Traditions - Between Heaven and Earth

Feast of the Seven Fishes

Coming from an Irish family, I am not sure why the Italian tradition of having the Feast of the Seven Fishes on Christmas Eve stuck with us, but it has. How this tradition came about, which started with the Sicilians, is probably anyone's guess. There are stories about using it to remember the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the days of the week or the seven sacraments. Being a vigil, not eating meat, and being in southern Italy I am sure had something to do with choosing fish. Anyway look on GOOGLE for the "Feast of the Seven Fishes" for more details.

This dinner is really easy to fix. Go to the market and get a 1/2 dozen mussels and a half a dozen clams. Then get four other types of fresh fish; 1/4 pound each. It does not matter what kind. Also get a pound of fresh spaghetti and a small jar of spaghetti sauce. You get a small jar so the sauce does not over power the fish. Throw all the fish, clams, mussels and sauce into one big pot and simmer until all of the fish is well cooked. Cook the spaghetti until it is al dente. Place the spaghetti in a large dish and the sauce on top. Bring your family together, spend a moment remembering why this tradition is observed, and then enjoy the meal with your family.

Irish Weddings

Scottish Weddings

The Scottish Wedding web site to the right of this page talks about a whole host of traditional items associated with a Scottish Wedding such as examples of traditional vows, where to get a kilt, what are traditional rings and where to get them, a Luckenbooth brooch, Scottish stationary, island weddings, "Tha gaol agam ort", and songs.

As a child in Scotland, my wife made pocket money on Saturday morning at the local church. She would wait outside for the bride and groom to exit after their wedding. Coming out the church door, they would always throw coins to the children. The coins were suppose to be silver but she lived in a poor neighborhood so they were often copper.

Quinceañera

July 15, 2000, El Paso, Tx. When our niece became 15, as God parents, my wife and I were a part of her quinceañera. This special event reaffirms a young woman's religious faith and commitment. It is a celebration of becoming an adult. It began at the St. Francis Assisi Mission Church and ended at a reception at the Rio Grande Valley Ranch. The following links provide a great overview.