"Faustina, be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit," the Bishop said as he laid his hands on my head. I was in eighth grade, and Saint Faustina was not yet even a very popular saint. In fact, she hadn't even been officially canonized yet. But my mom had us praying Divine Mercy Chaplets on the drives home from school, and taking us to Divine Mercy Sunday celebrations each year at the Shrine. Her message spoke to me, and I chose her to be my patron for Confirmation. In silence, the Bishop finished his prayer over me, and I returned to my seat. In the depths of my soul I felt a deep feeling of quiet peace. I knew something powerful had just happened though it was all so simple, subtle, and calm. Our teachers had told us that in the Sacrament of Confirmation, the Holy Spirit strengthens us for our mission and that mission means to be "sent." We were being sent forth. Looking back on that day, I realized that in receiving the Holy Spirit, I received a great gift of mercy and an invitation to be an instrument of that mercy. On this Memorial of Saint Faustina, Jesus asks in today's Gospel in Luke 10:37 about who acted as a neighbor to the Good Samaritan. "The one who treated him with mercy,” the scholar of the law responds. “Go and do likewise,” Jesus responds, even to each of us, sending us off to be instruments of His mercy. Think about a time when the Spirit has encountered you and filled you with mercy? How can we share the mercy we have received today? [bctt tweet="Bring mercy. // Mary Catherine Craige" username="blessedisshe__"] listen to today’s devotion Pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet with these incredible priests.

"Si chiude . . ." the Italian man said, ushering everyone out of the church of San Luigi Francesi. It had been my first visit back to Rome since I had lived there ten years prior, and I wanted to take a few more moments to linger at the chapel with the paintings by one of my favorite artists, Caravaggio. Small groups of tourists had passed on, but I continued to stand there, praying with these masterpieces that depicted three poignant moments from the life of Saint Matthew. I resonated with the sentiment of Saint Matthew that Caravaggio seems to express in painting of "The Calling of Saint Matthew." As Jesus extends His arm to call this new Apostle, the figure of Saint Matthew points to himself as if to say with his body language, "Who, me?" How often I have felt that others are called to do great things and become Saints, but that the gifts I have or even who I am could never amount to much? Praying with this painting I questioned if I had really felt Jesus' call for my own life. Do I really believe I am invited to be His? Do I feel convicted of my calling to sanctity, and if so, do I truly "live in a manner worthy of the call [I] have received" (Ephesians 4:1)? "Si chiude . . ." the man said again, shaking his keys and insisting that the church be closed and locked. One last moment to take in these paintings, and I lifted up a prayer of surrender asking for the intercession from Saint Matthew on my life and work. As I left the church to meet my friend for dinner, I tucked into my heart these precious moments of beauty and encounter with God. Whether the moments of your life are ever depicted in famous artwork, your life is called to become a beautiful masterpiece, guided by the hand of our Creator God. How do you respond as Jesus points to you today and says, "Follow me"? listen to today’s devotion View this extraordinary painting yourself.

I lowered my voice and slowly led the ladies in my coaching group through a visualization exercise. I invited them to ask the Holy Spirit to inspire their imaginations and bring to their hearts and minds images and insights of God's vision for each of their lives. I concluded the exercise and invited the ladies to share their experiences. The women opened their hearts and shared the experience of deep peace they felt and the encouragement to keep taking steps forward along the specific path He was showing them. A few of them spoke with tears in their eyes as God had revealed to them specific ways of new possibility and hope. For so many of us, 2020 has not turned out as we expected or had envisioned. Through the experience of a global pandemic and so much social and political unrest, this year has been marked by loss, change, and uncertainty. Continuing challenges have taken a toll. But, my sister, today's Scripture is for us right now: "Write down the vision clearly upon the tablets, so that one can read it readily. For the vision still has its time, presses on to fulfillment, and will not disappoint; If it delays, wait for it, it will surely come, it will not be late" (Habbukuk 2:1-4). God hasn't forgotten you. The vision still has its time. Take a moment to listen in to your heart, asking God to show you and increase your trust in the vision He has for your life. listen to today’s devotion [bctt tweet="God hasn't forgotten you. // Mary Catherine Craige" username="blessedisshe__"] What are some small signs that you can already see today of God fulfilling the plan He has in store for you?

I was longing for a true friend. The previous months had been painful. I had lost my boyfriend through a frightening breakup, and I felt the disappearance of friends whom I had trusted would be there. Loneliness was everywhere in my life. I was now beginning to see so many things in my life that needed to change, but felt so overwhelming. I wanted true deep mutual trusting relationships. I sat across the table from her, nearly neglecting my Greek salad with chicken in place of the nourishing conversation we were experiencing together. It had been many years since we had briefly lived together as roommates, and we were reconnecting again, but perhaps truly for the first time. As we shared a meal together, we also shared our stories. Not just the pleasant parts, but we each risked and shared our stories of shame as well. It was the beginning of the greatest gift of friendship and connection with the dearest friend I know. "I have heard your prayer and seen your tears. I will heal you" (Isaiah 38:5). The relationships that I had had to let go of felt so painful, but because of their absence, I now had space to receive the gift of a true and mutual friendship as a delightful precious treasure. God had not left me alone in my sadness, but was waiting for me to be ready in His perfect timing. [bctt tweet="I have heard your prayer and seen your tears. I will heal you. (Isaiah 38:5)." username="blessedisshe__"] Do you have a friend in your life who has been a gift along your journey? If not yet, how can you make space in your life for God to bring you what you are longing for?

"I could never do that," I said, amazed at hearing the most beautiful sounds and melodies as my new roommate played and plucked the strings of her gorgeous instrument. "Sure you could!" she responded. I wanted to tell her that actually, no, I wasn't given the talent of music and really couldn't do it. I had tried piano as a child, and the entire experience had been a miserable failure. I was resigned to the belief that others had been given the gift of music, but not me. "Of course you could," she said, "There many women, even later in life, taking up harp and playing many great tunes." Her insistence began to shake me from my beliefs and open my mind to what could be possible, if I wanted, really wanted, it. And I really wanted music in my life. The decision to learn to play the harp as an adult is one of my favorite decisions of my life. Had I remained stuck in the belief that I could never play music, I would have never experienced the gifts of studying music in Ireland, or playing gigs for friends, or placing in the Irish music competition, or traveling to international festivals, or teaching children and other adults the joy of making music and learning something new. This decision likewise coincided with a time in my life when my health and chronic illness improved, and making music on the harp has served as a specific and tangible way for me to praise and thank God for His healing and restoration in my life. "So will I give you thanks with music on the lyre, for your faithfulness, O my God! I will sing your praises with the harp, O Holy One of Israel!" (Psalm 71:22) You might not literally live out these words of this Psalm, but think about ways in which you feel called to praise God with your gifts and talents. Maybe this is the month/day/year when you step out and try something new as a way to give Him thanks. [bctt tweet="I really wanted music in my life. // Mary Catherine Craige" username="blessedisshe__"] listen to today’s devotion Do you already follow Blessed is She on Spotify?