Marguerite Bays was born to a farming family in Switzerland in 1815, the second of seven children. She grew up helping her parents with household chores and gardening. In her teen years, she gained a life-long skill as an apprentice seamstress, a talent she would pour out for others when she sewed clothing for the poor. Prayer, Play, and Petition Marguerite devoted her time to getting to know the Lord through daily Mass, the Rosary, and Eucharistic Adoration. While she savored these moments with Him, she never forgot to invite others to come alongside her in worship. In her spare time, she worked in the parish teaching children the catechism, visiting the sick, and caring for the poor. The children she taught referred to her as “Godmother”. She was a woman who incorporated not only prayer into her life, but also play. She brought the gift of her presence and a listening ear to the anxious and burdened housewives she visited. When these mothers had loved ones who were sick and dying, they turned to Marguerite to unite them in prayer. Her compassion for others and desire to serve and care for the human person eventually led her to a vocation of chastity as a member of the Franciscan Third Order (Secular Franciscan Order). Holiness in the Home Many people questioned Marguerite’s decision to stay in the home rather than enter religious life within a convent. But she felt that her call to holiness was to be present to her family right where she was. In time, they would all return home and need her. Her older brother’s wife, Josette, was a woman with a quick tongue and a distaste for Marguerite. Josette would ridicule her for her devoted life of prayer. Despite the humiliation it caused Marguerite, she did not complain, but instead persevered in patience and in prayer. Eventually, at the end of Josette’s life, the only person she wanted by her side was her sister-in-law. Marguerite would also care for her sister Mariette who returned home after a failed marriage. Her brother, Joseph, a bachelor, lived a dangerous life which ended up serving him a prison sentence. When he was released, Marguerite cared for him too. Then there is Claude, her older brother, who had a child before marriage. Marguerite took responsibility for her nephew Francois, and made sure that he was raised with a proper education. Through her witness of love and mercy, her siblings would each turn back to Christ. Suffering in Silence At the age of thirty-eight, Marguerite started feeling sharp stomach pains, nausea, and dizziness. While she tried to hide her illness, her family noticed her body weakening and finally had her see a doctor. She was diagnosed with intestinal cancer. Surgery provided no help nor relief. She began to implore Our Lady asking for healing and to help her understand her suffering. The next year, the dogma of the Immaculate Conception was proclaimed by Pope Pius XI, and her prayer was answered. Bedridden and in pain she placed a medal of the Immaculate Conception to her pain and immediately she was healed and able to walk about her house. When her family found her on their way home from Mass they found her praying the Rosary in her room. She was known to say to others in their suffering, “pray the Rosary, you will see that all will then be better." Shortly after her healing, Jesus gave Marguerite a new opportunity to suffer for souls. To suffer as He did on the Cross. She was given the stigmata (the wounds Jesus had on His hands, feet, and chest). These wounds would burn in red blotches on her skin. She suffered especially on Fridays and Good Friday, united to Jesus on the Cross through her wounds. Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows and The Sacred Heart As she neared her death, Marguerite would kiss her crucifix and pray as she looked at the image of Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows. She often said, “Honor Our Lady of Seven Sorrows. We will never realize how much She suffered for us." Marguerite prayed to die “in the wound of Thy Sacred Heart”. After twenty-five years of increasing pain, she died on June 27, 1879, the last day of the octave of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. She is buried in the cemetery of the parish church of Siviriez which now holds a chapel in her name as well as her relics. Her tombstone reads: She lived doing good. Her memory will remain blessed. Venerated sister, dear and tender Godmother, do not forget those that you have left on this earth. She was proclaimed a Blessed by Pope Saint John Paul II in 1995 and canonized by Pope Francis on Sunday, October 13, 2019. During her canonization Mass, Pope Francis spoke of her saying, “She speaks to us of the power of simple prayer, enduring patience and silent self-giving ... Such is the holiness of daily life ... Let us ask to be like this, ‘soft lights’ in the darkness of the world”. What darkness do you see in the world? Where is the Lord asking you to be a light to shine into it?   [bctt tweet="Saint Marguerite Bays // From Seamstress to “Godmother” #BISblog //" via="no"]

Everyone loves the stories of the young hero/heroine. Our hearts swell along with the music when justice is done and good conquers evil. Really, we need these stories to remind ourselves of all that is good and true in the world. This is why our imaginations are captivated by characters like Luke Skywalker, Frodo Baggins, and the Pevensie children who encounter the very real struggle—and win! Each of these characters reminds us of our own humanity. At the same time, the stories smack of the struggle to overcome whatever insurmountable obstacle we find ourselves up against: Luke’s search for identity away from the dark side, Frodo’s struggle to overcome temptation , The Pevensie’s inexperience in fighting for Narnia in the face of the white witch. In a fictional way, they make the story of Christian life feel tangible, if even in a small way. The Stories of the Saints The Saints in particular can remind us of these themes as well—which is why it is important that we know them (and know a lot of them!). Thankfully, the lived experiences of the Saints are so varied that we do not have to go back to the same underdog story to imagine that God could use our circumstances—no matter how unlikely or absurd. After all, who but God would have imagined the potential for grace in the lives of people like Servant of God Dorothy Day, Edith Stein (Saint Theresa Benedicta of the Cross), Saint Maximilian Kolbe, Saint Therese of Lisieux, Saint José Luis Sánchez del Rio, Saint Josephine Bakhita, and Saint Clare of Assisi? Each of their circumstances were unique and unrepeatable. All of them, permeated by the movement of the Holy Spirit. At the beginning I said there were Personalities in God. I will go further now. There are no real personalities anywhere else. Until you have given up yourself to Him you will not have a real self. Sameness is to be found most among the most “natural” men, not among those who surrender to Christ. How monotonously alike all the great tyrants and conquerors have been: how gloriously different are the saints. // C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity Saint Charles Lwanga and Companions The Saint we celebrate today has such a story. Charles Lwanga was born in Uganda in 1860. At the time, Catholicism was new to Uganda and was received favorably by Uganda’s King, Mutesa. However, that changed after his death. His successor, King Mwanga, was hostile toward the presence and implications of the people’s desire for Christianity, particularly as a pedophile who was known to prey upon the pages in his service. When King Mwanga ordered the murder of a visiting Anglican Bishop, Joseph Mukasa, a Catholic who served as the King’s chief page renounced his actions loudly. He was quickly beheaded, leaving Charles Lwanga as the King’s chief page and the primary defense of the other pages against the King’s advances. Charles was 25 years old. As tensions increased between the King and the faithful in his court, it became clear to Charles and the other pages that their lives were in danger. Once King Mwanga realized that the pages were preparing for Baptism, all pages were questioned and the Christians were separated from the others. Given the opportunity to renounce or claim their Faith, the fifteen young men declared their faith in God “until death.” In total twenty-two young men were martyred, burned alive. The True Triumphant End Perhaps this is less of the heart-swelling ending we hope for, but it is a very real reminder of the stakes of faithfulness in hostile territory. Saint Charles Lwanga and Companions chose Faith over participation in an unconscionable culture, even in their youth. Not all of us will be asked to give all for our belief in Christ in the same way. Although we are each asked to be decisive about whom we will serve. There are very real and challenging circumstances that surround each of our lives. Likely, our story does not have the grandeur of a trilogy, or the lives of the Saints (yet!), but these particular circumstances are the path we walk toward Heaven. In that way we can ask for the courage of Saint Charles and Companions. Saint Charles Lwanga is known as the Patron Saint of African Catholic Youth Action. Saint Charles Lwanga and Companions, pray for us!   [bctt tweet="On the Feast of Saint Charles Lwanga and Companions #BISblog //" via="no"]

We were on our usual weekend double date when Angie told us she was pregnant, her first. I was pregnant too, four months, my second. Our husbands beamed as we chatted about symptoms and cravings, hopes and dreams as preparations made their way to our due dates. Four months after I gave birth to my son, Hannah entered our world, giving us plenty of reason to sing. Songs have been such an integral part of my relationship with Angie. As long-time music ministry members, they have strengthened our friendship through our common love for worship. And here, beholding those angelic lips and precious hands, as new songs filled the room, something unexpected happened. Hannah was diagnosed with jaundice, contracted a severe infection and was immediately isolated. Suddenly everything was falling apart. The stress and anxiety of a new mother only added to nursing challenges, delaying Hannah’s progress. We were grieving and desperate for relief. Sisters in Joy and in Sorrow One afternoon after praying the Divine Mercy Chaplet, something crossed my mind. The doctor made his regular visit and I probed the possibility of nursing Hannah every day. He immediately agreed, explaining how this was common in Middle Eastern cultures with large families. Angie and I rushed over and I held Hannah. Her latch was immediate and our relief indescribable, almost sacred. I could feel my body unclench with deep sighs and stillness as hot tears flowed. In a few days, we were home, carrying with us a memory that could best be described as our own personal "visitation" moment. The feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary invites us to look deeply into this dynamic of love, this innate capacity inside us women to draw others’ out of despair into joy. As Mary and Elizabeth meet, Saint Luke reveals that there is more going on than just a happy family reunion. There is history being made as their stories intersect: the younger one Mary pregnant with the Christ Child and Elizabeth carrying His forerunner, John the Baptist. Both pregnancies are challenging. Both are miraculous. Arise and Hasten Drawing from Luke 1:39-45 as Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country to meet Elizabeth, Pope Francis says, “She (Mary) is the virgin of readiness, Our Lady of Haste.” The difficult journey uphill to Ain Karim could have tempted Mary to stay home seeking her own comfort but Mary moved forward with urgency. She arose. “Arise” is a verb. “Go”, Jesus told his disciples (Matthew 28:19-20). Arise—it’s a call to action. It speaks resurrection; it is an awakening to new life. This is the mandate of evangelization. To go forth! We live in a generation of the "here and now", following quick fixes and hastening our way to our dreams. How often do we hasten our needs and ignore our sisters living next door? Mary teaches us “haste”, but not the kind of haste where we don’t know what it means to wait; rather, haste to share and haste to serve, even at great risk. Mary’s missionary journey leads her far from home, compelling her into places alien to her daily habits. Make Haste In a hurting and broken world, where is God calling you to make haste? Perhaps hasten to visit a friend you know is suffering? Perhaps hasten to reconcile with a family member? In following the trail of the young woman of Nazareth, don’t we discover that such paths only lead to a better, fairer, less cruel and a more humane world we all long for? My Own Visitation In Luke 1:46-55, following Elizabeth’s greeting, we read that Mary bursts forth into song, or canticle, that we know as “The Magnificat”. In her book, Manual for Women, Danielle Bean says, “This is us. Even in the darkest of places women bring life. We bring love. We bring hope to a fallen world.” We bring a new song. Who in your life needs your song today? Where is God calling you to give someone a reason to praise even in suffering? A Mystery of Joy Pope Francis says, “The mystery of the Visitation is a mystery of joy,” because Mary carries Jesus with her, the Source of joy. He is the reason for her song. The beauty of this feast lies not only in Mary visiting Elizabeth but also in Jesus visiting Elizabeth. And Jesus visits us, and, in Him, we too can live and relive our own "visitation" moments. He visits us in conversations we didn’t really want to have but knew we needed. He visits us in the birth of new babes and beginnings. He visits us in moments of doubt and despair. He visited me in the hospital as I shared in Angie’s burden; He has visited me this past year through my mom’s illness. He visits me now. Jesus visits you now. Jesus is hidden within us, within every person, in what Saint John of the Cross calls our deepest center. Celebrating Together The Visitation teaches us that when Christ becomes the source of our joy, He is uncontainable and worth celebrating. In contrast to our individualistic world so focused on competition, comparison, and celebration of self-accomplishments, Mary shows us how to celebrate “our thunder” with our sisters. Mary received the greatest honor in Salvation History, but desired to celebrate Elizabeth’s miracle. Elizabeth bypassed the joy of her own miraculous pregnancy to honor Mary’s good news. This shared joy allowed both women to be edified, supported, and celebrated. Mary and Elizabeth’s soul-bearing friendship teaches us intentional discipleship. Our common love for Jesus must lead us to recognize each other’s vocation and gifts. We need each other to achieve our common goal of sanctity. We need frequent pauses in our fast-paced world to step in and celebrate, even without "reason". We need to celebrate women who celebrate us. Perhaps as you pray the second joyful mystery of the Rosary, slip in an extra prayer of thanksgiving for women in your life who are special to you. A Church Alive In January, I launched my ministry’s first women’s community. We had women from across 25 countries and from different backgrounds, ethnicities, and experiences. We had one common goal: Jesus. It was humbling to see grandmothers and moms, teenagers and women who had been impacted by infertility, miscarriage, abuse and loss come forward to serve. It was also incredible to witness older women devoting their lives toward younger women. Such a vivid picture of the Church. Isn’t this what the Visitation must lead to? A Church alive. A Church bursting forth into songs of triumph and transformation. Sister, are there people in your life who need your time? God has placed them in your path for you to do life with, to share and strengthen, and to invest in deeply. There are friends who need a coffee moment and those that need you to "hasten" to them. There are friends who wait to "visit" Jesus in you and those who desperately need the light of Easter, a Church alive within you. My prayer for you is that, as find your own sweet visitation moment, you have the courage to carry your song to a broken friend. And I pray that, as you sing together “the Almighty has done great things”, you might rest—trusting the Promises of God and knowing deeply that the best is still ahead.   [bctt tweet="Friendship on the Feast of the Visitation #BISblog //" via="no"]

Recently my daughter and I attended a retreat for those preparing for Confirmation. In retreat fashion, the group was in the church basement acting out a skit from the scene of Pentecost: disciples gathered, exchanging greetings in different languages, when suddenly a rushing wind (a.k.a. a theatrical 3rd grader) came soaring through the room. It was a good effort, and it made me wonder about its inspiration. What would it have been like to be in the Upper Room when the Holy Spirit descended? When tongues of fire appeared, not as floppy tag board, but true flames? When the crowd could understand one another in different tongues? All the Anticipation The first Pentecost might have been a sensory and emotional roller coaster: Fear/hiding/waiting/locked doors Rushing wind Fire Many languages Praise Peace Reception of the Holy Spirit Any one of these occurrences might have startled us, but certainly all together would have been reason for excitement while providing a great deal to unpack. And, chances are, other than a rousing and celebratory Liturgy, our experience of Pentecost today will likely feel different. How do we embrace the awesome gift of this day, now? 7 Ideas for Celebrating Pentecost Wear Red A closet staple for any Catholic wardrobe is something bold and red. Red is the color used to celebrate the blood of the martyrs, fire as in flame or the "fire of charity", and Jesus’ Passion. Among the days that celebrate both fire and a group burning with Christian charity, Pentecost is it! Light a Candle The gift that Jesus shared with the Apostles was not a one-time grace—it is offered to each of us. Light a candle during prayer, or leave it burning throughout the day as a reminder of the Advocate Jesus gave us. Connect Whether you have sponsored someone, or you have chosen someone to sponsor you during the Sacrament of Confirmation, reach out. What is he or she doing in the world? Let them know how they continue to be a light in your life. Go for a Walk/Hike Choose a location where you can feel the wind on your face—an open field or a mountain top, and allow yourself to be reminded that God speaks so often to us through the gentlest breeze (1 Kings 19:12). Raise Your Voice I love the description of the crowd raising their voices to praise God (Acts 2:1-11). Whether you speak one language or six, take the opportunity to raise your own voice in praise. Gifts Consider the gifts of the Spirit—thank God for one that comes easily, pray for one that doesn’t: Wisdom Understanding Counsel Fortitude Knowledge Piety Fear of the Lord Seek/Offer Forgiveness In the Gospel for Pentecost, Jesus tells His Apostles: Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained. // John 20:19-23 What a great reminder of the power of forgiveness. What forgiveness do we need to extend to someone else or seek for ourselves? This could be a great day to seek out the Sacrament of Confession. The Exclamation Point of Easter Pentecost serves as a kind of exclamation point at the end of the Easter Season—the longest season in the Church year! Pentecost means "fiftieth", for the fifty days after Easter. For as long as Lent feels, the Easter party adds an extra ten days to the celebration, ending today. Just like at the Apostles, we are reminded that through our own Confirmation, we have been sealed with the gifts of the Holy Spirit to carry us back into the fray, or the mundane of ordinary time with the gifts necessary to do so. There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; there are different forms of service but the same Lord; there are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone. To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit. // 1 Corinthians 12: 4-7 How will you celebrate Pentecost today?   [bctt tweet="Pentecost: The Exclamation Point #BISblog //" via="no"]

The old adage states that “behind every strong man is a strong woman.” Secular culture has typically subscribed to the notion of the man being the one who takes action, gets things done, and reaches heights of success because a woman is behind the scenes ensuring his success. I’m not quite sure that's how Saint Joseph rolled. If anything, he preferred to give the spotlight to Mary, and because of who she is, she didn’t crave the spotlight either. Through Saint Joseph’s fiat and Our Blessed Mother’s fiat, they offered their individual spotlights to raising Jesus and glorifying God. Perhaps a more fitting adage for Saint Joseph and Our Blessed Mother would be that behind every strong couple is a woman and man who belong to each other freely and completely, giving their lives to Jesus Christ. That is what they do for us when we ask them to intercede for us. A United Fiat In their marriage, Saint Joseph and Our Blessed Mother reflected their fiats to one another. There was no hesitation to continue the work of caring for Jesus and meeting His human needs. Their “yes” didn’t come with limitations. They reciprocated the other’s “yes” unconditionally and faithfully. We know that when we ask for their intercession for us to be obedient to God’s will in our lives, we are asking two people who lived it out. Saint Joseph and Our Blessed Mother faced circumstances that most of us will not ever face, but their response was to do as the Lord commanded. That is why we read in books and in prayers, “ite ad Joseph” (go to Joseph) or why people say, “Run to Mary.” If you think about that in terms of when you were a child, you would go to your father and ask him for something you wanted or needed help with. When you got hurt or needed comfort you would run to your mother and she would receive you in her embrace. Mary belonged to Joseph, and Joseph to Mary, so much so that their marriage was very real, since they gave themselves to each other. But how could they do this? Behold the triumph of purity. They reciprocally gave their virginity, and over this virginity they gave each other a mutual right. What right? To safeguard the other’s virtue. // Saint Peter Julian Eymard Saint Joseph and Our Blessed Mother Shield Us In their marital union, Our Blessed Mother and Saint Joseph actively sought to protect one another. Saint Joseph protected Our Blessed Mother and did not cause a scene when he said he would quietly divorce Mary (see Matthew 1:19). Our Blessed Mother similarly protected Saint Joseph in his mission to be holy. Whereas Adam and Eve were the source of evil which was unleashed on the world, Joseph and Mary are the summit from which holiness spreads all over the earth. // Pope St. John Paul II Both of them knew they were called to holiness and protected that holiness in one another and in their marriage. This protection is given to us when we ask Our Blessed Mother to keep us under the mantle of her protection or likewise when we ask Saint Joseph to keep us under the protection of his cloak. A mother instinctively knows how to protect and nurture at the same time. Likewise, we ask Saint Joseph to keep us under the protection of his cloak. A father knows he has to stay attentive to his environment in order to protect his family. A father safeguards his children and is the first line of defense. Both Our Blessed Mother and Saint Joseph know how to protect us. Who would know how to protect us better than they who had to go another way because Herod was after the baby Jesus (see Matthew 2:12)? Similar Litanies In the Litany of Loreto, we invoke several titles of the Blessed Virgin Mary: Mother most chaste, Mother inviolate, and Mother undefiled. These three specific titles are reflected in the Litany of Saint Joseph as well. “Joseph most Chaste,” “Joseph Guardian of Virgins,” and “Guardian of the Virgin.” Pick any of the titles of the Blessed Virgin Mary and you can find it mirrored in the Litany of Saint Joseph. Perhaps not in the exact same words, but if you look closely you will see that each title of the Blessed Virgin Mary has a corresponding response in the Litany of Saint Joseph. Since Mary is what might be called a ‘virginizer’ of young men as well as women, and the greatest inspiration of Christian purity, should she not logically have begun by inspiring and virginizing the first youth whom she had probably ever met – Joseph, the Just? It was not by diminishing his power to love but by elevating it that she would have her first conquest, and in her own spouse, the man who was a man, and not a senile watchman! // Venerable Fulton J. Sheen Saint Joseph reinforced the titles of the Blessed Virgin Mary, thus receiving the titles he has in his own Litany. When we ask Our Blessed Mother to intercede for us under any of her titles—or St. Joseph for that matter—we can be confident that they both have the same inextinguishable desire to draw us near their Son. The Extraordinary Hidden Life Saint Joseph could have been prideful about being the father of the Son of Man, yet he doesn’t make a fuss about it. His carpentry work was probably exceptional because of the kind of heart he had and yet he remained humble. We are told Mary kept all of these things in her heart (see Luke 2:19). She did not run to nearby villages trying to gain status because an angel of the Lord appeared to her or use the fact that she was pregnant with the Christ Child as a means to gain notoriety. She refrained from using this calling from God to gain earthly esteem for herself. Saint Joseph and Our Blessed Mother did not want anything for themselves like the kings and queens who had come before them. They did not desire to usurp the throne from Jesus or scheme against God’s plan in order to bring glory and honor to themselves. Everything pointed back to Jesus. It makes perfect sense that St. Joseph and Our Blessed Mother would be our first advocates, next to Jesus Himself, in helping us draw close to Our Father. Our own lives can often feel so hidden from the world that we convince ourselves that if we aren't producing, then we aren’t allowed to ask Jesus in prayer for the things that are dear to our hearts. That is clearly not true as we see in the hidden life of Saint Joseph and Our Blessed Mother. They know what it is like to live a hidden life and they were raising the Son of Man. This hidden life is what we are called to in our everyday lives to allow Jesus to dwell in us as he dwelt in the hearts of Ssint Joseph and Our Blessed Mother. Saint Joseph and Mother Mary, pray for us! Want to learn more about Saint Joseph, patron of the Universal Church? Check out this incredible video series with our own Beth Davis!   [bctt tweet="The Complementary Intercession of Saint Joseph and the Blessed Mother #BISblog //" via="no"]

When I was pregnant with my son, my first child, I stumbled upon a quote by C.S. Lewis: Since it is so likely that children will meet cruel enemies, let them at least have heard of brave knights and heroic courage. These words resonated with me so deeply that I had them written in calligraphy and framed for the nursery. It has hung in my son’s room ever since, a gentle reminder to me every time I pull a book from his shelf or snuggle up to tell him a story. One of my deepest desires as a mother is to protect my children. Right now, it is usually easy enough to protect my four-year-old and one-year-old from harm or any person who might cause them pain. But I know that will not always be the case. I may not always be able to physically protect them the way that I can now. I can, however, begin laying the groundwork so that my children will grow up to be courageous, faithful, and good. Teaching Children About Courage Through the Lives of the Saints As a Catholic, finding the stories to inspire my children in this way is easy. Right at our fingertips, we have a wealth of powerful, inspiring, true tales of bravery in the lives of the Saints. Here are a few of the Saints we turn to whenever we want to live out the encouragement of C.S. Lewis in our home. Saint George, the Saint who Slayed the Dragon As soon as he was old enough to voice his opinion, my son Charlie proclaimed Saint George his favorite Saint. It’s easy to see why: the legends surrounding this fourth-century martyr’s life rival any fairy tale. Despite how little we know for sure about Saint George, he is beloved around the world as a patron of soldiers, Boy Scouts, Palestine, England, and many other countries. We know that Saint George was born to a military family. His father was a Roman officer and his mother was Greek. When he came of age, he followed in his father’s footsteps by joining the army, where he became a successful, highly-ranked officer. In the year 303, the emperor, Diocletian, ordered a mass persecution of Christians, requiring them to make sacrifices to the Roman gods. Saint George refused, and is said to have been tortured and beheaded. God's Presence in the Face of Fear When sharing stories of Saint George with little ones, however, the legends about him become especially handy. Fantastical as they may be, they highlight his faith and bravery in a way that is easier for children to grasp. The most popular legend of Saint George, spread through The Golden Legend, a book from the year 1256, goes like this: In Libya, there was a lake guarded by a ferocious dragon. To keep their village safe, people sent sheep to the dragon to appease it and keep it fed. Eventually, the sheep proved insufficient; the villagers soon realized they would need to send people to the dragon instead. One day, the king’s daughter’s name was drawn. Just as she was approaching the dragon, Saint George rode by on horseback and saw her crying and trembling in fear. He made the Sign of the Cross and slayed the dragon with one strike of his lance. We love using this story to illustrate God’s protection over us, and that, with faith, we can bravely face anything we’re afraid of. Saint Joseph, Protector of Jesus To give life to someone is the greatest of all gifts. To save a life is the next. Who gave life to Jesus? It was Mary. Who saved his life? It was Joseph. Ask St. Paul who persecuted him. Ask St. Peter who denied him. Ask all the saints who put him to death. But if we ask, ‘Who saved his life?’ Be silent, patriarchs, be silent, prophets, be silent, apostles, confessors, and martyrs. Let St. Joseph speak, for this honor is his alone; he alone is the savior of his Savior. // Blessed William Joseph Chaminade In most children’s books I have come across that reference Saint Joseph, he is usually pictured with the child Jesus. In the sweet scene, they are often surrounded by wood and tools, perhaps working on a carpentry project together. Yes, Saint Joseph surely taught Jesus his trade and watched over Him from his workshop. But that is not all Saint Joseph did. He is, after all, the one who packed up his young family and protected them during their journey to Egypt. As they walked a minimum of 40 miles (the distance from Bethlehem to the nearest Egyptian-controlled territory), starting in the dead of night, who knows what they might have come across? Beyond that harrowing journey, Saint Joseph remained the protector of the two most precious people who have ever walked the earth. We know so little about Jesus’ childhood and young adulthood, but we do know that the world in the first century was not always a safe or comfortable place. How many other times might Saint Joseph have saved the lives of our Savior and His Mother? All Catholic children learn about Saint Joseph at some point; I love the idea of emphasizing this aspect of who he was as part of that education. Saint Joan of Arc, the Unlikely Battle Commander Saint Joan of Arc is frequently quoted as having said, “I am not afraid; I was born to do this.” To be honest, this has always rubbed me in the wrong way. I am afraid of a lot, especially many of the difficult things that I believe are part of my vocation—things I was “born” to do. Besides, how could a 14-year-old girl possibly be unafraid as she rode into battle? For a long time, I put Saint Joan of Arc firmly in the “too unrelatable” category of Saints in my mind. That was, until I learned that the words above are not exactly what she said. Here is the real quote: I do not fear the soldiers, for my road is made open to me; and if the soldiers come, I have God, my Lord, who will know how to clear the route that leads to messire the Dauphin. It was for this that I was born! Key phrase? “I have God, my Lord.” That I can work with. In my short four-and-a-half years as a parent so far, I have quickly been reminded of the many things children can find scary. With the help of Saint Joan of Arc, my husband and I try to remind Charlie that it’s okay to feel scared, but if he remembers that God is with him, bravery will come so much more easily. Seeing the Fruits A few weeks ago, Charlie padded downstairs in his pajamas just before 7, his beloved stuffed lion flopping under his arm. “How did you sleep?” I asked him as I kissed the top of his head. “Well, I had a bad dream that there were scary monsters. But then Saint Michael the Archangel came and he had a sharp sword so he stabbed them. And then I said a prayer: thank you, God, for sending Saint Michael the Archangel to protect me. Amen.” My husband and I glanced at each other, our eyes both wide. “God will always send angels and Saints to protect you, bud. He loves you so much,” I finally said. “I know,” he answered nonchalantly, turning toward the pantry. “Can I have some oatmeal?” In the life of any Saint who has ever lived, we can find beautiful examples of their courage. Whether they faced persecution, temptation, simple daily frustrations, or even death, they bravely carried on, clinging to their Faith and hope in Christ. May we always do the same, and may we teach our children to do the same too. All brave and holy men and women, pray for us! Looking for a few more courageous Saints to turn to? Check out these posts from the blog archives about Saints Perpetua and Felicity, Saint Josephine Bakhita and other Black Saints, and princess Saints.   [bctt tweet="Teaching Children About Courage with the Saints #BISblog //" username="lisajanelkirk"]

When Catholics consider what distinguishes our Faith from Protestant and Evangelical denominations, we naturally think of the Mass. Catholics attend the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Other Christians do not. As we regard other Catholic attributes, we look to the sacramental life of the Church, as well as to our use of sacramentals. We notice various prayers unique to Catholics, as well as our veneration of the crucifix and other sacred images. Catholic: One, Holy, Apostolic Many things set Catholics apart from Christian denominations. And yet, even within the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church, we recognize a beautiful, rich, and diverse history of liturgical tradition. This Catholic diversity is mainly found in six particular liturgical rites comprising twenty-three distinct Catholic churches. That’s right! There are twenty-three unique sui iuris churches within our one Catholic Church! Lexicon: Rites and Churches Before we explore the history and unique expressions of these different rites, let’s define a few terms. Specifically the difference between rite and church:. A rite consists of “the diverse liturgical traditions in which the one catholic and apostolic faith has come to be expressed and celebrated in various cultures and lands" (Catechism Glossary). A church is “a group of Christian faithful united by a hierarchy according to the norm of law which the supreme authority of the Church expressly or tacitly recognizes" (Canon 27). Thus, we conclude that a rite reflects ritual traditions and customs, while a church comprises the people within those traditions. Churches in Full Communion Within the Catholic Church, all twenty-three rites are in full communion with one another, meaning they are not in schism, or separated, like Orthodox or Protestant denominations. You may attend any of these Catholic liturgies and participate in the Holy Eucharist and other Sacraments. While liturgical traditions may look differently among these Catholic rites, based on their location and language, they retain a similar structure with readings from Scripture and the Consecration of bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ. In addition, all of these churches submit to all Catholic doctrines and dogmas defined by the Magisterium of the Catholic Church. Lastly, all churches recognize the primacy of the Pope, who is the patriarch over all the various rites within the Catholic Church. From the Beginning All of these churches started in one place: the Upper Room on Pentecost. The Blessed Mother and the Apostles were assembled there, and they received the Holy Spirit. On that day, the Apostles began to fulfill the Great Commission of Jesus Christ: Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. // Matthew 28:19-20 They went out and preached the Gospel to various nations. As the Gospel took root in different lands, followers of Jesus “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers" (Acts 2:42). Because each Apostle went to a different nation, the liturgical traditions that began to take shape looked slightly distinct. Yes, there was a “diversity in unity, a Church of churches,” as Byzantine Catholic Deacon Daniel Dozier describes. History of Schism However, these churches did not maintain unity. All of them—with the exception of two churches—split from the Roman Rite at some point in history. For example, communion between the Alexandrian and Antiochene Rites and the Latin and Byzantine Rites broke in 451. However, the Latin and Byzantine Churches did not excommunicate from one another until the Great Schism of 1054. The Armenian Church split from the Roman Rite in 1054 as well. It took several failed attempts throughout the centuries before these churches finally returned to full communion with one another. Because the schism lasted so long, many Eastern churches have an Orthodox counterpart that is still not in full communion with the Catholic Church. Eastern and Western Churches One way to differentiate the various rites and churches is geographically. The Latin (or Roman) Rite—with which most of you, dear readers, are familiar—is the largest rite within the Church. It is also the only Western Church. The rest of the various rites are geographically from the East. In 1894, Pope Leo XIII wrote about the importance of the Eastern Churches within our Catholic heritage: The Churches of the East are worthy of the glory and reverence that they hold throughout the whole of Christendom in virtue of those extremely ancient, singular memorials that they have bequeathed to us. For it was in that part of the world that the first actions for the redemption of the human race began, in accord with the all-kind plan of God. They swiftly gave forth their yield: there flowered in first blush the glories of preaching the True Faith to the nations, of martyrdom, and of holiness. They gave us the first joys of the fruits of salvation … Noteworthy Similarities There are several noteworthy similarities among Eastern Churches that distinguish them from the Latin Rite. In most Eastern rites, infants receive all three Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Holy Communion, and Confirmation) at the same time. All Eastern rites receive the Holy Eucharist on the tongue, never in the hand. Within some rites, the priest dips the Host into the Precious Blood and then places it on the communicant’s tongue, which is called intinction. Eastern Catholics, in general, fast more strictly than Western Catholics. They have more fasting seasons than Lent. During these fasting periods, they not only abstain from meat but also fish, eggs and dairy products, wine, and oil (noting a few days of exception). Many Eastern Catholics use a prayer rope or beads, called a chotki, instead of a Rosary. It is customary to use the chotki to pray a simple prayer called The Jesus Prayer. Persecution of Eastern Catholics Sadly, another similarity among Eastern Catholics is their experience of persecution for the Faith. Tertullian once said that “the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.” And Eastern Catholics have heroically lived out that old maxim. Throughout history, Eastern Catholics have endured centuries of hatred and cruelty because of their faith in Jesus Christ. Many have been willing to die for the Lord, and these churches never perished. For Roman Catholics, our concept of religious persecution can seem removed. We read stories of Saints who died for the Faith, but there are very few modern-day examples of religious persecution. For Eastern Catholics, however, this persecution has lasted even to the present day. Exploring Each Catholic Rite As we have mentioned, each of the six rites possess ancient roots, going all the way back to the Apostles. For all Catholic rites, liturgy is very important and is considered a type of catechism, central to forming disciples. In the Latin Rite, we say, "lex orandi, lex credendi," meaning "the way we worship is what we believe." Deacon Dozier says that “an entrance into the liturgy is an entrance into the kingdom.” So, even though there are liturgical distinctions among the Catholic rites, together, they create a beautiful mosaic of shared faith. Latin Rite Again, the Latin (or Roman) Rite is the largest rite and the only Western Church. It is expressed within three liturgies: Tridentine (Traditional Latin Mass), Novus Ordo (post-Vatican II Mass said in the vernacular), and Anglican Use. Under the Roman Catholic Church, there are other liturgical rites that date from before the mid-1500s: Mozarabic Rite (Spain) Ambrosian Rite (Italy) Bragan Rite (Portugal) Liturgies of the Dominican, Carmelite, and Carthusian orders Byzantine Rite When most people think of Eastern Catholicism, they think of the Byzantine tradition. It comprises of fourteen unique churches: Albanian Catholic Church Belarusian Catholic Church Bulgarian Greek Catholic Church Byzantine Church of Croatia, Serbia, and Montenegro Greek Byzantine Catholic Church Hungarian Greek Catholic Church Italo-Albanian Catholic Church (never split) Macedonian Catholic Church Melkite Greek Catholic Church Romanian Catholic Church Russian Catholic Church Ruthenian Catholic Church Slovak Catholic Church Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church Byzantine Liturgical Traditions Byzantine divine liturgies were written by fourth-century Saints John Chrysostom and Basil the Great. The Byzantine Rite uses leavened (instead of unleavened) bread for the Eucharist, and small pieces of the Host are placed into the chalice with the Precious Blood. Then, the laity receive the Body and Blood of Christ utilizing a small liturgical spoon. Another distinction between Latin and Byzantine Catholics revolves around veneration. While Latin Catholics venerate the wood of the Cross on Good Friday, Byzantine Catholics venerate Christ’s burial shroud. In addition, Latin Catholics tend to venerate statues, while icons are venerated in the Byzantine tradition. Alexandrian Rite The Alexandrian Rite consists of two subgroups: Coptic and Ge’ez rites. Within these subgroups are three churches: Coptic Catholic Church Eritrean Catholic Church Ethiopian Catholic Church The Coptic Catholic Church traces its lineage back to Saint Mark the Evangelist, while Ethiopians claim that Saints Matthew and Bartholomew spread Christianity to their area. Alexandrian Liturgical Traditions The main distinction between the Coptic and Ge’ez rites is language. The Coptic Catholic Church uses Coptic and occasionally Arabic, while the Eritrean and Ethiopian Catholic Churches use Ge’ez. One unique attribute to the Alexandrian Rite is when the liturgical year begins. Instead of Advent, it begins in late September with the Feast of the Cross. This feast commemorates Saint Helen’s finding of the True Cross. Antiochene Rite (West Syria) The ancient rite that blooms from West Syria, or Antioch, includes three churches: Maronite Catholic Church Syriac Catholic Church Syro-Malankara Catholic Church Antiochene Catholics trace their foundation to Saint Peter, who was Bishop of Antioch before he was Bishop of Rome. Therefore, patriarchs of the Maronite (which never split from Rome) and Syriac Churches are considered successors of Saint Peter, similar to bishops in the Latin Rite. Antiochene Liturgical Traditions All three of these churches use the West Syrian Rite in their liturgies. What differentiates them is language: Maronite Catholic Church: Aramaic or Arabic Syriac Catholic Church: Aramaic and Syriac Syro-Malankara Catholic Church: Syriac, Malayalam, or English The Mass, or liturgy, is called the Holy Qurbana, which translates to "holy sacrifice." It is rich in symbolism, as well as symbolic gestures and language. Armenian Rite The only church within the Armenian Rite is the Armenian Catholic Church. It dates back to the fourth century, when Armenia was the first country to adopt Christianity as their state religion. Armenian Liturgical Traditions The Armenian Catholic Church uses the liturgy of Saint Gregory the Illuminator. He lived in the fourth century and first composed the Divine Liturgy (what Latin Catholics refer to as the Mass) in Syriac. Similar to the Byzantines, when Armenians have an excess of bread that is not consecrated during the Divine Liturgy, this “blessed bread” (or antidoron) is given to the people after as a sign of fellowship. Within the liturgical calendar, there are slightly different seasons. For example, the season equivalent to Advent is called Aratchavorats, which begins on the Feast of Christ the King and lasts six to eight weeks. Chaldean Rite (East Syria) The Chaldean Rite traces its origins back to Saint Thomas the Apostle, and they are endearingly called “Saint Thomas Christians.” Within this rite are two churches: Chaldean Catholic Church Syro-Malabar Catholic Church While Chaldean Catholics have made their home in North America, they originally hail from India, Iraq, and other Middle Eastern countries. Chaldean Liturgical Traditions What sets the Chaldean Catholic churches apart is a red curtain that shrouds the sanctuary. Its significance traces back to the Jewish tradition of the Holy of Holies being separated by a veil, which was only accessed by the High Priest. The Chaldean curtain is similar to the iconostasis (screen of icons) in the Byzantine Rite and the communion rail in the Latin Rite. All Eastern Churches refer to the Eucharistic Prayer as the anaphora, and the Chaldean Rite uses the oldest ones in the Catholic Church (Liturgy of Mar Addai and Mar Mari), which date back to the third century. The vernacular language is typically used in the anaphora, but Aramaic—the language of Jesus Christ—is also used. Within the Chaldean liturgical calendar, there are nine seasons. They do not have Ordinary Time. However, they have Advent and the Great Fast (Lent). They honor the Feast of Saint Thomas the Apostle as a Holy Day of Obligation. Just a Glimpse This article only offers a glimpse into the six rites within the Catholic Church. However, it demonstrates the depth, richness, and beauty of our universal Church. The Catholic Church incorporates many unique cultures, traditions, and customs, and yet it is fully united in dogma and doctrine. The Catholic Church holds in high esteem the institutions, liturgical rites, ecclesiastical traditions and the established standards of the Christian life of the Eastern Churches, for in them, distinguished as they are for their venerable antiquity, there remains conspicuous the tradition that has been handed down from the Apostles through the Fathers … // Pope Paul VI To Learn More If this aspect of Church history peaks your interest, continue exploring the various rites of the Catholic Church: Attend a Traditional Latin Mass. Visit an Eastern Rite Catholic Church in your area. Study a helpful chart to see how the rites and churches relate to each other. Listen to a podcast that gives a brief history of Eastern Catholic Churches, plus a beautiful lesson in Marian spirituality. Consider purchasing an icon for your home. Pray The Jesus Prayer. Let us know your rite, and which one you would like to learn more about!   [bctt tweet="A Brief Overview of the Various Rites Within the Catholic Church #BISblog //" via="no"]

Growing up, I treated Holy Saturday as an early start to Easter. It may not have been the actual celebration of Easter, but I breathed a sigh of relief for making it through the sorrow and fasting of Good Friday and looked towards the rejoicing we would do after Easter Vigil. Now, looking back, I realize that my understanding and reverence of Holy Saturday was lacking as a child. I did not embrace it as a day of watching and praying for the coming of our Lord, and I would not until I read the words of a Lenten audience by Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. “Walking Toward Easter” In this audience he spoke of the sorrow that fills Good Friday, but also of its reminder that, through the Cross, Christ brings us victory and hope. A hope which is nourished through the silence of Holy Saturday, our expectation rising in anticipation of Jesus’ rising from the dead. On this day when decorations are taken down from our churches and no special liturgies are held, we have the opportunity to keep vigil with Mary. In sorrow, yes, but also in trust and hope of His Resurrection. The words that reoriented my Holy Saturday were Benedict’s words: It is rightly recommended that a prayerful atmosphere be preserved throughout the day, favorable for meditation and reconciliation...The recollection and silence of Holy Saturday will usher us into the night of the solemn Easter Vigil, ‘mother of all vigils’, when the hymn of joy in Christ’s resurrection will burst forth in all the churches and communities...Thus we shall enter into the atmosphere of Easter. Through an intense living of the Holy Triduum, we open ourselves up to a much deeper experience of its grace. After reading Benedict's words, I regretted looking past so many unique and beautiful opportunities all the previous Holy Saturdays offered me. From then on, I wanted to walk through Holy Saturday with Mary. I wanted to use the day to be more mindful of Benedict’s words, that “We are still awaiting Easter; we are not still standing in the full light, but walking toward it in full trust.” Something we are called to not only on Holy Saturday, but everyday. “Light, Water, and the Alleluia” Benedict speaks of the three symbols during Easter Vigil: light, water, and the Alleluia. Through Jesus’ Resurrection, He brings light to the darkness. “God said: Let there be light, and there was light” (Genesis 1:3). The Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday is the day in which we get to experience this transformation from darkness to light. As candle by candle, the Church is brightened with the glow of soft flames flickering in the air. Little lights that were sparked from the Paschal candle, and that together, make the entire Church aglow. A light that we as Church are called to carry out into the world. The second symbol is water, which holds two meanings. It represents the purification we receive through the water of Baptism as we are reborn and made new in Christ. It not only symbolizes our new birth, but also the graces we receive through the Sacrament to be a living water for others. We are called, as Benedict says, “always to be sources of pure, fresh water, bubbling up from the fountain of his truth and love”! The third and final symbol that Benedict speaks of is the alleluia. A word which we will sing out with joy on Easter’s arrival. “Speech is no longer adequate. He has to sing.” A song which is meant to be shared with all those around us and kept not only to ourselves. The first place that we hear about people singing in the Bible comes after the Israelites passed through the Red Sea, as they passed through slavery to freedom. We repeat their song of praise during the Easter Vigil liturgy, “I will sing to the Lord, for he is gloriously triumphant; horse and chariot he has cast into the sea” (Exodus 15:1). Living in Hope Holy Saturday is a time of being in between great darkness and beautiful light. As Claire Dwyer writes in This Present Paradise, darkness in the spiritual life is like “spending Holy Saturday in a tomb with a hidden Christ who is breaking thousands of years of bondage.” Yet through our baptism, death has been stripped away and we are set free. Christ lives within us. As Benedict says, “the great explosion of the Resurrection has seized us in Baptism so as to draw us on.” If we receive the grace given to us and allow ourselves to be directed by the Holy Spirit, all that we do can take part in transforming the world to a place secure in the warmth of His love. With this confidence, we have a hope we can live in. What has Jesus set you free of this pat Lent? What is He drawing you on to in the coming Easter season?   [bctt tweet="Holy Saturday // Recollection, Silence, and Hope #BISblog #holysaturday //" via="no"]   This post contains affiliate links. Thanks for supporting the ministry of Blessed is She!

Today marks the darkest day of the Church year. It is the sobering remembrance of the Word Incarnate, crucified. Liturgically, it is the only day of the entire year that no Eucharistic hosts will be consecrated as a reminder of Christ’s temporary absence. We fast and fall into line to venerate a cross, representing the Cross on which the Savior hung. The universal Church enters the empty, in-between time where Jesus is no longer with us, and not yet returned. Thin Places Mystics and theologians have various names for this kind of space—both the heaviness and anguish that can exist here alongside experiences of deep peace. The Irish call these “thin places,” noting that the space between Heaven and earth feels particularly thin, almost as though one could reach out and touch the other side. Others have referred to it as “liminal space,” the space in time where we are on the way. Our ship has left port and not yet arrived at its destination, so to speak. Our role as pilgrims is perhaps never more felt than on Good Friday. In the cadence of the Triduum (Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter Sunday), the “good” in Good Friday has been confusing at best, and unsettling at worst. In its proper context, with an understanding of Salvation History, the "good" in Good Friday makes sense; but without that, it is hard to hear. Perhaps, even difficult to stomach—after all, how can we possibly find reason to celebrate the darkness of this day? Why is Good Friday “Good?” If you have ever talked through Holy week with a child, it is likely that you have already fielded this question. Or maybe you prefer to call it “Passion Friday” because it feels a more apt description. Either way, it can feel uncomfortable to put "good" in front of anything heart-wrenching. The answer is part semantics and part theology. Linguists share that Good Friday may very well have gotten its name because the words "good" and "holy" used to be used somewhat interchangeably. Ultimately though, we can name this day good because of what it accomplished for humanity in the same we proclaim, “O happy fault” of Adam and Eve’s sin. Each celebrate God’s victorious hand in history which offered salvation to humanity: God’s “drawing straight with crooked lines.” Already and Not Yet Celebrating Good Friday well is embracing our "already and not yet" understanding of salvation. As Catholic Christians, of course we know how the story ends, and it can be difficult to explain the sobering ritual to children or non-believers alike. Yes, Jesus was crucified, died and rose from the dead once and for all. And we embrace that reality in new ways each year of our lives. I remember, as a child, being horrified by the living Stations of the Cross at our parish—it was so real for me, I sobbed as though Christ were being hung on a cross before my very eyes while we all stood around, watching. Good Friday meant something entirely different to me the year we experienced a death in our family,than it has having had the joy of witnessing friends join the Church during Easter Vigil. Just as I imagine I would have a different experience entering into the Lenten season in the southern hemisphere where winter is dawning and light waning, rather than what I am accustomed to in the northern hemisphere where spring is just unfurling. Remembering In the same way the sacrifice of the Mass brings us back to the heart of the Paschal Mystery (Jesus’ Passion, Death, and Resurrection) each time it is celebrated, our annual return to the darkness of Good Friday is integral to our celebration of Easter Sunday. Each year I appreciate the wisdom of the liturgical year on a deeper level. The story doesn’t change, but we do. There is no need to come up with a flashy, new theme or logo. Holy Week will provide all that we can ask for in terms of mourning and celebrating well, arriving just as we are. Thank God the Church is ever ancient and ever new, and has different things to teach us each year we find ourselves walking the Lenten road. Beginning last night with the Holy Thursday foot-washing and remembrance of the last supper, we have ended our Lenten walk and entered into the beauty of Holy Week. However we are arriving this year, my prayer is that we might do so ready to receive whatever it is we need, and that that gift would remain with us throughout the celebration of the Easter season and beyond!   [bctt tweet="The Thin Place of Good Friday #BISblog #goodfriday //" via="no"]

By the time I was preparing for Confirmation, I was mucking stalls after school, attending horse camp in the summer, and "Cowboy Take Me Away" was basically the anthem I wanted to live by. Not an especially spiritual worldview, but one that had my full attention. Thankfully, God meets us where we are and is never far from the things that bring us life. I remember the assignment to select a Saint as I prepared for Confirmation. My sponsor was so sweet and took me out to lunch so that we could discuss some of my ideas as I selected a patroness. I remember telling her that I was taken with Elizabeth Ann Seton—wait for it—because she was an "experienced horse woman." To this day, I still cannot find where her horsemanship skills were so acclaimed amongst her many accomplishments. To her credit, my sponsor was supportive despite my lackluster discernment. So it was decided that Elizabeth was the patroness for me. It was a simple decision-making process and admittedly, I didn’t give it much (deep) thought. I later came to regret that, but that was before I realized that I was being spiritually tailed. Spiritually-tailed As it turned out, there wasn’t much call for cowgirls in my area, so by deciding to study Human Services, I had inadvertently adopted a different dimension of my patroness’ life of service to those on the margins: specifically to women and children. I didn’t notice until after college during my volunteer year that Saint Elizabeth had connections to the Vincentians, the very charism that had propelled me to spend a year in service in the first place. Later, in my first full time job, I began my case management work in a place called the Setons’ Women Center! As it turned out, this year ended up being one of the most formative of my young adult life and I don’t doubt that there was some prayerful support coming from my patroness, Elizabeth. Elizabeth Ann Seton is the United States of America’s first Saint. In her lifetime, she experienced conversion to Catholicism, separation from her husband, becoming a widow, and raising five children and losing two of them. In addition, she established a Catholic girls school and founded an order, the Daughters of Charity of St. Joseph, which was the first order founded in America and tailored closely after the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul. How monotonously alike all the great tyrants and conquerors have been; how gloriously different all of the saints have been. // C.S. Lewis On the Move Statistics and studies done on recent generations assure us that people are moving more frequently, changing jobs, and switching careers more often now than ever before in history. Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton offers a hopeful reminder of the tremendous versatility in the callings we may receive in one lifetime. [bctt tweet="Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton offers a hopeful reminder of the tremendous versatility in the callings we may receive in one lifetime. #BISblog //" via="no"] Likely at the dawn of her marriage, she imagined her life was going to take on a particular shape, which it did. Like many of us, she didn’t see herself as anything beyond a wife and mother, much less, the patroness of Catholic schools, widows, and seafarers. Vocations within Vocations So often God has more in mind for our lives than we might have imagined—or at least a wider breadth of callings. Vocations within vocations. Which can feel both exhilarating and unnerving as creatures who tend toward having some control, expectations, and "five year plans." Just as Saint Elizabeth imagined her vocation as wife and mother to define her life. And yet, her call prepared her for much more. This feels timely while we trudge on in our push toward post-pandemic life. Perhaps you are also finding yourself called upon to be a teacher in addition to work outside of the home. Maybe 2020 has made you a caregiver in ways you hadn’t foreseen, or in processing the experience of providing medical care amidst a pandemic, you have discovered art as an outlet. The possibilities are inexhaustible because God is infinitely creative and we instinctively mimic this trait. The Saint of Possibility In the hope of all that new years and new calendar pages bring, 2021 is pregnant with possibility. Inspired by Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, would that we be attentive to our own callings within callings! Maybe this is what will get us though the lingering wait, believing that our gifts and talents add a particular value for this time, as surprising as we ourselves might find it. In a season that has made us all students, and many teachers, perhaps Saint Elizabeth’s intercession is just what we need at the dawn of a New Year. O God, You called Elizabeth Ann Seton to be an instrument of your loving mercy. Despite loss and sorrow, she was an example of hope and love. Inspire us with your Blessed Sacrament to live our life for others. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Teacher. Amen. // Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Prayer for Students Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, pray for us! Anyone else celebrating a feast day today?   [bctt tweet="On the Feast of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton #BISblog //" via="no"]

On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. // Matthew 2:11 In the Gospel of Saint Matthew, we read about the Magi, the wise men, who followed the star of Bethlehem in search of the Newborn King. They traveled a long way to greet and adore the Christ Child, even though they were not members of the Jewish faith, which held a deep longing for the Messiah to come and “ransom captive Israel.” Traditional Roots of Epiphany For centuries, Roman Catholics, as well as Christians in Eastern rites, have honored this pilgrimage of the Magi within the Christmas season. In fact, Epiphany is considered the twelfth day of Christmas. Theologically, Epiphany commemorates the manifestation of Christ to the entire world. In other words, it is the event that reveals Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God. While we primarily focus on this revelation to the Magi, the Church also teaches that this manifestation occurred at two other events: Christ’s Baptism, when God’s voice from Heaven said, “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased (Matthew 3:13-17). The wedding at Cana, when Jesus performed His first public miracle (John 2:1-12). Rejoice! It’s Still Christmas The Feast of the Epiphany, the twelfth day of Christmas, reminds us that while the world has long packed up Christmas for another year, we continue to celebrate the birth of our Savior. We are blessed with another day to ponder the profound meaning of the Incarnation: that Jesus, the Messiah, the Son of God, came down to earth to meet us in our need, to dwell and walk among us, and to save us from our sin. What an incredible gift worth celebrating and reverencing for more than one day! So, how can we respond to this gift? The gift of salvation? The gift of rescue? The gift of complete and total love? Ponder, Pray, and Praise on Epiphany On the Feast of the Epiphany, let us honor Christ’s manifestation to the world by taking time to ponder, pray, and praise. Ponder O come, let us adore Him. // The three Magi traveled far to greet the Messiah. Legend says that their journey took three to twelve months! Let us ponder... To what lengths do I go to spend time with the Lord in prayer and adoration? Do I remain steadfast in my quest to “strive first for the kingdom of God” (Matthew 6:33)? O Lord, may I never grow complacent in my quest to seek and find You! May I always go to great lengths to encounter You at Holy Mass and in Eucharistic Adoration. Amen. Gold I bring to crown Him again. // The wisemen gave Jesus the finest gifts, truly fit for a King. Let us ponder... Do I give Jesus the best part of my day in prayer? Do I give Him the fullness of my heart, by seeking to do His will above mine? O Christ my King, I renew my devotion to You! I love You, and I am so grateful that You came on Christmas! You are the King of my heart; the King of my entire life. Amen. Let loving hearts enthrone Him. // A supernatural faith brought the Magi to the stable, and upon their encounter with Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, their lives were forever changed. Let us ponder... How has the birth of Christ changed my life? How can I order my days according to my encounter with the Newborn King? O Little Lord Jesus, my faith in You has grown so much this Christmas! How could it not? May You always find room in my heart to rest Your sweet head. Amen. [bctt tweet="O Lord, may I never grow complacent in my quest to seek and find You! May I always go to great lengths to encounter You. #BISblog //" username="sarahcdamm"] Pray Catholics attend Holy Mass on the Epiphany. And the Church also offers a special home blessing for this feast day. This can be done whether you live alone, with roommates, or within a family. Before Epiphany, purchase chalk and ask your priest to bless a piece of it. Also be sure to have blessed Holy Water on hand. The custom is to bless the entrance of your home. Then, write the initials of the three wise men plus the numbers of the new year just above the doorway with blessed chalk. Afterward, sprinkle the doorway and each room of your home with Holy Water. This is a lovely tradition that invokes the peace of Christ upon the house, all those who dwell within it, and all who visit it. To find the complete text for this traditional blessing, click here. Praise After pondering the miracle of the birth and manifestation of Christ, and blessing your home with special prayers, it is time to celebrate the Epiphany! In many families, the wise men arrive at the home’s Nativity display on Epiphany, after traveling throughout the house during Advent and the Christmas days leading up to this feast day. In some countries, it is customary to give gifts on Epiphany instead of on Christmas. While my own family exchanges gifts on Christmas, we emphasize the three gifts of the Magi, and give our children three gifts, too. Gold is their main gift; frankincense is something that will draw them closer to God; and myrrh is something that they can wear. One Catholic blogger has a custom of purchasing new Catholic books for her children on Epiphany. They even arrive wrapped in gold paper! Since it is still the Christmas season, keep listening to Christmas carols. Today, be sure to add “We Three Kings,” “The First Noel,” and “The Twelve Days of Christmas” to your playlist. End this special feast day with a delicious Twelfth Night Rum Cake. Do you honor the Feast of the Epiphany with special prayers and traditions? Please share them in the comments below.   [bctt tweet="Celebrating the Epiphany of Our Lord #BISblog //" username="sarahcdamm"]

I recently finished Jesus of Nazareth by Pope Benedict XVI. The most powerful lesson I learned from this book was the startling reality of the Incarnation. The news that God became man was astonishing to the people of Jesus’ time and should still shock us two millennia later. The Beauty of the Incarnation The declaration that God became man makes us choose. We must respond to this powerful claim. Do we truly believe that Jesus is the Son of God? That He is God? If we do, our entire life must change, everything in our lives changes, history itself changes! One of the most famous passages in the Bible is John 3:16: For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. We hear this verse often, most of us can even recall it from memory, yet how often do we contemplate it? Our salvation is summarized in this simple sentence, these twenty-four words. God loves us so much that He sent His Son to us that we may live forever with Him. What life-changing beauty! God became man so that we may become like God. God is with Us Now When the Word became Flesh, Jesus entered into history. Yes, the world’s history, but also within our own personal stories, too. He remains present today, both in the Eucharist and also in the saints He raises up in every age. Christ’s presence in each of us makes Him forever present to the world. When we preach the Gospel, when we imitate Christ and love what He loved and lived like He lived, we concretize the Incarnation here and now. The Incarnation allows us to wholly and entirely engage with God, with our entire being, with our body and our soul. When we realize the profundity of this, our entire life must change. We live with hope, we live with charity. When we believe in the reality of the Incarnation we live with the hope in the promise that we will sit on the throne with Christ (Ephesians 2:6). 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 Future Kings and Queens The Incarnation invites us to look at others as good and holy. Because of the Incarnation we are surrounded by kings and queens. One of my favorite quotes is by C.S. Lewis. He wrote in The Weight of Glory: It is a serious thing to live in a society of possible gods and goddesses, to remember that the dullest most uninteresting person you can talk to may one day be a creature which, if you saw it now, you would be strongly tempted to worship, or else a horror and a corruption such as you now meet, if at all, only in a nightmare. All day long we are, in some degree helping each other to one or the other of these destinations. It is in the light of these overwhelming possibilities, it is with the awe and the circumspection proper to them, that we should conduct all of our dealings with one another, all friendships, all loves, all play, all politics. There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal. Nations, cultures, arts, civilizations - these are mortal, and their life is to ours as the life of a gnat. But it is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub, and exploit - immortal horrors or everlasting splendors. The Incarnation is a reminder that we are both body and soul. That our bodies are good, that we are fearfully and wonderfully made. We must strive to understand the dignity of our bodies, we must take care of our bodies, we must love our bodies, we must use our bodies to serve others. We must always honor and respect the bodies of others. Beholding God From the moment Mother Mary heard the first cries of Jesus in the cave of Bethlehem that first Christmas night, to Saint Thomas who placed his finger into Jesus’ wounded Sacred Heart, each person who saw, heard, and touched Jesus was seeing and hearing and touching God. We continue to see, hear, and touch Him today, in the Mass, and in the saints that surround us—those who step out in faith in that mysterious claim: God became man. Glory to the Newborn King!   [bctt tweet="The Beauty of the Incarnation #BISblog //" username="findphilothea"]

Every December 12th, without fail, my parents would buy a dozen red roses to give to Our Lady of Guadalupe as a gift from our family. The night before, they would remind me that I would have to get up extra early because the celebrations at Mass began at 5:00 a.m. with Las Mañanitas. I love everything about mariachi music: the outfits, the passion from the person who is singing the heartfelt lyrics, and the bellowing trumpets. But for a middle schooler, 5:00 a.m. did not feel special at all, even if my parents let me go to school tardy. It was a big ask to get me out of my warm blankets that I was snuggled into, but for the sake of tradition and keeping my parents happy, I would get ready to go. It didn’t help that our parish wasn’t connected to a school, so I was the only kid my age in attendance, which made me feel like our family was probably a little too Catholic. A Piece of Home at Church My parents would take our household image of Our Lady of Guadalupe to Church to be blessed, along with the red roses. Once I was at Mass, I couldn’t help but burst into song because the ballads sung to Our Lady of Guadalupe by the mariachi, accompanied by the congregation, were so irresistible it could turn any grumpy adolescent into a pleasant one. The lyrics sung to Our Lady of Guadalupe in Spanish made me forget the early wake up call as I happily sang in the language I never had the opportunity to speak at school or outside of our home. This feast day felt like home to me. Little girls would dress in traditional Mexican outfits with their hair braided with ribbon interlaced on both sides. I loved looking around my parish and seeing the response of the community embracing such a special day for the Hispanic Community. It wasn’t just the tamales that they could enjoy afterwards either; it was a genuine desire to experience honoring Mary together in this way. Mariachi Music in Honor of Our Lady The church only played Mariachi music one time per year during Mass on this feast day. I felt so proud of my cultural heritage and beamed with joy as parishioners sang the songs in their best Spanish. Even the priest, whose first language wasn’t Spanish, would participate in the singing, too! I felt seen by our parish community as they welcomed the deep roots of our Mexican Catholic identity. Here under one roof in front of Jesus, Our Lady of Guadalupe, and Saint Juan Diego, we all were actively participating in the universality of the Church. I wished every day could be just like this, celebrating the love for our Mother regardless of ethnicity or nationality or immigration status. Just children and heirs to the Kingdom of God receiving a tiny taste of Heaven with Mass, music, and lifting up our prayers. In hindsight I wish I had had the courage to invite my peers to share about my Mass experience. Instead I just got a tardy pass and went straight to class, keeping close to myself the special morning I had just experienced. Passing on the Tradition to My Students When I taught Confirmation for the first time, I purchased roses for my students to offer Our Lady of Guadalupe. I gave them a little background story and then invited them to offer a special intention to her when they placed their rose inside of the vase. I remember feeling so proud in that moment as I prayed that they could feel the love from Our Blessed Mother under a different title. Sometimes the simple invitation helps people grow in the Faith. We can be living the Faith for a long time but can miss out on opportunities to participate because we are waiting to be invited. This Advent season, visit a local parish that may be celebrating the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe and don’t hesitate to participate. Our Lady of Guadalupe is the Queen of Mexico and Mother of the Americas and a reminder that her love transcends skin tone, class, or race. She truly is a mother to us all. Participate in Our Lady of Guadalupe’s Feast Day For people in Mexico, this special day is seen as a way for Our Lady of Guadalupe to intercede for us and has been a means of obtaining answered prayers. They travel to the Basilica on their knees as they remember everything she has done for them. Even if you don’t belong to a parish that celebrates Our Lady of Guadalupe’s feast day replete with Mariachis, take some time to listen to some Mariachi music in your house. If you’re especially lucky, you may have some friends who will offer you some homemade tamales. You can also find a Mexican market and celebrate with tamales, pan dulce (Mexican sweet bread), atole (drink made with finely ground corn) or champurrado (thick rich Mexican hot chocolate made with corn). Passing Down Our Lady’s Feast Day Now that I have children, I dress them up in traditional Mexican outfits and we all go to Mass together. They proudly walk down the aisle and offer their roses to Mary, just like I had done as a child. My son, Diego, is especially proud of his namesake on this feast day, as he loves to hear the story of Saint Juan Diego and Our Lady. It’s like a mini-pilgrimage from the crack of dawn to the moment you step in the church. I think back to that grumpy middle schooler and am so grateful that my parents persisted in taking me to Mass on Our Lady’s feast day and I am proud that I now get to share the same tradition with my own children. Prayers to Our Lady of Guadalupe John Paul II's Prayer to Our Lady of Guadalupe Covid-19: A prayer to Our Lady of Guadalupe in times of trial Listen. Put it into your heart, my smallest child, that the thing that frightened you, the thing that afflicted you is nothing: Do not let it disturb you… Am I not here, I who am your mother? Are you not under my shadow and protection? Am I not the source of your joy? Are you not in the hollow of my mantle, In the crossing of my arms? Do you need something more? -Our Lady of Guadalupe, 1531 Listen to Mariachi Music An example of songs that are sung for Our Lady of Guadalupe English and Spanish Lyrics to song La Guadalupana Watch the Movie Guadalupe: The Miracle and the Message Recipes Champurrado (thick Mexican hot chocolate) Atole (hot drink made with masa: ground corn)   [bctt tweet="The Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe // A Childhood Tradition #BISblog //" via="no"] WANT TO DEEPEN YOUR PRAYER? Get ready to be radically changed by the Lord and His presence. 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In an interesting "which came first" scenario, this week we celebrate two inter-related feast days. Later this week we will celebrate the popular feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe, which goes hand in hand with the one we celebrate today—the feast of Saint Juan Diego. We celebrate Juan Diego as a bearer of Mary’s apparition and request for a church. We celebrate Our Lady of Guadalupe because of Juan Diego’s willingness to speak on her behalf. Simple Obedience Saint Juan Diego’s story began on a rural hillside outside of Mexico City in 1531 where the Virgin Mary appeared to him and requested that he speak to the Bishop about building a church in her honor on Tepeyec Hill where they were speaking. Juan Diego was an indigenous man of no particular means or connection, and honored her request and proposed the idea to the bishop. The bishop was skeptical of the encounter and asked that he return with a sign. Meanwhile, Juan Diego’s uncle fell ill and Juan Diego nearly missed his second appointment with the bishop. Instead, the Virgin reassured Juan Diego that his uncle would live. She instructed him to collect the roses (growing unseasonably) on the hill and bring them to the bishop as a sign. Juan Diego did as he was told. When he presented the flowers to the bishop, an image of the Virgin of Guadalupe became visible inside of his tilma (cloak). With the appearance of this sign, a church was constructed in her honor. A Legacy of Love and Our Lady Today the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe (in Mexico City) is one of the most frequently visited pilgrimage sites in the world. Juan Diego’s tilma bearing Mary’s image can still be viewed inside of the Basilica, though its rough and poor fabric likely should have disintegrated long ago. The Virgin of Guadalupe is the patroness of Mexico, which is overwhelmingly Catholic, as well as the Americas. Many believe that this apparition endeared the Mexican people to the Mother of God and to the Church in a special way. There are two aspects of this story that I especially love: Mary chooses to appear to a simple indigenous man without connections or means, to receive her message. As it happens with Marian apparitions, Mary appears as an indigenous woman herself; connecting immediately to those with whom she speaks. Saint Juan Diego’s Witness If there is any downside to being a part of a Church with such a rich and vibrant cloud of witnesses that have gone before us, it might be that it can be intimidating to find our own circumstances particularly inspiring. And this is why I love Saint Juan Diego: he is obscure, and in his obscurity he ushers in and has fostered tremendous devotion to Jesus and His Mother. Mary could have chosen someone with influence or means who could have built the Basilica themselves. But, lost would have been the image in the tilma and the ongoing exchange between Juan Diego and Our Lady, and the message that the lives of seemingly obscure folks do not escape the significant and loving gazes of Jesus and Mary. The Virgin of Guadalupe and People on the Margins In 1531 there would have been a wide array of artistic renderings of Jesus and Mary, but likely none that reflected the experience and appearance of all who would look upon them. Mary’s distinct appearance at Tepeyac echoed familiarity to the hearts of Juan Diego and a Mexican people ready to receive it. Our Lady’s radiant appearance communicated a relationship with the divine that could be both holy and familiar and that God has always had particular love for those who are marginalized. Marian Apparitions Apparitions like this one have communicated to people all throughout time and geography that they are seen and loved by God and His Mother in their most specific circumstances. Mary has appeared to men, women, and children all over the world. Her invitations offer opportunities and instruction to those who hear her to grow closer to her Son. Our Lady of Fatima, Lourdes, Knock, and Guadalupe are well-known apparitions, but only a few of the many places Mary has made herself available to the people of the world. As we journey through Advent during a very unique season of our own history, we do so in good company. Saint Juan Diego offers a timely reminder that even in our obscurity we can offer our very selves to the greater glory of God. Our Lady of Guadalupe assures us of the possibility to be employed in heavenly errands. Saint Juan Diego, pray for us!   [bctt tweet="On the Feast of Saint Juan Diego #BISblog //" via="no"]

It is the Advent season, and I think we are all ready for some Christmas cheer. Read on to find out how the Blessed Is She blog writers will be celebrating this year. The Blessed is She Blog Team's Favorite Christmas Traditions Grace Bellon // Blog Contributor For four years of my childhood, my parents homeschooled us. During that time my mom introduced a tradition she referred to as "Advent Angels" which was similar to "Secret Santa" but with some major differences. Before Advent began each year, my siblings and I would all choose someone in our community who we thought needed some extra love and hope at Christmas (a neighbor, a friend from church, someone in a nursing home, etc). Then, we would send each of them a letter which let them know that they were being remembered in a special way during the season of Advent, while keeping our identity a secret. We would pray for them daily, and send 2-3 more letters throughout the season. Then, right around Christmas, we would pay them a visit and reveal our identity as their Advent Angel and give them a small gift of some sort. It's been over twenty years since we've done it as a family, but it is still a cherished memory. It was a perfect way to fill Advent with Hope and Joyful Expectation. Mytae Carrasco Wallace // Devotion Writer and Blog Contributor One of my favorite Christmas traditions is making tamales with my mom. She makes her red chile sauce from scratch, shreds the chicken by hand, bathes the cornhusks, and perfects her recipe each and every year. There is nothing like seeing the steam come out of a fresh tamale as you gently peel the corn husk away—it’s like unwrapping a present! Tamales aren’t just a reminder of home for me, but the coming of Christ as well. The anticipation of the birth of Jesus should include special meals that require extensive physical preparation and tamales certainly fit into that category. The process begins before the Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe so that we can all start enjoying them on Our Lady’s Feast day, December 12th, until they are all gone. It’s such a joy to be able to share our table of tamales with our friends and neighbors. There is something so special about the sharing of food that happens during Christmas. It’s a sign of how much we need to be in community with one another. Katie Cassady // Blog Contributor One of my favorite Christmas traditions as a child, and now, is selecting livestock from the Heifer International Christmas catalog to give to families in developing countries, as a family Christmas gift. It's an organization that offers agricultural education to families in rural communities to help provide for their families and pass on the gift of nutrition, and education to their children and neighbors. I remember my own delight as a kid imagining a family receiving a goat from our collective neighborhood Christmas party, and I love helping my own children understand the nature of gifting in a way that keeps on giving! Valerie Keinsley // Blog Contributor My favorite Christmas tradition is looking at stars on Christmas Eve. We accidentally started this tradition last year, when my husband and I were on our way home from my parents house, and I blurted out, "The stars are beautiful! Pull over!" With sleeping babies in the backseat, we stood by the side of the minivan next to a nondescript Indiana cornfield and looked up at the Heavens. Something about it felt so fitting—thinking about how Mary must have felt that Christmas Eve thousands of years ago. Maybe she, too, stared at the sky as they finished their long journey into Bethlehem. Was she staring at the stars from her spot in the stable? We don't know, of course, but I love thinking about it. From now on, stars will always remind me of Christmas, and I hope it's a tradition we continue year after year. Susanna Parent // Blog Contributor Each year I tape pieces of twine to the ends of one of our doors and use mini clothespins to attach Christmas cards to it. When it comes time for the Christmas decorations to be put away, I unclip each Christmas card and place it into a box where my husband and I pray. Then, each morning, we take one card out and say a prayer for that individual or family. This tradition provides plenty of Holy Spirit moments when we text them that they were included in our prayer intentions that day. Somehow the timing works out just right. Olivia Spears // Blog Manager Growing up, my family had a tradition of driving around town to look at Christmas lights. Similar to so many families, this yearly tradition was accompanied by hot chocolate and freshly-baked cookies. We would often have dinner with friends beforehand, and when I was really young, I'd just dress in my pajamas, because falling asleep in the car was guaranteed. Now that I have my own young family, looking at the Christmas lights around town has remained a beloved tradition handed on. We have been intentional about placing this tradition on the feast of Saint Lucy, the Saint of light. On this night, my parents join us as we drive past houses we know and love for their legendary displays. We carry with us freshly-baked cookies and hot chocolate. And I dress my kids in pajamas, because they are guaranteed to fall asleep in the car. Tricia Tembreull // Blog Contributor One of my favorite Christmas Traditions is taking gifts to the neighbors in my neighborhood. They are typically cookies, candles, mugs, or something small to brighten their day, but everyone does this so we can visit and catch up during the busy season. I am blessed with neighbors who look after one another and really care for one another, so this chance to spread some Christmas cheer is a blessing during the holidays. Your Turn! Whether your family’s Christmas season includes Advent Angels, donating livestock, stargazing, or something unique to you, we hope that you joyfully embrace this treasured time with your loved ones! Happy Advent!   [bctt tweet="Our Favorite Christmas Traditions #BISblog //" via="no"]

In the beloved Christmas hymn, O Holy Night, we hear about a world that has long been “in sin and error pining …” This sentiment rings true like never before. Because it feels a lot like the world in 2020. After nine (long) months of shutdowns, church and school closings, mandates, and civil unrest, we are preparing to enter the Christmas season with a cautious “thrill of hope.” We are ready for a little Christmas cheer, for twinkle lights, jingle bells, evergreen, and eggnog. More than anything, we long to welcome the Newborn King into our hearts and homes. The Weary World But Christmas will look differently this year. Depending on what state (or country) we live in, Covid-19 restrictions will alter our Christmas plans and traditions—slightly or significantly. Perhaps we will gather with fewer people around the Christmas tree. Perhaps concerts and pageants will only be seen via livestream or canceled altogether. Perhaps Christmas shopping will come with unforeseen shipping delays or extra-long lines. And what about Mass? The thought of missing Christmas Mass leaves all of us with a heavy heart. Whether we are disappointed in how this year has turned out, or whether we have reluctantly resigned to the unprecedented circumstances we have faced, it is safe to say that we are weary. And that weariness that we feel deep within is exactly why we need Christmas. So, like the hymn proclaims, our souls can feel their worth again, and the entire weary world can truly rejoice in the hope that Christmas promises … in the hope that Christmas brings. A New and Glorious Morn Because no matter how different this year, this Christmas is, one thing remains the same: Jesus is coming. He is born to be our Savior and our friend. For a child has been born for us, a son given to us … and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. // Isaiah 9:6 So, my dear sisters, no matter how different Christmas 2020 is, we have an incredible opportunity to make it memorable, meaningful, and holy. And we only have to turn to the Holy Family to help us enter into the unexpected with surrender, reverence, wonder, and awe. Surrender What is Expected As we realize the many plans that will be altered or canceled, let us ponder how Mary and Joseph surrendered their expectations and plans to be the parents of the Messiah. Was their surrender hard? Of course! But it was also blessed. And like Mary announced to the Angel Gabriel: Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word. // Luke 1:38 Surrender is not a trite, brushing off of our disappointment and sadness. Rather, it is gathering up our hurts, kneeling beside the manger, and giving them to the Christ Child. This may not be a one-time surrender, either, and that is okay. Here are a few ways to repeatedly offer our Christmas disappointments to the Lord. Pray through Scripture verses that focus on surrender. Stay present to Advent and be open to hope. Care for your mental and emotional wellbeing with a self-care (and soul-care) routine. Grow in Reverence for the Holy Often I think about those moments leading up to the first Christmas and what they must have been like for Mary and Joseph. To be the only two people who knew of Christ’s coming! What did their Advent look like? Perhaps Joseph spent his evenings building a cradle, while Mary sewed swaddling clothes for her baby boy. I bet their Advent was quiet and prayerful, as they waited for the Messiah to come. So often, our Advents can be anything but quiet and prayerful. But perhaps with fewer events and obligations vying for our attention this year, we can see it as a unique blessing and gift. For Jesus will truly be at the center of our holiday, our holy day. Find a place of honor for your Nativity scene. Bask in the glow of a fire or candles, contemplating the coming of the Light of the World. Make a quiet playlist of Christmas hymns, including O Holy Night. Welcome Jesus With Wonder and Awe Recall Christmas as a child. The excitement, anticipation, wonder, and awe. This Christmas, with everything in this world seeming to resist joy, let us ask the Holy Spirit to carry away the burdens of 2020 and replace them with extra grace to truly celebrate the birth of Jesus. What gift can we give Jesus on His birthday? How can we truly celebrate Him and all that is good in and through Him? Host a birthday party for Jesus (this is especially wonderful with small children). Give gifts of faith to your loved ones. Celebrate the 12 Days of Christmas by learning what each day symbolizes. As we come to the end of the most difficult year imaginable, it is fitting that we fix our gaze on the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ, on Christmas. Concluding this year with such a beautiful and hopeful season lifts our hearts to Heaven, draws us close to the creche, and renews our faith in the One who promises to make all things new: Emmanuel, God with Us. O come, let us adore our King! Let all within us praise His holy name!   [bctt tweet="O Holy Night // Celebrating Christmas Like Never Before #BISblog " username="sarahcdamm"]

San Martin De Porres, also known as "the Saint of the Broom", is no stranger to rejection, abandonment, racism, and prejudice. He was born on December 9th, 1579 in Lima, Peru. Martin de Porres Upbringing His father was a Spanish nobleman and his mother was a freed slave from Panama. During that time period, there was not wide acceptance of diversity or mixed marriages. His father didn’t accept him as his son until he was about eight years old. In his baptismal record, Martin is described as “son of an unknown father.” His father did pay for his son to attend school for a year but eventually moved away and left Martin living in poverty with his mother and sister. When he was 12 years old, his mother apprenticed him to a barber-surgeon. Martin learned how to cut hair and also how to draw blood. During this time, he became a member of the Third Order of the Dominicans. He did manual work to earn his room and board. Rejected in Religious Life A law preventing people of mixed race from joining religious orders kept him from entering the Dominican Order as a religious brother until 1603. Before he made his vows, he worked in the infirmary caring for the sick. He earned his nickname, “Saint of the broom” for completing all of his menial tasks with hard work and dedication. He ministered to African slaves brought to Lima and founded an orphanage and hospital for the poor. He was aided by Saint Rose of Lima, who respected his penances and labors. He also planted fruit orchards for the poor, who were allowed to take one day’s supply. Deep Devotion to Our Lord Depictions of the Saint often include cats, dogs, and even rats too. One account of St. Martin of Porres says the monastery was tired of their rodent problems and decided to set traps. The Saint was so distressed that he spoke to the mice and cut a deal with them that if they would leave the monastery, he would feed them at the back door of the kitchen. From that day forward, no mouse was seen in the monastery. He referred to himself as a “poor slave” and happily embraced his circumstances, using it as a way to serve the poor and care for the sick. His compassion was limitless as he served the poor, destitute, outcast, marginalized, and animals too! Saint Martin lived in self-imposed austerity, never ate meat, fasted continuously, and spent much time in prayer and meditation with a great devotion to the Holy Eucharist. He excused the faults of others. He forgave the bitterest injuries, convinced that he deserved much severer punishments on account of his own sins. He tried with all his might to redeem the guilty; lovingly he comforted the sick; he provided food, clothing and medicine for the poor; he helped, as best he could, farm laborers and Negroes, as well as mulattoes, who were looked upon at that time as akin to slaves: thus he deserved to be called by the name the people gave him: ‘Martin of Charity.' (source) The First Black Saint of the Americas San Martin of Porres became the first Black Saint of the Americas. He was beatified on October 29th, 1837 and canonized on May 6, 1962 by Pope Saint John XXIII. San Martin of Porres is buried at the Basilica and convent of Santo Domingo, Peru alongside his dear friend Saint Rose of Lima. Here in the U.S. there is a National shrine dedicated in his honor. If Martin were with us now, undoubtedly he would avail himself to victims of Covid-19. Like many healthcare workers today, he would work tirelessly to relieve the distress of their symptoms. He would provide particular comfort to the elderly who are dying. Through his care they would face death knowing the strength of the glorified Christ. (source) Prayers to Saint Martin of Porres Lord Jesus Christ, you called Saint Martin de Porres as a prophetic witness to be a source of racial and physical healing. During this time of racial tension and global pandemic,may his prayers help to bring about the healing you and your children so earnestly desire.We ask this in your name. Amen. (source) Novena to Saint Martin of Porres Litany of Saint Martin of Porres Live Like Martin Find a dominican ministry near you to see how you can get involved. Take some time to look at racism and other issues regarding the dignity of the human person. Watch and Listen to the We are the Church series from Blessed is She to become more informed on the issues surrounding the sin of racism and how just a simple conversation with friends and family members can be a source of enlightenment and healing. Go to your local parish gift shop or shop online for a statue of Saint Martin of Porres and invite this inspiring Saint as well as other Saints of color into your home. Welcome them into your domestic Church. God has blessed us with the beauty of the Universal Church but it is up to us to incorporate it into our daily lives. Saint Martin de Porres, pray for us!   [bctt tweet="Saint Martin de Porres // Saint of the Broom #BISblog //" via="no"]