Some Saints are hard to relate to, but when (Saint) Paul says he begged God to relieve him of his suffering, I breathe a sigh of relief and think sanctity actually is achievable. That it can exist for someone who has asked, time and time again, for relief. For comfort. Because that's me. Maybe that's you too. But then sometimes (not always!), Saint Paul loses me when he talks about his acceptance, and his being content with his weaknesses and suffering for the sake of Christ—"for when I am weak, then I am strong," he says. Some days, I feel it. Other days, I don't. Increasingly we are aware as a society that we can't and don't and shouldn't pretend to do it all. When we are weak and vulnerable, our relationships can actually grow stronger. And that has been an absolutely true lived-out experience for me in my relationships with my husband, friends & family, and my relationship with God our Father, too. The times in my life when I have turned to Him—and looked for Him desperately—have been times when I was in great need. They were times when I was feeling my weakness, when it was louder than anything else. And He responded. I think sometimes of what He might have been trying to tell me before those moments, when I wasn't in as-much-need, when I didn't feel or accept my weaknesses just yet. He was still there; He was still trying to communicate. But maybe my pride and thinking, I've got it stopped me from growing in relationship with Him. Or in feeling Him providing for me all along. And then I've thought: maybe this is why. Maybe this is why He's shown me my weaknesses—that I may see how desperately I need Him, so that I would seek Him out. He wants to work through our weaknesses, I know that. The question is when we will let Him. It may be too difficult to love our crosses and weaknesses right now, but a small step forward seems to be to ask Him to be with us in our weakness, and to see where we go from there. [bctt tweet="Maybe this is why He's shown me my weaknesses—that I may see how desperately I need Him, so that I would seek Him out." username="praymorenovenas"] Let us invite Our Lord into our weakness right now, today, sisters. Pray an "Our Father" and envision the Father opening His arms for you. Annie Deddens is a writer and producer. She runs a prayer ministry with her husband, called Pray More Novenas. She has a heart for the sick & suffering, and she writes about living with greater faith (hope & love, too) in this imperfect world as a Catholic wife. You can find out more about her here.

"Three times I was shipwrecked . . . " (2 Corinthians 11:25). I read that one line from the First Reading today and my heart skipped a beat. Same, Paul, same, I thought. Shipwrecked. Tossed and turned. Lost and feeling alone. I've been there, more than three times, in fact. The most prominent "shipwreck" that comes to mind, though, is the one in which the wreckage—in time—turned to beauty beyond what I could have ever imagined. I graduated from law school in 2017 with zero desire to practice law. I spent three years of my life and lots of borrowed money only to realize that the degree I once thought I needed, and truly treasured, wasn't for me at all. Shipwrecked. Because how do you explain to those around you that you did this one thing this one time and now you're not sure what you're going to do . . . at all. Shipwrecked. "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth . . . but store up treasures in heaven . . . for where your treasure is, there also will your heart be" (Matthew 6:19,21). Amidst the waves, the tossing, the uncertainty, the turning of my heart from all things law to . . . Him, I began to realize that the desire I truly felt to leave all things law behind was okay. Because the unrest was not for naught. The waves and the tide would draw me nearer to His heart, towards His peace, and deeper into His way. I thought I had to prove to myself and to everyone around me that I could do something with my worldly treasure (my law degree). Yet in the midst of feeling shipwrecked, He has shown me that the wreckage drifts slowly away always. The waves cannot crash and turn and toss us about forever. The calm will always return. He builds a new vessel. He turns my heart and my eyes away from all that I believe I have to do and pursue in this world and lifts my eyes toward the Son. There is no more darkness in this wreckage. The journey towards Him is my heart's ultimate treasure and His light guides this beautiful new way. [bctt tweet="The waves and the tide would draw me nearer to His heart, towards His peace, and deeper into His way." username="blessedisshe__"] A short collection of prayers for peace can be found here. Shalini Blubaugh is a Minnesota transplant living in Denver, Colorado with her sweet husband, Matt, their brand new gal pal, Callan, and quite large GSD pup, Sully. She is a health coach and loves pizza, because #balance. Shalini graduated from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, served with NET Ministries, and went on to attend Law School. She graduated with her J.D. and happily leaves all things Law behind! Some of her favorites include travel, re-connecting with old friends and making new ones, the ways in which God so beautifully brings all things full circle in His time, and a good, loud thunderstorm. Find out more about her here.

My daughter was born in August of 2017, and in the nine months of my pregnancy, I read every parenting and baby book I could find: sleep training, baby sign language, breastfeeding information, rainy day kindergarten preparedness activities. I tried to download the entire catalog of parenting knowledge available because I wanted to make sure I was ready to provide for my daughter. The second she was born, though, and in the first few days and weeks of having our little Rose with us, I didn’t pick up or reference a single one of those books. I didn’t go study the diagram on how best to change a diaper, I didn’t meticulously sign “all done” every time she finished nursing, and I didn’t fret over whether tummy time was the perfect blend of engaging and relaxing. Those first few weeks, we just kind of sat together on the couch: me watching Netflix, Rose napping on and off in between eating and diaper changes. And that sitting together was exactly what we both needed. I knew it. She, even in her infancy, knew it. Today’s Gospel tells us the Father knows exactly what we need, before we even ask, perhaps even before we even know we need it. It’s Who God is: a Father that always provides for us, ready to respond. In our need (and want) of Him, we cry out in prayer, "a surge of the heart," as Saint Therese of Lisieux calls it. (source) Jesus Himself teaches us how to pray in today's Gospel. He gives us the words to say, not because we’re incapable of coming up with good words ourselves, but because the Son wants to guide us to intimacy with His Father. The “Our Father” captures the essence of what we long for: we praise the Lord, we accept His will, we ask for nourishment, we beg forgiveness, we request protection, and we ultimately acknowledge that God is not a distant figure, but our Father, ready provide for us, His daughters. [bctt tweet="The Father knows exactly what we need, before we even ask, perhaps even before we even know we need it." username="@katieprejean"] Watch this beloved pontiff lead the sung "Pater Noster." Katie Prejean McGrady is an international Catholic speaker and author of three books with Ave Maria Press. After working as a theology teacher and parish youth minister for six years, Katie now travels full time across the U.S., Canada, and the U.K., speaking about faith, culture, family, evangelization, discipleship, and the best way to order a flat white (extra shot, medium temp). She and her husband Tommy have a podcast (The Electric Waffle), a dog (Barney), and a 1 year old (Rose) and live in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Find out more about her here.

With eyes bright and a huge smile, my friend told me about a project she was working on that would help spread the Gospel message to countless people. Her face beamed as she shared the different aspects of her project and how she had poured so much of her heart into it. I smiled and thought about today’s First Reading, particularly the verse, "God loves a cheerful giver" (2 Corinthians 9:7). Seeing my friend’s joy made me look at my own life and attitude. I wondered, What kind of giver am I? For the most part I try to be generous, but I’m not going to lie. There have definitely been times when I went down kicking and screaming, rather than with gracious generosity. However, the closer I try to come to Our Lord, the more my heart is inspired to be a generous giver, whether physically or spiritually. There is still that fear that I won’t have enough . . . . Is there enough money to sponsor that child in need? Or how will I find the time to make a weekly Holy Hour? Or how can I accomplish this task when I feel so ill-qualified? Yet, time and time again God has proven Saint Paul’s words, "God is able to make every grace abundant for you, so that in all things, always having all you need, you may have an abundance for every good work" (2 Corinthians 9:8). And you know what? He did. I was able to trim the budget and sponsor that child in Mexico. I rearranged my schedule to make time for that Holy Hour. I stepped out in faith to embark upon God’s task, and He gave me the grace to accomplish it. God cannot be outdone in generosity so when we feel the nudge to go a little deeper and give a little more, let’s not be afraid to trust that God will give us whatever means or grace we need to make it happen. [bctt tweet="The closer I try to come to Our Lord, the more my heart is inspired to be a generous giver, whether physically or spiritually." username="bobbi_rol"] Have you considered making a weekly holy hour for a priest or bishop? This apostolate is organizing women to do just that. Bobbi Rol is a wife, mama and blogger living on the Monterey Bay in CA with her husband, teen daughter, and three rambunctious boys. When she is not dodging light sabers or stepping on Legos, she can be found outside with her family, catching a late night movie, or decorating her planner. She is a contributing author to our children's devotional prayer book, Rise Up. You can find out more about her here.

Haven’t we as a Church suffered so much lately? Blood spilled and churches burned. Scandals rampage and beliefs are tested. And we want to help our own, but where do we even start? Anywhere you look, there is another opinion piece about how “thoughts and prayers” aren’t enough, or how our money is wasted on rebuilding an international monument when there are people who need the help more. Honestly, it’s paralyzing. Saint Paul addresses this issue of generous giving in his second letter to the Corinthians. He sends a report of a church that, amid their troubles and poverty, has provided abundantly for Christian brothers and sisters. We could very well be that troubled and impoverished Church rallying together to provide for the Body of Christ. Let’s reject the paralysis today and find a way to serve our people. Let’s “[beg]. . . insistently for the favor of taking part in the service to the holy ones” (2 Corinthians 8:4). If you can share money, please be generous. If you have time, volunteer for even the smallest task. If you are fervent in prayer, spend time with the Lord on our behalf. Find out what you have in abundance and give liberally. All of this turmoil won’t seem so unbearable with the grace of God and with our hands at work. And please don’t forget those who persecute us. They need our patience, forgiveness, and love just as much. Jesus made that pretty clear to us today too, didn’t He? Go forth with confidence today, sister. Give what God has given you. [bctt tweet="Let’s reject the paralysis today and find a way to serve our people." username="callherhappy"] Take a moment and pray a simple "Hail Mary" for the graces to serve in a meaningful way today. Jenna Hines has a teeny army of four children and is married to a bearded fellow named Mike. They are a homeschooling family who just moved out to the country. Find her books and illustrations in her shop. You can find out more about her here.

My weary head finally hits the pillow. By the grace of God I take a moment to thank the Lord. I reflect back over the day and realize this is one of the first times I am acknowledging His presence. Sure, I found plenty of time to scroll through my Instagram and Facebook feeds and check my e-mail more times than I care to admit, but how much time did I spend with Jesus? With the One Who gifted me this day? At best I’ve fallen into the habit of fitting the Lord into my days instead of centering my days around Him. If you’re like me, it’s easy to find a “good” excuse as to why it ends up this way: I’ll pray when a free hour of peace and quiet opens up in my schedule, I think to myself. I’ll get out my Bible and prayer journal when the circumstances are more ideal. But we all know how that ends up, don’t we? That dreamy situation doesn’t arise, and we forget that now—this very moment—is what we have been given. “Behold, now is a very acceptable time” (2 Corinthians 6:2). Yes! Now is the time to get to know the Lord and His character, to serve the Lord in love, to pursue a more intimate relationship with Him. Sisters, we aren’t promised forever here in this world. Let’s ask God for the faith to more fully receive the abundant grace He offers us today. Let’s put Him first and stop making excuses about whatever it may be—going to Confession, visiting Him in the adoration chapel, opening up the Word, inviting a friend to pray with us. We know from Saint Paul’s witness that making the choice for Christ and living a Christian life won’t be easy, but it will always be the best choice to make. The one that leads to salvation. [bctt tweet="Making the choice for Christ and living a Christian life won’t be easy, but it will always be the best choice to make." username="inendlesssong"] “Behold, now is the day of salvation,” sisters (2 Corinthians 6:2). What are we waiting for? The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence touches on how to be present to God's presence at all times. It's a free to download and a quick read. Elise Howe is a wife, mother, vocal artist, teacher, and writer. A lover of authentic beauty, Elise is most joyful when creating with the inspiration of the Divine Artist. A born-and-raised Midwestern gal, she happily resides in Michigan after several years "living the dream" in New York City. Elise has a heart for ministry, dark chocolate (but not too dark) and coffee with a generous amount of cream + sugar. Find out more about her here.

"But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth" (John 16:14). Truth felt like an evasive slippery uncomfortable thing. I slinked down in the backseat of my friend's junker car and listened to the conversation unfold in the front seat. Who could really say what was truth? One friend argued to the other. He drove us up the driveway to his parent's house and when the car settled to a stop, he responded, It's like your truth and my truth just might look different. My seventeen-year-old brain was swirling. I kinda wanted to pipe up and kinda wanted to just slink again. The teenage pseudo-intellectualism is traded out for adulting on Instagram for me now, but the conversations swirl around these same topics. What is my truth and yours . . . how can my truth be better than yours . . . my experiences dictate my reality of truth . . . and so on. Only now there's no Buick back seat in which to slink. Now I can either hide, unfollow, or gently remind my sisters-in-Christ. There is Truth, friends. It has been revealed to us through Jesus, the workings of the Holy Spirit, and it's present in the doctrines of the Catholic Church. Don't be discouraged by the sidebar conversations and the fringe interpretations and the dubious claims of relativism. Take heart when you examine Saint Catherine of Siena who spoke truth to power. Take heart when you ponder Saint Therese of Lisieux and her little (powerhouse) way. Take heart when you listen to the poem-chants of Saint Hildegard of Bingen and her incredible reach of evangelization. Take heart when you pray like Saint Teresa of Avila, the contemplative who ushered in reform. On this feast of the Most Holy Trinity, let's call upon the Holy Spirit to guide us to speak truth especially when it's unpopular and counter cultural. Let's sink our teeth into some heroic virtue like the women Doctors of the Church. [bctt tweet="There is Truth, friends. It has been revealed to us through Jesus, the workings of the Holy Spirit, and it's present in the doctrines of the Catholic Church." username="WholeParenting"] Speaking of the Trinity, are you doing our free three-chapter study guide on God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit? Get your copy here! Nell O'Leary is a recovering lawyer turned blogger, speaker, and sewer of baby goods while tending to her husband and four kiddos in the great city of Saint Paul, Minnesota. She serves as Managing Editor for Blessed is She and can down a hot cocoa in no time flat. Find out more about her here. She is the editor of our Blessed Conversations Series and guide for the Gift of You course.

There is something really special about watching adults receive the Sacrament of Baptism at the Easter Vigil. This year was the first time I oversaw RCIA at the parish where I work. During the Litany of Saints, I had tears running down my face as I witnessed these adult women waiting to be baptized, for the old life to be washed away and the new life of grace to rush upon them. The radiance of joy on their faces, the way they confidently tipped their head into the baptismal font was a beautiful thing to behold. For these women and all who approach the waters of Baptism, the words today from Saint Paul are real and personal: "The old things have passed away; behold, new things have come" (2 Corinthians 5:17). For all of us who have passed through the waters of Baptism, we have become a new creation in Christ. We become a chosen, called, and beloved daughter of God. Original Sin dies inside of us so grace can be born and help us spiritually grow and thrive. The old passes away, and the newness comes. Isn't that each of our own personal stories too? A constant dying and rising of old and new that hopefully helps us become more fully who Jesus created us to be. The Christian life is a movement of dying and rising, of old and new. Are there old things in your life, your heart that need to pass away? Do some things need to die so the new things can come to bear fruit and grow grace in you? Lean into that story that is unfolding through your own life. Ask the Holy Spirit what needs to die so that the newness can come and grow more deeply. [bctt tweet="For all of us who have passed through the waters of Baptism, we have become a new creation in Christ." username="amoderngrace"] Re-read your baptismal vows and maybe even renew them today? Patty Breen is a full-time lay minister who finds joy in running, strong cups of coffee, and all things Ignatian spirituality. A Midwestern gal from the mitten state, she is constantly learning to find grace in all things. She is passionate about ministry, writing, a great lipstick color, and smiling is her favorite. Find out more about her here.

In today’s Gospel we don’t meet the meek and quiet Jesus, but instead encounter Him calling us to a radical response to God's call to holiness. He says, "If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away" (Matthew 5:29). Jesus isn’t really calling us to dismember ourselves, but instead is pointing out something we don’t often pay attention to. He is reminding us that sin is something so detrimental to our relationship with God that drastic measures need to be taken to make sure we stay close to Him. As is natural for the Christian life, when I first started to seriously live out my Catholic faith, I still made mistakes. And while I frequently confessed my sins, a slow deepening of my conversion was happening over time. I started to realize that it wasn’t enough to simply not do the thing. It was wrong of me to think about the thing, or even put myself in a situation where the thing might happen. Jesus was calling me to a place of drastic love for Him. The traditional Act of Contrition (prayed after confessing one's sins) says: "I detest all my sins, because I dread the loss of heaven, and the pains of hell; but most of all because they offend Thee, my God" (source). The beauty of a deeper communion with God is not that we simply are afraid of doing wrong, but that we hate our sin because it offends the One Whom we love the most. Jesus is calling us to move from an immature, reactionary response to a more intentional and devoted love for the Lord. Let us answer the call today, sisters. [bctt tweet="Jesus was calling me to a place of drastic love for Him." username="jacquiskemp"] Do you know about Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein)? Her conversion story is a deep and winding road. Take courage reading it today and ask for her to pray for your full conversion of heart. Jacqueline Skemp is a daughter, sister, wife, and mother who endures living in Minnesota after leaving California for her one true love. You can find out more about her here.

"Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom" (2 Corinthians 3:17). I often think of my gift of freedom in connotation with being an American. Coming from a family with strong Navy roots, I was proud of our country and the rights I have; I learned our Pledge of Allegiance alongside many a patriotic song. Civil liberties and rights are often seen as the ultimate show of “being free.” Quickly forgotten is the true origin of freedom, given to us by God. God loves freedom so much that He gifted each of us with free will, so we’d be free to seek Him of our own accord. While allowing us to make our own choices, our freedom is fulfilled and “attains its perfection when directed towards God” (Catechism of the Catholic Church 1731). Many “rights” that we long for, fight for, and staunchly defend are only truly oriented to freedom when they honor God first. It’s easy to become so focused on taking control and being heard in pursuit of ideals from being free-spirited, free of expectations, norms, and constrictions. But even knocking off those yokes, if we aren’t handing them over to God, are we truly free? True Freedom is found in the good and the just. When we turn inward focusing on self-fulfillment, it’s easy to become entrapped in vice, slaves of our own sins. The world is there offering you addiction, fleeting feelings, and unhappiness all masquerading as freedom. Unless we are free not to do something, we aren’t truly free to do it. The question becomes less “what am I in control of?” and more “what am I surrendering to Him?” It’s more than having the right to do as I please. Freely choosing to submit to His greater plan, entrusting our passions and our hopes to Him opens a much bigger door. As we seek God, offering Him back the freedom He first gifted us, the veil is lifted along with our burdens, and we can look beyond to our true goal and actual joy. [bctt tweet="Unless we are free not to do something, we aren’t truly free to do it." username="blessedisshe__"] This Pope and Saint spoke on freedom passionately to Americans. Read the homily here. Sarah Ortiz is a Catholic convert, wife, and mother to four boys while living in a 200 year old farmhouse. When not folding laundry, she can be found reading, experimenting in the kitchen, or snagging amazing antique furniture deals. You can find out more about her here.

My heart always sinks when I see my children sinning in the same ways I do—when I see my own selfish behavior, impatient outbursts, and slothful tendencies in them. This is when Jesus’s words in the Gospel of Matthew today hit home. “[W]hoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the Kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:19). This teaching of Jesus comes right in the middle of His Sermon on the Mount. He goes on to explain that each of the Ten Commandments requires not just a literal interpretation but a much deeper spiritual application. Murder is still a sin but anger can be so as well. Physical adultery still violates the marital covenant but Jesus calls us to purity of heart, free of all lust. He teaches us that conversion should occur in both our actions and our hearts. I want to teach my children the fullness of these commandments and to follow them out of love for God and neighbor. While I do this with my words, if I do not live them out with loving actions, I am also teaching them how to fail. (All of us sin because of fallen humanity’s tendency to sin, but I loathe my example of it!) Jesus challenges us in His Sermon on the Mount to examine ourselves honestly, acknowledge our weakness, and to see the many layers of sin in our hearts. He wants us to know our sin and repent. He wants to forgive and free us from our sin. Children are not the only people who see our lives, our good and sinful habits. Our friends, parents, siblings, and complete strangers see how we conduct ourselves. When they look at us, do they see lives filled with grace and Christian love? Do they see love for God reflected in all we do? Sisters, let’s not settle for less when He calls us to be great. Let us ask Him to help us live the Commandments more fully each day. [bctt tweet="When they look at us, do they see lives filled with grace and Christian love?" username="blessedisshe__"] Did you catch our examination of conscience specifically for women? It's an easy download and even printable to take with to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation. What's holding you back from going and receiving His forgiveness and graces? Susanna Spencer is the Theological Editor for Blessed is She who studied theology and philosophy in her earlier life. She happily cares for her three adorable little girls, toddler boy, and her dear husband in Saint Paul when not writing and editing. She loves beautiful liturgies, cooking delicious meals, baking amazing sweets, reading good books, raising her children, casually following baseball, and talking to her philosopher husband. She is a contributing author to our children's devotional prayer book, Rise Up and Theological Editor of both the Catechism Studies and the Mystery Studies. You can find out more about her here.

The early Christians were understandably suspicious of newly-Christian Saul/Paul who, right up until his singular conversion, had been actively handing them over to death and imprisonment. (See Acts 8:3.) But it was the Saint whose feast we celebrate today: Saint Barnabas who heard about Saint Paul, went to Tarsus, and brought him back to Antioch. He befriended him, vouched for him, and spent a whole year with him there, both teaching him and learning from him. Barnabas recognized the greatness in Paul that would forever shape the Church. Through patient friendship he helped draw it out, and then set off with him to bring it to the world. They embarked together on the first missionary journey. (See Acts 13:1-4.) They brought with them Barnabas’ young cousin, John Mark, who then ditched them halfway through the difficult trip and hightailed it for home. As Paul and Barnabas were preparing for a second missionary journey, Barnabas again wanted to bring John Mark, and Paul was like, “Dude, no way! Remember how he totally ditched us?!” (I’m paraphrasing here, see Acts 15:37-40.) But just as Barnabas had spotted the greatness in Paul when no one else could, he sensed the greatness in John Mark when Paul didn’t. So they decided that Paul would go one way with Silas, and Barnabas and John Mark would go the other. Paul would continue to inform and lead the new Church . . . and so would John Mark. In Paul’s final letter, he asks Timothy to send John Mark to him, “for he is helpful to me in the ministry” (2 Timothy 4:11). In fact, John Mark is traditionally thought to be the author of the Gospel of Mark. It’s all a beautiful lesson in friendship and patience and willfully seeing the potential for good in those around us, even when they have disappointed us and let us down. So if friends, family, or coworkers are being a trial today, Saint Barnabas understands, and wants to help. [bctt tweet="Saint Barnabas understands, and wants to help." username="kendra_tierney"] Need five ways to increase your patience? This priest has some good ideas. Kendra Tierney is a forty-two-year-old mother of nine and wife of one living in and working on a big old fixer-upper house in Los Angeles. She's a homeschooler and a regular schooler and is relishing the new freedom from carpooling that's come with a sixteen-year-old in the house. Her newest book, The Catholic All Year Compendium: Liturgical Living for Real Life, is here. You can find her first book, A Little Book About Confession, here, her blog here, and her word art here.

I encountered our Blessed Mother when I was in a place of tremendous pain. After a devastating miscarriage, I was plunged into a pit of despair, and I was deeply wounded by the insidious lies of the enemy. It was in this place that Mary, like a mother who hears her injured child crying, ran to me and consoled my aching heart. Sisters, Our Lady is a warrior and she will go fearlessly into the depths of darkness and carry her children into the light of Christ. She spreads her mantle of protection around us and holds us close to her Immaculate Heart. In today’s Gospel Jesus speaks from the Cross, and with labored breath as He suffered beneath the weight of the world’s sin He said, “Behold, your mother” (John 19:26). In His infinite mercy Christ gave us one of His greatest gifts. Mary, our mother, nurtures us with grace and invites us into deeper relationship with her Son. When we allow Our Lady to work in us, she will lead us into a life of heroic virtue, that of saintliness. Mary the Mother of God will transform our hearts and teach us to surrender everything to God. She will teach us to go where the Holy Spirit leads us. Let us behold our beautiful Mother, and through her, behold our beloved Savior. [bctt tweet="Mary the Mother of God will transform our hearts and teach us to surrender everything to God." username="blessedisshe__"] If you're struggling to understand Mary's role in Catholicism, take a look at this brief article explaining her as the Mother of God. Leana Bowler is a wife and mother of five little ones. She is a Holy Rosary enthusiast with deep devotions to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Her love for the message of Divine Mercy led her to become a Marian Missionary of Divine Mercy dedicated to spreading Marian Consecration and the beauty of Christ's abundant Mercy. She enjoys finding the miracles in the mess of family life, books, strong coffee, and encountering others wherever they're at in this blessed journey to sainthood. You can find out more about her here.

The Church is on fire. Headlines scream it. Critics shout it. Even the faithful in our pews feel scorched by round after round of horrifying news: abuse, scandal, cover-up. Thousands of lives destroyed. How can we stay? The Church is on fire. Youth shout and sing it with joy. New priests, ministers, converts, and sisters swell our ranks. In countries and communities around the globe, a fire of fervent, faithful love is renewing the face of the Church. How could we leave? Today is Pentecost. The powerful feast of the Holy Spirit. Fire and wind roar into the room. The disciples and all who hear them are forever changed. So is the Church. Today we have become a Church on fire, for better and for worse. What if we could harness the power of both? Let the fire of destruction cleanse and renew us in a painful, necessary reckoning, like fields and forests that must burn for new life to grow. Let the fire of fervor convict and convert us, spurring us on to change, gathering us together around the bright warmth of Truth when the world around us is dark and cold. Pentecost marks the end of the Easter season, but today is only the beginning. We are drawn together, filled with the Spirit’s power. We are sent out into a world that needs our fire. We will learn to speak in new ways, to bring His Truth to all who hunger. Come, Holy Spirit. Set us on fire. Let us burn for You. [bctt tweet="We are drawn together, filled with the Spirit’s power." username="laurakfanucci"] This mosaic in the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis is a stunning rendition of Pentecost. Laura Kelly Fanucci is a mother, writer, and director of a theological project on vocation. She and her husband are raising four sons and wrote a book together on grieving the loss of children, "Grieving Together: A Couple’s Journey through Miscarriage." She is the author of seven books including "Everyday Sacrament: The Messy Grace of Parenting" and "Living Your Discipleship: 7 Ways to Express Your Deepest Calling." You can find out more about her here. She is the author of the Blessed Conversations Mystery: Behold study found here.

Betrayal: one of life’s most painful experiences. If you have been betrayed by a man you thought was trustworthy, by a friend you believed had your back, by a parent or relative who had the responsibility to protect and care for you, or perhaps even by yourself for not staying true to who you are and what you need, then you know firsthand the shattering pain of betrayal. Jesus, too, knows this kind of pain. In today’s Gospel, Peter has just been forgiven for denying Jesus three times and he recalls to mind the Last Supper when the Apostle John asked Jesus who will betray Him. Peter wonders what the fate will be of this Apostle who remained faithful. Jesus then reminds Peter to not compare his call to those of others, offering these clear words to him: “You follow Me” (John 21:22). If facing the betrayal by someone we have loved or even if we have betrayed our own selves by not remaining faithful to our calling and what we have wanted and needed for ourselves, Jesus’ words provide a solid answer and solution about what to do. “You follow Me,” He says to us today. This is what is important. This is our focus and what truly concerns us. We can leave behind the evil and hurt that has been done to us through others’ bad choices, and we can choose to live our lives and follow the Lord. We can leave behind our own mistakes and faithlessness and make new choices to follow after Christ. Like in today’s Psalm, let us gaze upon the Lord and keep our eyes set on Jesus with a renewed commitment to remain faithful and true to His loving will for us. (See Psalm 11:4, 5, 7.) He is calling you. Will you respond by focusing on the negative ways others have acted? Or will you fully live your life, keeping your eyes on Him? Will you step forward into how God is asking you to live in faithfulness and truth in His good promises of love for you? Jesus says to you, “You follow Me.” How will you respond as you hear Him say these words to you today? For women discerning a vocation to the religious life, have you seen these sisters? Mary Catherine Craige enjoys spending her time dancing, writing, playing the Irish harp and learning about life from her experiences surfing. As a transformational life coach, she supports women, especially in times of transition, challenge, and loss, to design their lives to live fully alive as the person God has created them to be. She is a contributing author to our children's devotional prayer book, Rise Up. You can find out more about her here.

Two years ago the Lord firmly put a desire on my heart that blew my mind: 35 years old and single, still waiting on my future spouse, I felt a growing desire to become a foster parent. This wasn't part of the plan, I mused. Marriage first, then children by birth or adoption. Why this? Why now? I asked many times in prayer. This conversation with the Lord continued through the next many months—through a home purchase and renovation, the eventual foster care application and home studies, and meeting actual foster families, learning from them and their journeys. My silent protests to this calling were always gently rebuked with the same words our Lord gave Saint Peter: "Feed my sheep" (John 21:17). Eventually, my heart turned from a place of reluctant opposition to hopeful anticipation. I was struck with such joy when I could find myself saying, Yes, Lord! You know that I love You. I will do my best to feed Your sheep. Please help me. Sisters, today we'll feed His sheep in so many ways—in meeting the needs of kiddos, offering words of encouragement to co-workers, welcoming women into Blessed is She small groups. Others of us will feed His sheep by discerning the "big" questions about our vocations. For me, I have no idea if the Lord will eventually bring a foster child into my home . . . maybe fostering is part of His end plan; maybe this discernment is simply one step along the way. But regardless of outcome, I do know that every invitation from the Lord is worthy of a yes. Let's pray for a willingness to say yes to feeding His sheep. [bctt tweet="Every invitation from the Lord is worthy of a yes." username="blessedisshe__"] The historical and symbolic significance of the lamb in Catholicism has deep roots. Did you know this was one of the earliest symbols of Christ? Karen Schultz hails from the Land of 10,000 lakes, where she is often found in or near one of them. As a doula, lactation educator, and FertilityCare Practitioner, she finds joy in helping women to embrace the gift of their bodies. Downtime is found in quiet adoration chapels, farmers markets and gardens, listening to bluegrass music, and embracing the diversity of Minnesota’s seasons. You can find out more about her here.

There is something so incredibly intimate about hearing someone pray in their own words. Rote prayers are beautiful and helpful in directing our prayer towards God. They lead us into prayer when we cannot think of words on our own. But when someone with you opens up spontaneously, sharing their unscripted conversation with God, it is truly a privilege to witness. If you haven’t already read today’s Gospel (John 17:20-26), I cannot encourage you enough to do so. (Also I would invite you to consider adding in the verses from the beginning of the chapter.) In the passage we hear Jesus, our Lord and Savior, intimately having a conversation with God the Father, praying not only for those present in that moment, “but also for those who will believe in me . . .” (John 17:20). He is praying for us, sisters. What I love most about this prayer is that it doesn’t seem polished and refined. This prayer is sophisticated, yet simple. In it, He is authentic and real in a beautiful, relatable way. Jesus is thanking God for the gift of us and praying for us to know God more. In His words I can hear my own prayers with God. Prayers that when read aloud may seem confusing and repetitive. Prayers that often circle around a topic or theme while I try to communicate with limited language what our limitless God already knows is on my heart. Today Jesus is inviting us into an intimate space of conversation with God. He is allowing us to catch a glimpse into His relationship with the Father and by doing so, He is showing us by His example that we can also talk with God in prayer. We don’t have to use dramatic words or impressive sentence structures. There doesn’t have to be a set script or plan of action. We simply have to acknowledge the presence of our loving Creator, open our hearts, and speak. [bctt tweet="Jesus is thanking God for the gift of us and praying for us to know God more." username="blessedisshe__"] Have you read through our "Ways to Pray" study? The Catechism offers stunning insights into the three ways prayer is categorized. Sarah Stanley is a small town Ohio girl who is obsessed with all things Ignatian and is passionate about faith, social justice, and the intersection of the two. She left Ohio in 2012 and after a year of service in rural Alaska, earning her Master of Divinity in California, and working at a Connecticut High School, is officially back in Ohio serving as a university Newman Campus Minister. When she’s not working, she enjoys contagious laughter, clever puns, and finding the good in all things. You can find out more about her here.