Lunar New Year at home
The Lunar New Year begins on Saturday 6 February 2027, the Year of the Goat. For many Catholic families in Singapore it is the most important family celebration of the year: a time to give thanks, gather as a family, honour our elders and pray for those who have gone before us.
The Church gives thanks for the gift of Chinese culture. Celebrating the New Year is a chance to show our children that our faith and our family traditions belong together.
Go to the New Year Mass
Many parishes celebrate a thanksgiving Mass on the first day of the New Year, with oranges blessed and given out. Thank God together for the year that has passed and ask His blessing on the new one.
Grace at the reunion dinner
Before the reunion dinner, let the youngest child lead grace, then go round the table: each person says one thing they are thankful for from the past year.
Honour our elders
Visiting grandparents and elders is a beautiful way to live the Fourth Commandment, “Honour your father and your mother.” Teach the children to greet them warmly, offer oranges with both hands and say thank you.
Hongbao with a blessing
When the children receive hongbao, help them say a little prayer of thanks for the giver. Older children can set aside a small part to give to the poor, as Jesus asks us.
Pray for our ancestors
We remember family members who have died and pray for them, as the Church has always done. Look at old family photos together, tell the children one story about each person, and pray the prayer below.
Bless the home
Gather at the front door on New Year's Day. Pray for everyone who will visit your home this year, and ask God to fill it with peace, kindness and joy.
A family prayer for the New Year
Loving Father, thank You for the year that has passed and for every good gift You gave our family. Bless us in this new year: keep us close to You and to each other, make us kind, honest and generous, and help us share Your love with everyone we meet. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
For our ancestors and all who have died
Catholics have always prayed for the dead. Name each family member, then pray together:
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen.
For grown-ups
Honouring our parents and ancestors is part of the Fourth Commandment (Catechism of the Catholic Church 2197–2200), and praying for the dead is an ancient Christian practice (CCC 958, 1032). Many parishes in the Archdiocese of Singapore include prayers for ancestors at the New Year Mass. If you are unsure about a particular family custom, ask your parish priest.