How to Celebrate the Nativity Fast (Advent)

A Time of Preparation Surprise it is that time of year again! Last Sunday it was Christ the King for Byzantine Catholics, which reminded me that it’s time to start thinking about preparing for Christmas. Preparing to prepare… that’s how prepared we are! Advent vs Nativity Fast In the Byzantine Catholic Church the time preparing …

A Collection of Helpful Responses to the Sex Abuse Scandal in the Church

Overwhelmed by all the Scandal? So the big topic of the day is the sex scandal and cover up in the church. In the past few weeks, there has been a ton of conversation about the abuses and cover-ups by Bishops and Cardinals. Even Pope Francis has been implicated in the web of cover-ups. Many …

Dormition Feast: What to Do with Blessed Flowers and More

The Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos While all Marian Feasts are awesome, wonderful, and special, the feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos has a special place in my heart. It is my firstborn daughter’s day of birth (Little Fox). Also called the Assumption of Mary, the feast of Dormition falls on the 15th …

Why the Byzantine Life is Beautiful

Drawn to the East: Why the Byzantine Life is so Beautiful

The Byzantine Life All the cool Catholics are joining the Byzantine Rite of the Catholic Church. Well, Matt Fradd made the leap. (And my husband! Though his family is already Ukrainian and his spiritual formation was at our local Ukrainian Catholic elementary school). Anyway, at one point or another, you’ve probably heard about someone transferring …

What Are Our Rites: An Introduction to Byzantine Catholicism

If you’re like me, you probably grew up hearing very little or even nothing about the Eastern rites of the Catholic Church. Maybe you’ve heard something about there being married Catholic priests, or lots of incense at a daily liturgy. Maybe you found my blog because you were looking for more information. Well you’ve come …