Living a Catholic Week: Daily Significance and Easy-to-Do Devotions

Is living more liturgically on your list of resolutions for the new year? 

‍Incorporating liturgical living into your home doesn’t need to look like extravagant meals, Pinterest-worthy crafts, or parties; when it comes to growing in holiness, small acts of devotions are often the most effective. 

And in fact, the Church even gives us simple suggestions on devotions for every day of the week. 

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Christ sits at the very heart of the Christian life; He calls us daily into a deeper relationship with Him. But how can we do this wholeheartedly and consistently amidst the busyness of our everyday lives? 

Thankfully, the Church offers guidance on how to structure our lives to keep Christ at the center. 

‍Not only does the Church dedicates each month to a particular devotion, but she also invites you to devote yourself to a different theme each day of the week. This practice was written about by spiritual master, Saint Josemaria Escriva.

Committing yourself to this practice will not only bring you closer to our Lord, but to His Mother, the angels, and the saints all of whom will help you on your spiritual journey.

Below, you can read about the traditional devotion for each day and ideas for how to meditate on it. 

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Sunday

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The Christian week begins with the Church remembering the Most Holy Trinity. 

The Trinity is a fundamental tenet of our faith. The Catechism of the Catholic Church says: “[The Trinity] is the mystery of God in himself… therefore [it is] the source of all the other mysteries of faith, the light that enlightens them.”

On Sundays, we come together to worship the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit at Mass and this act alone helps us orient the rest of our week toward God. 

However, in addition to attending Sunday Mass, spending time with family and resting from work can help call to mind the Trinity, in whose image we were made. 

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Monday

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On Mondays, we remember the Holy Souls in Purgatory–our brothers and sisters who have gone before us and long to enter into full union with God. The Holy Souls need the prayers of the Church still on earth to finally reach their eternal home.

If you have time today, stop by a cemetery on your way home from work or your child’s dance class for a quick prayer. You can also offer mass or quick prayer before your meals for the Holy Souls. 

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Tuesday

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Tuesdays are the day on which we honor the Angels 

We often forget about these unseen beings but they play an important role both in the Story of Salvation, as God entrusts us to their care. The Angels, especially our Guardian Angels, want to help us know, love, and serve God so we can one day meet Him face to face. 

Start your day with a quick prayer to your Guardian Angel or to Saint Michael the Archangel. Thank them for their guidance, and ask for their help and protection. 

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Wednesday

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Devotion to Saint Joseph is the focus for the middle of the week. 

David Clayton in his book The Little Oratory writes: “[Wednesday] is the day the week turns on. It’s no wonder that the wisdom of popular piety put St. Joseph here, in the center of daily life. St. Joseph represents fatherhood, care, protection, a happy death, and sanctified work. He has been called the Shadow of the Father.”

Honor him by lighting a candle in front of the St. Joseph statue at your home or you parish, or by praying the Litany of St. Joseph. 

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Thursday

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Since Christ celebrated the Last Supper on Holy Thursday, the Church saw it fitting for Thursdays throughout the year to honor the Most Holy Eucharist. 

If you can’t make it to mass on this day, you can make a spiritual communion or an act of reparation to the Blessed Sacrament to honor the True Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. You can also spend time (even a few minutes) in Adoration if available to honor this great gift. 

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Friday

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Again, since Good Friday is the day we remember Christ’s Passion and Death, the Church uses all other Fridays to call to mind the sacrifice Jesus made to bring about our salvation. 

Abstaining from meat, even outside of Lent, is a long-standing Catholic tradition that lets you unite your suffering to the Cross. Praying the Stations of the Cross or the Sorrowful Mysteries also allows you to meditate on this 

The Church also remembers the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus on this day of the week. You can find ideas on how to honor the Sacred Heart here. 

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Saturday

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Finally, the Church honors the Blessed Mother and her Immaculate Heart every Saturday. 

Theologians like St. Bernard and St. Bonaventure explained the origin of the Saturday Marian devotion goes back to the first Holy Saturday when everyone else had abandoned Christ after His death, Mary alone believed. 

‍The Church gives us so many ways to honor the Blessed Mother and her Immaculate Heart. You could pray the Rosary or the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary. You can also begin the First Saturday devotion by attending Mass on the first Saturday of the month. 

Living liturgically, and participating in the traditions of the Church like praying the daily devotions, helps sanctify your ordinary life.

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