Week Five // Holy Spirit, Living Breath of God Holy Spirit, living breath of God, Breathe new life into my willing soul. Let the presence of the risen Lord Come renew my heart and make me whole. Cause Your word to come alive in me. Give me faith for what I cannot see. Give me passion for your purity. Holy Spirit, breathe new life in me. Holy Spirit come abide within, May Your joy be seen in all I do. Love enough to cover every sin, In each thought and deed and attitude. Kindness to the greatest and the least, Gentleness that sows the path of peace. Turn my strivings into works of grace; Breath of God show Christ in all I do. Holy Spirit from creation’s birth, Giving life to all that God has made. Show your power once again on earth, Cause your church to hunger for your ways. Let the fragrance of our prayers arise; Lead us on the road of sacrifice, That in unity the face of Christ Will be clear for all the world to see. Week Five Intention We pray for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the entire world. Week Five // Day Two Cause Your word to come alive in me. Give me faith for what I cannot see. Give me passion for your purity. Holy Spirit, breathe new life in me. My husband and I had our second miscarriage in September 2006. I didn’t then (nor, in all honesty, do I really even now) understand why it happened. Why would God take away that sweet baby we wanted to desperately and already loved so much? I was heartbroken. I couldn’t pray. Going to Mass on Sunday seemed like a punishment or an obligation instead of an honor and privilege. I remember begging my husband, my mom, my sister, my friend...asking them to please do my praying for me. I simply couldn’t do it myself. Six weeks later, though, I found myself on a pilgrimage to Rome. That’s a funny place to be for someone who didn’t want to pray. Yes, sisters, the Holy Spirit loves to surprise us! There I was, hardly alive, spiritually speaking. The roots of my faith were holding on with all of their might, while the rest of me felt shriveled and cold. One day, midway through our trip, we visited the Scala Santa (the Holy Stairs). Pilgrims of every age were there, climbing on their knees the same stairs Our Lord climbed. I remember standing at the bottom of the steps thinking this was crazy. Doubtful, yet drawn forward in hope. With each step that I climbed, I whispered the same heart-prayer. I begged, “Dear Lord, if it’s Your will we should have another baby, please make it happen. Please don’t let us lose another one. Please let the next one live.” And, I might have also followed that up with, “Oh, and if it’s possible, could it please be a girl?” By the time my knees reached the top step, I felt stronger, not weaker, from the journey I had taken. My soul began to come alive again. Our Leah was born thirteen months later. Look back on your life. Find a time when God was faithful to you, even when you couldn’t see. Thank Him for an answered prayer. Prayer + Discussion for Prayer Partners Was there ever a time in your life when you couldn’t feel the Holy Spirit’s presence? How did you keep faith for what you couldn’t see or feel? [bctt tweet="Cause Your word to come alive in me. Give me faith for what I cannot see. Give me passion for your purity. Holy Spirit, breathe new life in me. #BISblog #prayerpledge //" via="no"]

It’s important to start a piece on chastity by pointing out that sex is a very good thing. It’s mysterious, making a union of man and woman while also allowing them to remain distinct persons—evocative of the Blessed Trinity. Also similar to the Trinity, this union is creative, bringing life into the world. Lastly, the pleasure experienced during the sexual act was not some random happenstance; it also isn’t just to preserve the survival of the human race by enticing individuals to procreate. God wanted us to understand the electric and sublime goodness of being united to others. Not just physically, but also emotionally and spiritually. He also wanted us to experience a taste of the same pleasure that He did in creating us. Sex between a man and woman united with one another for life in the Sacrament of Marriage is one of the many ways God gives us a glimpse of the ecstasy we are meant to experience forever in Heaven. And you know who hates that? Satan... Twisted from the Start Unlike God and humans, angels cannot create. This obviously includes fallen angels. Satan cannot create anything, even evil. All he can do is to “twist” the good, making it unrecognizable and harder to see the truth it transmits. Sex is one of these things. In fact, one of the first manifestations of sin that is seen running rampant after the Fall in Genesis is lust (Genesis 6:1-2). This isn’t a coincidence. When used correctly, sex leads to greater communion within our families, within our communities, and within our world. This is something Satan clearly doesn’t want for us. So he attacked our understanding of sex early on in Salvation History, and he hasn’t let up since. Rather than allowing us to see that it’s loving unity that brings about satisfaction, he clouds our senses to make us think it is pleasure alone which achieves this. The more he can twist and tangle, the more he can cause us to stumble and keep us from achieving greatness. Just look at St. Thomas Aquinas. Fighting Fire with Fire St. Thomas Aquinas belonged to a wealthy, noble family. As the youngest son, he was expected to join a monastery. But he threw everyone a curveball when he joined the Dominican order while he was off at school. Embarrassed to have their son be a part of this “begging” order, St. Thomas’ parents had him kidnapped and imprisoned in a family castle. They hoped to dissuade him from his lifestyle. As time passed and Thomas remained committed to the Dominicans, his brothers did the most desperate thing they could think of to try and get their brother to recant his vows: they hired a prostitute. The woman was sent into St. Thomas’ room dressed scantily clad with the directive to get their brother to abandon his vow of chastity. St. Thomas was only able to avoid the temptation by chasing her out of the room with a hot log from the fireplace! After she left, St. Thomas used the log’s ashes to draw a cross upon the wall. He knelt down in front of the image, giving thanks that he was able to resist the charming seductress. At that moment, two angels appeared in the room with a gift they placed around his waist. This gift was an angelic girdle which protected Thomas and saved him from having any lustful thoughts or actions for the rest of his life.[/vc_column_text] The Difference Grace Makes Let’s think about the effects of this occurrence for a moment. Because St. Thomas was able to resist that temptation and remain faithful to his vows, he went on to write (and write and write and write and write) about a plethora of theological and philosophical issues. All of these have drastically served and shaped the Catholic Church and millions of individuals. Pope Pius XI even wrote: If St. Thomas had not been victorious when his chastity was in peril, it is very probable that the Church would never have had her Angelic Doctor. What would have happened if Thomas had given into lust? How different would each and every single one of our lives be today? How different could our own lives be—as well as the lives of others—if we were to live chaste lives? Doctor Aquinas One of the Doctors of the Church, St. Thomas has been called both the “common doctor” as well as the “angelic doctor.” He was an ordinary man who understood ordinary life and common problems (like sexual temptations). He also had the ability to see and explain how virtuous living transforms ordinary endeavors, allowing us to reach spiritual understandings of celestial heights. When it comes to the wounds of lust, Aquinas can have a healing hand there, too. Due to his “raging” success in his quest for chastity, his intercession is often requested by those who battle with unchaste thoughts and habits. After his death, the angelic girdle (a simple cord he wore around his waist) was secured by the Dominican order. Eventually, it was publically displayed for veneration by the faithful. Pilgrims began to visit the cord and pray for Aquinas’ help in their battles for purity. Some even started bringing cords to touch to the holy relic that they would then wear themselves. This devotion developed into an official Confraternity of the Dominican Order. Members of this Angelic Warfare Confraternity wear the same type cord and are united in prayer throughout the globe. There are even Saints who belonged to this group while they were alive. “Famous” members include St. Aloysius Gonzaga, Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati. and Bl. Columba Rieti. Bl. Stephana Quinzani was not only a member, but also actively promoted the Confraternity among women; she knew that lust does not limit itself to a specific gender. “... A Long and Exacting Work…” After his encounter with the prostitute, Aquinas never struggled to be chaste again. This fact is sure to inspire a twinge of jealousy for those who find themselves in the ongoing battle for purity. For the majority of the faithful, “self-mastery is a long and exacting work” (CCC 2342). It makes great demands on one's skill and attention. Often, we have to seek out other resources, like the wisdom and accountability of others, as well as the Sacraments, fasting, and intense prayer. Even during those times when the struggle seems to have diminished, we can never consider it to be defeated once and for all. Just as our bodies require food and exercise, and our souls require the constancy of grace, the virtue of chastity involves renewed effort at all stages of life. [bctt tweet="Just as our bodies require food and exercise, and our souls require the constancy of grace, the virtue of chastity involves renewed effort at all stages of life. #BISblog //" username="grace_swap"] A Little Boost For all our sisters who find themselves dealing with this particular strife, we offer the following thoughts as encouragement… You are not alone in this struggle and you should not feel disgraced. Countless Saints, including Aquinas, Augustine, Mary Magdalene, Francis of Assisi, Mary of Egypt, Catherine of Siena, and many others experienced intense periods of lust. You can overcome this too! Where sin abounds, grace abounds all the more (Romans 5:20). The more you struggle with this sin, the more grace is made readily available to you. All you have to do is remember that it’s there! Some wounds and scars are deeper than others. If you find yourself repeatedly falling, even after the help of Confession, consider seeking spiritual direction and a consistent confessor. Remember, God made you to accomplish great things. Don’t let this struggle keep you captive. Interested in learning more about St. Thomas Aquinas? Watch this video! [bctt tweet="Give Chase to Chastity with the Help of St. Thomas Aquinas #BISblog //" username="grace_swap"]

Week Five // Holy Spirit, Living Breath of God Holy Spirit, living breath of God, Breathe new life into my willing soul. Let the presence of the risen Lord Come renew my heart and make me whole. Cause Your word to come alive in me. Give me faith for what I cannot see. Give me passion for your purity. Holy Spirit, breathe new life in me. Holy Spirit come abide within, May Your joy be seen in all I do. Love enough to cover every sin, In each thought and deed and attitude. Kindness to the greatest and the least, Gentleness that sows the path of peace. Turn my strivings into works of grace; Breath of God show Christ in all I do. Holy Spirit from creation’s birth, Giving life to all that God has made. Show your power once again on earth, Cause your church to hunger for your ways. Let the fragrance of our prayers arise; Lead us on the road of sacrifice, That in unity the face of Christ Will be clear for all the world to see. Week Five Intention We pray for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the entire world. Week Five // Day One Holy Spirit, living breath of God, Breathe new life into my willing soul. Let the presence of the risen Lord Come renew my heart and make me whole. My oldest son wasn’t breathing when he was born. The umbilical cord had been wrapped tightly around his neck. So, instead of being laid gently in my arms like I had dreamed of for so long, he was whisked away to a warmer, slightly blue and a little limp. Immediately, nurses rubbed his back and feet, put the oxygen under his nose, and tried to stimulate his breathing. Across the room, I lay in the bed saying, “Breathe, baby, please breathe,” for what seemed like an eternity. In reality, only a minute or two passed before life-giving oxygen entered his lungs and the most precious sound I’d ever heard touched my ears. Not only was he breathing, but he was crying. Loud and strong and full of life! We are all born, sisters, needing breath. We need air in our lungs to keep us alive and functioning. And just as our bodies need the air of this world, our souls need the Breath of Life from the Spirit to truly live. There have been times in my past that I have felt the suffocating lack of the Spirit. If we look around, we can recognize that lack in our own communities and the world at large, can’t we? But we don’t need to live in that place of suffocation and desperation. We have Jesus and we have each other. We have people who will rub our backs and encourage us to breathe, to fill our souls with the Spirit. Then, we can cry out in strength and in love. We can live as we truly are, made new and made whole. Look in your heart today to see where you might need some spiritual resuscitation. Then, look at those around you to see who might need a little encouragement as well. Prayer + Discussion for Prayer Partners What part of your life needs the breath of the Spirit to come alive again? Are you truly willing for that to happen? If not, what is holding you back? [bctt tweet="Holy Spirit, living breath of God, Breathe new life into my willing soul. Let the presence of the risen Lord, Come renew my heart and make me whole. #BISblog #prayerpledge //" via="no"]

It is the spirit that gives life, while the flesh is of no avail. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and life. // John 6:63 Thank you for these beautiful free wallpapers from Erica Tighe of Be A Heart. Let His word dwell in us richly, sisters. 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

Week Four // Prayer for the Gifts of the Holy Spirit Holy Spirit, Divine Consoler, I adore You as my true God, with God the Father and God the Son. I adore You and unite myself to the adoration You receive from the angels and saints. I give You my heart and I offer my ardent thanksgiving for all the grace which You never cease to bestow on me. O Giver of all supernatural gifts, who filled the soul of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, with such immense favors, I beg You to visit me with Your grace and Your love and to grant me the gift of holy fear, so that it may act on me as a check to prevent me from falling back into my past sins, for which I beg pardon. Grant me the gift of piety, so that I may serve You for the future with increased fervor, follow with more promptness Your holy inspirations, and observe your divine precepts with greater fidelity. Grant me the gift of knowledge, so that I may know the things of God and, enlightened by Your holy teaching, may walk, without deviation, in the path of eternal salvation. Grant me the gift of fortitude, so that I may overcome courageously all the assaults of the devil, and all the dangers of this world which threaten the salvation of my soul. Grant me the gift of counsel, so that I may choose what is more conducive to my spiritual advancement and may discover the wiles and snares of the tempter. Grant me the gift of understanding, so that I may apprehend the divine mysteries and by contemplation of heavenly things detach my thoughts and affections from the vain things of this miserable world. Grant me the gift of wisdom, so that I may rightly direct all my actions, referring them to God as my last end; so that, having loved Him and served Him in this life, I may have the happiness of possessing Him eternally in the next. Week Four Intention We pray for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the Universal Church. Week Four // Day Seven Grant me the gift of wisdom, so that I may rightly direct all my actions, referring them to God as my last end; so that, having loved Him and served Him in this life, I may have the happiness of possessing Him eternally in the next. Out of all the gifts of the Holy Spirit, I bet this is the one we have prayed for the most. Perhaps this is even the only one we’ve actually prayed for by name. Every time we pray the words, “Heavenly Father, show me what to do,” or, “Why am I in this situation?“ or even, “Lord, how could you let this happen?” we are praying for the gift of wisdom. Pope Francis defines wisdom as “the grace of being able to see everything with the eyes of God…to see the world, to see situations, circumstances, problems, everything through God’s eyes” (source). If we can see our lives and our world through God’s eyes, how much more loving will we be? How much more will we go out of our way to serve our neighbors? How much more patient will we be in trying circumstances? How much more willingly will we suffer? God loves prayers for the gift of wisdom. We see His loving approval of this request time and time again in Scripture, most notably in the way He rewards Solomon in the Old Testament. When God offered Solomon anything he desired and Solomon asked for the gift of wisdom in order to rightly rule the people of Israel, God replied: Because this has been your wish—you did not ask for riches, treasures, and glory, or the life of those who hate you, or even for a long life for yourself, but you have asked for wisdom and knowledge in order to rule my people over whom I have made you king—wisdom and knowledge are given you. I will also give you riches, treasures, and glory, such as kings before you never had, nor will those who come after you. -2 Chronicles 1:11-12   As we close this week and this beautiful prayer of holy St. Alphonsus Liguori, I’m reminded of something one of my favorite professors used to say: God gives for the sake of giving. We serve a generous and loving God, sisters. Let us boldly ask for the gifts of the Holy Spirit to pour down on ourselves, our communities, and our world, that we may use those gifts to build the Church and love the Lord with all our hearts, minds, and strength. Ask for the grace to see a particular situation in your life through God’s eyes. How does it look different after doing so? Prayer + Discussion for Prayer Partners Having prayed through St. Alphonsus Liguori’s Prayer for the Gifts of the Holy Spirit this week, which gift stood out to you? Discuss which gifts you desire most, as well as those you are already growing in. [bctt tweet="Grant me the gift of wisdom, so that I may rightly direct all my actions, referring them to God as my last end; so that...I may have the happiness of possessing Him eternally in the next. #BISblog #prayerpledge //" username="lisajanelkirk"]

Week Four // Prayer for the Gifts of the Holy Spirit Holy Spirit, Divine Consoler, I adore You as my true God, with God the Father and God the Son. I adore You and unite myself to the adoration You receive from the angels and saints. I give You my heart and I offer my ardent thanksgiving for all the grace which You never cease to bestow on me. O Giver of all supernatural gifts, who filled the soul of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, with such immense favors, I beg You to visit me with Your grace and Your love and to grant me the gift of holy fear, so that it may act on me as a check to prevent me from falling back into my past sins, for which I beg pardon. Grant me the gift of piety, so that I may serve You for the future with increased fervor, follow with more promptness Your holy inspirations, and observe your divine precepts with greater fidelity. Grant me the gift of knowledge, so that I may know the things of God and, enlightened by Your holy teaching, may walk, without deviation, in the path of eternal salvation. Grant me the gift of fortitude, so that I may overcome courageously all the assaults of the devil, and all the dangers of this world which threaten the salvation of my soul. Grant me the gift of counsel, so that I may choose what is more conducive to my spiritual advancement and may discover the wiles and snares of the tempter. Grant me the gift of understanding, so that I may apprehend the divine mysteries and by contemplation of heavenly things detach my thoughts and affections from the vain things of this miserable world. Grant me the gift of wisdom, so that I may rightly direct all my actions, referring them to God as my last end; so that, having loved Him and served Him in this life, I may have the happiness of possessing Him eternally in the next. Week Four Intention We pray for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the Universal Church. Week Four // Day Six Grant me the gift of understanding, so that I may apprehend the divine mysteries and by contemplation of heavenly things detach my thoughts and affections from the vain things of this miserable world. So very often, I find myself deeply distracted by what St. Alphonsus Liguori calls “the vain things of this miserable world.” Sale e-mails that clutter my inbox. The temptation to complain when traffic is slow and I’m already running fifteen minutes late. My Instagram feed when I view it through the lens of discontentment rather than appreciation. The way I all-too-often find my worth in my job title, and not in my identity as a daughter of the King. It is one thing to pray against these temptations and distractions once they’re present, but I’m intrigued by St. Alphonsus Liguori’s approach. Rather than allowing the shiny objects of the world to fill his mind and heart and then praying to refocus, he prays for the gift of understanding—that his mind would be filled with things of the Kingdom, leaving no room for anything else. Pope Francis said understanding “is the gift with which the Holy Spirit introduces us into intimacy with God and makes us sharers in the plan of love which he has for us” (source). Our Faith is mysterious in many ways, but through the gift of understanding, we can grasp at its teachings, God’s calls on our lives, and our true identity in Him. Little by little, step by step. Imagine scraping the muck off of an old window that has been covered by years of dirt, grime, and mud. That window, so often, is our heart existing here in the world. By the grace of God, through the Sacraments, and with the gift of understanding from the Holy Spirit, we can clean and polish the window until we can see clearly through it. And it happened that, while he was with them at table, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them. With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he vanished from their sight. Then they said to each other, ‘Were not our hearts burning [within us] while he spoke to us on the way and opened the scriptures to us?’ -Luke 24:30-32   Identify a place where you are distracted by something other than God and take one concrete action to quiet its voice in your life. Prayer + Discussion for Prayer Partners Discuss which “vain things of the world” distract you from heavenly things most. How can you clear space in your heart and schedule for contemplation of the divine instead? [bctt tweet="Grant me the gift of understanding, so that I may apprehend the divine mysteries and by contemplation of heavenly things detach my thoughts and affections from the vain things of this miserable world. #BISblog #prayerpledge //" username="lisajanelkirk"]

Happy Feast Day of St. Francis de Sales! For the past two years, I have called upon St. Francis de Sales’ intercession often. St. Francis de Sales is responsible for my blog’s namesake, Finding Philothea. When my husband and I started our blog two years ago, we had the idea of writing and sharing love letters to each other, something that has always been a key part of our relationship. We thought about famous love letters, and the many letters of Saint Francis de Sales came to mind! He would address his letters to Philothea, or, “the one who loves God,” as a general address to all of the faithful. We decided to take Saint Francis de Sales as our patron and name our blog Finding Philothea as inspiration to always find the “one who loves God” in one another and others, challenging each other to grow. The Saints are in the Details God sends us Saints to accompany us on our journey of faith here on earth and to help us reach our heavenly home. The Saints are yearning to be part of the little details of our daily life. Whether that is creating a blog, doing the dishes, driving to work, studying for an exam, or visiting a friend in need–our Church teaches us that we are not alone. We are able to call upon the hosts of Heaven to be spiritually present with us. While Saint Francis de Sales was alive here on earth, his passion was to help ordinary men and woman reach heaven and the heights of holiness through their everyday tasks. That is what he continues to do as a Saint in Heaven. He is interceding for us as we strive for the Kingdom of God each day. The “Gentleman Saint” Francis de Sales is known as “the Gentleman Saint” due to his patience and gentleness. He truly heeded Jesus’ call in the Gospel to live life fully and abundantly (John 10:10) through incorporating prayer into his daily life. He loved horseback riding, dancing, and fencing. After receiving his doctorate in law and theology, Francis became the Bishop of Geneva in 1602. Francis was filled with love for God and for the men, women, and children he was surrounded by. He devoted his time to spiritual direction of lay people, which was extremely unusual for the time. His way of teaching Catholic spirituality is known as the “Way of Divine Love,” or the “Devout Life.” This is reflected in the title of one of his most famous works, Philothea, or An Introduction to the Devout Life. Francis’ love for God and others was so deep that he once developed a sign language in order to teach a deaf man about God! Because of this, he is known as the patron saint of the deaf. St. Francis is also the patron saint of writers and journalists. 3 Ways To Celebrate the Feast of St. Francis de Sales Here are three simple ways to celebrate the Feast Day of St. Francis de Sales. 1. Read an excerpt from An Introduction to the Devout Life. I remember hearing a story about another great Francis in heaven, St. Francis of Assisi. He and his brothers would often say a prayer to the Holy Spirit and then open the Bible, trusting that God would reveal to them in that moment exactly what they needed to read. For the past few weeks, I have been doing this with the Diary of Saint Faustina. I place myself in the presence of God by invoking the Holy Spirit, asking Him to show me what my heart needs. I then open Faustina’s Diary and read a paragraph or two, spending a few minutes afterwards reflecting and praying with the words that I read. This is a beautifully simple way to honor St. Francis de Sales today on his Feast. Say a prayer, ask his intercession, and open his book, reading a paragraph or two. If you don’t have a copy you can research some of his famous quotes and spend a few minutes reflecting on his words. 2. Write a letter. St. Francis de Sales counseled and directed many men and women through his correspondence with them. His letters are full of love, gentle instruction, and God’s tender mercy. Francis would even write out copies of his sermons, slipping them under people’s doors. The beauty of his written word converted thousands, (some say up to 72,000 in the Swiss countryside alone!). Francis teaches us that written words—especially words that proclaim the beauty, truth, and goodness of God—hold power and are meant to be shared! A way we can celebrate his Feast is to write a letter to someone. It is such a joy to receive a letter in the mail! It feels like a special treat during this time of e-mails and texting. When we write a letter, we take the time to physically share our hearts with another person. It is a slow process, one that gives us time to reflect and think of the person whom we are sharing our heart with, pondering their dignity and beauty. Letters are Worth a Thousand Words When my husband and I began dating five years ago, he started writing me letters. At the end of every month he would hand me an envelope with all the letters he wrote to me that month. He did that for the entirety of our dating and engagement period. On our wedding day, he handed me a journal of love letters he had been writing. I treasure those letters, the words that helped reveal my husband’s heart to me. You don’t have to write a love letter today (although you can!). But consider taking time to think of someone in your life who needs the message of God’s joy. Even if it is a small note, share your heart with someone, spreading your unique light and love! 3. Ponder the Immaculate Heart of Mary. St. Francis de Sales had a great devotion to the Mother of God’s heart. He wrote to many men and women about the importance of pondering the life of Mary, who is our model for loving God. St. Francis’ writings about Mary and her love of God influenced another Saint, St. John Eudes, to develop his famous devotion to the Hearts of Jesus and Mary. I love this story! Saints influencing other Saints! It teaches us never to be afraid to speak about our personal love for God, Mary, the Angels, and the Saints! We never know the deep impact that our words may have. Because St. Francis de Sales shared his love for Mary, he influenced another Saint to love Mary too, who in turn has affected thousands of men and women over the centuries. Ponder Mary’s heart today. Pray a Hail Mary in the silence of your heart, recite the Rosary with a friend, or look at your favorite image of Our Lady for a few minutes. Don’t be afraid to share your love of Mary with others! Happy Feast Day! Happy Feast of St. Francis de Sales! May this Gentleman Saint lead and guide you towards Heaven. May we always follow his example of sharing our love of God with others and entrusting our hearts to Him through Our Lady. Do you have a devotion to St. Francis de Sales? What do you love most about him? [bctt tweet="3 Simple Ways to Celebrate the Feast of St. Francis de Sales #BISblog //" username="findphilothea"]

Week Four // Prayer for the Gifts of the Holy Spirit Holy Spirit, Divine Consoler, I adore You as my true God, with God the Father and God the Son. I adore You and unite myself to the adoration You receive from the angels and saints. I give You my heart and I offer my ardent thanksgiving for all the grace which You never cease to bestow on me. O Giver of all supernatural gifts, who filled the soul of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, with such immense favors, I beg You to visit me with Your grace and Your love and to grant me the gift of holy fear, so that it may act on me as a check to prevent me from falling back into my past sins, for which I beg pardon. Grant me the gift of piety, so that I may serve You for the future with increased fervor, follow with more promptness Your holy inspirations, and observe your divine precepts with greater fidelity. Grant me the gift of knowledge, so that I may know the things of God and, enlightened by Your holy teaching, may walk, without deviation, in the path of eternal salvation. Grant me the gift of fortitude, so that I may overcome courageously all the assaults of the devil, and all the dangers of this world which threaten the salvation of my soul. Grant me the gift of counsel, so that I may choose what is more conducive to my spiritual advancement and may discover the wiles and snares of the tempter. Grant me the gift of understanding, so that I may apprehend the divine mysteries and by contemplation of heavenly things detach my thoughts and affections from the vain things of this miserable world. Grant me the gift of wisdom, so that I may rightly direct all my actions, referring them to God as my last end; so that, having loved Him and served Him in this life, I may have the happiness of possessing Him eternally in the next. Week Four Intention We pray for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the Universal Church. Week Four // Day Five Grant me the gift of counsel, so that I may choose what is more conducive to my spiritual advancement and may discover the wiles and snares of the tempter. I am a rule-follower by nature, perhaps to a fault. Hand me a set of instructions, a recipe, or a map, and I’ll stick to it faithfully, trusting that someone else’s knowledge trumps my own and worrying that I might find myself in trouble if I stray from what I’m told. As a result, my driving record is spotless and all I know about detention is what I’ve seen in movies. But, I also find myself lost and insecure when the directions are mine to set. In His generosity, God gives us countless choices throughout our lives. Some, like what career to pursue or who to marry, are easy to remember to pray about. But when it comes to seemingly less significant decisions, it’s all too easy to forget to ask for the Lord’s guidance. God desires our hearts in all of our discernment, big and small, because even the smallest decisions we make can have eternal consequences, for ourselves and for others. That’s what the gift of counsel is about—the ability to identify those decisions that God has a special purpose for and to see and follow that plan. Rather than one point-A-to-point-B list of instructions to Heaven, God presents us with options. Think of it as a trail map at your favorite state park. Some trails are short and sweet, while others are more treacherous, but worth it for the sweeping vista views and waterfalls if you can brave the hike. No matter the trail you are drawn to, they all lead to the final destination, just as long as you stay on the path. Prayer, communion with God, and the gift of counsel enable us to do just that: to always see the arrows spray-painted on the trees pointing us in the right direction. When we receive and welcome him into our heart, the Holy Spirit immediately begins to make us sensitive to his voice and to guide our thoughts, our feelings and our intentions according to the heart of God. -Pope Francis   What decisions in your life right now have you neglected to bring to God? Ask the Holy Spirit for the gift of counsel as you move forward with those decisions. Prayer + Discussion for Prayer Partners Share one decision you are praying about right now. What do the paths you are discerning look like? Remind each other of the truths of the Gospel and encourage one another. [bctt tweet="Grant me the gift of counsel, so that I may choose what is more conducive to my spiritual advancement and may discover the wiles and snares of the tempter. #BISblog #prayerpledge //" username="lisajanelkirk"]

Week Four // Prayer for the Gifts of the Holy Spirit Holy Spirit, Divine Consoler, I adore You as my true God, with God the Father and God the Son. I adore You and unite myself to the adoration You receive from the angels and saints. I give You my heart and I offer my ardent thanksgiving for all the grace which You never cease to bestow on me. O Giver of all supernatural gifts, who filled the soul of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, with such immense favors, I beg You to visit me with Your grace and Your love and to grant me the gift of holy fear, so that it may act on me as a check to prevent me from falling back into my past sins, for which I beg pardon. Grant me the gift of piety, so that I may serve You for the future with increased fervor, follow with more promptness Your holy inspirations, and observe your divine precepts with greater fidelity. Grant me the gift of knowledge, so that I may know the things of God and, enlightened by Your holy teaching, may walk, without deviation, in the path of eternal salvation. Grant me the gift of fortitude, so that I may overcome courageously all the assaults of the devil, and all the dangers of this world which threaten the salvation of my soul. Grant me the gift of counsel, so that I may choose what is more conducive to my spiritual advancement and may discover the wiles and snares of the tempter. Grant me the gift of understanding, so that I may apprehend the divine mysteries and by contemplation of heavenly things detach my thoughts and affections from the vain things of this miserable world. Grant me the gift of wisdom, so that I may rightly direct all my actions, referring them to God as my last end; so that, having loved Him and served Him in this life, I may have the happiness of possessing Him eternally in the next. Week Four Intention We pray for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the Universal Church. Week Four // Day Four Grant me the gift of fortitude, so that I may overcome courageously all the assaults of the devil, and all the dangers of this world which threaten the salvation of my soul. Overcome. Assault. Danger. Threaten. There are some scary words in this prayer, aren’t there? Well, sisters, it should come as no surprise that that’s because there are scary things in this world. Watch the news, read the headlines, scroll through Twitter, and it is all too obvious how devastatingly far the world has fallen. Families are separated. Countries are divided. Horrific sins have taken place within our own beloved Church. Do you ever wonder if God would flood it all again if He had not promised Noah He wouldn’t, way back in the day? As Catholics, we know without a shadow of a doubt that Satan is real and he hates us. All of the disgusting, heartbreaking, horrifying, terrible things we see on the news? That’s what he wants for us, and much, much worse. But in our daily battle against him, we are never, ever alone. Our warrior of a Mother crushes his head beneath her foot. St. Michael the Archangel casts him into hell. And the Holy Spirit blesses us with the gift of fortitude, enabling us to bravely reject Satan, all his works, and all his empty promises. We are part of the battle and part of the victory that we know belongs to our Lord Jesus Christ. With every gossipy conversation that is awkward to put a stop to, but we do anyway, the gift of fortitude is at work. With every angry word we keep our lips sealed around, the gift of fortitude is at work. With every temptation to use someone for our own gain that we reject and flee from, the gift of fortitude is at work. This world is not easy to live in. Each new day we wake up on this earth is another day we will be tempted, distracted, and pulled away from God if we allow it to happen. Fortitude keeps our eyes on the prize and gives us the strength and courage to fight another day, until we can finally, truly rest in the peace of Heaven. I am not afraid. I was born to do this. -St. Joan of Arc   Identify a situation or area of your life right now where you most need the gift of fortitude to turn away from sin. Prayer + Discussion for Prayer Partners Share a time in your life when the Holy Spirit blessed you with the gift of fortitude in a moment of need. How did that feel? [bctt tweet="Grant me the gift of fortitude, so that I may overcome courageously all the assaults of the devil, and all the dangers of this world which threaten the salvation of my soul. #BISblog #prayerpledge //" username="lisajanelkirk"]

I once asked a priest, “If we are called to total unity with God and, yet, a person is called to unity with a spouse, is total unity with God still possible?” He responded, “Yes, for all three of you…it just looks different.” A Single Identity When I was single, I was first and foremost a daughter of God. There was no other identity in me. I met my future spouse and became: first, girlfriend, and then second, daughter of God. Morals were not compromised, but my heart ran in one direction. When I felt called to go out-of-state to college, I sat in the adoration chapel while my boyfriend was on the other side of the country, staring at the Lord and saying, “So what? How are we supposed to do this now?” Because the reality was that I had wanted to marry the Man-Christ, and be His Bride. One month before meeting the love of my life and fellow sinner, I came to understand I was not called to religious life. During those two years in Minnesota, I learned to drink, philosophize, and trust the Lord again. Returning to sunny California landed a ring on my finger and a phenomenal job. Daughter and Wife I upgraded the ring to wedding status, quit the job after the wedding, and flew on a jet plane to the East Coast where we could continue my wild course in “This is How I Follow the Lord” by doing crazy things, like graduate school. Daughter and Wife and Mom When our daughter was born I quickly shifted to: first, Mother, second, wife, and third, daughter of God. It was out of delight for the wiggling, grunting baby girl we had. I wrote a man I respected who said great things and asked, “If routine is beauty, how do we pursue a life if prayer when there is no routine?” He never really got back to me. This is the way it stayed. First, mother, second, wife, and third, daughter of God. When I got stir crazy, we alternated to first two. Daughter of God remained last. That day ended and the next day came and one must do what one must do. Then tragedy came. Long distance again, but this time because I cared for our infant son in a hospital 100 miles from home while my husband cared for our other three kids and drove them to see us on the weekends. First, mother, third, daughter of God. Wife? Lost somewhere in the absence of seeing each other. Burnt out, alone, angry. Mother had to give way to something else. Who's on First in a Marriage Vocation? I had to learn who I am. I had to respect who I am. And I had to support who I am. In that process of learning what I needed to know to care for myself, I rediscovered God in the personal way I had lost Him rifling through the diaper bag. More heartaches came. Wife moved up the ladder, mother moved to a proper place, self remained as an anchor of sanity. I did not immerse myself in the romantic relationship, in the motherly duties, but found a secure sense of self I could give without losing. It Just Looks Different Where am I as a Daughter of God? I still belong to Him and He to me. It just looks different, that’s all. I am not less united to my spouse because I no longer follow him around the house eager for his attention and compliments. Nor am I less of a mother because I am not afraid to run out the door when my friend arrives for a ladies’ night out. It's a Journey There are many faults to be worked out, many sins to reduce, many more apologies to be made. I am not a saint. But just as my marriage entered the new season Anne Morrow Lindbergh refers to as the two solitudes (moving easily from solitude to communion and back), so I can operate through life with that sense of prayerfulness without being on my knees. When I get it right, I’ll be like Venerable Concepcion Cabera de Armida: sweep the floor, get caught in an ecstasy, and then go on sweeping the floor when it finishes. And that, is the marriage vocation. Married women, how did your prayer life and priorities change when you got married? What does this balance look like for you right now? [bctt tweet="Who's on First in a Marriage Vocation? #BISblog //" via="no"] Kathryn Anne Casey is a graduate of Divine Mercy University, freelance writer, housewife, and mother of four children. Her weekly newspaper column “Here’s to the Good Life!” and blog focus on art, psychology, consumerism and the importance of local community. Find out more about her here.

Week Four // Prayer for the Gifts of the Holy Spirit Holy Spirit, Divine Consoler, I adore You as my true God, with God the Father and God the Son. I adore You and unite myself to the adoration You receive from the angels and saints. I give You my heart and I offer my ardent thanksgiving for all the grace which You never cease to bestow on me. O Giver of all supernatural gifts, who filled the soul of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, with such immense favors, I beg You to visit me with Your grace and Your love and to grant me the gift of holy fear, so that it may act on me as a check to prevent me from falling back into my past sins, for which I beg pardon. Grant me the gift of piety, so that I may serve You for the future with increased fervor, follow with more promptness Your holy inspirations, and observe your divine precepts with greater fidelity. Grant me the gift of knowledge, so that I may know the things of God and, enlightened by Your holy teaching, may walk, without deviation, in the path of eternal salvation. Grant me the gift of fortitude, so that I may overcome courageously all the assaults of the devil, and all the dangers of this world which threaten the salvation of my soul. Grant me the gift of counsel, so that I may choose what is more conducive to my spiritual advancement and may discover the wiles and snares of the tempter. Grant me the gift of understanding, so that I may apprehend the divine mysteries and by contemplation of heavenly things detach my thoughts and affections from the vain things of this miserable world. Grant me the gift of wisdom, so that I may rightly direct all my actions, referring them to God as my last end; so that, having loved Him and served Him in this life, I may have the happiness of possessing Him eternally in the next. Week Four Intention We pray for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the Universal Church. Week Four // Day Three Grant me the gift of knowledge, so that I may know the things of God and, enlightened by Your holy teaching, may walk, without deviation, in the path of eternal salvation. Raise your hand if you’ve ever blamed a gap in your knowledge of God or our Faith on “poor catechesis.” Sure, the opportunities and people that have fallen short in passing on the Faith are unfortunately vast and varied, from cradle Catholics to converts alike. Our Faith, in so many ways, is mysterious, deep, complicated, and hard to understand, let alone explain. Thanks be to God, though, we don’t have to know all the right answers before we can know God Himself. Some of the greatest Saints in history, whom God chose for great purposes, knew only the basics of the Catechism (St. Bernadette comes to mind). But they didn’t let that get in the way of their knowing God and discerning His call on their lives. St. Alphonsus Liguori possessed extensive knowledge of many subjects. Born to a privileged family near Naples, Italy in 1696, he received the best available education in philosophy, literature, and the arts. Excelling in his studies, he was awarded doctorates of civil and canon law at age 16 and went on to become known as one of the best lawyers in Naples before he was 20. Knowledge, you could say, was not a gift he seemed to lack. The knowledge he prayed for, though, was not an earthly one, but a heavenly one. As we see throughout the Gospels, as Jesus rebukes the Pharisees, mere knowledge of the “rules” falls devastatingly short of what God calls us to. Knowledge—the gift of the Holy Spirit—does not end with a test we could pass or fail depending on the strength of our childhood CCD program or Catholic school theology classes. Rather, it leads us to know God more intimately by knowing the Truths He has revealed. There lies the difference between the generous gift of the Holy Spirit that St. Alphonsus Liguori prayed for, and knowledge as the world defines it. What aspects of our Faith may God be calling you to learn more about in order to draw you closer to Him? (Perhaps the Eucharist, Mary, the Communion of Saints, the Theology of the Body?) Prayer + Discussion for Prayer Partners Discuss your answer above. Where can you go to learn more about what you answered? Commit to sharing one thing you learn about your topic with one another next time you talk. [bctt tweet="Grant me the gift of knowledge, so that I may know the things of God and, enlightened by Your holy teaching, may walk, without deviation, in the path of eternal salvation. #BISblog #prayerpledge //" username="lisajanelkirk"]

Week Four // Prayer for the Gifts of the Holy Spirit Holy Spirit, Divine Consoler, I adore You as my true God, with God the Father and God the Son. I adore You and unite myself to the adoration You receive from the angels and saints. I give You my heart and I offer my ardent thanksgiving for all the grace which You never cease to bestow on me. O Giver of all supernatural gifts, who filled the soul of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, with such immense favors, I beg You to visit me with Your grace and Your love and to grant me the gift of holy fear, so that it may act on me as a check to prevent me from falling back into my past sins, for which I beg pardon. Grant me the gift of piety, so that I may serve You for the future with increased fervor, follow with more promptness Your holy inspirations, and observe your divine precepts with greater fidelity. Grant me the gift of knowledge, so that I may know the things of God and, enlightened by Your holy teaching, may walk, without deviation, in the path of eternal salvation. Grant me the gift of fortitude, so that I may overcome courageously all the assaults of the devil, and all the dangers of this world which threaten the salvation of my soul. Grant me the gift of counsel, so that I may choose what is more conducive to my spiritual advancement and may discover the wiles and snares of the tempter. Grant me the gift of understanding, so that I may apprehend the divine mysteries and by contemplation of heavenly things detach my thoughts and affections from the vain things of this miserable world. Grant me the gift of wisdom, so that I may rightly direct all my actions, referring them to God as my last end; so that, having loved Him and served Him in this life, I may have the happiness of possessing Him eternally in the next. Week Four Intention We pray for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the Universal Church. Week Four // Day Two Grant me the gift of piety, so that I may serve You for the future with increased fervor, follow with more promptness Your holy inspirations, and observe your divine precepts with greater fidelity. Piety. The word is not a popular one in this day and age—its austere connotations seemingly reserved for priests and religious, disconnected from our fast-moving and rapidly changing world. But sisters, contrary to what popular culture may lead us to believe, how desperately each of us needs the gift of piety! I saw piety in the response of Catholics to the devastating abuse crisis our Church suffers from—Catholics who fled to the foot of the Cross in prayer, ran to the Blessed Sacrament, and faithfully prayed (and continue to pray) for healing, reparation, and guidance. I saw piety when my diocese’s Bishop knelt before the congregation with tears streaming down his face, begging the people he serves to bring their heartbreak and pain to him so he could do whatever he could to help carry it. I saw piety in the lay people who answered the promptings of the Holy Spirit and offered their skills, expertise, and abilities to the Church in order to bring healing and reform a little closer in reach. I saw piety in our brothers and sisters who showed up to Mass on Sunday even though they felt betrayed, and continue to do so, keeping holy the Sabbath day as God commanded. Piety is anything but an archaic virtue. It is something we need in order to live out the Christian life with fervor and devotion in a time when it seems that everything and everyone tries to prevent us from doing so. Our Church needs pious leaders, pious priests, pious religious, and pious lay people to carry our Faith through our modern age. Consider how you have personally observed piety in action, especially over the last six months. Prayer + Discussion for Prayer Partners What are your biggest roadblocks to asking for or accepting the gift of piety? [bctt tweet="Grant me the gift of piety, so that I may serve You for the future with increased fervor... #BISblog #prayerpledge //" username="lisajanelkirk"]

I still remember the hurt. The pain I had as a young girl. Some girls from my class called me to say they were having a sleepover and I wasn’t invited. They made fun of me with their words and the cackles I heard in the background broke my heart in half. I sat their motionless with tears welling in my eyes. How could they be so mean? So cruel? All I wanted was acceptance. Turning Tables All of us girls were huddled outside talking about her. That girl who was flirtatious with all the boys. Who was so annoying. That girl we could not stand. We called her. Our words cut the air like a knife as we knew the girl on the other side of the phone had to be feeling depleted, hurt, and crushed. We didn’t care. She was the one we didn’t like. Unrelenting Guilt Fifteen years later, I awoke with another dream. A dream about her. The girl who was my best friend on and off throughout childhood, high school, college, and my adult years. I was hurt by her and still carried around that pain, that grief. On the flip side, I had so much guilt for the pain I caused her. So much so that I often dreamt about her. My unconscious mind would not let me forget my horrible actions. The horrendous words I said. For the deep wounds I left in her and within myself. I was the opposite of what Christ would have been towards her. Taking it to Christ in Confession I went to Confession every six weeks, and sometimes more. I was sorry for how I treated her, for being sucked into the actions that my own jealousy and unhappiness caused. Here I was, years later, living my dream life. Yet I was bound with this overwhelming sense of guilt. I should have been over it by now, yet something inside me could not let it go. Maybe it was my people-pleasing nature? Maybe it was thinking about my own children and how mean other kids can be? Could it be because I had never said I was sorry? Taking it to Her I realized that even though our friendship has endured, we never talked about those few years of heartache. Those years that are filled with just wanting to have friends, for wanting to be loved for who you are. That is when my spirit was stirred. I realized the only way I could ever overcome this grief that I had, this guilt, was by apologizing directly to her. Then, I had to forgive myself. A few years ago, that same girl reached out and offered to drive me down to one of our friend's get-togethers. I was hesitant, since it had been a while since we’d been one-on-one. What would we talk about? Could I finally apologize? Would she forgive me? Would I have the courage to bring up a taboo subject from such a long time ago? I prayed and prayed. It went something like this, “Lord, please work through me. Please help me to get this off my chest. Help me to speak words of truth and apology. Help me admit my wrong doing. Soften her heart to forgive me, so than I can forgive myself.” We met up and drove to the friend-get-together. Just before we arrived, as my heart was pounding out of me chest and my body was shaking slightly, I brought it up. I said, “I’m sorry for any pain I caused you in our school days. Please forgive me.” She didn’t say much. She brushed it off with a shrug and a smile. Moving Forward It wasn’t exactly what I had in mind. In some way, I was hoping for an apology as well, but that didn’t matter at the moment. What mattered was she forgave me. She allowed me to start over again. I admitted my wrong doing and she accepted me. She accepted me for who I was there and then. She allowed me to move past that dark history that we had. Now, I could move to the light and the future we now have in our friendship. Even though I was so nervous, I knew the only way I could overcome the guilt I felt from that hurt I caused was to ask for forgiveness. Once that forgiveness was given, I did not wake up from dreams of distress and persecution anymore. How to Overcome Guilt It can be hard to overcome guilt, especially if it involves a circumstance that you know morally or ethically was not acceptable. How can you overcome this when it clings to your soul, mind, and heart in so many ways? 1. Admit your choice was wrong. You cannot overcome anything without first admitting to it. 2. Acknowledge the mistake. As humans, once we stop justifying our wrong actions and try to do better, then we can be healed. 3. Ask for forgiveness. Being able to admit to ourselves that we made a mistake is a huge step. But once you tell others and ask for forgiveness from them, the relief that is given is unfathomable. 4. Get to Confession. We have the beautiful Sacrament of Confession. In Confession, our sins can be completely forgiven if we are truly sorry. I often find peace in the words spoken through the priest. Confession allows me to also receive graces that help me strive to do better if other circumstances arise that will tempt me to fall back into those same mistakes or sins. 5. Forgive yourself. Sometimes we hold ourselves back by not allowing ourselves forgiveness. Yes, it can be hard and we can feel shameful. But as humans, we fall. We make mistakes. We have to learn to love ourselves and forgive ourselves. The Devil is the one who wants us to think, “Who’s ever going to love you since you did that?” or “You are not worth anything anymore since that happened and you allowed it to happen.” Don’t believe these lies. Instead, rest in the Lord’s peace knowing that you are worth more than anything. You are a beloved Child of God. You deserve the best and can overcome anything with Him. 6. Receive Jesus in the Eucharist. The more often we receive Jesus, the more we are filled with His love and graces. The less we go to Mass, the farther we get from Him. And the farther we get away from Him, the more the world pulls us into the trap of thinking, “Ahhh…I’m fine. I don’t need God. I don’t need to go to church.” 7. Pray. The last thing that can help us get past our guilt is to continue to pray and strive to grow in grace and virtue. Building our prayer life will help us stay strong and make better choices. It is in Giving that We Receive I’m thankful that through this experience, I’ve been forgiven and have learned to forgive myself as well. We all want acceptance, love, and peace. The only way this can happen is by making amends with the people in our past, forgiving ourselves, and looking toward the future with hope. The hope that is certain that if circumstances arise that tempt us to fall into these sins again, we will say no and move forward. We will not hold a grudge, but instead look to Christ and His example of forgiveness on the Cross. Do you have a story about a time when guilt was relieved only after bringing your wrongdoing to Confession, apologizing, and forgiving yourself? [bctt tweet="How to Overcome Guilt #BISblog //" via="no"] Ann Marschel is a licensed teacher who now is a SAHM. She loves being with her family, going on walks, writing, teaching NFP, and being Catholic!

Week Four // Prayer for the Gifts of the Holy Spirit Holy Spirit, Divine Consoler, I adore You as my true God, with God the Father and God the Son. I adore You and unite myself to the adoration You receive from the angels and saints. I give You my heart and I offer my ardent thanksgiving for all the grace which You never cease to bestow on me. O Giver of all supernatural gifts, who filled the soul of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, with such immense favors, I beg You to visit me with Your grace and Your love and to grant me the gift of holy fear, so that it may act on me as a check to prevent me from falling back into my past sins, for which I beg pardon. Grant me the gift of piety, so that I may serve You for the future with increased fervor, follow with more promptness Your holy inspirations, and observe your divine precepts with greater fidelity. Grant me the gift of knowledge, so that I may know the things of God and, enlightened by Your holy teaching, may walk, without deviation, in the path of eternal salvation. Grant me the gift of fortitude, so that I may overcome courageously all the assaults of the devil, and all the dangers of this world which threaten the salvation of my soul. Grant me the gift of counsel, so that I may choose what is more conducive to my spiritual advancement and may discover the wiles and snares of the tempter. Grant me the gift of understanding, so that I may apprehend the divine mysteries and by contemplation of heavenly things detach my thoughts and affections from the vain things of this miserable world. Grant me the gift of wisdom, so that I may rightly direct all my actions, referring them to God as my last end; so that, having loved Him and served Him in this life, I may have the happiness of possessing Him eternally in the next. Week Four Intention We pray for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the Universal Church. Week Four // Day One Holy Spirit, Divine Consoler, I adore You as my true God, with God the Father and God the Son. I adore You and unite myself to the adoration You receive from the angels and saints. I give You my heart and I offer my ardent thanksgiving for all the grace which You never cease to bestow on me. O Giver of all supernatural gifts, who filled the soul of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, with such immense favors, I beg You to visit me with Your grace and Your love and to grant me the gift of holy fear, so that it may act on me as a check to prevent me from falling back into my past sins, for which I beg pardon. How often do my prayers turn into a list of requests—worded reverently, but requests nonetheless? When I’m being truly honest…most of the time. And I believe this is not altogether a bad thing. We are called to intercede for our loved ones and for our world. God wants us to lay down our sincere needs, our hearts' desires, and even the most insignificant moments throughout the day (“Please, Lord, help me to find a parking spot!”) at the feet of Jesus. But no matter how “much I pray,” if I am only ever asking for things from God, I leave no time to simply love Him. My marriage would crumble rapidly if I treated my husband the way I so often treat Our Lord God, King of the Universe. Eye contact, uninterrupted attention, silenced cell phones, an hour or two of alone time, and the words “I love you” spoken again and again fuel my marriage. How much more do I need to give—and to receive—those same things from the Holy Trinity? St. Alphonsus Liguori’s Prayer for the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, which we are praying through this week, is a prayer made up mostly of requests. But long before expressing his desires for the good and holy gifts he requests of God, St. Alphonsus Liguori adores God. He professes his love and devotion to God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. He gives his heart to the Lord before asking for anything. His first request is simply for this: presence. For the Holy Spirit to fill him as He did our Blessed Mother. St. Alphonsus Liguori knew that even in the midst of his incredibly active ministry and mission work, all was for naught if he did not love God actively, if he did not draw near to Him first and foremost. Having worshiped the Holy Spirit, offered himself, and welcomed God’s presence, St. Alphonsus Liguori asks for the gift of holy fear. If God is to answer his request for His presence (which we know He will!), St. Alphonsus Liguori desires a response that is appropriate. As we invite the Holy Spirit more deeply into our lives this week, let us ask for the same holy fear, “that it may act on [us] as a check to prevent [us] from falling back into [our] past sins.” Spend time in prayer today—not asking God for anything, but simply loving Him, worshiping Him, and being in His presence. Prayer + Discussion for Prayer Partners What percentage of your current prayer life is made up of worship? What percentage is spent praying for different intentions? How may this breakdown need to change? [bctt tweet="I give You my heart. #BISblog #prayerpledge //" username="lisajanelkirk"]

Week Three // O Holy Spirit, Beloved of My Soul O Holy Spirit, beloved of my soul, I adore You. Enlighten me, guide me, strengthen me, console me. Tell me what I should do; give me Your orders. I promise to submit myself to all that You desire of me and to accept all that You permit to happen to me. Let me only know Your will. Amen. Week Three Intention We pray for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit in our local communities and dioceses. Week Three // Day Seven I promise to submit myself to all that you desire of me and to accept all you permit to happen to me. Let me only know your will. Amen. In the midst of a semester abroad in college, a slight misunderstanding occurred between my friend and me. We miscommunicated about the day we were going to meet each other in Paris, which resulted in my arrival a day early. I had no choice but to spend the night and wait for her train to arrive the following morning. I scrambled to find lodging for the night, researching options in internet cafés and seeking help from Parisians. My inquiries lead me to Sacré-Cœur, the Basilica of the Sacred Heart in the Red Light District. The religious sisters allowed pilgrims to sleep in their tiny hostel at no cost in exchange for one hour of Eucharistic Adoration during the night. It seemed so fitting that after my day of mild anguish, it was within the Sacred Heart I was to find rest. My hour of Adoration was particularly fruitful, and the sisters fed us a simple breakfast before lovingly giving us the boot prior to dawn. With a couple of hours to kill, I went to the Eiffel Tower. It barely being morning, the usual line to reach the top of the steel structure was nonexistent. The elevator clicked as it lifted the few passengers, and a bit of light peaked over the horizon. I stepped onto the balcony as a light breeze brushed my face. It felt like a scene out of a movie as I watched the sun rise over the city. I could see the famous Arc de Triomphe, and couldn’t help but think there was no feat too great for God to triumph over. My entire semester was full of these types of happenings. The unexpected became the norm, and I found my response tendencies shifting. Even when change resulted in unpleasant circumstances, I always experienced God in a new way. Submitting to these occurrences helped me to better recognize Him. Recognition led to contentment, and contentment led to trust. By the end of this semester, I wasn’t even rattled by unexpected happenings. I just proceeded with my day spiritually unscathed. It turns out that freedom is found in submission to the will of the Holy Spirit. Try to approach today’s unexpected moments with curiosity instead of control. Prayer + Discussion for Prayer Partners Are there any areas in your life in which you struggle to submit to the Holy Spirit? [bctt tweet="I promise to submit myself to all that you desire of me and to accept all you permit to happen to me. Let me only know your will. Amen. #BISblog #prayerpledge //" username="graceswap"]

God led me to her, who led me to Blessed is She, who will walk me back home. I think I might be the kind of woman the sisterhood here at Blessed is She tries to bring into its circle. I am Catholic. But not "Catholic-Catholic." You know what I mean. My parents were Catholic, and they raised my brothers and I Catholic as well. I sent my five children to our neighborhood Catholic school until—like so many have done—it closed. I then sent them to a non-faith-based school. At that same time, I embarked on a journey of self-recovery and healing from some traumatic childhood events. My world shifted, and things that once made sense no longer did, and vice versa. I was still very prayerful and knew that without God I would not be able to survive the healing journey I was traveling through. But I had stopped going to church. Therapy for Mind, Heart, and Soul At that time, and to this very day, I have been acutely aware that the therapist who has been helping me was placed in my life directly by God. She is a devout Catholic and always—ever so gently—reminds me that I am, too. Faith and God and Mother Mary are constant guide posts in our therapy sessions. She is helping me heal from very difficult things, and sometimes I'm not sure healing is even possible. She will say a prayer with me before therapy sessions, and that has been incredibly therapeutic for me. I have always felt a special connection with God that I knew was different than what others around me felt. I also learned that me talking about my thoughts on God, or my listening to Christian music, made people make fun of me. They would call me things like a Bbible thumper" or "Jesus freak." But my therapist did not dismiss my connection with God. She embraced my faith and the lostness of it at the same time. Searching for God, and Home This past Lent, she directed me to Blessed is She. I checked out the website. I subscribed to the daily emails. I read the blog. But I still didn't attend church. I wasn't even sure if I still was still a Catholic. My healing has been such an emotional, spiritually-tormented journey. Not being sure where, if anywhere, I belonged. Not being sure if God accepted my prayers as enough without belonging to a church of any kind. For a short time, I attended a non-denominational church. I really enjoyed the live concert-like atmosphere with great mainstream Christian music and the stories of Scripture given like a live TED talk. But quickly, after following the pastors of this local "mega church" on social media, I became uncomfortable with how fancy they lived and flaunted their many travels, nice clothes, and houses. And when I discovered that they didn't have church on the actual days of Easter or Christmas, I realized that I didn't belong there either. I was a prayerful God-lover who didn't know what exactly to do with herself, spiritually. I felt very lost. Never Alone in the Church My therapist and I have been working together for several years. She has become a very important person to me, especially in terms of me feeling like my relationship with God was embraced and not something to be ashamed of. She has been an ambassador of the Holy Spirit. God has used her as a vessel for me to receive His message: the message that He loves me, and longs for me to call out to Him. A few weeks ago, she informed me that she would be having surgery. Knowing that the absence of therapy would be difficult for me, she gave me this beautiful stack of Blessed is She Bible verse cards. She asked me to randomly pull out one card while in her office, but two came out stuck together. God spoke to me that very second, because put together they were: Walk in my ways, and I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Now I am healing you. I've Been Missing This This week my father-in-law passed away. My children, husband, and I were planted back into a Catholic church for the funeral. "I've been missing this," I admitted to myself. "My kids have been missing this." My therapist is having her surgery today, and I have been stalking the Blessed is She Instagram page in an effort to find words that remind me that she is in God's Hands. Last night I watched the live Instagram story, which was a live prayer group. Someone to Walk with, Someone Who Will Walk with You I feel like my therapist has walked me back home to my Catholic Faith, through the door of this website and welcoming sisterhood. While I still do not feel "Catholic-Catholic," Blessed is She has allowed me feel that it's ok to feel like that. I long to feel at home again. I believe that the work you do at Blessed is She is just what lost Catholics like me have been searching for: a welcoming group of faithful women who meet you where you are, and lead you the rest of the way. Are you someone who has lost faith but is coming back to the Church? Who or what has lead you to this point? How can we support you? [bctt tweet="When You Don't Feel Catholic-Catholic #BISblog //" via="no"] Christina Walewski is a mom to five awesome kids. She is a survivor of childhood trauma, and she is a strong advocate for defending the innocence of children.

Week Three // O Holy Spirit, Beloved of My Soul O Holy Spirit, beloved of my soul, I adore You. Enlighten me, guide me, strengthen me, console me. Tell me what I should do; give me Your orders. I promise to submit myself to all that You desire of me and to accept all that You permit to happen to me. Let me only know Your will. Amen. Week Three Intention We pray for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit in our local communities and dioceses. Week Three // Day Six Tell me what I should do… give me your orders. During my high school years, I worked at a seasonal ice cream shop. It was a staple summer experience of the small town in which I lived and we were usually pretty busy. The space was small and tight. Maneuvering around in there sometimes got a little tricky; especially when we had long lines on the busy nights. Most customers were pleasant, but there were occasions when a customer got heated and tempers flared. Despite all of this, I liked the job. I liked taking orders—even the complicated orders—because what was expected of me was clear. When it comes to the orders of the Holy Spirit, things aren’t always so straightforward. If you’re just beginning to pay attention to your relationship with the Spirit, His orders can read a lot more like the cues of a baby. When a baby cries (especially as a newborn), it’s not always clear to us why. We know the baby must want or need something. But whether it's food, or a diaper change, or a blanket, or a snuggle, we can’t really know for sure. It can be stressful, but that doesn’t mean we don’t answer simply because we don’t understand the call. All parents spring into action, trying everything until the baby’s cries stop. When we feel prompted by the Spirit, even if His cues aren’t as straightforward as a customer ordering food, we have to have this same promptness in responding. Even if it means trying a few different things before we fully figure out what it is He wants. Thankfully, just as a mother gets to know her child’s nonverbal cues, the language of the Holy Spirit becomes more understandable to us over time. The “guess work” subsides and we understand His orders more clearly. As we progress in our spiritual lives, His promptings become more and more obvious, just as our ability to understand our growing children progresses over time. Respond to anything you think may be a “cry” or a prompting of the Holy Spirit with the attentiveness of a loving mother. Prayer + Discussion for Prayer Partners How do you typically respond when given a directive? Is there anyone you have to answer to that you find difficult to respect or trust? [bctt tweet="Tell me what I should do… give me your orders. #BISblog #prayerpledge //" username="graceswap"]