The New Year A Time to Reflect and Resolve One of my favorite quotes comes from the most quotable Catholic: G.K. Chesterton. He writes of the New Year and resolutions: “The object of a New Year is not that we should have a new year. It is that we should have a new soul and a new nose; new feet, a new backbone, new ears, and new eyes. Unless a particular man made New Year resolutions, he would make no resolutions. Unless a man starts afresh about things, he will certainly do nothing effective” (source).  Taking his words to heart, with each new year I take time to reflect on the past twelve months, and then create a small list of resolutions and goals for the upcoming new year. One goal that remains the same each year is to read. Though I make changes to what that looks like each year, the heart of the resolution remains the same: to make reading good books a priority. My Reading Plan: How I Met My Goals In the year 2023, I read sixty books, the most I have read in a single year to date. To reach this goal I did a few things. First, I decided what authors I wanted to focus on last year. Though I read a variety of authors' writings, I chose a few to include works from each month: Jane Austen, Dietrich von Hildebrand, Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, Pope Benedict XVI, and David McCullough.  Next, I created a word processing document and wrote out the months of the year, writing out the titles of each book I wanted to read under the month. After that, I looked at how many pages were in each book and then divided those pages by how many days in the month there are. That number would be the number of pages I would read each day of the month for that book.  For example, my copy of the book The Diary of a Country Priest by Georges Bernanos has 298 pages in it. I listed that book in my December column, so I divided 298 by 31, for a total of 9.6. I would read 10 pages from that book on each day of December. Doing this for each book helped make my reading goals much more attainable. {formbuilder:OTk3ODc=} Difficult Yet Life-Giving  What helped the most was acknowledging that to reach my goal of sixty books would be difficult, and some days I wouldn’t want to do all of my planned reading. I coupled that thought with this reality: that if I completed my goal, if I prioritized reading every day, I would be a different person in one of the most beautiful ways at the end of the year. As I write this in December, and I am finishing up the last few chapters of my December books, I can truly say: I am a different person not just because of the beautiful words, thoughts, ideas, and wisdom from the books I read, but also because of the discipline and sacrifice it took to read those books.  Resolving To Read You don’t have to read sixty books this year. But you should read. Even one book. And if you don’t think you have the time, look at how much time is spent on your phone. Maybe a resolution this year can be reading one page of a book before picking up your phone to scroll social media. Reading fills our hearts more than a phone ever will. Reading good books opens up our minds and hearts, gifting and gracing us, leading us to discipline, virtue, and the beautiful.  What’s On Your List? Here is my 2023 book list for inspiration! Have you read any of these books on the list? What did you read this year? Please let us all know for ideas and motivation!  My 2023 Book List January Friends of God by Josemaría Escrivá  Be Healed by Dr. Bob Schuchts Introduction to the Devout Life by Saint Francis de Sales Love and Responsibility by Karol Wojtyła The Journal of Raïssa Maritain The Excellent 11 by Ron Clark Aesthetics, Vol. 1 by Dietrich von Hildebrand February Aesthetics, Vol. 2 by Dietrich von Hildebrand The Case for Catholicism by Trent Horn Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen Saint Paul by Pope Benedict XVI Truman, Vol. 1 by David McCullough I Believe in Love by Fr. Jean C. J. d’Elbée March Truman, Vol. 2 by David McCullough The Nature of Love by Dietrich von Hildebrand Mansfield Park by Jane Austen Making Sense Out of Suffering by Peter Kreeft Her Last Conversations by Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, edited by John Clarke, OCD April Ethics by Dietrich von Hildebrand Emma by Jane Austen To Know Jesus Christ by Frank Sheed You Have Words of Eternal Life by Hans Urs von Balthasar Letters of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, Vol. 1 May Morality and Situation Ethics by Dietrich von Hildebrand Persuasion by Jane Austen The Wild Orchid by Sigrid Undset On the Way to Jesus Christ by Pope Benedict XVI Letters of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, Vol. 2 One Million Followers by Brendan Kane June Graven Images by Dietrich von Hildebrand Introduction to Christianity by Joseph Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI) The One Thing is Three by Father Michael Gaitley  The Poetry of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux July Jaws of Death: Gate of Heaven by Dietrich von Hildebrand Wise Blood by Flannery O’Conner The Plays of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux  The Power of Silence by Cardinal Robert Sarah Introduction to Christianity Joseph Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI) August In Defense of Purity by Dietrich von Hildebrand The Prayers of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux Hold On to Your Kids by Gordon Neufeld Wisdom of the Heart by Peter Kreeft Prayer and Intelligence by Jacques and Raïssa Maritain I Would Like to Travel the World by Guy Gaucher  September Liturgy & Personality by Dietrich von Hildebrand Story of a Soul by Saint Thérèse of Lisieux October The Art of Living by Dietrich von Hildebrand 1776 by David McCullough A Severe Mercy by Sheldon Vanauken Thérèse by Dorothy Day What is Philosophy? by Dietrich von Hildebrand November Man and Woman by Dietrich von Hildebrand Mornings on Horseback by David McCullough Two Sisters in the Spirit by Hans Urs von Balthasar Gratitude by Dietrich von Hildebrand  Virtues of the Human Heart by Joseph Pieper December The Reed of God by Caryll Houselander The Diary of a Country Priest by Georges Bernanos The Divine Project by Pope Benedict XVI The Pioneers by David McCullough Peace of Soul by Fulton Sheen   Whether you have already prepared a book list for 2024 or not, it is not too late to get started! Make your list today!

Baptism can conjure up all sorts of images for us: perhaps the Baptism of a child, the reception of a loved one into the Church on Easter Vigil, or your own entrance into the family of God. To be sacramentally Baptized is to do an about-face from living one way, to living another.  Advent ushered in the new Liturgical year, and we shifted from hearing the Gospel of Saint Matthew (year A), to that of Saint Mark (year B). Mark is the earliest to have written his Gospel, having recorded his account around the year 70. The feast we commemorate today, the Baptism of the Lord, comes from the very beginning of Mark’s Gospel. Mark sets the scene by including prophetic words from Isaiah 40:3:  “Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way. A voice of one crying out in the desert: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths’” (Mark 1: 2-3).  Immediately, Saint John the Baptist is described as having appeared in the wilderness, doing what was prophesied by proclaiming a baptism of repentance and baptizing folks from all over the Judean countryside. He quickly and humbly proclaims that the one who is to follow him will baptize with more than water in the Holy Spirit.  {formbuilder:OTk3ODc=} Although not personally in need of the baptism of repentance, Jesus Himself is baptized by John in the Jordan River. Immediately following His baptism, a voice from heaven is heard saying: “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased” (Mark 1:11).  On some level, isn’t that a phrase we are all waiting to hear?! Perhaps from our earthly parent(s), but certainly from God at the end of our lives on earth: “You are my beloved son (daughter); with you I am well pleased.” Having been claimed and affirmed by the One Who loves us best, Who has held us close, witnessed our highs and lows, and rooted for us all the way. To have seen us through it all and be pleased with what has been seen, feels like the very way I hope to be welcomed into Heaven one day—or even with the words, “Well done, my good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:23).' And, it feels worth noting that God spoke these words to Jesus at the time of His Baptism—not at the end of His life, but at the very beginning of His ministry.  Several weeks ago I was running errands with my toddler. Slowly plodding down the sidewalk as she likes to walk all by herself now, she was looking in every window. At one point, she realized that someone was standing behind the blinds of this neutral-looking, strip mall office. She paused, waved, made funny faces, and generally delighted the woman behind the blinds. What I heard from my daughter next took my breath away. “I love you,” she said to the woman behind the glass. Unfortunately, she couldn’t have heard, and likely wouldn’t suspect that this passing child was whispering words of love to her, but she was! At that moment, I couldn’t shake the feeling that the Lord was doing that for me all day long, and in all likelihood, I do not suspect such lavishness. Rather than waiting to hear the voice of God, reserved for some special meeting in the unknown future, what if this passage from Mark of the Baptism of Our Lord were a reminder to us that we are beloved by the God of all—not only when we finish things, but when we have the courage to start them, when we’re working unnoticed (or so we think) in a bland strip mall office building. It may be that we don’t have to cross any sort of “finish line,” or check a box before we hear these beautiful and affirming words from God that Jesus hears today. Take some time in prayer with these scriptural reminders of God’s love for us:  We have come to know and to believe in the love God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. // 1 John 4:16 For I am certain that neither death nor life, neither angels nor principalities, neither present things nor the future, nor powers, neither height nor depth, nor any other creature, will be able to separate us from the love of God that comes to us in Christ Jesus, our Lord. // Romans 8:38-39 See what love the Father has bestowed in letting us be called the children of God! Yet that is what we are. The reason the world does recognize us is that it never recognized the Son. // 1 John 3:1 This is my commandment: love one another as I have loved you. // John 15:12 Understand, then, that the LORD, your God, is God indeed, the faithful God who keeps his merciful covenant down to the thousandth generations toward those who love Him and keep His commandments. // Deuteronomy 7:9 With age-old love I have loved you;    so I have kept my mercy toward you. // Jeremiah 31:3 The Baptism of the Lord is a beautiful example of God demonstrating perfect love. Scripture is littered with reminders that the Lord loves us, too. As we begin our short stay in Ordinary Time before the beginning of Lent, it feels appropriate to be on the lookout for this unexpected and lavish love that the Father speaks over us, his beloved children. HIS WORD CHANGES LIVES God is speaking to you through His Word. In this personal study, you will learn to hear God's voice by reading slowly and praying deeply. BEGIN THE JOURNEY

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In 2014, Blessed is She began as a little seed in my heart—a desire to read Scripture alongside other Catholic women as well as share about the beauties and the truths of our Catholic Faith. For nearly ten years, we have read the daily readings alongside each other and shared what God is doing in our hearts through His word.  The Holy Spirit wants to ignite that desire again. He wants to invigorate women's hearts to come alive in love for Him, for His Word, and for the grace He pours out.  As we kick off 2024, let's recommit our daily prayer to opening up His word. The Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us: "God is the author of Sacred Scripture. In Sacred Scripture, the Church constantly finds her nourishment and her strength, for she welcomes it not as a human word, 'but as what it really is, the word of God.'" Let's get to know the Author Himself, our Creator and Savior and Friend. Let's let His Word nourish us, strengthen us, heal our wounds, convict us, change us, love us. As we draw closer to Him in His Word, He digs a well within us, taking us deeper and deeper into a beautiful, intimate, sacred relationship with Him. I invite you to read Sacred Scripture alongside hundreds of other women and me every single day... to open up the daily readings, whether it be on Blessed is She, the USCCB, the Magnificat, and to let His word soak into our bones.  Let's get to know our Lord in His Word, every single day. Join us on the Blessed is She app (it's free!), comment on the day's devotions "done" or your own personal takeaway, hop on live with us every weekday at 3pm ET to share what God is speaking to you through His Word. I can't wait to be nourished by Him alongside you, dear sister. He's in the business of making us new. Join the BIS App  

Perhaps the most fitting snapshot to begin a conversation on Saint John, the “beloved disciple,” is by looking at the first and last sentences of his Gospel account: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1). “There are many more things that Jesus did. If all of them were written down, I suppose that not even the world itself would have space for the books that would be written” (John 21:25) If it wasn’t clear then, it is now: John’s mission to spread the Gospel was intimately linked with words. After years of traveling with Jesus, and bearing witness to numerous miracles and pivotal moments in Jesus’ ministry, John committed the rest of his life to spreading the word about Who Jesus is and what He had done. In total, John wrote five books of the Bible: the Gospel of John, three Epistles (1, 2, and 3 John), as well as Revelation. More than his ministry, John’s whole identity was marked in a particular way by the many events to which Jesus invited him to bear witness. He was with Jesus as He performed miracles, at the Transfiguration, with his head on Jesus’ chest at the Last Supper, and in prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane. It was John and Simon to whom Mary Magdalene ran with the news of the empty tomb. Ultimately, John had the honor of caring for and being cared for by Mary as her son.  John was present for many substantial events in Jesus’ earthly life.  It is not uncommon for someone who has experienced something of magnitude, good or bad, to identify closely with those who were with them through that experience. Soldiers in war, survivors of natural disasters, and people who witnessed something miraculous all share in common a particular kind of intimacy to which others may not be able to relate. So it seems with Jesus and John. One thing that is unique about John is that he often identifies himself as the “beloved disciple.” Sometimes this can give us pause. After all, why does Jesus love John more than others? I wonder if it has less to do with who is best loved by the Lord, and how the love of the Lord affected John’s understanding of himself. John’s proximity to Jesus defined him. It seems that John could not, or did not desire to identify himself apart from the One who loved him. Knowing what it was to be a close friend of Jesus, to have experienced the glimpses of God through Jesus’ miracles and teachings, permanently changed him. Rather than identify as John the disciple, he identifies as the one who is loved by God. And so we all are. In the same way, we can invite Jesus’ proximity to define us. We will not experience the call to follow Jesus in the same way that John did. And, we remember that the Lord is ever present to us through the Holy Spirit, the Scriptures, the Christian community, the Eucharist, and through our service to “one of these least brothers” (Matthew 25:40). Emmanuel, ‘God with Us,’ offers the same nearness to us and, like John, we cannot help but be changed. What experience of God’s nearness has defined you?

I had been sensing for a while an invitation in prayer to slow down, especially after reading this blog post that struck a deep chord in my heart. I started to pay attention to when I responded to the perennial question of “How are you?” with “Busy”—and reframed it as “Full.”   I intentionally took time in my day to recreate, not just pretend that I was doing so.   And then I received another assignment from my religious order. Not just an assignment change, but an additional assignment—one that left me with one and a half full-time jobs. Busy had just ratcheted up to the snowball barreling off the mountain at top-notch speed, gaining momentum and snow every second. You get the idea.   Yet I knew the invitation from the Lord to slow down still stood. Slowing down wasn’t in contradiction to my apostolate(s). Both were good, and I was invited to pursue both. How in the world was I going to slow down AND stay on top of the work entrusted to me?  My first objective was: Be covered in prayer. I asked my sisters to pray intentionally for me and the work entrusted to me. A gift of religious life is that my prayer life is structured, but I still have my responsibility to show up and actually dialogue with the Lord. I talked to the Lord about how my brain was running circles around my prayer time as I tried to keep my gaze on Him. I settled into His gaze of patient mercy and held on.   My second objective was: Seek advice from those whom I trust, and whom I know are also living busy and full lives. They helped me set up systems. They talked me through best practices. And one said: “You’ve got to read this book.”   {formbuilder:OTk3ODc=} The book is The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer. I highly recommend it—no matter what season of life you are in. Maybe you’re in a double-time mode or a quieter season, but there are gems and wisdom in this book for everyone. I say this because our culture is one of hurry, and no matter how strongly we resist or fight, we get sucked in by the noise and busyness of the world. Even if you are living in a convent.  What I loved about this book is that I felt deeply seen. That seems silly to say about a thing, but there were so many times I thought, Yeah, that’s me . . . What, it’s not just me?! I thought I was the only one who was “distracted from distraction by distraction”—a quote by T.S. Eliot that Comer references in his book.   Talk about references—this book is widely footnoted with brain research, the Saints, and wisdom Comer has gathered on his own journey to eliminate hurry from his life. He points to the brain research that shows that humans have an eight second attention span. (Interestingly enough, it was only twelve seconds before the digital revolution we live in.) Though he is not Catholic, many, if not most, of the conclusions he comes to will be familiar: observing the Sabbath, fasting, living a gospel-centered life. These are mixed in with extremely practical advice, including the following: observe the speed limit, set time apart to check email, and get in the longest line in the store (to cultivate patience). He reminds his readers to learn to recognize the propaganda in advertising that wants you to do more and get more, and evaluate the true cost of an item before it is bought—including the new time investment it will require.  In our culture that screams, “Slow is bad and fast is good!” we need reminders that it is more than okay to seek and strive for balance. It is beautiful to practice simplicity and abide where we are. This book is an easy read, but filled with profound reminders that we are not made for hurry.  Ultimately, the advice and conclusions are to not only eliminate hurry from your life, but live more in the image and likeness of God. God does not hurry. God is love, and love does not hurry. In reality, “love is painfully time consuming”—in other words—love is patient.

As a wife and a mother of four little ones, raising my own family and making our own traditions has been a very exciting and nerve-wracking experience all at once. My husband and I had to talk about what traditions we could incorporate from our own upbringings and what we wanted to do differently. It ranged anywhere from cheering on my husband’s football team (so I wouldn’t be left out during football season) all the way to Halloween: to celebrate or not to celebrate . . . We also knew there were more serious conversations we would need to have. Gifts of our Faith The center of our relationship and who we are as people is Jesus Christ—at least, that’s what we aim for. My husband and I met serving in ministry and grew a deeper appreciation and knowledge of our faith while forming our own relationships with the Lord. Now that we have our own family, we feel responsible and excited to echo how the faith was passed down to us to our children. We love the Lord, we love being Catholic, and we love what the Church generously offers us. The beauty of our faith is that we don’t have to “make things up” as we go. Traditions have been passed down from the Church fathers all the way to older generations of our very own relatives.  She Reigns I grew up in a predominantly Hispanic community in Los Angeles, California. Mass, praying the Rosary, the Saints, etc. were all part of the culture I was raised in. Don’t get me started on the devotions to Mary I witnessed growing up. Actually, it's too late. It seemed as if Mary was everywhere. In particular, the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe. She was on candles, shirts, rosary beads, posters, tattoos, and even on calendars that the local bakery gave away. Mama Mary was there.  I knew that it was important to honor her and ask for her intercession. I knew that I was supposed to pick roses from our garden and walk them over to the statue inside the church hall during our school family Rosary nights. I knew that I was going to wake up earlier than usual on December 12th to sing Las Mañanitas to her with hundreds of people. I knew that she was a big deal in so many ways. I might not have known the “Why’s”—but it didn’t matter to me—I knew I could still celebrate with the traditions of my elders. Through her appearance on Tepeyac Hill and the miracle of her image on the tilma, Our Lady of Guadalupe brought conversion and hope to millions of people in Mexico. The faith that was passed down to me came from her. The Lord used His Mother to touch the hearts of many and draw them back to Him. And if you’re Hispanic, you’re taught to not mess with las mamas, especially la Mama de Jesus. We are to always pay honor and respect to our mothers. “Am I not here, I, who am your Mother?” Despite all these beautiful traditions, I didn’t begin to really form a relationship with Mary until I was in high school. I knew about her and how to honor her (feast days, Rosaries, etc.) but she was just a very important public figure until then. When I began to take ownership of my faith, I desired to be virtuous and courageous like Mary. I desired to be pure and holy and close to Jesus. I failed many times. Mary encouraged me when I felt worthless. She gave me courage when I lacked bravery and when I used my youth as an excuse to be lukewarm in my faith. I remember going through difficult times when I truly began to take my faith seriously—an indication that I was on the right track. I took a leap of faith and reached out to her. And then, just like she did with Saint Juan Diego, she reminded me that she was going to always be there for me, as my Mother. The words she spoke to him, she continually spoke to me in my heart: Am I not here with you, who am your Mother?  These “mini apparitions” in my life comforted me.  I began to study the apparition of Our Lady of Guadalupe, with all the details and intricacies she possessed because I wanted to appreciate her in a more profound way. What I connected with was her mestiza appearance. She chose to appear as a beautiful combination of the natives of Mexico and the Spanish people that were there. Throughout my life, I’ve experienced this mix of cultures as I come from Mexican and Peruvian backgrounds but was living in the United States. I wanted to always be proud of my heritage and the traditions that came from it. La Virgen de Guadalupe was the prime example for me, a young Hispanic girl who wanted to love Jesus the best I could and get to Heaven. She was always available to me and continues to be to all people of the Americas as our Mother and our guide. At times, it may seem like strong traditions or devotions to her take away from reverence to our God. If anything, she only wants to lead us to Him. Find comfort in this sentiment of Saint Maximilian Kolbe: “Never be afraid of loving the Blessed Virgin too much. You can never love her more than Jesus did.” Handing it On How we celebrate Our Lady of Guadalupe will vary based on the traditions and customs that were passed on to us or that we will pass on to others. Whether we’re enjoying the danza de matachines as a form of prayer, singing the Mañanitas to our Mother on her feast day, gathering the nicest bouquet of roses, or simply retelling the story of her apparition of 1531, we should take some time to examine her role and presence in our lives and find new ways to dive into an even deeper devotion. Let us recall her role in spreading Christianity in the Americas and thank God for using her to convert millions of people in the Americas. Tradition is a beautiful thing. Taking aspects of our faith that have been shared with us and handing them to others is truly a gift. As we look to pass on or create our own traditions, may we take some time to examine where they come from and their roots that can ultimately lead us into a deeper love for our God and His Church. ¡Viva La Virgen de Guadalupe! ¡Viva Cristo Rey!

Hearing the invitation to “Discover the gift that only you can give because of the gift you are” is one that still resonates, even a few years after my GIVEN Forum experience. When I applied for the 2021 Forum, the opportunity appeared like a light in what was in many ways a year of darkness. COVID’s physical devastation and devouring isolation descended a few short weeks after I first learned about GIVEN in February 2020.  I was attracted both to GIVEN’s mission of activating women’s gifts to serve the Church and to the structure of the gathering—five days during which I’d be equipped to recognize my gifts and give of myself in the context of a small group of women with similar interests. I would be able to choose from the specialties offered to participants, including Artistic, Secular Professional, Catholic Professional, Entrepreneurial, and Care for the Human Person. I would hear inspiring talks and come into contact with women from all over the country, and even from across the world, who were similarly inspired to activate their gifts. During the year following the Forum, there was the promise of a mentor to guide me as I carried out an “action plan,” which would be a concrete and personalized way I would serve a part of the Church that most touched my heart. Little did I know in February 2020 that the year would in short order become one of heavy transition for me as I moved home and struggled through bouts of melancholy and burnout. Little did I know just how much I would need community and help out of a rather deactivated state of life. When I turned in my application on December 8, 2020, I asked that our Blessed Mother Mary guide the process. Under the title of Our Lady of Guadalupe, she is GIVEN’s patroness. Having recently completed an MFA in Creative Writing, and with a love for poetry and the power of words, I applied to the Artistic specialty. The yes I received in March 2021 to attend the Forum was like sunlight breaking into a dark room. {formbuilder:OTk3ODc=} In his essay “A Meditation on Givenness,” Pope Saint John Paul II says, “[T]here is a very deep connection between being for oneself and being for others. Only someone who has dominion over himself can become a sincere gift for others.” The GIVEN Forum presented a space in which I could begin to learn to be both for myself and for others. Throughout my life, I have struggled with deep-seated fear. When COVID rocked the world, I saw how those around me were touched by a similar fear. I find that when I am fearful, I’m tempted to abandon myself to the fear and it’s easy to lose “dominion” over myself. Community serves as a counterweight—a place where I can simultaneously come out of myself and be at home with myself. GIVEN provided a joy-infused community of women who were on a mission.  In these rather divisive days in which we live, I look back on GIVEN not with nostalgia for an idyllic gathering, but with awe at the beauty that comes from bringing together women living out a diversity of vocations. A highlight of GIVEN for me was the presence of religious sisters and consecrated women. It was beautiful to encounter them not as women on a separate life trajectory from the single and married women participating in the conference, but as collaborators in the life of faith. At GIVEN, I more fully saw the Body of Christ. I saw that there are as many ways of using one’s gifts as there are women on this earth. The Lord is abundant in his gifts. One moment that continues to touch my heart was a night of Eucharistic Adoration in which religious sisters were available to pray with women. The tenderness that comes with allowing God to work through their religious vocations was a powerful example of spiritual motherhood for me.   My action plan from the forum was to create a retreat for women artists in my home parish. However, 2021 was also a year of transition. I moved from home to a city six hours away. My mentor was a kind constant in this period, and in the fall of 2022 I traveled back to my home parish to lead ten women through a weekend of nourishing and (re)awakening their artistic gifts. It was a delight for my heart to realize that the artist, who spends so much of her creative time in solitude, can find community. This is something I’m seeking to build in the city that I live in now. Without GIVEN, I’m unsure if I would have the confidence to be for myself and for others in this way.  Sister, perhaps you are thinking about attending GIVEN. Perhaps this is the first time you’re hearing about it. Perhaps you’re in a position similar to the one I was in when I applied—unsure if in the brokenness you feel that you have a gift to give. The shift GIVEN enacts is a movement from “I have a gift” to “I am a gift.” The fact is, you are a gift and you’ve already been given to this world by God, and you have a purpose which he is unfolding in you even in the seemingly fallow seasons. At GIVEN, you are called to discover your inherent givenness and to learn how you are being called to give of yourself to others. Most importantly, you are not called to do this alone. We need each other. We need the Church. We need to be reminded over and over of the hope that has been planted within us. GIVEN is a place where these realities come together—community, purpose, growth in faith, hope, and charity. Whether a prospective participant, mentor, or volunteer, I heartily recommend applying to the 2024 GIVEN Forum, and (re)discovering the gift you are.   Author Bio: Poet and writer Lindsey Weishar holds an MFA from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. She writes for a variety of outlets, including Verily magazine. Her column, “My Vocation is Love,” appears in The Catholic Post, the newspaper of her home Diocese of Peoria, Illinois. She writes from Kansas City, Kansas, where she works at Donnelly College. WANT TO DEEPEN YOUR PRAYER? Get ready to be radically changed by the Lord and His presence. Be drawn into intimacy with the Lord by way of weekly videos, a community within the Blessed is She app, and invitations into reading scripture in a whole new way. BEGIN THE WELL: ABIDE

It was the perfect storm. It was my scheduled morning out to do whatever I wanted and I was so looking forward to it. I was going to drop my daughter off at school and head to my favorite coffee shop for a few hours. It was going to be amazing.  That is, until illness caused me to have to cancel our babysitter as she was en route to our house and my grand vision for the day was turned on its head. Suddenly I was no longer walking out the door, but rather, trying to balance a crying newborn on one hip and a crying toddler on the other.  This was the moment I needed to recall the words of encouragement I had read from a book that my mother gave to me—a book she read herself in her own busy days tending to her seven children. It is titled Holiness for Housewives (and other working women), and it was written by a Benedictine named Dom Hubert Van Zeller. It is divided into four parts: on the special vocation as a housewife, praying during daily duties, growing holier day by day, and particular prayers for housewives.  1. Your Special Vocation As A Housewife This first section reads: “Your occupation, associates, material surroundings, health and strength are there, are real, are the solids, are the substance from which the here-and-now house of God is to be built” (p. 13).  On this particular day when my plans were upset, God’s will for my day had become clear in a very concrete way. On this day God didn’t intend for me to build up His house through me sitting in a coffee shop. He intended for me to build up His house by being present to my children, brainstorming craft ideas, and spending time outside together during an abnormally warm fall day.  Van Zeller writes that “it is always the present moment, the present duty, that counts [ . . . ] There is nothing that you are up against that God has not given you the grace to surmount” (p.16).  This reminder of being present helped me to get off the couch and get outside with my children.  2. How To Pray Amidst Your Daily Duties Every day, as soon as my kids are napping, I am tempted to start checking off my to-do list. If I haven’t yet prayed that day, I need to ask God to give me “the grace to surmount” my selfishness in order to pause for a few minutes to be with Him. But when I am going about my daily duties, washing the dishes and sweeping the floor, those can become acts of prayer too.  Van Zeller writes,“You will have to find a way of communicating with God by means of and not in spite of the calls upon your time and energy and patience” (p. 26).  He goes on to describe that for one person this might mean singing the Psalms in choir, while for another it could be teaching children. Perhaps it could also mean offering up the suffering one experiences during illness. The point is that when we direct our efforts to the Lord, no matter how small, our effort then becomes a prayer. This is what the Saints did, who “did not start off with the gift of recollection: they practiced dedicating their works to God until it became a habit to dedicate their minutes to Him” (p. 28).  This reminds me that my prayer does not have to end with the start of my to-do list or the waking of my children. When I orient my daily responsibilities to the Lord in worship, each act I make can then bring Him glory.  3. How To Grow Holier Day By Day So often, growing in holiness is simply about opening our hands to receive what God has for us. Yet oftentimes, this can mean accepting the suffering in our lives.  Van Zeller explains that “love is the end of our endeavor.” Further, “A love that is exacted from the soul by a suffering imposed by God is better than a love that is expressed by a mortification chosen by the soul” (p. 54).  This is a hard one, as I think it can be tempting to think that a different cross would be easier to bear than our own. Yet it is precisely through bearing the unique grain of our own cross that we become united to Christ in love.  Van Zeller says further, “In proportion as you draw near to Truth by prayer, you inevitably increase your own conformity to the true patterns of yourself as it exists in the mind of God. And this means that, whatever it feels like, your life is going right” (p. 62).  4. Prayers For Housewives This fourth section of the book offers a myriad of prayers: prayers to start and end your day, prayers for special needs, and also books for recommended reading. One of my favorite prayers listed is the very honest, refreshing, morning dedication: I place the uncertainties of this day in Your hands, Lord. Turn them into certainties that are bound to bring glory to You. For my part, so far as I can, I foresee the events that either appear on my calendar or simply happen in the ordinary course of routine. These, together with the unforeseen events, I offer to You. Bless also all the interruptions, the accidents, the pleasant surprises, and the sudden disappointments. I might not remember to pray to You at the time, so I now refer all these things to the glory of Your name. Amen. (p.71)  I need the reminders inside this book to encourage me when the “unforeseen events” happen, when “all the interruptions” and “sudden disappointments” happen. My interrupted day went far from perfect and I certainly had my failures, but it helps to know that when I submit my will to His will, each moment, whether challenging or joyful, is all a part of His plan and my sanctification. It is ordered to holiness.

Every Advent season, God invites us to carefully prepare our hearts for the annual remembrance of the Incarnation of His Son, Jesus. That first Christmas was the day when Jesus came forth from His mother’s womb and dwelt among us. The Incarnation is one of the central mysteries of our faith, and it carries with it the extraordinary story of God’s immense love for us. Incredibly, our faith tells us that not only did Jesus come to dwell with us that first Christmas long ago, but that He still dwells physically present with us now—in the Eucharist! Just as Mary nestled baby Jesus in her arms on that long ago day, we too can open our hearts and receive Him at each and every Mass. What a miracle!  We may not automatically make a connection between the coming of Jesus at Christmas and the coming of Jesus at Mass, but the reality is that there is a powerful relationship between these two mysteries. Both of them are extraordinary examples of Jesus’ love for us. Naturally, as Catholic parents we want our kids to understand this love. So, how do we share with our children about Christ’s loving presence both in the Incarnation and through the Mass? Here are three tips to get you started. 1. Dive into these Mysteries for Yourself  The first and most important step to helping your children prepare their hearts this Christmas is to further your own understanding of Christmas and the parallels that exist between it and the Eucharist.  The prophet Isaiah in Isaiah 7:14 foretold that Jesus was to be called “Immanuel,” a Hebrew word meaning “God with us.” So, too, He was destined to be born in the town of “Bethlehem” (see Micah 5:2), another Hebrew word, meaning “house of bread.” Think about that: the incarnate Christ was called “God with us” and arrived in a town called “house of bread.” In a strikingly similar way, at every Mass, Jesus comes to be with us, hidden under the appearance of bread. These are just a few of the parallels that can be drawn between the first Christmas and the Mass!  Take some time to reflect on these similarities. Then see if you can find some more on your own. Spend time in prayer and meditation, perhaps using the Joyful and Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary to guide your prayer time. Take up the daily Gospel readings this Advent, using lectio divina and your Catholic imagination to enter into the Christmas story. As you let God’s message of love sink into your heart, talk with your children about what you are learning. 2. Live Liturgically This means to live each day with Christ in mind. Center your family life around Him. Start a Jesse Tree and explore the Scripture stories that outline the genealogy of Jesus and God’s plan of salvation. As you light the candles on your Advent wreath, spend time talking about the love of Jesus. Carve out time to bring your children to Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, so that they can spend time with our Lord truly present in the Eucharist. Whatever activity you choose, as you share about the first Christmas, always take time to remind your children that Jesus in the Eucharist meets us similarly at every Mass. 3. Make Connections for Your Kids Our kids seem to notice everything. It can be easy to assume that because kids are so observant, they are also making important connections to what they see, hear, and experience. The reality is that oftentimes they need us to help them make those connections. The most important thing that you can communicate to your kids about Christmas is this: out of love, Christ came to dwell with us on Christmas and He still comes to dwell with us today—in the Eucharist at Mass and is always in our hearts since our Baptisms. My new book, The Mass and the Manger: My Interactive Christmas Story, can help you when you’re trying to teach your kids about the love of Jesus this Christmas. Through the use of story, rhyme, and fold-out flaps, I bring to light numerous parallels between the first Christmas and the Mass. Another beautiful tradition is to read the Christmas stories right out of the Gospels of Luke and Matthew with your children, answering their questions as you read along. Finally, don’t overlook the impact of a simple manger scene—a Nativity set in your home with sturdy figures that the children are allowed to touch and play with (respectfully!) can really help them come to know and receive God’s love for them this Christmas. Every child deserves to know just how much God loves them. There is truly no greater gift we can give them. This Advent season, take the time to understand and explain these mysteries to your children—it will be time well spent!   Author Bio: Jennifer Sharpe is a Catholic mother who is passionate about helping all believers develop a loving relationship with Jesus, especially in the Eucharist. A convert to Catholicism who saw a need for engaging books for Catholic children, Jennifer is the author of several books, including her latest book with Ascension, The Mass and the Manger: My Interactive Christmas Story. She also penned Ascension’s award-winning My First Interactive Mass Book. This title won two Association of Catholic Publishers Excellence in Publishing Awards, achieving a rare first place in two categories: Children’s Picture Books and Spanish. Jennifer lives with her husband and children in Oklahoma.

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I reach to pick up my newborn and he nuzzles his way under my neck. Instinctively he knows where his place of comfort is. He knows that underneath my neck, against my chest, and wrapped in my arms is his new home outside of the womb. This is where we both experience warmth, connection, and love.  As I admire God’s work through my baby, I think about the last time that I allowed myself to be wrapped in the Father’s arms like this.  The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want; he makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul. (Psalm 23:1-2)  I also long for this type of intimacy in my spiritual life. Caring for the needs of my husband, children, and household is a gift that I don’t take lightly. At the same time, I realize that it can become all-consuming when I don’t allow myself to be embraced in the Shepherd’s arms.  One of the things I get asked a lot during my postpartum time is, “How are you?” Although this can be a loaded question—not just for a postpartum mom, but for all women—the answer for me in this season is, “In need of rest.” Not just physical rest, as in sleep, but a deeper rest, as in allowing myself to sit down and enjoy a meal instead of eating as I cook it, rest from preemptively thinking about what’s coming up the pipeline, rest from the standards and expectations I hold myself accountable for so that I may receive more joy and life in Christ.  Receive His Tender Care Everything we need is in the arms of the Shepherd Himself. There isn’t anything more that we need outside of His tender embrace. When we find ourselves overwhelmed by daily life, we can approach the good Shepherd in our vulnerability and ask Him to hold us.  The good Shepherd desires that I take the same approach as my newborn, who trusts that I will care for all his needs. When we consider the tenderness a shepherd takes with his flock to ensure their safety and wellbeing, we can see that Jesus leads us in that same way. Maybe it’s hard for us to imagine being cared for like sheep, because we have been in an ongoing cycle of going through the motions of following Him in word but not in action. We can delude ourselves into thinking we know how to follow Jesus well when, in reality, we are pretending to follow and are grasping to take the reins to lead. Follow Sometimes I find myself believing there are greener pastures than the one to which I have been led. Perhaps if I was to graze in a different field altogether my life would be easier, look more successful, or be more exciting. It’s tempting to think that what we consider ideal is better for us than the Father’s plan for us. This year’s Blessed is She Advent devotional, Found, will unpack for us the meaning of Jesus as the Good Shepherd in our lives. All of us have a deep desire to be sought after and cared for and Jesus wants to reveal that to us. In our busyness of living in the world, we are all in need of being found. Advent offers us a clean slate to begin again as we begin a new liturgical year. We can access what our prayer life needs through this theme of being found.  This journey of faith is one we can never walk alone. If you are like me and need the extra layer of accountability and encouragement, the BIS community has several ways to keep you focused on the Good Shepherd this Advent season.  After you purchase the Advent devotional you will receive an email link to the Found channel in the BIS app. Here you will be able to connect with other women, receive prayer prompts, playlists, and other ways to supplement your Advent prayer practices. Attend the Advent kickoff to create space for His coming. Join the BIS community live on the app on December 2, 2023, at 12 PM EST for a time of prayer, encouragement, and community. An RSVP link will be in your post-purchase email. Beth and Jenna will be on the Blessed is She podcast every Wednesday during Advent to share reflections on walking with the Good Shepherd.  If you are looking for in-person community in your area you can find a regional group near you, connect with a virtual group on the BIS app, or start your own.  Journey The Advent devotional has a built-in road map that makes it easy to follow along and removes the doubt of how to make the most out of the journal.  Sundays / Narration on the week’s theme Mondays / Old Testament Scripture and specific lectio divina prompts Tuesdays / Story (by one of our amazing writers), along with questions  Wednesdays / New Testament Scripture and specific lectio divina prompts Thursdays / Story and questions  Fridays / Sacred mosaic art and specific visio divina prompts Saturdays / Rest and receive It may seem overwhelming to look at the daily prayer practices all at once, but it's simply a recommendation as you are welcome to use the journal in whatever way works best for you and your current season of life. The daily prayer practices aren’t meant to be checkboxes, but invitations to grow deeper in prayer.  Find Shelter in Him We are all tempted to get lost in hot cocoa bombs, Christmas carols, twinkling lights, sugar cookie decorating, ugly Christmas sweaters, white elephant parties, and gift giving. However, for us as Catholics and Christians this isn’t the sole focus of what makes it “the most wonderful time of the year.” For us it's waiting for the tiny babe to arrive in the manger and creating space in our hearts to encounter Him there. This season of Advent, if we allow it, can be transformative for us. We can find the shelter we have been searching for in our Good Shepherd. Only He can lead us to greener pastures, living water, and provide what we need to live a life of abundance in Him.  Come away with us this Advent season and be Found in the Good Shepherd’s arms. HIS WORD CHANGES LIVES God is speaking to you through His Word. In this personal study, you will learn to hear God's voice by reading slowly and praying deeply. BEGIN THE JOURNEY

We can learn a lot from the wisdom of autumn. After a big celebration of colors, the trees let go of their leaves because they are no longer needed. Fall reminds us that we, too, need to let go sometimes. We thrive and grow the most when we learn to let go. Mother Church in her wisdom knew that in order for us to thrive and grow in our spiritual life, we would need structure. The liturgical calendar provides us that structure by guiding us through the different seasons of the liturgical year.  The recurring themes in the Church’s liturgy during the month of November invite us to draw closer to God and to reflect on the work God has done in us. The prayers and readings from Mass focus on death, judgment, hell, and purgatory with special attention on the communion of saints. Further, as the liturgical year comes to a close, we as Catholics are called to meditate over our final days and pray for those who have gone before us. Praying for those who have gone before me is something I unfortunately have been doing a lot of as of late. I lost both of my parents this year. No one is ever prepared to lose a parent, let alone lose both parents within a two month span. Dad had been sick with dementia for about nine years, with the last few of those years being very challenging. Mostly for him of course, but also for my mom, who was his main caregiver. My mom patiently watched the man she married when she was only nineteen lose his ability to do the most mundane of daily tasks, like buttoning his shirt and bathing without help. When I received a call from one of my brothers in May telling me that my dad had taken yet another bad fall and was once again in the hospital, I knew that this was not a good thing. We had been down that road a few times already. What I didn't know was that this time was different—he would not be coming back home. My dad’s body was shutting down after years of dealing with the terrible disease of dementia. The Lord called him home two days after being admitted to the hospital. Unfortunately, due to the fact of living in another country, I was not able to come home in time to say goodbye before he passed, but I was able to travel there for his funeral. I stayed in Brazil for about a week after my dad’s passing, mourning his loss and making sure my mom was okay. She surprised us by accepting everything with peace. She knew my dad was in a better place and was no longer suffering. What I could never have imagined or anticipated was that my mom would also be called to be with the Lord soon after. Excruciating pain doesn’t even describe what I felt when, just eight weeks after my dad’s passing, I was once again on a plane going to Brazil. The nine-hour flight from Charlotte to São Paulo was the longest nine hours ever. My mom had been admitted to the hospital with pneumonia and kidney failure and passed away peacefully before I arrived in Brazil. Once again I was not able to say my goodbyes in person! Words can’t even begin to  express the sorrow I felt. My mom had been my world! Everything good in me came from this amazing, unselfish woman that taught me so many things, including how to love unconditionally and sacrificially. How do you heal and go on after losing both of your parents so close together? How do you reconcile with the fact that the two people who brought you into the world and loved you unconditionally are now both gone? This kind of loss leaves you feeling like your whole foundation was ripped apart right from under you.  Acknowledging God’s goodness even in the midst of  suffering As painful as this past summer was, I still hold on to the truth that God is good. He has been there for me in ways only He could. The love of my family, my friends, and my faith has played a huge part in my grieving process. Grief is a funny thing. Some days I can look at my parents’ picture and smile as I reflect back on the legacy they left for me—my ten siblings, their many grandchildren, and those who were privileged to get to know them. Other days, I miss them so much I could scream. The fact that I’m writing about this painful season so soon after going through it is a confirmation of God’s goodness. He wants me to heal from the loss of my parents. Just like the tree letting go of those leaves, I know you and I are being called by the Lord to let go of the pain from losing a loved one just long enough for us to savor all the beautiful things they left behind.  I miss my parents dearly and daily! I don’t want the wonderful memories to ever go away and I intend to hold them to make sure of that. And while they are physically gone, I constantly feel my parents' presence around me. I find myself listening to the music I grew up singing along to with my mom as I helped her around the house. More and more I crave the foods she used to make for us growing up. I cherish the memory of my dad fondly telling me that I was just like his beloved grandmother—the woman who raised him. It was easy to see how much he loved and respected her every time he talked about her. My dad came from a generation of men who didn’t know how to show affection, but, in a way, the fact that he thought and voiced that I was just like his beloved grandmother was his way of saying that he loved me.  Finding comfort in Jesus If you are dealing with this kind of pain, I pray that you’ll find peace and comfort in knowing that the good Lord is right beside you as you go through this difficult season. Jesus knows your pain for He, too, cried when He found out his friend Lazarus had died (see John 11:35). This demonstrates our Lord’s loving nature, His compassion for people. Allow yourself some time and space to mourn. When I arrived back home from Brazil after my mom's passing, I was in a bad place. Some days I just wanted to stay in bed and not have to face the fact that I had just lost both of my parents. I will forever be grateful to all my dear friends who were so good about checking in on me, sending flowers, and making delicious meals for my family as we all dealt with the loss of my beloved parents. Knowing that Jesus wept over  Lazarus’s death gives me hope that even though I’m still in the middle of mourning the loss of my parents, I can, by the grace of God, at the same time look forward with anticipation to the new liturgical year that starts with my favorite season in the Church—Advent! HIS WORD CHANGES LIVES God is speaking to you through His Word. In this personal study, you will learn to hear God's voice by reading slowly and praying deeply. BEGIN THE JOURNEY

As I anticipate Advent’s approach, I wonder, how will this year be different? Every year I make the “Lent” and “Advent” comparison, asking myself whether or not I should really be giving anything up for Advent, like I do for Lent. After all, I think of Advent as a time of rejoicing and celebration, not of austerity and fasting.  But then again, Jesus’ birth was one of both austerity and joy—for His birth was a result of sin and came during difficult circumstances for His parents, but it also was a time of fulfillment and hope.  It seems like something to prepare for in a more conscientious, spiritual way than we often do as our December calendars fill up. When I think about it, when I am not intentionally living out the liturgical season of Advent, I find I take the day of Jesus’ birth for granted. But what if I didn’t? What if I lived Advent out more radically? Celebrating the coming of Jesus’ birth, but also creating more space to welcome Him within my own heart. What if I left a space for Him to fill, rather than attempt to fill it with my own human distractions. Small Moments I was recently reflecting on the different seasons of prayer I have found myself in over the past ten years. As a single woman, I made holy hours, daily Mass, lectio divina, and spiritual reading a high priority. As a married woman, I still make them a priority, but my prayer life has changed. My holy hours are not as frequent, and more of my personal prayer time has shifted to prayer with my husband. A good change, but a change nonetheless.  Now, as mother of three small children, my prayer time is more or less consistent, but often chaotic. My husband and I, with our children beside us, spend a few minutes in family prayer time, reading Scripture, voicing our intentions, and consecrating our day to Mary. In addition to that, I try to get five minutes of personal prayer time, just me and Jesus. Sometimes that’s while I’m driving, sometimes that’s with my kids playing quietly beside me, and sometimes it’s when all three are sleeping (which is ideal). That being said, there are so many small chunks of time throughout my day! Just the right amount of time to grab my phone to check emails, read articles, and scroll. I don’t often consider using that time to pray, and I justify my phone time by deciding that one, two, or three minutes would be too short to enter into prayer because I’d just be interrupted anyway.  But what if I used these small moments for worship instead of web browsing?  It’s true that I may not enter into an extended time of using my imagination to dive into Iganatian prayer, nor will I have the hands and minutes to open my Bible with my journal for a strong lectio divina session.  Though what I can do is orient my mind to the present. I can consecrate those small moments to Jesus with a short prayer, and make a spiritual offering to the Lord simply through living out my vocation. As it reads in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, I can seek “the kingdom of God by engaging in temporal affairs and directing them according to God’s will” (CCC § 898). Further, my “daily work, relaxation of mind and body, if they are accomplished in the Spirit—indeed even the hardships of life if patiently born—all these become spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (CCC § 901).  Using these small moments of time to pray, instead of scrolling through posts, will lead me to the still waters I thirst for. Still Waters Do we find purpose in our busyness? I know I certainly do, and Advent is a very busy time. This is why the words of Psalm 23 are at the core of this year’s Blessed Is She Advent Devotional:  The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want; He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. (Psalm 23:1-2) One of the Advent devotional writers, Rachel Balducci, writes during week one, about how the Lord whispers to us of our worth, and it is simply because we are His, not because of what we can do: We hear this truth best in our rest, when we slow down—are forced to slow down—and have nowhere to turn but the deep silence within. [ . . . ] If he is offering you rest, accept it! Even if rest is not being forced upon you, invite small moments of retreat. We find our peace in the silence. (Found, p. 13)  Later on in the week, we are encouraged in the devotional to,  Leave your phone at home or in the car to allow yourself to be totally present to the presence of God. Soak in the silence and listen for the voice of the Shepherd in the quiet of your soul [ . . . ] Simply spend time with Jesus in the beauty of creation. (Found, p. 18)  These words convict me. While I may not always have silence throughout my day, I can still savor the beauty of the creation around me, and I don’t have to look very far. There is immense beauty in the creation and gifts of my spouse, my children, our home, and the beauty of the world outside our walls.  In those moments I am tempted to scroll, these words help call back to mind that I can always choose to be in the present moment, and acknowledge the reality of always being in God’s presence.  This Advent, while I don’t plan to fast as strictly as I do during Lent, I do plan to leave those small spaces of time throughout my day, as an opportunity to reflect on Psalm 23 and the words that “goodness and mercy shall follow me” (Psalm 23:6), I just have to be present to see it.  How do you see God’s goodness pursuing you? HIS WORD CHANGES LIVES God is speaking to you through His Word. In this personal study, you will learn to hear God's voice by reading slowly and praying deeply. BEGIN THE JOURNEY

This Thanksgiving, there will be one less person around our dinner table. My husband's father—my children's grandfather—passed away this year on Father's Day. We have already experienced "firsts" without him. His presence was missed as we watched fireworks on Independence Day and remembered his birthday in October. But now, as we prepare to celebrate a holiday that centers around gratitude, I wonder what that will look like. How will our expression of gratitude look different this year? When Life is Not So Wonderful In many ways, Thanksgiving begins a season of holidays that is deemed “the most wonderful time of the year.” And that can certainly be the case. Often, we gather with family and friends, renew traditions, and reflect on all the good we are grateful for. But some years don’t feel so wonderful. We want our hearts to be overflowing with gratitude, but we find ourselves coming up empty. How do we give thanks in the midst of a breakup? Or when we are facing unemployment or serious illness? How do we give thanks when that empty seat at the table reminds us of how much we miss him? Or when the heartache of not being able to conceive is too much to bear? How do we give thanks when our spouse or child is suffering, and there is nothing we can do to ease the pain? Scripture encourages us to “Rejoice always,” and “In all circumstances give thanks” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). But we wonder: How are we supposed to do that when we are experiencing pain, suffering, loss, or hardship? We Can Do Both The answer, I believe, rests in the fact that it is not simply “either-or.” It’s “both-and.” We can acknowledge the painful emotion caused by suffering. We can feel the loss. We can lament the hardship. And we can still give thanks. This is not necessarily easy, but it is worthwhile. Because it leads to a deeper sense of gratitude, as we discover the unexpected blessings that come from the hardest parts of life. Because let's face it: When times are good, it is easy to be grateful. We can even run the risk of taking our blessings for granted, as if they are always going to be there. But in times of difficulty and uncertainty, we realize how much of life is out of our control. And here we have a choice. We can allow the difficult circumstances to overwhelm us, which could spiral into ingratitude, bitterness, or anger toward God. Or we can come to a place of deep acceptance, which leads us to greater appreciation for all that surrounds us—even to the point of better recognizing the little things we may otherwise take for granted, like hidden treasures which are always there but often overlooked. By choosing the second option, we learn how to bless the Lord’s name no matter the circumstances—when life is good, and when life is tough; when He gives and when He takes away (see Job 1:21). As Saint John of Avila is believed to have said, “A single ‘Blessed be God’ in adversity is worth more than a thousand acts of thanksgiving in prosperity.” An Act of Faith A while back, my husband was laid off from work. For months prior, I prayed for the Lord to deliver him from his toxic job, which was taking such a toll on him and our entire family. I didn't expect the Lord to answer my prayer through a layoff. At first, it felt like we were moving from one bad situation to another. I was frustrated and confused. I worried about how we were going to make ends meet. At one point, I didn’t feel an abundance of faith in the circumstances (or in what the Lord was doing). But I chose to make an act of faith anyway. Living in less-than-ideal circumstances while ascending to a place of greater faith helped me consider: If I don't have what I want—in this situation, it was a job for my husband—what do I have? And here, in the quiet of my seeking heart, the Lord showed me the hidden blessing of his unemployment: the drastic improvement in my husband’s overall health and wellbeing. He was simply better off. At this realization, unexpected gratitude swelled up for the gift of him no longer having to work in such difficult conditions. Where Are the Hidden Blessings? Focusing on the hidden blessings changes how we view uncertainty and disappointment. Our attention isn’t solely on the bad anymore. We finally see the circumstance through a "both-and" lens. Several years ago, I received a pretty firm rejection. My dream was shattered, and my heart was crushed. I ran to the Lord and surrendered my disappointment to Him. When I opened my Bible, through tears, I read this passage: “[B]ut ‘yes’ has been in him. For however many are the promises of God, their Yes is in him” (2 Corinthians 1:19-20). In the midst of my devastating news, I was comforted knowing that even the no I received was a yes from Him, because this no was part of God's better plan for me. And over time, He revealed it to me. Other examples of hidden blessings could include: When facing a chronic illness, we can be grateful for the kind nurse at the clinic or the friend who brings us flowers. When missing someone this holiday season, we can be grateful for so many memories with her. Perhaps we can share them together, around the table. When healing from a breakup, an act of faith can increase our gratitude that God is even using this heartache for our good (see Romans 8:28). When various stressors take a toll on our family, we can be grateful for how coming together to support and encourage each other in the midst of it strengthens our relationships. This is not about stuffing the pain. The pain is real, and we should spend time feeling it. But by finding unexpected gratitude in the difficulties of life, we are able to deepen our trust and offer the aching part of our heart in a unique way. And this transforms our faith, increases our hope, redeems our suffering, and restores our peace. This Thanksgiving This Thanksgiving, if life isn’t wonderful, if circumstances are not ideal, bring this to the Lord. Attend morning Mass before gathering with family and friends. Place all of your sorrows on the altar at Mass. Unite them with the Lord’s suffering on the Cross. And in an act of faith, expect to see what you could not see before. The blessing in the unexpected. The beauty in the pain. The peace in the midst of the storm. “Bless the Lord, my soul; and do not forget all his gifts, Who pardons all your sins, and heals all your ills, Who redeems your life from the pit, and crowns you with mercy and compassion, Who fills your days with good things” (Psalm 103:2-5).

We know you have a lot on your plate this Thanksgiving week (literally and figuratively) and we wanted to make your Christmas shopping easier. After all, don't you want to complete most of your list before Advent begins so you can enter more fully into the season? Perhaps this year more than ever, we have a unique opportunity to support small businesses. And we wanted to make it easy for you to shop, purchase, and buy from Catholic women-owned businesses. So we put together this Catholic holiday gift guide highlighting Catholic women-owned businesses (including several Black Friday/Small Business Saturday/Cyber Monday coupon codes just for Blessed is She readers!) to help you with your intentional and meaningful shopping. You can feel great about supporting these women as they use their God-given gifts and fostered skills to create true, good, and beautiful products. ART + PRINTS  Studio Senn Studio Senn has two new Catholic children's books this Christmas season! A book of faithful photo riddles titled Seek and You Will Find: Treasures of Our Faith is a Catholic take on a childhood classic. Immerse your children in sacramentals, symbols and mementos of our Faith as they dive into the whimsical photos. And a new board book, Call Me Mama, teaches your littles that even though Mary has appeared many ways in her visits she is always Our Blessed Mother. Plus much more including prints, cards, accessories and home décor available for your gifting needs. 15% site wide through December 31st, no code needed PLUS an additional 15% with code GIFTGUIDE23 at studiosenn.com Garden of Her Womb Place yourself in the security, warmth, love, and tenderness of the womb of your mother in Heaven. Garden of Her Womb is a collection of artworks inspired by Our Lady in the glory of her motherhood. “Receive Him This Christmas” offers a full gift wrapping collection which includes personally designed Christmas cards, wrapping paper, washi tapes, gift tags, and exclusive prints, hand drawn by Vivienne Boddy. Limited stock available, order now! Enjoy 20% off everything from Black Friday to Cyber Monday with code: ATLAST20 Novena Cards Have you ever told a loved one you would pray for them, and then wanted a meaningful way to send them the encouragement of your prayers?⁣ Novena Cards was founded to help you do this! They have greeting cards to send loved ones after you pray a Novena, Rosary, Divine Mercy Chaplet for them, or pray for them at Mass or during Eucharistic Adoration. They also have Prayer Cards, Prayer Planning Kits, and Art Prints.  Check out their Catholic Monthly Devotions Prayer Card Bundle which includes 12 prayer cards - one for every month of the year. This is a great gift for someone who loves the Catholic faith!   Use code BIS2023 for 15% off your order NOW through Cyber Monday. Just Love Prints Shop small, Catholic, and USA-made with Just Love Prints this season! From home decor, temporary tattoos, and over 100 Catholic (dishwasher safe!) sticker designs, you're sure to find something for everyone on your list! Home of the St. Benedict Medal sticker sheets.  Nov. 23 - Nov. 28: 20% off everything. Discount automatically taken at checkout. Anytime: Use code BIS15 for 15% off your order. This code does not expire. Abundance of Grace Abundance of Grace was created to provide you with access to the beauty of the Catholic Faith through Scripture, tradition, and the Saints. Their main passions are to help others find God’s grace in their everyday lives, rather it be through a prayer or encouraging verse/quote on an affirmation card, and to help other families build up their domestic church. Be sure to check out their Liturgical Living collection designed for families and our new homemaking collection with recipe cards, affirmation cards, and notepads to bring order to your days.   Use code BIS23 for 10% off the entire shop now through December 15th.  Faith + Family Collective This mother + daughter team believes in the power of a family! Their mission at Faith + Family Collective is to create practical, beautiful, and innovative tools that help families share faith in their homes in simple and meaningful ways. Check out their Advent Family Activity Kits, the perfect way to walk through Advent as a family. Use code BIS15 for 15% off the entire shop now through December 31st, 2023! Gratia Design Co Gratia Design Co is a creative studio that seeks to celebrate the beauty of God’s grace and inspire joy through art and design. Bringing you quality made cards, mugs, stickers, notepads, and gifts, we offer something for everyone on your list! Be sure to check out our assortment of Christmas Greeting Cards, including our new Christmas Spiritual Bouquet Cards! Receive 15% off your entire order now through December 15th, use code BIS2023 Olive & Fire Designs Olive & Fire Designs features the work of Ugandan artist Olivia Owino. Olivia launched Olive & Fire in October 2023 to support her family and share her passion with the world. Inspired by her Catholic faith, Olivia strives to capture the dignity and beauty of daily life through her art. Her ready-made art is available for purchase in a variety of formats through the Olive & Fire Society 6 storefront, while she accepts orders for custom, digital download portraits through the Olive & Fire Instagram account. Every purchase goes a long way toward helping this Catholic mama achieve her dreams! Discount for BIS readers November 20-December 20: 20% off custom portraits (high quality digital downloads, download and print as many times as you want!). That’s just $12 per portrait! DM @olive.fire.designs on Instagram to place your order and claim your discount with code BISSIS. JEWELRY The Little Catholic Home of the Holy Family Hearts. Ethically Handmade Catholic Jewelry, Catholic Home Decor, Accessories, Catholic Wedding Rings, & Gifts For Men Made in America. Give a Gift that gives back, Shop with intention this year.    Use code BIS15 for 15% off the entire site! Telos Art Shop This year, share the beauty of our faith with Catholic jewelry! Telos Art offers unique Catholic jewelry subscription boxes and one-of-a-kind vintage religious jewelry for your best friend, spouse, or godparent. Our popular quarterly subscription boxes are sent once per quarter, so it is the gift that keeps on giving all year long. Use code for an exclusive Blessed is She discount and bonus gift.    Blessed is She Reader, you will receive 10% off your first order this holiday season with the code “BIS23” through December 31st, 2023. Orders over $100 will automatically receive a velvet gift bag, while supplies last.  Stella & Tide Stella & Tide offers dainty Catholic necklaces, bracelets, rings, and earrings in gold, silver, and rose gold. From affordable to heirloom-quality, their Catholic jewelry is perfect for every occasion and stage of life. Since 2018, they've handmade and shipped over 25,000 beautiful Catholic pieces worldwide. With 2,500+ 5-star reviews, free U.S. shipping, and a generous warranty policy, they guarantee you’ll love your experience with their shop. We're excited to again offer your readers an exclusive discount for 10% off their first order from stellatide.com this holiday season! Here's the discount code: BIS10. The code will remain active until December 31, 2023. BEBEATI It is in stillness and prayerful contemplation that ideas to hand make timeless, original, and versatile Catholic jewelry pieces develop here at BEBEATI. It has been said that jewelry is the perfect gift. In light of this, BEBEATI endeavors to seize this opportunity to evangelize by producing each piece of jewelry with faith and a feminine modest aesthetic in mind. Their motto is, “It’s not fashion, it’s devotion.” May this work BEBEATI [be blessed] for His Glory and our salvation.  Some new releases are; Sacred Heart Jesus, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, St. Benedict Medals, Scapular and more.  GRATIAMBIS23 to receive 10% off “available” ready-to-ship pieces (Offer exp. Nov 30.)  Tune in to their IG stories for flash sales. House of Joppa If you are looking for beautiful Catholic home décor, jewelry, art, Rosaries, or other Catholic gifts, look no further than House of Joppa. Each product is curated from artisans throughout the world and is designed to uplift your spirit and share the beauty of our Catholic Faith. Gifts By Beth Gifts by Beth seeks to enrich your prayer life by bringing you a selection of handcrafted rosaries so you can connect with our Lord through the beautiful and powerful prayer of the Rosary. Whatever the occasion, Gifts by Beth isn't just a gift you give to others - it's also a gift from me to you, infused with prayer. New this season are beaded religious necklaces.   Blessed is She readers can use code BLESSED for 10% off their orders through December 15. For VIP discounts, sign up for the Gifts by Beth newsletter at https://bit.ly/GiftsByBeth CLOTHING + TEXTILES Little Way Design Co. Little Way Design Co. is a small design studio outside of Pittsburgh owned by Katerina Deem and dedicated to supporting the new evangelization efforts of the Church. We focus on creating designs that lift our hearts to the divine and remind us whose we are and that Heaven as our ultimate goal. Inspired by The Little Way of Saint Thérèse, we focus on providing unique Catholic gifts for all occasions and ages like blankets, Christmas ornaments, stickers, greeting cards, wall decor, and Catholic apparel that support Catholics in their faith journey. The entire shop will be up to 40% off Black Friday through Cyber Monday (11/24-11/27). Get 15% off your order any time until December 10th when you use code: BIS2023. Totally Catholic Tees Totally Catholic Tees has been in the t-shirt business for 30 years (founded in 1993). They are family-owned and operated and are committed to providing quality Catholic apparel for everyone to wear and share in The New Evangelization. Our annual Advent Sale is from November 24th to November 27th. It is 30% off regular priced tees and hoodies. Code is "ADVENT2023" Then, we have our last chance Christmas Sale from December 1st - December 15th which is 15% off storewide. Code is "CHRISTMAS2023"   Annunciation Designs Annunciation Designs offers practical products to help your family call to mind the sacred in the midst of the ordinary.  With hand-lettered designs on ethically produced goods, you’ll find something for each person on your list. For your youngest loved ones, be sure to check out their Future Saint Dry Erase Activity Cards and Water Reveal Books, as well as our monthly snail-mail letter, The Wanderlust Catholic! Huge sale 11/20-25 includes discounts, free gifts, and more!  See website banner for code and details. For a free surprise sticker, use code BIS any time! The Anastasia Co The Anastasia Co is an apparel and stationery brand based in Omaha, Nebraska. Our mission is to create thoughtful gifts + goods. We strive to share encouragement and plant seeds of truth through intentional apparel, journals, cards, prints, and other lifestyle goods. Code BIS20 = 20% off entire purchase + free shipping $50+  (Code good through December 31, 2023) DEVOTIONAL ITEMS Meyer Market Designs Meyer Market Designs is your go-to shop for Catholic Gifts and meaningful home decor. Whether you’re looking for a children’s gift, paper goods, Catholic themed pillows and art, we’ve got what you’re looking for! Bernadette’s work is Saint-inspired and seeks to provide something beautiful to gift or fill your home with! Use coupon code BIS15OFF for 15% off of your purchase! Little Rose Designs Raquel started this shop after becoming a single mom and having a major reconversion to the faith. She wanted to take ownership of her faith and pass it on to her daughter in a very authentic and tangible way. The mission of the shop became: "bringing faith into everyday life".  Whether it’s wrapping your baby in a Swaddle, enjoying a cup of coffee in a Prayer Mug while watching the kids have tea parties with their Collectible Saint Dolls, or wrangling the kids at mass hoping they'll stay somewhat quiet with a "Where is Jesus?" or Mass Quiet Book… Raquel wants faith to be a part of the simple everyday things—because that’s where she encounters God the most. Use BIS10 for 10% off anytime! Della Madonna Rosaries Della Madonna designs Rosaries and jewelry that bring joy to your prayer life.  They are made with quality gemstones, cast bronze medals and lots of love! A perfect gift of faith for the special people in your life.   Coupon code for Blessed is She is BIS15 for 15% off (evergreen code). We will also have a sale Black Friday through Giving Tuesday with discounts ranging up to 20%. West Coast Catholic West Coast Catholic is a lifestyle brand with a mission to help you experience a foretaste of Heaven through modern, intentionally designed, lifestyle products and prayer tools. They’re rapid growth and popularity is attributed to their signature gemstone Rosaries, but have expanded their collection to so much more. By infusing the faith into everyday items like jewelry, home goods, apparel, and more, we are reminded of the love of God and the beauty of our faith daily. What makes this brand unique is that WCC products help fill your life with the beauty of the Church without compromising your personal aesthetic, it's just perfect for your modern Catholic woman! Friday (November 24)  - Tuesday (November 28) the entire site will be up to 50% off. This is the biggest black friday sale we've ever had! (no code needed) Every day there will be an additional sale or promotion stacked on top for extra savings! Sign up for our emails and text club here to be in the know about those extra sales. HOME GOODS + DECOR Kerygma Candle & Co Kerygma Candle & Co aims to be a one-stop-shop for all of your Catholic gift giving needs this season! From cozy sweatshirts, their best-selling Candles, Bath & body, Home decor and more - they've got you covered. Kerygma was started by a single mama who had recently escaped an abusive relationship, in the middle of a pandemic. The goal was to share the light of Christ and her rediscovered faith through beautiful handcrafted goods. Since then they have expanded not just as a family business, but also into categories like home altar goods, and apparel. Everything they create is prayerfully handcrafted and designed in house by a small Catholic family in Orlando FL using the highest quality ingredients available. At Kerygma Candle & Co, there's something beautiful and intentional for everyone. Black Friday Weekend BIGGEST SALE OF THE YEAR 25% off the ENTIRE shop! BIS10 for 10% off your entire order! Lata's Catholic Home Lata’s Catholic Home offers originally designed and crafted mini shrines, rosary pouches, stickers, jewelry boxes, Catholic decor and so much more!…All tailored for the modern traditionalist! Each piece is lovingly made with dedication to re-evangelizing the world through beauty and truth. Beautiful and affordable gifts for everyone on your list! Enjoy 15% off your entire purchase AND FREE US Shipping with code: BIS15 The Little Rose Shop Raquel started this shop after becoming a single mom and having a major reconversion to the faith. She wanted to take ownership of her faith and pass it on to her daughter in a very authentic and tangible way. The mission of the shop became: "bringing faith into everyday life". Now, 9 years later, she has 6 more babes (3 Heaven side, 3 earth side) and they give her a wealth of inspiration. Whether it’s wrapping your baby in a Mary's Mantle Swaddle, enjoying a cup of coffee in a Prayer Mug while watching the kids have tea parties with their Saint Dolls, or wrangling the kids at mass hoping they'll stay somewhat quiet with a Mass Quiet Book… Raquel wants faith to be a part of the simple everyday things—because that’s where she encounters God the most.  Use code BIS10 for 10% off to the BIS community anytime! Corda Candles Create a place of peace and prayer in your home with CORDA - these are Catholic candles like you’ve never seen or smelled before! The candles are made with clean coconut wax and custom fragrances directly inspired by saints and the faith, and are handcrafted by a husband-and-wife team. Each candle comes beautifully packaged and ready for gifting, with the story behind the scent inspiration on the box. And the simple design of the candle leads with beauty, helping you share the faith in a lovely and meaningful way.  Explore CORDA’s beautiful Catholic candles and, through December 31, 2023, save 10% with code CHRISTMAS at cordacandles.com Faith + Family Collective This mother + daughter team believes in the power of a family! Their mission at Faith + Family Collective is to create practical, beautiful, and innovative tools that help families share faith in their homes in simple and meaningful ways. Check out their Advent Family Activity Kits, the perfect way to walk through Advent as a family. Use code BIS15 for 15% off the entire shop through December 31st, 2023! Gloria & Praise From the BRAND NEW St. Peter Catholic Sensory Box to the ever-popular Catholic Christmas Crackers, Gloria & Praise creates products for a mission: to bring families together through faith and fun!  Run by a family of fun, Italian-American, Church-loving Catholics who also love babydoll sheep, old houses, family, friends, and coffee, you can gift with confidence that you are giving a high-quality item made with love.      Shop during Thanksgiving weekend for 25% off and free gifts OR use code BIS-10 for 10% off through December 31! Fawnly Fawnly is a home goods brand with heartfelt and encouraging original designs. With high quality bamboo cotton muslin blankets, swaddles, fine art prints, and other goods our goal is to bring hope, healing, and encouragement into your home. One of our best selling products is our Mini Muslin Blanket. It is 8-layers of buttery soft bamboo cotton in the perfect size for the car seat, the stroller, or used as a lovey. Everything is 25% off from November 22-November 27, no code necessary.  Catholic All Year  Catholic All Year is your one-stop shop for liturgical living products and ideas that fit into your real life! This mom-run business was founded by Kendra Tierney almost 20 years ago as she learned to use food, prayer, and conversations based around the liturgical calendar to convey the truths and traditions of the faith to her own family. Catholic All Year is here to help you discover easy and creative ways for your own family to experience the Catholic faith in a deep and life-changing way. From our memberships, to our stand-alone products, to our digital library, we'll show you how simple it can be to make your Catholic faith a memorable and meaningful part of your busy family life! Code: BLESSED10 (one-time 10% off entire order) Little Meadows Little Meadows is the family business of Ginny Sheller, Catholic mom to 9, maker of chrism salve, goat milk soap, naturally dyed organic textiles and other handmade goods. Take 10% off chrism salve through November 30th with code BLESSED10.  Nazareth Pottery We are a faith based shop that specializes in functional, Catholic pottery. Everything in our shop is handmade with love and prayer. We hope to be able to supply every household with faith based pottery by offering high quality stoneware products that will stand the test of time and kids!   Evergreen BIS reader code: BIS10. Black Friday Code: EARLYBIRD10. Christmas Shopping Code: HOLIDAY10 BOOKS + RESOURCES Every Sacred Sunday Hi BIS sisters! We're Every Sacred Sunday, creators of the ESS Mass journal—welcome! We are two Catholic friends from Houston with a love for beautiful books and the Mass. In 2017, the Holy Spirit led us to create the first ESS Mass journal which was funded through Kickstarter, and we are honored to create the 7th edition this year! Each Mass journal contains the full Mass readings, key responses, space for notes, liturgical artwork, and seasonal reflections. Thank you for checking out our full shop and joining us in saying "yes!" to God, one Sunday at a time! Enjoy 10% off any purchase using code BIS10 until December 31, 2023 (does not apply to past orders). Emily Wilson Ministries Emily Wilson Hussem a speaker, YouTuber, award-winning author, wife and mom who shares her faith online and travels the world sharing her witness of faith at conferences and events across the globe. Emily’s social channels (@emwilss) have a combined follower count of over 250,000. Her YouTube channel alone has over 130,000 subscribers and tens of millions of views. She writes, speaks, and creates videos on femininity, faith, dating, motherhood, and relationships - and her books, videos, social media content, courses, and talks continue to inspire and encourage women of all ages. Use code BISHOLIDAY for 15% off through December 9th! Catholic Family Crate Catholic Family Crate, a brand that creates Catholic gifts, educational materials, spiritual tools, and beautiful art to help children fall in love with their Catholic faith. Our products make wonderful gifts to children, families, and teachers for birthdays, sacraments, appreciation and so much more! Our Bestsellers are Pray by Sticker, Parts of the Mass Ring, Alleluia Card Games, Mass Kit, My Catholic Prayer Ring and so much more. Discount Code: BLESSEDISSHE2023 20% off for all CFC items including subscriptions Valid for 1x used per customer, discount code is valid until December 31,2023 Lazy Liturgical by Call Her Happy Lazy Liturgical activity sheets are for the families who wish to celebrate the liturgical year, but have a hard time remembering to plan something meaningful. Instead, purchase the Growing Bundle of activity sheets, and you will have access to hundreds of crafts and coloring pages that require no prep at all. Build your domestic church the easy way! Use code BISSISTER for 10% always on everything.   Thy Olive Tree Thy Olive Tree sells beautiful, Catholic books by independent authors. Shop for baby memory books, Rosary books, planners, journals, children's books and more! Find unique and meaningful gifts for all ages! Interested in self-publishing? Join the Fiat Self-Publishing Academy (https://academy.thyolivetree.com) to learn how to self-publish your own good, true, and beautiful book!   Into The Deep Into the Deep creates faith formation resources that help Catholic parents build a legacy of faith in their homes. These resources are easy to use, made to be used with the whole family, and teach the Catholicism through beauty. Our resources aim to make disciples who know about Jesus, and also know Him. We long to raise up a generation who loves and deeply understands their Catholic Faith! From November 19-27, get 15% off everything in the shop, no code necessary!  TOYS Saintly Heart Saintly Heart is a woman owned and family run Catholic Educational Resource Company creating faith based educational toys. Our goal is to provide high quality toys that will enrich peoples lives through faith, education and play. Use code BIS15 at checkout for 15% off your entire order. Shining Light Dolls At Shining Light Dolls we are passionate about helping families incorporate the wonder of our Catholic faith in every-day life, through proven play-based learning. Since our beginnings 11 years ago, we have been dedicated to providing the community of Catholic families with beautiful, affordable, faith-filled toys and are grateful to God to be able to continue our mission.  Through the entire month of November, we are offering a very special free gift with each purchase (no minimum!). We are also running a Black Friday - Cyber Monday sale with big discounts.