Saint John Bosco is famous for being a great educational reformer, yet he would probably not point to education as his success story. I imagine he would point to specific boys and share their stories. Knowing “his boys” was an integral piece of Saint John Bosco’s educational philosophy.  I stumbled upon Saint John Bosco’s educational philosophy providentially. I was not happy with any discipline system I tried in the classroom—all were from a negative perspective. I desired a classroom that was friendly and trusting, one that was open so I would not have to worry about what my students were doing in secret. I looked to the great Saint educators like Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton and Saint Katherine Drexel—and a quick internet search led to the book The Educational Philosophy of Saint John Bosco. (Sadly, the book is out of print, but there are used copies available.) I was hooked, both by Saint John Bosco himself and by the way he interacted with his students. I think his philosophy is not limited to the classroom; it’s appropriate for parenting, friendship, and even the workplace.  The Preventative System Saint John Bosco stumbled into being an educational leader. In the midst of the Industrial Revolution in Turin, he saw how many young boys were ending up in prison. He wanted to prevent this from happening, and headed out into the streets to meet the boys and young men where they were. He “hooked” them first with his skills of juggling and acrobatics, then shared the Gospel with them. His outreach grew into finding proper housing, then education for his boys. His work reached thousands of boys, and provided housing for eight hundred of them, with the help of Saint John Bosco’s mother.  Saint John Bosco’s educational philosophy is called the “Preventive System.” It centers on reason, religion, and kindness. It focuses on knowing the child so well as to prevent discipline, and instead forms and encourages self-discipline.  {formbuilder:OTk3ODc=} How Did Saint John Bosco Teach? Perhaps it’s better to introduce it in Saint John Bosco’s own words and as described by his own contemporaries:  In John Bosco’s own words:  “Boys should be guided and corrected but not by aloof superiors.”  “Without confidence and love, there can be no true education.” “Behave in such a way that all those who speak to you may become your friends.” “You asked for advice. Here it is:  When you have to correct someone in particular, never do so in the presence of others. When you give advice or counsel always try to send the person away satisfied and still friendly to you. Always thank those who admonish you and take their corrections in good part.  “Question, question, question, over and over again. The more the pupil is made to talk the more he will profit from his schooling.”  “Think of them as your brothers; kindness, understanding, and patience are the keys to their hearts.” He loved to quote Saint Philip Neri: “Run, jump, have all the fun you want at the right time, but for heaven’s sake, do not commit sin!”  “A warm welcome is what, above all, attracts boys. To obtain good results in educating youngsters, one must find a way first to win their love, then they will fear to displease him.”  “Be quick to forgive—and do so wholeheartedly . . . When a punishment is unavoidable, take your pupil aside and show him his wrong as well as your regret at having to punish him.”  “If you have to give any correction, do it privately, in secret, and with the greatest sweetness.”  Saint John Bosco as Described by His Contemporaries Saint John Bosco “was friendly and affable, avoiding a formalism and a rigorism which erect a wall between superior and subject. His authority inspired respect, confidence and love . . . This was a mode of operation that enabled an educator to discover his pupils’ temperament, wield it prudently, and unlock its hidden energies.”  “Humble as he was, he acted amiably with both rich and poor. He refrained from giving orders, even to his boys. His usual approach was: ‘Would you please do this or that?’”  He “knew them all individually by name and surname . . . even though the number of boys he dealt with, whether boarders or day students, ran into the thousands.”  “He was firmly convinced that to educate boys one must find the way to their hearts.”  Saint John Bosco’s Educational Philosophy “Friendliness and affability, based on patience, self-control, self-denial, and love of his fellow man were to be characteristics of the Christian educator.”  “Discipline was based on mutual trust between the teacher and taught . . . His work was useless if he failed to win the confidence and love of the educand; education was a failure if the youth did not place his trust in the educator. “ “The methods of correction were said to be effective because they appealed to the conscience and not to fear of reprimands or punishments.” “In the ‘pedagogy of confidence’ the teacher was expected to become interested in those things which interested the pupils. “Perhaps the most demanding aspect of the preventative system, in which the educator continually present among his students, involved himself in their world; they in turn adopting his because they were aware of his love for, and interest in, them.”  The Mission of the Soul For John Bosco each life was his mission, he knew he was about the salvation of that soul.  He considered the primary duty of the teacher (and anyone really) is to bring Christ to that person. My classroom, and I myself, transformed as I worked to implement the philosophy of Saint. John Bosco. I found I was able to connect with my students in a Christ-centered way, and it led to deep conversations and relationships with their families. I experienced what Saint John Bosco said about his work: “How many wonders had the Lord wrought in our midst!”

What might have been going through the woman’s mind at this point? She was left alone with Jesus after He had rescued her from those that sought to condemn her for the sin of adultery. Every other man she had been left alone with had used her. 

We all have hopes and dreams, imaginings of our happily ever afters. So do the Saints. Saint Gemma dreamed and longed to be a nun. There were times in her life she thought that dream was finally coming to be fulfilled, only to be thwarted at the last minute.

My mom claims my favorite sentence when I was little was, “I can do it myself.” Though this attitude is helpful as a child learns new skills, as an adult, it can build walls instead of bridges. This attitude has helped me try new things, but has also spilled over into my prayer life at times. 

“Jesus spoke very strongly to me. ‘What are you doing?’ he said to me. ‘What have you to say? Aren't you ever moved at all?’ Then it was that, not being able to resist any longer, I blurted out: ‘Oh Jesus, how is it that you who are most perfect and all holy choose one so full of coldness and imperfection to love?’”

A good dancer who knows how to lead is art in motion. They have the ability to make even a bad dancer look good, or even a bad dancer feel like they are a good dancer! They can move their partner so subtly—through a gentle touch, a gaze—that the partner willingly follows, trusting their lead. Confident in the other, the partner follows the direction of the lead without even realizing it, just enjoying the process and beauty of the movement.  Perhaps this is why we love to watch the first dance at a wedding. The couple, each confident in the other’s love, can only gaze at each other. Eyelash to eyelash with someone, there is a great deal of intimacy and vulnerability in that gaze. Yet that is the very meaning of the word reconciliation: to be eyelash to eyelash again. When we have an eyelash to eyelash moment with the Lord, perhaps in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, or Adoration, or in the Word, we are changed. We can’t go back to who we were before: the Lord has entered in and we must respond.  Pope Benedict XVI wrote in Deus Caritas Est that, “Being Christian is not the result of an ethical choice or a lofty idea, but the encounter with an event, a person, which gives life a new horizon and a decisive direction.” We can trace the encounter with the person of Jesus in the lives of the Saints, because their lives begin to take a “decisive direction.” St Gemma encountered Jesus at a young age and set her life on the decisive path of following Him to the end—even to accepting and living the wounds of the Crucifixion in her own body. Perhaps when we think about reconciliation and repentance, instead of focusing on what we are leaving behind, we can instead see the dance of the Master Who is ever so gently turning us toward Himself and a new horizon. He is bringing us eyelash to eyelash to see His Heart.  {formbuilder:MTAxMDA1} Closing Prayer //  Lord, help me to trust your movements more in my life. I give you permission, You know best how to move my heart.  I desire to be “eyelash to eyelash” with You, to face new horizons with You.  Reflection Questions // What holds you back from being “eyelash to eyelash” with the Lord?  Plan a time to encounter Jesus in the Sacrament of Reconciliation or the Eucharist. How does the mindset of an encounter foster my experience with Him? 

Saint Gemma Galgani. She had the stigmata. She had piercing eyes.   This was about all I knew about Saint Gemma, and I couldn’t really relate. Then a friend received Saint Gemma’s name at religious profession, and I became intrigued. 

Friend. Redeemer. Lord. Creator. Almighty. Savior. These are all titles of God that we are familiar with, and often use to address God. However, the title of husband is not one we hear in worship songs or devotions, and might even make us squirm a little bit.

“I have done what was mine; may Christ teach you what is yours.” These words of freedom spoken by Saint Francis of Assisi’s to his brothers when he was on his deathbed encapsulate Saint Andrew for me. Andrew introduced his brother, Simon, to Jesus, and then watched as Simon became Peter and one of Christ’s inner circle. Selfless Saint Andrew A typical response in that situation might be resentment or jealousy. I am sure many of us have had the experience of introducing friends to friends and watching them become close. While there is happiness for them, there is a twinge of sadness of not being part of that "we" anymore. Andrew even became known simply as “Simon’s brother.” All of us younger siblings know what that is like and how easy it is to be annoyed by it! Yet we don’t see that in Saint Andrew. He is not possessive. He did what was his to do. If he hadn’t, would Simon have become Peter? Would we have the witness of Peter walking on water, or his repentant “yes, Lord, you know that I love you?” Andrew didn’t have 20/20 Gospel hindsight as we do. He didn’t know how their story would unfold, he merely did what was his to do: He first found his own brother Simon and told him, "We have found the Messiah." Then he brought him to Jesus. // John 1: 41 Saint Andrew and Our Lady At the feeding of the five thousand, Andrew again did what was his to do. Among so many, it was Andrew who notices the boy with the five loaves and two fish. He heard Philip exclaim that 200 days' worth of wages would not provide enough to feed all the people. He could have easily written off the boy’s lunch as not worth mentioning. Instead, he brought it before the Lord, almost with an air of dejection: There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish; but what good are these for so many? // John 6:8 What strikes is the similarity between Andrew’s words and Our Lady’s words at the wedding feast at Cana: “They have no wine.” Neither Mary nor Andrew tell Jesus what He ought to do, they do what is theirs to do and let Christ do what is His to do. All About the Lord's Plan Perhaps this is the best witness of Andrew after all. He didn't tell Jesus his great plan and ask Jesus to bless it. Instead, Andrew held his information lightly before the Lord and was humble enough to let Jesus use it, or not use it, as He willed. Isn’t this a temptation we all have? Often I tell Jesus my plan and hope He will bless it, but what if I instead held it before the Lord, laid it at the foot of the Cross, and saw what He wanted to do with it? Like Saint Andrew, I will probably see a greater miracle than what I was trying to engineer on my own.     Saint Andrew's Life Pointed to Christ Tradition tells us that Saint Andrew spread the Gospel throughout Greece and Turkey after Jesus’ Ascension. He was martyred upon an X-shaped cross. It is believed that he requested this kind of cross because he didn’t feel worthy to die on the same kind of Cross as Jesus. Perhaps he was also thinking that it wasn’t for him to die like Jesus; Jesus had already done that to save us from our sin. Perhaps Andrew knew that the X-shaped cross would make it clear that it was for him enough to die as a witness to Jesus. The Christmas Novena Saint Andrew’s feast day falls at the beginning of Advent, and many of us begin the Saint Andrew Christmas novena today. Though the novena is only named after Saint Andrew because it starts on his feast day, I think the prayer would be loved by him. It is traditionally recited 15 times a day and brings into focus the reason for Advent: the birth of baby Jesus. Like Saint Andrew did with Saint Peter, the Saint Andrew novena points us to Jesus, our Savior. It reorients us each day to what is ours to do in Advent, to remember how blessed “the hour and moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary at midnight, in Bethlehem, in the piercing cold.” I can’t help but think Saint Andrew might be a perfect patron for Advent. The planning, the preparation, and the parties make this season extremely busy and full. May Saint Andrew intercede for us so that Christ can show us what is ours—and not be jealous or worried about what is not ours—to do.   [bctt tweet="On Saint Andrew and Doing What is Yours #BISblog //" via="no"]

October is one of my favorite times of the liturgical year. It's the month of (not so) Ordinary (Saints) Time. Each Saint of October is profoundly different from the others, but all share a love of Christ and witness to the true catholicity of the Church. What to Read and Watch to Celebrate October Saints The digital age has made it easy for people to share their stories. A blessing in that is that the stories of the Saints are readily accessible as well, whether through books, podcasts, videos, or a quick internet search. Yet as with all things, the amount of digital information can be overwhelming. Here is a list of ways to encounter these October Saints without having to get lost in the thousands of search results. Though not possible to finish this list in a month (and I didn’t even list all of the Saints!), you can perhaps become better acquainted with one or two Saints. October 1 // Saint Therese Saint Therese could have her own blog post of book recommendations... but here are a few of the best, aside from Story of a Soul: The Way of Trust and Love by Jacque Phillip I Believe in Love by Father Jean C J D'Elbee October 2 // Guardian Angels To read // Angels and Demons by Peter Kreeft To watch // This twelve-minute video is a treasure trove of information about the angels. October 4 // Saint Francis The Sign of Contradiction documentary is an excellent retelling of Saint Francis of Assisi’s life and message. He’s more than a birdfeeder, and this free documentary shares the true Francis. Filmed in beautiful Assisi, you can see why peace is such an essential gift of Saint Francis. October 5 // Saint Faustina Of course, reading The Diary in her own words is the best way to get to know her. However, the first time I read it, it took me four years to complete! It may not be the right time yet for you to read it, and if that’s the case, I recommend the documentary The Face of Mercy (free on Prime) or Father Michael Gaitley’s book The Second Greatest Story Ever Told as a great introduction to the Divine Mercy devotion. October 7 // Our Lady of the Rosary Champions of the Rosary: The History and Heroes of a Spiritual Weapon by Father Don Calloway is like an encyclopedia on the Rosary. Read it after you’ve prayed a Rosary; there's no better way than that to know Our Lady! October 11 // Saint John XXIII I first encountered Saint John XXIII through his encyclical Pacem in Terris. It not only provides insight into what he was facing in his pontificate, but the prophetic exhortation is even more needed today. I felt like I got to know what he held close to his heart through reading it. I have not tackled his autobiography, Journal of a Soul, yet, but it’s on my list! October 12 // Blessed Carlo Acutis In this season of Eucharistic Revival called by the USCCB, there is perhaps no other Blessed so timely on the scene. You might recognize him as the Saint to be who was buried in his jeans and Nikes. He could be the future patron of the internet, and you can get to know him by exploring the website he built on Eucharistic miracles or this documentary on his short life of 15 years. October 13 // Feast of Our Lady of Fatima Perhaps it’s because it’s one of the first ways I came to know the story of Our Lady of Fatima, but I don’t think you can beat the 1954 film Miracle of Our Lady of Fatima. Fatima: The Apparition That Changed the World by Jean Heimann is also a great introduction to the apparitions. October 15 // Saint Teresa of Avila It is fitting that such a larger-than-life Saint as Saint Teresa has so many biographies about her life, not including her own autobiography and writings. The Fire Within by Thomas Dubay is my favorite. October 18 // Saint Luke What better way to get to know Saint Luke than to dive into his Gospel?! Perhaps you could spend some extra time with His Word today. October 19 // Blessed Jerzy Popiełuszko This Polish Blessed’s life reads like a thriller and his witness is a powerful testimony of standing up for the truth. Arrested, beaten, and killed by the Communists in the 1980s, you can read more about him in Blessed Jerzy Popieluszko: Truth Versus Totalitarianism by Bernard Brien. Or watch the documentary called Messenger of Truth, which contains powerful footage of Blessed Jerzy. October 20 // North American Martyrs This short documentary is a great introduction to the North American Martyrs. Saint Isaac Jogues is probably the most well-known, but the writing of his companion, Saint John De Brebeuf, read in the Office of Readings for the Liturgy of the Hours for this feast day, is stunning. October 22 // Saint John Paul II Again, there could be an entire post about books by and about John Paul II. His autobiographical reflections in Gift and Mystery: On the Fiftieth Anniversary of My Priestly Ordination witness to his love of the priesthood. I also recommend the movie Karol: The Man Who Became Pope. It’s a fantastic introduction to the early life of this great saint. The sequel, The Pope, the Man, is also worth a watch. October 29 // Blessed Chiara Badano Like with Blessed Carlo Acutis, Blessed Jerzy, and Saint John Paul II, we are blessed by the digital age to have video recordings of Blessed Chiara. This documentary interviews her friends and parents to give a very personal encounter with a girl who truly lived her name ("Chiara" means light). A member of the Focolare movement, she died from cancer at age 17. A World with Octobers... and Amazing Saints As Anne Shirley said, "I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers." Fall colors, sweatshirts, apple cider (or pumpkin spice if that’s your thing) and some amazing Saints to get to know. Yes, truly I am glad to live in a world where there are Octobers. It’s just not such an ordinary time at all. Which Saint on this list will you learn more about this month?   [bctt tweet="Reads + Watches for October's Saints #BISblog //" via="no"]   This post contains affiliate links. Thanks so much for supporting the ministry of Blessed is She!

Early in my teaching career, I learned that to have credibility with my students, I had to “say what I mean and mean what I say.” Young people have the ability to spot inauthenticity miles away and have no problem calling out promises that are not kept. If I threatened to keep them in during recess, I had to do it. If I promised a reward, I had to follow through. If I promised an activity would be fun and they didn’t see it, they had no qualms questioning my definition of "fun." In time, it built a community of honesty and mutual trust. My students knew I would follow through, and I knew I was seeing them as they really were. Trust is a Gift Trust is a fragile, precious gift. It doesn’t just happen. It is given and accepted slowly, over time. To trust means to be vulnerable and to risk being hurt when that vulnerability is not received. To trust someone means you also know them intimately and personally. It means you know they will come through for you and they will fight for you. When you trust someone, you know they are about your good and for your good. We grow in trust in the Lord in the same way we grow in trust of others. Trust in God grows slowly over time. We encounter Him in the Word and Sacraments. We learn through experience that God receives our weaknesses and loves us through them. We learn that God "says what He means and means what He says.” We learn that He keeps His promises. The fragile, precious gift of our trust finds a home in His Heart. Scripture Verses about Trust Where best do we learn this but through Scripture? When my trust in the Lord is shaken (or at least needs reminding and strengthening), I root myself in the promises of God. Sometimes I will pray with one verse a day, just letting the Word permeate my being. Other times I pray the Scriptures like a litany, allowing myself to be overwhelmed by the promises of God. Here is my current litany: I, the Lord do not change. // Malachi 3:6 I love you, says the Lord. // Malachi 1:2 I will give you peace. // Haggai 2:9 God is faithful. // 1 Corinthians 10:13 The Lord is near. // Philippians 4:5 He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. // Proverbs 30:5 My God will fully supply whatever you need, in accord with the glorious riches in Christ Jesus. // Philippians 4:19 The Lord listened attentively. // Malachi 3:16 I am a Father. // Jeremiah 31:9 I am the Resurrection and the Life. // John 11:25 I am the one who searches mind and heart. // Revelation 2:23 I will walk among you, and will be your God, and you shall be my people. // Leviticus 26:12 I am the Lord, the God of all the living. Is anything too difficult for me? // Jeremiah 32:27 The Lord is a warrior. // Exodus 15:3 God’s way is unerring. // 2 Samuel 22:31 No single thing escapes Him. // Sirach 42:20 I am always with you. // Psalm 73:23 Scripture Verses about Trusting Our Call from Him Trusting in Who the Lord says He is helps me also trust who He says I am. When I am tempted to believe what the world says, I conquer it with what God says. When I am tempted to believe what my broken heart says, I choose to repeat what the Lord says instead. I have chosen you. // Haggai 2:23 All who are called by my name I created for my glory. // Isaiah 43:7 You have the Lord for your refuge. // Psalms 91:9 You were called for freedom. // Galatians 5:13 I love you, says the Lord. // Malachi 1:1 The Father Himself loves you. // John 16:27 The one who calls you is faithful, and He will also accomplish it. // Thessalonians 5:24 Lord, you know me, you see me, you have found that my heart is with you. // Jeremiah 12:3 Truly the Lord is waiting to be gracious to you, truly He shall rise to show you mercy. // Isaiah 30:18 What Trust Demands Trusting in the Lord also makes His commands understandable and embraceable. If the Lord is Who He says He is, and I am Who He says I am, then He won’t ask anything more (or less) than what I am capable. We trust not only the Ten Commandments and the teachings of the Church, but also what He commands of us in Scripture: Give me your heart. // Proverbs 23:26 Come now, let us set things right. // Isaiah 1:18 Do not worry about your life. // Matthew 6:25 Do not fear, I am with you. // Isaiah 41:10 For freedom Christ set us free, so stand firm and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery. // Galatians 5:1 Offer praise as your sacrifice to God. // Psalm 50:14 Take refuge in God all you people, trust Him at all times, pour out your hearts before Him. // Psalm 62:8 What Scripture verses speak to your heart and help you grow in trust?   [bctt tweet="Scripture Verses about Trust #BISblog //" via="no"]

Jesus told us that He would send the Holy Spirit to remind us of all He said to us (see John 14:26). The Holy Spirit was sent to remind us. He brings to mind again the truths that He has already taught us, through the Faith and through what he has written in our hearts. I take consolation in the fact that I am not the only one the Holy Spirit has to remind—Jesus knew we all need a frequent reminder of Who He is! At my first Blessed is She retreat, I was inspired to start what I call a “Truth Journal.” In this journal, I do not write any of my own personal thoughts or reflections. This journal has no timeline. It is solely for God’s Truth contained in Scripture. I use this journal not only to learn about the Lord but also to speak His Truth over myself when I am tempted to settle back into a flawed version of Him. When I put limits on Who God is, I limit His work in my life. If our image of God is deficient, our pursuit of Him will be deficient as well. Keeping a Truth Journal God has given us the ability to conquer lies with Truth. My little journal helps me do that. On each page, I have written a different attribute or promise of God. I pray with Scripture a lot, and as I come across an attribute or promise of God, I add it to the page. Some attributes just have one or two verses, some have pages of Scripture. I save reflections and commentaries for my Bible. I limit my little journal to just the Scripture verse, as I know God’s word is true. This helps me, for when I am praying later with an attribute of God, I have only the Truth of His Word, for when we know the Truth, the Truth will set us free (see John 8: 32). Scripture Verses about the Attributes of God Here are a few examples. God is trustworthy. Psalm 33:4 // For the LORD’s word is upright; all his works are trustworthy. Psalm 145: 13 // The LORD is trustworthy in all his words, and loving in all his works. God is a protector. Psalm 18:31 // God’s way is unerring; the LORD’s promise is refined; he is a shield for all who take refuge in him. Deuteronomy 31:6 // Be strong and steadfast; have no fear or dread of them, for it is the LORD, your God, who marches with you; he will never fail you or forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:8 // It is the LORD who goes before you; he will be with you and will never fail you or forsake you. Psalm 46:2 // God is our refuge and our strength, an ever-present help in distress. Isaiah 43:1 // Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name: you are mine. God is omnipotent. Ephesians 1:18-20 // May the eyes of [your] hearts be enlightened, that you may know what is the hope that belongs to his call, what are the riches of glory in his inheritance among the holy ones, and what is the surpassing greatness of his power for us who believe, in accord with the exercise of his great might, which he worked in Christ, raising him from the dead and seating him at his right hand in the heavens. Isaiah 43:15 // I am the LORD, your Holy One, the creator of Israel, your King. God is faithful. Matthew 21:22 // Whatever you ask for in prayer with faith, you will receive. Matthew 7:7-8 // Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. 1 Thessalonians 5:24 // The one who calls you is faithful, and he will also accomplish it. 2 Corinthians 1:18 // God is faithful. Isaiah 41:13 // For I am the LORD, your God, who grasp your right hand... It is I who say to you, Do not fear, I will help you. 2 Peter 3:9 // The Lord does not delay his promise, as some regard “delay,” but he is patient with you, not wishing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. God is with us. Isaiah 41:10 // Do not fear: I am with you; do not be anxious: I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand. Psalm 145:18 // The LORD is near to all who call upon him, to all who call upon him in truth. Matthew 1:23 // Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,” which means “God is with us.” Matthew 28:20 // Behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age. God is merciful. Psalm 145: 17 // The LORD is just in all his ways, merciful in all his works. Psalm 86:5 // Lord, you are good and forgiving, most merciful to all who call on you. Lamentations 3:22-23 // The LORD’s acts of mercy are not exhausted, his compassion is not spent; They are renewed each morning—great is your faithfulness! Reminded and Renewed On the days when I need to be reminded of God’s mercy or faithfulness, I can open my little journal and pray through a few of the Scriptures. On days when I want to praise His power and majesty, I have Scripture I can turn to. On days when I need to be reminded of God’s goodness or I want to celebrate His kindness, His Word is ready. I have been known to read and pray all of a particular promise of God, flooding myself with Truth to wash away the what is not of the Lord. God’s Word is living and effective (see Hebrews 4:12) and it changes me when I give the Holy Spirit permission to remind me through the Word. What attribute of God would you like to compile Scripture verses about?   [bctt tweet="Scripture Verses about the Attributes of God #BISblog //" via="no"] 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

Welcome to our series on the beautiful midlife season! We will explore all the blessings, challenges, and changes that accompany this time in a woman's life, from the physical, to the relational, to the spiritual, and more. Come with your questions in the comments! Recently, I was listening to a podcast on the topic of discernment, excited to learn new tips and tools. About halfway through the hour-long podcast, I turned it off in frustration. “This doesn’t have anything to do with me,” I thought. The podcast was about vocational discernment. Then, I celebrated that fact. “This podcast has nothing to do with me!” After years of discernment, and initial years of settling and adjusting to my vocation, I have finally reached a point of contentment. Many of us, after ten, or twenty or thirty or more years into living our vocation reach that sweet spot of content, but not yet perfect. Life experience has matured us in leadership and life skills, and we are living and embracing the fulness of our spiritual motherhood. The Spiritual Shift of Midlife In our early life, our prayers are often turned to hopes and dreams, discernment of God’s will, and filled with hope. Later in life, our prayers turn toward our final goal of Heaven. Friends and family have passed on and we begin to evaluate our life from an eternal perspective. In the sweet spot of middle life, as our earlier prayers have been answered in one way or another, we settle into life routines and our prayer shifts again. Prayer becomes more focused on our day-to-day events, learning to surrender to His will. Even though we have reached a point of contentment, blessed and beautiful as it is, it presents its own unique heartaches and challenges. Our parents are becoming elderly, new worries and fears emerge as children age, and we try to navigate how to balance the service of others and our own needs and desires. Sometimes it’s hard to put words to our experiences when we are trying to pray about them. Prayers for the Midlife Season Here are a few prayers from our friends, the Saints, who have done this before. Let us to turn to them when our own words are not there. When I am in Authority O Good Shepherd Jesus, good, gentle, tender Shepherd, behold a shepherd, poor and pitiful, a shepherd of the sheep indeed, but weak and clumsy and of little use, cries out to You. Teach me, Your servant, therefore, Lord, teach me I pray You, by Your Holy Spirit, how to devote myself to them and how to spend myself on their behalf. Give me, by Your unutterable grace, the power to bear with their shortcomings patiently, to share their griefs in loving sympathy, and discretely to help them according to their needs. Taught by Your Spirit, may I learn to comfort the sorrowful, to strengthen the weak, to be weak with those who are weak, to be indignant with those who suffer scandal, to become all things to all in order to save all. Place true, just, and pleasing words in my mouth, so that they all may be built up in faith and hope and love, in chastity and lowliness, in patience and obedience, in spiritual fervor and submissiveness of mind. I commit them into Your holy hands and loving providence. May no one snatch them from Your hand, nor from the hands of Your servants unto whom You have committed them. May they always persevere with gladness in their holy purpose, unto the attainment of everlasting life with You, our most sweet Lord, their Helper, who live and reign to ages of ages. // Saint Aelred of Reivaulx When I am Busy How is it God, that you have given me this hectic busy life when I have so little time to enjoy your presence? Throughout the day people are waiting to speak with me, and even at meals, I have to continue talking to people about their needs and problems. During sleep itself, I am still thinking and dreaming about the multitude of concerns that surround me. I do all this not for my own sake, but for yours. To me, my present pattern of life is a torment; I only hope that for you it is truly a sacrifice of love. I know that you are constantly beside me, yet I am usually so busy that I ignore you. If you want me to remain so busy, please force me to think about and love you even in the midst of such hectic activity. If you do not want me so busy, please release me from it, showing others how they can take over my responsibilities. // Saint Teresa of Avila When It’s Hard to Keep Going O my Mother, Mary Most Holy, obtain for me holy perseverance and the love of Jesus Christ. When I’m Grieving Lord God, we can hope for others nothing better than the happiness we desire for ourselves. Therefore, I pray you, do not separate me after death from those I tenderly loved on earth. Grant that where I am they may be with me, and that I may enjoy their presence in heaven after being so often deprived of it on earth. Lord God, I ask you to receive your beloved children immediately into your life-giving heart. After this brief life on earth, give them eternal happiness. Amen. // Saint Ambrose When I'm Worried O my God, Trinity whom I adore, help me forget myself entirely so to establish myself in you, unmovable and peaceful as if my soul were already in eternity. May nothing be able to trouble my peace or make me leave you, O my unchanging God, but may each minute bring me more deeply into your mystery! Grant my soul peace. Make it your heaven, your beloved dwelling, and the place of your rest. May I never abandon you there, but may I be there, whole and entire, completely vigilant in my faith, entirely adoring, and wholly given over to your creative action. // Saint Elizabeth of the Trinity When I Want to Complain Help me, O Lord, that my eyes may be merciful, so that I may never suspect or judge from appearances, but look for what is beautiful in my neighbors' souls and come to their rescue. Help me, that my ears may be merciful, so that I may give heed to my neighbors' needs and not be indifferent to their pains and moanings. Help me, O Lord, that my tongue may be merciful, so that I should never speak negatively of my neighbor, but have a word of comfort and forgiveness for all. Help me, O Lord, that my hands may be merciful and filled with good deeds, so that I may do only good to my neighbors and take upon myself the more difficult and toilsome tasks. Help me, that my feet may be merciful, so that I may hurry to assist my neighbor, overcoming my own fatigue and weariness. My true rest is in the service of my neighbor. Help me, O Lord, that my heart may be merciful so that I myself may feel all the sufferings of my neighbor. I will refuse my heart to no one. I will be sincere even with those who, I know, will abuse my kindness. And I will lock myself up in the most merciful Heart of Jesus. I will bear my own suffering in silence. May Your mercy, O Lord, rest upon me. // Saint Faustina When I Need the Holy Spirit's Help and Presence Spirit of God, come upon me as You came upon the chaos of the world, as you came upon the Virgin Mary to create in her Our Lord. // Saint Elizabeth of the Trinity The Lord is just as faithful to us now as He was when we first began this journey with Him. We may hear Him less, but hopefully, we know Him more. In this season of life, He is working to make us saints in concrete ways. Our day-to-day life, even when what was once exciting but now may be mundane, is glorifying Him. Rest in the love He has for you, the sweet tender love of being known now, today, for who and Whose you are.   [bctt tweet="The Midlife Series // Prayers for the Season #BISblog //" via="no"]

Many years ago, my dad was going through his father’s desk and showed me a precious, antique Christmas card. Attached to the card was a relic of Saint Maria Goretti. I was about the age of Saint Maria Goretti was when I first saw it, and he gave it to me a few years later. It was my first experience with a relic and my first experience of a Saint choosing me instead of me choosing them to be a patron and friend. The Brief but Beautiful Life of Maria Goretti Many are familiar with her story. At age eleven, she is the youngest martyr canonized. Refusing over and over the advances of an 18-year-old boy working on the family farm, the last time he proceeded to stab her 14 times in rage for her refusal. Somehow, Maria lived through being stabbed in the heart, lungs, and intestines long enough to be transported to the hospital and undergo surgery without anesthesia. When she was asked if she forgave the man who had hurt her so brutally, she said, "Yes, for the love of Jesus I forgive him... and I want him to be with me in Paradise." She died twenty hours after being attacked on July 6th, 1902. As an attempted rape victim, why is she considered a martyr, when typically we understand a martyr as someone who dies for the faith? The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines martyrdom as “the supreme witness given to the truth of the faith: it means bearing witness even unto death” (CCC 2473). Maria bore witness to the gifts of purity, chastity, and saving the gift of herself for marriage, even unto death. She reminded her attacker that what he wanted to do was a sin. Alessandro, her attacker, admitted before his death that, “my behavior was influenced by print, mass-media and bad examples which are followed by the majority of young people without even thinking. And I did the same. I was not worried.” Maria’s witness is extremely important in our culture today, where, as Pope Saint John Paul II said during a homily in 2003 celebrating the 100th anniversary of her death: Pleasure, selfishness and directly immoral actions are often exalted in the name of the false ideals of liberty and happiness. It is essential to reaffirm clearly that purity of heart and of body go together, because chastity "is the custodian" of authentic love. She Knew Who She Was Maria was just 11 years old when she witnessed with her life the gift of purity and chastity. Maria knew she was a gift, and she desired to give the gift of herself in an authentic way, not to have that gift taken from her. How was she able to do that at such a young age? She grew up in a home of deep poverty and she never went to school. Even though her parents could not provide the best of material things or the best education, they gave her the greatest gift of all: faith. In that same homily, John Paul II pointed out: The Church has always recognized the role of the family as the first and fundamental place for the sanctification of its members, starting with the children. Maria knew her own dignity and worth. Romans 10:17 tells us that faith comes through hearing. Little Maria’s faith came through hearing her parents love the Church and each other. Faith was not something just reserved for Sundays for the Goretti family, but was integrated into every aspect of life, including sexuality and purity. Virtues don’t exist in a vacuum. They build and strengthen each other, so as much as Maria was pure, she must have also been courageous, prudent, and charitable. She must have learned this from her parents' witness and teaching. The Witness to the Witness We can see a glimpse of this in her mother’s actions after Maria’s death. She stood in the hall of the tribunal as Alessandro’s trial was taking place and forgave him on behalf of the family, even though he had no remorse and showed no repentance at that time. Miserable and near despair for six years, Alessandro had a dream of Saint Maria Goretti where she again forgave him. His life changed at that point, and after he was released from prison, he spent the rest of his life serving at a Capuchin monastery, but not before going to visit Maria’s mother, Asunta, and asking her forgiveness. He then went to Mass with her where he then asked pardon from the parish community. Maria wanted Alessandro to be with her in Heaven, and her mother played an active role in accomplishing her daughter’s last desire. To Be Reconciled Reconciliation is rooted in the Latin word cilia meaning "eyelash." To be reconciled means to "come eyelash-to-eyelash again." We see this profoundly in Assunta and Alessandro. Assunta and Alessandro sat together at Maria’s canonization Mass. Assunta was the first mother to witness her child’s canonization. It’s probably safe to say that Alessandro was the first murderer to witness his victim’s canonization. Yet we also experience this same deep reconciliation that Alessandro experienced when we encounter the mercy of God in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. There, too, is the witness in the martyrdom of Saint Maria Goretti. She was willing to risk it all for the sake of Alessandro’s soul, to die so that he might live. When she reminded him what he was wanting to do was a sin, she desperately wanted him to come back "eyelash-to-eyelash" with the Lord. When she forgave him before she died and wished him to be in paradise with her, she again desired this eyelash-to-eyelash relationship for him. This reconciliation was something she received through the gift of faith given through her parents, a gift more precious than anything they could have given her. Saint Maria Goretti is not only a model of purity and chastity, but also a model of what it means to have a friendship with the Lord, so close as eyelash-to-eyelash. How has reconciliation with someone who hurt or offended you brought you closer to the Lord?   [bctt tweet="Saint Maria Goretti // Witness to Reconciliation #BISblog //" via="no"]

Last summer, I had an opportunity for renewal for three weeks away from mission. My time of retreat and renewal overlapped with one of my very first spiritual directors. In the passing years, I had entered the convent and he had gone on to become “Catholic famous.” After a brief, “We’ll visit soon,” the days began to speed by. By the second week, I was worried and fretting that the visit wouldn’t happen. By the last week, the worry had spiraled into thoughts of not being significant enough to be worth his time. Longing for Fatherly Love Taking it to prayer, I began to pray through the why. Why was I obsessing, worrying, and worse, doubting my worth in the eyes of someone I trusted, who knew my heart? It was because “Your Father knows what you need before you ask Him” (Matthew 6:32). God the Father knew my heart was hurting in ways that I had not yet acknowledged. I had lost my own dad to cancer a few years before. My most recent spiritual director had recently left the priesthood. Grief had become a constant friend that made me both grateful and sad. And hesitant. The Father's Love Remains The Lord began to show me that in all that change and upheaval of the past years, God had remained the same. His love for me had not changed. He had always provided for me, was providing for me in these moments of doubt of my own significance, and He would always provide. I began to turn these thoughts of my own insignificance and lack of trust over to the Lord. When thoughts would arise about my self-worth, the Lord reminded me of the truth of being Beloved to the Father, and that He remained my constant friend and Father through it all. I began to believe it and even have peace that if I didn’t get a chance to visit with my spiritual father, it was not a reflection on me, but a reflection on the busy-ness of life. So when I got a message for an invite for coffee a few days before I left, I laughed at the Providential, nothing-accidental timing. During coffee, we celebrated all the Lord was doing in our lives. And I wished my heavenly Father Happy Father’s Day, too. How has the Heavenly Father used someone else to remind you of His steadfast love? Consider reaching out to someone who has lost a parent and remind them that they are still a beloved child of God. Who are you in the eyes of your heavenly Father? Consider thanking a spiritual father today and name a specific way they reflect the Father’s love for you.   [bctt tweet="Favored by the Father #BISblog //" via="no"]

I love to read: Scripture, spiritual reading, lives of the Saints, novels, and my new favorite, narrative nonfiction. Growing up, I was the kid who read the Reader’s Digest front to back. Some of my dearest friends were Anne Shirley and Nancy Drew. As I grew older, I was drawn to spiritual reading, many works drawing me into prayer. Sometimes, we want to read something light and easy. Although summer is not a liturgical season, it is often a season of renewal. It is a time to slow down, enjoy the outdoors, vacation, and often, go to the beach. You may have heard the term "beach reads," which refers to books that are enjoyable to read while you're meant to be relaxing. You can find dozens of lists of beach reads classified by being light and easy reads. Though light and easy, we don’t always want fluff. Sometimes, we want light, easy, and fulfilling. This seems to be a very narrow criteria! Summer Beach Reads for Catholics I have compiled a list of what I would consider to be Catholic beach reads. These books are engaging, easy to understand, and best of all, draw you deeper into faith. St. John Paul II: His Five Loves by Jason Evert This biography of Pope Saint John Paul II is framed in the perspective of what he loved, written by someone who loved him. John Paul II’s life was so full that it is hard to capture, but this book makes him easily approachable. The Bones of St. Peter by John Walsh This true story reads like a mystery. It tells the story of the discovery of Saint Peter’s bones under Saint Peter’s Basilica. This is a history, but told in an approachable way. Jane Austen’s Genius Guide to Life by (BIS friend) Haley Stewart I have long been a fan of Stewart’s podcast and was thrilled when I saw this book as I am a huge Jane Austen fan. Stewart frames Austen in a Catholic perspective. She links the main characters to virtues and then ties in Our Lady in a masterful way. If you love Austen like I do, or even if you are a casual fan, this one is for you. I also recommend her other book The Grace of Enough. Story of the Trapp Family Singers by Maria Von Trapp If you love The Sound of Music and haven’t read the true story, this book is for you. Maria Von Trapp is an inspirational writer in her own right, having written multiple books about life and faith. To hear the story from her perspective is delightful. Spoiler alert: the engagement is very different from the movie. Chiara Corbella Petrillo: A Witness to Joy by Simone Troisi You are not likely to forget the picture of Chiara Petrillo when you see it: her evident joy while she wears a patch over her eye. This book tells the story of her life and marriage. I walked away feeling like we could have been friends, as we are about the same age. There were so many pieces of this book that I loved: the witness of her marriage (including the struggles) and her heroic battle with cancer (including a striking similarity to Saint Gianna). You might need tissues, but you will finish with a full heart. He Leadeth Me by Fr. Walter Ciszek Father Ciszek has an incredible story of survival in Soviet prison camps after World War II. He tells that story in With God in Russia, which is also a great read, but not exactly a light read. In He Leadeth Me, Father Ciszek shares the journey of his prayer during the 23 years he was imprisoned. It is honest; and in a situation you think would lead to despair, Father Ciszek shares a story of hope we can learn from. [elementor-template id="704005"] Hiking the Camino: 500 Miles With Jesus by Fr. Dave Pivonka, TOR Whether or not you are interested in hiking the Camino, this book is a great read. I felt like I learned many spiritual lessons without having to get the blisters of the walk! Father Dave shares both the physical and spiritual side of the Camino pilgrimage, in an engaging and humorous way. I also recommend Father Dave’s books on the spiritual life. Searching For and Maintaining Peace by Fr. Jacque Philippe This little book manages to be both simple and profound. I love all of Father Philippe’s books, but this one is my favorite. He gives practical guidance for facing anxiety with the Lord’s help. The Gathering Place did a podcast episode on this book, so don’t just take my word for it! The Chronicles of Narnia Series by C.S. Lewis Overlook my inclusion of seven books in a single recommendation. Perhaps you read this series as a child. But do not write this off as a children’s series. In reading or re-reading it as an adult, you can deeply enter into the allegory of Narnia as Heaven and find yourself learning about yourself from the characters. If you have only read The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, read the rest. If you read the series as a child, read it again! My favorite of the series is The Last Battle, the last of the series. The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis At the risk of fan-girling C.S. Lewis too much, this allegory kept me pondering Heaven long after I put it down. Told as a fictional journey that could be read in a day, it’s a profound insight into our humanity, surrender, and holiness. I had long avoided this book because the premise and genre are not my typical preference, but now it is one I return to frequently. The Hidden Legacy by Carrie Sue Barnes This lovely multigenerational fiction novel by Catholic author Carrie Sue Barnes is a refreshing, clean story that weaves the journey of faith that will keep you reading. It smoothly weaves the journey of a granddaughter entering into her grandmother’s story during World War I. Reading is a Delight I often give thanks to the Lord for reading. From characters who reveal myself to me to books who introduce me to Saints who become friends, I find reading consoling. It resets my heart. Combine that with time away, and what a true gift it can be! I hope you can find a gift among this list! What are some favorite Catholic books that you would consider to be summer beach reads? Share your recommendations in the comments below!   [bctt tweet="Summer Beach Reads for Catholics #BISblog //" via="no"]   This post contains affiliate links. Thanks so much for supporting the ministry of Blessed is She!

“ …About to hand Himself over to death, [He] entrusted to the Church a sacrifice new for all eternity, the banquet of His love…” The opening prayer for the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday sums up what the holy days of the Triduum are all about. The Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper is the beginning of the sacred days of the Triduum, which conclude with the joyful celebration of the Easter Vigil. At Holy Thursday Mass, we remember that this banquet of love—new for all eternity—is the Eucharist, and our hearts respond in thanksgiving. The Church even provides a tradition for us to be able to offer our gratitude. The Seven Churches Pilgrimage for Holy Thursday At the end of the Holy Thursday liturgy, instead of the closing prayer (which we will not actually hear until the Easter Vigil) there is a procession to the altar of repose. This is where Jesus in the Eucharist will be in reserve for the faithful to spend time in prayer and adoration until midnight. It’s an extension of the invitation the Lord gave His disciples in the agony in the garden to "watch and pray" (see Matthew 26: 40-41). The altar of repose is usually beautiful, dark, and quiet. It is filled with many adorers who are remembering the gifts Jesus gave us that first Holy Thursday night (the gifts of the Eucharist and priesthood) and what was coming (the agony in the Garden, betrayal, and arrest of Jesus). It is my favorite tradition during the Triduum. A few years ago, a priest was visiting the convent for our “last supper” before we entered into the silence of the Triduum. He brought up the tradition of the seven churches pilgrimage, something I had never heard of but was intrigued by. Essentially, it’s visiting seven local altars of repose on Holy Thursday night. Spiritually, it’s a deep expression of keeping watch with the Lord in the Garden, and an experience of the "catholicity," universality, of the Church. Pilgrimage Among the Saints The original pilgrimage dates back to Saint Philip Neri in the 1500s. Known as the second apostle of Rome, He would lead a pilgrimage to the four major basilicas and three other minor basilicas on Wednesday of Holy Week. You can follow in his footsteps today. Covering about 12 miles, it’s a pilgrimage among the Saints. It winds through the heart of Rome, visiting the churches where Saint Peter, Saint Paul, Saint Sebastian, Saint Justin, and Saint Lawrence are buried. That pilgrimage has expanded in Rome during Lent, with the tradition of the “Station Churches.” Each day of Lent there is a church to visit and pray in. The churches of the pilgrimage were established by Saint Gregory the Great as a way to honor the early Church martyrs. Falling out of tradition when the Pope moved from Rome during the Avignon papacy, it has experienced a revival of sorts since the 1970s. You can read more about it here and here. I love pilgrimages. Pilgrimages are important in both the Old and New Testaments. There are countless traditions of pilgrimages—to the Holy Land, Lourdes, the Camino—to name a few. Long or short, messy or easy (99.9% of the time it's messy) they can be a powerful encounter with God’s grace and gifts. We have a chance to find refuge in the Lord and pray among the Saints on Holy Thursday night as we participate in the altar of repose. So when the priest shared about the seven churches pilgrimage during the time of the altar of repose, this added the opportunity for a concrete expression of the pilgrim road in my heart. I was hooked. How to Participate in the Seven Churches Pilgrimage for Holy Thursday How do we participate in the seven Church pilgrimage? First, check with your diocese and see if there is an official list of churches participating and the times of the altars of repose. Or, you can build your own pilgrimage from your parish to other nearby parishes. Be sure to check the times of the altars of repose, some close earlier than others. At each altar, you can spend time meditating on Jesus’ experience in the Garden (here is a booklet to help). However, in my experience, I spend my time in thanksgiving and awe. I gave thanks for the great gift of the Eucharist and priesthood instituted on Holy Thursday night. I marvel in awe of the beauty of the universal Church. Last year, our pilgrimage included the Cathedral, two Hispanic parishes, a Polish parish, an Irish parish, a Traditional Latin Mass parish, and a downtown young adult parish. Talk about an experience of the Catholic Church! Each parish, as different as they were, were universal in the reverence and honor given to Jesus in the Eucharist. I hope you have a chance to participate in this tradition. If not, I hope at least you can visit your parish altar of repose. May it renew your love of the Eucharist and awe at His coming to us and staying with us. Have you ever made the seven churches pilgrimage on Holy Thursday? What was your experience like?   [bctt tweet="The Seven Churches Pilgrimage for Holy Thursday #BISblog //" via="no"]