The Eucharist is "the source and summit of the Christian life." // Catechism of the Catholic Church 1324 Let His word dwell in us richly, sisters. Download your F R E E wallpapers right here --->>> Phone wallpaper Desktop wallpaper

Saint Gianna is one of my favorite Saints. The pediatrician, wife, and mother knew well what modern life entails, balancing work and prayer in the mid-20th century—and she did it all by dressing stylishly and enjoying her favorite activities. If she were alive today, I could see us chatting over a cup of coffee about cute clothes, decorating ideas, discernment and the simple joys of life—just like I would with other friends. My favorite quote of hers (and my favorite saint quote of all) is: Live holy the present moment. What Does it Mean to Live Holy the Present Moment? Saint Gianna encourages us to see that, in each and every moment, holiness is our goal, reminding me, and you, to seek God in all things, striving to make holy each moment. That’s our Christian call: “as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in every aspect of your conduct” (1 Peter 1:15). Yes, sometimes it’s easier at certain moments than others to truly live the moment in a holy way. We all know that well. But it is a blessed aim for us each and every day, each moment. In between the joys and the sorrows, between what is going well and what is not, we must strive for holiness. Let’s delve deeper into Gianna’s wise advice. Live What is God calling you to do right now? Maybe you are busy with work, with deadlines, emails, and meetings. If so, I’m there with you; I’m over here, editing and writing. Maybe you’re a mom, focused on what your littles need and creating a flourishing domestic church with your husband. Maybe you’re a college student, busy with classes and discernment. Whatever your call, live fully, striving to do God’s will. Holy As we do God’s will, we are to do it all in a holy way. Think of how many moments Gianna lived in a holy way. The Saints are Saints because they exhibited heroic virtue (along with interceding in miracles through the power of God). Heroic virtue is defined as, “The performance of extraordinary virtuous actions with readiness and over a period of time. The moral virtues are exercised with ease, while faith, hope, and charity are practiced to an eminent degree.” Gianna increased these theological virtues in her own life, as she went about serving her family and patients, praying and cooking and spending time with friends, and all the other things God placed before her each day. How can we increase faith, hope, and charity in our own lives? Through being more patient at work or with little ones? Offering up sufferings? Doing service for family or friends or others in need? The Present Moment Focus on the here and now. Not looking backward. Or forward. Be in the now. That’s what Gianna did. And she reminds us to do likewise. God is with us each day, as Gianna reminds us in another beautiful quote of hers: The secret of happiness is to live moment by moment and to thank God for all that he, in his goodness, sends us day after day. As her daughter, also named Gianna (Dr. Gianna Emanuela Molla, who has followed in her mother’s medical footsteps as a geriatric physician), told me a few years ago: “I think the world today particularly needs my mother’s life witness, and perhaps today more than ever. Her exemplary Christian life’s witness—her sacred respect for life, her great joy to live, her courage and spirit of sacrifice, her unlimited trust in divine Providence, her great love for life, for the Lord, for the Virgin Mary, for her family, for her neighbors and her patients, for my most beloved daddy, her most worthy spouse, for her children—[was constant] until her greatest gift of love: the sacrifice of her own life, giving birth to me. All these aspects are really like a bright light, a safe guide and a great hope for each of us on our journey towards holiness.” She also shared how her mom was bolstered in joy and hope: “Some people write to [tell] me that since they learned about the person and the witness of my mom, their life has changed. They are more serene, they live in a better way, with more joy and hope, and they would like to follow her example and became a saint.” And, as I include in my book, The Plans God Has for You: Hopeful Lessons for Young Women, Gianna encourages us on our Christian journey: “We, full of the joy that comes from Jesus, carry joy in our hearts with Jesus. He will be the strength that helps us.” Mother Mary as Our Model Gianna also points us to Mother Mary, who is the epitome of what it means to live holy the present moment, in this prayer of consecration that reflects how holiness is rooted in trust: O Mary, into your maternal hands I place myself, and I abandon myself completely, sure of obtaining whatever I ask of you. I trust in you because you are the sweet Mother; I confide in you because you are the Mother of Jesus. In this trust, I place myself, sure of being heard in everything; with this trust in my heart I greet you “my Mother, my trust”; I devote myself entirely to you, begging you to remember that I am yours, that I belong to you; keep me and defend me, O sweet Mary, and in every instant of my life, present me to your Son, Jesus. It is such a blessing to have our friend Saint Gianna show us the way as we, too, live holy the present moment. How are you living holy the present moment today?   [bctt tweet="“Live Holy the Present Moment” // Why I Love St. Gianna’s Advice #BISblog //" via="no"]   Amy Smith is the associate editor of the National Catholic Register, a service of EWTN, and you can read more about St. Gianna in The Plans God Has for You: Hopeful Lessons for Young Women. Amy spends her days drinking coffee while editing features; she likes to write about everything from hope and Saints (her favorites are Thérèse and Gianna) to Jane Austen. You can find out more about her here.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Let His word dwell in us richly, sisters. Remember, Members, you get this for free! Log in and download! Download your F R E E wallpapers right here --->>> Phone wallpaper Desktop wallpaper

I was leaving a meeting one night when someone new pulled me aside to ask a question: “My friend’s daughter has gotten herself into some trouble because of alcohol. How can I help my friend?” I have been asked this question, or some version of it, over and over again. She continued, “I don’t want to give out private information. And, I don’t think her child is an alcoholic, but alcohol is a part of this situation.” It can feel overwhelming to be a good friend in times like these. What is helpful? What could hurt? How do we really know the difference? If you don’t have the same shared life experience, what can you do to help your friend or family member? An Ignatian Approach to Support Alcohol and drugs can create many problems. Whether a friend’s loved one has a problem with alcohol or alcohol has caused a problem, I think that my suggestions would be the same. Let me first say that I am not an addiction counselor or medical person. What I offer is my experience, strength and hope. I have spent the last 10 years practicing a 12-step program and studying its connections to Ignatian Spirituality. As my program slogan says, “Take what you like and leave the rest.” 7 Ways to Support a Friend Navigating Family Addiction I’ve come up with a list of actions that have helped me that I like to offer to friends who are looking for a way to support their friends and family members who are affected by the addictions of others. 1. Educate yourself on addiction. In my 12-step program, we learn that addiction is a disease. I like to break the word down: dis-ease. Because those who misuse drugs or alcohol experience dis-ease, they often use mind-altering substances to change the way that they feel. Understanding the disease helps you to look at those who suffer with compassion instead of judging them based upon their behavior while they are under the influence. 2. Understand that addiction is a family disease. Just like their addicted loved ones use drugs or alcohol to change the way that they feel, family members like to fix, control, or manage their loved ones in an effort to control the situation. The illusion of control sometimes makes us feel safe. It is the way that we quiet our dis-ease. Like our loved ones must admit that they are powerless over drug or drink, we have to admit that we are powerless over our addicted loved ones. You are just as powerless over your friend or family member’s situation. Because you are powerless, remember to ask God about every single decision. Don’t forget He is the Power! You just have to let Him be in charge. Pray without ceasing! 3. Listen. The best way to help your friend is to listen to them. When we accompany a friend through the hard places, that is the best gift that you can give. Addiction carries so much stigma that many people suffer in silence. Another 12-step slogan suggests that, “We are as sick as our secrets.” Science backs that up. Allowing your friend to bring their secret out into the light is a big first step towards healing. 4. Try to listen with unconditional love. Your friend or family member will try to protect their loved one from the stigma that this disease carries. A psychologist named Carl Rogers came up with the concept called "unconditional positive regard" for sessions with his clients where he stayed supportive and accepting regardless of what the client told him. He found that this helped them to feel safe sharing difficult things with him. In other words, offer unconditional love to your friend or family member no matter what they tell you. Remember they can be angry with their loved one. It may be harder for them to accept your anger towards their loved one. 5. Remember the three C’s. Remind your friend or family member of what 12-step programs call the three C’s: You didn’t cause the addiction; you can’t control the addiction and you will not be able to cure the addiction. This helps many people to alleviate the guilt and shame that often accompanies this disease. 6. Help them focus on themselves. Ask your friend or family member to take all of the energy that they have put on their addicted loved one and put it back on themselves. God takes care of our loved ones if we will get out of the way. Our loved ones will always pay more attention to what we do rather than what we say. Modeling good self-care is a very big deal. 7. Connect them to services. You cannot be all things to your friend or family member. But you can help them find support where they need it. Jesus taught us to accompany others in difficult times. If there is concern for the safety and well-being of your friend or family member, click here. The 12-step group for friends and family members of alcoholics (because you are a friend, this meeting is open to you, too). Spiritual Direction (some spiritual directors have 12-step experience, too). Ignatian Spirituality Retreats offer wonderful Ignatian retreats. Most retreat houses have recovery retreats at least once a year. Father Tom Weston Retreats. Father Tom is one of my favorites. He is a recovering alcoholic/addict and Al-anon member. He has online retreats available as well. My website that hosts many articles on addiction, as well as my book, Helping Families Recover from Addiction: Coping, Growing and Healing with 12-Step Practices and Ignatian Spirituality.   [bctt tweet="7 Ways to Support a Friend Navigating Family Addiction #BISblog //" via="no"]   Written by Jean Heaton. Find out more about her here.   This post contains affiliate links. Thanks so much for supporting the ministry of Blessed is She!

I will put my spirit in you that you may live... // Ezekiel 37:14 Let His word dwell in us richly, sisters. Remember, Members, you get this for free! Log in and download! Download your F R E E wallpapers right here --->>> Phone wallpaper Desktop wallpaper

I was talking to a very wise priest about some things I had tried (and failed) to attempt to expand faith in my Catholic high school. He told me that many Saints started off this way on the journey to holiness, being so eager to do everything for God that we don’t actually do what He wants. Then, very simply, he told me that I have to listen and just do what He wants me to do. I have found that this is all about conversations in your relationship with Him. Prayer is all about conversation with God, and that has to be present in your relationship. God is the witness of the inmost self and the sure observer of the heart and the listener to the tongue. // Wisdom 1:6 Conversation with God God knows everything, but He still wants you to talk to Him, to ask Him for help, to trust Him. Asking Him what to do in situations is like asking Him to help you. He knows what you need and could just do it, but He wants you to ask and be close with Him. He could just make the decision for us, but He gave us free will and wants you to listen to Him, choose to do His will, and make the right decision. How Does This Look? As the priest told me minutes later, you don’t have to do anything. Open up your heart and tell the Lord your desire to listen more closely to Him and to do His will in your life, and let Him do His work. Honestly, this kind of scared me at first. What if I mess up? Will it really be this clear? Spoiler: you will be fine and it is amazing. An easy way to start is to ask Jesus about the little, everyday things so you become comfortable and ready to listen to His Voice in the big decisions. I even ask Him which sweatshirt I should wear in the morning, and that alone has brought us so much closer. It will be hard to listen to His voice at first, but have patience with yourself and Him. He will help you, and after time you will learn to recognize His voice more in your life. It is easier to ask the Lord about something so small as a sweatshirt. It gets harder with the bigger things, as you may not remember or the answer might not be as clear. That is why it is so important to start with the little things; though it is not easy at first, it helps you form a habit of listening to His voice.   Give Him Your Trust A good place to start in this endeavor of holiness is to give Him your trust. You have to trust His will above all else if you are going to make decisions based off of what He wants. Depending on your situation and past, trust may be hard to give. One prayer that I have found very helpful in my own life is the Litany of Trust. I always use this beautiful version from the Sisters of Life. From the belief that I have to earn Your love Deliver me, Jesus. From the fear that I am unlovable Deliver me, Jesus. From the false security that I have what it takes Deliver me, Jesus. From the fear that trusting You will leave me more destitute Deliver me, Jesus. From all suspicion of Your words and promises Deliver me, Jesus. From the rebellion against childlike dependency on You Deliver me, Jesus. From refusals and reluctances in accepting Your will Deliver me, Jesus. From anxiety about the future Deliver me, Jesus. From resentment or excessive preoccupation with the past Deliver me, Jesus. From restless self-seeking in the present moment Deliver me, Jesus. From disbelief in Your love and presence Deliver me, Jesus. From the fear of being asked to give more than I have Deliver me, Jesus. From the belief that my life has no meaning or worth Deliver me, Jesus. From the fear of what love demands Deliver me, Jesus. From discouragement Deliver me, Jesus. That You are continually holding me, sustaining me, loving me Jesus, I trust in You. That Your love goes deeper than my sins and failings and transforms me Jesus, I trust in You. That not knowing what tomorrow brings is an invitation to lean on You Jesus, I trust in You. That You are with me in my suffering Jesus, I trust in You. That my suffering, united to Your own, will bear fruit in this life and the next Jesus, I trust in You. That You will not leave me orphan, that You are present in Your Church Jesus, I trust in You. That Your plan is better than anything else Jesus, I trust in You. That You always hear me and in Your goodness always respond to me Jesus, I trust in You. That You give me the grace to accept forgiveness and to forgive others Jesus, I trust in You. That You give me all the strength I need for what is asked Jesus, I trust in You. That my life is a gift Jesus, I trust in You. That You will teach me to trust You Jesus, I trust in You. That You are my Lord and my God Jesus, I trust in You. That I am Your beloved one Jesus, I trust in You. It worked. Asking God what He actually wanted created so many opportunities to expand faith, and it still does. Remember, you do not have to do anything except listening to Him. It will bring you so much peace. Talk to Him, whether it is about your job opportunities or sweatshirt options, and you will grow in intimacy with Him. If you need a reminder to daily place your trust in Jesus, here is a beautiful Jesus, I trust in You poster in the BIS Shop.   [bctt tweet="The Small Step to a Radical Prayer Life #BISblog //" via="no"]   Anna Anderson is passionate about her Catholic Faith with devotions to Mary, Help of Christians and the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Anderson is planning to become a Salesian Sister when she finishes her education. She is also very passionate about the pro-life movement, and believes that abortion stops one heart and breaks another. Her view is that the whole point of the pro-life movement is love; therefore, she treats all women with compassion no matter her circumstances.

And they went out and proclaimed the good news everywhere. // Mark 16:20 Love this print from Mariana Pimiento of Big Apple Catholic. Let His word dwell in us richly, sisters. Remember, Members, you get this for free! Log in and download! Download your F R E E wallpapers right here --->>> Phone wallpaper Desktop wallpaper

What if we viewed ourselves the way God does? One therapeutic technique often used is known as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and the premise is this: our thoughts shape our emotions, which ultimately lead to us behaving a certain way. Thoughts are that important! Think about it this way, if you go about thinking you are unworthy or unlovable, you will likely feel sad or view the world in a way that fosters those beliefs. As a result you may have difficulty with confidence, or when things do not go the way you want them to. On the other hand, if you viewed yourself as loved and cared for you would likely feel secure and happy, and go about life with a more positive disposition. What Scripture Says In Psalm 8:4-7 it is written: When I see your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and stars that you set in place... What is man that you are mindful of him, and a son of man that you care for him? Yet you have made him little less than a god, crowned him with glory and honor. You have given him rule over the works of your hands, put all things at his feet. God views you as even more beautiful than the most beautiful thing you have seen in all of creation. Do you see yourself that way? Do your inner thoughts reflect His own? Take some time to evaluate your own inner dialogue and how your thoughts may be shaping not only your worldview, but your relationship with God. How Do You Speak? When I was younger, I thought and spoke badly of myself. A friend (who later became my husband) encouraged me to look in the mirror and combat those lies. To verbally say out loud that I was a good person, a kind person, and worthy of love. I absolutely hated it. I cried and became angry with them. I made excuses for why I didn’t want to do it. It was uncomfortable when I tried. Yet when I did, I felt it working. I wrote those statements on sticky notes and plastered them on my mirror. I said them to myself every day until I began to believe them. They were no longer difficult for me to say to myself, and I could say them to myself in times of adversity. Biblical Affirmations for Beginners In therapy, we call these affirmations, or positive statements, we make to ourselves. They have become quite popular over the years; you can find them all over Pinterest! If this is something you struggle with, I’d love for you to try out these affirmations based on Scripture: “I am a child of God.” // John 1:12 “I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” // Psalm 139:14 “I have not been given a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind.” // 2 Timothy 1:7 “God loves me with an everlasting love.” // Jeremiah 31:3 “God has a plan for my life, and it is full of hope.” // Jeremiah 29:11 You may dislike it at first, but do not give up. Continue to practice and you will notice a change in self-esteem. It is my hope you will begin to see yourself as the beautiful creation you are, and therefore you can grow in your relationship with God.   [bctt tweet="Biblical Affirmations #BISblog //" via="no"]   Christie L. is a therapist turned stay at home mom living in Ohio with her two children and husband. You can find out more about her here.

No on has great love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends. // John 15:13 Love this beautiful print from Carolyn of Brass & Mint Co. Let His word dwell in us richly, sisters. Remember, Members, you get this for free! Log in and download! Download your F R E E wallpapers right here --->>> Phone wallpaper Desktop wallpaper

"I know you hate math, honey, but you still have to do it. Don't give up; be stubborn and get it done." Those words left my mouth a week before I was whacked with the humility stick and learned how wrong I was to encourage my kids to be stubborn. Divine timing had a wise friend call and we ended up chatting about the vital difference between "stubbornness" vs "perseverance". While I had meant to encourage my daughter to finish her math with the virtue of perseverance, I had unintentionally been speaking of the vice. That conversation has been eye-opening to me. Inheriting the Family Stubbornness I was raised in a family where being strong-willed was portrayed as a virtue, a sense of pride. It was almost considered our identity. Our family never complains and we push through in our self-reliance, no matter what life throws at us. Now, having sifted through my memories, I have noticed the apathy and independence in my family was not as healthy and strong as I thought. And I regret (and have asked forgiveness) for encouraging that mentality in myself and my kids, instead of enlightening them about true perseverance. Is Stubbornness that Bad? Stubbornness is a form of self-protection. It safeguards our hearts from fear, pain, or vulnerability. We create a wall around our hearts, refusing to listen to reason or accept help. Our hearts become stone, hardened. When someone has a stubborn heart, we see rotten fruits like: hidden anxiety or avoidance hurt relationships rebellion pride emotional numbness anger, bitterness The Virtue of Perseverance On the other hand, perseverance is a form of docility modeled by Our Lady who trusted God in every circumstance. When we practice this virtue, we bear the fruit of peace, fortitude, hope, and humility. Perseverance in a crisis, whether it is a family emergency or getting that math homework done, does not build up a wall to keep others out. It opens our hearts to grace. We become humble enough to reach out a hand and accept help. Notice Your Body How can we tell which one we are choosing? Our body language can be one clue to whether we are open or closed to God and our families. Think of a three-year-old who does not want to leave the park. When we see a child crossing her arms or by figuratively (sometimes literally?) "digging in her heels", this posture tells us to take a bolstering sip of our coffee and prepare for battle. She has fortified the walls and raised the drawbridge so we cannot easily get in. Stubbornness has an "unlistening" spirit: one will not budge on principle, even if it means ignoring the logical thing to do. Saint Augustine refers to these souls as "those who... are so stubborn and contentious that they refuse to give in even if they do understand.” Turns out stubbornness and perseverance are very different in their effect on the heart and relationships. Finding the Root of Your Family's Stubbornness This year been a time of grief for all of us in different ways. Did you know there are many types of grief and loss beyond bereavement? Psychology Today summarizes them into 4 subtle types. And I'm sure each of us has experienced at least one, if not more: Loss of identity: layoffs, missed career and educational opportunities, social outings, church community Loss of safety: fear of illness and death, troubled marriages and domestic violence, job security Loss of autonomy: lockdown restrictions, helplessness in illness, financial setbacks Loss of dreams: cancelled trips, plans for 2020/2021, postponed or limited special events We are grieving these losses. Our kids too. But how are we dealing with them? By putting up a protective wall or with docile perseverance trusting God will get us through this? And what have we been showing our kids in this crisis? That we always have it all together? That our family pushes on despite cracking on the inside? Or how to be at peace in the valleys, how to turn to God when there is no immediate answer and we are surrounded by water filling up our little boat in this storm? Have you shown your kids how to grieve their losses? Or how to stuff them away? Digging Deeper After that enlightening conversation with my friend, I realized how much I have chosen the latter. In my desire to build my kids' resilience, I have neglected to first acknowledge their feelings of anger, helplessness, and sadness in trials. I unknowingly planted seeds of stubbornness in my kiddos by repeating to them my generational mantra: push through no matter what. Maybe you see the same rotten fruits in your kids but, like me, did not realize where the root came from? disobedience and arguing passive-aggressive silence lack of empathy for their siblings anxiety controlling, need to be right Does this sound a little too familiar? There is a very simple way to help your family break down their walls and begin healing. Overcoming Stubbornness After that phone call, I knew God was calling my family to repent from our stubborn hearts and ask Him for healing. Using a worksheet I had created to make the prayer activity more concrete, here's what we did for family prayer this past week: I explained our hearts can build walls as a form of protection, and gave specific examples that concerned our family. These walls (which I named "stubbornness") block God's healing and peace from entering our hearts. We prayed together about what stones we have been using as building blocks for our walls. I made sure to validate the feelings they had when they were trying to protect their hearts, and encouraged them to share them with Jesus instead. We repented as a family and asked forgiveness for each specific stone we used in our wall. We promised to lovingly help each other stay on track this coming week. Then, we invited the Divine Healer to break down these walls and fill us with true perseverance so we could have lasting peace. We finished with Scripture: "A new heart I will give you, and a new spirit I will put within you; and I will remove from your body the heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh" (Ezekiel 36: 26). Ready to Try? You can grab the Break the Walls worksheet here to guide your kids through the reflection. I explained each stone and gave gentle examples of what I had noticed in their behaviour. With God's grace, your family will break free from the hurtful traits you've been noticing and grow peaceful hearts.   [bctt tweet="Stubbornness and Your Family #BISblog //" via="no"]   Maria Weir is a Canadian wife and mom. She has a degree in Psychology, now gathering dust as she cares for her 3 bio kids and 2 bonus kids with medical and special needs. She decidedly does not have a coffee addiction. Much. You can catch more hands-on resources on faith and family life skills on the blog, Stand Up, Reach Out.  

As a mom of young children, I long thought a regular Holy Hour was something for another season of life. I imagined it would be at least a few more years before I could consistently get out of the house and spend time making this devotion of an hour adoring Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. But a year and a half ago, the talks I heard on a Blessed is She retreat encouraged me to stop waiting and start trying to make this practice a reality. What was the worst that would happen? Even if I didn’t complete the full hour or didn’t make it happen every week, I would have given at least something of myself and some of my time to the Lord. I know He always makes good of generous gestures. Time Over Place Because I had limiting factors (my children’s schedules, the fact that my husband commuted over an hour to work each day), I decided it was more important that I find the time to pray at all rather than time when I could pray at my church. I could make a spiritual communion with the Lord, even if I couldn’t be in the same room with Him in the Eucharist. I considered my typical weekly schedule and saw that it would be key to devote this time before anything else laid claim to my attention. I chose a window of time: Friday mornings from 5-6 a.m. I chose a candle to set the time apart. I used a timer so I would know when my hour was up, and would not spend time checking my phone. I created a plan to read portions of 100 Holy Hours for Women by Mother Mary Raphael Lubowidzka and Who Does He Say That You Are?: Women Transformed by Christ in the Gospels by Colleen C. Mitchell (books I already had on my shelf) for portions of each hour. These books helped give structure to my time, especially since I didn’t have exposition and benediction of the Blessed Sacrament to do that. Seeing the Fruits For many months, this worked surprisingly well. I was often tired (and if I thought I might nod off, I skipped the candle), but I quickly recognized changes in myself. I went to bed earlier on Thursday night, wanting to give my best the following morning. I became more peaceful about the little things that might have upset me before. I found myself better prepared to spend the weekend well, rather than recovering from burnout. I still had plenty of distractions, but even when my time set apart did not feel like I had "done it right", I could see that my heart had grown softer toward the Lord. I found it easier to be aware of His voice throughout the rest of the week, having spent time listening—or at least trying to listen—in my Holy Hour. Coming Back to the Church I continued my Friday morning Holy Hour until I had a baby this summer. In the postpartum weeks and months, I took sleep when I could get it, and put that prayer practice on hold until my little guy and I had more of a schedule. In the month or so leading up to the 2020 election, my parish began offering a Holy Hour for the nation on Thursday nights. The original plan was to do this until Thanksgiving, but months later, it is still happening weekly both in the church and via livestream. I started to go each week, sometimes arriving late or leaving early, depending on my kids’ schedule. My husband has always been supportive, but after he went on retreat earlier this year, he wanted to make it even more of a priority that I get to that Holy Hour as often as I could. It helped that the factors that limited me before no longer existed. Now, my husband largely works from home. I trained the baby to go to sleep before I leave, and I finish tucking in the big kids when I get home. Instead of waiting for a less complicated season of life (not sure that is going to happen anyway), we found a way to make it work now. I'm Home Once again, my Holy Hour quickly became something I looked forward to. Now, when I kneel in front of the Blessed Sacrament each week, I feel like I am coming home. It feels like being in the Presence of the Lord is the truest reality, and all the stuff in between is just that—the in-between. I love the prayers of exposition and benediction, and I am so grateful I get to pray them in this space each week. Because the Holy Hour is still specifically offered for our country, we pray a patriotic Rosary, offering one Hail Mary for each state and each of the other prayers for various other intentions (the governors, the Supreme Court, the president, etc.). Making It Work for You I once asked a friend of mine, who was then in formation for the priesthood, if it was a requirement for priests to make a Holy Hour each day. He said it wasn’t, but also wondered why a priest would not make a Holy Hour each day. In my life as a layperson, a daily Holy Hour is not practical right now. But a weekly one sure is. And now, I cannot help but wonder why I wouldn’t keep up this practice, even as seasons of life change. I have learned that when I needed to do it from home, I needed to make the time a priority. It helped to give the time some structure, and to eliminate distractions as much as possible. I have learned much of the same from when I returned to the church building. Now, I still need to make the time a priority, and I need my family’s support to do that. I still bring books to give the time structure (the Blessed is She journals, my Every Sacred Sunday journal for the upcoming Sunday, or the Kindred Gospel of Mark). When I pray with my parish, our priest guides the opening and closing of the Hour, along with the Rosary, which also helps to keep me on track. Planting for the Long Haul I can’t see them all now, but I believe the fruits will be plentiful. It is good for my relationship with God to spend time with Him. It’s good for the community and our country that I pray for them. And it’s good for my children to know that this prayer time is a priority in our family’s life. Perhaps, when they’re a little older, they’ll want to come join me. Do you have a regular holy hour? What does yours look like?   [bctt tweet="Holy Hour Two Ways #BISblog //" via="no"]   Lindsay Schlegel is a daughter of God who seeks to encourage, inspire, and lift up the contemporary woman to be all she was created to be. She’s the author of Don’t Forget to Say Thank You: And Other Parenting Lessons That Brought Me Closer to God, as well as shorter nonfiction and fiction pieces, both online and in print. With joy, she speaks about recognizing God’s voice and living the truth therein. Lindsay lives in New Jersey with her high-school-sweetheart-turned-husband and their kids. You can find out more about her here.   This post contains affiliate links. Thanks so much for supporting the ministry of Blessed is She!

Children, let us love not in word or speech but in deed and truth. // 1 John 3:18 Love this print from Tisa Muico from today's readings. Let His word dwell in us richly, sisters. Remember, Members, you get this for free! Log in and download! Download your F R E E wallpapers right here --->>> Phone wallpaper Desktop wallpaper

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, his mercy endures forever. // Psalm 118:1 Love this print from Remilla Ty from today's readings. Let His word dwell in us richly, sisters. Remember, Members, you get this for free! Log in and download! Download your F R E E wallpapers right here --->>> Phone wallpaper Desktop wallpaper

Cycle tracking. Fertility awareness. Cycle charting. Fertility Awareness Methods. Natural Family Planning. Fertility tracking. All of these terms seem to get mixed and mingled in many conversations online and in-person, but do we really know what they mean? Furthermore, do we understand the power that exists within tracking our fertility and understanding the gift of our bodies as women? Womanly Wisdom The Catholic Church teaches Natural Family Planning (NFP) as the opportunity for married couples to live out the science of fertility awareness along with the integration of Theology of the Body. As single women, women more often hear this termed as Fertility Awareness (FA), but both definitions encompass what the Catholic Church embraces and proclaims: the goodness of women’s bodies and their fertility. Contrary to popular belief, the Catholic Church does not value women merely because of their reproductive organs. But, can’t we all acknowledge just how amazing it is that women have the ability to create life and be co-authors of such a magnificent job? The Church Celebrates the Feminine Genius The Catholic Church embraces and celebrates the feminine genius, meaning that women are multi-faceted individuals who contribute to all aspects of life. The core of our motherhood—be it physical or spiritual—is what sets us a part to love and nurture those around us. How does fertility awareness tie into this? [bctt tweet="The Catholic Church embraces and celebrates the feminine genius, meaning that women are multi-faceted individuals who contribute to all aspects of life. #BISblog //" via="no"] The Heart of Who We Are Fertility awareness is the practice of charting your cycle to learn the fluctuations of your hormones, identify the different phases within your cycle, and maximize workouts, work, mental, and emotional health through the knowledge of your cycle. This practice, while deeply rooted in scientific methodology and effectiveness, is also spiritual because it gets to the heart of who we are as women and an aspect of ourselves we are so frequently told to cut-off from every other part of our lives. Your body, your fertility, and your period are good and were made good by God. When we honor how our bodies work and learn how our bodies work—whether married or single—we honor our very own feminine genius. The body, and it alone, is capable of making visible what is invisible: the spiritual and the divine. // Pope Saint John Paul II, TOB February 20th, 1980 We are not merely physical beings or only spiritual beings, but rather we live in the tension of this integrated reality as human beings. It is utterly beautiful and can sometimes be the source of some of our biggest crosses. But, in the process of learning and understanding our bodies, we come to lean into this integration more fully and recognize the unique genius God has endowed to women alone. Your Unique Data If you struggle with loving your body, have never thought about tracking your cycle, or wondering if painful periods will always be a part of your life, I encourage you to lean into the beautiful way you are created by using the tools available to learn you! The power of your body’s data tells a unique story that is specific to you and the care you receive should be tailored to who you are and how your body works. This is the beauty of living an integrated life as Catholic women and honoring our bodies. We are able to lean into our uniqueness and more fully embrace our very own feminine genius that we are called to contribute to the world. How has fertility awareness helped you understand your role and call as a woman?   [bctt tweet="Fertility Awareness and the Feminine Genius #BISblog //" via="no"]   Bridget Busacker is founder of Managing Your Fertility, an online, one-stop shop of fertility awareness resources for women and couples. She is on a mission to fuse the science of Fertility Awareness Based Methods (FABMs) and Theology of the Body (TOB) into the everyday practice of NFP. Bridget is passionate about women’s health and sex education that promotes the dignity of the human person by integrating a holistic approach to self-knowledge of the body.   *Due to the conversation in the comments below, we would like to state plainly that Blessed is She fully submits to the teaching of the Catholic Church. To learn what the Church teaches on FAM and NFP, please read Humanae Vitae (especially paragraph 10), Catechism of the Catholic Church 2368, and this Q+A. In regards to expectations of NFP instructors and those who take on the responsibility of others’ health and wellbeing, the USCCB is clear that NFP instructors are bound to the same ethical treatment of clients as doctors are with their patients. As always, we are praying with you and for you.

Repent, therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be wiped away... // Acts 3:19 Let His word dwell in us richly, sisters. Remember, Members, you get this for free! Log in and download! Download your F R E E wallpapers right here --->>> Phone wallpaper Desktop wallpaper

I write to you while sipping on a green juice and munching on a waffle. Evidence of change—balance. This morning I had to stretch the waist band on my underwear so they wouldn’t be too tight. I should really go buy new ones. Evidence of change. I cancelled my Saturday workout and picked up my Bible for some rest, in my body and in my heart. Evidence of change. I read a post written by women’s health and dietitian Renee McGregor. I have been reading her work for years now and have always deemed her information profound. Yet, I also deemed it not for me. Her post today rang in my entire body, awakening the realization of my extremely abrupt and extremely slow body conversion over the past year. Evidence of change. Her post critiqued the notion that "women should not wobble." Intrigued, I read the caption which professed her anthem about healthy body fat percentage and its direct impact on hormones, health, and performance. It wasn’t new information to me, in fact I had read extensively on the topic. Today, it seeped into me like I had never heard it before. Evidence of change. Under Control Exercise was my safe space, my happiness. Food was my fuel, my resource, my nourishment. Together, my health was in my control. And then I couldn’t. And then I didn’t. And then it was out of my control. And that is when it all began to change. Because it is not in my control. When my health escaped my grasp, when my life started spinning around me, when no one had answers—control was no where to be found. It was not in exercise, not in food, not in medicine, or people. There was only the One. There was only the One who has never wavered. The One who never took a step away when I held my health above Him. Who never turned away His gaze when I tore myself apart for eating too much or missed a workout. Who held me when I cried. Who listened to my worst days. Who consoled my soul as I learned the depths of humanity. Who never forgot His promises when my successes crumbled. The One Who Is The Who is the I AM. The I AM is the Messiah. The Messiah is my Savior and Mighty Prince of Peace. He is in control and capable of changing every cell that makes up His beautiful creations, for He is our Divine Potter. His hands mold us. I always went to Him for everything, and He was always there. But not when it came to my body, that was mine, and I had it under control. Coming Undone One year ago, I was thirteen percent body fat. I was at the peak of my "health." I ate a "perfect" diet, and my fitness routine was rock solid. One year ago, I lost my period. I had overwhelming anxiety. I was consumed by fatigue, and made it through the day on caffeine. I weighed myself every day and carefully calculated every nutrient that entered my body. I loved nutrition, and still do. I gave my family and friends sound advice from my hours of research, but experimented on myself. I tried to control His creation. I moved cities, began a new job with the onset of the pandemic, planned and re-planned a wedding. I leaned into Him. I was balancing the stress of work, the gym, and my extreme anxiety trying to figure out why my days were disappearing. I asked Him to prioritize my time, to help me make time for Him. Then the gyms closed. My intense sessions turned to prayerful walks, and I started to lean into cooking for flavor, comfort, and creativity. Leaning In I prayed my first novena to Our Lady, the Undoer of Knots. I heard novenas have been known to bring miracles, and as my prayer life bloomed more and more I wanted to see what it was all about. My devotion to her was for the intention of my health and my absent period. On the eighth day of the nine-day novena, after 322 days without, I started my period. (Needless to say, I love to pray novenas now.) I thought that was the victory. I thought that was the healing moment, the peak of my prayer life, and the return to my health. But it was only the beginning. Praise be to God it was only the beginning. He always has more for us. An Ongoing Surrender Then I lost control of my health. Outlying circumstances kept me from the gym, from work. It sent me to countless doctors appointments, tests, and procedures. I leaned into Him. I spent my time with Him. It got darker, and I spent my time with Him. I became more frightened, and I spent my time with Him. And He revealed Himself to me. Over and over again, little by little, He revealed more of His heart to me. The relationship I once had with Him became The Relationship. He became the soul of my life that began to take control, so that I didn’t have to. It was painful and so peaceful. There are so many layers to the story of my year, and I hope to share more one day. But this isn’t my conversion story, just a small part of my love story. This is the part where He taught, and is teaching me, about surrender. This is the part where He revealed to me the beauty of His creation. He healed my eyes, He is healing my mind, and I believe He will heal my body in His time. Health Can Become an Idol We are made to be womanly. We are made in His image and likeness (see Genesis 1:26). Our body goals are internal. The goals that lead our souls to purity and holiness: the Beatitudes (see Matthew 5:1-12). Our bodies are temples for worship and thanksgiving like Saint Anna (see Luke 2:36-38), for He lives in our souls. “Don’t you know your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God, and that you are not on your own?” (see 1 Corinthians 6:19). The Church tells us, "Health is an important value, but not an absolute one. We should treat our God-given body gratefully and carefully, but not be obsessed with it" (CCC 2288-2291). And He tells us, "Their God is the belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things" (Philippians 3:19). Let us never forget the life in our souls, the temple of the Holy Spirit. Evidence of Change This morning, I opened my devotional, Awaken My Heart by Emily Wilson Hussem, to Week Five: Body Image. I read it with a heart of love. I read it with a heart of gratitude, and I prayed for my body carefully, with intention. A year ago, I would have deemed this not for me. Evidence of change. Exercise was my safe space, my happiness. Food was my fuel, my resource, my nourishment. Now, exercise and food empower my body and promote energy for my life. Now, He is my safe space, my joy. His will is my fuel, His Word is my resource, and His presence is my nourishment. Because now, He is in control. [bctt tweet="The Idol of Health #BISblog // " via="no"] This story is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your mental health professional or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your health. Courtney Cantu is a wife, daughter, sister, and nurse. You'll most likely find her cooking or baking a new recipe. She loves a long walk with friends, chats over coffee, and a good workout. Sundays are her favorite day of the week, and mornings are her favorite time of day. She tries to share this joyful journey to Heaven with all those who cross her path along the way.

Being Catholic in an increasingly secular world is extremely difficult. Now imagine putting yourself on a college campus full of young people who have the freedom to be on their own for the first time in their lives. Now, your struggles become that much greater! I have been there, and I am about to come out of the other side of this as a recent college graduate from a large state school. I am now a stronger Catholic than I have ever been in my entire life! Becoming a Devout Catholic in College I want to share with you, dear sister, my best tips for how to thrive as a Catholic woman in college. 1. Start and end every day with prayer. It is easy to focus more on God in your daily life when you begin every day with Him. I take a few minutes right when I wake up to thank God for all of the beautiful blessings in my life, and I devote the rest of my day (sufferings included) to Him. By beginning every morning like this, you will find yourself soaking in more virtues throughout your day. The stresses of schoolwork and the frustrations of your day will seem smaller. The joys of your day will also be magnified! You may also find yourself sleeping better by not starting and ending your day with social media. I know this is a bad habit for a lot of young people, myself included. All of this comes by simply starting and ending your day in a short prayer. 2. Find a Mass buddy. As easy as it seems to find time to go to Mass for one hour every Sunday, college students seem to find reasons to skip it. I know this because I’ve been there. It can be very overwhelming to set aside time to get to Mass when you are studying all weekend for those three exams you have on Monday morning. This is where your Mass buddy comes in handy. Your Mass buddy can keep you accountable for getting to Mass every Sunday when it seems like no one around you goes to church. And on those weekends where you don’t have too much to get done, you have a friend to grab coffee with after Mass! 3. Have Adoration dates with Jesus. College can be a little lonely/stressful/anxiety-inducing at times. During those times, it can be calming to be able to spend quiet time with Jesus. And if you go to college far from your hometown, an Adoration chapel can be your home away from home! Saint Augustine said “Our heart is restless until it rests in You”. Bring your heart to God in adoration, and He will give you rest and peace. 4. Get involved with your college’s parish. Many colleges have parishes on campus or within close proximity to campus. These parishes typically have multiple programs and events for like-minded Catholic college students. I highly encourage you to get involved with these college parishes; you could meet wonderful young people who will help lead you down the right path towards Heaven! It can be a little awkward at first coming to group events where you don’t know anyone, but I can guarantee it will be worth it. You could even find your Mass Buddy here. 5. Do not sacrifice your morals for others. My last tip is the most important by far. Do not, under any circumstances, sacrifice your morals or beliefs for anyone. In my experience, if you share your beliefs with others while exuding confidence and joy, they will admire you for it! And if the people you meet reject you because of your faith or beliefs, then you probably don’t want to be friends with them anyway. By living in an unapologetically Christian manner, you will make friends with the most genuine people. At the end of the day, you will be glad you didn’t sacrifice your morals for anyone! Any other recent college grads out there? What helped you become (or stay) a devout Catholic in college?   [bctt tweet="How to Grow into a Devout Catholic in College #BISblog //" via="no"]   Margaret McCarty is a college student from Tennessee, currently studying Mechanical Engineering. She enjoys hiking in the Smoky Mountains, coffee dates with her friends, and long walks with her Aussiedoodle, Scarlett. She is currently growing in her faith with other young women by leading Zion, the Catholic women’s group at her college.