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Advent and Christmas are my favorite seasons for children's picture books. There's nothing so cozy as bundling under a blanket with my brood and breaking open a beloved book. This year, we're adding a new picture book that I know will earn a spot on our list of traditional favorites. What Happens if Saint Nick is Sick? The Night the Saints Saved Christmas opens with the grand gift giver, Saint Nicholas, waking up on Christmas Eve with a sore throat and runny nose. Unable to fulfill his festive duties, his heavenly friends rally together to ensure a successful Christmas Eve mission. They realize that if they work together, the gifts will be delivered in time. A Worldwide Wonder They organize themselves by region, each going to the country in which they were from or ministered. "Israel for me," Peter said with a smile. "And Max can take Poland; he lived there a while." "Martin de Porres can handle Peru. And Italy, Lucy, is perfect for you!" The Saints in this story range in age and vocation but each use the charisms they were given on earth to serve the world on Christmas Eve. Dashing on horseback was brave Joan of Arc. Like lightning she flew, just a streak in the dark. The Ultimate Gift The book ends with all the Saints ending their adventurous night around the manger to worship the newborn King. The author, Gracie Jagla, through her delightful prose, reminds us that Jesus is the ultimate Gift we receive on Christmas. In a lyrical way that captures the imagine and causes the heart to soar, we see that grace is the free and undeserved gift we receive from God. Then back up the heaven the saints flew away, while kids opened gifts on that bright Christmas day. The gifts are a symbol of God's glorious love— underserved graces sent from above. Finally, the Saints are highlighted as our friends for the journey—our brothers and sisters in Christ who are always ready to "dispatch" to help us in our need. Add The Night the Saints Saved Christmas to your Christmas picture book round up, you won't regret it. And who knows, look out your window for Pope Saint John Paul II on skis this Christmas Eve!   [bctt tweet="BIS Reads // The Night the Saints Saved Christmas #BISblog //" via="no"]

"Hey Mom, can we watch a show?" I quickly scanned the house and zipped through my mental checklist. Schoolwork and chores were finished, they had played outside for several hours, and, frankly, I wanted to make dinner in blessed silence. "Sure!" I said, "Just no twaddle." My kids have heard me say this hundreds of times. When they sit down to enjoy a show, I do not want it to oppose what I spend my days trying to teach them. Which, as I'm sure you already know, leaves us with approximately 1.4 options. Until now, when Juice Box enters our black box. Engaging the Senses Makes Spiritual Sense Rob Kaczmark, the creator of Spirit Juice Studios, was inspired by his own children and role as a father to create something for kids that would teach them the Catholic Faith in an engaging and impactful way. The Catholic Church desperately needs higher quality children’s programming to help teach kids the basics of their faith in a compelling and age-appropriate way. With two young sons of my own, I now realize that this content would be invaluable to me and many other Catholic parents, and I realized that Spirit Juice can help create it. As a mom and trained catechist, I couldn't agree more. If you've heard your kids sing songs from Daniel Tiger for days on end or spout off animal facts from Wild Kratts, then you've witnessed the power of story and song when it comes to learning. When our senses are engaged with that which we are exploring, the knowledge sinks more deeply than if we passively receive the information. We learn in layers, and the creators of Juice Box understand this. Juice Box seeks not only to teach kids ages 2 to 6 about Catholicism, but to get them excited about what their Faith has to offer. Just as the liturgies and traditions of our Church engage our senses to deepen our prayer, Juice Box strives to make disciples through delight. Our kids won't merely learn facts about their Faith, they'll also be encouraged to live it. The Friends on Our Journey The jubilant hosts, Miss Mel and Steve, are two seasoned performers, which is evident in the first look video. They are also devout Catholics trained in ministry and faithful to the teachings of the Catholic Church (as is Spirit Juice Studio as a whole), so we can rest assured that our children are receiving solid instruction in the Faith. In their premiere season, Juice Box is setting out to produce four episodes on the topics of: Prayer The Mass ABCs of Catholics Saints But as we need one another in the Communion of Saints, we need to put our efforts together to help this show take flight.   A Timely Task Juice Box has taken to Kickstarter to crowdfund its first season, and they've brought along some goodies for those willing to partner with them in this mission. Supporters of the Kickstarter campaign will receive a variety of rewards based on their giving level, including: digital downloads of the episodes supplemental teaching resources to accompany the episodes Juice Box-branded socks from Catholic company Sock Religious and more! The campaign has until the end of this month to reach its funding goal or else it will not become a reality. Moms, aunts, and any friends who love the kids in your life: we need this show! Pass the Juice Box, Please! I take seriously my role as primary educator of my children, and I could not be more grateful to now have Juice Box in my corner. I have already told many friends about this show, and we are all eager to have a worthy television option for our kids. No longer will my children need to beg me to watch a show; I'll be the one suggesting time spent with Juice Box. I'm ready to introduce them to a show that will engage their minds and transform their hearts. Here's to making more dinners in peace while our kids learn about Jesus! Have you backed Juice Box yet? Which episode of season one are you most excited to see?   [bctt tweet="Hey Kids, Go Watch Juice Box #BISblog //" via="no"]   This post is sponsored by Spirit Juice Studios. All opinions are my own! THE PERFECT BOOK FOR KIDS Rise Up will open up beautiful conversations with your children about the virtues. . This will bring beautiful fruit to your prayer life and to your children's prayer lives. GET RISE UP

We all long for community. That's one of the reasons this ministry exists: we know we are made for community. In my personal spiritual life, I have been most encouraged in prayer and holiness when I am a part of committed small group. Starting a small group can be intimidating, but it's easier than you might think! But keeping one going presents a different set of challenges that can be navigated with intention. All Small Groups Experience Bumps We all dream of having a small group that lasts through the years. We want women with whom we "do life" and pass through life's triumphs and trials. Any small group that has lasted for more than a few months will assure you that this kind of unity and commitment does not come without a price. It takes sacrifice and intentionality to gather women in various vocations and jobs and with different schedules and obligations. Of course, there are the more tender difficulties of hurt feelings or clashing personalities. But most of the time, maintaining a small group comes down to just that ... time. How to Restart Your Small Group Maybe you've been a part of a small group that recently fizzled. Maybe everything was going great and then COVID happened or school started or the host moved away. Maybe you all simply lost touched and too many months went by without meeting and now it feels ... weird. Don't let weird keep you from wonderful! It takes courage to be the one to step back out and "get the band back together" but it will likely be worth it. Just remember that everyone longs for community, and the other women are probably missing the companionship of the group as well. If you need some help reaching out to restart your small group, we have some ideas! 1. Reach Out in the Regular Medium Does your group normally communicate through text? Voxer? Messenger? Email? Be the brave one and reach out first in the typical way. They will be happy to hear from you! 2. Call It What it Is You don't have to pretend like it hasn't been a while since you've been together. Be upfront about it! Some women may be feeling insecure. They may fear that they've just been excluded from the group or that they did something. Dismiss any fears or insecurities by touching briefly on why you all haven't met in a while. Hey! It's hard to believe that it's been over a year and a half since the pandemic started. I miss seeing you all! I know we haven't met since Cindy moved away, but I would love to get together again. It's been so busy for everyone and I know we haven't be able to meet in a while. I think that means we need fellowship even more! 3. Have Something Specific in Mind It can be helpful to have something to unite around. It helps "re-break" the ice and creates excitement about meeting together again. Find a Bible study to suggest or a liturgical devotional to center your discussion around. Blessed is She offers a free three week study guide you could use to jumpstart your small group. 4. Offer to Host If you have not hosted in the past, offer to host. Consider reaching out to the previous host privately first; but she might be relieved to meet with everyone without the pressure of hosting. Sometimes people get so busy or feel so overwhelmed that no one wants to invite other people over. Offer people a safe, comforting place to come and lay down their cares for a while. And don't worry so much about the state of your home—people just want to be with each other. 5. Discuss Dates Immediately We have all been a part of the conversation that ends with, "We should get together sometime!" We never get together. Leaving things vague is a recipe for a persistently inactive small group. People don't maliciously refrain from following up—we just forget. The best way to avoid this is by setting a date to meet right then and there. It will feel so good to have ti on the calendar! 6. Commit to Praying for One Another Finally, re-commit to praying for one another. Ask people for their intentions so you can pray for them until you all meet again. Or simply let them know that you are offering your fast/Rosary/Mass/Holy Hour for them that day. Community is Worth It It takes effort to start and maintain a small group. It takes even greater effort to restart a small group that was once thriving. But it is worth it. Walking alongside people who also love the Lord and desire sanctity is a great gift. It can make all the difference in our spiritual lives. So send the text, grab a devotional, and plan a date. The others will thank you for it!   [bctt tweet="How to Restart Your Small Group #BISblog //" via="no"]   WANT TO DEEPEN YOUR PRAYER? Get ready to be radically changed by the Lord and His presence. Be drawn into intimacy with the Lord by way of weekly videos, a community within the Blessed is She app, and invitations into reading scripture in a whole new way. BEGIN THE WELL: ABIDE

I rise early after only snoozing my alarm once. I creep past my children's bedrooms as they slumber. I start the coffee. I light the candle. I sit down in my prayer spot and grab my Bible. I take a deep breath, rub my eyes, and settle in to pray. And then, I run through the list. Round and round my mind swirls, considering my to-do list that needs organizing, decisions that need discernment, friends that need intercession, appointments and meetings that need scheduled, texts that need to be sent. My intended moment of prayer passes before I realize. Did I even talk to God? Moving from the Cycle of Distraction . . . When my typically fruitful prayer time morphs into this spinning cycle of consideration, I know it's time to zero in. Sometimes I want to bring so much before the Lord that I end up bringing nothing. And really, He just wants my heart. During these times I double down on my need for concentrated meditation. But too much input can aggravate the distracted pace which my mind is already running. So I choose one thing: one devotional, one book of the Bible, one Gospel for lectio divina, or one theme in prayer. And I allow that to be my focus. I entrust the rest to Jesus. . . . to a Resting Place of Praise Something tells me that, after the last couple of years, I am not the only one who experiences distracted prayer time. There's so much to grieve, to hope for, to confess, to forgive, to question, to sacrifice for, and to ponder. Maybe you feel like your prayer time has turned into "to-do list" time, too. Maybe the silence in which you normally flower with Jesus is now so polluted with noise and distress and nothing is growing. In these cases, I have found that setting my mind upon a singular theme in prayer has provided the kind of spiritual nutrients the soil of my heart needs. It allows me to shift my focus from seeking earthly solutions to giving heavenly praise. Instead of beginning my days in stress, I begin them in stillness. And all the other things I'm worried or thinking about? They become clearer once I have a focused moment with Him. [elementor-template id="495700"] Look to the Life of Our Lord When it comes to zeroing in on a specific prayer practice, I like to turn to the Gospels. I find that meditating on a certain moment in the life of Our Lord offers me endless inspiration and food for thought. It helps me focus on what matters most. I can see more clearly the answer to all my questions: Jesus Himself. This type of contemplation of the life of Christ draws me to worship Him, the only posture that truly brings me peace. With this in mind, then, I am eager to refocus my prayer once again this upcoming Advent season. And Hay Became Holy This year's Advent devotional from Blessed is She is called And Hay Became Holy. The focus is singular: the nativity of Christ. At a time when many of us are facing distracted and disjointed prayer, this devotional gives us an opportunity to get small, to be quiet, and to focus on the Baby in the manger. An Advent-Slow Pace During each of the four weeks of Advent, we will spend slow time with a different character in the creche scene. Moving from lowest position to the highest, we will contemplate the Newborn King with: The ox and donkey The shepherds and angels The Magi The Holy Family We will pray through what each character signifies according to Church tradition and what that means for where we are in our walk with Jesus. Whether you feel closest to the donkey or Mother Mary, this devotional will show you that you have a place in the stable right beside the Savior. To Hold and to Have This year's Catholic Advent devotional is unique in that it incorporates visio divina with sacred art. These images prompt our prayer and guide our meditation. On Sundays, we are encouraged to keep something from Mass as a reminder of our communal worship: a clip from the song sheet, a flower from outside the church, a quote from the readings or homily. Having something to hold and art to observe engages our senses, helping to remedy the problem of distracted prayer. Then, we move into the rest of the week. On Mondays, I help lead us into the week with a reflection on the character we are worshipping alongside. On Tuesdays and Thursdays we will sit with Scripture and allow our minds to consider only that verse. We offer you some questions for thought, too, to help direct your mind to the singular focus. On Wednesdays and Fridays, you will hear stories from Sarah Rose, Gina Fensterer, Leana Bowler, and Bobbi Rol that invite you to consider your own story. Finally, Saturdays allow us to focus on domestic worship by praying with the Psalms. "Zeroing In" on the Newborn King This Advent, I am excited and thankful to be simplifying my prayer with And Hay Became Holy. I'm ready to turn my attention, my mind, and my heart from a swirl of thoughts and questions to the One Who fulfills them all. Would you be willing to pray with me through this devotional? Let me know how you'll be praying: And Hay Became Holy And Hay Became Holy for Kids (or the adult + kid bundle) The Advent Bundle with And Hay Became Holy, a Rosary, and mug And Hay Became Holy + Emmanuel for the Christmas season I pray this Advent devotional helps zero in your prayer so that the Lord bears the most beautiful fruit during this season!   [bctt tweet="The Importance of "Zeroing In" in Prayer #BISblog #BISadvent //" via="no"]

I have a dear friend who is a master when it comes to liturgical living. She is creative and intentional and I'm convinced that crafting is her charism. I am so thankful for her because, not only is it a joy to witness someone using their God-given gifts for His Kingdom, I also get to steal her wonderful ideas. Because, as it stands, crafting is not my charism, but I love celebrating the liturgical year. It is especially important to me to weave the life and calendar of the Church into our family culture. I want my children to grow up with the church's rhythm as their constant, and I think that part of that is celebrating the liturgical year. My personal favorite way to do this is to live liturgically through the lives of the Saints. Their diverse histories, customs, and abiding devotion to Jesus and the Church all drew me in. Their witness inspires my desire to be like them in holiness, ever loving the Lord more and more. A Massive Family One of my favorite things about the Communion of Saints is how different everyone is. The Catholic Church is truly universal in all her ways. The Church is for everyone and every place, for every background and every experience. We are blessed, as Catholics, to have such a large family who loves us and prays for us. No matter our particular life circumstances, there is a Saint in the family who has been through similar and come out holier for it. What a gift.   Saints Around the World Wanting to pass on this love of the Saints to my children, I've gathered various resources on the lives of the Saints over the years, but none have I loved so much as the new book from Meg Hunter-Kilmer, Saints Around the World. This gorgeous hardcover book holds over 200 pages of stories about Saints. The books highlights some Saints that are already beloved by many Catholics and many Saints who will be introduced to many of us for the first time. We have been using this book as a part of our homeschool mornings and, truly, it has been so much fun. We have learned so much about our brothers and sisters in Christ, and I cannot wait to continue using this book throughout the years to not only teach my children but myself. What I Love There is a lot to be loved in this book. Here are some of my favorite aspects: The illustrations: I am a big fan of Lindsey's work with Almond Rod Toys, so I was thrilled when I saw that she was the illustrator. The illustrations are warm and engaging. Under each illustration of each saint, you will find a description of the various elements, why they're included, and what it tells us about the Saint. The format // For each Saint, you will find their feast day, when they lived, and how to pronounce their name. The maps: You will also see a map of the world with a star located where that Saint lived. This has sparked many conversations with my kids about culture and geography and it has been a blast. Finally, the stories of the Saints found in this book showcase their extraordinary holiness in the midst of their ordinary lives. The Saints are presented in their authentic imperfections and their inspiring perseverance in love and service of God. A Book for Children and Adults As much as I love having this book for my children, I equally have loved having it for myself. It's been a blessing to our days, and if you have not yet gotten a copy for yourself, please do so!   [bctt tweet="BIS Reads // Saints Around the World #BISblog //" via="no"]   This post contains affiliate links. Thanks so much for supporting the ministry of Blessed is She!

As I get older and walk farther along with the Lord, the shock of loneliness mellows, but the pain persists. I am able to more quickly identify a feeling of loneliness—in my marriage, friendships, work, or church community—and to acknowledge it as just that: a feeling. Identifying loneliness for what it is helps shift my mindset from victim to one of acceptance of my human condition. We all feel lonely sometimes. The Good News is that, as Christians, we know that, although feelings of loneliness are an inevitable part of life, we are never alone. We know that Jesus is ever-present to us. Our Good Shepherd, our Prince of Peace, our Beloved. Bringing My Loneliness Before Him Earlier this year brought a season of extreme loneliness for me in all areas of my life. I felt like a square peg trying to fit into a round hole in most arenas of life. Along with loneliness rose questions of worth, doubts about relationships, and anxieties about decision-making. The feelings I was battling reminded me of another season of loneliness several years before. That season nearly suffocated me, but this time, I knew what the answer was. Or rather, Who. My remedy was found in the presence of Our Eucharistic Lord. Adoration became a consolation for me, where the spiritual reality of Jesus' nearness to me was lived out physically. The Eucharist was my place of refuge, truth, and hope. Upon Him I cast my cares and found freedom from fear of abandonment, because my home is in Him. Never Alone Knowing that I am not alone in either my feelings of loneliness or my preference for His presence in the Eucharist, we asked women in the Blessed is She community to tell us about times in which Jesus in the Eucharist has been a source of consolation. "My grandfather died recently and Jesus has been a constant source of reassurance and comfort. I know He’s there and that He cares. I go over every day with Him how I’ve been doing with my grief, and I know He listens and truly cares; as a Father, as a spouse, as a friend and as my Beloved God who never leaves." // "My heart cries for Him when I am feeling lonely. Going to spend time with Him in the Blessed Sacrament heals my heart like nothing else. I receive peace that can be found nowhere else. Today I wanted to go to adoration—I arrived at the church to find they had “cancelled” that time with Jesus and locked the church doors. I went to the window I know He rests behind and sat on the grass outside the church to be near to Him. Even though I couldn’t see Him, I felt His reassuring presence. My heart is going through a lot right now and just knowing He was there with me meant everything!" // "A few years ago I felt stuck in my career and in life feeling like I’ve missed all my opportunities and felt the lack of good friends in my life. Getting to visit Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament just walking distance from where I stayed gave me solace and peace, I was able to pour out to Him all my worries, regrets, and fears. I became thankful for that time spent alone with Him, I realized I had so much that I needed to get right with God before anything else. Lately I’ve been feeling lonely again, this just reminded me that maybe I need to meet Him in prayer again, maybe it’s been a while." // "Years ago when I went through a hard bit of depression. The thing that kept me going was forcing myself to go to Sunday and receive the Eucharist. It was a physical reminder I wasn't alone when I needed Jesus most." // "During the time I find out I had something wrong with my health. I was scared and lonely. I would go to adoration and receive Jesus at the Eucharist and I was never alone. Jesus was alway there. I am so small and He held my hand through the whole time. I love You, Jesus! God is greater than I." // "When I, together with my parents and two younger siblings, moved here to the U.S. from the Philippines when I was 16, away from my friends, family, and everything I was familiar with. Also, when I was a new mom with my first born. There were times when it felt isolating. But God is always faithful. He is my stronghold and my anchor. During those times I have learned that God is enough and He is all I need. He gives us everything that we need. People come and go in our lives, but God remains constant. If we fix our eyes on Him, everything will fall on its rightful place at His perfect time." // "During my first year of college (last year), I’d have low moments every week and they would hit hard almost every Thursday, and we had Eucharistic exposition on Thursday nights at the student center. Those were my power nights where I recharged enough to finish the week and make it until the next adoration night. Those nights I would be physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually drained; and every week Our Lord would wrap me in His presence as I sat on the floor in the front row of the chapel, and that was probably the only reason why I survived my freshman year with some shred of sanity. Our Lord is amazing and He’s always there for you! Don’t lose hope!" // "In general, I have some sort of encounter every time I pray in church with the Blessed Sacrament exposed. I cry a lot of times and let out my emotions. I could stay there for hours praying for people and situations in my life. I’ve had the most peace after these times in Adoration and after confession. Definitely recommend experiencing both of these often!" // "When I was told it was my mom's time to pass from this world. I went before Him in Adoration and He held me in my heart. Let me weep. Gave me the courage to fly across the country to be with her so she wasn’t alone." // "In moments of true surrender and kneeling before Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament is when He comforts me and I am able to hear Him speak to me clearly." // "Visiting Jesus often in the Blessed Sacrament of His Eucharistic Face long before COVID hit, and after chapels and churches finally made it available again, helped me greatly in letting go of relationships not meant for me to keep. Jesus in the Eucharist helped me turn what started as loneliness into a love for healthy solitude. When I felt forgotten and pushed aside, I came to Him to reclaim my identity and peace through Him." // "As my husband is deployed and I was getting ready to give birth alone due to me being away from family, I went to a holy hour hosted by my church and the Eucharist truly provided that comfort and I was reminded that I’m never alone and even in the times where I felt the loneliest he was there by my side to provide that comfort I needed." If you're longing to fill your loneliness with the Bread from Heaven, check out our study on the Eucharist, Gift. [bctt tweet="Our Consolation in Loneliness #BISblog //" via="no"] WANT TO DEEPEN YOUR PRAYER? Get ready to be radically changed by the Lord and His presence. Be drawn into intimacy with the Lord by way of weekly videos, a community within the Blessed is She app, and invitations into reading scripture in a whole new way. BEGIN THE WELL: ABIDE

"I need Adoration." My friend's evening text put words to the longing on my own heart. In the midst of the shut downs, our usual Holy Hours were cancelled, and we were left feeling a little lost. So we scoured town to find a parish with open doors and, blessed, His Eucharistic presence in the tabernacle. I heard my friend's sigh echo mine, and I knew we were both filled with the kind of peace that only comes when arriving home. And home is wherever He is. The Sacraments Helps Us Live a Personal Relationship with Jesus Some of my most honest prayer happens before Jesus in the Eucharist: during Mass, while the Eucharist is exposed on the altar, or when I'm before the tabernacle, waiting in line for Confession. There is something about being physically present to Him that draws me out of myself, my discouragement, my will, and my doubt and instead draws me to the Truth of His everlasting love. This is the kind of personal relationship I want with Our Blessed Lord, and our relationship is lived and sustained by the Sacraments. The Source and Summit of Our Faith If you're like me, you did not quite grasp the importance and centrality of the Eucharist in our Catholic Faith until your adulthood. Maybe you feel behind in your understanding or frustrated that this piece has been missing from your life. Maybe you already deeply love the Eucharist and sense the Holy Spirit beckoning you deeper into the Mystery. Maybe you have a lot of questions about how a Truth so veiled can have concrete influence in your daily life. Maybe you are ready for your small group to move beyond the latest world news and into the heart of the Faith. Maybe you're longing to feel seen and understood, to understand your purpose and your calling, to be convicted and consoled . . . to be, essentially, home. [elementor-template id="469410"] Dwell // A Study on the Eucharist We wanted to create something to help all of us understand more about Jesus in the Eucharist and to in turn love Him more. Dwell is the newest addition to our Blessed Conversations series, and it is our prayer that this brings you closer to the Heart of Christ in the Eucharist. Because grasping the theology behind the Eucharist is one thing, but devoting your heart and life to Him is another. What to Expect In an effort to help us all increase our devotion to the Blessed Sacrament, this study contains five different parts on the Church’s teaching about how Jesus comes to dwell within us in and through the Blessed Sacrament as: Lover Nourishment Unifier Healer Grace We will look at what and why the Church teaches what she does about the Eucharist, what God's Word says about the sacrament, and how the holy men and women who have gone before us in faith rested their entire beings on Our Eucharistic Lord. Then, five writers share stories from their own lives about how the Eucharist has been a home for them. They relate how the Eucharist not only saved them during their darkest days, but also provided the light with which they could see His next steps for them. We pray you will see your own stories in theirs, coming to contemplate how Our Lord is beckoning you closer, offering to be your lover, nourishment, unifier, healer, and grace. Finally, we present you questions for reflection, inviting you into prayer and greater intimacy with Jesus. For Ride-or-Dies or Riding Solo Who can use this study? Easy answer: anyone. You can prayer through this study on your own, with a girlfriend, or with a sprawling small group. This study is crafted intentionally to be flexible to your particular needs and availability in this season. I have even done Blessed Conversations studies with a friend via text messaging and, admittedly, I was surprised by how truly fruitful that time of prayerful and consistent connection was both for my prayer life and our friendship. We Need the Eucharist No matter what we are facing in life—whether a season of joy or a season of grief—the answer to our longing is always Jesus in the Eucharist. He is our home, and, this side of Heaven, the most ourselves we will feel is before His Eucharistic Face. So let's not delay any longer. Let's commit ourselves to drawing closer to Him, closer to our home. You (and your buddies) can get Dwell here!   [bctt tweet="Dwell // A Study on the Eucharist for Women #BISblog //" via="no"]

Truthfully, I did not know much about the existence of the liturgical year until late high school/early college. Once I became aware of the rhythms of the Church year, the liturgical seasons took on new life for me. Seasons like Lent and Advent became seasons of deep prayer; the feast days of my favorite Saints taught me more about them; feasts of Our Lord inspired in me a deeper love for and devotion to His Body and Blood, His Kingship, and His Cross. When I began having children, celebrating the liturgical year became an even greater priority. I want their upbringing to be marked by the rhythms of the Church. But liturgical living is not my natural strong suit. Crafts are not my charism and my default all-or-nothing mentality caused me to feel overwhelmed by all the possibilities of the liturgical year and left me doing, well, nothing. Living Liturgically All Year Thankfully, my early motherhood fell during the "good ol' blogging days" and I was introduced to fellow Blessed is She writer Kendra Tierney. Her blog, Catholic All Year, became a trusted resource for all things liturgical living. Kendra is wealth of knowledge about the liturgical seasons, rites, and devotions within the Church. Plus, she's been living in this rhythm with her own family for nearly two decades, so she's been through plenty of practice and refinement. Her blog is what helped me dip my toe into living the liturgical year as a family. One-Stop Shop When Kendra released her book, The Catholic All Year Compendium, a couple of years ago, she made my life even easier. It quickly became a staple on my shelf and in my planning as a homemaker. Now, she has released a new companion to this book called The Catholic All Year Prayer Companion. And it is completely my cup of tea. The Catholic All Year Prayer Companion The Catholic All Year Compendium includes ideas for liturgical living like activities, crafts, and recipes. In that book, Kendra references certain prayers her family prays on those feast days, but you can imagine how long the book would have been if she included the full text of those prayers. That is where The Catholic All Year Prayer Companion comes in. This book includes prayers, Bible stories, songs, and devotions that Kendra and her family use during the liturgical year. Kendra also covers frequently-encountered challenges like a reluctant spouse or child, (un)realistic expectations, and finding the ideal moments of prayer for your family devotions. She also explains indulgences, novenas, and other devotions in a way that's easy to understand and embrace. How I Plan to Use It The format of this prayer companion is easy and straightforward. As someone who is easily overwhelmed by all the possibilities of liturgical living, this prayer companion is a balm and beacon of light! First, this book is the size of an average book, so it can fit easily into my purse (for on-the-go prayer), on our kitchen counter (for prayer after mealtimes), and on our school shelf (for morning devotions). This book will live in our main living area, always just an arm's length away and at the ready. I plan to start small in order to build momentum and encourage constancy. Sundays are typically my weekly planning days. I sit down with a cup of coffee, my Blessed is She planner, my homeschool plans, and any resources I need to get my hands around the week in a prayerful and intentional way. The Catholic All Year Prayer Companion is the newest member of the stack. I will look at the week ahead and select one feast day for that week. I'll jot it down in my planner and, again, will have this book close at hand for the chosen day. Hopefully, over time, we will add another day, and another and another until these prayers for the liturgical year are woven into the fabric of our days. Have you gotten your copy of The Catholic All Year Prayer Companion yet? What are you most excited about in it?   [bctt tweet="BIS Reads // The Catholic All Year Prayer Companion #BISblog //" via="no"]   This post contains affiliate links. Thank you so much for supporting the ministry of Blessed is She!

On the night before He suffered, Jesus prayed for His disciples, who were "in the world" but who belonged entirely to Him (see John 17). This call of radical discipleship in the midst of an anti-Christian world is possible only by God's grace, and The Daughters of St. Paul are swimming in it. You have probably encountered social media content from The Daughters of St. Paul on Twitter or in their viral TikTok videos. They know that the world desperately needs Jesus and they have a keen sense of how to communicate the Good News to those who might be distant from the Church (for whatever reason). They have been beautifully bringing the Truth of God's Word in 240 characters or less, and now they've been given a little more page space to tell their own stories of the wonderful works of the Lord. Millennial Nuns is a new book from The Daughters of St. Paul that explores what it means to be anchored in the spiritual life while ministering to a port-less culture. Real Stories of Real Women We are well-versed with the stories of religious Saints who were convicted of their calling to religious life in their childhood and early teens years. The stories shared in Millennial Nuns will be the saint stories read by future generations. We get a real glimpse into individual Sister's call to the religious life: one while trying to write a college history paper, one while flipping through movies on the television. These stories of conversion are relatable, moving, and insightful. In the course of two chapters I found myself laughing out loud and tearing up. This is the way of life, and it's put on beautiful, purpose-driven display in the writing of the Sisters. Not Shying from Suffering One thing that struck me in this book was how honest the Sisters were about recent or current sufferings. Their life did not magically become perfect once they took their vows. They still dealt with familial struggles and losses, the challenges that come with living in community, and their labors to cultivate the unfamiliar fields in which God has placed them. They are real about their own sufferings and the sufferings they encounter in the lives of those they serve. They paint a realistic picture of what serving Jesus in 2021 looks like. A Look Into the Heart of the Person Each of the chapters in the book is written by a different Sister (including Blessed is She's Sister Maria Kim-Ngân Bùi). She shares a bit of her story (past and present), her unique experience, blessings, and challenges in living out the Lord's specific call on her life in this specific vocation. Each Sister also shares a bit about her interior life. But further—and what is even more captivating—is how evidently the fruit of that interior life overflows into every word she writes. We catch glimpses of each Sister's unique spirituality in the way she writes about prayer and in the way she writes about hand-lettering on social media. Through this intentional presentation, it is easy for each of us to see ourselves in these stories and to ponder: what is God asking of me? Contemplatives in Action The Daughters of St. Paul, funnily enough, are not actually nuns. Since they are contemplative religious in active roles in the world, they are religious sisters. But the heart behind #millenialnuns is evident and is perfectly expressed by the co-founder of The Daughters of St. Paul, Venerable Mother Thecla Merlo: How beautiful and holy it is to communicate Jesus, whom we want to always carry in the center of our heart. Millennials Nuns deserves a spot on your TBR list—in fact, bump it up to the top. And then let us—and them—know what you think of it. You know they'll be on Instagram.   [bctt tweet="BIS Reads // Millennial Nuns by The Daughters of St. Paul #BISblog //" via="no"]

...but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” // 2 Corinthians 12:9 Love this from today's readings. Let His word dwell in us richly, sisters. Download your F R E E wallpapers right here --->>> Phone wallpaper Desktop wallpaper

I am quick to forget. I can remember birthdays and appointments and my friends' favorite flowers and yet, for some reason, I struggle to remember how faithful God has been to me throughout my life. Because He is. God is faithful. He is the keeper of promises. When the world and people and life let us down ... He never does. When we don’t feel like we can trust anyone—we can trust Him. In the midst of suffering, confusion, or monotony, we all can forget the works of the Lord. We can forget all the times He has made promises and kept them, as He always does. The Role of Remembrance in the Psalms One of the most important things we can do throughout our lives is to remember. Particularly in our spiritual journey, remembrance is key. Saint Ignatius, in his spiritual exercises, talks about the necessity of remembering during times of desolation. He suggests that we store up consolations and tuck them away in our minds and hearts, so that when moments of desolation arise, we can remember the times of consolation and that will help us persevere. Even before Saint Ignatius, the people of Israel understood the importance of remembering what God had done for them. The Psalms overflow with calls to remember the faithfulness of the Lord, especially in times of distress. The Pattern of the Psalms If we pay close attention to the rhythm of the psalms (see Psalms 105 and 106 for examples!), we can see a common pattern emerge amongst them. The psalmist cries out to God in his suffering, unrealized dreams, or dwindling hope. He relates the longings of his heart. But—and this is key—he doesn’t stay there. He lifts his soul to the Lord by recounting the many times God has proven to be faithful. Remember when the Lord brought us out of Egypt... Remember when He parted the Red Sea... In our prayer, we can often stay stuck in the stage of relating. We share our hearts with the Lord and cry out to Him. We tell Him what's going on, why we're upset, and how we feel hopeless. This is good! God wants to hear it all. But He does not want us to stay there. After the psalmist relates his heart to God, he remembers and lists off all the wonderful things God has done for him in the past. This encourages his spirit and helps him reframe his perspective. This act of remembrance takes the focus off of himself and his problems and places it upon God and His goodness. Let's Remember Together Over the next week, we will dive into this theme of remembering together. Each day, we will encounter stories from the Blessed is She Blog Team about times when God fulfilled His promises in their lives—in big and small ways. They will tell us about the times that there seemed to be no answer, no solution, no way ... and then God parted the sea. Together, we will sit with the Lord in prayer. I encourage you to spend this time remembering all the ways He has proven faithful in your life. If you would like, we invite you to write your own psalm to help you remember the marvelous works of the Lord. We walk you through it here. Keep this psalm handy. Pray it when life makes it difficult to see Who reigns sovereignly. Finally, we encourage you to share you own stories of God’s fidelity in your life. These stories are meant to prompt and inspire us to hope. When you share your story, you do the same for others. Let's begin together today. Let's remember. God is faithful, forever.   [bctt tweet="REMEMBER Series // Introduction #BISblog //" via="no"]

When I look at the lives of the Saints, I see an ocean of personalities, vocations, experiences, and spiritualities. I marvel at the creativity of God and His goodness in giving us such varied souls. There are, however, a few things that all the Saints share in common. It is not limited to this, of course, but I have noticed that all the Saints have a deep love for a devotion toward: The Eucharist Our Lady The poor While this love and devotion manifested differently in their lives, these were hallmarks in their hearts. Works of Mercy The third thread strikes me in particular and calls me to a deep examination of conscience. Am I loving the poor? Am I devoted to them? Who are the poor the Lord has placed in my life? As I work through this examination, I am so thankful for the guidance I've received in a book called Simple Mercies. Its author, Lara Patangan, has lived out the mission of mercy for years and has a wealth of wisdom she now offers readers in this thorough but approachable book. Making Sense of the Calls Sometimes we can feel overwhelmed by the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy. Where do we focus our energies? Where should we start? What exactly do they mean? In Simple Mercies, Lara offers us a friendly hand to show us the Gospel call and conviction to serve the poor, in whatever poverty they find themselves. She shares her own personal experience of God's mercy, the catalyst in the Works of Mercy. She conveys in the Introduction: For most of my life, mercy felt above me, like something I could never reach. IT was like the incense used during holy days that rose to meet the cherubs at the tops of cathedrals. It was an enigma. I never took the time to contemplate what it meant, how it's shown, or its source from which salvation hinges. Now I understand that mercy never rose to the spires of churches; it descended from the heavens, reaching down to each of us. Mercy is forgiveness, do-overs, compassion, and kindness. I have been on the giving and receiving ends of these things my entire life, but I didn't always recognize them as mercy. Her honesty and candidness help us to understand the point and purpose of the Works of Mercy: receiving mercy from God and letting that reception overflow into our interactions with others. Even more, she gives us concrete ways we can begin practicing each work of mercy in our own lives. For each work of mercy, she offers ideas for us to live it: in our homes in our communities in our personal relationships with God For Group or Personal Study The reflection questions Lara includes at the end of each chapter make this book perfect for either group or personal study. I would love to read this with a group of women and discuss how we each feel the Lord calling us to live the different works. Jesus' Merciful Love Simple Mercies directs us to the merciful love of Christ that animates and inspires any act of mercy we perform. It is only by Him and through Him that the Works of Mercy transform the world, one act of love at a time. Want to dive into the Works of Mercy with me? Which work of mercy is on your heart the most right now? [bctt tweet="BIS Reads // Simple Mercies: How the Works of Mercy Bring Peace and Fulfillment #BISblog //" via="no"]

Just as it took me a couple of years to settle in to motherhood, it took me some time to settle in to homemaking. Neither motherhood nor homemaking came naturally to me, and it has taken a lot of hard work, grace, and intentionality to find my rhythm in both. To be honest, I did not even realize homemaking was a "thing" I was first married. I thought that chores and projects were "house work" and to be relegated to moments when you could no longer stand the mess. But homemaking? That's entirely different. Since discovering the art of homemaking, it has become a great source of joy in my heart and life. It brings me happiness to serve my family in this way and it allows me to push myself, to challenge myself to learn new things, and to conquer fears. Homemaking is an Art Homemaking really is an art, and that means there are a variety of expressions. Your homemaking does not have to fit in a certain box. It is unique to you and your family—what a gift! And whatever your style of homemaking and however much joy it brings you, there are times when we all grow weary of the task and need some fresh inspiration for the journey. Kimberly Hahn—wife and mother of six—has walked the road before us and has come to guide and encourage us in her book, Graced and Gifted: Biblical Wisdom for the Homemaker's Heart. When I heard about this book, it shot straight to the top of my TBR list. My homemaker's heart needed some refreshment, and it finds it's best motivation in the Word of God. I know this book will help you find the same, too. Graced and Gifted Graced and Gifted examines six different aspects of the woman in Proverbs 31 and draws inspiration from her example: She Works with Willing Hands She Brings Her Food from Afar She Rises While It is Still Night She Provides Tasks for Her Maidens She Considers a Field and Buys It She Girds Herself with Strength Kimberly has the captivating ability to draw us deeply into Scripture while also showing us how the Word applies practically to our lives and circumstances. She spreads before us a feast of hard-won wisdom, hard-learned lessons, and hard-worked strategies and ideas. The Heart of the Matter But lest you think this is merely a manual of housekeeping and schedule-making, Kimberly is clear about the purpose of homemaking from the very first chapter when she quotes her own mother: Relationships are at the heart of homemaking. The purpose of homemaking isn't to have the cleanest house on the block or to receive praises from friends and neighbors when they enter your home. It's not to earn the title "most hospitable" or even to be the house where your teenager and all her friends want to hang out. The purpose of homemaking is to honor God by tending to the hearts of those entrusted to us. If this does not remain our motivation and our prize then our labor is in vain. A Bible Study or Solo Study Each section is followed by a list of questions for both personal reflection and a small group setting. It would be so much fun to do this amongst other homemakers in your parish, friend group, or BIS small group. Whether you read through this with a group or slowly through the year to keep you inspired and encouraged, Graced and Gifted will be a true gift to your homemaker's heart, no matter what your homemaking looks like.   [bctt tweet="BIS Reads // Graced and Gifted by Kimberly Hahn #BISblog //" via="no"]   This post contains affiliate links. Thanks so much for supporting the ministry of Blessed is She!

At the beginning of this new year, at the dawn of our time together in this year's Prayer Pledge, we contemplated this quote about the Rosary from Blessed Bartolo Longo:

After Jesus was baptized by His cousin, Saint John the Baptist, Scripture tells us that the Holy Spirit immediately drove Him into the desert. Here, Jesus spent 40 days praying and fasting before beginning His public ministry. He faced hunger and temptation. He was prepared. He was sent. This experience of the Word Incarnate is what inspires the Catholic Church's practice of a 40-day Lent. We accompany Christ into the desert to pray and fast. We face our weaknesses. We prepare for the greatest Feast in the liturgical year: Easter. This Lent, we will begin our journey to Easter by being led by the Holy Spirit, just as Jesus was. We'd love to pray with you. Set a Fire // Be Transformed by the Holy Spirit The theme of this year's Catholic Lent devotional, Set a Fire, is purification and transformation in the Holy Spirit. This Lent and always, we want the Lord to purify our hearts. We want Him to rid us of anything that's not of Him. We want to be more fully His, and more like Him. As John the Baptizer proclaimed, we want Him to increase, and ourselves to decrease. It's with this desire on our minds and hearts that we set about to write this devotional. During Lent, we will explore themes of suffering, sacrifice, turning away from sin, and being made new by the Holy Spirit. The Weekly Flow Each week, we will read an essay on the week’s theme, two personal stories, and meditate over two Scripture selections with questions. On the weekend, we turn our prayer to traditional prayers from the holy women and men of the Church. We invite you to sit in the quiet on Sundays to open your heart to docility to the Holy Spirit. The themes for the week are: The revelation of God in our lives Making an offering of our lives Receiving the Holy Spirit into our lives Embracing suffering in all of life’s circumstances Experiencing transformation through His love Jesus’ sacrifice changes everything for our lives This book is well-suited for personal use and group sharing, and also a great gift for a sister or family member hoping to be enlightened by the Holy Spirit. Wherever you are on the journey of your relationship with Our Lord, this devotional will assist you going further and deeper accompanied by the beauty of our Catholic Faith and Holy Scripture. Go Even Deeper If you're looking to go all-in on your Lenten experience, I have two suggestions for you. The Lent Bundle Our Lent bundle includes: Set a Fire A custom soy candle A gorgeous Holy Spirit necklace A part of my morning prayer time is lighting a candle. It might sound silly or trite, but it really helps my just-waking-up brain to prepare for an encounter with Jesus. I cannot wait to use this gorgeous candle to direct the first thoughts of my day. (I've also trained my children to understand that, when the candle is lit, it means that mommy is praying and they aren't to interrupt at that time.) And as you open your heart to transformation in the Holy Spirit, keep a reminder of Him close to your heart with the necklace! These always sell out fast, so be sure to grab yours soon! Lent for Kids This Advent was a game-changer for my family's Advent prayer thanks to Maranatha for Kids that accompanied the Advent devotional. I have tried many, many Advent tools for kids over the years, and nothing has been more doable and produced more conversation about Jesus with my kids than that Advent devotional. Many of you said the exact same thing, so we created a kids' companion to this year's Lent devotional. Set a Fire for kids reflects on the same Scripture passages and themes, but with questions and in a way that's suitable for kids (roughly ages 6-12). If you'd like to dive into prayer alongside your kids this Lent, you can grab that bundle here. Into Easter Did you know we have a book dedicated entirely to the Easter season! Risen contains reflections for every day of the Easter season and includes simple but significant ways to celebrate each day. You can get Set a Fire and Risen in a bundle here. Time for Renewal, Time to Fan the Flame As we encounter Jesus in the desert this Lent, may we all fix our gaze on Him Who came to set us free, to set a fire in our souls. Come, Lord Jesus, purify our hearts and set them aflame with love for You. Will you be praying through Set a Fire with us?!   [bctt tweet="Set a Fire: Praying through Lent with the BIS Sisterhood #BISblog #bislent //" via="no"]

I didn't always love the Rosary. In fact, even after the Lord won my heart, even after my conversion, even after the Holy Spirit set my heart aflame, I still struggled with praying the Rosary.