There is a fine line between routine and ritual. A routine is something we do the same way habitually, with little or no thought. Every morning, we mindlessly follow a routine: turn off the alarm, turn on the coffee pot, eat a bowl of cereal, brush our teeth, and so on. A ritual is something we do the same way habitually, with deep, intentional thought. Blessing ourselves with holy water, genuflecting, anointing with oil, walking in procession—these are all examples of ritual acts. If done without deep, intentional thought, they risk becoming routine. When done with deep, intentional thought, these ritual actions invoke the Christian narrative of rescue, restoration, and reassurance. However, we are not limited to participating in these rituals solely in church. We can create and practice meaningful ritual actions in our homes as a way of speaking God’s language in our family. In this episode of Pop-Up Catechesis, we take a closer look at the language of rituals and ritual actions.
For more information about ritual actions, check out the following links:
- Pop-Up Catechesis: Blessing Your Children and Other Family Rituals
- 8 Simple Ways to Celebrate Sacred Time as a Family
- The Power of Family Rituals
- Raising Faith-Filled Kids
- 10 Tips for Better Family Mealtimes
- Living the Sacraments: Finding God at the Intersection of Heaven and Earth
- Family Rituals Celebrate Family Unity, God’s Presence
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