We have reached this year's final days. And in a couple of days, we will ring in a new year. When the year comes to a close, I like to pause and reflect on the last 12 months. What were the highlights and lowlights? How did the Lord move in my heart and soul? What consolations did I receive from Him, and how did He lead me through the dark and lonely times? Looking Ahead Then, I look ahead with expectant faith toward the new year. What are my hopes and dreams? What changes do I want to make? How should I set my goals, what should my goals even be? I jot down a few ideas, put together a plan, and pencil in time to work on my New Year’s resolutions. Typically, the first days go well, but after two or three weeks, the hope I felt toward the new year fizzles. I feel discouraged when my goals encounter insurmountable obstacles. And I realize that without God’s grace and strength, I can’t resolve much of anything (John 15:5, Matthew 19:26, Philippians 4:13). Perhaps what is missing in my resolution efforts is reliance on the Lord. Trying to do it on my own, with my weak will power and distractible mindset, sets me up for immediate failure. Perhaps you can resonate with this? If so, where can we find a consistent dose of heavenly help? Catholic Books for Your New Year's Resolutions In addition to asking for God’s help in prayer and remaining close to the Sacraments, there is a wealth of faith-filled encouragement in Catholic books. Here are eight Catholic books to support your new year’s resolutions. Listed by category, perhaps one will keep us moving toward our goals throughout the new year. Exercise more // Lose weight // Eat cleaner It’s OK to Start With You by Julia Marie Hogan Losing weight, exercising, and eating clean are considered “self-care.” Caring for ourselves ensures that we are strong enough to live out our mission. Often, however, we feel guilty about doing things for ourselves, even when they benefit others in the long run. It’s OK to Start With You encourages us to prioritize self-care. It even claims that self-care is a discipline rooted in our identity as God’s daughters! In this book, author Julia Hogan helps us understand why we neglect ourselves and equips us with tools to change our habits. You Are Enough: What Women of the Bible Teach You About Your Mission and Worth by Danielle Bean When tackling a health-related goal, it’s important to remember that our worth is not reflected in how we look or the number on the scale. So, before we set out to improve ourselves, we need to remember that we are enough. Right here, right now. In You Are Enough, Danielle Bean introduces us to Biblical women who demonstrate how our worth is wrapped up in our identity as daughters of God, made in His image and likeness. She helps us solidify that truth, so we can strive to glorify God and fulfill His will in our lives. Declutter // Organize // Simplify Know Thyself: The Imperfectionist’s Guide to Sorting Your Stuff by Lisa Lawmaster Hess When our resolution is to simplify, we usually can’t wait to get started. Until we realize that the “tried and true” system is flawed, and the cute containers don’t corral our stuff very well. In Know Thyself, we learn that there is not a one-size-fits-all solution to organizing, because God has created us to be unique individuals who have unique organizing styles. Author Lisa Hess helps us discover our personal organizing method, so we can succeed in ordering and simplifying our lives. Make My Life Simple: Bringing Peace to Heart and Home by Rachel Balducci Desiring to get organized could be a goal that only scratches the surface. When life feels chaotic and messy, anxiety and weariness can paralyze us. If only a neat and tidy house could cure the turmoil in our hearts! Author Rachel Balducci knows how that feels. In Make My Life Simple, she shares her personal heartache and how God answered her plea for more peace and less chaos, more joy and less anxiety. She offers tips for establishing a peaceful home, but more importantly ways to order our whole lives—body, mind, and spirit. Pray more // Begin a holy hour // Read Scripture Lift Up Your Heart: A 10-Day Personal Retreat With St. Francis de Sales by Rev. John Burns Many of us desire to jumpstart our prayer routine in 2020. But how do we begin? How about with a 10-day personal retreat in the comfort of home? Lift Up Your Heart by Fr. John Burns takes reflections from St. Francis de Sales and breathes new life into them. He applies de Sales wisdom to the modern life and helps us ignite our daily prayer habit. Praying Scripture for a Change: An Introduction to Lectio Divina by Dr. Timothy Gray Those of us who pray regularly with the daily Gospel readings and Blessed is She reflections may desire to go deeper in our Scripture reading habit. But what is our next step? Praying Scripture for a Change introduces us to the ancient technique of lectio divina. In it, Dr. Gray explains how God speaks personally and uniquely to us through Scripture. He shows us how to recognize God’s voice through a lectio divina routine. And when faced with interferences, he offers tips to maintain a consistent and fruitful prayer life. Develop friendships // Strengthen relationships Can We Be Friends? By Rebecca Frech Finding good friends is hard. Maintaining them is even harder. But since we were created for relationship, we crave connection. In Can We Be Friends?, Rebecca Frech explores why we need friendship, how to nurture our relationships, and even when to let friends go. She outlines different types of friends and how to invite select friends into our inner circle. This book reminds us that friendship gives us a sense of belonging, and it also helps us be our truest selves. The Friendship Project: The Catholic Woman’s Guide to Making and Keeping Fabulous, Faith-Filled Friends by Michele Faehnle and Emily Jaminet When life gets busy, we can easily lose contact with friends. Before we know it, we haven’t connected with anyone in weeks, maybe months. The truth is that friendship takes time and effort. And in this busy world, it is challenging to invest in friendship … and find a friend willing to invest, too. In The Friendship Project, readers explore questions such as, “What does it mean to be a friend?” and, “How do the virtues make me a more compassionate friend?” The authors guide us through Church teachings, stories from the Saints, and personal scenarios to help us be a better friend and seek out friends who will encourage us in our pursuit for holiness, too. Has a Catholic book ever supported you in reaching a goal or resolution? Tell us about it in the comments below! [bctt tweet="Catholic Books for Your New Year's Resolutions #BISblog //" via="no"] This post contains affiliate links. Thank you so much for supporting the ministry of Blessed is She!

Many of us probably don’t think twice when we use the term “miracle” in everyday life. We call the 1980 U.S. men’s hockey team’s gold medal a miracle. Buddy the elf tells Jovie she looks “miraculous” when they go on their first date. We look at our to-do lists and think it’s going to take a miracle to pull this off. The lightness with which we use this term can allow us to forget that real miracles—that which the Catechism defines as “a sign or wonder, such as a healing or the control of nature, which can only be attributed to divine power”—still happen today. God is as living, active, and interested in our lives in the twenty-first century as He ever was in Scripture. Whether we recognize it or not, He is still making impossible things happen. A Modern-Day Miracle A powerful example is that of James Fulton Engstrom, who was born still and remained dead for 61 minutes before his heart spontaneously began beating. (Did you get goosebumps reading that? I got goosebumps typing it.) James’ mother, Bonnie, whose name you likely recognize from daily devotions here at Blessed is She, shared his story this fall in a moving and important book, 61 Minutes to a Miracle: Fulton Sheen and a True Story of the Impossible. 61 Minutes to a Miracle Bonnie sets up the story with care, both aware of how impossible the situation was and transparent about what she initially experienced when she was in shock versus what she learned later. I felt the movements of the story with her as I read, especially with the knowledge that my oldest son is only days younger than her James. When I was basking in the joy of my healthy baby boy nine years ago, Bonnie was struggling with what would happen to her son. Yes, he came back to life. But there was a period of time where doctors didn’t know what he would be capable of. I don’t want to spoil it for you, so I’ll leave that part of the story for you to discover on your own. Suffice it to say that though I knew the basics from Bonnie’s blog before reading the book, I still couldn’t put it down. I read it in a single night and then started recommending it to everyone I knew. [bctt tweet="When I was basking in the joy of my healthy baby boy nine years ago, Bonnie was struggling with what would happen to her son. #BISblog //" via="no"] Believing in Miracles Which brings me to why I call this book important. It’s important that we are aware of and open to miracles happening. I’d go so far as to say it’s important that we expect miracles. God wants to do beautiful things for us and through us. And He’s probably doing more than you or I have eyes to see. We need to cultivate a joyful anticipation of what God wills to provide for us as well as honest relationships with the Saints, whom we can call on for their intercession. James’ miracle has been approved by the Vatican, and is part of Venerable Fulton Sheen’s cause for sainthood. Thank God for Sheen’s intercession, and thank God, too, for the faith of the Engstroms, who confidently cried out for help when they were in need. (Did you just get goosebumps again?) Reliance on God Our culture encourages us to do for ourselves and take care of number one. God asks the opposite. And we can do as He asks because we can trust Him. If we needed proof, miracles are just that. God’s plan isn’t always going to be what we want, of course. The dead are not always going to physically come back to life. But we need to live with hope. Our Christian communities need us to live with hope. Our brothers and sisters who don’t recognize Christ or acknowledge God need us to live with hope. The world needs our hope, and Bonnie’s book has helped me to remain in that hope and to share it. As we gear up for Christmas, we reflect on the Incarnation, the Word made flesh, God come to dwell among us. It seemed impossible, and yet we know that it was. God is still doing amazing things in the world He created and loves. May we keep our eyes open to see His miracles and our hands and hearts open to share them. [bctt tweet="61 Minutes to a Miracle Book Review #BISblog" via="no"] Lindsay Schlegel is a daughter of God who seeks to encourage, inspire, and lift up the contemporary woman to be all she was created to be. She’s the author of Don’t Forget to Say Thank You: And Other Parenting Lessons That Brought Me Closer to God, as well as shorter nonfiction and fiction pieces, both online and in print. With joy, she speaks about recognizing God’s voice and living the truth therein. Lindsay lives in New Jersey with her high-school-sweetheart-turned-husband and their kids. You can find out more about her here.

Happy third week of Advent, sisters! I hope this season has been fruitful so far, but if it hasn’t, and especially if it hasn’t, we have a few suggestions of books to carry you across the finish line and into the Christmas season. Advent Booklist for Adults This selection contains a blend of newer books and older books, some you may have heard of and others you may not have. Some may be collecting dust on your bookshelf (dust off, please, do!) and yet I’m certain one of them is probably more frequently read than others. Let’s dive in. Lectio Divina with the Gospels according to Sts. Luke and Matthew Spending a short amount (or longer!) with the Word of God is invaluable during this season of preparing our minds, hearts, and souls to long for and seek Him. Slowly read aloud, meditate (listen to what the Holy Spirit shares), pray (converse with God), and contemplate (silently receive what He’s sharing). If you love a good study Bible, the Navarre Study Bible or the Ignatious edition are helpful with lots of footnotes. Advent and Christmas with Fulton Sheen edited by Judy Bauer This book arranges selections from Venerable Archbishop Fulton Sheen’s extensive speaking and writing, bringing together encouragement for us to go deeper into the promise of the seasons. He assists us in moving from a place of being us-centered to God-centered. Each day has short snippets from his writing combined with a short prayer and Scripture. Joy to the World by Dr. Scott Hahn This book shows us how to practice a conversion of our own hearts so that each Christmas we can share the joy of the season with a fresh evangelization and passion for conversion. He walks through God’s invitation to join His family, the Blessed Virgin Mother’s story, St. Joseph’s spiritual fatherhood, and the interpersonal love of the Blessed Trinity and Holy Family. Christ in His Mysteries by Blessed Columba Marmion This book steps through the liturgical seasons as sources of great grace for us. For the reader looking for something a bit more substantive and specifically centered on Christ, this is a great one to dive into. This Benedictine monk is a real treat to read! To Know Christ Jesus by Frank Sheed Although this book isn’t specifically Advent focused, it prompts the reader to think about the Incarnation by providing great insights into the actual human experiences Christ had. He has a great writing style and is very engaging. An author whose other works are also worth exploring! Fierce by Paul George Written by our friend, Paul George, Fierce will equip men of all ages and vocations to embrace the spiritual fatherhood that they're called to. Following the example of Christ, the Good Shepherd, Paul uses storytelling and meditation to strengthen virtue and deep prayer as we prepare for the Christmas season. Found by Blessed is She This year's Catholic Advent Devotional for Women invites you to explore your walk with the Good Shepherd. Through daily reflections, Scripture, Visio and Lectio Divina, as well as knowing you're praying alongside a supportive community, Found will help you discover a deeper connection to our Good Shepherd Himself. Shop Advent Blessed Advent, Blessed Reading! It’s never too late to “get into” Advent. The Lord is always welcoming us to draw nearer so hopefully one of these options will encourage us to take up that invite and act upon it. May God bless you and keep you during this special season, and birth deeper healing into your heart into the Christmas season as well! [bctt tweet="A Fresh Advent Booklist for Adults #BISblog //" via="no"]

“Go therefore, and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19).   This instruction from Jesus has provided the inspiration for thousands of missionaries over the centuries. Attending Catholic school from kindergarten through grad school provided me numerous opportunities to participate in mission trips to various locations around the world. With the accessibility of flights, now more than ever, it’s easy to travel the world in the name of Christ. Preparing Your Heart and Mind for an International Mission Trip Before you go on a mission trip, there’s lots of preparation required, both logistically and through prayer. One of the ways I love to prepare my heart and mind for the journey ahead is through books. Here are some of my favorites that I hope will help you as you prepare to travel! Daring to Hope: Finding God’s Goodness in the Broken and Beautiful by Katie Davis Majors Katie Davis Majors is the founder of Amazima Ministries. She lives full time and raises her family in Uganda. But before all of that, she was a high school student on a short term mission to Uganda from the United States. Daring to Hope is the second of her two novels (the first, Kisses from Katie is also amazing!) and shares stories from her day-to-day life in Uganda. Katie shares about what it’s like to raise a family while striving every day to improve the quality of life in Uganda for the most vulnerable. Her stories are honest and heartbreaking, showing what it truly means to walk alongside one’s neighbor. Beyond her inspiring story, Katie has a deep and abiding love for God that motivates her in her work. She shares her faith freely with her readers. True to her title, this leaves all who read her story with an enduring sense of hope. Before You Go: A Daily Devotional Guide by Jack Hempfling This book was given to me by my best friend prior to my first mission trip to Jamaica, and I refuse to go on a trip without re-reading it. Using different Bible verses, Before You Go provides short daily devotions for the 40 days leading up to your trip. Each day hits on a different aspect of life during your short-term mission and wraps up with a prayer. There are also different prayer guides to help you through various aspects including praying for your team, fundraising, and more. I highly recommend reading this book with friends or other members of your travel group. It is a great way to come together in prayer as well as share your hopes and fears for the trip ahead. I Will Always Write Back by Caitlin Alifirenka and Martin Ganda with Liz Welch I Will Always Write Back tells the story of two unlikely friends: Caitlin, a middle schooler in Pennsylvania, and Martin, a young student from Zimbabwe. Originally paired together as part of a pen-pal project, Caitlin and Martin develop a deep and lasting friendship through writing letters back and forth. Throughout the course of the novel, we get to read these letters and hear from both perspectives as they learn how similar they are in spite of growing up in dramatically different circumstances. Caitlin goes on to become an advocate for Martin, and, with the help of her family, Martin, an incredibly gifted student, is able to come to college in the United States on a full-ride scholarship. Their story shows not only the power of connecting with others around the world, but the abiding love and true transformation that can come from those relationships.     Helping without Hurting in Short Term Missions (Leader’s Guide) by Stephen Corbett and Brian Fikkert If you are traveling on an international mission trip, I hope you have been surrounded by support from your church community, family, and friends. But sometimes people critique mission trips and your choice to go on one. Helping without Hurting in Short Term Missions is an essential read before you go, whether you are serving as a leader or even a participant on any team. It addresses many of the critiques of short-term missions. Helping without Hurting explores not only the history of short-term missions, but the real modern-day ramifications of them. It takes a look at the religious motivation behind missionary travel and provides applicable tips to ensure you and your travel group are serving the community you are traveling to, and not causing long-term harm. Miracle on Voodoo Mountain by Megan Boudreaux Miracle on Voodoo Mountain, like Daring to Hope, shares the story of a young American missionary. Megan Boudreaux moved to Haiti alone at the age of 24, without any real plan for what she would do there. Building on a calling from God, she began learning the language and working with children, eventually exposing the crimes of those trying to sell children in the aftermath of the earthquake. Megan continuously faces spiritual warfare, living and working in the shadow of Voodoo Mountain, so close she can hear the drums of Haitian voodoo ceremonies. Her faith is tireless as she works to expose all around her to God’s love and care by providing for their needs, primarily through education. Her book is an incredible lesson in compassion and a long term commitment to the place she serves. What books would you recommend before serving on an international mission trip? Let us know in the comments below! [bctt tweet="5 Books to Read Before Your International Mission Trip #BISblog //" via="no"] Shelby Hennen is Catholic young professional who hails from the Midwestern metropolis of Kansas City, Missouri. She loves a good book, a good chat with a friend, and a good taco joint. HIS WORD CHANGES LIVES God is speaking to you through His Word. In this personal study, you will learn to hear God's voice by reading slowly and praying deeply. BEGIN THE JOURNEY

There is something magnetic and enchanting about old Italian families who for generations have produced wine, cheese, or olive oil. Whatever the endeavor, current members speak with pride of the family that handed down the trade, leaving a legacy reflected in land, cultivated crops, livestock, and a coveted product. Perhaps a great-great-great-great grandfather merely eked out a living by planting olive trees or grape vines in hopes that he could bottle enough of its fruit to feed his growing family. Today, centuries and generations later, not only is there a business, but perhaps an old manor house, majestically worn, or an ancient stone barn situated among a beautiful vista of craggy hillsides overlooking the ocean, or vines ambling up a hillside reaching up to a medieval fortified town. Some properties are sumptuous, others more modest, but there is something about these families and their lands—their legacy, their history, their striving for excellence, their sense of family—that we instinctively want to wrap our arms around. How do I get that? How do I create a legacy that hints, even in the slightest of ways, at the essence of this kind of family legacy? Legacies capture our imaginations, which is why a show like Downton Abbey was so popular. They involve a building up, a sacrificing for people not yet known, for children’s children, a gift to pass along to the future. Families like these don’t happen by chance but involve vision, trust, sacrifice, hard work, perseverance, unity, and love. As Scripture says, “A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children” (Prv 13:22). Economy and Love More than three millennia ago, Aristotle spoke of the importance of community life. To live outside of it, the pagan Greek philosopher stated plainly, requires that one be like a god or beast. What he meant was that outside of community, we must be either very holy like the gods or the isolation will make us little more than a savage beast. This ancient idea of community was captured in the Greek word oikos, which is where we get the English word for economy. Economies started with a household, with the community of people who worked together to not just survive but hopefully thrive. Oikos also refers to the idea of a legacy, to provide something for future children, future generations to receive, to give meaning to the family name, and to establish something that wasn’t there before. The real fabric of a home and any kind of a legacy is woven together with love, particularly caritas, the willing of the good for others. This specific kind of love is what unites a group of people thrown together, despite different temperaments, goals, dreams, and desires. Love is the great unifier among any kind of division. “And over all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony” (Col 3:14). Without love, our relationships become just a contract, a business, a partnership, often prone to splintering and division, and certainly not strong enough to pass along the best the world has to offer to the next generation. This not-so-secret ingredient is what motivates and solidifies the family striving for a legacy. As the Psalms say: “How good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! It is like the precious oil upon the head, running down upon the beard, upon the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes! . . . For there the Lord has commanded the blessing, life for evermore” (Ps 133:1–3). Material Matters Detachment is an important element in the Christian life, but the detachment of Catholicism is not like the detachment of Buddhism. Material is important. We are embodied souls who have the capacity to create harmony among the aspects of who we are, to find balance between the requirements of our bodies and the necessities required to feed our souls. The two are not mutually exclusive but work together for the sake of true human flourishing. There is a desire in the human heart for both the material and the spiritual. The material is a curious thing because it can be just a thing—to be used properly for a real function—but it can also lead us to something beyond the thing itself. The material, as found in icons, art, and statuary, can help us go deeper, to access the infinite. Our homes are a fantastic example of this. Trends in our culture are being driven by this oft unexpressed but keenly felt desire. Home improvement shows, cooking channels, homesteading; all of these stir our imaginations by connecting what it means to be human with the immediacy of rich sensory experiences. But few of these, in order to make a true legacy, can be done in isolation—one does not cook all day for an empty table or plow a field for one’s own dinner. As award winning chef Samin Nosrat said, “Cooking is not about the food, but what happens at the table,” just like making a home isn’t about the house but about what happens in that house. Our efforts are not for the structure and things themselves; they are for the people and enduring connections established in this place. What this interwoven tapestry points to is a legacy worth weaving. Families who are conscientious about legacy tend to prize ceremony, tradition, family, and togetherness. They are generally families with a lot of stories, like how great grandfather started doing such and such or how their grandparents met. Meaning is given to things and acts that manifest connections to the past: land, photographs, family traditions, ancestral lore. All of this ultimately rests on the human desire for eternity and communion. Legacies provide a type of permanence amidst the constant change of life, while serving as a grounding reminder of timeless values their family holds fast to, no matter what fashions may come and go. All of these desires—for eternity and communion, and for the signs and symbols which point to them—direct us quietly not just to these good things but also to sacramental life. [bctt tweet="BIS Reads: Theology of Home #BISblog //" via="no"] Excerpted and adapted from Theology of Home by Carrie Gress, Noelle Mering and Megan Schrieber. Copyright © 2019 by Carrie Gress, Noelle Mering & Megan Schrieber. Published by TAN Books. Used by permission. This post contains affiliate links. Thanks so much for supporting the ministry of Blessed is She!

In the twenty-first century, Flannery O’Connor seems to have more of a presence in Catholic conversation, though she’s been a prominent figure in the American literary canon for quite some time. Yet, whenever I mention her to fellow readerly Catholics, it seems many have still not read her work. The descriptions of her fiction as dark, Southern-gothic, grotesque, and confounding seem to be a turn-off. I was introduced to O’Connor by my brother-in-law many years ago in the midst of the resurgence of all things Tolkien thanks to The Lord of the Rings movie trilogy. Although I greatly appreciated Tolkien’s work, my reading tastes tended to be a bit...darker. My brother-in-law suggested that I might enjoy O’Connor. O'Connor's Characters are Really Many essays I’ve read about O’Connor mention the initial shock, repulsion, and bewilderment often experienced after digesting one of her stories. True, her stories are not preferred by those used to tidy, mainstream, romantic reading. However, O’Connor’s work is essential reading for modern Catholics facing a world that itself has become quite grotesque and hostile to faith. O’Connor seemed to anticipate the post-Christian era we are in, and her writing, both fiction and non-fiction, imparts a unique perspective that is valuable for the modern faithful to understand. First, let’s get this word, which is the most common description of O’Connor’s work, out of the way...“grotesque.” Many associate the word “grotesque” with horror or monstrosity, but these qualities are not always present in the grotesque. The grotesque is about contradictions. We are reading about people and events that are both ugly and beautiful, horrifying and funny, dynamic and wicked. A grotesque character is both saint and sinner, an irritant and a salve, a monster and a hero. She's Writing About Us O’Connor is a master with these kinds of characters and situations. She introduces us to a charming serial killer, a girl who sees the divine in a hermaphrodite, a little boy whose moment of grace comes through drowning, a predatory Bible salesman, and a woman who’d rather be terminally ill than pregnant, to name a few. These characters are strange, but don’t they also seem familiar? She is writing about us. When we read O’Connor, we see our own warped, crippled, contradictory selves. We see the ways we rise and fall, and O’Connor emphasizes that sometimes in order to rise, we must fall. Christ Meets Us Here This is where Christ meets us in O’Connor’s stories, for He descended and fell to death on a Cross in order to rise for our redemption. This great contradiction is reflected in every image, every character, and ever story O’Connor crafts, even if Christ is not overtly mentioned. She doesn’t hold back. O’Connor is honest. Brutally so. The shocking, strange, violent images are there for a reason—to jolt us out of our modern complacency. O’Connor makes us uncomfortable because so much of what impedes grace from working in our lives comes from being too comfortable. O’Connor commands our attention, and once she has it, she reveals the human condition exactly as it is: flawed, earnest, convicted, weak, inspired, burdened, cruel, tender, hardened, and vulnerable. Sometimes all in one person. Opportunities for Redemption In O’Connor’s stories, no one is perfect. But then again, no one is a lost cause either. Everyone has the opportunity to grab a hold of grace. Unfortunately, many opt to let grace pass them by to their own peril. Yet O’Connor is not preachy or judgmental in her writing. She gives her readers an image, a character, a moment, a choice, and either redemption or damnation. Then, she leaves us to ourselves. We are left pondering, wondering what the heck we just read, and reflecting on our own warped—yet redeemed—selves. How to Start Reading Flannery O'Connor To get started with O’Connor, I recommend Mystery and Manners. Here we see O’Connor’s astonishing intellect as she explains her perspective as a Southern Catholic writer and warns against the pitfalls of sentimentality and self-righteousness in fiction. She also offers a compelling explanation on how readers, writers, and Christians need to adjust their lenses in order to truly see the world as it is in order to create honest, effective, true art. Her anthology A Good Man Is Hard to Find is a good start for her fictional work, particularly the short story of the same title. I also highly recommend listening to her work on Audible. I recently downloaded A Good Man Is Hard to Find in order to introduce O’Connor to my husband during our longer car rides, and the reading by Marguerite Gavin is fantastic. Bronson Pinchot also gives a worthy reading of her novel Wise Blood. I’ve come to believe that O’Connor’s stories are only enhanced when heard rather than just silently read, mainly to enjoy the rhythm of her writing and the cadence and drawls of her characters. And, for a glimpse into the makings of a woman striving to love her Lord, desperate to be a good writer, and wary of the suffering she suspects would lead her to holiness (she would later be diagnosed with lupus, which she would endure and later succumb to at the age of thirty-nine), then pick up A Prayer Journal. This intimate work moves me as much as any of her fiction and reveals the makings of a modern-day literary saint. Have you read anything by Flannery O'Connor yet? If not, what would be your first pick? [bctt tweet="Why the Modern Catholic Needs Flannery O'Connor #BISblog //" via="no"] Jacqueline Hollcraft lives in central California with her husband Patrick and their seven vibrant children. She is a lecturer in the English department at Stanislaus State, is an editor and contributor for The Daughters of Mary Blog, and has also written about Flannery O’Connor for Seeds of Truth Ministries, which was founded by her brother-in-law. In her free time, she enjoys serving in hospital ministry with her husband, hiking (especially in Yosemite), drinking craft beer, and reading or watching murder mysteries.

Where we come from matters. Despite our experience of family life, our origin stories play a large role in who we are today. What our grandmothers, and great-grandmothers, and great-great-great-great-great grandmothers lived through greatly influences the course of our own lives. The story of our family—for better or worse—is also our story. It was the same for Jesus. Family Matters The story of Salvation History really walks us through the building and cultivating of God's family, culminating in the Incarnation of God Himself. When we read the Old Testament, we get to shake hands with Jesus' family—the men and women who came before Him, paving His way. These aren't irrelevant details in the life of Christ. On the contrary, the events in the life of His ancestors profoundly influenced His hidden life, His public ministry, and even His salvation of the world. And while many parts of God's family's story are beautiful and faithful, there's a lot of mess, too. So if you feel like your family is less-than-holy, you're not alone. So was Christ's. There are murderers and adulterers and liars and cheaters and cowards in Jesus' earthly family. And yet God used them to construct the most incredible story ever lived. Knowing Jesus' Family, Knowing Our Own Families It is with this knowledge that we at Blessed is She set out to craft this year's Advent Journal. At the heart of All the Generations, you'll find Scripture that introduces you to the lineage of Jesus and encouragement to reflect on and pray for your own family. Family life is beautiful and difficult, and God is no stranger to that. In this Advent Journal, we will walk by His side—and alongside one another—through the story of His family. We will talk with Him about our own families' stories and how they have influenced our life. We'll bring our hurts to the mercy of His Heart. We'll entrust any division, brokenness, wounds, and unforgiveness to the promise of His redemption. If Jesus can bring Resurrection from His own imperfect family, He can certainly do the same in ours. [bctt tweet="If Jesus can bring Resurrection from His own imperfect family, He can certainly do the same in ours. #BISblog //" via="no"] All the Generations Advent Journal So what can you expect from this year's Advent Journal? Well, the first new surprise is that it is not only a journal for the Advent season. All the Generations takes us through both the Advent and Christmas seasons! For years, you all have asked for a prayer resource for Christmas as well, and we're thrilled that this journal will help you continue to pray through the joy of the coming of the newborn King. The Writers This year's Advent Journal is written by the entire Blessed is She team. Each day is written by a different woman, allowing multiple perspectives shine through. The Rhythm Every day, there is a different Scripture passage about the events of God's family: from Genesis to you. We start in the beginning, and build toward the coming of Christ in history. You'll have space to reflect on some questions that are provided for you. You can use these questions during your individual prayer time, or as a part of a small group if you're praying through this journal with others. Then, you'll find a short reflection written by a Blessed is She writer. Finally, each day closes in a prayer, specifically for our families. It's no secret that all of our families, in some capacity, are in need of healing. We don't always ask God to move in mighty ways in the midst of our family pain. This Advent, while we lean on Our Blessed Mother and one another, we're going to do just that. Will You Pray with Us this Advent and Christmas? We would love to pray along side you this Advent as we prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ, and to bear witness with you to His glory in the Christmas season. Would you please walk this journey with us? Grab All the Generations here, and let's get to praying for our families. [bctt tweet="The 2019 Catholic Advent Journal: All the Generations #BISblog //" via="no"]

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to look around at the state of our chaotic world to see the reality that evil and the Devil do, in fact, exist. Violence, hatred, crimes against women and children, abortion, racism. These and many other sins against God and the dignity of the human person reveal evil is something we deal with and wrestle with this side of Heaven. Satan is a true spiritual being whose entire purpose is to hurt and destroy us. How the Devil is Portrayed in Our Culture Far too often, the devil is portrayed comically or humorously as dressed in a red costume with a pitchfork and pointy horns. That is the furthest thing from the truth. Rarely does he manifest himself in these dramatic ways. Most often, his ways are much more sneaky and sinister by appealing to our desires and passions for comfort and pleasure. He plays on something that is initially good, and twisting and turning it into something so far from the truth that we hardly recognize it. At the end of June, the USCCB released a new book, Rebuking the Devil. It features a survey of Pope Francis’ important teachings on the history of the devil, his empty promises and works, and how we can actively combat him. The Holy Father comes out blaring in the Introduction when he addresses the question if the devil really exists. Spoiler alert: he does. He writes, “Make no mistake about it: there is a devil. He is alive and active in today’s world and shows no signs of letting up.” Shocking Stats I was shocked to read some startling statistics on how many Catholics view evil and the devil. Only 31% of all adults and 17 % of Catholics thought the devil to be a “living being” rather than a “symbol of evil.” That is heartbreaking! The growing trend reflects more and more people view the devil as a symbol rather than an actual being. Rebuking the Devil The preceding chapters look at a wide range of Pope Francis’ homilies, Angelus addresses, tweets, and speeches on specific elements on who the devil is, his attributes, and how we can fight evil and sin in our own lives. Throughout the book, the Pope uses a variety of cultural references and clever puns such as “snake-tactics” and “fake news” to get the point across of the reality of the devil. Who the Devil Is Chapter One carefully looks at the devil, his existence, and his attributes. It is like a detective guide to help a believer be on the look-out so they do not fall for the “snake-tactics” in their own lives. Before he was elected Pope, in 2010, then Cardinal Bergoglio stated in his book On Heaven and Earth, “his greatest achievement in these times has been to make us believe he doesn’t exist.” On a certain level, that can help one understand why evil flourishes. The devil is a not a character to be taken lightly, his whole purpose is the destruction of our soul, which is why we as believers needs to always be on guard. How the Devil Lurks Today + How We Can Fight Chapter Two addresses how the devil acts specifically in the world today. Sacred Scripture reminds us that Satan is the prince of darkness, the father of all lies. In this chapter, the reader is presented with what the Holy Father has to say about how the Evil One operates in his efforts to influence and destroy us. Chapter Three looks at what we can do spiritually in our defense against the devil and evil. To follow Jesus as His disciple, we know it is a constant returning to Him. And if we wish to follow Christ with our whole heart, we know the devil will challenge us and want to throw us off course. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 2015) reminds us, “The way of perfection passes by the way of the Cross." And later on, “There is no holiness without renunciation and spiritual battle.” The battle we wage with Satan is in our defense against his empty works and promises. Christ Has the Final Victory The conclusion ends on a hopeful note reminding the reader of the strength and might of St. Michael the Archangel who sent Lucifer and his angels back to Hell where they belong. While Satan was a fallen angel, we know that St. Michael the Archangel and his angels defeat Lucifer resulting in their expulsion from Heaven. We know that the traditional prayer to St. Michael the Archangel specifically seeks protection against Satan. For many centuries, the Catholic faithful have called upon St. Michael to protect and defend them from the devil’s influence. In more recent years, many more bishops and priests have reinstituted the Prayer to St. Michael prior to the dismissal of the Mass. What Do We Do? Well the first thing we do not hide and cower in fear! We acknowledge evil and the reality of sin and Satan in our world. We commit ourselves to personal holiness. For it is our personal holiness and seeking to become more like Jesus in all things is what will not let Satan win. Jesus defeated Satan for all time by dying on the Cross for our sins. Let us recommit ourselves, our families, and our world to loving protection of St. Michael the Archangel, who will always defend us in battle and watch over us. I hope you will take time to explore and read through this new book from the USCCB. It is a sobering, important read for Catholics in today’s world. [bctt tweet="BIS Reads: Rebuking the Devil #BISblog //" username="amoderngrace"]

One of the beautiful things about being a millennial is that I have never known a world without Mother Teresa. I didn’t know much about her when I was a child, but I knew she took care of poor people in India. I had just turned eleven when she died. As I came of age, she was beatified and then canonized. Now, I have a little girl whose middle name is Theresa (spelled with an “h” to also honor my mother-in-law of the same name). For many of us, St. Teresa of Calcutta has always been a light in the darkness of our world. Somewhere along my journey in the Faith, I learned that Mother Teresa struggled with depression. I haven’t borne this cross myself, but in recent years, I’ve striven to accompany a couple of dear, faithful women who are living with postpartum depression. In hopes of inspiring and encouraging them, I sought to learn more about this “Saint of darkness.” I went to my favorite avenue for spiritual book recommendations—my regional Blessed s She Facebook group. Mother Teresa's Private Writings The ladies of the Northeast delivered quickly and in chorus. I was to read Mother Teresa: Come Be My Light: The Private Writings of the “Saint of Calcutta”. Fr. Brian Kolodiejchuk, M.C., whose commentary puts Mother Teresa’s letters in context, is well qualified to do so. He joined the Missionaries of Charity Fathers when they were founded in 1984, and later served as the postulator of Mother Teresa’s Cause of Beatification and Canonization. Darkness While Mother Teresa wasn’t diagnosed with depression in her lifetime, she did experience decades of darkness and emptiness. Fr. Kolodiejchuk describes it as, “profound interior suffering, lack of sensible consolation, spiritual dryness, an apparent absence of God from her life, and at the same time, a painful longing for Him.” Time and again, in fact, she struggled to even put into words her pain and suffering. She served Jesus despite her struggle, and really, through it. In accord with a private vow she’d made to never refuse Jesus anything, she consistently strove to respond to God’s will with a smile, even when it was only on the outside. That may sound strange, and she often worried she was deceiving her sisters with an expression of happiness that didn’t live much below the surface. However, she discerned that her near-silence on the state of her interior life was a sacrifice she was being asked to offer up. She didn’t speak openly about her struggle and wanted her letters burned (clearly, that didn’t happen). The spiritual poverty she experienced opened her to more fully experience the poverty of those she and her sisters served. “It often happens,” she wrote, “that those who spend their time giving light to others, remain in darkness themselves.” Her Particular Call to Sacrifice I don’t mean to suggest that those suffering depression should eschew counseling or treatment in the name of holiness. Mother Teresa’s situation was carefully guided by a series of devoted spiritual directors. She wasn’t trying to be strong or suck it up or anything of the sort. Rather, in every moment, she actively participated in serving Jesus in the Missionaries of Charity (what she called “His work”). In doing so, she was sustained, even when she felt so alone and empty. Through the guidance of these spiritual directors, she was able to see the redemptive potential of her pain. “(A)ll the desolation of the poor people, not only their material poverty, but their spiritual destitution must be redeemed, and we must have our share in it,” she writes. An Understanding of the Human Soul She wanted so much to bring souls to Christ. Fr. Kolodiejchuk writes, “Mother Teresa understood the anguish of the human soul that felt the absence of God, and she yearned to light the light of Christ’s love in the ‘dark hole’ of every heart buried in destitution, loneliness or rejection.” The purpose of her suffering was not to purify her from her sins so much as it was suffering of reparation. In a way unique to her vocation, she endured Christ’s pain at Calvary, His thirst for souls, and His Mother’s agony. She didn’t see it for years, but her thirst for God was evidence of His presence. One of Mother Teresa’s spiritual directors, Father Neuner, commented, “No one can long for God unless God is present in his/her heart.” Catholic Life is Full of Joy and Suffering And so we are left with an image of a woman who was closely united with Christ, who lived with joy, peace, and serenity. But those qualities did not come without suffering. What a benefit it is for us to see a contemporary example of the depths and reality of the spiritual life, as painful as hers was. We need to acknowledge that this Catholic life is not all rainbows and sunshine. In doing so, we recognize the reality of many followers’ journeys and hopefully we can encourage one another to persevere and trust in His love. Mother Teresa had a beautiful soul, but not beautiful in the sense of unbroken or shiny and showy. In her words, “Suffering in itself is nothing; but suffering shared with Christ’s Passion is a wonderful gift.” A Model of Radical Obedience While her missionaries lived charity so fully and beautifully, I learned that even more compelling in this Saint was her obedience. She loved Jesus, even when she didn’t feel it. She is described as being “totally, passionately, madly in love with Jesus.” Jesus in the poor, Jesus in the Eucharist. She wrote, “I want to love Him as He has never been loved before—with a tender, personal, intimate love.” It seems to me, that’s exactly what she did in her time on earth, and I know it’s what she continues to do in eternity. Have you read Come, Be My Light? What impacted you the most? [bctt tweet="BIS Reads: Come, Be My Light #BISblog //" via="no"] Lindsay Schlegel is a daughter of God who seeks to encourage, inspire, and lift up the contemporary woman to be all she was created to be. She's the author of Don't Forget to Say Thank You: And Other Parenting Lessons That Brought Me Closer to God, as well as shorter nonfiction and fiction pieces, both online and in print. With joy, she speaks about recognizing God's voice and living the truth therein. Lindsay lives in New Jersey with her high-school-sweetheart-turned-husband and their kids. You can find out more about her here. This post contains affiliate links. Thank you for supporting the ministry of Blessed is She!

If there’s one word I’d use to describe Mary Lenaburg’s writing, it would be “free.” In her social media presence, in her devotions, she is authentic, honest, unafraid of the dark places in life, and totally committed to embracing and living in the light. So it is with her new book, Be Brave in the Scared: How I Learned to Trust God in the Most Difficult Days of My Life. That freedom is real and it is attractive, but it didn’t come easily. In her book—which I would have read in one sitting, had I not been on a train that had reached its destination—she freely shares the ways she struggled to surrender herself and her family to Our Lord. In doing so, she shows us both her remarkable courage and the truth and beauty of God’s unconditional, merciful, ever-present love. Mary's Most Difficult Days I first learned of Mary when her daughter, Courtney Elizabeth, was in the final days of her life. Courtney was severely disabled, and a large online community came together in myriad ways to support the Lenaburg family through those last days of December 2014 and the weeks beyond. While Mary’s journey as Courtney’s mother would be enough to fill the pages of a book or six, her story reaches deeper and falls harder than that. Our Desire to Control Like so many of us, Mary struggled for years with wanting control over her life. She had good intentions and beautiful dreams, but at the same time, didn't want to entrust them to Go, for fear that His plans might look different than hers (and of course, they did). This review won’t contain spoilers, but let’s just say, piece by piece, Mary’s world crumbled around her. The “difficult days” referred to in the title are not just those days before Courtney drew her last breath on earth, but the years before that when her marriage was in a dark place and her family life looked nothing like she thought it would or should. And yet, through extraordinary graces, Mary’s family has become an incredible inspiration to the thousands of people who have heard her speak, read her work, and I’m sure, those who know her in real life (I’m hoping one day to be part of that last group). In Mary’s own words (and my emphasis): It is hard to stop fighting and surrender everything to God, even when we know that it is for the best. We still want to be in control and have God solve things our way. We are afraid that if we surrender to God, he is going to lead us down a path we don’t like, don’t understand, or don’t feel confident we can take to complete the journey. But what we forget is that we are never on that journey alone; God is always with us. And God is a much better companion than our fears.   Letting Go of Fear Mary didn’t like the path she was on. She didn’t understand it. And at times she didn’t feel confident she could take it. But little by little, she allowed God to strip away her fears, her doubts, and her sins. Little by little, she let Him in to heal her, to reshape her, to use her to make something new. This woman’s story is extraordinary. This woman is extraordinary. And that’s because she points to our extraordinary God. If you ever find yourself doubting that God is still moving on this earth, that He loves each of us even in dark moments and sin and hurt, turn to Mary’s book. It is a true glory story, where the praise and honor goes to our Father. It All Comes Down to Trust The message is one we’ve heard before: trust God. He has better plans for you than you have for yourself. He loves you no matter what. But sometimes those things can be tough to take in, difficult to put into daily living. Sometimes—as Jesus well knew—it takes a story to open our minds and hearts to the reality of God’s love. Mary falls hard, but that’s what makes it possible for it to rise so high, to shine so brightly. Jesus told His disciples, “If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31-32). Thank God for the Lenaburgs’ witness to God’s mercy and forgiveness. Sweet Courtney Elizabeth, pray for us! Have you read this book yet? Let us know what you thought in the comments! [bctt tweet="BIS Reads: Be Brave in the Scared #BISblog //" via="no"] Lindsay Schlegel is a daughter of God who seeks to encourage, inspire, and lift up the contemporary woman to be all she was created to be. She's the author of Don't Forget to Say Thank You: And Other Parenting Lessons That Brought Me Closer to God, as well as shorter nonfiction and fiction pieces, both online and in print. With joy, she speaks about recognizing God's voice and living the truth therein. Lindsay lives in New Jersey with her high-school-sweetheart-turned-husband and their kids. You can find out more about her here. This post contains affiliate links. Thanks so much for supporting Blessed is She!

There’s a story about St. Jane de Chantal's transformation that has always intrigued me. It’s included in each of the dozen or so biographies of her that I’ve read, even the ones that typically sugarcoat her shortcomings. I think that’s because it has an important lesson to teach us. Jane had a longstanding habit of rising at 5 a.m. to pray. In those days, a lady of Jane’s standing didn’t rise by herself. She needed a maid to light her fire, help her dress, and tidy her room. Alarm clocks weren’t invented yet, so the poor servant lay awake half the night, every night, worrying she might oversleep Jane’s early summons. Her spiritual director, St. Francis de Sales, found out and put a stop to it. “Your devotion must be so loving to God and so considerate for your neighbor that no one is inconvenienced by it,” he told Jane, who apparently had never considered how her pious routine affected her maid. Jane started letting the woman sleep and took to lighting her own fire, making her own bed, and sweeping her own floor. It was a small change but others noticed. “Madame’s old confessor made her say her prayers three times a day and we were all tired of it,” Jane’s servants joked, “but the new one makes her pray all day long and no one is put out.” If I Had the Perfect Setting... My first reaction on reading that story was to scoff at the whole setup. Jane had a maid to help her dress every morning? Well, no wonder she was so disciplined and pious. If I had personal servants fussing over my children and me, I could find more time to pray, too. And how is it that this holy woman renowned for her selflessness needed a Doctor of the Church to point out that her sacrifice of sleep wasn’t much of a sacrifice if it required someone else to sacrifice even more sleep so she could pray in comfort? Seems glaringly obvious to me. That’s the thing about perfectionism, though. It rivets your attention on yourself—what you need to do, what you’re doing wrong, how you’re progressing or not—and blinds you to everyone and everything else. Jane was so busy meeting this arbitrary spiritual goal she’d set for herself that she didn’t realize she was stepping on someone else to do it, that her gotta-do-this-the- right-way-right-now piety was robbing others of what they needed and maybe even souring them on God. It’s easy for me to see this in Jane’s life, just as it was easy to see it in Grandma’s. What’s not so easy is to see it in my own. My Influence as Mother Motherhood has helped—especially homeschooling, which has been an education for me as much as for my children. I see every day how my mood affects theirs, how the way I approach a task dictates, to a large degree, how they will approach it, too. If I’m tense and hurried and annoyed, they’ll respond with anxiety and petulance and discouragement. If I’m calm and peaceful and gentle, they’ll push through and persevere. “Perseverant, not perfect,” I tell one of my daughters, whose hair-trigger frustration with mistakes reminds me a little too much of my own. “We don’t have to be perfect. We just have to keep trying.” That’s me on a good day. On a bad day, when I haven’t had enough sleep and I haven’t had a break from the kids all week and my son is flopping out of his desk and can’t remember the poetry line I spoon-fed him three times in the last five minutes because he’s too busy eavesdropping on the sibling squabble he hears in the next room, I lapse into bad habits. “We’re not going to take a break until you get this right,” I snapped one morning last spring, bolting out of my chair and fanning myself with the lesson plan. “It has to be perfect.” “Perfect?” he repeated, his voice suddenly high and plaintive. He looked up at me from his little desk, tears now welling in his eyes. “Perfect? I can’t be perfect.” Boom, there it was. Now I was actually telling my children to be perfect. I tried to backpedal, but the words were out there. And in the moment I said them, I meant them. I was tired of patience, tired of incremental progress and good enough and try again tomorrow. I wanted perfect. Now. Don't Demand Perfection, Ask for Grace Times like those leave me no room to doubt that my harshness and haste affect my children. They also remind me that cultivating gentleness and patience is more than a matter of knowing better or trying harder. I know better than to demand perfection of myself or my children or my life. Yet I do it anyway sometimes. And I can’t stop without God’s grace. Grace is always there for the asking. Opening my heart to receive it isn’t easy, though, especially on the heels of a dispiriting fall. What I’d rather do in that moment is evade, rationalize, or brood—anything but face my fault squarely, ask for forgiveness, and move on. Showing God's Mercy Yet that’s exactly what I need to do, both for my sake and for the sake of the children who are watching me to learn how they should respond to their own falls and slips. If I refuse to show gentleness to myself and accept God’s mercy for my failures, what does that tell them about the reality of that mercy? How does that prepare them for the day that will someday come when their own sin seems huge and God’s mercy seems impossibly distant and the devil whispers that it’s not worth even trying to recover from their fall? Will they remember my platitudes about perseverance? Or only how they saw me responding to my own sins? Probably the latter. And what I want them to remember is not a mother who beat herself up every time she fell but one who humbly acknowledged her mistakes, reached out for God’s helping hand, and scrambled back to her feet, ready to try again—and again, and again. Excerpted and adapted from The Heart of Perfection by Colleen Carroll Campbell. Copyright © 2019 by Colleen Carroll Campbell. Published by Howard Books, a Division of Simon & Schuster. Used by permission. [bctt tweet="How Jane de Chantal Impacted Me as a Mother #BISblog //" via="no"] Colleen Carroll Campbell is an award-winning author, print and broadcast journalist, and former presidential speechwriter. Her books include her critically acclaimed journalistic study, The New Faithful, and spiritual memoir and My Sisters the Saints, which won two national awards and has been published in five languages. Find out more about here here.

The countdown has begun! With just about one month left of school, summer is right around the corner. My six children are excited (obviously), and while I appreciate the structure of the school year, I also look forward to slower mornings, less busyness, and an opportunity to linger a little longer. But as we take a break from routines and homework, I don’t want us to take a break from our Faith. So, as I sift through camp brochures and swim lesson schedules, I wonder how to weave our Catholic Faith into our summer plans. One way, I discover, is through books. As parents, we don’t want our children to forget everything they learned during the school year. So we naturally encourage them to keep reading over the summer. Libraries and bookstores are on board with this idea, too, and many offer summer reading programs (with incentives) to keep children reading throughout June, July, and August. Since we want our kids to stay engaged in their Faith and keep reading over the summer, why not combine the two with faith-based books? Catholic Summer Books for Kids Here are eight Catholic books for your children to check out this summer. Written by Catholic authors, elements of faith (some obvious, some subtle) are woven throughout each storyline. The books are organized by age group, and there’s even a bonus suggestion for moms! Young Children Take It To the Queen: A Tale of Hope by Josephine Nobisso explores the role Mary plays in Salvation History. The story, on its own, is delightful, but theological symbols woven throughout add richness and meaning to this original tale. The plot revolves around villagers who transgress against their king. The town is in desolation, so the people seek help from the queen. This soon-to-be favorite includes gorgeous artwork and lessons in virtue and good behavior. As we slow down this summer, it might be a great time to practice mindfulness as a family. Dr. Gregory and Barbra Bottaro wrote Sitting Like a Saint: Catholic Mindfulness for Kids for two reasons: to introduce children to some wonderful Catholic saints, and to help children (and parents alike) develop skills such as self-awareness, focus, problem solving, and resilience. While mindfulness may seem like a newer concept, when presented through a Catholic lens, it dates back to the time of Jesus, when He commanded us to “not be anxious” (Matthew 6:25). Grade School The Chime Travelers series by Lisa M. Hendey includes five books, featuring fun-filled time-traveling adventures. In each book, twins Patrick and Katie Brady find themselves “chime” traveling to a faraway land, where they enter a real Saint’s life. Saints featured in the series include Patrick, Kateri, Francis, and Clare. A Christmas adventure rounds out the series, as the twins travel to Bethlehem and meet up with the Holy Family. During each adventure, they learn a valuable lesson that applies directly to a situation back at home. Each book includes prayers and a short biography of the saint’s life. Fans of Percy Jackson will want to add the Will Wilder trilogy by Raymond Arroyo to their summer reading list. In the first book, The Relic of Perilous Falls, Will Wilder accidentally borrows a sacred relic, which is believed to protect the town of Perilous Falls. While his intentions are harmless, Will’s 12-year-old impulsivity awakens an ancient evil that now endangers the town. To make things right, Will sets out on adventure and proves that while he is young, he can make a difference. The author draws inspiration from the Bible and weaves virtue lessons into the plotline. Middle School 7 Riddles to Nowhere by A.J. Cattapan is the story of seventh-grader Kameron Boyd, who is selectively mute after experiencing tragedy as a young boy. His new Catholic school is the only place that makes life bearable. But when financial trouble threatens to close it, Kam will do anything to keep it open. Seven riddles send Kam and his friends on a scavenger hunt through Chicago’s churches in order to find a treasure sizeable enough to keep the school open. But solving the riddles is not easy, especially because the school’s bully is after the fortune, too. The Bird Face Series by Cynthia Toney follows the life of Wendy Robichaud as she navigates the end of eighth grade and beginning of high school. In the first book, 8 Notes to a Nobody, a school bully schemes against Wendy, and her best friend starts to drift away. At the same time, someone starts leaving her anonymous sticky-note messages all over school. The more Wendy discovers about the people around her, the more lessons she has to learn. This series uses humor and hope to address real issues concerning tweens and teens, including bullying, self-image, blended families, a first innocent romance, and more. High School Roland West, Loner by Theresa Linden is the story of 14-year-old Roland, who is hated by his twin brothers and friendless at his new school. While his father is away on business, he must avoid his brothers' schemes. To free himself from his brothers' first trap, Roland accepts help from Peter Brandt, a kid from school. As he wonders if he can trust Peter, secrets, rumors, lies, and a mysterious box put Roland on a journey that has the power to change his loner status. This is the first in a five-book series about the West brothers. In An Unexpected Role by Leslea Wahl, 16-year-old Josie learns the lessons she needs to discover her authentic self. After experiencing humiliation and peer pressure, Josie flees her home to spend the summer in South Carolina with her aunt. This fresh start turns into the summer of Josie’s dreams. She develops new friendships, and a budding romance begins to blossom. However, when tragedy strikes, Josie recognizes the more important things of life. She learns to rely on her faith, and in the process, she discovers who God created her to be. For Mom In The Grace Crasher by Mara Faro, Julia pretends to be born-again to please her Christian housemates—Mark, a cute EMT, and his mom. Mark knows she’s pretending, but he likes Julia and decides to protect her secret. Missing her Catholic past, though, she finds herself sneaking off to attend Mass. Then, at an open mic night, Dylan, Julia’s musician crush, sings her a song. Now, she is wavering between two guys, fumbling her way through three different churches, and utterly confused about life. Will everything come crashing down on her, or will Julia finally crash into grace? What Catholic fiction books would you recommend for summer reading? Please add to our list in the comments below. [bctt tweet="Catholic Summer Reads for Kids #BISblog //" username="sarahcdamm"] This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase by clicking through one of these links, Blessed is She will receive a small percentage of your purchase at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting this ministry by using our affiliate links! 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

When I'm kept up at night by my racing thoughts, they usually revolve around my children. Specifically, they involve rigorous scrutiny of what I am or am not doing to raise them well, ideas for improvement, and decisions that are, in my mind, life or death decisions. Every single time. Once my mind starts to spiral this way, I do my best to remind myself of the most important thing. The most important thing I want them to learn is how to have a relationship with Jesus. Yes, I want them to learn how to tie their shoes and fold laundry, to spell their names and to not interrupt. But at the end of the day, my primary goal is to help them become saints. And although this task can feel overwhelming, once I remind myself that my job is to help my kids know, love, and serve the Lord, I relax. Fostering a Relationship with Christ The beautiful thing about Jesus is that His Heart is ready to relieve my stresses about parenting styles, schooling options, activity choices, and discipline methods. He is my simple answer. And He is my children's simple answer. Helping my children come to know Him really just involves the ways I personally come to know Him more. So I focus on assisting them in: Appreciating (and eventually, frequenting) the Sacraments, especially reception of the Eucharist. Forming life-giving friendships. Creating a Christ-centered learning environment. Encouraging them to use their unique gifts and personality for the Kingdom. Exposing them to the true, good, and beautiful found in nature, the arts, and other people. Turning to God first in both sorrow and joy. Learning how to talk with God and how to recognize His voice, particularly through the Word. This last point is the one I'd like to unpack with you.     Learning How to Talk with God Because God is perfect, every new thing we learn about Him is another reason to love Him. And the best way to learn about Him? Learning about Him in our own hearts, through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. I didn't really know how to talk with God until I was a young adult. Being raised Catholic, I knew my Hail Mary and my Act of Contrition. I even understood the beauty of praying for other people like we do through the petitions at every Mass. And I always nailed the, "Please, God, let me pass this test," plea every time. But actually talking to God as though He was someone I knew? That was a foreign concept. It wasn't until I was shown how to have a real, honest, intimate conversation with Jesus that I even knew it was a thing. Once I opened my heart to Him and allowed Him to speak to me, I couldn't get enough. I learned about His voice first and foremost through Sacred Scripture. I also tuned my ear to His voice through the teachings of the Church, the writings of the Saints, and the wisdom of the liturgy. Through the triumphs and tragedies of my life, His voice has been my unwavering solid ground. My ability to have a conversation with Jesus has brought me back from the brink more times than I can count. Turning to Jesus as my friend has literally changed my life. And that's the most important thing I want my children to know. Leading My Children to the Feet of Jesus I'm not an expert at teaching my children how to talk with Jesus. I'm an unseasoned mom, and most of the time I feel overwhelmed by the concept of raising humans. But I know that our efforts are rewarded, so I'm giving it my best shot. I also realize that I'm not alone in these feelings. I'm not alone in wanting my children to have a personal relationship with Jesus, the kind we may not have had until our adulthood. It was with this heart that we at Blessed is She created Rise Up, our first devotional for kids. We wanted to give the kids in our lives—our own children, our students, our godchildren, our nieces and nephews—something to facilitate a personal encounter with Jesus Christ. We know what such an encounter has done in our own lives, and that's the legacy we want to leave with the next generation. Rise Up seeks to bring kids to the feet of God through examining the virtues which He possess perfectly. As children learn about the virtues (which are laid out by St. Thomas Aquinas), they are immersed in the Word of God, excerpts from the Catechism, and quotes from the Saints. They are led to examination through short reflections ending with a closing prayer. The best part? It's written on a level they can understand without watering down the Truth of the Gospel. Sometimes we underestimate children. But they are capable of grasping great richness, especially when it comes to Christ. After all, He did say that in order to enter the Kingdom, we must be like children. The Legacy I Want to Leave When all is said and done, and I transition out of the season of motherhood where my children share a roof with me, I hope the main lesson they leave with is that Jesus loves them with His whole Heart. I hope that I can help inspire them to return that Love with their own imperfect love. Being an imperfect mother myself, I am grateful for resources like Rise Up to help me teach them to pray, to introduce them to the greatness of God, and to be a facilitator of conversations with Christ that can change the trajectory of their entire lives. What are some ways you're teaching your children to pray? What are the resources that are helping you? [bctt tweet="The Most Important Thing I Want My Children to Know #BISblog //" username="to_the_heights"] 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

I’m a huge historical fiction fan. I have loved to read my entire life and always seem to have a stack of to-be-read books on my nightstand. Sound familiar? And you might also be able to relate to the fact that there was something missing from my reading life. While I was all about the fiction, even throwing in some biographies or memoirs, there really wasn’t much (or anything) from the spiritual realm on my ever-growing TBR list. That seemed crazy to me! So, I set out to change things up. Narrowing Down the Search Now, personally, I am not a big theology buff. I’ve tried a few times, but I always end up putting the book down before I’m even halfway through. For whatever reason, those just aren’t my jam. Devotionals and journals are fabulous to work though, but I still wanted the feel of reading a book. Do you know what I mean? I realized that what I wanted was something formed and inspired by the Catholic life. Something that I could relate to on a personal, everyday sort of level. And if it could be written by a woman? Even better! Social Media Inspiration Thankfully, I’m a big podcast listener and an Instagram junkie. Did you know that you can find endless fodder for reading material that way? These outlets have exposed me to all sorts of Catholic authors to follow. An added bonus is that by getting to “virtually” know these authors, I already had something invested in them and their material. I knew their voices before I even cracked open their book. New Titles for Your Catholic Bookshelf Here's my tried-and-tested list of five new(ish) books from some amazing Catholic women. Stories about life and love, motherhood, body image, home organization, and our place in this world. Sound intriguing? Let’s take a look. Death by Minivan by Heather Anderson Renshaw Each morning, coffee in hand, I’d read one chapter of this book before my kids woke up. The chapters cover different virtues and fruits of the Holy Spirit and include quotes from Saints, Scripture, and stories from Heather’s life. Truthfully, I never thought I could laugh so hard at a book on virtue and the fruits of the Holy Spirit! Heather has a genuine knack for storytelling and a deep faith, both of which make reading this book an absolute delight. She makes lofty ideas relatable and sublime aspirations seem achievable. Each chapter concludes with a prayer and space for reflection, which would make it a perfect book for a moms’ group or book club. Lovely: How I Learned to Embrace the Body God Gave Me by Amanda Martinez Beck A few months ago, I heard Christy and Haley of the Fountains of Carrots podcast interview this author. I enjoyed their conversation immensely and—as this was before the book had actually been released—preordered the book before the episode even finished. Like most women, I have a love/hate relationship with my body. I’ve read other books on the subject of body positivity before and follow several Instagram accounts based on the subject. But never have I felt like I was reading what would truly help my soul until I read this book. Amanda writes beautifully, almost poetically, about her own relationship with her body by examining all of the various ways she encounters her physical self. Chapters such as My Good Body, My Sacramental Body, and My Neighbor’s Body guide the reader to see themselves, others, and their physical bodies in a kinder, more loving, and more God-centered way. Girl, Arise! by Claire Swinarski Do you listen to The Catholic Feminist Podcast? I’ve been a follower of Claire’s and the podcast’s since its beginnings about two years ago. In each episode, she interviews women from all walks of life about how they live their lives as Catholic feminists. In other words, their feminine genius. This book is simultaneously hilarious and inspiring. Claire walks through many difficult areas of women’s lives—places where our situations or our opinions may make us feel at odds with Church teaching—and reminds us of the Truth and calls us to be and do better. As the cover says, this book is “an invitation to live boldly, love your faith, and change the world.” And you can even hear Claire on a recent episode of The Gathering Place with Beth Davis and Jenna Guizar! Make My Life Simple by Rachel Balducci I was so excited to find this book. First of all, Rachel Balducci is one of the funniest ladies on Instagram. Also, her role as long-time wife and mother to kids ranging from college to elementary school is something I can really relate to! It was awesome to read something that was pertinent to my current phase of motherhood. In this book, Rachel gives us tons of practical solutions to how we can create (and find!) order and peace in our everyday lives. She guides us as we examine how we arrange our schedules, our house-cleaning, and laundry routines. Even how we take care of our own bodies and spirituality. “Maintaining order in our lives means keeping our priorities straight. It’s having an understanding of what God has asked me to do, and then doing it. Order means giving the proper amount of attention to what truly matters. This takes a lot of work.” Does that sound like something you could use help with? Then grab a copy of this book. Be Brave in the Scared by Mary Lenaburg Truth be told, this book isn’t out yet. It’s release date is set for May 11 and preorders are being taken now. However, thanks Mary’s generosity, I was able to read the manuscript of this incredibly important book late last month. This book is unlike anything I’ve read in the Catholic world. It covers everything from pornography addiction and eating disorders to the life and death of Mary’s severely handicapped daughter, Courtney. With wit, humor, and grace, Mary shares her and her husband's story of doubt, difficulty, trust, and the goodness of God. It’s a tearjerker that will make you laugh out loud. How awesome is that?! Mary also invites the reader to dive deep into her own journey with Jesus as they read this book. Space to journal, questions that prompt reflection, and a hearty dose of laughter through tears will make this a book you will turn to again and again. What is new to your Catholic bookshelf? Let’s help each other find even more phenomenal Catholic writers to support! [bctt tweet="5 New Titles for Your Catholic Bookshelf #BISblog //" via="no"]

Easter is coming soon, and many of us are deep into praying through our Lent devotional. You might be wondering what's next once Lent ends and Easter gloriously arrives. After such a prayerful Lent, how do we carry the spirit of prayer and virtue into the joy of the Easter season? With this in mind, Blessed is She devotional writer, Laura Kelly Fanucci, created a beautiful book for our community. Risen: 50 Ways to Live Easter is designed to take you through each day of the Easter season with real, practical ways to live it out. How to Fully Celebrate Easter with Laura Kelly Fanucci We sat down with Laura to discuss the heart and inspiration behind this project, what each day looks like, and what she hopes women take from this book year after year. Q1: Many Catholics aren't aware of the length of the Easter season (I wasn't until I was an adult!). Can you tell us a bit about how long the Easter season actually lasts and what that looks like for the Church liturgically? In the Catholic Church, Easter lasts for 50 days: from Easter Sunday through Pentecost. It’s actually the longest liturgical season in our Church year. But it’s not uncommon for many Catholics not to realize that Easter isn’t just one high holy feast of Easter Sunday. (There have been years in my life when I’ve frankly been surprised to find that we are still celebrating Easter, weeks later!) Ironically, it’s hard to sustain joy and celebration for weeks and weeks. And we don’t have the same kind of traditional practices for the Easter season that we do for Lent (with prayer, fasting, and almsgiving) or Advent (with Advent calendars and wreathes). In conversations with friends, I found that many of us felt the same. We didn’t know how to live Easter well—or for a full fifty days. So I wanted to jump into this deep season of joy and see what it might look like to live it in out in small ways each day. Q2: What served as your inspiration for Risen? Honestly, I wanted a book like this to exist for myself! For years I have wanted to live Easter more intentionally—to think about what it would be like to enter into the Easter season with more thoughtful practice and focused prayer. When I live Lent well (and more often, when I don’t), I’m hungry for Holy Week by the time Easter appears on the horizon. But I find myself wondering what to do with what comes next. So one year during the Easter season, I kept a running list of short, concrete ideas for how to live out the spirit of the season in small ways every day. As the list grew, I started to see the idea for a book take shape. I love devotional books that are realistic but deeply thoughtful—enough Scripture to chew on for the day, but not daunting in length or practice. So I wove together these elements: Scripture, reflection, prayer, and action. I also love the Resurrection stories in the Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles, and I wanted to immerse myself in them. I’m amazed at how they have transformed my understanding of the Resurrection and the mission we are given as disciples to carry this good news into our corners of the world. As I wrote, I kept this question in mind: how could I make this book offer readers a beautiful, joyful practice to take up each day in Easter? Q3: How is Risen formatted? Could this be done as a family or in a small group? For each day of the Easter season, Risen gives you: a short Scripture passage (from the Easter stories in the Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles) a fresh perspective on the day’s Scripture a prayer to reflect on your own life a short action to live out Easter You could absolutely read through Risen with your family! The reflections are short, the prayers are simple, and the action for each day is easily adaptable to any age or lifestyle. I could see a family reading it around the dinner table or as morning/evening prayer together. Risen would be great for a small group, too. I’d love to get together with friends during each week of Easter and share what we’re learning from reflecting on the Easter stories. You could easily do a weekly check-in by reading one of the Scripture passages from the past week and share how you’re living out the season through the prayers and action items. (PS We'll be walking through Risen together as a sisterhood in the Blessed is She App! Once you purchase your book, you'll get access to the link to join!) Q4: How is Risen different from other Advent and Lent Journals? Advent and Lent are natural times for journaling as we reflect on our relationship with God, do penance, and prepare for the high feasts of Christmas and Easter. But I know many of us get exhausted by the end of these seasons of deep reflection. We just can’t journal anymore! So I wanted to do something fresh and different with this book. There’s no journaling (although you could certainly use it with a journal if you wanted to write as you go). It’s simply a companion for prayer, reflection, and action. I wanted to get creative in imagining how we could live out Easter in our daily lives. The action items are some of my favorite parts of the book (so I don’t want to give too much away!). But I gathered ideas in Risen that range from what you could eat or wear during Easter to lively ways that you could bring the Easter spirit of joy to your interactions with friends, family, coworkers, and anyone you meet!     Q5: The heart of Advent is anticipation, penance, and hope. The heart of Lent is repentance, sacrifice, and salvation. What would you say is the heart of Easter? The heart of Easter is resurrection, celebration, and joy. It fulfills the hope of Advent and leads us to the fullness of salvation promised in Lent. It’s the culmination of everything we believe as Catholics. [bctt tweet="The heart of Easter is resurrection, celebration, and joy. It fulfills the hope of Advent and leads us to the fullness of salvation promised in Lent. It’s the culmination of everything we believe as Catholics."] Yet it can be challenging to feast and celebrate for 50 full days, especially when the rest of the world pulls down the Easter decorations on Monday morning. So I wanted to help us sustain the joy, deepen our reflection on resurrection, and let our lives be transformed by the power of Christ’s victory over sin and death. Q6: What do you hope people take away from reading through and living out Risen? Fun fact: Risen isn’t written just for women! I wrote it for a wide audience because I found that there wasn’t any book out there for Catholics who wanted to “practice” Easter in an intentional, prayerful way. I figured many loyal BIS readers might have friends, coworkers, sons, fathers, husbands, or boyfriends who’d enjoy picking up a book like this too! I also imagined it could be a great gift for new Catholics who have just entered the Church at Easter Vigil. So I hope that any reader finds Risen to be a helpful, realistic, easy, and encouraging way to journey through the Easter season. I hope readers discover the joy and hope at the heart of this season, and that they are able to marvel and wonder at the ways God is transforming their own lives through the Resurrection. One cool feature of Risen is that it can be used every Easter. So it’s a book you can pull out each year and dip into again. I hope it will be a beautiful resource for readers to return to next Easter and find how God is doing a brand-new thing in their lives all over again through the 50 days of this rich season. The #risenchallenge on the BIS App As we all celebrate the upcoming Easter season together, let's encourage one another in our prayer and action! We are doing a Blessed is She community-wide challenge during Easter, showing one another how we're celebrating Easter more fully this year. Once you have your copy of Risen and begin to journey through Easter with it, feel free to share photos of how you're living that day's action items on our Blessed is She App. We'll be sharing the prompts and walking tangibly together every single day. We can't wait to be inspired and encouraged by our beautiful sisterhood! Get Risen Will you be using Risen to help you more fully celebrate Easter? [bctt tweet="How to More Fully Celebrate Easter #BISblog //" via="no"]

I don't know about you, but sometimes I approach Lent with a self-improvement mentality. When I think about what to give up, take up, and reflect upon, I tend to think about what's going to make me a better person. And that's not a bad thing. Where I go wrong, however, is when I make that my sole purpose and focus for Lent. So Lent becomes more about me, and not so much about Jesus. But of course, Lent is not ultimately about me. It's about Christ's sacrifice on the Cross. Lent is about His great love for us, a love so consuming it drove Him to become one of us, to suffer for us, and to die for us. He became a slave so that we would be set free. That should be our focus for Lent. To the End: The Story of Sacrificial Love Considering this, Blessed is She's 2019 Lent Journal, To the End, is centered on that same sacrificial love of Jesus. Written by Jenna Guizar with co-authors Beth Davis and Nell O'Leary, this year's Lent Journal examines seven characteristics of Christ's sacrificial love, illustrated most profoundly in His Passion and Death. With each week of Lent we will reflect on Our Lord's: Vulnerability Generosity Courage Humility Faithfulness Surrender Presence Learning Love Himself Our hope this Lent is that we would gain new understanding of Jesus' love for the world and how we can emulate His sacrificial love in our own lives. In pondering what women’s hearts tend to need, we fell on the theme of learning love. Learning to love, but also learning Love Himself. Jesus teaches us to love so spectacularly through His Passion and Death. We took sacrificial love and examined a handful of components that could be emulated by us. The Church, in her wisdom, offers us so much richness in the fullness of her teachings on each of these topics, as do the writings and examples of the Saints and Doctors of the Church! - Nell O'Leary The Story of Our Salvation The title for the Lent Journal comes from John 13:1, "He loved his own in the world and he loved them to the end." As a Blessed is She community, we'll spend this Lent walking with Jesus through Holy Week according the Gospel of Saint John (chapters 13-19). So often we reserve a deep dive into these Scriptures for Holy Week itself, but they are so rich! They deserve a longer look and more prayer than I normally give them. We are going to journey with Jesus throughout this week in particular to learn how to love in imitation of Him. - Beth Davis A Lent Journal for Women Much like Advent, Lent can be a busy time in our lives. Spring activities abound, and it's easy to be distracted from the spiritual work going on in our hearts. Our hope is that the Lent Journal gives you a moment of pause and reflection. Is this for Individuals or Groups? Both! You can move through the Lent Journal on your own or with a group of women. If your small group is looking for something to pray with and discuss during Lent, this is ideal! Additional Tools and Ways to Pray Along with To the End, you're welcome to also check out the Lent bundle, which includes the Lent Journal, a print, and a tote designed by Erica of Be a Heart. He Loved Them to the End Sisters, we can't wait to pray with you through Lent. It's our hope that To the End helps you encounter the Person of Jesus in a new way, and facilitates a deeper experience of Christ's sacrifice of love. I hope this helps us dive into Scripture in a really profound way. I want us to open up our Bibles and put ourselves in the scenes, flesh them out, and see how Jesus is moving in our lives by praying through these Scriptures. -Jenna Guizar   May we all grow closer to Him, and live by His example and grace! We hope the Lent Journal speaks to each woman on her journey to live a life of heroic virtue and equips her with inspiration and examples on how to love sacrificially. -Nell O'Leary  

Happy new year, sisters, and welcome to 2019! I hope that this idle Tuesday serves as a day of peace. Whether it is savored early in the morning over coffee, seized during naps, or in the cacoon of a quiet armchair still illuminated by Christmas lights, find a moment for yourself to take a deep breath and stand on the cusp of this new year. Resolutions aside, there can be such a wonderful feeling of possibility that comes with turning the first page of a calendar. What do you hope to try this year? What invitation is awaiting your "yes" or "no"? How do you hope to grow in the next twelve months? The Blessed is She Planner + the Fruits of the Holy Spirit Speaking of calendars, if you’re looking for one, the 2019 Blessed is She liturgical planners are debuting on kitchen tables, offices, and in purses across the country this week. I wanted to offer a little sneak peek inside (get yours here—I like the mini). The planners have been beautifully paired with the 12 fruits of the Holy Spirit in hopes that each month might serve as an invitation to grow more deeply in that particular fruit. At the request of one thoughtful sister, we’ve put together a booklist for 2019 that mirrors the 12 fruits of the Holy Spirit as outlined in the BIS liturgical planner. You might use this to supplement or add to your spiritual reading moving forward. Feel free to implement with a book club or Bible study group as well! Fruits of the Spirit Book List As you will notice, some of these suggestions are really hefty theological reading. Others tend more toward the practical application—or even what this virtue is not. I’ve tried to be really intentional about sharing a good variety of voices that represent lay, religious, ordained, and ecumenical men and women (not all books are explicitly Catholic) in recognition of the spectrum of vocations and life experiences represented by this growing community of women. I hope that this provides at least a jumping off point, but I think this would make for a great Facebook group discussion, too. What books would you add? January // Charity Justice and Charity, Fulton Sheen The Poor Belong to Us: Catholic Charities and American Welfare, Dorothy M. Brown and Elizabeth McKeowen God is Love (Deus Caritas Est), Pope Benedict XVI The Way of Trust and Love, Fr. Jacques Phillipe February // Joy The Joy in Loving: A Guide to Living, St. Mother Teresa The Joy of Discipleship, Pope Francis Choose Joy: Because Happiness Isn't Enough, Kay Warren The Pursuit of Happiness God's Way: Living the Beatitudes, Servais Pinekaers, OP March // Peace On the Other Side of Fear: How I Found Peace, Hallie Lord Way to Inner Peace, Fulton Sheen The Peace Promise, John Kuypers Searching for and Maintaining Peace, Fr. Jacques Philippe April // Patience A Golden Book of the Three Tabernacles: Poverty, Humility and Patience, Thomas A. Kempis Patience and Humility: A Handbook for Christians, Fr. William Ullathorne Love is Patient, But I'm Not, Christopher West The Power of Patience: How This Old-Fashioned Virtue Can Improve Your Life, M.J. Ryan May // Kindness The Hidden Power of Kindness: A Practical Handbook for Souls Who Dare to Transform the World, One Deed at a Time, Fr. Lawrence Lovasik On the Exceeding Worth of Kindness, Reverend J. Guibert, S.S. Compassion: A Reflection on the Christian Life, Henri J.M. Nouwen Love Kindness: Discover the Power of a Forgotten Christian Virtue, Barry H. Corey June // Goodness You Crown the Year With Your Goodness: Sermons Throughout the Liturgical Year, Hans Urs von Balthasar Gracious Goodness: Living Each Day in the Gifts of the Spirit, Melanie Svoboda Taste and See: Experiencing the Goodness of God with Our Five Senses, Ginny Kubitz Moyer A Man of the Beatitudes, Luciana Frassati July // Generosity Return of the Prodigal Son, Henri Nouwen Courageous Generosity: A Bible Study for Women on Heroic Sacrifice, Stacy Mitch Happy Are You Poor, Fr. Thomas DuBay Not of This World: A Guide to Catholic Minimalism, Sterling Jaquith August // Gentleness Invite the Holy Spirit into Your Life: Growing in Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control, Deanna G. Bartalini The Gifts of Imperfection, Brené Brown Contemplate the Gentleness of God, C. Dumont Gentleness, Robert Strand September // Faithfulness Come, Be My Light, St. Teresa of Calcutta The Duty of Delight, Dorothy Day The Reed of God, Caryll Houselander Chiara Corbella Petrillo: A Witness to Joy, Simone Troisi October // Modesty A Return to Modesty: Discovering the Lost Virtue, Wendy Shalit Humility: Wellspring of Virtue, Dietrich von Hildebrand The Other Side of Beauty, Leah Darrow Dressing with Dignity, Colleen Hammond November // Self-Control Leisure as the Basis of Culture, Josef Pieper Better Than Before: What I Learned About Making and Breaking Habits—to Sleep More, Quit Sugar, Procrastinate Less, and Generally Build a Happier Life, Gretchen Rubin Momnipotent, Danielle Bean Story of a Soul, St. Therese of Lisieux December // Chastity The Thrill of the Chaste (Catholic Edition): Finding Fulfillment While Keeping Your Clothes On, Dawn Eden Back to Virtue, Peter Kreeft The Courage to Be Chaste, Fr. Benedict J. Groeschel C.F.R. Theology of the Body for Beginners, Christopher West Reading, Learning, and Loving in the New Year I cannot imagine what the past year has meant for you or what the new year will bring. And yet, this is as good a new beginning as any. Being a native of the cold north, I continue to hold onto this notion of the new year as this wonderful, windy, wild place—which are many of the same adjectives I find myself using to describe the Holy Spirit. Here’s to a new year full of life, inspiration, wisdom, virtue, community, and sisterhood. Come, Holy Spirit! What spiritual books are you reading this year? Will you pick up anything from this list? Let's share ideas in the comments! [bctt tweet="Fruits of the Spirit Book List for 2019 #BISblog //" via="no"]