Labor Day is a day of rest, given to us to slow down from our fast-paced world. Author Josef Pieper offers us a way to find true and restorative rest everyday, whether it be a federal holiday or not. Leisure, the Basis of Culture He does this in his book, Leisure, the Basis of Culture, by showing us how to transport ourselves “out of the weariness of daily labor into an unending holiday”. Section 1 // Leisure as Contemplation Did you know that the history of the word “leisure” comes from the Latin word scola meaning "school"? It indicates the place where we learn and also where we teach. The root word for leisure becomes easier to understand when we think of education as taking the good of the entire person into account. Pieper writes: Education concerns the whole man, man capax universi (meaning "containing all"), capable of grasping the totality of existing things. This doesn’t mean being trained in one particular thing or the other, it means to have the ability to contemplate, and to contemplate means to experience leisure. Section 2 // Difficulty Does Not Equal Better Hard work is celebrated, as it should be. But we must watch out for the danger of falling into a Kantian way of thinking that the more difficult something is, the better it is. Aquinas refutes this idea in his Summa Theologica where he states “the essence of virtue consists in the good rather than in the difficult. Not everything that is more difficult is necessarily more meritorious.” For example, having a good time while hosting friends for dinner is a good and beneficial thing. No hardship is necessary to make it meritorious. Pieper also points out the importance of not counting the cost of our suffering. We do not suffer simply to say we endured something difficult and therefore our actions are “higher.” We suffer because it leads us to salvation and ultimate happiness. Pieper quotes Aquinas' words, “The end and the norm of discipline is happiness” and as we practice virtue, we are able to choose the moral good more naturally. Section 3 // Leisure, Idleness, and Acedia Our culture today often equates leisure to idleness, but Pieper begs to differ. He writes that idleness means that man “does not want to be as God wants him to be, and that ultimately means that he does not wish to be what he really, fundamentally, is.” This leads one to the sin of acedia, a sin which makes leisure impossible. Pieper writes that acedia takes place when man realizes that God resides within him, but is saddened by this realization because he doesn’t want to live as God intends. When I first read this idea that man could be saddened by the knowledge of God living in him, I was confused. But then I was reminded of how easily we become conditioned to have sin live in us and the security we find in our weakness (like the false feeling of control). Just think of the rich young man in the Gospel of Matthew. When he asks Jesus what is needed to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven “he went away sad” because it meant he would have to sell his many possessions and give alms to the poor. Embracing Jesus means embracing His call to us. Choosing to live a life of virtue is not easy, but it is what God created us for. So what do idleness and leisure look like? To go to the beach to enjoy a sunny afternoon and the glistening of the water is leisure. Being able to sit back, to be at peace, and to sense God’s love is leisure. Idleness on the other hand, is a “deep-seated lack of calm which makes leisure impossible.” It would look like being at the beach, but mindlessly scrolling through your phone. As author Dr. Michael Naughton writes in Getting Work Right: Labor and Leisure in a Fragmented World, “modern leisure amuses us into escaping from our lives”, it removes us from uncovering our identity as it often takes us out of reality. Leisure allows one to be steeped in the wonder and contemplation of God’s creation and to worship God through recognizing its goodness. My favorite line that Pieper gives is when he describes leisure as “like a man falling asleep, for one can only fall asleep by ‘letting oneself go.’ When we really let our minds rest contemplatively on a rose in bud, on a child at play, on a divine mystery, we are rested and quickened as though by a dreamless sleep.” Of course, this doesn’t mean we are to always be “sleeping.” Work is necessary to, after all, income is needed in order to support the family. Yet we must put work in its proper place. Section 4 // Vocation Over Career Pieper describes that to be addicted to work is interiorly impoverishing. He argues that if man is only fulfilled by the utilitarian process of his work or career “his life has shrunk inwardly, and contracted, with the result that he can no longer act significantly outside his work, and perhaps can no longer even conceive of such a thing.” Pieper is not saying that fulfillment in the workplace is a bad thing; indeed it is very good. The point he is making is that work should not be the only place we find fulfillment. It is key that fulfillment be found in our faith and our community, and this leads us to what Pieper describes as “festivity.” [bctt tweet="To be addicted to work is interiorly impoverishing. #BISblog //" via="no"] Section 5 // Leisure = Celebration/Festivity Now it’s time to party! At least that’s what Pieper would say, for in his own words, “to hold a celebration means to affirm the basic meaningfulness of the universe and a sense of oneness with it, of inclusion within it.” The kind of celebration he is implying is not the holiday that is created by society or political powers, but celebration in terms of feast days and holy days. Celebrating holy days and the Sabbath are excellent ways to foster leisure and prioritize and honor one’s vocation over their career, through generously offering ourselves through worship. Worship not as a means to an end, but worshipping God for His own sake. The Catechism of the Catholic Church even encourages us to celebrate through leisure: The institution of the Lord’s Day helps everyone enjoy adequate rest and leisure to cultivate their familial, cultural, and religious lives. -CCC 2184 Finding Leisure Contemplate and Receive Take a few minutes of silence to receive the world around you. Is this a bouquet of flowers in your home, the depth of your child’s eyes, birds singing outside, or the turning color of the trees? As Pieper writes, leisure is “a receptive attitude of mind, a contemplative attitude...the capacity for steeping oneself in the whole of creation.” Listen to Music Taking five minutes of my day to listen to Claude Debussy’s Clair de Lune fills my heart with peace and gratitude. I can’t help but have awe and wonder of God’s creation as I listen to the notes of the piano. Praise God through praise and worship, either by sitting and being mindful of the words, worshipping with your voice, or playing your own instrument. Celebrate Holy Days As Catholics, we have a variety of reasons to celebrate throughout the year, for example, feast days! Celebrate by going to Mass or spending time in Adoration. Then, think of an activity that corresponds with the day. For example, on the Feast of Saint John Paul II you could cook a Polish meal to celebrate the country of his birth. How will you find leisure today?   [bctt tweet="BIS Reads: Leisure, the Basis of Culture #BISblog //" via="no"]   This post contains affiliate links. Thanks so much for supporting the ministry of Blessed is She!

After I graduated from college, I ached for community. During my time at university, I was active in Bible studies and small group settings. These fed my soul. Once I departed that greenhouse experience and entered the adult world, I felt a little lost. In the midst of transitioning into adulthood, applying for and adjusting to new jobs, and making major vocational decisions, I desperately missed my community groups that were rooted in the Faith. I dabbled here and there in book clubs and girls' nights with other faithful, Catholic women. But I yearned for—I needed—to stretch my roots even deeper into the Word of God. At a time when I was walking paths that would direct the course of the rest of my life, I needed Scripture, the Truth of the Church, and good women to walk alongside me. When I opened the newest young adult Bible study for women from Walking with Purpose (a favorite here at Blessed is She), I knew that this is what I needed then...and what I need now. Opening Your Heart... During times of decision-making, our identities need to be firmly rooted in Christ. When we're uncertain or impatient, the Word of God remains unchanging and ever-new. If our heads are filled with voices shouting various opinions and hot-takes, we need the unshakeable voice of the Catholic Church. In times of crisis and suffering, we need the wisdom of the Saints. And that's what this new series, Opening Your Heart, makes available to us. In my very-early twenties, when I longed for depth of study and friendship, I needed this. Now, nearly a decade later, I long for the same things. Perhaps in an even greater way, our present realities are made easier to bear with the foundation of Truth and holy community. Maybe these last several months have left you lonely and exhausted. Perhaps you're eyes are tired from looking down at a screen—move them up toward the Light. Maybe you're mind is weary from making decisions you never thought you'd have to make—renew your mind by meditating on Scripture. Maybe your will feels weak—strengthen it through the teachings of the Church and the encouragement of the Saints. ...with Christ and with Community One thing I'm struck most by this study is its approach to sharing in community. It can be challenging to let a new group of women into your heart. It's vulnerable to share about your relationship with Christ—whether it's thriving or dwindling. We've all been a part of a small group in which a few discussion questions are asked and we all sit...silent...smiling...staring at each other. It's tough to open our hearts to one another. The beautiful thing about this study is that the questions are geared toward understanding the Scripture and what the Church says about it (more on the structure below!). So, when done in a group setting, these questions are wonderful conversation starters because they have concrete answers. But what you'll find is that having the vocabulary of concrete answers often paves the way to more questions, shared experiences, additional explanations, and authentic conversation. I'm very excited about this aspect. Not only does the content of this study help us open our hearts more with each other, that opening is at the service of the greater embrace—intimacy with Christ. Praying through this study has led me to encounter after encounter with the Godhead, the One Who loves and saves me. A Catholic Young Adult Bible Study for Women I think you will find great inspiration in the Opening Your Heart series. You could easily do this study with a small group. And "small group" can mean anything from your best friend, to your regular parish small group, to a group of women in your neighborhood, to virtual meeting with your #BISsisterhood around the country. This study lends itself to a variety of approaches and group settings. However, you can also do this study on your own. In fact, that's how I prayed through it. It has been immensely impactful and has fanned the flame of my prayer life. Flexible to Fit Your Life + Soul The Opening Your Heart series is divided into three parts (and three separate books). Each part can stand alone, or you can complete them one after the other. From the introduction: Each six-week Bible study integrates Scripture with the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church to point us to principles that help us manage life's pace and pressure while living with calm and steadiness. Each week is divided into five "days" in which we read and meditate upon Scripture. These also included a teaching passage written by Lisa Brenninkmeyer, a powerhouse disciple of Jesus Christ and your new imaginary big sister. Finally, there is an answer key in the back. This provides extra clarification and a deep-dive on Church teaching. So what topics does this series cover? Let's look at the three individual parts. Beloved // What Difference Does it Make? This part helps us know Who God is in His essence, and in His relationship to us. Lessons about God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit move us closer to the Heart of God and reveal our identities in Him. Reflections on prayer and grace help us see why relationship with Him makes all the difference in our lives. Unshaken // Solid Ground Upon Which to Stand As we look at the ever-real spiritual battle taking place around and within us, we turn to the mercies of God that strengthen us. The Eucharist, Confession, Our Lady, Sacred Scripture, and the Church are studied in a way that reaches beyond mere apologetics. Get ready for your spiritual dugout to deepen. Steadfast // Put On Your Armor and Pick Up Your Weapons Part three brings it all home by claiming our identities. It leads us in naming, facing, and conquering our fears so that we can be truly transformed. We'll learn how to receive forgiveness and how to suffer with purpose. Finally, we're sent off with practical help and encouragement for reading God's Word and making it a part of your daily prayer. A Series for Now Now is the time to soak in God's Word. Now is the time to root ourselves more firmly in the teachings of the Church. And now is the time to form deeper connections with the Body of Christ—the Saints in Heaven and our sisters here with us. In this spirit of sisterhood, Walking with Purpose is offering our BIS community free shipping* for the month of August on any of their six Bible studies for young women. We are so grateful for their generosity. We can't wait to hear how the Opening Your Heart series helps you do just that. Have you read a Bible study from Walking with Purpose before? Which of your friends would want to pray with through the Opening Your Heart series?   [bctt tweet="A Catholic Young Adult Bible Study for Women, Sure to Open Your Heart #BISblog //" via="no"] *shipping is free to addresses in the United States and Canada This blog post is sponsored by Walking with Purpose.

One of my favorite things to do as a mom is to watch our three children at the beach. Through the years I’ve watched the kids go from being barely able to sit up in the sand, to crawling around eating sand, to the glorious year they can stand on their feet and put their toes in the water. With each passing year, their physical development and their courage allow them to enter deeper and deeper into the ocean. Where once they stayed close to shore with only inches of water covering their legs, my son, Brady, and my daughter, Abby, now head to waters deeper than their bodies can stand in. Our youngest daughter, Mary, still likes to stay close to the shore where her feet solidly touch the ground. I sometimes stand on the sandy shore fiercely watching my older two as they make stroke after stroke in the waters where their feet do not touch bottom. At times I want to call them back because of how deep they are willing to go. Sometimes, to be honest, I do just that because the fear of how deep they are overwhelms me. Other times I take a deep breath and try to remember that they both know the water’s movements, and they have the skills to not only survive but thrive and enjoy the swim. The Beach of Prayer Our relationship with God in prayer reminds me of watching my children on the beach. Our prayer lives begin with us on the sandy shore with Jesus at our side, just thrilled to be with us. He is there whether or not we are aware that He longs to be in relationship with us. At some point, we perceive His presence. I can imagine Him standing with us on the beach, pointing into the ocean of endless possibilities of our relationship with God and asking us, "Are you ready to go into the waters? Do you want to go deeper?" Even though Jesus is right there with us, pointing the way, it is also as if the ocean of spiritual possibility beckons us to enter, awakening in us that same desire to put out into the deep, as it does my kids when they swim. It reminds me of the line in the Psalms, “Deep calls to deep” (Psalm 42:7). This beckoning and searching we feel is the Holy Spirit inviting us and drawing us ever deeper into our relationship with God. This deep down desire is just one of many indications that God longs for us. Stepping into the Ocean When we first enter the waters of relationship with God, we are similar to my kids when they could barely sit up on the beach without help. The waters of faith may feel both exciting and scary. We need extra support in our beginning moments of faith. I would guess that most of us have had teachers and those who modeled for us how to pray. Perhaps we have been immersed in a faith community that held us up in our relationship with God through the liturgical and communal life, wrapping and supporting us through the spoken memorized and communal prayers. As time progresses, we have become more familiar with living a life of faith. As Jesus invites us to go deeper, we are more comfortable to say yes as we lean more and more on the practices of our faith. Two Things to Anchor Us There are two important things for us to remember about this invitation from Jesus to enter the waters of faith. First, He never leaves our side. We are always accompanied by Him. Second, He is always inviting us to go deeper, eventually drawing us into water where we can no longer touch the bottom, and we are invited to even go under and swim in the quiet waters below the surface. No matter where we are in our faith journey, there is more to learn and explore in our relationship with God. 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 Let's Go to the Inner Chapel The “inner chapel” is simply a place within each of us where God dwells and where we can meet God. Let’s begin with a short reflection. Perhaps at this moment you are standing in ankle-deep or knee-deep water. Maybe you’ve taken steps further out, and you are up to your shoulders and head. Maybe you are even at the point that your feet do not touch the bottom anymore, and you are swimming in deeper water, trusting both God’s movement in your life and learning new practices of our faith that support your ever-growing relationship with God. One thing is for certain. It’s amazing to know that no matter where we are on this “ocean adventure,” we are not alone. We are supported. We are accompanied. Jesus is with us. We are even being prayed for by the Holy Spirit to help us enter the water or swim deeper. Ocean Reflection I invite you right now to pause and bring to mind the image of an ocean. Where are you in your relationship with God? Are you standing on the sandy shore with Jesus beside you, inviting you in? Are you in inch-deep water? Up to your ankles? Knees? Shoulders? In water so deep that you are not able to touch the ocean floor? Notice where you are. At the same time, where do you feel the magnetic pull of the Holy Spirit inviting you to go? Where do you feel God inviting you to go? Where do you notice Jesus pointing you and showing you the way? Notice, too, where you feel you want to go. Do you want to say yes to the invitation? Perhaps you want to turn and run back along the familiar path you’ve been on and return to the safety of shore, as both of our girls did at first when they entered the ocean. Wherever you are, it is okay. Wherever you are at this moment, there are also two things to remember. God is with you right where you are. And God is inviting you and wants you to go deeper. I’m reminded of the Gospel story in which Jesus invites his disciples to toss nets by “putting out into the deep” (Luke 5:4). How are you experiencing God inviting you to “put out into the deep”? No matter where you are, know that there are prayer practices to support you—where you are and also where God is inviting you to go. Embracing the Promises of God These Scriptures can encourage you as you read them and pray with them. • Psalm 42:1–7 // “As a deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God for the living God” • Luke 5:1–11 // Jesus invites Simon to put his nets out into the deep. • Jeremiah 29:11–14 // “For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. Then when you call upon me and come and pray to me, I will hear you. When you search for me, you will find me; if you seek me with all your heart, I will let you find me.”   [bctt tweet="Spiritual Growth is Like Stepping into the Ocean #BISblog //" via="no"]   Excerpt adapted from The Inner Chapel: Embracing the Promises of God by Becky Eldredge. © 2020 Becky Eldredge. Published by Loyola Press. Used with permission.

The variety of female Saints we have in the Church are like the many ice cream flavors in Baskin Robbins. Hold tight with me, friend! But seriously, doesn’t ice cream always sound good, especially in the summertime? Like the many types of ice cream flavors, there are so many unique and different expressions of vibrancy and holiness in the female Saints. We have authors, philosophers, mothers, and working women. There are artists, musicians, single women, and religious sisters. There are so many beautiful expressions of holiness through the varied experiences of our sisters the Saints. While you’re enjoying a bowl of your favorite ice cream, perhaps consider some various books by and about our many incredible female Saints. Books By Female Saints Essays on Woman by Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross Edith Stein perhaps one of my favorite female Saints. If she were alive, I could easily see us discussing all things faith and reason over a delicious latte. This book is one of Edith’s most well-known and loved writings. It is a compilation of different essays she wrote during her time as a lay Catholic and academic professor and thinker. Edith’s vibrant voice is one that is so needed in the Church today, especially when secular feminism downplays the importance of women in the world. This is a good place to start if you are new to the writings of Edith Stein, as they present a summary of her teachings on woman’s nature, unique challenges, and opportunities. These essays include thought on female education, professional opportunities, spirituality, the Church, and women’s involvement in politics. Interior Castle by Saint Teresa of Avila I often use the words "feisty" and "spirited" to describe how Teresa of Avila lived her life. An ardent and passionate Carmelite reformer, she was also a gifted writer and had deep spiritual experiences with Jesus. Her spiritual classic Interior Castle is based on a mystical vision she had with Jesus in prayer. Saint Teresa’s vision was of a beautiful, striking castle composed of seven chambers, or “mansions,” each representing a different stage in the spiritual life and development of a soul. As a Christian enters the castle through prayer and meditation, the human needs to work through different attachments and vices as it moves from room to room. Her work is one of the most well-known spiritual classics and is often used to describe the spiritual journey and continues to speak to the modern heart to this day. Books About Female Saints My Badass Book of Saints: Courageous Women Who Showed Me How to Live by Maria Morera Johnson Forgive me if you’re sensitive to language, but if you can get past the salty title, this is a well-composed, thoughtful book on many Saints or holy women I was unfamiliar with before reading it. Catholic blogger and podcaster Maria Morera Johnson looks at the unique lives of twenty-four women who lived heroic lives of virtue in many different ways. A book like this is so perfect for summer because you can learn about lots of new women without reading a whole book on just one of them. You’ll meet interesting women like the gun-slinging Servant of God Sr. Blandina Segale and Irena Sendler who helped smuggle children out of the Warsaw Ghetto. The book also includes a discussion which could make it a good fit for your next church book club. Real Women, Real Saints: Friends for Your Spiritual Journey by Gina Loehr One of the best things about being Catholic is the Communion of Saints and the message that there are so many unique ways to live the call of holiness in your life. This gem of a book is similar to the previous one I mentioned: a compilation of all different types of unique holy women and Saints. Gina features real women who became Saints from the quiet to boisterous, single, married, divorced, post-abortive, hermits, doctors, teachers, great thinkers, and more. I guarantee you will meet women you have heard of before and women you may discover for the very first time and find you have more in common than you realize. There is no formula to sanctity and the author does a wonderful job presenting lots of different types of stories to the reader. Spend Some Time with Your Sisters, the Saints As the summer season warms up wherever you live, take some time to cool off (I usually will choose ice cream to help me with this!). Spend some time reacquainting yourself with holy women and Saints you know, but also take advantage of getting to know some you’re not as familiar with. What are some of your favorite books by and about our female Saints?   [bctt tweet="BIS Reads: Books By and About Female Saints #BISblog //" via="no"] This post contains affiliate links. Thanks so much for supporting the ministry of Blessed is She!

Many of us are familiar with the story of The Prodigal Son. In fact, sometimes when people bring up the story of the Prodigal Son I find myself tempted to eye roll in a “been there, heard that'' kind of way. But Henri Nouwen changed that for me, just as his introduction to Rembrandt’s painting, The Return of the Prodigal Son, changed the trajectory of his life. The light shining on the Father and the Son on the cover of Nouwen’s book, The Return of the Prodigal Son: A Story of Homecoming, also shone light on the desire of Nouwen’s heart. A desire to find a place that he could call home more permanently. A place of safety and peace. The Return of the Prodigal Son Two years after he encountered Rembrandt’s work of art, Nouwen gave up his teaching job at Harvard and dedicated his life to living and serving as a pastor in a mentally handicapped community. He admitted that, while it wasn’t an easy transition, it was one he needed to make. He wrote: It is the place where I will receive all I desire, all that I ever hoped for, all that I will ever need, but it is also the place where I have to let go of all I most want to hold on to. For him, it was the place which would teach him how to accept love and forgiveness, something which was much harder for him to receive than to give. He moved from just teaching others about love, to learning how to be loved as God’s beloved. At its core, the homecoming that he so deeply desired was a walking towards the One who would hold him eternally. Part I: The Younger Son Until reading Nouwen’s book, I did not know that, as a young man, Rembrandt’s lifestyle was similar to that of the prodigal son. Rembrandt was arrogant, flaunted luxury, and unwisely spent his money. After several of his family members died, his popularity waned, forcing him to sell his artwork to avoid becoming bankrupt. He died poor and lonely. No doubt he longed for the space of rest that he depicted in his painting of the prodigal son. As Nouwen writes: The father’s touching the son is an everlasting blessing; the son resting against his father’s breast is an eternal peace. The prodigal son looked to the world to provide his satisfaction and fulfillment, and his strategy for doing so was motivated by money. Yet as Nouwen writes, this way of life leads to “a struggle for survival… an anxious struggle resulting from the mistaken idea that it is the world that defines me.” Looking to the world for acceptance and praise leads to a life of exhaustion. Nouwen describes this endless search as an addiction. We are the prodigal son when we look for love in the wrong places. When we say “no” to accepting the Father’s love, we are imitating the same “no” that Adam gave to God in the garden. [bctt tweet="Looking to the world for acceptance and praise leads to a life of exhaustion #BISblog //" via="no"] Part II: The Elder Son Nouwen points out that Rembrandt mirrors both the prodigal son who loses all his wealth, and also the arrogant self-righteous elder son. The elder son’s inability to embrace the joy in his younger brother’s return points to the resentment he holds within his heart. Nouwen writes: Suddenly, there becomes glaringly visible a resentful, proud, unkind, selfish person, one that remained deeply hidden. Both sons were in need of conversion, but perhaps it is the elder son who is most in need of this change of heart. In the painting, there is a large empty space which separates the elder son from his father. A space filled with tension. Nouwen writes that the elder son “distances himself from his brother as well as from his father with the words ‘this son of yours’.” One of my favorite lines from the book is when Nouwen states, “The parable that Rembrandt painted might well be called ‘The Parable of the Lost Sons’.” Yet God the Father gives us the freedom to choose whether or not to receive his merciful love. We can fight the resentment of the elder son by having gratitude. By taking to heart the words that the father in the parable tells his son, that “all I have is yours,” that all is gift. Or, we can choose to find happiness our own way, inevitably resulting in our own demise. Part III: The Father This is also a story about the Father. During the darker period of Rembrandt’s life, he focused on painting blind people. Perhaps this is why Nouwen suggests that Rembrandt chose to paint a father who recognizes his son not just with his physical eyes, but with the eye of his heart. He desires not to cast judgment, but to offer mercy and even blessing. God loves us not with our own conditional human love, but with Divine love. Nouwen challenges us to have confidence that God truly desires to just be with us. He writes: Wouldn’t it be wonderful to make God smile by giving God the chance to find me and love me lavishly? He points out that God’s love existed before the possibility of rejection, and His love will remain even after any rejection takes place. When the prodigal son returns, the father lavishes him with a robe, a ring, and sandals. These are symbols of the sons belovedness and the Father is restoring his son from slavery to wealth. He invites his son into his joy. Nouwen writes: People who have come to know the joy of God do not deny the darkness, but they choose not to live in it. They claim that the light that shines in the darkness can be trusted more than the darkness itself and that a little bit of light can dispel a lot of darkness. Are you tempted to trust in the darkness? Invite the Lord to erase this darkness with His light and with His truth over you. [bctt tweet="God’s love existed before the possibility of rejection, and His love will remain even after any rejection takes place. #BISblog //" via="no"] Epilogue: Living the Painting Nouwen concludes the book by opening up about his life of community shared with the mentally handicapped. Through their embrace, the reality of the Father’s embrace became evident. “By just simply being who they are, they break through my sophisticated defenses and demand that I be as open with them as they are with me. Their handicap unveils my own.” The Father loves you as you are, and He is running to you, hoping you will embrace Him in return. Will you open up your heart to him and let His love, His light, and His truth define you?   [bctt tweet="The Return of the Prodigal Son // Nouwen’s Conversion Through Art #BISblog //" via="no"] This post contains affiliate links. Thanks so much for supporting the ministry of Blessed is She!

One of the first gifts I received as a new, first-time mom was a gift of books for my son. As a book lover myself, the gift was much appreciated. I’ve always wanted my children to grow up in a home filled with books, and I love reading to them throughout the day. It’s one of our favorite activities to do together! Building a Catholic Library for Kids As my children have grown, I’ve realized that there is a dizzying amount of beautiful, quality books for children out there, including incredible books about our Catholic Faith! So many talented authors, illustrators, and publishing houses have created incredible resources for us as parents as we try to teach our children about our Faith. There are books about the life of Jesus, books about the Saints for even the smallest hands, even Missals and Catechisms meant for children. This is by no means an exhaustive list. But if you’re looking to add some beautiful books about the Faith to your child’s bookshelf, I hope this list gives you a start! Books about the Saints We have so much to learn from these holy men and women in Heaven, and these titles bring the stories of the Saints to life for kids of all ages, including the youngest ones! My Little Book of Patrons by Katie Baklinski Stories of the Saints: Bold and Inspiring Tales of Adventure, Grace and Courage by Carey Wallace Brother Francis of Assisi by Tomie dePaola Mother Teresa of Calcutta by Francine Bay and Emmanuel Beaudesson Sitting like a Saint by Dr. Gregory Bottaro Loyola Kids Book of Heroes: Stories of Catholic Heroes and Saints throughout History Cloud of Witnesses: A Child’s First book of Saints by Katie Warner Light of Heaven: A Children’s Book of Saints by Adalee Hude Saintly Rhymes for Modern Times by Meghan Bausch A Boy Who Became Pope by Fabiola Garza The Loyola Treasury of Saints by David Self Queen and the Cross by Cornelia Bilinsky The Saint and His Bees by Dessi Jackson (check out her other Saint stories here!) Books about Mary Devotion to the Blessed Mother is an integral part of the Faith that we share. These books are a great place to start in teaching that devotion at a young age! The Lady of Guadalupe by Tomie dePaola Mary Stories from the Bible Mary, the Mother of Jesus by Tomie dePaola Mary and the Little Shepherds of Fatima by Marlyn Monge Marian Consecration for Children by Carrie Gress Books about the Mass Perfect for the Mass bag or just reading at home, these titles bring the Mass to life for children. A Missal for Little Ones by Joëlle d'Abbadie Jesus Invites Me to the Mass by Sabine du Mesnil and Gemma Roman A Missal for Children Light of Sunday by Geena Harrington Father Ben Gets Ready for Mass by Katie Warner I Went to Mass: What Did I See? By Katie Warner Articles at Mass by Ellen Tomaszewski Books about the Church and Sacraments Beautiful books about Sacraments and various aspects of our Faith, put in terms kids will understand. Loyola Kids Book of Catholic Signs and Symbols by Amy Welborn Kiddie Cat by Katie Warner A Little Book about Confession for Children by Kendra Tierney and Maria Ashton Your First Communion: Meeting Jesus, Your True Joy by Pope Francis Stories of the Blessed Sacrament by Francine Bay Bibles and Bible Stories A children’s Bible or a book of Bible stories is a great way to introduce the Scriptures to kids! Bible Stories for Little Children by Sophia Institute Press The Catholic Bible for Children by Karine-Marie Amiot, Francois Carmagnac, and Christophe Raimbault The Life of Jesus According to St. Luke by Sophie de Mullenheim The Illustrated Parables of Jesus by Jean-Francois Kieffer and Christine Ponsard The Beautiful Story of the Bible by Maïte Roche Books on Prayer Foster a lifelong love of personal prayer in your kids with these books about different prayers geared towards different ages! On A Mission to Love (children’s Rosary book) by Debbie Starestinic Mysteries of the Rosary board book set by Nancy Bandzuch Let Us Pray: A Child’s First Book of Prayers by Katie Warner Loyola Kids Book of Everyday Prayers by Margaret Savitskas Other Great Titles More great titles about other aspects of our Faith! Heavenly Hosts: Eucharistic Miracles for Kids by Kathryn Griffin Swegart OFS Who Is Jesus? His Life, His Land, His Time by Gaelle Tertrais Colors of Creation by Paul Thigpen, PhD Lilly Lolek: Future Saint by Katie Warner Catholic Stories for Boys and Girls by Neumann Press Drawing God by Karen Kiefer Tell Me About the Catholic Faith: From the Bible to the Sacraments Giorgio's Miracle by Laurie Schmitt   Where to Look for More Catholic Books for Kids Want to find even more great options? On Amazon, look at what’s listed under “frequently bought together” as well as “books you may like” and “sponsored products related to this item.” They often list other great titles based on the one you’re currently looking at, and it’s a great way to discover new books you might not otherwise! Other great places to look include Magnificat Bookstore, Loyola Press, TAN Books, and The Catholic Company! Any other books that are must-haves in your home library? Share with your sisters in the comments!   [bctt tweet="Building a Catholic Library for Kids #BISblog //" via="no"]   This post contains affiliate links. Thanks so much for supporting the ministry of Blessed is She! THE PERFECT BOOK FOR KIDS Rise Up will open up beautiful conversations with your children about the virtues. . This will bring beautiful fruit to your prayer life and to your children's prayer lives. GET RISE UP

Right off the bat, in a pointed preface titled “Crippled”, Christina Chase offers the kind of memoir I want to read. The illustration of her experience as a woman living with Spinal Muscular Atrophy will teach me through that human inclination to put yourself in the other person's shoes. She reaches into the depths of her experience and, by doing so—expressing her aching realization that she is alive and no one else can live the life she has—I am invited to think for myself what this means. What it means for others like her who are handicapped unlike me, what it means in my love for my son who has a chronic medical condition, and also what it means in my own weaknesses. Because, as she says, we are all crippled. It Is Good To Be Here In seven sections, Chase walks the reader through elections begun in meditating her own condition, then spreading them out like water poured from a vessel, touching the lives of those around her, reaching even unto us, who have never met her. She begins by opening us up to the wonder of creation. That wonder is challenged when we encounter illness and deformity. If as a woman, pregnant while I read it, I wish my vocation were not so bodily so that I could spend my hours praying and meditating. Chase reminds just how are earthly Christ's humanity is. As I progressed through the internal journey of these reflections, I found the other meditations I planned slipping away as this simple work from the heart and mind of a woman, dependent on those around her for her care, unfolded my fears for my unborn child and soothed them with the hard-won wisdom of this woman. Those Touched In the second section, she expands the scope of reflection to her parents' experience, the experience I am closest to as a mother of a child with complex medical needs. When her parents heard her diagnosis, the doctor said, “she will always have her smile” (32). With tears of affirmation, I read on: the momentous day of my diagnosis was also the first day that [my parents] began to discover their own deep strength and unique gifts. they possess understanding, acceptance, patience, selflessness, generosity, and undaunted joy—strengths and gifts which were not readily apparent in their grieving, but which slowly unfurled within them. Love was the key that opened their hearts to Divine Grace, so that they could recognize the truth, beauty, and goodness of self-sacrificing love and be fulfilled and who they were created to be. Love was the key that opened their eyes so that they could see the truth about themselves, their children, and the terribly beautiful and sacred wonder of human life. It was like the Lord speaking to me. The littleness of our lives and God is actually greatness. The Incarnate Word Chase digs deeper in her meditations on the humanity of the Incarnate Word. The perfect human being - God in the flesh - did not use divine power to overcome a struggle or avoid hardship. He used divine power so that he could suffer … Our natural limitations are sacred because the full reality of being human is sacred. We are walking with Christ, we are living Divine lives, even when we are tempted, so long as, in our reactions and decisions, we trust God and remain lovingly with Christ, striving to choose wisely. As a mother I spent my days thinking more of Mary because she was the mother, and here is Christina thinking of Christ, the Son the one who is wounded. Her focus reminds and reassures me of the good life available to my son who will suffer, but whose life is not diminished by his suffering or his differences. Lessons in Suffering So often we stand apart from suffering, from the disabled, or as Chase refers to herself, the crippled. We are all crippled, she reminds us. Being generally able-bodied but pregnant at the time of this reading, one delighting in my ability, it as easy to forget this lesson. It was easy to just want to return to the freedom of it all. Is was easy to be afraid. Christina showed me the hard truth that the best way, the most joyful way, just might be the hardest way. God made us human. And to be human is to be limited. And to be limited, here and now is to be wanting. And to be wanting is to be seeking. To be seeking is to be willing. To be willing is to be open. To be opened is to be awed. To be odd is to be redeemed. To be redeemed is to be fulfilled. To be fulfilled is to be full of divine love. To be full of divine love is to be joyful. Chase is a poet in the truest sense. Her words throughout the book ring deeply through my heart and echo in the world around me. In a society that emphasizes diversity and giving voice to those so often pushed to the periphery of society, this a book the world needs. Rejecting the overdone victim-oppressor narrative, Chase offers us a vulnerable glimpse into her own life, and by doing that, challenges us to look at our own. [bctt tweet="BIS Reads // It Is Good To Be Here: A Disabled Woman's Reflections on the Sacred Wonder of Being Human #BISblog //" via="no"]   Kathryn Anne Casey is a Northern Californian wife, mother of five children on earth and three in Heaven, speaker, newspaper reporter, columnist and author of Journey in Love: A Catholic Mother’s Prayers after Prenatal Diagnosis, and the upcoming Peace in Pregnancy: Devotions for the Expectant Mother. She splits her time reading, writing, homeschooling, attending to her son’s medical needs, and shuttling him to appointments at University of California San Francisco while listening to her favorite podcasts. To read more of her writing, click here.   This post contains affiliate links. Thanks for supporting the ministry of Blessed is She!

I stand at the kitchen island slicing tomatoes. The lettuce and onion are already on the tray. There are french fries baking in the oven and a pan of brownies cooling on the counter. My oldest, a senior in high school, yells through the open back door, “Mom! The grill is ready! Can somebody bring me the burgers?” I grab the plate of hamburgers and the long spatula from the drawer and walk out to where he stands on the patio. “Thaaaaaaank you!” he says, in that funny way of his. I pat him on the back and smile as I walk back inside. “Girls!” I call. “It’s time to set the table!” And they come running, 12 and 9 years old, still giggling over whatever silly YouTube dance they’d been practicing together, to lay out the plates and napkins and utensils. I keep walking through the house and then out the front door this time to where my husband and our 15-year-old son are finishing up the yard work. “Dinner’s just about ready, guys. Time to wash up!” “We’ll be right in,” says my husband. “Thank goodness!” says our son. “I’m starving!” The Beautiful Ordinary I smiled as I walked back inside. These are my people! My heart and soul out in the world, dancing around, cooking dinner, helping each other. It wasn’t a special occasion, though. We weren’t celebrating anything in particular. It was just a plain old ordinary Saturday afternoon. And we were all together, and it was beautiful. Maybe that was a special occasion of its own. Because the closer we get to graduation, the less ordinary these days seem, and the more I treasure all of the seats at our kitchen table being filled. The more my heart comes close to bursting when these children of mine laugh together. And the more I find myself offering up quick prayers of thanksgiving for the gift of motherhood. Tissues Not Included I was so excited when my copy of Danielle Bean’s newest book Giving Thanks and Letting Go: Reflections on the Gift of Motherhood arrived on my doorstep. A friend who’d been given the chance to read an advanced copy had told me it was a must-read at this stage in my life. And after devouring the whole book in just under 48 hours, I have to agree with her. In 10 chapters and just over 100 pages, Danielle Bean takes her reader on a journey through years and experiences that inspire laughter, tears, and everything in between. It was an absolute joy to read. As a mom who’s about to send her very first baby out into the big wide world, I’m kind of wishing each copy of the book came with a complimentary box of tissues. Reminiscences and Reassurance Throughout the book, we travel back with the author as she remembers specific moments with each of her eight children. We read of this one’s difficult birth, that one’s broken bone, and the other one’s marriage proposal. She shares sweet stories about her relationship with her husband and how the years have seen their marriage grow. And she shares with us how her mission, her career, and her manner of evangelization has changed over the years. The constant theme in all of this, though, is the love, mercy, and generosity of God who is the source and summit of it all. God has mercy on mothers who feel gaps. And the biggest mercy of all is the reminder that these big kids who tear out pieces of our hearts and fly around the world with them are part of his plan for good. Our grown-up children can use those parts of themselves, formed by the pouring out of our very selves, to bless and change the world, one person, one connection at a time. Giving Thanks and Letting Go As I lean back in my chair after dinner later that night, wiping tears of laughter from my eyes, I send up (yet another) quick prayer in gratitude for these children and this husband of mine. And I realize that maybe not all of those tears were from laughter. There’s a poignancy to motherhood that is becoming more and more real to me as the years go on. And I realize something important—I’ve been letting them go for some time now, already. From the first time they toddle away from us on their own two chubby legs, to that first solo bike ride, to asking for the car keys for the evening, our children are always asking us to let them go. And little by little, step by step, we do just that. We teach them, we steady them, we give them a soft place to land...and then we let them fly. Thank you, Danielle Bean, for writing a book that can be a soft place for us to land when they do. Have you read this book yet? Tell me your thoughts in the comments!   [bctt tweet="Giving Thanks and Letting Go #BISblog //" via="no"] This post contains affiliate links. Thanks so much for supporting the ministry of Blessed is She!

Sex, Catholicism, and feminism. Do I have your attention? These words are spoken about more frequently these days, both online and in Catholic culture. You might not think that those three words go together at all. In many ways, these words do go together. The intersection of these words have powerful implications for the Catholic Church and for women. Defining Terms and Exploring History A few years ago while browsing the FemCatholic recommended books to read, my eye was caught by Sue Ellen Browder’s book Subverted: How I Helped the Sexual Revolution Hijack the Women’s Movement. As a woman who values certain but not all ideals held by feminism, I was very interested to read this book from the perspective of a woman who used to identify as a secular feminist. One of the main things I learned? Abortion and contraception were never originally a part of the 1960’s women’s movement. I was shocked. The book went more deeply into the background and history of how those changes came to be. Fast-forward to the present day. Sex and the Catholic Feminist Book Review In January of 2020, Sue Ellen Browder released her newest book, Sex and the Catholic Feminist: New Choices for a New Generation. The premise of this book delves more deeply into tracing back the roots and history of feminism in the United States while taking up a battle cry for the ardent need for Catholic women to take back the word (and ideals) of feminism. Secular feminism has reduced a woman’s dignity and personhood merely to her sex organs and desirability. At the same time, it denies motherhood and marriage and exults abortion and contraception. How Did We Get Where We are Today? The author does an incredible job of laying the historical foundation of feminism in this country (also covered in her previous book). In this book, she also introduces readers to several women from the women’s movement in the 1960s and how their individual influence has brought our culture to where it is today. I want to highlight two of them so you can get a fuller picture of how we ended up here. Betty Friedan + The Feminine Mystique When asked to conduct a survey for a college reunion, Betty began to realize how the prosperity and consumerism of the day was not making women happy. While unhappy in her own marriage, the Smith College survey revealed that many other educated, suburban women were struggling with a sense of emptiness in their lives. Betty defined what she thought was the problem: a deeply-ingrained cultural belief that feminine fulfillment was to “just be a housewife” (the feminine mystique). Betty believed the solution was work. The problem is that she oversimplified and misnamed the problem. Clearly looking at modern culture today, the world of total work has not set women free at all. Interestingly enough, Betty’s book and call for feminism initially included things like marriage, motherhood, college degrees, and careers. But how did this original feminism go so far off the tracks? Helen Gurley Brown + Sex and the Single Girl + Cosmpolitan editor-in-chief Her book Sex and the Single Girl, a forerunner to the TV show Sex in the City, came out in 1962. It quickly became a sensational best-seller which strove to blow away the “myth” that a woman must be married to enjoy a satisfying life. In the 1960s and 1970s, Helen was one of the leading women in America promoting Alfred Kinsey’s reduction of a woman’s personhood to the level of a sexual animal. Interestingly enough, she was also the editor-in-chief of Cosmopolitan magazine for 32 years. High numbers of these women living a supposedly fulfilling, sexually-liberated life didn't actually exist. Her solution? She and writers for her magazine made them up. Yes, writers began to lie and make up stories about women to change their minds and hearts about sexuality. Several chapters further explain this in the book, and it blew me away. A Foundation of Lies So in many ways, you could say that the secular feminism of today was built on a foundation of lies. More or less, the seductive marketing story Cosmo told (and still tells) is that sex without commitment is glamorous. One of the powerful things this book left me thinking about is the power of media, stories, and how those things can sway people’s beliefs and opinions. Lifting the Veil Without giving away more of this gem of a book, I hope this review gives you an idea of some of the important themes the author discusses. Sue Ellen takes the reader on a journey of the transformation of her heart, which eventually led her home to the Catholic Church! As Catholic women, as a Church, we need to know these parts of history to better understand how to minister and reach the hearts of women in the world around us. We have a right to know the truth about the stories of how things played out in the history of the women’s movement and feminism. Have you read this book? What did you think of it? [bctt tweet="Sex and the Catholic Feminist Book Review #BISblog //" username="amoderngrace"]   This post contains affiliate links. Thanks so much for supporting the ministry of Blessed is She!

I appreciate the challenge Dr. Muller met in culling through the numerous writings of the recently canonized John Henry Newman to produce such a reader. Along with biographical information, for a man well-known and loved through the power of his pen, such a reader is necessary for intellectual giants like that of Newman. Meeting Saint John Henry Newman My first encounter with Newman came in a Philosophy 101 class when an enthusiastic professor led us through the Idea of a University, exemplifying the goals of our liberal arts college (and helping him explain to students why future engineers must take Phil 101). My next encounter took place in graduate schools as I plated cheese and crackers for the Newman Lectures. He was an important man on that stage, though what thoughts I overheard of his, I cannot say. There was a day a professor said we must read Newman aloud, using his abundance of punctuation to guide the cadence and the pauses during the reading. He read beautifully, but I do not know the name of what he read. With others so eager to promote this man’s cause, with Protestant converts feeling the heartache of their search affirmed, with a miracle of an unborn baby and bleeding while siblings sit downstairs eating cereal and the mother begs to be saved, I was very eager to meet this man others knew, loved, and followed feverishly. A Newman Reader The book is beautiful with a pensive black and white photograph of a man on the matte cover, slightly smirking perhaps. We can see him, but not fully, as this will be only an introduction. After walking through the introduction, I stand daunted before a forest of intellectual thought in Newman’s essays. I am no theologian. I would rather take the mystics, the preachers, the poets, and the commentators on culture and psychology. For a week, I approach, wander a bit through the words, re-read and re-read again. Then, after educating myself with the index I turn to his poetry. The first in the selection is called “The Pillar of the Cloud (Lead Thou Me On).” I read it once, then again, and have read it every night since wishing I could find a way to curl up inside it and stay there indefinitely. An excerpt: Keep Thou my feet; I do not ask to see The distant scene — one step enough for me. I was not ever thus, nor pray’d that Thou Shouldst lead me on. I loved to choose and see my path, but now Lead Thou me on! I loved the garish day, and, spite of fears, Pride ruled my will: remember not past years. Growing Closer to God through Suffering The next section, “Meditations,” offers expansion to this spiritual thrusting into the Heart of God, a lesson learned only through suffering. Newman suffers, as I have suffered, though, could our suffering have been more different? At the height of his career, he converts and experiences rejection and alienation on all sides. Hidden in the maternal world, my loss was private and hidden, brought to light only by my written words and the prayers of others lifted up to Heaven. I was rallied around, while he was abandoned. My sufferings were grounded deeply in the physical brought to us against our will; his, in the intellectual/spiritual detachment following the choice to leave what you have known, for the thing you know to be right. He writes in the meditation, “Hope in God—Creator”: God has created me to do Him some definite service; He has committed some work to me which He has not committed to another. I have a mission — I never may know it in this life, but I shall be told it in the next. Somehow I am necessary for his purchases… This could be written for anyone. It has the universal quality of truth. Written in the first person, like his poem, I want to take it in and read it again and again. It acts therapeutically upon my heart in bringing out the words of my suffering and my hope. It acts as spiritual fodder pointing my intention in the proper direction, up, to the Lord, to the Cross on which He suffered and to the sky when He ascends to His Father. Worth Reading, Worth Meeting As I reflect on the richness of the language, where every line brims over with meaning, I am grateful for the ability to read a Saint in his native language. My state of life and pregnant physical state present unending obstacles to fully tackling his essays. I dip into the waters of this man’s heart through poetry. When we seek the Lord, we do not become more narrowly focused, our minds diversify their offerings as we encounter the omniscient, the One who knows all things and made all things. While not every Saint’s personality will correspond with every sinner’s personality in friendship, there is someone for each of us on earth to gain from each of them in Heaven. As a reader, an introduction, this little editorial feat of a mere 142 pages does an excellent job in making accessible a bit of Newman to everyone. [bctt tweet="BIS Reads: A Newman Reader Review #BISblog //" via="no"] Kathryn Anne Casey is a graduate of Divine Mercy University, freelance writer, housewife and mother of four children. Her weekly newspaper column “Here’s to the Good Life!” and blog, www.KathrynAnneCasey.com, focus on art, psychology, consumerism and the importance of local community. Her book, Journey in Love: A Catholic Mother’s Prayers After Prenatal Diagnosis, published by Our Sunday Visitor is available now.

In today's uncertain health climate, many of us find ourselves with more time to read than we've had in a long time. Looking around at what to pick up from the library or order online during this time of quarantine? We have you covered. Here are eight books for spiritual reading and seven prayers to bring you peace! Spiritual Books to Read During the Quarantine He and I by Gabrielle Bossis This book by Gabrielle Bossis recounts her dialogue as a mystic speaking with Jesus. She was a lay woman in the 20th century in France. The beautiful and intimate language she shares with the Lord brings a joyful dynamic to our own prayer lives. Imitation of Christ by Thomas a Kempis Each chapter is brief and focuses on how to build a life of virtue and deepen our prayer lives. Introduction to the Devout Life by Saint Francis de Sales This provides an overarching plan, approach, and means to live a deep spiritual life even for those living in the world. The Spiritual Combat by Dom Lorenzo Scupoli Dom Scupoli guides the reader through brief chapters that hone in on different aspects of the spiritual life, particular pitfalls, and assistance in spiritual growth. He acknowledges we are never at rest and encourages us not to be complacent. Divine Mercy in My Soul: Diary of Saint Faustina Saint Faustina suffered greatly but was accompanied by Our Lord in her suffering. She shares the story of her mystical experience with the Lord and provides great support for those of us suffering at this time. Story of a Soul by Saint Therese of Lisieux This holy Doctor of the Church wrote her autobiography in the late 19th century, and her wisdom of the "Little Way" offers so much depth for us today. Make your way through her words and stories. Let them soak into your everyday life. Ignatius Catholic Study Bible (New Testament) with notes by Dr. Scott Hahn and Curtis Mitch This Catholic translation of the New Testament has thorough and helpful footnotes by renown scholars, Dr. Scott Hahn and Curtis Mitch. Rise Up by Blessed is She If your kids are now at home for the foreseeable future, read through this book on the virtues. It will be edifying for adults and kids alike! 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 Prayers for a Time of Quarantine Christian Prayer // Liturgy of the Hours As lay people, we are called to holiness and invited to pray the same prayers of the Universal Church as our religious pray. It's a beautiful combination of the Psalms and readings of Scripture. Saint Alphonsus Liguori Stations of the Cross These traditional Stations of the Cross prayers are lyrical and pair beautifully with the Stabat Mater. These can be easily prayed at home with your roommates or family. Divine Mercy Chaplet This prayer given to Saint Faustina is a brief reflection on Jesus' Divine Mercy and easy to learn! It takes about six minutes to do an entire chaplet using your Rosary beads. Handbook of Indulgences These powerful prayers are for times such as these. Offer them for the Church Suffering. Fatima Prayers Our Lady and the Angel of Fatima gave these prayers to the children of Fatima. What a gift they are for us, too! 12 year Saint Bridget Novena This papally-approved novena provides us with reflections on seven times Jesus spilled His Precious Blood. They're beautiful and poignant. Saint Michael Chaplet This is a very powerful prayer invoking the protection of Saint Michael and the nine choirs of Angels. There are particular promises made by Saint Michael linked to praying this chaplet, including being accompanied by angels to Holy Communion. Litany of the Precious Blood Nothing is more efficacious than Christ shedding His Blood for all of mankind! This prayer is beautiful and gives honor and glory to Jesus. Praying with and for you this Lent and, in a special way, throughout this time of health challenges. What are you reading during this time? Share with us in the comments below! See you in prayer, sister! Looking for more good books to read? Fiction Books Every Catholic Should Read Best Books about Our Lady Books about Human and Divine Love Cozy Books Favorite Autobiographies of Athletes Books Every College Senior Should Read Nell O'Leary is a recovering lawyer-turned-writer and speaker who loves sewing baby goods while tending to her husband and four kiddos in the great city of Saint Paul, Minnesota. She serves as Managing Editor for Blessed is She and can down a hot cocoa in no time flat. Find out more about her here. She is the editor of our Blessed Conversations Series and guide for the Gift of You course.

When despair grows in me and I wake in the night at the least sound in fear of what my life and my children's lives may be, I go and lie down where the wood drake rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds. I come into the peace of wild things who do not tax their lives with forethought of grief. I come into the presence of still water. And I feel above me the day-blind stars waiting for their light. For a time I rest in the grace of the world, and am free. -Wendell Berry   This poem, "The Peace of the Wild Things", is one of Wendell Berry’s most popular and beloved poems, and one of my personal favorites. My grandparents have it framed in their kitchen and I stop and read it every time I visit them. I have reflected on it and read it numerous times. But recently, I realized why it appeals to me so much: it is full of Catholic imagery. Worry: A Universal Experience Berry, a Kentucky farmer and writer, is a well-known Christian, and his faith seeps into his work. This poem is no different. Berry begins his poem by speaking to a human experience that, Catholic or not, parent or not, everyone will experience: worry. We have all experienced the insomnia that is the result of late-night worry. Maybe the source of our anxiety was an unexpected diagnosis, an argument with a spouse, or injustices present in the world. Lying in bed feels helpless when we are worried. And, for some reason, wandering about in the night as we think seems more productive than remaining in bed, tossing and turning. Encountering God in the Wild In the poem, Berry wanders outdoors and feels himself surrounded by grace. As Catholics, grace is much more than an abstract concept, it has a very physical component. In the Sacraments, we feel the water poured over our heads, we hear the words of absolution, we taste the Bread of Life. I think the “grace of the world” that Berry speaks of is the presence of God in His physical creation. In Matthew 6, Jesus says: Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds in the sky; they do not sow or reap, they gather nothing into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not more important than they?   He continues on a few verses later: Learn from the way the wildflowers grow. They do not work or spin. But I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was clothed like them. If God so clothes the grass of the field, which grows today and is thrown into the oven tomorrow, will he not much more provide for you, O you of little faith?   Here, Jesus tells us very plainly we can find grace in the natural world. In fact, I think He is saying it is one of His intended purposes for the natural world. It exists to bring us peace and rest and to ease our worry. How could we not feel His grace when surrounded by something He so lovingly created? The Peace of the Wild Things The magnificent Catholic churches I have seen all over the world were built to draw our attention to something—Someone—greater than ourselves. The splendor of the mountains, the green grass, the flowing stream, are the cathedral God built for Himself at the beginning of time. Just like Berry, I have felt grace present in the natural world. Gazing at millions of twinkling stars in the night has a way of making my problems feel smaller, less pressing, and finite in the presence of something so infinite. He can be trusted with our worries and our cares. Step Outside The next time you find yourself riddled with anxiety and unable to sleep, I hope you will read this poem, and then step outside into the night. I hope you will look up the stars and find hope in those twinkling lights in the dark. I hope each little star you count brings you closer and closer to the caring arms of Our Lord. Just as the love and grace God extends us is endless, so are the ways in which He can extend it to us. Berry’s poem is a welcome reminder that we are invited to “rest in the grace of the world.” [bctt tweet="BIS Reads: The Peace of the Wild Things #BISblog //" via="no"] Bond Strong lives in the mountains of southwest Virginia with her husband, Reece, and their two sons, Willis and Harmon. She owns a locally-focused food, gift, and antique shop. She is a former Methobapticostal, and her conversion story can be found here.

Am I the only one wondering how Lent has already arrived? It feels like just yesterday I was decorating my Christmas tree and enjoying White Christmas with a mug of cocoa. Yet here we are, ready to embark upon the most solemn, sacred time of the liturgical year. Are you ready to journey together as a community and with Jesus? Lent is Not a Spiritual Improvement Plan It is important to refrain from treating this liturgical season as just another spiritual improvement plan. When we do this (as I have), it can become all about trying to “do” more instead of asking Jesus what He wants these 40 days to look like for us as individuals. One thing that helps me loosen control over the season of Lent is to find spiritual reading that is deep yet challenging to my spirit. I often ask the Holy Spirit to help inspire and guide me. What do I need to learn right now in my life? What do I need to be reminded of in this season of life? Books to Read During Lent I want to suggest some spiritual reads for your Lenten journey that are both inspiring and challenging. I have read each of these at different Lenten seasons over recent years, and I hope you would enjoy any of these options as much as I do. Who Do You Say That I Am? There’s a question Jesus asked two thousand years ago that still moves hearts today: Who do you say that I am? This Lent, we invite you into a forty-day journey that goes beyond a spiritual checklist. This is a pilgrimage into the heart of Christ Himself. In Who Do You Say That I Am?, Debra Herbeck leads us through the seven “I Am” statements of Jesus, each one revealing not only who Christ is, but who you are in Him. This devotional isn’t another to-do. It’s a conversation with the the God-Man, Jesus Christ. The Return of the Prodigal Son Henri Nouwen is one of my all-time favorite spiritual writers. His books have taught me so much about myself and the nature of God. His writing is a great gift to the Church and modern culture, especially those who seek Truth, meaning, and purpose in their lives. The parable of the prodigal son is one of the most well-known of Jesus’ parables. Interestingly, in one of the cycles of readings for the liturgical year, it is a Gospel read during Lent. It is a story I believe each of us can find ourselves in, one we can all relate to from our own life story. Nouwen writes the book out his own deep prayer and reflection on the Rembrandt painting The Return of the Prodigal Son. In the book, Nouwen shares his prayer before the painting and develops chapters on the various characters in this parable of Jesus: the younger son, the elder son, and the Father. I first read this book during Lent three years ago. Since then, my copy is well-worn and dearly-loved. Be prepared to be stretched like a rubber band with this book, but in the best possible way! The Way of the Pilgrim and The Pilgrim Continues on His Way During Lent several years ago, I made my first retreat of the Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius. For this loud-mouthed extrovert, being silent for five days was a challenge, but such a needed break for my soul. The priest (who also happened to be a friend of mine) directing my retreat recommended this book. It is not a commonly-known spiritual classic, but the depth it offers readers is perfect for the season of Lent. The Way of the Pilgrim was written by an anonymous nineteenth-century Russian Orthodox peasant and depicts his examination of Saint Paul’s advice of how to “pray without ceasing.” This simple man travels far and wide seeking wisdom and answers to this question. Through his travels, he delves deeply into the value, mystery, and power of prayer. For me, this book greatly simplified but deepened my prayer life while opening me up to the beauty of the Jesus Prayer (Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me, a sinner), a prayer common in the Eastern churches. As this nameless pilgrim becomes more open to the presence of God, the reader, too, is enlightened. If you are looking for something different this Lent, I would send this book to you in a heartbeat. What are some of your own favorite spiritual books to read during Lent? Which ones have most impacted you on your own walk with Jesus? [bctt tweet="Books to Read During Lent #BISblog //" username="amoderngrace"] This post contains affiliate links. Thanks so much for supporting the ministry of Blessed is She!

Last fall, there was a terrible commotion down the street from me—firetrucks and police cars were everywhere, blocking the road. Only later did we come to find out that one home had caught on fire and the fire had spread to the house to its west. Firefighters arrived quickly and saved both houses, though there are still visible reminders of that afternoon in the ongoing repair work to fix the structural damage. More than being a teaching opportunity for my children, who were frightened to see the damage and hear the sirens, it was a wakeup call for me upon realizing I did not know the names or telephone numbers of either of the households involved. Not the Neighborhood We Envisioned I’ll be the first to admit that I have fallen short of my own lofty vision when it comes to creating a neighborhood feel as we settled into our new abode. I had hoped that it would include cookouts and progressive dinners, splitting perennials, neighborhood babysitters, graduation parties, and watching fireworks together with gaggles of neighborhood children running around. First, that is not the neighborhood we found. Second, six years later, that is not the neighborhood vibe we’ve cultivated. What we found was a working class neighborhood with high rates of turnover and scarcely any children. I’ve often thought to myself: If I brought the proverbial jello mold to every new neighbor we get, it could be a full-time job! This isn’t unusual, of course. It’s a near archetype of suburban America. And, though it is not unusual, it is unfortunate. This disconnect begins to hit close to home when we hear St. Mark describe the Greatest Commandment (which is actually two-fold): Loving the Lord your God with all of your heart, soul, mind and strength; and loving your neighbor as yourself. The Ministry of Ordinary Places This mission humbly asks that we devote ourselves to the overlooked spiritual practice of paying attention to wherever God has placed us. That's where we begin, and, though it's not terribly complicated, it will ask more of us than we ever imagined. - Shannan Martin   It was about this time that my unfamiliarity with my neighbors began to get the better of me, and providentially the time when I got my hands on Shannan Martin’s Ministry of Ordinary Places. Shannan is hobby-farm blogger turned city-dwelling writer in the industrial Midwest. She has been captivated by getting to be a part of her neighbors' lives and is compelled to be a part of theirs. She is an old soul, and the experiences and relationships she shares in her book invite readers to imagine the possibilities in our own lives if we sought to meet the needs of our own neighbors. To live as though God intended our loving ______ (insert neighbor’s name, here), next to loving Jesus, as the most important thing a Christ-follower might do. No Better Time to Start February often gets a bad rap. It is stuck between the newness of the new year and mired in the grey skies and chill of mid-winter. What better time is there to begin to reach out to a new neighbor, or someone who could use a hand shoveling their driveway? But where to begin? Will I come on too strong if I suddenly start taking an interest in folks I have never spoken to before? How to Reach Out to Your Neighbors Here are eight simple points I’ve taken from Shannan’s playbook that serve as a springboard for fostering neighborliness in a season where I am earnestly seeking concrete suggestions. Maybe you are, too. More than that, winter, when we are shut up behind closed doors and windows for a season, is an isolating experience for all of us. Now is the time to spread some unexpected caritas. Ask for help // Let neighbors teach you, lend things out, offer insights, and come alongside you in times of need. Do the same for them. Cook + share // Make big pots of soup, or kettles of tea, cookies, lasagna—and share! Walk your neighborhood // This will nearly force you to run into folks and introduce yourself/check in with them. Keep an eye out for one another // Houses and children, alike. Offer a ride // Be a resource for someone who doesn’t drive/missed their bus/relies on public transit. Dig into local issues // At the neighborhood school, in the local paper, etc. Answer the door! Be the neighborhood kid hangout // And be prepared to feed them. Monumental in Simplicity As Christ-followers, we are called to be long-haul neighbors committed to authenticity and willing to take some risks. Our vocation is to invest deeply in the lives of those around us, devoted to one another, physically close to each other as we breathe the same air and walk the same blocks. Our purpose is not so mysterious after all. We get to love and be deeply loved right where we’re planted, by whomever happens to be near. We will inevitably encounter brokenness we cannot fix, solve, or understand, and we’ll feel as small, uncertain, and outpaced as we have ever felt. But we’ll find our very lives in this calling, to be among people as Jesus was, and it will change everything. -Shannan Martin   Nothing in this book is monumental. In fact, had it been published sixty years earlier, I wonder who would have read it. They wouldn’t have needed a guide to being neighborly; it was already built-in. Our mobile, ever-extending lives have morphed into something so transient that we often do not know the names—much less the needs—of the ones who live right next door to us. Admittedly, this vision of neighborliness is my New Year’s resolution. It does not have to be yours, too. The good news is, it can take as much or little time as you have. You do not have to be wealthy/single/married/empty-nesting/young/old to do this and do it well. Imagine how the dynamic of a neighborhood—of our own lives—might change by inviting one new person into it? After all, through hospitality “some have unknowingly entertained angels” (Hebrews 13: 1-2). Have you read this book? How are you trying to reach out to your physical neighbors? [bctt tweet="BIS Reads: Ministry of Ordinary Places #BISblog //" via="no"] This post contains affiliate links. Thanks so much for supporting Blessed is She!

I am always amazed by the economy of a good short story. Authors like Flannery O'Connor, for example, teach us more about grace and the human condition in a mere couple of pages than some theologians manage in a lifetime of work. I don't normally consider Tolkien, however, to be particularly conservative when it comes to word count. But I recently re-read his short story, "Leaf by Niggle," and I was struck for the first time by the succinctness and compactness of Tolkien's writing. He beautifully sums up some of the most fundamental truths of our Faith in a simple little story about a man called Niggle. If you haven't had a chance to read it, I highly recommend it. Our Desire to Create The story starts by introducing us to an ordinary painter, Niggle, who has a journey coming up but has not yet prepared for it. He's trying to finish his painting, and he longs to dedicate his time to his art, in particular, to his painting of a certain Tree. You might find some commentary suggesting that Niggle's art is completely self-indulgent, but assuming Tolkien's writing was at least somewhat autobiographical, I don't think that really was his intention. I don't think Tolkien would have viewed his creation of Middle Earth as a selfish endeavor, just as I don't think any one of us should feel guilty about taking time to pursue our creative passions. The desire to make something, to leave something behind, is a natural part of being human. If we are made in the image and likeness of God, who is Creator, then our own small creations are a reflection of Him. Anytime we focus our attention on creating something, whether it be knitting a pair of baby booties or setting a table or composing a symphony or painting a masterpiece—no matter how simple or grandiose the outcome—we are seeking something beautiful. We are looking toward Heaven, and that is a good thing. Our Need for Community As we near the part of the story that we, as readers, might interpret as Niggle's arrival to "Heaven," we see that, at the gateway to Paradise, Niggle finds himself within his own painting. But not necessarily as he painted it. Rather, he is immersed in the perfection he was always seeking as an artist. His Tree was "finished." But then Niggle, amidst the goodness of his now-perfect picture, realizes something is missing. He needs his neighbor, Parish. In Niggle's life, Parish is a constant source of interruption, frustration, and inconvenience. Quite frankly, he is annoying and self-absorbed. Time and again Niggle must put down his paintbrush to his assist his neighbor, even though the tasks are not always necessary or important. Parish is the very reason why Niggle cannot complete his painting. Holiness in Reliance on Others And yet, when they meet again in the afterlife, Parish and Niggle's conversation leads us to the most profound truth. Even though they are surrounded by the beauty that Niggle spent his life striving for, it was not due to his own art that he arrived there. They owe their sanctification to each other, and to the Intercessor who interceded on their behalf. They needed one another, not the other's strengths but rather their weaknesses, to give the opportunity to sacrifice, to do good deeds, to grow in virtue. There's nothing wrong with sitting down with our pen or picking up our guitar or returning to our paintbrush and finding joy in those moments of creation. Art, in as much as it seeks to capture a bit of Beauty and Truth does fulfill a part of us. But it’s incomplete. We are made to love, both as lover and beloved, so it requires someone else. Real happiness is only to be found in family and community life, through those who teach us to put the tools of our trade down, so we can pick up our crying child or the hand of our troubled sister. Those inconvenient, troublesome moments are where we will find true purpose, love and happiness. And, it's where we find our opportunity for holiness. Imperfect for Each Other We don't come together as families and communities so that we can be more efficient with our creation. None of us are "perfect for each other"; it's the opposite. We are imperfect for each other. What would we know about St. Monica if not for Augustine's failures? What would Story of a Soul be without the annoying sisters St. Therese encountered in the convent? When your baby is upset for no obvious reason, yet you pick her up anyway? Sanctification. When your friend calls on a busy evening, and you stop to talk her through a rough situation? Sanctification. It can't be done our own. It's easy to be grateful for the time we have to work, uninterrupted, on our "Leaf," whatever that might be. And we should! It's a gift to participate in the creative work of God. But we should be even more grateful for the opportunity to pause, to bear one another's burdens. And, harder still, to be grateful for the times when we ourselves are burdensome to those around us, allowing others the chance at holiness. Because we all are, at some point. If we weren't, how would we help each other get to Heaven? Our creations are never going to be sufficient for our salvation, no matter how great or lasting they are. Our Faith is not simply creative, but rather incarnational. The Creator of the cosmos Himself paused and took the most inconvenient form: an unplanned pregnancy, a helpless infant, who would bear all our sins, burdens, and infirmities. And it's in the messiness and inefficacies and annoyances of human interaction where we get to participate, albeit imperfectly and inadequately, in the work of salvation. That's where we find our hope and our redemption. Leaf by Niggle is Beautifully Human Tolkien's story of Niggle is ultimately one of optimism and reassurance. Like Niggle, most of us are pretty average. We aren't Michelangelo or Mozart...or even Tolkien. It's quite likely we won't leave any masterpiece behind. And even if we did, it would eventually turn to dust like Niggle’s earthly painting…like every other created thing. But no matter our wealth or status, whether our contributions are celebrated or overlooked, we all face interruptions and requests. We are all surrounded by needy people. We all have opportunities every day to make sacrifices for others. We all have a powerful intercessor, Our Mother, to intercede for us. We can all pray for the grace to say "yes" to our neighbor. Niggle’s finest hour was a simple act of service. It might be hard sometimes, but we can all do that. The journey to salvation is open to us all. [bctt tweet="BIS Reads: Leaf by Niggle #BISblog //" via="no"] Cheryl Witty-Castillo is a mother, freelance writer, and director of the Writing and Language Center at St. Mary’s Seminary. You can find out more about her here.

I have always loved to read since I was a little girl. Nancy Drew, Harriet the Spy, the Bobbsey Twins, and various other books geared toward young girls were my best friends growing up. Reading was my recreation. Oh, how I wish Kindles were in existence 40+ years ago! My 1970s Kindle would have had ridiculous amounts of books loaded and ready. Instead, I was at the library frequently, books were passed down between friends and family members, and we purchased books from used bookstores. As an adult, I still enjoy reading. My time now is more limited than when I was a child and I don't get to read as much as I would like. I also tend to read the same genre over and over again. I am not one to venture out of that box too often. Searching for a Book Club To remedy this, I began reading a book about Divine Mercy in our parish's adoration chapel every Monday evening. When I finished that book, I thought it would be great to have a Bible study or other book study with women. However, I knew that I did not want to lead or be the "teacher." I get enough of that role on Monday-Friday in my school classroom. Besides, I am no expert on my Faith. I just wanted to learn more about it and discuss it with like-minded folks. My search began for a book/Bible study. A neighboring parish had a Bible study beginning and I seriously considered going. I knew, though, that I would miss a couple of weeks due to some travel. Additionally, I did not know a soul at this study. Our own parish had nothing going on in this regard either. Again, I could have started one, but I knew I would be deemed "the teacher." What about an Online Book Club? An online book club kept rolling around in my mind. I thought I could set up a private Facebook group with a chosen book as our study. Looking back, I think this was God nudging me. I put out a question via my personal Facebook page and asked who would be interested in an online, private Facebook group Catholic book study. Immediately, a dozen ladies or more messaged me with "YES!" At this point, I decided we would give it a try just for the summer. How to Start an Online Book Club Here are some tips and lessons I learned along the way. Don't be afraid to start your own! Put out Facebook feelers or advertise in your church bulletin. Create your Facebook group and make it private! You will only want group members to see discussions, questions, and other comments made. There are levels of trust associated with doing a study of this nature. Privacy should never be violated and it is of extreme importance to keep confidences shared in the group within the group. Find 3 or 4 books which are faithful to Catholic teaching and might be of interest to your group. Create a poll within your Facebook group for members to vote on the book. I posted links to the books where members could read the summary, see reviews, and all associated materials. Keep the book cost reasonable so that cost does not keep someone from participating. We each paid for our own book and did not ask our parish to fund this. Decide who will be the "facilitator" for this study. This person would be in charge of presenting discussion questions to the group and being the lead person in organizing materials and group. This could certainly rotate each time a different book is studied. Determine a timeline for posting discussion questions. I posted them once a week and left them up for the entire week. Post some rules or guidelines for your group. Ours were 1) Pray before you post, 2) Remember to keep everything that is said in the group private, and 3) Participate when you can. Pros of an Online Book Club Members can answer questions when it is convenient. Night owls can answer in the middle of the night. Early risers can answer in the morning. There is no worry about finding meeting times or securing childcare. Keep your jammies on and your cup of coffee in hand! Questions are posted and answers are not expected immediately. There is "think" time and time for thoughtful reflection when members can post at their convenience. I am not good on the spot, but can process a thoughtful reflection with a little time. Vacations and distance did not interfere. Don't live near the other members? Not a problem—answer when you can and when you have internet. No pressure. ​Cons of an Online Book Club Since members do not meet face to face, you always get the "typed" response. We all know how texts and emails can be perceived incorrectly without the associated body language, inflection, and presentation of our thoughts. Not everyone in the group will actually type responses and participate. If I am being honest, I was a little bothered by this. All of these ladies joined the group, but the same few were the only ones commenting. I worried that the others didn't feel comfortable or were not enjoying it. Later on, an active group member told me that someone else who joined the group and never said a word really enjoyed it and hoped we would do it again. My response was, "Really? She never said a word!" Probably a bit uncharitable and judgmental of me since after that I learned that the "inactive" member was learning so much by simply reading the book and reading the responses. My lesson in this is that God uses things in His way to accomplish His purpose, not what I thought needed to happen. You might not develop the personal relationships with the others in the group since the study is online. That is not necessarily the case in my example, since we all knew one another. If that aspect is important to your group, then set up some outside social time to simply meet for coffee and enjoy one another's company. Try Starting an Online Book Club! Our group ran the gamut from young moms to middle aged to senior citizens. Some were married, some divorced, some widowed, and some single. That aspect of it made it so interesting to me. We saw life experience from the seniors to the struggles of middle aged and younger women and their various stations in life. We all learned from one another. As my family says when I cook something they like, it is a "do-over"! This online book study was a do-over as well! Next summer we hope to tackle a different Catholic book. Have you ever participated in an online book club? What did you enjoy about it? [bctt tweet="How to Start an Online Book Club #BISblog //" via="no"] Noelle Jean is a Catholic wife, mom, and public school teacher trying to connect with other faithful Catholic women and grow in her faith.

As we close the Advent and Christmas seasons, we enter a brief but beautiful moment of Ordinary Time. And then, in just a matter of weeks, our journey to the Cross will begin. We would love to walk the way of Lent with you. Where Are You this Season? The Blessed is She 2020 Lent Devotional for Catholic Women is here. It is called Here, Too: Where We Meet God. It's all about encountering God in the unexpected times and places of our lives: in the desert, at home, on the road, in a storm, up on the mountain, in the garden, at the tomb. Where are you this season? No matter if your heart is parched and dry, comforted, cold and frightened, seeking peace, or facing the darkness of loss, Jesus is here, too. This Lent, we will spend time reflecting on all the ways we encounter Christ in the ordinary moments of daily life. The Inspiration Behind Here, Too Scripture is filled with stories God meeting people right where they were: at home, on the road, in desert moments, or in the storms of suffering. So this Lent, we hope to journey through the different places of our lives where we have encountered God. The seven writers of the Lent Devotional connect the stories of their lives to the stories of Scripture. We might not think of ourselves as meeting God face-to-face in the same way that people encountered Jesus in the Gospels, but the personal reflections that the writers share speak to how universal these experiences are in our lives: meeting God in our joys, sorrows, doubt, and questions. Our faith reminds us that God's presence never depends on our situation: God is with us everywhere and always, even when we can't see it. We hope that Here, Too reminds you that God is your companion on the journey—that no matter whether you feel close to God or wandering far away, God wants to find you and lead you back home, especially in this beautiful journey of Lent. What to Expect in the 2020 Lent Devotional for Catholic Women Each week of Lent a writer will walk us through a particular place (literal and figurative) in which we meet God. Every day, we will spend some time with Scripture. We will hear from the writers about their own experienced encountering God in various life circumstances, we will reflect on questions (and journal about them if you like), and dive into the Gospels. We will also lean into the Psalms. The Psalms have the whole range of human emotion—anger, delight, despair, fear, wonder—yet they are still the holy Word of God! We can find ourselves in their honesty and vulnerability. Want to Join Us on the Road to the Cross and Resurrection? Here, Too is now available for purchase, and we would love to pray through Lent with you. You can use this devotional in your small groups, with a friend, or on your own. We will be sharing our hearts and takeaways on social media throughout Lent using the hashtag #BISLent. We invite you to share with us that way, too! The 2020 Lent Bundle If you'd like some extra prayer support and encouragement this Lent, check out this year's Lent Bundle. It includes Here, Too, a stretch and wrap Rosary bracelet made exclusively for our community, and a lightweight canvas tote (perfect for your Bible and Lent Devotional!). We also have a Lent + Easter Bundle that includes Here, Too and Risen (our Easter devotional) at a discounted price. Where We Meet God Friends, we're looking forward to journey alongside you this Lent. As we reflect on God's omnipresence and everlasting love, may our eyes be opened to truly see that no matter where we are, He is here, too. Do you have your Lent Devotional yet? What is your intention for this year's Lent? Share with us in the comments below! [bctt tweet="Here, Too: The 2020 Lent Devotional for Catholic Women #BISblog #BISLent //" via="no"]