Did you know that celebrating the name-day of your child helps to train him or her in the Faith? I found an interesting book by Helen McLoughlin called “My Nameday – Come for Dessert”, and I read why celebrating a name-day is so important:
Namedays enrich a child’s thinking and create feelings ofsecurity, reverence and love of tradition which come from linkswith the past. They bind the members of the family closer to eachother, to God. and to the saints; they are a means of sanctifyingthe home, fulfilling the command of the bishops of the UnitedStates: “Christians must make their homes holy.”
Celebrating name-days helps our children get to know their patron saints in a fun and memorable way. The day is filled with excitement and anticipation for a favorite dinner and dessert. The saint’s life is read, and becomes a familiar story year after year. And the person whose feast day it is feels special all day!
Here is what makes a name-day special in our home:
Breakfast is chosen by the child, and usually, that means pancakes or waffles. After breakfast, Mom or Dad reads the life of the saint. Later, the family member’s favorite dinner is made, and Mom or Dad reads the prayer to the patron saint. Then, out comes a special dessert: a cross-shaped cake! This is the highlight of the day, and it’s made even better when we sing “Happy Feast Day to You!”
Pretty simple, and it all revolves around comfort food. The kids are excited the whole day, and everyone tries to be extra nice to the person whose feast it is. Everyone loves it when it’s their name-day!
Does your family do something special on someone’s name-day?
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