Finally, A Planner For the Byzantine Catholic Mom!

Summer vacation time is here! I don't want to be a spoil sport but if you are like me, the next school year is somewhere at the back of your mind. I would like to introduce the number one planning tool for all you Byzantine moms out there which will take care of a big chunk of your planning and ease your mind about the school year 2019/20 : Three cheers for the 2019-2020 Byzimom Daily Planner by Lynne Wardach!!! Finally we have a Byzantine planner indicating all our own feasts and fasts along with loads of liturgical logistics. No more tweaking of a Roman Catholic or secular planner. The Byzimom Daily Planner keeps your personal and your liturgical life in sync. God bless you, Lynne!

Here's what you will find in this planner:

Both front and back cover are sturdy vinyl which can be wiped with a wet cloth - great for moms of babies and toddlers, or for messy moms like me.

The front cover is preceded by a clear outer cover which offers protection as well as creative personalization opportunities.

The spiral binding makes it possible to lay the planner flat or to turn it out full circle to write on both sides. The spiraling is also vinyl which will not snag your crochet sweater or baby blanket. You could also attach decorative ribbons as a bookmarks (see photo).

Inside you will find an introductory section with two address pages followed by the complete Byzantine morning and evening prayers - hallelujah! Monthly planner sections from August 2019 to July 2020 follow..

Each monthly section

has a one page overview with fast periods in grey and the troparion of a major feast at the bottom. The facing page is a monthly checklist with "Things to Accomplish" on the left and - this is wonderful - a list of suggestion from Lynne's vast byzimom repertoire. The suggestions are simple family activities related to the liturgical and natural season which will strengthen our family's connection to the Church and Our Lord's creation.

The following spread features a weekly agenda with hourly rows from 6 am to midnight, and - one of my favorites - a list of reminders for special feast day preparations. The Theophany reminder, for example, says: Prepare Holy Water vessels for Theophany. I ALWAYS forget them.There is also a column for prayer intentions. The facing page is a weekly meal planner indicating fast days and traditional customs such as no cabbage, platters or knives on the Feast of the Beheading of St. John the Baptist.

The daily planner for the week follows with the liturgical tone, the saint and the readings for the day. Major feast days are in block print.

December has some special features: A Christmas gift list and a wonderful Holy Supper checklist which includes explanations of the symbolic significance of this holy meal.

Similarly, April has two paschal bonus features: the famous Paschal Homily of St. John Chrysostom and a Pascha basket checklist.

The planner ends with a few blank note pages, a yearly household budget grid and a 2019/20 calendar page.

Last not least: quotes from our holy Saints and prayers from our beautiful liturgy are scattered throughout the book.

What more could a byzimom wish for?

The 2019-2020 Byzimom Daily Planner is a thoughtful tool for the planning of the secular as well as the spiritual and liturgical life of Byzantine moms and their families. It combines a daily planner with a prayer book, a liturgical calendar, a shopping list, a notebook and possibly other aides I have not thought of. My only criticism at this point is the size. My handwriting is rather large and my eyesight not the best. Could there be a large size edition next year, Lynne?

Dear Roman Catholic readers,

If you know of a great Roman Catholic planner, please share it with us! Thank you and God bless you.