The storms of life rise and fall, ebb and flow. Some we see brewing on the horizon, while some come all too unexpectedly. When we find ourselves in the midst of a storm, we can do one of two things, according to Dan Burke, author of Finding Peace in the Storm: Reflections on St. Alphonsus Liguori’s Uniformity with God’s Will. We can either “rise to the challenges of the storms of life or be overcome by them.” Yes, we can rage against the storms by resisting them or complaining about them. Or, we can trust that these storms are part of God’s divine will for us, unite our will with His, and maintain interior peace even in the midst of the tumult. One response may be our knee-jerk reaction. But the other is worth striving for. And we can learn how to unite our will with God’s through the guidance of Saint Alphonsus Liguori, Doctor of the Church. A Brief Overview Saint Alphonsus was a successful lawyer before being ordained to the priesthood in 1726. In 1732, he founded the Redemptorist order, and in 1762, he became a bishop. Saint Alphonsus wrote more than one hundred books, including Uniformity with God’s Will, which was originally a letter to one of his spiritual daughters. In Finding Peace in the Storm, Burke revisits the Saint’s famous work, because the truths within Uniformity with God’s Will are truths we still need to hear. However, since it was written and translated in the 18th century, some of the language is difficult to understand. So, Burke updates the translation where helpful, intersperses his own insights throughout, and offers reflection questions for further contemplation at the end of each chapter. Conformity to God’s Will Begins With Love Saint Alphonsus begins his treatise by stating that “perfect love of God means the complete union of our will with God’s [ . . . ] the more one unites his will with the divine will, the greater will be his love of God.” We achieve this by asking for God’s help. Then, we immerse ourselves in a life of prayer. Through prayer, we grow in our knowledge and love of God, which helps us seek conformity to His will. Here, Saint Alphonsus quotes another doctor of the Church, Saint Teresa of Avila: “Those who give themselves to prayer should concentrate solely on this: the conformity of their wills with the divine will.” Saint Alphonsus goes on to remind his reader that conformity to God’s will is a direct teaching of Jesus: “Our Lord Himself teaches us to ask to do the will of God on earth as the saints do it in Heaven: ‘Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.’” Burke encourages our desire to conform to God’s will by stating that “this kind of prayer—‘Show me Your will, Lord’—is a prayer that He always answers.” When Love is Tested When life is going smoothly, it is easy to say “Thy will be done.” It is easy to trust, have faith, and maintain peace. But Burke writes: [W]hen circumstances are undesirable, we come to a true test of our willingness to accept what God is allowing or causing. To the degree that we embrace and respond to circumstances in a way that expresses a holy yes to God, we will be united with Him. To the degree that we bristle, brood, complain, or reject what is happening, as if it is outside the purview of God’s loving hand, we are thereby separated from Him. Saint Alphonsus concurs by quoting Saint Paul’s letter to the Romans: “To those that love God, all things work together unto good” (Romans 8:28). Alphonsus goes on, “Those who love God are always happy, because their whole happiness is to fulfill, even in adversity, the will of God. Afflictions do not mar their serenity, because by accepting misfortune, they know they give pleasure to their beloved Lord.” Later on, Saint Alphonsus continues with the idea that “all things work together unto good” by stressing that “if, then, He sends us sufferings in this life, it is for our own good [ . . . ] Even chastisements come to us not to crush us but to make us mend our ways and save our souls.” Burke contemplates the invitation to unite fully to the divine Will—even in the midst of adversity—and he invites readers to do the same: What would it be like to know this complete peace in the midst of any storm? Do we even believe it is possible? How would this reality change the way we think and act? What effect would our change in behavior have on us and on others? The fruit of this complete union with God’s will is more than peace. It also includes joy. Jesus promises that “no one will take your joy away from you [ . . . ] so that your joy may be complete.” (John 16:22, 24) Saint Alphonsus adds that “he who unites his will to God’s experiences a full and lasting joy.” A Note on Extreme Suffering Saint Alphonsus notes that in times of extreme suffering, it is good to call upon our friends for prayer and to even petition the Lord to free us from the difficulty. Jesus modeled this in the Garden of Gethsemane when He asked, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me.” But immediately, Jesus adds, “yet, not as I will, but as you will” (Matthew 26:39). The same can be true for times of spiritual dryness, when we do not feel especially close to God. Burke notes that it is normal to feel the weight of our trials. “We can and will always feel them,” he writes. “The question is: How will we respond to how we feel? Will our feelings dictate our response? Or will we exercise our will to face the difficulty with God’s help, maintain our resignation to His holy will, and remain in His holy embrace?”  Putting it into Practice While the content of Finding Peace in the Storm is spiritually deep and at times challenging, practical advice is woven throughout. Scripture verses are interlaced, as are multitudinous quotes from the Saints. There is also an appendix at the end of the book with step-by-step guidance. On a Personal Note Reading Finding Peace in the Storm could not have come at a better time for me, as my family was in the midst of a lot of simultaneous hardship—from unemployment and family stress to health issues and the passing of my father-in-law. It all seemed like too much for us to bear. While reading Finding Peace in the Storm, I realized I was wishing away the pain and suffering we were going through. I recognized myself in those who rage against God, and I accepted that I had a long way to go to truly live in God’s divine will. Instead of feeling down and discouraged, though, I was given a tremendous amount of hope. For this book filled me with encouragement to "rise at once," humble myself, and seek greater help from God. It emboldened me to rise above my feelings and deepen my trust in God’s divine will and how it truly desires the very best for me, which is ultimately union with Him in Heaven.

“Do not leave the altar without first shedding tears of sorrow and love for Jesus, crucified for your eternal salvation. Our Lady of Sorrows will keep you company and inspire you.” // Saint Pio of Pietrelcina I met Our Lady of Sorrows on my very first silent retreat. The priests of Miles Christi, who led the retreat, have a special devotion to her under this title. Every time we prayed, we invoked her intercession: Mater Dolorosa, Cause of Our Joy, pray for us. And one day, instead of praying the traditional Rosary, we prayed the Chaplet of the Seven Sorrows of Mary instead. Throughout the retreat, I felt an increasing desire to draw near to Our Lady of Sorrows. I wanted to console her, as she consoled her Son at the Foot of the Cross. Through prayer and meditation, I realized, maybe for the first time in my life, just how much Mary suffered. Not only at Calvary, but throughout her entire life. And yet, she never wavered in her faith, and she maintained a peace of heart that could not be shaken. She remained the Stabat Mater, “close to Jesus to the last.” By the end of the retreat, I felt closer to Mary than ever before. But I knew this initial introduction was only the beginning. I wanted to know her better as Our Lady of Sorrows, because I wanted to learn how to love the Lord like she loves Him—not just in joyful and peaceful times, but also when pain, suffering, disappointment, and heartache come my way. Seven Sorrows of Mary From the moment of the Annunciation, Mary cooperated perfectly with God's plan of salvation. As the Mother of God, there were many joys in Mary's life. But even though she was highly favored and blessed among women, Mary did not live an easy life. She experienced life’s highs and lows, just like we do. Mary knew suffering, heartache, and deep sorrow. Traditionally, the Catholic Church honors seven sorrows in the life of Mary, which are rooted in Sacred Scripture: The Prophecy of Simeon The Flight into Egypt The Loss of Jesus in the Temple of Jerusalem Meeting Jesus on the road to Calvary The Crucifixion and Death of Jesus Receiving the Body of Jesus from the Cross after He Died Jesus’ Burial With each sorrow, Mary continued to say yes to God, continued to be docile to the Holy Spirit, and continued to lovingly surrender it all to Him. Our Lady Understands Sorrow Years after my initial introduction to Our Lady of Sorrows, I experienced a tipping point of sorts. The last straw, so to speak. One life stressor after the other, some at the same time. It didn’t seem possible, and it certainly didn’t seem fair. My family was experiencing so much loss and disappointment; so much pain and heartache. And I often wondered like the Psalmist, How long, O Lord? (see Psalm 13:1 and 90:13) As I turned to Our Lady of Sorrows, I considered that she may have prayed that prayer, too—How long, O Lord?—because she did not know how long she would have to suffer, either. Since Mary knows and understands so much about the human experience, she remains by our side when the Lord asks us to wait longer than we anticipate. She keeps us company when waves of sorrow come crashing down or when agonizing emotion overpowers us. And she intercedes for us, as our devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows grows. {formbuilder:OTk3ODc=} Devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows Throughout Church history, two feast days have been associated with the Seven Sorrows of Mary: September 15 the Friday before Good Friday Devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows began in the 1200s with the Servite Order. In the fourteenth century, Our Lady revealed to Saint Bridget of Sweden seven promises that she would fulfill to those devoted to her Seven Sorrows. Then, in 1482, a feast was placed in the Roman Missal under the title of Our Lady of Compassion. And in 1727, Pope Benedict XIII placed the feast on the Friday before Good Friday. While this feast was eliminated from the liturgical calendar with the revision published in 1969, the September 15 feast day remains in the liturgy. And the Church dedicates the entire month of September to Our Lady of Sorrows. Cause of Our Joy Something worth noting about the Feast of the Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary on September 15 is that it is preceded by the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary on September 8 and the Most Holy Name of Mary on September 12. These three feast days of Our Lady invite us to contemplate the totality of Mary’s life—how joy and sorrow ebbed and flowed throughout her life, just as they do in ours. Moreover, the proximity of these three feast days reminds us that suffering with Christ should not lead to despair. We have hope, because God always keeps His word. He promises new life in the hope of the Resurrection, and He fulfills His promise through the sorrow and pain of the Cross. Our Lady knew this. And she believed with all her heart that “at dusk weeping comes for the night; but at dawn there is rejoicing” (Psalm 30:6). Yes, Mary shows us how to find joy in the midst of suffering. And this is how Our Lady of Sorrows is indeed the Cause of Our Joy. “It is because Mary is the ‘Mother of Sorrows’ that she is able to be the ‘Cause of Our Joy,’ and we must all pass by the same route” (Mother St. Paul, Mater Christi: Meditations on Our Lady). Compassion for Our Sorrows Since first meeting Our Lady of Sorrows fifteen years ago, I have experienced ample sorrows of my own. But every time I walk through a “vale of tears,” Mary is there to offer comfort, guidance, and intercession. From her own experience, she understands my sufferings. And like a comforting balm, she soothes my broken heart with hope in her Son. Mater Dolorosa, Cause of Our Joy, pray for us!

The flowers appear on the earth, the time of pruning the vines has come, and the song of the turtledove is heard in our land. The fig tree puts forth its figs, and the vines, in bloom, give forth fragrance. Arise, my friend, my beautiful one, and come! // Song of Songs 2:12-13 As I step outside into my backyard, the early morning sun is just rising. In the quiet stillness of nature’s beauty, the Lord’s presence is palpable. God’s artistry surrounds me as I observe the brightness of the sun, the coolness of the dewy grass, and the lush green of the trees. As I settle into my lawn chair, I smile as I soak in this summer oasis. And it is then that the Lord greets me: Arise, my friend, my beautiful one, and come!  Encountering God in Creation, in Scripture During this season, I often take my prayer time outdoors. For summer is rife with opportunity to encounter God in His beautiful creation—whether sitting in the backyard, hiking in a park, or wading in shallow ocean water along a beachy shore. Encountering God in creation invites me to meditate more deeply on His glory, goodness, and genuine love for me. And I cannot help but wonder: Lord, if your beautiful creation is this glorious, how much more glorious are You? If your ocean is this magnificent, how much more magnificent are You? If Your sun shines this radiantly, how much more radiant are You? Because all of the natural beauty that surrounds us—the sea, mountains, desert, waterfalls, wildflowers, and more—was created to point our attention back to the Creator. So that we fall in love with Him more deeply. So that our desire to know Him increases exponentially. And so that we grow more grateful for His lavish generosity, of which His flourishing creation is but a sampling. Saint Peter Chrysologus said it best in his homily, Son of God, Son of a Carpenter: Christ was the Son of a craftsman, but of The One Who formed the structure of the universe, not with a hammer, but with His command [ . . . ] Who set the sun ablaze, not with an earthly fire, but with heat from Heaven; who adjusted the moon, the darkness, and the periods of night; Who made the stars distinct with varying degrees of light; Who made all from nothing; and He made it, O man, for you, so that by pondering the work you would think of the One who made it. Inevitably, during my outdoor prayer time, the Lord leads me to His Word and the many passages that describe creation as a reflection of the very splendor of God. And so, as we enter this last month of summer, here are some Bible verses for prayer and meditation. Through His Word, let us ponder the gift of summer and how our natural surroundings within God’s creation invite us to contemplate the lavish generosity of our  Creator and all that He has in store for those who love Him (see 1 Corinthians 2:8-10). HIS WORD CHANGES LIVES God is speaking to you through His Word. In this personal study, you will learn to hear God's voice by reading slowly and praying deeply. BEGIN THE JOURNEY Bible Verses to Pray in the Summer Summery Season // All the days of the earth, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, Summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease. // Genesis 8:22 The earth is full of the mercy of the Lord. By the Lord’s word the heavens were made; by the breath of his mouth all their host. He gathered the waters of the sea as a mound; he sets the deep into storage vaults. Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all who dwell in the world show him reverence. // Psalm 33:5-8 Yours the day and yours the night too; you set the moon and sun in place. You fixed all the limits of the earth; summer and winter you made. // Psalm 74:16-17 Wavy Water // More powerful than the roar of many waters, more powerful than the breakers of the sea, powerful in the heavens is the Lord. // Psalm 93:4 Should you not fear me—oracle of the Lord—should you not tremble before me? I made the sandy shore the sea’s limit, which by eternal decree it may not overstep. Toss though it may, it is to no avail; though its billows roar, they cannot overstep. // Jeremiah 5:22 The men were amazed and said, “What sort of man is this, whom even the winds and the sea obey?” // Matthew 8:27 Shining Sun // From the rising of the sun to its setting let the name of the Lord be praised. // Psalm 113:3 Arise! Shine, for your light has come, the glory of the Lord has dawned upon you. // Isaiah 60:1 Thus says the Lord, Who gives the sun to light the day, moon and stars to light the night; Who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar, whose name is Lord of hosts. // Jeremiah 31:35 “Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father.” // Matthew 13:43 Flourishing Flowers // Blessed are those who trust in the Lord; the Lord will be their trust. They are like a tree planted beside the waters that stretches out its roots to the stream: It does not fear heat when it comes, its leaves stay green; In the year of drought it shows no distress, but still produces fruit. // Jeremiah 17:7-8 “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that a person took and sowed in a field. It is the smallest of all the seeds, yet when full-grown it is the largest of plants. It becomes a large bush, and the ‘birds of the sky come and dwell in its branches.” // Matthew 13:31-32 “Learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branch becomes tender and sprouts leaves, you know that summer is near. In the same way, when you see all these things, know that he is near, at the gates.” // Matthew 24:32-33 Do you have a favorite Bible verse that encourages you to savor the summer season? WRITE + PRAY We invite you to sit with the Word and unpack it in a uniquely personal way, finding your own story. Discover your story within His. GET WRITE AND PRAY

In the 2004 movie The Passion of the Christ, there is a poignant scene after the brutal scourging at the pillar. Jesus’ bloody Body is dragged away from the pillar, and the ground is covered with His Blood. The Blessed Mother enters the courtyard with Saints John and Mary Magdalene, she kneels down, and with maternal love and devotion, she carefully begins cleaning up His Blood from the ground. This scene depicts the type of reverence all of us should have for the Precious Blood of Jesus, which was poured out for our redemption. One way to cultivate such devotion is by taking part in July’s dedication to the Precious Blood of Jesus. The Catholic Church assigns dedications to each month of the calendar year. These dedications give us opportunities to learn more about our Faith and to cultivate greater devotion in our life. History of Devotion For more than one hundred years, July 1 marked the Feast of the Most Precious Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ. This feast was instituted by Pope Pius IX in 1849, as a protection against the dangers threatening society. However, devotion to the Precious Blood of Jesus goes back even farther. Some say that the Church has always had devotion to the Precious Blood, since She has always been devoted to the Passion and Death of Christ. While this feast day was dropped from the liturgical calendar after Vatican II, moving devotion to the Precious Blood to the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ which is also known as Corpus Christi, the traditional monthly dedication remains. Consequently, it is worth discovering ways to deepen devotion to the Precious Blood of Jesus in our lives. Cultivating Devotion We can cultivate devotion to the Precious Blood of Jesus in three ways: through the Sacraments, Sacred Scripture, and the Saints. Sacraments // The first way we can grow in devotion to the Precious Blood of Jesus is through the Sacraments, particularly the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. According to Tradition, Jesus shed His Blood for us seven times throughout His life: Circumcision Agony in the garden Scourging at the pillar Crowning of thorns Carrying of the Cross Crucifixion Piercing of His side The Precious Blood that was shed at each one of these events in Christ’s life is fully present in the chalice after the Consecration. And we are invited to contemplate, adore, and receive this reality at each Mass. According to the Catechism of Saint Pius X: Both under the species of the bread and under the species of the wine the living Jesus Christ is all present, with His Body, His Blood, His Soul and His Divinity. Both in the Host and in the chalice Jesus Christ is whole and entire, because He is living and immortal in the Eucharist as He is in Heaven; hence where His Body is, there also are His Blood, His Soul, and His Divinity; and where His Blood is, there also are His Body, His Soul and His Divinity, all these being inseparable in Jesus Christ. Therefore, whether we attend Mass that offers Holy Communion under both species (in the appearance of bread and of wine) or only offers the Host, we receive the Precious Blood of Jesus every time we receive Holy Communion. In fact, “the Host is broken over the chalice, to indicate that the Blood contained in the chalice proceeds from the broken Body of Christ” (Roman Catholic Daily Missal).  Yes, as one priest puts it, “When we receive communion, when the host is placed on our tongue and then rests inside us, we possess, with the body of Jesus, all His blood, His living blood, His divine blood” (From Trinity Sunday to the Assumption). He says further, “All of the sacraments draw their value from the blood of Jesus: they have been called the vases of the blood of Jesus Christ. We were baptized in the blood of Jesus and it is this same blood which purifies our souls at each one of our confessions. But the most striking contact with the precious blood is at Mass.” {formbuilder:OTk3ODc=} Sacred Scripture // The Blood of Jesus is mentioned many times throughout Sacred Scripture. Below are just a few verses to pray with in order to deepen our devotion to the Precious Blood of Christ. “[T]his is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed on behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins.” // Matthew 26:28 “[W]e are now justified by His blood.” // Romans 5:9 “In him we have redemption by his blood, the forgiveness of transgressions, in accord with the riches of his grace.” // Ephesians 1:7-8  “For in him all the fullness was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile all things for him, making peace by the blood of his cross.” // Colossians 1:19-20 “[Y]ou were ransomed from your futile conduct, handed on by your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold but with the precious blood of Christ as of a spotless unblemished lamb.” // 1 Peter 1:18-19 “But if we walk in the light as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of his Son Jesus cleanses us from all sin.” // 1 John 1:7 “These are they who have survived the time of great distress; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” // Revelation 7:14 The Saints // Throughout history, the Saints have had great reverence and devotion to the Precious Blood of Jesus. Below is a small sample of their thoughts, which can inspire our own devotion. “Precious Blood, ocean of divine mercy: Flow upon us! Precious Blood, most pure offering: Procure us every grace! Precious Blood, hope and refuge of sinners: Atone for us! Precious Blood, delight of holy souls: Draw us! Amen.” // Saint Catherine of Siena “This Blood that but one drop of has the power to win all the world forgiveness of its world of sin.” // Saint Thomas Aquinas “Blood of Christ, inebriate me.” // Saint Ignatius of Loyola “This blood, when worthily received, drives away demons and puts them at a distance from us, and even summons to us angels and the Lord of angels. This blood, poured out in abundance, has washed the whole world clean. This is the price of the world; by it Christ purchased the Church.” // Saint John Chrysostom “O adorable Blood of Jesus, wash our stains, save us from the anger of the avenging angel. Irrigate the Church; make her fruitful with Apostles and miracle-workers, enrich her with souls that are holy, pure and radiant with divine beauty.” // Saint Albert the Great “To preserve me from hell and purchase Heaven for me, Jesus Christ gave all the blood of His body, down to the last drop—and how could I not love Him!” // Saint Alphonsus Liguori Prayers of Devotion Lastly, to round out our cultivation of devotion to the Precious Blood of Jesus, the Church has given us some beautiful prayers to incorporate into our spiritual life: Litany of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus Chaplet of the Most Precious Blood Prayer to Our Lady of the Precious Blood Do you have a devotion to the Precious Blood of Jesus? What has helped it to grow and flourish in your life? THE GREATEST GIFT In this study on the Eucharist, we explore the truth that Jesus is the answer to your every need. Join us as we explore John chapter 6 to learn how the reality of the Holy Eucharist applies to our lives. Discover what a gift He is. GET THE GIFT STUDY

In the early 1980s, Pope Saint John Paul II recognized rising problems within marriage and family life. He appointed Cardinal Carlo Caffarra to head a new Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family. Because the institute was under the patronage of Our Lady of Fatima, Cardinal Caffara wrote to Sister Lucia dos Santos, a Carmelite nun who was one of the three children to whom the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared in Fatima, Portugal, in 1917. Not expecting a response, he was surprised when he received her reply, which included these words: “Father, a time will come when the decisive battle between the Kingdom of Christ and Satan will be over marriage and the family. And those who work for the good of the family will experience persecution and tribulation. But do not be afraid, because our Lady has already crushed his head.” A Game Plan Forty years have passed since this correspondence between Cardinal Caffarra and Sister Lucia. And all we have to do is scroll through social media or turn on the evening news to know that this prophecy has come true. Not only are marriage and family being attacked, the very dignity of who men and women are created to be is being eroded. This is why, now more than ever, it is so important to turn to the Lord and ground ourselves in His plan and purpose for those whom He created in His image and likeness. We do this by rooting ourselves in Biblical truths that reveal God’s design for the dignity of men and women, specifically lived out in marriage and family life. Moreover, we turn to qualified, reliable experts steeped in knowledge of Catholic doctrine to strengthen our own understanding of the authentic and beautiful purpose for marriage in the family, Church, and society. Fr. Robert Altier is one such expert. A priest for more than 30 years, Altier has taught catechetical programs that have aired on television throughout the world. He is also a major contributor to Catholic radio and his sermons are widely sought after on YouTube. During a month-long series of prayerful experiences in 2019, the Lord gave Altier the material to write a book on marriage. He said in an interview that as quickly as the information came to him, it one day ended. And he knew he needed to compile all of it into a book format, even though he does not consider himself a writer. A New Book on Marriage Published by Sophia Institute Press, God’s Plan for Your Marriage: An Exploration of Holy Matrimony From Genesis to the Wedding Feast of the Lamb, explores the foundation of marriage from the beginning of creation and how it will be fulfilled in Heaven, at the marriage banquet of the Lamb. God’s Plan for Your Marriage is not your average how-to relationship book. That is because “marriage is first and foremost a spiritual reality,” writes Altier. “The purpose of this book is to help married couples to know and understand the dignity and beauty to which they have been called and to provide some insights to help them to live their sacrament in a spiritual way.” The book is organized into seven chapters, which build upon one another: 1. From the Beginning 2. God Is Love 3. What God Has Joined 4. The New Creation 5. Consummatum Est 6. You Are a Temple 7. The Banquet of the Lamb A Fresh Perspective Worth Pondering When I opened God’s Plan for Marriage, I had no idea what I was in for. I had no idea how deeply moved I would be. I had no idea I would learn so much about the sacrament I have been living for more than 20 years. That is because, of all the marriage books I have read, and workshops and retreats I have attended, none have approached the topic from a strictly spiritual perspective. Before reading this book, I had received a lot of practical advice, such as communication dos and don’ts. However, Altier really emphasizes the spiritual reality of being married, of being man and wife. Not so much how we live that out, but simply who we are within it. And this fresh perspective is key to making us better men and women in order to be better spouses in better marriages. A Few Key Takeaways God’s Plan for Marriage is dense with profound insights into God’s intention for marriage from the beginning. Here are 10 key takeaways that I found to be incredibly meaningful and impactful: “The human person is created for truth, love, and life—to live in relationship with the Trinity.” “Our nature is very good, and our dignity is immense.” At the time of the Fall, “our nature was wounded but not corrupted.” “God took that which was closest to the man’s heart and built it into the person whom Adam would love and who would love him.” “So there are emotions that come with love, but love is not an emotion . . . Love is an act of the will . . . It is a choice.” “God made marriage to make married people saints.” “Christian marriage is a prefiguration of eternity.” “. . . there is a real and true union of persons—souls—that occurs when the couple professes their vows in a sacramental marriage.” “God cannot be excluded from any part of the marriage; this means He should not be excluded from the intimacy of the couple.” “In the garden, Adam and Eve did not eat of the fruit of the Tree of Life; but, in a garden two thousand years ago, the Cross became the Tree of Life . . . The fruit of the Tree of Life is the Eucharist.” {formbuilder:OTk3ODc=} A Final Note God’s Plan for Your Marriage is complete with thoughtful questions at the end of each chapter that can be used for personal reflection. They also can serve as prompts for fruitful discussion between spouses. God’s Plan for Your Marriage is a must-read book for Catholic married couples. For engaged or newly-married couples, it will serve as a firm foundation that you can return to as you grow together in experience. For couples who have been married for a while, it will bring refreshment and renewal to your relationship, as you embark on the next chapters of life together.

“And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit . . . ” (Acts 2:2-4) Pentecost is the culmination of the 50-day liturgical season of Easter. On this day, we commemorate the day in which the promised Holy Spirit descended upon Mary and the Apostles. Prior to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, the Apostles were uncertain and afraid of what was to come. Even on the day of Pentecost, they remained hidden for fear of death. But as soon as they received the Holy Spirit, a new courage and passion for the faith welled up in their hearts, and it flowed out and covered the entire earth, as they set out to spread the Gospel. “The grace of the Holy Ghost is above all inward, but it ought to have outward effects … The grace of the Holy Ghost … leads us to be proud of our Faith” (Eastertide Day by Day). A Change of Seasons Most of us know the liturgical season that comes after Pentecost as Ordinary Time. However, prior to the changes to the Mass in the late 1960s, the liturgical season after Easter was called the Time After Pentecost. I had never heard of this until three years ago, when my family and I began attending the Traditional Latin Mass, where the season’s name remains unchanged. I noticed the distinction in my missal. And I was drawn to the ancient title of this particular liturgical season. Time After Pentecost I liked the sound of that. And it drew me to contemplate how I can more deeply live out a season of Pentecost. How can an entire season of Pentecost allow me to be more open to the Holy Spirit? How can it allow Christ’s Spirit to expand within my soul to the point where He flows into all corners of my "ordinary" life? What is the Time After Pentecost? This liturgical season obviously begins where the Easter season ends, with the Solemnity of Pentecost. It is the longest liturgical season, taking up most of the second half of the calendar year. The liturgical seasons preceding it (Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter) tell the miraculous story of our redemption. The Time After Pentecost sheds new light on various dogmas of faith and the furtherance of the Christian life (see The Liturgical Year). In other words, this season invites us to root ourselves in the Catholic faith and to allow Christ to shape every aspect of our lives. It gives us opportunities to practice what we proclaim. "Now, it is during the period called, by the Liturgy, The Time after Pentecost, that there is signified and expressed this regenerated life, which is to be spent on the model of Christ's, and under the direction of his Spirit." (The Liturgical Year). Embracing the Mystery A thread of mystery runs throughout our Faith. The concept of the Triune God remains mysterious even to the most learned of theologians. The reality of how Mary conceived the Christ Child is a mystery to behold. And the mystery of transubstantiation of bread and wine into the Holy Eucharist requires us to put our faith and trust in a God who can do the impossible. In order to believe in these mysteries with a faith that surpasses all understanding, we need God to breathe the Holy Spirit into every nook and cranny of our being. “Yes, it was necessary that the Holy Ghost should come, so that he might increase our light, and enkindle a fire within us that should never be quenched. This divine Paraclete came down from heaven; he gave himself to us; he wishes to take up his abode within us, and take our life of regeneration entirely into his own hands.” (The Liturgical Year) {formbuilder:OTk4ODY=} Putting Pentecost into Practice The purpose of this Time After Pentecost is to not just to understand our faith as mystery but to live it as reality. How do we cooperate with God’s purpose for this season? We begin by looking at what this season offers us: days, devotions, and divine readings. Days // Three important feast days are set at the very beginning of this liturgical season. They have much to teach us about Who we believe in and how we practice our faith: Feast of the Most Holy Trinity Feast of Corpus Christi Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus These feasts invite us to dive into the teachings of the Catholic Church. They encourage us to ponder how we pray to a Triune God, how we live a Eucharistic life, and how we find refuge in the very heart of Christ. In addition, the Time After Pentecost includes numerous feast days of Saints. Their lives are a gateway to growing more intimately with Christ through the Holy Spirit, because in their varied life experiences, they show us how to tangibly live out the Paschal Mystery. We can celebrate feast days practically by: Attending a Eucharistic procession Reading the biography of a saint Enthroning our homes to the Sacred Heart of Jesus Devotions // Each month of the liturgical year, the Catholic Church gives us a special dedication. These dedications are a beautiful way to focus our prayer time and grow in our devotion. Within the Time After Pentecost, three of these dedications are reserved for Our Lady: August // Immaculate Heart of Mary September // Our Lady of Sorrows October // Holy Rosary This means that throughout the Time After Pentecost, we have several opportunities to contemplate the glories of Mary. We can ponder her fiat and how her yes sustained her during some of the most painful suffering any human has ever endured. In addition, we can grow in our relationship with her, as she leads us ever closer to her Son. On a practical level, we can: Increase our recitation of the Holy Rosary Plant a Mary garden Consecrate our lives to Mary Divine Readings // The sacred Liturgy can have a “sweet and healthy influence” on our souls, when we enter into her rhythm of prayer (The Liturgical Year). Prior to the liturgical changes that took place in 1970, the Scripture readings for the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass were prayerfully placed on particular days many centuries ago. But even if we follow the readings of the newer form of the Mass, we can still marvel at how perfectly they fit whatever we may be going through in the present moment. This is because the Word of God is alive and active. It is always moving in the world and stirring in the souls of those who seek the Lord and strive to follow Him. When we pray with the Church’s Liturgy, we become more rooted in the life of Christ and grounded in His Word. What’s even more incredible is that “the Cycle of the Liturgy, with its rays of light and grace for the soul, is not a phenomenon that occurs only once … it returns each year” (The Liturgical Year). What a merciful design of God! For every year, He puts within our reach the most powerful of all means for leading us to Himself. We can practically incorporate divine reading by: Praying with the daily Gospel Pursuing the practice of lectio divina Reading a book on prayer Knowing the importance of this Time After Pentecost, and how the Holy Spirit reigns in a special manner over this second half of the year, how do you plan on living out your Faith as we begin this new liturgical season? HIS WORD CHANGES LIVES God is speaking to you through His Word. In this personal study, you will learn to hear God's voice by reading slowly and praying deeply. BEGIN THE JOURNEY

Have you been waiting for God to answer questions about your vocation or career? Have you applied for a big college scholarship and are trying hard to entrust the unknown outcome to the Lord? Are you waiting to meet your future husband? Are you waiting for clarity on a health issue—yours or a loved one’s? Throughout life, there are many seasons of waiting. These seasons are an invitation from the Lord to trust His will, His timing, and His promise of faithfulness to flourish in our lives. Settling Into a Season of Waiting Some years ago, already well into my vocation as wife and mother, I yearned for something God had planted in my heart years beforehand: the seeds of my heart’s desire. And I wondered if they would ever bloom. Then, an amazing opportunity came my way. It was a dream come true. I was so excited, and I couldn’t wait to dive in. But soon afterward, it became quite obvious that the project itself, as well as the timing of it, were not quite right. I had no peace about it, and anxiety overwhelmed me. At my very core, I knew God was asking me to wait. At first, I was very disappointed. Wait, Lord? Why? This is my heart’s desire! But in reality, some health issues had worn me down. And God knew I could not add one more thing to my plate. God’s prompting to wait gave me a profound amount of courage and grace to turn down the project. And while my heart’s desire remained, I settled into a season of waiting. Waiting: So Much More Than We Think Often when we think of waiting, we assume it is a waste of time. Like the type of waiting that happens in a long checkout line or in traffic. That type of waiting is filled with anxiety. We want to be anywhere but in the waiting. Waiting for God, however, is a completely different type of waiting, because it is not meaningless or idle. Rather, this waiting has purpose; it is active. It is a personal invitation from Jesus to come to Him and be attentive to what He is doing within us while we wait. When we wait for God, of course we are hopeful about what we are waiting for. But there is something good and desirable in the waiting itself. Yes, sometimes God has to do something within us before He can do something for us. For in the silence and stillness of our waiting, He comforts and consoles us. He brings us peace in the quiet of our hearts. He whispers what we need to hear. We Do Not Wait Alone If we can settle into the waiting, we realize that the waiting no longer seems unbearable. Because we are not waiting alone. We are waiting with. God’s invitation to wait gifts us with a closeness to—a “being with”—God that is truly worthwhile. In the waiting, we can pour our hearts out to Him. And we can listen to His message of love, mercy, peace, and hope—the message we may only hear while we wait. Scripture Verses to Pray During Times of Waiting The Bible is full of stories of God’s people enduring seasons of waiting. The Old Testament unfolds the narrative of their waiting for the Messiah to finally come. There is also the tale of waiting on the Lord while they were enslaved in Egypt, and of how God provided for them as they waited to enter the Promised Land. Sometimes, we need to remember how God fulfills His promises to help us through seasons of waiting, and the Psalms overflow with these reminders. Yes, the Bible abounds with verses that express what it’s like to entrust our waiting to the Lord. And they guide our own prayerful posture in the midst of waiting. Below is just a sampling of Scripture verses to pray during times of waiting. Wait Quietly Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth, and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all day long. // Psalm 25:4-5 For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation. // Psalm 62:1 The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul that seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. // Lamentations 3:25-26 Wait Courageously Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord! // Psalm 27:14 But those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. // Isaiah 40:31 But as for me, I will look to the Lord, I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me. // Micah 7:7 Wait Patiently Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. // Romans 12:12 Blessed is anyone who endures temptation. Such a one has stood the test and will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. // James 1:12 And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you. // 1 Peter 5:10 Wait Hopefully I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope. // Psalm 130:5 For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. Then when you call upon me and come and pray to me, I will hear you. When you search for me, you will find me; if you seek me with all your heart, I will let you find me, says the Lord . . . // Jeremiah 29:11-14 Be astonished! Be astounded! For a work is being done in your days that you would not believe if you were told. // Habakkuk 1:5 After the Waiting Reflecting back, that season of waiting I went through was hard but also blessed. While it did not result in what I had originally hoped for, God used that time to conform my heart to His. So that when a tiny bud blossomed from those seeds of my heart’s desire, I recognized His attentive handiwork. And I truly knew it was worth the wait.   HIS WORD CHANGES LIVES God is speaking to you through His Word. In this personal study, you will learn to hear God's voice by reading slowly and praying deeply. BEGIN THE JOURNEY

Recently, I had the joyful opportunity of attending the wedding Mass of my son’s teacher and her (now) husband. It had been a long time since I attended a Nuptial Mass, because I have been out of the wedding season for a while. You know, the season where everyone you know seems to be getting married? Typically, the wedding season is followed by the baby shower season. After being married for more than twenty years, I am now in the high school graduation season. But that’s a story for another day. At this beautiful wedding, which occurred in the midst of the Christmas Octave, my thoughts naturally reflected back to the day when I walked down the aisle to join my husband in Holy Matrimony. Time is funny, because I got married a long time ago: twenty-one years at the time of writing this blog post. And yet, there are many days when it seems like it was yesterday. Questions Worth Contemplating How have twenty years gone by in a flash? How are things so different and still the same simultaneously? If a young bride asked me what I’ve learned in the last twenty years, what would I say to her? More importantly, what will I say to my own daughters, as they enter young womanhood? Contemplating these questions prompted me to really consider what the Lord has been teaching me throughout my two decades of marriage: about myself, about relationship, about openness to life, about surrendering to His will. What have I gotten right? What lessons still need quite a bit of work? Seven Lessons I’ve Learned in Marriage Below are seven lessons I have learned (or am still learning) in my twenty-one years of marriage. It’s Good to Not Know // When I stood in St. Olaf Catholic Church, facing my husband and professing my vows to him and to God, I had no idea what I was getting into. And that was a very good thing. My marriage has been beautiful and blessed, but it also has included the unexpected and seemingly impossible. Because of this, I am grateful that God chooses to reveal His plans to us gradually, rather than all at once. He unfolds and reveals various circumstances slowly and carefully. He gives and takes away, but He prepares us in ways that allow us to accept and endure. This has taught me to open my heart wider and trust Him more fully. This has shown me how carefully He cares for me, my husband, and our family, in everything that has come our way. Be His Ideal Wife // Early on in my marriage, I felt like I would never live up to the wife described in Proverbs 31. I feared disappointing my husband with my shortcomings. But over time, I realized that my husband did not choose the ideal wife; he chose his ideal wife. He chose me, because he loved me. In me, he saw the best woman to help him to Heaven: “... the heart of [my] husband trusts in [me]” (Proverbs 31:11). And this realization allowed me to see Proverbs 31 in a new light: as a passage that encourages me to strive to be the best version of myself. I may not spin wool or buy fields. But in my own unique way, I look well to the ways of my household, open my mouth in wisdom, and strive to be a woman who fears the Lord. {formbuilder:OTk3ODc=} Trust God’s Plan for Marriage // Ephesians 5:21-33 often receives a bad rap. However, it is a beautiful meditation on God’s divine plan for marriage. It invites us to rise above our cloudy judgments and misconceptions and strive to put on the mind of Christ (see Philippians 2:5). And when we do, we realize God’s plan for marriage asks both husband and wife to “be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ.” Loving and respecting one another with the same love and respect Christ has for us. Is this easy? No. But God’s plan is always the ideal one, worth seeking and fulfilling. Tough Times are Better Together // On the hardest day of my life, the birthdate of our twins, I needed an emergency cesarean for my daughter. (My son was already born.) As activity swirled around me, my husband remained as steady and strong as a rock. I can’t imagine enduring that day without him. Throughout the years, we have been through so much—joy and sorrow, plans and surprises, peace and uncertainty, health and illness, life and death—and everything is better with him by my side. My Husband is More Important Than My Children // This lesson is easy to accept in theory, but it is much more difficult to practice. And yet, it is essential. And when it is compromised, nothing seems to run smoothly, and I get hung up on trivial things. That is why my husband and I constantly have to remember to kiss each other goodnight, go on dates, and plan getaways. Sometimes, we are better at this than others, but we agree that it is vital to constantly work on this—not only for our marriage, but for our children, too. Spend Time Reminiscing // What sparked interest in my husband all those years ago? How did we fall in love? What was it like when we would talk on the phone for hours, getting to know each other? Every now and then, it is important to reminisce, to look at old photos, to visit that favorite restaurant, or even talk on the phone when one of us is out of town. These things renew the spark and keep us lighthearted, especially when life feels overwhelming and busy. Listen to Mary // Faith has been the foundation of our marriage, and over time, our devotion to Mary has grown to be a vital part of it, too. In John 2:1-2, we hear about a wedding, and “the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding.” This passage teaches us the importance of inviting Jesus and Mary into our marriage. It also encourages us to listen to Our Blessed Mother, because she always points us to her Son: “Do whatever He tells you” (John 2:5). This lesson has helped us trust the Lord during difficult times, and it has invited us to join in Mary’s Magnificat when our prayers are answered. What lessons have you learned in your marriage? What treasured wisdom can you share with us?

  The decorations are still up. And the carols are still playing in the background. It’s still Christmas, after all. But the explosion of wrapping paper and empty boxes has been cleared away, and only a few Christmas cookies remain in the freezer, almost forgotten. As I continue to liturgically celebrate the Christmas season, I breathe deep relief. The frenzy of the past month has slowed way down. My to-do list has returned to a normal length. And as I look upon the first month of a new calendar year, I see open and empty spaces, inviting me to keep them just as they are. Welcome, Simplicity January is the month when I crave simplicity. After a marathon of holiday celebrations and family gatherings, and after a season of abundant blessings, I desire quiet, stillness, space, and less. Of course I love celebrating the birth of Christ, but after the whirlwind, I reach a point where I long to live the simplicity of the stable instead of the abundance that comes with the modern-day Christmas celebration. I ponder the simplicity of the Holy Family’s home in Nazareth, where “Jesus increased in wisdom and in years, and in divine and human favor” (Luke 2:52). And I wonder what they have to teach me about holy simplicity and how I can observe it in my own life. What is Holy Simplicity? While we may not know many details about the hidden life of Christ’s family, we know with certainty that they lived simplicity perfectly. As a virtue, simplicity calls us out of ourselves and our attachments. As Father Gabriel of Saint Mary Magdalene notes, it prompts us to move “in one direction only: to God, to live for Him, to please Him, and to give glory to Him” (Divine Intimacy, 853). Yes, if anyone can show us how to live life simply, it is the Holy Family. Jesus Jesus refers to holy simplicity in His preaching and teaching. In the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, He instructs, “You cannot serve God and wealth.” (Matthew 6:24, Luke 16:13). In another part of Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus proclaims, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37). Mary Mary’s words at the Annunciation prove her incomparable simplicity. “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word” (Luke 1:38). Joseph Joseph’s obedience attests to his holy simplicity too. “When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him …”  (Matthew 1:24). With the Holy Family as our guides, now seems like the perfect time to return to a more single-minded devotion into which simplicity invites us. After a season of joy and celebration, mixed with busyness and running on too much coffee and sugar, the call to simplicity echoes in the depth of the soul. It is as if the Holy Family is inviting us into their home: “Come, let us show you how.”   {formbuilder:OTk3ODc=}  More Than Minimalism As a virtue, simplicity is more than minimalism. It is more than being organized and clutter-free. To have less for the sake of having less isn’t quite virtuous. Simplicity is deeper than that; it is holier than that. Our reason behind it must be more meaningful. In her book The Little Way of Living With Less: Learning to Let Go with the Little Flower, Laraine Bennett suggests that “without the motivation of truly inspiring goals—to strengthen the bonds of love, to serve others better, to follow Christ more perfectly, to love God with our whole mind, heart, soul and strength—it is likely that we will soon find ourselves frustrated with any decluttering, organizing, or minimizing project.” Therefore, our desire to grow in greater simplicity is rooted in a longing to have a simplicity of heart that mirrors Christ’s. We yearn for the simplicity of the Holy Family. We crave stillness and attentiveness in our souls. Practical Steps Toward Holy Simplicity And yet, because we are human, we learn with our senses and understand the intangible through the tangible. Practical applications help our holy pursuit of virtue. But practical steps are not our goals. Rather, they are a means to a more virtuous end. They are the path toward unity with God in Heaven. Below are a handful of ways we can practice simplicity with the goal of living Christ’s invocation to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, and mind. Simple meals Cook a batch of soup to eat throughout the week Renew the Catholic tradition of meatless Fridays Shop the perimeter of the store, focusing on whole foods Simple home Learn to “quiet the house,” especially after Christmas Create a faith-based focal point Decorate according to the natural and liturgical seasons Simple routines Return to consistent, daily prayer Create margin in your day, week, and month Unplug and welcome silence regularly These few ideas allow us to practice simplicity in our hearts and homes, while focusing on a deeper purpose: cultivating virtue, growing more recollected, and becoming more single-hearted for the Lord. The Saints Loved Simplicity Thankfully, we are not alone in our desire to pursue holy simplicity. In addition to the Holy Family, the Saints chose to practice this virtue, too. Here are their words to keep us inspired and encouraged: “I recommend to you holy simplicity.” // Saint Francis de Sales “Pure, holy simplicity confounds all the wisdom of this world.” // Saint Francis of Assisi “Be humble, be simple, and bring joy to others.” // Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat “Our Lord needs from us neither great deeds nor profound thoughts. Neither intelligence nor talents. He cherishes simplicity.” // Saint Therese of Lisieux “Simplicity is a virtue that makes us go straight to God and to the truth.” // Saint Vincent de Paul More Resources To go deeper in the practice of holy simplicity, here are some helpful resources to accompany your journey: Introduction to the Devout Life by Saint Francis de Sales The Little Way of Living With Less by Laraine Bennett Making Room for God: Decluttering and the Spiritual Life by Mary Elizabeth Sperry Theology of Home by Carrie Gress Welcome Home: A Cozy Minimalist Guide to Decorating and Hosting All Year Round by Myquillyn Smith Does your heart desire simplicity? How do you feel called to grow in this virtue? Living Simply in the New Year #BISblog // -->> CLICK TO TWEET This post contains affiliate links. Thanks so much for supporting the ministry of Blessed is She!  HIS WORD CHANGES LIVES God is speaking to you through His Word. In this personal study, you will learn to hear God's voice by reading slowly and praying deeply. BEGIN THE JOURNEY

Gift giving is an important part of the Christmas season. It’s hard to pinpoint exactly when the tradition of exchanging Christmas gifts began. But even on that first Christmas, wise men from the east brought the Newborn King gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh (see Matthew 2). And we certainly can’t think of Christmas without the legend of Saint Nicholas, whose generosity inspired the idea of our modern-day Santa Claus. Yes, gift giving is a longstanding and enjoyable Christmas tradition. There is an excitement about giving gifts that we carefully select for the loved ones on our list. We anticipate their surprise, and we are overjoyed in their delight. But what about those random gift exchanges we are invited to participate in? The generic exchange with coworkers at the office or the silly white elephant game with our book club, for example? These exchanges can be challenging because they take the personable thoughtfulness out of gift giving. And they leave us with things that we really don’t need or want. Even still, we stay active in these exchanges, because we care about the people with whom we share this tradition. We laugh at the silliness of some of the gifts, and our competitive spirit comes alive when the “stealing” portion of the game begins. But more often than not, when the exchange is over, there is a sense of being let down. Why is that? I think the answer is twofold: The very nature of gift giving is thoughtful. It is always about being together. Gift Giving is Thoughtful Normally, we think of the person for whom we are giving a gift, and we carefully consider what he or she would like to receive. But when we partake in certain gift exchanges it is much harder to be thoughtful. Gifts for generic exchanges—within an office setting, for example—are supposed to be one size fits all. White elephant gifts are meant to be silly (the crazier, the better, right?). Gift Giving is About Being Together The reason for any gift exchange is simply to be together. And so, while we may not enjoy the white elephant concept, we want to continue some type of tradition with family and friends. How can we modify the holiday gift exchange to restore meaning and thoughtfulness? How can it become more about simply being together?     Introducing the Favorite Things Gift Exchange When I heard a friend describe her book club’s Favorite Things Gift Exchange, I realized I found the answer. As she shared the gist of it with me, I was quickly sold on the idea. And this Christmas, I hope my loved ones will want to give it a try with me. We All Have Favorite Things Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens. Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens. Brown paper packages, tied up with string. These are a few of my favorite things. This infamous song from the beloved musical, Sound of Music, reminds us that we, indeed, have favorite things. Whether it is a favorite lip gloss, candle, or kitchen gadget, each of us is surrounded by various items that bring us joy, simplify life, or help us to look our best. Likewise, when we hear about someone else’s favorite things—a book recommendation or a treasured recipe—we are more likely to try them out ourselves, trusting the source of the suggestion. Yes, so often our favorite things, when shared, become others’ favorite things, too. As we approach the Christmas season, a time of giving and receiving, why not consider sharing our favorite things with those we love through a Favorite Things Gift Exchange? What is a Favorite Things Gift Exchange? The purpose of a Favorite Things Gift Exchange is to give your favorite things and to receive others’ favorite things in return. This brings a level of meaning and thoughtfulness to gift exchanges that have, in the past, focused too much on one-size-fits-all giving. In addition, with a Favorite Things Gift Exchange, we can avoid the tacky silliness of white elephant games, where most people leave with items they unfortunately do not want. Lastly, it becomes more about being together, because it gives us an opportunity to get to know one another better through the sharing of our favorite things. How to Host a Favorite Things Gift Exchange Below are simple steps for hosting a Favorite Things Gift Exchange. Before the Exchange: Each guest agrees to purchase three of her same favorite thing. Stay within the agreed upon budget. For example, $10 for each favorite thing, for a total of $30. Bring the gifts wrapped. At the Exchange: At the exchange, each guest writes her name on three slips of paper, and puts them into a bowl or basket. Then, everyone draws three names. These are the recipients of your favorite things. Be sure not to draw your own name or the same name twice. Then, each guest takes a turn sharing her favorite thing and why she loves it. After she shares, she gives her favorite thing to those whose names were drawn. How It’s Flexible What is lovely about a Favorite Things Gift Exchange is its flexibility. The number of gifts can be adjusted. For example, each person could just bring one item. Or if it’s a larger group, each person could bring five smaller favorite things. The budget can vary, too. Perhaps, each person brings one item for $10 or two items for under $30. A favorite things gift exchange works well in a variety of settings, too: Families Kids Book clubs Bible study or small groups Co-workers How to Incorporate Faith Into the Exchange Since the Christmas season is all about the birth of Christ, including an element of faith to a Favorite Things Gift Exchange is simple. Here are a few ideas: Who is your favorite Saint and why? Include a holy card of that favorite Saint with your gift. Give the gift of Catholic prayer by sharing your favorite prayer book or journal. What are your must-have Catholic products? Stickers Rosaries Mugs Jewelry This Christmas season, our favorite things will restore thoughtfulness to our gift exchanges. In addition, we will discover a few new favorite things through our loved ones’ suggestions. We will also focus on spending time together, getting to know one another better. Lastly, we can incorporate the true meaning of the season into our gift giving by sharing our faith-based favorite things with others. Have you hosted or attended a Favorite Things Gift Exchange? If so, please share your experience in the comments below.   [bctt tweet="How to Host a Favorite Things Gift Exchange #BISblog //" via="no"] 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

“Have you ever considered that the devil is active in your prayer life? In the parish church where you attend Mass? In the lives and actions of people of goodwill all around you?” So begins the inspiring and compelling book by Dan Burke, The Devil in the Castle: St. Teresa of Avila, Spiritual Warfare, and the Progress of the Soul. This series of questions is startling, isn’t it? And it certainly jolts the reader to consider an aspect of prayer she has never considered: the devil’s undetected activity. The Invisible Battle When we think about the demonic, more often than not, obvious evil plots unfolding in the world come to mind. We think about demonic oppression or possession and the possible need of an exorcist. Sure, we may think about the small, spiritual attacks we encounter when plans—especially spiritually good plans—seem to go amuck. But in the quiet of our prayer? In our communion with the Lord? In the interior castle of our soul? How can that be? In The Devil in the Castle, Burke explains how “an invisible battle for souls is being waged in and around us without reprieve, and we remain ignorant of it to our peril.” But through this book, which uses Saint Teresa of Avila’s masterpiece Interior Castle as its foundation, Burke explains that we no longer need to remain ignorant. Now we can be very attune to the simultaneous movements within our prayer: Those of the Holy Spirit that draw us closer to Christ. Those of demonic activity that strive to distract and derail us. Saint Teresa’s Interior Castle Before we dive into Burke’s bestseller, let’s learn a bit about the book behind the book Interior Castle by St. Teresa of Avila. Saint Teresa entered the convent at age 16, but it wasn’t until her 40s that she began a life of true contemplative and mental prayer. Soon after her own, deepening conversion, Saint Teresa began reforming her Carmalite order, which had fallen into worldliness. She wanted to teach her sisters how to mature in prayer. However, she struggled with how to explain this to them. Finally, in prayer, she received a vision of the soul that served as a roadmap for growth in contemplative prayer. The vision was of a castle that contained seven mansions centered around an innermost chamber. Making Spiritual Progress She utilized this vision to write Interior Castle in 1577. In it, she explains that prayer is essential for traveling through each mansion. However, prayer is not an immediate achievement. Rather, it progresses, step-by-step, over time. As a soul advances to the next step (or mansion), she receives special gifts but also distinct challenges, including demonic opposition. Yes, as the soul travels to the center of the castle where Jesus Himself dwells, Saint Teresa details the marks of progress the soul makes. However, she also “points out clearly where the devil is lying in wait and how he is most likely to reveal himself.” And this is the basis for Burke’s The Devil in the Castle: to reveal the reality of spiritual warfare in prayer that Saint Teresa unfolds in Interior Castle: The devil’s sole aim is to prevent each soul from reaching the goal, and he disguises himself in the process. He will make every effort to waylay you: to get you to pause, to walk another (easier) path, to give up, or to believe that what is good is actually bad, or vice versa. Not only is the enemy seeking to keep you from union with God, but he is also trying to get you off the path and to deceive you and lure you, inch by inch, toward Hell.     The Devil in the Castle Each chapter of The Devil in the Castle is devoted to one of seven mansions. Woven throughout are Saint Teresa’s own words, as well as Burke’s clear and thorough explanations, making this book thought provoking yet easy to comprehend. In each chapter, Burke explains what is happening in the soul as it responds to God’s invitation to a life of prayer. He indicates how the soul progresses from one mansion to the next, and he provides the essential prayer practices needed to advance into each mansion. Burke also explains what the soul can expect from the Lord, such as how He uses consolation and desolation in prayer to invite the soul into deeper dependence on Him. The majority of The Devil in the Castle, however, outlines the various goals and tactics of the devil within each of the seven mansions. As the soul progresses in the castle—from the first mansion to the seventh—it becomes closer to God and thus stronger. Here, the devil loses his power, and therefore, his tactics have to adapt to the soul’s dwelling place within the castle. Sometimes his tactics remain similar, but they become much more subtle in hopes that the soul will fumble. Each chapter concludes with a very helpful summary that serves as a great reference point for future review. Reflection questions allow this book to be a prayerful aid in advancing in the spiritual life. At the end of the book, Burke gives a step-by-step guide on what to do next, in light of a greater awareness of the war the devil has raged on our souls. He also includes a substantial section of “Resources for Continued Spiritual Growth.” Why I Loved This Book Many years ago, I attempted to read Saint Teresa of Avila’s Interior Castle and it felt so beyond me. I didn’t understand what she was even talking about! And I quickly gave up. Perhaps I wasn’t ready for it, or maybe it just wasn’t the right time for me to explore this spiritual treasure, or maybe it was a badly-written translation. But throughout the years, I continued to feel as if this Doctor of the Church was too advanced for me; that she was out of my reach. Until I read The Devil in the Castle. Dan Burke has introduced me to a saintly friend who is not beyond me at all, but who wants to guide me beyond the outer chamber of my soul and into its very depths. For she knows that in the interior castle I will find the love and light of the Lord Who deeply wants to share that inner chamber with me. And not only in eternity, but in the here and now, in the everyday encounter with Him through prayer and living a life centered on Christ. But like any good friend, Saint Teresa also warns me of the pitfalls that lie ahead as I advance in the spiritual life. In fact, she insists that I understand what is happening. And for this new awareness, I am especially grateful. As I continue on my own journey within my interior castle, I feel more equipped to notice the devil’s plan to derail me. I also feel more confident in hearing the promptings of the Holy Spirit over the noise of this world. And I think I’m almost ready to give Interior Castle another try. Have you read either of these wonderful books? Share your thoughts in the comments?   [bctt tweet="BIS Reads // The Devil in the Castle #BISblog //" via="no"]   This post contains affiliate links. Thanks so much for supporting the ministry of Blessed is She!

As summer slips away and we get ready to step into autumn, we notice a shift taking place all around us. School has begun for students of all ages. Relaxed days transform into steady routines. Hot, humid temperatures are replaced by a crispness in the air. And perhaps there is even a tinge of crimson on the green trees. Fall Welcomes Change As we observe the seasons moving from one to another, we welcome the refreshing changes that fall promises. We also sense a desire for change in our hearts, too. We are ready to settle into something new. Ready to get back into the swing of things. Ready to return to the patterns that keep life running smoothly and steadily. This may include restoring our sleep habits and meal plans, dusting off our planner, or preparing the mudroom to welcome backpacks, football cleats, fall jackets, and sports bags. This certainly includes the one thing that comes above all else: our prayer life. Ways to Renew Your Prayer Life this Fall Perhaps the ease of summer allowed our prayer routine to simply float along, like on a gentle wave. But now it’s time to bring it back to the steadiness of shore. And since fall is a natural season of order and routine, we can easily set a new pace for prayer in our lives. Below are five ways to renew our prayer life this fall. 1. Pray Scripturally One simple way to return to a more intentional habit of prayer is by incorporating lectio divina into your daily routine. This simply means praying with Scripture. I suggest beginning with the Psalm or Gospel from daily Mass. These simple steps can be your guide: Spend a few minutes settling down. Notice your cares and concerns. Jot down a few feeling words. As you settle into prayer, invite God to approach you. Notice His presence and enter into it. Read the Scripture passage slowly several times. Highlight words and phrases that stand out to you. This is usually God’s personal message for you, so pay close attention. Notice what rises in your heart: thoughts, emotions, memories, hopes, fears, or dreams. Offer them to God. Listen for His response, through Scripture or a stirring in your heart. Converse with God about your experience. This could include journaling. Conclude by thanking God for this time with Him. A Scripture Meditation Study Seek His Kingdom Pray with Scripture through the Gospel of Matthew. With guided reflections, prayer prompts, and space to journal, this study helps you encounter Jesus and make His Word part of your daily prayer. Explore the Matthew Study → 2. Pray Liturgically Another way to renew prayer is by living liturgically. Take note of various feast days and devotions that are honored and celebrated this fall. Pick one or two each month, and find ways to incorporate them into your daily life. Here are a couple ideas to spark your creativity: Befriend the angels with the feasts of the Archangels (September 29th) and Guardian Angels (October 2nd). Learn more about the angels in the Catechism of the Catholic Church 325-354. And incorporate the Angel of God prayer on a daily basis. October is dedicated to the Rosary, and on October 7th, we honor Our Lady of the Rosary (or Our Lady of Victory). This is a perfect time to add the Rosary to your prayer repertoire. To begin, here is a step-by-step guide. 3. Pray Adoringly If you feel stuck or dry in your prayer routine, a simple way to persevere is by praising and adoring God. Reminding ourselves that prayer sets aside time to offer due worship to God for all that He is and all that He does gives us a springboard for deeper, rooted prayer. To begin, here are a few ways to praise and adore the Lord: Visit Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. No words are required. Simply be in His presence. Sing (or listen to) praise and worship music. Pray with the different names of Jesus. Write your own litany of gratitude for all that God has done in your life. 4. Pray Creatively For those who are eager to try something new this fall, why not explore prayer through a creative outlet? Bible or prayer journaling invites us to use our holy imaginations to pray incorporating various art materials—from paint to pens to washi tape—to capture our insights and inspirations. Catholic artist Ingrid Blixt has created a series of devotional kits for those who desire to pray creatively. They include beautiful elements, such as stickers and die cuts, inspiring devotionals, Bible verses, and journaling prompts. Kits are available for different liturgical seasons and various themes. 5. Pray Physically Perhaps fall has us eager to not only renew our prayer but also to renew our exercise routine. We can incorporate them both by going on prayer walks with the Lord or Rosary walks with Our Lady. We can also utilize Catholic exercise programs, such as SoulCore or Pietra Fitness, which focus our attention on God while strengthening the gift of our bodies as temples of His Holy Spirit. Does your prayer life need renewal? How do you plan on refreshing it this fall?

Welcome to our series on the beautiful midlife season! We will explore all the blessings, challenges, and changes that accompany this time in a woman's life, from the physical, to the relational, to the spiritual, and more. Come with your questions in the comments! It was my 46th birthday. There wasn’t much festivity, because it was a Wednesday. And midweek birthdays can be hard to pull off in a busy family of eight, with school and sports and youth group activities. I knew we would celebrate over the upcoming weekend, and I really was fine with that. So why did I feel so sad as I crawled into bed? Feeling melancholic about my birthday threw me for a loop. I have always enjoyed my birthday, and age has never bothered me. I entered my 30s and 40s without any desire to be younger than I was. And in fact, I tended to look forward to the year ahead—older (and hopefully wiser)—with contentment. What made turning 46 so different? Why did I “feel” my age in a way that actually made me feel old? And what brought about a sadness about life that I had not felt before? Entering Midlife Over the next few months, my husband and I had several conversations about the shifts we were experiencing in our own lives, in our marriage, and in our family. Both of us felt a little shaky and uncertain, as if our lives suddenly felt foreign to us. We noticed that what used to work didn’t work anymore. Our normal rhythms and routines no longer felt smooth. Rather, we were hitting bumps in the road and falling into some pretty wide potholes. Moreover, our communication was becoming irregular and unintentional. And we were missing out on opportunities to grow into this new season of life together. While we didn’t have many answers, we surrendered to the fact that we had entered midlife. And we wondered: now what? More to Midlife Than a Crisis Doing a simple internet search, the most common terminology surrounding the mid-life season is "crisis." Isn’t that awful? And discouraging? Why does this season of life (and not others) have to be referred to as a crisis? And is the crisis inevitable? Perhaps midlife is described as a crisis because it feels like it comes out of nowhere. One day, life is going along as it has been for the last 20 years. And the next day, life feels very different. The shift, however, happens over time. But the busyness of life distracts us from the changes that are occurring. I personally notice midlife changes in three areas of my life: Motherhood Marriage Mission Motherhood As my children graduate from high school and move into adulthood, my school-aged children are increasingly busy with school, friends, and part-time jobs. All of them still need me, but that need is different and certainly more infrequent. And while I am still called to be available, I also have more time on my hands. Time that used to be filled up so easily now sits ready for something… But what? Marriage I look across the table at my husband, and I can’t remember the last time we had a deep conversation about something other than kids, schedules, and finances. Who is this good and godly man? I want to reacquaint myself with him, but I don’t know how. It feels like there is too much to say and not enough time to say it all. Mission And then there are the goals that are still unmet. The book I have not written. The places I have not visited. Will they remain dreams? Is it time to dream anew? What is God’s call for me? And is anything preventing me from fulfilling it? From Crisis to Gift Facing opportunities to rediscover myself, get reacquainted with my husband, and redefine my motherhood feels both exciting and overwhelming. But where do I begin? How is this going to work? Recently, I was reminded that dryness in prayer is simply God’s way of preparing the soul for a deeper experience of Him. Like a farmer tills the soil before He plants a new crop, the Lord clears the landscape of our hearts before beginning a new work in us. Similarly, God uses dryness in prayer to heighten our awareness of Him or rekindle our desire for Him. On that newly-toiled plot of land, we may not see a lot of development, but the hidden work of the farmer is vital to the growth of the new crop. Similarly, midlife may feel like a desert or a newly-cleared plot of land, but that dryness or emptiness is simply God’s way of preparing us for something more. He is inviting us to pay attention to who He is and what He is doing. He is showing us that He is the answer to our questions, and our needs and desires will be met in Him. This perspective allows us to perceive midlife not as a crisis, but as a gift. We read in Ecclesiastes 3:1: For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” It goes onto say that God “has made everything beautiful in its time. This confirms that midlife is not a crisis. Rather, it is a time and matter under Heaven. It is an intentional season to enter into “for such a time as this” (see Esther 4:14). And it becomes the catalyst for God to till our hearts for something new. Do You Not Perceive It? How do we make the shift from crisis to gift? How do we recognize the beauty of this season? Here are four ways I am learning to embrace midlife as a gift and recognize the blessings along the way. 1. Pray With Scripture In addition to the Scriptures cited above, here are a few verses to take to prayer during this season of life. The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, the desert shall rejoice and blossom; like the crocus it shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice with joy and singing. // Isaiah 35:1-2 Do not remember the former things, or consider the things of old. I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. // Isaiah 43:18-19 I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ. // Philippians 1:6 2. Pay Attention While we are meant to be present to our midlife moment, it is also a time to observe where we’ve been and contemplate the direction we are going. Be grateful for the past. Reconcile wounds that I have inflicted or received. Invite the Lord to write straight with crooked lines. Be still and know that He is God (see Psalm 46:10). Hope in the Lord, even if I can’t see what He’s doing yet. Renew Your Vocation While life is no longer what it used to be, God invites us to reclaim our identity in Him and discover new ways to live that out. Be mindful of new ways to love and support adult children. Regarding time, focus on quality over quantity. Ask my husband to go for a walk. Write him a love note. Register for a silent retreat. Settle into quieter, more contemplative prayer. Let’s Journey Together I am encouraged to not shy away from talking about midlife. It can be weird and raw, because it is such a new season for me. I have nothing figured out, but I am learning as I go. And we can walk together, side by side, with the Lord as our guide, leading us through the gift that is the midlife season.   [bctt tweet="The Midlife Series // So Much More than a Crisis #BISblog //" via="no"]

I gave her one last hug before she walked into the next chapter of her life. As I drove away, it finally hit me that my years of raising her were over and that a new phase of mothering an adult had begun. Over the next several weeks, I mourned my daughter’s absence from my daily life. There was one less place to set for dinner and one less child in the pew with us at Mass. I was excited for her and all that the Lord was doing in her life. But I also missed her. At one point, while reflecting on 18 years of motherhood, I began to think about all the things I would do differently if I could. I spiraled into regret, and I struggled to find my way back to the present moment. Thankfully, my annual silent retreat came about a month later. During a weekend of prayer and spiritual direction, the Lord showed me the error of spending too much time looking back, especially with regret. The reality is that no matter how much I dwell on the past, I cannot redo it. I can't take back my less-than-ideal mothering moments and the harsh words I spoke into my daughter’s tender heart. I cannot relive the good times either. And there were plenty of those to celebrate and praise God for, too. Moreover, focusing too much on the past (especially in a state of worry and regret) left me unable to appreciate the present moment. It hindered my ability to settle in and remain attentive to where God had led me, right here, right now. [elementor-template id="707561"] Returning to the present moment resulted in my ability to once again accept Christ’s invitation to remain and abide in Him. I renewed my prayer life. I became mindful of ways to love and support my adult daughter. I began talking to my husband about midlife and what that meant to us. [bctt tweet="Returning to the present moment resulted in my ability to once again accept Christ’s invitation to remain and abide in Him. #BISblog //" via="no"] The words of Jesus rang true in my ears: Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. // John 15:5 Remaining in the present moment meant I no longer glanced back or inward on myself. Rather, I lifted my gaze toward God, who took my regret and made “all things new” (see Revelation 21:5). He restored my motherhood by making “a way in the wilderness” (see Isaiah 43:19). Because mercy is deep and "He works all things together for those who love Him" (see Romans 8:28). This, my sisters, is what Father Jean-Pierre de Caussade calls the “sacrament of the present moment.” And today, I invite you to consider what that means in your own life. // How is God calling you and how will you respond to His invitation to remain in Him in the midst of a major life transition? // Are you clinging to past regrets or confessed sin and defining yourself by those things?   P.S. Grab this free wallpaper for your phone or computer to remind you of your focus during this summer series (and beyond)!   [bctt tweet="REMAIN Series // What I Would Miss #BISblog //" via="no"]

When my daughter was diagnosed with dyslexia in second grade, she was already fighting an uphill battle with reading. The way in which she was being taught at school was not working. And by the time she entered tutoring, she essentially had to start over. She was an extremely hard worker, so the progress she made over the next few years was astounding. It was inspiring to watch. Thankfully, she had a wonderful support system that enabled her to believe in her ability to succeed. But as I watched my daughter grow in her reading skills and in the virtues of diligence and industriousness, I also saw weariness creep in from time to time. She often asked, “Mom, why is something that is so easy for others so hard for me?” A Holy Card Introduction One day, I found a lovely holy card of Saint Joan of Arc. I admit, I knew very little about Joan, but I was drawn to the image on the front. Then, I read the prayer on the back, and I knew I had just met the perfect intercessor for my daughter. I purchased the holy card and gave it to my daughter, introducing her to this warrior Saint who would pray for her and fight alongside her. My daughter quickly latched on to Saint Joan, and she has remained her saintly friend ever since. That was six years ago. This year, my daughter chose Joan to be her Confirmation Saint, and they continue to have a close connection. A Warrior Saint Saint Joan of Arc is well known for her bravery. Just as she fought for the Church and her country of France, she now fights for my daughter and for anyone facing a personal battle. All of us could use a little bit of Joan’s warrior prayers, couldn’t we? She remains a beautiful example of someone who stands up for what she believes in, yet abides perfectly in God’s Divine Will. Unfortunately, there is a long history of misconceptions about Joan. While French Catholics adopted her as their patroness, along with Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, she has remained controversial in the political realm. Yes, the French love her, but the English do not (Shakespeare even portrayed her as a witch and whore in his play Henry VI). Due to her courage and willingness to fight for something she truly believed in, she has been dubbed a hero by radical feminist groups that fail to understand the fulness of Saint Joan of Arc. Yes, women need to “Joan up” from time to time—to speak our minds and raise our voices over injustice and the reality that the world is fallen and sinful. But there is a context in which to do it. And that context is known and pursued in the Truth of our Catholic Faith. Saint Joan knew this well. The Life of Saint Joan of Arc Joan was born into the peasant class of France in 1412. She could not read or write. Yet she knew her Catholic Faith well and her relationship with Jesus was profoundly deep and personal. Before any heroic activity she accomplished in her teens, she was first and foremost a daughter of God. Her love for Jesus came first, and out of this love came gifts of deep faith and incredible strength. It was her relationship with the Lord that fueled everything she did. In fact, Pope Benedict XVI likened Joan to “the holy women who stayed on Calvary, close to the Crucified Jesus and to Mary his Mother.” From a young age, she had visions of Saints Michael the Archangel, Catherine of Alexandria, and Margaret of Antioch. At first, the messages were personal, but when she was 13 years old, the Saints asked her to fight the English army from French territory and bring the Dauphin to Reims for his coronation. The image mentioned above depicts Joan during one of these heavenly visits. As Benedict describes, “her immediate response, her ‘yes’, was her vow of virginity, with a new commitment to sacramental life and to prayer: daily participation in Mass, frequent Confession and Communion and long periods of silent prayer before the Crucified One or the image of Our Lady.” This interior preparation led her to two intense years of public mission. She petitioned to visit the French Royal Court and she convinced the army to let her be by the king’s side as it was the Lord’s will. She predicted outcomes of the war and continued to persuade officials that she was necessary for the war’s success. Facing False Accusations Ultimately, during the Hundred Years War, Joan led French troops against the English. Her recapturing of Orleans and Troyes allowed Charles VII to be crowned king in Reims. Joan was captured the following year and sold to the English. Later, she was placed on trial and falsely accused of heresy and witchcraft. She was condemned for wearing men’s clothing, yet her only reason for wearing it was to protect her virginity. The judges were French clerics, who were on the politically opposite Joan. She attempted to make an appeal to the pope, but it was denied. According to Benedict, “this Trial is a distressing page in the history of holiness.” On May 30th, 1431, at the age 19, she was burned at the stake. She asked that a cross be held high, that she “may see it through the flames.” As she was being burned, one English soldier heard Joan’s screams and her repeated invocation of Jesus’ holy Name and he later lamented: God forgive us: we have burned a saint. Twenty-five years later, her verdict was nullified, and her innocence and perfect fidelity to the Church were restored. She was beautified in 1909 by Pope Saint Pius X, and on May 16th, 1920, Pope Benedict XV canonized her. A Saint Who Keeps Them Guessing Saint Joan of Arc invites us to a high standard of Christian living: to make prayer the guiding motive of our days; to have full trust in doing God’s will, whatever it may be; to live charity without favoritism, without limits and drawing, like her, from the Love of Jesus a profound love for the Church. // Pope Benedict As Saint Joan becomes increasingly popular, it is important to know who she truly was. We need to understand what it truly means to “Joan up”: Joan was illiterate. But she knew God and her Faith exceptionally well. She was strong. But went to extreme measures to protect her virginity and remain pure of heart. She was brave. But she was also respectful. She was a warrior. But she was also obedient to the teachings and tenets of the Catholic Faith. She took action. But only after listening to the voice of God. Saint Joan of Arc did amazing things. She saw through the confusion and chaos of her times, making her a perfect role model, intercessor, and advocate for our times. But before she did anything, she first and foremost loved the Lord. Only out of that love could she know the Faith and see the Truth with a purity of heart. This is why she was victorious and why she will always fight for those who seek her intercession according to the Will of God. A Prayer to Saint Joan of Arc Saint Joan of Arc, patron of France, my patron Saint, I ask you now to fight this battle with me by prayer, just as you led your troops to victory in battle. You, who were filled with the Holy Spirit and chosen by God, help me this day with the favor I ask [say intention]. Grant me by your divine and powerful intercession, the courage and strength I need to endure this constant fight. Oh Saint Joan, help me to be victorious in the tasks God presents to me. Amen.   [bctt tweet="Saint Joan of Arc // Humble Maiden, Courageous Warrior #BISblog //" via="no"]

By definition, traditions are handed-down customs, beliefs, and practices. Often, they are created, shaped, and passed down within a family, community, or religion. Traditions are important for many reasons: They cultivate a sense of belonging. Traditions provide comfort and stability in an ever-changing world. When life gets difficult, traditions offer something to look forward to because they bring joy and laughter, peace, and harmony. Traditions create memories. How Traditions Begin Often, we do not think about the origin of our family traditions. For many of us, they are just what we have always done. Perhaps some of our family traditions go back generations. Some of our Catholic traditions go back a millennia or more. When my husband and I were newly engaged, we spent our first Good Friday together. We attended the Church’s Veneration of the Cross, and we also ate a simple picnic-style meal together, which included bread, cheese, and grapes. Little did we know we were establishing a family tradition. Twenty-one years later, we continue to have a picnic every Good Friday. It happens to be one of our children’s favorite traditions. Throughout the years, we have cultivated other traditions within our family, too. We hang stockings on Saint Nicholas Day. We have appetizers on Christmas Eve. We hide Easter eggs and Easter baskets. (The harder the hiding place, the better!) Our family traditions do not just revolve around holidays. We celebrate the last day of school with ice cream. We go apple picking every fall with cousins. Over the years, we have created family T-shirts donning our catchphrase “Team D.” Favorite songs, movies, and recipes are all part of our family culture. Most of our traditions have developed naturally but with intentionality. However, we know they have taken root when our children claim them: “Mom, are we going to have a picnic this Good Friday? You know, it’s our tradition.” “What appetizers are we having on Christmas Eve?” “Make sure to hide my Easter basket extra hard this year.” How Traditions Shift and Evolve As my six children (now 19 to 11 years old) have grown, they have naturally changed. And some of our traditions have grown up and changed right alongside them. One example of a tradition that has changed as my children have grown is how we observe Lent. When the children were younger, they needed us to teach them how to pray, fast, and give alms. We used a Lenten calendar to keep our prayer practices on track. As a family, we collectively fasted from candy or a favorite show. We donated clothes or collected pennies for the poor. Now that most of my children are teenagers, we give them more responsibility to shape their own Lenten season. We still pray as a family. However, we also encourage them to develop their own prayer routine. As parents, we coach them on how to discern what to give up, and we have conversations throughout Lent to help them along. But we do not tell them what to give up; they decide that for themselves. We want them to understand that God calls each of us into the desert of Lent in a unique way. And by the time they leave the nest, we hope they will enter into all the liturgical seasons with a holy desire to draw closer to the Lord. It’s OK to Outgrow Traditions Over the years, we have also had traditions come and go. Some traditions the kids simply outgrow. Others become more difficult to observe because family dynamics change. One of the traditions that has quietly remained in the past is our Jesse Tree. Another one is telling the story of Christ’s Passion using Resurrection Eggs. I look back on these traditions with fondness. They helped form my children’s faith, and I consider them to be springboards for the next step on their faith journey. Carrying on When Children Leave the Nest This is the first year one of my children has not been part of most of our family traditions. She has graduated high school and is currently traveling across the country as a missionary. We missed her presence when we went apple picking this fall. Her birthday was not quite the same without her here. I watched last year’s video of all of us carving pumpkins, and I missed her in a whole new way. When I talk to her on the phone and she updates me on missionary life, she also shares things such as how she is observing Advent, how her prayer life is growing, and what she’s doing for Lent this year. And while I don’t pat myself on the back—all the glory is God’s—I am grateful that many of our family traditions have been a foundation on which she is building her own faith life. Now, as a mom of older children, I remember the past—those years of establishing traditions—with fondness. Yes, it’s bittersweet, and there are days when I miss them being underfoot and some of the traditions we did. But I am grateful for it all! And I focus on being present to the moment right in front of me. These teenage years are just as important as the little years. In fact, each phase of family life contributes to the constant shaping and reshaping of family traditions. Tips for Maintaining Traditions as Families Change As my children grow and as family dynamics change, I have realized that maintaining traditions requires more intentionality. Here are a few tips I have found helpful in preserving those favorite family customs: Plan ahead. // With more schedules to coordinate, it is important to set dates and communicate them clearly. Ask for input. // What traditions are most meaningful to each child? Why? Be flexible. // Focus on the traditions that are most meaningful to the family. As they get older, fewer traditions may be a reality, but those times of togetherness will be extremely important. Be open. // As children get older and offer more input, be open to their ideas for how to observe a tradition. This is all part of the natural, organic establishment of traditions. Let Scripture Be Your Guide With any aspect of family life, it is important to invite the Holy Spirit in. May His Word, His Truth be our guide. As we establish, modify, and preserve our family traditions, let us take these words from Sacred Scripture to heart: Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart. Recite them to your children and talk about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise. // Deuteronomy 6:6-7 Train children in the right way, and when old, they will not stray. // Proverbs 22:6 Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs. // Matthew 19:14 I have no greater joy than this, to hear that my children are walking in the truth. // 3 John 1:4 What are some of your favorite family traditions? How did they begin? How have they evolved over the years?   [bctt tweet="How Traditions Shift as a Family Grows #BISblog //" via="no"]

As we near the last two weeks of Lent, traditionally known as Passiontide, we consider even more the profound sufferings of Christ. Through prayer, especially the Stations of the Cross, we contemplate what Jesus endured physically and also mentally and emotionally. We think about how His suffering, Passion, and Death disfigured His Precious Body and wounded His Sacred Heart. In our meditation, we ask ourselves, “What can I do to comfort Him? What can I do to make up for my part in His Crucifixion and Death? What can I do to make reparation for how Jesus was (and continues to be) treated?” One possible answer is devotion to the Holy Face of Jesus. The History of Devotion to the Holy Face of Jesus In the mid-1800s, Sister Mary of St. Peter lived in Tours, France. In her cloistered convent, this Carmelite nun experienced a series of private revelations from Our Lord. He told her about a powerful devotion He wished to establish worldwide: devotion to the Holy Face of Jesus. Over the course of four years (1843-1847), Jesus spoke to Sister Mary about the numerous blasphemies and profanities taking place throughout the world. And how these offenses not only aroused the anger of God but also pained and disfigured the face of Christ. In His mercy, Jesus informed Sister Mary how “these sins have reached to the very throne of Almighty God.” And to avoid the wrath of God, He revealed a way to make reparation for these grievous offenses. The primary purpose of devotion to the Holy Face of Jesus is to make reparation for sins against God Himself: Denial of God (atheism/communism) Blasphemy Profanation of Sundays and Holy Days The Golden Arrow The first revelation concerning the sins of blasphemy occurred on August 26th, 1843. Jesus said to Sister Mary: “My Name is everywhere blasphemed! There are even children who blaspheme!” According to Sister Mary, Jesus made her aware of how much “this frightful sin wounds His divine Heart more grievously than all other sins, showing me how by blasphemy the sinner curses Him to His Face, attacks Him publicly, nullifies His redemption, and pronounces His own judgment and condemnation.” Our Lord went on to help Sister Mary “visualize the act of blasphemy as a poisoned arrow continually wounding His divine heart.” Then, Jesus gave her a “Golden Arrow,” which would “heal those other wounds inflicted by the malice of sinners.” Jesus dictated to Sister Mary a prayer, which is known as the Golden Arrow prayer. It is the central prayer in the Devotion to the Holy Face of Jesus: May the most holy, most sacred, most adorable, most incomprehensible and unutterable Name of God be always praised, blessed, loved, adored and glorified in Heaven, on earth, and under the earth, by all the creatures of God, and by the Sacred Heart of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar. Amen. In addition, Sister Mary composed a Litany to the Holy Face of Jesus. Saint Veronica and the Holy Face of Jesus Two years into her private revelations, Sister Mary of St. Peter was not making much progress in the work of sharing this devotion with the Church at large. She ran into several obstacles with her superiors as well as with the archbishop. Then, on October 11th, 1845, Jesus revealed further insight into His desire for the devotion to His Holy Face. Jesus made it known that He desired that “His Holy Face is to be the exterior object of adoration in this Work of repairing for blasphemies.” In a time of prayer, Jesus led Sister Mary “to the road leading up to Calvary, and there, He vividly showed me the pious deed of charity which St. Veronica performed towards Him when with her veil she wiped His Most Holy Face covered with spittle, dust, sweat and blood.” Jesus told Sister Mary that when making reparation for blasphemy, we offer Him the same service as Saint Veronica and that He regards us with affection and kindness, as He did for her. “I seek Veronicas to wipe and venerate My Divine Face which has but few adorers!” Jesus shared with Sister Mary. Jesus continued by telling Sister Mary that “next to the Sacraments, [His Holy Face is] the greatest gift He could bestow on me.” The Church Militant’s Role Four years after the revelations began, Sister Mary of St. Peter continued to implore her superiors and the archbishop for this devotion to be made known publicly by a decree from Rome. This was the Lord’s desire, and He chose her as His instrument. As with other devotions now popular in the Church, the process was extremely slow. While Sister Mary often drew discouraged, Jesus comforted her with promises of the intercession of His Blessed Mother, Saint Michael the Archangel, and the Saints. At the same time, the country of France and the entire world continued to offend God, according to Jesus Himself. Communism also was on the rise, and Jesus warned Sister Mary of its “diabolical plots and anti-Christian principles.” Jesus proceeded to explain how devotion to the Holy Face of Jesus fights against communism. He reminded her that the Church Militant has a special role to play through prayer. The Devotion Continues Four months prior to her death, the archbishop’s secretary informed her that "while she was allowed to apply herself personally to the Work of Reparation, she was never again to ask for the establishment of the work in the diocese.” This was devastating to Sister Mary; however, Our Lord comforted her sorrow by telling her that "His Work of Reparation will only become the more flourishing in the future, for it will grow the stronger and more vigorous in the midst of storms, and that like a ship refused harbor at one port, it will happily land at another.” Sister Mary of St. Peter died in 1848, in the 33rd year of her life. In 1949, Blessed Pope Pius IX had the relic of Saint Veronica’s veil displayed for public veneration in Rome. A friend of Sister Mary and devotee of the Holy Face, Leo Dupont, had an image of Jesus’ Holy Face touched to the relic. He hung it in a prominent place in his home and kept a candle burning near it in veneration. Leo’s home became a place of private pilgrimage for the growing number of Catholics devoted to the Holy Face of Jesus. Finally, in 1885, Pope Leo XIII established the devotion as an arch-confraternity for the whole world. The Martin family of Lisieux enrolled in the arch-confraternity, and this devotion inspired Thérèse to take the title: Sister Thérèse of the Child Jesus and of the Holy Face. How to Learn More There is so much more to share about the beautiful Devotion to the Holy Face of Jesus: The Golden Arrow by TAN Books details the revelations of Sister Mary of St. Peter. Our Lord offers eight promises to those who devote themselves to His Holy Face. The Holy Face medal was shown to Mother Maria Pierina de Michelli in 1936 in a series of visions. Venerable Pope Pius XII approved the medal in 1958. The feast of the Holy Face of Jesus is the day before Ash Wednesday (Shrove Tuesday), as declared by Pope Pius XII. For more information, visit The Holy Face Devotion website. O Jesus! Cast upon us a look of mercy; turn Thy Face towards each of us as Thou didst to Veronica; not that we may see it with our bodily eyes, for this we do not deserve, but turn it towards our hearts, so that, remembering Thee, we may ever draw from this fountain of strength the vigor necessary to sustain the combats of life. Amen. // Blessed Pope Pius IX Do you have a devotion to the Holy Face of Jesus? What compelled you to be devoted?   [bctt tweet="Devotion to the Holy Face of Jesus #BISblog // " via="no"]