By Brea Cannon
Liturgical Rhythm of Life
Welcome to Ordinary Time! As we step out of Easter and enter the green meadow of Ordinary Time, let us remember that this time is an opportunity to stretch and use our muscles in the areas of special devotions, prayer and living the liturgy in everyday activities. The root of the word ordinary comes from the Latin “ordinalis,” which means “showing order, denoting an order of succession.” Though we may think of Ordinary Time less than we do Lent and Advent, this time gives us an opportunity to continue good habits established in Lent or even create order in the fun of summer and the beauty of fall.
Some examples of ways to live out the season of Ordinary Time:
- Keep a gratitude journal and write how God has blessed and protected you and your family.
- Be intentional about small acts of faith: attend a funeral Mass for someone who may not have family, sort through your clothes or household goods and donate unwanted items to your local St. Vincent de Paul society, or even take time to eliminate any distractions in your home that separate you from prayer to help establish a daily prayer routine.
- Read good literature with exceptional moral value: choose your summer reading wisely. Pick up a book that will lift up your heart and mind rather than a book that is pure entertainment.
- Use the liturgical calendar: reflect on the traditional devotions for each month, remember and celebrate important dates (wedding anniversaries, birthdays, baptism and confirmation anniversaries), and grow in faith with the saints on their specific feast days.
June is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. This devotion is rich in our Catholic history. It was in the 11th and 12th centuries in Benedictine and Cistercian monasteries where the devotion took form. It was then popularized in the 17th century by St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, who was visited multiple times by Jesus in private prayer.
There are many ways to honor and pray with the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Ancient and modern prayers and litanies can be prayed. A beautiful way to consecrate your home or family to the Sacred Heart is through an enthronement. An enthronement can be completed by putting on display an image of the Sacred Heart and recite the beautiful prayers of consecration by St. Margaret Mary Alacoque.
Jesus said to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, “I will bless every dwelling where an image of My Heart is both exposed and honored.”
With small children around, it is always fun to make a Sacred Heart themed meal. In our home sometime throughout the month of June, most often on the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart (this year, June 12), we make homemade pizzas with topping to look like the images of the Sacred and Immaculate hearts. Pepperoni slices, sliced bell peppers, tomatoes, and fresh herbs all make for great pizza decorating materials. This is a tradition my children look forward to every year. As we enjoy our special pizzas we talk about Jesus’ and Mary’s love for each of us and the whole world.
June is a special month as it has multiple solemnities:
- June 7: Solemnity of the Feast of Corpus Christi
- June 12: Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus
- June 24: Solemnity of the Nativity of John the Baptist
- June 29: Solemnity of the Sts. Peter and Paul
A solemnity is the feast of highest rank and celebrates a mystery of faith; the trinity, the events or life of Jesus, the Blessed Virgin Mary or other Saints. The Gloria and Creed are always said at Mass on these days. The word solemnity comes from Latin sollemnitas, meaning festival or celebration of a day. In many ways, solemnities are like Sundays and can be treated as such as a day of feasting and celebration.
For the solemnities this month try to take some extra time for prayer to meditate on the importance of the life event of Jesus and the special Saints and be sure to find a way to celebrate the day.
June is a great start to summer and Ordinary Time. With multiple solemnities and the devotion to the Sacred Heart, find time this month to celebrate and create order in prayer and the liturgical rhythm of life.