Welcome to our Blessed Chats series! Each month, we will dedicate an entire week of blog posts to a topic that affects many of us. These conversations often come up in our Facebook groups and in our real life friendships. We want to share a variety of perspectives on the topic at hand, so we've asked women to share their stories and how the teachings of the Church have guided and comforted them. In this series, we're talking about addiction, compulsion, and loving those who suffer this cross. We'd love for you to join the conversation! I received a phone call from a high school friend recently. Her adult child struggles with alcohol addiction. She wanted to know if I had any advice. “What’s been going on?” I asked. She began telling me what her daughter was doing: the rehabs attended, participation in out-patient treatment programs, going to Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings, living in sober living, and finally relapse. Then her daughter repeated the whole process over again. My friend sounded tired and worried. I recognized the pain in her voice. “I’d like to tell you that you only have to do three simple things, and everything will be better. But recovery doesn’t work that way. It works the way that you just described it. There are often ups and downs. What are you doing to take care of yourself”? I asked. Loving Someone With an Alcohol Addiction I remember getting that question in my very first twelve-step meeting for those who have been touched by the addictions of others. I lost count of the number of times I was asked that same question. I’d come to my first meeting with a notebook and pen. I was going to find out how to fix my son and his addiction. Instead, they asked me to look at myself. What is wrong with these people? I wondered. My son is the one with the problem. In recovery, we learn that addiction is a family disease. I can’t fix them. But the changes that I make with myself often have positive effects on my relationship with my addicted loved ones and my family as a whole. Many times, when we get better, they do too. [elementor-template id="415212"] Support and Resources I was a little nervous after that first meeting, though. While 12-step meetings are spiritual, they are not religious. When they spoke about a ‘higher power’ or the ‘god of my understanding,’ I wanted to be sure that what I was doing didn’t go against the teachings of the Church. We were in such a vulnerable position. I needed to be sure. I came home and Googled the history of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). I was so surprised to learn that a Jesuit priest, Ed Dowling, SJ, became friends with Bill Wilson, a co-founder of AA. Father Ed had taken some of his Jesuit brothers to an AA meeting and had discovered that the twelve steps were not only similar to the spiritual exercises of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, they also appeared in the same order. He was so intrigued that he made a trip to New York to meet Bill Wilson in person. Eventually, Father Ed became Bill W.’s spiritual advisor. I felt better about these meetings. If a priest thought that they were okay and that they followed a similar path to Saint Ignatius' spiritual exercises, then this had to be the way to move forward. The only problem was, I didn’t know who Saint Ignatius of Loyola was. And, I’d never heard of his spiritual exercises. The Spiritual Exercises I learned that Saint Ignatius founded the Jesuit (Society of Jesus) order. He was a soldier who was wounded in the battle of Pamplona 1521 and while he was recuperating, he asked for books on chivalry and knights in battle. He was a very proud man. Instead, they only had books about Jesus and the lives of the Saints. Ignatius began to be moved by these books. He realized that he felt better when his focus was on Jesus than on worldly matters. He devoted his life to helping others become spiritually fit. He taught his followers to go out and look for God in all things. I began to read every book that I could find on the subject of the spiritual exercises and looked for their connection to the twelve steps. The more I learned, the better I began to feel. As a result, I grew to know God in a very intimate way. Even in the midst of active addiction, I began to trust God more and more. I trusted that he had control of our situation. I trusted that his journey with my son was right where he needed it to be. Relationship Eventually I realized that the twelve steps and the spiritual exercises are all about relationships: to God first, to self, second, and then to others. Isn’t that interesting? We heal when in relationship. The work that I was doing made me feel…high! I couldn’t believe how few people in the Church knew about these tools. I got busy and began working on a book that uses the twelve steps and Ignatian spirituality to help families heal from addiction. My Piece of Guidance If I were to think of one thing to tell my friend, I think it would be this: with the disease of addiction, we are as sick as our secrets. Don’t isolate. Don’t allow fear to keep you from reaching out for help. [bctt tweet="With the disease of addiction, we are as sick as our secrets. Don’t isolate. Don’t allow fear to keep you from reaching out for help. #BlessedChats #BISblog //" via="no"] The stigma of addiction is real. It is the great barrier to many people finding hope and help. If you haven’t been touched by this disease, learn what you can so that you can understand the disease of addiction. It is important that we demystify this disease and humanize those who suffer from it. If you have been touched by this disease, know that you are not alone. We're praying for all of you struggling with substance abuse or loving someone who does. If you want more on the Church's rich teachings on these engaging topics, our best-selling study, "Blessed Conversations: Rooted," dives into the Catechism's teachings and now offers a video companion series along with it featuring Theological Editor Susanna Spencer and Managing Editor Nell O'Leary. Get it here.   [bctt tweet="Blessed Chats: Addiction #BISblog #blessedchats //" via="no"]   Written by Jean Heaton. Find out more about her here.

You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. // Matthew 22:37 These words are for you. Download this print from Mariana Pimiento of Big Apple Catholic from today's readings. Let His word dwell in us richly, sisters. Remember, Members, you get this for free! Log in and download! Remember, Members, you get this 8x10 digital download for free! Head to the shop for your download. Download your F R E E wallpapers right here --->>> Phone wallpaper Desktop wallpaper

When my oldest son turned two, I made him a three-car train cake out of banana breads baked in different-sized rectangular loaf pans. I even carved out a space for a Teddy Graham conductor in the engine. As I was crafting it, my husband and dad made good-natured jests on my progress. Once they were in another room, working on their own project, my mom leaned in to reassure me. It was okay if they didn’t get it, she told me. This was what mattered. What she meant was not that I had made something Pinterest-worthy (I don’t think we knew what Pinterest was then), but that I had spent time and effort to create something that would make our son smile and that he would eat with delight. Something that would make him feel special. Something that told him—in quick bread—how much I love him. Even if he wouldn’t necessarily remember this particular celebration later in life, that act of love was going to make a positive impact on him. The Spiritual Nature of Home My mom’s sentiment that day eight years ago came back to me as I reflected on Theology of Home II: The Spiritual Art of Homemaking by Carrie Gress and Noelle Mering, with photography by Kim Baile with Dori Greco Rutherford. What I was gifting my son with that train cake was an expression of what it is to be home. And now I can see that there was a powerful spiritual element at work in it that too often flies under the radar. As I read this book, it occurred to me (editor that I am), that the text could have been printed as a typical 6-by-9-inch paperback, all black and white. Instead, it’s this gorgeous hardcover, filled with intentional, beautiful photography that begs you to slow down and appreciate the work in your hands. There’s a wonderful interplay between the words and the images, so that the form and content together convey more deeply the message of this book. That message is the far-reaching value of generously inviting those around us to fully belonging in our homes. Realizing the Importance of Home This year, most of us have spent a lot more time in our homes than we used to. Remember when toilet paper was hard to find? One theory I’d read to explain that suggested that many people were so used to spending the majority of time outside their homes, they didn’t know how much their families or roommates used in a week! When toilet paper isn’t an issue, there is something lovely, familiar, and comforting about being truly at home. We all long for it in one way or another. But perhaps we aren’t all aware of how to build that, how to engage in what the authors call the “spiritual art” of making a home. [bctt tweet="There is something lovely, familiar, and comforting about being truly at home. But perhaps we aren’t all aware of how to build that, how to engage in the “spiritual art” of making a home. #BISblog //" via="no"] Perspective, Not Prescription This book doesn’t give specifics on how to do that. You won’t find interior design tips or recipes for brunch. That’s because this book isn’t a how-to; it’s a why. Why do we need to recover this art of homemaking? What purpose does it serve? First, we need to expand the idea of what “homemaking” is. It’s cooking and cleaning and folding laundry, yes, but more importantly, it’s the heart behind all that. It’s about being fruitful and receptive, generous and loving. It’s about making space in our lives to serve others, especially those closest to us. The seemingly mundane tasks of homemaking have gotten a bad rap in recent decades as mindless drudgery. But when we add a spirit of service and a love for others back into the equation, we start to see a celebration of what it is to be feminine, what it is to discover and live a variety of vocations. Home is for Everyone As I read, I wondered which of my friends I would share this book with. It resonated with me because it is written from a Catholic point of view and often makes reference to marriage and biological motherhood, all elements of my vocation. But I also appreciated the ways in which it reflects on spiritual motherhood and the positive ripple effect of homemaking that extends beyond one’s family. Homemaking is about welcoming, loving, knowing, and seeing the other within the home, whether that’s all day, every day, or in the time that’s not spent working outside the home. When the authors speak from experience, they don’t make known whose voice is being expressed. And when they invite other women to share their stories, they are women with a variety of experiences. Ultimately, this book isn’t about specifics; rather, it’s a rallying cry to start valuing what’s worth valuing in our lives, and so properly ordering all the rest. Have you read this book yet? What was your biggest takeaway?   [bctt tweet="BIS Reads // Theology of Home II #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 the ministry of Blessed is She!

As an Army family, we’ve lived all over and sometimes have not been near a Military base. So we’d look for the nearest civilian church to attend while in those areas. At one place we lived, the elderly priest who was presiding at daily Mass seemed to be just going through the motions. It distressed me greatly. I was concerned about the other believers in the pews, and there are more than you might expect at an early morning weekday Mass. He sat down during Communion and rarely looked up. His actions and speech, seemingly done by rote, especially during the Eucharistic Prayer and Consecration, were just not conveying any sense of joy, awe, or thanksgiving. That's what eucharisteo means: thanksgiving! Beyond Aggravation + Into Action I was concerned for this elderly gentleman who has been a priest for probably almost as long as I'd been alive (a long time!). And I started to wonder if things for him hadn't become "old hat," taken for granted, stale. That can happen in any vocation, role, or relationship. We can start to go through the motions in a marriage, a friendship, a career. Things that used to fill us with joy and gave us a bounce in our step and a smile on our face for seemingly no reason can dissipate. And so I prayed for him. I have a prayer that I've been praying for priests in general for a long time now, and I decided to pray very specifically for him. I didn't know him; I still don't. But he is God's emissary and he is in persona Christi. So he is deserving of my good will and concern. That prayer was simply: Lord, fill this priest with Resurrection joy and with ordination day enthusiasm and energy! Amen. I began praying that for him at every daily Mass I attended when he was there, and that was most of them. Miracles During the second week of my praying for him, this sweet soul had noticeably changed. There was definitely a conversion in his attitude and demeanor. He became so animated that he was asking if anyone was celebrating a birthday near the end of Mass, and one time gave us the final blessing twice because he just felt like it! I wanted to giggle. He was looking right at us with a twinkle in his eye! He was standing there straight and tall to distribute the Eucharist, the Body of Christ, to those of us who came forward to receive during the Heavenly banquet. Praise God! What an amazing change within such a short amount of time. I thanked God for what I witnessed. I don't know how much of an impact my personal prayer for this priest affected the changes we all witnessed, but I know that mine were sincere prayers that were borne of love and respect for a man of God who had sacrificed his entire life to be here and in other places to offer the Sacraments to the faithful. It was a reminder that I should always pray for our Church’s bishops and priests. May God continue to bless him with Resurrection joy and ordination day enthusiasm, with health and a clear mind, until He calls that good priest, that man of God, that faithful spiritual father, Home. WRITE + PRAY We invite you to sit with the Word and unpack it in a uniquely personal way, finding your own story. Discover your story within His. GET WRITE AND PRAY The Importance of Praying for Priests I encourage each of you to consider praying more for our priests. Yes, individually, for your pastor and any associate pastors you might be blessed to have. Pray for the archbishop and auxiliary bishops of your diocese. Pray for any priest friends or acquaintances. Pray for that joy and enthusiasm so that those who are participating in the Mass from the congregation side and those on the altar, can be reminded of, and authentically thank God for, the sacred encounter with Christ they are engaging in at each Mass. If your pastor is a Military Chaplain, he has even more demands on his time and more to deal with in the Military culture, chains of command, and other unit or community duties to contend with. He probably needs some extra prayers to the Holy Spirit for peace and ordered thoughts. The priest's mindfulness of the Word proclaimed and the message shared can truly inspire, encourage, and edify the hearers. Of course, it doesn't matter if the priest who is celebrating the Eucharistic feast is absentminded, bored, or distracted. Christ is there, God is moving, and we are still receiving the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of our Lord. But the priest can help us to praise, glorify, bless, and adore God more fully and genuinely when he is exhibiting the proper mindful, reverent, and authentic demeanor because he is fully engaged, aware, and grateful for his irreplaceable, ordained responsibility in this "source and summit" of our Faith. In Gratitude and Grace Our priests are deserving of our prayers no matter where we are or who he is, but we should recall that they are in need of our prayers, as well. Pray for their good health, also. And make sure that you thank them for their sacrifice and service to the Body of Christ in their faith communities. It can only help and perhaps enhance their Resurrection joy and ordination day enthusiasm!   [bctt tweet="The Time I Prayed for a Priest (and a Miracle Happened) #BISblog //" via="no"]   Lynda MacFarland loves Jesus and her fondest desire is to encourage others in their faith journey toward Home. She prays often that the things she does will glorify God and advance His Kingdom. Lynda is the author of one book (so far!), Drowning In Lemonade: Reflections of an Army Wife. You can find out more about her here.

I was not raised in a Catholic home. In fact, I am the only Catholic in my whole family. I converted when I was 7 years old and I’ve been a practicing Catholic ever since. Because of this, growing up I never had friends who shared the Catholic Faith (although I did go to a Catholic Elementary school, none of my friends were really practicing Catholics). It didn’t really bother me because I had great, solid friendships! I joined my Church’s youth group when I was 13 and started building friendships with people who had a similar relationship with God and wanted to grow in that relationship. I really valued these friendships and they are people I am still friends with! But just because I made these new friendships with people who share the same Faith didn't mean that I dropped my other friends who were not Catholic. Some friendships I grew out of (it just happens naturally, especially when growing up), but I'd never walk away from solid friendships just because we didn't share the same Faith. That’s not true friendship and goes against the true purpose of friendship. The True Purpose of Friendship Look to Saint Ignatius and Saint Francis Xavier, Saint Teresa of Avila and Saint John of the Cross, Saint Francis and Saint Clare Assisi, for example. All are witnesses and attest to the true, beautiful purpose of fellowship and friendship. All of these friendships looked different because they were all unique; but at the core, all these friendships were life-giving. The purpose of friendship is to help one another grow. Friends are supposed to push us to be the best version of ourselves—to be holy—and as a good friend, we should do the same. Encourage each other, challenge each other, love each other. And to love is to will the good of the other and to support each other in that good. There was something I found in my Church friends that I didn’t find in my non-Catholic friends, and that was a sense of fellowship and through these friendships learned the distinction between the two. Friendship vs. Fellowship Simple friendships are usually fostered by common interests or circumstances like playing on the same sports team, attending the same lecture, or liking the same musician. Fellowship within the Catholic Church is relating to someone on a spiritual level with the Catholic Faith in common! There is something beautiful about sharing theology and a love for Jesus in the Eucharist. Fellowship is a beautiful aspect of the Catholic Church that the Lord provides us with and we should use this gift whenever we can! But I also believe that it’s good to have friendships with people who are not Catholic. WRITE + PRAY We invite you to sit with the Word and unpack it in a uniquely personal way, finding your own story. Discover your story within His. GET WRITE AND PRAY Why it's Good to have Friends Who are Not Catholic I converted to Catholicism when I was seven, but I went to a public high school. There weren’t many practicing Catholics there, but I still made strong, close friendships that I still have today. As Catholic Christians we are called to bring the light of Christ to everyone we meet (Matthew 5:14), especially to those who may not have a personal relationship with God. We can be lights to someone by the example of our friendship. Perspective and Prayer Being friends with someone who is not Catholic can also offer a different perspective on the world. I often feel that I can get trapped in a little faith bubble and I forget that a lot of the world doesn’t have a relationship with God. We are supposed to be in the world but not of the world, and by having a friend who has a different view of the world we can be in the world and walk with them and see the world from a different perspective. Lastly, having a friend who does not share the same faith gives us the opportunity to practice defending our own Faith. I would get questions from my friends who weren't Catholic all the time about different aspects of my Faith. Some answers I knew in a heartbeat and others I had to search in the Bible, in the Catechism, or ask a priest. These situations test our faith and test our knowledge of what we believe. Just like St. Peter said, “Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you” (1 Peter 3:15). How to Foster All Types of Friendships Remember, friendships are supposed to be life-giving! We are supposed to help each other, push each other to be the best possible versions of each other! How can we cultivate strong and healthy friendships? 1. Invest the time. Like any other relationship in life, you need to invest the time. Set aside the time to just be with your friend—no matter how busy you each are! My best friend and I go to college an hour away from each other, but that’s the beauty of modern technology! Pick up the phone, Facetime, send a text message, or plan to meet up on school breaks when you are near each other. You will never regret spending time with a friend. 2. Meet them where they are. This is especially important when fostering friendships with people who are not Catholic. Put aside any “friendship expectations” you might have for the person and meet them where they are in their life, listen with an open heart and without judgement, and offer comfort and advice when and where you can. Just remember that Jesus always meets us where we are, even in the messiness of our sin. If we are going to be the light of Christ to this world and our friends, we need to emulate the same. Friendship is a gift that God has blessed us with and we should not take it for granted. We should make it a point to be intentional and loving in these relationships. Because God loves us, we are called to love others in friendship, to will the good of each other... that is truly life-giving. What fruits are born in your life through fellowship and friendship with non-Catholics?   [bctt tweet="Friendship + Fellowship with Non-Catholics #BISblog //" via="no"]   Written by Samantha Cameron. Find out more about her here.

Eight inches or so high, simply crafted of wood and silver, the crucifix was worn from years of doing much more than hanging on a wall. It rested in his left hand as he preached. He kissed it at the end of each homily and each Sign of the Cross. He shifted it from one hand to the other as he greeted people after Mass. And one day, he passed it to me. Somehow, even after years at this parish, it was the first time I had ended up in the confessional with my favorite priest. He had encouraged me profoundly week after week, officiated my wedding, and baptized my son. On this day, he listened to me pour out my sins with compassion in his eyes. He offered brief counsel and wisdom in his ever-gentle, but challenging way. “And now,” he said, holding his cherished crucifix out to me, “please make your Act of Contrition.” I hesitated. My hands trembled as I tentatively reached out, wrapping my fingers around the crucifix. Tears filled my eyes as I gazed onto this figure of Christ on the Cross. For all the crucifixes I have seen and touched throughout my entire life as a Catholic, this one meant the most. I had witnessed firsthand the deep love that this holy priest had for Christ Crucified. How his love for Jesus in His Passion defined who he was and how he lived. The weight of my sins suddenly felt so heavy. This is what they had done, but this is what He did for me. “O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended thee…” A Few of My Favorite Passionist Saints It may come as no surprise that this holy priest—so deeply in love with Jesus that the Cross was never far from his mind or heart—is a Passionist. The order was founded in 1725 by Saint Paul of the Cross, so named because he, likewise, was rarely without a crucifix in hand. Passionists are most easily recognized by their black wool habits, simply adorned with the Passionist symbol: a white Sacred Heart and the words “Jesu XPI Passio” (the Passion of Jesus Christ). Between the two incredible Passionist priests who served at my home church during a few formative years of my life and my Confirmation Saint, this order holds a special place in my heart. In honor of Saint Paul of the Cross’ feast day, which we celebrate today, get to know a few of the Saints this order has instructed and inspired. Saint Paul of the Cross The founder of the Passionists, Saint Paul of the Cross, was born in Italy in 1694. A series of visions—first of himself clothed in a black habit, and later, of the Blessed Mother in a similar black tunic and the Passionist sign—inspired him to form a community dedicated to the Passion of Jesus. He fervently believed there was no greater indication of Christ’s love for us than His Passion. He once said: The world lives unmindful of the sufferings of Jesus which are the miracle of miracles of the love of God. His life’s work was bringing the Passion, and therefore, God’s infinite love, to the forefront of people’s minds. It took 21 years to found The Congregation of the Passion of Jesus Christ. During that time, Saint Paul served as a hospital chaplain, ministering to the sick and suffering, and as a traveling preacher, encouraging the faithful in devotions to Jesus’ Passion. Along with his poignant preaching and deep love for Jesus and the Blessed Mother, he was best known for his frequent sacrifices and penance for the conversion of sinners. Saint Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows Saint Gabriel Possenti, also known as Saint Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows, grew up in a large family in Italy. Throughout his youth, he endured the deaths of his mother and multiple siblings. Despite these family tragedies, he was exceptionally sociable and well-liked amongst his peers. Twice during his youth, Saint Gabriel (then known as Francesco) fell seriously ill. During both illnesses, he promised God he would enter religious life if his life was spared...and both times, upon his recovery, he forgot about his promise. Soon after, at a church procession, He encountered the Blessed Mother. Her eyes, as shown in a banner of Our Lady, Help of Christians, turned right toward him and he heard the words “Keep your promise.” Finally, he did, entering the Passionisit novitiate as soon as he completed school. While Saint Gabriel hoped to become a missionary priest, he died of tuberculosis at the age of 24, before he could reach ordination. Along with Saint Aloysius, he is one of the patron Saints of young people. Saint Gemma Galgani Although she was never accepted to the Passionist Convent she deeply desired to join, Saint Gemma Galgani is one of the most beloved Saints that the Passionists claim as their own. Intensely devout from her childhood, Saint Gemma was an ardent follower of Saint Paul of the Cross’ teachings. In particular, she shared Saint Paul’s deep devotion for Jesus in His Passion and his commitment to making sacrifices for the conversion of sinners. Saint Gemma’s life was filled with suffering, from losing both of her parents, to experiencing debilitating illnesses, to being turned away from the convent due to her poor health. However, it was also marked with miracles. She communicated freely with her guardian angel (even sending messages through him to her spiritual director), experienced miraculous cures, saw visions of Jesus, Mary, and other Saints (including Saint Gabriel Possenti), and bore the wounds of Christ in the stigmata. After her death, she was finally clothed in the Passionist habit. Saint Charles of Mount Argus Most Passionist priests are known for their preaching, an essential part of their commitment to spreading devotion to Christ in His Passion. Saint Charles of Mount Argus, however, was not a very good preacher. The Dutch priest spent most of his life at a Passionist monastery in the outskirts of Dublin, Ireland. The fact that he never fully mastered the English language further hindered his preaching, but what he may have lacked in his homilies, he more than made up for in the Confessional. Known for his holiness, compassion, and devotion to the suffering, he was a highly sought-after spiritual director. He also had the gift of healing, which furthered his popularity with people across the country. Following his death in 1835, the Superior of his monastery wrote to his family, "The people have already declared him a saint." Pope Benedict XVI made it official in 2007. Hope in His Mercy While these Saints—just a few of the many associated with the Passionists—vary in age, vocation, and personality, they clearly shared in this belief of Saint Paul of the Cross: I hope that God will save me through the merits of the Passion of Jesus. The more difficulties in life, the more I hope in God. By God's grace I will not lose my soul, but I hope in His mercy. Do you have a favorite Passionist Saint? Let us know who in the comments below!   [bctt tweet="An Introduction to Passionist Saints #BISblog //" username="lisajanelkirk"]

Does your phone give God glory? Is it a crutch you use to “check out” of life, or is it a tool helping you to “check in” with people and resources that help you grow closer to God? What's Your Media Intake Like? This question about keeping priorities straight has been on my mind a lot lately. Reflecting on it has helped me to make better choices on what I spend time consuming throughout the day, and I don’t just mean social media. News A while back (you know, before 2020 happened), I made an effort to follow the news. Learning what is going on in the world is a good thing. However, with COVID-19, protests, and an election, I’ve gotten sucked into the daily news, grasping for as many specific details of world and national events as I can. Unfortunately, it isn’t too often that this news provides me with the answers I am looking for. Instead, I am left with even more questions. I noticed that reading the news instills in me more fear than hope, so I need to be careful in how I consume it. The happy medium I’ve found for right now is informing myself from sites that I know are well-renowned and respected. For example, for health concerns I’ll call my doctor or research a topic on a health website I trust. For current events I listen to a daily podcast (more on that later) and also look for what the Catholic voice is saying in our local Catholic newspaper. I also visit a website every Friday to see a summary of some of the biggest events that took place throughout the week. This helps me to stay informed, but not be bogged down with minute-by-minute updates. Television Binging on Netflix is rarely a good thing, but there’s nothing wrong with having a favorite TV show or two. Before getting married I hardly ever turned the TV on, but now one of my favorite ways to spend an evening with my husband is by building a charcuterie board, pouring glasses of wine, and watching an episode of one of our favorites series. I often ask myself if watching TV is a healthy way for us to spend time together, especially when our latest favorite is the series by BBC, The World’s Most Extraordinary Homes. So when my husband and I do watch a show, I ask myself the question “Is this habit unhealthy and in need of reordering, or is this something that is benefitting our marriage?” What I have found is that our TV watching hasn’t become unhealthy. We don’t watch TV every night, when we do we are generally watching for less than an hour, it’s not the only way we spend time with each other, and it actually generates good conversations between us. Articles As a writer, I have a special love for reading articles. I have a list of sites that I aim to read daily. One is for my spiritual life (thank you, Blessed is She), another for married life, and one more for mama life. This is where I really try to stay. While I have some personal blogs I enjoy checking in on, I know that when I pull their page up I have to be guarded. While they are beautiful, the photos are often posed, edited, and/or everything looks picture perfect. For me, it is so. easy. to. compare. In this area, I need a healthy dose of self-knowledge, and I try to stick to what I know will help me grow in my belovedness as a daughter of God, a holy, loving wife, and a joyful mama. WRITE + PRAY We invite you to sit with the Word and unpack it in a uniquely personal way, finding your own story. Discover your story within His. GET WRITE AND PRAY Movies For my husband and I, watching movies is a rare occurrence. We find that when we try to squeeze a movie into our night, it tends to limit the time spent on other things we value. When we do watch a movie, we put a lot of thought into it. There is an understanding between us that we will not choose to watch anything that we know will make it hard to say no to temptation. Usually our favorite movie nights are documentaries, comedies, and movies based on real events. Music If I look honestly at my music choices, I cannot say that I only choose the most virtuous lyrics to listen to. There’s definitely some catchy songs, whether they be pop or country, that I love to crank the volume up for, despite the crassness or angsty lyrics. What keeps me in check is my one-year old daughter. Right now I know that she can’t understand the words, but as she grows, I don’t want her mind to be infused with negative messages. But you don’t need to wait until you have a child to clean up the music you listen to. As I’ve started cutting out negative lyrics, I’m realizing how much power the words we listen to are, even if we tell ourselves otherwise. Each year I create a playlist for the year, and my “2020” playlist has songs including clean, fun pop songs, love ballads, and praise and worship. Now this playlist includes soul-friendly go-to’s that divert my daughter’s carseat tears into smiles, which is a win win for everyone. Podcasts I listen to podcasts daily, so this is one which was really important for me to filter so I actually have time to listen to them. My podcast priorities are similar to that of the list of the daily websites I check in with. One podcast on recent national and international news, another is a discussion of socioeconomic issues, and a couple of podcasts I listen to help me deepen my relationship with the Lord. While each of these podcasts is personally enriching on several levels, I do have to check myself in terms of when I tune in to them. The podcasts I listen to won’t be fruitful if I am putting the show host as my first priority, rather than the person in front of me. For example, sometimes I try to listen while cleaning the house, but I need to be mindful of pausing the episode when my husband walks into the room so that I can be present to him. What I’ve found is that the best time for me to invest my time in learning from the show hosts is by putting headphones in when my daughter and I go for our daily walks. She is happy watching nature, and I have a solid half hour to really focus on the topic. Here's a list of some favorite Catholic podcasts! The Who, What, Where, and When Who are you listening to and reading, and do you feel uplifted after doing so, or do you feel deflated? What are you watching on your screens? Is it something that rejuvenates you or does it feel like you’re getting pulled into a black hole? Where are you when you’re listening to a podcast or scrolling through the news? Is it an appropriate time set aside, or does it become a wall between you and whoever is around you? When are you focused on these things, does your prayer come first, or does scrolling through the news become your instinct when your morning alarm goes off? Take the time to evaluate the who, what, where, and when of what you are intaking. What is God asking you to prioritize?   [bctt tweet="An Examination of Media Intake #BISblog //" via="no"]

I have called you by your name. // Isaiah 45:4 These words are for you. Download this print from Jazmin De Guzman from today's readings. Let His word dwell in us richly, sisters. Remember, Members, you get this for free! Log in and download! Remember, Members, you get this 8x10 digital download for free! Head to the shop for your download. Download your F R E E wallpapers right here --->>> Phone wallpaper Desktop wallpaper

For from their greatness and beauty of created things, their original author, by analogy can be seen. -Wisdom 13: 5 Have you ever listened to little kids boast about their abilities? Better yet, have you been privy to an argument related to talents, birthday gifts, older siblings? “I just learned how to ride my bike without training wheels.” “Oh, yeah? I already ride a bike without training wheels.” “I bet you didn’t ride a bike without training wheels when you were five.” “Nope, I learned to ride a bike without training wheels when I was three….” Perhaps if you have siblings/nieces/nephews/children, this fierce attempt to prove one’s self sounds familiar? On different occasions I have listened to children in these roles, boasting and betting, and found myself marveling at the self-assurance they possess. In my own home I have been left to mull over how to simultaneously foster and temper this level of unbridled confidence. Sometimes I’d like to bottle it up and save some for later, other times I am in awe over the absolute certainty of their unique giftedness. Body Image: Both/And Confidence is good after all, just as humility is. The combination of the two is a truly healthy pair. As the mother of girls, I am keenly aware of the images, role models, movies, books, music, and language used in our house about bodies; and the reality that my relationship with my own body speaks volumes to my children about how to accept and nurture their bodies. Sometimes I am surprised by how unpracticed I am at naming this out loud; how simple and intentional this practice requires me to be. Jesus Took on Flesh Whether for the sake of our children or our sisters, how have I/how can I take opportunities to thank God for creating my body in all of its uniquenesses? How do I speak about myself or the figures of others? Do my words build up or tear down? The God of the universe took on flesh. If anyone understands the limitations and beauty of being bodied persons, it is the Lord. Core to our values as Catholics is the unwavering belief in each person’s inherent dignity—their imago dei. This means that not only are we made in the image and likeness of God, but that God designed each of us on purpose and with great artistry. Every gift, mole, quirk, scar, dimple, wrinkle, stretch mark, freckle, tic, curl, laugh; every inch of you was willed or allowed by the God of the universe at this particular time in history. We can be humble enough to accept this body as limited, and we can be confident that God is specifically invested in, delighted by, and enamored with the intricacy of each one of us. [bctt tweet="God designed each of us on purpose and with great artistry. #BISblog //" via="no"] WRITE + PRAY We invite you to sit with the Word and unpack it in a uniquely personal way, finding your own story. Discover your story within His. GET WRITE AND PRAY The Disconnect Perhaps your experience is similar to mine, in that at some point you realized subtly or overtly that either: Compared to _________, you have nothing to brag about. Self-confidence makes you look really uppity and self-absorbed, or just silly. If only _________, you would have reason to be confident. This is the work of consumerism (also the devil) at its finest. This is what drives the cosmetic industry, the diet industry, the clothing industry, the interior design industry; heck, even the deluxe grocery industry. And while each of these can be used to achieve good things, we have been sold a bill of goods that we are insufficient as we are—as we were lovingly created. I have been a fabulous student of these "truths." I didn’t even put up a fight. Humility? Check. Uppity and self-absorbed? Not good. So I followed along for a long time like a lemming, hoping my imitations of "ideal" were good enough. Looking back, I want to shout at my younger self, to write it on the ceiling of my childhood bedroom, the inside of my locker, and journals, on mirrors: “You can be aware of your imperfections and confident in whom God made you to be, at the same time!” But I didn’t know that then, and no one told me I had that option. Let me tell you the words I wish I would have heard: You have that option. Reasons to Praise Him I wonder from time to time what it is like for the Creator of the universe to be praised for the grandeur, perfection and variety of all created things, to hear the crowning glory of creation (humanity) bemoan the splendor they were seemingly shorted. We’re probably all guilty of it on some level, but it is worth considering. How can we claim both as "truth"? We catch glimpses, from time to time, of that blessed reality where our dignity is realized, and it is a sight to behold. We recognize when those we love are in their element, their happy place. On occasion, we may even catch it in ourselves (if we allow it). Thomas Merton, a convert and Trappist Monk at Gethsemane Abbey in Kentucky, wrote about an encounter he had in downtown Louisville one day at the corner of 4th & Walnut: ….There is no way of telling people that they are walking around shining like the sun. Then it was as if I suddenly saw the secret beauty of their hearts, the depths of their hearts where neither sin nor desire nor self-knowledge can reach, the core of their reality, the person that each one is in God’s eyes. If only they could all see themselves as they really are. If only we could see each other that way all the time... I think of these words so often in terms of our experience of belovedness; specifically around the challenge of transferring our knowledge of being beloved by God, to allowing ourselves the grace to do more than accept ourselves, but to embrace our inherent and purposeful dignity for what it is—a gift. What is one tangible way you will thank God, today, for the gift of your body—warts and all?   [bctt tweet="On Women, Jesus, and Body Image #BISblog //" via="no"]

Rhythm is a dancer, it’s a soul companion; you can feel it everywhere. These lyrics by the famed German group Snap from decades ago immediately transport me back in time, perhaps even to a particular moment. The relationship between music and memory is powerful, and new research suggests how these memories can positively work even for therapeutic effect. Given my father’s musical background, music was deeply ingrained in me; however, the gift of music took on greater meaning after my conversion in 2004. On a Whim? I still remember that late evening as I waited for my husband to return from work. A friend had gifted me Don Moen’s live concert CD featuring the famous “God will make a way”. Being an atheist at the time, Gospel music meant nothing more than just pleasant musical accompaniments. However, that evening, quite unfamiliar to me, I felt a great tug in my soul for something deeper and reached out to play my friend’s CD. As I watched the live choir resound in praise, I also watched a teary congregation lost in something that seemed like deep peace, something so foreign to me at the time. Though my soul was so lost, I couldn’t deny the beckoning of God before me. His presence was so real, so palpable that I began to weep, not knowing why. As much as I resisted, I knew I was in the presence of Someone greater than myself. Overtaken with awe, I began to sing and inadvertently even raised my hands, experiencing a rich pleasure I had never tasted before, something I ardently longed for all those years. That was 15 years ago, and the rich pleasure of worship only continues to sweeten over the years. The Altar of Our Hearts The Greek word often translated for "worship" is proskunesis, meaning "to kiss, to prostrate or make obeisance”. Worship, then, can be literally perceived as ‘worthship’; giving God His rightful place. This revelation is crucial to our rightful disposition of worship, because how we see God will determine how we respond to Him. However, when Jesus presented God as Father, this revelation took on greater meaning, offering us the unique opportunity of intimacy in worship, teaching us that worship is first and foremost a matter of the heart. It is relationship. It is a call to adore God. But who can adore God apart from grace? It is impossible to worship in "spirit and truth" (John 4:23-24), without accepting the great love God has for us and the power of His grace with which He moves us toward Him. “Make an altar of your heart,” says Saint Peter Chrysologus. But in order for our heart to become an altar, we need to do more than just give things; we need to give ourselves. In my experience, I know that I am tempted so often to create an atmosphere, or set the stage for worship. Sadly I end up putting so much emphasis on creating the ambiance that I forget that my very presence is a gift for God. He longs for my worship and waits to sing over my troubled heart. A Broken and Contrite Heart How do we retain the integrity of worship when it’s easy to reduce worship to an experience rather than a way of life? Ever since the Fall, man has a natural propensity towards self. Modern tones and glamorous screens, however helpful, can lose relevance if all we have to offer is a place to be entertained rather than be edified. The Great Commission places on us an urgency to win souls. But we must ask—to win them to what? Because at the heart of worship, the world needs to hear not, “Come and have a good time,” but rather “Come and follow me.” The intent of worship is always discipleship. It is always sainthood. I started my journey as a worship leader, but it has taken some painful lessons over the years to learn the difference between being the gifted and becoming the anointed of God. A gift can take us places, but it is the anointing of God that sustains faith; a gift can entertain a crowd, but it is the anointing that breaks the yoke. In all these years of leading, I can painfully say that this "self" so often gets in the way, looking for every opportunity to steal the spotlight, waiting to rob God of His true "worthship". Turned Toward Him To worship from a contrite heart is nothing less than brokenness. The prophet Isaiah was broken in the presence of God (Isaiah 6). But this brokenness was not to destroy him, it was meant to strip him of "self" so that he could be set apart for God. There have been numerous experiences at conferences when worship has invoked a deep need for repentance, bringing to the surface of my heart attitudes and actions that had clearly offended the Heart of God. In my pursuit for perfection, I have often forgotten to bring the most valuable instrument my Father desires—my heart. In my pursuit to elevate "self" I have sought the applause of people rather than the affection of my Father. God desires a broken and contrite heart; this is an ongoing lesson in worship. I am grateful for the many delays and disappointments of life; they have taught me that I have some long overdue work to be done in my heart. I am equally grateful that God's hand of discipline is never without His Hand of tenderness. Broken Chords, Mended Hearts Two years ago I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease. After weeks of diagnosis, I finally found myself sitting in front of a specialist who began to relay the condition of this ailment as one that had no known cure. It was a terrifying moment that lasted several weeks. Would this condition ever be healed? What if this condition leaves me immobile and hampers my dreams? For weeks, the perfectionist in me began to search the internet for tangible signs of certainty and alternate therapies; I was longing for peace, but also wanting control. Singing through a situation like this was like singing through broken chords. It was not until I yielded my heart in worship that I began to learn that I may not have all the theological answers I need, but I always have a choice as a worshipper. I can choose to sing, even in this. God has been teaching me in this season how my suffering can produce fruits like endurance, character, and hope that others can come and feast on when they face their own songs in the night. Worship isn’t a place to forget our circumstances; it is a place to bring those in. There are an incredible amount of lonely, hurting, and wounded people in this world who need our songs to point them to the hope of a greater reality. Our songs can become powerful stories when we allow God to shape us through suffering. One thing that God is still teaching me through this uncertainty is that as a worship leader, as a mentor, I am replaceable; but as a daughter of God, I am indispensable and irreplaceable. There will never be another me. My song is unique and so is my story. My Heart, His Throne What is your story sister? How have you found strength to worship in the midst of pain? You may not have a stage to sing, but you have a voice to render. You may not be at the front of a platform, but you have a posture. When words fail and it’s hard to sing, my prayer for you is that you will remember that you are made for worship. How consoling is the truth that the God who draws near to the brokenhearted is not removed from human pain but has borne under it, in the flesh in Jesus Christ? If every human lament is a love-song, then Jesus is the embodied hope that God is first singing over us; reminding us that grief is not the end of the story, but latent with a promise that one day as all will be made new, we will gather with people from every nation, language and tribe, to worship before the throne of the victorious Lamb, joining with angelic choirs, and singing the salvation song that changed all of history, beginning first with our own.   [bctt tweet="The Heart of Worship #BISblog //" via="no"]   Michelle Karen D’Silva is a Catholic speaker based in the small little peninsula of Qatar. With an immense passion for discipleship and youth, she finds herself most at home when laughing and conversing with young people over karak and hummus. She is a huge (almost stalker-level) fan of Pope Benedict XVI who constantly inspires her to live out the “call to greatness” as a woman in ministry, wife to a doting hubby, and mama to two constantly hungry sheep. Find out more about her here.

It started as a quiet stirring in my heart, this gentle, almost imperceptible whisper from the Lord: “Come and rest with Me awhile.” I didn't understand what it meant, but I prayed to God for the grace and receptivity to go wherever He called me. The next morning, I received an email from Blessed is She announcing the 2019 Shine retreat. I got excited when I saw that a retreat was going to be held in Annapolis, MD, a mere two-hour commute from my hometown. However, as my gaze landed on the dates for the Dublin, Ireland retreat, I immediately felt the tug of grace telling me that's where I was meant to go. Calling Me Farther Really, God? Dublin? Questions and doubts swirled in my mind as I tried to process this divine calling. Was it doable? Yes. But the fear of actually leaving the country to make it happen was immediate and seemingly impassable. For one, I didn’t have a passport. This would be my first plane ride. My first solo trip. My first time sleeping away from home for this long. And I wouldn't know anyone else attending the retreat. A trip of this caliber wasn't meant for homebodies like me. I needed to stay where it was safe and familiar. Fortunately, God had other plans. After Mass that Sunday, I opened my parish bulletin to find a story about a woman who had just returned from Dublin, along with a welcome message she had discovered on the walls of an old rural church. Making a Way I tried to shake this off as a coincidence, but over the course of the next few months, I continued to receive small signal graces, assuring me this was anything but. At my job at the library, a soundtrack of Irish folk songs somehow found its way to my desk. Strangers galore gushed over their recent stays in Dublin, and travel books from you guessed where flooded the book drop. Convinced this was my intended path, I continued asking the Spirit for counsel and guidance. Moments after one such prayer, I opened my morning devotional to this passage, "There is an adventurous journey awaiting you... I will be watching over you constantly...and I will bring you safely back to this land." “OK, God,” I prayed in response. “I'll go. But You have to orchestrate events so that I can't say no.” The final nudge came from my coworker, Olive, who informed me that she might be going home to Ireland the middle of November. She wasn't sure if it would coincide with the retreat, but I was welcome to accompany her there and back. When she finally told me the dates of her upcoming trip, I nearly broke into tears: it was the exact same week as the Shine Retreat! The Universal Church Just shy of two months later, I found myself at the Emmaus Retreat Center in Dublin, Ireland. Shouldering my swag bag, I stepped into the retreat hall. Seeing nearly 200 strangers gathered in one place was intimidating at first, but I quickly discovered this was an oasis of sisterhood where everyone was welcome. Women from Scotland, Washington, Ohio, Texas, Michigan, and even Hawaii bared their souls and shared their stories, leaving space to reverence my own. It was so easy to connect with these women, because despite the differences in our lifestyles and geographic locations, we were all woven together by a common love of Christ. Over the next 24 hours, friendships were made, prayers were prayed, and phone numbers were swapped. My identity as a daughter of God was restored, and I discovered the pure, unbridled joy of singing praise and worship music with an authentic community of fellow Catholic women. Calling Me to More For me, these blessings were enough. But I remember feeling like more was to come, like God was preparing my heart for something bigger. For several months leading up to the retreat, I had been pondering the idea of perpetual virginity. It had surfaced in prayer off and on before, but I wasn't sure if it was a prodding from God or my own zealous propensities. So when I began to feel this subtle suspicion of something more, I wondered if it would be the answer I needed. Mid-way through the Saturday of the retreat, we were handed out slips of paper from a small wicker basket, on which were written random passages from Scripture. We were then asked to reflect on the passage and record any thoughts or prayers that came to mind in our journals. Gingerly, I opened the folded slip of paper to reveal this familiar verse from John 10:10: The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. At once, I interpreted the "thief" to mean anything that averts my gaze from God's life-giving love, which He offers to each of us in extravagant abundance. But my reflections were soon to be upended. The Gift That evening, as I knelt down for Adoration, I asked God once and for all what He wanted of me. In His presence, I perceived my virginity as a tiny wrapped gift beside the monstrance. It was close enough for Christ to take, and my heart throbbed in holy expectation as I waited for Him to make the first move. Then it struck me: Jesus is not a thief. Certainly, He wanted me to give Him the gift of myself. But He would never force me to give it away. Because that's not how our Savior works. He only asks, as we decide whether or not to accept. The question He was asking me now was, would I accept? The jarring urgency of His invitation surprised me, and yet Jesus, ever the gentlemen, spoke so tenderly to my heart, reminding me that He would never impose Himself upon me. That this was ultimately my choice. Sisters, I will never forget what He said. “My beloved, you are free to say no and I won’t love you any less. But consider this: have you ever regretted saying yes to Me?” Instantly, I was unraveled. Christ's words—so kind, so honest—were the only cue I needed. When the monstrance was carried from the altar and brought before me for a sacred, one-on-one encounter, I promised myself to Him forever. And in that moment of total self-giving, I felt His peace flood my soul. No Regrets Fast forward nearly one year. I am now, with the help of my spiritual director, pursuing a life of full Consecrated Virginity within the Church. Yes, sisters, this is my testimony. But, I want to be totally clear here. You may not ever be called to give your life to God in this way. And that's ok! The Lord paves a personal, distinct path for each of our lives as we pursue deeper intimacy with Him. But it's possible that God is asking you to give more than you think you can manage. Maybe saying yes to Him will require boldness, uncertainty, and risk. Maybe answering those interior promptings will incite misunderstanding and backlash from others, including close friends and family. Whatever barriers are keeping you hesitant or fearful, I want these words from Scripture—the very words that inspired the Shine retreat!—to embolden you: The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it. -John 1:5 As St. John vividly points out, Jesus is the true and perfect light that swallows the darkness of all our doubts, our uncertainties, and our fears. Give Your Own Yes Truly, I had no idea how the Lord would transform me on this retreat. I'm still astounded by what He was able to do in a single weekend! And while I can't say what Christ has in store for you, I promise that if you step into the unknown with a posture of openness and trust, His light will intersect the shadows and illuminate the way forward. So, sisters, keep striving to become more docile to the movements of the Holy Spirit. Listen to Him. Let Him lead. And allow Him to coax your hearts into the radically uncomfortable places, because that is where you will encounter Him most deeply. No matter where you are in your faith journey, your yes is a gift. The swag bags are just a bonus.   [bctt tweet="Wholly Surrendered #BISblog //" via="no"]   Cathy Webb is a full-time Library Assistant, an advocate of long skirts, and an ardent follower of the Little Way. In addition to performing small deeds with great love, she delights in good books, good conversation (mostly with Jesus), green tea, and Eucharistic Adoration. You can learn more about her here.

We are thrilled to introduce the narrator and writers of our Advent reflection book for 2020: Maranatha: The Story of Our Savior. 2020 Advent Writers (on the Heart Behind This Book) These women span many walks of life and bring their unique experiences to bear as they explore their stories in light of Jesus' coming. Let's hear more from them. Susanna Tell us a little about you and what season of your vocation or life you’re in. These days I spend most of my time raising and homeschooling my four kids, ranging from Kindergarten to Sixth grade, but I love to take a couple of hours every day to delve into my favorite activities of reading theology and philosophy and writing about them in ways accessible to everybody. I am really trying to live in the present these days: being present to my kids, being present to my work, being present to my husband, and seeking always to be present to God and His will. How did you explore the themes for each week as the narrator? The themes for this book take us through the life of Christ from the Incarnation, Christ's Ministry, the sacrifice of the Cross, and His call to us to continue sharing the Good News of the Gospel. But they also reflect a deeper story: the story of all humanity. With each week I tell the story of our human need for salvation from our sin and how God planned from the very beginning to come and save us. Your story is also a part of this story, and that is what this book helps you explore. What are your hopes for the readers of Maranatha? Advent is my favorite liturgical season—I love how it gives us time to remember God's promises of salvation and all the prophecies of Christ's life and then to see how they were actualized. I hope that readers of Maranatha will enter into this time of hopeful waiting, wondering at how these prophecies were made hundreds of years before their fulfillment and seeing how God continues to keep His promises in their own lives. Megan Tell us a little about you and what season of your vocation or life you’re in. I’m blissfully married to a guy who I originally couldn’t stand (it was mutual), I’m a grateful (busy!) mom to a pack of hockey players, and a writer, speaker, and Army reservist on the side. I’ve always loved to write and grew up wanting to be in the military, but I was always been terrified of public speaking. No big surprise that God began to call me to consistent roles in speaking, teaching, and mentoring—through Blessed is She, as an Army instructor, and my local community. He sure has a sense of humor and loves doing big things through us “little ones!” Why did you pick the stories you shared? So many often we believe that it’s our circumstances or capabilities that dictate our identity and worth—yet our entire basis of identity and worth lies in the truth that God made us and loves us. These stories highlight moments where I felt utterly lost or incredibly doubtful of my identity and worth, yet the Lord transformed my heart and understanding to show me that I’m not worthy based on my ability to produce or succeed. I’m everything simply because I’m His—and it’s in seeking Him that I find myself. The same goes for every precious daughter He’s ever created, and He invites us to really believe it! What are your hopes for the readers of Maranatha? The darkness of suffering or trial or worldly circumstances is temporary, but in the moment it always seems overwhelming. I pray the eternal, enduring truths of this devotional may shine the light and truth of heaven into every place of worldly darkness to lift women to great hope and freedom and perseverance! Beth Tell us a little about you and what season of your vocation or life you’re in. I'm a single thirty-seven-year-old gal who loves the Lord, baking, and walking with women as the Director of Ministry Advancement for Blessed is She. Why did you pick the stories you shared? The stories I shared were both intensely personal, but the miracles of grace that the Lord gave after so many long, painful years is too good to keep to myself. His promises of healing and reconciliation are for everyone. What are your hopes for the readers of Maranatha? I'm praying for renewed hope! I pray that each and every woman who reads and prays with Maranatha would experience the coming of Jesus again in her heart and life. Chika Tell us a little about you and what season of your vocation or life you’re in. I’m the daughter of Nigerian immigrants, the youngest of four siblings, aunty to four nieces and nephews, and currently living the joyful single life! As an author, full-time Catholic evangelist, and former youth minister, I love sharing about Jesus and Catholicism. Why did you pick the stories you shared? As I prayed through the Scripture readings on which the stories are based, I asked the Holy Spirit to enlighten my heart and mind to what I should share. The vulnerable areas of my insecurities—my immature faith and anxiety—kept coming up, not to shame me or anyone else, but rather to invite myself and the reader to be honest with the Lord and allow a space for Him to come into the rough, hidden, or locked areas of life. Jesus is always gentler and more merciful with us than we are with ourselves and such a reminder of that is always a grace! What are your hopes for the readers of Maranatha? Just like the authors of the Maranatha Advent devotional, the readers are of all ages and stages. I pray that every person not only finds themselves in the personal story of the writers but also in the story of salvation. The Lord is ready to come into our lives if we allow Him in. Sister Maria-Kim Tell us a little about you and what season of your vocation or life you’re in. I have been perpetually professed as a Daughter of Saint Paul for seven years. Time flies, and I am always amazed that God gets more and more beautiful through all the ups and downs. He loves us faithfully and fiercely, and I am so humbled to be able to be of service for the Kingdom. Why did you pick the stories you shared? The stories I shared echo the sureness of God’s light piercing any clouds in our lives. I wanted to share a couple simple moments in my journey to help us all see how God can use everything, like Saint Paul says, for our good. He is the Master Creator. What are your hopes for the readers of Maranatha? I pray that the readers of Maranatha will be encouraged by this journey. I pray that the readers will be able to trace the hand of God in their lives and grow in confidence in God’s never-ending mercy. We are thrilled for you to join us on our Advent journey. Find the copy of your book (or our bundle!) here.   [bctt tweet="The Heart Behind This Year's Advent Devotional (a Q+A with the Writers!) #BISblog #BISadvent // " via="no"]

In my former experience as a single woman within the Church, I often felt alone and misunderstood. Most articles I read and homilies I heard on the subject encouraged me to embrace the period, chase Christ with abandon, and use all my free time serving others and the Church. This advice seemed to indicate that if one is feeling unhappy or unfulfilled as a single, lay Catholic, it was because something is missing in that person’s relationship with Christ. While this is not necessarily untrue, I believe that the perpetuation of that message leaves many people feeling—not inspired or encouraged—but disheartened and scolded. It fails to address the deep heartache and loneliness single Catholics often feel while discerning their vocations and looking for a spouse. Sometimes, it can be true, that being a single Christian person in this day and age is just plain difficult, no matter how whole or beautiful one’s relationship is with Christ. Litany of Saints for Single People Though I am now experiencing the difficulties that accompany the vocation of marriage and motherhood, my heart remembers the pain of my single years more vividly than I remember the pain of giving birth. It’s an ache that rises often, each time I see a single person by themselves at Mass or even when I see one of their posts on Instagram. As a prayer and act of love for my single sisters (and brothers) in Christ, I put together this Litany of Saints for Single People in the hopes that it would bring comfort and peace to pining hearts throughout the Church. Our Lady of Sorrows If there is anyone who understands heartache—it’s this woman. She bore her heartache beautifully and perfectly. And while we may not be able to accomplish doing so in the same impeccable manner as she did, we can imitate her in standing at the foot of the Cross, waiting for an end to the pain. Our Lady of the Smile The story goes that Saint Therese was very sick and suffering greatly in bed, when she looked at a statue of Our Lady, asked for her help, and was surprised to see the statue smile and radiate kindness. Saint Therese was cured. May Our Lady of the Smile intercede for those suffering greatly with the cross of singlehood and bring big smiles to all of our faces. Saint Raphael In the book of Tobit, it is the aide of Saint Raphael the Archangel that brings about the healing Sarah needs in order for her marriage to be successful. The archangel also stirs a sense of true masculinity within Tobias that helps to chase a lurking demon away. Because of this, there are many prayers and novenas to Saint Raphael which ask for his assistance in finding a holy spouse. May he come to the aid of any and all who stumble upon this post. Abraham, Father of Our Faith In the book of Genesis, Abraham is concerned with finding a faithful wife for his beloved son, Isaac. Fearing that the local girls with different religious beliefs may lead his son astray, Abraham sends his servant on a journey to his kinsmen to search for a wife that would lead him closer to God. After a heartfelt and humble prayer, the servant crosses paths with a generous and God-fearing woman named Rebekah. May Abraham be so concerned with us, his descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky, that he would also seek our faithful spouses and intercede on our behalf. Isaac and Rebekah, Beloved Children of Abraham It’s worth following up that story with the truth that Isaac and Rebekah had a good and loving marriage—with their wedding taking place in a field at sunset as if it was set in a Romantic Comedy! May they pray for us that we would all find the joy and companionship that they found in each other. Saint Joseph The man from whom Jesus learned about sacrifice and masculinity. The man who loved his wife chastely and with his whole heart until his dying breath. The man who provided and protected for his little family with all his strength. May Saint Joseph intercede for our future spouses, and teach us all to be ready for unexpected challenges when the events leading up to our marriage may not look the way we had always planned. Saint Andrew This Apostle is known as an incredible intercessor because he was the person who brought Peter to Jesus. His powerful novena invokes his aid in bringing those who pray it closer to Christ. Though the novena is typically said in December, I think the sentiment holds true all year round, especially in regards to finding a spouse! May Saint Andrew help us all to find spouses that bring us deeper into relationship with Jesus. Saint Christopher Very little is known for certain about this early Christian martyr, but according to legend he was a huge man with a desire to serve the most powerful man he could find. After a stint serving a king, some thieves, and the devil himself, he found the most powerful person to be the Christ Child Whom he attempted to carry across a river. He served Him from that day forward. Saint Christopher is also recognized as the patron Saint of bachelors, so perhaps he can play heavenly matchmaker while also interceding for us to always follow Christ. Saint Agnes There is an old tradition that developed in the Middle Ages where unmarried maidens would ask Saint Agnes for assistance in finding a spouse on the eve of her feast day. There’s a whole slew of outlandish rituals these girls would go through. While I don’t think they actually aid the cause, I’m certain Saint Agnes (who was martyred for refusing to marry the son of a Roman official) admires all women who want to hold their ground and keep their standards high! Saint Anselm It’s important, in the midst of all the waiting and seeking, that we not make an idol of the vocation of marriage. A prayer written by this Doctor of the Church is handy to repeat when we find ourselves slipping towards that idolization mindset. May Saint Anselm’s intercession help to keep our desires for marriage ordered correctly! Saint Therese of Lisieux Waiting is one of the most difficult aspects of single life. It is tempting to despair, give up hope, and think that God does not desire our happiness, or even that he has forgotten about us. This beautiful prayer is attributed to Saint Therese and asks for peace when we are faced with such anxieties. We pray this Doctor of the Church will intercede for our own peace of heart and mind as we wait in our longing. Get your free printable of this Litany of Saints here! WRITE + PRAY We invite you to sit with the Word and unpack it in a uniquely personal way, finding your own story. Discover your story within His. GET WRITE AND PRAY Saint Nicholas of Myra Saint Nicholas was known for his love of secret gift giving. He also used his own wealth to finance the dowries of three poor sisters whose father was so desperate he was considering allowing his daughters to work as prostitutes. Saint Nicholas stopped them from making that rash decision out of desperation and guided them towards better paths. May he also save us from situations where we single gals may be leaning towards compromising values we shouldn’t. Saint Anthony of Padua This heavenly fella is supposedly very good at locating things. Why not ask him to help us locate a spouse? Though a religious friar himself, he understands that longing to give of oneself to another. He even wrote a poem about it. Saint Joseph Moscati A brilliant, Italian physician who approached medicine with the goal of healing wounded souls and not just bodies, Saint Joseph Moscati was a single, lay man who lived during the early 1900s. His care for his patients went far above the standards—when Mt. Vesuvius erupted, he ran in and out of a nursing home, carrying patients to safety before the roof collapsed. His genius and charity attracted hundreds who wanted to learn from him. Though he never married, he is known as a “miracle-worker” due to his powerful intercession in heaven—and sometimes it feels as though a miracle is needed to meet a good spouse in this day and age! Saint Anne There is a long standing tradition within our faith to call upon the mother of Mary for assistance in locating a good spouse. The line of thinking is that as she is the grandmother of Jesus, and mother of His mother, how could God refuse her? However, I think it’s good to ask for her intercession based on another reason. Saint Anne understands the heartache of waiting. Though happily married, she was barren for most of her life before the immaculate conception of Mary. As a woman, mother, and grandmother, I suspect that Saint Anne is eager to help anyone whose heart is virtuously pining for something good. Saint Dwynwen A Welsh Saint who lived in the 5th century, Saint Dwynwen fell deeply in love with a man before her father promised her in marriage to someone else. According to legend, she begged God to help her forget her beloved as she was unable to function at the thought of not marrying him. God sent her help to forget him in a dream, and also granted her three wishes. She used one of them to ask that God would meet the hopes and dreams of true lovers. For this reason she is seen as the patron saint of lovers. May she intercede us, that we may find the one our souls are meant to love! Saint Gianna Beretta Molla Saint Gianna did not meet her beloved husband, Pietro, at the typical, young age that most brides wed. In fact, she was thirty-two when they met and married. The letters they wrote to one another during their engagement are brimming with the love and joy that a soul can only feel when such lengthy longing is over. May Saint Gianna help us to find the same bubbly joy she found “later” in life. Closing Encouragement It’s encouraging to think of so many heavenly allies reaching out to support us during the difficulty of living as single women. It’s uplifting to imagine them standing by our side, offering the simple companionship of a heart that knows our pain. It’s lovely to think too, that perhaps one day, we will also join them. Our names will be added to a Litany of Saints, and fellow Christians on earth may cry to us in anguish, because they know we know their heartache. How lovely will it be to see a benefit of our waiting and suffering, and a way that others will receive grace because of it! In the meantime, in the midst of our struggle, we invite you to download this free printable of the litany, that you may have a tangible reminder of the army of Saints you have fighting for you at your side. Be assured too, of prayers from the BIS Team for you! Which Saint’s story resonated the most with you? Is there anyone you would add to the list?   [bctt tweet="Litany of Saints for Single People #BISblog //" username="grace_swap"]

The Catholic Faith is a treasure trove. A treasure trove where upon exploration, we discover that it is bottomless. The precious gems and jewels within it—Holy Mass, Sacraments, Sacred Scripture, graces, prayers, devotions, traditions, teachings, and more—go on and on. These treasures exemplify the generous goodness of God and His desire to draw us closer to Him. It reminds me of what St. Paul writes to the Romans: O the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! Our Lady of the Rosary The Rosary is a priceless treasure inspired by God. -Saint Louis de Montford One precious treasure of our Catholic Faith is the Blessed Mother, whom we honor today (October 7th) as Our Lady of the Rosary. Another treasure is something she gave to us, her children, in order to keep us tethered to her motherly heart. And that gift is the Holy Rosary. Today’s feast dates back to 1573, when Christians attributed their victory over the Turks at Lepanto to the Blessed Mother under the title Our Lady of Victory. Three hundred years later, in 1883, Pope Leo XIII dedicated the entire month of October to the Holy Rosary. Through this dedication, he asked faithful Catholics to pray that God would console and defend His Church, through the intercession of the Queen of the Holy Rosary. The Traditional Rosary Many Catholics are familiar with the traditional Rosary. Some grew up praying the Rosary with their family, while others adopted the prayer practice in their adult years. The Blessed Mother urged Catholics to pray the Rosary every day in the Fatima apparition in 1917. She has pleaded with us to pray the Rosary in other apparitions, too. Why? Because Our Lady desires to be our Mother and ask for her assistance. And when we do ask for her prayers and intercession, she goes directly to her Son, Jesus, Who refuses her nothing (John 2:1-12). Rosary Variations Draw Us Closer to the Lord In addition to the traditional Rosary, there are other prayers we can say on traditional Rosary beads. Each draws us closer to the Lord in a unique way. The most popular is probably the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, which Jesus gave to Saint Faustina in the 1930s. Catholics typically pray this chaplet at 3 p.m., which commemorates the death of Our Lord, the hour of mercy. Listed below are a few of the many Rosary variations. Perhaps one will become a new treasure in your prayer routine. Chaplet of the Immaculate Heart of Mary To begin, make the Sign of the Cross five times in veneration of Jesus’ five holy wounds (two Hands, two Feet, and His Side). On the large beads, pray: Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for those who seek refuge in you. On the small beads, pray: Holy Mother, save us through your Immaculate Heart's flame of love. At the end, repeat the Glory Be three times. WRITE + PRAY We invite you to sit with the Word and unpack it in a uniquely personal way, finding your own story. Discover your story within His. GET WRITE AND PRAY Rosary to the Holy Wounds This devotion honors the five wounds of Our Lord. The prayers were composed by Jesus and given to Sr. Mary Martha of the Monastery of the Visitation of Chambery. Many promises are attached to this devotion. Prayers on the Crucifix and first three beads: O Jesus, Divine Redeemer, be merciful to us and to the whole world. Amen. Strong God, holy God, immortal God, have mercy on us and on the whole world. Amen. Grace and mercy, O my Jesus, during present dangers; cover us with Your Precious Blood. Amen. Eternal Father, grant us mercy through the Blood of Jesus Christ, Your only Son; grant us mercy, we beseech You. Amen, Amen, Amen. On the large beads: Eternal Father, I offer You the wounds of Our Lord Jesus Christ. R: To heal the wounds of our souls. On the small beads: My Jesus, pardon and mercy. R: Through the merits of Your Holy Wounds. Concluding prayer: Lord Jesus, Man of Sorrows, we have meditated upon your suffering. We have considered those wounds we know and those unknown to us, and with confidence in your mercy, we ask you to grant us a greater purity of heart, true humility, and courage in our own suffering. We place ourselves and our loved ones into your holy wounds, trusting in your compassion and healing grace. Make us holy and worthy to call you Lord. Amen. Rosary in Honor of Saint Joseph The Rosary in honor of Saint Joseph is a beautiful way to ask for this holy Saint’s intercession. This prayer is said like a traditional Rosary, but instead of the Hail Mary, pray the Hail Holy Joseph. Hail, Holy Joseph, spouse of the ever virgin Mary, foster father of God the Son, whom our Father in Heaven chose to be head of the Holy Family, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen. Joyful Mysteries: The annunciation of Joseph The birth of Jesus The circumcision and naming of Jesus The presentation of Jesus in the Temple The finding of the child Jesus in the Temple Sorrowful Mysteries: Joseph's spouse Mary is found to be with child The journey to Bethlehem Joseph flees to Egypt with Mary and Jesus Jesus is lost in Jerusalem The death of Joseph Glorious Mysteries: The glorification of St. Joseph Saint Joseph, patron of the Universal Church Saint Joseph, protector of families Saint Joseph, patron of the sick and suffering Saint Joseph, patron of a holy death Chaplet of the Seven Sorrows This chaplet requires the use of special beads that are in groups of seven, but it follows the traditional Rosary format: Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be. The seven groups remember the seven sorrows of Our Lady: The prophecy of Simeon The flight into Egypt The loss of the Child Jesus in the Temple Mary meets Jesus carrying His Cross The Crucifixion Mary receives the body of Jesus from the Cross The body of Jesus is placed in the tomb To conclude the Chaplet of the Seven Sorrows, pray: V: Pray for us, O most sorrowful Virgin. R: That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Lord Jesus, we now implore, both for the present and for the hour of our death, the intercession of the most Blessed Virgin Mary, Thy Mother, whose holy soul was pierced at the time of Thy passion by a sword of grief. Grant us this favor, O Savior of the world, Who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen. Do you pray the Rosary or a variation of the Rosary? How has it drawn you closer to Jesus through Mary?   Join us over in our app for a live weekday Rosary at 11am ET!  Our new Blessed Is She Rosaries have arrived! Get yours here!  [bctt tweet="Different Types of Rosaries and Chaplets #BISblog //" username="sarahcdamm"]

Roommates make up a home just as much as the brick and mortar or the cute succulent decorations of any house. We want our homes to be places of peace and comfort to help us take a breather from the stresses of life. As Christians, we know a huge component to that peace and comfort is the prayer we do within the walls of our homes. But praying with roommates can be a challenge or feel awkward, and it's not something we always think to do. Tips for Praying with Your Roommates Whether you’re in college or a single adult living with others, here are five tips for growing in prayer with your roommates. 1. Actively foster prayerful conversations. I understand that sometimes we are placed with random roommates or we choose to live with people just out of necessity because it is more convenient or affordable for all involved. I have been in such situations and allowed the lack of compatibility with my roommates get the best of me. But looking back, there were some things I could have done differently. I have a love for meeting new people, so I chose to be placed with a “random” roommate rather than a friend for my first semester of college. Unfortunately, our schedules and interests were completely different, and I ended up seeing her more in passing outside of our room than in it. We never really had conversations that touched on Faith topics either, which I found strange considering we both cared about our Faith a lot. Yet our relationship never got to that level; and though we remained friendly with each other always, we never became good friends. I realized that, though I had tried, I gave up pretty easily on having good discussions with her. Had I given more time to fostering a deeper relationship, we may have eventually gotten to that point. Ships in the Night Fast forward to a few years after college and I chose to live with two girls I met at a Bible study. All three of us again shared the same Faith and values, but we were just very different people with very different schedules and interests. And while at first we did have conversations about the Faith and even prayed together at times, we soon fell into our own routines and our differences came between us and our group prayer life fell apart. There were times when we would walk into our home, go straight to our rooms, and shut the door. That’s not always a bad thing, because sometimes we need alone time, but because it became a frequent thing, we eventually were like strangers living under the same roof. However, there were several roommates in between and after those scenarios with whom group prayer was common and we had great relationships, many still being my dear friends today. What Made the Difference? With these closer roommates, I was more intentional about our conversations and they in turn were receptive to that. I made it a point to greet them when they walked into our living space. I’d ask how their day was, and they’d do the same. We shared meals together when possible or watched movies together. We’d just sit and chat, even if it wasn’t about anything important. While these sorts of things tend to start naturally, you must continue to foster those moments, otherwise life’s business will steal them away. Be intentional about it! The hope is that the people you live with will be willing to reciprocate your intentionality if they see your sincerity. But you cannot just sit back and wait for that to happen. You have to work for it and make the moves yourself. How to Start Sharing Your Heart A good start can be being vulnerable with your roommates and sharing something small that was tough for you. Or you can offer to sit and listen to a struggle your roommate is having with school or work. And even if you cannot do something specific to help out their situation, this is when you can offer to pray that things get better for them. Afterwards, check up on the situation and mention that you are still praying about it even days later. When people see that you are comfortable and willing and sincere about praying for them, it opens up the kind of relationship where that is common and they’ll know that’s a good way for them to respond to your struggles as well. With my two current roommates, our three bedrooms lead into the same little hall. One day, one of them was sitting in that hall and the other two of us had our room doors open and we started a conversation. Next thing you know, all three of us were sitting in the hallway, rolling with laughter and sharing our current life news. We sat there for a while and it was so good to share with each other like this that soon our little “hall meetings” became a tradition. Interestingly enough, these “meetings” almost always involve us praying together. We don't find it awkward or embarrassing to ask each other to pray because we have made it a regular part of our dialogue. But it is important to recall that this was not something that happened right away. It took some time for us to get to that point, but we reached it because we all kept being intentional about it. 2. Learn each other’s prayer styles and strengths. Growing up with faith-filled parents who had suffered a lot to escape religious persecution in Nicaragua, you can bet we were a family that prayed together every day, if not several times a day. There was usually a morning prayer, a prayer on the car rides to and from Catholic school, a Divine Mercy Chaplet at 3 p.m., prayer before every meal, and a Rosary every night before bed. However, my current roommates did not grow up with that same prayer routine, though both are also Catholic. I suggested doing consecration with one of them, but she was not super comfortable with the idea right away. The other preferred to attend a Latin Mass rather than the Mass I was going to. And that is perfectly fine! Even if you share the same Faith, prayer is such a personal thing that everyone’s prayer life is going to look a little different. If I had gone into this roommate relationship expecting to pray with them as often as my family had growing up, that would have been a little naïve of me and probably hurt our relationship more as they wouldn’t always be able to comply and I might grow bitter towards them. Not to mention, it would have been a bit selfish of me to want to pray only my way. But instead, we grew to understand that there was an open invitation to pray with each other, yet it was not mandatory to do so. Maybe you’re Catholic but your roommate is Protestant. There will be differences, of course, but differences can enrich instead of divide. Or you may uncover more similarities than you imagined just because you talked about it. Learning other’s points of views can help you better understand yours, and growing in ecumenism never hurts either. Take the time to learn why your roommate is most comfortable praying the way they do, and you may just expand your own prayer life and understanding, or theirs as well. WRITE + PRAY We invite you to sit with the Word and unpack it in a uniquely personal way, finding your own story. Discover your story within His. GET WRITE AND PRAY 3. Include holy art in your home décor. The way you decorate your room or home says a lot about who you are. Often, Freshmen college students will reach out to each other before moving into a dorm to discuss who will add what to the room and what the layout of your room will be. This is because you want your living space to be peaceful, inviting, comfortable, cool and, in a word, home-y. Someone entering your space and seeing an elephant collage would assume you loved elephants (as one of my previous roommates did). Just so, someone entering a home and seeing a crucifix would assume the people living there are Christian. It does not make sense that you would choose to look at something every day that you do not like, especially because what you choose to hang in your living space can also affect your mood. The reason for that being that art is supposed to be attention-grabbing. Having reminders of what’s important to you hanging on the walls can be an invitation to discuss those things, or even meditate on them. Meshing Styles and the Meaningful One of my current roommates has a painting of Jesus from the 70’s that the other two of us were not very fond of at all. But that painting was from their grandmother, so it wasn't something you want to just get rid of. It was in our living room, bothering me for so long that I had to do something about it. So I decided to build an entire collage around it in hopes that that would “drown it out.” I removed a painting of the beach we had from our living room and placed the wall collage there instead. While deciding what was significant enough for all three of us to be hanging on our main wall for all to see, it mostly came down to religious pictures. So there on the wall are paintings of stories from Scripture, crosses, Saints, the Sacred Heart, and yes, that 70’s Jesus picture, which, as it turns out, looks amazing as the center of the entire collage. I really am proud of that collage and my roommates gave their hearty stamp of approval for it as well. That was a space where we had prayed together before but now it feels even more inviting. For me, this holy décor concept goes along with what it says in Philippians 4:8…that is to focus on what is good and lovely. These beautiful, faith-filled art pieces hanging on our walls do that and can invite us, and others who enter our home, to have beautiful and faith-filled conversations. 4. Attend Sacraments together. We as human beings are made for community. There is a reason God wants us to grow up in a family as opposed to just developing on our own. So we hopefully start going to church and attending Sacraments with our family. But as we grow up and maybe move away, that changes. The need for community doesn’t change, though. So this is where your roommates come in. They are the new community with whom you share a home. In college, I was so thankful to have roommates who would go to Mass with me. It was so nice to have people to sit with in a pew when my family was not around. The added perk with roommates who go to church with you is they can keep you very accountable too. I had college roommates who would let me know when they had heard about a prayer meeting happening or a good Catholic speaker coming to campus or when Confession times were or where Adoration was happening, etc. And I would do the same for them. Then, we would attend those events together and have so much fun reflecting on them late into the night in our pjs. Attending these moments of prayer together really made our friendships grow a lot stronger. Skip ahead to the roommates I have now. We are all adults with different jobs and different schedules, so we cannot always attend Mass at the same time. We do when we can though and even give each other rides sometimes to save on gas (always a plus). 5. You do not always have to be physically together to pray together. I think sometimes we are reluctant to pray with our roommates because we are reluctant to make time for it in our often-busy schedules. Or when you have the time, it seems your roommates do not. If that is the case, you may be forgetting that prayer goes beyond time and space. Praying with your roommates cannot always look like you sitting in your living room with them or going to church with them. But there are several ways to communicate with people even if we are not in the same space together. My roommates and I have a group chat, as roommates often do. In that chat we send each other heads ups, hilarious memes, and yes, we also ask each other for prayers occasionally. So when a roommate sends a message that something is going on and they need prayers, but I’m in the middle of grading papers (teacher here), I can save that intention for later or for when I stop by Adoration. That is still us praying for the same intention together, even if at different times and in different places. Or even novenas that come with daily readings. You can sometimes do the readings on your own, or sometimes do the readings with your roommates. Either way, it is cool to finish on the same date and then celebrate together. I just think sometimes we assume that because we live with someone, we’ll see them more often than the friends we don’t live with, but that really isn’t always the case, especially more into adulthood. Respect each other’s space and time, because that is super important for each of us, but don’t assume that means you can’t pray together. Prayer is so uniting that it can work in many different forms. For me, even just getting a text that says, “I prayed for you at Mass this morning,” from my roommate at a moment when I’m running errands or doing some other busy work, truly relieves my stress and brightens my whole day. So pray in the same space when you can, but be open to other ways to pray together too when you can’t. It's Worth the Effort In the end friends, I know finding roommates you can pray with is not always easy. But I do not think such a thing is only based off luck either. It is about putting more than just convenience behind the decision of who you live with and also about working to foster an environment where others feel comfortable asking to pray with you. I learned that praying with my family gave us the opportunity to gather together and share our lives and grow closer, and I now understand that that is what it does with my roommate relationship as well. Prayer can change us from just co-existing to sharing a deep bond with one another. It can make the difference between a house and a home. Having the sort of prayerful relationship I have now with my current roommates has added so much peace to my life. So I’ll end in wishing you, and your roommates, the same!   [bctt tweet="Tips for Praying with Your Roommates #BISblog //" via="no"]   Written by Lucia Gonzalez.

Sometimes in life we are faced with moments that change everything. It can be difficult to stay upright when life does not go as planned, careening drastically off course. The heaviness of our suffering and the deepness of our despair threaten to crumple us like paper, further flattened by the sheer weight and unstoppable momentum of a life event. In an instant, everything can turn into an upside down mess, and we may ask ourselves, “How can I handle this?” or “Will order ever be restored?” So in our anguish we must remember to turn our gaze to God and hold fast to Him for strength. Faith has the power to sustain us through the great storms of life, for the storms will come. Before and After In an instant, my life was divided into a “before” and “after” when the air was split by the booming, “Crack!” of a massive tree limb that fell on a pretty spring day. My little girl. Our poodle puppy. Messy chaos. A lifeless heap. Screaming. Blood. Heart pounding, gut-wrenching terror and primal, parental-fear unfurled. My reality transformed from “all is well” to an all-time life low. In the moments that followed Evelyn’s accident in her friend’s backyard my heart was filled with utter despair. I was at once the Blessed Mother’s heartbroken daughter and my child’s helpless mama. From deep within my being came a heartfelt prayer as I wrapped myself around Evelyn in the grass, “Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.” Over and over, I urgently repeated those words. I was uncertain my child would survive her head trauma and the scales were tipped precariously toward losing her, so I was left with no course of action but prayer, words of encouragement and a mother’s warm, loving touch. Our Lady, Our Mother I fled to the protection of Our Lady. I implored her help. I sought Mary’s intercession and I was not left unaided! My spiritual mother and her Son heard my pleas. The essence of the Memorare was what I lived in desperation that afternoon. In God’s perfect timing, with the Blessed Mother on my side, He answered my fervent prayers with mercy. I raced to the hospital with Evelyn on an unforgettable, blood-boiling, outrageous ambulance ride. God wink—my physician friend alerted the children’s hospital of Evelyn’s head injury, so a trauma team was ready for our arrival. Her head CT scan indicated multiple skull fractures, including a significant compressed fracture, which necessitated urgent neurosurgery. A Community of Intercession Seven sixth grade girls and their moms gathered at the scene of the accident, entered the yard littered with shattered tree debris and a web swing, and attempted to make sense of the accounts of the incident as each girl offered her version of what transpired. Although several girls were near Evelyn in the backyard, only one person witnessed the blow to her head – Evelyn’s closest friend. Her mother is my dear friend and a fellow Catholic Scripture Study member. With hope alive that Evelyn would live, Katie led a Rosary for those gathered during Evelyn’s operation. In a beautiful letter to Evelyn, Katie offered, “…we knew you were in God’s hands, so why not put our trust in Him for help.” There are many Marian moments in my family’s story, but one of the most touching examples of faith and heartfelt, devoted friendship is exemplified by what followed. Katie shared, “It was Friday, and the Church recommends praying the Sorrowful Mysteries on Fridays. But with hope in our hearts that we would have something to celebrate, we decided to pray the Joyful Mysteries instead.” My friend described the emotionally challenging experience of that Rosary, worrying a call would interrupt it bearing bad news. However, repeating the Hail Marys and listening to all of the girls’ little voices saying their prayers was incredibly encouraging and therapeutic for everyone. Roses Amidst Thorns The reality that followed in the next critical hours, days, weeks, and months was wrought with pain, vast unknowns and significant physical and emotional challenges, but my family held fast to the confidence to trust God’s holy will to bring good from everything—even our suffering. Contrary to our deepest desires, we are not in control in life and tragedy will sometimes strike. We were blessed time and again with God winks—tiny, divinely orchestrated moments of grace and we found the joy along the way. We experienced the profound love of neighbor, serving us as the hands and feet of Christ during a time of crisis, and witnessed the power of a faith community united in prayer. Ours is a story of experiencing light in a time of dark uncertainty and coming to know the great goodness, might, and love of God more fully. We chose to, “Hope on!” Faith Strengthened In deep gratitude for the blessings of my daughter’s survival and complete healing, my faith and that of my family members has been strengthened. The fire of faith burns in our hearts. In retrospect, I feel overwhelmed by the gift of Our Lady’s loving involvement, her holy intercession, in divinely orchestrating with Jesus my child’s immediate safety and ultimate full recovery. For me, the accident created a new closeness to Mary and praying the Rosary through a Daily Rosary Meditation podcast from the Holy Family School of Faith became my routine to start each morning. It seemed symbolically fitting to gather family, friends, and members of our church, schools, and community on the one-year mark of Evelyn’s accident to pray the Rosary in thanksgiving for God’s abundant blessings. The myriad prayers offered on my daughter’s behalf all began with a Hail Mary. April 20, 2019 was Holy Saturday, and that date was a finish line of sorts to ease Evelyn’s Traumatic Brain Injury restrictions. Easter Sunday marked the start of my daughter’s new phase moving forward to life restored as she previously knew it. The tapestry of God’s intricate plan is exquisitely beautiful. Motherly Miracles Two and a half years after the accident, Evelyn is a thriving, bright, healthy, beautiful young woman. Although we felt incredibly weak, vulnerable, and paralyzed by fear many times, God was with us each step of the way. He wants to take our greatest burdens off our shoulders if we will simply relinquish them. A wise friend urged me to, “lay the tough matters at Jesus’ feet.” Our experience was so remarkable that I wrote a book, Hope Upon Impact, to share news of our blessings and to bring glory to God. I urge you to contemplate the following words and take my mantra to heart because no matter the difficulty one faces, we may only control our response to it. Let’s choose complete and total trust. Have faith. Hope on! God is good.   [bctt tweet="The Blessed Mother Bolstered My Hope in the Face of Despair #BISblog //" via="no"]   Julie Overlease is a Kansas City mother of four and author of the spiritual memoir Hope Upon Impact. She delights in the beauty of homegrown flowers, is a lover of words, and values sharing her heart’s highs and lows on long walks with those she holds dear. Julie cherishes her happy, 20-year marriage to Robbie. Find out more about her here.

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