It’s time for Shrove Tuesday, also called Pancake Day, Mardi Gras, and Carnival. And I’m excited, not only because we will eat pancakes but also because it means we are only a day away from Lent, my favorite season of the year! The End of the Carnival The word Carnival comes from the Latin expression,…
Today in the Spirit: Epiphany & Epiphany 1A
Prepositions are important in the Book of Common Prayer (BCP). One change in the BCP 2019 that can easily go unnoticed is the designation “Sundays of Epiphany” in the new book versus “Sundays after Epiphany” in the 1979 (and 1928) books. The choice of wording in BCP 2019 conforms with a desire to return to…
The Liturgical Home: Saint Nicholas Day
Nicholas became the Bishop of Myra in the 4th century and took part in the great church council of Nicaea that gave us the Nicene Creed.
Introducing The Liturgical Home
The Liturgical Home is an Anglican Compass series of articles and books on serving the Anglican family. It is a place to learn everything you need to know to incorporate your faith into your home. A powerful way for Anglicans to live out their faith in their home is by celebrating the seasons of the…
Hymn Guide: See the Conqueror (ft. an exclusive video with Jenny & Tyler!)
“See the Conqueror” is a wonderful hymn on the Ascension of Christ. It is not widely known, but we hope to make it more popular, with God’s help! It was written by a 19th-century English bishop named Christopher Wordsworth (1807-1855), the nephew of poet William Wordsworth. Bishop Wordsworth authored many books, including The Holy Year, a book…
Palm Sunday: A Collect Reflection
The Collect for Palm Sunday Almighty and everliving God, in your tender love for the human race you sent your Son our Savior Jesus Christ to take upon himself our nature, and to suffer death upon the cross, giving us the example of his great humility: Mercifully grant that we may walk in the way…
Why You Should Follow the Church Calendar with Your Family at Home This Advent
“For everything there is a season” (Ecclesiastes 3:10)—I am sure you know the verse well. We are all familiar with it, and yet it is so often misused. People will often quote the verse in response to a bad thing that has happened or a hard time that you are going through. But if you…
Holy Michael and All Angels: A Rookie Anglican Guide to Michaelmas
Michael-what? Michaelmas is a shortened form of “Michael’s Mass” (just like Christmas is a shortened form of Christ’s Mass). It is also known as the feast day of Holy (or “St.”) Michael and All Angels. Celebrated similarly to Thanksgiving, Michaelmas conjures images of cool fall days, abundant harvests, and feasting. Festivities focus on the defeat…
The Calendar of Saints: A Rookie Anglican Guide
Why do Anglicans celebrate “feast days” for various “saints”? After all, aren’t all Christians saints? If you’re asking these questions, you’ve come to the right place! Biblical Beginnings Commemoration of saints has its roots in the Bible. In 1 Cor. 11:1, St. Paul writes: “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” From this…
Ordinary Time: A Rookie Anglican Guide to the Season after Pentecost and Trinity
Welcome to Ordinary Time! Now, if you’re like me, you might hear “Ordinary Time” as “boring time.” But that’s not the case! Let me explain. The Church Year revolves around two cycles: But what about the rest of the year? Well, there are two periods of the liturgical year that are called Ordinary Time that…
