The Domestic Church – Interview Series
The Catholic Man Show Interview Series on ‘The Domestic Church’
Last week we published 3 interviews on the topic ‘The Domestic Church’.
According to the Second Vatican Council’s Dogmatic Constitution on the Church: “The family, is so to speak, the domestic church.” (Lumen Gentium #11) This means that it is in the context of the family that we first learn who God is and to prayerfully seek His will for us.
The term “Domestic Church” refers to the family, the smallest body of gathered believers in Christ. Though recovered only recently, the term dates all the way back to the first century AD. The Greek word ecclesiola referred to “little church.” Our Early Church Fathers understood that the home was fertile ground for discipleship, sanctification, and holiness. – Archdiocese of Cinnicinatti
Domestic Church (1 of 3) – Sam Guzman
Our first interview was with Sam Guzman of The Catholic Gentleman.
Sam is the husband of Laura and the father of four precious children. He lives in the rolling hills of the Oklahoma Ozarks near Clear Creek Abbey.
Sam Guzman of The Catholic Gentleman
Domestic Church (2 of 3) – Hector Molina
Hector Molina is with Casting Nets Ministries and is an internationally renowned lay Catholic speaker and evangelist who has been engaged in professional full-time ministry and evangelization for over 25 years. Read more about him here.
Hector Molina of Casting Nets
Domestic Church (3 of 3) – Dr. Scott and Kimberly Hahn
Dr. Scott Hahn presently teaches at the Franciscan University of Steubenville, a Catholic university in the United States. Hahn is married to Kimberly Hahn, who co-runs their Catholic apostolate, the Saint Paul Center for Biblical Theology.
The USCCB put together a list of tools to help build a domestic church:
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Begin praying as a family and reading from Scripture daily, certainly before meals, but also first thing in the morning or before bed. Find a time that works for your family. Use the liturgy of the Church as a model for prayer, and try to include heartfelt unstructured prayer as well.
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Pray a Family Rosary (each member leads a decade, and everyone shares intentions).
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Have a crucifix in a prominent place in the home, and in every bedroom.
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Make the Sacraments a regular celebration – take the whole family to Confession and Mass!
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Begin family traditions based on the seasons celebrated in the liturgical calendar.
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Make your vacation a holy pilgrimage by visiting the shrines and saints of our land and the world.
- Make worshiping God a priority. Never miss Mass, even while traveling – go to: www.MassTimes.org. . . to find a church near you!
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Teach stewardship and charity to your children, through word and example.
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Demonstrate love for your spouse, your children, your neighbors, and the world. Remind their children that they are loved by God and have been given gifts to serve others.
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Talk freely about the presence of God in the joys and sorrows of your life.
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Welcome into your home and support priests, brothers, sisters, deacons, and lay ministers in the Church.
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Participate in the lay ministries and activities of your parish community.
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Allow your children to witness you in private prayer. Encourage your children to pray daily on their own, to listen for God’s call, and if heard, to respond.
- For more ideas on how to build your home as a Domestic Church, go to: www.domestic-church.com. . . or visit The Family Fully Alive. . . , sponsored by the Knights of Columbus.
About the author, Adam
Adam is the Director of Communications for the Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma, CEO of St. Michael Catholic Radio, Co-host of TCMS, Author from Ascension Press, Husband and Father of 5 children.