The global pandemic is forcing families to focus on their relationships like never before. Whatever else God might be doing at this time, it seems clear that he is calling us to discover the power and importance of the domestic church. With Masses suspended and churches closed, we simply don’t have access to the spiritual resources we normally rely on. We are, quite literally, stuck at home with little choice but to figure out how to encounter God as we shelter in place.

Despite the very real limitations we’re all laboring under, God has not abandoned us. His Holy Spirit is still moving powerfully in the world and we believe that it is time to learn how to encounter God more meaningfully in what we like to call “the liturgy of domestic church life.”

Developed as a result of the Catholic Family Life Symposium held last July at the University of Notre Dame, the liturgy of domestic church life is a model of family spirituality that helps families experience God more meaningfully in their everyday circumstances, and to experience the faith as the source of the warmth in our homes. The following is a kind of FAQ for celebrating the liturgy of domestic church life in your home. I hope it will help you have a more meaningful encounter with Christ in your everyday life with your loved ones.

What is the liturgy of domestic church life?

Liturgy is a word that refers to the work God does through his Church to heal the damage that sin does to our relationship with him and one another. The Liturgy of the Eucharist is the “summit and source” of that healing, uniting us with God and giving us the grace to create communion with others. The liturgy of domestic church life is the primary way lay people exercise our common priesthood, consecrating the world to Christ by literally bringing Jesus home with us and letting him transform our common families into dynamic domestic churches!

Why do you say that Christian family life is a liturgy?

Great question! We have a larger presentation (available on request) that explains the basis of the liturgy of domestic church life in Church teaching and the Catholic theology of family. That said, check out this link for a brief explanation of the five reasons family life is a liturgy.

How do you celebrate the liturgy of domestic church life?

Every family is different, so every family must feel free to choose specific practices that work for them. But drawing from the Catholic theology of family and social science research into what makes families in every culture around the world healthy and strong, we suggest that the liturgy of domestic church is made up of three “rites.” The more your family looks for ways to practice these rites in your unique circumstances the more God’s grace can transform your family into a dynamic domestic church! The three rites are:

• The Rite of Relationship: In godly families, members are called to love one another — not just with the love that comes naturally to us broken, sinful, human beings — but with true, incarnational, Christian love. By challenging one another to live Christ’s sacrificial love in their homes every day, the Rite of Relationship enables families to exercise the priestly mission of baptism.
• The Rite of Rituals: When godly families make a little time, every day, to work, play, talk and pray together, they model how Christians are meant to relate to work, leisure, relationships and God. In this way, the Rite of Rituals enables families to exercise the prophetic mission of baptism, showing one another and the world how Christians are called to live.
• The Rite of Reaching Out: As Christians, we’re meant to be a blessing to others. When Christian families live their family lives with others in mind, being kind, charitable, hospitable, serving others and working to discern their unique mission and charisms, they exercise the royal mission of baptism by serving with Christ and building the kingdom of God.

What are some examples of how families can live the Rite of Relationship?

Catholic families are called to do more than just live under the same roof and share a data plan! When Catholic families love each other through the priestly mission of their baptism, they practice the sacrificial love that comes from God’s heart. Every family must be free to choose specific practices that let them live this rite in their own circumstances, but here are some examples of things every family can do:

• Extravagant affection: Christ’s love is incarnational and embodied. The more we share generous, healthy and appropriate physical affection in our homes, the more our family’s love resembles the incarnate, embodied love of Christ.
• Prompt, generous, consistent responses to one another’s needs: Psalm 139:4 says, “Even before a word is on my tongue, Lord, you know it all.” God is immeasurably generous to us. Families model God’s love when each member — parents and children — encourage one another to go above and beyond, responding promptly, generously and consistently to each other needs and concerns.
• Gentle discipline: Christ is the Good Shepherd. He tends his sheep gently. He leads with love. He is slow to anger. His mercy is never-ending. St. John Bosco developed a method of discipline he called the “preventive method,” which rejected heavy-handed punishments in favor of “reason, religion and loving kindness.” He argued that a gentle approach to child-rearing was more consistent with the call to Christian discipleship because it required parents to develop, as well as teach, self-mastery. We discuss effective approaches to gentle discipline in our book Parenting with Grace.
• Prioritize relationship: Christ encouraged the busy homemaker, Martha, to choose “the better part” (Lk 10:42) by making time for intimacy over activity. Godly families follow Christ’s call when we prioritize one-on-one time and, as Pope Francis puts it, “waste time with each other,” even when that means opting out of activities that compete with the importance of family time.
• Catch one another being good: The Christian life is all about growing in virtue. Godly families do well to encourage virtue by catching one another being good, acknowledging the little gifts of service and love we can give to others throughout the day, and intentionally discussing opportunities to grow in respect, love, generosity, togetherness, joy and all the other virtues that help us live life as a gift.

What are some examples of how families can live the Rite of Rituals?

More than just “nice things to do,” regular family rituals give families a way to exercise the prophetic mission of their baptism. Not only do family rituals create a strong sense of community, they give families a way to model the Christian way of life by cultivating godly attitudes toward work, leisure, relationships and prayer. Every family must be free to choose specific practices that let them live this rite in their own circumstances, but here are some examples of ways families can work, play, talk and pray together.

• Work rituals: When families take a few minutes every day to do simple chores together, like cleaning up the kitchen after meals, folding laundry, picking up the family room and other household tasks, they model teamwork, stewardship and cheerful service.
• Play rituals: When families make a point of taking a few minutes every day to do things like play simple board games or card games, play catch, bake together, do a project, have read-aloud time, take a walk or enjoy one another’s company, they model healthy, godly ways to have fun.
• Talk rituals: When families take a few minutes every day — perhaps over their regular family meals — to discuss topics like the highs and lows of the day, the little ways God has blessed them and how they might do a better job taking care of one another, they create experiences of heart-to-heart communion in the home.
• Pray rituals: Simple practices like morning and bedtime prayer, saying grace at meals, blessing one another, praying a family Rosary or chaplet, family praise and worship times, Bible reading and other accessible, age-appropriate spiritual practices help families invite God into their homes and relate to him as the most important member of their family! After all, he is the one who knows them best and loves them most.

What are some examples of how families can live the Rite of Reaching Out?

When members of the family love one another and their “neighbors” through the royal mission of their baptism, they cultivate a spirit of loving service in their hearts. Although it’s important to find ways to serve your parish or community together as a family, true Christian service begins at home. Every family must be free to choose specific practices that let them live this rite in their own circumstances, but here are some examples of ways families can practice the Rite of Reaching Out.

• Serve generously at home: A true heart of service begins with serving the people closest to us. Look for ways to make days easier and more pleasant for each member of the family.
• Think of others while at home: Remember to take care of clothes, toys and other things you have so that you can pass them on to others who may need them in your community. When you’re cooking, make a little extra for the sick, pregnant or elderly neighbor. Consider the ways you can be a blessing to others without even having to leave home.
• Be hospitable: Make your home a welcoming place for others. Regularly invite people to share meals and enjoy opportunities for good, clean fun and even prayer together. Be the house on the block where the neighborhood kids like to gather. Host a neighborhood BBQ.
• Be kind in the world: When you go out as a family, make a point of being kind and respectful to customer service people, waitstaff and others. Practice good manners. Be thoughtful. Say “please,” “thank you” and “excuse me.” Hold the door for others. Be aware of the people around you and how you can model kindness in the simplest interactions.
• Serve together:Don’t let your parish life or charity work be one more thing that pulls your family apart. Look for age-appropriate ways to serve your parish or community together as a family.
• Discover your family mission and charism: By prayerfully discerning the virtues God is asking your family to exemplify and how to use the gifts, talents or interests your family shares to bless others, you will discover the unique role your family plays in building the kingdom of God!

~ ~ ~

Imagine what a difference Catholic families could make if we all did our best to live the liturgy of domestic church life. Through simple acts like these, every family could cooperate with God’s grace to transform their homes into loving, sacred spaces and consecrate the world to Christ!

If you’d like to discover more about how the liturgy of domestic church life can bless your family, I hope you’ll join our Facebook discussion group on family discipleship or check out our book Discovering God Together: The Catholic Guide To Raising Faithful Kids.