Today the gospel reading is the story of the prodigal son. The father says, everything I have is yours. God says that to us, too. Grab this free downloadable wallpaper made by Tara of Frameworthy Designs! Phone wallpaper Desktop wallpaper

It's the third week of Lent. God reminds us today that He is the I AM. Lean into Him. As a reminder this week, grab this free wallpaper download by Erica of Be A Heart. "I am who I am" Exodus 3:14 Phone wallpaper Desktop wallpaper

A sweet sister on Twitter asked for a post on Catholic musicians, and since it's one of my favorite topics, I thought it'd be fun to share some of my favorites Catholic musicians who sing worship-ful music. I also put together a Spotify playlist to give you a taste of five of my favorite songs by Catholic musicians, and I'll add to the list weekly. Now, not in ANY sort of order whatsoever, here is a compilation of some Catholic artists/musicians: Emily Wilson Hussem Find her on iTunes // Twitter // YouTube // Blessed is She Posts Ike Ndolo Find him on iTunes // Twitter // YouTube Matt Maher Find him on iTunes // Twitter // YouTube Sarah Kroger Quaglia Find her on iTunes // Twitter Jackie Francois Angel Find her on iTunes // Twitter // YouTube Danielle Rose Find her on iTunes // YouTube Marie Miller Find her on iTunes // Twitter // YouTube Tori Harris Find her on iTunes // Twitter // YouTube Joe Zambon Find him on iTunes // Twitter // YouTube Jackie Minton Find her on iTunes // Twitter // YouTube Aly Aleigha Find her on iTunes // Twitter // YouTube Lee Roessler Find her on iTunes // Twitter Taylor Tripodi Find her on iTunes // Instagram // YouTube Gus & Iggy Find them on iTunes // Instagram // YouTube New One: VIGIL with Multiple Artists Find them on Instagram // YouTube [bctt tweet="Look no further for the ultimate #Catholic musician list:"] Tell us below: who would you add to the list? Jenna Guizar is a wifey and mama to four girls with one in heaven. She loves sitting outside in the beautiful Arizona sunshine while sipping iced coffee and being with her family. Find out more here.

The world is busy. Long to-do lists, endless extracurricular activities, and plenty of prime-time television abound. And yet, when there’s much to do, value still abides in zipping our lips and just being for awhile. [bctt tweet="Value abides in zipping our lips and just being for awhile... Here are 5 ways to do that."] Here are five ways to help you do just that. 1. Be quiet. It’s a short commitment that can have bountiful benefits. Try to take a few moments in a calm environment and commit to not speaking. If thoughts come into your mind, acknowledge them and dismiss them. Focus on your breath, or, perhaps, a sentiment or a word. Be patient with yourself. When the voice inside your head quiets down a bit –even momentarily– you might find yourself listening in a whole new way. 2. Take a break. We’ve written before about how important it is to get in touch with nature. Whether it’s a walk outside, an intentional listen to a song on Youtube, or taking a moment to smell a windowsill plant, getting your mind off of your surrounding environment is crucial to reaching within. Find a space that is relaxing to you – perhaps a beautiful view or an exquisite piece of music – and allow yourself time and solitude in it. In addition to the spiritual helpfulness of removing yourself from everyday life, taking a break bears practical pros, too. If you’re able to fulfill yourself and your own needs, you can pour more of yourself into your everyday work. 3. Go solo. While others can be a solid source of support and learning, your spiritual journey is ultimately your own. Taking some time to work on it alone is important; supplementing the solo time with group sessions might be a worthy follow-up. 4. Be intentional. What did you get out of your tasks today? How were you present in them? How is this part of your ministry? Finding the joy, gratitude, and ministry in the small bits of each day can lead to an intentionality that infuses our lives with greater purpose. 5. Switch it up When it comes to being contemplative, there’s no one right way to do it. The secret is to find what works for you. God can be found in everything from an exchange at the grocery store to nature walks. Indeed, setting aside time to be contemplative can make us better participants in all areas of our lives. Go ahead and spend time in quiet and being intentional today. You might find that the result is a whole different you, beautifully. photo by Sydney Marie Photography Gina Ciliberto is the Digital Media Journalist for the Dominican Sisters of Hope: 160+ Catholic Sisters who live hope in fifteen states and Puerto Rico. More about the Sisters' lives and ministries at www.ophope.org.

  We're entering our first full week of Lent. Jesus shows us in the gospel that he resists the temptations of the world presented to him by the evil one and asks us to do the same. This week, Tara of Frameworthy Designs made the most gorgeous wallpaper for you to download for your tech devices. We are still so excited to be on the way with you! Phone wallpaper Desktop wallpaper

We are SO excited about how excited so many of you are for Lent this year. What a beautiful time of solitude, of prayer, of fasting, of service of mercy. We sold a record number of journals for our On The Way Lenten Workbook. God is so good that all of you want to join together on the journey toward Him. We know so many of you fast from social media during Lent and we wanted to offer you today a wallpaper for your tech devices to remind you to do your journaling and spend time in prayer each day. You can download it for free! And if you didn't get your journal yet, even though we are sold out of physical copies, we are still selling the digital download in our shop! Phone wallpaper Desktop wallpaper

I take so much comfort in knowing that God knew me before I even entered my mother's womb. That before I was born, there was a plan for me on this earth. For too long, though, I spent a lot of time trying to find the puzzle pieces to that plan. I would spin in circles trying to figure it out. And then with the help of my spiritual director, I came to know that God's biggest plan for me is to love. I was so in awe of the readings this Sunday because the first reading God said that He has a plan for me and the second reading He says that without love, I am nothing. There it is again! Below you can download this wallpaper that I made for your phone and computer for this week to meditate upon this idea from Jeremiah 1:5, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you." You can also purchase a printable version in our shop! Phone wallpaper Desktop wallpaper

This all started with an idea I had, about how I could be really intentional about this year. I kept coming back to wanting to straighten my priorities, to listen to what the Lord wanted for me this year, especially in terms of my vocation. So on Periscope, you ladies helped me word this sentence for a campaign of sorts. You brilliant ladies came up with this: This year I will delight in being a ________. And so I ran with it. Starting on Instagram, I took a picture of what my word was and invited the rest of you do to the same, if you wanted. An update + a g i v e a w a y ?? I want to focus this year on an aspect of my life that I want to / need to work on. There have been too many times that I've pushed aside important pieces of my life and vocation for other things that I seem to far more "desire." And I'm wondering if you've ever experienced this, too? This give and take of one passion over another, of one evil over a good, this "balancing act" that seems to do everything but set me in balance. So, this year, I've decided to choose delight. I've decided to choose something I know the Lord is calling me to be better at, to try harder at, to give more of myself to. And what is that, for you? Is it being an artist? Is it being a sister? Is it being a friend? Is it being a writer? Is it being a leader? Is it being a mother? What is it that the Lord has put in your life, and you've yet to delight in that area? What is it that the Lord has set around you that you have at times neglected? What is it that YOU choose to delight in, this year? Here's what I ask of you: Write down that one word. Write down the word that finishes this sentence: This year I will delight in being a ___________. Take a picture of your word, and let that word resonate in the barrels of your soul, that you may delight *especially* in that aspect of your life. That you flourish there, that you blossom there, that you grow, cultivate, and b e c o m e there. Once you write down your word + snap a picture, either post it on Instagram, tagging #BISdelight OR email it to jenna@blessedisshe.net. Every person who does this is entered to win a #BISLent bundle (the workbook + the sold-out Station of the Cross cards). *Your picture may appear in a short compilation video of responses. A photo posted by Blessed Is She (@blessedisshe__) on Jan 22, 2016 at 9:27am PST And here are YOUR responses, one by one. Thank you, sisters. Thank you for being with me on this journey to becoming more myself, every single day. The song in the video is by Ike Ndolo, who is our worship leader for the Blessed is She retreat.

It's the second Sunday of Ordinary Time. We have a few weeks to find the extraordinary in the ordinary before we hit Lent. (Did you order your Lenten workbook yet? It starts in 24 days and we are almost sold out!) We have a beautiful wallpaper made by Lauren of Lauren Michele Art. This week let's contemplate the gospel - Mary tells us to do what her Son tells us. What is He telling you to do? What is He calling you to do? "Do whatever He tells you," John 25 You can download them for your tech devices below! Phone wallpaper Desktop wallpaper

Today we have a simple reminder for our week with today's psalm response, O bless the Lord, my soul. Psalm 140 The wallpaper was made by Erica of Be A Heart, which you can download for free for your tech devices below! You can also buy it in the shop as an 8x10 print here! Phone wallpaper Desktop wallpaper

Our first wallpaper of the new year and happy Epiphany! Today's download was made by Erica of Be A Heart from the first reading, Isaiah 60:5 "Then you shall be radiant at what you see, your heart shall throb & overflow, for the riches of the sea shall be emptied out before you, the wealth of nations shall be brought to you" Our King was born and our hearts throb and overflow. Let us find our radiance in him. You can also get this in a for print version in our shop! Phone wallpaper Desktop wallpaper  

"Blessed are they who dwell in your house, O Lord" Psalm 84 This weekly wallpaper was beautifully painted by Lauren of Lauren Michele Art. You can download it below for your phone and desktop and also buy a printable version in our shop! Phone wallpaper Desktop wallpaper

To fall in love with someone is a beautiful thing, but I have found that falling in Love is even greater. Yes, that is, falling in capital L, Love with the One who is Love (1 John 4:8). As I have grown in my faith the last few years I have frequently found myself in a state of searching. I have wondered why placing my trust in God and His will for my life would still leave me longing for more. The answer came to me while reflecting on my vocation, which is merely to love in the present moment. St. Therese of Lisieux made this simple, yet seemingly profound discovery, “My vocation is love.” As I have searched to maintain a sense of peace in my life--a peace that will leave me fulfilled--God has gently reminded me that it will be nothing without love (1 Corinthians 13:2). I can love a lot of things in my life; however, it is not until I fall in Love and remain in that Love, that I will find fulfillment in my vocation. This ONE Love will decide everything. Father Pedro Arrupe described it as such: “Nothing is more practical than finding God. That is, than falling in love in a quite absolute, final way. What you are in love with, what seizes your imagination will affect everything. It will decide what will get you out of bed in the mornings, what you will do with your evenings, how you spend your weekends, what you read, who you know, what breaks your heart, and what amazes you with joy and gratitude. Fall in love, stay in love, and it will decide everything.” How beautiful it is that this Love can be so perfect and true that it transforms the way we live our lives. The apostle John tells us “There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear.” (1 John 4:18) If we truly live our lives through this ONE, perfect, all-encompassing Love, we have nothing to fear. It is at the heart of everything we do, casting out any troubles along the way. It transforms our will to spread this love from our deepest roots. In St. Therese’s reflections she shares, "To spread love, we must begin by knowing it; we must begin by believing in it; we must begin by being filled with it; we must begin by living it." So now, I have found that no matter where God’s plan leads me, no matter the changes and struggles thrown at me, each day I have the opportunity to live out my vocation—to simply love in all things. The challenge—to stay in love. Every time I begin to fall into the complacency of a restless life without Love, my heart and soul no longer feel satisfied. Thus, I pray for the strength and perseverance to stay in Love; to let it be the final, absolute and perfect Love that casts out all fear in my life; to let it continually decide all that is good and pleasing to my Beloved; to believe in this Love, to be constantly filled with this Love, and to live out this Love. Allyson Cooney is a high school math teacher and lover of Jesus, coffee, beauty, and all things sports.

  "Blessed is the fruit of your womb" Luke 1:34 This beautiful watercolor was painted by Tara of Frameworthy designs. Get it for our last week of advent as we prepare for baby Jesus to be born in a few days! You can download it for your phone or desktop below. You can also purchase it as an 8x10 print download in our shop!   Phone wallpaper Desktop wallpaper

The LORD, your God, is in your midst, a mighty savior; he will rejoice over you with gladness, and renew you in his love, he will sing joyfully because of you, as one sings at festivals. Zephaniah 3:14 Taken from the readings of the third week of Advent. Erica of Be A Heart designed this wallpaper for us this week. Today our liturgical color is pink. There is so much excitement and joy in the air of the holiday season, let's remember where this joy comes from and how the Lord delights even in us! You can download it for your phone and desktop below and buy a version ready to print in an 8x10 format in our shop! Phone wallpaper Desktop wallpaper

When the Blessed is She study guide came out, I was overjoyed and excited to start this journey of diving deeper into my faith. As I read over the guide, I realized that I would enjoy it so much more if I could find a way to incorporate a sense of community into the guide and not just work on it alone… so after emailing a few of my Catholic sisters we decided to have a virtual call weekly and spend time discussing the readings and questions of the study guide as a community instead of individually. Quickly this evolved into something that was so much more than reading a passage and answering questions on the text. It was really important to us to make the time for this call so we all scheduled it at a time where we could be alone and not have life distractions going on around us. This may have been the biggest challenge! Each call was started with a briefing up of what was going on in each person’s lives and then moved into an opening prayer of some kind. If one of us was feeling inspired that day, she would lead, otherwise we would read the gospel and say a Hail Mary. Then we dove right in. We discussed what stood out in the passages, and we all individually took turns answering and discussing each question. We dove really deep, tears were shed, we spoke about our struggles and how hard we were working to overcome them with what sometimes felt like little reward. Other times we laughed a lot, and talked about the joys and blessings God has given us. We listened to each other's perspectives and realized that sometimes things we thought were faults or failures others viewed as blessings and it helped us to view our challenges in a different light. We built each other up through prayer, we gave each other advice, and we really listened to what one another had to say. After we finished the discussion for that week, about an hour later, we would end in prayer. We each shared something that our other sisters could pray for us for during the week ahead. I’m so glad we decided to participate in the study guide together. Not only did it strengthen my relationship with Christ, but it helped me to love and appreciate my sisters even more! [gravityform id="381" title="true" description="true"] written by Brittany-Marie Evans

To my daughter trying to find peace, My love, you must bloom where you are planted. St. Therese of Lisieux once said that if every tiny flower wanted to be a rose, spring would lose its loveliness. And my daughter, you are lovely just the way you are. You will never find rest or solace in my love until you learn to love me in the present moment. My grace has been made sufficient for you. I know your heart is searching for more. I can see your deep desire to serve me, and it pleases me greatly. My love, your life begins now. Every moment of every day is a time to serve me in the small things. Your efforts to serve me have not been in vain; your efforts for me have not been lost. As a father looks upon his daughter learning how to walk, so also I look upon you. I am with you every step of the way, and even though you might seem lost, your steps of courage are known to me. Each of those steps of courage lead you closer to the future I have planned for you. Yes, your future is a gift in my hands, but I want you to enjoy the gift of the present moment. By my unending love and grace, you are who you are, and my grace towards you has never been in vain (1 Corinthians 15:8-11). Every choice you have made in my name has always been in the shadow of my grace. Every step you take today is a response to my love. Someday you will find that your deepest desires are fulfilled; yet I also want to fill them in this very moment. You miss so much when you put up resistance to your blessings. I am pouring down grace upon grace upon you like a torrential rainstorm. There is no merit in anxiety and worry. You are worth more than many sparrows, yet I always provide for them (Matthew 10:31). You will always be taken care of in my love. Even if you feel lost and confused, I promise you will find peace. You may not know what I am doing now, but someday you will understand (John 13:7). I will never desert you on your journey through life. You are beautiful, my beloved, and there is no blemish in you (Song of Songs 4:7). My love, remember this and press forward. Give of yourself until you have nothing left to give, but even then I will multiply your gift of self to the world. My dear love, I have loved you with an everlasting love and you are mine (Jeremiah 31:3). Rest in me as I take delight in you. Love, Your Heavenly Father [bctt tweet="My love, remember this and press forward."] Sarah is a sophomore religious studies major at the University of Dayton. She loves to laugh, spend time with friends, and learn more about her saint crush, St. John Paul II.