Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. // Matthew 5:3 When we think of poverty, we usually imagine a lack of financial security and material goods. But if we consider a broader definition of poverty, we quickly realize that, along with the aforementioned, poverty is a deeper reality that affects all of us in one capacity or another. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, the formal definition of poverty is “a lack of something.” When put in those words, who isn’t affected by poverty? We all lack something. We all need something. All too often what we lack—and what we need—is a greater dependence on God, a greater poverty of spirit. What is Spiritual Poverty? Put simply, spiritual poverty is an emptying of self, especially self-reliance, so that God can fill us with His grace. Saint Augustine said: Thou must be emptied of that wherewith thou art full, that thou mayest be filled with that whereof thou art empty. But in a culture that applauds self-sufficiency, we can easily forget that apart from God we can do nothing (see John 15:5). And so we strive in various capacities of life, thinking we have to rely on our own strength to accomplish this or that. When in reality, we need to remember that we are dependent on God for everything, including our life and our very next breath. He is the Giver of all gifts, after all, and the Source of everything in our lives. Becoming more aware of this, we cannot help but unite our song with the Psalmist’s: Let everything that breathes praise the Lord! // Psalm 150:6 Our Lack of Something Can Lead to More Reliance on God Often, we reach a realization that we must lean more on God and less on ourselves in the midst of suffering. Perhaps we are humbled by misfortune or humiliation. Perhaps we reach a point of burnout. Perhaps we have tried everything and have nowhere else to turn. Reaching this point may be difficult, but it is also a great grace. Because when we become more dependent, we become poor in spirit, which can lead to freedom and peace. But how do we get from Point A to Point B? When life feels so hard, how do we let go and begin to let go of control and lean more and more on God?   Let the Saints Be Our Guides Each Saint in Heaven faced challenges on earth. They experienced circumstances in their lives that they had to surrender in order to grow in spiritual poverty, holiness, and love of God. It was not easy for them. In fact, Saint John Vianney said: The saints did not all begin well, but they all ended well. But now they are in Heaven, eager to accompany us on our path to becoming spiritually poor. Below are beautiful examples of Saints who lived in various forms of poverty. At some point in their lives, these holy men and women discovered that dependence on God—becoming childlike and poor in spirit—increased the virtues they needed to draw closer to the Lord and His perfect Will for their lives. Wholehearted Poverty While we do not know many details about the hidden life of the Holy Family, the Newborn King was not born in a palace but in a stable, “because there was no place for them in the inn" (Luke 2:7). According to Saint Alphonsus Liguori in The Glories of Mary, “at her purification, in the temple [Mary] did not offer a lamb, which was the offering prescribed in Leviticus for those who could afford it … but she offered two turtle doves, which was the oblation prescribed for the poor.” But their poverty was not only material. Mary and Saint Joseph completely surrendered their own plans when God asked them to take on the role of Mother of God and Foster Father of the Redeemer. In addition, they depended completely on God’s Providence when an angel told them to flee into Egypt to protect the Christ Child (see Matthew 2). Companion to the Poor Saint Katherine Drexel was born into abundant wealth. She had private tutors and traveled the world. In addition, her parents were devout Catholics and gave generously to the poor. As Katherine witnessed her stepmother’s severe battle with cancer, she realized that no amount of money could protect her from pain and suffering. After her father passed away, she used her inheritance to help Native and African Americans, but she soon realized that they needed personal interaction, not just financial help. At the encouragement of Pope Saint Leo XIII, Katherine founded the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament. She only maintained her wealth in order to help others by establishing schools and missions and financially supporting other religious orders doing similar work. At the hour of her death, she had given it all away for love of God and love of neighbor. For Better or For Worse Probably the most well-known Saint who endured poverty in marriage is Saint Monica. She put up with her immoral, pagan husband, her critical mother in law, and her three impulsive children, including the rebellious Augustine. Monica bore the stress of her familial relationships, but at times, she struggled with controlling the situation. After years of persistent prayer, she realized that only God could change her family’s hearts. This allowed Monica to surrender her family fully to the Lord and completely trust that God would change the hearts of her husband, son, and mother in law—which eventually, He did. From Addiction to Freedom As a soldier, Saint John of God took part in gambling, drinking, and other ungodly activities, and his reputation as a drunkard grew. One day, when he was thrown off a stolen horse, he made an impulsive—but permanent—decision to change his life. Despite his initial conversion, he struggled with spiritual growth. John was visited by Saint John the Evangelist, who encouraged him to be focused more on the needs of others than on his personal hardships. As he began working for the poor, John gained peace of heart. John’s Corporal Works of Mercy were fueled by a deep interior prayer life. Depression Leads to Spiritual Understanding Saint Ignatius of Loyola was born into Spanish aristocracy and had dreams of becoming an accomplished military officer. He did not think of God or living a holy life, until he was brutally injured in battle. During his recovery, he was given the Bible and a book about the Saints, but he resisted reading them. Eventually, the stories within those pages changed his heart. After his initial conversion, Ignatius struggled with severe scrupulosity and depression. Eventually, God drew him out of this darkness, and his experience helped him cultivate an understanding of desolation (and consolation) in the spiritual life. Similar to depression, desolation is a state of restlessness, irritation, doubt, and lack of perseverance in fulfilling spiritual practices. God does not cause desolation (or depression), but sometimes He allows it as a reminder of our profound need for Him. More Saints Who Lacked Something This is only a small sampling of the many human struggles the Saints endured, which ultimately led them to deeper dependence on God. As we prepare for the upcoming liturgical season of Lent, perhaps it is a good time to consider how the Lord is inviting us to grow in spiritual poverty—a greater and deeper dependence on Him for everything. Perhaps one of these beautiful souls can accompany you on your journey toward letting go, surrendering, and deeper settling into a life of spiritual poverty. Or maybe there is another Saint who more closely relates to your personal “lack of something”: Anxiety // Saint Martha Distraction in prayer // Saint Therese of Liseiux Illness // Blessed Benedetta Bianchi Porro Loneliness and rejection // The hemorrhaging woman in Mark 5:25-34 Pregnancy difficulties // Saints Zachariah and Elizabeth Spiritual dryness // Saint John of the Cross Letting Go of All She Had Along with the Saints, the Blessed is She community wants to journey with you this Lent, as we explore more deeply the spiritual practice of poverty through the Lenten devotional, All She Had. Visit the shop to order your copy, along with a devotional for men and one for children. All you holy men and women, pray for us!   [bctt tweet="Saints Who Lived Poverty in Various Capacities #BISblog //" via="no"] 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

Ringing in the new year rekindles our hopes and dreams. It’s time to celebrate a fresh start, turning the page to begin a new chapter. We look forward to new opportunities and adventures. The deep desires of our heart float up to the surface, and we can’t help but wonder: What if this is the year for ______________? What is right around the corner? What else is in store for me? The dawn of a new year can also leave us feeling hesitant to hope. We worry about being let down… again. Perhaps we made resolutions in years past that fizzled after a month or two, and the expectations of ourselves fell flat. And again, we wonder: Will this year be another disappointment? What if this new year is no better than the last? What if I fail again in making real change in my life? Approach the New Year With Prayer In order to sort through this array of emotions, we must approach the new year with prayer. Through prayer, we can bring our hopes, dreams, and fears about beginning anew to the Lord. And as we entrust it all to Him and listen to His response, we realize God’s plan of sheer goodness for us (see Catechism of the Catholic Church 1). Through prayerful dialog, His plan will unfold and our hearts will increasingly open to His holy will for us. What do you want to do in my life this year, Lord? What area of my life needs attention? Will You be my strength, Lord? Because I can’t begin anew without You. As we pray about the new year, let us consider six themes: Start right where you are Reflect on the past Trust in the Lord Look forward with hope Make resolutions Don’t give up Saint Quotes for the New Year Moreover, let us contemplate what the Saints say about starting over in the new year. After all, their desire is to help us not only reach our new year’s goals but our final reward: eternity with God in Heaven. On Beginning Anew The Saints have much to say about the simple idea of beginning anew. They know that January is not the only time to start over. Rather, God’s mercies are new every morning (see Lamentations 3:22-23). So everyday of the year, we can begin again. “The saints did not all begin well, but they all ended well.” // Saint John Vianney “Begin now to be what you will be hereafter.” // Saint Jerome “Always we begin again.” // Saint Benedict “Everyday I say to myself, today I will begin.” // Saint Anthony of the Desert “It is right that you should begin again every day. There is no better way to complete the spiritual life than to be ever beginning it over again.” // Saint Francis de Sales “Begin now … Believe me, don’t wait until tomorrow to begin becoming a saint.” // Saint Thérèse of Lisieux Start Right Where You Are In order to begin anew, we need to embrace where we are in this very moment of the brand new year. This is exactly how God wants us to come to Him in prayer. “Trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.” // Saint Teresa of Avila “Go to our Lord just as you are. Be natural in your meditation. He wants the thought and prayer of that heart as the genuine expression of its love for Him.” // Saint Peter Julian Eymard “He who climbs never stops going from beginning to beginning, through beginnings that have no end. He never stops desiring what he already knows.” // Saint Gregory of Nissa Reflect on the Past Once we accept where we are in this present moment, it is good to reflect on the past before we move forward: How did I get here? What went well this year? What was disappointing? "Do not let the past disturb you—just leave everything in the Sacred Heart, and begin again with joy.” // Saint Teresa of Calcutta “Trust the past to the mercy of God, the present to His love, and the future to His providence.” // Saint Augustine “It is only through shadows that one comes to know the light.” // Saint Catherine of Siena “Do not look back to the past, nor forward to the future. Claim only the present, for it holds God’s will.” // Saint Rose Philippine Duchesne Trust in the Lord With a clean slate from the past and acceptance of where we are in this present moment, we can entrust any anxiety we have about the new year to the Lord. “Jesus does not demand great actions from us but simply surrender and gratitude.” // Saint Thérèse of Lisieux “Learn to live in God’s hands.” // Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross “We can only learn to know ourselves and do what we can, namely, surrender our will and fulfill God's will in us.” // Saint Teresa of Avila “When you have nothing left but God, you have more than enough to start over again.” // Saint Teresa of Calcutta Look Forward With Hope And we also can fully embrace, with expectant hope, the surprises God has in store for us this coming year. “Let us begin, brothers, to serve the Lord God, for up until now we have done little or nothing. He did not consider that he had already attained his goal, but tireless in pursuit of holy newness, he constantly hoped to begin again.” // Saint Francis of Assisi “Whenever you begin any good work you should first of all make a most pressing appeal to Christ our Lord to bring it to perfection.” // Saint Benedict of Nursia "Few souls understand what God would accomplish in them if they were to abandon themselves unreservedly to Him and if they were to allow His grace to mold them accordingly." //Saint Ignatius of Loyola “To have courage for whatever comes in life, everything lies in that.” // Saint Teresa of Avila Make Concrete Resolutions Coming up with new year’s resolutions is easy. Honing in on just one or two can be hard to discern. So, we invite God into our plans, asking Him where He desires us to improve. If we long for healing, growth, and flourishing, we can be certain He wants that for us even more. “You aspire to great things? Begin with little ones.” // Saint Augustine “Start by doing what’s necessary, then what’s possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible.” // Saint Francis of Assisi “When we once begin to form good resolutions, God gives us every opportunity of carrying them out.” // Saint John Chrysostom “Without love, deeds even the most brilliant, count as nothing.” // Saint Thérèse of Lisieux Don’t Give Up Will we execute our new year’s resolutions perfectly over the next 365 days? Absolutely not! But that does not mean we should give up. Rather, beginning anew is an ongoing process, one that allows us to start fresh again and again. “We stumble. We stutter. We rise. We are lifted.” // Saint Anthony of Padua “Have patience with all things, but chiefly have patience with yourself. Do not lose courage in considering your own imperfections but instantly set about remedying them—every day begin the task anew.” // Saint Francis de Sales “Don’t despair over your shortcomings. Start over each day. You make spiritual progress by beginning again and again.” // Saint Francis de Sales “When tempted, invoke your Angel. He is more eager to help you than you are to be helped! Ignore the devil and do not be afraid of him: He trembles and flees at the sight of your Guardian Angel.” // Saint John Bosco “If you should fail, be humble, make a resolution to be submissive to God’s will and then get up, and carry on.” // Saint Pio of Pietrelcina “The work is never finished, we have continually to begin again …” // Saint Francis de Sales Ready to Begin Anew? Whether we are excited or anxious, we are not alone as we step over the threshold of the new year. The Lord hopes we will invite Him along. And His saintly friends promise to intercede for us, as they share their wisdom on beginning anew.   [bctt tweet="Beginning Again // Saint Quotes for a New Year #BISblog // " via="no"]

The beloved hymn, Joy to the World, invites the world to “receive her King” on Christmas Day. In order to receive Him, the song implies that our hearts must first “prepare Him room.” But how do we truly ready ourselves for the Nativity of Jesus? How do we prepare Him room? How do we create space in the manger of our hearts for the Newborn King to rest His sweet head? Choose Advent The season of Advent has only just begun, and before we get caught up in the swirling frenzy of the holiday rush, let’s choose to live Advent the way it is intended: … slow … quiet … prayerful … penitential Traditionally, Advent includes an element of penance, a fast before the feast of Christmas. This gives us the opportunity to release the physical, mental, and emotional clutter in our lives in order to arrive on that Holy Night ready to receive the Newborn King. If we pause to think of the Nativity scene and the simple manger, open and ready to receive the miracle of the Incarnation, we want our hearts to mirror that manger. We want our souls to be free and welcoming so we can enter Christmas wholly devoted to adoring Baby Jesus. Advent’s Ember Days offer a simple, practical, and spiritual plan to clear the clutter of our hearts, minds, and homes, in order to renew our focus on Christ’s coming this Christmas. What are the Ember Days? The Ember Days are a time-honored practice of penitential prayer that take place four times per year, in conjunction with the four natural seasons. Ember Days are rooted in the Old Testament tradition of fasting four times per year: Thus says the Lord of hosts: The fast of the fourth month, and the fast of the fifth, and the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth, shall be seasons of joy and gladness, and cheerful festivals for the house of Judah: therefore love truth and peace. // Zechariah 8:19 From the Latin quatuor tempora, which means "four times," Ember Days date back to the third century when Pope Callixtus instituted a Church-wide fast for plentiful harvests three times per year. By the fourth century, a fourth fast was added. And the current format for Ember Days was prescribed by Pope Gregory VII, in the 11th century. Winter // between the third and fourth Sundays of Advent Spring // between the first and second Sundays of Lent Summer // between Pentecost and Trinity Sundays Fall // after the Exaltation of the Holy Cross Three Days of Fasting, Four Times Per Year Each set of Ember Days includes three days of fasting—Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday—in remembrance of Christ’s Passion. Wednesday // Christ’s betrayal by Judas Friday // Christ’s crucifixion Saturday // Christ’s entombment A Joyful Fasting Similar to Lent, but on a smaller scale, the Ember Days offer us a time of spiritual renewal, a chance to reset and refocus our priorities. Like fasting on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, Ember Days allow one primary meal and two snacks, which when combined do not equal a full meal. On Wednesdays and Saturdays, meat is permitted in the primary meal, but on Fridays, abstaining from meat is required. However, unlike the solemnness of Lenten fasting, Ember Days’ fasting is joyful and thankful. The Church counts her blessings and rejoices in the gifts of nature, especially crops that contribute to the administration of the Sacraments. Winter // olives and oil, used for anointing the sick Spring // flowers and bees, used for altar and Baptismal candles Summer // wheat, used for the Holy Eucharist Spring // grapes, used for the Precious Blood Pray for Priests, Vocations Because of the link between the harvests and the Sacraments, the prayer intentions of Ember Days focus on priestly and religious vocations. This correlates with the apostolic tradition of ordaining new priests after a period of prayer and fasting: Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off. // Acts 13:3 As a result, for centuries, priestly ordinations took place during Ember Days, in addition to the Easter season. Keep the Ember Days All Catholics observed the Ember Days until they were removed from the liturgical calendar in 1966. While they are no longer mandatory, many Catholics continue to keep them, because they assist in bringing fasting into our prayer. The Ember Days remind us that Jesus taught that some petitions can only be answered by prayer and fasting (see Mark 9:28). Advent’s Ember Days As noted above, Advent Embertide begins the Wednesday after Gaudete Sunday. (In 2021, the Advent Ember Days are December 15th, 17th, and 18th.) The rose candle is already lit, reminding us that Christ is coming very soon. Hopefully, by this point in Advent, our busy preparations of shopping, wrapping, baking, and decorating are nearly complete. And we can settle into deeper preparation within our hearts. Even within the liturgical calendar, we notice that more feast days occur at the beginning of Advent than toward the end. As we near Christ’s birth, even the Church grows more silent and still, as if she is holding her breath, waiting for the miracle about to take place. Thus, Advent Embertide invites us to slow down and turn interiorly toward preparing Him room. Advent’s Ember Days do not require a lot. They are much more about being present, still, and prayerful. Ways to Observe the Advent Ember Days Here are a few simple ways to enter into the Ember Days of Advent. Prayer Drop down dew, ye heavens, from above, and let the clouds rain down the Just: let the earth open and bud forth a Savior. // Isaiah 45:80 Lectio divina Wednesday: Luke 1:26-38 Friday: Luke 1:37-47 Saturday: Luke 3:1-6 Fasting Prepare simple, nourishing, and meatless meals Abstain from sugary treats Log off of social media Refrain from listening to Christmas music; settle into silence Make donations to a local food shelf or homeless shelter Go to Confession Additional Resources for Ember Days Ways to Observe the Ember Days Advent Music The historical roots of fasting for vocations Prayers for the Ember Days As we embark on this new liturgical season of Advent, the world seems evermore chaotic, and all of the holiday hype can make us feel frenzied. Let’s resist what the world offers. Instead, let’s choose to slow down, enter into the quiet and stillness of Advent, and truly prepare Him room. Three simple days of prayer and fasting will guide the way.   [bctt tweet="Need an Advent Penance? Meet the Ember Days #BISblog //" via="no"]

Throughout my life as a Catholic Christian, I have had moments of abundant grace and peace when my life is well ordered, I am centered on Christ, and prayer comes easily. In those periods of spiritual joy, I am eager to pray with Scripture, frequent the Sacraments, and read edifying books. These times in my life are pure gifts from God. Over the years, however, I have learned that just like the ocean tide flows in and out, so does my spiritual life. It ebbs and flows. And a period of spiritual joy is likely to be followed by a spiritual funk. Suddenly, my prayer becomes monotonous, even unappealing, and slothful habits like reaching for my phone instead of my Bible sneak back into my life. Being in a spiritual funk is hard, frustrating, lonely, and relentless. As much as we want to avoid a season of spiritual dryness, the only way to get out of it is by going through it. Movements of the Heart In his Spiritual Exercises, Saint Ignatius of Loyola describes these spiritual movements as consolation and desolation. It is important to be aware of these movements of the heart. And in our awareness, we are invited to relate them to the Lord. Saint Ignatius offers an approach for understanding the different movements produced in the soul, and for recognizing which movements are good (consolation) and which ones are bad (desolation). This is commonly called the Discernment of Spirits. Consolation Consolation is a gift of the Holy Spirit who gives “courage and strength, consolations, tears, inspirations, and peace. This He does by making all easy, by removing all obstacles so that the soul goes forward in doing good” (Spiritual Exercises #315). In consolation, or spiritual joy, we experience a desire to do God’s will. We see our lives bearing fruit, because we are abiding in Christ. Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. // John 15:4-5 When we are in consolation, we often experience graces, such as: courage a sense of community happiness humility (being dependent on God; rejecting self-sufficiency) being held by the Father hope   Desolation On the other hand, desolation is not a gift of the Holy Spirit. It is the work of the evil spirit who is inclined to “harass with anxiety, to afflict with sadness, to raise obstacles backed by fallacious reasonings that disturb the soul. Thus, he seeks to prevent the soul from advancing” (#315). When we are in desolation, or a spiritual funk, we can experience a “darkness of soul, turmoil of spirit, an inclination to what is low and earthly, restlessness rising from many disturbances and temptations … The soul is wholly slothful, tepid, sad, and separated, as were, from its Creator and Lord” (#317). During a spiritual funk, we can feel an imbalance in our souls that is manifested in a number of ways: disappointment discouragement doubt fear feelings of inadequacy isolation How to Get Out of A Spiritual Funk As mentioned above, the only way out of a spiritual funk or time of desolation is by going through it. And we do this with patience (with ourselves and God), trust, and surrender. Because, as Saint Ignatius says, “consolation will soon return” (#321). In the midst of desolation, Saint Ignatius advises us to preserve our established prayer habits. He even finds it helpful to intensify prayer, meditation, examination of life, and penance. “In time of desolation we should never make any change, but remain firm and constant in the resolution and decision which guided us the day before the desolation, or in the decision to which we adhered in the preceding consolation” (#318). Here are a few spiritual routines and uplifting activities to maintain during desolation: daily prayer daily lectio divina weekly Mass monthly Confession time with faith-filled friends service (intentionally focusing on others, rather than ourselves) Through these prayerful and edifying pursuits, we maintain a posture that permits the Lord to move us through desolation. Consider the following ways to accept, and even embrace, our desolation: Remember a time of consolation and the graces we received. Hold onto the Biblical promises of Christ. Trust in the Lord to move us through desolation. Accept that we cannot do this without Jesus. Rest in the Lord. The Blessing of a Spiritual Funk This may sound contradictory, but we can find blessing in our spiritual funk or our desolation. We can approach this time of suffering as an opportunity to grow closer to the Lord, lean into His promises, and cultivate deeper self-knowledge. Above all, during a spiritual funk, it is important to remember that just like the ebb and flow of the ocean tide, we move in and out of spiritual consolation and desolation many times throughout our lives. These movements of the heart are a natural part of the spiritual life. And when we invite God into each moment, we grow in confidence that “all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28).   [bctt tweet="How to Get Out of a Spiritual Funk #BISblog //" via="no"] 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

Every year around around this time, I long to slow down, create space, quiet my heart, and find rest. Perhaps I am weary from the toll of this chaotic world. Perhaps I need to step back from the whirlwind of everyday life and realign my priorities. Perhaps my soul is ready to once again enter into the season of Advent—the season of prayer and penance, waiting and watching for the coming of Jesus. Advent is the perfect liturgical season for my longing. I wait for the light and warmth of Christ to illuminate the darkness of the world, which can weigh so heavily on my heart. For just as the dawn comes after the long, dark hours of night, Jesus comes to bring light and love, to dwell among us. By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. // Luke 1:78-79 Perhaps you experience this longing, too? Advent Invites Us In Advent ushers in a new liturgical year, a new opportunity to return to the Lord. Advent invites us to encounter Christ in the simple manger in Bethlehem. It encourages us to recreate that manger scene in our own hearts, putting Christ at the center of our lives once again. But a Christ-centered Advent does not magically happen. Nor does slowing down and creating space. In order to truly experience the quiet, peaceful Advent that our hearts desire, we must be intentional. We must become still enough to set our gaze on the horizon and to wait and watch for the coming of Jesus. We need to remove anything that hinders our ability to remain in the quiet, especially as the holiday hype tempts us away from the real reason for the season.   6 Ways to Prepare for a Quiet Advent Now How do we experience Advent like we truly want to this year? Below are six ways to prepare for a quiet Advent season starting now: 1. Center on Christ The most necessary aspect of the Advent season is prayer. How do we want to pray this Advent? How do we want to grow in our worship of the newborn King? Do we want to: Use lectio divina to pray with the daily Gospel? Meditate more deeply on the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary? Find one or two days during the week to attend Mass? Additionally, Found: An Advent Devotional is a beautiful way to help focus our prayer this season, as it is purely fixed on the coming of Jesus in the manger. Each week is focused on different groups that were invited to the manger in Bethlehem, and it reminds us that we are invited, too. 2. Stay Rooted in Tradition There are many rich liturgical traditions throughout the Advent season. One temptation can be to think we have to do them all. This can lead to overwhelm or busyness, and can distract us from our real desire for quiet and peace. May I suggest a simple plan? Set up an Advent Wreath to gather around for prayer. Pick two or three favorite feast days to celebrate. Consider only what is most meaningful to you personally or as a family. 3. Tackle To-Dos Often, we do not begin our Christmas to-dos until the Advent season. This creates unnecessary tension in our hearts, because our desire for quiet is confronted with a busy to-do list that seems impossible to complete in such a short amount of time. This year, let’s try something new. From now until the first Sunday of Advent, let’s work on accomplishing some (if not most) of our Christmas to-dos: Order Christmas cards Update address list Buy stamps and wrapping paper Make and freeze cookie dough Finish Christmas shopping before Thanksgiving 4. Steward the Schedule During Advent, there are many events vying for our attention: choir concerts, pageants, ugly sweater parties, and family obligations. If we say yes to it all, our schedule will not correspond with our heart’s desire for peace and quiet this Advent. So let’s consider a few helpful reminders when stewarding our Advent schedule: We don’t have to do it all. Focus on what is necessary; not what feels impossible. Do what will support our decision to have a quiet, prayerful Advent. Create space for wonder, awe, coziness, and togetherness. 5. Simplify Decor If we desire for all to be calm in our souls and in our schedules this Advent, we need that same quiet, restful, prayerful theme to be reflected in our living spaces. So, keep Christmas decor simple this year. Prominently display a Nativity scene. Wait to decorate the Christmas tree until Gaudete Sunday. Avoid too many Christmas tchotchkes, which can clutter our spaces, minds, and hearts. Incorporate seasonal touches (that can remain throughout winter) such as: Cozy blankets and throw pillows Quiet instrumental or sacred music Candles Cinnamon, orange, and clove scents 6. Practice Penance The penitential aspect of Advent has been somewhat forgotten, but a few liturgical customs remain that hint at the anticipatory penitence of Advent. For one, the color violet symbolizes penance and preparation. In addition, the Gloria is not sung at Mass during Advent. As in Lent, we consider Advent a season of preparation before a great feast, and this may include fasting. As we create a quiet Advent, incorporating some penance into the season supports the quiet simplicity we desire. Here are a few ways to embrace the penitential this Advent: Go to Confession once or twice before Christmas. Fast from social media. Abstain from Christmas cookies, peppermint mochas, and other treats. Look into abiding by the Ember Days of Advent. Be Present to the Advent Moment As we look ahead to Advent, let us acknowledge our longing to slow down, create space, quiet the heart, and find rest in Christ. Let us lean into Jesus’ invitation to pray and prepare, to wait and watch. Together, let’s prepare now for a quiet Advent so we can truly enter into the season of joyful anticipation for Christ’s coming this Christmas.   [bctt tweet="6 Ways to Prepare a Quiet Advent NOW #BISblog // " via="no"] 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

In just a few short days, the Catholic Church will enter into a holy trifecta of days: All Hallows' Eve (October 31) All Saints' Day (November 1) All Souls' Day (November 2) All Saints' Day and All Souls 'Day are the obvious holy days. But what about All Hallows' Eve (or Halloween)? How does it fit into this trifecta? The Communion of Saints It helps to consider that, together, these three consecutive days illustrate the full Communion of Saints: the Church Triumphant, Suffering, and Militant. We believe in the communion of all the faithful of Christ, those who are pilgrims on earth, the dead who are being purified, and the blessed in heaven, all together forming one Church … // Catechism of the Catholic Church 962 Each day within this upcoming trifecta of holy days emphasizes this reality. All Hallows' Eve This day looks to the Church Militant, those faithful Catholics living on earth and striving for Heaven. We have a unique role to play in the spiritual battle against sin and evil in the world. All Saints' Day The Solemnity of All Saints' celebrates the Church Triumphant, the saints (canonized and uncanonized) in Heaven. They fought the earthly battle against “the world, the flesh, and the devil,” and with God’s grace, they won. The Church celebrates all its holy ones on a feast with the rank of ‘solemnity’ and rightfully so. These after all, are the heroes and heroines of humanity. // Fr. Vincent Serpa, O.P.   All Souls' Day On All Souls' Day and throughout the month of November, we remember the Church Suffering. We pray for the Holy Souls in Purgatory, that they may enter Heaven soon. Collectively, this trifecta of fall holy days offers us a meditation on life, death, and resurrection. And this also invites us to embrace our Catholic heritage by incorporating tradition, prayer, and observance into our daily rhythm of liturgical living. Autumn Holy Days Invite Contemplation Halloween, All Saints' Day, and All Souls' Day arrive at the perfect time of year. They correlate beautifully with the autumn season, when nature grows barren, withers, and dies. The very landscape outside our windows inspires meditation. We remember that our earthly life is temporary, and we ponder where we want to be eternally. This concept of memento mori (or remembering your death) has a long tradition in Catholicism. The Saints encourage the importance of meditating on the unavoidable reality of death so we may live better on earth. In a homily dating back to the 1600s, Fr. Nathaniel Bacon encourages the Faithful to “examine what would become of you, were you to die this very day.” This contemplation is not meant to be morbid. Rather, it is to renew our passion for truly living the life of the Church Militant, so one day we may be among the Church Triumphant. Embracing Our Catholic Heritage Our meditation on life and death leads us to truly living out these liturgical days through tradition, prayer, and observance. With authentic joy, we embrace our Catholic heritage and the meaningful depth it brings to our lives. All Hallows' Eve (Halloween) The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and no torment will ever touch them. // Wisdom 3:1 Tradition Halloween comes from the English, where saints and holy people are called “hallowed.” In the Our Father, we pray, “hallowed be Thy name,” which proclaims God’s name as holy. While All Hallows' Eve is not on the liturgical calendar, it is the vigil of All Saints' Day, and vigil days are often reserved for fasting and preparation. Prayer Because the demonic is an aspect of secular Halloween, it is important to acknowledge the sinful and evil reality of this world. As the Church Militant, we are called to fight in the battle against evil, sin, and anything that does not proclaim Christ as King. Halloween is a good day to begin incorporating the Prayer to St. Michael into our prayer routine. This can easily be added to the end of the Rosary, at bedtime, or at any time you need this holy warrior’s intercession. Observance Begin with prayer, asking the Lord to keep this day hallowed. Carve and light jack-o-lanterns to remember that we are children of light, not darkness (Ephesians 5:8; 1 Thessalonians 5:5). Encourage children to dress up as Saints or something in God’s creation when they go trick-or-treating. Host a bonfire; serve s’mores and hot apple cider. All Saints' Day Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. // Matthew 5:8-9 Tradition All Saints' Day dates back to 609, as the Feast of All Martyrs, originally observed on May 13. In 840, the feast changed to All Saints', and in 844, Pope Gregory IV transferred the feast to November 1. All Saints' Day became a Holy Day of Obligation in 1484. Prayer The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is the main prayer on the Solemnity of All Saints. In addition, there are additional ways to weave prayer into this day: Create and pray a personal (or family) litany of Saints. Sing (or listen to) traditional hymns, such as Holy God, We Praise Thy Name and For All the Saints. Observance Read excerpts from the lives of your favorite Saints. Bake a special dessert. Give your children (or friends) medals of their patron Saints. Have them blessed by a priest beforehand. All Souls' Day “It is therefore a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from sins.” // 2 Maccabees 12:46 Tradition The Catholic Church acknowledges the importance of praying for the dead. It is recommended in Scripture and is mainly expressed in the offering of Mass for the repose of souls. We believe that when they enter Heaven, they will remember those who prayed for them and in turn pray for us. Prayer The primary prayer of All Souls' Day is Mass on behalf of the faithful departed. In addition, we can gain indulgences for the Poor Souls in Purgatory each day from November 1-8 by visiting a cemetery. Another beautiful prayer for the Holy Souls in Purgatory is the Eternal Rest prayer. This prayer also gains a partial indulgence and can be prayed throughout the year, especially at the end of the Rosary or family meals. Observance Visit the grave sites of deceased loved ones. Bring gardening supplies to spruce up the area around the grave. Bring flowers. Send a card of sympathy and encouragement to someone in mourning. The autumn trifecta of holy days—All Hallows' Eve, All Saints' Day, and All Souls' Day—invites us to bring our faith into the world, and to be counter cultural, the salt and light Jesus calls us to be (Matthew 5:13-16). These days not only bring us deeper into Catholic tradition, they also draw us into meditation and prayer. How do you celebrate this trifecta of holy days?   [bctt tweet="The Coming Holy Days #BISblog //" via="no"] 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

It was only eight o’clock in the morning. I already drove my children to school and was back home. I unloaded and reloaded the dishwasher. And just before heading to my weekly Holy Hour, I checked my calendar and email. I noticed a message I was waiting for, hoping for. And so I opened it. Immediately, my heart sank. The good news I anticipated turned out to be disappointing. It was not a congratulatory email; it was a rejection. Instead of “yes,” it was “no.” I started to cry. Rejection stings. I felt so incredibly hopeless. I did not really know what to do next, what to think, where to go, how to process it. And then I remembered: Jesus was waiting for me in the Adoration Chapel. Pray Anyway As I drove to church, I did not feel like praying. But I made a commitment to be at the chapel from 9-10 a.m. every Tuesday morning. So, someone was depending on me to take her place. Plus, Jesus was there. He was waiting for me. As I settled into the pew, I gazed at Our Lord Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, and a wave of peace washed over me. He saw me. He knew. Before I said a word, He knew it all. And He gazed upon me with love and acceptance, not rejection. As I began praying, I was led to this Scripture passage: ... in him it is always ‘Yes.’ For in him every one of God’s promises is a ‘Yes.’ For this reason it is through him that we say the ‘Amen,’ to the glory of God. // 2 Corinthians 1:19-20 After receiving such disappointing news—a definite “no”—I turned to the Lord, and His response was “yes.” Yes to my existence. Yes to my gifts. Yes to my purpose. Yes to my belonging to Him. “... in him it is always ‘Yes.’” Christ’s Peace Surpasses Understanding And in that prayerful moment, I was able to surrender my disappointment to the Lord and entrust my hurt to Him. I felt peace, even in the midst of such devastating news. Even though I was uncertain about the future and God’s will for me, I knew with all my heart that I belonged to Him. This experience helped me realize how important it is to pray during times of disappointment, discouragement, hopelessness, and uncertainty. Looking back, I could have responded in so many ways to my bad news. I could have spent the rest of the morning scrolling through social media, going through the drive-through line, shopping, or keeping busy with mindless activities. But all of those other coping mechanisms would have only been escapism. None of them would have brought me to the Lord, and I certainly would not have felt His peace or heard His words of comfort and assurance. Prayer Tethers Us to Christ The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches us that “prayer is a vital necessity.” And it is especially vital when life feels hopeless. Prayer is not a magic bullet that instantly fixes our problems, changes our circumstances, or heals our sufferings. But prayer keeps us tethered to the Lord—the Mighty One, the Author of Life, the Divine Physician. And when we are tethered to Him, He transforms our outlook and emotions. We remember we are not alone, as we receive His grace, hear His Word, and feel His love. Holy Mother Church Shows Us the Way To encourage us in the importance of praying when prayer seems hopeless, we only need to turn to Holy Mother Church for wisdom and guidance. Below is a list of Scriptures to pray, Church teachings to implement, and saintly wisdom to ponder. These treasures from Heaven remind us that when prayer feels hopeless, all we really need is to run to Jesus and entrust it (over and over) to Him. Scriptures to Pray Seek the Lord and his strength, seek his presence continually. // 1 Chronicles 16:11 … the Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord. // Job 1:21 The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. // Psalm 145:18 Then when you call upon me and come and pray to me, I will hear you. // Jeremiah 19:12 Are any among you suffering? They should pray. Are any cheerful? They should sing songs of praise. // James 5:13 And this is the boldness we have in him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. // 1 John 5:14 Church Teachings to Implement “But when we pray, do we speak from the height of our pride and will, or ‘out of the depths’ of a humble and contrite heart? He who humbles himself will be exalted; humility is the foundation of prayer.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church 2559) “The wonder of prayer is revealed beside the well where we come seeking water: there, Christ comes to meet every human being. It is he who first seeks us and asks us for a drink. Jesus thirsts; his asking arises from the depths of God's desire for us. Whether we realize it or not, prayer is the encounter of God's thirst with ours. God thirsts that we may thirst for him.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church 2560) “... we pray not to remind God or tell Him of what we need, but to acknowledge that He is the Supreme Giver, to adore and worship Him by showing our entire dependence upon Him …” (Baltimore Catechism, lesson 28) “Prayer is a vital necessity … How can the Holy Spirit be our life if our heart is far from him?” (Catechism of the Catholic Church 2744) “Jesus always responds to a prayer offered in faith.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church 2616) Saintly Wisdom to Ponder “Prayer is the raising of one’s mind and heart to God …” // St. John Damascene “Prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look turned toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy.” // St. Thérèse of Lisieux “Reach up as high as you can today, and God will reach down the rest of the way.” // St. Pio of Pietrelcina "You pay God a compliment by asking great things of Him." // St. Teresa of Avila "Nothing is equal to prayer; for what is impossible it makes possible, what is difficult, easy." // St. John Chrysostom "Prayer is the place of refuge for every worry, a foundation for cheerfulness, a source of constant happiness, a protection against sadness." // St. John Chrysostom How have you found prayer helpful during a hopeless situation?   [bctt tweet="How to Pray Even When It Seems Hopeless #BISblog //" via="no"]

This spring, my oldest daughter graduated from high school. It was one of those milestones that I never thought I would reach. But now, it has come and gone. And as of yesterday, my daughter has officially left our nest to serve as a missionary for the next year. Once Upon a Time When I was a young mom, with five children in preschool and younger, I remember a more seasoned mom telling me how quickly the years would go by. I also remember not believing her. This mom was well-meaning, but her solicitation came in the midst of sleepless nights, dirty diapers, potty training, and naptime battles. I was also in the midst of cuddles, bedtime stories, sticky smiles, and so many new beginnings. In the thick of all the beautiful, sweet, tiresome, and challenging moments of young family life, I could not imagine that a day would ever come when my children would turn 18, graduate from high school, and leave the house for their next adventure. It just seemed too far away. Believe it or not, it’s true But here I am. The day has come. And now, I am a mom who has just sent off her oldest child and who is preparing to send off two more children in the next two years. Transitions Lead to Reflection Realizing now that the 18 years we have to raise our children go by more quickly than we can fathom, I cannot help but wonder: How do I avoid living with regret, wishing I could take back those unkind words and maybe even get a couple of do-overs on those not-so-great days? How do I simply savor the good memories, seek forgiveness for the bad ones, and remain content in this transition that is the present moment? Moreover, how do I parent my daughter in her new season of life, while she is serving high school youth across the United States? How do I let her go? Let’s Walk this Road Together If you also find yourself in this next phase of mothering, I do not begin to have many answers to the questions I ask above. Because let’s face it: mothering a young adult can make even the most experienced mom feel like a new mom all over again—totally unsure of herself. In many ways, mothering young adults requires new skills and a fresh perspective. Right now, I am receiving a crash course in how to advise, encourage, bite my tongue, and let go. It reminds me of Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, where it talks about a season for every matter under Heaven. I am learning that there is a time to suggest and a time to back off; a time to help and a time to let them figure it out for themselves; a time to put my foot down and a time to lighten up; a time to speak truth and a time to silently pray. And so, while I am not an expert in parenting young adults, I am learning, and I can offer some reflection, prayer support, and companionship as our children become young adults and as we share in the experience of their leaving the nest. Lean on the Lord This leads me to convey what I know for certain: As our children leave the nest and as we learn to let go, we cannot lean on our own understanding. We must remember that God’s ways are not our ways, and His plans for our children far surpass anything we could ever imagine for them. We need to entrust our young adult children to the Lord. For they are His children more than they are ours, and He knows and loves them so much more than we ever could. And so, let us seek God’s guidance and assurance by turning to His Word for strength and comfort. And let us increasingly trust Him and surrender our children to Him through Catholic prayers, litanies, and novenas. Scripture Verses to Pray When Children Leave the Nest For this child I prayed; and the Lord has granted me my petition which I made to him. Therefore I have lent him to the Lord; as long as he lives, he is lent to the Lord. // 1 Samuel 27-28 Thou dost show me the path of life; in thy presence there is fullness of joy, in thy right hand are pleasures for evermore. // Psalm 16:11 The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts; so I am helped, and my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him. // Psalm 28:7 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. // Proverbs 3:5 Behold, I am doing 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 43:19 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and return not thither but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and prosper in the thing for which I sent it. // Isaiah 55:8-11 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. // Philippians 4:19 And so, from the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, to lead a life worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. // Colossians 1:9-12 Catholic Prayers When the Nest Begins Emptying Thanks to our beautiful and rich Catholic Faith, we have a treasure trove of prayers, litanies, and novenas for just about every life circumstance, including the time when our children leave the nest. Here are four that will certainly help us entrust our children to the Lord as they begin this new chapter of their lives … away from us. Surrender Novena Litany of Trust Efficacious Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus Litany of the Guardian Angels Whether your first or last child is leaving the nest this fall, sending them off won’t be easy. There certainly will be a learning curve. But when we turn to God’s promising words in Sacred Scripture and prayerfully entrust our children to the Lord, we can let them leave the nest and enter this next chapter with greater peace and confidence. Anyone else launching a child into the world this month? How are you doing with it?   [bctt tweet="When Our Children Leave the Nest #BISblog //" via="no"]

Welcome to our Remember series, where we pause to reflect on how God has proven faithful in the past so to help us place our trust in Him in the present. We look to the future, knowing that God always keeps His promise and that He always makes a way. We invite you to pray with us, to write your own Psalm (see the end of the post!), and share with others about how God has been faithful in your life. Eighteen years ago, shortly after my first child was born, I was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism. At the time, I did not question it. I had bigger things to worry about, like being a new mom. I just took my prescription and lived my life. Over the years, however, my blood work never leveled out. My doctor was constantly adjusting my prescription. But I do not remember a moment when she called to tell me, “Everything looks great.” In fact, my health slowly continued to deteriorate. Eight years later, by the time my sixth child was born, I was experiencing chronic adrenal fatigue, anemia, brain fog, inflammation, and depression. In 2015, I was finally diagnosed with Hashimoto’s, an autoimmune disease that attacks the thyroid. My heart cried out: “How can I be a good mom to these six children when I am battling this? Why are You allowing this? It seems so unfair to my kids, Lord.” In prayer, the Lord responded: “Do not lose heart, Sarah. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. For this slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure …” (2 Corinthians 4:16-17). Intellectually, I knew it was true. My health issues were a “slight momentary affliction” in the grand scheme of eternity. This gave me some consolation. But it did not last very long, for daily life as a wife, mother, and homemaker continued to be hard. Most days, I felt an oppressive spirit pressing down on me. I lacked the energy I needed to be proactive with my kids. Piles grew around my house. Laundry backed up. Dinner was not always cooked. I felt stuck and paralyzed; imprisoned in my own life. My chronic illness was a very silent, personal suffering. The worst of it lasted for about eight or nine years. Very few people knew just how horrible I felt. At one of my lowest points, I found myself praying with Psalm 40: “I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the desolate pit, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure” (v. 1-2). The hard part was that I could not see past the desolate pit. I could not even imagine the Lord inclining to me and hearing my cry. There was no rescue. I was resigned to being stuck in the miry bog forever. I turned to psalms of lamentation, of grieving, of frustration. “How long, O Lord?” They taught me the importance of being completely honest with God. The Psalms showed me a steady pattern of prayer that went from lamenting to surrender to praise. I began to take solace in the raw beauty of these prayers. I clung to them when my own words failed me. I slowly began to recognize that even in the pit, I wasn’t alone. Jesus had climbed down into the swamp and was waiting with me. He was waiting with me, as I waited for Him. In the midst of waiting, the Lord revealed that our current home was in some way afflicting me. Whether an oppressive spirit had attached itself to the house or whether the amount of upkeep was simply too daunting for me, I am not sure. But God clearly put it on my heart (and that of my husband’s) to surrender the home we built for a simpler one that I could more easily manage. This required a great amount of humility and abandonment to Divine Providence. To the outside world, downsizing when your family is still growing makes little sense. It could even be seen as a failure. But we knew this was God’s will, and we trusted Him. Almost immediately and effortlessly, the door swung open to selling our home and buying a new one. However, there were still obstacles to endure. During the two months leading up to our move, my faith was truly put to the test. I found out I was pregnant, and then I miscarried our seventh child. In the midst of the grieving, I suffered the physical demands of packing up our family of eight. The added stress of all the unforeseen circumstances that accompany moving was excruciatingly burdensome. I was inflicted with insomnia. My whole body was in constant pain due to the stress. The very day before we moved, I got so sick, I could not function. I knew it was Satan’s last ditch effort to latch on with his deadly claws. It confirmed that he did not want us to move; he knew this move meant freedom for me. But in prayer, I saw the Lord grab ahold of my hand, leading me through the valley of death (Psalm 23). Everything around me was on fire, hot and burning. I had to stay on the narrow path if I did not want to get burned. I had to trust Him to lead me out. Which He did. Within days of moving, the oppression, the pain, and the insomnia all lifted. I no longer felt imprisoned in my own body. I was free. The Lord showed me that He closed that chapter of my life. “It is over,” He said to me. The page had been turned. The healing had begun. I found strength and energy I had not felt in years. I was more peaceful. My hope was restored and my purpose renewed. Often, I have wondered why I had to go through so much pain and suffering to be healed. In many ways, it remains a mystery. A year after I felt stuck in the pit of Psalm 40, a new psalm came into my heart in prayer: Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and do not forget all his benefits— who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the Pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good as long as you live so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. // Psalm 103:1-5 Yes! My life from the pit had been redeemed; I was renewed. When the Lord takes us by the hand and leads the way, we can see, feel, and experience the difficult terrain. But He guides us—sometimes pulls us—through. The valley of death and the refiner’s fire are hard, grueling, hot, and intense. But He doesn’t let go. And He, indeed, eventually sets us on a rock of safety. And we remember … Apart from You, Lord, I can do nothing. But You can do it all! Bless the Lord, oh my soul! If you would like, we invite you to write your own psalm to help you remember the marvelous works of the Lord. We walk you through it here. Keep this psalm handy. Pray it when life makes it difficult to see Who reigns sovereignly.   [bctt tweet="REMEMBER Series // Miracles When Moving #BISblog //" via="no"]

Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. // Isaiah 43:1 God Calls His Children By Name Throughout Sacred Scripture, God calls His children by name because He knows their names. He knows them. Being known by God, and thus called by name, is an intimacy that demonstrates the Father’s care, concern, love, and affection for His chosen ones. In the Old Testament, God speaks the names of Abraham, Moses, and Samuel to address them directly, to express that they are chosen, and to articulate His specific plans for them. In the New Testament, Jesus calls Zacchaeus out of a tree. He speaks Martha’s name when He shows her a better way. He tenderly says Mary’s name, so she recognizes Him as her Resurrected Lord. He vulnerably asks Peter if he loves Him. These stories were real encounters between God and His beloved people. But these stories also capture another reality. They show us—you and me—that He calls not only them, but us by name, too. After all, we are His daughters, His precious ones. And He delights in us. God Calls Us By Name, Too Yes, God calls us by name, and we belong to Him. He loves us, created us, and is constantly refining us. So, of course He knows our names and uses them when He speaks to us, in all kinds of circumstances: To get our attention To console and comfort us To give us a mission To invite us to love Him more fully and deeply Can you hear Him? In this noisy world, sometimes it is hard to hear God whispering our name. But He is. And when we spend dedicated time with Him in prayer, reading and reflecting on His Word—His love letter to us—we begin to hear Him more easily, more clearly.   New Devotional for Catholic Women To help us along, WINE: Women In the New Evangelization has published a new women’s devotional. Edited by Kelly M. Wahlquist, Allison Gingras, and Alyssa Bormes, Called by Name: 365 Daily Devotions for Catholic Women is the collaboration of 80 unique contributors who are active in the WINE ministry. Its purpose is to remind Catholic women that Jesus calls each of us by name and invites us into a personal, unique relationship with Him. Called By Name is rooted in Scripture and encourages the cultivation of a daily prayer habit. This collection of Scripture verses, reflections, prayers, and encouragements help us enter into the Word of God and begin contemplating how the Lord speaks to us—personally, tenderly, affectionately, and boldly. Each of the 365 daily devotions (plus one for leap year) is organized into three components: read, reflect, and respond. Read Every day’s devotion begins with a Scripture passage to read and ponder. While the Scripture verse is included, those praying with this devotional may want to read it with a Bible in hand, to easily linger in God’s Word, as the Holy Spirit prompts. Reflect After meditating on the Scripture passage, reflect on the words of a sister in Christ. Each reflection is personal and genuine. Some are lighthearted, while others are heart wrenching. No matter what, you will feel drawn in and connected to others on the journey. Respond Lastly, it is your turn. God has called. Now, how will you respond to His invitation? A short prayer and a call to action conclude each day’s devotion. Getting the Most Out of Prayer In addition to the daily devotional, WINE has also curated a bundle that provides everything you need to get the most out of your daily prayer time. The bundle includes a journal to guide you through praying with the day’s specific Scripture verse. It provides plenty of space to capture your thoughts for each daily reflection, as you grow in your relationship with the Lord. The bundle also includes a bookmark, 24 journaling stickers, and a vinyl Called By Name sticker to decorate your phone, laptop, or water bottle. A Daily Companion Called By Name is the perfect daily companion for women seeking to connect with the Lord and live each day in the light of His love. Open it on any day of the week and be inspired. Pray with it everyday of the year and be transformed. Because through a regular prayer practice, you will hear God speaking personally and intimately to you by name. Because, after all, you truly are His.   [bctt tweet="BIS Reads: Called By Name #BISblog //" via="no"] 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

Summer is just around the corner. Many of us are already making plans to go camping, head to the beach, or take an adventurous road trip. No matter where we are going, or for how long, packing enough clothing for various kinds of weather is essential. And we can’t forget our toiletries, supplements, and other home-away-from-home necessities. Not to mention food, drinks, and kitchen gadgets, if we are preparing meals along the way or once we reach our destination. Packing all the right material things for our summer trip is important, but what about packing the right spiritual things? Spiritual Packing List for Summer Travel Packing a few key spiritual items will help us stay connected to God in prayer, no matter where the summer season takes us. Because we don’t want to take a vacation from Our Lord; rather we want to bring Him with us, wherever we go. Before We Go Before jumping in the car or boarding the plane, take some time to spiritually prepare. Go to Confession before you leave. Determine when and where you will attend Mass, if you are traveling over a Sunday. Make part of your vacation a pilgrimage by visiting a shrine in the area where you are traveling. Sacramentals Pack a few sacramentals to ensure added blessing and protection along the way. A sacramental is anything set apart or blessed by the Church to excite good thoughts and to increase devotion, and through these movements of the heart to remit venial sin. The chief sacramental is the Sign of the Cross. // The Baltimore Catechism Holy Water // Use holy water to bless yourself everyday on vacation. Also bless your vehicle and accommodations. Blessed Salt // Did you know an exorcism prayer is prayed by the priest as he blesses salt? Packing a little container of blessed salt can be powerful against any spiritual attack you may experience while on vacation. Carry it in your purse or backpack. Sprinkle it around the perimeter of where you are staying for added spiritual protection. Rosary // My grandma first introduced me to the Rosary on a road trip. This is an excellent prayer to pray, as you begin each day of travel. I like to add the Prayer to Saint Michael at the end of the Rosary. Prayer Aids Even when you are in an unfamiliar place, it is vital to maintain your daily prayer routine. This will help begin each day with joy and end each day with peace. Whether you are in the car, in a tent, or in a condo, add a little time with the Lord to your itinerary each day of vacation. Pack along any and all prayer aids you usually use, to ensure that prayer happens on vacation: Bible Magnificat (also downloadable on your phone) Devotional Journal Faith-Based Reads All of us love a good beach read, to leisurely enjoy on vacation, don’t we? How about selecting a faith-based novel to quench your thirst for a good story? Autor Stephanie Landsem has a wonderful trilogy of Biblical fiction called The Living Water Series. Her newest novel, In a Far-Off Land, takes place in 1930s Hollywood, and is inspired by the Biblical account of the prodigal son. The Sword and Serpent Trilogy by Dr. Taylor Marshall takes us back to the time of the earliest Christians and Roman persecutions. Learn about the lives of Saint George, Saint Christopher, Saint Nicholas, Saint Catherine of Alexandria, and more (before they were Saints) in this adventurous tale. Teens can explore a variety of summer reading options at Catholic Teen Books—from historical fiction to contemporary and dystopian. Kids of all ages will enjoy reading about the saints in the five volumes of Saints Chronicles. Fun Activities for the Whole Family To pass the time in the car or on a plane, bring along fun activities with a faith twist. Here are a few to consider: The Catholic Card Game Catholic Trivia Cat Chat Radio Dramas Catholic Activity and Coloring Books Easy Evangelization Traveling can be a fun way to share our Catholic faith. Maybe it is even a good way to practice being more outwardly Catholic, as we most likely will not see the people we encounter ever again. We can do this subtly and simply. Affix a Catholic car decal to the back window Have the whole family wear Catholic t-shirts Decorate your suitcase or water bottle with fun Catholic stickers. What do you bring on vacation to ensure that you stay grounded in your relationship with the Lord? Share your suggestions in the comments below!   [bctt tweet="Your Spiritual Packing List for Summer Trips #BISblog //" via="no"]

Welcome to our Blessed Chats series! Each month, we will dedicate an entire week of blog posts to a topic that affects many of us. These conversations often come up in our Facebook groups and in our real life friendships. We want to share a variety of perspectives on the topic at hand, so we've asked women to share their stories and how the teachings of the Church have guided and comforted them. In this series, we are talking about vocational discernment. We'd love for you to join the conversation! Growing up, no one ever had a conversation with me about discerning my vocation. And yet here I am, a married woman of nearly 20 years with six beautiful children. Thankfully, even without much vocational discernment, I ended up in a faith-filled marriage with a wonderful Catholic man. Through God’s grace, I knew as much to seek out the holiest man to marry, someone I could trust to lead me to Heaven. Together, we had excellent marriage preparation by the priest who celebrated our wedding. And over the years, I have learned (sometimes the hard way) just how sanctifying marriage and family life is. But looking back, it would have been nice to understand more fully what vocation God was—and was not—calling me into. Looking Back As a little girl, I did not necessarily dream of being a wife and mother, but in the back of my mind, I assumed that would be my path one day. I saw very few religious sisters as examples of a different direction, and even during my years at a Catholic college with Catholic sisters on campus, only one wore a full habit, and no one invited me to learn more about the vocational option of religious life. While I could not be happier as a Catholic wife and mother, I would have appreciated intentional time to truly lay the groundwork for what God was calling me into through the Sacrament of Marriage. But also, it would have been nice to learn more about the other vocational possibilities open to women. Now That I’m a Mom As my own daughter graduates from high school this year, I contemplate how to encourage her own vocational discernment. What do I want her to know? What do I wish someone would have told me? Thankfully, my husband and I have talked quite extensively to our children about vocations. So having a conversation with my 18-year-old will not be shocking. Over the years, we have been intentional about the topic of vocations. Some simple things we have done include: praying for our children’s vocations learning about Saints with various vocations having priests over for dinner befriending the sisters who teach at school encouraging service within the Church 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 What I Wish I Would Have Known But as I prepare to send her off (first to be a missionary for nine months and then to college), what do I want her to be thinking about and doing in her own spiritual life so she can be open to discerning her vocation well? How do I wish someone would have encouraged me? I have seven simple ideas to help any young woman begin thinking about vocational discernment. Most of these are habits that will take her well into the rest of her adult years—no matter what path God calls her to embrace. Cultivate a Life of Prayer The most important part of every Catholic woman’s life—single, married, or religious—is her prayer life. Prayer is how we communicate with God; how we learn to hear His voice. If we cannot hear His voice, how can we know what He is calling us to do? Develop a daily prayer habit Attend weekly (even daily) Mass Read/pray with Scripture (lectio divina) Grow in devotion to the Blessed Mother Go to monthly Confession Attend a Retreat Attending an annual retreat is a good practice, because it gives us extensive set-aside time with the Lord. Many dioceses and religious communities offer discernment retreats. Some monasteries allow guests to stay with them to get a feel for their way of life. A silent retreat is excellent, too. The gift of quiet, stillness, and peace found on retreat clears away the noise and distraction of this chaotic world. It opens our hearts to hearing the Lord speaking personally to us. Seek a Spiritual Director As you live a deeper prayer life, thoughts will come up that you may need help understanding. You may need guidance in determining what is from God and what is not. A spiritual director can offer prayer support and wisdom. He or she can also give you Scripture verses to pray and questions to ask God. Then, he or she can lead you in making steps toward your vocational discernment. Spend Time With People Seek out like-minded people as you journey toward vocational discernment. Find other women who are intentionally asking similar questions. If you are in college, get involved in ministries, such as St. Paul’s Outreach, FOCUS, or Newman Center. If you are beyond college, tap into one of the Blessed is She regional groups and find women in your area interested in gathering for a book study or brunch. Get to know your parish priest. Spend time with a religious sister. Befriend young (and old) married couples, and hang out with their families. Read Good Books Always have a good Catholic book to read! These are treasure troves of wisdom, encouragement, support, and guidance, as they lead us closer to God. On prayer: Prayer for Beginners by Peter Kreeft In Sinu Jesu: When Heart Speaks to Heart—The Journal of a Priest at Prayer by Anonymous The Rosary: A Path into Prayer by Elizabeth Kelly On discernment in general: Discerning the Will of God: An Ignatian Guide to Spiritual Decision Making by Timothy M. Gallagher, OMV Discerning Your Vocation: A Catholic Guide for Young Adults by Anthony Ariniello and Nathanael Pujos Making Choices: Practical Wisdom for Everyday Moral Decisions by Peter Kreeft Keep Asking Questions In our young adult years, vocational discernment is just as important—if not more important—as career discernment. So, as you take inventory tests, sharpen your resume, and attend upteen informational interviews, also immerse yourself in everything you can do to discern your vocation. Bring your discernment to prayer, over and over again. Keep asking God the big questions: Lord, will You show me the way? What are You calling me to? As you grow in prayer, you will know how God speaks to you, and how to distinguish His voice. Do Not Be Afraid No matter what vocation God calls you to—marriage, religious life, or even consecrated singlehood—your vocation is your path to holiness, your path to know, love, and serve Him in the best way imaginable, so you can be happy with Him for all of eternity. As our Lord says in the Bible 365 times, “be not afraid!” He calls you by name, because you are His (Isaiah 43:1), and He calls you for your specific vocation “for such a time as this” (Esther 4:14). Be ready for an adventure! God has a plan of sheer goodness for your life.   We want to hear YOUR story. Please share in the comments below! And if you want more help with finding your own story, our popular Write + Pray course offers 9 topics, nearly an hour of guided video, and almost 50 Scripture verses and questions for you featuring Managing Editor Nell O'Leary. Find your story today.   [bctt tweet="Blessed Chats: Vocational Discernment // What I Wish I Would Have Known #BISblog #blessedchats //" via="no"] 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

When Catholics consider what distinguishes our Faith from Protestant and Evangelical denominations, we naturally think of the Mass. Catholics attend the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Other Christians do not. As we regard other Catholic attributes, we look to the sacramental life of the Church, as well as to our use of sacramentals. We notice various prayers unique to Catholics, as well as our veneration of the crucifix and other sacred images. Catholic: One, Holy, Apostolic Many things set Catholics apart from Christian denominations. And yet, even within the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church, we recognize a beautiful, rich, and diverse history of liturgical tradition. This Catholic diversity is mainly found in six particular liturgical rites comprising twenty-three distinct Catholic churches. That’s right! There are twenty-three unique sui iuris churches within our one Catholic Church! Lexicon: Rites and Churches Before we explore the history and unique expressions of these different rites, let’s define a few terms. Specifically the difference between rite and church:. A rite consists of “the diverse liturgical traditions in which the one catholic and apostolic faith has come to be expressed and celebrated in various cultures and lands" (Catechism Glossary). A church is “a group of Christian faithful united by a hierarchy according to the norm of law which the supreme authority of the Church expressly or tacitly recognizes" (Canon 27). Thus, we conclude that a rite reflects ritual traditions and customs, while a church comprises the people within those traditions. Churches in Full Communion Within the Catholic Church, all twenty-three rites are in full communion with one another, meaning they are not in schism, or separated, like Orthodox or Protestant denominations. You may attend any of these Catholic liturgies and participate in the Holy Eucharist and other Sacraments. While liturgical traditions may look differently among these Catholic rites, based on their location and language, they retain a similar structure with readings from Scripture and the Consecration of bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ. In addition, all of these churches submit to all Catholic doctrines and dogmas defined by the Magisterium of the Catholic Church. Lastly, all churches recognize the primacy of the Pope, who is the patriarch over all the various rites within the Catholic Church. From the Beginning All of these churches started in one place: the Upper Room on Pentecost. The Blessed Mother and the Apostles were assembled there, and they received the Holy Spirit. On that day, the Apostles began to fulfill the Great Commission of Jesus Christ: Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. // Matthew 28:19-20 They went out and preached the Gospel to various nations. As the Gospel took root in different lands, followers of Jesus “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers" (Acts 2:42). Because each Apostle went to a different nation, the liturgical traditions that began to take shape looked slightly distinct. Yes, there was a “diversity in unity, a Church of churches,” as Byzantine Catholic Deacon Daniel Dozier describes. History of Schism However, these churches did not maintain unity. All of them—with the exception of two churches—split from the Roman Rite at some point in history. For example, communion between the Alexandrian and Antiochene Rites and the Latin and Byzantine Rites broke in 451. However, the Latin and Byzantine Churches did not excommunicate from one another until the Great Schism of 1054. The Armenian Church split from the Roman Rite in 1054 as well. It took several failed attempts throughout the centuries before these churches finally returned to full communion with one another. Because the schism lasted so long, many Eastern churches have an Orthodox counterpart that is still not in full communion with the Catholic Church. Eastern and Western Churches One way to differentiate the various rites and churches is geographically. The Latin (or Roman) Rite—with which most of you, dear readers, are familiar—is the largest rite within the Church. It is also the only Western Church. The rest of the various rites are geographically from the East. In 1894, Pope Leo XIII wrote about the importance of the Eastern Churches within our Catholic heritage: The Churches of the East are worthy of the glory and reverence that they hold throughout the whole of Christendom in virtue of those extremely ancient, singular memorials that they have bequeathed to us. For it was in that part of the world that the first actions for the redemption of the human race began, in accord with the all-kind plan of God. They swiftly gave forth their yield: there flowered in first blush the glories of preaching the True Faith to the nations, of martyrdom, and of holiness. They gave us the first joys of the fruits of salvation … Noteworthy Similarities There are several noteworthy similarities among Eastern Churches that distinguish them from the Latin Rite. In most Eastern rites, infants receive all three Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Holy Communion, and Confirmation) at the same time. All Eastern rites receive the Holy Eucharist on the tongue, never in the hand. Within some rites, the priest dips the Host into the Precious Blood and then places it on the communicant’s tongue, which is called intinction. Eastern Catholics, in general, fast more strictly than Western Catholics. They have more fasting seasons than Lent. During these fasting periods, they not only abstain from meat but also fish, eggs and dairy products, wine, and oil (noting a few days of exception). Many Eastern Catholics use a prayer rope or beads, called a chotki, instead of a Rosary. It is customary to use the chotki to pray a simple prayer called The Jesus Prayer. Persecution of Eastern Catholics Sadly, another similarity among Eastern Catholics is their experience of persecution for the Faith. Tertullian once said that “the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.” And Eastern Catholics have heroically lived out that old maxim. Throughout history, Eastern Catholics have endured centuries of hatred and cruelty because of their faith in Jesus Christ. Many have been willing to die for the Lord, and these churches never perished. For Roman Catholics, our concept of religious persecution can seem removed. We read stories of Saints who died for the Faith, but there are very few modern-day examples of religious persecution. For Eastern Catholics, however, this persecution has lasted even to the present day. Exploring Each Catholic Rite As we have mentioned, each of the six rites possess ancient roots, going all the way back to the Apostles. For all Catholic rites, liturgy is very important and is considered a type of catechism, central to forming disciples. In the Latin Rite, we say, "lex orandi, lex credendi," meaning "the way we worship is what we believe." Deacon Dozier says that “an entrance into the liturgy is an entrance into the kingdom.” So, even though there are liturgical distinctions among the Catholic rites, together, they create a beautiful mosaic of shared faith. Latin Rite Again, the Latin (or Roman) Rite is the largest rite and the only Western Church. It is expressed within three liturgies: Tridentine (Traditional Latin Mass), Novus Ordo (post-Vatican II Mass said in the vernacular), and Anglican Use. Under the Roman Catholic Church, there are other liturgical rites that date from before the mid-1500s: Mozarabic Rite (Spain) Ambrosian Rite (Italy) Bragan Rite (Portugal) Liturgies of the Dominican, Carmelite, and Carthusian orders Byzantine Rite When most people think of Eastern Catholicism, they think of the Byzantine tradition. It comprises of fourteen unique churches: Albanian Catholic Church Belarusian Catholic Church Bulgarian Greek Catholic Church Byzantine Church of Croatia, Serbia, and Montenegro Greek Byzantine Catholic Church Hungarian Greek Catholic Church Italo-Albanian Catholic Church (never split) Macedonian Catholic Church Melkite Greek Catholic Church Romanian Catholic Church Russian Catholic Church Ruthenian Catholic Church Slovak Catholic Church Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church Byzantine Liturgical Traditions Byzantine divine liturgies were written by fourth-century Saints John Chrysostom and Basil the Great. The Byzantine Rite uses leavened (instead of unleavened) bread for the Eucharist, and small pieces of the Host are placed into the chalice with the Precious Blood. Then, the laity receive the Body and Blood of Christ utilizing a small liturgical spoon. Another distinction between Latin and Byzantine Catholics revolves around veneration. While Latin Catholics venerate the wood of the Cross on Good Friday, Byzantine Catholics venerate Christ’s burial shroud. In addition, Latin Catholics tend to venerate statues, while icons are venerated in the Byzantine tradition. Alexandrian Rite The Alexandrian Rite consists of two subgroups: Coptic and Ge’ez rites. Within these subgroups are three churches: Coptic Catholic Church Eritrean Catholic Church Ethiopian Catholic Church The Coptic Catholic Church traces its lineage back to Saint Mark the Evangelist, while Ethiopians claim that Saints Matthew and Bartholomew spread Christianity to their area. Alexandrian Liturgical Traditions The main distinction between the Coptic and Ge’ez rites is language. The Coptic Catholic Church uses Coptic and occasionally Arabic, while the Eritrean and Ethiopian Catholic Churches use Ge’ez. One unique attribute to the Alexandrian Rite is when the liturgical year begins. Instead of Advent, it begins in late September with the Feast of the Cross. This feast commemorates Saint Helen’s finding of the True Cross. Antiochene Rite (West Syria) The ancient rite that blooms from West Syria, or Antioch, includes three churches: Maronite Catholic Church Syriac Catholic Church Syro-Malankara Catholic Church Antiochene Catholics trace their foundation to Saint Peter, who was Bishop of Antioch before he was Bishop of Rome. Therefore, patriarchs of the Maronite (which never split from Rome) and Syriac Churches are considered successors of Saint Peter, similar to bishops in the Latin Rite. Antiochene Liturgical Traditions All three of these churches use the West Syrian Rite in their liturgies. What differentiates them is language: Maronite Catholic Church: Aramaic or Arabic Syriac Catholic Church: Aramaic and Syriac Syro-Malankara Catholic Church: Syriac, Malayalam, or English The Mass, or liturgy, is called the Holy Qurbana, which translates to "holy sacrifice." It is rich in symbolism, as well as symbolic gestures and language. Armenian Rite The only church within the Armenian Rite is the Armenian Catholic Church. It dates back to the fourth century, when Armenia was the first country to adopt Christianity as their state religion. Armenian Liturgical Traditions The Armenian Catholic Church uses the liturgy of Saint Gregory the Illuminator. He lived in the fourth century and first composed the Divine Liturgy (what Latin Catholics refer to as the Mass) in Syriac. Similar to the Byzantines, when Armenians have an excess of bread that is not consecrated during the Divine Liturgy, this “blessed bread” (or antidoron) is given to the people after as a sign of fellowship. Within the liturgical calendar, there are slightly different seasons. For example, the season equivalent to Advent is called Aratchavorats, which begins on the Feast of Christ the King and lasts six to eight weeks. Chaldean Rite (East Syria) The Chaldean Rite traces its origins back to Saint Thomas the Apostle, and they are endearingly called “Saint Thomas Christians.” Within this rite are two churches: Chaldean Catholic Church Syro-Malabar Catholic Church While Chaldean Catholics have made their home in North America, they originally hail from India, Iraq, and other Middle Eastern countries. Chaldean Liturgical Traditions What sets the Chaldean Catholic churches apart is a red curtain that shrouds the sanctuary. Its significance traces back to the Jewish tradition of the Holy of Holies being separated by a veil, which was only accessed by the High Priest. The Chaldean curtain is similar to the iconostasis (screen of icons) in the Byzantine Rite and the communion rail in the Latin Rite. All Eastern Churches refer to the Eucharistic Prayer as the anaphora, and the Chaldean Rite uses the oldest ones in the Catholic Church (Liturgy of Mar Addai and Mar Mari), which date back to the third century. The vernacular language is typically used in the anaphora, but Aramaic—the language of Jesus Christ—is also used. Within the Chaldean liturgical calendar, there are nine seasons. They do not have Ordinary Time. However, they have Advent and the Great Fast (Lent). They honor the Feast of Saint Thomas the Apostle as a Holy Day of Obligation. Just a Glimpse This article only offers a glimpse into the six rites within the Catholic Church. However, it demonstrates the depth, richness, and beauty of our universal Church. The Catholic Church incorporates many unique cultures, traditions, and customs, and yet it is fully united in dogma and doctrine. The Catholic Church holds in high esteem the institutions, liturgical rites, ecclesiastical traditions and the established standards of the Christian life of the Eastern Churches, for in them, distinguished as they are for their venerable antiquity, there remains conspicuous the tradition that has been handed down from the Apostles through the Fathers … // Pope Paul VI To Learn More If this aspect of Church history peaks your interest, continue exploring the various rites of the Catholic Church: Attend a Traditional Latin Mass. Visit an Eastern Rite Catholic Church in your area. Study a helpful chart to see how the rites and churches relate to each other. Listen to a podcast that gives a brief history of Eastern Catholic Churches, plus a beautiful lesson in Marian spirituality. Consider purchasing an icon for your home. Pray The Jesus Prayer. Let us know your rite, and which one you would like to learn more about!   [bctt tweet="A Brief Overview of the Various Rites Within the Catholic Church #BISblog //" via="no"]

I said, “Yes,” to the invitation to join a Bible study unlike any Bible study I had ever attended. This one did not include reading and studying Scripture; it was a practicum on praying with Scripture or lectio divina. Each week, our leader gave us three Scripture verses to pray and an accompanying grace for which to ask. As we prayed with Scripture, we noted words and phrases that stood out. We listened to how the Lord spoke to us through them, we observed our internal responses, and we learned how to enter into a conversation with Him. This Bible study, or better yet, this prayer practicum did not just teach us how to pray. It also taught us how to encourage one another in our prayer patterns and in our unique spiritual journeys. Spiritual Encouragement Requires Listening While we shared our prayer time experience with one another, we were only expected to listen. In fact, we were not permitted to give any feedback! Why? Because it compelled us to listen without trying to simultaneously conjure up a response. For when we listen to someone, while also thinking about our response, we focus less on the person talking and more on ourselves. Likewise, when we are listened to intently, without worrying about the feedback we may receive, we are allowed to truly feel heard, and as a result, we genuinely feel cared for. Yes, listening to another gives that person the gift of being heard. And that is a powerful and beautiful gift, indeed. Less is More Throughout my experience in this prayer practicum, I discovered that spiritually encouraging someone is much simpler, much quieter than I ever realized. It does not require me to have all the answers. It simply requires my presence and attentiveness. Of course, this is completely counter cultural and even counter intuitive. Perhaps that’s why it is so powerful, especially in our noisy culture. While my experience was in a group setting, I have been able to apply my lessons in listening and quietly encouraging to conversations with friends. Now, when I meet with a sister who needs spiritual encouragement, I may not remain completely silent, but I continue to practice saying less.   Spiritual Encouragement in Eight Steps Here are eight tips for spiritually encouraging another sister in Christ: Pray for Guidance Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips. // Psalm 141:3 Before your conversation, ask the Holy Spirit for guidance. Silently invoke the intercession of the Blessed Mother and your Guardian Angel. Listening Attentively You must understand this, my beloved: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger. // James 1:19 When we find the word listen in the Bible, often it references the people of God not listening to the Lord. And oh, how not listening gets them into trouble! On the other hand, biblical listeners include Samuel (1 Samuel 3:10), Mary of Bethany (Luke 10:39), and Lydia (Acts 16:14). And they were blessed with God’s favor. This demonstrates how important listening is to God; not only to Him but also to one another. Be Comfortable With Quiet The effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever. // Isaiah 32:17 At first, it may feel awkward to listen more than talk. Practice letting the quiet linger. Let the silent moments remain unfilled. Perhaps it will give your sister in Christ the encouragement to keep sharing. Express Compassion As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. // Colossians 3:12 Quiet compassion—offering sympathy or empathy—could be as simple as nodding your head, smiling, keeping eye contact, offering a tissue, or giving a hug or hand squeeze. These simple gestures go a long way in offering encouragement to another. Ask Follow-up Questions The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple. // Psalm 119:130 Clarifying questions allow us to encourage someone, while at the same time letting the other person continue to process and feel listened to. Here are a few to consider: What do you think about that? How does that make you feel? Have you gone through something like this before? Positively Reassure Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body. // Proverbs 16:24 After listening, reiterate what you heard and offer reassuring words of comfort. Validate how difficult her situation may be, how sorry you are for what she has to endure, and how brave she is. Then, encourage your sister to see what God is doing in her life. Express how you see God walking with her. Describe a virtue you admire in her. Share a particular Scripture verse or saint that could offer her consolation. Invite Her Into Prayer Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you. // 1 Peter 5:7 Encourage your sister to bring her struggle to the Lord, placing it at the foot of the Cross, before the Blessed Sacrament. If she does not know how to do this, walk her through some simple steps. Offer to pray with her, leading by example. Follow Up Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing. // 1 Thessalonians 5:11 Continue to encourage your friend by calling or texting her. Send her a letter in the mail. Bring her coffee. Keep praying quietly but fervently for her, for “the prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective” (James 5:16). How do you spiritually encourage someone? In what ways has someone encouraged you?   [bctt tweet="How to Be a Spiritual Encourager #BISblog //" via="no"] 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

Welcome to our Blessed Chats series! Each month, we will dedicate an entire week of blog posts to a topic that affects many of us. These conversations often come up in our Facebook groups and in our real life friendships. We want to share a variety of perspectives on the topic at hand, so we've asked women to share their stories and how the teachings of the Church have guided and comforted them. In this series, we're talking about college. We'd love for you to join the conversation! It does not feel that long ago when I was a young adult woman beginning a new chapter in life on my college campus. I was eager to exercise my newfound independence by moving away from home and into my home-away-from-home for the next four years. I looked forward to selecting interesting courses and meeting new friends. The reality is that time is funny, and even though this does not feel that long ago, it was. Because now my own daughter is a senior in high school and preparing to begin this new chapter in her life. As I reflect upon my own college experience, I write this blog post for you, as your sister in Christ—with a few more years of collected experience and wisdom. Whether you are just beginning your college experience or nearing the end. Whether you are fulfilling a gap year in ministry, service, or the working world. Or whether you have chosen another path, I pray that these words give you confidence and courage to stay strong in your faith no matter where life brings you, during these exciting, unique years of life. Hindsight is 20-20 I intentionally chose a Catholic college because my Faith was important to me. But I quickly discovered that living out the Catholic Faith was not the priority of every student on campus. Even at a supposedly Catholic university, I still had to actively seek out like-minded people who wanted to attend Mass each Sunday and be involved in other faith-enriching activities. Despite having a handful of good friends, I still walked some of my faith journey alone during those years. At one point, I sought the spiritual guidance of a religious sister who lived in my college’s convent, when I needed help discerning how to listen to God’s voice in the midst of so much noise. Overall, I had a pretty good experience staying committed to my Faith during my college years. However, hindsight is always 20-20, isn’t it? And I wish I would have had a more experienced sister in Christ to encourage and challenge me in my faith, during a time when so many other ideologies were vying for my attention. 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 How to Cultivate Your Faith in the College Years So, here are some concrete tips for you. Ones that worked for me, and ones I wish someone would have shared with me. I hope you find them helpful and encouraging, as you navigate these significant, formative years. Keep Going to Mass Strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. // Matthew 6:33 If you attend a college that offers on-campus Mass, go! If you do not, find the closest (orthodox) parish, and attend Sunday Mass there. The Eucharist is the heart of our Catholic Faith. “It is our duty and salvation,” the primary way we give God our gratitude and praise. The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass centers us and keeps our eyes fixed on Christ. In addition to finding a church where you can attend Mass, find out schedules for Confession and Eucharistic Adoration. Regularly frequent these opportunities for grace. Commit to Personal Prayer But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. // Matthew 6:6 This season of life is full of change. Your location and surroundings change. Your schedule changes. Your friends and acquaintances change, too. Amidst all of this transition, it is so important to maintain a consistent prayer routine. Make prayer a priority and a habit. Figure out where and when you can pray each morning or evening. Entrust your whole life to the Lord. Talk with Him about the highs and lows of college life. Seek His guidance and direction. Go to Eucharistic Adoration when you can. Read Sacred Scripture. Pray the Rosary. Seek Out Like-Minded Friends For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them. // Matthew 18:20 Whether you attend a Catholic or secular university, seek out other Catholic young adults. Most colleges across the United States have some type of Catholic outreach program that offers Bible studies, prayer meetings, and other discipleship opportunities: Newman Center Saint Paul’s Outreach FOCUS Even if your Catholic friendship circle starts small, with one other sister in Christ, she will make all the difference in your life (and vice versa). And eventually, you will encounter more Catholic friends. Connect Online For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, and I rejoice to see your morale and the firmness of your faith in Christ. // Colossians 2:5 Living in a digital age, there are a plethora of ways to keep in touch with sisters in Christ across the miles. Offer prayer support to friends back home via a group chat. Follow uplifting Catholic accounts on social media. Join a Blessed is She group to pursue authentic Catholic friendships. Listen to Catholic podcasts to receive regular doses of solid Catholic teaching. Unite Your Loneliness to Christ’s Realization of our oneness in Christ is the only cure for human loneliness. // Caryll Houselander I have to be honest with you, dear sister. You may experience periods of loneliness because of your Faith during these college-age years. While others are at parties or giving into a variety of temptations, you may be the only one in the dorm on any given night. You may have to say no to the crowd, in order to say yes to Christ. When this happens, unite your loneliness with Christ’s loneliness, when the crowd turned against Him. Trust that He, and countless Saints who have gone before us, understand this sacrifice and can help you through it. Because it is worth every lonely moment to stay true to yourself, to your relationship with the Lord, and to your Catholic values. Your loneliness will be temporary, and you will be so glad you persevered in the end. Be Confident in Your Faith Keep alert, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong. // 1 Corinthians 16:13 As you embark (or continue) on your journey, my dear sister in Christ, please be assured of my prayers for you. As I think of my own daughter, as she prepares to graduate and begin a year of ministry, I will think of you, too, in whatever plans God has for you.   This is just one of many stories about college life and discernment. We want to hear YOUR story. Please share in the comments below! And if you want more help with finding your own story, our popular Write + Pray course offers 9 topics, nearly an hour of guided video, and almost 50 Scripture verses and questions for you featuring Managing Editor Nell O'Leary. Find your story today.   [bctt tweet="Blessed Chats: College // Cultivating Your Faith on Campus #BISblog #blessedchats" via="no"] 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

“She’s such a good person? Why does she have to suffer?” “I don’t want to go through this pain. I am afraid.” Suffering is something that no one wants to endure. It is scary, lonely, difficult, and painful—whether it is physical, spiritual, mental, or emotional. But suffering is part of life in this fallen world; it is completely unavoidable. Jesus suffered. Mary suffered. The saints suffered. And at some point, all of us will suffer in one way or another. This may sound like a harsh reality. Perhaps it is. Suffering Can Lead to Redemption But the Lord does not allow our suffering to be meaningless. Rather, the mystery of suffering offers redemption. It invites us to participate in the salvific work of the Cross. It leads us to Heaven. And our own suffering also helps others in their ongoing conversion toward Christ. We see evidence for this in Sacred Scripture: “More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” // Romans 5:3-5 “I am now rejoicing in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am completing what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church.” // Colossians 1:24 “I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” // Romans 8:18 And the Catechism of the Catholic Church confirms these truths: By his passion and death on the cross Christ has given a new meaning to suffering: it can henceforth configure us to him and unite us with his redemptive Passion // CCC 1505 Moreover, “suffering can also have a redemptive meaning for the sins of others" (CCC 1502). We Are Not Alone Of course, even redemptive suffering is difficult. In the midst of it, we can grow weary and can even lose our faith. The Lord knows that we cannot endure any type of suffering alone. Nor does He want us to. He invites us to entrust our sufferings to Him so that He can give us the grace we need to suffer well, to unite our sufferings to His, and to remain hopeful in the redemptive promises attached to our personal suffering. “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” // 2 Corinthians 12:9 Books about Suffering In addition to Scripture and the Catechism, which offer a plethora of encouragement in the midst of suffering, there are wonderful books that offer guidance and support, too. They explain the redemptive nature of suffering. And they extend comfort and consolation, while enduring personal suffering. Understanding Suffering The Problem of Pain by C.S. Lewis considers a universal question: “If God is good and all-powerful, why does He allow suffering?” With compassion and wisdom, Lewis answers this question and offers hope to a world in desperate need of healing. Suffering: The Cross of Christ and Its Meaning for You by Dom Hubert van Zeller demonstrates how the 14 Stations of the Cross teach us how to transform our failures into victories, as well as how to ease another's suffering by emulativing Mary’s compassion at the foot of the Cross. This book explains the purpose of suffering, and through Christ’s Passion, we can learn how to bear our own crosses with patience and perseverance. Learning From Others He Leadeth Me is the true story of Father Walter Czizek, who was captured by the Russian army during World War II and falsely convicted of being a Vatican spy. He spent 23 years in Soviet prison and labor camps. Through his complete reliance on God's will, Father Czizek endured extreme hardships and lived to tell others of the fortitude he found in prayer, which gave him an inner peace amidst the horrific evil that surrounded him. Left to Tell: Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust by Immaculee Ilibagiza is her personal account of surviving the 1994 Rwandan genocide. Most of Immaculee’s family was ruthlessly murdered, but she survived because of a local pastor’s courage and kindness. For three months, she and seven other women hid in his cramped bathroom. During those long, terrifying days, Immaculee discovered the power of prayer, especially the Rosary. She emerged from the bathroom hideout with a love so strong she was able to forgive her family’s killers. Entrusting Ourselves to God Trustful Surrender to Divine Providence: The Secret of Peace and Happiness by Jean Baptiste Saint-Jure and Blessed Claude de la Colombière is a spiritual classic that invites readers to “be still and know that” God is in control, and He will never send us a trial too difficult to endure. But we must learn how to surrender to God’s will, which will ultimately help us to attain serenity in this world and salvation in the next. Abandonment to Divine Providence by Jean-Pierre de Caussade explains that true abandonment to God is a trusting, peaceful, and childlike surrender, which is guided by grace. This book encourages readers to be present to the moment by accepting our everyday obstacles with patience, humility, and love. Discovering Hope and Healing Searching for and Maintaining Peace: A Small Treatise on Peace of Heart by Father Jacques Philippe discusses the reality that we live in an age defined by agitation and discord. Father Philippe invites readers to respond to the upsetting situations that come our way by embracing the Gospel. Using concrete examples from everyday life, readers discover how to overcome fear and grow in confidence in God’s loving care for us. Interior Freedom by Father Jacques Philippe leads readers to discover that even in the most difficult circumstances, we possess a freedom that no one can take away, because it originates from God. Throughout this book, Father Philippe unfolds a simple but important theory: our interior freedom is in exact proportion to our growth in the theological virtues of faith, hope, and love. This Lent and Beyond A spiritual book about suffering is the perfect companion to our upcoming Lenten journey, although these books can be read and contemplated at any time of the year. Spiritual books on suffering contribute to our understanding of the greatest suffering ever endured: the Passion and Death of Our Lord Jesus Christ. They also help us more fully unite our own sufferings with those that Jesus and Mary endured on Mount Calvary. And the wisdom gained within the pages of these books aid us in easing the sufferings of others. Have you read any of these books? What are your favorite books about suffering through the lens of faith?     [bctt tweet="Books about Suffering (through the Lens of Faith) #BISblog //" via="no"]   This post contains affiliate links. Thanks so much for supporting the ministry of Blessed is She!

On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. // Matthew 2:11 In the Gospel of Saint Matthew, we read about the Magi, the wise men, who followed the star of Bethlehem in search of the Newborn King. They traveled a long way to greet and adore the Christ Child, even though they were not members of the Jewish faith, which held a deep longing for the Messiah to come and “ransom captive Israel.” Traditional Roots of Epiphany For centuries, Roman Catholics, as well as Christians in Eastern rites, have honored this pilgrimage of the Magi within the Christmas season. In fact, Epiphany is considered the twelfth day of Christmas. Theologically, Epiphany commemorates the manifestation of Christ to the entire world. In other words, it is the event that reveals Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God. While we primarily focus on this revelation to the Magi, the Church also teaches that this manifestation occurred at two other events: Christ’s Baptism, when God’s voice from Heaven said, “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased (Matthew 3:13-17). The wedding at Cana, when Jesus performed His first public miracle (John 2:1-12). Rejoice! It’s Still Christmas The Feast of the Epiphany, the twelfth day of Christmas, reminds us that while the world has long packed up Christmas for another year, we continue to celebrate the birth of our Savior. We are blessed with another day to ponder the profound meaning of the Incarnation: that Jesus, the Messiah, the Son of God, came down to earth to meet us in our need, to dwell and walk among us, and to save us from our sin. What an incredible gift worth celebrating and reverencing for more than one day! So, how can we respond to this gift? The gift of salvation? The gift of rescue? The gift of complete and total love? Ponder, Pray, and Praise on Epiphany On the Feast of the Epiphany, let us honor Christ’s manifestation to the world by taking time to ponder, pray, and praise. Ponder O come, let us adore Him. // The three Magi traveled far to greet the Messiah. Legend says that their journey took three to twelve months! Let us ponder... To what lengths do I go to spend time with the Lord in prayer and adoration? Do I remain steadfast in my quest to “strive first for the kingdom of God” (Matthew 6:33)? O Lord, may I never grow complacent in my quest to seek and find You! May I always go to great lengths to encounter You at Holy Mass and in Eucharistic Adoration. Amen. Gold I bring to crown Him again. // The wisemen gave Jesus the finest gifts, truly fit for a King. Let us ponder... Do I give Jesus the best part of my day in prayer? Do I give Him the fullness of my heart, by seeking to do His will above mine? O Christ my King, I renew my devotion to You! I love You, and I am so grateful that You came on Christmas! You are the King of my heart; the King of my entire life. Amen. Let loving hearts enthrone Him. // A supernatural faith brought the Magi to the stable, and upon their encounter with Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, their lives were forever changed. Let us ponder... How has the birth of Christ changed my life? How can I order my days according to my encounter with the Newborn King? O Little Lord Jesus, my faith in You has grown so much this Christmas! How could it not? May You always find room in my heart to rest Your sweet head. Amen. [bctt tweet="O Lord, may I never grow complacent in my quest to seek and find You! May I always go to great lengths to encounter You. #BISblog //" username="sarahcdamm"] Pray Catholics attend Holy Mass on the Epiphany. And the Church also offers a special home blessing for this feast day. This can be done whether you live alone, with roommates, or within a family. Before Epiphany, purchase chalk and ask your priest to bless a piece of it. Also be sure to have blessed Holy Water on hand. The custom is to bless the entrance of your home. Then, write the initials of the three wise men plus the numbers of the new year just above the doorway with blessed chalk. Afterward, sprinkle the doorway and each room of your home with Holy Water. This is a lovely tradition that invokes the peace of Christ upon the house, all those who dwell within it, and all who visit it. To find the complete text for this traditional blessing, click here. Praise After pondering the miracle of the birth and manifestation of Christ, and blessing your home with special prayers, it is time to celebrate the Epiphany! In many families, the wise men arrive at the home’s Nativity display on Epiphany, after traveling throughout the house during Advent and the Christmas days leading up to this feast day. In some countries, it is customary to give gifts on Epiphany instead of on Christmas. While my own family exchanges gifts on Christmas, we emphasize the three gifts of the Magi, and give our children three gifts, too. Gold is their main gift; frankincense is something that will draw them closer to God; and myrrh is something that they can wear. One Catholic blogger has a custom of purchasing new Catholic books for her children on Epiphany. They even arrive wrapped in gold paper! Since it is still the Christmas season, keep listening to Christmas carols. Today, be sure to add “We Three Kings,” “The First Noel,” and “The Twelve Days of Christmas” to your playlist. End this special feast day with a delicious Twelfth Night Rum Cake. Do you honor the Feast of the Epiphany with special prayers and traditions? Please share them in the comments below.   [bctt tweet="Celebrating the Epiphany of Our Lord #BISblog //" username="sarahcdamm"]