Where Does Food Meet Faith in Your Life?

One of the main goals of the Catholic Foodie is to highlight “…Where food meets faith!”

A couple of weeks ago, as a promotion of Zatarain’s Jambalaya Throwdown, I issued my own throwdown. And the challenge? Comment on ways that food meets faith in your own life. Here are some of the comments I received:

“Food meets faith? A perfect example is The Knights of Columbus. Food is an integral part of society and culture. Jesus used food to unite his apostles and his Church by bringing us to the altar of his body and blood through the transubstantiation of bread and wine. Though us Knights can’t even compare to Christ and what his sacrifice did for our salvation, we can use food as he did to unite and promote his Church. Throughout the year, we are grilling chickens or cooking Jambalaya to raise money for our individual parish. This money goes to help purchase items needed by the parish or to help members of our Christian community who are in need. Food is an integral part of our unification as a parish and just as Christ broke bread for all mankind, we to use food to help mankind, even if it is in a much smaller way. I would strongly encourage any male who wants to get more involved in their parish (and if you like to cook!) to join the K of C’s.” – David Dawson of The Everyday Catholic podcast.

“Every night, when I sit down to a meal with my amazing husband, Alan, and our wonderful, sweet, healthy, smart and beautiful little girls, I am so grateful to be blessed with this special life that I’ve been given. Food has a way of bringing us together; no matter what we’ve done or where we’ve gone during that day, we always end up talking and laughing together at our dinner table. It’s the best place in the world, and it always reminds me to be grateful!” – Kristy Bernardo of The Wicked Noodle

“Last year my daughters participated in a nearby parish’s St. Joseph’s Day. After my daughters, dressed as Saints, entered the church and Cardinal DiNardo said Mass, everyone proceeded to the parish hall for the feast. Seeing the altar, laden with the special breads and treats, was a shock to my memory. I had seen many photos of my grandmother’s St. Joseph’s table, but this one was stunning. They served us spaghetti, fava beans with breadcrumbs (representing sawdust), and many other goodies. The children received special treats and were required to taste everything. No one is turned away and everyone is welcome. It’s the most significant connection in my mind between our Sicilian heritage, food, and our Catholic faith.” – Shelly Kelly of Of Sound Mind and Spirit (By the way, Shelly just posted a fantastic post about preparing her jambalaya. Be sure to check it out!)

“Food means family, and family means faith. But, I’m from New Orleans, where good food is the center of the universe!” – Evann Duplantier of Thank Evann

“I am always trying to find ways to incorporate meals with saint feast days that go outside of the norm… we do the St. Joseph Altar, Epiphany King Cakes, St. Joseph Sfinge, etc. So two years ago, on September 20, the Feast of St. Andrew Kim and Korean Martyrs, we got the book BeeBimBop by Linda Sue Park (suggested by a friend) and read it (My 4 boys are ages 2-6, so kids books work great) and we made Bi Bim Bop (recipe found in the back of the book). There’s a lot of chopping, but the kids helped peel and make the rice… we sat on the floor around our coffee table and talked about what we thought life in Korea would be like, what it means to be a martyr, and the witness of St. Andrew Kim et all. It was great.” – Sonia McGarrity

“Every semester I start the unit on nutrition by talking about our southern heritage and culture. What each discussion brings is how food is the center of all our faith based celebrations/ gatherings. Because I teach in a public school, I really can’t teach religion. However, through our discussions we describe your slogan. Where does food meet faith? In the south, food meets faith at every birthday, wedding, funeral, family reunion, football game, and sunday afternoon. Anytime Southerners get together, food meets faith. In a classroom as culturally diverse as mine, food (and the traditions that surround it) brings my students together!” – Heather Langlois

What about you? How does food meet faith in your life?

Please comment below and let us know!