Remembering A Feast Day of Old

Do you like learning new things about your faith? So much of the customs and traditions of old have fallen away, depriving those of us living in a hustle and bustle secular world to miss out on the quiet moments of contemplation of faith.

Today is the Feast of the Expectation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This feast no longer appears on the universal calendar of the Church, but it is still commemorated in places such as Spain, Portugal, Italy and Poland. The origins of this feast come from the bishops of the tenth Council of Toledo in 656. December 18 would mark the first day in the octave leading up to Christmas. Once upon a time a High Mass was sung at a very early hour each morning for eight days. Women of faith who were with child came to honor Our Lady’s Maternity, to seek a blessing for their own unborn and meditate on what Mary must have been pondering in her heart. It struck me as to how beautiful this custom of old must have been.

Originally the feast was a part of the Annunciation. However, often it fell during Lent, when the Church has focused its attention on repentance, sorrow, and penance. Surly there was joy in Mary’s heart to be with child. So it was that a group of Spanish bishops petitioned the tenth Council of Toledo to allow another day to celebrate Our Blessed Expecting Mother of God. December 18 was the logical choice, since the Church was already preparing for the coming of our Savior. Over time the Feast of the Annunciation was returned to its original date of March 25, and the feast of Expectation was forgotten in most of the Universal Church. Now only a handful of countries still honor the tradition. How beautiful it would be to spend time with Mary as she prepared for the birth of Jesus. How wonderful it would be to invite all those with child to receive a special blessing as the whole of the congregation comes together in support. These are the moments that create a sense of community. Now more than ever we need to feel connected through faith. Praise be to God.

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Deep Dish Masa Taco Pie
Masa Blend Pie Crust
1-1/2 cups Masa Flour
1 cup Flour
1/2 teaspoon Salt
4 tablespoons Lard
3/4 to 1 cup Warm Water

Heat oven to 400-degrees. Spray a deep dish pie pan with cooking spray, set aside.

In a mixing bowl whisk masa, flour and salt together. Work in the lard with fingertips. Stir in water, knead in the bowl until dough forms a ball. The dough should feel firm and springy, appearing slightly dry. Add more water by the tablespoon if too crumbly, more masa flour if too wet.

Roll dough out on a lightly floured board to a 12-inch round pie dough. Place dough into the prepared pie pan. Crimp overhand or tuck under as desired. Prick the bottom and sides with a fork to help anchor dough. Place in the oven and par-bake for 12 to 15 minutes. Remove from oven; make filling.

Taco Pie Filling
1 lb Ground Beef
1/ lb Chorizo
1 (16 oz) can Whole Black Beans
1 cup Corn
1 cup Iceberg Lettuce
2 firm Roma Tomatoes
3 tablespoons Taco Seasoning
1 (4 oz( can Diced Hatch Chilies
1 cup Pepper Jack Cheese
1 cup Sour Cream
1/2 cup Nacho Jalapeño Peppers
1 cup Chili Cheese Fritos

Reduce oven to 350-degrees

In a cast iron skillet over medium heat brown ground beef with chorizo. Break meats into smaller pieces as they brown to form crumbles of meat. Drain well.

While the meats are browning, drain black beans and corn. Shred lettuce. Seed and dice tomatoes, set aside.

Once the meats are drained, return to skillet and season with taco seasoning. Add chilies, black beans and corn. Stir to blend and warm through. Off heat add Pepper Jack Cheese, stir as the cheese melts.

Spoon filling into the pie shell. Cover with foil; bake in the heated oven for 10 minutes or so until crust is fully baked and the filling is hot.

Remove Taco Pie from the oven. Spread sour cream over the top, then scatter lettuce, tomatoes and Nacho Jalapeños. Let pie rest for a few minutes for the juices to settle. Crush chips, scatter over the top then slice, serve and enjoy with your favorite Margarita.

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O Leader of the House of Israel,
giver of the Law to Moses on Sinai:
come to rescue us with Your mighty power!