Something I left with after attending Franciscan University of Steubenville was a great love for community and the understanding of its importance. I experienced profound healing, joy, and mirth from the people that I met there. I grew and flourished as a woman during my time at the University both through the classes I took and because of the Christ-centered friendships I made there. I clearly saw that people are the heart of life and the body of Christ here on earth. The Kingdom of God Present on Earth It was easy for me (even as an introvert!) to make friends at Franciscan University. There were so many opportunities to encounter beautiful people: at daily Mass that was offered three times daily, through ministries, intramural sports, and in the dormitories. Christ remained at the center of our friendships and I felt on fire with His life and love because of it. I saw that through people filled with the Holy Spirit, the Kingdom of God is made present on earth. A Time of Loneliness After graduating with a degree in History and Theology, I decided to become a nurse. I had wanted to become one since being a young girl and witnessing my brother suffer through cancer. I applied to nursing schools in my home state of New York and ultimately decided to go to a college in Buffalo, New York. The first thing I did when I unpacked and settled into my new dorm room was Google “young adult groups in the area.” Nothing came up. After Mass I asked a priest if there were any groups or gatherings for people my age. He said he didn’t know of any. The school I went to was Catholic in name but felt very secular. I began to feel lonely and I felt my faith life suffer from lack of a community on fire with the Faith. Where Two or Three Are Gathered I was thrilled when my friend Jessica—my closest friend from Franciscan University—told me she was returning to her hometown of Buffalo to settle there with her husband. When she arrived, we went out to breakfast and I shared something that had been on my heart for the past year of nursing school. Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati Since I was young, I have had a strong devotion to Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati. I first learned about him when I was twelve and my mom handed me his prayer card, asking me to pray for my brothers through his intercession. I’m not going to lie, after seeing his handsome, Italian face, my first thought was, “Thank God I’m Catholic!” This man in Heaven changed my life. I began researching him and reading more about his story. He loved the poor and would go after school to help them in the Italian slums. He was adventurous, he loved horseback riding, hiking, and mountain climbing. Yet he showed Christ’s love even within his adventures. He would invite his friends to pray the Rosary on hikes, and even though he was the strongest, he’d walk with the slowest one in the group. His friends would say of him that, “Our parents can’t get us to go to Mass, our teachers couldn’t either, but Pier Giorgio could.” When I Googled him I saw that there were young adult groups throughout the United States in his honor. I told Jessica that I wanted to create one of those groups in Buffalo. She loved the idea and we spent the rest of the morning planning and organizing. The First Meeting Jessica knew some people were interested in attending, and I invited my friend Lauren from nursing school. Our first Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati meeting was a group of eight, meeting in a local Irish Pub on February 12, 2012. Our “homework” for the next meeting was for each of us to invite and bring at least one person to the next meeting. At our following meeting, a week later, we had sixteen people. Frassati WNY Frassati Western New York is still flourishing. Members continue to meet on a weekly basis and have been since 2012. It’s where I discovered some of my dearest friends and where I met my husband Mike. It’s the place where I have grown in my faith through community and friendship. Do Not Be Afraid If you are feeling lonely, isolated, and in need of a faith community, don’t be afraid to start making the changes yourself and create a young adult or women’s group. People will come! I promise! Every single person here on earth desires community and deeply desires the true, good, and beautiful. Don’t be afraid to cast your nets into the deep for a beautiful catch! Tips For Creating A Young Adult Group Consistency is key! Meeting once a week, though difficult, has been a blessing and reason why we grew! People knew they could count on a meeting every week and we were able to build strong friendships and trust by meeting weekly. Have a leader and core team, with each person having designated tasks. Meet with your core team monthly. Address any problems that arise with charity and patience. Advertise! I made Frassati business cards and would leave them in the back of churches and hand them out to people who I met! Create (and follow!) a mission statement. Here is ours: “Frassati Western New York is a place for Catholic young adults (18-35) from any parish in the Buffalo Diocese to form friendships founded in Christ, grow in their faith and enrich their lives through adventure, prayer, and acts of charity.” In addition to our weekly meetings, we would plan adventures (like a hike) and acts of charity (like volunteering at a soup kitchen), usually on Saturdays. Have a clear start and end time of meetings. Respecting people’s time is essential. Have a plan for meetings. We would open with a prayer asking Blessed Pier Giorgio’s intercession, read the upcoming Sunday’s Gospel, discuss the Gospel, have a speaker give a talk, and end with sharing prayer intentions followed by the Divine Mercy Chaplet. Start an e-mail list and Facebook group to reach members and advertise the upcoming meeting. Have a spiritual mentor, a priest, religious sister, or someone strong and knowledgeable in their faith who would like to attend and participate in the meetings. Reach out to new members who come to the group. Sit next to someone new each meeting. These ten tips from Jessica are great, too, for starting a young adult group specifically through your parish! Keep your prayer life strong and Christ at the center! You Can Do It! Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions if you are interested in starting a young adult group in your area. Do you attend a young adult or women’s group? Do you feel like you have a strong community of faith that you are a part of? Or is this something that is lacking in your life? Please comment below! [bctt tweet="How to Start a Young Adult Group #BISblog //" username="findphilothea"]

A faithful friend is a sturdy shelter: he that has found one has found a treasure. There is nothing so precious as a faithful friend. -Sirach 6:14-15   Where Two Or Three Are Gathered Friendship is at the heart of Christianity. God has clearly revealed the dignity and beauty found within holy friendships. We see this from the beginning of the Old Testament with God’s intimate friendship with Adam and Eve, right to the end of the Gospels as Jesus speaks the powerful words, “Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” From David and Jonathan to Paul and Barnabas, the Word of the Lord proclaims that truly, “two are better than one.” (Ecc 4:9) Being A Faithful Friend We are called to love our neighbor, and yes we can do this from afar through the power of prayer (as Saints like Therese teach us!), but there is also something so beautiful about being physically present with someone. When Christ and His Kingdom are the goal, holy friendships always bear good fruit—joy, love, and peace. Let us make it our goal to seek out friendships founded in Christ, and in turn, be a faithful friend. Ladies’ Night One way to cultivate friendships is spending time together for a ladies’ night. Whether you host a night in or plan a night out, taking the time to make those around you feel loved is one of the greatest gifts. Here are some tips and ideas for a fun night! Tips For Ladies’ Night Invite someone new! It’s wonderful to spend time with the friends we know, love, and are comfortable with, but if you feel a tug on your heart to invite someone new, do it! Often, and in my own experience, it always means so much to be invited to events or get-togethers! Don’t gossip. If someone who isn’t present is being talked about, always compliment that person and don’t speak negatively about him or her. This changes the entire mood and atmosphere of your night. Say a prayer to the Holy Spirit before your night. Ask Him to fill your heart with His love, for you to speak the words that you are meant to, and to bless your friendships. Send out invites! Though sending a quick group text is definitely more efficient, receiving an invitation, via e-mail or snail mail, can be very meaningful to the recipient. Invitations allow us to show some of our creativity, especially if they are handmade, and spread some beauty and kindness! If you are hosting a night in, ask each person to bring their favorite drink, dish, or dessert! This takes some stress off of you, and allows you to focus on the other details of hosting. Ideas For A Fun Night In Watch a movie on a projector. If you don’t have a projector screen, hang a sheet or play the movie on an open wall space. You could even decorate the room in an Old-Hollywood style and print out and hang pictures of classic Hollywood stars. Make popcorn, cover the floor in throw pillows and blankets, and enjoy the show! Do a DIY Spa Night. Invite everyone to come over make-up free and in pajamas, ready to relax! Set up a table with all the ingredients needed to make your own face, lip scrubs, and masks. Have little jars available so that your friends can take any extra home. Paint With a Pro Night. Have everyone bring a blank canvas, brushes, and paint. Set the table with snacks, drinks, and even a homemade place card to make it special. Turn on a Bob Ross episode on YouTube and start painting! Have a clothes exchange. Have everyone go through their closets and bring some clothes, shoes, and accessories to exchange. Donate all the leftover clothes the next day! Creative Ideas For A Ladies’ Night Out Attend a cooking class. The first time I went to a cooking class was with my husband, Mike. We had the best time! I would love to get a group of friends together and attend one. It’s so fun to learn new techniques and then enjoy a meal together at the end of the class! Volunteer together. Call a local food pantry or religious order, like the Missionaries of Charity, and ask if you could help serve dinner to the homeless and impoverished. I’ve done this with friends before and it is the deepest joy that we have experienced together! Have a wine, cheese, and chocolate picnic. Research and find a beautiful local park, send your friends the location, and surprise them with a picnic. Set up a blanket, some outdoor pillows, and place the cheese and chocolate on boards. Have an outdoor Mass. Ask a priest if he would be available to say an outdoor Mass for your group. This is so beautiful, especially if you time it to happen during sunset! What are your favorite ways to spend time with your friends? Do you prefer a night in or an evening out? Comment below with some Ladies’ Night ideas! [bctt tweet="Ladies' Night Tips + Ideas #BISblog //" username="findphilothea"] This post contains affiliate links. Thank you so much for supporting the ministry of Blessed is She!

A Rule of Life is a traditional Christian tool for ordering one’s vocation. Found most often in religious community life, a Rule can also be used by laypeople – whose state in life is no less a calling from God. It consists primarily in the examination of one’s vocation and the duties it entails, and the development of a schedule for fulfilling these responsibilities in a consistent and orderly way. A Rule is an organization of everything that has to do with your vocation, based on a hierarchy of the priorities that define the vocation and done with the intent to please God. -Holly Pierlot, A Mother’s Rule of Life   The Freedom of A Rule of Life Since my childhood, I have flourished when I am faithful to a routine. A routine gives life and meaning to our everyday tasks, while keeping us faithful to the goals we set. Routines, daily rhythms, or a Rule of Life creates structure and space for our duties and tasks and at the same time allows room for the freedom to create, be spontaneous and flexible, flourish, and thrive. Needing Guidance and Help I remember Googling “daily routine with a newborn” when my son Peter was born. I felt frustrated when I couldn’t find something that fit my life. I knew in my heart that I had duties—to God, to myself, to Mike, and to Pete— that could not be ignored. Yet I felt like I was neglecting to spend time with God, and neglecting proper care and time for myself. I often felt guilty, tired, and not enough. Shortly after this time the book, A Mother’s Rule of Life was introduced to me. This book completely transformed our family’s life. A Rule of Life In A Mother’s Rule of Life, the author was overwhelmed with the state her family was in and the volume of her daily tasks. After reflecting on Saint Mother Teresa’s Rule for her order, the Missionaries of Charity, the author decided to create her own rule of life for her family. She reflected upon the duties of her vocation and decided to create a routine for her family based on the “Five P’s”: prayer (God) person (herself) partner (spouse) parent provider Very quickly, she and her family flourished. There were times designated for every aspect of her life. Instead of being overwhelmed, peace abounded. A Rule of Life For Every Vocation No matter what vocation you are living, a daily routine, a rhythm for your day, is essential. Creating a rule of life brings order, which in turn brings freedom, peace, and balance. Instead of thinking about your to-do lists or being thrown into your day with no roadmap, you know each task has a designated time and you are able to live fully and freely in the present moment. The spiritual benefits are incredible. By following your rule of life, you are doing what you ought, that is, you are striving towards fulfilling your duties towards God, yourself, and others.     A Summer Rule of Life Our routine and rhythms often change. They can evolve as we grow into a new vocation, start a new job, or experience something new. They may need to be tweaked and changed each season, or even each month. A rule of life should be freeing, not enslaving. It is different for each person based on their state of life, vocation, needs, goals, habits, and desires. The start of a new season is the perfect time to create a rule of life if you don’t have one, or to reflect and make changes to your rule if you do have one established. Summer often brings with it the end of a semester or the start of a new vocation or job. Or, it could be a time of rest and rejuvenation. Focus on what God is calling you to do and pray about who He is asking you to become this summer. What changes do you want to make in your life? Set goals for the summer, prioritize those goals, and begin to schedule your day around accomplishing them. A Few Tips Here are a few tips I have found helpful in creating my summer rule of life. Reflect on your vocation. “A Rule is an organization of everything that has to do with your vocation, based on a hierarchy of the priorities that define the vocation and done with the intent to please God.” A rule of life is not just a schedule, it is a response to God. It is a means of sanctification. Define your vocation, write down your duties, and set time aside for each of your daily tasks. Put your rule up in your house where you will see it. Have an extra copy on hand and utilize and reference it when you plan your week’s schedule. Be flexible and leave room for spontaneity. I have changed and tweaked (and will continue to!) my routine several times and will continue to. My son will be three years old this May, and each month brings with it different developmental changes and needs. If something is not working in your routine, change it! The best thing to do is begin and try, and make changes as you go. Ask God to send you a Saint to help you accomplish your daily duties and tasks. Pray to your guardian angel. Say a little prayer before starting your tasks, offering all you do to Mother Mary, asking her to purify your work and rest. Create a binder for your summer. Place a copy of your rule in it, any goals you would like to accomplish, summer activities, prayer and study projects, faith life for you and your children, virtues you are working on, contact information of spiritual directors, Mass times, Confession times, any liturgical traditions or practices you wish to incorporate into your life, household chores, pantry checklists, seasonal chores, clothing needs, birthday gifts, and hobby ideas. Know that your rhythm, routine, or Rule, is different than your neighbor’s. It is easy to compare our lives to the lives of others, yet we all have unique gifts, situations, and needs. A rule of life helps me realize my distinctive gifts and needs and at the same time encourages me to grow and cultivate who I am as a person. Our Summer Rule of Life Rhythm I’ve included our weekly rhythm as a guide. I pray that it helps you to establish your own rule of life. This weekly routine isn’t our entire rule, but it is a good place to start. If you have any suggestions, please let us know in the comments below! We are always looking for ways to improve our rule! Weekday Rhythm Monday – Friday 6 AM: rise | morning offering | workout | load of laundry | shower | get ready 8 AM: breakfast | clean kitchen | get Peter ready for day | make beds | prepare lunch 9 AM: morning prayers with Peter | free play | dinner meal prep Monday: Our Father | crafts: coloring, drawing, cutting Tuesday: Hail Mary | building: trains, legos, workbench, magnatiles Wednesday: Glory Be | outing Thursday: Bible Verse | alphabet: flashcards, letters, words, writing letters Friday: Memorare | numbers, animals, and Montessori activity 11 AM: lunch | cleanup | forward laundry 12 PM: Mass | if staying in, Rosary 1 PM: Peter’s nap | quiet time | work on business and blog 3 PM: snack | Divine Mercy Chaplet | play outside (weather permitting) | read aloud | one chore Monday: vacuum Tuesday: launder bathroom rugs Wednesday: dust downstairs, clean windows, clean cupboards Thursday: launder bedding Friday: take stock of pantry, food, cleaning products, diapers, wipes, and toiletries 5 PM: meal prep | dinner | make Mike’s lunch | clean kitchen | fold laundry 7 PM: family play | give Mike personal time 8 PM: Peter snack, bath, night routine, prayers, bed | clean Peter’s playroom | put items in living and sitting room in rightful place | put away laundry 9 PM: spend time together 10 PM: night prayer | bed Weekend Rhythm Saturday 7 AM: rise | morning offering | breakfast | clean kitchen | put in load of laundry 8 AM: shower | all get ready for day 10 AM: grocery shop | put away food | cut up/chop carrots, onions, garlic, celery for week’s meals 12 PM: lunch | clean kitchen | forward load of laundry 1 PM: Peter’s nap | quiet time | rest 3 PM: snack | Divine Mercy Chaplet | fold and put away laundry | vacuum upstairs | clean upstairs bathroom 5 PM: meal prep | dinner | clean kitchen 7 PM: family time 8 PM: Peter snack, bath, night routine, prayers, bed | clean Peter’s playroom | put items in living and sitting room in rightful place 9 PM: spend time together 10 PM: night prayer | bed Sunday 7 AM: rise | morning offering | breakfast | clean kitchen 8 AM: shower | all get ready for day | prepare Peter’s diaper bag | prepare tithing 10 AM: Mass 12 PM: lunch | clean kitchen 1 PM: Peter naps | quiet time | rest 3 PM: snack | Divine Mercy Chaplet | paragraph from Catechism | review upcoming week | write in planner 5 PM: meal prep | dinner | make Mike’s lunch | clean kitchen 8 PM: Peter snack, bath, night routine, prayers, bed | clean Peter’s playroom| put items in living and sitting room in rightful place 9 PM: spend time together 10 PM: night prayer | bed Do you have a rule of life for your family? How does it change during the summer? [bctt tweet="Creating a Rule of Life for the Summer #BISblog //" username="findphilothea"] This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase by clicking through one of these links, Blessed is She will receive a small percentage of your purchase at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting this ministry by using our affiliate links! LITURGICAL PLANNERS Our Liturgical Planners are based on the Litany of Humility. Enter into prayer every day alongside this beautiful Litany. Order your days in His peace. GET YOUR PLANNER

One of the gifts of Catholicism, because of the primacy of the Incarnation, is the importance of the human person. Our Faith acknowledges that we are not just spiritual beings. We have a body, mind, and soul. Each aspect of our being needs to be tended to and cared for. A way to tend to the garden of both our bodies and souls is through reflecting on the beauty of holy artwork. Statues and artwork depicting God, biblical scenes, and lives of the Saints are hallmarks of our Faith. It is meant to lift our senses, our thoughts, and desires to all that is good, true, and beautiful. Good Friday in Art May these images of Christ in His Passion and Death lead you closer to His Merciful Heart this Good Friday. The Agony In The Garden Artist: Giovanni Bellini Location of Artwork: The National Gallery, London Let Us Pray Lord, awaken my soul! Breathe life into me and let me always be fully alive in Your presence. I know I often fail You in the slumber of sin, yet Your mercy and love is unfailing and unchanging. Let my heart be a garden of love for You, a place where You may always rest. “Lord, You may sleep in my boat, I will not wake you.” (Saint Therese of Lisieux, Poem 17) The Taking of Christ Artist: Michelangelo Merisi Caravaggio Location of Artwork: National Gallery of Ireland, Dublin Let Us Pray My Lord, may my heart always be faithful to You. For the times I have betrayed You, have mercy on me. For the times I have betrayed Your little ones, have mercy on me. For the times I have betrayed Your Bride, the Church, have mercy on me. For the times I have betrayed my family, have mercy on me. For the times I have betrayed my friends, have mercy on me. For the times I have betrayed those in need, have mercy on me. Jesus I love you, Jesus I trust in Your Merciful Love. “God is greater than our hearts.” (1 John 3:20) Christ Taken Before Caiaphas Artist: Rembrandt van Rijn Location of Artwork: The Cleveland Museum of Art Let Us Pray When we see someone alone or in need, let us remember that when we serve them through our presence and love, we are serving You. “All the Gospels are an exhortation to believe. Jesus’ great question throughout the Gospels is: Do you all believe? Do you individually believe? The Church steps forward and declares to the whole world: ‘I believe!’ And would God not love the Church after that?” (Father Raniero Cantalamessa, O.F.M. Cap.) Peter’s Denial Artist: Carl Bloch Location of Artwork: The Museum of National History, Frederiksborg Let Us Pray When haunted by regret and shame of past sins, deliver us Jesus. Let us begin anew in Your mercy. Let us always live in the present moment, where grace is found. “He said to him the third time, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love me?’ Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ And he said to him, ‘Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.” (John 21:17) Ecce Homo Artist: Antonio Ciseri Location of Artwork: Gallery of Modern Art, Florence Let Us Pray Jesus, You are with me when I am deeply humiliated and You are with me even in the small embarrassments of life. May I always remember this moment of Your Passion when I feel humiliated or embarrassed. May Your silence, Your humility, Your patience, and Your sacrificial love be my strength. “The person who remains silent under criticism gains a great freedom from concern and worry about other people’s opinions. No longer living as a slave to others’ minds, such a person more easily soars into the divine mind.” (Father Thomas Dubay, S.M.) The Mocking of Christ Artist: Fra Angelico Location of Artwork: Wall of Cell 7, Convento di San Marco, Florence Let Us Pray In remembrance and honor of Your scourging, keep my body and actions pure, O Lord. In remembrance and honor of Your crowning with thorns, keep my mind and thoughts, pure O Lord. In remembrance and honor of Your mocking, keep my tongue and words pure, O Lord. “If you are experiencing trials or are sad, behold Him bound to the column, filled with pain, with all His flesh torn in pieces for the great love He bears you; so much suffering, persecuted by some, spit on by others, denied by His friends, abandoned by them, with no one to defend Him, frozen from the cold, left so alone that you can console each other. Let us walk together, Lord. Wherever You go, I will go; whatever You suffer, I will suffer.” (Saint Teresa of Avila)   Christ Carrying the Cross Artist: El Greco Location of Artwork: The Met, 5th Avenue, Gallery 958 Let Us Pray Just as Saint Simon of Cyrene helped You carry Your Cross, may I help others carry theirs. “The everlasting God has in his wisdom foreseen from eternity the cross that He now presents to you as a gift from His inmost Heart. This cross He now sends you He has considered with His all-knowing eyes, understood with His divine mind, tested with His wise justice, warmed with loving arms and weighed with His own hands to see that it be not one inch too large and not one ounce too heavy for you. He has blessed it with His Holy Name, anointed it with His consolation, taken one last glance at you and your courage, and then sent it to you from heaven, a special greeting from God to you, an alms of the All-Merciful Love of God.” (Saint Francis de Sales)   Christ of Saint John of the Cross (The Crucifixion) Artist: Salvador Dali Location of Artwork: Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, Glasgow Let Us Pray Jesus, I love You. May I always have the courage to stand at the foot of Your Cross, and not run and hide in fear and shame. You are my rock, my fortress, and my heart’s desire. “And even if the sins of soul are as dark as night, when the sinner turns to My mercy he gives Me the greatest praise and is the glory of My Passion.” (Saint Faustina, Divine Mercy in my Soul, 378)   The Pieta Artist: William Adolphe Bouguereau Let Us Pray Mother Mary, hold us close as you held your Son. May we always take you into the home of our hearts, just as Jesus asked of His disciple when He spoke His final words on the Cross. Mother Mary, thank you for saying “yes.” Teach me to say “yes” to God’s will for my life. “In the Passion, Mary was united to the redemptive love of Christ. That love, like all forms of authentic love, bore fruit. It was, and remains, generative. And so Mary’s participation in the Passion could be likened to the pains of childbirth. To become the spiritual mother of all Christians she labored and suffered tremendously in spirit. And truly, her sufferings were not in vain. Mary, Our Mother and Our Lady of Sorrows, pray for us who have recourse to thee.” (Brother Hyacinth Grubb)   [bctt tweet="Good Friday in Art #BISblog //" username="findphilothea"]

Spring and summer are two of my favorite seasons because of the new life, hope, and warmth that come with it! I also love having beach days and time by the pool. My son and I are going on a little beach trip in early spring, and I have been looking for bathing suits to wear during our time in the sand and by the water. Over the past few years, through nursing school, wedding planning, pregnancy, postpartum, and a recent diagnosis of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, my body has changed quite a bit. I want a swimsuit that I feel comfortable and confident in, and one that upholds my dignity as a woman through it’s modest and beautiful features. I want to wear a suit that pays tribute to all that my body has gone through. Not one that puts my body on display or draws attention to certain parts that our culture says are the most attractive. The Beauty Found Within Modesty Modesty is a virtue that I have struggled with for the majority of my life. I still struggle with it! I’ve always loved fashion, and our culture is not one that encourages the beauty of modesty. I have allowed myself to get lured into purchasing and wearing immodest clothing. I have also worn certain pieces of clothing out of vanity. Modesty, like most of the virtues, doesn’t come easily for me and is something that I must constantly strive for. Through prayer and a desire for true, authentic beauty, my love and desire for modesty has grown. There is such freedom and joy found within modesty! Modesty also goes beyond fashion and trends. The word "modesty" comes from the Latin word modestia, meaning, “moderation, sense of honor, and correctness of conduct.” Modesty is upholding the honor, privilege, and dignity of our bodies and souls through our thoughts and actions. It is remembering that we are made in the image and likeness of our Creator. It is expressed through gentleness, humility, and truth. Modesty is often attacked by pride, vanity, and disordered affections. Questions to Consider Modesty and purity of heart are two things that I pray for. In addition to asking these five questions before I make a clothing purchase, I also ask myself the following: Would I be comfortable wearing this in front of Mother Mary and Jesus? What is at the root of wearing this particular outfit/style? Is it vanity? Pride? Disordered self-love? Or is to gently reveal God’s beauty, order, and glory? A Swimsuit for Every Body Finding swimsuit styles that are modest and beautiful can be a daunting task, let alone searching for brands that offer inclusive sizes. Yet, in my hunt for the perfect swimsuit, I found stunning, high quality pieces that showcase our dignity and femininity and offer an array of prints, sizes, and fits. Albion Fit offers sizes XXS-XXL, along with long torso, maternity, and petite swimsuits. Hackwith Design House produces plus sizes and Summersalt sells sizes 2-14. Jessica Rey, a company that just launched their Spring/Summer 2019 Swim Line, creates one piece swimsuits, swim dresses, swim skirts, and swim shorts. Be A Heart designed a gorgeous one piece Marian print swimsuit and is offering all Blessed is She readers 20% off any swimsuit with code "BIS"! The Hermoza is a new brand that just launched a stunning line of swim and resort wear. Their suits, along with their sarongs and accessories, are both elegant and effortless. Ethically Made Swimsuits It’s exciting to see companies offer modest clothing options as well as inclusive sizing. With a greater awareness for the dignity of the human person on the forefront of many people’s hearts, more businesses are also striving for their clothes to be made ethically out of sustainable fabrics. All of the bathing suits in this post are ethically made. You can read why purchasing ethically is important here, here, and here. I have a deep hope that companies will begin to see the necessity of treating their workers with the dignity that they deserve. Through our actions as consumers, we will push companies to provide all workers with safe working conditions and fair living wages. We will begin to see changes when we support small businesses and ask clothing companies questions like, “Who made my clothes and in what conditions?” We will make a difference when we write letters to retailers requesting transparency in their supply chain and how their workers are treated. It is up to us to help our brothers and sisters in need! You are Beautiful Sisters, you are beautiful. Your bodies are beautiful. We are the “crown of creation” (Genesis 2:22). Modesty is a virtue that brings freedom, beauty, and joy because in modesty, we are mirroring our Creator and His deep love for us. We are expressing to the world what a privilege it is to be a woman. Gracie One Piece by Beth Richards Agnes Lucille Bathing Suit by Be A Heart (Use code "BIS" for 20% off!) Sash One Piece by Hackwith Design House The Bronte Off Shoulder One Piece by Albion Fit Marie in Botanical by Jessica Rey Outfit Onepiece by MYMARINI Have you found a swimsuit for this season that you love? Tell us about it in the comments below! [bctt tweet="Beautiful + Modest Swimsuits for Every Body Type #BISblog //" username="findphilothea"]

How I wish that all of us would hear God’s cry: ‘Where is your brother?’ (Gen. 4:9). Where is your brother or sister who is enslaved? Where is the brother and sister whom you are killing each day in clandestine warehouses, in rings of prostitution, in children used for begging, in exploiting undocumented labor? Let us not look the other way. -Pope Francis, Evangelli Gaudium A Global Problem Human slavery and trafficking is a global problem that demands our attention and our action. In 2016, the Global Slavery Index estimated that 45.8 million people were subjected to some form of modern slavery, and that number is rising each day. There are more than 5.5 million children trafficked worldwide. The U.S. Department of State shared that many of these persons are trafficked into the international sex trade, often by force, fraud, or coercion. Yet this crime also includes forced labor and involves significant violations of labor and human rights worldwide. Human slavery and trafficking is a $150 billion industry and the world’s third most profitable organized crime, following the drugs and weapons trade. It is the fastest growing criminal enterprise and makes more money than Google, Starbucks, Nike, and the NFL combined. Human slavery and trafficking has been reported on all continents and in all fifty of the United States. As Catholic women, it is time we give this matter our intentional and meaningful action so that we can put an end to it. Tangible Ways to Help Stop Human Trafficking Educate Ourselves and Others About Human Slavery and Trafficking The more we learn about this issue, the more we are able to understand what needs to change and what we can do to stop it. Here are some helpful websites: Fair Trade Winds Catholic Relief Services United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Toolkit Global Slavery Index Slavery Footprint Take Action My heart is deeply wounded and moved after researching human slavery and trafficking. Don’t wait to take action. Today, right now at this moment, is the perfect opportunity for us to assist our brothers and sisters in need. Even the smallest act helps, like making a purchase from a fair trade shop. Consider writing a letter to the editor, or contacting local, state, and federal lawmakers. I researched different businesses, companies, and institutions that have heroically committed themselves to helping the most vulnerable. Here are some ideas on how you can get involved: Host an anti-trafficking sale by selling fair trade products. Fair Trade Winds has some wonderful resources to help you get started! Purchase a “Turn On The Light” candle from Catholic Relief Services (CRS). CRS is working to eradicate human trafficking with 145 projects worldwide. With every purchase of this candle a donation is made to support CRS anti-trafficking programs. Urge Congress to combat human trafficking. Make a donation to the Catholic Fund Against Human Trafficking. Volunteer to rescue children from sex trafficking with Operation Underground Railroad. Read these fifteen ways you can help fight human trafficking by the U.S. Department of State. Pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet. Let Us Pray For Victims Each Day O Lord, you said you came: “to set the captives free.” In our world young men and women who are trafficked are modern day slaves. Help these young people not to lose hope. Give the grace for elected officials to grow in awareness of and to take active steps to eradicate this horror. Teach them not to prosecute the victims of trafficking but to bring to justice those who perpetrate this crime. May many join the efforts to stop trafficking and help the victims begin anew, filled with hope. We ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen. -Prayer composed by Sr. Veronica Piccone, MSC How will you pray for and act on behalf of those who are suffering from human slavery and trafficking today? [bctt tweet="Tangible Ways to Stop Human Trafficking #BISblog //" username="findphilothea"]

Happy Feast Day of St. Francis de Sales! For the past two years, I have called upon St. Francis de Sales’ intercession often. St. Francis de Sales is responsible for my blog’s namesake, Finding Philothea. When my husband and I started our blog two years ago, we had the idea of writing and sharing love letters to each other, something that has always been a key part of our relationship. We thought about famous love letters, and the many letters of Saint Francis de Sales came to mind! He would address his letters to Philothea, or, “the one who loves God,” as a general address to all of the faithful. We decided to take Saint Francis de Sales as our patron and name our blog Finding Philothea as inspiration to always find the “one who loves God” in one another and others, challenging each other to grow. The Saints are in the Details God sends us Saints to accompany us on our journey of faith here on earth and to help us reach our heavenly home. The Saints are yearning to be part of the little details of our daily life. Whether that is creating a blog, doing the dishes, driving to work, studying for an exam, or visiting a friend in need–our Church teaches us that we are not alone. We are able to call upon the hosts of Heaven to be spiritually present with us. While Saint Francis de Sales was alive here on earth, his passion was to help ordinary men and woman reach heaven and the heights of holiness through their everyday tasks. That is what he continues to do as a Saint in Heaven. He is interceding for us as we strive for the Kingdom of God each day. The “Gentleman Saint” Francis de Sales is known as “the Gentleman Saint” due to his patience and gentleness. He truly heeded Jesus’ call in the Gospel to live life fully and abundantly (John 10:10) through incorporating prayer into his daily life. He loved horseback riding, dancing, and fencing. After receiving his doctorate in law and theology, Francis became the Bishop of Geneva in 1602. Francis was filled with love for God and for the men, women, and children he was surrounded by. He devoted his time to spiritual direction of lay people, which was extremely unusual for the time. His way of teaching Catholic spirituality is known as the “Way of Divine Love,” or the “Devout Life.” This is reflected in the title of one of his most famous works, Philothea, or An Introduction to the Devout Life. Francis’ love for God and others was so deep that he once developed a sign language in order to teach a deaf man about God! Because of this, he is known as the patron saint of the deaf. St. Francis is also the patron saint of writers and journalists. 3 Ways To Celebrate the Feast of St. Francis de Sales Here are three simple ways to celebrate the Feast Day of St. Francis de Sales. 1. Read an excerpt from An Introduction to the Devout Life. I remember hearing a story about another great Francis in heaven, St. Francis of Assisi. He and his brothers would often say a prayer to the Holy Spirit and then open the Bible, trusting that God would reveal to them in that moment exactly what they needed to read. For the past few weeks, I have been doing this with the Diary of Saint Faustina. I place myself in the presence of God by invoking the Holy Spirit, asking Him to show me what my heart needs. I then open Faustina’s Diary and read a paragraph or two, spending a few minutes afterwards reflecting and praying with the words that I read. This is a beautifully simple way to honor St. Francis de Sales today on his Feast. Say a prayer, ask his intercession, and open his book, reading a paragraph or two. If you don’t have a copy you can research some of his famous quotes and spend a few minutes reflecting on his words. 2. Write a letter. St. Francis de Sales counseled and directed many men and women through his correspondence with them. His letters are full of love, gentle instruction, and God’s tender mercy. Francis would even write out copies of his sermons, slipping them under people’s doors. The beauty of his written word converted thousands, (some say up to 72,000 in the Swiss countryside alone!). Francis teaches us that written words—especially words that proclaim the beauty, truth, and goodness of God—hold power and are meant to be shared! A way we can celebrate his Feast is to write a letter to someone. It is such a joy to receive a letter in the mail! It feels like a special treat during this time of e-mails and texting. When we write a letter, we take the time to physically share our hearts with another person. It is a slow process, one that gives us time to reflect and think of the person whom we are sharing our heart with, pondering their dignity and beauty. Letters are Worth a Thousand Words When my husband and I began dating five years ago, he started writing me letters. At the end of every month he would hand me an envelope with all the letters he wrote to me that month. He did that for the entirety of our dating and engagement period. On our wedding day, he handed me a journal of love letters he had been writing. I treasure those letters, the words that helped reveal my husband’s heart to me. You don’t have to write a love letter today (although you can!). But consider taking time to think of someone in your life who needs the message of God’s joy. Even if it is a small note, share your heart with someone, spreading your unique light and love! 3. Ponder the Immaculate Heart of Mary. St. Francis de Sales had a great devotion to the Mother of God’s heart. He wrote to many men and women about the importance of pondering the life of Mary, who is our model for loving God. St. Francis’ writings about Mary and her love of God influenced another Saint, St. John Eudes, to develop his famous devotion to the Hearts of Jesus and Mary. I love this story! Saints influencing other Saints! It teaches us never to be afraid to speak about our personal love for God, Mary, the Angels, and the Saints! We never know the deep impact that our words may have. Because St. Francis de Sales shared his love for Mary, he influenced another Saint to love Mary too, who in turn has affected thousands of men and women over the centuries. Ponder Mary’s heart today. Pray a Hail Mary in the silence of your heart, recite the Rosary with a friend, or look at your favorite image of Our Lady for a few minutes. Don’t be afraid to share your love of Mary with others! Happy Feast Day! Happy Feast of St. Francis de Sales! May this Gentleman Saint lead and guide you towards Heaven. May we always follow his example of sharing our love of God with others and entrusting our hearts to Him through Our Lady. Do you have a devotion to St. Francis de Sales? What do you love most about him? [bctt tweet="3 Simple Ways to Celebrate the Feast of St. Francis de Sales #BISblog //" username="findphilothea"]

Week Two // Veni Creator Spiritus Come, Holy Spirit, Creator blest, and in our souls take up Thy rest; come with Thy grace and heavenly aid to fill the hearts which Thou hast made. O comforter, to Thee we cry, O heavenly gift of God Most High, O fount of life and fire of love, and sweet anointing from above. Thou in Thy sevenfold gifts are known; Thou, finger of God's hand we own; Thou, promise of the Father, Thou Who dost the tongue with power imbue. Kindle our sense from above, and make our hearts o'erflow with love; with patience firm and virtue high the weakness of our flesh supply. Far from us drive the foe we dread, and grant us Thy peace instead; so shall we not, with Thee for guide, turn from the path of life aside. Oh, may Thy grace on us bestow the Father and the Son to know; and Thee, through endless times confessed, of both the eternal Spirit blest. Now to the Father and the Son, Who rose from death, be glory given, with Thou, O Holy Comforter, henceforth by all in earth and heaven. Amen. Week Two Intention We pray for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit in our families. Week Two // Day Seven Now to the Father and the Son, Who rose from death, be glory given, with Thou, O Holy Comforter, henceforth by all in earth and heaven. Do not be afraid to live your Catholic Faith. Do not be afraid to be a Saint. Do not be afraid. Do not fear. Live your Catholic Faith fearlessly and joyfully! God has ordained you, my dear sister, to live during this specific time in history. You, who are filled with the Holy Spirit, can lead others to holiness through your witness of love! You have the power and strength, through the gifts of the Holy Spirit, to work miracles! Do not be afraid to do the great things the Holy Spirit is asking you to do! Breathe the breath of the Holy Spirit into the lives of your family, into the lives of your friends, into the lives that are broken from sorrow and sin. You have the most powerful gift, the gift of the Holy Spirit! Hearts are yearning for this gift, the gift that you carry deep within your being. Do not be afraid to share the gift of the Holy Spirit with those around you! Ask people to pray with you, lay your hands on them in prayer, speak of the miracles that God is working in your life! The world needs to hear what you have to say! Follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit, run with Him wherever He is leading you. When you do this you glorify God in your life, and you build His kingdom. You have the gift of the Holy Spirit; do not be afraid to share Him with others. You, my sister, are called to be His Saint. Do not fear, for your reward, your crown, will be great. Pray a Hail Mary, asking Mother Mary to send her Spouse, the Holy Spirit into your heart. Prayer + Discussion for Prayer Partners Asking the help of the Saint you named on Day 4 of this week, offer your year to the Holy Spirit, consecrating it to Him. Say a prayer from your heart. Or pray this one: O Holy Spirit of light and love, I trust in You and I consecrate to You my intellect, my heart, my will and my whole being for time and for eternity. [bctt tweet="Now to the Father and the Son, Who rose from death, be glory given, with Thou, O Holy Comforter, henceforth by all in earth and heaven. #BISblog #prayerpledge //" username="findphilothea"] [

Week Two // Veni Creator Spiritus Come, Holy Spirit, Creator blest, and in our souls take up Thy rest; come with Thy grace and heavenly aid to fill the hearts which Thou hast made. O comforter, to Thee we cry, O heavenly gift of God Most High, O fount of life and fire of love, and sweet anointing from above. Thou in Thy sevenfold gifts are known; Thou, finger of God's hand we own; Thou, promise of the Father, Thou Who dost the tongue with power imbue. Kindle our sense from above, and make our hearts o'erflow with love; with patience firm and virtue high the weakness of our flesh supply. Far from us drive the foe we dread, and grant us Thy peace instead; so shall we not, with Thee for guide, turn from the path of life aside. Oh, may Thy grace on us bestow the Father and the Son to know; and Thee, through endless times confessed, of both the eternal Spirit blest. Now to the Father and the Son, Who rose from death, be glory given, with Thou, O Holy Comforter, henceforth by all in earth and heaven. Amen. Week Two Intention We pray for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit in our families. Week Two // Day Six Oh, may Thy grace on us bestow the Father and the Son to know; and Thee, through endless times confessed, of both the eternal Spirit blest. One of my favorite lines in the Catechism of our Catholic Church is, “When the Father sends his Word, He always sends his Breath” (CCC 689). Wherever Jesus is sent, the Holy Spirit is found. The Spirit reveals Jesus, who in turn reveals the Father’s love to us. This is the grace that the Holy Spirit offers us—the grace to become united in the love of the Son and the Father and to fully enter into the mystery of the Trinity. The power of God’s grace overcomes all of our sins and shortcomings. Our Church teaches us that “grace is favor, the free and undeserved help that God gives us to respond to his call to become children of God and partakers of the divine nature and of eternal life...[Grace is] participation in the life of God” (CCC 1996-1997). Sisters, do not settle for anything less than the strong and beautiful love that the Holy Spirit is offering you today. Right now, at this moment. The Holy Spirit wants to fill you with His grace! Let your heart be romanced by the Holy Spirit. Let your heart be overshadowed by His trustworthy love, just as Mother Mary’s was. Do not worry if you are worthy of the Holy Spirit’s love. Don’t let that thought distract you from opening up your heart to Him. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of mercy. Enter into the mystery of the Spirit’s mercy—a mercy that always leads us to Christ’s Divine Mercy. Father Jean d’Elbe writes: You must believe in mercy to the point of believing you are a joy for Jesus. Ask yourself, ‘How does Jesus see me?’ He sees me as His child since my Baptism. He sees me, since my confirmation, filled with the superabundance of the gifts of His Spirit, marked with the indelible character of a soldier of His kingdom...How many causes of joy for Him there are in us! What more does He see? All you have done for Him: your prayers, your good impulses, your hope, and your love; your acts of generosity, your acts of charity, especially which you have forgotten in part but Jesus has not forgotten because they are engraved in His Heart. And if, in addition to all that, you give Him your many miseries with great humility, but also with great confidence, then you give Him His great joy—His joy of being Savior. Every soul in a state of grace is for Him a heaven which only that soul can give Him.   Reflect upon the words found in Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska: “The greater the sinner, the greater the right he has to My mercy.” Ask the Holy Spirit to show you the person He desires you to show Christ’s mercy to. Is it yourself? A friend? A parent? A sibling? If you feel called to, pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet for that person. Prayer + Discussion for Prayer Partners Discuss with one another which Person of the Holy Trinity you feel closest to and why. Reflect together on the Person of the Trinity you feel least closest to and why. Pray together outloud, from your hearts, or in silence, for a greater love for each Person of the Trinity. [bctt tweet="Oh, may Thy grace on us bestow the Father and the Son to know; and Thee, through endless times confessed, of both the eternal Spirit blest. #BISblog #prayerpledge //" username="findphilothea"]

Week Two // Veni Creator Spiritus Come, Holy Spirit, Creator blest, and in our souls take up Thy rest; come with Thy grace and heavenly aid to fill the hearts which Thou hast made. O comforter, to Thee we cry, O heavenly gift of God Most High, O fount of life and fire of love, and sweet anointing from above. Thou in Thy sevenfold gifts are known; Thou, finger of God's hand we own; Thou, promise of the Father, Thou Who dost the tongue with power imbue. Kindle our sense from above, and make our hearts o'erflow with love; with patience firm and virtue high the weakness of our flesh supply. Far from us drive the foe we dread, and grant us Thy peace instead; so shall we not, with Thee for guide, turn from the path of life aside. Oh, may Thy grace on us bestow the Father and the Son to know; and Thee, through endless times confessed, of both the eternal Spirit blest. Now to the Father and the Son, Who rose from death, be glory given, with Thou, O Holy Comforter, henceforth by all in earth and heaven. Amen. Week Two Intention We pray for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit in our families. Week Two // Day Five Far from us drive the foe we dread, and grant us Thy peace instead; so shall we not, with Thee for guide, turn from the path of life aside. In every Missionaries of Charity chapel, the words “I Thirst” are found next to the crucifix. These two words—some of the last cried out by our Savior on the Cross—hold a deeply profound meaning. St. Teresa of Calcutta, the founder of the Missionaries of Charity, wrote: Why does Jesus say ‘I Thirst’? What does it mean? He thirsts for you. He loves you always, even when you don’t feel worthy. When not accepted by others, even by yourself sometimes—He is the one who always accepts you. The devil may try to use the hurts of life, and sometimes our own mistakes—to make you feel it is impossible that Jesus really loves you, is really cleaving to you. This is a danger for all of us. And so sad, because it is completely opposite of what Jesus is really wanting, waiting to tell you. Not only that He loves you, but even more—He longs for you. He misses you when you don’t come close.   The Holy Spirit offers us incredible strength to fight our battles. The Holy Spirit has power to drive away the “foe we dread,” the devil. The Holy Spirit desires to fill us with His gift of peace. Do not be afraid to call upon the Holy Spirit, just as Christ called for us upon the Cross. When we are afraid, let us cry out, “Come, Holy Spirit!” When we are tempted, let us cry out, “Come, Holy Spirit!” When we are lonely, let us cry out, “Come, Holy Spirit!” When we are ashamed of our sin, let us cry out, “Come, Holy Spirit!” The Most Holy Trinity desires you, thirsts for you, longs for you. Let us always trust in the reality and promise that, “The Spirit Himself intercedes for us with sighs too deep for words” (Romans 8:26). Pick a day this month to go to Confession. Write it in your planner and try your best not to miss this date with the Lord. Ask the Holy Spirit to be with you as you prepare to make your Confession and to intercede for you as you confess. Prayer + Discussion for Prayer Partners Reflect upon what you thirst for the most in your life. Is it a person? Is it God? Is it Heaven? Is it a possession? Is it popularity or fame? Pray together, asking the Holy Spirit to purify your intentions and desires, asking Him to fulfill your thirsts in life with His love and peace. [bctt tweet="Far from us drive the foe we dread, and grant us Thy peace instead; so shall we not, with Thee for guide, turn from the path of life aside. #BISblog #prayerpledge //" username="findphilothea"]

Week Two // Veni Creator Spiritus Come, Holy Spirit, Creator blest, and in our souls take up Thy rest; come with Thy grace and heavenly aid to fill the hearts which Thou hast made. O comforter, to Thee we cry, O heavenly gift of God Most High, O fount of life and fire of love, and sweet anointing from above. Thou in Thy sevenfold gifts are known; Thou, finger of God's hand we own; Thou, promise of the Father, Thou Who dost the tongue with power imbue. Kindle our sense from above, and make our hearts o'erflow with love; with patience firm and virtue high the weakness of our flesh supply. Far from us drive the foe we dread, and grant us Thy peace instead; so shall we not, with Thee for guide, turn from the path of life aside. Oh, may Thy grace on us bestow the Father and the Son to know; and Thee, through endless times confessed, of both the eternal Spirit blest. Now to the Father and the Son, Who rose from death, be glory given, with Thou, O Holy Comforter, henceforth by all in earth and heaven. Amen. Week Two Intention We pray for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit in our families. Week Two // Day Four Kindle our sense from above, and make our hearts overflow with love; with patience firm and virtue high the weakness of our flesh supply. A reason I love the "Veni Creator Spiritus" prayer is because it was one of Pope St. John Paul II’s favorite prayers. He recited it daily from the time he was eleven, up until his death. Pope St. John Paul expressed that: From the time I was little, I learned to pray to the Holy Spirit. When I was eleven, I was feeling sad because I was having a lot of trouble with math. My dad showed me in a little book the hymn Veni Creator Spiritus and he told me, ‘Pray this and you’ll see that He’ll help you to understand.’ I’ve been praying this hymn every day, and I’ve seen how much the Divine Spirit helps us.   I often wonder how the Saints were able to achieve such great heights of holiness. Their sanctity and heroic virtue can feel unattainable. Yet, this story of Pope St. John Paul II reveals what I believe to be the secret of the Saints: namely, fidelity to prayer and asking the Holy Spirit to enter into their lives. When we do these two things, our hearts overflow with love, and miracles take place. Jesus promised us that those who believe in Him will do all the works that He did on earth—and even greater works, too (John 14:12). What an incredible reality! What a beautiful promise! We are able to work miracles through and by the gift of the Holy Spirit, just as Jesus did, just as the great Saints did, and continue to do today. Place your trust and confidence in the Holy Spirit. Be fearless as you work miracles, both big and small, in His name. Do you truly believe that God is a God of miracles? Do you believe in miracles? Reflect upon the wonders God has done for you in your life, both big and small. Write three down and thank God for each of them. Prayer + Discussion for Prayer Partners Discuss with your prayer partner who your favorite Saint is. Why are you so attracted to that Saint? What virtues, stories, or miracles have led you to love this Saint so much? If you don’t have a favorite Saint, pray together and ask the Holy Spirit to send you a Saint, a Saint to be with you and intercede for you this year. [bctt tweet="Kindle our sense from above, and make our hearts overflow with love; with patience firm and virtue high the weakness of our flesh supply. #BISblog #prayerpledge //" username="findphilothea"][/vc_column_text]

Week Two // Veni Creator Spiritus Come, Holy Spirit, Creator blest, and in our souls take up Thy rest; come with Thy grace and heavenly aid to fill the hearts which Thou hast made. O comforter, to Thee we cry, O heavenly gift of God Most High, O fount of life and fire of love, and sweet anointing from above. Thou in Thy sevenfold gifts are known; Thou, finger of God's hand we own; Thou, promise of the Father, Thou Who dost the tongue with power imbue. Kindle our sense from above, and make our hearts o'erflow with love; with patience firm and virtue high the weakness of our flesh supply. Far from us drive the foe we dread, and grant us Thy peace instead; so shall we not, with Thee for guide, turn from the path of life aside. Oh, may Thy grace on us bestow the Father and the Son to know; and Thee, through endless times confessed, of both the eternal Spirit blest. Now to the Father and the Son, Who rose from death, be glory given, with Thou, O Holy Comforter, henceforth by all in earth and heaven. Amen. Week Two Intention We pray for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit in our families. Week Two // Day Three Thou in Thy sevenfold gifts are known; Thou, finger of God's hand we own; Thou, promise of the Father, Who dost the tongue with power imbue. There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots. And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. -Isaiah 11:1-2   The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit are wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord. The Catechism of our Church tells us that, “the moral life of Christians is sustained by the gifts of the Holy Spirit” (CCC 1830). The Holy Spirit desires to outpour these seven gifts upon us. He yearns to enter into our heart so that we can cultivate His gifts, gifts that will ultimately lead us to our Heavenly home. Saint Gregory the Great reverses the order of the gifts and explains that the great climax of the gifts of the Holy Spirit is eternal life. He writes: Through the fear of the Lord we rise to piety, from piety then to knowledge, from knowledge we derive strength, from strength counsel, with counsel we move towards understanding and with intelligence towards wisdom and thus, by the sevenfold grace of the Spirit, there opens to us at the end of the ascent the entrance to the life of heaven.   Don’t worry if you don’t know where to begin when desiring to grow in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Simply tell the Holy Spirit that you desire His gifts. Ask Him to reveal to you what gift He wants you to grow in and cultivate. Ask for the gift He is yearning to give to you. He will give it to you, in abundance. All He asks is that you trust that He will. Slowly and thoughtfully pray the following prayer, “God the Father, I trust in You; Jesus, I trust in You; Holy Spirit, I trust in You.” Ask each person of the Trinity to be with you in your joys, sorrows, work, and prayer today. Prayer + Discussion for Prayer Partners Discuss with your prayer partner which of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit stands out to you the most. Invoke the Holy Spirit together, asking Him to help you cultivate that particular gift. [bctt tweet="Thou in Thy sevenfold gifts are known; Thou, finger of God's hand we own; Thou, promise of the Father, Who dost the tongue with power imbue. #BISblog #prayerpledge //" username="findphilothea"]

Week Two // Veni Creator Spiritus Come, Holy Spirit, Creator blest, and in our souls take up Thy rest; come with Thy grace and heavenly aid to fill the hearts which Thou hast made. O comforter, to Thee we cry, O heavenly gift of God Most High, O fount of life and fire of love, and sweet anointing from above. Thou in Thy sevenfold gifts are known; Thou, finger of God's hand we own; Thou, promise of the Father, Thou Who dost the tongue with power imbue. Kindle our sense from above, and make our hearts o'erflow with love; with patience firm and virtue high the weakness of our flesh supply. Far from us drive the foe we dread, and grant us Thy peace instead; so shall we not, with Thee for guide, turn from the path of life aside. Oh, may Thy grace on us bestow the Father and the Son to know; and Thee, through endless times confessed, of both the eternal Spirit blest. Now to the Father and the Son, Who rose from death, be glory given, with Thou, O Holy Comforter, henceforth by all in earth and heaven. Amen. Week Two Intention We pray for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit in our families. Week Two // Day Two O comforter, to Thee we cry, O heavenly gift of God Most High, O fount of life and fire of love, and sweet anointing from above. When I read this second verse of “Veni Creator Spiritus,” the image of Saint Mary—the sister of Martha and Lazarus—anointing Jesus’ Feet in the Gospel of John comes to mind (John 12:1-8). Mary, in pure and holy love for Jesus, is moved to anoint Jesus’ feet with costly ointment. She humbly and lovingly wipes His Feet with her hair, and the room becomes filled with the sweet fragrance of pure nard. St. Mary was filled with the fire of God’s love and because of that, was able to transform her passionate love of Jesus into action, into a work of charity. When we spend time with the Holy Spirit and when we set aside time to call upon His name and breathe in His presence, we begin to develop a relationship with our Great Comforter. As we build a relationship, our trust in the Third Person of the Trinity grows and is solidified. Our hearts become filled with love, a blazing fire of love, and we are able to turn our passions into action. The Holy Spirit always brings life. He breathes life into our holy desires and prompts us to take action, to live our life of faith in charity. Fill the world with the beautiful aroma of the Holy Spirit. When we trust the Holy Spirit, we are able to work miracles in His name. We begin to breathe life into others and spread His sweet, healing fragrance. We are able to fall to the ground at the feet of our neighbor in need, and serve them in humility and love. Implement the one thing that you wrote down yesterday with your prayer partner that will make your soul more at peace. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you strength and courage to carry out what He is asking you to do. At the end of the day, reflect on how implementing this made you feel. Prayer + Discussion for Prayer Partners Read John 12:1-8 together. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to each of you the person in your life He is asking you to bring His comfort and His sweet and gentle fragrance. Say a prayer from your heart for this person. [bctt tweet="O comforter, to Thee we cry, O heavenly gift of God Most High, O fount of life and fire of love, and sweet anointing from above. #BISblog #prayerpledge //" username="findphilothea"]

Week Two // Veni Creator Spiritus Come, Holy Spirit, Creator blest, and in our souls take up Thy rest; come with Thy grace and heavenly aid to fill the hearts which Thou hast made. O comforter, to Thee we cry, O heavenly gift of God Most High, O fount of life and fire of love, and sweet anointing from above. Thou in Thy sevenfold gifts are known; Thou, finger of God's hand we own; Thou, promise of the Father, Thou Who dost the tongue with power imbue. Kindle our sense from above, and make our hearts o'erflow with love; with patience firm and virtue high the weakness of our flesh supply. Far from us drive the foe we dread, and grant us Thy peace instead; so shall we not, with Thee for guide, turn from the path of life aside. Oh, may Thy grace on us bestow the Father and the Son to know; and Thee, through endless times confessed, of both the eternal Spirit blest. Now to the Father and the Son, Who rose from death, be glory given, with Thou, O Holy Comforter, henceforth by all in earth and heaven. Amen. Week Two Intention We pray for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit in our families. Week Two // Day One Come, Holy Spirit, Creator blest, and in our souls take up Thy rest; come with Thy grace and heavenly aid to fill the hearts, which Thou hast made. The Church proclaims the Holy Spirit as the “Giver of Life.” Just as the Son of God is conceived through the Holy Spirit’s mysterious intervention (Luke 1:35), so too, life is given to us through the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit continues breathing life into us any time that we invite Him to enter into our heart, the heart that He helped form and create. Pope St. John Paul II taught that the Holy Spirit “is the eternal source of every gift that comes from God.” The Holy Spirit always gifts us with peace. He is ever ready to outpour love upon us. Every gift—even (and especially!) the ultimate gift of the Incarnation—comes from the love of the Spirit. Let the Holy Spirit lavish you with His gifts and breathe life into you. This week, let us work towards trusting the Holy Spirit. We can begin to trust Him by spending time with Him. When we place our trust in the Holy Spirit, we are better able to communicate our needs, desires, dreams, wants, and yearnings to Him. Sisters, the Holy Spirit desires your beauty. The Holy Spirit seeks a resting place within your heart. We must trust that He will never hurt us; we must trust that He is here to help us. The Holy Spirit will bring us freedom, joy, and life when we place our trust in Him. We may often find ourselves tired, overwhelmed, and troubled. During those times, let us call upon the Holy Spirit, the Spirit who always brings hope and love. The Holy Spirit gives us life and life in abundance (John 10:10). The Holy Spirit offers a pure and safe love—a love that we can fully rest in. He yearns to reside in our heart. He wants to overshadow us with His love, just as He did Mother Mary. Rest in His love. Take three minutes today to rest in silence with the Holy Spirit. Do not feel like you have to speak. Just simply tell the Holy Spirit that you want to be with Him for the next three minutes. Invite Him to dwell in your heart, and let Him breathe life into you. Prayer + Discussion for Prayer Partners What is one thing you can do today that will help make your soul more at peace? Is it turning off your phone for the rest of the day? Is it saying a morning offering? Is it asking forgiveness from a friend? Share with your prayer partner what that one thing is. [bctt tweet="Come, Holy Spirit, Creator blest, and in our souls take up Thy rest; come with Thy grace and heavenly aid to fill the hearts, which Thou hast made. #BISblog #prayerpledge //" username="findphilothea"]

I will never forget the moment I first heard about secondary infertility. It was earlier this summer when I was lying next to my two-year-old son, Peter, during his nap. I was looking at my Instagram messages, and read one from a woman asking for prayers. She wrote that she had secondary infertility and no treatment was helping her. My heart began pounding, and my mind began tracing back to the pain of the past two years: the heaviness of trying to conceive, yearning to conceive, yet being unable to conceive. I knew I had just read the name of the diagnosis I was experiencing, one that I later found out affects more than 3 million women in the United States alone. The Diagnosis Secondary infertility is defined as being unable to become pregnant, or to carry a full term pregnancy, following the birth of one or more children. You can read more about it here and what you can do about it here. I don’t remember learning about secondary infertility in nursing school. If I had, like most, I passed by it without a thought. Yet after months of physical tests and exams, it became my diagnosis. For a few weeks, it was a diagnosis that totally and painfully consumed my heart, mind, and soul. Through God’s miraculous grace, and in particular His gift of the Holy Family, I have found peace and joy. The Pain of Secondary Infertility Ever since I was young, I always dreamt of having a big family. I have five siblings, and they are counted among my greatest joys. I became pregnant with my son just two months after marrying my husband Mike. The thought of possibly being infertile was the last thing on my mind. When I found out from my doctor that I was experiencing secondary infertility, my entire being filled with sorrow and anger. Why was this happening to me? I felt foolish for all the pregnancy tests I had purchased over the past two years. I felt like I had wasted time each day wondering when I would be pregnant, keeping a room open for a nursery, and daydreaming about Peter as an older brother. The diagnosis sounded cold and harsh. I told God that I knew it is completely in His power to allow me to become pregnant. It is a good and beautiful thing that I want to become pregnant. So why, why God, wasn’t it happening? The Miraculous Peace of the Holy Family It took me a few months to share with others what I was experiencing. Yet I began to see how important it was to share. Vulnerability always brings connection and healing, to both the speaker and the listener. I spoke with a friend about my diagnosis and the sorrow I was feeling. Her response was beautiful: “The Holy Family is a small, yet powerful family of three. Look to them for peace.” As soon as she spoke these words I immediately felt the beginning of healing taking place within my heart. [bctt tweet="The Holy Family is a small, yet powerful family of three. Look to them for peace. #BISblog //" username="findphilothea"] The Joy I Found In Jesus, Mary, and Joseph Healing continued as I reflected on the lives of each person within the Holy Family. Jesus, Mary, and Joseph—a small family, yet one full of love for God and for one another. God calls me to imitate them in their love for Him and love of my own family. I am called to rejoice in gratitude for the gifts right in front of me, the gifts of my husband and son. I am called to live abundantly and flourish in the present moment, where grace is found. Incredible joy fills my life as I continue to reflect each day on the Holy Family, on their lives and their love for one another. A family of three, like my family, ready and open to do the Father’s will. I think of Mary, not only a physical mother to Jesus, but also a spiritual mother to many and ask her to intercede for me when I feel weak. I call upon Carpenter Joseph to help chisel away at this cross for me with his tools of mercy and love, a cross that his Son lovingly placed in my life and is asking me to carry it just as lovingly as it was given to me. And I ask the Child Jesus to walk with me and to fill my own heart with the same joy that He and Mother Mary experienced when they first gazed in wonder at each other Christmas night. A Constant Struggle Even still, even now, I struggle. Each day I know I must call upon the help of the Holy Family. The reality of my diagnosis hits my heart unexpectedly. It showed me my need to trust in God’s merciful love and plan for my life. Just a few weeks ago I wrote this post on my Instagram page: Secondary infertility is a constant struggle of telling myself I’m okay and at peace if I don’t have any more children one day, then up crying in the middle of the night because I want so many more the next. A struggle between trying not to feel guilty that I want more children when I already have a child and many are unable to have one. Soaking up every single second with my son because I know it may be the last time I experience any of it again. Praising God that I can enter into His suffering in this little way, and trusting that He will bring His glory, because He always does. [bctt tweet="Secondary infertility is a constant struggle of being at peace if I don’t have any more children one day, then crying in the middle of the night because I want so many more the next. #BISblog //" username="findphilothea"] The Holy Family is with You Sisters, know that if you are experiencing infertility, if you are struggling to conceive, or if you are single and yearning to be married and have children...the Holy Family is with you. My heart is with you. I am praying for you. Be at peace and never give up hope, fully trusting in God’s promise that, “Blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.” (Luke 1:45) We are praying for you as you bear this cross. Christ is with you! [bctt tweet="Secondary Infertility: Finding Peace through the Holy Family #BISblog //" username="findphilothea"]

This month we celebrate the feast of St. Elizabeth of Hungary. This beautiful Saint—who was a real life princess—married at fourteen, was widowed at twenty, and died at the age of twenty-four. During her short time on earth she gave herself completely to Christ through serving the poor. She chose a life of penance instead of luxury and was often seen with her kingdom’s poor, bringing bread to them each day. St. Elizabeth of Hungary is a special Saint to me, and one that I thank often. She, along with four other men and women in Heaven, gave me a gift. A gift I prayed for each day for many years. One of the greatest blessings my mother bestowed upon me was a love for the Saints. When I was twelve years old, she handed me a prayer card of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati. I took one look at the handsome man on the prayer card and told my mom, “I’m really happy we are Catholic.” She smiled and told me to recite the words on the back of the prayer card. As I prayed that prayer each day, I felt drawn to learn more about him. An Interesting Connection... One of the things that struck me when I read about Blessed Pier Giorgio’s life was the age of his death. He died at the age of twenty-four. How incredible that a man so young was declared a Blessed in Heaven! I remembered another beloved Saint, Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, died at that age too. I began researching “Saints Who Died At Twenty-Four” and discovered a few more: Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, Saint Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows, and Saint Kateri Tekakwitha. I began praying to these five men and women in Heaven each day. I was so inspired by their lives, that they were able to live out the Gospel in a profound way in such a short time. Their lives are witness to the reality of God’s grace–that God knows no time, that grace is found in the present moment, and that faith is pure gift. My Request in My Twenty-Fourth Year I felt called to pray for a gift from these five Saints during my twenty-fourth year. Every day, throughout each day, I asked for their intercession, for my gift. I told them that they received the best gift at the age of twenty-four: to enter into Christ’s kingdom. I asked that they might send me a gift just like they obtained during their twenty-fourth year. I prayed this prayer daily for years. As my twenty-fourth birthday approached, I decided to start a young adult group in Buffalo, New York. I had just moved to Buffalo and was attending nursing school. I didn’t know many people and I desired real community and authentic friendships with my entire heart. So I decided to create a young adult group in honor of Blessed Pier Giorgio. Our first meeting was held just as I turned twenty-four. The Best Gift I met the most beautiful people in that group, some of whom are my dearest friends. And I received my gift. I met Mike, my husband, my gift, in the group. I know it is through the intercession of these five Saints that I met the man I was going to marry, that I was led to my vocation. During our engagement, I collected images of these five Saints. I framed them and placed them on a small table beside the alter during our wedding Mass. The priest blessed them after we said our vows and they now hang in our home. These images are a powerful reminder of our wedding day, the vows Mike and I promised to one another, and the fidelity of the Saints towards us! Pray for Your Gift My sisters, pray for your gift. Ask these Saints–so active in Heaven–for your gift. Whether you are eighteen, twenty-four, forty-four, or one hundred and four, ask these Saints for a gift. They are ready to send us Christ’s love, guidance, and grace. Saint Elizabeth of Hungary Patroness of bakers, countesses, death of children, falsely accused, the homeless, nursing services, tertiaries, widows, and young brides. Feast Day: November 17 St. Elizabeth of Hungary, I often turn away from Christ and desire a life of luxury, power, and greatness. Help me to be humble like you and desire instead to serve Christ in the poorest of the poor. Help me to always choose Heavenly poverty instead of earthly riches. Please send me my gift, the gift God has specifically ordained for me from the beginning of time. Saint Thérèse of Lisieux Patroness of florists, missionaries, pilots, and priests. Feast Day: October 1 Sweet Little Thérèse, Doctor of Merciful Love, fill my heart with trust! Help me to imitate you! I pray that I may become so little that Christ may pick me up, that He may lift me safely into His arms and hold me close. Teach me to fall in love with Christ’s Merciful Heart. Please send me a rose, send me my gift, the gift God has specifically ordained for me from the beginning of time. Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati Patron of students, mountaineers, and World Youth Day. Feast Day: July 4 Blessed Pier Giorgio, I desire to live a life fully for Christ. I want a life full of adventure, a life full of love. I want to flourish. I know Christ is the answer. Help me find Him in the beauty – the beauty of a hike, the beauty of the Eucharist, the beauty of the Rosary, the beauty of a suffering heart. That is where you found Christ, and I ask you to lead me to the beauties here on earth so that I may fully and joyfully gaze upon His beauty in Heaven. Please send me my gift, the gift God has specifically ordained for me from the beginning of time. [bctt tweet="I want a life full of adventure, a life full of love. I want to flourish. I know Christ is the answer. #BISblog //" username="findphilothea"] Saint Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows Patron of clergy, students, and the youth. Feast Day: February 27 St. Gabriel, you had a strong devotion to Mother Mary. Please lead me closer to her. You suffered greatly during your last days–please teach me to suffer gracefully just like Mother Mary, who suffered so courageously at the foot of her Son’s Cross. Please send me my gift, the gift God has specifically ordained for me from the beginning of time. Saint Kateri Tekakwitha Patroness of orphans, ecology, and the environment. Feast Day: July 14 St. Kateri, I desire a clean and pure heart. Please help me to always give my best time to Christ. You, who walked miles to receive the Eucharist, knew the secret that I so often forget–that Christ is my great Love, that He is my heart’s desire, that He is my joy. Please send me my gift, the gift God has specifically ordained for me from the beginning of time. What is the gift you will ask for, sisters? [bctt tweet="St. Elizabeth of Hungary and Four Other Saints Who Died at 24 #BISblog //" username="findphilothea"]

When I was young, my family owned an illustrated Lives of the Saints book. On the cover was a black and white picture of a young girl. I remember flipping through the book one night, trying to find the picture of the girl in the pages of the book so I could read her story. I found the image and read the emboldened name on top of the page: Thérèse of Lisieux. Is St. Thérèse Really that Special? After seeing more pictures of her, I realized this was the same girl who I saw statues of in churches. But she was older and usually wearing a habit and holding roses. It was my first time seeing images of her as a young girl and the first time I read her story. I am embarrassed to say now, but as I began reading, I quickly became annoyed. “Why was she a Saint? And what did she do to deserve that title?” I put down the book, but I was unable to stop thinking of her. Looking back at this memory, I see how erroneous I was in my thinking. Since reading her story, almost two decades ago, this beautiful Saint in heaven has interceded for me, guided me, and protected me. Through reading her autobiography, taking her on as my confirmation Saint, visiting her hometown of Lisieux, and experiencing a miracle through her intercession (more on that below), this little Saint clearly showed me not only why she was a Saint, but as Saint Pius X called her, “the greatest Saint of modern times.” St. Thérèse and Merciful Love This past year, my husband Mike and I read the book 33 Days to Merciful Love by Michael E. Gaitley, MIC. This book is a retreat that culminates in a consecration to Jesus’ Divine Mercy through the intercession of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux. The retreat led us through the theology of Thérèse’s Offering to Merciful Love (something I never knew existed prior to reading Gaitley’s book!). This book changed our lives. It strengthened our relationship with Jesus, showed us the meaning of mercy, and taught us that Heaven is obtainable. Thérèse’s profound teachings of mercy and love echo Jesus’ teachings found within the Gospel. 3 Lessons I Learned From Thérèse’s Consecration To Merciful Love Thérèse is the youngest Doctor of our Church and considered to be the Doctor of Merciful Love. I don’t know about you, but prior to reading “33 Days to Merciful Love”, I never equated Saint Thérèse to mercy. I always thought of her doctrine of the “Little Way.” Yet after learning more, I discovered that Thérèse’s Little Way is in fact, a revelation of Jesus’ Divine Mercy. Here's what I learned: 1. I can become a Saint. Thérèse’s doctrine of the Little Way describes that the more humble we become, the smaller we become, the greater God becomes in our life. Thérèse placed her complete and total confidence in Jesus. She realized that true humility is the awareness of littleness. This complete awareness of her littleness, her awareness of her weaknesses and imperfections, gave her complete confidence in becoming a great Saint. 2. Purgatory can be avoided. For my entire life, I had the mindset of, “I hope I at least make it to purgatory.” After learning more about Thérèse’s Offering to Merciful Love, I discovered the profound reality that purgatory can be avoided. And more so, that talking about purgatory in the way that I did, actually hurt our Lord. Why? Saint Thérèse responds: You do a great injury to God in believing you’re going to purgatory. When we love, we can’t go there. With the hope of “just making it to purgatory,” I wasn’t fully trusting in God’s mercy. When a fellow novice told her she feared purgatory, Thérèse said: You do not have enough trust. You have too much fear before the good God. I can assure you that He is grieved over this. You should not fear purgatory because of the suffering there, but should instead ask that you not deserve to go there in order to please God, Who so reluctantly imposes this punishment. As soon as you try to please Him in everything and have an unshakeable trust He purifies you every moment in His love and He lets no sin remain. And then you can be sure that you will not have to go to purgatory. St. Thérèse believed that after consecrating her life to Jesus’ Merciful Love, after placing her complete and total confidence in God’s promise of mercy, she could go straight to Heaven. With this same confidence and trust, we can too. 3. Ask for the Mercy the world has rejected. Thérèse felt called to consecrate herself to Jesus’ Merciful Love. She wrote an eleven-paragraph prayer that offered herself to the Heart of Jesus by accepting all the Merciful Love that other souls rejected. Thérèse recited this prayer daily and knew that through the Offering, she was consoling Jesus by letting Him love her. She realized that Jesus’ love, His Merciful Love, was pouring into her heart through the act of her consecration and making her into a great Saint. Through reciting Thérèse’s prayer, and asking for the mercy that people in the world have rejected, I too am consoling Christ’s heart. My St. Thérèse Miracle I was blessed to study abroad in college. One weekend, three of my friends and I travelled to Lisieux, France to visit Saint Thérèse’s hometown. It was a beautiful little pilgrimage. I purchased some pictures of her (one of them being the same black and white image of young Thérèse I had first seen on the cover of the book when I was younger). My friends and I returned to our classes after our weekend in Lisieux with our hearts full of love for Thérèse. Yet sad news on the campus where we studied awaited us. One of our dear professors shared with us that his wife had miscarried. He stood in front of our class, at the podium, weeping as he told us the news, a place where just weeks prior he had announced with us the joyful news of her pregnancy. My heart was pierced with sorrow for this man, a man totally and completely in love with his wife and child in Heaven. I knew that nothing I could do would fully console their hearts. But I knew I had to do something. A Shower of Roses I said a little prayer, and the next day before class I decided to walk to the town’s local flower shop and bring some flowers to him to give to his wife. I looked around and saw yellow roses—the most beautiful bouquet I had ever seen. While I never choose yellow roses (I always go for the white!), I couldn’t leave the shop without them. Once back on campus, I found an envelope, and inside I placed the picture of Saint Thérèse as a young child I had purchased in Lisieux. I wrote a note to them, signing it Claire Frances. I never sign my middle name (Frances) when writing notes. But for some reason, I did that day. I got to class a little early, and walked up to the professor and handed him the yellow roses and the envelope. The classroom began filling up with my fellow students, and I saw the professor standing at a window in the front of the room with his back towards us, reading my card to him. I will never forget what happened next. I carry this memory in my heart, always. He slowly walked up to the podium with tears rolling down his face. He said he and his wife had been praying a novena to St. Thérèse and that today was the ninth day, the last day of the novena. In the novena, they had asked St. Thérèse for a yellow rose if the child was a girl, and that they had named her Faustina Claire Frances. 🌹 Pray with the Little Flower The St. Therese of Lisieux Rosary Beautifully made to last through years of prayer, and a meaningful gift for a confirmation, birthday, or any friend who loves the Little Flower or Our Lady. Shop the Rosary → Cling to His Merciful Love Sisters, Heaven is real, the Saints are real. They are continually interceding for us. They desire for us to be in Heaven with them. Become friends with St. Thérèse, this beautiful Doctor of Mercy. You will experience her powerful presence in your life as she teaches you the gospel message, the message of mercy and love. And in turn you will spread that message to the world. What areas of your life are in need of merciful love today? This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase by clicking through one of these links, Blessed is She will receive a small percentage of your purchase at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting this ministry by using our affiliate links!