How to Plan a Saint Day Celebration

Catholics, Orthodox, Episcopalians and those who honor Christian saints – holy men and women who are in heaven with God – follow centuries of tradition when celebrating saint feast days. Saint Day parties are often an alternative to Halloween celebrations and a complement to birthday parties. Saint Day celebrations are fun to plan and enjoyable for many. Here's how to plan a Saint Day celebration.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Choose a saint to honor. You may wish to celebrate the saint of the day as a party theme, or you can choose a saint and plan a party for the saint's feast day. Consider throwing a Saint Day party on the feast of a well-known saint such as St. Valentine or St. Patrick. Many choose to honor their patron saints and have a "Name Day" party on the saint's feast day.

2. Read "The Catholic Home: Celebrations and Traditions for Holidays, Feast Days, and Every Day" by Meredith Gould for ideas for your saint of the day celebration party. The book will give you great ideas for incorporating the liturgical calendar into your family life and saint day celebrations.

3. Decorate the location of your Saint Day party. Create a festive air by putting up streamers, lighting candles, and displaying a picture or statue of your saint for the party in a prominent place. Add party decorations in the colors of the liturgical calendar.

4. Invite your guests, encouraging children to come in saint costumes for the saint day party if it is close to Halloween.

5. Make a menu for your Saint Day party, including foods native to the saint's culture (such as Italian food for a San Francesco di Paulo party) or in keeping with the saint day theme, such as grilled hamburgers for a St. Lawrence feast day celebration.