The LORD God keeps faith forever, secures justice for the oppressed, gives food to the hungry. The LORD sets captives free. // Psalm 146:7, 8-9, 9-10 Download these beautiful free wallpapers from Sarah Ann Design 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

“Come, Lord Jesus, be our guest, and let these gifts to us be blessed. Amen.” That was the mealtime prayer I grew up with in my God-filled Lutheran home. Other mealtime prayers were offered on occasion, such as my preschool favorite about the Lord’s goodness in the sun, the rain, and the apple tree. Do you remember that catchy tune and the round of “Amens” at its conclusion? When I met my future husband, he introduced me to the prayer he grew up with in his Catholic home. Bless us, O Lord, and these, thy gifts, which we are about to receive from thy bounty through Christ, our Lord. Amen. Now, although our family periodically has “open mic” prayer before meals where we speak spontaneously from the heart, we most often pray the traditional Catholic mealtime prayer of my husband’s youth. Why Mealtime Prayer? Prayer before meals could possibly be the most widely practiced prayer. Its deep meaning is often overlooked because of its familiarity and repetition. Not to mention the distraction of the food that we could eat if we could just get through the prayer. I’ve prayed tens of thousands of mealtime prayers. I know I’ve missed their deep truths more times than I’d like to count. Considering that such prayer offers an opportunity to give praise and thanks to God, the Provider of everything, and to make space for Him and all others at the table, I believe it’s worth reflecting on its beauty. Mealtime Prayer in Scripture Whoever observes the day, observes it for the Lord. Also whoever eats, eats for the Lord, since he gives thanks to God; while whoever abstains, abstains for the Lord and gives thanks to God. -Romans 14:6 In Scripture, Jesus teaches us many forms of prayer. He showed us how to bless and give thanks for our food. [Jesus] ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he said the blessing, broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowds. -Matthew 14:19 What Mealtime Prayer Produces in Our Souls Mealtime prayer is one of the most accessible and brief forms of prayer. As such, its beauty can seem inferior to what we might consider deeper forms for prayer. If we allow it, however, it can carry us far beyond gratitude for food. In giving thanks for a meal, we may consider the natural resources that nurtured the food, the people who grew it, those who designed and operated the machines that harvested and transported it, the vendors who sold it, our gifts that enable us to earn resources to pay for it, those who prepared it, those who served it, the time to eat it, the body to enjoy and be fueled by it, the presence of all others at the table or the peaceful solitude of eating alone, and the gifts of every person involved in all those things who collaborated with God to bring about the food on the table in front of us. And in our gratitude, we hold close to us those who hunger. The Last Supper + Communion If we’re willing to go further, it is an opportunity to recall the last meal Jesus shared with his disciples before he died for us. While they were eating, Jesus took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and giving it to his disciples said, “Take and eat; this is my body” (Matthew 26:26). Our meals are not a participation the Eucharist. But when we break bread together and share a blessing, we can spiritually commune with God for a quiet moment before we commune together at the table. It’s a most beautiful place: around the table with Jesus, the Holy Spirit, our Father and the others with us. Beyond our place of food and drink, we withdraw to the depths of our hearts to sit with our living God, the Provider of it all. It is a taste of the eternal celebration to come. [bis_form 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 Mealtime Prayer as Evangelization Mealtime prayer need not be confined to our homes. Our family has not always been committed to praying together before meals at restaurants. However, the same God provides the food, no matter where we’re sitting when we eat it. He’s teaching us courage to pray in new places. Prayer in public should not be about the piety of the one praying. It is all about the One providing. If it is seen by others, perhaps the Lord might grow fruit from it. In some workspaces and other secular settings, a prayer might not be spoken before a meal. But a prayer in your heart is always heard by God. In circumstances when I am uncertain about whether to offer a spoken prayer, I pray for the courage to invite others to pray with me and the wisdom to know when it might not be God’s time to do so. I have prayed for forgiveness for the opportunities I have missed to share God’s love through prayer. Prayer and Endless Grace All prayer is a precious gift. A grace. An eternally open and accessible lifeline to our Lord. Trying to grasp it can be like trying to shovel smoke. And like the smoke that rises in wild patterns from the incense we burn at Mass, our mealtime prayers rise to God and He gathers into His arms every single thought, word, and detail. May the mealtime prayer that your family shares take you to a place of gratitude and unity with Our Lord and each other. Perhaps you or someone you know hasn’t made a commitment to pray at mealtimes. Today is a good time to start. [bctt tweet="The Importance of Mealtime Prayer #BISblog //" via="no"] Nikki Frerker is a wife and mother of four who lives in Leawood, Kansas. She spends a portion of her time practicing estate planning law and enjoys serving as a catechist for Catechesis of the Good Shepherd at her parish. You may find her running before the sun rises, driving her children around at all hours, or singing praise music just loud enough to embarrass anyone willing to listen.

I slipped into a quiet and empty chapel near my apartment at my absolute wits end. I’ve written about my struggles with severe PMS, endometriosis, and NFP before. But at that moment I was at the end of my rope and tired of being tired of the roller coaster of chronic pain, crippling anxiety, and frustration that hit me hard every few weeks. I prayed for some kind of relief or consolation in my suffering, even if just in a small way. A few months later, it was suggested to me to pursue counseling as a way to work through some of the repetitive trauma and emotional distress this constant battle with pain threw at me every single month. I’d never been opposed to going to a therapist. It was just something I’d never considered. How Counseling Has Transformed My Spiritual Life I’ve been seeing a counselor for well over six months now, and I see it as an answer to the desperate prayer I made in that chapel. Making my mental health a priority and getting professional help to do so has had an indelible impact on every area of my life, especially my spiritual life. The Way I View the Past Going to therapy has dramatically transformed how I view the past. Before, every few weeks when PMS hit, I was sent reeling not only into the very real physical and emotional struggles but also the compounded anger and frustration of being in pain for months and years on end with little to no relief. Admittedly, a lot of this anger and frustration were directed at God for making me suffer this way. Talking through this pain and anger with my therapist, and looking at why it created such strong emotions, was the first step to processing what was later considered to be a sort of post-traumatic stress disorder. But on repeat every single month. EMDR, or “Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing,” an amazing psychotherapy treatment that is used to address PTSD and the negative emotions and feelings that are triggered, was a God-send in helping me to peel back the emotional layers and many past experiences with my chronic pain that caused anger, severe anxiety, and borderline depression every single month. Both talk therapy and EMDR helped me to climb out of one of the lowest points I’ve ever been in. Facing it head on with the tools to help process the trauma of chronic pain have made it so that things that were once triggers hardly elicit any emotional response from me at all just a few months later. The Way I See Myself As a naturally self-deprecating person and a perfectionist, I went into therapy with many false ideas of who I am and where my value comes from. During times of the month when I was already anxious and depressed, the self-berating thoughts increased. Talk therapy has helped me “debunk” a lot of the lies I’ve told myself. It’s helped me let go of the awful habit I used to have of seeing a bad situation I had no control over and then feeling worthless for not changing it. It’s helped me realize that emotions are human. Now, I more quickly remind myself that I am human and therefore imperfect, and this should not be cause for self-deprecation. I’ve learned what actual humility is: seeing myself for who I am, just a human trying her best. The Way I See God Having been terribly scrupulous in the past, counseling, along with spiritual direction, has gone a long way in helping me not see the smallest, inconsequential things as sins. By helping me set aside that thought pattern, I am finally able to more clearly see that God is not “out to get me” and catch me in minutiae. I can do nothing to make Him love me any less. Most importantly, perhaps, is the fact that counseling has cut my perfectionism to its core. It has forced me to take a hard look at the outrageous standards I set for myself in terms of prayer, exercise, relationships, and work. Rather than prioritize what I think I need to be doing, I now focus instead on what God wants me to do. I’m getting so much better at reminding myself that, in most situations, I am not in control. God is. Why Counseling? Sometimes people of faith try to spiritualize mental health problems. The thought is that enough prayer and pastoral support will help anxiety or depression simply go away. That isn’t always (or rather, is most often not) the case. I prayed and begged for relief. And God answered that prayer with legitimate mental health treatment. God wants us to pray and receive the Sacraments. He also wants us to get the help, support, and treatment we need to heal and process things that weigh heavily on us emotionally and mentally. Be Not Afraid We go to medical doctors to ensure our bodies are operating at peak efficiency. Why would we not do the same for our mental and emotional health? You don’t have to be experiencing a crisis to benefit from talking to a counselor. It can help you work through harmful patterns of thought, process traumas, and see situations more clearly and for what they actually are. Though society is seeming to become more open to talking about mental health, there’s still a stigma. It’s something that isn’t talked about enough, and when it is talked about, it’s often in hushed, condescending voices. I want to help change that trend. Anxiety, depression, PTSD… they’re all real. And therapy can help immensely. I’ve seen the other side of this and can say that by God’s grace counseling has changed my life, including my spiritual life, in innumerable ways. [bctt tweet="How Counseling has Transformed My Spiritual Life #BISblog //" via="no"] Sarah Coffey is a freelance writer and copyeditor and also works for the Archdiocese of St. Louis. She and her husband, Jesse, both converted to Catholicism in college, and they reside in the St. Louis area with their cats, Stella and Cayden. You can find out more about her here.

The first time I heard her story, I had to lift my jaw from the floor. I had asked for an example of a holy woman of God who was daring, unique, and a little bit sassy. A model of femininity and virtue. Basically, I wanted a Catholic Wonder-Woman. But the woman I got was so much better. St. Perpetual: A Model of Holiness Through the Ages Despite being an early Church martyr, St. Perpetua has so much to teach us as modern women. Two thousand years after her death, St. Perpetua has left a legacy of valiant womanhood through her radical courage, her surpassing purity, and her undying confidence in the Lord. Her Radical Courage St. Perpetua was born into a noble family and would’ve had life easy as a Roman citizen. Her conscience and the gift of faith, however, pursued her until she came to believe in Christianity. In so professing her belief in Christ, Perpetua knew she would make enemies, including within her own family. Perpetua’s father was extremely disappointed in his daughter and begged her to change her mind. But the love of the Lord had hooked Perpetua, and there was no reeling her away. Her pull towards Christ was so strong that she was willing to both lose family and face torture and martyrdom for the sake of her newfound love. Today's Martyrdom As modern women, we are not usually called to face brutal death for the sake of our Faith. But professing and living the Faith in the modern world can frequently serve as a form of social martyrdom. How often have you received strange glances when making the Sign of the Cross before meals? Have you ever been ridiculed and publicly belittled for being a Catholic? Perhaps the more important question is, however, have those glances led you to omitting the Sign of the Cross at your public gatherings? Have you chosen to stay quiet about your beliefs for fear of the condemnation you may receive? We live in an era in which we cannot be passionately Catholic and “fit in” with society. The two have become mutually exclusive. In St. Paul’s letter to the Philippians he told them that they are in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom they must shine as lights to the world (Philippians 2:15). We, the women of today, are also so called to shine our lights in the world. Our lights may not be welcome, and they may not be in style, but that is no excuse to stop shining. Her Surpassing Purity During the course of her torment and martyrdom, St. Perpetua was thrown to the ground and her torn cloak exposed her leg bare. Yet even in this moment, Perpetua was aware of the dignity of her body, and fixed her clothes for the sake of modesty. The virtue of modesty can be manifested in many ways, including the way we interact with people, the things which we read or see, and the manner in which we clothe ourselves. Modesty and purity are all about recognizing the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in our bodies, and thus treating the temple of our body with the utmost respect. Modesty does not mean hiding the body because it is bad or sinful, but protecting it because it is good and precious. We were bought with a great price, the Passion of Jesus Christ, and in return we ought to glorify God in our bodies (1 Corinthians 6:20). Her Undying Confidence in the Lord Personally, I find that the world is in the midst of a “confidence craze.” Everywhere we turn, we are bombarded with messages telling us to be self-confident and affirming us in our insecurities. Children are reinforced that they can be anything that they want to be if they just dream big enough. We are assured that if we are just confident enough in ourselves and in our abilities, we will be strong enough to complete any difficult or challenging obstacle. This “confidence craze,” is coming from a good place, but I know from personal experience that it can be taken too far. Yes, we can do anything, but not through our own power. I’ve played soccer for the greater part of my life. I misplaced all my trust and confidence in myself and my abilities. This worked really well on the good days, but on the tough days, it left me feeling very confused and very hurt. If I was good enough by myself, why did I sometimes fail? If I only needed to be confident in myself, why were there days that what I could do simply wasn’t enough? I had put all of my confidence in something as transitory and unstable as my soccer skills. This “self-confidence” that was supposed to fix all my insecurities was not working. It was a long and painful process, and one I’m still working on, but I have chosen to stop thinking of my goal as “self-confidence,” but rather as “God-confidence.” When we are confident in God, rather than in ourselves, we can praise Him for the gifts He has given us. When we are confident in God, rather than in ourselves, defeat does not appear as a failure, but as an opportunity for growth and the chance for us to lean on His strength. Through the Eyes of God When faced with martyrdom, St. Perpetua rejoiced. She did not view her life through her own eyes, but through the eyes of God. The moment of her story which solidified St. Perpetua as a Saint-crush for me took place during her brutal torture. After being injured, she stood up in the arena. Then, fully aware of her dignity and of the beauty of the death she is about to endure, she confidently pinned up her disheveled hair for the whole crowd to see. St. Perpetua was not able to power through by any power of her own. Her driving force was the Holy Spirit. She never despaired. Her confidence was rooted in Someone much, much stronger than herself. Rather than being confident in herself, she was confident in Christ. And that confidence did not fail her. A Beautiful Intercessor St. Perpetua lived as a model for all Christians, and bears proof of the fact through her title of Saint. I believe, that through her radical courage, her surpassing purity, and her undying confidence in the Lord, she particularly serves as an example for us women of today. I pray, that following in her footsteps, we may all one day shine that example to women of the future. St. Perpetua, pray for us! [bctt tweet="St. Perpetua: An Early Model for Modern Women #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.

“Go therefore, and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19).   This instruction from Jesus has provided the inspiration for thousands of missionaries over the centuries. Attending Catholic school from kindergarten through grad school provided me numerous opportunities to participate in mission trips to various locations around the world. With the accessibility of flights, now more than ever, it’s easy to travel the world in the name of Christ. Preparing Your Heart and Mind for an International Mission Trip Before you go on a mission trip, there’s lots of preparation required, both logistically and through prayer. One of the ways I love to prepare my heart and mind for the journey ahead is through books. Here are some of my favorites that I hope will help you as you prepare to travel! Daring to Hope: Finding God’s Goodness in the Broken and Beautiful by Katie Davis Majors Katie Davis Majors is the founder of Amazima Ministries. She lives full time and raises her family in Uganda. But before all of that, she was a high school student on a short term mission to Uganda from the United States. Daring to Hope is the second of her two novels (the first, Kisses from Katie is also amazing!) and shares stories from her day-to-day life in Uganda. Katie shares about what it’s like to raise a family while striving every day to improve the quality of life in Uganda for the most vulnerable. Her stories are honest and heartbreaking, showing what it truly means to walk alongside one’s neighbor. Beyond her inspiring story, Katie has a deep and abiding love for God that motivates her in her work. She shares her faith freely with her readers. True to her title, this leaves all who read her story with an enduring sense of hope. Before You Go: A Daily Devotional Guide by Jack Hempfling This book was given to me by my best friend prior to my first mission trip to Jamaica, and I refuse to go on a trip without re-reading it. Using different Bible verses, Before You Go provides short daily devotions for the 40 days leading up to your trip. Each day hits on a different aspect of life during your short-term mission and wraps up with a prayer. There are also different prayer guides to help you through various aspects including praying for your team, fundraising, and more. I highly recommend reading this book with friends or other members of your travel group. It is a great way to come together in prayer as well as share your hopes and fears for the trip ahead. I Will Always Write Back by Caitlin Alifirenka and Martin Ganda with Liz Welch I Will Always Write Back tells the story of two unlikely friends: Caitlin, a middle schooler in Pennsylvania, and Martin, a young student from Zimbabwe. Originally paired together as part of a pen-pal project, Caitlin and Martin develop a deep and lasting friendship through writing letters back and forth. Throughout the course of the novel, we get to read these letters and hear from both perspectives as they learn how similar they are in spite of growing up in dramatically different circumstances. Caitlin goes on to become an advocate for Martin, and, with the help of her family, Martin, an incredibly gifted student, is able to come to college in the United States on a full-ride scholarship. Their story shows not only the power of connecting with others around the world, but the abiding love and true transformation that can come from those relationships.     Helping without Hurting in Short Term Missions (Leader’s Guide) by Stephen Corbett and Brian Fikkert If you are traveling on an international mission trip, I hope you have been surrounded by support from your church community, family, and friends. But sometimes people critique mission trips and your choice to go on one. Helping without Hurting in Short Term Missions is an essential read before you go, whether you are serving as a leader or even a participant on any team. It addresses many of the critiques of short-term missions. Helping without Hurting explores not only the history of short-term missions, but the real modern-day ramifications of them. It takes a look at the religious motivation behind missionary travel and provides applicable tips to ensure you and your travel group are serving the community you are traveling to, and not causing long-term harm. Miracle on Voodoo Mountain by Megan Boudreaux Miracle on Voodoo Mountain, like Daring to Hope, shares the story of a young American missionary. Megan Boudreaux moved to Haiti alone at the age of 24, without any real plan for what she would do there. Building on a calling from God, she began learning the language and working with children, eventually exposing the crimes of those trying to sell children in the aftermath of the earthquake. Megan continuously faces spiritual warfare, living and working in the shadow of Voodoo Mountain, so close she can hear the drums of Haitian voodoo ceremonies. Her faith is tireless as she works to expose all around her to God’s love and care by providing for their needs, primarily through education. Her book is an incredible lesson in compassion and a long term commitment to the place she serves. What books would you recommend before serving on an international mission trip? Let us know in the comments below! [bctt tweet="5 Books to Read Before Your International Mission Trip #BISblog //" via="no"] Shelby Hennen is Catholic young professional who hails from the Midwestern metropolis of Kansas City, Missouri. She loves a good book, a good chat with a friend, and a good taco joint. HIS WORD CHANGES LIVES God is speaking to you through His Word. In this personal study, you will learn to hear God's voice by reading slowly and praying deeply. BEGIN THE JOURNEY

Therefore, stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come. // Matthew 24:42 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

It is not filth and hunger that make saints, nor even poverty itself, but love of poverty and love of the poor. -Thomas Merton   It is really possible to love poverty? Some Saints certainly did seem to embrace it whole-heartedly on their journey here on earth. St. Francis of Assisi springs to mind, as do many others who have pursued material poverty in some way, shape, or form. Are we all called to love poverty in some way? Various Kinds of Poverty Material poverty as I have experienced it here in Ranong, Thailand working amid the Burmese migrant community sometimes looks like this... You live in a wooden shack in a row of similar wooden shacks that have two or three rooms. You are at the mercy of your boss, your health, and immigration law. If you or a family member gets sick, you face the choice of eating or going to the clinic for medicine. There are smells from poorly constructed and maintained drains or from rotting garbage. There are piles of rubbish just outside your front door. You are forced to make the decision to eat or to send your children to school. How Much Should We Give Up? I’m not sure what there is to "love" about that. I’m pretty sure that our loving God does not intend for his children to live in such a state of degradation. And yet, in order to serve the poor and to find personal holiness, many Saints have renounced their possessions and vowed to live in a state of "poverty." Mother Teresa, for example, left her relatively well-off convent school in India to work in the slums amid the poorest of the poor. For her this meant (among other things) owning only two saris and eating very simple food. Her example has been a huge challenge to me and to many others in our wealth and comfort obsessed world. The question for me is: how much should I give up my possessions and my comforts in order to help lift up the truly poor? How far does God expect me to go? A Spirit of Detachment To the rich man in the Gospel, Jesus said: 'If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me. But when the young man heard this, he went away sad, for he was a man of great wealth. -Matthew 19: 21-22   Many times I have reflected on these words of Jesus. I've come to the conclusion that, for me, it’s a spirit of detachment to materials things that is important. That, right now, God is not expecting me to take everything I own to the nearest charity shop, throw on a raggedy robe, and wander around living off what others give me from time to time. Only God Can Give Us a Love of the Poor Pursuing poverty or even simplicity in life can actually become a kind of idol. We can take a perverse kind of pride in it and then try to convert others to our way of living. We can end up being miserable in our efforts to live without any comforts at all if we believe that this in itself can make us holy and close to God. After many years of working in New Zealand in my profession and earning a reasonably good wage, I felt called to come to Thailand to work among the Burmese migrant population. Many of these migrants are indeed very poor. Not just in a material sense, but also in a sense of lacking education and thus hope for their and their children’s future. Poverty and discrimination has curtailed their educational choices to a large extent. I am not Mother Teresa and I own far more than two items of clothing. In fact, I am given clothing and fabric all the time by my students as they know I love the colours and patterns of their native dress. Despite the challenges of living in a different country, I can live fairly comfortably here in Thailand. The food is always tasty and the people are generous and helpful. Having given up some of the luxuries of my ‘first world’ country, I have not managed to live a life of poverty in the way that many of my students do. Indeed, when I have holidays I am able to travel inside and outside Thailand in a way that they cannot. This is not just because of money, but because of visa and work permit restrictions. For all my commitment to following Jesus and giving up many of my possessions to be here, I am still materially wealthy in comparison to the majority of the world’s population. So What Does Love of Poverty Mean? Perhaps it means not to be afraid of poverty. Not to be afraid of that state because really and truly all we need is Jesus. Jesus is enough. The witness of those great Saints who lived lives of material poverty shout this message loud and clear. Jesus is enough. [bctt tweet="Love of Poverty and Love of the Poor #BISblog //" via="no"] Katie Fisher works on the Thailand/Myanmar border with Catholic mission Marist Asia Foundation. She is attempting to learn to speak Thai and Burmese and spends her free time reading, listening to podcasts, and trying to stay cool in the tropical heat. You can find out more about her here.

On our baptismal days, my husband, my kids, and I know what to expect from my mother- and father-in-law: a card-sized white envelope, our names written on the outside in my mother-in-law’s naturally calligraphic hand. Within is the same card every time, one with an image of a stained glass window and these words in gold, “May the Peace and Blessing of Almighty God descend upon you and remain with you forever.” Inside the card our parish secretary has typed (with a typewriter!) the date and time of the Mass that will be offered for us. This information will be transferred to the church bulletin the week of said Mass, and our names will be specifically included in the Prayers of the Faithful on the chosen date. We’ll make a special effort to be at that Mass, to show our thanks. If you’ve ever wondered how those names of the living and dead make their way into the Prayers of the Faithful, here you go. Mass Cards are the gift that keeps on giving, the thing that you get for the person who seems to have everything. What is a Mass Card? A Mass Card is a physical manifestation of an intention offered for an individual or family. It’s a way to tell the person being prayed for about the intention. It can be a welcome gesture for celebratory events like birthdays, baptismal days, and wedding anniversaries, or a means of remembering the dead to relatives on their anniversaries. Offering prayers for the living and the dead is a spiritual work of mercy. A small donation to the church may be suggested when you go to obtain one, but this doesn’t mean you’re paying for indulgences. No financial payment is necessary to have prayers offered for someone you have in your heart or on your mind. How Do You Get One? At my parish, the process is very simple. You either call or email the parish secretary with the name of the person for whom the Mass will be offered and a few suggested dates on which you’d like the Mass to be celebrated. “As soon as possible” is an okay answer for the latter, as is a feast day for a particular Saint or the actual day being marked by the prayer. There is generally a limit to how many intentions can be offered at one Mass, so the sooner you make your request, the better. When the prayer card is ready—usually later that day because our secretary is wonderful—you stop in to pick it up, offering about $10 per Mass, if it’s possible. More or less is okay, too. My parish is always grateful for financial help in keeping our ministries afloat. I appreciate the opportunity to help in this way. Why Do We Have Mass Cards? As I mentioned above, praying for the living and the dead is a spiritual act of mercy. The Church is a community—a moving, living being—and we are called to care for each other. Prayer is one such way we can do that. In my experience, the times I’ve prayed for myself have been powerful, but the prayers others have offered for me (when we lost a baby to miscarriage, for instance, or even recently, as we moved across town), have been even more so. The Eucharist is the “source and summit of the Christian life,” and the graces therein are real. Trusting in and offering the benefits of this Sacrament, instituted by Christ, works to build up the Kingdom and support our loved ones in times of need and in times of joy. In light of the recent Pew Study that less than a third of self-identifying Catholics believe in the True Presence of the Eucharist, I would love to see a Mass Card revival. Let’s each offer a Mass for someone in our circles this year. Maybe as a gift in a family Secret Santa, perhaps for a friend mourning the loss of a parent, or even simply for a friend on her birthday. Let’s live out the truth of the beauty and power of the Eucharist. An Act of Trust We know that prayers aren’t magic. Miracles happen. But more often God moves at a pace that feels slow to our worldly mindsets. Offering a Mass for someone shows trust and patience in God’s timing. It honors God for who He is and what He can do. It praises Him for His goodness and petitions Him with the confidence of a child. It reminds the person for whom the Mass is offered that she is loved and worthy, just as she was created to be. Do you send Mass Cards to people in your life? Have you ever received one? [bctt tweet="What are Mass Cards? #BISblog //" via="no"] Lindsay Schlegel is a daughter of God who seeks to encourage, inspire, and lift up the contemporary woman to be all she was created to be. She’s the author of Don’t Forget to Say Thank You: And Other Parenting Lessons That Brought Me Closer to God, as well as shorter nonfiction and fiction pieces, both online and in print. With joy, she speaks about recognizing God’s voice and living the truth therein. Lindsay lives in New Jersey with her high-school-sweetheart-turned-husband and their kids. You can find out more about her here.

My First Holy Communion day was one of the most memorable days of my childhood. I had a private Mass said just for me, and my grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins all came to witness me receiving Jesus in the Eucharist for the very first time. The priest gave me the Rosary that I still use to this day, and my parents gave me a near-identical porcelain doll donning a white gown and veil and the same straight-across brown bangs as myself. Of all of the gifts I received on that special day, however, the most meaningful gift ended up being the smallest one, and something that I still use every single week two decades later. It was a prayer card featuring an image of the Child Jesus on one side and a prayer called “Little White Guest” on the other side, given to me by my godmother. While most of my other “holy cards” found their forever home in one of my two large albums designated for them (yes, they were my most prized collection), this particular card I carried around with me for years until the words on the backside spewed out from memory every time I received the Body of Christ upon my tongue. To this day, the interval of time immediately proceeding the receiving of Holy Communion and before the final blessing is my favorite time of the Mass. It is an opportunity for me to truly enter into communion with my Lord and to thank Him for allowing me to receive this precious gift—the gift of Himself. It is a time to—quite literally—be with Him for a few minutes and to reflect upon all He has given me and all that He is. 3 Prayers to Pray After Receiving Communion The following three prayers give me pause for reflection and prompt me to enter into true conversation with Him before the end of Mass. 1. Little White Guest I remember trying to wrap my small head around the concept of transubstantiation in second grade, attempting to understand what it really meant to consume His true Body and true Blood in the Eucharist. I’m not going to lie—it definitely sounded scary and confusing. The little prayer card I received on my First Communion day with the prayer “Little White Guest” printed on it truly helped me to visualize this union with Jesus in the Eucharist. It allowed me to realize that I was not just eating a small wafer of bread, but I was receiving and welcoming a Little White Guest into my body and my heart. It was a concept that helped me then, and still helps me now. Learning this prayer has taught me how to talk and listen to Jesus during those most intimate moments when He is not only with me but within me. It has helped me remember to cultivate this habit of immediately entering into conversation with Jesus upon receiving Him every single week. The Prayer You have come to my heart, dearest Jesus, 
I am holding You close to my breast; 
I'm telling You over and over, 
You are welcome, Little White Guest. I love You, I love You, my Jesus, 
O please do not think I am bold; 
Of course, You must know that I love You, 
But I am sure that you like to be told. I'll whisper, "I love You, my Jesus," 
And ask that we never may part; 
I love You, O kind, loving Jesus 
And press You still nearer my heart. And when I shall meet You in Heaven, 
My soul then will lean on Your breast; 
And You will recall our fond meetings, 
When You were my Little White Guest. For Your Prayer Life Deepen your daily prayer life with a planner built around the liturgical calendar. Shop the Catholic Liturgical Planner → 2. Anima Christi I first discovered the Anima Christi prayer while flipping through an old Pieta prayer book in high school. The beautiful words pierced me with their sharp imagery. I started carrying the prayer book with me to Mass so that I could add this prayer to my after-communion prayer arsenal. While this prayer is widely attributed to St. Ignatius of Loyola, its actual origins are unknown, as it actually has been dated back several centuries before St. Ignatius’s time. If “Little White Guest” introduces the idea of transubstantiation, “Anima Christi” makes it abundantly real, as this prayer reveals that we receive Christ’s Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity in the Eucharist. It also evokes vivid images of Christ’s Passion, thus prompting us to meditate on His Passion and Death. It begs Christ to stay close to us, and it is a popular prayer to say after Communion precisely because that is when He is the closest to us. I can’t imagine more beautiful words to unite us with Christ immediately following our receiving Him in Holy Communion. The Prayer Soul of Christ, sanctify me; Body of Christ, save me; Blood of Christ, inebriate me; Water from the side of Christ, wash me; Passion of Christ, strengthen me; O good Jesus hear me; Within your wounds hide me; separated from you, let me never be; From the evil one protect me; At the hour of my death, call me; And close to you bid me; That with your saints, I may be praising you forever and ever. 3. The Divine Praises Because we so often only call upon God in prayer when we need something or have a special petition, it’s important that we still remember to sing His praises as well. For this reason, I love reciting the Divine Praises following Communion, as it reminds me of who God is and why we call Him “blessed.” Most commonly prayed during Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament (after Benediction but before the Host is placed back into the tabernacle), this prayer is a wonderful way to show respect and praise not only to God, but to His Blessed Mother, St. Joseph, and all the angels and Saints. It reminds us of the key role the Holy Family should play in our daily lives, and is therefore a wonderful prayer to keep in our back pocket at all times. However, by reciting the Divine Praises right after Holy Communion and before the close of Mass, it orients us to really reflect upon the Divine for the coming week. The Prayer Blessed be God. Blessed be His Holy Name. Blessed be Jesus Christ, true God and true Man. Blessed be the Name of Jesus. Blessed be His Most Sacred Heart. Blessed be His Most Precious Blood. Blessed be Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar. Blessed be the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete. Blessed be the great Mother of God, Mary most Holy. Blessed be her Holy and Immaculate Conception. Blessed be her Glorious Assumption. Blessed be the name of Mary, Virgin and Mother. Blessed be St. Joseph, her most chaste spouse. Blessed be God in His Angels and in His Saints. A Time to Commune There is no greater gift than God’s gift of Himself to us in Holy Communion, and there is nothing more rewarding than taking advantage of that intimacy by uniting in fervent reflection and prayer during that precious time immediately upon receiving His Body and Blood. Are there any special prayers you recite after receiving Communion? We'd love to hear about them in the comments below! [bctt tweet="3 Prayers to Pray After Receiving Communion #BISblog //" via="no"] Madeleine Coyne is a stay-at-home mom and freelance writer with an affinity for anything concerning the written word and a penchant for learning about the lives of the Saints. She writes regularly for Verily and Natural Womanhood, and shares too many pictures of her daughter on Instagram. THE GREATEST GIFT In this study on the Eucharist, we explore the truth that Jesus is the answer to your every need. Join us as we explore John chapter 6 to learn how the reality of the Holy Eucharist applies to our lives. Discover what a gift He is. GET THE GIFT STUDY

But for you who fear my name, there will arise the sun of justice with its healing rays. // Malachi 3:20 Download these beautiful free wallpapers from Abigail Katherine Rose 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

During a conversation with a soon-to-be ordained priest, he told me that he looks forward to writing homilies now that he will no longer be giving reflections in class but rather to his new parishioners. The people of his assigned parish, he noted, are not well-off. They are struggling financially, and many are undocumented immigrants. Then he said: “They won’t be interested in theology. They just want love.” At first, I was simply humored by his statement. Due to the nature of my work at the seminary, I get to watch many young men step out into the “real world” after ordination, and oftentimes it does not look quite like they were expecting. But after a bit more reflection, I no longer found his words funny. I found them to be alarming. His sentiment reveals a fundamental misunderstanding of just about everything essential to the priesthood: love, human nature, and theology. Intellectual Charity A number of years ago, Pope Benedict XVI put forth the notion of intellectual charity during an address delivered at the Catholic University of America. He said: “This aspect of charity calls the educator to recognize that the profound responsibility to lead the youth to truth is nothing less than an act of love.” Yes, he was speaking to Catholic educators here, but his words hold true across the board: universities, seminaries, parishes. Charity is inseparable with truth; you cannot give one without giving the other. So to say that the average Catholic sitting in the pew just wants love, not theology, is disingenuous. What, then, is this love you are offering? Apart from theology, from Truth, is love not reduced to nothing more than politeness, simply common courtesy? A validation of feelings and homilies filled with encouraging words and platitudes? Programs in the parish that hand out clothes and free food? The Catholic intellectual tradition is immense; the depth of her theology is as beautiful as it is profound. To sidestep that in the interest of providing the type of friendly environment virtually indistinguishable from what one might get a favorite coffee shop is a quite unfortunate. Our Need to Seek God As a lay person sitting in the pew, it is frustrating not only because theology is intrinsically good but also because it is desirable. There is a concerning trend in seminaries and beyond, often blanketed in the misuse of the term “pastoral care,” that the faithful want only to be catered to. Don’t say anything that might hurt feelings. Don’t promote anything too intellectually taxing. However, we were not created to simply be provided for; we were created to ponder, to contemplate the Divine. Just as humans must have their physical needs satisfied, we also have need to seek God. [bctt tweet="However, we were not created to simply be provided for; we were created to ponder, to contemplate the Divine. #BISblog //" via="no"] God Wants to Be Known by All of Us There is an added element of injustice here, when you consider that the statement was made in response to a perceived indifference toward theology due to his future parishioners’ economic poverty. I myself am a mother. I understand that a woman who does not know where her child’s next meal will come from does not have extra mental energy in that moment to try to understand the Trinity. However, even the woman who has faced the perils of immigration, who has carried her child across countries, through unimaginable struggle and pain, and crossed the border exhausted and terrified is still a human being. She too is spiritual, physical, intellectual. To treat her as anything less in dehumanizing. As Catholics, we have an understanding of human nature, and we do not suddenly become dualist based on economic or immigration status. The vulnerable immigrant mother is a person with inherent dignity, made in the image and likeness of God, just the same as the financially well-off mother sitting comfortably in the pew with a diaper bag full of snacks for her children. Both women walk through the same church doors, close their eyes and pray to the same God, contemplate the same mysteries of the same Rosary. They both want to lead a better life; they both seek knowledge and peace from the same well. Does one of those women need assistance to help her meet her physical needs? Absolutely, and the Church should respond with unparalleled generosity. But it should be in addition to, and never at the expense of, the gift of the teachings of the Church. In the vastness of the human experience, evident from ancient paintings left in caves to the frescoes in the Sistine Chapel, humans have always wanted to contemplate divinity and the world to come. Men and women have, and always will, search for meaning and purpose. The Church, in her fullness of Truth, claims to have answers. Why would anyone assume we don’t want to hear about it? The Reason I Stay Catholic The tragedy in the Church today is, while priests have bent over backwards for the past decades to avoid preaching anything too difficult or too offensive from the pulpit, they have at the same time betrayed the faithful in the worst possible way by failing to protect our children. In the past, the Church has weathered storms of her own making by essentially holding the Sacraments hostage. Of course the laity are angry, but they will eventually return because they need Baptism, Confession and, ultimately, the Eucharist, which no one else can provide. But that’s not going to be sufficient any longer. The Sacraments meet human needs, sure, but the world today offers many options that can, on the surface at least, provide apparent alternatives. If I want to dedicate my baby to God, I can chose a Protestant church that offers some sort of ceremony. Don’t they also offer the Lord’s Supper? If I want a sense of community, I don’t even need to join a church. Crossfit will suffice. If I want the cathartic release of Confession, I can turn to social media. Her Theology There is only one thing that will hold me to the Catholic Church: her theology. I need to know why the Sacraments of the Catholic Church are different from what the rest of the world offers. Anyone who has spent time with a young child can attest to their obsessive need to know why. Knowing why provides the foundation, and it is something that we, as human beings, never stop seeking. And as things stand today, for many Catholics, the Church has given them every reason to leave and no reason to stay. The why has been systematically denied to them; why should they come back? We are not warm bodies, content with a handout and a high five from a jovial parish priest. The priest must look at every person with equal dignity and deserving of the Truth, made to know Him, to love Him, and to serve Him in this world, and to be happy with Him forever in Heaven. Truth and love are inseparable and interwoven, but do not exist in a vacuum. In every parish, there needs to be a trifold: there is a messenger of the Word and its hearers, and the Truth, which is Love, is shared between them. Indeed, I think we will find a cord of three strands is not so easily broken. [bctt tweet="Charity is Theology #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.

“I feel so far from Jesus.” Sigh. “If only He would make Himself known to me,” I lamented to my husband as I collapsed in a heap onto our bed. The irony in this statement is literally two days before, I texted my mom about a profound prayer experience as I walked out of Adoration. 

Two days. Sadly, this isn’t even a record for how quickly I can forget an obvious spiritual consolation. On more than one occasion, it was later the same day when I found myself begging for a(nother) sign of Christ’s presence after a pretty noticeable God-wink. How am I this forgetful?! What is Spiritual Amnesia? This condition of spiritual amnesia is both humbling and frightening. How can I so easily forget how great our God is? It becomes clear when looking all the way back to Adam and Eve’s lack of trust to the Israelites wandering in the desert to Peter’s denial and fear. Spiritual amnesia is not a new problem. Thus the sons of Israel did not remember the Lord their God, who had delivered them from the hands of all their enemies on every side... -Judges 8:34   If I’m honest with myself, I often judge the Israelites when reading these passages. How could they so quickly turn away from God? He wiped out Pharoah’s army, and that was right after He parted the waters of the Red Sea for them to walk through. I would never make and worship a golden calf, let alone after such incredible wonders. How ridiculous! Yet, I do the same thing, just the 2019 version, as I worship the idols of my smartphone and the comma in my bank account. Remembrance I take my eyes off Our Lord, I look around at the mess of this world, and I get discouraged. I forget who God is, what He has done, and what He has promised. I shall remember the deeds of the Lord; Surely I will remember Your wonders of old. -Psalm 77:11   The answer to our spiritual amnesia is clear: we must remember. “Remember” is used somewhere around 350 times in the Bible. If you use a variant of the word, the occurrence jumps to nearly 550. The solution is not a secret. In fact, it’s not even that complex. Unfortunately, simple does not equal easy. [bctt tweet="The answer to our spiritual amnesia is clear: we must remember. #BISblog //" via="no"] How to Remember in the Midst of Spiritual Amnesia How do I remember? Prayer and practice. Every single day. 

The Lord makes His Spirit known in both subtle and obvious ways. Keeping our eyes on Him and open to Him is the key. 1. Pray to the Holy Spirit The Advocate, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you. -John 14:26   Jesus knows we cannot simply will ourselves and depend on our own strength to remember. Frequent prayer for the power of the Holy Spirit to help us remember is vital to battling spiritual amnesia. 2. 

Gratitude Notice what He is doing daily and thank Him for it. The eyes follow the mind. If I am in the market for a red minivan, I will begin to notice all the red minivans. There aren’t suddenly a spike in red minivans, I am just noticing them for the first time. Similarly, if I notice God working in my life, I will begin to see it more. He’s always been there, but I am often too busy with an over-scheduled Google calendar or my face buried in my social media to notice. 3. Write it down Our memories of good moments are not nearly as strong as our memories of bad experiences. Writing them down ensures the positive experiences are not lost. I’ve tried to depend on my memory to preserve moments of the Lord moving in my life. Yet, I can walk in to a room and forget why I am there just 30 seconds later. My memory does not have a strong track record; I have to write it down. 4. Read the list And re-read it. Probably daily, at first. Maybe multiple times per day. Remembering is not a passive state. No, it is an action. An important action we must take daily. Practically speaking, I have a spiritual amnesia list in the “notes” app on my phone. It contains with examples of moments I’ve felt God’s love. I add to the list whenever I remember or experience a new moment, and I read the list as often as I need it (which is very often). 5. Spiritual desolation Spiritual desolation is a true condition. We can expect to have seasons of spiritual dryness. Being able to separate real desolation from simple spiritual amnesia is important. St. Ignatius of Loyola defines spiritual desolation as containing attributes “such as darkness of soul, disturbance in it, movement to low and earthly things, disquiet from various agitations and temptations, moving to lack of confidence, without hope, without love, finding oneself totally slothful, tepid, sad, and, as if separated from one’s Creator and Lord.” An intentional recollection every day, of the moments I knew God was with me, has been a life raft in seasons of true desolation. A drop of divine water to bring relief during the dry season. Different from spiritual desolation, spiritual amnesia stems from my inability to rest in God’s goodness and abide with Him. When I get distracted and fearful, I take my eyes off our Lord. I forget. He is still present; He hasn’t left. My frantic grasping at the promises of this world quickly take the place of peace in my heart. And I find myself collapsed in to a pile of discouragement. Peace Comes in Remembering As soon as I look up, fix my eyes on Jesus, ask the Holy Spirit to help me remember what He has done, peace once again begins to flow through my soul. Do you struggle with holding on to the peace and presence of God’s goodness? How do you remember what Christ has done for you? [bctt tweet="Spiritual Amnesia #BISblog //" via="no"] Bekah Knobeloch is a midwestern mama of three crazy boys and wife to a mountain man from Colorado. She is registered nurse, Marquette Model NFP instructor, and loves to travel, write, and host dinner parties. As the founder of Feminine Genius Ministries, she is passionate about education and empowerment of authentic femininity. She runs on coffee and the intercession of St. Catherine of Siena.

He is not God of the dead, but of the living. // Luke 20:38a Download these beautiful free wallpapers from Sarah Ann Design 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

Following Christ sometimes feels like a lonely road as we make career decisions that cause people to scratch their heads, as we date or lead our families counter-culturally, and as we stay close to the Sacraments in an age when skepticism dominates. Thankfully, we are not alone in this life of discipleship. Part of our Church’s beauty is the witness and friendship of thousands of men and women who also walked this road, striving for holiness in their own ways and times. The Catholic Church recognizes and formally declares as Saints individuals who have lived holy lives and are definitively believed to be in Heaven. By virtue of our baptisms, we are in communion with them. Truly, what better witnesses could we ask for in our own pursuit of holiness?! The Saints Want to Be Our Companions Yet, the idea of befriending a medieval French heroine can be daunting, even for those who have been in the Church for years. A cradle Catholic friend recently said to me, “I want to have my go-to Saint friends, but I don’t know where to start.” Well, I’m no expert, but I find myself increasingly looking to the Saints for intercession and inspiration. Through prayer and guidance from some Saint-loving friends, I have developed a soft spot in my heart for particular Saints. These include: St. Padre Pio, whose reminder to “pray, hope, and don’t worry” calms my heart when I’m anxious. Blessed Chiara Luce Badano, who exemplifies vivacity in the face of suffering. St. Teresa of Ávila, who reminds me that God can handle my sass Pope St. John Paul II, who embodies courage and joyful strength. These “friends” have deepened my spiritual life and continue to serve as stalwart companions on this road. How to Be Friends with Saints With a little time, initiative, and prayer, you can grow comfortable turning to the Saints, too. Whether you are starting at square one or just seeking to expand your saint circle, these ideas can help. Start with your vocation. As you seek to make a connection with the Saints, an easy place to begin is with your vocation. Are you a wife? Mother? Grandmother? Religious sister? Daughter? Young adult discerning God’s call? There are Saints who were each of these! As a young woman dating and discerning marriage, I find myself turning to St. Anne, the mother of Mary and wife of St. Joachim. I know some of my married and engaged friends have devotions to Sts. Zélie and Louis Martin, the parents of St. Thérèse of Lisieux and the first married couple to be canonized together. St. Monica, the mother of St. Augustine who loved our Blessed Mother and prayed for her son’s conversion for 17 years, is the patron saint of mothers. Perhaps a strong vocational call right now is to your profession as a student, teacher, physician, lawyer, writer, or artist. Check out St. Thomas Aquinas, St. John Baptist de la Salle, St. Gianna Beretta Molla, St. Luke, St. Thomas More, St. Francis de Sales, or St. Catherine of Bologna to find a saint who shared your professional vocation. Think about your interests... After looking at the vocations that are most pertinent to you right now, think about your interests. Surely, there is a Saint who shared that interest, too. Do you like music? St. Cecilia is your girl. Perhaps you volunteer regularly with your parish food pantry or are passionate about social justice. The lives of St. Vincent de Paul, St. Katharine Drexel, St. Oscar Romero, and St. Martin de Porres would inspire. Do you love animals and spending time outdoors? Turn to St. Francis of Assisi, St. Kateri Tekakwitha, St. Pope John Paul II, or Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati. St. Sebastian is the patron Saint of athletes, St. Christopher of travelers, St. Arnold of beer brewers, and Sts. Martha and Meinrad of hosts and hospitality. The Saints are as diverse as we are, which C.S. Lewis celebrated by calling them “gloriously different.” So don’t give up if you haven’t yet found one with whom you connect. And your life experiences, too! My love for St. Teresa began when I visited her city of Ávila, Spain while studying abroad. Likewise, as a student at a university founded by the Congregation of Holy Cross, the order’s first canonized saint, St. André Bessette, became a model of humble service for me. Think about your travels, heritage, education, name, or family devotions. Possibly, your family’s California roots render St. Junípero Serra a Saint to befriend, or fascination with Hawaii invites you to learn more about St. Damien of Molokai. Are you part of a Hispanic community? Learn more about St. Juan Diego. Maybe you attended a Jesuit high school or crossed paths with a Dominican who influenced your faith life; many holy men from these orders are Saints. If the tragedy of miscarriage, infant loss, infertility, domestic violence, or divorce is woven into your story, spend some time with St. Gianna, St. Zélie, St. Catherine of Sweden, St. Rita of Cascia, or St. Helena. Have you been affected by breast cancer? Pray to St. Agatha. I grew in devotion to St. Thomas the Apostle during a period of doubt in my own faith life because I recognized something of myself in him. Your faith journey might be marked by conversion, and so turning to St. Paul, St. Josephine Bakhita, or St. Edith Stein would be meaningful. People tend to think that the Saints are all the same: pious, boring, and obsolete. As you begin exploring the lives of these holy people, you’ll discover how alike we are to them and how profoundly they speak to our lives today. Then, it’s time to befriend! How to Start Now that you have some ideas of whom you can befriend, the question becomes how. Start by picking one Saint whom you want to get to know better (this could be a great monthly challenge!). Give yourself time to get acquainted with him or her. Saint biographies abound, as do many of the Saints’ own spiritual writings. To serve as a visual reminder, I like to write a quote from the Saint on a Post-It note and hang it on my mirror or place it in my planner. Pray using the Saint’s own words (check-out Pray More Novenas as a helpful guide in praying for the nine successive days leading up to the Saint’s feast day), or ask the Saint to intercede for you. Finally, find some activity that commemorates that Saint. Introduce friends to the Chaplet of Divine Mercy for St. Maria Faustina Kowalska, explore local trails to celebrate St. Kateri, donate to a pro-life cause in honor of St. Gianna, or share Polish donuts—paczki—to celebrate St. Maximilian Kolbe. It Takes Willingness and Time Just as making friends takes invitation, intentionality, and time, making friends with the Saints does, too. Anticipate that certain stories and personalities will resonate more strongly, so be patient in finding your saintly companions. Who are some of your saintly friends? Tell us about them in the comments below! [bctt tweet="Making Friends with the Saints #BISblog //" via="no"] Grace Carroll is a native New Englander who currently calls the cornfields of Indiana home as she pursues her Master’s in pastoral theology. In between studying and working in college ministry, she sneaks in as many runs, naps, novels, trails, snail mail, and dark chocolate that she can.

I want everything to be perfect. I've always been a perfectionist. Some people see this as a bad thing, and in some ways it can be. Sometimes I obsess over wanting things to go my way, and then I am crushed when it doesn't turn out how I planned. Can the desire for perfection be a positive thing? I think it can be, if we understand where it comes from and don't become obsessed with earthly perfection. I would guess that most of us are perfectionists, to some degree. We all want the perfect job, the perfect boyfriend or husband, the perfect family, the perfect vacation, perfect health, the perfect house... and the list goes on. Most of us get at least a little disappointed when things don't go our way. [bctt tweet="Heaven is our home. #BISblog //" via="no"] Homesick for Heaven What I've come to realize is that our human preoccupation with perfection and getting what we want is the manifestation of our homesickness for Heaven. Heaven is our home. It's where we will experience perfect joy in the Beatific Vision and freedom from suffering and disappointment. Heaven is perfect happiness with God, and all the angels and saints. We were created for this. We were made to joyfully sing the praises of God and be unified with Him forever. Living on Earth Yes, we can still be happy, and we can and should sing God's praises while we're here on earth. We shouldn't give up or desire for things to go well, but we also shouldn't obsess over perfection. Until we can become saints, what can we do to rightfully order our perfectionism, and quell our homesickness for Heaven? 1. Partake in the Sacraments. The Eucharist and the Sacrament of Reconciliation were given to us by Jesus to help make us more perfect, more like Him. What if you can't get to a church to receive Communion or go to Confession due to less than perfect circumstances? Call your parish, or any parish, and request to have a priest come to you. They are more than happy to help. What if you physically cannot receive the Eucharist? You can make a spiritual communion until you are able to receive the Body of Christ. The Sacraments bring us as close to Heaven as we can get while we are on Earth. 2. Establish a prayer routine. There are so many ways to make prayer a part of your daily routine. There are many prayers to choose from to begin implementing a prayer routine, including the Rosary, the Divine Mercy Chaplet, a 3 o'clock devotion, the Angelus, the Liturgy of the Hours, novenas, and more. I started with spending one minute meditating on Christ's Passion during the 3 o'clock hour. I set a recurring alarm on my phone to remind me to pray at the same time each day. Saying a Morning Offering before your feet even touch the floor in the morning is another easy way to structure your day around prayer. Having a prayer routine reminds me of my purpose: to glorify God. 3. Dedicate time to spiritual reading. This can include but isn't limited to Scripture readings, the lives of the Saints, books about how to grow in relationship with God, encyclicals, or daily meditations. If you're just getting started with spiritual reading, I recommend starting with the daily Mass readings and Blessed is She devotions. I like to spend a couple minutes pondering what I've read and try to understand what it means for my life. Spiritual reading is admittedly not easy for me, but has helped me dive more deeply into the mysteries of God, and has made me more attuned to His voice. 4. Spend time in silent meditation. Time spent in silence is so difficult, especially during the busy seasons of life. If you have an hour a day to get to the Adoration chapel, that's wonderful! Unfortunately, spending time in a daily Holy Hour isn't doable for most people, but that doesn't mean we can't spend time listening to God. Start slow, spending one minute a day in silence. No music, no TV, no cell phone, no other tasks. Ask God to speak to your heart, and just sit, listening, for one minute. If you're able to spend more time, by all means, do it! Even just one minute in silence, listening for God's voice, brings you closer to His Heart. Desire for Perfection and Desire for Him In the past year, I've realized that my desire for everything to be perfect is a God-given desire. It's a desire that we all have, to some degree, because we were made for it. We were made to be in eternal, perfect happiness with Him. While we can't experience the perfect joy of Heaven just yet, there are things we can do that will bring us closer to God. Intentionally making time for prayer, meditation, spiritual reading, and the Sacraments has helped me focus less on my hunger for perfection and more on my relationship with Christ. He's given us the gift of His Church, in all Her richness, to help us become saints and attain eternal joy and perfection in the next life. [bctt tweet="Longing for Heaven + Living on Earth" via="no"] Kelly Schroeder is a wife, mom, embroidery enthusiast, and former 1st grade teacher. She enjoys making custom and religious embroidery and cross-stitch, and occasionally writes for her blog. You can find out more about her here.

A thousand years of enjoying human glory is not worth even an hour spent in sweetly communing with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. - Saint Padre Pio   What does the Eucharist mean to you? In the book of Matthew, Jesus asked St. Peter, "Who do you say that I am? (Matthew 16:13-20). If he were referring to Himself today, under the appearance of bread and wine, He may ask us, "What do you say that I am?" A question much disputed among Christians through the ages. What Does the Eucharist Mean to Me? What does the Eucharist mean to me? Well, as a kid it was a sign that Mass was almost over. As a Protestant, communion was for remembrance. Strictly a representation. Today, I am unsure how love like this exists, but I believe in it with all that I am. During the odd years of my faith journey, I would read the accounts of Jesus' life in the New Testament and think how lucky the disciples were! They were at the right place, at the right time to sit at the feet of Jesus and be ministered to by God Himself. Not just as a spirit or a distant Ruler in the heavens, but right there before them. Their Savior in the flesh! Eucharistic Adoration was never a part of my faith life growing up and is still fairly new to me. The first few times I went, I totally chickened out and couldn't go inside. The brief presentation, "Body of Christ," before receiving Holy Communion at Mass was one thing. But the thought of sitting with God face-to-face was intimidating. Through Confession and prayer, I accepted that He wanted me close. Once I worked up the nerve to go my heart began to crave the time, knowing Jesus waits for me there. With kids in tow I don't usually get a full holy hour in, but I still like to stop and visit as often as I can. My Heart with His in Adoration One busy afternoon, I was on my way to pick my daughter up from a friend's house. I was driving along when I realized that exposition of the Blessed Sacrament was available at my parish. I read the dashboard clock: 10 minutes left. Knowing my daughter wouldn't mind a little more time with her pal, I changed course and zipped across our little town. I needed the visit badly. Our family had dealt with a lot that week. As the mom, I was supposed to be the tie that binds us all, but my grip was rapidly slipping. I felt desperate. Like the bleeding woman in the crowd. Pressed and tired. Longing for peace and healing. Stretching my fingertips toward Jesus in hopes of brushing the hem of His garment. I begged for His presence praying, "I just need a second, Lord! I just need a moment before You to get me through." Soaking Him In After a few anxious miles the church was in sight. I relaxed the tight grip on the steering wheel, parked my car, and jogged to the chapel with no time to spare. I opened the door to the dim, silent room, entering gracelessly with a jangle of keys and pocket change. As I dunked my hand into the holy water for a hasty blessing, the guardian for that hour lifted a heavy lid, offered a nod of acknowledgement and settled back into his chair. I knelt to pray and squeezed my tired eyes shut. I rested my head on my hands, one clutching the other. It felt like all that I could do to hold myself together. My heart relaxed but my brain remained scattered. I had no words, no eloquence to offer my King. So I just said, "I love You, Lord. I adore You. Please bless me. Please give me strength. You are my everything!" Knowing my time was short, I took in His holy presence. I filled my lungs with chapel air, dank with prayer and the smell of holy water. I stared at the backlit host until the threat of tears stung my eyes. Far too soon, our time was up. Before I was ready, I pulled myself reluctantly from my knees and with another splashy blessing, bowed out into the night. Never Enough Jesus Hidden in the dark of my car, I let myself fall apart. The tears were a mixture of relief and gratitude that swelled from a place of deep and mysterious longing. I was thankful to have gotten my moment but the thirst in my soul was unquenchable. Homesick for Heaven, I felt so alone. I missed Jesus already. I needed more time! But God whispered sweet consolation to my soul, "I'm still here, daughter. I always am." He assured me, "You have my Holy Spirit. I'm with you wherever you go!" I drove back across town at a slower pace this time. The moon illuminating the country road ahead reminded me of the Sacrament. The gentle presentation. His constancy. How Jesus draws us to himself repeatedly like lunar gravity pulling the waves to shore. From My Head to My Heart When I came back home to the Church I accepted the Real Presence as dogma but it took longer to truly sink in on a heart level. Regular Adoration gives me time, however short, to focus on the Eucharist, the center of our Catholic Faith. It grows my faith through affection, stillness, wonder, and awe. The Eucharist is the center of the Mass, deepens prayer, and brings all other Sacraments to life. It is nothing less than the incredible opportunity to sit, quite tangibly at the feet of Jesus. Our Savior in the flesh! My ear may not have heard Jesus' voice in an audible way that night but, there is no doubt that He ministered to my soul. No, it's not just a wafer. It's our Jesus: Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity. It is Emmanuel. I feel like most of the time we are a bit numb to this profound reality. Not always due to lack of faith (though sometimes that is it), but to unconsciously ease the weight of a supernatural truth which our human minds can't wrap around completely. But if we're bold enough to look boundless love and infinite mercy in His glorious Face, we can taste eternity. We can catch a glimpse of Heaven on Earth. When is the last time you went to Eucharistic Adoration? Would you consider going this week? [bctt tweet="How Jesus Won My Heart through Eucharistic Adoration" via="no"] Cait Winters is Catholic re-vert, wife, and mama of three from a small woodsy town in Massachusetts. She is a full-time mama of a blended family, aspiring author, intermittent blogger, and freelance writer. On weekdays you can find her juggling kids, kettle-bells, and coffee cups. On the weekends, she loves nothing more than an old library book and a glass of wine. You can find out more about her here.

But you have mercy on all, because you can do all things; and you overlook sins for the sake of repentance. // Wisdom 11:23 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