am not able to rise above who I am at this moment. Only You can transform me.” – Stormie O’Martin
Cheerful Chats for Catholic Children
Love it! Love it! Love it! A grace filled book that gives young children a faith perspective, more of a God’s eye view if you will, of daily events.All the ups and downs of life are considered in relation to Christ and His Blessed Mother. My own grandchildren love hearing these tales every night. The stories give them hope, security and understanding.
Beautiful Blessed Mother Wire Wrapped Rosaries! Lovely, Durable. Each link is handmade and wrapped around itself to ensure quality. Available here.
Originally published in 1908 by the venerable Benziger Bros., this book has everything–all the basic prayers, litanies and Order (now known as Extraordinary Form) of the Mass. It also has excellent meditations for Eucharistic meditation and prayers for reception of Holy Communion.
The distinguishing feature of this prayer book, however, is that it is chock-full with helpful meditations and inspiring quotes for living the full Christian life. Father Lasance was obviously a very wise man and a holy priest. -T. Berry
This post contains affiliate links. Thank you kindly for your support.
By His holy Cross, Thou hast redeemed the world. 😢
A Blessed and Happy Easter to all of the family.
Marilyn,Joan and Marion