Throughout the month of May, we will be sharing posts focused on journeying alongside the Blessed Virgin Mary. Share your experiences in the comments or on social media using #praywithmary. It was an accident that Mary ended up in my kitchen window. My mother in law was helping us unpack at a new house and placed the little figurine I had since childhood in the kitchen window so I wouldn’t lose her. Mary stayed there, watching over me and inspiring me in my sometimes turbulent journey into motherhood. Throughout eight years of fertility treatment and adoption attempts, I always felt a unique consolation praying to Mary that no one else could give me. When our prayers were answered with two children through adoption, I knew we had been truly blessed but I was completely unprepared to be at home with two babies. The transition from Fortune 100 corporate executive to the oldest mom is preschool was tough. I was in a new state, new city and a new season in life. Ironically, one of the main reasons I wanted to become a mother was selfish: I wanted to break out of my own selfishness and really serve another soul. I just didn’t realize how hard that was going to be. There were many times I felt despair and isolation, wondering if I was truly on the right path. One day, I remember scrubbing the floor and grousing to myself,” Is this what my graduate degree was really for?” when I saw Mother Mary in the window. Immediately, I checked myself and my arrogance. I am fairly certain Mary did not have a housekeeper. If the Mother of God scrubbed floors, I could too. A new phase began for me. I started to ask myself “What would Mary do?” every time I became frustrated or despaired over the mundane tasks that were in front of me. They did have value. If nothing else, I was learning lessons of humility. The Beatles had it right: “When I find myself in times of trouble, Mother Mary comforts me. There will be an answer. Let it be.” Mary in the window also helped me recapture the love I had for her in childhood. I remember my elementary school May altars with this same figurine of Mary. I would come home from school, check and water the flowers at the little altar in my room and pray to Mary. Where had that girl gone? And more importantly, how could I give that experience to me daughter? We are in a different house now. Mary has moved from a window to a shelf with several other Marys and a St. Anne. These are my girls. They keep humble, grounded and sane, even if I still don’t like doing the floors. Anne is a work-from-home mom of two amazing kiddos in Houston, TX. She works as a legislative affairs consultant when she is not busy being an advocate for adoption and autism. With her best friend, Susan, she blogs at "Y'all Need Jesus,"yallneedjesusblog.wordpress.com

Throughout the month of May, we will be sharing posts focused on journeying alongside the Blessed Virgin Mary. Share your experiences in the comments or on social media using #praywithmary. Pondering. What does it mean to ponder? The definition in the Merriam Webster dictionary describes "pondering" as: to think or consider especially quietly, soberly, and deeply. After the birth of Jesus we are told in the book of Luke that Mary "treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart." (Luke 2:19). That verse has always captured my attention. I love imagining our Lady as she quietly, intensely, and directly ponders these things in her heart. I have prayed with this verse, trying to enter into that sense of Mary's pondering. I imagine that for Our Lady, pondering was not just a one time experience, but rather, a posture of heart, a posture of prayer. It was the unpacking of God's work in her life; marveling in the salvation of mankind. We live in a culture that has stopped pondering. When we see a beautiful scene in nature, an art museum, or at an event, how many of us forget to take a moment to actually stop and look? To take the moment in deeply and let it ruminate in our heart? Most of the time we are whipping out our smart phones, frantic to capture a moment rather than letting it captivate us. I experienced this in a very vivid way when I went to visit the Uffizi Gallery this past fall in Florence, Italy. I was amazed and rather disheartened to see how many people did not even stop to look at the glorious paintings and sculptures, instead they would snap a photo with their smart phone and hurriedly move on to the next one. They missed the brush strokes; the exquisite lighting; the indescribable power of beauty in front of them. To ponder is to encounter beauty and truth and let it move our soul. It is taking the time to be silent and listen to the voice of God in the events of our daily life. It is to unpack our experiences and reflect on them through the lens of faith. Let us ask our Lady, especially in this month of May, to teach us what it means to ponder the mysteries of Christ, that we too may experience these treasures and keep them ever closer in our heart. Maria Koshute is a Librarian in Nashville, TN, who enjoys cooking, listening to live music, hiking, and sewing. She is passionate about her Catholic faith and seeing how God works in ordinary life.

Throughout the month of May, we will be sharing posts focused on journeying alongside the Blessed Virgin Mary. Share your experiences in the comments or on social media using #praywithmary. "Sweep clean the floor of your soul," were the words that inspired Fra Angelico's painting, "The Annunciation" at the Convent of San Marco in Florence. We see that Mary's surroundings are simple and swept clean. Her inner room, symbolizing her soul, has a small window with light shining through, gently cascading on the crisp, clean floor. You get the feeling she was ready for the angel Gabriel's visit. She had so much room prepared for the Lord in her soul! She was ready to accept his plan, "Let it be done to me according to your will." I wish the rest of this devotional was a tidy step-by-step way to sweep your soul clean so you have as much room for the Lord as Mary. But it's not. It's about the phenomena of my kitchen floor getting spontaneously re-crumbed seemingly after every sweeping. See, with three littles running around, my kitchen's and soul's floors don't stay swept clean for long before third breakfast rolls around or I lose my peace over someone's mini-melt down. But I'm encouraged because Jesus implores me, "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock." That's right, he wants to come into my little, crumby- floored soul! Making room for him is merely the act of opening the door to my soul to accept his love and mercy; not tensing up and getting numb when I see the crumbs of sin that spot my soul, but tenderly allowing his Divine Mercy to enter and meet me in the mess. It’s Jesus’ greatest desire to be with us in the mess of our kitchen floors and the mess of our souls. How do I know? Fast forward to nine months after the Annunciation to Mary in the midst of the Nativity scene: surrounded by livestock, hay and dirt. I know she was welcoming the Lord into the mess, trusting in his promises of love and mercy. And I know it was the Lord's greatest joy to join us all in it on that day, and every day. Can we accept his amazing gift of love and mercy, despite the re-crumbing phenomena of our souls? Yes, let’s pray for that acceptance now and everyday, “Let it be done to me according to your will." Danielle Turner is married to her college sweetheart and is enjoying the adventure of being a stay-at-home mom of four-under-six. As a former elementary school teacher, she's now pouring her creativity into making hand lettered and painted keepsakes to celebrate the sacraments which you can find in her shop.

Throughout the month of May, we will be sharing posts focused on journeying alongside the Blessed Virgin Mary. Share your experiences in the comments or on social media using #praywithmary. In today's society, it's easy to compare. Every person’s picture perfect life is blasted on social media. It's hard to imagine the perfect woman ever having a bad day. People don't post the diaper blowout or threenager meltdown. They post surprise flowers, not struggles in their marriage. It's so easy to compare yourself to other women, other moms. How do we compare to the perfect woman and mother, Mary? Thankfully because she doesn't have a Facebook account, I've never thought of it that way. I've always looked to Mary as inspiration, the perfect role model. I've prayed for her intercession to help my colicky baby fall asleep. I've prayed for her intercession for guidance in gently disciplining my child. I've prayed for her intercession to accept God's will in my life. I connected the most to Mary during the struggles and difficult times in my life. When our infant son had open heart surgery, I found hope and strength in saying the rosary. When we saw our son in recovery for the first time, I immediately thought of Mary’s eyes looking at Jesus. Our son was in pain and I couldn’t do anything to help him. I felt strength in knowing that Mary also grieved and suffered and cried. I felt so much closer to her during that dark, painful time. Her answer to Gabriel inspired me to keep going and continue to put my faith and hope in her son, Jesus. “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word.” Mary's yes lead to judgement. Mary's yes lead to watching her son die on the cross. Mary's yes lead to our salvation. Big or small, we can look to Mary as a perfect example of how our “yes” can make an impact on the world. What a blessing it is to have such a perfect woman be so much like us. How do you look up to Mary and say “yes” to God’s will? Melanie Pizzino is a wife, mother of two, and defender of our beautiful, Catholic faith. As a type-A teacher turned stay at home Mom, she loves to keep herself busy, so during this Year of Mercy, she started blogging at https://themercifulmother.wordpress.com/.

Throughout the month of May, we will be sharing posts focused on journeying alongside the Blessed Virgin Mary. Share your experiences in the comments or on social media using #praywithmary. I had been a mom for just over a year, and as wonderful and beautiful as the year had been I still felt like I hadn’t found my mom sea legs. I was still catching my bearings and finding balance in this new season of life. Anna and I were making the 40 minute drive home after a stressful week of work. A 70-hour week that culminated in having to ask a friend to babysit my daughter at work on a Saturday. I was utterly exhausted. Anna fell asleep in the car and for once I let the car be still, turning off the typical noises from a radio, podcast, or cd. The car was silent. In that moment, I could feel the neediness of my heart. As I tried to form a prayer, my brain seemed to fail. So I retreated to the words that I prayed before in the company of friends, but never felt like was "my style." In the silence of my car on this crazy day, week, month, and year, the rosary was comfort like never before. It was one of the first times the rosary was the perfect comfort, devotion, and prayer for the moment. It clicked. The words rolled off my tongue with ease, and suddenly there was peace. I used my fingers on the steering wheel to count the prayers. I felt like I was joining an ancient league of brave soldiers, all marching in unison while learning about holiness in the trenches and mountain tops of their vocation. Our faith is a community. The trinity is God three-in-one, and we are encouraged to pray and know the love and mercy of God with our community here on earth, and with the community alive in heaven. It was like sitting across a table that death could not divide. I was chatting with the mother of Jesus, hearing the scriptural stories of her son growing, his ministry, and his ultimate sacrifice. I felt Mother Mary holding my hands and nodding in solidarity like a mother only could, pointing me toward all that is good and where rest could be found, her son. Ancient and ritual prayers do not have to be stale, with your heart in the correct place, a prayer like the rosary, should be a truly contemplative prayer activated by our heart and body. There are many days where this prayer fills me with peace and there are days it feels like work. But I have faith that the power of prayer is not tied to what I feel in the moment. Maybe this prayer doesn’t click with you right now, that is okay. Just give it a chance. Heed the words of Jesus on the cross, “behold your mother.” (John 19:27). Let yourself find comfort and peace in the habit of this prayer. One day it might just click. “The ways of God are entirely different from our ways. To us it seems necessary to employ powerful means in order to produce great effects. This is not God’s method; quite the contrary. He likes to choose the weakest instruments that He may confound the strong: ‘God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong’ (1 Cor 1:27).” -Dom Columba Marmion “You always leave the Rosary for later, and you end up not saying it at all because you are sleepy. If there is no other time, say it in the street without letting anybody notice it. It will, moreover, help you to have presence of God.” – St. Josemaria Escriva Amy is one part adventurer, one part working mama and wife, and one part cookies. She writes about finding truth and joy in the everyday. This post originally appeared on The Salt Stories.

Throughout the month of May, we will be sharing posts focused on journeying alongside the Blessed Virgin Mary. Share your experiences in the comments or on social media using #praywithmary. I’ve sometimes wondered if selecting Mary for my Confirmation name was too “mainstream.” Maybe I should have gone the Catholic hipster route and selected a more unknown saint from the extensive packet of names I’d been given to review before making this monumental decision. Despite the disappointment I’ve been met with in others upon telling them this (“The whole wide world of saint names out there and you picked Mary?”), I’ve always stood by my choice. My grandmother, whose name was Mary Jane, passed away from ovarian cancer shortly before my Confirmation, and her namesake was one whom she turned to frequently in prayer during her last few months for peace and strength. I hoped that picking this name for myself would endow me with a similar resilience, especially considering how the Virgin Mary herself certainly faced her own set of hardships in life while trusting in God all the while. In the months since graduating from college last May, I’ve struggled with determining what my purpose is and who I’m to become in this life. I know I’m meant to serve the Lord and others in my career and in my relationships, but the “how” of that is still frustratingly fuzzy. I currently work in retail, where my dreams of using my English and Creative Writing degree to work in publishing, marketing, or communications are tempered by simple interactions with customers. I consider the reality of my situation and wonder how — or even, if — God is using me to do His will in such ordinary circumstances. And then I think of Mary. Mary, an ordinary girl from Nazareth who was tasked with the extraordinary: becoming the mother of God. Mary, who stood shaking in the face of fear and uncertainty and the unknown, and still said, “Yes.” What if, in every time I say, “Yes,” by showing up to another day of this ordinary life, God is offering me, too, infinite chances to change the world? What if the compliment I offer a customer on her sweater, and the conversation we share as I’m ringing up her items, become the salve she needs to soothe her after a long day at work? What if the patience and the helping hand I lend the handicapped man in personally seeking out each item on his list and bringing them to him are the reminders he needs to show him he’s loved? What if the sincerity in my smile and the small act of the holding the door for an elderly gentleman prove to him that he’s not invisible? What if the extraordinary can make its way into the ordinary for me, too? And what if I say a bold “Yes” to the things that scare me, to the people and the opportunities God daily plants in my path as a means of having me reach my God-given potential? And what if each time I say, “Yes,” on the way to that growth, I’m guided by a goal that has less to do with me, with an intent to fulfill my dreams, and more to do with how I can bring God’s love to others? What then? It’s been seven years since my Confirmation, but I don’t think the name I chose for the adult phase of my Catholic faith has ever held more resonance for me than it does now. I’m waiting for so much. And I’m sure you’re waiting for something too, sister. Whatever it is, I pray that Mary’s “yes” gives you the courage to do likewise, to say “yes” to every opportunity this ordinary life gives to bring God into it, and see where it leads you. Sarah is a recent graduate of the University of San Diego who has been missing the beach and palm trees since moving to Colorado. Her hobbies include car karaoke, reading any books she can get her hands on, and eating copious amounts of chocolate.

Throughout the month of May, we will be sharing posts focused on journeying alongside the Blessed Virgin Mary. Share your experiences in the comments or on social media using #praywithmary. Throughout my life I have been blessed with many good friends, but my senior year of college was when I found a true kindred spirit in my classmate Danielle. She was funny, energetic, caring, talented, and passionately pursuing God. I had never had such a good friend who was such an involved Catholic and I enjoyed every moment with her. We quickly became best friends and our love for one another was deep and solidly founded on Christ. And then she became a nun. I mourned the loss of her like she had died. It was really very hard. But through her loss and my new job at a Catholic student center I became much better friends with our former campus minister, Beth. Beth and Danielle had always been close but now I was hurting in a way few could understand and I was in need of a mentor. Beth opened her heart and (on several tear-filled nights) her home to me, and through phone calls, dinners, holy hours, and road trips our friendship grew into something quite extraordinary. God had blessed me with a woman who was a perfect combination of older sister and best friend. And then she became a nun. Another loss to mourn. Despite all my joy for my friends' beautiful vocations, I was incredibly sad. The Fall of 2005 was a very lonely time for me. No one wanted the title "Bonnie's Best Friend" out of fear they'd end up in a convent. Kidding! (Not kidding.) Also, God revealed to me that the next person I'd describe as my best friend would be the man I'd marry. That information gave me long term relief but meant I was still lonely in the meantime. Then one day I got a letter from Danielle, who had a new nun name by this time. I went into the chapel of the Newman Center I worked at, sitting in the pew in front of the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe. I read the letter. In it she said that we were both wrapped in Mary's mantel. I closed my eyes, leaned back against the pew, and imagined Mary sitting in between Danielle and I, her robe wrapped around all three of us, keeping us warm. It may seem silly, or sensational, or cheesy, or crazy, but I truly did sense Mary at that moment. It felt like she was sitting right next to me. And I felt certain that down in Nashville, Danielle was sitting in her chapel, right next to Mary, wrapped in her robes, just on the other side of me. I felt so close to my friend in that moment. It was a precious gift, and it happened more than once. I used that imagery repeatedly and it helped me feel physically, emotionally, and spiritually close to both Danielle and Beth, often at times when I was quite lonely or scared or unsure of myself. Mother Mary gave me the gift of sitting in the presence of friends who knew me quite well but loved me nonetheless. She gave me the gift of the joyful peace of true friendship. While Mary wrapped us in her mantle she was showing me her love, treating me to something special, helping me feel encouraged - exactly like a mother would. Bonnie is a writer, baker, speaker, and homemaker. She, her husband, and five children live in central Illinois, and her son’s alleged miraculous healing through the intercession of Venerable Fulton J. Sheen was submitted to the Vatican for Sheen’s beatification. Bonnie bakes a fantastic chocolate chip cookie, co-hosts The Visitation Project radio show, contributes to Blessed Is She devotionals, and blogs at A Knotted Life.

Throughout the month of May, we will be sharing posts focused on journeying alongside the Blessed Virgin Mary. Share your experiences in the comments or on social media using #praywithmary. I find it not too surprising that the meaning of the Hebrew word from which the name Mary is derived, among several meanings, can translate to “bitter sorrow.” Wait, what? Isn’t Mary an angelic lady dressed in brilliant blue and white who carries the fragrance of roses wherever she goes? How could the Immaculate Queen of Heaven, Mediatrix of Grace, the Blessed Virgin we crown each May, have such a name? You see, dear sister, this truth we must remember: to love is to suffer. Mary loved the most deeply of us all. Consequently, no exclusively human heart has ever felt such pain. She bore the shame of unplanned pregnancy. She bore the pain of abject poverty. She bore the terror of being forced to flee all she knew as a refugee. She bore the uncertainty of having a radical son, always in the way of danger during His earthly ministry. She bore the agony of watching her child suffer the unthinkable and die, betrayed by his dearest companions and his worst enemies alike. She bore the temptation to despair when all hope seemed lost. This incredible woman understands every ache of our hearts not out of sympathy, but out of deep and abiding empathy. Our Mother longs to give us the graces from her spouse the Holy Spirit to overcome the trials we face every day, however insurmountable they may seem to us. The twenty page term paper, the colicky infant, the demanding work schedule, the arid spiritual life – all these struggles and so many more she ardently longs to help us endure. As the kindest and most compassionate of mothers, she longs to take us, her beloved children, by the hand and guide us as we live each day in the hope of the Resurrection no matter what sorrows attend our way, as she did that mournful Holy Saturday of old. Oh Mother of us all, friend to outcasts and comforter of sinners, Our Lady of Sorrows, you have wept with us and hurt with us all this time. May we fly to your protection, seek your motherly counsel, and beg your intercession at all times. Pray for us so we might unite our suffering to Your Son’s. Sarah Christian is a Catholic convert living out her vocation to Love as a college student in the heart of Louisiana. She adores flowers, coffee, and evangelization. This post originally appeared on her blog.

Throughout the month of May, we will be sharing posts focused on journeying alongside the Blessed Virgin Mary. Share your experiences in the comments or on social media using #praywithmary. I am a mother to the most perfect little toddler in the world. No, he doesn’t sleep through the night and yes, his favorite game is spitting out chewed food, but he’s just amazing and my heart feels about to burst knowing that I’m his mom. His joys are my joys. His pains are my pains. Earlier tonight, he was playing in the hallway when he tripped, smacking his head into the corner of the door frame. The screams and tears that followed were equal only in part to the pain I felt in seeing him hurt – my heart ached and I just wanted to cling to him, to heal him, to making it all better. With the Stations of the Cross so top of mind, I keep coming back to Jesus seeing his mother. I can not even imagine what that must have been like. Let me say that again: I *can not* even imagine what that must have been like. To be the mother of a child, and to see your child bruised, bloodied, torn, carrying the cross upon which they were about to be nailed to, then seeing them nailed to the cross and left to die…I cry in just even thinking about it. Mary. What an amazingly STRONG woman. To go through what she went through from the very start – from Jesus’s conception – leading up to this day takes an amazing amount of inner strength. God was with her from the very beginning, and he never left her side. Even with Him by her side, it must have been unimaginable to have to witness Jesus walking through the crowd, towards the mount and seeing him HANGING on the cross. Simeon almost gave her the warning in Luke 2:34-35 when he said, “…he is destined for the fall…a sword will pierce your own soul too.”. I think back to our son’s Baptism and can’t fathom being Mary when she received this news…with the sweet, tiny face of a newborn staring back. Jesus was a baby. Her baby. Imagine living your whole life as a mother of a child – a child so, so special – and knowing that his death was to brutally proceed yours “like a lamb lead to slaughter” (Isaiah 53:7). So much emotion is passed in a glance. I wonder what that glance between Jesus and his mother was like when they met for the last time. Was it a look of sorrow knowing it was the last time they’d meet on Earth, a look of mutual anguish as each shared some of the others pain, a look of resignation as they both had known this day would come? So much can be said just with a look. One emotion we know that was there was love. Pure, beautiful love between a mother and her child. She tucked away her fear as the angel had instructed her (Luke 1:30) and stayed with Jesus, by his side, through it all. My heart aches for her even now. Jen Frost originally published this post on her blog, Faith and Fabric.

Let’s get to know each other a bit more, as sisters in Christ. Feel free to share your answers to these questions in on our Instagram post and/or your own Instagram post, tagging #BISsisterhood. Mary Lenaburg married her first (and only) blind date going on 27 years, is a full-time liturgist, and parents one adult son navigating his path on earth and a special needs daughter safely in Heaven. She thanks God for caffeine and chocolate. You can find out more about her here. What is your favorite religious text or book? I am currently reading This Tremendous Lover by Boykan and I have to admit it's a game changer for me. Such deep insights into the relationship Christ wishes to have with each of us. He spends our life time in pursuit of our soul giving us every opportunity to enter into relationship with him. It's never forced but always available. Another favorite is Mother Theresa's letters. Just amazing. Do you have a special Saint that you feel a strong connection to? How so? St. Jude Thadeus for one. Coming from a family of ten, my Dad taught us "The Prayer to St. Jude" and we would say it at every meal. He is also the Patron Saint of families and hopeless causes, of which my Dad would say we were both. My other favorite is Our Lady of Sorrows. I identify greatly with her path in life. Which virtue do you find yourself working on the most throughout your day? Fortification, piety and perseverance are my constant companions. I struggle with each in my own way. I tend to be a great cheerleader for everyone else but then look in the mirror and forget it all. What part of your walk with Christ is the biggest struggle? My being completely obedient to God, as well as my pride and self-reliance. This can be seen directly in my up-and-down prayer life. I need to be much more committed to that daily reliance on God's provision and grace. What keeps you Catholic? The Eucharist - the source and summit of our faith. 2000+ years of sacred tradition that give me a strong foundation to lean on as I discern God's will for what step to take next. Do you have a motto / quote / saying you live by? My dad would say again and again, "Mary Beth, never quit, never give up, never lose your faith! It's the one reason you walk this earth. For God chose this time and place just for you, do make the most of it." My Daddy was a pretty smart man and I miss him everyday. What do you find yourself continually praying for? Humility and mercy. How do you "walk the walk"? I just do my best even when I am not feeling it. I'm kind of an all-or-nothing gal, so when I mess up it's ugly. Regular trips to the box are in order. Confession is your friend. How does Christ call you to serve - is it prayer/contemplation/acts of service, etc.? That's a tough one for me right now. I guess I have always been called to acts of service followed by intercessory prayer. I served by loving my special needs daughter for 23 years before God called her home. I encouraged others who carry the same beautiful burden. I still do. I love my husband and son and care for our Domestic Church. But...things are changing now. Courtney is home with God, my son is an adult striking out on his own, my husband is busy providing for our family. So after much prayer God has called me into deeper service to the Church. I am now the liturgy coordinator for my parish. I know; me, a church lady? It's insane and yet, this is where God has called me to for now. Your turn! Answer this on Instagram or in the comments:

Throughout the month of May, we will be sharing posts focused on journeying alongside the Blessed Virgin Mary. Share your experiences in the comments or on social media using #praywithmary. If you’re a mother, you know how delightful the first flowers picked and given to you by your child are–even when they are dandelions. And more often than not, the tiny bunches of flowers and hand-crafted bouquets brought to me are bright yellow poofs of dandelions, even still. Aren’t they sweet, though? Weeds or not, they are picked and bundled and given with love and a huge smile. I’m 35 years old, but I feel more like a child bringing dandelions to my mother when it comes to honoring our Blessed Mother, Mary. “Never be afraid of loving the Blessed Virgin too much. You can never love her more than Jesus did.” – St. Maximillian Kolbe I want to do something special in her honor, and celebrate her love for us with my children. I want them to know her love and protection, and somehow I hope that celebrating in special ways with flowers and food and drink will spill over into their hearts, and make a lasting impression. I want our celebrations as a family to instill a love for our Blessed Mother that stays with our children for a lifetime. It’s nearly May. My days are so full (still) I can barely think in peace for 5 minutes, let alone come up with original ideas for a Marian celebration. Thank goodness for wiser women who have done the planning already! All I have to do now is gather a few ideas and make them happen, praying that even my simple attempts at honoring our Blessed Mother will delight her as much as thoughtful gestures from my children delight me. Here are the ideas I’ve picked from the myriad of great suggestions in the blogosphere. Please share what traditions and ideas you have for your family, too! Make some food to enjoy, combined with some prayers in honor of Mary. I like the idea of tea and treats, personally. Catholic Cuisine has more ideas than I could ever try, so take your pick! I especially like the idea of herb tea to go with food. It wouldn’t be a celebration without a sweet treat, such as macarons(which I love to make for Marian feasts), or meringues like a throne of clouds for the Queen of Heaven, or cake. Flowers. Of course, any flowers will be a lovely addition to your table and prayer space, but if you are wanting to bring a little symbolism into your floral choices, consider any of these, including roses, lilies, geraniums, and so many more. Prayer. Anything Marian, such as the Hail Holy Queen, Memorare, or Rosary. I might see about memorizing the Hail Mary in Latin this month. Another special idea is to consecrate your family and children under Mary’s protection. You can use a simple prayer such as this or this, or if you are more ambitious, try the 33-day preparation/self-retreat as St. Louis de Montfort promoted. I will probably choose a weekday and use many these ideas as part of a special Marian celebration, and crown our statue of Mary. Why not a weekend? It just happens this year that most of our weekends are already full, so a weekday will work better and stand out more to my children. Choose any day that works best for your family! “If you ever feel distressed during your day, call upon our Lady, just say this simple prayer: ‘Mary, Mother of Jesus, please be a mother to me now.’ I must admit, this prayer has never failed me.” – Blessed Mother Teresa This post originally was published on Someday Saints. MARY SHOWS US THE WAY Just as a mother might pass on a beloved family tradition to her daughters, Mary shares the recipe for growing in virtue with us. This study on Mary's Virtues will breathe new life into your everyday, beginning right in Mary's home. GET HOME STUDY

Throughout the month of May, we will be sharing posts focused on journeying alongside the Blessed Virgin Mary. Share your experiences in the comments or on social media using #praywithmary. Throughout my life, I’ve gone through phases where I’ve LOVED praying the Rosary, I’ve dreaded praying the Rosary, and where I didn’t pray it at all. During the times of dread, it was usually because I told myself I didn’t have time to pray, or I couldn’t concentrate on the mysteries without getting hopelessly distracted. A friend of mine told me her Hail Mary usually sounded like “Hail Mary, full of grace, I forgot to turn on the dishwasher and where is your homework and someone let the dog out…” Yep. That was me, too. Thankfully, I solved the problem by learning about the Scriptural Rosary. The Scriptural Rosary is available as a book or audio recording, and it helps me meditate so that I don’t lose focus during each decade. Each Hail Mary of the Rosary is assigned a short Scripture verse that helps develop the mystery you’re praying. I love that even with my short attention span, this prayer aid draws me into each mystery. Once I began using this method, I became mesmerized by the mysteries of the Rosary. No more boredom! I’d always thought of praying the Rosary as time-consuming, but the average Rosary only takes about 17 minutes to complete. I’ve since discovered that often, it’s the most 17 relaxing minutes of my day. Archbishop Fulton Sheen wrote: “The Rosary is psychologically one of the greatest prayers, because it draws all our scattered human energies, mind, lips, and fingertips, into a single, unifying purpose. To those who find prayer difficult, the rhythmic movement of the fingers induces spiritual thoughts. To those who are used to mental prayer, the spiritual gains a new dimension when it spills over into the body and comes out on the tips of the fingers.” At the suggestion of friends, I began slowly - a decade per day. I did this a while, then gradually added a decade at a time throughout the day. Over time, my attention span increased. I’m now able to pray a complete Rosary between 3-5 times a week, though my goal is to pray the Rosary daily. What happens if I get interrupted by a phone call, staff meeting, or bathtime? First of all, I allow myself some grace and recognize that this season of life is one of interruption – but that shouldn’t stop me from praying! On a practical level, I use a Rosary bracelet crafted by my friend Shannon at Organic Mama’s Shop. She includes a removable medal that you can clip anywhere onto the bracelet, saving your place for later. Whatever small baby steps you need to take to make the Rosary a part of your daily routine, start today. If you need some extra motivation to get started, try googling The Fifteen Promises of the Rosary as given to St. Dominic. You won’t be disappointed. Remember that bumper sticker – “Call your Mother. She hasn’t heard from you in Decades!” 📿 Make It a Daily Habit Find Your Perfect Rosary From the Blessed Mother to St. Therese, St. Joseph, and Our Lady of Guadalupe, our rosaries are made to pray for your intentions every day. Shop All Rosaries → Join us over in our app for a live weekday Rosary at 11am ET! Our new Blessed Is She Rosaries have arrived! Get yours here! Wendy, aka "Cajuntexasmom", is a Cajun-raised, Catholic mom who works outside the home as her family's sole breadwinner. She and her stay-at-home-dad husband raise their four (almost five!) kids in the sprawling city of Houston.

Throughout the month of May, we will be sharing posts focused on journeying alongside the Blessed Virgin Mary. Share your experiences in the comments or on social media using #praywithmary. There was a time when I didn't like Our Lady. I thought she was unrelatable, perfect, and far removed from me. The idea of her maternity seemed symbolic at best. So the thought of any type of true love or devotion of her was not on my agenda. Our Lady, however, had other plans for me. About 14 years ago, I remember laying in bed trying to fall asleep. Out of pure habit, I mindlessly prayed a Hail Mary. And abruptly stopped. In a somewhat terrifying moment, I was suddenly in a battle with myself and reality. Who was I talking to? If she was symbolic, why I am doing this? If she is real, what is she like? I had to then decide what I believed and if I would let this Lady I knew little of into my life. That summer was a series of events that made her presence so undoubtedly known in my life, I was sure I was being stalked from heaven. I even had a lifelong family friend mistakenly call me Mary and then apologize saying it must have been because I remind her so much of Our Lady! There was no question then, she was as real as my own mother and definitely chasing after me. That moment of truth led to a lifestyle change initiated by Mary. I was able to fearlessly hand my sinful and self-serving life over to God as a young lady knowing she was there with me as a true and good mother. I later did the Consecration according to St. Louis de Montfort deepening my commitment to Jesus and Mary. In short, Mary saved me from myself. I honestly hate to think of where I would be if grace and Our Lady hadn't stopped me in my mindless prayers that night. As a mother, I see it even better now. The way I love my children is unknown to them. It's hidden, always watching, gently guiding, and fervently praying them to the right path. All they can really feel is my presence and how I'm acting around them. I never saw Mary's love until I woke up to her action in my life and admitted her presence. When my boys hand me a wilted weed flower to express their love for me, they'll never know the joy it brings me. It's enough to know that even if they don't know all the details of my love for them, they notice. And they love back. There aren't words for the love I now have for Our Lady - though I suspect simply admitting that is enough for her. Angie is wife to Jake, mother to three wildly hilarious boys, and loves her coffee strong. You can find out more about her and her writings at www.yellowpelicanblog.net

Throughout the month of May, we will be sharing posts focused on journeying alongside the Blessed Virgin Mary. Share your experiences in the comments or on social media using #praywithmary. Years ago, when I was in my 20's, my life was not where I'd dreamt it would be. I was still single, hoping for happier future, and often felt depressed and lost. A group of my friends and I started "rosary nights." We would get together with food, our troubles, and each other. We would pray the Rosary together. We still do. Here are five reasons why we love our Rosary group - and highly recommend you start one, too. Friend Therapy: Before praying the Rosary, we would each take a turn naming our intentions. When we first started, most of us were having quite a hard time understanding "why" we were in certain situations and enduring certain heartaches. Saying our intentions out loud often led to great discussions among people who truly cared for one another. Lots of listening, advice giving and tears were shed. All of it was therapeutic. Bonds of trust and friendship were formed in ways only pray allows. It still provides a safe place for each of us to discuss our greatest challenges - and enables us to hand them over to Our Lord and His Blessed Mother. The Promises of Our Lady to those who recite the Rosary: Ideally, I know I should pray the Rosary on my own, daily. Realistically, it doesn't happen all that often. I know this is something in my life that needs work. But in the mean time, planning Rosary Group with friends gets me to pray the Rosary more than I would if this group didn't exist. And Our Lady has made twelve promises to those who recite the Rosary in a devout way! Some of those promises include: receiving signal graces, help lift our hearts to desire eternal things rather than worlds, obtaining what we ask for, and receiving Our Lady's special protection and greatest graces You gain the merits of each person's Rosary: Saint Louis Marie de Montfort wrote a book titled The Secret of the Rosary. In this work, Saint Louis gives numerous reasons and benefits to praying the Rosary in a group. Saint Louis said it is better to pray the Rosary with a group than alone. One reason is simply because our minds are far more alert during public prayer than when we pray alone. Other reasons include that when we pray in a group, the prayer of each one belongs to all. "We make one great prayer together, so that if one person is not praying well, someone else in the same gathering who prays better may make up for his deficiency. In this way, those who are strong uphold the weak. Those who are fervent inspire the lukewarm. One who says his Rosary alone only gains the merit of that one Rosary. But if he says it together with others, he gains the merit of each Rosary. This is the law of public prayer." Saint Louis Marie de Montfort Gaining the merits of each Rosary helps me make up for the days I didn't get to saying it! The Rosary is a form of meditation: The benefits of meditation extend to every aspect of our health - physical, mental and emotional. In other words, it's so good for you! Scientific studies have shown that those who meditate decrease stress, improve their immune systems and even achieve better academically. Meditation has even been effective in helping addicts overcome addiction. Meditation also helps those who have been diagnosed with ADHD. It lowers the risk of heart disease and improves blood pressure! There are studies upon studies that show the benefits of meditation. It's a scientific fact -- it's good for you! It's a break from all of life's work: Planning this time on the calendar is important. Since people you love - who are in need of prayers - are often requesting the group meet, the event gets a level of importance and prominence on the calendar. When one of the women in the group calls and says, "I need to pray," you make arrangements to get there - with or without kids. When you plan for a weeknight, and get the opportunity to "get away," it really is a refreshing, re-charging evening. It's an opportunity to reconnect with friends and enjoy adult company. And if there is no one to watch the children - bring them. It's worth it. 📿 Make It a Daily Habit Find Your Perfect Rosary From the Blessed Mother to St. Therese, St. Joseph, and Our Lady of Guadalupe, our rosaries are made to pray for your intentions every day. Shop All Rosaries → Amy Brooks is a happy wife and mom, an adoption and pro-life advocate and writer at prayerwinechocolate.com. Amy finds great comfort, guidance and joy in her faith, friends, family and yes, wine and chocolate!

Throughout the month of May, we will be sharing posts focused on journeying alongside the Blessed Virgin Mary. Share your experiences in the comments or on social media using #praywithmary. Last fall, Olivia of To The Heights presented a series about the Ten Virtues of Mary, where this post originally appeared. One of the reasons I love the WWW so much is because of the potential for community between people who live far and wide. I find this especially true with our community here. I love hearing from you about your struggles, your desires, and your efforts to live a full life. I love it because I’m right there with you, trying to find the beauty among the chaos of each day, seeking the lessons to be learned in our various states in life, and looking to others for guidance and encouragement. You, dear readers and fellow bloggers, make me want to be better. By the witness of your life you call me to be a better Christian, wife, mother, and friend. I am grateful that we are able to learn from one another, to provide fresh perspectives for one another, and to be companions to one another on our journey to the heights. Which is why I was so elated to share a series last fall on the Ten Virtues of Mary. What are the ten virtues of Mary? St. Louis de Montfort, a 17th century French priest, had a passion for Mary, the Mother of God, and how she unceasingly leads us to Jesus. He was certain that loving Mary would lead us to a greater love for Jesus, and that our desire to be close to Him would be ignited by her (You can read more about why Christians love Mary here, but in short, we love her because Jesus did). So de Montfort wrote a preparation for and prayer of consecration to Jesus through Mary, in order to solidify our commitment to Our Lord. In this document, de Montfort highlights what he calls “the ten principal virtues of Mary”. He strongly suggests that we commit these virtues to memory and strive to imitate them in our daily lives. So what are the virtues of Mary? Her Angelic Sweetness, Ardent Charity, Blind Obedience, Constant Mental Prayer, Divine Purity, Divine Wisdom, Heroic Patience, Lively Faith, Profound Humility, and Universal Mortification. Why do these virtues matter? It’s sometimes hard to be a virtuous Christian, especially in today’s world when we are constantly being bombarded with messages that are contrary to the gospel. Life gets messy and work needs to get done and kids need to be fed and marriages need to be nurtured and health needs to be fostered and laundry needs to be folded and and and … the list goes on. There is so much stuff that makes up the structure of our life that sometimes we can grow weary and confused at the foundation. As women especially, we have a desire and a call to imitate Mary. She was the epitome of femininity, and had this whole marriage and motherhood thing down pat, despite the difficulties she encountered. Mary knew how trying womanhood, marriage, and motherhood could be, yet she shone with the love of God and her virtue was undeniable. For me, in the face of life’s ordinary circumstances, I find it inexplicable helpful to have the ten virtues of Mary at hand. They are concrete. They are simple. They are effective. They are easy to pray for. For example, when I’m in the heat of being really annoyed or aggravated, it is simple for me to pray quickly for heroic patience. Then, I call to mind what that virtue entails and it helps me to handle frustrating issues with more grace. I like to think of these virtues as tools in my Christian-life toolbox that I am able to utilize in a pinch. These tools allow me to more closely imitate Mary while catering to my simple mind. Recalling these virtues helps me to be a better Christian, wife, mom, and friend. These virtues remind me of the purpose of community, of being a woman, and of striving to be like Our Lady in the first place. I can honestly tell you that studying and applying the ten virtues of Mary to my daily life has been one of the most spiritually fruitful things I’ve ever done. Ever. Learn more about these virtues and check out the whole series here.

Throughout the month of May, we will be sharing posts focused on journeying alongside the Blessed Virgin Mary. Share your experiences in the comments or on social media using #praywithmary. “Mary had a perfect faith…” we often hear, as Catholics. It can make her seem too perfect, hard to imitate, unapproachable. Maybe that is why many of us, and our non-Catholic family and friends, struggle to connect with Mary and allow her to truly be an example of faith. Fr. Michael Gaitley wrote something in his newest book, 33 Days to Merciful Love, that changes my understanding of “perfect faith.” I just read it a day or two ago, and the idea has been working its way into my mind and heart ever since. He recalls that St. John Paul II referred to Mary as she “advanced in her pilgrimage of faith,” continually seeking understanding and continually saying “yes” to the Lord’s will. What a beautiful and fluid idea this is! Fluid, because a pilgrimage is a journey, a moving experience, with spiritual highs and lows, ebbs and flows. Beautiful because I imagine Mary constantly trusting our Lord, and daily renewing her trust, and daily growing in love and understanding. She pondered things in her heart, probably daily. I imagine things being things she may have prayed: “Lord, what do I do with your Son who is already teaching in the temple, giving me anxiety when I lost him?” “Lord, I believe, help my unbelief.” “Lord, you gave me this child. Help me raise him according to your will.” The pilgrimage of faith is movement. It is growth. It is experiencing, loving, pondering. It is hard. It demands action, requires sacrifice, invokes awe and wonder. A pilgrimage of faith is more than a journey, because it is an immersion of self–body and soul–into the destination. A journey could be just the route from point A to point B. A pilgrimage is so much more, because every step along the way is filled with purpose. Mary’s faith was perfect, yes, but still she asked, "How can this be?," still she frantically sought for her lost son (which I have experienced 3 times, once for each of my mobile sons–I have not lost the baby!), still a sword pierced her heart. Mary’s perfect faith comes in her surrender to the mercy of her Lord, in her trust renewed in the promise every step of the way. This is what I long to imitate: the continual trust and surrender to my Father’s mercy. So my Monday didn’t go as planned, and my youngest boys keep me up past midnight each night, leaving me exhausted in the morning, but I renew my trust and surrender to the promise of mercy as I wake. For it is mercy which fuels me (by the grace of God I am not a zombie), it is mercy which motivates me (these crabby kids need breakfast, a smile, and a hug to help them greet the day), it is mercy from the Father which is my goal. His mercy is what saves me from myself and sinfulness. So I renew my trust and faith in his promise, and do my best to live as a woman being showered in my Lord’s mercy. Some days I bask in the perfect joy of all the things working smoothly…most days I thank heaven for the small things and in the same breath beg for the strength to do what I must for my family, even when I am at my wits’ end. [bctt tweet="This is what I long to imitate: the continual trust + surrender to my Father’s mercy."] And thank goodness for Mary’s example, her daily walk (literally) with our Lord. Without her example, without her watching over me along this pilgrimage, I’d be a bit (a lot) more crazed. Instead, I find hope in following her on my own pilgrimage of faith. More on Mary, and ways to let her lead us to Christ: True Devotion and Consecration to Mary Mary, Mother of God The Rosary Redemptoris Mater (On the Blessed Virgin Mary in the life of the Pilgrim Church) photo credit This post was originally published on Someday Saints.

Let’s get to know each other a bit more, as sisters in Christ. Feel free to share your answers to these questions in on our Instagram post and/or your own Instagram post, tagging #BISsisterhood. Laurel Muff is a California girl who loves to travel, create, dance and sing (but not necessarily in that order). She is married to her best friend and they have two beautiful girls together. You can find more about her at her family blog ‘Muff’in Dome for the latest happenings at home. Are you a convert to Catholicism? How did that happen? Technically, yes? I was baptized Protestant but "converted" in 2nd grade when my mom did. What is your favorite religious text or book? I love the works of St. Josemaria Escriva. Most of his writing is in short sentences/paragraphs that you can read in a minute or less, and they always hit right to the heart. Do you have a special Saint that you feel a strong connection to? How so? St. Josemaria Escriva and St. Therese of Lisieux. Both of these heavenly friends have been very powerful intercessors for me over the years. St. Josemaria, especially in finding a spouse -- my husband also had a devotion to him before we met and it was a photo of St. Josemaria on my bookshelf that sparked a conversation between the two of us that lasted for hours and piqued my interest in the man who God had set apart for me. St. Therese has always inspired me with her Little Way, finding joy in the ordinary moments of life and striving for sainthood in the tiny annoyances. Which virtue do you find yourself working on the most throughout your day? Patience. I struggle with being interrupted when I'm working on something, and with two toddlers that is inevitable. What part of your walk with Christ is the biggest struggle? It changes with every season of life, but, currently, it is making time for personal prayer, a chance to really have a heart-to-heart talk with Him. What keeps you Catholic? The Eucharist. Do you have a motto / quote / saying you live by? "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not rely on your own power. In all you ways, acknowledge Him and He will make clear your paths." Romans 3: 5-6 What do you find yourself continually praying for? To do God's will. Sometimes His path is so difficult to see; other times, so hard to follow. I am constantly praying for guidance and perseverance in walking the path He has chosen for me. Your turn! Answer this on Instagram or in the comments: