The air in the chapel contains an allure, powerful yet gentle. And I am drawn into the intensity of God’s love for me. It is so present, so tangible. It is almost overwhelming. But am I just being silly, like a girl being wooed by a handsome prince in some fairy tale?...

Several years ago, I had an ongoing vision in my Christian imagination of Jesus and me on a playground. When the image first entered my prayer, I asked, “On a playground, Lord? Really?†And in reply, Jesus laughed! And with a glimmer in His eye and a warm smile across His face, He extended His hand in invitation...

The pain and suffering were like nothing I had ever endured. I could not believe how much had been given and taken away in such a short amount of time. It felt unbearable...

As I enter the chapel, I immediately notice that I’m not alone. The presence of Another is so real, so palpable; it fills the entire space. I kneel down before Jesus, truly present in the Holy Eucharist, housed in the beautiful gold monstrance upon the altar. I feel His eyes on me, and He smiles. He has been waiting for me...

It’s almost time. In a few days, one of the most beautiful and beloved times of the year will come to a close. And for me, that’s always a little hard. The combined Advent and Christmas seasons invite us to enter into the miraculous story of Salvation History. We carve out special time for prayer and reflection. We light candles and wait in joyful hope. We prepare our hearts and homes for the birth of the Babe who changes everything. And then we celebrate! Not only for a day, but for eight … and then twelve … and then through the Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord. Yes, there is a warmth and glow to the Advent and Christmas seasons that I love! And when it’s time to pack it away for another year, I feel an emptiness in my heart and home. Grateful for the Seasonal Life Thankfully, we live within the rhythm of a seasonal life. The natural and liturgical seasons, coupled together, don’t allow me to hold onto one season or another too tightly. Rather, they propel me forward and beckon me to fully enter the present moment. So I unplug the twinkle lights and box up the ornaments. I welcome a new season: Winter’s Ordinary Time. [bctt tweet="The natural and liturgical seasons, coupled together, don’t allow me to hold onto one season or another too tightly. Rather, they propel me forward and beckon me to fully enter the present moment. #BISblog //" via="no"] Liturgical Living Between Christmas and Lent This block of Ordinary Time does not last very long. It begins just after Christmas and ends when Lent begins. Here are a few ways to live liturgically during winter’s Ordinary Time: January: the Holy Name of Jesus January can be filled with expectation. We hope to accomplish specific New Year’s resolutions. We also dare to hope for what the new year could bring: health, hope, love, financial security, and so on. This can cause our hearts to grow restless because we want to control the outcome of our hopes, dreams, and goals. It is fitting, then, that the month of January is dedicated to the Holy Name of Jesus. Because while we do have some control over our resolutions and goals, this dedication reminds us that Someone far greater has all the control, and we can entrust our new year to Him. To practically dedicate January to the Holy Name of Jesus, consider praying with your favorite Name for Jesus. It could be Savior, Messiah, Redeemer, Lord of Lords, Mighty God, Prince of Peace, or something else. Whichever one resonates with you, write it out and place it wherever you pray. Invite Jesus, under this particular title, to reign in your heart and take care of you, as you begin the new year. Solidify Prayer Practices Speaking of prayer, Winter’s Ordinary Time encourages us to recall our encounter with Christ this Christmas and decide how we want to practically live it out in the ordinariness of life. Hold onto your prayer practices of Advent and Christmas, and solidify them into a daily prayer routine. One way to do this is by praying with the daily Psalm or Gospel reading, which can be found online or in a printed format, such as the Magnificat. Journal about how God is speaking to you personally through His Word. Add a Rosary, or even just a decade, to your day. Discern whether the Holy Spirit is prompting you to begin a weekly Holy Hour before the Blessed Sacrament. Order Our Days in Peace As you begin adding birthdays and other special dates to your new calendar, decide how to make this year more spiritual. Pencil in what time you will pray each day. Schedule time to attend an extra Mass each week and Confession each month. Decide what feast days you want to celebrate and devotions you want to add. Select the spiritual books you want to read. The key is to not add all the spiritual things at once. Rather, be mindful of what is already present in your life and build (slowly) from there. February: the Holy Family The month of February is dedicated to the Holy Family. For those who prayed with All the Generations Advent + Christmas devotional, this is a perfect time to continue asking God to reveal your unique place in His family. It is also be a lovely time to pray intently for your own family’s needs, asking the Holy Family to intercede in a special way. Keep Your Nativity Up If you’re still having a hard time putting the Christmas decor away, tradition suggests that Catholics keep their nativities up through the Feast of the Presentation, since it points us toward Jesus’ birth. The Presentation is celebrated on February 2nd, 40 days after the birth of Jesus. We find this event in the Gospel of Luke 2:22-40, and we meditate on it in the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary. Under the Law, Joseph and Mary presented their first-born son in the temple. This is another ‘epiphany’ celebration insofar as the Christ Child is revealed as the Messiah through the canticle and words of Simeon and the testimony of Anna the prophetess. -from Ceremonies of the Liturgical Year Learn about Sacramentals The Presentation is also called Candlemas, since this mini-epiphany expresses that Jesus is the Light of the World. Candlemas leads us to a deeper understanding of the purpose of sacramentals within our Catholic Faith. Sacramentals, such as holy water, the Rosary, and candles are “sacred signs which bear a resemblance to the sacraments” (CCC 1667). They strengthen our devotion to and love for the Lord. On Candlemas, it is customary to have candles blessed. If there is a parish near you that observes this tradition, bring candles that you will use in your home on the Sabbath or feast days and have them blessed. Receive an Extra Blessing Those blessed candles are put to work right after Candlemas. For the following day is the feast of St. Blaise, who was a physician and bishop. He is attributed for saving a child who was choking on a fish bone, and this miracle led to the blessing of throats on his feast day. Placing blessed unlit candles upon a person’s throat, the priest prays Through the intercession of St. Blaise, bishop and martyr, may God deliver you free from every disease of the throat, and from every other disease. In the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. This blessing is especially comforting to people with throat-based illnesses. For example, I have thyroid issues, and I find great solace in having my throat blessed every year. But really, a blessing upon the throat can be good for all of us as we fight colds and flus this winter. How do you plan on growing in your faith during these ordinary winter days? [bctt tweet="Liturgical Living Between Christmas and Lent #BISblog //" via="no"]

We have reached this year's final days. And in a couple of days, we will ring in a new year. When the year comes to a close, I like to pause and reflect on the last 12 months. What were the highlights and lowlights? How did the Lord move in my heart and soul? What consolations did I receive from Him, and how did He lead me through the dark and lonely times? Looking Ahead Then, I look ahead with expectant faith toward the new year. What are my hopes and dreams? What changes do I want to make? How should I set my goals, what should my goals even be? I jot down a few ideas, put together a plan, and pencil in time to work on my New Year’s resolutions. Typically, the first days go well, but after two or three weeks, the hope I felt toward the new year fizzles. I feel discouraged when my goals encounter insurmountable obstacles. And I realize that without God’s grace and strength, I can’t resolve much of anything (John 15:5, Matthew 19:26, Philippians 4:13). Perhaps what is missing in my resolution efforts is reliance on the Lord. Trying to do it on my own, with my weak will power and distractible mindset, sets me up for immediate failure. Perhaps you can resonate with this? If so, where can we find a consistent dose of heavenly help? Catholic Books for Your New Year's Resolutions In addition to asking for God’s help in prayer and remaining close to the Sacraments, there is a wealth of faith-filled encouragement in Catholic books. Here are eight Catholic books to support your new year’s resolutions. Listed by category, perhaps one will keep us moving toward our goals throughout the new year. Exercise more // Lose weight // Eat cleaner It’s OK to Start With You by Julia Marie Hogan Losing weight, exercising, and eating clean are considered “self-care.” Caring for ourselves ensures that we are strong enough to live out our mission. Often, however, we feel guilty about doing things for ourselves, even when they benefit others in the long run. It’s OK to Start With You encourages us to prioritize self-care. It even claims that self-care is a discipline rooted in our identity as God’s daughters! In this book, author Julia Hogan helps us understand why we neglect ourselves and equips us with tools to change our habits. You Are Enough: What Women of the Bible Teach You About Your Mission and Worth by Danielle Bean When tackling a health-related goal, it’s important to remember that our worth is not reflected in how we look or the number on the scale. So, before we set out to improve ourselves, we need to remember that we are enough. Right here, right now. In You Are Enough, Danielle Bean introduces us to Biblical women who demonstrate how our worth is wrapped up in our identity as daughters of God, made in His image and likeness. She helps us solidify that truth, so we can strive to glorify God and fulfill His will in our lives. Declutter // Organize // Simplify Know Thyself: The Imperfectionist’s Guide to Sorting Your Stuff by Lisa Lawmaster Hess When our resolution is to simplify, we usually can’t wait to get started. Until we realize that the “tried and true” system is flawed, and the cute containers don’t corral our stuff very well. In Know Thyself, we learn that there is not a one-size-fits-all solution to organizing, because God has created us to be unique individuals who have unique organizing styles. Author Lisa Hess helps us discover our personal organizing method, so we can succeed in ordering and simplifying our lives. Make My Life Simple: Bringing Peace to Heart and Home by Rachel Balducci Desiring to get organized could be a goal that only scratches the surface. When life feels chaotic and messy, anxiety and weariness can paralyze us. If only a neat and tidy house could cure the turmoil in our hearts! Author Rachel Balducci knows how that feels. In Make My Life Simple, she shares her personal heartache and how God answered her plea for more peace and less chaos, more joy and less anxiety. She offers tips for establishing a peaceful home, but more importantly ways to order our whole lives—body, mind, and spirit. Pray more // Begin a holy hour // Read Scripture Lift Up Your Heart: A 10-Day Personal Retreat With St. Francis de Sales by Rev. John Burns Many of us desire to jumpstart our prayer routine in 2020. But how do we begin? How about with a 10-day personal retreat in the comfort of home? Lift Up Your Heart by Fr. John Burns takes reflections from St. Francis de Sales and breathes new life into them. He applies de Sales wisdom to the modern life and helps us ignite our daily prayer habit. Praying Scripture for a Change: An Introduction to Lectio Divina by Dr. Timothy Gray Those of us who pray regularly with the daily Gospel readings and Blessed is She reflections may desire to go deeper in our Scripture reading habit. But what is our next step? Praying Scripture for a Change introduces us to the ancient technique of lectio divina. In it, Dr. Gray explains how God speaks personally and uniquely to us through Scripture. He shows us how to recognize God’s voice through a lectio divina routine. And when faced with interferences, he offers tips to maintain a consistent and fruitful prayer life. Develop friendships // Strengthen relationships Can We Be Friends? By Rebecca Frech Finding good friends is hard. Maintaining them is even harder. But since we were created for relationship, we crave connection. In Can We Be Friends?, Rebecca Frech explores why we need friendship, how to nurture our relationships, and even when to let friends go. She outlines different types of friends and how to invite select friends into our inner circle. This book reminds us that friendship gives us a sense of belonging, and it also helps us be our truest selves. The Friendship Project: The Catholic Woman’s Guide to Making and Keeping Fabulous, Faith-Filled Friends by Michele Faehnle and Emily Jaminet When life gets busy, we can easily lose contact with friends. Before we know it, we haven’t connected with anyone in weeks, maybe months. The truth is that friendship takes time and effort. And in this busy world, it is challenging to invest in friendship … and find a friend willing to invest, too. In The Friendship Project, readers explore questions such as, “What does it mean to be a friend?” and, “How do the virtues make me a more compassionate friend?” The authors guide us through Church teachings, stories from the Saints, and personal scenarios to help us be a better friend and seek out friends who will encourage us in our pursuit for holiness, too. Has a Catholic book ever supported you in reaching a goal or resolution? Tell us about it in the comments below! [bctt tweet="Catholic Books for Your New Year's Resolutions #BISblog //" via="no"] This post contains affiliate links. Thank you so much for supporting the ministry of Blessed is She!

Today is the second day of Advent. An entire season, filled with joyful anticipation and expectant hope, awaits us. The candles on the Advent wreath stand tall, eager to help us count down the days and weeks until the birth of Jesus. And we feel a peaceful thrill about this season. We want to savor the days and enter into what it means to “stay awake” and “be prepared,” as Jesus instructs in the Gospel. But this desire for Advent—for waiting, watching, hoping, and preparing—can be easily overpowered by a cultural mindset that is already celebrating Christmas. Carols start playing on the radio before Thanksgiving Day. The stress of shopping for the perfect gift appears to be the pinnacle of the “holiday season.” And for practical purposes, school pageants, holiday office parties, and other festive events all happen early in December. How can we, who long to be present to the liturgical moment, wait until December 25th to celebrate the birth of Jesus? How can we uphold a spirit of Advent, while still living in the world? It might be hard, but it is possible with a few intentional ideas. How to Wait to Celebrate Christmas + Live Advent Abundantly Here are six ways to hold off on celebrating Christmas, even in a culture that starts (and ends) celebrating too early: 1. Savor your prayer time. During Advent, we often desire to refresh our prayer practice by starting anew or adding something extra to our time with the Lord. No matter how crazy the season feels, hold onto this longing to draw close to Jesus this Advent. Schedule prayer in your planner. What time of the day can you regularly enter into the presence of God? Journal through an Advent devotional or pray with the daily Gospel. This helps to stay present to Advent and not jump ahead to Christmas. Add a Eucharistic holy hour (or half hour) to your week. Consider how the shepherds and wise men adored the Christ Child in Bethlehem, and how we can adore that same Christ Child in the Blessed Sacrament every day! 2. Light your Advent wreath. This simple custom slows down the hustle and bustle that tries to invade our Advent peace. Lighting one candle per week and seeing the slow progression from darkness to light helps us realize how dark our world is without the light of Christ. In what ways is God calling us to move from darkness to light, so Jesus can be born in our hearts this Christmas? Place your wreath in a central location. Bless your wreath with special prayers and a sprinkling of holy water. Light it at the same time every day. Perhaps during your personal prayer time, family prayer time, or dinner. 3. Wait for it. It’s good to feel excited about decorating our homes, listening to Christmas carols, and immersing ourselves in all-things Christmas. But waiting to do these things will help us savor Advent. It will also make celebrating the birth of Christ more meaningful when Christmas finally arrives. Delay decorating your home until the third Sunday of Advent—Gaudate Sunday—when we light the pink candle and joyfully remember that our waiting is almost over. Make the Nativity the decorating exception. Set it up early in Advent for meditation and prayer, but leave the manger empty as a reminder of for Whom we are longing. Instead of listening to Christmas carols during Advent, create an Advent playlist to enjoy (or listen to ours). Or savor the peacefulness of these Advent hymns by the Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles. 4. Be intentional. As invitations to parties come in, as the calendar fills up with pageants and band concerts, and as the to-do list grows longer by the minute, it is important to be intentional about how we spend our time during the short season of Advent. What is truly necessary, and what is possibly optional? Seek God’s help as you prioritize. He will surely shed His eternal light on your schedule, if you ask Him! Jesus delights in our desire to make Christmas special for our family and friends. But He also doesn’t want our work to cause anxiety (remember what He said to Martha!). So prayerfully consider declining an invitation, opting out of the cookie exchange, and crossing a couple of tasks off of your list. See how this frees you up to remain present to Advent. It might be difficult to delay all holiday tasks during Advent, especially baking, shopping, and wrapping. But is there a way to simplify them? Only bake two or three types of cookies, instead of 12. Shop online to avoid stressful crowds. As you write out cards and wrap gifts, pray for the people who will receive them. 5. Celebrate Advent’s feast days. Celebrate a couple of Advent’s wonderful feast days. Doing this makes Advent festive and fun, especially for kids, while still maintaining a spirit of waiting and preparing. Fill shoes or stockings with small treats on the Feast of St. Nicholas (December 6th). On December 9th, attend Mass for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception (a holy day of obligation). Place flowers by a statue of Mary, either at church or in your home. Enjoy a Mexican-themed dinner on the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe (December 12th). Serve cinnamon rolls (or authentic St. Lucia buns) for breakfast on December 13th, the feast of St. Lucy. 6. Save Christmas merriment for Christmas. While the world packs away Christmas on December 26th, the festivities are really only beginning with the Octave of Christmas (December 25th-January 1st). The 12 Days of Christmas begin on Christmas Day and go through Epiphany. And the entire Christmas season lasts until the Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord, which is January 12th this year. There are many fun Christmas traditions that don’t need to be crammed into the four short weeks of Advent. We can spread them out during the official Christmas season. Host a movie marathon with your favorite holiday movies. Crank up the Christmas carols and sing to your heart’s content. Celebrate the 12 Days of Christmas by learning what each day symbolizes. Cozy up by the Christmas tree and bask in the glow of its twinkling lights. Thank God for sending His Son Jesus into this world on Christmas, to rescue us from darkness and light our way back to the Father’s loving embrace. How do you wait until Christmas to celebrate? Please share your ideas in the comments below. [bctt tweet="How to Wait Until Christmas to Celebrate (While Still Living in the World) #BISblog #advent // " username="sarahcdamm"]

Walk into any store or tune into any radio station, and you would think Christmas is next week. The minute Halloween is over, Christmas is here. Never mind that it’s still very much fall, Thanksgiving is still a few weeks away, and Advent is the season that prepares us for the long-anticipated birth of Our Savior. It can be hard to form holiday traditions rooted in Faith, when we live in a very secular (and commercial) society. We hang stockings, decorate the tree, and give gifts. But perhaps we wonder why we do these things. Is there meaning behind these traditions? Or do we do them “just because”? Holiday Traditions Rooted in Faith Developing traditions takes time and patience. My family has tried things that simply didn’t click for us. Or some ideas worked well when we had two children but not as well with six. Eventually, the traditions that were meant to be ours took root in the hearts of each family member. And before we knew it, the kids started telling me, “That’s our tradition, Mom!” And because we believe that Christmas is—and always will be—about God coming to dwell among us, we recognize how our holiday traditions are rooted in Faith … while fun and nostalgic, too. Counting the Days Celebrating the season of Advent helps us prepare our hearts and homes to welcome Jesus on Christmas Day. The Advent Wreath The Advent wreath is a lovely connection between home and church, with Advent wreaths prominently set up in both places. My family enjoys the flickering light of the candles as the winter days grow darker. Our Advent wreath acts as a “Christmas countdown” of sorts, too, as we light another candle each week and the anticipation of Christmas grows. Jesse Tree Another way to countdown the days until Christmas is with the Jesse Tree. This custom traces Jesus’ lineage all the way back to Creation. Each day, we hang an ornament that corresponds with a Scripture reading. As each Bible story is read, we see a golden thread tying them together. And that thread is God. The Jesse Tree reminds us of God’s immense love and faithfulness. We see how He transforms the messiest situations by giving us a Savior. We recognize that the story of salvation is our story, too. Decorating Glorifies God It is quite customary to do a lot of decorating at Christmastime. In fact, we can have multiple bins of Christmas decorations that are enjoyed for only a few weeks each year! And that’s OK. Because we are celebrating Jesus’ birth, after all! And when we decorate to honor the Lord, of course we want every space to sparkle! Often, the Christmas tree is the focal point of our Christmas-y homes. But perhaps we can turn greater attention to the nativity scene. One way to do this is by displaying it in a more central location. Add candles or twinkle lights. Make the scene a tiny altar, where we come to pray. Decorating the tree helps us think about how God’s love is everlasting, just like the life of an evergreen. While stringing lights around the tree, we contemplate how Jesus is the light of the world, and His light “shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:5). And placing a star or angel on top, we remember the first Christmas when angels appeared to shepherds in the night sky and announced the birth of Jesus (Luke 2:8-20). Think of Mary and how she must have kept her house for the Holy Family. I imagine it being tidy, peaceful, and ready to welcome family and friends. As we prepare our homes for Christmas next month, let’s ask for Mary’s intercession to focus on hospitality, not perfection. Hanging Stockings by the Chimney Whether or not Santa Claus is part of your Christmas celebration, it is very popular to hang stockings somewhere in the home. This tradition can be linked to St. Nicholas, whose feast day is December 6th. On St. Nicholas Day, fill shoes or stockings with chocolate coins and a small faith-based gift. Read The Night Before Christmas by Clement Clarke Moore. In this poem, “the stockings were hung by the chimney with care in hopes that St. Nicholas soon will appear.” This references the legend of St. Nicholas, who tossed bags of money through windows to help poor families. His generosity slowly evolved into the idea of Santa. Giving Generously, Like the Wise Men Can we even think about Christmas without thinking about gift giving? We may wonder why we do it, but we can’t imagine not doing it! To make gift giving more meaningful, consider praying with the Scripture passage that tells the story of the Three Wise Men and the gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh that they gave to Jesus at His birth (Matthew 2:1-12). As we contemplate giving Christmas gifts, let’s ask the Lord to fill our hearts with the generosity of the Wise Men. Like the Wise Men, we can be lavish in our giving, even if we can’t spend a lot of money. For example, we can spend extra time visiting an elderly family member. We can help an elderly neighbor string lights on their house, or we can bake cookies for our parish priest. Consider giving gifts that symbolize the gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Since gold is known to be valuable, the gold gift is something at the top of the recipient’s wish list. The frankincense gift is something that draws us closer to the Lord, just as our prayers rise up like incense (Psalm 141:2). And since myrrh is an ointment for the body, the myrrh gift is something practical, such as clothes, pajamas, or a new purse. This practice adds meaning to the presents we give (and receive) on Christmas Day, and it also simplifies the shopping. Rooting Traditions in Faith is Easier Than You Might Think Holiday traditions that we enjoy year after year are special for one reason or another. And the more we think about it, the more we discover how they are rooted in Faith and help us celebrate the birth of Jesus. What are some of your holiday traditions rooted in Faith? [bctt tweet="Forming Holiday Traditions that are Rooted in the Faith #BISblog //" via="no"]

Several years ago, I was struggling to keep a consistent rhythm of prayer in my life. At the time, I was a mom of six young children, and life was constantly changing. Just as we came out of one transition, we seemed to enter a new one. And I was tired. Oh so tired. But I knew that prayer was essential, and I could not give up on it. Standing in line for Confession one day, I was reviewing an Examination of Conscience. It followed the Ten Commandments and gave examples of sins that fell under each one. I was stopped in my reflective tracks when my eyes read these words under the First Commandment to not have strange gods before the Lord: Have I neglected prayer? As I continued to prepare for the Sacrament of Confession, I felt the Holy Spirit nudging me to admit my struggle to pray. So I did. And of all the sins I confessed that day, my struggle with prayer was the one Father focused on when he offered counsel to me. It made sense, for prayer is at the center of our relationship with God. Prayer is Vital and Personal According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, prayer is having “a vital and personal relationship with the living and true God” (2558). “Thus, the life of prayer is the habit of being in the presence of the thrice-holy God and in communion with him” (2565). Prayer does not have to be fancy or elaborate, but it needs to be consistent. Consistency forms a fruitful prayer rhythm and allows us to maintain that prayer rhythm, too. During Confession that day, Father suggested a simple formula to help me form and maintain a prayer routine in my life: daily prayer + weekly Mass and Adoration + monthly Confession + yearly retreat Over the years, I have followed this formula with various prayer practices, depending on my season of life. At times, my prayer rhythm is very fruitful; at other times, it is rather rotten! But it is always helpful to have something practical to return to again and again, when I need to get back on track. [bctt tweet="Prayer does not have to be fancy or elaborate, but it needs to be consistent. #BISblog //" username="sarahcdamm"] Six Tips for a Fruitful Prayer Rhythm Here are six tips to form and maintain a fruitful prayer life, following the prayer formula mentioned above: 1. Pray for your heart’s desire. Talk to the Lord about your heart’s desire to grow closer to Him. Invite Jesus into your prayer plan. Ask Him to show you how and when to pray. Listen for ways He is inviting you to spend time with Him. 2. Seek support. You do not have to figure all of this out on your own. In fact, it is probably better to share your plans to grow in prayer with others, such as your husband, close friend, or spiritual director. Not only can they help you find time to pray, but they can also hold you accountable in a kind and gentle way. 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 3. Be consistent. Habits form when we do the same things at the same times, over and over again. So try to praying at the same time everyday. Attend the same Mass every week. Go to Confession on the same day each month (i.e., first Friday). Attend a retreat at the same time each year (i.e., every summer). 4. Ask questions. In order to find the times that work best for prayer, Mass, and other prayer practices, ask yourself the following questions: When do I have time during the day to pray? Right when I wake up in the morning? When the baby takes a nap in the afternoon? After I am done with work in the evening? What Sunday Mass is best for me to attend? The early one, later one, or the Saturday vigil Mass? Is there an hour during the week when I can go to Adoration? Could I visit the chapel on my way home from dropping off the kids at school? Or maybe when my husband gets home from work? When does my parish offer Confession? How can I make it a monthly habit to go on the same day each month? What retreats are available near me? Does my parish offer an annual women’s retreat? Is there a Blessed is She retreat coming to a town near me? Do I know of a retreat house that offers silent weekend retreats? 5. Pencil it in. As with any important appointment, prayer needs to be scheduled. Once you decide what works for you, add prayer, Mass, Adoration, Confession, and your retreat to your calendar. It helps to see visual reminders of these important activities, especially when they aren’t automatic habits, yet. 6. Be patient. When Father encouraged me to give this formula a try, he also advised me not to do everything at once. So, I give you the same advice! When forming your prayer rhythm, take small steps and build upon them slowly and steadily. Faithfulness, Faithfulness, Faithfulness In prayer, as in everything, “God does not require that we be successful, only that we be faithful” (St. Teresa of Calcutta). There will be days when our prayer is far from perfect. But over time, we will see the fruits of being faithful and consistent. Our hearts will be closer to God, and we will be more in tune to His voice and will in our lives. How have you formed a prayer rhythm in your life? How do you plan to maintain that rhythm during busy seasons? [bctt tweet="How to Maintain a Fruitful Prayer Rhythm #BISblog //" username="sarahcdamm"]

Fall is right around the corner! And I don’t know about you, but the beginning of the autumn season reminds me of a “mini” new year. Of course, it feels like that because autumn ushers in a new academic year. What says “fresh start” better than opening a new notebook and writing in it with a newly-sharpened #2 pencil? While we all enjoy the slower pace of summer days, by the end of August, most of us are ready to refresh our rhythms of life, renew our commitments, and return to a more orderly way of life. Thankfully, the Church’s continuation of Ordinary Time into the autumn season helps us incorporate ways of keeping our spiritual routines steady and consistent. At the same time, a multitude of Catholic customs and traditions keep our faith life interesting and engaging. Liturgical Living Ideas for the Fall So how do we live liturgically during the ordinary days of autumn? Here are four ideas to help us fall into a beautiful rhythm of orderly, faith-filled autumn days. 1. Recommit to prayer. If summer’s lack of routine caused your prayer time to fall by the wayside, now is the time to start anew! Recommit to spending time with the Lord everyday. It’s okay if you have to start with a few minutes and grow from there. It is simply important to get back on track and work on consistency. 2. Learn something new. There is something in the crisp autumn air that reminds us of our love of learning. Whether you are still in school or it has been years since you stepped foot in a classroom, God invites us to continuously learn, grow, and discover within our Catholic Faith. So, this autumn dive into an aspect of Catholicism that you’re curious about: prayer, Scripture, the Saints, or Christian living. Books I Recommend Here are a few books to ignite your desire to learn more about the Faith: Busy Lives & Restless Souls: How Prayer Can Help You Find the Missing Peace in Your Life by Becky Eldredge is for readers who feel like peace is missing in their lives. In this book, Becky unpacks the wisdom of St. Ignatius of Loyola in a fresh way and equips us with prayer tools that are accessible and practical within our daily routines. Becoming Women of the Word: How to Answer God’s Call With Purpose and Joy by Sarah Christmyer breathes new life into the stories of Old Testament women and makes their lives surprisingly relatable. Stories from Sarah’s faith journey as well as family and friends demonstrate how the same principles that turned ordinary women into faith-filled heroines are also true for us today. Catherine of Siena by Sigrid Undset presents a memorable portrait of one of the greatest female Saints of all time. Sigrid based this biography on primary sources, her experience living in Italy, and her personal understanding of the human heart. 3. Befriend the angels. In the autumn season, we celebrate the angels with two special feast days. The Feast of the Archangels is September 29. On this day, we honor three angels named in the Bible: Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael. Michael is mentioned in Daniel 10:13-21 and 12:1, Jude 1:9, and Revelation 12:7-9 where he defeats Satan. In Luke 1:26-38, Gabriel greets Mary with “Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you” and announces the birth of Jesus. Just prior to that, in Luke 1:8-20, Gabriel announces to Zachariah the birth of John the Baptist. Lastly, Raphael is named in Tobit 12:15. The Feast of the Guardian Angels is October 2. As Catholics, we believe that “beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life” (CCC 336). This fall, take time to read the Church’s teachings about the angels found in the Catechism 325-354. Or, begin praying the Angel of God prayer on a daily basis. This simple prayer invites our own Guardian Angel to be with us throughout the day, and helps us imagine his presence, guidance, and protection in our lives: Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom God's love commits me here, ever this day be at my side, to light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen.   4. Focus on gratitude. As we move into the month of November, it is important to intentionally slow down. The world around us wants to jump ahead to Christmas, while we still have a few more weeks of Ordinary Time before Advent begins. How to do it One way to stay present to the moments of this beautiful time of year—the natural season of autumn and the liturgical season of Ordinary Time—is to focus on gratitude. Here are a few ways to cultivate an attitude of gratitude this fall (and beyond): Keep a list // Every day, jot down one, three, or five things you are grateful for. Keep them in your Blessed is She planner in order to cultivate a daily gratitude habit. St. Ignatius of Loyola encouraged reviewing each day with gratitude, as part of his daily examen prayer. Say thank you // Send a thank-you note to someone who has blessed you practically or spiritually. Be specific in your words of gratitude. Pray the Scriptures // Find a Bible verse that exudes gratitude to the Lord for who He is and all that He does. Write it out, and post it prominently in your home. Pray it daily and make it personal. A Time of Renewal After the relaxed season of summer, we enter fall ready to refresh our routines and return to a more consistent schedule. The steady pace of Ordinary Time helps us in our pursuit of orderly days. It is a wonderful time to continue growing a regular prayer practice. Fall’s ordinary days also invite us to learn something new about our Faith, deepen our relationship with the angels, and cultivate a greater sense of gratitude in our lives. Of course, these ideas only begin the conversation of how to live liturgically during the ordinary days of autumn. Our rich Catholic Faith will always have us discovering new ways to live out our Faith in every season of life. How do you practice liturgical living during the ordinary days of autumn? This post contains affiliate links. Thanks so much for supporting Blessed is She! LITURGICAL PLANNERS Our Liturgical Planners are based on the Litany of Humility. Enter into prayer every day alongside this beautiful Litany. Order your days in His peace. GET YOUR PLANNER

I don’t know about you, but I find it fairly simple and rather exciting to live out the liturgical seasons of Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter. There are so many tangible ways to naturally integrate these seasons into everyday living—in my prayer life, in my home, and with my family. During Advent and Lent, I enjoy praying with a devotional to prepare my heart for the extraordinary miracles of Jesus’ birth on Christmas and resurrection on Easter. During the dark evenings leading up to Christmas, my family gathers around the Advent wreath. The light grows brighter, as we anticipate His coming. During Lent, a simple prayer table focuses our attention on Christ’s passion and death—all He endured for our salvation and what we can offer Him in return. When Christmas and Easter finally arrive, I am ready to enter into the celebration. On Christmas, I arrive in Bethlehem, ready to receive the Christ Child in my heart. And on Easter, my entire being rejoices in the hope of new life in the Lord. But what do I do when the calendar turns to the day after Christmas? Or when the 50-dayl ong Easter season is over and life returns to normal? How do I live liturgically during Ordinary Time? Order Our Days in His Peace There are two periods of Ordinary Time in the Church calendar. One is the short time between the end of Christmas and the beginning of Lent. The longer stretch of Ordinary Time—the one we’re in now—begins after Easter and ends just before Advent. Ordinary Time comes from the Latin ordinalis, which means “showing order.” In many ways, we practice “showing order” when we intentionally commit to prayer during Advent and Lent. We get into the habit of daily prayer and reflection, so that we can continue that practice during the everyday, ordinary times of our lives. But perhaps Ordinary Time still feels too expansive to make meaningful. Perhaps we need more tangible ideas to live liturgically during Ordinary Time. The good news is that our faith can remain alive and active, even during our most “normal” days. Throughout Ordinary Time, the liturgical color of green gives us hope, just as green in nature symbolizes new life, growth, fullness, and fruitfulness. Also, there are plenty of beautiful feast days and Catholic customs that we can integrate into our everyday, ordinary lives. How to Live Liturgically During Summer's Ordinary Time Since we are in the midst of that longer stretch of Ordinary Time, here are four ways to live liturgically during June, July, and August. Pick one or two to incorporate into your summer routine, and slowly add more over time. 1. Keep praying. While we may not have a beautiful devotional to pray with each day, allow the time you spent with your Advent and Lent prayer journals to be a springboard for a daily prayer habit. One way to do this is by meditating on the daily Mass readings. You can find the readings, along with a daily Gospel reflection, right here. I am always surprised by how often the daily readings speak directly to my personal circumstances. It’s like they were written just for me! Keep a journal close by to jot down verses that are especially meaningful to you. 2. Discover a new devotion. The month of June is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which culminates on the June 28th feast day. Since the Sacred Heart of Jesus is present on earth in the Blessed Sacrament, visit a Eucharistic Adoration Chapel on this feast day. Perhaps this will slowly turn into a weekly Holy Hour. Another custom involving the Sacred Heart of Jesus is enthroning your home, which simply means inviting Jesus into your home and giving Him authority over it. To learn more about this process, click here. 3. Become friends with the Saints. July is dedicated to the Precious Blood of Jesus. St. Catherine of Siena lends us a beautiful prayer to incorporate into our daily prayer time: Precious Blood, Ocean of Divine Mercy: flow upon us. Precious Blood, Most Pure Offering: procure us every grace! Precious Blood, Hope and Refuge of Sinners: atone for us! Precious Blood, Delight of Holy Souls: draw us! Amen.   Also, many Saints have feast days in July. This long summer month is a great time to befriend them! Here are a few ideas: Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati (July 4) is a favorite among young-adult Catholics. In his honor, go on a hike and spend time with God in nature. Our Lady of Mount Carmel (July 16) gave St. Simon Stock the scapular. Learn more about this sacramental and the protection that it offers through Our Lady’s powerful prayers. Sts. Joachim and Anne (July 26) are the grandparents of Jesus. Through their intercession, say a special prayer for your grandparents. If they are still living, plan a visit, give them a call, or send them a card. St. Martha (July 29) and her siblings Lazarus and Mary were good friends of Jesus. Ask for Martha’s intercession when your to-do list is causing you to be “anxious and troubled” (Luke 10:38-42). 4. Grow in your relationship with Mary. August is dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. We honor Mary’s heart, because it remained purely attentive to the will of God and devoted to her Son, Jesus. Here are a few ways we can grow in our relationship with Mary, especially this August: Pray a daily Rosary. Start small by praying one decade a day and slowly build up to one Rosary per day. Display a beautiful statue or picture of Mary prominently in your home. During the summer months when nature is in full bloom, place flowers near your Marian image. After all, moms love flowers from their children! Celebrate the Solemnity of the Assumption on August 15 with Mass and a special dessert. Consecrate yourself to Jesus through Mary. Anything but Ordinary Ordinary Time may be the longest liturgical season, but it is anything but mundane and boring. It is a great time to order our days in Christ’s peace. In addition, feast days, rich traditions, and Catholic customs ignite our faith, so we can live prayerfully, intentionally, and liturgically all throughout the year. How do you practice liturgical living during the ordinary days of summer? [bctt tweet="Ways to Live Liturgically During the Ordinary Days of Summer #BISblog //" via="no"]

The countdown has begun! With just about one month left of school, summer is right around the corner. My six children are excited (obviously), and while I appreciate the structure of the school year, I also look forward to slower mornings, less busyness, and an opportunity to linger a little longer. But as we take a break from routines and homework, I don’t want us to take a break from our Faith. So, as I sift through camp brochures and swim lesson schedules, I wonder how to weave our Catholic Faith into our summer plans. One way, I discover, is through books. As parents, we don’t want our children to forget everything they learned during the school year. So we naturally encourage them to keep reading over the summer. Libraries and bookstores are on board with this idea, too, and many offer summer reading programs (with incentives) to keep children reading throughout June, July, and August. Since we want our kids to stay engaged in their Faith and keep reading over the summer, why not combine the two with faith-based books? Catholic Summer Books for Kids Here are eight Catholic books for your children to check out this summer. Written by Catholic authors, elements of faith (some obvious, some subtle) are woven throughout each storyline. The books are organized by age group, and there’s even a bonus suggestion for moms! Young Children Take It To the Queen: A Tale of Hope by Josephine Nobisso explores the role Mary plays in Salvation History. The story, on its own, is delightful, but theological symbols woven throughout add richness and meaning to this original tale. The plot revolves around villagers who transgress against their king. The town is in desolation, so the people seek help from the queen. This soon-to-be favorite includes gorgeous artwork and lessons in virtue and good behavior. As we slow down this summer, it might be a great time to practice mindfulness as a family. Dr. Gregory and Barbra Bottaro wrote Sitting Like a Saint: Catholic Mindfulness for Kids for two reasons: to introduce children to some wonderful Catholic saints, and to help children (and parents alike) develop skills such as self-awareness, focus, problem solving, and resilience. While mindfulness may seem like a newer concept, when presented through a Catholic lens, it dates back to the time of Jesus, when He commanded us to “not be anxious” (Matthew 6:25). Grade School The Chime Travelers series by Lisa M. Hendey includes five books, featuring fun-filled time-traveling adventures. In each book, twins Patrick and Katie Brady find themselves “chime” traveling to a faraway land, where they enter a real Saint’s life. Saints featured in the series include Patrick, Kateri, Francis, and Clare. A Christmas adventure rounds out the series, as the twins travel to Bethlehem and meet up with the Holy Family. During each adventure, they learn a valuable lesson that applies directly to a situation back at home. Each book includes prayers and a short biography of the saint’s life. Fans of Percy Jackson will want to add the Will Wilder trilogy by Raymond Arroyo to their summer reading list. In the first book, The Relic of Perilous Falls, Will Wilder accidentally borrows a sacred relic, which is believed to protect the town of Perilous Falls. While his intentions are harmless, Will’s 12-year-old impulsivity awakens an ancient evil that now endangers the town. To make things right, Will sets out on adventure and proves that while he is young, he can make a difference. The author draws inspiration from the Bible and weaves virtue lessons into the plotline. Middle School 7 Riddles to Nowhere by A.J. Cattapan is the story of seventh-grader Kameron Boyd, who is selectively mute after experiencing tragedy as a young boy. His new Catholic school is the only place that makes life bearable. But when financial trouble threatens to close it, Kam will do anything to keep it open. Seven riddles send Kam and his friends on a scavenger hunt through Chicago’s churches in order to find a treasure sizeable enough to keep the school open. But solving the riddles is not easy, especially because the school’s bully is after the fortune, too. The Bird Face Series by Cynthia Toney follows the life of Wendy Robichaud as she navigates the end of eighth grade and beginning of high school. In the first book, 8 Notes to a Nobody, a school bully schemes against Wendy, and her best friend starts to drift away. At the same time, someone starts leaving her anonymous sticky-note messages all over school. The more Wendy discovers about the people around her, the more lessons she has to learn. This series uses humor and hope to address real issues concerning tweens and teens, including bullying, self-image, blended families, a first innocent romance, and more. High School Roland West, Loner by Theresa Linden is the story of 14-year-old Roland, who is hated by his twin brothers and friendless at his new school. While his father is away on business, he must avoid his brothers' schemes. To free himself from his brothers' first trap, Roland accepts help from Peter Brandt, a kid from school. As he wonders if he can trust Peter, secrets, rumors, lies, and a mysterious box put Roland on a journey that has the power to change his loner status. This is the first in a five-book series about the West brothers. In An Unexpected Role by Leslea Wahl, 16-year-old Josie learns the lessons she needs to discover her authentic self. After experiencing humiliation and peer pressure, Josie flees her home to spend the summer in South Carolina with her aunt. This fresh start turns into the summer of Josie’s dreams. She develops new friendships, and a budding romance begins to blossom. However, when tragedy strikes, Josie recognizes the more important things of life. She learns to rely on her faith, and in the process, she discovers who God created her to be. For Mom In The Grace Crasher by Mara Faro, Julia pretends to be born-again to please her Christian housemates—Mark, a cute EMT, and his mom. Mark knows she’s pretending, but he likes Julia and decides to protect her secret. Missing her Catholic past, though, she finds herself sneaking off to attend Mass. Then, at an open mic night, Dylan, Julia’s musician crush, sings her a song. Now, she is wavering between two guys, fumbling her way through three different churches, and utterly confused about life. Will everything come crashing down on her, or will Julia finally crash into grace? What Catholic fiction books would you recommend for summer reading? Please add to our list in the comments below. [bctt tweet="Catholic Summer Reads for Kids #BISblog //" username="sarahcdamm"] This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase by clicking through one of these links, Blessed is She will receive a small percentage of your purchase at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting this ministry by using our affiliate links! THE PERFECT BOOK FOR KIDS Rise Up will open up beautiful conversations with your children about the virtues. . This will bring beautiful fruit to your prayer life and to your children's prayer lives. GET RISE UP

Every year, around this time, I start to feel a bit weary. The fatigue I feel toward the end of the calendar year can be likened to how a runner feels at the end of a long race. I want to end well, but I’m just so tired. It doesn’t help that a “hustle and bustle” feeling in the air makes me think I’m constantly behind on my ever-growing to-do list. The countdown to Christmas can, indeed, feel like a marathon! But I really don’t desire the days and weeks leading up to the birth of Jesus to be a swirling blur. I also don’t want to fizzle out before Christmas arrives. Rather, I long to savor the journey and wait with joyful hope. I want to carve out time to prepare my heart—not just the gifts, decorations, and cookies. I’d like to celebrate the last month of the year, wrapped in the joy of Christmas. Praying Advent One way I’m sure many of us will savor our December days is by praying with this year’s Blessed is She Advent Devotional, Bearing Light. In addition, there are several lovely Advent traditions, such as lighting the Advent wreath and placing ornaments on the Jesse Tree, that keep Jesus at the heart of the holidays. There are also wonderful Advent- and Christmas-related books written by Catholic authors that help us remember, “all is calm,” even on a blustery winter evening. Curled up by the fire or cozied up to the lights of the Christmas tree, these books can help us remain present to the season of Advent, while we anticipate the joy of Christmas. Our Advent Book List Whether you are looking for a lighthearted romance or a story to read aloud to your children, here are six Catholic books to enjoy, as we slow down, savor the Advent season, and try not to rush Christmas. Fictional Fun Every year, I look forward to watching holiday-themed movies on the Hallmark Channel. Sure, they are formulaic and predictable, but they are also sweet, warm, and perfect for unwinding after a busy day of Christmas prep. Well, Ornamental Graces by Carolyn Astfalk surpasses any romantic Christmas movie I have ever watched. And it isn’t predictable at all! The novel follows Dan Malone and Emily Kowalski’s relationship, as it begins in the Christmas tree lot that Dan owns. At the moment, Dan is recovering from a very toxic relationship, and he vows to never date again. Emily is sweet, genuine, and kind. But her lack of self-confidence causes her doubt her chances of ever dating, let alone marrying. As much as Ornamental Graces is fun, romantic, and enjoyable, it is also deep, thoughtful, and inspiring. Themes of faith, forgiveness, and unconditional love abound and teach us how essential these qualities are in relationships. It also gives us a beautiful portrayal of why Christ came to earth at Christmas—because we needed Someone to rescue us from sin and despair in order to fully live in His light and love. Pondering in Our Hearts Whenever I receive my new Magnificat in the mail, I immediately turn to the back in search of reflections by Caryll Houselander. Often featured in this monthly periodical that provides the daily Mass readings, her writing is deep, personal, and poignant. That is why I had to include her book, The Reed of God, on this list. First published more than 50 years ago, The Reed of God is a spiritual classic that depicts Mary, the Mother of God, as an empty reed or vessel waiting to be filled by God. Houslander’s vision of Mary’s humanity helps us realize that Mary is with us, eager to show us how to say “yes” to God. The Reed of God is a beautiful and reflective book that you can slip into your bag and bring with you to Eucharistic Adoration. Yes, you definitely want to savor this one! Biblical Encounter While Jesus’ early years are often considered “hidden,” six moments depicted in Sacred Scripture encourage us to reflect, imagine, and ponder His childhood: the Annunciation, the Visitation, the Nativity, the Presentation of Jesus in the temple, the flight into Egypt, and finding Jesus in the temple. What would it be like to walk beside Mary from the Annunciation to the time when she finds Jesus in the temple? What was life like for Jesus, Mary, and Joseph? How would knowing Jesus as a child impact your faith? Gaze Upon Jesus: Experiencing Christ’s Childhood through the Eyes of Women offers a prayerful and creative journey through Advent and Christmas. Written collaboratively by 11 authors, this book invites readers to encounter Jesus and Mary during His infancy and childhood. Gaze Upon Jesus blends Scripture reflections, a discussion on six key virtues, and visio divina (a way to pray with sacred art). Woven throughout the book is a fictional narrative that invites readers to enter the story of Jesus’ childhood in an imaginative way. Family Devotion If you wonder what to do or say when gathering around the Advent wreath with your family, look no further than Welcome Baby Jesus by Sarah Reinhard. This simple booklet is designed to guide you and your family through Advent, by experiencing the joyful anticipation that leads to Christmas. Each day includes a Scripture quote from Sunday’s Gospel reading, a brief reflection, and an action to complete. This little book is practical, prayerful, and so helpful in cultivating family devotion. With each passing Sunday, your Advent wreath will grow brighter, and your family will more fully appreciate the true meaning of the season. Bonus: Read Aloud Fun for the Whole Family Grade School The Strangers at the Manger by Lisa Hendey is part of her imaginative five-book series, Chime Travelers, in which twins Patrick and Katie encounter various saints through “chime” traveling. In The Strangers at the Manger, a new family joins Patrick and Katie’s parish. There is something different about the Perez family, but Patrick and Katie are not sure how to respond to them. Suddenly, a church bell chimes, and the twins find themselves traveling to Bethlehem with Mary and Joseph. As they spend time with the Holy Family, Patrick and Katie learn firsthand how to welcome the stranger and share from the heart. Middle School Destination Bethlehem by Sharon Altman and Christine Winkelman is about Isaac and Jediah’s adventures, as they travel through Ancient Palestine, during the census. Yes, the same census for which Joseph and Mary travel to Bethlehem! As the story unfolds, the boys find themselves at the heart of the Nativity story and gradually realize the birth of the Messiah is at hand. This book consists of 24 chapters (December 1-24). Each chapter ends with a cliffhanger and builds anticipation for reading the following one, which proves to make it a fun read aloud for the entire family. What are you reading this Advent? What are some of your favorite seasonal books? [bctt tweet="Catholic Books to Savor this Advent #BISblog //" via="no"] This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase by clicking through one of these links, Blessed is She will receive a small percentage of your purchase at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting this ministry by using our affiliate links!

Autumn is one of my favorite seasons. I welcome its familiar comforts: rustic colors, crunching leaves, savory soups, and cozy layers. The season of autumn also signals a fresh start, with the beginning of a new academic year. The new season of fall and the new school year bring promise of new growth, new opportunity, and new discovery. And as this newness swirls among the falling leaves and blows freely in the fresh autumn air, I am reenergized to continue the lifelong pursuit of learning and growing, especially when it comes to my faith. Reading that Inspires Faith The beauty of the Catholic Faith is that as we continue to grow, God invites us to go deeper. He reveals new truths and invites us to explore new mysteries. We will never exhaust the depths and heights of our Faith, and we will never get to the bottom of the stack of books we could read to help us fall more and more in love with the Lord and His Church. So, whether we are still in school or it has been years since we stepped foot into a classroom, God encourages us to continuously learn, grow, and discover. He inspires us to dive deep into the areas of prayer, Scripture study, Church teaching, and authentic Christian living. While there are many excellent Catholic books out there, I highlight four to consider this autumn: two fiction and two non-fiction—all filled with truth, goodness, and beauty. This fall, let’s dive into good books that draw us closer to God and teach us something new about our Faith at the same time. 4 Catholic Books to Fall in Love With This Autumn Chick Lit Many women have been burned by fiction, especially "chick lit." So, I was overjoyed to discover Catholic Philosopher Chick Makes Her Debut by Rebecca Bratten Weiss and Regina Doman. It follows former fashion writer Catelyn Frank as she travels to Texas to start her doctorate program. This clean, fun novel will accompany your favorite pumpkin drink quite perfectly. But that is not to say this book is mindless reading. On the contrary, Catholic Philosopher Chick is intelligent and witty. The transcendentals of truth, beauty, and goodness as well as gentle lessons on the feminine genius are woven throughout the storyline. College-age and young-adult women will identify with protagonist Catelyn’s struggles, but women of all ages will appreciate the imperfect ways she strives for holiness. Deep and Poignant As leaves turn from green to gold to brown, and as darkness fills the air, fall gives us more time indoors for deeper reflection and quiet contemplation. A good book for “such a time as this” is Rachel’s Contrition by Michelle Buckman. It is a fast-paced novel filled with loss, grief, mystery, love, healing, and hope. It begins at a very dark time in Rachel Winter’s life. In the first few chapters, we learn about her broken childhood that leads to destruction and despair. But as the story progresses, Rachel’s life begins to be restored through the unlikely help of a teenager named Lily and the powerful presence of St. Thérèse of Lisieux. This novel includes difficult and mature scenarios and raw emotions, but it also portrays the truth that redemption is open to everyone. Fall Into Organizing More often, we associate organizing and cleaning with the season of spring. But autumn is also a wonderful time to declutter, as we shift our wardrobes and prepare our homes for the upcoming holidays. One book that can guide us through this effort is Making Room for God: Decluttering and the Spiritual Life by Mary Sperry. This organization book explores the relationship between our stuff and our Catholic beliefs. Each chapter includes details on the author’s own journey (and struggle) with decluttering, to encourage us along the way. While Sperry draws wisdom from the Bible, liturgy, Fathers of the Church, lives of the saints, and Church teachings, she also offers practical elements to help us declutter our homes once and for all. ‘Tis the Season for Saints Autumn ushers in the Catholic tradition of honoring the Saints in Heaven with the Solemnity of All Saints (November 1st). We also remember those who have gone before us on All Souls Day (November 2nd). Because of these special holy days, autumn is a wonderful time to learn more about the saints. Blessed Are You: Finding Inspiration From Our Sisters in Faith by Melanie Rigney explores the eight Beatitudes Jesus taught by introducing us to women saints who exemplified specific Beatitudes during their lives. Readers quickly discover that there are multiple ways to approach spiritual poverty, meekness, mercy, and peacemaking. And the diversity of the saints in this book allows readers to connect with one or another in very personal ways. Blessed Are You gives a hopeful, encouraging message to follow the Lord right where you are at this moment. And to lean on your sisters in faith to inspire you along the way. Back to School Bonuses For those who are searching for quality Catholic fiction for children, here are three bonus suggestions for Catholic kids of all ages. Grade School Sisters of the Last Straw is a four-book series by Karen Boyce about a group of misfit nuns with bad habits. In each book, they try to overcome their faults, bear with each other, and work on virtue. At the same time, they find themselves in the middle of a mystery to solve. This series is fun and funny, demonstrating that sisters are real people, too! These books also teach young readers to see one another with greater compassion. Middle School A Single Bead by Stephanie Engelman is a beautiful story about the power of prayer through the eyes of 16-year-old Katelyn. It begins on the anniversary of her grandmother’s death, which caused her mother to enter a deep depression. Katelyn discovers a single bead from her grandmother's Rosary. This begins a quest to find the other missing beads. A Single Bead is filled with themes of family, prayer, faith, and hope. High School The Perfect Blindside by Leslea Wahl is about Jake Taylor, a young Olympic snowboarder, and Sophie Metcalf, a high school junior. They are new friends, who find themselves mixed up in a mystery that they must work together to solve. It is a wonderful tale of romance, mystery, faith, and fun. What are you reading this fall? Please share your current read in the comments section below. [bctt tweet="Fall in Love with Catholic Books this Autumn (Plus Ideas for Kids!) #BISblog //" via="no"] This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase by clicking through one of these links, Blessed is She will receive a small percentage of your purchase at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting this ministry by using our affiliate links!

As August begins, are you planning one last road trip or weekend getaway to the beach or cabin? Before the kids head back to school, we often desire to soak up the sun and savor the last days of summer. Even if we don’t have school-aged children, we can still have a back-to-school mindset as fall approaches. For autumn seems to be the season when we return to a more organized routine, while summer permits more leisurely activities and lingering moments. So, before we get back to “normal,” we jump at the chance to enjoy these last weeks of summer refreshment with one last getaway. If you find yourself packing your bags for an August adventure, may I suggest including a good book to enjoy? And instead of just grabbing the latest bestseller, why not consider reading a book that is not only captivating but also nourishing of our Catholic Faith? Over the last several years, I have had the pleasure of connecting with a variety of authors who are committed to creating quality Catholic fiction. These authors are smart, innovative, and passionate about storytelling. And in turn, they have published some of the best and brightest novels around. These authors offer something for everyone, no matter what your favorite genre. And I just know you will be pleasantly surprised with their creativity and imagination, while staying true to the Catholic Faith. 5 Catholic Novels to Read This Summer So, along with your swimsuit, towel, and sunscreen, pack one of these Catholic novels for your end-of-summer getaway. Fairytale Revisited When you were a little girl, did you enjoy Snow White and other princess fairytales? If so, you will appreciate The Shadow of the Bear by Regina Doman, the first in a series of retold fairytales. It is set in modern-day New York City. Blanche and Rose are sisters in high school, and they meet a young man named Bear, who rescues their mom from a swerving car. He looks to be poor and even a bit shady, but they soon discover there is goodness hidden beneath his dirty clothes and matted dreadlocks. He continues to visit them frequently, and friendship blossoms. As the story progresses, mystery unfolds. This fast-paced novel includes action, adventure, a sweet romance, and honest portrayals of good versus evil. Biblical Fiction Have you wanted to dig deeper into the New Testament stories but haven’t known quite how to do it? May I suggest reading The Well, the debut novel by Stephanie Landsem? Set in the small Samaritan village of Sychar, The Well is about a young girl named Mara who is shunned from the community. This is because of the sinful past of her mother, Nava, who is the woman at the well found in John 4:1-42. Life begins to change in Sychar when two men arrive. The first man, Shem, is wealthy, worldly, and drawn to Mara’s beauty. Then, there is Jesus, who miraculously cures Nava of her depressive state and forgives her of her sins. Nava’s encounter with Jesus causes quite the uprising in the small Samaritan town, and the people still want to stone her for her past actions. Mara thinks the best way to prevent the stoning is to ask Jesus to return. So, she sets out to find Jesus, with the help of Shem, and their journey brings them more adventure, love, heartache, and sacrifice than either of them could imagine. While this story is fictional, the Biblical narrative remains intact. Landsem’s creativity allows us to enter the Biblical scene and draws us closer to Jesus’ authentic love. Tasteful Romance If you enjoy a good romance, you will love Stay With Me by Carolyn Astfalk. You will love it even more, because it begins in a grocery store. Rebecca is shopping with her niece and nephew, and Chris is stocking shelves. Their encounter leads to a first date and a delightful courtship. As they get to know one another, they realize they come from vastly different backgrounds. Chris is a convert to Catholicism and comes from an intact, loving family. Rebecca is an innocent young woman who is on her own for the first time, away from her overbearing father. While they clearly care for one another, can they come together on matters of trust and faith? Can their true love for each other sustain them through mistakes and misgivings? Stay With Me is a fun, enjoyable read that has you rooting for Chris and Rebecca all the way until the very last page. It also is an honest look at dating, courtship, human sexuality, and marriage. It puts names, faces, and emotions to the Catholic Church’s teaching on human sexuality that St. John Paul II coined as “Theology of the Body". Mystery and Suspense If you are looking for a page-turner that keeps you on the edge of your beach chair, then look no further than Anyone But Him by Theresa Linden. What would it feel like to wake up one day and not remember marrying your husband? And what if all you recalled were negative feelings you had for him? This is what happens to Caitlyn Summer who wakes up one morning and only remembers her disdain for Jarrett West. How could she possibly have married him? As the story progresses, we discover why these two are together in the first place, how they rekindle their love, and how nothing is impossible for God. Anyone But Him is brimming with suspense and mystery. This is the type of novel that you can’t help but read “just one more page,” even late into the night! In addition, Linden weaves the Catholic Faith into the storyline beautifully, and moral topics, including abortion, are carefully and thoughtfully articulated. Recreated Classic If you grew up loving classic novels, you will be pleasantly surprised by Unclaimed: The Memoirs of Jane E, Friendless Orphan by Erin McCole Cupp. It is the first of three installments in a trilogy that takes the timeless classic, Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte, on a futuristic spin. When we first meet Jane E, she is an unclaimed embryo in an unloving foster home setting. Upon seeking emancipation, she is taken halfway around the world where conditions are grueling. Jane E, then, settles into yet another world—a hidden residence underneath the desert—where an absentee employer hires her to tutor a child he has taken in. Even if you haven’t read Jane Eyre, you will appreciate Unclaimed, for Jane E is heroic and persevering. She faces the challenges that come her way with acceptance, grace, and determination. Time to Rest and Read! While there are many more Catholic novels to enjoy, this is a great place to start. Stories with Catholic themes are a wonderful way to weave our faith into the everyday, ordinary parts of our day…and our vacation. They inspire us in our own faith journey and are also an easy way to share our faith with others. Have you read a really great novel by a Catholic author that we could add to our list? If so, please share it with us in the comments. [bctt tweet="5 Catholic Novels to Read This Summer #BISblog //" via="no"] This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase by clicking through one of these links, Blessed is She will receive a small percentage of your purchase at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting this ministry by using our affiliate links!

If my bookshelves could talk, they would tell you of my love of books. Yes, I am a bit of a bibliophile, and I enjoy reading a good book with a steaming cup of tea. And while I have read many good books over the years, very few enter the category of “best books.” You know the ones. The books that are more highlighted than not, the ones you return to again and again, the ones you praise from the rooftops. When a book like that comes around, I can’t put it down, but I also don’t want it to end. This fall, I read such a book, and it has earned a prominent spot on my list of “best books.” Jesus Approaches Review Jesus Approaches: What Contemporary Women Can Learn about Healing, Freedom & Joy from the Women of the New Testament is the newest book by Catholic author and speaker, Elizabeth (Liz) Kelly (you can find it here). In it, she writes lovingly and directly to the woman’s heart. In each chapter, Liz shares familiar stories of New Testament women who encounter Jesus in a very personal way. And through their encounters, Jesus heals, transforms, and sets them free to flourish. She also incorporates moving accounts from her own life and stories of women she has met along the way. Throughout the narrative, Liz writes with an openness, honesty, and vulnerability that few books contain. Jesus Approaches begins with the story of St. Mary Magdalene. Liz expands on her possible life before encountering Christ and on how her life blossoms fully and completely after Jesus heals her - so much so that He appears to her after the Resurrection! Healing and Restoration From the story of Magdalene, Liz draws readers into a conversation about the reality of the deep and painful wounds we experience throughout life. She is courageous enough to share her own story of woundedness and the process of healing through which Jesus led her. She goes on to explain that in order to heal, we need to completely surrender our wounds to Jesus, and that can be hard. "It can be the hardest thing when intuitively it should be the easiest… Our pain is precious to us… It defines us and marks us and tells us what matters. And to let it go can feel like saying, ‘This doesn’t matter to me anymore.’ But that’s not what Jesus is asking. He is not asking us to let go of our identity or to deny what is precious to us or to say that our pain is unimportant… Instead, he is asking us to give him this most precious pain so he may put comfort in its place. He is asking us to anchor our identity in him, he who is able to redeem all pain, make it worthy, powerful, transformative, a force for good in the world and in us, to give it a proper and eternal horizon.” From a place of pain, Jesus meets us and calls us by name, just like He did with Magdalene. And from that place “he draws us into the fullness of our true identity as redeemed by the resurrected one.” While the book openly discusses the reality of suffering—because we all experience it in some form or another—Jesus Approaches is profoundly hopeful. Liz even lends readers her hope, when ours may seem diminished. “If your hope has vanished, you can borrow mine.” [bctt tweet="From a place of pain, Jesus meets us and calls us by name... #BISblog //"] Real Hope for Real Women In the proceeding chapters, we meet other Biblical women who encounter a very approachable Jesus, such as Jairus’ daughter, the woman with the hemorrhage, St. Martha, and the Blessed Mother. Some topics within Jesus Approaches include motherhood, single life, chronic illness, forgiveness, and perfectionism. Liz’s thoughtful planning of this book and her heartfelt writing style reflect her genuine understanding of women’s gifts, struggles, joys, and sorrows. She writes with compassion and reverence for women and our personal (and shared) experiences. More than any other theme in Jesus Approaches, Liz writes with conviction about how deeply and passionately Jesus loves us. And He shows us His love through the stories of the New Testament women. To Jesus, women were (and are) essential to Salvation History. Women intimately witnessed two of the most important events in history—the Incarnation and the Resurrection. He befriended women at a time when we were considered second-class citizens (or worse). And today, Jesus still invites women into relationship with Him. “The world needs us—it needs you, needs me, needs us to be the people we were created to be… This is an era that desperately needs a faithful Christian woman, not a perfect woman, not a woman who has never failed nor fallen, but a woman who has fallen in love with the truth, a woman in love with Jesus… Jesus is not waiting for you to be perfect; he is waiting for you to say yes.” [bctt tweet="Jesus is not waiting for you to be perfect; He is waiting for you to say yes. #BISblog //"] An Opportunity for Community Jesus Approaches is more than a book to read or study. With guided mediations at the end of each chapter, it also invites readers into the practice of praying with Scripture. In addition, it provides discussion questions, making this a great book for a small group to read together. Yes, Jesus Approaches is one of the best books I have ever read. I praise it from the rooftops (or at least from this blog), and I know I will return again and again to my well-loved and highlighted copy. For more information about Elizabeth Kelly’s writing, please visit EMK Books. Blessed is She readers can receive FREE SHIPPING on any of Liz's books by entering code "BlessedAmI" at checkout! What have you been reading lately? [bctt tweet="Jesus Approaches Review: Learning from Women in the New Testament #BISblog //"]