So often am I faced with silence when I ask God for help with whatever conundrum I face that day. At the end of the day, I feel like I’m left hanging, still awaiting His answer. I am quick to forget the peace He affords me when I receive Him in Holy Communion, even in spiritual Communion. That peace is His answer. He gives me graces in the silence, and those are my help. It’s in these moments when I rest in His peace, and He answers me with His silent graces. Silent Graces // A Poem Silent graces in fettered words Silent graces, always heard In the hush of prayer unspoken Heard by Bread of Life there broken Even without my word’s noise He hears my pleading voice And in moments when I’m at a loss He hears and responds from His Cross When my heart struggles to stand It beats, but beats like man Struggling to find strength through strife As it grasps for another chance at life Graces given at His word Graces silent, but in action heard When I can’t find words to say He hears me when I silently pray When I seek a tangible response To cater to my deepest wants When even a why would do And I still hear nothing from You It’s in that harsh silence I face The unheard, Your silent grace And when I don’t think I know what to do I look at Your Cross and follow You Even when faced with uncertainty And the answer doesn’t face me blatantly When I’m falling into the pit of despair You remain waiting for me there You pick me up and make me stronger Though I keep asking how much longer Let pass this cup and yet, still Not according to me, but as Thy will For upon my first life’s end When for my spirit You inevitably send I’ll then know the cost Of enduring what I’ve lost And seeing what I’ve gained Is all that will remain When I gaze upon Heaven’s holy faces The result of God’s silent graces Danielle Erwin is a Catholic wife, a homeschooling mother of 5, and she loves writing poetry whenever the Holy Spirit inspires her! She has published a book of poetry she wrote after her miscarriages called Holding On: Poems on Coping With Loss After Miscarriage, as well as a book of poetry on the Catholic Faith called Something More: Poetic Moments With God.   [bctt tweet="Silent Graces // A Poem #BISblog //" via="no"]

I recently finished the book Prudence: Choose Confidently, Live Boldly by Father Gregory Pine O.P. The subtitle is what initially drew me to read this book. In a world with millions of possibilities, I want to make decisions with confidence and, even more so, I desire to live with bold courage. When I first began reading, the virtue of prudence was an afterthought. Now, prudence—the cardinal virtue that “disposes the practical reason to discern, in every circumstance, our true good and to choose the right means for achieving it” (CCC 1835—is something I think about each day throughout the day. In order choose confidently and to live boldly, I need to cultivate the virtue of prudence. This book is a must read (or at the very least, read this review about it). I learned an incredible amount and fell in love with the virtues. I could have underlined every sentence of this book, yet one thing in particular stood out for me. I continue to apply it in my life since reading it, namely: the importance of memory in making prudent decisions. The Importance of Memory Quoting Saint Thomas Aquinas, Father Gregory explains that there are eight “perfections” of prudence, eight integral parts that work together in making a prudent action. They are: memory docility understanding shrewdness reason foresight caution circumspection Most of us just focus on the perfection of caution when we think of prudence, but this aspect is only one part of the beauty that makes up this virtue. The perfection that really has transformed my life is memory. Using the gift of our memory helps us make prudent decisions. The Gift of Our Past So often we focus on the present moment. This is incredibly important because God is in the present moment, the time for grace is now! However, memory is also a gift from God. It helps us make bold, virtuous decisions. Father Gregory writes: Memory recalls experiences of the past. In matters of prudence, experience goes a long way… the prudent person weighs his or her experience of the past and uses that memory to account best for present circumstances... While it may be helpful for the prudent person to have a vast memory, it’s more important that he or she have a profound memory. Cultivating a Truthful Memory An important facet to creating a profound memory is cultivating a truthful memory. To do this, we need to ask God to purify our memories. It is tempting (especially with painful memories, moments we are embarrassed about, or past experiences that we just want to forget) to redefine history or change our memory of what actually happened so we are the hero. This is incredibly detrimental and can hinder our faith, and it can hinder our future. A pure memory helps us make decisions because we can reflect on our memory and use the lessons we learned from the past and make a virtuous decision boldly. Four Ways to Purify Our Memories Here are four ways that Father Gregory Pine instructs us on how to cultivate a true, pure, profound memory: Retain memory (so it doesn’t slip away) by frequent recalling or journaling. (I need to do this!) Organize memory. (If you have any ideas for this one, please share in the comments below!) Return to it often because God is teaching us through our memory. Pray. Here is a little prayer we can offer: Lord, please help purity my past, and help me to remember things as they truly happened so that I may learn and make virtuous and prudent decisions so as to glorify You! Do you cultivate a profound memory or do you try to push your past away? What are some ways to cultivate a profound memory? Please share below!   [bctt tweet="The Importance of Memory #BISblog //" via="no"]

You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself. // Luke 10:27 Let His word dwell in us richly, sisters. Download your F R E E wallpapers right here --->>> Phone wallpaper Desktop wallpaper

After the creation of the world, God gave to Adam the notable task of naming the animals. Typically, the right of naming is reserved for the creator of said thing, but God’s inclusion of man in this role was further indication of His adoption of mankind as sons and daughters. To this day, the task of naming anything (children, businesses, inventions, etc.) is a process that brings about immense satisfaction and joy once completed. In His Omnipotence, God knew we would enjoy the process and in His generosity shared the privilege with us. Unsurprisingly, many faithful followers find inspiration in their Faith when it comes to naming the animal members of their households. Clever Catholic Names for Pets Catholic websites and Facebook groups are full of posts and threads dedicated to Catholic baby names. These are often places of heavy traffic and engagement. However, there are very few places discussing names of pets owned by Catholics and Christians. Below are names of present and past pets belonging to various members of the Body of Christ… with a few ideas thrown in the mix! Samson // A King poodle who was quite notable in size Pup Francis // The canine companion of a parish priest Gregory // Perfect for a Great Dane after Saint Gregory the Great (or any other Saint who shares the title) Puddleglum // A gray goldfish named for the character from C.S. Lewis' The Silver Chair Bethlehem, aka “Beth” // For a donkey whose species has obvious connections to the town Reverend Fulton Sheen, aka “Rev” // A black cat Turtullian & Aristotle // Two baby turtles hatched on the feast of Saint Teresa of Avila with a fun connection to the “ter/tur” connection. As a unit they were referred to as, “Ter” and “Tle.” Gabriel & Michael // Two German shepherds, a breed notable as guard dogs Tenebrae // A black dog named after the traditional Holy Wednesday custom that leaves the whole church in darkness Dominic // A Boston terrier with black and white markings (similar to the colors of a Dominican habit) Leviticus // One of many cats belonging to a little girl Pangur Ban // A cat named after the poem whose author is unknown but thought to originate from a Benedictine abbey Cateri // Another cat; named for Saint Kateri with a “punny” spelling Dog Bosco // A dog named after the beloved Don Bosco Simon & Peter // Twin calves born on feast of the Chair of Saint Peter 1 & 2 Timothy // Brother cats whose names were inspired both by Scripture and the Anne of Green Gables series Bishop // A dog who was rescued with the name Hole-in-One aka, “Holy” // The dog of a priest/avid golfer Padre // A black cat with a white patch on the front of his neck resembling a priest’s collar Deacon // The emotional support dog of a parish priest Pied Beauty aka “Beauty” // For any dappled or brindle-coated animal; inspired by the work of Gerard Manly Hopkins Polycarp // Appropriate for any pet fish Rocco // A dog with patterns like red granite, but also with ties to Saint Rocco Caspian // A guinea pig named after the character from the Narnia series Damascus // A bold name for a horse inspired by Carvaggio’s famous painting Conversion on the Way to Damascus Linus, Cletus, Clement, Agatha, Lucy, & Cecilia // Chicks who hatched around the same time and named after the martyrs in the Eucharistic prayer Saint // A dog who is anything but (though helping his owners to grow in virtue) Cupertino aka “Cooper” // Another beloved canine Aquinas // A bull whose name was inspired by the “dumb ox” nickname given to the Saint by his classmates Clairvaux // An idea for a Saint Bernard Moses // The wavy-haired emotional support dog of a Catholic high school Patrick // Appropriate for an Irish setter Hound of Heaven, aka “Hound” or “Howie”// An idea for a dog named for the poem; the real Hound of Heaven is, of course, God’s Love which never stops seeking us What other names have you heard for Catholic pets? Share with us in the comments!   [bctt tweet="Clever Catholic Names for Pets #BISblog //" via="no"]

Many years ago, my dad was going through his father’s desk and showed me a precious, antique Christmas card. Attached to the card was a relic of Saint Maria Goretti. I was about the age of Saint Maria Goretti was when I first saw it, and he gave it to me a few years later. It was my first experience with a relic and my first experience of a Saint choosing me instead of me choosing them to be a patron and friend. The Brief but Beautiful Life of Maria Goretti Many are familiar with her story. At age eleven, she is the youngest martyr canonized. Refusing over and over the advances of an 18-year-old boy working on the family farm, the last time he proceeded to stab her 14 times in rage for her refusal. Somehow, Maria lived through being stabbed in the heart, lungs, and intestines long enough to be transported to the hospital and undergo surgery without anesthesia. When she was asked if she forgave the man who had hurt her so brutally, she said, "Yes, for the love of Jesus I forgive him... and I want him to be with me in Paradise." She died twenty hours after being attacked on July 6th, 1902. As an attempted rape victim, why is she considered a martyr, when typically we understand a martyr as someone who dies for the faith? The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines martyrdom as “the supreme witness given to the truth of the faith: it means bearing witness even unto death” (CCC 2473). Maria bore witness to the gifts of purity, chastity, and saving the gift of herself for marriage, even unto death. She reminded her attacker that what he wanted to do was a sin. Alessandro, her attacker, admitted before his death that, “my behavior was influenced by print, mass-media and bad examples which are followed by the majority of young people without even thinking. And I did the same. I was not worried.” Maria’s witness is extremely important in our culture today, where, as Pope Saint John Paul II said during a homily in 2003 celebrating the 100th anniversary of her death: Pleasure, selfishness and directly immoral actions are often exalted in the name of the false ideals of liberty and happiness. It is essential to reaffirm clearly that purity of heart and of body go together, because chastity "is the custodian" of authentic love. She Knew Who She Was Maria was just 11 years old when she witnessed with her life the gift of purity and chastity. Maria knew she was a gift, and she desired to give the gift of herself in an authentic way, not to have that gift taken from her. How was she able to do that at such a young age? She grew up in a home of deep poverty and she never went to school. Even though her parents could not provide the best of material things or the best education, they gave her the greatest gift of all: faith. In that same homily, John Paul II pointed out: The Church has always recognized the role of the family as the first and fundamental place for the sanctification of its members, starting with the children. Maria knew her own dignity and worth. Romans 10:17 tells us that faith comes through hearing. Little Maria’s faith came through hearing her parents love the Church and each other. Faith was not something just reserved for Sundays for the Goretti family, but was integrated into every aspect of life, including sexuality and purity. Virtues don’t exist in a vacuum. They build and strengthen each other, so as much as Maria was pure, she must have also been courageous, prudent, and charitable. She must have learned this from her parents' witness and teaching. The Witness to the Witness We can see a glimpse of this in her mother’s actions after Maria’s death. She stood in the hall of the tribunal as Alessandro’s trial was taking place and forgave him on behalf of the family, even though he had no remorse and showed no repentance at that time. Miserable and near despair for six years, Alessandro had a dream of Saint Maria Goretti where she again forgave him. His life changed at that point, and after he was released from prison, he spent the rest of his life serving at a Capuchin monastery, but not before going to visit Maria’s mother, Asunta, and asking her forgiveness. He then went to Mass with her where he then asked pardon from the parish community. Maria wanted Alessandro to be with her in Heaven, and her mother played an active role in accomplishing her daughter’s last desire. To Be Reconciled Reconciliation is rooted in the Latin word cilia meaning "eyelash." To be reconciled means to "come eyelash-to-eyelash again." We see this profoundly in Assunta and Alessandro. Assunta and Alessandro sat together at Maria’s canonization Mass. Assunta was the first mother to witness her child’s canonization. It’s probably safe to say that Alessandro was the first murderer to witness his victim’s canonization. Yet we also experience this same deep reconciliation that Alessandro experienced when we encounter the mercy of God in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. There, too, is the witness in the martyrdom of Saint Maria Goretti. She was willing to risk it all for the sake of Alessandro’s soul, to die so that he might live. When she reminded him what he was wanting to do was a sin, she desperately wanted him to come back "eyelash-to-eyelash" with the Lord. When she forgave him before she died and wished him to be in paradise with her, she again desired this eyelash-to-eyelash relationship for him. This reconciliation was something she received through the gift of faith given through her parents, a gift more precious than anything they could have given her. Saint Maria Goretti is not only a model of purity and chastity, but also a model of what it means to have a friendship with the Lord, so close as eyelash-to-eyelash. How has reconciliation with someone who hurt or offended you brought you closer to the Lord?   [bctt tweet="Saint Maria Goretti // Witness to Reconciliation #BISblog //" via="no"]

I am in second grade. I breathe in the crisp, fall air and recite the Pledge of Allegiance with my classmates: "...one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” Day after day, each of us eagerly awaits our chance to pull the rope which enables the American flag to wave proudly in the schoolyard. But today, the American flag is sometimes viewed as an exclusive and offensive symbol. Anti-Americanism is popular. So what are we to make of the virtue of patriotism? Patriotism vs. Nationalism When it comes to our duties as citizens across the globe, the Catechism speaks of contributing to society through “truth, justice, solidarity, and freedom” (see CCC 2239). No matter our country of origin, we are to love and serve our country with a spirit of gratitude. To be patriotic is to live out the theological virtue of charity and then strive to make each of our countries better. What it doesn’t speak of is nationalism, which would be a disordered love of one’s country paired with hostility towards other cultures and countries. To be truly patriotic means to help one’s country uphold its ideals while also recognizing the dignity of every human person no matter their culture. Nationalism backs the government, even when it goes against morality, while also harboring animosity towards people from different backgrounds. The Founding of an Ideal It is true that there has been a devastating amount of violence and riots in the U.S. over the past couple of years. Our mainstream American culture often stands in opposition to what we believe as Christians. Our government seems broken, petty, and ineffective. Social phenomena like cancel culture, wokeness, and censorship can sometimes make it feel like our freedom of speech and religious liberty are being stolen from us. In light of all of the division, it is natural to ask whether our country is still worthy of admiration and loyalty. Most of us learned about the founding of our nation in school, and with that the the simple yet radical idea upon which it was founded: ...that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. // Declaration of Independence We learned that both at our nation’s founding as well as throughout her history, many Americans have given their very lives in defense of that ideal. What are we to make of this unabashed patriotism of our forefathers? Were they mistaken all along? Is it an idea which was once noble and necessary, but whose time has passed? Or is there more for us to learn? The Keeping of an Ideal I believe the most important thing the Founding Fathers would have to say about the present state of our union would not be the basic ideas of equality, liberty, and God-given rights which they enshrined in our country’s founding documents. I say that not because these ideas are no longer relevant (quite the contrary), but simply because these ideals have more or less won. These principles now sit at the foundation of not only America, but effectively all of the West, as well as many other parts of the world. I believe in our modern world, the trait we need to learn from our Founding Fathers is not the ideal itself, but a willingness to fight to keep that ideal. Benjamin Franklin was once asked by a woman after a session of the Constitutional Convention, “What kind of a government have you given us?” “A republic,” he replied, “if you can keep it.” He knew that, as we can clearly see now, our nation is only as strong as our willingness to remain committed to its ideals. Similarly, John Adams warned that without virtue, “there can be no Republican Government, nor any real liberty.” These men were not merely critics, they were men of action. They didn’t just talk about what our nation ought to be, they debated, argued, fought, and even dueled with each other as they hammered out the details of the United States. The Man in the Arena Just as in every generation, it is easy to be critical. America has flaws. But she has never and will never need citizens who only want to criticize her. In this light, the words of Theodore Roosevelt’s famous “Man in the Arena” speech ring as clear and as true as ever: It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat. America needs citizens who will fight for the ideals upon which she was founded, Christians who understand the dignity of every human person to raise their voices, and patriots who are not discouraged by her flaws but enamored by the promise of what she can be. Love of Country C.S. Lewis writes that patriotism is a “love of country.” Hopefully, this love of country pushes us to help her be better. The United States is a nation founded with great ideals. As Americans and as Christians we are charged with upholding these ideals and being worthy of them. In celebration of our country, we can take guidance from John Adams who suggested in a letter to his wife, Abigail, that the day “ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty,” a day celebrated with “Pomp and Parade… Games, Sports,” and “Bonfires.” How will you celebrate the founding of this great nation?   [bctt tweet="The Virtue of Patriotism: Are We in the Arena? #BISblog //" via="no"]

Whatever town you enter and they welcome you, eat what is set before you, cure the sick in it and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God is at hand for you.’ // Luke 10:8-9 Let His word dwell in us richly, sisters. Download your F R E E wallpapers right here --->>> Phone wallpaper Desktop wallpaper

In the first few years of my college experience, I’ve learned so much about navigating school, community, and commitments. One of the most helpful things during this process has been finding products that encourage my holistic wellness and promote values that are important to me. 5 Must-Haves for the College-Aged Gal With the new school year approaching, I wanted to offer some of my favorite Blessed is She product recommendations for college-aged women. While it was hard to only pick five, I hope that these beautiful pieces will enhance your life in the same way that they have mine. 1. The Big Planner (Academic Calendar Version) I know it can be a bit of a heated debate, but I’m #TeamBigPlanner all the way. I love that it allows me to plan all components of my day—prayer, school, and work as well as time with friends and time for rest—by tracking my hourly commitments. Truly, I would never be able to keep track of everything going on in my life without it! Beyond that, the prayer prompts remind me to talk to God throughout the day and the theme encourages me to reflect on God’s thirst for humanity, which is what makes the Blessed is She planner my favorite I’ve ever used. 2. Made New Devotional Made New is such a fun study! My good friend and I are currently working through the book together and it’s been the best. I love how relatable and thoughtful the reflections are, helping us to consider where we are tempted to root our identities in external things instead of God. It was especially great since I studied abroad and was off-campus for a full semester, so we were united in prayer through the book, even from an ocean apart. I highly recommend gathering a group of your closest gal pals, brewing some tea, and gathering in the dorm common room to pray through the book together! 3. Encourage Bible Verse Cards Encourage Bible Verse Cards are such a fun, beautiful way to memorize Scripture. During my freshman year, my roommate and I hung them up on our wall as a daily reminder of our identities as beloved daughters of God. Seeing them on my wall everyday has helped me to pray with Scripture more fully. Plus, they make such cute notecards for thoughtful check-ins with friends or bookmarks for class textbooks! 4. Jesus is the Balm Lip Balm I’m not kidding when I say that I never leave my house without a Jesus is the Balm lip balm. Every single purse and backpack I own has at least one in it. Not only does it taste wonderful, but it also has 15 SPF and reminds me of my need for Jesus at all times, which I love! 5. Blessed is She Water Bottle (with stickers) I absolutely love my Blessed is She water bottle, which, of course, features some of my most favorite Blessed is She stickers (hey, Saint Joan of Arc!). It reminds me to drink water and is such a fun conversation starter in my classes, the cafeteria, or my dorm building for people who aren’t familiar with Blessed is She’s ministry and mission. What Would YOU Choose? I can’t recommend these products enough. They have enriched my prayer life and encouraged me to make my college experience about coming to know Jesus in a deeper way, which has been the biggest gift of this season so far. If my first two years of undergrad are any indicator, I’m confident that the Lord is going to continue to work in amazing ways, which I’ll celebrate with my Blessed is She products in tote. What are your favorite Blessed is She resources? Comment below!   Shea Nowicki is a college student, studying Theology and Secondary Education. She is originally from Phoenix, Arizona, but is learning to love Midwestern winters. She loves chats over coffee with friends, spontaneous visits to the Adoration chapel and finding new releases in independent bookstores. LITURGICAL PLANNERS Our Liturgical Planners are based on the Litany of Humility. Enter into prayer every day alongside this beautiful Litany. Order your days in His peace. GET YOUR PLANNER

And to another he said, “Follow me.” // Luke 9:59 Let His word dwell in us richly, sisters. Download your F R E E wallpapers right here --->>> Phone wallpaper Desktop wallpaper

Amoris Laetitia. The joy of love. This is the title of Pope Francis’ apostolic exhortation which focuses on the love within the family. Just over a year ago, on the Feast of Saint Joseph, he launched the year “Amoris Laetitia Family,” which comes to an end this June during the World Meeting of Families in Rome. This year promulgated because he saw the great witness that the family can be to the world. Within the family one can experience sincere communion when it is a house of prayer, when affections are serious, profound, pure, when forgiveness prevails over discord, when the daily harshness of life is softened by mutual tenderness and serene adherence to God’s will…the family evangelizes by the example of life. To Married Couples Pope Francis expressed a deep desire to show his love and support for all individuals, married couples, and families. He expressed this in his Letter to Married Couples for the “Amoris Laetitia Family” Year. He writes about his recognition that life often brings us out of our comfort zones. Sometimes to roads that may seem unpaved and rocky. Yet our relationship with God holds us steady and carries us on. This letter is pure gold. Planting Seeds of Trust Francis urges parents to be aware of how closely their children watch and observe them. It is to parents that they look to learn what love means and it is our love for which they hunger. How important it is for young people to see with their own eyes the love of Christ alive and present in the love of spouses, who testify by the reality of their lives that love forever is possible. Parents have the blessed responsibility of witnessing to their children the joy of what it means to know and experience God the Father’s love. Through seeing the love shared between their mother and father, children begin to plant seeds of trust in their Heavenly Father. The beauty of this example helps to build up a sense of security in your children. A confidence that they will never be abandoned. [bctt tweet="How important it is for young people to see with their own eyes the love of Christ alive and present in the love of spouses. // Pope Francis #BISblog //" via="no"] Transforming Society The laity is charged with the mission to transform society. This can be done by one’s presence in the workplace and advocating for the needs of the family to be considered. It can also be done through the gifts and talents a couple may share, and by offering those to be used by your parish or diocese at large. I encourage you, dear married couples, to be active in the Church, especially in her pastoral care of families…Never forget that the family is the ‘fundamental cell of society’. The family is a domestic church. Through marriage and family life, Christian values are passed from generation to generation, thus building up the “culture of encounter” which Pope Francis speaks of. Welcoming Jesus Into Your Boat One of the things I love about Pope Francis are the word pictures he paints. He writes about the vocation of marriage in the context of a boat. Marriage, as a vocation, calls you to steer a tiny boat—wave-tossed yet sturdy, thanks to the reality of the sacrament—across a sometimes stormy sea. Though waves may abound, the Sacrament ensures that Jesus is with us amid the storm like in the Gospel of Mark when the winds died down after He got into the boat with the Apostles. Like Peter, we must fix our eyes on Jesus. In doing so, we will find peace to overcome. Problems won’t magically disappear, but He will help us to view them with new eyes. It is in suffering through the storm that we come to know Christ and learn to depend on Him more fully. Forgiveness Pope Francis also acknowledged moments of tension which arise within marriages. Here he advises couples to go before the Eucharist in Adoration, a place of peace and refuge. When one of you is a little angry, take him or her by the hand and force a complicit smile. As hard as it might be, try not to let a spirit of stubbornness settle in your heart. Ask Jesus for the grace to forgive. He knows that our human love is weak and He is waiting for us to call on Him for strength, just as Peter called out to him when he was sinking. Presence and Perseverance Pope Francis ends his letter by asking Saint Joseph to pray for families to have “a creative courage” and for the Blessed Mother to help us practice the gift of being present to others so that we may truly encounter them. Live out your vocation with enthusiasm… your husband or wife needs your smile. Your children need your looks of encouragement. Your priests and other families need your presence and your joy: the joy that comes from the Lord! Reflect on your marriage and family life over this last year. Can you identify moments or seasons of grace in this year of the family?   [bctt tweet="Letter to Married Couples in the Year of the Family #BIS blog //" via="no"]

The discovery of a new pregnancy is one of the most exciting things that can happen to a woman. At the same time, it can also be incredibly fear-inducing. After all, having a baby is one of the most life-altering events a woman can experience, even when all the circumstances are perfect. But we live in a fallen world, and most pregnancies and their circumstances cannot be categorized as "perfect." A marriage might be on the rocks. Employment status might be unstable. Personal safety could be an issue. 4 Saints Who Were Encouraged to Have Abortions In these instances (and any of the many others), there are four Saints to whom we can turn when we experience difficulties surrounding pregnancies. Their own pregnancies were so fraught that the medical professionals who cared for them all recommended abortion. As you'll see, choosing life made all the difference. Saint Gianna Beretta Molla A physician herself, Gianna understood the complications of the fibroid (benign tumor) discovered growing in her uterus while she was pregnant with her fourth child. In many cases, fibroids of this kind are so small and harmless that they can be left alone during a woman’s pregnancy. However, in Gianna’s case, the size and position of the fibroid posed a threat to her life, as well as the life of her child. Gianna’s doctors presented her with three options of treatment available in the 1960s. A complete hysterectomy was the option which posed the least risk for Gianna. In this case, the removal of the uterus would include the removal of the fibroid, but also the unborn child who would (obviously) not survive the procedure. Ethically speaking, the Church recognizes this option as a moral choice as the intention is not to harm the fetus and no direct action is taken against it. Rather, treatment is given to the mother to save her life and the child dies as a result. This choice would not have been sinful. The second option presented to Gianna was not moral. In the proposed scenario, Gianna could have an abortion and have the fibroid surgically removed, but retain her uterus for potential future pregnancies. This option posed more risk to mother (and child) than the first, but allowed for the possibility of more children. Gianna rejected this option completely. The final option was a myomectomy, the surgical removal of just the fibroid, which would be difficult to perform on a pregnant uterus. This posed the greatest amount of risk for Gianna, but the lowest risk to her child and was its only chance of survival. Despite the good that could come as a result of the surgery, it could also result in various life-threatening scenarios for both Gianna and the child including miscarriage and excessive bleeding, during both pregnancy and delivery. Presented with two options for treatment that aligned with Catholic teaching, Gianna heroically chose the treatment which gave her child a chance at life, even though it posed the greatest risk to herself. In fact, she sensed that she was not going to survive the ordeal. To her brother she confided, “When the time comes, it will be either he or I,” and to her husband she insisted, “If you have to decide between me and the child, do not hesitate; I demand it, the child, save it.” Gianna underwent a successful myomectomy which allowed her fourth child, a little girl, to grow to a healthy ten pounds at the time of her delivery. Days later, Gianna passed away due to an infection in her abdomen, which may or may not have occurred because of her Cesarean section. It is possible, but not proven, that Gianna’s need for the C-section was tied to the stress the uterus underwent during the myomectomy. On May 16th, 2004, the daughter saved by Gianna’s generosity was able to attend the canonization of her own mother. The Saint’s namesake, Gianna Emmanuela is a physician like her mother and travels across the globe sharing stories of her “mommy Saint.” “I would not be here if I was not loved so much,” the joyful Dr. Molla has concluded. Servant of God Chiara Corbella Petrillo A newlywed living in the 21st century, Chiara returned from her honeymoon to discover her first pregnancy. At fourteen weeks, it was detected that the baby had a genetic condition known as anencephaly (a neural tube defect which does not allow for proper brain or skull formation). Incompatible with life, most babies born with anencephaly die shortly after birth. As is the case with many medical professionals, Chiara’s doctors recommended abortion since the child was fated to die anyway. Lovingly, Chiara and her husband chose to carry the baby to term and love her in every way they could until her natural death. Maria Grazia Letizia lived for less than an hour outside her mother’s womb, but her life was cherished by her parents and they saw to it that she was baptized before her death. At Maria’s funeral, the memorial card prepared by Chiara and her husband read, “We are born never to die,” a profound reminder of the eternal life their daughter was already living. Months later, Chiara expected her second child. Once again, the ultrasound revealed a genetic defect incompatible with life, but one completely unrelated to the first. This baby was void of his legs and kidneys. Once more, the doctors recommended abortion to the young couple; they, in turn, refused. Davide Giovanni lived a total of thirty-eight minutes and, like his sister, was baptized before passing into eternal life. During Chiara’s third pregnancy, the baby was developing normally. However, Chiara noticed something strange about her tongue. Testing confirmed a rare cancer. Immediately she underwent surgery to have the mass removed. Chemotherapy and radiation would have been moral means of combating the cancer (although indirectly fatal for the baby). Desiring to protect the life of her son, Chiara delayed treatment until birth. During this time, she lost the ability to speak and swallow (and she didn’t even take pain medication in further attempts to protect her unborn son!). Thanks to the immense generosity of his mother’s love, Francesco was born healthy and strong. Tragically, during those final months of pregnancy, Chiara’s cancer spread rapidly throughout her body, affecting her lungs, liver, one breast, and an eye before doctors declared it to be terminal. Despite all her suffering, Chiara radiated joy. She died in June 2012 wearing her wedding dress, and her cause for canonization was opened five years later on the anniversary of her death. Servant of God Emilia Wojtyla Described by her saintly son—John Paul II—as the “soul of home,” Emilia Wojtyla was a deeply religious woman and a loving wife and mother. As is the case with many parents, Emilia loved her children more than herself, and it was evident especially during her third pregnancy. This particular pregnancy was taxing for Emilia and a threat to her life. Emilia’s doctor insisted she have an abortion as the labor could have resulted in Emilia’s death. This assertion left her depressed and down-hearted. Supported by her husband, they knew this baby was meant to be born. Emilia found another doctor, a man who acknowledged the immense risk but did not push for an abortion. She spent the last months of pregnancy on bedrest. When the time came for the baby to be delivered, Emilia’s husband and eldest son went to the parish across the street to pray. This brave woman survived the delivery and instructed the midwife to open the windows. Emilia wanted the first sounds heard by her healthy newborn to be the words of the Litany of Loreto sung every evening at the parish. Because of the suffering and grace experienced throughout the entire ordeal, Emilia predicted that her son, Karol Jr., would one day become a great man. She was right. The cause for the canonization of Emilia Wojtyla (and her husband Karol) was opened on October 10th, 2019. Blessed Maria Corsini Quattrocchi Maria was a renowned professor and mom of three young children when her fourth pregnancy brought with it an unexpected diagnosis. During her fourth month, Maria started hemorrhaging. She was experiencing placenta previa, a rare condition in which the placenta (a temporary organ providing nourishment to the baby) covers the cervix. Even for modern-day medicine, this diagnosis is considered life-threatening. So in the early 1900s when Maria was diagnosed, the condition was essentially considered a death sentence. The doctors advised Maria to abort the child and save her own life. They even tried to persuade her husband (who did not take his Faith as seriously as his wife) by assuring him of the difficulties of raising three young children on his own. Neither individual caved to the pressure. Instead, they took the matter to prayer and entrusted themselves to God through the process. They decided to allow the doctors to induce labor early and sure enough, both Maria and their daughter, Enrichetta survived. Maria lived a long, full, and happy life with her husband and four children. Her husband’s faith was strengthened by the experience, and he contributed unceasingly to the faith life within their home. As adults, their three oldest children became professed religious (a Benedictine priest, a Benedictine nun, and a Trappist monk). Their youngest, Enrichetta, held many positions in her life, including teacher and nurse. She served those around her boldly and unceasingly (including amazing things like helping Jews, refugees, and soldiers during World War II and adopting the son of a deceased cousin). In 2001, Maria and her husband became the first non-martyred married couple to be beatified together. An old woman, Enrichetta was alive and present at Saint Peter’s for the glorious event. She died eleven years later having followed whole-heartedly in the virtuous footsteps of her parents. Most recently, in August 2021, Pope Francis declared Enrichetta Quattrocchi a venerable. This baby who was given no chance of survival lived such a profound life of heroic virtue, her cause for canonization is well on its way! Portraits of Courage Saints are often misconstrued as people born with an innate ability to make moral choices without a second thought. The truth is, saints are people who struggled through life, brought everything before the Lord for His assistance, and thus formed their soul to eventually react in such an automatically virtuous way. Though these four women were faithful followers of Jesus at the time of their pregnancies, it does not mean they did not experience or struggle with negative emotions and thoughts regarding their pregnancies. Rather, in virtuous fashion, they “took up courage;” meaning they were not necessarily unafraid. Rather, courage is the virtue by which we move forward with the moral choice despite personal fear. May these women serve as models and heavenly friends to whom we can turn when we, or someone we know or love, is faced with a difficult decision regarding the life of the unborn.   [bctt tweet="4 Saints Who Were Encouraged to Have Abortions #BISblog //" via="no"]

I often get asked how I reconciled my dance career to my Faith. I simply say that, at the time, I didn’t. Like many young girls, I was put into twirling at three. Then, at my own request, I enrolled in ballet, tap, and jazz at the age of five. I found I had a natural ability as a little dancer and immediately felt like I had found my calling. Nothing mattered more to me than dance. I accepted any and all forms of critique and demanding training sessions to be the very best. The dance industry certainly isn’t for the faint of heart. If I wasn’t practicing in the studio, I was clearing the furniture in my bedroom for more space, practicing my leg extensions at the kitchen counter, or using the long grocery store aisles to develop the most graceful leaps. My mother still recounts those grocery store days to me. Now, my husband experiences them, too. What can I say? Once a dancer, always a dancer. Motivations and Morality As I matured as a young lady and a performer, I worked hard to be in the more notable classes at my studio. I spent the many following years in the competitive world of dance. Up to this point, there wasn’t anything that I tried out for, or set my mind and body to, that I didn’t achieve in one way or another. Committing myself to being a competitive dancer meant that weeknight rehearsals turned into weekends too, even Sundays. This didn’t bother my family much. While I had received my Sacraments, we weren’t a practicing Catholic family. Reconciling Catholic morals to my dance career was not a thought, even though there was much that could have been discussed about topics pertaining to modesty, body image, competitiveness, female comparison, and priorities. I was often encouraged by others with the motto, “If you’ve got it, flaunt it!” A Possible Open Door Into my teen years I won many awards, appeared in different ensembles, danced across the country, and was the youngest girl in my high school’s history to have been made the highest-ranking lead dancer on our team. Yet my impending graduation made me feel absolutely lost thinking of a life without dance. I wasn’t sure what I would pursue. During the summer after high school graduation, a friend invited me to go with her to try out for the Texans Cheerleaders. Admittedly, I felt lackluster. As many in this arena know, classically-trained dancers and cheerleaders are seen as very different. From my experience, one is usually turning their nose up at the other. I went forward with this opportunity anyway, thinking this might give my college years the dose of dance that I was looking for. Not only that, but I had spent a brief period of time on a competitive team with a Texans Cheerleader that was on the squad during my audition. I thought I was a shoo in! The Tryout Process I arrived to the very intimidating practice tent (not having done any prior research) in a simple but little tryout number, dance sneakers, and my curls sprayed so tight I had to hammer them down at the end of the night. I was not at all prepared for the city camera crews, news photographers, or mass amounts of women there to try out. As one would expect, the women in the heeled boots and skimpy sequined outfits were the ones that drew the most attention. I knew I was going to have to step it up. So I danced like nobody’s business, flipped my hair with the best of them, and performed with the typical facial technique of mouthing your vowels. While there I began to feel like this was more about looks than about dancing (it turns out I was right). I made it through two of the three rounds when suddenly I saw a trail of Texans football players enter the tent. They sat down at a long table. They instructed us to dance across the field and act as if the players weren’t there. I was cut during this round and experienced my first dance team “failure,” if one could call it that. Not long after, I heard through the grapevine why I didn’t make it. Apparently, I looked too young at the time. They encouraged me to come back in a year or two when my look had matured. To me, this indicated a single standard: a member could not look that young and wear that little. I moved on quickly from not making the team, but struggled afterwards with the feeling of humiliation for putting myself on display like that. A Change of Position Several months later I sat discontentedly in my college freshman political science class doodling on a notebook. I heard God say in my heart, “You need to be a youth minister.” There have been three times in my life where I sincerely felt that I heard God clearly, and this was one of them. And all I could think was, “Have You seen my life, Lord?” This call intrigued and bewildered me. I had absolutely no qualifications and hardly had any relationship with God. In a leap of faith, no pun intended, I reached out to my youth minister to tell him what I had experienced and asked him to help me pursue God’s call. This became the first of many arduously purifying seasons in my life. After months of prayer, study, volunteering, and conversion I became a youth minister at the young age of 19 and I have worked for the Church ever since. Shortly after, I heard an internal phrase that stopped me in my tracks, “See, you can’t live both ways.” God was asking me for a complete surrender! A Singular Focus Things had never been so clear. It was not possible to carry on juggling two contradictory ways of life. One or the other must be true. And I would have never been a youth minister had I been hanging on the wall of some young man’s bedroom in a scantily-clad outfit. The door closed on my dance career, but God opened another! “You can’t live both ways,” became my new motto and was the catalyst for a laundry list of other personal conversions pertaining to modesty, comparison, self-worth, purity, and secularism. Looking back, I can see that my Texans Cheerleader tryout experience was the tipping point that gave way to divine providence. I would either believe what Christ has done for me is actually real and I would fully commit to living this Faith, or I would continue on in discord, picking and choosing whatever felt right in the moment. This didn’t come easily. I looked at almost 20 years of my life lived away from God as a rose bush that needed to be pruned. This was sometimes incredibly painful and isolating from my family. I had to end certain friendships. At times, it felt like I was losing the only self I knew. Old habits die hard, and parts of my secular worldview tried to carry on unfazed for years after I sought total surrender to a life with God. I didn’t completely change overnight. But I was dedicated to pursuing God no matter the cost. New Team, New Training To better the journey and find support in training myself in new habits, I surrounded myself with a phenomenal community of Catholic believers. These people lifted me up and exemplified a faithful lifestyle, including the Saints. I seek daily to approach my Faith as passionately as I did my dance career with intensity, focus, discipline, practice, and love. And when things get hard, I think of how good it is to rest in Christ and allow that to soothe my heart like a balm while I continue to grow and transform. And for those wondering, I still dance but perhaps in a different outfit and with a much healthier outlook on Who I belong to. Has God ever shifted the course of your life with closed and open doors? Take some time to reflect on that today!   Steffani Aquila is the Director of Liturgical Life for the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart and the owner of His Girl Sunday, a business and blog that helps individuals, families, and parishes live liturgically and build long-lasting, authentic Catholic traditions. She has a Master of Arts in Theological Studies and has worked in Catholic high schools as a dean and an honors level Theology teacher. When she’s not doing those things, you can find her reading theological books, hosting feast day parties for family & friends, and dancing down the aisles of Hobby Lobby.   [bctt tweet="Texans Cheerleader Tryouts & Total Surrender #BISblog //" via="no"]

Anywhere can be a place of prayer. We can have a solemn and meaningful time with God wherever we may be. It need not be an elaborate space, as long as we can spend a few quiet moments being closer to Him. But having a small space in our own homes where we can pray and reflect allows our families, our friends, and guests to come together and have a prayer time without the distractions. Ideas for Decorating a Prayer Room Setting the stage for a space that allows contemplation is helpful when forming a habit of deep prayer. Here are some ideas for decorating a prayer room or space in your own home. 1. Decide on Your Color Scheme You may opt for vibrant or pastel colors for your prayer room to resemble the joy and lightness of being with God, or more neutral, earthy tones to create a cozy prayer room with a sense of quiet and peace. Spandex four-way stretch drape curtains are perfect if you want shade for windows but also want natural light and fresh air inside your praying room. If you want more coverage, you can choose velvet curtain drapes. If you don’t have curtain rods installed in your house, you can use sturdy pipe and drape sets to hang the curtains. Use the same fabrics or complement drape colors for the altar backdrop. Create a double draping design for the windows and the altar using valence hangers with chiffon curtain drapes to add a color accent to the room. For a more joyous and vibrant prayer room design, you may use a flower panel backdrop for the altar to surround framed pictures of Jesus and Holy Mother Mary. 2. Place the Altar at the Center The altar is the centerpiece of your prayer room. If you have a rectangular wooden table for the altar, you can just put a table runner on top based on your color theme. If you want full coverage for a plastic table, you may also use a linen tablecloth topped with a table overlay. You may also want to add skirting on the altar table using table clips. Arrange your altarpieces at the center of the table, including spiritual figurines and the Bible. For candles, you may use these candelabras for the altar, or on a separate smaller table. Affordable charger plates can also be used as a candle holder. 3. Add Chairs and Other Furniture You may want to add a couch or just a few chairs lined facing the altar. Some also put personal pews in the prayer room, but these aren’t always available. For kneeling, you may put pillows or you may opt for a carpeted prayer room. For minimal chair decorations, add a white or ivory chair cap to your Chiavari chairs. If you have limited space, use foldable chairs so you can put them away when you have fewer people in the prayer room. Add other furniture such as a wooden or glass prayer closet or even a small container to keep other spiritual materials such as prayer books, prayer journals, candles, etc. You may add other small home decors such as flower vases or figurines. 4. Use Wall Decorations Wall decorations for prayer spaces will be sure to add a personal touch. You may add a wood sign for reminders or a prayer board. Bible verses wall art can also be a beautiful prayer room decor. You may also use vinyl wall floral decorations for the walls. These prayer room ideas are just some of the ways that you can make your daily prayers a little more special. In the end, the goal of a prayer room is to create a beautiful place of worship in your home, a place where your family and loved ones can come together in comfort, without distraction, and with grateful hearts and souls.   Wendilyn Adams is a freelance event stylist for private, corporate small, and huge crowd gatherings. Her eye for putting together decorative pieces, and linens make every event remarkable. She's been in the events industry for 6 years.   [bctt tweet="Practical Decoration Ideas for a Prayer Room at Home #BISblog //" via="no"]

I am the living bread that came down from heaven, says the Lord; whoever eats this bread will live forever. // John 6:51 Let His word dwell in us richly, sisters. Download your F R E E wallpapers right here --->>> Phone wallpaper Desktop wallpaper

Last summer, I had an opportunity for renewal for three weeks away from mission. My time of retreat and renewal overlapped with one of my very first spiritual directors. In the passing years, I had entered the convent and he had gone on to become “Catholic famous.” After a brief, “We’ll visit soon,” the days began to speed by. By the second week, I was worried and fretting that the visit wouldn’t happen. By the last week, the worry had spiraled into thoughts of not being significant enough to be worth his time. Longing for Fatherly Love Taking it to prayer, I began to pray through the why. Why was I obsessing, worrying, and worse, doubting my worth in the eyes of someone I trusted, who knew my heart? It was because “Your Father knows what you need before you ask Him” (Matthew 6:32). God the Father knew my heart was hurting in ways that I had not yet acknowledged. I had lost my own dad to cancer a few years before. My most recent spiritual director had recently left the priesthood. Grief had become a constant friend that made me both grateful and sad. And hesitant. The Father's Love Remains The Lord began to show me that in all that change and upheaval of the past years, God had remained the same. His love for me had not changed. He had always provided for me, was providing for me in these moments of doubt of my own significance, and He would always provide. I began to turn these thoughts of my own insignificance and lack of trust over to the Lord. When thoughts would arise about my self-worth, the Lord reminded me of the truth of being Beloved to the Father, and that He remained my constant friend and Father through it all. I began to believe it and even have peace that if I didn’t get a chance to visit with my spiritual father, it was not a reflection on me, but a reflection on the busy-ness of life. So when I got a message for an invite for coffee a few days before I left, I laughed at the Providential, nothing-accidental timing. During coffee, we celebrated all the Lord was doing in our lives. And I wished my heavenly Father Happy Father’s Day, too. How has the Heavenly Father used someone else to remind you of His steadfast love? Consider reaching out to someone who has lost a parent and remind them that they are still a beloved child of God. Who are you in the eyes of your heavenly Father? Consider thanking a spiritual father today and name a specific way they reflect the Father’s love for you.   [bctt tweet="Favored by the Father #BISblog //" via="no"]

I was having a particularly rough month and was feeling lost. I had recently shared about my broken family history (something I hadn’t done in a long time). Revisiting all of those memories left me feeling insecure. My wounds and scars opened up again, exposing all the parts of me that feel ugly and in need of healing. I wished I could go back and change things, feeling bitter and angry that it still affects me to this day. I thought about how whole I could be if things had turned out differently, how unfair it was that I had constantly questioned my worth, how hard it was for me to trust the people I love most. I knew I needed time with Our Lord but I kept putting it off. I had so many words that were jumbled in my head and were hard to put together. I was emotionally drained. It was overwhelming to even scratch the surface of all the pain and hurt that consumed me. I had an opportunity to visit Jesus in Adoration and thought this would be a perfect time to lay out all my frustrations. But when I knelt before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, I was nervous. I didn’t know what to say or where to even begin. Would He understand? Would He chastise me for complaining too much? Would He tell me to chin up and move on and stop dwelling in the past? As I was trying to pray and explain all of these things, I felt moved to simply sit in silence and remain in His presence. I stared at Jesus, looking for the words, when I heard Him say in my heart, “I know.” And I wept. [elementor-template id="707561"] He knows it all. Jesus was there with me and He understood everything. There was no need for me to explain. All I needed was to remain in Him, even when I didn’t know what to say or what to do next. I simply sat there and let His presence console me. He acknowledged the pain in my heart and my need for His healing. He allowed me the space to cry and grieve for the things of my past. So much was communicated simply by being in His presence, just like so much can be communicated with one look between spouses or two best friends. It really was simple. I tried to fill the silence with words and instead I was reminded of the depth of His intimate love. And as long as I remain in Him and He remains in me, I can ask Him for anything and it will be done (see John 15:7). Oftentimes, the ache feels too much to handle and that causes us to turn away or give up. But God is the One Who can handle it all. He knows you, dear sisters, and He looks upon you with love so deep it is beyond words. // What areas of your life do you lack peace? What are the things that overwhelm you? // As we close this series today, reflect: How can you remain with the Lord in the present moment? What has He stirred in your heart over the last week? What is the Holy Spirit trying to show you?   P.S. Grab this free wallpaper for your phone or computer to remind you of your focus during this summer series (and beyond)!   [bctt tweet="REMAIN Series // Lost for Words #BISblog //" via="no"]

“If you really wanted to confess something, why not just talk to an empty chair and pretend Jesus is in it? Why would you put yourself through that when you can see you’re talking to another flawed human,” asked my indignant high school friend. Fair point, I had to admit. Why trouble myself with the humiliation of naming my sins and shortcomings to anyone else, when I could just speak them into the void and call it good? Is Catholicism worth the hassle? There are so many seeming add-ons that other traditions don’t ask of them. Growing up I was surrounded by friends who deeply loved Jesus, who knew Scripture and wanted the same for me. They just didn’t seem to imagine I could find that in the Catholic Church and challenged me on it frequently. It turns out I was a bit of a late bloomer in terms of coming to an intimate understanding of the Liturgy, the Sacraments, and the Tradition present therein, so naturally I wondered if they might be right. Their questions and promptings came from a good place and didn’t allow for me to become stagnant. Ultimately, their curiosity and prompting led to a place of discernment. Was the Faith I’d been Baptized into my own? Did I want it to be? I remember my mom encouraging me to give a final fair chance before I let it go completely. [elementor-template id="707561"] I scheduled a time with my parish priest for Confession and to talk over my questions and the inherent struggles in deciding whether or not to stay Catholic. “Shouldn’t the Faith I’m choosing serve to comfort me? Why choose a Faith that asks so much of me?” I demanded indignantly. He listened to me lovingly and patiently. The conversation was a beautiful one, one in which he shared his own deep need for Sacraments–specifically Confession–and the grace that comes with self-awareness, humility, and a contrite heart. I was so touched by his sharing that I knew an empty chair (for starters) could never replace the grace promised for bringing myself, warts and all, to the Redeemer who knows my heart better than any. The invitation to be on a journey with the Lord (rather than inviting the Lord along for my journeying) served to help me come to the decision to remain on the days when choosing faithfulness means choosing to be refined by the struggle. // What has challenged you/challenges you about your Catholic Faith? What has inspired you to remain and make it your own in the past? Now? // Is your faith experience one where you invite Jesus along from time to time, or one in which the Lord is ever present, even amidst the struggles?   P.S. Grab this free wallpaper for your phone or computer to remind you of your focus during this summer series (and beyond)!   [bctt tweet="REMAIN Series // Staying Catholic #BISblog //" via="no"]