I spent four years working as an editor at a bridal magazine. During that time, my colleagues and I reviewed hundreds of wedding submissions each week, carefully considering each one for potential publication. I’ve seen photos of wedding ceremonies in practically every location you can imagine, from gardens and beaches, to museums and mansions, to rooftops and breweries. When couples choose to be married in the Catholic Church, a few decisions are automatically made for them alongside that. Their readings will be from Sacred Scripture. The music will be spiritual in nature. A priest or deacon will officiate. And, in almost all circumstances, the wedding ceremony will take place inside a church. Why Do Catholic Weddings Only Happen in Churches? The last point can be one of frustration for some, especially if your church is not the most visually appealing or it’s a long drive from your reception venue. While I’ll be the first to recognize and affirm the values of both beauty and convenience in a wedding, the Church reminds us what takes even higher priority: the sacredness of the Sacrament. Sacred and Set Apart ...God himself is the author of marriage. The vocation to marriage is written in the very nature of man and woman as they came from the hand of the Creator. Marriage is not a purely human institution despite the many variations it may have undergone through the centuries in different cultures, social structures, and spiritual attitudes. These differences should not cause us to forget its common and permanent characteristics. Although the dignity of this institution is not transparent everywhere with the same clarity, some sense of the greatness of the matrimonial union exists in all cultures. -Catechism of the Catholic Church 1603 While our Faith is, above all else, spiritual, there is also a richly physical element. That is evident in the striking beauty of our cathedrals, the perfume of incense, the blessed water and oil necessary for our Sacraments, and the Sacred Body and Precious Blood of Jesus, truly present under the guise of bread and wine. As Catholics, we readily acknowledge the power of what is tangible to direct us to what is not. We believe that what we encounter through our senses matters. Likewise, the setting for a Catholic marriage is deeply meaningful. No matter how beautiful an outdoor space may be, it does not immediately turn our attention to God the way that entering a church does. The space itself demands a certain level of respect, reverence, and attentiveness that befits the sacredness of a wedding ceremony. An Opportunity for Evangelization Imagine two ceremonies with identical readings, music, and vows—one in a church and one on the lawn of a reception venue. Which ceremony is more likely to capture the attention of someone with little or no faith? And, if they felt a tug on their hearts, during which ceremony would they be more likely to find some direction toward God or the Catholic Faith? For some people, attending weddings is the one and only time they will ever step foot through church doors. Their physical presence in the building makes all the words and emotions experienced during the ceremony—from joy for the couple, to wonder at the Sacrament—more impactful. Setting the Tone for Your Marriage The way you begin your marriage—in that sacred space—creates an anchor in your life together. Your wedding ceremony is an event you’ll return to in your mind again and again. You’ll recall the emotions when you look through your photos. You’ll remember your vows in moments of both trial and joy. You’ll reminisce about those special moments with family and friends who witnessed them for years to come. When you celebrate your ceremony inside a church, that setting instantly becomes a crucial part of each of those memories. Your vows, your readings, your songs, and your setting represent some of the most important priorities of your life together. Some aspects of your ceremony will only live on in memories, but the church is a place you can always return to for encouragement, renewal, and refreshment. How to Embrace the Tradition Unfortunately, as beautiful as what occurs inside a church may be, let’s just say that some church architects and designers have done a better job than others. If your ceremony church falls short in the aesthetics department, consider the following tips to achieve the look you’re dreaming of, while also honoring what the Church requires. 1. Take your portraits outside. Some of the most cherished photographs taken at your wedding will be your portraits with your family and bridal party members. Those photos often take place inside the church, but there is no reason that they need to! As a matter of fact, I recommend considering outdoor portraits regardless of what your church looks like, if you’ll have the opportunity to do so in natural light. A few alternative options include the steps or space right outside of your church, any gardens or lawn near your church, outside at your reception venue, or even a separate (close by) outdoor space altogether. 2. Consider a Christmas or Easter season wedding. When selecting your wedding date, consider dates that fall within the liturgical seasons of Christmas or Easter. Along with being generally joyful, lovely times of year for weddings, they’re also the times when churches are the most elaborately decorated. Bonus: by making use of the flowers that are already in the church, you may not have to pay for additional altar arrangements. 3. Work with, not against, what’s there. From a design perspective, one of the biggest mistakes I’ve seen couples make is choosing details that clash with their setting. Pay attention to the colors in your church while selecting your flowers, bridesmaid dresses, etc. You certainly don’t need to choose red flowers because of a red carpet, for example, but perhaps steer clear of anything orange or purple. When in doubt, opt for elegant neutrals that enhance any setting, and then bring your more colorful touches into your reception. More Catholic Wedding Resources Dear bride, as you plan your wedding and prepare for your marriage, you are in our prayers! For more resources and encouragement, take a look at these past posts: Ways to Share Your Faith Through Your Wedding and Planning a Catholic Wedding.   [bctt tweet="Why Do Catholic Weddings Only Happen in Churches? #BISblog //" username="lisajanelkirk"]

Even though I’m a cradle Catholic, I spent every Thursday night of my high school years at a nondenominational Protestant youth group. (I lived in the Middle East, where there was no Catholic option, but that’s a story for another day!) It was the first time I saw people use Scripture as a lifeline: the very first place they turned for comfort, for clarity, or for understanding. I observed friends carrying miniature Bibles in their backpacks, covering pages with notes and underlines, and committing verses to memory. Catholics + the Bible While it is a bit of a running joke that Catholics don’t know their Bibles, the truth is that the Word of God touches practically every aspect of our Catholic lives and liturgies. In Scott Hahn’s Rome Sweet Home, the story of his conversion, he recalls his first time observing a Catholic Mass: I watched and listened as the readings, prayers, and responses—so steeped in Scripture—made the Bible come alive...all of a sudden I realized, this is where the Bible belongs. Sure enough, Scripture stretches far beyond our church’s daily readings. It is so deeply ingrained in our Sacraments and prayers, we often don’t even realize that the words we’re saying come straight from the Bible. How to Fall in Love with Scripture My spiritual goal for this year was to cultivate a deeper love for God’s Word. I’ve been reading the daily readings with Blessed is She since the daily devotionals launched years ago. Far too often, though, I skimmed over them without letting them impact me in the way I know they could. I have witnessed what a genuine love for Scripture looks like (in both Protestants and Catholics), and I knew it was something I desperately wanted. Ask God for a Love of His Word One of my all-time favorite priests frequently encouraged me to ask God for things like a deeper love for my husband, an easier ability to forgive, and more time to spend with the Lord. “Do you think He would refuse that?” he always asked. I feel that way about praying for a love of Scripture. This tiny step—lifting up one sentence to the Lord before opening the readings for the day—had a significant impact on the way reading Scripture felt to me from the very first day I did it. God gave us His Word as a gift and a guide. It is one of the clearest ways He speaks to us. Praying for a love of Scripture is, essentially, praying for a love of His voice. Of course He will not refuse that! All of a sudden, verses I had heard a thousand times were illuminated in a new way, while verses I didn’t recall ever seeing before made me wonder how I had ever overlooked them. Opening my Bible felt, for the first time, like opening a love letter from the Lord. Pray before Reading To ensure I kept praying over my time in the Word and asking for that love of Scripture, I composed a short prayer to recite daily. Saying it keeps me from distracted skimming. Instead, it opens my heart and prepares me to receive whatever the Lord may have for me in the readings that day. Mine is below, but consider composing your own that reflects your own desires for your prayer time. Keep it tucked in your Bible, displayed in the place where you usually spend quiet time with God, or even in a note on your phone if that’s where you’re reading the Word. Heavenly Father and Author of life, through these words of Sacred Scripture, help me to know Your heart, to hear Your commands, to grow in understanding, and to receive Your mercy and love, that I too may say, “Did my heart not burn within me while He spoke to me on the way and opened the Scriptures to me?” Come, Holy Spirit. WRITE + PRAY We invite you to sit with the Word and unpack it in a uniquely personal way, finding your own story. Discover your story within His. GET WRITE AND PRAY Use a Physical Bible I’ll admit I use my phone to do the readings more often than not. But whenever I can, I love keeping tech tucked away and digging into a physical Bible. There is a certain romance to feeling its weight in my lap, turning the thin pages, and carefully marking verses that resonate with me. I believe that that matters. Part of cultivating a love of Scripture is cultivating a love for the habit of reading Scripture. I know that I am far more likely to love the experience of reading my physical Bible, maybe even with a lit candle or hot mug of coffee nearby, than I am the experience of scrolling through the readings before clicking over to whatever notification tempts my pitiful attention span. Keep a Journal As often as possible, I reach for my journal during my prayer time to record the verse that resonates most with me that day. Sometimes, I keep my entry as simple as the verse copied out, while other times, I’ll add additional prayers and reflections. Either way, I’ve found that being mindful of which verse I want to write makes the experience of reading Scripture even more impactful. It serves as the perfect reminder to actively search for what God may be saying to me through His word and to take a greater pause with those verses. As a bonus, I love flipping through past entries as a reminder of His ever-enduring faithfulness. Memorize Verses It only takes one instance of recalling the exact verse you need exactly when you need it to affirm the value of memorizing Scripture. Not sure where to start? Peruse our “Scripture Verses to Pray” blog series, which includes curated lists of verses for different situations and seasons. Here are a few I’ve turned to lately: Scripture Verses to Pray During Times of Quarantine Scripture Verses to Pray in the Springtime Scripture Verses to Pray in Times of Anxiety Additionally, don’t miss the Encourage Bible Verse cards in the Blessed is She shop, featuring verses written in beautiful calligraphy. They're perfect for displaying in places you’ll see them often. In his Introduction to the Devout Life, St. Francis de Sales writes: Cultivate a special devotion to God’s Word, whether studied privately or in public; always listen to it with attention and reverence, strive to profit by it, and do not let it fall to the ground, but receive it within your heart as a precious balm, thereby imitating the Blessed Virgin, who ‘kept all these things in her heart.’ What sweeter encouragement to love the Word could we ask for? This post contains affiliate links. Thanks so much for supporting the ministry of Blessed is She! HIS WORD CHANGES LIVES God is speaking to you through His Word. In this personal study, you will learn to hear God's voice by reading slowly and praying deeply. BEGIN THE JOURNEY

It was October 22, 2016, the feast of our family patron Saint, Pope John Paul II. Two-and-a-half years earlier, in the same stone cathedral, our beloved Passionist priest looked at my husband and me and said: “I now pronounce you husband and wife.” On this day, his gaze turned from us to the sleeping one-month-old in my husband’s arms as he gently proclaimed, “Charles Kolbe, I baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.” Grateful tears filled my eyes as I watched holy water flow over my baby son’s dark hair. If there was ever a moment in which the beauty and tradition of our Catholic Faith took my breath away, this was one of them. Now, as we’re preparing for the baptism of our second child, my thoughts have frequently returned to that beautiful October day. Too often, I’ve seen a baby’s Baptism either downplayed (to the tune of, “What’s the point of baptizing an infant?”) or over-emphasized, with the faith formation that is meant to follow the Baptism all but ignored. The Catechism states that “By its very nature, infant Baptism requires a post-baptismal catechumenate” (CCC 1231). Meaningful Ways to Celebrate Your Baby's Baptism The following ideas for celebrating a baby’s first Sacrament properly acknowledge the great joy of the occasion. Even more importantly, though, they open up opportunities for encouraging the child’s faith in the years to come, and unite those who agree to walk alongside them. (An added note as we weather the COVID-19 pandemic: This post was written before most of us in the U.S. were affected by stay-at-home/social distancing directives, experiencing canceled public Sacraments as a result. Both my daughter’s Divine Mercy Sunday Baptism, for example, as well as our attempted back-up plan (a private Baptism with proxy godparents), were canceled as our city’s restrictions tightened. We are praying for the opportunity to have her baptized as soon as possible and are learning how we can baptize her ourselves in case of an emergency (as directed by Canon Law). While we are holding on to the hope that our church doors will be safely opened again soon, please note that some of the celebration ideas below will not be appropriate for this extremely unique time.) Write your child a letter. One of my favorite traditions is writing my children letters on their birthdays each year. I reflect on the year, note what they’re like at that moment in time, and tell them how much I love them. I’m eager to add to that tradition by starting to write Baptism day letters, too. Unlike my birthday letters, these will focus specifically on why we, their parents, love our Faith and are excited and honored to raise them as Catholics. I’ll also share any prayers we have for their lives and their personal walks with the Lord. I love imagining giving them these letters, maybe on their Confirmation days! This would be such a meaningful thing for godparents to do as well. Share the witness of your child’s patron Saint. If your baby is named in honor of a Saint, their Baptism is the perfect opportunity to share that Saint’s story and why it resonates with you. Consider displaying a print of the Saint in your home (if you’ll be gathering there after the Baptism), passing out holy cards to those you’re celebrating with, or leading your loved ones in a prayer that asks for the Saint’s intercession. Gather for a meal. A Baptism inspires a sense of true community, as parents, godparents, family members, and friends promise to encourage the child’s faith together. What better way to immediately strengthen the bonds between loved ones than over a delicious meal? Whether you opt to host in your home or reserve a table at your favorite restaurant, gathering for a meal can be as meaningful of a celebration as it is enjoyable. Especially if you’re hosting at home, don’t hesitate to keep things simple. You’re caring for a baby, after all! If there is ever a time to ask for a hand with cleaning, opt for catering or takeout, or turn a party into a backyard picnic so you don’t have to set the table, this is it. For a few easy, crowd-pleasing brunches (perfect for after morning Mass), consider setting up a buffet of bagels and cream cheeses, an assortment of pastries from a local bakery, or baskets of biscuits with toppings. For lunch, you can’t go wrong with a crockpot full of your favorite hearty soup, a big salad, and fresh loaves of bread from your favorite bakery. And take it from someone who attempted a dinner party for 20 after my one-month-old’s Baptism and then panicked and switched to barbecue takeout: if you’re serving dinner, outsource the cooking from the start! For an extra special touch, consider opting for a cuisine that coordinates with your baby’s patron Saint. Another easy option is to avoid gathering at a meal time, and instead serving coffee and tea alongside a beautiful cake in the mid-morning or afternoon. Another tip: Be a Heart Design carries the most adorable disposable plates, napkins, cups, and straws that would be a perfect fit for a Baptism celebration. I especially love the “Let Us Rejoice” cocktail napkins and All Saints cups. Bonus points for major Instagram-ability and effortless clean-up! Start a Sacraments box. Since you’ll need a safe place to store your child’s baptismal candle, consider picking up a special box to serve as their “Sacraments box.” Along with the candle, save a small bottle of holy water from the fount the priest uses (Reliquary Supply makes beautiful holy water bottles and keepsake candles) and your baby’s hat/bonnet...especially if it smells of chrism at the end of the day! Throughout your baby’s childhood, take out the box often to talk about the items inside together. Be sure to add keepsakes and mementos from their First Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation as well. Do you have any special traditions for celebrating baptisms? We would love for you to add your ideas in the comments! [bctt tweet="Meaningful Ways to Celebrate Your Baby's Baptism #BISblog //" username="lisajanelkirk"]

As I’m writing this, I am 34 weeks pregnant. My to-do list feels a mile long, filled with tasks varying in importance from “hang pictures in the nursery” to “install car seat.” It wasn’t until I first flipped my planner to February to put some of those to-dos on the calendar that it hit me: baby girl’s due date is a few days before Ash Wednesday. Since that realization, I’ve been reflecting on how to prepare for Lent when facing an unpredictable season of life. You don’t need a newborn to feel like you’ll already be sacrificing enough. Maybe you or a loved one just received a serious medical diagnosis. Maybe you’re in the middle of packing and moving cross-country while trying to keep your little ones on their homeschool schedule. Maybe you’re weathering a painful breakup. Whatever the case may be, life can be as unpredictable as the weather this time of year. Our most challenging or demanding seasons don’t always wait for the peace and routine of Ordinary Time. Painting a Realistic Picture for Lent Here’s what I know I don’t want to do: plan for Lent as normal, knowing my life this Lent will be anything but. That said, I also don’t want to give in to the temptation to believe that having a new baby means a free pass to skip Lenten-specific sacrifices this year. God knows my circumstances, my motivations, and my heart. There’s no fooling Him; He knows I’m not giving up sleep as a sacrifice. I’m giving up sleep because my baby needs to be fed. Still a sacrifice, of course, but not the same one. I’ve found it helpful to start by listing out as much as I can predict of the unpredictable season ahead. With a big heap of permission to adjust this list as much as needed, my general expectations are that I will: Be physically healing from giving birth Be waking up every few hours Be stopping what I’m doing to feed the baby throughout the day Occasionally needing to scrap the day’s plans to tend to the baby or my three-year-old, as their little hearts need that specific day Be mostly in our own little world at home as we adjust to life as a family of four Be hosting my parents or in-laws in our home on and off throughout the season With this picture fresh in my mind, I feel more prepared to envision Lent in a realistic way. Working with the Realities of the Season My typical Lent includes a combination of material sacrifices, added time for prayer and reflection, and increased reception of the Sacraments. The good news is that all of that can still be a meaningful part of this season, even if it looks different than it may in years past or future. Am I going to give up coffee when I’m also about to give up hours of sleep? No—I don’t trust myself to function well, serve my family well, or attend to the demands of my home well if both caffeine and uninterrupted sleep are off the table. But, I could give up trips to the coffee shop, committing to making all my cups from home. I could trade my favorite almond milk creamer for black coffee so it feels like less of a treat. Am I going to carve out thirty extra minutes a day for uninterrupted prayer and journaling time? Most likely not. But, I could trade scrolling Instagram for praying the Rosary during one feeding session each day. I could reach for a devotional or spiritual book instead of turning on Netflix during nap time. Am I going to commit to attending daily Mass? Honestly, I’ll be happy if I make it to Mass on Sundays at least somewhat on time. Instead of attempting an ambitious weekday Mass attendance schedule, I could talk to my husband about helping me to get to two or three Saturday morning Masses on my own while he’s home with the kids. Considering Non-Negotiables I believe there is great value in giving ourselves plenty of grace during unpredictable seasons. The more loosely we hold our vision for Lent, the more we can remain present in what we accomplish, rather than being paralyzed by guilt for where we’ve fallen short, our fault or not. However, there are a few things about Lent that I consider non-negotiable. Even in a season when I can’t control much, I want to do everything in my power to make these specific things happen. Choose them very intentionally—what is the most impactful thing you do for Lent year after year? My personal non-negotiables are making it to Stations of the Cross at church at least once (though I can pray it at home as well) and attending the Celebration of the Lord’s Passion on Good Friday. With extra planning and forethought, days or even weeks in advance, I’m confident I can make at least these two things happen this Lent. Again, they make look a little different than usual, but I know that the additional effort will be more than worth it. Moving Forward Optimistically As easy as it is to feel discouraged at the brink of an unpredictable season, with so many unknowns at play, I’m hopeful. No matter what I do or don’t do this Lent, Our Lord cares most about the state of my heart. How often do we draw near to Him, this season and beyond? Do we lay down our hopes and desires at His feet? Do we run to Him with our burdens and heavy, heavy yokes? That is what He desires from us this Lent. And no matter the demands of our lives or circumstances, that is something we can always give Him...perhaps even in this season more than any other. Are you in a season of transition? How are you approaching Lent this year? [bctt tweet="Living Lent When Your Life is in Transition #BISblog //" username="lisajanelkirk"]

For many years, “grow in my relationship with God” was the first resolution I set after ringing in a new year. Want to hear a little confession? I don’t make that resolution anymore. I didn’t stop resolving to grow in my relationship with God because my spiritual life is perfect. Far from it! What I did realize, though, was that setting such a general goal was neither inspiring nor empowering to me. “Growing” in my relationship with God could mean anything...or nothing. There’s no measuring stick to help me identify if I’m closer to or further from God by December 31st. I could “do” more, but from the Sacraments to devotionals to books to Rosaries to ministries, where was a girl to start? And if the goal of my whole life is to grow in my faith, how would I ever know if I had done “enough” in one single year to consider the resolution accomplished? Or, was it doomed to forever feel incomplete...and a little like a failure? Reframing Spiritual Goal-Settting It wasn’t until I brought some strategies for goal-setting in other areas of my life to my spiritual life that I began to see real fruit from faith-centered resolutions. I was blessed by the opportunity to work for this goal-setting expert for a number of years and learned so much from her about the importance of goals that are specific, measurable, and able to be broken into smaller action steps. “Grow in my relationship with God” is none of those things! The one thing it is, though, is deeply connected to what matters most to me. That’s why I believe it’s so worth it to pursue spiritual goals I can actually take action on and move forward with in a tangible way. Ideas for Spiritual Resolutions Below, you'll find a few ideas for spiritual resolutions that will indeed help you grow in faith this year, but in a way you can approach intentionally and purposefully. Add one spiritual practice to your regular routine. The quickest way to feel overwhelmed by a goal? Overcommitting to too many ideas. Instead of resolving to attend daily Mass, pray a daily Rosary and the Liturgy of the Hours, lead a new ministry at church, and read the whole Bible in a year, pray about just one thing to add to your regular routine. If that feels too small, just remember, you can always add more to your plate as you master each habit! Starting with just the one thing you feel most convicted about, though, is not only more attainable. The focus may also make that practice more impactful.     Choose a theme for the year. Last year, my husband took a tip from Rome and declared his own spiritual theme for the year. While you can certainly adopt the same theme as the universal Church, there’s something extra motivating about pursuing a topic you feel personally drawn to or intrigued by. The way you follow your chosen theme can take many forms throughout the year, inspiring the books you read, the podcasts you listen to, and the prayers you add to your daily routine. This is the strategy I’m personally taking this year, with a focus on listening well and loving God through the Scripture I’m already reading daily. A few of my action steps include: Journaling alongside the readings (Every Sacred Sunday is a beautiful resource for this!) Reading the daily readings in my physical Bible instead of on my phone so I can underline verses and read footnotes for extra context Compose my own short prayer to say before and after the readings each day Other ideas for possible themes: Getting to know our Blessed Mother Living the liturgical year Diving into the writings of a particular Saint (how fascinating would it be to spend a year with St. John Paul II or Venerable Fulton Sheen?) Studying the Psalms (or any book of the Bible you feel compelled to explore) Learning about Jesus’ Divine Mercy Live out the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy. This could be an especially meaningful option for those of us with very action-oriented, “doer” personalities. As the hands and feet of Jesus in our world, we’re all called to practice the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy. If you’ve never paid much attention to this call, or, like me, you often forget about many of them, consider putting forth a special effort to live out each one this year. Praying through Blessed is She’s Misericordia study would be a perfect starting point! Focus on the Sacraments. No matter where we are in our walks with God, the Sacraments always invite us to go one step deeper. So what might that look like, from a practical point of view? If you attend Mass occasionally, commit to going each Sunday and holy day of obligation. If you go weekly, add one or two daily Masses each month or week. Ramp up your frequency of going to Confession, whatever that may look like for you. If you haven’t given much thought to the Holy Spirit since your Confirmation, print out a prayer to the Holy Spirit (browse the posts from last year’s Prayer Pledge for inspiration) and say it regularly. If you’re married, find a new way to pray with and/or for your spouse. What spiritual resolutions are you setting for the new year? We are praying for you and cheering you on! [bctt tweet="How to Set Spiritual Resolutions for the New Year #BISblog //" username="lisajanelkirk"] HIS WORD CHANGES LIVES God is speaking to you through His Word. In this personal study, you will learn to hear God's voice by reading slowly and praying deeply. BEGIN THE JOURNEY

One of the most beautiful parts of Christmas is seeing the church overflowing with people. No matter what your church attendance is like or where you are in your faith journey, we at Blessed is She pray that you know this truth deeply: you are so welcomed and wanted in the pews of a Catholic Church. Especially as we celebrate the birth of our Savior. The more, the merrier! What to Wear to Christmas Mass? If this Christmas marks the first time you’ve been to Mass in a while, or if it’s your first time ever, feeling a little anxious is completely normal. Anytime I’m faced with a new situation, I’ve found that confidence I’m dressed appropriately helps make me feel more comfortable and present. That is our heart behind this post. While it ultimately does not matter what you wear to church—your presence means more than anything—some outfits are more fitting for the sacredness and reverence of the Mass than others. Christmas Mass Outfit Ideas To help guide your outfit planning for Christmas Mass, and hopefully ease some nerves along the way, I asked a few Catholic blogger friends to share an “outfit recipe.” Each of these looks would be both perfect for the occasion and easy to replicate. Try recreating your favorite style using pieces in your wardrobe! Or browse the products I found at a variety of price points for more ideas. Simply Elegant Outfit Recipe #1: a detailed blouse + black pants + festive heels   Styled by Lisa of Something Pretty Especially at Christmas, the smallest details—a delicate wreath, a strand of lights, a perfectly tied bow—can have the biggest impact. I feel the same way about clothes. I love putting a seasonal twist on my signature classic style this time of year. A pairing as simple as a romantic ivory blouse and black pants becomes instantly Christmas-ready with the addition of a bright red lip and d’Orsay heels. Feminine blouses: ruffle-detailed, embroidered bell sleeve, floral lace, lace bell sleeve Festive heels: red suede bow pumps, burgundy bow slingback heels, polka dot block heels, tartan bow pumps Vintage-Inspired Velvet Outfit Recipe #2: velvet dress + statement booties + dainty clutch   Styled by Janet of Ever Easter, photographed by Emily Hannon I can’t think of a fabric that feels more quintessentially Christmas-y than velvet. Janet (who you may recognize from her fabulous online vintage shop, Ever Thrift) put a sophisticated and fun spin on this winter texture by pairing a vintage velvet dress with metallic booties, statement earrings, and a dainty purse. When browsing velvet dresses, she recommends opting for a more fitted style that falls to, or just below, the knee. Velvet dresses: mockneck midi, twist detail, burgundy pleated, sleeveless boatneck Statement booties: black embossed, silver metallic, leopard print, gold metallic Fun and Feminine Outfit Recipe #3: black bodysuit + red midi skirt + black tights   Styled by Claire of Finding Philothea A bodysuit may not be your first thought when dressing up for church, but here’s the beauty of them: they stay perfectly in place so you won’t need to worry about adjusting them as you sit, stand, and kneel. Claire paired hers with a red A-line midi skirt, black tights, and black heels for a festively feminine look. Black bodysuits: Scoopneck, v-neck, sheer sleeves, three-quarter sleeves Red skirts: A-line, pleated, jacquard, tweed Sophisticated Textures Outfit Recipe #4: patterned midi dress + faux fur vest + knee-high heeled boots   Styled by Nicole of Nicole M. Caruso One of my favorite styling tips is to add a “third piece”—an additional layer, accessory, or piece of statement jewelry to take any outfit from simple to memorable. Nicole demonstrates this perfectly by wearing a faux fur vest over her floral midi dress. The resulting combination of textures feels both bold and elegant. Patterned midi dresses: watercolor red plaid, floral flutter-sleeved, tartan tie-neck, subtle cheetah Faux fur vests: light brown, medium brown, sheering detailed, winter white Knee-high heeled boots: cognac microsuede, slouchy suede, espresso suede, caramel suede Classic and Festive Outfit Recipe #5: turtleneck + pencil skirt + heels + red lipstick   Styled by Kelsey of With a Little Grace Comfortable, festive, and warm enough for the winter, this combination is a classic for a reason. Kelsey styled her Audrey Hepburn-esque black turtleneck with two Christmas-inspired touches: a black watch plaid skirt and a bright red lip. To keep this combination feeling modern and fresh, opt for a skirt that is either knee-length or midi-length and pair it with heels. Turtlenecks: slim fit, slightly drapey, cotton, wool Pencil skirts: classic wool, houndstooth, lace, corduroy The Lord is So Happy to See You at Mass! Whatever you choose to wear, we can’t wait to welcome you to Mass this Christmas! Further Reading Ways to Find Community Within the Church How to Join the Catholic Church How to Go to Confession Do you know what you'll be wearing to Christmas Mass? Give us some more ideas in the comments below! [bctt tweet="Christmas Mass Outfit Ideas #BISblog //" username="lisajanelkirk"]

For years now, St. Andrew has intrigued me. It all started when this Blessed is She reflection landed in my inbox back in 2016. Emily’s words resonated with me deeply two months into motherhood, when I was feeling more invisible than I ever had. Since then, St. Andrew’s name has stood out to me as if highlighted every time he pops up in the Gospel readings for the day. He’s not mentioned too often, speaking up even less—just twice in the Gospel of John. Other than that, he’s always referred to simply as part of the group. In those two instances when his words were recorded, though, they bear a striking similarity. In both cases, they perfectly demonstrate how well he kept his ears open and then was unafraid to speak up. Listening... One of my biggest struggles throughout my life has been listening. Perhaps it’s a bit of a perfectionist streak, my nagging longing to be liked, or my lifelong identity as a writer that makes me feel as though I always need the perfect words. Whatever the cause, I often have to force myself to listen well when someone speaks, rather than plan out the next thing I’ll say. I know this is a weakness. I don’t believe it’s one St. Andrew shared. John tells us that Andrew was an apostle of St. John the Baptist. When St. John the Baptist uttered, “Behold the Lamb of God” as Jesus passed (John 1:35-36), St. Andrew was nearby. St. John the Baptist didn’t outrightly tell his friends to get up and follow Jesus. But, in this case, he didn’t need to. St. Andrew had clearly been listening to the message of this final prophet during their time together: that another was coming. He was listening in this moment when he found out exactly Who that was. He listened. Andrew heard. He got up and followed Jesus (John 1:37). And then...he spoke up. ...and Knowing When to Speak And boy, did his speaking up rock the course of history. Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, was one of the two who heard John and followed Jesus. He first found his own brother Simon and told him, ‘We have found the Messiah’ (which is translated Anointed). Then he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, ‘You are Simon the son of John; you will be called Cephas (which is translated Peter). -John 1:40-42   What if Andrew hadn’t been listening that day? What if he had kept the news of Jesus’ presence to himself? And how often am I not listening? How often am I missing the opportunity to share truth, encouragement, or wisdom because I didn’t hear what I needed to hear in the first place in order to offer those things? Bringing What Little We Have “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish,” he told Jesus, “but what good are these for so many?” -John 6:8-9 This is the second quote of St. Andrew’s recorded in the Gospels. I think you can picture the scene as vividly as I can; we’ve heard it time and time again. There’s a hill crowded with thousands of people. There is a tension of restlessness, trying to see and hear the Messiah, and supernatural calm that there, there He is. And there is the sun starting to sink in the sky and one individual realization after another that no one packed food. We don’t know if St. Andrew was the one who spotted the boy in the crowd of five thousand plus, clutching his measly dinner. We don’t know if the boy presented the food to him, identifying something approachable about the Apostle. But what we do know is that even though this offering seemed insignificant, St. Andrew still brought it to the Lord. “But what good are these?” Those words ring so true to me. What good are my gifts and talents, when there are others so much more skilled? What good is my donation when a need is so great? And what good is my voice when the world is noisy? Jesus’ response to St. Andrew is the same ones He gives to us. He takes our tiny offering with gratitude. Maybe He’ll simply accept it with love. But maybe...maybe He’ll use it to work a miracle. St. Andrew, pray for us! Don’t forget, the St. Andrew novena in preparation for Christmas begins today. As we pray through Advent, may he intercede for us to listen attentively and speak up boldly, just as he did. [bctt tweet="On the Feast of St. Andrew the Apostle #BISblog //" username="lisajanelkirk"]

If there’s one thing I picture most vividly when I think ahead to Advent, it’s moments with my family. I remember racing with my siblings to be the first to hang the ornament on our felt Advent calendar every morning. I smile recalling my toddler’s sweet face, glowing in the light of our Advent candles last year. I’m already looking forward to praying the St. Andrew novena alongside my husband (whose middle name is Andrew) again. Cultivating Closeness with Your Family this Advent When I look back without my rose-colored glasses on, though, I also see so many moments of rush, distraction, and stress in the Advents of my past. Looking ahead to this year, I want less of all of that. Instead, I want to enter into the Christmas season at the end of Advent closer to Christ and closer to the people in my life than ever before. It may feel a little early to start thinking about Advent. Since it can take some time to get our hearts and plans in the right place, though, here are three simple ideas for cultivating closeness with your family this Advent. Carve Out Quality Time Ever since I started distinguishing between the Advent and Christmas seasons, I’ve realized what a blessing it is to put so many activities on hold until December 25. Sure, I aim to complete my Christmas shopping by the end of Cyber Week. Other than that, though, the weeks leading up to Christmas have felt mostly leisurely and slow over the past few years. This intentional margin creates the perfect space for quality time with family members. Cultivate Closeness through Service Living Advent well presents a beautiful opportunity to be a light and an encouragement to others. Maybe your mom is swept up in the chaos of last-minute shopping and gift wrapping. Invite her to take a break and meet you for coffee, cinnamon rolls, and a few hours of reminiscing about childhood holiday memories. Maybe your husband is working extra-long hours to be able to take time off for Christmas. Surprise him with a simple, inexpensive date night. My favorite includes driving around to admire the lights in the area with mugs of hot chocolate in hand. Even if you’re not a “crafty mom” (hand raised high), find just one Advent craft on Pinterest that looks manageable for you and your little ones to tackle. Coordinate siblings spread across different states for a big family Google Hangout one evening. No matter your season of life, your skill set, or even your love language, it’s almost impossible to grow closer to others without spending time with them. Family is certainly no exception. Pray for Your Family More times than I want to admit, I’ve been struck by the realization that I don’t pray for my family as fervently as I should. I want to be the biggest prayer warrior for my husband, son, parents, and siblings. Even so, I still forget their important days, the struggles they’re facing, the delights they’re rejoicing in, and the intentions they’ve shared with me all too often. This year, our Blessed is She Advent Journal serves as the perfect reminder to lift up our families in prayer daily. Centered on Jesus’ own family and genealogy, All the Generations leads us through the people who surrounded and preceded the Word made Flesh. As we dive into this real-life family, who walked and breathed and shared meals and passed on traditions, we’ll be praying for healing in our families. There is so much to learn from this deeply diverse group of people, culminating in the perfection of the Holy Family and in the Savior of the world. Especially if quality family time feels impossible, remember that praying for your family is the one thing you can always do, no matter the situation. Division, strained relationships, unresolved hurts, betrayals, and so much more are very real pain points in so many of our families. These deep struggles can make the community aspect of the Advent and Christmas seasons especially raw and painful. Our hope and prayer is that this year’s Advent Journal assists all of us in praying in a meaningful way for those tender areas of our most intimate relationships. [bctt tweet="Especially if quality family time feels impossible, remember that praying for your family is the one thing you can always do. #BISblog //" username="lisajanelkirk"] Other Ways to Pray Along with praying through our Advent Journal, consider committing to a daily Rosary for your family’s intentions, lifting them up through the novena to the Holy Family, or offering up Masses for them.     Pray With Your Family This last point may be the most challenging one. We all come from diverse families and have experienced different upbringings, which may or may not have included prayer at all. Approach this goal with love and gentleness, especially if your family does not share your Faith. Praying with family can range drastically. But no matter how small your opportunities to do so may be, consider embracing them. That might mean attending Eucharistic Adoration with your whole family. Or, it might be as simple as asking your family to join you in a blessing before dinner. No prayer offered up to Our Lord with a sincere heart goes unheard or unloved! How do you cultivate closeness in your family during Advent? And don’t forget, our 2019 Advent Journal is now available! [bctt tweet="Cultivating Closeness with Your Family this Coming Advent #BISblog //" username="lisajanelkirk"]

For years, the only Catholic “art” on display in my home was a handful of crucifixes. My husband and I strategically hung them so one was always in view no matter where in the house you were. While we loved these beautiful pieces we had collected over the years, it was often all too easy to overlook them. As much as I cringe to admit it, they are so deeply familiar. They often don’t stop me in my tracks unless I’m very purposefully paying attention. A Beautiful and Faith-Filled Home I’m a very visual person, deeply affected by my surroundings and passionate about creating a comfortable, beautiful home. I’m sure many of you can say the same! When my husband expressed how much he wanted more Catholic art in our home a few years ago, I totally agreed with him on principle. But honestly, I was also a little reluctant. At that point, I had seen so few examples of religious art in home decor that didn’t stick out like a sore thumb, especially in a house like ours that has a pretty specific (white, bright, light, and airy) style. We were committed, though, so I decided to flip my reluctance on its head and turn this into a little design challenge. It's a Process Our first solution was a gallery wall that combined family photos, landscapes we’ve snapped, watercolor art, calligraphy prints, and a few 3-D religious items (crucifixes, a Rosary, and even a holy water font). It took a while to curate every piece, but when everything worked with—not against—our home’s aesthetic, it brought even more life and joy to our living room. We loved the results so much, we have brought the same strategy to other areas throughout our home, incorporating meaningful Catholic art seamlessly into our kitchen, our bedroom, and our son’s bedroom. How to Incorporate Religious Art Into Your Home (No Matter Your Style) I’d love to share a few of the tricks we’ve picked up, translated for a few different home styles! If your home is … Light and Airy Natural light makes your heart skip a beat and you’re forever opting for white paint and furniture? Me too. Religious art often comes in warm tones or heavy wood frames. But don’t be afraid to be picky in order to find the right pieces for your home. Swap out the frames on pre-framed pieces for slim white frames from Ikea, Target, or West Elm. White mats in all shapes and sizes are easy to find at stores like Hobby Lobby and Michael’s. We use mats for almost every framed item to give them more “breathing room.” If you find something special in a unique size or shape, Framebridge does incredible (and relatively affordable) custom framing for both paper and other items. Take the time to search for silver-toned icons, white ceramic statues, light-colored Rosaries, and artwork with the light and fresh feel you love. Images of Mary are a great place to start! Don’t miss: Romans 8 Scripture Poster Modern and Minimalist If your style errs on the minimalist side, you probably already pour lots of care and intention into each item you select for your home. Prioritize adding religious art to the areas where you need it most. Perhaps in your foyer, your kitchen, or beside your bed. For bold and impactful reminders, you can’t go wrong with modern-style calligraphy prints of prayers, quotes, or Scripture verses. Especially in a large scale, one bold piece may be all you need to make a statement and inspire more unceasing prayer. Don’t miss: Grace Before Meals Poster Cozy and Traditional If your space is the cozy kind that makes anyone feel welcome to curl up with a cup of coffee, prioritize religious art with a story behind it. Find a spot on your shelf for the statue of Our Lady that lived in your childhood bedroom. Hang a print of a painting that took your breath away on a pilgrimage above your mantle. Peruse Catholic bookstores and parish library sales for beautiful books that double as styling items when stacked on your shelf or coffee table. Don’t give in to the unspoken pressure to fill a space right away. Instead, take your time finding meaningful pieces that will open the doors to many sweet conversations. Don’t miss: Warm & Cozy Candle Colorful and Eclectic Be inspired by the universality of the Church and look to other countries and cultures for plenty of colorful inspiration. Along with keeping an eye out for beautiful pieces while traveling, many large cathedrals and basilicas carry pieces online (the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception’s shop, for example, is a great source of icons and artwork). Tuck Mexican prayer candles into cozy corners of your shelves, or opt for Providential Co.’s modern twist on them. Choose house plants and flowers for your home that have religious meanings. And of course, keep an eye out for colorful scenes in God’s creation that you can photograph and print. Social Print Studio can turn your photos into the coolest wood or metal prints. Don’t miss: Come Holy Spirit Digital Download Art Print It's an Adventure If you take your time collecting and styling, you will end up with a thoughtfully-curated collection that fits seamlessly with your style. And the hunt is almost sure to create its own stories and memories. How do you incorporate religious art into your home? Add your tips, ideas, and favorite sources in the comments below! [bctt tweet="Ideas for Incorporating Catholic Art into Your Home, No Matter Your Style #BISblog //" username="lisajanelkirk"]

Celebrating its 243rd birthday today, the United States of America’s history is brief compared to most other countries. In such a short amount of time, though, our country has been blessed by a handful of Saints. These men and women not only achieved sanctification through their holy lives, but were also instrumental in bringing Catholicism to America and spreading it throughout the country. It is because of these Saints, some born in America and some who immigrated, that we have many of the institutions Catholics in the United States are best known for today: parochial schools, hospitals, services to the poor, and so much more. Praying for The United States with American Saints In celebration of the Fourth of July, here is a look at five American Saints whose intercession we can ask for our country and our role in it. St. Elizabeth Ann Seton St. Elizabeth Ann Seton was the first American-born Saint to be canonized. It's one of a handful of “firsts” she is known for. Born in 1774, she was raised Episcopalian and enjoyed a life of privilege in New York society. She married a wealthy businessman and they had five children. Their seemingly-charmed life began to collapse around them in 1798, when Elizabeth’s father-in-law passed away. Elizabeth’s father died three years later. Two years after that, her husband filed for bankruptcy and his health began to fail. Elizabeth accompanied him to Italy in the hopes of relieving his symptoms of chronic tuberculosis, but the disease took his life while abroad. The sweet consolation of her time in Italy was that her eyes were opened to the beauty of the Catholic Faith by her husband’s Italian colleagues. She was especially drawn to Mary, having lost her own mother as a child, and to the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. Upon her return to America, she entered the Church. Then she opened a school for girls in order to support her family. The backlash from her community following her conversion was so severe that the school struggled greatly. She ultimately relocated her family to Emmitsburg, Maryland and founded another school, followed by a religious order, the Sisters of Charity of St. Joseph, which was focused on caring for poor children. Her organizations were the first Catholic parochial school in the country and the first congregation of religious sisters started in the United States. She served with both until her death at the age of 46. St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, patron of Catholic schools, pray for the Catholic schools, religious education programs, and all parents who are striving to teach their children the Faith here in America. Pray that all educators may hold firmly to the teachings of our Faith and pass them on to our country’s children with care, expertise, and the utmost dedication to the Truth. St. Frances Xavier Cabrini St. Frances Xavier Cabrini began her adult life as a teacher in Italy. She dreamed of being a missionary but was continually rejected by religious communities due to her poor health. Her bishop, recognizing her holiness and zeal, encouraged her to start her own order. She founded the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and her work caught the attention of Pope Leo XIII. It was he who encouraged Mother Cabrini to go “not to the East, but to the West” to further her mission work. She and six sisters traveled to New York City. Despite arriving without money or adequate lodgings, they began their work in high spirits. They opened multiple orphanages and a hospital, all focused on serving the many Italian immigrants. They spread their efforts to Chicago, and eventually throughout the country and even into Nicaragua, establishing 67 institutions in her 67 years of life. St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, help us to lovingly welcome and meet the needs of immigrants. Help us to see them as Christ does and to serve as a witness of God’s love for them. Intercede for all politicians and those who create laws and legislation surrounding immigration, that they may always put the dignity of the human person first. St. John Neumann Born in the now-Czech Republic, St. John Neumann moved to New York in 1836 after completing seminary. He was ordained there and made pastor of the entire New York frontier, covering 100 square miles. One of only 36 priests for 200,000 Catholics, he threw himself headfirst into serving as many of them as he could. He spent the majority of his time traveling between the rural villages and towns, meeting with and serving the German and Irish immigrants. A gifted linguist, he spoke English, German, French, Italian, Dutch, and Gaelic so he could hear confessions in any of those languages. Longing for deeper community, he joined the Redemptorists in 1842. This gave him the opportunity to minister to even more immigrants, particularly in Baltimore and Pittsburgh. In 1852, he was named bishop of Philadelphia. A great focus of his ministry was education. He increased the number of schools in his diocese from two to nearly 100. St. John Neumann, pray that we too may experience your tireless zeal for teaching and sharing the Gospel. Help us to remember that our greatest opportunities for mission work may be right here at home—within our own houses and communities. St. Katharine Drexel Born an heiress to a wealthy and influential family in Philadelphia, St. Katharine Drexel lacked for nothing during her childhood. By the grace of God, her family was not only privileged but incredibly holy and generous. Her father and stepmother modeled a dedication to prayer and a commitment to the works of mercy. Blessed with the opportunity to travel, she accompanied her father West. There she saw firsthand the desperate hardships Native Americans faced. This had a lasting effect on her. After their father’s death, Katharine and her sisters went to Europe together. There they had a private audience with Pope Leo XIII. She told him about her desire to live a contemplative life, as well as the plight of the Native Americans she had witnessed. Upon urging him to send missionaries to their aid, the pope responded, “But why not be a missionary yourself, my child?” Katharine became a nun in 1891. She added a promise “to be the mother and servant of the Indian and Negro races” to her vows. Over the next 40 years, she used her inheritance to found and help maintain an astounding 145 missions, 50 schools for African Americans, and 12 schools for Native Americans through her order, the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament. St. Katharine Drexel, inspire us to always keep our eyes opened to the needs of the marginalized in our society. Pray for us to have the boldness and courage to reach out and meet the needs of those who are in need and to serve where no one else is serving. St. Theodore Guerin Born Anne-Therese Guerin, St. Theodore Guerin spent the first 25 years of her life with her family, first assisting her mother during her father’s many months at a time at sea. When tragedies took the lives of her father and two of her brothers, leaving her mother unable to cope, she then took over the maintenance of the household and the care of her younger sister. At age 25, Anne-Therese’s mother finally accepted her desire to enter religious life and gave her her blessing. After nearly fifteen years of serving some of the most challenging missions in the area, the new Bishop of Vincennes, Indiana asked for a group of sisters to form a mission in the Indiana wilderness. While St. Theodore Guerin did not volunteer due to her health, her participation was personally requested by the sister in charge. So she boarded the ship for America in 1840. The sisters arrived to a single, crowded, broken-down home in the middle of the woods that was to serve as their temporary home. They got right to work, despite the difficult pioneer conditions and harsh winters that the French sisters were unaccustomed to. Persevering through great hardships and persecution from within and outside of the Church, St. Theodore Guerin boldly led the founding of schools, orphanages, a free pharmacy, and a new motherhouse for the Sisters of Providence. St. Theodore Guerin, pray for us, that we may always lovingly accept the tasks appointed to us by the Lord. May we, like you, have the strength to carry them out in service to others, remaining steadfast in faith despite the trials and sufferings that may arise. Lord, Make Us Saints! Thankfully, this list is nowhere near exhaustive. There are many other American Saints, Blesseds, Venerables, and Servants of God throughout our relatively short history. Especially on this Independence Day, we thank God for the examples of these holy American men and women, and pray that we may someday be counted among them! Do you have a special devotion to any United States American Saints? Let us know who and why below! [bctt tweet="Praying for the United States with American Saints #BISblog //" username="lisajanelkirk"]

Summer and community go hand in hand. Whether it's neighborhood block parties, Fourth of July cookouts, feast day celebrations with other Catholic families, or coffee with friends, some of the most beautiful moments of our lives take place when we gather together. All too often, though, our insecurities and fears keep us from hosting, opting instead to wait for an invitation. In Hebrews 13:2, St. Paul encourages us: “Do not neglect hospitality, for through it some have unknowingly entertained angels.” Even if you’re pretty positive that your friends and neighbors aren’t literal angels, that doesn’t let us off the hook for the first part. Yes, there are a thousand reasons why we shouldn’t put ourselves out there and host. Maybe you’ve even convinced yourself of a few: my house is too small I’m not good enough at decorating/cooking/entertaining having people over is too expensive I’m not extroverted or fun enough I don’t have time. I know I have said, and deeply believed, each of these lies from time to time. How to Embrace Imperfect Hosting and Invite People IN Small or insignificant as they may sound at first, these beliefs can hold us back from deep, rich, life-giving moments that Christ desires for us. He created us to be in community, and sometimes, that means being the first one to bravely open the door and say, “Come on in.” Work with What You Have Sometimes, there really are constraints that can keep us from hosting, especially space and money. A one-bedroom apartment might not be the most comfortable place to host ten friends, plus their husbands and kids. If your grocery budget is extra-tight, throwing a gourmet dinner party may not be prudent. But, with a little bit of creativity, there’s always a way to host lovingly. Ask the Holy Spirit for inspiration and pray about how you can best use your gifts, space, resources, and budget to the best of their ability. Your apartment itself may not be the right place for all of those friends to gather, but the pool and picnic tables at your building might make a fantastic setting for a memorable summer afternoon together. If the budget is a hurdle, don’t be afraid to ask guests to contribute food. Most people are happy to know exactly what they can bring! Inviting each person to show off their absolute favorite dish at a potluck dinner not only guarantees some seriously delicious food, it also opens the opportunity to trade stories about those recipes and where they came from. Sometimes, our gatherings won’t look the way we originally envision them. But once we’re in the moment, they’re so, so much better. Lean on Your Village The biggest party I’ve hosted to date (besides my wedding, if you count that) was my son’s Baptism party. My husband and I eagerly began planning a sit-down dinner for 20 people in celebration of this special day, well before our baby was out of my belly and in our arms. Mamas, I think you know where I’m going with this. A few days before the party, it hit me. I’m spending 75 percent of my waking hours nursing. My house is a disaster. And if I don’t make some adjustments to the party plans, there’s a very good chance I’m going to present my firstborn son to God with four days worth of dry shampoo in my hair. A little piece of me was tempted to throw my hands up in defeat and cancel. That certainly would have been the easy route. But did I really want to celebrate my first child’s first Sacrament with microwaved lasagna leftovers when we got home from church? Definitely not. In this case, the scope of our party mirrored the happiness that both we, and the people who had traveled across the country for the occasion, felt over our tiny new Catholic. We needed to be together and feast in celebration to fully express our joy! That made it worth the effort, even if I needed to adjust my expectations and plans in order to work for our new life with a newborn. Ask for Help And so, I turned to the real MVPs: my mom, my mother-in-law, and my husband’s favorite place to get authentic North Carolina barbecue takeout. Everyone was happy, I had time to shower, and as I looked at the people sitting on mismatched chairs around pushed-together tables that night, my house had never felt more like home. Maybe you’re in a season of life when doing all the heavy lifting—the cleaning, the decorating, the cooking, etc.—is both doable and life-giving to you. But, if you’re not (or even if you are, but the party week takes an unexpectedly busy turn), don’t be afraid to ask for help. That could mean hiring a cleaning service, asking friends to bring wine or their signature dishes, or scrapping your homemade menu in favor of delicious takeout like we did. Do whatever restores your joy in hosting and helps you focus on what matters. Invite Boldly (and More Than Once) I’m an introvert, through and through. I almost never ask for an invitation. To be honest, that means I’ve spent a good amount of time in my life feeling kind of lonely. That said, I also really love the excuse to put together a pretty table. I’m also married to an extrovert who is happiest with a house full of people. As a result, we end up hosting relatively often. When we do, I have started trying to identify and invite the people who, like me, would never ask to join otherwise. My heart pounds every time I include an acquaintance I want to get to know better on an e-vite. I get nervous when I walk up to someone after church to invite them to coffee. But, I now know those moments have led to some of my dearest friendships, which makes it worth the risk. On the flip side, I’m learning to offer a lot of grace when I invite someone to something and the answer is no. Especially in the season of parenting young children that I, and most of my friends, are in right now, even our best-laid plans can go awry. It may take five unfortunate (and super-last-minute) nos before a yes can finally come. But all six of those invitations still mean something. Invitations make people feel included and valued, no matter what the response may have to be. That matters, and the relationship will only be deeper because of it. Be Not Afraid A few verses after St. Paul tells us not to neglect hospitality, he reassures us: “The Lord is my helper, and I will not be afraid” (Hebrews 13:6). May we humbly accept His help and the Holy Spirit’s inspiration as we create opportunities for true community to flourish! How are you embracing imperfect hosting this summer? Might we suggest a Blessed Brunch? [bctt tweet="Embracing Imperfect Hosting #BISblog //" username="lisajanelkirk"]

When my husband and I were engaged, one of the first things we did was sit down to figure out which state to get married in. We finally made the decision when we thought back to the first time we had walked into the church I was attending in Raleigh, North Carolina. As our eyes took in the blue, star-covered ceiling, the glow of the stained glass windows, and the old wooden pews, we glanced at each other and tried to hold back our smiles. We weren’t even engaged yet, but a little piece of us knew: someday, that’s where we could get married. It feels fitting, therefore, that since we chose our wedding location based on our church that the ceremony was the number one thing our guests commented on most. Not my dream-come-true wedding dress. Not the details I had agonized over (I was working as an editor at a national wedding magazine when I got married. To say I put a lot of pressure on the aesthetics of the day is an understatement). Not even the signature cocktails! Four years later, we still receive affirmation from loved ones about the joy and reverence of our wedding ceremony. Our wedding certainly wasn’t perfect, but I can gratefully say that our ceremony was one thing that felt as near perfect as it could be. Ways to Share Your Faith Through Your Wedding Ceremony Between planning my own wedding, attending many, and serving as a volunteer on my church’s wedding committee for a few years, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing some truly breathtaking, Holy Spirit-filled ceremonies. I’ve also seen a handful of weddings that left guests awkwardly stumbling through their participation in a nuptial Mass, prayers interrupted by clicking cameras, and couples nervous about how non-Catholic guests may react to certain moments. There are countless ways to lovingly share your Faith through your wedding, ranging from simple to creative. I would consider these five to be the essentials. Print a thorough program. I know a multi-page program costs extra money and time to create. Both of those things are in short supply during the last few months of wedding planning. But let’s be honest: Catholic liturgy can be overwhelming to someone who has never experienced it and has no idea what to do and when to do it. The absolute best thing you can do for those beloved people in your life is to give them all the tools they need to follow along with and understand your ceremony. At a minimum, include the order of the ceremony with the responses and actions guests should be aware of, should they choose to actively participate. This includes both the verbal responses and the physical responses—when they should sit, stand, or kneel. To make it as easy as possible to follow along with, consider including the text of the greeting, Penitential Rite, Gloria, readings, Rite of Marriage, and Liturgy of the Eucharist as well. Your officiant will be the best resource as you work through this! You may also want to consider adding brief explanations to different parts of the Mass, explaining their significance and meaning. While this isn’t as necessary as the former details, it undoubtedly helps people understand what is going on and enter more deeply into prayer alongside you. For example... Here’s an example of a portion from my wedding program: Gospel Reading (Mark 10:6-9) Before the Gospel, the priest will state its origin. All respond “Glory to you, O Lord,” while making a small cross on their foreheads, lips, and heart. This serves as a reminder to us to keep the Holy Scriptures on our minds, on our lips, and in our hearts as we work to spread the Good News of the Gospel of Christ. Jesus said: “From the beginning of creation, God made them male and female. For this reason, a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. So they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, no human being must separate.” The Gospel of the Lord. People: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ. (Please be seated) Request an unplugged ceremony. In this day and age, it’s rare to witness an entire ceremony during which no one, from teenagers to sweet grandmas, pulls out their phone to snap a picture. The best way to keep this to a minimum is to request an “unplugged ceremony.” Cameras/phones can far too easily become a distraction to you, to other guests, and even to the person taking the photo who is focusing on their composition rather than remaining truly present to you and to God. On a lesser, but still very important note, guests popping out into the aisles or blocking the photographer's view can be a huge hurdle to getting beautiful photos you’re paying a professional to take. In most churches, the photographer is restricted to certain areas, so even one guest unexpectedly in the way can ruin their shot. An unplugged ceremony helps them to do their jobs well and get the best results they can...resulting in photos you can happily share with your guests later! For example... Here is how we made the request in our program: Please note: Lisa and David ask that out of respect for this sacred place and the sacrament they are about to receive, all guests please keep all cameras, cell phones, and other technology put away and on silent for the duration of the ceremony. In appreciation, they would be happy to share pictures from their professional photographer with you after the wedding. Thank you! Choose your readings and songs with care. While a Catholic ceremony doesn’t offer the unlimited options that getting married, say, on a mountain would, don’t believe that this means your ceremony won’t be personal to you and your husband-to-be. Take the time to pray, together and individually, about the options for your first and second readings, Gospel and Gospel Acclamation, and Responsorial Psalm. Which ones resonate most with your relationship, your vision for your marriage, or your prayers for your future together? Since these readings are one of the most significant ways you can “personalize” your ceremony, be sure to make them count. As long as your music is religious in nature and played live, there can actually be quite a bit of flexibility in the choices. Do you want your ceremony to feel joyful and exuberant? Solemn and contemplative? Sweet and lighthearted? Music helps set any of these tones and more. Get to know your officiant. Many guests at your wedding may be most familiar with ceremonies officiated by close friends, family friends, or mentors—likely all people who know the bride and groom extremely well. Hopefully, you know the priest or deacon who is officiating your wedding. But if, for whatever reason, you don’t (perhaps due to schedule changes, a wedding in a city you don’t live in, or new clergy at the parish), schedule a meeting with him at least a few weeks before the big day. Better yet, invite them to dinner! Take some time to share a little bit of your story, your testimonies, why you chose your readings, and what you’re most excited about as you look ahead to married life. You don’t get much (if any) say in the message of the homily. But if your officiant knows the two of you and what’s important to you, he can be equipped to personalize it as he sees fit. Pray for your guests. For some guests, your wedding may be the first time they have ever stepped foot into a Catholic church. What an incredible opportunity for you to welcome them with open arms! As you count down the days to your wedding, take some time to lift your guests up in prayer. Ask for healing from any fears or wounds that may have kept them from the Church in the past. Pray that their eyes, ears, and hearts may be open to the Holy Spirit. And then, sweet friend, sit back and let God work through the Sacrament you have so generously invited your guests to witness. What would you add to this list? Let us know below, and if you’re currently planning a wedding, please know of our prayers for you! [bctt tweet="Ways to Share Your Faith Through Your Wedding #BISblog //" username="lisajanelkirk"]

I recognized their names from the Roman Canon, but it wasn’t until daily Mass one March 7th that the priest brought Sts. Perpetua and Felicity to life before the eyes of my heart. His words transformed the wooden pews of the church around me into a vision of the prison in Carthage in the year 203. I saw the walls that held these holy young Catechumens before their martyrdoms. How was it, I wondered, that the lives of two women who died over 1,800 years ago feel so profoundly relevant to me? Here lies what I find to be one of the most beautiful aspects of our Catholic Faith. In the Communion of Saints, nothing—not time in history, location, race, circumstance, wealth, or vocation-—an hold us back from learning and drawing inspiration from those who have fought the good fight before us. Learning from Sts. Perpetua and Felicity So what can modern Catholic women learn from two third-century martyrs? Plenty. We are called to loyalty to Christ even before loyalty to our loved ones. Like many of our own families today, Perpetua’s family was divided in their beliefs. Her mother was a Christian, but her father was a pagan. When he pleaded desperately for Perpetua to renounce her newfound Faith, knowing it would put her life in danger, she gracefully responded: Father...do you see this vessel lying, a pitcher or whatsoever it may be? Can it be called by any other name than that which it is? So can I call myself nought other than that which I am, a Christian. St. Perpetua knew wholeheartedly that her identity was solely in Christ. Her loyalty was to Jesus who saved her, even before loyalty to the father who raised her, provided for her throughout her life, and truly loved her and wanted what he believed to be the best for her. She wasn’t heartless toward her father. Rather, she repeats again and again in her diary that she grieved for him, knowing that he would not rejoice in her death without the promise of salvation that she rested in so confidently. While not expressly stated in her account, I can only imagine how many hours St. Perpetua spent praying for her father in the final days of her life. [bctt tweet="Do you see this vessel lying...? Can it be called by any other name than that which it is? So can I call myself nought other than that which I am, a Christian. -St. Perpetual #BISblog //" username="lisajanelkirk"] Any situation can be transformed by love. Few settings sound more dire than the third-century dungeon where Sts. Perpetua and Felicity and their companions spent their final days. It was so packed with people, there was barely room to move. The heat was stifling from the crowd. The guards treated the prisoners cruelly. It was so dark that St. Perpetua claims she “had never known such darkness.” Most of all, though, she was tormented by her separation from her son, a baby or young child who was not yet weaned. Eventually, St. Perpetua was granted permission to nurse her son, brought to her by her mother and brother. More than the escape from the crowd and the oppressive heat, holding her child is what brought Saint Perpetua relief. She wrote, “...I became well and was lightened of my labor and care for the child; and suddenly the prison was made a palace for me, so that I would sooner be there than anywhere else.” While we may never experience so drastic a situation as a prison turned to a palace, we can transform the situations in which we feel trapped, discontent, rejected, or alone by focusing on who and how well we love. We have a responsibility to pray for the souls in Purgatory. While she was in prison, St. Perpetua had a vision of her brother, Dinocrates, who had died of disease at the age of seven. She saw him pale and discolored, still bearing the ulcers on his face that had led to his death. He was hot and thirsty, but unable to drink from a font of water, which was too high for him to reach. Upon waking, she realized her late brother was in torment and needed her prayers. She prayed faithfully every day, and offered up her sufferings for his sake. Days later, she had another vision. This time, she saw Dinocrates clean and finely clothed, with only a faint scar on his face where the ulcers had been. The water font was at his waist level and he drank from it heartily using a golden goblet before running off to play. The poor souls in Purgatory, unable to pray or obtain any merits for themselves any longer, rely on us for our prayers and intercession. It’s far more comforting (tempting, even) to believe that departed souls go straight to Heaven. But denying the reality of Purgatory—and likewise, our responsibility to the souls there—does a great disservice both to them and to us. We can rest assured that the souls we pray for will be only too happy to return the favor and pray for us once they do reach Heaven, as I can only imagine Dinocrates did for his sister. How we present ourselves to the world matters. Don’t get me wrong, appearances are far from the most important thing. But, the ways we choose to present ourselves to the world do matter, because our outward appearance is meant to reflect our hearts. Sts. Perpetua and Felicity illustrate this in two ways. When the day of the games arrived, the executioners tried to dress the prisoners in the outfits of pagan priests and priestesses. St. Perpetua boldly spoke up, refusing to compromise their witness even in these final moments, and the group was permitted to appear as they were. Moments later, these heroic saints faced the beasts in the arena. A savage cow was set upon Sts. Perpetua and Felicity, and when St. Perpetua’s leg was gored, she fell to the ground. Then, something unexpected happened. According to the witness who completed her diary with an account of their martyrdom, “Next, looking for a pin, she likewise pinned up her disheveled hair; for it was not meet that a martyr should suffer with hair disheveled, lest she should seem to grieve in her glory.” You read that right. St. Perpetua fixed her hair after being gored by a savage cow. The author of this account is clear that St. Perpetua’s intention was far from vanity. Rather, she cared about the impression she was giving through every moment of her very public martyrdom. She welcomed the opportunity to die for Christ with gratitude, even joy. By suffering so gracefully, she shared that message with every person who witnessed her torture and death. We are stronger in community than we are alone. We don’t know as much about St. Felicity as we do about St. Perpetual. We do know that, when she was taken captive, she was eight months pregnant. The law prohibited the execution of pregnant women. St. Felicity was filled with sorrow by the likelihood that she would not be able to stand with her friends as they faced their impending martyrdoms only to be killed later, amongst people she didn’t know. The group prayed fervently, and sure enough, St. Felicity gave birth to a daughter three days before the games. There is so much hope within this testimony. In community, we draw the strength and courage we so desperately need to face the evil of the world. We have the opportunity to pray and intercede for each other, knowing that “for where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:20). And, in some cases, we may even be called to face death together. So she stood up; and when she saw Felicity smitten down, she went up and gave her her hand and raised her up. On their feast day today, may Saints Perpetua and Felicity pray for us! To dive more deeply into their testimony, read St. Perpetua’s diary, one of the earliest surviving pieces of writing by a Christian woman, here. [bctt tweet="What Modern Catholic Women Can Learn from Two Third-Century Martyrs #BISblog //" username="lisajanelkirk"]

We packed away our ornaments, stockings, and wreaths until next year. Both my fireplace mantel and my heart felt a little barer because of it. I don’t even live in a place with terribly cold winters, but after the holidays, spring seems so awfully far away. I find myself complaining more than usual when the days are cold and gloomy. I find that small trials sometimes feel larger, and large trials nearly too heavy to bear. Give me April, Easter, sunshine, blue skies, and trees sprinkled with dogwood blossoms, and I instantly become far more the person and the Catholic that I want to be. Finding Joy in the Midst of Winter I’m determined to make this winter different. With a little help from the Danish concept of hygge, plus some tough love to pull me out of my inevitable post-holiday funk, my prayer is for an increase in joy throughout these winter months. Joy vs. Happiness One definition of happiness is “a pleasurable or satisfying experience.” That definition ties our happiness directly to our circumstances. Did you receive affirmation at work today? Were your kids well-behaved? Was the sun shining beautifully after days of rain? All of these things can make us happy, and sure, even help lead us to joy. But joy itself? That is a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), distinguished by the fact that it does not depend on circumstance. It comes from within, ignited and encouraged by God. Its presence is determined by the state of our souls, not the state of our days or our homes or the people in our lives. It is a deeper, more satisfying happiness that can carry us through any trial, if we are brave enough to ask for it. In moments of suffering, pain, and even death, joy can feel unreachable because happiness feels unreachable. But throughout history, the Saints prove that joy is accessible to us even when we may have every logical reason to feel only sorrow. There are more Saints who exemplify joy than we’ll ever know, but three in particular have taught me that joy is never unreachable if we know to Whom we must look for it. Joy Does Not Depend on Our Circumstances Philippians is the go-to book of the Bible when you want to study the gift of joy. St. Paul repeated the words “joy” and “rejoice” fifteen times throughout the four brief chapters of the book. (Note: This number may vary a little based on Bible translations. I counted in my Catholic Journaling Bible). He rejoiced in the holiness and love shown by the Philippians. He rejoiced in the chance to share the Good News, even when it could have cost him his life. Paul rejoiced in the promise of Heaven. He rejoiced in the opportunity to put the Philippians’ worries for him to rest through his letter. He encouraged them, time and time again, to rejoice too, saying: Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice! Your kindness should be known to all. The Lord is near. Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of Christ that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. -Philippians 4:4-7   Sisters, St. Paul was doing all of this rejoicing from a prison cell, in danger of death. I Can Rejoice in All Moments, Too. I’ve never been imprisoned or in danger of death because of my Faith, but I sure let a toy-covered house that has gone a few days too many without seeing a vacuum cleaner get to me. I get too caught up in deadlines and emails and the pressure I weigh myself down with to rejoice in the blessing of work that I love. I let a neglected chore, a petty argument, or a Target-aisle tantrum steal the joy I usually find in my vocation as a wife and mother. Rejoice in the Lord, always. The house will be cleaned eventually. The work will still be there in the morning. I’ll blink and remember how ridiculously grateful I am that my college crush became my husband and that we have a precious little boy as a result. When I relinquish control and place my anxieties into the open hands of Jesus, St. Paul’s words ring so true, and I find the strength to rejoice too. Joy Does Not Depend on Our Past Something terrible happened to someone I love dearly a few months ago. While the road to healing will be a long one, I’ve been brought to tears because, in the midst of it all, she has still found moments of beautiful, restorative joy. “Joy does not depend on our past” is the phrase that I hope echoes in the hearts of anyone who believes that what they have done, seen, experienced, or barely survived has the power to steal their chance at joy forever. Pope Saint John Paul II is proof of this to me. He lost both his parents and only sibling by the time he was 19. He had a front-row seat to the horrors of the Holocaust and saw countless friends and neighbors led to their deaths. Under the control of a string of evil dictators, he watched his beloved homeland fall. That was Karol Wojtyla’s story. Had it been mine, I can’t honestly say I would have ever allowed myself to seek joy again. But thankfully, John Paul II knew better. He knew his joy didn’t depend on the horrors or heartbreak of his past; only on the truth of the Resurrection and the promise of Heaven. We who are Christians have a further cause for joy: like Jesus, we know that we are loved by God our Father. This love transforms our lives and fills us with joy. It makes us see that Jesus did not come to lay burdens upon us. He came to teach us what it means to be fully happy and fully human. Therefore, we discover joy when we discover truth--the truth about God our Father, the truth about Jesus our Saviour, the truth about the Holy Spirit who lives in our hearts. -Pope Saint John Paul II (source)   Joy Does Not Depend on Our Feelings When you Google “Saint quotes about joy,” the name you’ll see pop up the most frequently is a very familiar one: Saint Teresa of Calcutta. To most people, this probably isn't surprising. Mother Teresa founded the Missionaries of Charity! She knew exactly what her vocation and calling was! She was recognized and beloved by millions during her life! The ingredients for joy certainly seem to be there, don’t they? But, as we know now, Mother Teresa’s spiritual life was not marked by the consolation and encouragement that everyone assumed it was. On the contrary, she endured over fifty years of spiritual darkness. “Love—the word—it brings nothing. I am told God lives in me—and yet the reality of darkness and coldness and emptiness is so great that nothing touches my soul,” she once wrote to her spiritual director. And yet, these words are hers as well: Never let anything so fill you with sorrow as to make you forget the joy of Christ risen.   To Love is to Choose Saint Teresa may not have felt God’s presence, but she believed in Him, fiercely, wholeheartedly, and passionately. Her unwavering faith filled her with joy, even in the midst of the sickness and destitution she experienced daily in her ministry, and even in the decades of spiritual loneliness she endured. She fought the doubt that must have plagued her and trusted with all her heart that Jesus died for her, rose for her, and loved her, even when she felt nothingness in the moment. That heroic faith turned into joy, and that joy inspired (and continues to inspire) the world. But most importantly, that faith made her a Saint. When it seems most impossible to grasp, be unafraid to ask the Holy Spirit for more, more, and more joy. Especially in these months of winter, let’s pray for an outpouring of joy over the whole Blessed is She community. [bctt tweet="Finding Joy in the Midst of Winter (and Encouragement from the Saints) #BISblog //" username="lisajanelkirk"]

Maybe you’ve already bought the new Blessed is She Lent Journal, To the End, and you’re filled with hopeful anticipation to begin. But you can’t help but wonder if you’ll actually be able to stick with it till Easter. Maybe you’ve shrugged it off, because most days, you’re lucky to fit in ten minutes of prayer in the car, let alone some uninterrupted journaling time. So why bother trying? Whether you fit one of those descriptions or fall somewhere in between, this post is for you. As Catholics, wives, mothers, grandmothers, religious sisters, students, working women, sisters, daughters, friends, and more, we all have a lot on our plates. We’re all busy with the good work that our vocations and seasons of life demand of us, and that is not a bad thing. In fact, it’s one reason why Lent is such a tremendous blessing. Each year, God calls us to forty days set apart from our daily lives—not physically, maybe emotionally, but certainly spiritually. It is too easy—tempting in fact—to let Lent look no different from the other 325 days of the year just minus the chocolate, or social media, or whatever we choose to give up. But what if we would gain more spiritually by committing to daily prayer (with or without the guidance of the Lent Journal) than by saying sayonara to Instagram for forty days? I think we might. When and Where to Use Your Lent Journal In this short month before the start of Lent, pray about what it might look like to add some prayer or devotion to your days, instead of or in addition to making a sacrifice of some kind. What is God asking you to lift up or lay down? If the Lent Journal may help you set Lent apart spiritually, here are a few ideas for how you may be able to best fit it into your daily routine. During Your Morning Prayer Routine If you already carve out time for prayer at the start of the day, adding the daily pages of the Lent Journal may fit into your routine seamlessly. If you don’t want it to replace something that’s part of your current routine, you may need to set your alarm fifteen minutes earlier. Just consider that part of your Lenten sacrifice. It will be well worth it! Even more of a sacrifice? Starting a morning prayer routine from scratch during Lent. A few tips: get your coffee maker ready the night before and set it to brew automatically so you’ll be able to pour a cup as soon as you get up. Set out your materials (like your Lent Journal, a pen, your Bible, a Rosary) the night before along with a blanket to cozy up in. Offer up the words “All for you, Jesus” as your feet hit the floor, especially on the days when you could really use the extra sleep. Trust that Jesus will never miss your morning coffee date. He will cherish that sweet, quiet time with you! On Your Commute Of course, if you drive to work yourself, skip to the next idea. But if you take public transportation or carpool, stick your Lent Journal in your work bag and pull it out during your commute. Reflecting on Jesus and who He is is sure to start your day off on a peaceful, soul-filling note that can carry over into each interaction throughout the day. At Noon Tracing back to 11th-century Italy, praying the Angelus daily has long been a beautiful part of Catholic prayer tradition. Traditionally marked by the ringing of church bells at 6 a.m., noon, and 6 p.m. (something that is still done in some places, but not quite as often as in the past), my personal favorite time to pray the Angelus is at noon. I’m usually right in the middle of prepping lunch for my two-year-old, scrounging up something for myself, or wrapping up my last email or draft from a morning of work. But that’s exactly why I need it. When the “noon bells ring” (ahem, via an iPhone app, in my case), I’m reminded to try to stop what I’m doing and recall our Lord’s Incarnation and Mary’s role in our salvation story. Perhaps during Lent, these bells can also be a call to take fifteen minutes with your Journal. I’ll be the first to admit that this timing would not be the best in my particular season. But I think I would have loved it during college! At 3:00 P.M. The 3:00 hour holds special significance to us year-round, but especially during Lent when Our Lord’s Passion is always close to our hearts. Again, if your schedule and season of life make this middle-of-the-afternoon time a possibility, 3:00 would be an incredibly beautiful time to sit down every day with your Lent Journal. Consider pairing it with a Divine Mercy Chaplet. While Waiting for Your Children If your afternoons are often defined by waiting for your children—in the carpool line, on the bleachers during soccer practice, in the lobby during gymnastics, etc.—consider using this time to dive into your Journal. Its slim (but sturdy) profile and soft cover make it lightweight and easy to throw into your bag and bring it along wherever you’re going. Best of all, your kids catching you with it opens up beautiful opportunities to share with them about doing something meaningful for Lent. After Dinner Do you know which moments of Lent seem to be the hardest to me? That hour or two after dinner when whatever I gave up is particularly tempting. Gave up dessert? This is when the post-dinner, “I could go for a little something sweet,” feeling kicks in. Gave up TV? This is when curling up on the couch with my husband for a show on Netflix sounds the most enticing. And so on and so forth. No matter what I gave up, my resolve feels weakest at the end of a long day. That’s why picking up the Lent Journal at this time would be so helpful. It would serve as a needed reminder that our sacrifices are for a purpose, and we are drawing closer to Christ because of them. Before Bed My husband falls asleep within seconds of his head hitting the pillow. But if you’re more like me, and desperately need some quality wind-down time before sleep is even on your radar, I love the idea of closing the day with Jesus. Dim the lights, maybe light a calming-scented candle, and go through the Lent Journal pages for the day. Conclude with an Examination of Conscience. When we reflect on who Christ is and how we can better reflect Him in the days ahead, we set ourselves up for daily growth in our walks with the Lord. What more could we ask for during Lent, and beyond? When and where will you be fitting your Lent Journal into your daily routine? Let us know below so we can be encouraged by one another! [bctt tweet="When + Where to Use the Blessed is She Lent Journal #BISblog #BISlent //" username="lisajanelkirk"]

Week Four // Prayer for the Gifts of the Holy Spirit Holy Spirit, Divine Consoler, I adore You as my true God, with God the Father and God the Son. I adore You and unite myself to the adoration You receive from the angels and saints. I give You my heart and I offer my ardent thanksgiving for all the grace which You never cease to bestow on me. O Giver of all supernatural gifts, who filled the soul of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, with such immense favors, I beg You to visit me with Your grace and Your love and to grant me the gift of holy fear, so that it may act on me as a check to prevent me from falling back into my past sins, for which I beg pardon. Grant me the gift of piety, so that I may serve You for the future with increased fervor, follow with more promptness Your holy inspirations, and observe your divine precepts with greater fidelity. Grant me the gift of knowledge, so that I may know the things of God and, enlightened by Your holy teaching, may walk, without deviation, in the path of eternal salvation. Grant me the gift of fortitude, so that I may overcome courageously all the assaults of the devil, and all the dangers of this world which threaten the salvation of my soul. Grant me the gift of counsel, so that I may choose what is more conducive to my spiritual advancement and may discover the wiles and snares of the tempter. Grant me the gift of understanding, so that I may apprehend the divine mysteries and by contemplation of heavenly things detach my thoughts and affections from the vain things of this miserable world. Grant me the gift of wisdom, so that I may rightly direct all my actions, referring them to God as my last end; so that, having loved Him and served Him in this life, I may have the happiness of possessing Him eternally in the next. Week Four Intention We pray for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the Universal Church. Week Four // Day Seven Grant me the gift of wisdom, so that I may rightly direct all my actions, referring them to God as my last end; so that, having loved Him and served Him in this life, I may have the happiness of possessing Him eternally in the next. Out of all the gifts of the Holy Spirit, I bet this is the one we have prayed for the most. Perhaps this is even the only one we’ve actually prayed for by name. Every time we pray the words, “Heavenly Father, show me what to do,” or, “Why am I in this situation?“ or even, “Lord, how could you let this happen?” we are praying for the gift of wisdom. Pope Francis defines wisdom as “the grace of being able to see everything with the eyes of God…to see the world, to see situations, circumstances, problems, everything through God’s eyes” (source). If we can see our lives and our world through God’s eyes, how much more loving will we be? How much more will we go out of our way to serve our neighbors? How much more patient will we be in trying circumstances? How much more willingly will we suffer? God loves prayers for the gift of wisdom. We see His loving approval of this request time and time again in Scripture, most notably in the way He rewards Solomon in the Old Testament. When God offered Solomon anything he desired and Solomon asked for the gift of wisdom in order to rightly rule the people of Israel, God replied: Because this has been your wish—you did not ask for riches, treasures, and glory, or the life of those who hate you, or even for a long life for yourself, but you have asked for wisdom and knowledge in order to rule my people over whom I have made you king—wisdom and knowledge are given you. I will also give you riches, treasures, and glory, such as kings before you never had, nor will those who come after you. -2 Chronicles 1:11-12   As we close this week and this beautiful prayer of holy St. Alphonsus Liguori, I’m reminded of something one of my favorite professors used to say: God gives for the sake of giving. We serve a generous and loving God, sisters. Let us boldly ask for the gifts of the Holy Spirit to pour down on ourselves, our communities, and our world, that we may use those gifts to build the Church and love the Lord with all our hearts, minds, and strength. Ask for the grace to see a particular situation in your life through God’s eyes. How does it look different after doing so? Prayer + Discussion for Prayer Partners Having prayed through St. Alphonsus Liguori’s Prayer for the Gifts of the Holy Spirit this week, which gift stood out to you? Discuss which gifts you desire most, as well as those you are already growing in. [bctt tweet="Grant me the gift of wisdom, so that I may rightly direct all my actions, referring them to God as my last end; so that...I may have the happiness of possessing Him eternally in the next. #BISblog #prayerpledge //" username="lisajanelkirk"]

Week Four // Prayer for the Gifts of the Holy Spirit Holy Spirit, Divine Consoler, I adore You as my true God, with God the Father and God the Son. I adore You and unite myself to the adoration You receive from the angels and saints. I give You my heart and I offer my ardent thanksgiving for all the grace which You never cease to bestow on me. O Giver of all supernatural gifts, who filled the soul of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, with such immense favors, I beg You to visit me with Your grace and Your love and to grant me the gift of holy fear, so that it may act on me as a check to prevent me from falling back into my past sins, for which I beg pardon. Grant me the gift of piety, so that I may serve You for the future with increased fervor, follow with more promptness Your holy inspirations, and observe your divine precepts with greater fidelity. Grant me the gift of knowledge, so that I may know the things of God and, enlightened by Your holy teaching, may walk, without deviation, in the path of eternal salvation. Grant me the gift of fortitude, so that I may overcome courageously all the assaults of the devil, and all the dangers of this world which threaten the salvation of my soul. Grant me the gift of counsel, so that I may choose what is more conducive to my spiritual advancement and may discover the wiles and snares of the tempter. Grant me the gift of understanding, so that I may apprehend the divine mysteries and by contemplation of heavenly things detach my thoughts and affections from the vain things of this miserable world. Grant me the gift of wisdom, so that I may rightly direct all my actions, referring them to God as my last end; so that, having loved Him and served Him in this life, I may have the happiness of possessing Him eternally in the next. Week Four Intention We pray for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the Universal Church. Week Four // Day Six Grant me the gift of understanding, so that I may apprehend the divine mysteries and by contemplation of heavenly things detach my thoughts and affections from the vain things of this miserable world. So very often, I find myself deeply distracted by what St. Alphonsus Liguori calls “the vain things of this miserable world.” Sale e-mails that clutter my inbox. The temptation to complain when traffic is slow and I’m already running fifteen minutes late. My Instagram feed when I view it through the lens of discontentment rather than appreciation. The way I all-too-often find my worth in my job title, and not in my identity as a daughter of the King. It is one thing to pray against these temptations and distractions once they’re present, but I’m intrigued by St. Alphonsus Liguori’s approach. Rather than allowing the shiny objects of the world to fill his mind and heart and then praying to refocus, he prays for the gift of understanding—that his mind would be filled with things of the Kingdom, leaving no room for anything else. Pope Francis said understanding “is the gift with which the Holy Spirit introduces us into intimacy with God and makes us sharers in the plan of love which he has for us” (source). Our Faith is mysterious in many ways, but through the gift of understanding, we can grasp at its teachings, God’s calls on our lives, and our true identity in Him. Little by little, step by step. Imagine scraping the muck off of an old window that has been covered by years of dirt, grime, and mud. That window, so often, is our heart existing here in the world. By the grace of God, through the Sacraments, and with the gift of understanding from the Holy Spirit, we can clean and polish the window until we can see clearly through it. And it happened that, while he was with them at table, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them. With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he vanished from their sight. Then they said to each other, ‘Were not our hearts burning [within us] while he spoke to us on the way and opened the scriptures to us?’ -Luke 24:30-32   Identify a place where you are distracted by something other than God and take one concrete action to quiet its voice in your life. Prayer + Discussion for Prayer Partners Discuss which “vain things of the world” distract you from heavenly things most. How can you clear space in your heart and schedule for contemplation of the divine instead? [bctt tweet="Grant me the gift of understanding, so that I may apprehend the divine mysteries and by contemplation of heavenly things detach my thoughts and affections from the vain things of this miserable world. #BISblog #prayerpledge //" username="lisajanelkirk"]