Winner of two 2025 CMA Book Awards from the Catholic Media Association: Front Cover Artwork (Second Place) and Pastoral Ministry Catechetical (Honorable Mention).
Festive Faith by Steffani Aquila is a vibrant treasury of more than seventy Catholic traditions from around the world, showing how liturgical living can transform everyday life into a joyful celebration of God’s presence. From St. Nicholas shoes and La Posadas to May Crowning, Simbang Gabi, and Candlemas, Aquila explores customs that have connected generations of Catholics through faith, family, and festivity.
As founder of Liturgy Culture & Kitchen by His Girl Sunday, Aquila brings a rare combination of historical insight, pastoral experience, and practical creativity to this guide. She explains the history and meaning behind each tradition, how it’s practiced in various cultures, and how to adapt it meaningfully in your own home or parish.
Readers will learn the “why” and “how” of customs such as:
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La Posadas in Mexico, where families reenact Mary and Joseph’s search for shelter before Christmas
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King cakes baked to honor Christ the King and mark the Epiphany season
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The Polish blessing of Easter baskets, symbolizing the end of fasting and the joy of Resurrection
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Visiting seven churches on Holy Thursday, staying awake with Christ in Gethsemane
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May Crowning ceremonies, expressing devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary
Each section includes practical steps for celebrating, tips for adapting to modern life, and ways to share traditions across generations and communities. The book also features twenty personal stories from Catholics of diverse backgrounds who bring their family traditions to life.
Perfect for families, catechists, and parish leaders alike, Festive Faith is more than a resource—it’s a joyful invitation to rediscover Catholic culture and deepen your faith through the rhythms of the liturgical year.
About the Author
Steffani Aquila is the founder of His Girl Sunday, an apostolate dedicated to inspiring Catholic culture and liturgical living at home and in parish life. She has served as director of liturgical life at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Houston, associate director of youth ministry, and theology teacher.
Aquila earned a bachelor’s degree in education with a minor in theology from the University of St. Thomas in Houston and a master’s degree in theological studies from St. Mary’s Seminary. She lives with her husband in Katy, Texas.
