The Catechism describes the family as a “domestic church” (ecclesia domestica), the first school of Christian life and a school for human enrichment. How can we excel in this school? How do we help our family members become holy? Brandon and Fr. Blake share tips from their own lives and from Fr. Blake’s ministry to young families.
It is here that the father of the family, the mother, children, and all members of the family exercise the priesthood of the baptized in a privileged way “by the reception of the sacraments, prayer and thanksgiving, the witness of a holy life, and self-denial and active charity.” Thus the home is the first school of Christian life and “a school for human enrichment.” Here one learns endurance and the joy of work, fraternal love, generous – even repeated – forgiveness, and above all divine worship in prayer and the offering of one’s life.
Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1657
Links
- Catechism on “The Domestic Church” (paragraphs 1655-1658)
- The Catholic All Year Compendium: Liturgical Living for Real Life by Kendra Tierney
- Feast!: Real Food, Reflections, and Simple Living for the Christian Year by Daniel and Haley Stewart
- Saints artwork that the Vogt family commissioned for Burrowshire (artist was David Leiberg, davidleiberg@gmail.com)
- Fr. Blake – Wedding Booklet (PDF)
- Fr. Blake – Marriage Formation Program (Word Doc)
Another great episode. My wife and I have been discussing putting up images of saints – any suggestions of good places we can patronize?
Great podcast! There is a new resource that just came out this weekend, “Missionary Parenting – Cultivating the 6 Keys Essential to Your Domestic Church,” by Bob and Nannet Horton that provides a vision for Catholic parents today to build their domestic church. Visit missionaryparenting.com. God bless you.
I keep hearing in many places, this episode included, that the primary goal of life should be to become a saint. While this is true, I think it is important to make a theological precision: The End Goal is the Glory of God, the Instrumental Goal is sainthood. Sainthood is the best way we give glory to God, but it’s not the final end. God and only God is the end.
I know for some the distinction may seem blurry, but I believe is worth pointing it out because is such an important thing that almost nobody mentions anymore. Sometimes focusing on ours becoming saints we may put the emphasis on us instead of Him.
He must increase and I must decrease (John 3,30)
Daniel, you made some very beautiful and insightful points on sainthood. I have been reflecting on the same ideas you mentioned and I believe your wisdom is exactly what the Holy Spirit wanted me to hear today!
Sorry, I found the links. Thanks!
It depends upon your definitions. We glorify God by becoming one with him, by becoming love as he is love. That is becoming a saint. Jesus’ command was to love one another as I have loved you, to be perfect as the Father is perfect. What is the Father? He is love. We become holy as we become love, as we love God with our entire heart, mind, soul and strength. Holiness = Love of God. To take Pope Benedict, Bernard of Clairvaux, St. John Paul, John of the Cross, etc., is to love God passionately, with the eros-agape that is the inner love of the Trinity. Holiness is not equal to “being good” or “virtuous” or “saying your prayers.”
How do I do Liturgy of the Hours?
Watch Episode #004 by clicking on the Episode tab at the the top of this page.
Request for Marriage Class content/outline referenced in this podcast. Also anything similar for RCIA if available. Specifically interested in any guidance on following up with RCIA graduates to assess effectiveness of RCIA and progress/challenges encountered by graduates as our diocese currently is doing nothing in this area.
I would also be interested in the Marriage Class content/outline as well.
Adam and Kenneth,
Thank you so much for contacting me! I will happily share any resources I have with you. Thankfully, I have received numerous requests for the marriage prep materials. So, I decided to transfer it into a summarized PDF form and booklet that is easy to use. I should be finished with it by the end of the week and I will send it to you. Please send me an email.
Thank you for listening to the podcast and God bless!
Fr. Blake,
Just wanted to say a quick thanks for making your marriage prep materials available! Another great resource to add to my tool box and help married couples live out their vocation more fully for the glory of God.
God Bless,
Fr. Mark Tracy
Yet another inspiring episode! I love how Fr. Blake places an emphasis on classical literature and classical art, because that is something that has been lost in an era of “modern art.” I would highly recommend to anyone who is interested to listen to Gregorian chant. I have an entire playlist dedicated exclusively to this genre. It is beautiful and moving, and it is a critical piece of Church history that I think many places have lost.
Thank you, Brandon and Fr. Blake, for putting on this podcast for us!
AMDG,
Luke
From where did you curate the pieces for your playlist?
Most of it comes from a Spotify artist called “Capella Gregoriana,” but I also listen to some of the Templar chants, and there is a artist named “Clamavi De Profundis” that does a little Gregorian chant, although I highly recommend listening to their other songs as well, particularly if you enjoy Lord of the Rings and its surrounding content!
I love the goal of your family to join those in the painting.
Inspiring and encouraging. Thanks Brandon and Blake. Looking forward to the next podcast
Brandon, would you feel comfortable sharing the name of the artist you commissioned your saints painting from, and/or how you found the right person for this?
Thanks so much and God bless,
Kelly
Yes! His name is David Leiberg (davidleiberg@gmail.com). Here’s a low-res version of the artwork we commissioned from him: https://www.dropbox.com/s/id04ufa1iksashv/Vogt%20-%20Family%20Saints%20Portrait-SMALL.jpg?dl=0
Thank you so much!!
Father, would you send me the marriage prep info you discussed on podcast #008, please? Thanks and God bless you!
It’s linked above in the show notes.
One question for Fr. Blake: how do you handle the living together situation with “cohabitating couples” which is so prevalent today?
Hi Brandon and Fr. Blake, I’m single and I have a niece and two nephews that I make it a goal to meet them regularly. My nephews and my niece have different parental backgrounds; my nephews have separated parents with their dad not wanting to see them yet. And my niece’s parents both work abroad and she has this longing to bond with her parents again.
I wonder what you can suggest to me in regards to things that I can do to fill the gap created by the absence of their parents. I really really love the practical suggestions you mentioned but we live in different homes and I only meet them once in a while and now even more limited due to pandemic. Any suggestions what activities / projects / rituals we can do when we meet in person? How about online activities?