Crown of Thorns Bread

We started a new tradition this year for our Good Friday meal, an idea that I found on the internet from another Catholic blogger.  It was a big hit with our boys because it tasted so delicious, but it also really hit home what Lent is all about...  It is called "Crown of Thorns Bread":

Ingredients Needed: 

Bread dough (your favorite recipe or Pillsbury bread sticks from a can)
Pretzel Sticks
1 egg

Make your favorite bread dough recipe, separate into 3 equal pieces, and roll into 3 ropes.  Or do it the cheater way like I did, and simply buy bread sticks from a can and braid them together.  Shape the braided dough into a circle, and pinch together at the end.  Don’t worry- it seriously doesn't have to be perfect.

Beat one egg, and brush across the top of the bread.  Bake according to dough directions.  Once it’s all baked, stick pretzel sticks in the bread all over to be the “thorns” poking out at different angles.  As my boys and I placed the pretzel sticks into the bread, we each took turns saying out loud some of the sins we committed during Lent that caused pain to Jesus, just like the thorns caused pain in his crown.  Then, as we started eating the bread and taking out the thorns, we said out load some of the loving sacrifices we did during Lent that took some of Jesus' pain away.  What a great reminder that every time we sin, it literally hurts of Savior, and every time we love we can truly bring him comfort and joy!!!

I served this bread with meatless soup, and it would also be a perfect meal to serve on Ash Wednesday too!