Sometimes in life we are faced with moments that change everything. It can be difficult to stay upright when life does not go as planned, careening drastically off course. The heaviness of our suffering and the deepness of our despair threaten to crumple us like paper, further flattened by the sheer weight and unstoppable momentum of a life event. In an instant, everything can turn into an upside down mess, and we may ask ourselves, “How can I handle this?” or “Will order ever be restored?” So in our anguish we must remember to turn our gaze to God and hold fast to Him for strength. Faith has the power to sustain us through the great storms of life, for the storms will come. Before and After In an instant, my life was divided into a “before” and “after” when the air was split by the booming, “Crack!” of a massive tree limb that fell on a pretty spring day. My little girl. Our poodle puppy. Messy chaos. A lifeless heap. Screaming. Blood. Heart pounding, gut-wrenching terror and primal, parental-fear unfurled. My reality transformed from “all is well” to an all-time life low. In the moments that followed Evelyn’s accident in her friend’s backyard my heart was filled with utter despair. I was at once the Blessed Mother’s heartbroken daughter and my child’s helpless mama. From deep within my being came a heartfelt prayer as I wrapped myself around Evelyn in the grass, “Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.” Over and over, I urgently repeated those words. I was uncertain my child would survive her head trauma and the scales were tipped precariously toward losing her, so I was left with no course of action but prayer, words of encouragement and a mother’s warm, loving touch. Our Lady, Our Mother I fled to the protection of Our Lady. I implored her help. I sought Mary’s intercession and I was not left unaided! My spiritual mother and her Son heard my pleas. The essence of the Memorare was what I lived in desperation that afternoon. In God’s perfect timing, with the Blessed Mother on my side, He answered my fervent prayers with mercy. I raced to the hospital with Evelyn on an unforgettable, blood-boiling, outrageous ambulance ride. God wink—my physician friend alerted the children’s hospital of Evelyn’s head injury, so a trauma team was ready for our arrival. Her head CT scan indicated multiple skull fractures, including a significant compressed fracture, which necessitated urgent neurosurgery. A Community of Intercession Seven sixth grade girls and their moms gathered at the scene of the accident, entered the yard littered with shattered tree debris and a web swing, and attempted to make sense of the accounts of the incident as each girl offered her version of what transpired. Although several girls were near Evelyn in the backyard, only one person witnessed the blow to her head – Evelyn’s closest friend. Her mother is my dear friend and a fellow Catholic Scripture Study member. With hope alive that Evelyn would live, Katie led a Rosary for those gathered during Evelyn’s operation. In a beautiful letter to Evelyn, Katie offered, “…we knew you were in God’s hands, so why not put our trust in Him for help.” There are many Marian moments in my family’s story, but one of the most touching examples of faith and heartfelt, devoted friendship is exemplified by what followed. Katie shared, “It was Friday, and the Church recommends praying the Sorrowful Mysteries on Fridays. But with hope in our hearts that we would have something to celebrate, we decided to pray the Joyful Mysteries instead.” My friend described the emotionally challenging experience of that Rosary, worrying a call would interrupt it bearing bad news. However, repeating the Hail Marys and listening to all of the girls’ little voices saying their prayers was incredibly encouraging and therapeutic for everyone. Roses Amidst Thorns The reality that followed in the next critical hours, days, weeks, and months was wrought with pain, vast unknowns and significant physical and emotional challenges, but my family held fast to the confidence to trust God’s holy will to bring good from everything—even our suffering. Contrary to our deepest desires, we are not in control in life and tragedy will sometimes strike. We were blessed time and again with God winks—tiny, divinely orchestrated moments of grace and we found the joy along the way. We experienced the profound love of neighbor, serving us as the hands and feet of Christ during a time of crisis, and witnessed the power of a faith community united in prayer. Ours is a story of experiencing light in a time of dark uncertainty and coming to know the great goodness, might, and love of God more fully. We chose to, “Hope on!” Faith Strengthened In deep gratitude for the blessings of my daughter’s survival and complete healing, my faith and that of my family members has been strengthened. The fire of faith burns in our hearts. In retrospect, I feel overwhelmed by the gift of Our Lady’s loving involvement, her holy intercession, in divinely orchestrating with Jesus my child’s immediate safety and ultimate full recovery. For me, the accident created a new closeness to Mary and praying the Rosary through a Daily Rosary Meditation podcast from the Holy Family School of Faith became my routine to start each morning. It seemed symbolically fitting to gather family, friends, and members of our church, schools, and community on the one-year mark of Evelyn’s accident to pray the Rosary in thanksgiving for God’s abundant blessings. The myriad prayers offered on my daughter’s behalf all began with a Hail Mary. April 20, 2019 was Holy Saturday, and that date was a finish line of sorts to ease Evelyn’s Traumatic Brain Injury restrictions. Easter Sunday marked the start of my daughter’s new phase moving forward to life restored as she previously knew it. The tapestry of God’s intricate plan is exquisitely beautiful. Motherly Miracles Two and a half years after the accident, Evelyn is a thriving, bright, healthy, beautiful young woman. Although we felt incredibly weak, vulnerable, and paralyzed by fear many times, God was with us each step of the way. He wants to take our greatest burdens off our shoulders if we will simply relinquish them. A wise friend urged me to, “lay the tough matters at Jesus’ feet.” Our experience was so remarkable that I wrote a book, Hope Upon Impact, to share news of our blessings and to bring glory to God. I urge you to contemplate the following words and take my mantra to heart because no matter the difficulty one faces, we may only control our response to it. Let’s choose complete and total trust. Have faith. Hope on! God is good. Julie Overlease is a Kansas City mother of four and author of the spiritual memoir Hope Upon Impact. She delights in the beauty of homegrown flowers, is a lover of words, and values sharing her heart’s highs and lows on long walks with those she holds dear. Julie cherishes her happy, 20-year marriage to Robbie. Find out more about her here.

Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious...think about these things. // Philippians 4:8 Love this beautiful print from Elma of A Yearning Heart. Let His word dwell in us richly, sisters. Remember, Members, you get this 8x10 digital download for free! Head to the shop for your download. Download your F R E E wallpapers right here --->>> Phone wallpaper Desktop wallpaper

Before my freshman year, college was this great mythical story to me. My older sister would come home during the holidays with endless stories of her college experiences and they matched pretty well to all the stories I had heard about and seen on TV and in movies. So naturally, I thought: this must be what college life is like and I can’t escape it if I want to have fun and live my college life to the fullest! However, as a girl who wanted to actively try to live out the Gospel in her everyday life, this “traditional college experience” just did not match with what I wanted for my own life or my own college experience. I felt stuck. I felt like there was no possible way to have a relationship with God and to exist in a college atmosphere without feeling like I have to live two completely separate lives. How could I reconcile being the “Jesus girl” on campus with wanting a fun and memorable college adventure? Well, it was easier when I decided what I wanted to get out of university and what would strengthen my relationship with God. Having a Holy College Experience Here are some things to think about that might help you live out your own unique college adventure. Find Your Experience There is a weird pressure on college students to experience college a certain way. And if you don’t, then you’re doing it wrong or you’re not having fun! I'm the type of person who would rather have a game night, movie night, or a praise and worship night with a small group of friends rather than going to a big party with a lot of people—and that’s okay. It doesn’t make me boring and I never feel like I’m missing out on anything. First and foremost, you are at university to study and learn. After that, you can choose what to do in your free time since you can choose the experience you want to have at university. Let me tell you, there is no such thing as one college experience and don’t let anyone try and convince you that there is. Don’t let anyone tell you that you have to have one specific college experience in order to have fun! Make Some Like-Minded Friends Look into Welcome Week events! It might be intimidating to meet new people, but chances are they are just as nervous as you are to make a new friend. Walk into your lecture (or into your Zoom call, thanks Covid). See that person over there? Talk to them! Introduce yourself! Your best option would probably be to find your college chaplaincy and go to their events! Find out if they have Mass on campus or if there is a local church where fellow Catholics on campus go to Mass. I, for one, met one of my college best friends through my chaplaincy! They were hosting a movie night and they were showing the saint story of Saint Jose Sanchez del Rio. I cried. She cried. We were best friends instantly (and still are to this day), and Saint Jose is still my favorite Saint! This is not to say that you can’t have friends who are different than you (it’s actually encouraged); but when you have some close friends who are like-minded and strive for the same things that you do, you can relate to them in a way you may not with your other friends. Be Convicted How do you stay convicted in anything? It has to be a choice. You have to actively choose each and every single day to want to live a life in Christ. What does that practically look like? 1. Establish a consistent prayer life. Make time in your day to talk to God. Ask Him what He wants for your life. Ask the Holy Spirit for the strength to choose God every day and to be convicted in that choice. 2. Read the Bible. There are many women in the Bible to whom we can turn to for examples of pure, unwavering faith in our Lord and their choice to live that out (Ruth, Our Blessed Mother, etc.). 3. Read about the lives of the Saints. Saint Joan of Arc, Saint Maria Goretti, Saint Teresa of Calcutta, Saint Therese of Lisieux, Saint Catherine of Siena, Saint Cecilia...the list goes on and on! All these amazing women who lived before us lived uniquely faithful lives and can be a great example of conviction for us today. 4. Receive the sacraments regularly. They provide us with strength through the graces we receive in order to live a Christ-centered life. Who is Setting the Expectation? There are so many voices telling us so many different things, but in the end, we know only One voice matters: the voice of God. Now is the time to foster the skill of hearing God’s voice through prayer. Be convicted in what you believe even when the world tells you the opposite. Four years later, I'm currently in my senior year. Did I have what some would consider the traditional college experience? Nope. Would I change it? Not for anything! So have your college adventure. It will be a beautiful part of your story! Take this season of life and live it out uniquely to your fullness. What was your college experience like?   [bctt tweet="The "College Experience"? #BISblog //" via="no"]   Written by Samantha Cameron. Find out more about her here.

Shock. Anger. Gutted. Disbelief. I will never forget how those emotions seared through my body in the course of seconds when I discovered I lost my job. To say I was blindsided would be an understatement. I was working at a Catholic school, had won Teacher of the Month, planned successful field trips, wrote dozens of letters of recommendation, increased ACT and SAT scores, was a TEAM Lead, earned almost perfect scores on my teaching evaluations, and my contract was still not renewed, with no real explanation as to why. Fighting the Embarrassment of Job Loss Over the next months, I kept the news to myself and my immediate family. I was overwhelmed with embarrassment and disappointment. I couldn’t bear to tell my coworkers, my friends, or my students out of fear that they would judge me and ask what I did wrong. Because the truth was, I didn’t know. So I let the unknown, self-doubt, and self-deprecation eat me alive. I kept the tidal wave of emotions inside, letting them continue to fester almost every part of me. I tried to figure out where I went wrong, trying to determine what I could’ve done better. I began to let this questioning and fear for my future turn me into a person I didn’t even recognize. For five years, my job was my identity, and here I was, at a crossroads, not knowing what I wanted to become. Turning to Him It was also during this time I begrudgingly turned to God. Though I went to Him in prayer, I found myself also questioning this path He was putting me on. Why was God punishing me? What did I do wrong in His eyes? I would sit at the altar, frustrated, during Adoration or quiet prayer, and I let Him have it. During those moments of silence, I let go and gave it to God. The beauty was that He let me. He let me cry and He provided comfort in ways I couldn’t even begin to fathom. While it was difficult at times to hear Him or accept His comfort, I used prayer to really focus on what He had to say to me and learned how to open my heart to listen to Him better than I ever have before. During these moments, I experienced tremendous growth and prepared my heart for the next season of my life. And was even more prepared for when I lost another job this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Gaining Through Loss Without a doubt, losing a job causes us to lose a part of ourselves. Often, our jobs becomes part of our identity and cause us to shape who we are as a person. As someone who has lost two jobs in one year, I know how this time feels inescapable. It consumes us in ways that those who have never lost a job will never understand. It leaves scars on our hearts for years to come. With that said, I can tell that this time will pass. God opens the doors to something even more beautiful than you could imagine if you just adjust your focus from what you lost to what you can gain for this trying situation. Looking back at this last year, I can very easily list all the things I lost when I was laid off: my students, incredible coworkers, a sense of self, and confidence. While it is easy to harp on the negative, I’d be remiss if I didn’t also name all of the things I gained during this time of true emotional turmoil. What I Would Have Missed Though it was hard in the moment, God brought me immense blessings during this time. He showed me my true resilience, grace, and fortitude. He forced me to depend on others to help me through, instead of always keeping it all inside and to myself. He did this through my friends and introduced me to the man I am going to marry. He knew that this road would be hard, so He placed people in my life that would help me on this journey. Therefore, I challenge you, sisters, that even though this time has you focusing on all that you lost, whether it be money, sense of self, confidence, or friends, focus on the fact that God has you. It might not feel like it now, and honestly, it might not feel like it for a while, but He is placing things before you that will prepare you for the next chapter. During this time, I encourage you to write down at least three ways God has blessed you each day. The biggest struggle when losing a job is taking our focus away from negative and shifting it towards acknowledging the true blessings God has placed before us. [bctt tweet="He is placing things before you that will prepare you for the next chapter. #BISblog //" via="no"] 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 Listen to Him The beauty of losing a job—yes, I said that—is the unknown. While the unknown is terrifying, it also allows us to truly reflect on His plan for us. Use this time to pray with God on what is supposed to happen next. Maybe you’ve wanted to change careers, and this is the kickstart you didn’t know you needed. Maybe you’ve wanted to move for a while, and now is your chance to look at a map and go! I found it incredibly helpful during my many emotional moments to just chant or sing in my head, “Jesus, I trust in You,” and it helped to calm the storm at bay. Be Kind to Yourself As you are reflecting and praying about where God will lead you, it’s vital to be kind to ourselves. It is easy to rip ourselves apart, but the beauty of this time is to allow ourselves grace and truly reflect on what we did right. Even though we lost our jobs, we were hired for our gifts and our potential. We were not hired to be fired. We were hired to grow. Even though our period of growth is ending at our current place of work, that does not mean our overall growth should be stunted. Use this time to focus on what you do well (because you did, don’t let any feelings tell you differently) and how that can contribute to your next venture. We can only do this if we listen to God and turn to Him, no matter how we are feeling. You've Got This I will be the first to say that the storm of job loss is tough to navigate. The beauty of every storm is the calmness and beauty it brings upon its conclusion. Sisters, allow yourself grace and kindness during this storm. Open your heart to God and where He is calling you to go next. Be open to new opportunities, seasons of life, help from others, and how you can use your gifts to help this world. Once the storm passes, there might be debris that still follows you, but God will not allow it to weigh you down or prevent you from moving forward. You've got this because God has you, in the palm of His hand. Has anyone else weathered the storm of job loss? What was your experience like? How did the Lord help you heal and see His plan with fresh eyes?   [bctt tweet="The Beauty I Found in Job Loss #BISblog //" via="no"]   Written by Danielle Sanok.

God's mercy upon them is extraordinary. // Saint Faustina Love this beautiful print from Leah of Fearfully Made. Let His word dwell in us richly, sisters. Remember, Members, you get this 8x10 digital download for free! Head to the shop for your download. Download your F R E E wallpapers right here --->>> Phone wallpaper Desktop wallpaper

Love does no harm to the neighbor; hence, love is the fulfillment of the law. // Romans 13:10 Love this beautiful print from Carolyn of Brass & Mint Co. Let His word dwell in us richly, sisters. Remember, Members, you get this 8x10 digital download for free! Click here to get the download. Download your F R E E wallpapers right here --->>> Phone wallpaper Desktop wallpaper

Christ is our Hope, in the midst of 2020 and otherwise; through joys and sorrows—through it all. It should come as no surprise, then, that Jeremiah 29:11 is my favorite Scripture verse. For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. God’s plans are good. Does that mean it will be easy to live hopefully? No. God says His plans are good—not that they will be easy to live out. Models of Hope The Saints attest to this truth. Their lives were marked by difficulties and all manner of trial and tribulation. But they continued along hopefully, doing God’s work where He placed them, because they knew Who Hope was. For this reason, they are excellent models of hope for us. For example, Saint Thérèse, one of my favorite Saints, understood well what hope really means. In her autobiography, Story of a Soul, she writes: Ever since I understood it was impossible to do anything by myself, the task no longer appeared difficult. I felt it was only necessary to unite myself more and more with Jesus, and the rest would be given to me as a bonus. In effect, my hope was never mistaken. Her life was not easy, of course—her mom died when she was 4 years old; her family experienced various difficulties; she had to wait to enter the convent; and she died young. But she lived well her “Little Way” because she trusted that God knows what he is doing. The Present Moment Hope, above all, depends on staying close to God and trusting that Jesus is with us. May we stay close to Him in prayer and through the Sacraments, come what may. The Saints lead the way. Another quote that helps me stay rooted in hope is from Saint Gianna: Live holy the present moment. Living a holy life means we are living hopefully because we are living the way God wants us to; and that is how we can best see how He is working in our lives and showing us His good plans for us via Jeremiah 29:11. Our Lady of Hope Mother Mary is the epitome of hope. One of her titles is Our Lady of Hope. She trusted God no matter what, and she wants us to do so, too. Praying Memorares helps me stay rooted in hope. Hopeful Love Stories My favorite author also bolsters me in hope. Jane Austen’s timeless tales highlight that virtue and good choices lead to hopeful matches, as in truly happy marriages. Her novels reflect true love, which is part of God’s plan; He wants us to live well His plan for love and marriage. The characters trust that there is a good plan for their lives. The heroines and heroes have “a future with hope” because they choose wisely in marriage (as compared to other characters whose choices lead to heartache and less than happily ever after). Pride and Prejudice shows how becoming a better person and encouraging your match to be the best version of himself, too, is the crux of real love, prompting love-filled actions (remember how Mr. Darcy saves the day?). Elizabeth Bennet is rewarded for seeing Darcy’s true character—and her own need for self-growth. Sense and Sensibility reminds us that life and love both require sense and sensibility (emotional sensitivity)—and, of course, it is imperative to steer clear of the Willoughbys and seek out the Col. Brandons. (Obviously!) Persuasion illustrates that “Love never fails” (see 1 Corinthians 13). Are you familiar with this romantic novel? It’s all about waiting for true love. When Anne Elliot and Frederick Wentworth are reunited after years apart, they know they are meant to be because they understand that real love is anchored in mutual goodness and esteem. “I have loved none but you,” he writes her. “It was overpowering happiness” for Anne. So beautiful! Emma highlights how Mr. Knightley is a true gentleman and real love prompts growth in virtue. My favorite Austen hero is Mr. Knightley because he is a true gentleman (he truly lives up to his name). His care for Emma Woodhouse illustrates the agape version of love, for his love for her compels him to help her become a better person. Lovely lesson! Mansfield Park shows that goodness is the best way to love. After all, Fanny Price’s goodness attracts Edmund Bertram in the end. Northanger Abbey illustrates the importance of not being so obsessed with anything that you almost miss out on love. Catherine Morland is a cautiounary tale (and it’s a good thing Henry Tilney was such a good guy). God is the Center Church weddings, of course, are a must for Miss Austen’s characters, because God is part of any good (and hopeful) love story. There is much more to be said, of course. But, in a nutshell, Austen’s novels reflect hope because of the truth imparted in their themes. (Sidenote: Take a course on Jane Austen, if you can; I did in college; we read all the novels—best. class. ever.) Also as an aside, have you read some of Jane Austen’s prayers? They are simply lovely. One excerpt: “Give us a thankful sense of the Blessings in which we live.” True blessings, of course, include true love. Overall, the heart of Austen stories is hope, as the characters work out the answers to: How can I best fulfill who God wants me to be? Who is best suited for me? These are questions we must ask ourselves, too, as Jeremiah 29:11 unfolds in our lives. Here’s to hopeful living and happy reading!   [bctt tweet="What Jeremiah 29:11 and Jane Austen Taught Me About Hope #BISblog //" via="no"]   Read more about Jeremiah 29:11 and Jane Austen in The Plans God Has for You: Hopeful Lessons for Young Women (Emmaus Road Publishing, 2020), the new book by Amy Smith, who is associate editor of the National Catholic Register, a service of EWTN, where she edits features and likes to write about everything from hope and Saints (her favorites are Thérèse and Gianna) to Jane Austen. Find out more about her here. This post contains affiliate links. Thanks so much for supporting the ministry of Blessed is She!

Poco a poco. The spirituality of making the next best step. It's become a bit of our catch phrase. It's been the name of a CFR album, our Ascension Present's send off, and the name of our podcast. "Poco a Poco" has been thrown on stickers, bracelets, and tattooed on at least one fellow pilgrim's ankle. It’s part of our patrimony and at the heart of our charism. And it’s true…for all of us. Poco a Poco, Little By Little “Poco a Poco” was birthed on a dusty Honduran road between a convent of cloistered nuns and the friars’ medical center. It’s actually part of a larger phrase: Somos Peregrinos. Poco a poco, vamos a llegar. We are pilgrims. Little by little, we’re going to make it. It was generated from poverty for the poor. For a little over ten years now, the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal have been running a medical center called the Saint Benedict Medical Center in Comayagua, Honduras. The medical center offers totally free care to the poorest of the poor in the name of Jesus and His Church. Our patients come from literally hours away to receive the medical attention they couldn’t possibly afford, but desperately need. The number of patients we’re able to help each day is much larger than the number of people we can fit in our medical center at a given time, which means that there are frequently dozens of our suffering neighbors waiting outside the clinic each day. And every day, one of our friars would go to accompany and encourage them, with one catch: he couldn’t speak Spanish. Constancy and Encouragement Br. Anthony moved to Honduras as a forty-five year old with a great desire to be with the poor, but learning Spanish was practically futile. Every day he would go to visit the patients waiting to be served, many of them sick and suffering, and try to encourage them. One day, an idea came to his mind, it was Spirit-inspired word of encouragement, and he asked one of the friars to help him: “How do you say, we are pilgrims?” “Somos peregrinos.” And Br. Anthony wrote it down. “Little by little, is ‘Poco a Poco,’ right?” “That’s right.” He writes. “We’re going to make it?” “Vamos a llegar.” “Somos peregrinos. Poco a poco, vamos a llegar?” “Yup, that’s it.” Day after day, Br. Anthony would speak these words to the patients. The staff would hear them as well. Slowly it became a thing, “Poco a Poco.” Often times, he'd throw in one last question: “Donde?” (Where?) “Paraiso!” (Heaven!) And, ain’t it the truth? The more and more life goes on, the more and more we can often relate, at least interiorly, to these suffering souls waiting for help at our medical center. Beat up. Struggling. But fighting. Pushing forward. It’s the pilgrim way. We're All Pilgrims In the official document declaring our Community a Pontifical Order (meaning we’re all grown up), the Holy See described our charism in these words: In imitation of St. Francis of Assisi, the friars seek to follow in the footsteps of Jesus, as a prophetic witness that life is a pilgrimage to the Father... It’s at the heart of the Franciscan life and witness: We’re pilgrims. Life with the Lord is journey and often times, it ain’t pretty and success isn’t immediate, but we just keep going. We keep trying to, as one of our founders would often say, “Make the next best step.” Sometimes the next best step is waiting on the Lord and His timing. Sometimes the next best step is a good Confession. Sometimes the next best step is stepping out of the boat at Jesus' invitation. But it’s one step at a time. Life’s a pilgrimage and we are all pilgrims. We’re not “home” yet, but we're going to make it. Little by little. [bctt tweet="It’s one step at a time. Life’s a pilgrimage and we are all pilgrims. We’re not “home” yet, but we're going to make it. Little by little. #BISblog //" via="no"] The Spirituality of the Poor Why has this become so influential in the lexicon and spirituality of a generation of friars? It’s struggle bus spirituality. It’s the spirituality of the poor. Hopefully our life as friars is “hardcore.” But it doesn’t mean we’re any less beggars than our brothers and sisters waiting outside of the clinic. Part of the genius of our life, when it’s well lived, is it gets us in touch with our own poverty. We learn to pray, from the core of our souls, “Lord, I need Your help. I can’t do it without You.” We understand that we don’t learn all things overnight and we probably not going to reach the peaks of holiness by our 24th birthday. But each day we begin again, simply seeking to keep making the next best step. We never compromise journeying toward the heights of holiness, but we don’t get scandalized if it takes time. As long as we keep on our spiritual pilgrimage, we’re going to make it. [bctt tweet="We never compromise journeying toward the heights of holiness, but we don’t get scandalized if it takes time. As long as we keep on our spiritual pilgrimage, we’re going to make it. #BISblog //" via="no"] The Next Best Step We’re poor, but we also work with the poor. How often do we encounter the materially or spiritually poor who are discouraged by what they can’t do. They know what they want to do, they know what they “should” do, but they can’t do it. But can you make the next best step? Can you surrender a little more, love a little deeper, trust a little firmer, today? My sisters, we can all make the next best step. The consolation this offers was brought home to me in a conversation I was having with a young adult woman. She was sincerely seeking the Lord; a really beautiful soul. She was aware of the heights of the call, but she was also aware of the fact she wasn’t there. Talking about trust, I asked her, “On a scale of 1-100, how much do you trust the Lord.” “Maybe 80%,” she replied. (Which is pretty darn good! But she, like most of us, was discouraged by the 20% that was lacking.) So, applying “poco a poco spirituality,” I asked her, "Can we try and get to 81%?” And in an instant a burden was lifted from her shoulders. It was written all over her face. It was a revelation. "Yeah, I can do that. I can definitely do that.” 1% at a Time Here’s the thing, we’re journeying toward 100%, but the Lord’s patient and merciful as He showed with His Apostles. Let’s try and get to 81% and then we’ll start working on 82%. And then we’ll go to 83%… Why? Life is a pilgrimage and we're all pilgrims on dusty roads. And that’s why we chose to name our podcast The Poco a Poco Podcast. It’s a podcast dedicated to helping our fellow pilgrims make the next best step. We understand the messiness and the difficulty of life and the discouragement that comes from thinking we have to have it all figured out yesterday. We can handle messy. Because God can handle messy. But also, with grace, we can always make the next best step. That is our prayer for you: that with God’s help, you may never cease making the next best step. Somos peregrinos. Poco a poco, vamos a llegar. Donde? Paraiso. We’re blessed to be on the journey to you. If we don’t meet along the roads of life, we look forward to meeting you in our Father’s house.   [bctt tweet="Poco a Poco // The Spirituality of Making the Next Best Step #BISblog //" via="no"]   Written by Fr. Mark-Mary Ames, CFR.

What motivates you to serve? Do you act out of fear, appearances, and the applause of others? Or the love of God and the glory of His Kingdom? A resounding “yes” is what I hope to hear in response to the last question. However, I must admit that I have been struggling with my “yes” these past few weeks. At times, I find myself yearning for affirmation in the work that I do. And because I live in a world that values success based on works of the flesh, I tend to forget that bearing fruit does, in fact, take time and patience. Success doesn't happen overnight! As such, these moments of doubt serve as an invitation to review what it means to follow Christ. The Meaning of Human Struggle: God’s Grace and Truth One day, when disappointment and discouragement superseded gratitude in my heart, I expressed the context in which these feelings arose to my spiritual mentor. Removing me from the pit I wallowed in for a couple days, she posed a question that re-rooted me in God’s truth: “Who told you that struggling is bad, Kate? This is a misconception we were taught to believe. Remember this: if you speak the truth from a place of love and are falsely accused and rebuked for it, do not regret being unable to refute and defend yourself. You know your truth, and so does God. Rest knowing that you’ve done your part. Now let God do the rest and truth shall prevail.” From then on, I felt so much lighter and realized that this was an opportunity to grow closer to Christ, and weed out the bad from the good. The moment I redefined this experience as my chance to imitate Christ and grow in virtue, I felt this rush of warmth, which granted me the grace to see where I fell short, and how to move forward even if I don’t receive an apology. For as long as I am sincere to myself and God, I learned that nothing could go wrong. Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained God permits pain and struggle so that we may learn, and mature in spirit and truth. Growth and change cannot happen without pain and discipline after all. This may sound unappealing and intimidating, but I invite you to revisit this, and identify what suffering reveals about human resilience and God’s Merciful Love. God is Love Oftentimes, we think that God will only bestow His Love upon us if we do whatever is asked of us. Not true! God loves us so much that He gave us free will, so that we may all have an opportunity to do what is right. At the end of the day, He wants us to choose Him, to be free to desire goodness and detest evil. Moreover, God’s Love is not merited, earned, nor deserved. His Love is unconditional! No matter how imperfect we are, there is so much hope for as long as we hold on to our Faith. Creative and wild in offering boundless possibilities, God is so generous that all we have to do is receive the free gift of grace and submit to Him. Therefore, we must be careful not to put God in a box. Instead, we must cooperate with His Truth and Grace in order to proliferate hope, faith, and love. 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 Igniting Curiosity Still in the process of solidifying my faith, I tend to fall prey to doubt because of all these uncertainties in life. Lately, I’ve been raising an eyebrow and questioning whether God will help me overcome these obstacles or not. What needs to register in my mind and heart is that nothing is too small or big for God. I need to believe that God can do it, and build on the virtue of certainty in Him. I find it helpful to remind myself that through Christ, God took on the most gut-wrenching path possible, so He knows what human suffering to the worst degree is like, and thus understands us. Every time I recall how Christ was stripped of everything because the world hated Him, I am instantly moved and humbled by His willingness to sacrifice Himself. Christ was and still is willing to walk alongside human ignorance. He knows how to brilliantly use and transform what is incorrect and flawed. What are some flaws you could offer up to the Lord? From there, how do you think you can grow in intellectual curiosity and holiness? Dream High, Aim High Did you know that God does not call the qualified? He qualifies the called! Hence, I believe that the greatest tragedy in life would be not becoming a saint since we are all called to sainthood. It’s a matter of choosing this path to heaven—taking it one step and day at a time. Discipleship: The Road to Sainthood More than being a disciple of God, ask how you can evolve into a disciple-maker. Now, open your Bible and turn to Acts 2:42. Meditate on the four components of discipleship, and outline how you can integrate at least one of them into your life: the breaking of bread, prayer, fellowship, and Apostles’ teaching. Respond to these questions as you discern: Which component resonates with you most? How would you like to focus on one component this week? Which Saint do you admire most? Take note of three things he or she has done. May your journey to sainthood produce abundant fruit!   [bctt tweet="Our Call to Sainthood #BISblog //" via="no"]   Kate Cabigao is from the Philippines. She is a graduate of NYU Steinhardt’s Education Studies program with a specialization in Global and Urban Education. She loves to write about her thoughts, feelings and experiences ranging from the silliest to the most serious moments. Her life goal is to inspire and empower those around her to make the most of their lives and to play to their strengths. Find out more about her here.

Take a deep breath. (Bear with me and give it a try!) Another: in through your nose…and out through your mouth. Stretch your neck from side to side. Relax your shoulders as you breathe deeply once more. Ask the Holy Spirit to fill your heart as we pray, “Come, Holy Spirit.” If that was the first real breath you’ve taken today, this post is for you. Loneliness and Longing I feel inadequate to write about praying as a busy mom. I’ve met incredible, holy women with multiple kids who seem to have it all figured out. Meanwhile, I’m navigating first-time motherhood, with the most energetic 20-month-old you’ll ever meet (seriously, he started walking at 8 months!). I rarely make it to daily Mass, I try to wake up early to pray but can’t remember the last time I actually did, and the likelihood of me finishing a Rosary I started is slim at best. Why do I share this? Honestly, because motherhood can be lonely. Beautiful, joyful, inspiring…but also lonely. We need to know we aren’t the only ones struggling. We need to know that God still loves us even when we don’t have the picture-perfect prayer life. Because here’s the truth—God wants us to pray not because of a checklist or guilt, but because He wants to spend time with us, He wants to give us peace. God doesn’t care if our prayer is messy, if we get halfway through a meditation before the baby starts crying, if we fall asleep while praying, if we only have the energy for a simple, “Be with me, God.” God wants us to love and be loved by Him. Prayer Hacks for Motherhood There is a lot going on right now, and the last thing I want to add on your plate is a lengthy, intensive guide to a prayer life that seems out of reach. Instead, I want to share a few prayer hacks I’ve found that have helped me grow closer to God in this season, and introduce you to an awesome tool that has helped my prayer life: Hallow, a Catholic prayer and meditation app. Live Life with and for Jesus This is a way to reframe the amount of time we have—however small—to spend with God in prayer. I like to think of this as the difference between sitting down and having a deep conversation with a friend and living day-to-day life with them. Both are so great, right? In this time of life, I don’t often get to sit down with Jesus and have a long heart-to-heart (which I’ll talk more about later). But I can invite Jesus into my life in small and simple ways. As a mother, you are literally living out the Works of Mercy: feeding, clothing, caring for the sick, etc. Anytime you feel like you aren’t praying enough, pause and think about how you love your kids. You may not be able to sit for an hour in front of the Blessed Sacrament, but you can spend an hour playing with your kids and loving them well. Jesus isn’t asking us to choose between our daily duties and Himself. We can choose Him in our daily duties. He simply desires to be with us, to rejoice with us, to help shoulder our burdens, to delight in our ordinary life. So, what can this look like? Praying Live on the BIS App with the community. Praying an Our Father while changing a diaper. Praying the Rosary on Hallow while out walking. Praying “Come, Holy Spirit” when the toddler is upset. Saying, “Thank you, God,” when you see it’s sunny outside. Praying a minute meditation on Hallow, such as a psalm, when you feel overwhelmed. Imagine Jesus as your best friend who lives with you, sharing in each moment. How can you incorporate talking with Him, noticing Him, and living life beside Him throughout your day? 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 Include Your Kiddos Truthfully, this one doesn’t always work with my son (though he does attempt the Sign of the Cross when he hears Hallow play, and it is so cute). But for older kids, incorporating prayer can be as simple playing Hallow while you drive, doing Hallow’s Family Prayers over dinner, or closing the night with Night Prayer or a Bible Sleep Story. For little babies, plug in your headphones and listen to a meditation session from the Calm, Love, or Patience praylist as you hold them while they nurse or nap on you. Schedule Time for Those Heart-to-Hearts Like I mentioned, this part is a lot harder for me to find time for, and I’m sure many of you can relate. I’ve realized that I need this quiet time with God to balance out the noise of each day. One thing I’ve found helpful is to lower my expectations and be gentle on myself. An hour of prayer time is unlikely, but I can set aside 5 minutes. Here, I again lean on Hallow. I pick a time, set my alarm to remember, choose a 5-, 10-, or 15-minute prayer based on how much time I have, and give myself permission to have that heart-to-heart, to spend a few minutes still and quiet with God. Let God Love You Ask God to show you what He loves about you. Ask Him to show you how to pray. Turn to the Holy Spirit, as St. Paul writes in his Letter to the Romans: In the same way, the Spirit too comes to the aid of our weakness, for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit itself intercedes with inexpressible groanings. The Holy Spirit prays for us even when we cannot find the words. How cool is that? Ask God to give you peace in your vocation, to assure you that you are loving Him as you love your family. And be kind to yourself. You are navigating a beautiful but difficult season of life. What has helped your prayer life as a mom? Any advice on prayer hacks for new moms? [bctt tweet="Prayer Hacks from One Mom to Another #BISblog //" via="no"] Abby Fredrickson studied English and Theology at Notre Dame, and is grateful for a job that lets her use both as Head of Content at Hallow. Her favorite things include making her husband and toddler laugh, spending time with friends, hearing people's life stories, and being outside, especially on the beach. You can reach her at abby@hallow.app. 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

Anyone who wants to save his life will lose it; but anyone who loses his life for my sake will find it. // Matthew 16:25 Download these beautiful free wallpapers from Leah of Fearfully Made from today's readings. Let His word dwell in us richly, sisters. Remember, Members, you get this 8x10 digital download for free! Head to the shop for your download. Download your F R E E wallpapers right here --->>> Phone wallpaper Desktop wallpaper

When I called, you answered me. // Psalm 138:3 Download these beautiful free wallpapers from Michelle Slough from today's readings. Let His word dwell in us richly, sisters. Remember, Members, you get this 8x10 digital download for free! Head to the shop for your download. Download your F R E E wallpapers right here --->>> Phone wallpaper Desktop wallpaper

One of my favorite things to do as a mom is to watch our three children at the beach. Through the years I’ve watched the kids go from being barely able to sit up in the sand, to crawling around eating sand, to the glorious year they can stand on their feet and put their toes in the water. With each passing year, their physical development and their courage allow them to enter deeper and deeper into the ocean. Where once they stayed close to shore with only inches of water covering their legs, my son, Brady, and my daughter, Abby, now head to waters deeper than their bodies can stand in. Our youngest daughter, Mary, still likes to stay close to the shore where her feet solidly touch the ground. I sometimes stand on the sandy shore fiercely watching my older two as they make stroke after stroke in the waters where their feet do not touch bottom. At times I want to call them back because of how deep they are willing to go. Sometimes, to be honest, I do just that because the fear of how deep they are overwhelms me. Other times I take a deep breath and try to remember that they both know the water’s movements, and they have the skills to not only survive but thrive and enjoy the swim. The Beach of Prayer Our relationship with God in prayer reminds me of watching my children on the beach. Our prayer lives begin with us on the sandy shore with Jesus at our side, just thrilled to be with us. He is there whether or not we are aware that He longs to be in relationship with us. At some point, we perceive His presence. I can imagine Him standing with us on the beach, pointing into the ocean of endless possibilities of our relationship with God and asking us, "Are you ready to go into the waters? Do you want to go deeper?" Even though Jesus is right there with us, pointing the way, it is also as if the ocean of spiritual possibility beckons us to enter, awakening in us that same desire to put out into the deep, as it does my kids when they swim. It reminds me of the line in the Psalms, “Deep calls to deep” (Psalm 42:7). This beckoning and searching we feel is the Holy Spirit inviting us and drawing us ever deeper into our relationship with God. This deep down desire is just one of many indications that God longs for us. Stepping into the Ocean When we first enter the waters of relationship with God, we are similar to my kids when they could barely sit up on the beach without help. The waters of faith may feel both exciting and scary. We need extra support in our beginning moments of faith. I would guess that most of us have had teachers and those who modeled for us how to pray. Perhaps we have been immersed in a faith community that held us up in our relationship with God through the liturgical and communal life, wrapping and supporting us through the spoken memorized and communal prayers. As time progresses, we have become more familiar with living a life of faith. As Jesus invites us to go deeper, we are more comfortable to say yes as we lean more and more on the practices of our faith. Two Things to Anchor Us There are two important things for us to remember about this invitation from Jesus to enter the waters of faith. First, He never leaves our side. We are always accompanied by Him. Second, He is always inviting us to go deeper, eventually drawing us into water where we can no longer touch the bottom, and we are invited to even go under and swim in the quiet waters below the surface. No matter where we are in our faith journey, there is more to learn and explore in our relationship with God. 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 Let's Go to the Inner Chapel The “inner chapel” is simply a place within each of us where God dwells and where we can meet God. Let’s begin with a short reflection. Perhaps at this moment you are standing in ankle-deep or knee-deep water. Maybe you’ve taken steps further out, and you are up to your shoulders and head. Maybe you are even at the point that your feet do not touch the bottom anymore, and you are swimming in deeper water, trusting both God’s movement in your life and learning new practices of our faith that support your ever-growing relationship with God. One thing is for certain. It’s amazing to know that no matter where we are on this “ocean adventure,” we are not alone. We are supported. We are accompanied. Jesus is with us. We are even being prayed for by the Holy Spirit to help us enter the water or swim deeper. Ocean Reflection I invite you right now to pause and bring to mind the image of an ocean. Where are you in your relationship with God? Are you standing on the sandy shore with Jesus beside you, inviting you in? Are you in inch-deep water? Up to your ankles? Knees? Shoulders? In water so deep that you are not able to touch the ocean floor? Notice where you are. At the same time, where do you feel the magnetic pull of the Holy Spirit inviting you to go? Where do you feel God inviting you to go? Where do you notice Jesus pointing you and showing you the way? Notice, too, where you feel you want to go. Do you want to say yes to the invitation? Perhaps you want to turn and run back along the familiar path you’ve been on and return to the safety of shore, as both of our girls did at first when they entered the ocean. Wherever you are, it is okay. Wherever you are at this moment, there are also two things to remember. God is with you right where you are. And God is inviting you and wants you to go deeper. I’m reminded of the Gospel story in which Jesus invites his disciples to toss nets by “putting out into the deep” (Luke 5:4). How are you experiencing God inviting you to “put out into the deep”? No matter where you are, know that there are prayer practices to support you—where you are and also where God is inviting you to go. Embracing the Promises of God These Scriptures can encourage you as you read them and pray with them. • Psalm 42:1–7 // “As a deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God for the living God” • Luke 5:1–11 // Jesus invites Simon to put his nets out into the deep. • Jeremiah 29:11–14 // “For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. Then when you call upon me and come and pray to me, I will hear you. When you search for me, you will find me; if you seek me with all your heart, I will let you find me.”   [bctt tweet="Spiritual Growth is Like Stepping into the Ocean #BISblog //" via="no"]   Excerpt adapted from The Inner Chapel: Embracing the Promises of God by Becky Eldredge. © 2020 Becky Eldredge. Published by Loyola Press. Used with permission.

Edith Stein was a German-Jewish woman, a Catholic convert, a Carmelite nun, and a respected philosopher. Killed in a German concentration camp in 1942, Edith Stein is revered as a martyr. In order to understand the reality of Edith Stein, it is necessary to view her life, her spirituality, and her writings, in light of her melancholic temperament. An understanding of her melancholic temperament sheds light upon Edith Stein’s path to sanctity as she serves as an incredible example of the melancholic temperament culminated in sainthood. The four temperaments (sanguine, choleric, phlegmatic, and melancholic) originated thousands of years ago. Hippocrates, the first to develop personality theory, established the four temperaments according to four type of fluids of the body. Modern scientists have since expanded on personality and temperament theories and the four temperaments have been used to provide insight into human nature. The Depth and Desire of a Melancholic Edith Stein, as evidenced from her actions, her writings, as well as others’ recollections of her, was a melancholic. The melancholic temperament is characterized by perfectionism and idealism. The melancholic longs for perfection and tends to struggle with depression and pessimism. Even as a child, Edith had a rich interior life. She felt emotions keenly but was unable to express any of what she experienced. At a young age, Edith already felt a void within herself. Comparing her interior world unfavorably with the real world caused Edith to turn toward herself. It was only when she found Christ and could unite her sufferings to Him that Edith found peace. Edith’s idealistic nature gave her a drive and determination beyond that of the average student. She wanted to seek truth and she was determined to find answers for the problems which plagued her. In university, Edith struggled to remain indifferent to the current social and political problems. The state of humanity was a constant source of worry for Edith. The Struggle Edith continued to suffer from poor health as a result of emotional and spiritual conflict during her young adult years. Her temperament unperfected and immature, Edith struggled with the seemingly dark nature of the world. Yet, despite whatever inner tension Edith faced, she always managed to be kind and cheerful for her friends and family. She felt that she could not reveal the inner turmoil happening in her soul. As Edith began to pursue philosophy and writing under the guidance of mentor Edmund Husserl, her health began to suffer due to overwork. Edith recalls, “there was a long period during which I totally lost all appetite, and this recurred nearly every year thereafter. I lost about twenty pounds in a very short time.” This alarming description of her health exemplifies Edith’s determination and sense of duty, two vital aspects of her temperament. The melancholic, characteristically appearing smaller and weaker than some of the other temperaments, tends to be prone to small yet draining illnesses. Longing for Rest In 1916, Edith received her Ph.D in Philosophy at age 24. All of Edith’s work in Academia further illustrate her search for truth and peace which plagued her soul. Despite her success in the academic world, much of Edith’s young adult life was characterized by what she calls “her deplorable state.” In a letter to an academic mentor, Edith reflects back on this period of her life. “That condition lasted for years until I found the place where there is rest and peace for all restless hearts.” For years, Edith had struggled against her transcendent desire for truth and goodness. The world only sought to disappoint her. In Christ, however, Edith found the Person to Whom she could surrender herself. She was already His. Edith’s experience corresponds with Art and Laraine Bennett’s assertion that the melancholic, drawn to the highest of ideals, “should focus on personal intimacy with Christ” because nothing else satisfy. Conviction and Conversion Despite Edith’s joy at finding Truth, she struggled with the knowledge that her conversion would pain her family. Consider the enormity of Edith’s action: she was denying the faith of her family and her people at a pivotal point in history. Yet, she continued on in complete faith. Soon after Edith’s conversion, she wanted to become a Carmelite nun. However, both due to the advice of her spiritual director and her mother, Edith decided to wait. Waiting was incredibly difficult for Edith. Diligent, determined, and idealistic, Edith felt she was a stranger in the outside world. Yet, her strong sense of duty prevented her from taking this course of action though she was longing to devote herself completely to Christ. When Edith was finally able to enter Carmel in 1933, she was 42 years old. She took the name Sr. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross. Entering Carmel was Edith’s response to the truth and the ideals which she had sought for so long. Her melancholic temperament, predisposing her to scrupulosity and doubt, was calmed in Christ. She surrendered her will to God, allowing him to transform her. Her Religious Name Edith’s religious name, Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, points to Edith’s spirituality. The “Teresa” and “Benedicta” aspects were chosen for Saint Teresa of Avila and Saint Benedict of Nursia. “Of the Cross” alludes to her devotion to the Cross of Christ, the highest ideal in Christianity. Edith, who desired so wholeheartedly to become united personally and irrevocably with Christ, viewed the vocation of every Christian as to help Him carry the Cross. For Edith, joy was not possible without partaking in Christ’s suffering. It is only through participation in the Passion that one can achieve true joy. Edith writes: helping Christ carry his cross fills one with a strong and pure joy, and those who may and can do so, the builders of God’s kingdom, are the most authentic children of God. For Edith, a relationship with Christ did not just consist of merely consolation or even prayer. Relationship with Christ meant choosing to be crucified beside Him. [bctt tweet="Helping Christ carry his cross fills one with a strong and pure joy... -Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross #BISblog //" via="no"] Personality Purified and Perfected In 1942, Edith, along with her sister Rosa, who had join Edith in Catholicism after the death of their mother, were taken by the Nazis. Edith’s reported last words, as she and Rosa were taken by the Gestapo were, “Come, let us go for our people.” She was unafraid. Eyewitnesses report that Edith was distinguished by her silence. Edith, sorrowful to the depths of her soul, intuitively aware of all the pain of those around her, was described as carrying “so much pain that it hurt to see her smile.” Edith and Rosa Stein are reported to have been killed in the gas chambers on August 9th, 1942. Edith Stein provides an incredible example of a melancholic Saint. Understanding her natural preferences and inclinations provides greater insight into Edith’s journey toward Christ. Her high ideals and determination for truth were fulfilled in Christ. She struggled with depression and doubts, but she chose to follow Christ in blind faith. She trusted Him to the point of martyrdom. Edith’s melancholic temperament was perfected through her faith and allowed her to ultimately ascend the Cross beside Christ. She offers a stunning example of the melancholic temperament perfected in sainthood. Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, pray for us.   [bctt tweet="Edith Stein: Hope for the Melancholic #BISblog //" via="no"]   Mary Grace, born and raised a Texas girl, recently graduated from Benedictine College with a major in Evangelization and Catechesis. She is a dancer, a writer, and a wanna-be explorer. Mary Grace loves to spend her spare time choreographing dances, going on runs, practicing calligraphy, and searching for the best chai tea latte. She is doing her best to go wherever God calls her whether it be Oklahoma, Kansas, Ireland, or back to Texas. Mary Grace is currently living her dream of serving the Church by working as the Marketing and Communications Assistant at a parish in Frisco, Texas. Find out more about her here.

At once Jesus spoke to them, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” // Matthew 14:27 Download these beautiful free wallpapers from Jazmin De Guzman from today's readings. Let His word dwell in us richly, sisters. Remember, Members, you get this 8x10 digital download for free! Head to the shop for your download. Download your F R E E wallpapers right here --->>> Phone wallpaper Desktop wallpaper

Several weeks ago, I had the opportunity to attend a Missa Cantata on a Monday evening at our local parish. The Missa Cantata, which is Latin for “sung Mass,” is a form of the Traditional Latin Mass, sometimes referred to as the Tridentine Mass. As I sat silently listening to the priest pray in Latin, I took a minute to look around. I knew the priest had spent time preparing and learning the complexities of the rubrics. There was a small choir, along with an organist who had spent time practicing before Mass began. College students and seminarians had driven across the city during finals week to serve. My son and his school friends had skipped after-school activities to prepare the altar and to serve. Birettas had been found, linens were pressed, and candles were lit. There was incense, and a parishioner had set up a makeshift altar rail. There were people scattered about the pews, some praying silently, while others were flipping through the worship aid, trying to follow along with the unfamiliar Latin text. There were mothers and fathers holding their tired, fidgety children. It was going to be at least twice as long as an ordinary daily Mass, and considerably more effort. I thought for a moment: Was this really necessary? Was it not a bit excessive? Surely everyone there was busy on a weekday evening. No doubt homework, dinner, laundry, bills, and family obligations were waiting at home. Wasn’t this a little much for a Monday evening? The answer, I think, is yes. Why "A Little Much" is Completely Appropriate A Missa Cantata on a Monday evening is like Mary pouring out expensive perfume at the feet of Jesus and washing Him with her hair. It is extravagant, perhaps to the point of seeming unreasonable, past what is required or deemed necessary to fulfill any obligation. In Mary’s encounter with Love Incarnate, she showed no restraint, no moderation in her response. Why should she? And just as Lazarus’s house was filled with the sweet smell of perfume, the smell of incense filled our ordinary, suburban church. Jesus’ answer to the question of ‘why?’ is the same for us today: because He is here. Christ is made present to us in the Sacrifice of the Mass, in the midst of our busy lives. [bctt tweet="Christ is made present to us in the Sacrifice of the Mass, in the midst of our busy lives. #BISblog //" via="no"] God's Movement, Our Response Is that not truly the height of extravagance, to the point of absurdity? That our Creator would come to us, to be consumed by us, to save us? I am reminded of the words of Saint Francis: Let the entire man be seized with fear; let the whole world tremble; let heaven exult when Christ, the Son of the Living God, is on the altar in the hands of the priest. O admirable height and stupendous condescension! O humble sublimity! O sublime humility! That the Lord of the Universe, God and the Son of God, so humbles Himself that for our salvation he hides Himself under a morsel of bread. That should compel us to respond with excess, with our highest effort. Not because we have to, but because we want to. Even to the point of seeming inordinate or ridiculous to those looking on. Finding a Missa Cantata I think that’s the reason so many made their way to that particular Mass that evening. Not in spite of the extra time or effort, but because of it. We felt called in that moment to do something more than necessary, to participate in something beautiful and sacrificial. We have each experienced, in some way or another, the lavishness of God’s love for us, and the only satisfying response is to pause our ordinary lives and pour ourselves out with whatever beauty and goodness we can muster. Find a Traditional Latin Mass in your community here. Have you ever attended Missa Cantata? What was your experience like?   [bctt tweet="Missa Cantata on a Monday Evening #BISblog //" via="no"]   Cheryl Witty-Castillo is a mother, freelance writer, and director of the Writing and Language Center at St. Mary’s Seminary. You can find out more about her here.

The LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and of great kindness. // Psalm 148:8 Love this beautiful print from Carolyn of Brass & Mint Co. Let His word dwell in us richly, sisters. Remember, Members, you get this 8x10 digital download for free! Click here to get the download. Download your F R E E wallpapers right here --->>> Phone wallpaper Desktop wallpaper