The Liturgy of the Land: Cultivating a Catholic Homestead
New book for Cultivating a Catholic Homestead
Jason Craig and Thomas Van Horn harmoniously lay out theological, philosophical, and practical wisdom for Catholic families in their new book, published by Tan Books, entitled: The Liturgy of the Land: Cultivating a Catholic Homestead. The first part of the book provides a clear understanding on how the family unit should divide the needed work to be done during different seasons, while the second part prudently guides you through the discernment process on what ideas and enterprises to begin.
Jason M. Craig and Thomas D. Van Horn have written a charming, beautiful, and practical guide for folks desiring a more humane – more fulfilling – way of life. Whether you are a rosy-eyed dreamer or a skeptical realist, The Liturgy of the Land provides not only the philosphical and theological rationale for considering homesteading, but also the concreate steps to make the homesteading dream a reality… This work is a most welcome addition to the growing canon of Catholic agrarian literature. – Dr. Richard Meloche, President of Alcuin Institute for Catholic Culture
Many people today desire a simple life that is closely connected to land, whether it be gardening, farming, or ranching. There is a spiritual draw to a non-consumeristic lifestyle that places God, the family, and the home at the center of all activity. This “agrarian conversion” has led many families to seek out rural communities and leave behind the suburban life.
Over ten years ago two Catholic friends, Jason M. Craig and Thomas D Van Horn, experienced a similar agrarian conversion inspired by past Catholic land-movements and a growing desire to work with their wives and children, going deeper than just “supporting” them financially. Both began a journey, perhaps with a tad too much romanticism, toward land-based life on farms. All these years later, the two have been tempered by the unyielding realities of land and limitations, and have gained significant insights into the reasons, challenges, and possibilities of homesteading and farming. Van Horn operates a commercial bee operation and Craig operates a microdairy while working remotely for a Catholic apostolate. Both, however, now have extensive experience in general homesteading, niche-marketing of farm products, and trying to order their households around an agricultural life.
In The Liturgy of the Land: Cultivating a Catholic Homestead, authors Jason Craig and Thomas Van Horn present the practicalities and theological aspects behind the desire for a productive, holy home. Our current culture understands economy in efficient consumeristic terms, but our Catholic Faith tells us different. The productive homestead is the center of economic life and the family is at the center of the homestead. This book aims at bringing the stories from their experience into a presentation and proposal of homesteading as a way of life, considering the principles (why?) and the practicalities (how?).
PURCHASE LITURGY OF THE LAND: CULTIVATING A CATHOLIC HOMESTEAD HERE.
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.