A novena is an ancient devotion in which you pray certain prayers for nine days for special graces, a specific intention, or in preparation for a feast day. Many people don't understand the power of novenas but they are, indeed, very powerful. When people pray novenas, they don't always receive specifically what they request, but they do always get an answer in some form. 9 Ways Novenas Can Help Us Overcome Disappointments Recently, I completed two novenas that helped me greatly and have started a third one. The first novena provided me with clarity that I needed and the second novena gave me peace with a decision, so I do believe the third novena will be helpful as well. In honor of the all the graces I received from the novenas I completed, here is a list of nine ways I believe novenas can help you overcome disappointments in life. 1. You learn to surrender your hopes. You may have expectations about the results your novena will bring. But as you begin your novena, you learn to let go of those expectations and surrender your intentions to the Lord. You realize that the novena is supposed to change you and help you align your will with God's will. 2. You grow in love of prayer. If you didn't have a great appreciation for prayer before, you will once you start a novena. Novenas require faith and the commitment to praying specific prayers for a certain period of time. You will start looking forward to praying the novena for your specific intention and your faith will also increase. 3. You gain a sense of humility. You only get to the point of praying a novena when you recognize that you can only accomplish so much alone. You need the intercession of Saints and the help of God for things beyond your capabilities. You realize that you need to humble yourself to ask for help from above. 4. You start to trust God more. In Luke 17:6, the Lord says: If you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you may say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted, and be transplanted to the sea.' And it would obey you. When you pray a novena, your faith will allow you to start trusting more in God and His plans for you. 5. You begin to believe the truth about your own goodness and self-worth. Novenas can help improve your self-esteem by showing you that you are worthy of many things, including love, answered prayers, joy, acceptance, and contentment. If you're praying the novena with a community, you can develop a sense of belonging and accountability. 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 6. You relate more to the Saint who is interceding for you. If you're praying the novena of a certain Saint, you will naturally want to learn more about that Saint and will probably discover that you have more in common with the Saint than you originally thought. The Saint had trials and difficulties just like you, yet persevered and reached Heaven. Since the Saint faced similar circumstances as you, you know that he or she can be your best advocate to God. 7. You become more realistic about your intention. There will come a point in time, usually in the last days of your novena, when you start getting an answer for your intention. Maybe you prayed for a sick aunt and she has started recovering, or maybe you prayed for a future husband and he's nowhere to be seen. At this point, you become more realistic about what you asked for and what God was able to do for you. Does your aunt's slow recovery mean that she will ever be 100%? She may never be, but the slow recovery does mean that God wants her to have some comfort and wants you to believe for–and continue to pray for–her healing. Does the fact that you didn't meet a man by the end of your novena mean that you'll never get married? Well, it could mean that or it could mean that it is not yet God's timing. The novena may, instead, help you confirm your vocation is marriage and help you be more patient in selecting and praying for your future spouse. 8. You develop a sense of peace. Before the end of your novena, you will develop a sense of peace within yourself. You have prayed fervently for your intention and you have gained the understanding that God is working on you and for you. If your heart is open to the graces a novena can grant you, you will obtain peace and spiritual healing. No matter what the results are, you are at peace knowing that everything is in God's hands. 9. You increase your gratitude. Lastly, as you start to develop peace, joy, acceptance and contentment, your gratitude will also increase. Whether the answer to your intention was what you wanted or not, you become grateful for the opportunity to complete the novena and grow in your faith and trust in the Lord. You will recognize that the Lord was moulding you during your novena and that many of your worries and fears began to dissipate while you were praying. You also begin to grow in confidence that God only wants what's best for you and for others. How have novenas helped you overcome disappointments in the past? [bctt tweet="9 Ways Novenas Can Help You Overcome Disappointments #BISblog //" via="no"]   Maria Montemayor is a Toronto-based writer with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and political science. She loves hearing from her readers. You can write to her at maria.montemayor (at) hotmail (dot) com.

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, his mercy endures forever. // Psalm 118:1 Download these free wallpapers from Elayne of Annunciation Designs from today's Responsorial Psalm. 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

Sometime after your 35th birthday, when you find a moment to actually take a break from the hamster wheel you seem to be perpetually stuck on, you reflect on how mid-life looks on you. You’ve hit some major milestones and celebrated accordingly. You’re educated, and that education is important to you. Thoughtfulness, reflection, and intelligent discussion are your love language. Not in a pretentious way, however. If a friend engages you in thoughtful conversation with articulate points and a moderate perspective, your brain lights up and your mind feels invigorated. Milestones and Musings of Adulthood With these milestones, however, have come transitions, setbacks, and even disappointments. You’re starting to second-guess some major life decisions. The novelty of young adulthood is starting to wear off. You appreciate the maturation of wisdom that advanced from your 20’s to your 30’s, but life is starting to seem, well, more mundane, more complex, and overall more tiring. Recently you’ve experienced a major transition: a new baby, a career change, a big move… and your lack of flexibility troubles you. Whereas, when you got your first job, you felt like you could take on the world and rid it of its injustices, now you feel a little lost, and unsure if you will regain that same confident step you once had. The bad habits you tried to fix as a child and young adult (shyness, procrastination, avoidance) seem to be magnified now as you try to figure out where you fit in this world. You still seem to be deciding what you want to be when you grow up. You’re beginning to notice physical signs of your age. While there is still a clear youthful beauty in your eyes, crow's feet appear at your temples. Between stress eating, pregnancy, and lack of an exercise routine, you’ve gained a stubborn fifteen pounds that have forced you to change your wardrobe style into something less chic. You've Lived Some Life You know you're not alone in your quiet struggles of everyday life; you have friends who have suffered some major blows. The excitement of weddings and new babies has given way to stories of infertility or divorce. Maybe these hardships are part of of your own story. Social Understanding Social media, while providing a quick shot of addictive dopamine, leaves you with confusing and contradicting messages. Your feed is full of mommy blogs showcasing their messy homes and parenting misadventures, providing chuckles and affirmation that you’re not the only hot-mess-mom out there. Then there are the longer essay-style articles about the mental load of mothers, which also affirm your levels of exhaustion, but never really provide easy answers to solve the problem. All the calls for self-care, decluttering, slowing down, eating right, and exercise overwhelm you as simply more categories of incompetence and failure. This is the thick of adulthood. Is This All There Is? You ask yourself, "Is this really all there is?" In a way, yes. The exhaustion, the sadness, the mundane drudgery….we live in a fallen world and perhaps all this isolation, loneliness, and overwhelm is what the curse of Original Sin looks like. As the line of the Hail, Holy Queen prayer reminds us… ...this is our exile. But deep down, you also know better. 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 The One Constant The one constant in your life has been your Faith. Even if you've church-hopped in the past, or experienced a bitter hiatus from the Church altogether, you are never quite able to deny your title as Daughter of God. You know that it's a permanent mark of your identity, even on the days when you don’t feel it. No matter how much you question what God is doing (or is He even listening?), you keep returning to your little prayer corner in your home, you keep reaching for your Bible, you keep arriving to the pew in the back of the church just as the opening hymn is starting. It is in the silent prayer of your broken heart that you rest in this truth: You are known and loved. Radically loved. What You Can Do Today There will always be tension between our purpose in this life and our longing for the next. As much as we desire to be with our Creator for all eternity, we also know that we have to fulfill our mission in this life: to love God and to love others. For today, you can love. And when tomorrow comes, you can love. And that is enough. And once you remind yourself of this greater purpose...beneath the piles of laundry, above the noise of the kids whining, beyond the worry of limited funds in the checking account, you begin to see some slices of Heaven: The baby watching you with adoring eyes, clapping his chubby hands. The most magnificent sunset on the horizon as you race home from your little soccer player’s practice to start dinner. The warmth of a sleepy preschooler as he snuggles up, listening to you read his favorite book (again). The fresh breeze on your face and the sound of a whippoorwill from your back porch after the kids have finally fallen asleep. These are reasons for joy. His joy is your strength, and His love is infinite. And that is enough for today.   [bctt tweet="The Spiritual Life in the Thick of Adulthood #BISblog //" via="no"]   Kimberly Lynch is a wife and mother, incessant over-thinker, language geek, coffee junkie, and writer. She and her husband raise their large-ish brood in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. You can find out more about her here.

To him all the prophets bear witness, that everyone who believes in him will receive forgiveness of sins through his name. // Acts 10:43 Download these beautiful free wallpapers from Lauren Thomas 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

What a strange time we are all experiencing. Walking outside of our convent—which is on our school and parish grounds—I'm met with quiet. We are used to the sounds of faithful activity: the children playing during the day, faith formation classes, guitar groups, youth group at night. I saw a post on social media that said, “This is the Lentiest Lent that ever Lented.” More than that, these days have a feeling of Holy Saturday. A very,very long Holy Saturday. The Silence of Holy Saturday, the Silence of Now Holy Saturday is a day of emptiness, but also of hopeful anticipation of the Resurrection. I always find myself in a mix of emotions—a little lost without the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament, excited for Easter, and a bit anxious for the Triduum to be over. As Sisters, we are in silence from Holy Thursday until the Easter Vigil, which intensifies the whole situation as well. Every year, I feel an urgency during the Triduum to pray for the Church to “stay awake.” I feel that same intensity and silence now as we are facing this pandemic as a Church. Our Mission Has Not Changed As I was praying before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament yesterday during our Holy Hour, the Lord reminded me that, even though the world looks quite different right now, my vocation and your vocation has not changed. Exteriorly, my apostolate looks different. I spend a lot more time looking at a computer screen now rather than the beautiful faces of my students entrusted to my care. However, the computer screen is a tool, and not the work. The work, the apostolate, the goal of each of our vocations—whether single, married or religious—has not changed. My ultimate role as an educator has not changed. I am still to do everything I can to get those entrusted to my care to Heaven. [bctt tweet="The work, the apostolate, the goal of each of our vocations—whether single, married or religious—has not changed. #BISblog //" via="no"]   It’s easy to lose sight of that in the everyday business of our lives. As Pope Francis said in his special Urbi et Orbi address on March 27th, 2020: Prayer and quiet service; these are our victorious weapons. Bringing You Before Him in the Eucharist As a Sister and bride of Christ, I am all the more aware during this time that we represent the entire people of God when we pray before Our Lord in the Eucharist. We know that it is our privilege and our duty to unite ourselves more completely with Christ and His people. Our lives are set apart precisely for God and for you. So I am taking this time very seriously. I am being called to pray for you personally, and for us as a community of Faith. I am praying that we are all healthy and safe, and that the Lord draws us closer to Himself and to our families. Let's Not Waste This Time We all know Lent is a time to slow down and turn to the Lord. Although not one of us could have predicted Lent 2020 would look quite like this, let us make the best of this time. Let's become the saints God is calling us to be, because our mission has not changed. This is not the Lent we chose, but it is the Lent that God chose for us. And He is always good and always about our good. May the Lord continue to light the way. Jesus, we trust in You.   [bctt tweet="Our Mission Has Not Changed #BISblog //" via="no"]   Sr. Mary Claire of the Holy Family is a member of the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity (SOLT) and currently serves in Phoenix Arizona where she shares the love of Jesus with her middle schoolers. A Tennessee girl who could live on Dr. Pepper and popcorn, she'd love to road trip with St. John Paul II, Servant of God Leonie Martin, and Captain America.

As we join together in praying for an end to the COVID-19 pandemic, we also turn our prayers to our sisters and brothers experiencing job loss, income loss, and the uncertainty of where their next grocery payment will come from. Let us carry them in our hearts and prayers. Catholic Charities to Consider During this Challenging Time For those of us who are in a position to give of our talents, time, and treasure, here's a short list of places to offer them! 1 // Your Parish Your parish has very likely taken a large financial hit unless most parishioners are already signed up for electronic payments or automatic withdrawals. Send in a check, set up that payment, and be in touch with your pastor about what the needs are of your community. Spiritual bouquets? Phone calls to older parishioners who may not be able to access livestream Mass or need a little tech help? Cards of encouragement for parish staff? Reach out. Don't be hesitant to offer to help. 2 // Sisters on the Frontlines As the COVID-19 pandemic inflicts immense tolls on society, Catholic sisters are present among those most in need, providing rapid response to the poor and distressed. Sisters are embedded in their communities, knowing exactly who is in need and how to help. Catholic Extension, in partnership with the Conrad N. Hilton Fund for Sisters, FADICA, GHR Foundation, The Raskob Foundation for Catholic Activities, Sisters of Charity Foundation of Cleveland and Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, has founded Sisters on the Frontlines, an alliance to respond to the immediate needs of communities impacted by COVID-19. The alliance recognizes the vital role of Catholic sisters in the most marginalized communities and seeks to aid them in their work by providing direct funding. The Sisters on the Frontlines initiative aims to give 1,000 Catholic sisters $1,000 each to help an individual or family suffering from the adverse effects of the pandemic. The sister will then report back to the Frontlines alliance on how she made good on the mandate to care for someone in need. The program also strives to spread awareness about the impactful and innovative work of the sisters by asking people to share stories on social media with the hashtag #sistersonthefrontlines. The program is being launched with seed funding through the alliance, but donations to Catholic Extension will be needed to reach the goal of $1,000 to 1,000 sisters. Learn more, donate, or become a frontline partner here. 3 // Franciscan Friars of the Renewal These friars serve the poor and live out their vows of poverty in a profoundly moving way based in the Bronx. Contribute to their fundraising page or their amazon wish list. As a begging order, they rely on donations. In turn, they serve the poor by sharing the Gospel and whatever they've been given. 4 // Corazon Puro Corazon Puro is a nonprofit founded by Father Agustino Torres of the CFRs working directly with low-income youth leaders to equip them to evangelize (in particular with Theology of the Body's teachings). Donations help them in their critical work at this challenging time. 5 // Catholic Extension Catholic Extension is working at this time to provide a virtual collection basket for most vulnerable parishes in isolated places to provide parishes with resources to ensure the presence of the Church remains in these areas. 6 // Spiritual Adoption/Bouquets You can undertake this in a more organized way or a quiet way: commit to prayer for a group of people or organizations in need at this time. It could be as simple as a Rosary offered for the intentions of unexpectedly pregnant women or asking a priest to offer a Mass for a family member who has lost his or her job. 7 // Seven Sisters Apostolate This very special apostolate organizes women to pray for as priest in groups of seven, each praying a Holy Hour for him one designated day per week. See if you can join a team or offer to be the anchoress for one? 8 // Catholic Charities This well-loved organization is diocesan-based and provides care for the most vulnerable in our communities. At a time when much rebuilding will be required, this is a worthy option. 9 // St. Vincent de Paul Society Since your local SVdP is likely not accepting donations of items at this time, consider supporting them financially so they can continue to provide care for those in need. Where have you found to share at this time? [bctt tweet="Looking for Catholic charities to support during this time? Here's a short list. #BISblog //" via="no"]

Hey, friend. We see you. It can be difficult to cope with this time of uncertainty from a place of isolation. The good news? You're not alone. At Blessed is She, we want to do everything we can to support and encourage you during this difficult time because, friend, you are seen. You are so loved. And, you are an irreplaceable part of the #bissisterhood. Just for you, we put together a list of our favorite resources to help you grow in your faith, prayer, and community during this time. The best part? It’s all free. So grab your Bible, call a friend, and let’s dive in. For Your Heart // Homily by Father John Burns on Holy Week Teachable Tuesday // What Does The Bible Say About Fear, Anxiety, and Worry? What’s the Plan? // TGP Episode 74 - Beth and Jenna chat about the Rules of St. Ignatius. They explore the idea of "storing up" consolations and what to do when you feel desolation. Prone to Wander // TGP Episode 63 - Beth and Jenna talk about the Lord's sweet tendency toward active listening, how convicted they are currently feeling about the words they say, and how gossip actually IS a big deal to God. For Your Prayer // Praying with a Pen // Free Workshop on Journaling as a Spiritual Practice What’s Your Anthem // TGP Episode 50 - Beth and Jenna talk about the “dark night of the soul” -- what it is, what it looks like, and practical ways to combat it. The Gift of Faith // TGP Episode 49 - Beth and Jenna talk with Debbie Herbeck of Be Love Revolution. Debbie shares her beautiful (and unbelievable!) conversion story, and how God is calling her to share the messiest part of her story in order to show young women His infinite mercy. Spiritual & Practical Ideas for Quarantine + Praying with Beth and Mike // q&a with Jenna and Beth How to Pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet & the Rosary How to Make a Virtual Holy Hour For Your Small Group // The Beauty of Vulnerability // Free Workshop on Love, Suffering, and the Sacred Heart of Jesus How to Lead a Small Group Remotely // tips from Nell O'Leary Download the Sisterhood Series // an 8-part examination on friendship Blessed is She Free Study Guide // available in English + Spanish! How to Maintain Long-Distance Friendships // BIS Blog Allllll the video resources! Looking for more? Sign up to receive the daily devotions straight to your inbox!  

As a freshman in college, I met of number of other freshman girls, and it wasn't long before we formed a nucleus of friends. We supported one another during those overwhelming and exciting adjustments to college life, and we enjoyed getting to know each other better, though our personalities and backgrounds were diverse. One girl, Jen, and I were quite different from one another. She had been raised in a family that communicated much less freely than mine did. She also experienced significant trauma in her young life, whereas I was more sheltered and a bit clueless. In spite of our differences, Jen and I clicked from the first day we met. It wasn't long before she and I were close enough to start getting on each other's nerves. The truth is that I sometimes upset her...probably because I was less thoughtful and mature than she was. Good Communication But one positive element I brought to the relationship was good communication skills. I didn't know what it meant to be passive aggressive. I was open and transparent and thought any problem could be worked out if both people cared enough about a relationship. And I knew if we ever wanted to have a true friendship, we would have to work out our problems. I remember one particular instance when we had a misunderstanding. She closed the door to our dorm room in my face and locked it. I was crying and banging on the door like a child, saying something like, "You can't shut me out...I love you, Jen!" Oh, the drama! Jen and I moved forward in our friendship because we were willing to grapple with one another. Being Willing to Engage In order to take any relationship to the next level, we need to be willing to engage with each other in conversations that go beyond chit-chat and emojis. Swapping conflicting opinions or arguing heatedly in a productive way can actually propel a relationship into deeper waters. If we refuse to wrestle with one another, our relationships remain shallow. The same principle applies to our relationship with God. Are we willing, then, to grapple with God? Are we willing to, with reverence, ask God the tough questions so that we can begin to go deeper in our relationship with Him? Are we willing to put time and energy into this endeavor? 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 A Wrestling Match Jacob, one of patriarchs in the Bible, "wrestled" with a mysterious stranger all night long. When the stranger dislocated Jacob's hip, Jacob still held on. He would not release his hold on the mysterious man until the man blessed him. Through perseverance, Jacob received his blessing. Later he said, "I have seen God face to face...yet my life has been spared" (Genesis 32:30). The Catechism of the Catholic Church states, "From this [Biblical] account, the spiritual tradition of the Church has retained the symbol of prayer as a battle of faith and as the triumph of perseverance" (CCC 2573). Engaging with God in prayer can sometimes resemble a wrestling match! I was quite relieved to learn that definition of prayer. Though I have had many moments of peace and consolation in my own faith journey, I am a devout grappler. Having this somewhat noisy relationship with God obliges me to think about ways to engage God respectfully and faithfully, while still admitting that I sometimes have trouble finding that "peace that surpasses all understanding" (Philippians 4:7). Grappling with God The following mnemonic is a helpful way to approach a "wrestling match" with God: G // Give God permission to be God in your life. R // Raise questions; reach out for understanding; rage if you must. A // Acknowledge your fears and doubts. P // Plead for God's assistance and blessing. P // Put your trust in God and persevere in prayer, no matter what. L // Love. E // Enter into a deeper relationship with God; experience His peace; embrace the awesome plan He has for your life. Sometimes we distance ourselves from God because we don't want to put the time or energy into our relationship with Him. Or perhaps we are afraid that if we try to reach a new level of understanding and friendship with God, we will find that He isn't as real, as powerful, and as loving as we want Him to be. Though some people, like myself, have to be encouraged to be more trusting and peaceful, there are others who need to be exhorted to go ahead and "get real" with God. The Holy Trinity does not want to be stored, like a household god, in a niche in the wall of our homes. That is not enough for Him and, eventually, we will find that it is not enough for us either. Our God wants to be involved in every aspect of our lives. He invites us to grapple. [bctt tweet="Grappling with God #BISblog //" via="no"] Christine Hanus is a thwarted idealist who, nevertheless, lives quite happily in Upstate NY. She is a wife and mother of five.

...at the name of Jesus every knee should bend. // Philippians 2:10 Download these beautiful free wallpapers from Brass and Mint Co. 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

The Church's greatest feast is just around the corner! This year, Easter Sunday will likely look different for many of us. But Jesus still conquers death. The tomb is still empty. And we still rejoice. (Plus, don't forget that Easter doesn't last just one day!) Easter Basket Ideas from Blessed is She In case you're looking for some meaningful and beautiful gifts for Easter baskets (for both the kids and adults in your life), we have some ideas from our shop! Books Rise Up This book on the virtues is written for kids, but it's something the whole family can read and enjoy together. Risen Sad about the Lent Journal ending? We have this wonderful Easter companion that helps you meaningfully celebrate the entire Easter season. Journals Our spiral journals are simple, allowing you the space to journal your conversations with God. Made New Made New walks with rich reflections through the Gospels, substantive Scripture for prayer through Lectio Divina, and prompts for spiritual growth. Gifts that Keep Giving Blessed is She Membership Consider gifting a grown daughter, sister, mom, friend (or yourself!) a Blessed is She membership. A membership gives you access to handfuls of workshops, Lent and Advent devotionals every year, and lots of freebies. Gift Certificate Let your loved one choose when and what they purchase! You email the gift card, which makes it even more conducive to the reality of gift-giving this year. Scripture Memory Verse Cards These gorgeous Scripture verse cards help us consume and memorize the Word. You can even encourage the receiver to select one per day or week! Last-Minute Gifts (Digital Downloads) Rooted This study on various tenants of our Faith can be downloaded instantly. Great for small groups, or even a one-on-one study! Misericordia Want to learn more about the Works of Mercy and how to practice them intentionally in your life? This study dives deep into this wisdom of the Church and can also be downloaded digitally. Mystery The Easter season is a wonderful time to learn more about the Rosary and how it helps us contemplate the life of Christ alongside Our Lady. Mystery can be instantly downloaded, too! Dwell Through narrative reflections, Church teaching, Scripture, and wisdom from the Saints, this 15-session study focuses on these five ways that Jesus changes our lives when we invite Him in to dwell within us. Gems of Joy Candles Help cozy up a space with our Saintly Scents Candle Collection, Restore candle, or Light of Mercy candle. Stickers Choose a favorite Saint or Blessed is She sticker! Perfect for lockers, laptops, and planners. Miraculous Medal Earrings These lovely earrings give honor to Our Lady. Prints Finally, find dozens of beautiful prints to fill a home with Scripture! What are you hoping is in your Easter basket this year? What would bring you some extra happiness? LITURGICAL PLANNERS Our Liturgical Planners are based on the Litany of Humility. Enter into prayer every day alongside this beautiful Litany. Order your days in His peace. GET YOUR PLANNER

Whenever you or a loved one are in need of healing, whether it be physical or emotional, it is important to thank God for the doctors and other healthcare workers who are there to tirelessly serve us in times of our greatest needs. Sirach 38:1-2 states: Honor physicians for their services, for the Lord created them; for their gift of healing comes from the Most High. Especially at this time, those working in healthcare are in need of our deep intercession. Patrons and Prayers for Doctors + Healthcare Workers Here are a list of just a few of patron Saints of healthcare workers. Saint Luke St. Paul referred to Luke as the beloved or glorious physician. Well known as the author of one of the Gospels, St. Luke was one of the greatest physicians of the first century and traveled throughout the Mediterranean world healing the sick. Let's ask for St. Luke's intercession: Most charming and saintly Physician, you were animated by the heavenly Spirit of love. In faithfully detailing the humanity of Christ, you also showed his divinity and his genuine compassion for all human beings. Inspire our physicians with your professionalism and with the divine compassion for their patients. Enable them to cure the ills of both body and spirit that afflict so many in our day. Amen. Saints Cosmas and Damian We hear their names during Sunday Mass in one of the Eucharistic Prayers, but do you know their background? They were twin brothers who became extremely skilled physicians in the third century, and never took money for their services. They were eventually martyred for their beliefs in Christ. Saint Gianna Beretta Molla Gianna, whose name means "God is gracious," was a 20th century Italian pediatrician. She once wrote to her husband, "Love is the most beautiful sentiment that the Lord has put into the soul of men and women." When pregnant with her third child, she faced an impossible choice of having surgery for a uterine tumor versus dying so that her unborn child could live. She chose the latter. St. Gianna is the inspiration behind the first pro-life Catholic healthcare center for women in New York, the Gianna Center. She's a patron Saint of mothers, physicians, and unborn children. 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 Saint Maximilian Kolbe Associated with being a patron Saint of the Anointing of the Sick, Maximilian Kolbe was a Franciscan friar with a great devotion to the Blessed Mother. He is perhaps best known for his time caring for others in Auschwitz, ultimately ending when he volunteered to die in place of another prisoner. John Paul II proclaimed him “Patron Saint of our Difficult Age.” Saint Raphael the Archangel This archangel's intercession is credited for the healing and cures of many who have sought his intercession. He is the patron Saint of healing. Saint Luke, pray for us. Saints Cosmas and Damian, pray for us. Saint Gianna Beretta Molla, pray for us. Saint Maximilian Kolbe, pray for us. Saint Raphael the Archangel, pray for us. Jesus, the Divine Physician, Be Their Strength! Let's pray this traditional prayer for our doctors and healthcare workers: Righteous God, I thank You for every healthcare worker and I declare that You are their strength and song. You have become their salvation; You are their God and we will praise You. Father, I pray that You will be the God of the people every healthcare worker cares for. Amen. Will you pray for our doctors and healthcare workers today? [bctt tweet="Prayers for Doctors + Healthcare Workers #BISblog //" via="no"] Dr. Alexis Dallara-Marsh is a board-certified neurologist who practices in Bergen County, NJ. She is a wife to her best friend, Akeem, and a mother of two little ones on Earth, plus two others in Heaven above. You can find out more about her here.

I appreciate the challenge Dr. Muller met in culling through the numerous writings of the recently canonized John Henry Newman to produce such a reader. Along with biographical information, for a man well-known and loved through the power of his pen, such a reader is necessary for intellectual giants like that of Newman. Meeting Saint John Henry Newman My first encounter with Newman came in a Philosophy 101 class when an enthusiastic professor led us through the Idea of a University, exemplifying the goals of our liberal arts college (and helping him explain to students why future engineers must take Phil 101). My next encounter took place in graduate schools as I plated cheese and crackers for the Newman Lectures. He was an important man on that stage, though what thoughts I overheard of his, I cannot say. There was a day a professor said we must read Newman aloud, using his abundance of punctuation to guide the cadence and the pauses during the reading. He read beautifully, but I do not know the name of what he read. With others so eager to promote this man’s cause, with Protestant converts feeling the heartache of their search affirmed, with a miracle of an unborn baby and bleeding while siblings sit downstairs eating cereal and the mother begs to be saved, I was very eager to meet this man others knew, loved, and followed feverishly. A Newman Reader The book is beautiful with a pensive black and white photograph of a man on the matte cover, slightly smirking perhaps. We can see him, but not fully, as this will be only an introduction. After walking through the introduction, I stand daunted before a forest of intellectual thought in Newman’s essays. I am no theologian. I would rather take the mystics, the preachers, the poets, and the commentators on culture and psychology. For a week, I approach, wander a bit through the words, re-read and re-read again. Then, after educating myself with the index I turn to his poetry. The first in the selection is called “The Pillar of the Cloud (Lead Thou Me On).” I read it once, then again, and have read it every night since wishing I could find a way to curl up inside it and stay there indefinitely. An excerpt: Keep Thou my feet; I do not ask to see The distant scene — one step enough for me. I was not ever thus, nor pray’d that Thou Shouldst lead me on. I loved to choose and see my path, but now Lead Thou me on! I loved the garish day, and, spite of fears, Pride ruled my will: remember not past years. Growing Closer to God through Suffering The next section, “Meditations,” offers expansion to this spiritual thrusting into the Heart of God, a lesson learned only through suffering. Newman suffers, as I have suffered, though, could our suffering have been more different? At the height of his career, he converts and experiences rejection and alienation on all sides. Hidden in the maternal world, my loss was private and hidden, brought to light only by my written words and the prayers of others lifted up to Heaven. I was rallied around, while he was abandoned. My sufferings were grounded deeply in the physical brought to us against our will; his, in the intellectual/spiritual detachment following the choice to leave what you have known, for the thing you know to be right. He writes in the meditation, “Hope in God—Creator”: God has created me to do Him some definite service; He has committed some work to me which He has not committed to another. I have a mission — I never may know it in this life, but I shall be told it in the next. Somehow I am necessary for his purchases… This could be written for anyone. It has the universal quality of truth. Written in the first person, like his poem, I want to take it in and read it again and again. It acts therapeutically upon my heart in bringing out the words of my suffering and my hope. It acts as spiritual fodder pointing my intention in the proper direction, up, to the Lord, to the Cross on which He suffered and to the sky when He ascends to His Father. Worth Reading, Worth Meeting As I reflect on the richness of the language, where every line brims over with meaning, I am grateful for the ability to read a Saint in his native language. My state of life and pregnant physical state present unending obstacles to fully tackling his essays. I dip into the waters of this man’s heart through poetry. When we seek the Lord, we do not become more narrowly focused, our minds diversify their offerings as we encounter the omniscient, the One who knows all things and made all things. While not every Saint’s personality will correspond with every sinner’s personality in friendship, there is someone for each of us on earth to gain from each of them in Heaven. As a reader, an introduction, this little editorial feat of a mere 142 pages does an excellent job in making accessible a bit of Newman to everyone. [bctt tweet="BIS Reads: A Newman Reader Review #BISblog //" via="no"] Kathryn Anne Casey is a graduate of Divine Mercy University, freelance writer, housewife and mother of four children. Her weekly newspaper column “Here’s to the Good Life!” and blog, www.KathrynAnneCasey.com, focus on art, psychology, consumerism and the importance of local community. Her book, Journey in Love: A Catholic Mother’s Prayers After Prenatal Diagnosis, published by Our Sunday Visitor is available now.

“Father, I thank you for hearing me. I know that you always hear me...” // John 11:41-42 Download these beautiful free wallpapers from Elayne of Annunciation Designs 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

“Dear Jesus, help me to grow in the virtues of mercy and trust. Amen.” Little did I know that such a simple prayer would have such drastic results. Truly, it wasn’t until I specifically asked the Lord to help me grow in certain virtues that I realized He does answer our prayers… though normally not in the manner I expect. Growth Takes Time, Effort, and Opportunity The truth is, growing in virtue is not always a walk in the park. The Catechism tells us that a virtue is a habit, or a firm disposition, of doing the good. Virtues are “acquired by human effort” (CCC 1804). A habit is something we develop through repetition. If we wish to grow in virtue, we must be dedicated to acting in a virtuous manner over, and over, and over again, until it becomes almost second nature. Suppose I want to increase my physical fitness. I could walk into a gym, look at all the weights, sign up for a fitness class, do research on Pinterest, read a blog, know all the proper moves, examine different dietary practices to accompany my workouts, and talk about physical fitness, exercise, and muscle gain until I’m blue in the face. But, unless I actually start doing the reps, I’m never going to gain muscle. And doing the reps can be hard. Frequently, this is accompanied by pain and the temptation to give up. The doubt arises. Is this worth it? However, if I ease into a fitness routine, don’t overwork myself, and stay dedicated to performing the exercise steadily and consistently, it is guaranteed that I will gain strength. In this way, I grow muscle. It is the exact same when it comes to growing our virtue muscle. Putting in the Work Frequently, I approach growth in virtue as if I need only ask for it from God and it will magically appear in my life. I perceive virtue as a good quality infused in me if I just pray enough for it. Growing in virtue and God’s grace come hand-in-hand. But we cannot disqualify the work which must be done on our end. We need to learn to lift the weights. And lifting weights is hard. When I asked God to help me grow in the virtue of mercy, I didn’t realize that meant He would give me situations in which I needed to exercise mercy. I didn’t realize that meant I must be hurt, so I could exercise forgiveness. When I asked to grow in trust, I didn’t realize that meant I would be put in the middle of a plan that was frightening and unknown. The only way to become a merciful person was to exercise mercy itself. The only way to learn to trust was to lose control. It was uncomfortable and I didn’t understand at first. But I grew to understand. He Gives When We Ask If you ask Him to help you grow in a virtue, He will grant your request. Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. -Matthew 7:7-8 One of God’s forms of teaching is experiential learning. The Lord Trains Us in the Gymnasium of Virtue I often believe that I know the virtues and areas I need to grow in most, while in reality, God has a completely different plan. After all, our heavenly Father knows exactly what we need before we even ask Him (Matthew 6:8). In what situations do you find yourself being challenged to grow? Perhaps you are experiencing times of impatience in work or at home with a family member. Or maybe you are frequently stressed out about getting your long list of “to-dos” complete. Perhaps God is inviting you to cultivate the virtues of patience or peace. Rather than searching out obscure weights in the gym which we might find more appealing, what are the weights He is putting directly in front of us? The virtues He is testing us in are most likely the ones in which He wants us to grow. Our Lord is the best Trainer. We're Not Alone As a Trainer, He is there with us while we’re lifting the weights. We have no louder encourager and supporter than He who has lifted them all before us. So be not afraid. When the tough times come, start lifting the weights. When the weights get heavier or the reps get longer, just know that He has developed your own unique fitness plan. And in time, your hard work will pay off. Your virtue muscle will have bulked up. In what virtues is the Lord training you right now? [bctt tweet="The Gymnasium of Virtue #BISblog //" via="no"] Mary Grace Tillman, or Gracie, is a student, daughter, sister, friend, and full-time extrovert. If you don’t find her on the nearest soccer field, she is probably lost down some country road with the windows down and tunes blaring. She loves to praise God through music and sports and she strives to live life to the fullest.

Brothers and sisters: You were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. // Ephesians 5:8 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

My nightstand was cluttered with pre-natal vitamins, anti-nausea medication, and five positive pregnancy tests—all little reminders of the small life inside of me. In the span of a few short weeks, these items had become daily staples. When we arrived at our first prenatal appointment, we were overjoyed to see our baby’s picture for the first time. We knew it would be the first of many pictures to come. First day of school portraits, graduation announcements, wedding albums. Even though I was extremely lethargic and hungry all the time, my husband and I were first-time parents filled with excitement for our first OB appointment. The News We Never Wanted But all that quickly changed. I instinctively knew that something was not right or normal during our visit. Outside the exam room, you could hear babies crying as their moms entered and shut their own exam room doors. Inside our exam room was a different story. I had just told the sonographer that he had the best job in the world. Now, barely a few minutes had passed and I could tell there was something abnormal about our baby as my husband and I stared up at the sonogram screen. The silence left room for doubt. The pauses. The lack of explanation. Angle after angle. More prodding. Thirty minutes later we were back in the lobby, waiting to see our doctor again. “I promise to be faithful to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love you all the days of my life.” My husband and I repeated our vows to each other as I struggled to keep any tears from their ducts. When the doctor called us back, he told us that our baby was not developing like he should be, given the expected measurements of a healthy pregnancy. He was 95% sure it would result in a miscarriage but, being a Catholic OBGYN, he told us to pray that God’s will be done, even if the outcome we so desperately wanted was not the outcome that we would receive. I struggled to look at the sonogram image of our baby. To be honest, it would have been much easier to turn away and avoid looking at the screen. Grieving the Loss of My Baby At our second appointment, when the miscarriage was confirmed, we asked our doctor if we could have a printed picture of our baby’s sonogram. Not because it was easy or comfortable to see, but precisely because it was hard. As we looked at our baby’s sonogram picture, I recalled praying with my husband each morning while facing a crucifix that hangs in our apartment. At first glance, the Cross is excruciatingly painful, filled with human frailty and suffering. It would be easier to turn away. In the Cross of Christ there is both joy and grief, life and death, pain and awe. Jesus' sacrifice on the Cross is the most beautiful and holy source of love. There are similar sentiments towards our baby’s sonogram picture—the very first and the very last picture we have. It is filled with both joy and grief, life and death, pain and awe. The image on that sonogram is a reminder of our baby’s beautifully human existence. Divine and Human Comforts Some days the grief is manageable, and others overwhelming. I’m learning more about what Jesus means at every Mass when He says through the priest, “This is My Body, given up for you” (Luke 22:19). One of the comforts that I carry with me is knowing that my baby’s DNA will always be a part of my bloodstream. It's a reminder that his own life is now woven into the very fabric of my life. I like to think that his DNA is now helping to give me life, that his DNA is now a part of the very lifeblood of my existence. Another comfort is knowing that our small family now has one foot on earth and one foot in Heaven. This is why I am so grateful for the Mystical Body of Christ, the Communion of all the angels and saints. We created another soul for God, and it increases our longing to be with him and Jesus at the end of this life. I read a quote from a priest who said, “When someone dies with Christ, their death becomes a resurrection.” I like to think the same is true for our baby. Needed Support for Grieving Families Miscarriage occurs in one in four pregnancies. You likely know (or not know of) a family member or friend who has lost a baby. While it may be common, statistically speaking, the death of a baby will never be normal. Many couples carry a lonely and quiet grief, either out of a fear in letting people know or out of a sense of shame. We do a great disservice to grieving mothers and fathers when loss is met with responses such as, “Time heals all wounds,” and, “You’ll have more babies in the future.” It doesn’t get easier with time; it just becomes different. There is a lot of room for improvement within our culture and our Church (especially in the focus of ministries and resources like this one) for how miscarriage is addressed and acknowledged, especially for grieving families. After our miscarriage, I think I Googled everything I could think of to help me keep one foot in front of the other. The aftermath often involves carrying a silent, invisible cross while simultaneously trying to pick up the pieces of ordinary life. What Helped Us Two things that have helped my husband and I in our ongoing healing were: naming our baby as a way of affirming and acknowledging his existence, and receiving a blessing for grieving parents. If you have experienced a miscarriage, I am so deeply sorry. My heart hurts for you and with you. You have a right to your grief, however that may look for you. Your baby is just as real as any baby, and your loss is just as real as any human loss. Our Little Intercessors To all of the little ones who serve as a great cloud of witnesses, thank you for reminding us that we are on our way Home to you. I do not think that the sorrows and the troubles endured could possibly be compared with the eternal happiness of my children with God. Through (their) intercession, I received a very extraordinary grace. -St. Zelie Martin We're praying for those of you who have experienced the devastation of miscarriage. If you're comfortable, please leave the name of your babies in the comments below—we'd like to pray for you and honor them. [bctt tweet="Grieving the Loss of My Baby #BISblog //" via="no"] Kathryn Brandt is a wife, daughter, high school campus minister, theology teacher, and mom to one little saint above. She loves finding the simple, little joys in life and she’s a big fan of a good worship playlist, medium roast coffee, and the natural beauty of sunflowers. Some of her favorite things include the Litany of Trust, Tom Petty’s Free Fallin’, frozen margaritas, and dancing with her husband in their living room. This post contains affiliate links. Thank you so much for supporting the ministry of Blessed is She!

Lord, you are truly the Savior of the world; give me living water, that I may never thirst again. // John 4:42, 15 Download these beautiful free wallpapers from Brass and Mint Co. 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