Joyfully Catholic

On Fisheaters we were talking about what it means to be "Joyfully Catholic". Some seemed to be worried that they were too somber, and not showing their fellow man the happiness and joy of being a memeber of Christ's Church.

A valid point. With our bloody crucifixes, our quiet rosaries, our smokey incense and solemn saints it may appear that Catholics are not a very lively bunch. This ignores, however, the joy of the Domestic Church, and disregards silent joy.

Much of the joy felt by Catholics cannot be seen externally. Trust us, the Elevation of the Host during Mass can fill us with exstatic happiness. Completeing a pilgramige promised to Our Lady makes us burst. You won't see this though. In Catholic Culture it isn't right to be happy-go-lucky about such things. That's not to say you can't talk about them with others who will appreciate it, but we've gotten so used to having eyes rolled at us when we mention it that we've sort of given up.

Within the Domestic Church is where you'll really see us shine. We have no qualms about celebrating Christmas for 12 days with some seriously good food, games, and traditions. Easter goes on for eight WEEKS and you can sense that exuberence the entire time. We'll put a crown on a child to celebrate their Saint Day, sneak chocolate coins into shoes on St. Nicholas Day. March enthusiastically in a Spirit of Chartres walk or sing "Ave Maria" around the house for October.

We'll light candles, counting down the Sundays to Christmas in Advent. We leave flowers for saints, our brothers and sisters. We crown our King and Queen of Heaven with prayers and gestures. We have more feast days then can be fully celebrated in a year.

We compose Litanies, Novenas, Hymns and prayers. We get together and give gifts on Baptisms, Confirmations, First Communions, Marriages and Ordinations. We carry each other's joys by joining in thanks for prayers answered. We feel our brothers and sister's support as we're going through a tough time, and that too can bring us joy.

To be Catholic is almost intrinsically joyful. How can we not be a celebratory people when we have Christ among us, and Holy Mother Church guiding us?