You shall love your neighbor as yourself. // Mark 12:31 Love this from today's readings. Let His word dwell in us richly, sisters. Download your F R E E wallpapers right here --->>> Phone wallpaper Desktop wallpaper

"Forgiveness is letting the prisoner go free, only to know the prisoner is me" is an adage that could not be truer in Corrie ten Boom’s life. In her book, The Hiding Place, the Dutch Christian writer describes her experience in Amsterdam during World War II where she and her family hid Jews from the Nazis. One day, after an informant reported them, her family was seized and deported to the concentration camp. Corrie never saw her father again, and her sister died in the camps. Years later, Corrie travelled throughout Europe speaking on the forgiveness of God until she experienced a moment that forever changed her spiritual life. After one talk, a man approached Corrie to thank her for her message on forgiveness. Corrie immediately recognized him as one of the guards from the concentration camp, and memories of the brutal camp came flooding in. “Will you forgive me?” he said, extending his hand. But Corrie’s arm stayed frozen, her blood draining ... remembering, reliving. She whispered in her heart, “Jesus, help me! I can lift my hand. I can do that much. You supply the feeling.” Immediately something like warm current began to flow in her shoulder, then down her arm, eventually ending into their joined hands. “I forgive you, brother, with all of my heart,” Corrie reciprocated. The prison doors were flung open. What Forgiveness is Not How can I forgive this? How do I forgive someone who’s not even sorry? Who among us hasn’t been hurt, angered, or wounded? We wrestle in prayer, wanting to forgive but find ourselves licking old wounds again, frustrated with our failed attempts to truly forgive. I believe we often resist forgiveness because we lack understanding of what it means. We equate “forgiving” with “forgetting” assuming we have to let our offender off the hook and forgo justice while we suffer. Other times, we confuse loving with liking considering forgiveness as complete only if we have "joined hands" in reconciliation. Such an inaccurate view on forgiveness can be very damaging. Do I have a right to feel anger or hurt? Absolutely. The Catechism reminds us: It is not in our power not to feel or to forget an offense. // CCC 2843 In other words, God doesn’t suggest we forgive and forget as a way of ignoring our broken hearts and allowing for gaping wounds to fester. It simply means He is leading us to something greater. This higher calling demands our decision. Therefore, forgiveness is a decision—a decision that opens doors to our healing, to our own freedom. Rewrite the Script A few years ago, a close friend’s betrayal left me hurt, embarrassed, and angry. Not only was I judged falsely, I was also slandered in the community. I held on to Jesus’ admonishment to forgive as we are forgiven, but found myself withholding love. Cynicism dressed like a security guard, protecting my pain. On some level, judging him made me feel safe. "I will forgive only when you are sorry." One evening, I was led to Matthew 5:23-24: So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift..." Oh I knew this verse so well, yet the reality of prison doors had never been more poignant. The word “reconciled” in Greek means "commanded to go." In other words, you initiate the action. I was suddenly seized with the inescapable painful realization—I was living under the tyranny of another’s sin. I was waiting for my offender to extend his hand, while I kept mine frozen. Like the unforgiving servant (see Matthew 18: 21-35), I was grasping at the collar of my offender, losing sight of my own debt. I was holding him imprisoned. I was holding myself imprisoned. God Has to Do It That week in all of my anger and brokenness, I cried out to God. As I vented my pain, I heard in my heart, “I need you to forgive so he and you can change." How contrary this was to my own script. God’s healing for both sides had begun. It had begun the moment I had desired to re-write the script, reverse the lies and choose love all over again. As I stretched my hands heavenward, I felt it – the rush and rain of the Holy Spirit, cleansing my heart, shifting my perspective, loosening my grip. My heart was exposed but it was stretched, for more mercy, more healing. I could trust the unchangeable God to turn my great affliction into a game changer. A week later, I met my offender. Though I desired reconciliation, he did not. But in that moment, I discovered something powerful. People can hurt us, but they can never take away our peace, freedom, and joy. Freedom isn’t conditional on them wanting our forgiveness, only in our willingness to live free. I extended my hand, then an embrace, and walked home... free! Ongoing Journey of Healing It was not until that moment that I realized how insidious the roots of unforgiveness are, how they make the heart so impervious to God’s mercy (see CCC 2840), how they convince us that we can only be happy if our offender pays. Forgiveness isn’t a destination; it’s a doorway to healing. This healing is an ongoing journey that may possibly end only in the grave. But for healing to be active, it requires both our intent and God’s power. As we ‘choose’ to forgive daily, we tear down illusions of hurt and heartlessness. We learn to crucify the flesh and its strongholds. We die to pride, selfishness, and all things that prevent us from seeing another human formed in God’s image. And we discover God’s Kingdom found in poverty, in meekness, and in the least likely places. Are You Struggling to Forgive? We can be so hard on ourselves when there is no closure. But don’t we deserve so much more than the pleasure we get out of our grievances? This irrational pleasure not only distracts us from God, it derails our witnessing. Henri Nouwen reminds us that we are "wounded healers" who need to heal our own wounds before we can witness to heal others. My own ongoing healing consists of studying specific Scriptures on unforgiveness, frequenting the Sacrament of Reconciliation, learning from the Saints, and listening to people’s stories. If you have a spiritual director, talk over your grief with him/her. If you don’t have one, talk to a priest. I also recommend writing a letter to the one who hurt you, even if you don’t share it. Journaling can be therapeutic in so many ways. Like Corrie, we must depend on the Holy Spirit for our healing. He alone can turn our “injury into compassion” and transform our “hurt into intercession” (see CCC 2843). It takes vulnerability to face our wounds. It requires humility to cry out like Corrie “Jesus, help me." Sister, God isn’t done writing your story. If you allow Him to, He can weave all your life’s injustices into greater good (see Romans 8:28). Remember what Jesus did for you will always be greater than what has been done to you. In His Resurrection, Christ retained the scars of His wounds so He can accompany your broken road, so He can release you to freedom, so He can bring you home. I whisper a prayer as you make the choice to extend your hand.   [bctt tweet="What to Do When You Struggle to Forgive #BISblog //" via="no"]   This post contains affiliate link. Thanks so much for supporting the ministry of Blessed is She!

My two younger brothers both like to read books and watch movies. One is more focused on sports and can spend hours playing baseball, while the other is drawn to music and takes drum lessons. They make their own breakfast and empty the dishwasher. They love their four siblings, but do not hesitate to argue with us, and voice their opinions. While they have distinctive personalities and interests, both brothers share the similarity of having Down syndrome. A Discovery in Down Syndrome October is National Down Syndrome Awareness Month according to the National Association for Down Syndrome. For Catholics, this year’s celebration took on especial importance as Jerome Lejeune, the physician and geneticist who first concluded that Down syndrome is caused by an extra chromosome on pair 21, took steps toward sainthood in January. Following his discovery in 1958, Lejeune dedicated his career to improving the quality of life for people with Down syndrome and their families. He pioneered a clinic in Paris that focused on treating children with Down syndrome, and supported people from around the globe. A devout Catholic and pro-life advocate, Pope Paul VI appointed Lejeune to the Pontifical Academy of Sciences in 1974, and he became the first president of the Pontifical Academy for Life founded by Pope John Paul II in 1994. Lejeune died on April 3, 1994 and the cause for beatification and canonization was opened in Paris in 2007. In January 2021, Pope Francis advanced his cause for sainthood and Lejeune is now considered venerable. Dedicated to Defending Dignity Lejeune’s research brought astounding advances to the scientific understanding of Down syndrome, but also created issues for his pro-life ideology. Now that there was a known genetic cause for Down syndrome, the research could be used to identify unborn children with Down syndrome and lead to their abortions. To address the ramifications of his research once pro-abortion laws began to surface, Lejeune spoke at conferences around the world defending the right to life for children with Down syndrome. Through his advocacy and care for patients, Lejeune strove to improve the quality of life for people with Down syndrome and change society’s negative perceptions of disability. Lejeune’s work remains necessary today. The number of people living with Down Syndrome has decreased in many countries, coinciding with a rise in prenatal genetic testing. A 2015 study in the American Journal of Medical Genetics estimated that the birth rate of children with Down syndrome were reduced by 30% as a consequence of Down syndrome-related elective abortion in 2007. Supporting Parents and Providing Resources Abortions resulting from prenatal genetic testing bring to light the crisis of misconceptions that the world maintains about people with Down syndrome. Disability-elective abortions may result from parents believing that a diagnosis of Down syndrome presents a burden, that constant distress and hardship will muddle both their lives and their children’s. Future parents need to understand that people with Down syndrome experience full ranges of human emotion, have the capacity to contribute to society, and find meaning in careers, relationships, and faith. I see my brothers internalize Jesus’ friendship through personal prayer and the Sacraments. As Pablo Pineda—the first man with Down syndrome to earn a university degree in Europe—said: I always say I am Pablo Pineda and that I have Down's syndrome. There is a big difference between 'having' and 'being.' 'Being' can crush you down and 'having' shows it is only one feature. The Ears to Hear Lejeune’s story exemplifies compassionate servant leadership by placing God at the center of all aspects of life, including career. Lejeune understood that fighting against abortion was not enough to promote high quality of life for people with Down syndrome. He remained present to his patients’ life experiences in order to ensure their personal well-being and success. This year, we can follow Lejeune’s example by listening to people about their experiences so that their stories can triumph over misconceptions about Down syndrome: “Seriously, I have a great life! I have lectured at universities, acted in an award-winning film and an Emmy-winning TV show, and spoken to thousands of young people about the value of inclusion in making America great. I have been to the White House twice—and I didn't have to jump the fence either time.” // Frank Stephens, actor, Special Olympian and advocate “We have the same wants and dreams as everyone else. We can do anything anyone else can do. We are more alike than we are different. I can drive, go to college, maintain a job as the Manager of Grassroots Advocacy at the National Down Syndrome Society and be the first registered lobbyist with Down syndrome. We want to date and get married. We want the American Dream, same as anyone else.” // Anonymous woman, National Down Syndrome Society "My family always told me I was like anybody else—I just had an extra chromosome. Sometimes it took me longer to learn, but I did it." // Isabella Springmuhl Tejada, first fashion designer with Down syndrome to have her work showcased at London Fashion Week, owner of fashion line Down To Xjabelle “A long time ago when I was very little, I dreamed about being on stage. Some people told me I would never be able to do it, so I only paid attention to those who told me that I could.” // Lauren Potter, actress   [bctt tweet="The Near-Saint Who Discovered the Extra Chromosome in Down Syndrome #BISblog //" via="no"]   Grace Spiewak is a librarian and writer living outside of Chicago. Her work has appeared in publications including America Magazine, Busted Halo, and Ancient World Magazine. When she isn’t writing about Latin, history, and faith, Grace enjoys biking along Lake Michigan, reading, and practicing her golf swing.

In just a few short days, the Catholic Church will enter into a holy trifecta of days: All Hallows' Eve (October 31) All Saints' Day (November 1) All Souls' Day (November 2) All Saints' Day and All Souls 'Day are the obvious holy days. But what about All Hallows' Eve (or Halloween)? How does it fit into this trifecta? The Communion of Saints It helps to consider that, together, these three consecutive days illustrate the full Communion of Saints: the Church Triumphant, Suffering, and Militant. We believe in the communion of all the faithful of Christ, those who are pilgrims on earth, the dead who are being purified, and the blessed in heaven, all together forming one Church … // Catechism of the Catholic Church 962 Each day within this upcoming trifecta of holy days emphasizes this reality. All Hallows' Eve This day looks to the Church Militant, those faithful Catholics living on earth and striving for Heaven. We have a unique role to play in the spiritual battle against sin and evil in the world. All Saints' Day The Solemnity of All Saints' celebrates the Church Triumphant, the saints (canonized and uncanonized) in Heaven. They fought the earthly battle against “the world, the flesh, and the devil,” and with God’s grace, they won. The Church celebrates all its holy ones on a feast with the rank of ‘solemnity’ and rightfully so. These after all, are the heroes and heroines of humanity. // Fr. Vincent Serpa, O.P.   All Souls' Day On All Souls' Day and throughout the month of November, we remember the Church Suffering. We pray for the Holy Souls in Purgatory, that they may enter Heaven soon. Collectively, this trifecta of fall holy days offers us a meditation on life, death, and resurrection. And this also invites us to embrace our Catholic heritage by incorporating tradition, prayer, and observance into our daily rhythm of liturgical living. Autumn Holy Days Invite Contemplation Halloween, All Saints' Day, and All Souls' Day arrive at the perfect time of year. They correlate beautifully with the autumn season, when nature grows barren, withers, and dies. The very landscape outside our windows inspires meditation. We remember that our earthly life is temporary, and we ponder where we want to be eternally. This concept of memento mori (or remembering your death) has a long tradition in Catholicism. The Saints encourage the importance of meditating on the unavoidable reality of death so we may live better on earth. In a homily dating back to the 1600s, Fr. Nathaniel Bacon encourages the Faithful to “examine what would become of you, were you to die this very day.” This contemplation is not meant to be morbid. Rather, it is to renew our passion for truly living the life of the Church Militant, so one day we may be among the Church Triumphant. Embracing Our Catholic Heritage Our meditation on life and death leads us to truly living out these liturgical days through tradition, prayer, and observance. With authentic joy, we embrace our Catholic heritage and the meaningful depth it brings to our lives. All Hallows' Eve (Halloween) The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and no torment will ever touch them. // Wisdom 3:1 Tradition Halloween comes from the English, where saints and holy people are called “hallowed.” In the Our Father, we pray, “hallowed be Thy name,” which proclaims God’s name as holy. While All Hallows' Eve is not on the liturgical calendar, it is the vigil of All Saints' Day, and vigil days are often reserved for fasting and preparation. Prayer Because the demonic is an aspect of secular Halloween, it is important to acknowledge the sinful and evil reality of this world. As the Church Militant, we are called to fight in the battle against evil, sin, and anything that does not proclaim Christ as King. Halloween is a good day to begin incorporating the Prayer to St. Michael into our prayer routine. This can easily be added to the end of the Rosary, at bedtime, or at any time you need this holy warrior’s intercession. Observance Begin with prayer, asking the Lord to keep this day hallowed. Carve and light jack-o-lanterns to remember that we are children of light, not darkness (Ephesians 5:8; 1 Thessalonians 5:5). Encourage children to dress up as Saints or something in God’s creation when they go trick-or-treating. Host a bonfire; serve s’mores and hot apple cider. All Saints' Day Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. // Matthew 5:8-9 Tradition All Saints' Day dates back to 609, as the Feast of All Martyrs, originally observed on May 13. In 840, the feast changed to All Saints', and in 844, Pope Gregory IV transferred the feast to November 1. All Saints' Day became a Holy Day of Obligation in 1484. Prayer The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is the main prayer on the Solemnity of All Saints. In addition, there are additional ways to weave prayer into this day: Create and pray a personal (or family) litany of Saints. Sing (or listen to) traditional hymns, such as Holy God, We Praise Thy Name and For All the Saints. Observance Read excerpts from the lives of your favorite Saints. Bake a special dessert. Give your children (or friends) medals of their patron Saints. Have them blessed by a priest beforehand. All Souls' Day “It is therefore a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from sins.” // 2 Maccabees 12:46 Tradition The Catholic Church acknowledges the importance of praying for the dead. It is recommended in Scripture and is mainly expressed in the offering of Mass for the repose of souls. We believe that when they enter Heaven, they will remember those who prayed for them and in turn pray for us. Prayer The primary prayer of All Souls' Day is Mass on behalf of the faithful departed. In addition, we can gain indulgences for the Poor Souls in Purgatory each day from November 1-8 by visiting a cemetery. Another beautiful prayer for the Holy Souls in Purgatory is the Eternal Rest prayer. This prayer also gains a partial indulgence and can be prayed throughout the year, especially at the end of the Rosary or family meals. Observance Visit the grave sites of deceased loved ones. Bring gardening supplies to spruce up the area around the grave. Bring flowers. Send a card of sympathy and encouragement to someone in mourning. The autumn trifecta of holy days—All Hallows' Eve, All Saints' Day, and All Souls' Day—invites us to bring our faith into the world, and to be counter cultural, the salt and light Jesus calls us to be (Matthew 5:13-16). These days not only bring us deeper into Catholic tradition, they also draw us into meditation and prayer. How do you celebrate this trifecta of holy days?   [bctt tweet="The Coming Holy Days #BISblog //" via="no"] 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

Pray as though everything depended on God. Work as though everything depended on you. // Saint Augustine In the past, I wrestled with this concept a bit. Even though I'm a faithful person, supernatural trust and surrender are not easy. For most of my adult life I thought, if I want something to happen, I need to hustle constantly. But that always ended up being the hard way. What's more reassuring? You're the only one responsible for all.the.things in your life and business, or you have help? How to Tame Your To-Do List I have discovered that peace, joy, and achievement can all work together. To put it in the simplest terms, it comes down to how I begin and end my day. If you're feeling like you can never rest because your to-do list is too long and for some reason it's all important, try one or all three of these tools. 1. A nightly brain dump. Get it all out of your head and onto paper, put the list on your nightstand, then get some rest. First thing in the morning, reread your list. Your brain does a lot of repair work at night (have you ever felt like you solved a problem overnight?). After you've read your list with fresh eyes, ask God what He wants you to work on for the day. Then focus on that one thing for the day. This simple but effective tool works because you have the choice to renew your mind and choose your input before your day even begins. Divine intervention helps, too. 2. Time block your schedule. Designate blocks of time on your schedule for family, work, and play or rest. For me, this means while my boys are in school I meet with clients and get some “alone” time in. Once I pick them up at school, it's time to be present for them through dinner. 3. Give your day a theme. Try focusing on one thing each day. For example, Mondays focus on personal development, Wednesdays only wash towels and sheets, Fridays follow-up and catch up from the week. You get the idea… Which one will you try? Let us know in the comments or better yet, rest.   [bctt tweet="How to Tame Your To-Do List #BISblog //" via="no"]   Liz Montigny coaches Catholic women to go from daily chaos to simplicity so they can love life. She is a wife and a mom to three boys. Tea, big earrings, living a non-toxic lifestyle, and creative evangelization are some of her other loves. You can find out more about her here.

Jesus told him, “Go your way; your faith has saved you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed him on the way. // Mark 10:52 Love this from today's readings. Let His word dwell in us richly, sisters. Download your F R E E wallpapers right here --->>> Phone wallpaper Desktop wallpaper

In 2017, Emily Stimpson Chapman began writing a book about her home renovation. Except another project came up, and then another. Then 2020 happened. Chapman found herself locked down with the rest of the world, and with that time she began writing. Except she did not write the book she had originally planned. Instead, she began writing her younger self letters of encouragement during a year of deep division. She wrote about relationships, forgiveness, social media, and new motherhood. She wrote about how her Faith helped her navigate all of those things. Letters for Her, Letters for Us Over time the book became something bigger, they became letters of wisdom that other people could use. Words of comfort, words that challenge, and words that are written with humor and warmth. Reading Letters to Myself from the End of the World is like chatting with a friend over a cup of coffee. Best read slowly over time, this book is one that you can pick up and read when you need encouragement. The letters connect to one another, but one can read them out of order if there is a particular topic that they would like to read on. For excerpts of the letters, you can check out Chapman’s Instagram. Providing Points of Connection Why is a book like this needed at this time? Why is a book talking about daily tasks, marriage, and friendship needed when there are so many complicated issues occurring right now? Emily’s words put it best: "When the world is falling apart, it’s tempting to think that showing pictures of cute babies, organized mudrooms, and pretty dresses is a waste of time, that we should be doing the far more important work of arguing about politics or sharing news about injustice. But more often than you can imagine, the most important thing we can share on social media is video of a baby laughing or a father dancing with his little girl. Now, more than ever, we need points of connection. We need signposts of our shared humanity. We need reminders that we are brothers and sisters who all want to love and be loved, who dance with our children and weep with exhaustion and rejoice over a good meal or a freshly made bed or fat baby cheeks. Those little, mundane, seemingly inconsequential things are actually of inestimable importance. They’re the moments that make up life, moments where grace quietly works in our hearts, transforming us, making us new. We all have them. We all live them. They connect us, binding us together across cultural and ideological divides. They humanize the Internet, depoliticizing it, bringing us back to the simple truth of who we are: men and women made in the image of God." Chapman will resonate with you, and she will also point out areas of growth. Her book speaks to women of all ages and stages, and is both inspiring and uplifting to read. Have you read this book yet? What did you think?!   [bctt tweet="BIS Reads // Letters to Myself from the End of the World #BISblog //" via="no"]   Christie L. writes about all things faith, motherhood, and wellness. She spoke most recently at the National Virtual Catholic Women’s Conference 2021. Christie is a monthly contributor to CatholicMom.com and has been featured on Spoken Bride, The Young Catholic Woman, and the Blessed is She blog. You can find out more about her here.   This post contains affiliate links. Thanks so much for supporting the ministry of Blessed is She!

Many days in the liturgical calendar are rich with traditions. From having your pets blessed on Saint Francis of Assisi’s feast day to dressing up your oldest daughter for the feast of Saint Lucy, some liturgical living traditions date back centuries. But how to celebrate a more recent Saint—as recent, even, as our own lifetimes? The Legacy of Saint John Paul II October 22nd marks the feast day of Saint John Paul II, the beloved Pope from 1978 until his death in 2005. He was canonized less than a decade ago, in 2014. While many millennials remember at least glimpses of his papacy, his legacy only reverberated in the years that followed. His teachings on the theology of the body, the dignity of the human person, the feminine genius, and so much more have resonated deeply in the hearts of a generation that has, all too often, felt lost in our rapidly-changing world. Saint John Paul II saw us, knew us, and loved us. During his lifetime (and beyond, through his extensive writing and preaching), he pointed us to the Truth and adventure to be found in a life with Christ. Ways to Celebrate the Feast of Saint John Paul II I am a firm believer that the most profound and meaningful way to celebrate any feast day is to attend Mass, joining the Communion of Saints at the Eucharistic table. If you are unable to attend Mass, simply ask the Saint for his special intercession that day. Opting for an additional celebration outside of our normal routines, however, can be a powerful signifier—both in our own hearts and to our families—that this day is special and set apart. My husband and I named Saint John Paul II the patron Saint of our family when we were engaged. We have a deep desire to share his legacy with our children, and in these five-and-under little years, sometimes, the best way to start that conversation is with dessert! Below, find a few ideas for celebrating the feast of Saint John Paul II in unique ways. Celebrating Through Reflection Saint John Paul II left us with an astounding 11 books, 14 encyclicals, 15 apostolic exhortations, 11 apostolic constitutions, and 45 apostolic letters. That is in addition to the transcripts of the countless general audiences, lectures, and homilies he delivered during his 27-year papacy, his poetry, and his plays. On his feast day, pick up one of his writings that has been on your list, or browse his extensive work for a topic that captures your attention. Carve out some time during the day to cozy up with a favorite fall beverage, a journal, and your reading of choice. Take in his incredible wisdom, slowly and thoughtfully. Celebrating Through Beauty I find so much joy in curating beautiful, meaningful pieces for my home and my dinner table, especially to celebrate special days. I created a tablescape full of inspiration for celebrating Saint John Paul II here and would love to share a few of my favorite details. Whether you include just one on your own table or go all-out, I hope these ideas spark your own sense of creativity for creating visual representations of this feast day. Polish pottery A perfect nod to Saint John Paul II’s Polish nationality, Polish pottery comes in countless beautiful patterns and colorways to pop off of any tablescape. It originates in Southwestern Poland, just a few hours from where Saint John Paul II grew up. Find a fabulous selection on websites like Blue Rose Pottery or Polish Pottery Outlet, browse Etsy, or keep an eye on the china sections of your local HomeGoods (I have found gems there a handful of times!). White roses Did you know there is a Pope John Paul II rose? This fragrant, pure white hybrid tea rose is even part of the White House Rose Garden. While I love this idea of planting this exact rose variety in honor of Saint John Paul II, a simple bouquet of white roses from Trader Joe’s is an easy substitute for those of us who are less gardening-inclined. Wood details An avid hiker and skier from an early age, Saint John Paul II welcomed any opportunity to enjoy God’s creation in the mountains or woods throughout his life. Wooden details from chargers, to vases, to artfully arranged cutting boards evoke the idea of the outdoors and his favorite hobbies. White candles As an easy nod to the papacy, incorporate white candles into your tablescape to represent the white smoke released from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel when a new pope is chosen. Revisit this simple detail for any former pope’s feast day. Celebrating Through Community Saint John Paul II loved people. Over the course of his papacy, a half-billion people saw him in person through the 775,000 miles he traveled collectively. From the busiest cities to the smallest villages, he traversed the globe many times to spread the Gospel. Accounts of one-on-one interactions with him recall that he paid attention to individual people as if they were the only ones in the world, offering them his full attention at any given moment. In 1985, he founded World Youth Day, an opportunity for young Catholics from all over the world to gather in community and be called on in holiness. Especially after the last year-and-a-half, celebrating in community feels all the more significant and important. In honor of Saint John Paul II, consider inviting others to join you for one (or more) of the following: Attend Mass or Adoration together Go on a Rosary walk Do a reading of Saint John Paul II’s poems Host a Polish dinner If you live near a pilgrimage site, make a visit together Saint John Paul II, we love you! Pray for us! Read more about Saint John Paul II on the Blessed is She blog: What is the Feminine Genius? The Dignity of Human Work Finding Joy   [bctt tweet="Ways to Celebrate the Feast of John Paul II #BISblog //" via="no"]

We all long for community. That's one of the reasons this ministry exists: we know we are made for community. In my personal spiritual life, I have been most encouraged in prayer and holiness when I am a part of committed small group. Starting a small group can be intimidating, but it's easier than you might think! But keeping one going presents a different set of challenges that can be navigated with intention. All Small Groups Experience Bumps We all dream of having a small group that lasts through the years. We want women with whom we "do life" and pass through life's triumphs and trials. Any small group that has lasted for more than a few months will assure you that this kind of unity and commitment does not come without a price. It takes sacrifice and intentionality to gather women in various vocations and jobs and with different schedules and obligations. Of course, there are the more tender difficulties of hurt feelings or clashing personalities. But most of the time, maintaining a small group comes down to just that ... time. How to Restart Your Small Group Maybe you've been a part of a small group that recently fizzled. Maybe everything was going great and then COVID happened or school started or the host moved away. Maybe you all simply lost touched and too many months went by without meeting and now it feels ... weird. Don't let weird keep you from wonderful! It takes courage to be the one to step back out and "get the band back together" but it will likely be worth it. Just remember that everyone longs for community, and the other women are probably missing the companionship of the group as well. If you need some help reaching out to restart your small group, we have some ideas! 1. Reach Out in the Regular Medium Does your group normally communicate through text? Voxer? Messenger? Email? Be the brave one and reach out first in the typical way. They will be happy to hear from you! 2. Call It What it Is You don't have to pretend like it hasn't been a while since you've been together. Be upfront about it! Some women may be feeling insecure. They may fear that they've just been excluded from the group or that they did something. Dismiss any fears or insecurities by touching briefly on why you all haven't met in a while. Hey! It's hard to believe that it's been over a year and a half since the pandemic started. I miss seeing you all! I know we haven't met since Cindy moved away, but I would love to get together again. It's been so busy for everyone and I know we haven't be able to meet in a while. I think that means we need fellowship even more! 3. Have Something Specific in Mind It can be helpful to have something to unite around. It helps "re-break" the ice and creates excitement about meeting together again. Find a Bible study to suggest or a liturgical devotional to center your discussion around. Blessed is She offers a free three week study guide you could use to jumpstart your small group. 4. Offer to Host If you have not hosted in the past, offer to host. Consider reaching out to the previous host privately first; but she might be relieved to meet with everyone without the pressure of hosting. Sometimes people get so busy or feel so overwhelmed that no one wants to invite other people over. Offer people a safe, comforting place to come and lay down their cares for a while. And don't worry so much about the state of your home—people just want to be with each other. 5. Discuss Dates Immediately We have all been a part of the conversation that ends with, "We should get together sometime!" We never get together. Leaving things vague is a recipe for a persistently inactive small group. People don't maliciously refrain from following up—we just forget. The best way to avoid this is by setting a date to meet right then and there. It will feel so good to have ti on the calendar! 6. Commit to Praying for One Another Finally, re-commit to praying for one another. Ask people for their intentions so you can pray for them until you all meet again. Or simply let them know that you are offering your fast/Rosary/Mass/Holy Hour for them that day. Community is Worth It It takes effort to start and maintain a small group. It takes even greater effort to restart a small group that was once thriving. But it is worth it. Walking alongside people who also love the Lord and desire sanctity is a great gift. It can make all the difference in our spiritual lives. So send the text, grab a devotional, and plan a date. The others will thank you for it!   [bctt tweet="How to Restart Your Small Group #BISblog //" via="no"]   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

Author J.R.R. Tolkein once stated, “Not all who wander are lost.” Many of us might desperately wish that these words were true of us. Adulthood often feels like one long exercise in wandering. It is difficult to find value in seasons when we just want some answers but cannot seem to find any. Whether you feel called to a certain vocation and it hasn’t worked out yet or you have just been trudging through adult life for a while, unsure of where your path is leading, wandering for a prolonged period of time can be painful. Each of us has a deep desire to discover her unique calling from God. When that’s unclear, the ache is very deep. When you’re in the thick of uncertainty, it is tempting to think you have been forgotten or rejected by God. Maybe you wonder how you can possibly pursue holiness when you are not even sure what you are called to. Take heart! God’s Providence covers everything, even your confusion and uncertainty. You are precious to Him, even if you feel like a lost sheep. The Road Trip Not too long ago, I felt directionless in my life. I was extremely anxious and frustrated and told a priest I knew about the confusion I was going through. I hoped he would give me some sort of step-by-step guide about what to do next, courtesy of the Holy Spirit. Instead, he shared with me a parable of sorts. It completely shifted the way I think about uncertainty and vocation. He put it this way: You’re walking along the side of the road and suddenly an old, beat-up car with a creepy-looking guy in sunglasses pulls up next to you. He tells you to hop in, because he’s going on an adventure. Are you going to join him? Of course not! Now, picture your best friend doing the same thing. How would you respond then? Most likely, you would get into that car without a second thought. You might not even ask where you are going, because you know that wherever it is, you get to spend time with your friend who you love and trust. Now, he said, picture Jesus driving up in that car. He’s inviting you to join Him on a road trip. Jesus is that friend—the One Who you would be so excited to hang out with that you would leap into the car and just go. This is the kind of life—the kind of adventure—we’re called to. We are invited into a relationship with One Who is so trustworthy that no matter what twists, turns or unexpected pit stops we make, all will be well. 3 Saints Who were Wanderers Happily, there are Saints who have trodden this long, winding road before us. Their lives were anything but straightforward and they remain a testament to God’s loving providence. No matter how random you may feel like your life is, every second, every decision matters. Holiness is possible even if you feel like you have not yet found your “call.” Here are three Saints whose path to their vocations was anything but straightforward: 1. Saint Louise de Marillac Saint Louise de Marillac (1591-1660) felt a calling to religious life as a young woman. However, her confessor was not supportive of the idea, and she ended up marrying and having a son. Eventually, Louise’s husband became ill and suffered through a long, difficult time as an invalid while she cared for him. After his death, Louise approached St. Vincent de Paul and asked him to be her confessor. For a long time, busy with his many duties, he put her off. But at long last, he not only consented to give her spiritual guidance, but also helped her establish the Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul. Even after the order was begun, it took a long time for Saint Vincent to grant Louise and the three other women with her permission to take vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. Louise’s life was certainly one of patience and perseverance. 2. Saint Benedict Joseph Labre Saint Benedict Joseph Labre (1748-1783) was a wanderer his entire life. He tried entering different monasteries three different times, but was rejected. In spite of this disheartening experience, Saint Benedict continued to follow Jesus in what ways he could, and spent most of his days as a poor pilgrim. For a while he even lived in the Colosseum. He is invoked as the patron Saint of the homeless. 3. Blessed Lindalva Justo de Oliviera It took a while for Blessed Lindalva Justo de Oliviera (1953-1993) to find her permanent “vocational home.” As a young woman, she drifted through a variety of professions, getting a diploma as an administrative assistant and then holding jobs in retail and at a gas station. After taking care of her father as he died from a terminal illness, she decided to pursue nursing. It wasn’t until the age of 35 that she entered religious life, joining the Daughters of Charity. With them she was able to pursue her great love for serving the poor. A Prayer for the Road We can wear ourselves out looking at our lives through the narrow lens of our own plans. Or we can choose to look at each phase of life as an adventure that God has lovingly prepared especially for us. Surrender to this adventure allows us to step into a new kind of freedom—the freedom of a daughter of God, who is loved purely and simply for who she is. If you’re going through a season of wandering, don’t lose hope. Your Heavenly Father is watching your every step and cares deeply about this time in your life, even if it feels dry. When you are with Him, you are never truly lost.   [bctt tweet="3 Saints Who were Wanderers #BISblog //" via="no"]   Maria Bonvissuto is originally from Nashville and currently lives in Washington, DC. She works in marketing and communications for a school in Northern Virginia. She loves writing, reading at least three books at a time, playing classical guitar, dancing, and traveling.

Whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant. // Mark 10:43 Love this from today's readings. Let His word dwell in us richly, sisters. Download your F R E E wallpapers right here --->>> Phone wallpaper Desktop wallpaper

It was just a few weeks into my pregnancy and my nervous self was concerned that I hadn’t yet started feeling pregnancy nausea. “How many weeks along was I when I first started feeling sick with my first?” I pondered and calculated. Just in time for my unhelpful and escalating worries, I received a relic of Saint Gerard from my mother-in-law. A relic she requested all the way from off the coast of Scotland by contacting the Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer or “Transalpine Redemptorists.” These monks live on Golgotha Monastery Island and have a devotion to the Italian Saint Gerard. They send their prayers along to anyone who asks, along with a relic of Saint Gerard. Their website reads, “In this age, when the sanctity of life is attacked on all fronts, it is a privilege for the Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer to provide the relic of Saint Gerard for any mother who requests one, or for whom one is requested.” The relics that they send are each touched to a First Class relic of Saint Gerard and made into a gold ribbon belt with a sewn on image of Our Mother of Perpetual Succour. The relic is also sent along with the prayers of these holy monks. Here is the story behind it. Patron of Expectant Mothers + Those Hoping to Conceive Born in April of 1726, Gerard is popular today in particular for his patronage over expectant mothers and those trying to conceive. His patronage may be due in part to his own poor health as an infant which persisted throughout his life. In fact, when he was older, two religious orders turned him away, claiming he was not strong enough. In time, he was accepted as a brother in the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, also known as The Redemptorists. A congregation founded just years earlier by Saint Alphonsus Liguori (patron of arthritis sufferers). Gerard was known for his long hours of praying before the Blessed Sacrament. This made him a welcome companion to his brother monks who often invited him to join them when they made house calls to the sick. One evening, as Gerard was heading home after spending some time with his friends, a young girl ran out of the house because he had left his handkerchief inside. He replied to her by simply saying, “Keep it. It will be useful to you someday.” Years after this incident, as the girl grew into a young woman, she kept this handkerchief in safe-keeping. A relic which provided her a miracle as she was delivering her first child. During labor, both her and her unborn baby were in grave danger of death. It was then that she recalled the gift from Gerard and asked that the handkerchief be given to her. After placing the fabric upon her body, the danger miraculously disappeared and she gave birth to a healthy baby. Miracles of Saint Gerard After this first miracle, the devotion to Saint Gerard couldn’t help but be promoted in his small Italian town. Eventually the handkerchief was passed on from mother to niece, and then on throughout the generations. Generously, pieces of the cloth were cut and distributed to be shared with other mothers in the area. It was not only mothers who popularized this devotion, but also the Founder of the Redemptorists himself after Saint Gerard died from tuberculosis at the age of twenty-nine. After his death Saint Alphonsus began distributing his portraits and relics, encouraging his fellow Redemptorists to do the same. When his tomb was opened up just over one-hundred years later, a sweet, fragrant oil could be seen pouring out of his bones. Later that year two doctors and Ecclesiastical Authorities were called in to both witness and research this miracle. They then dried the bones and put them in a white-silk lined box. Just a few hours later they opened the box, finding again, the same fragrant oil pouring out from Gerard’s relics and atop the white silk. This miracle continued, spreading to other monasteries where his relics were being kept. A Community of Saints If you are looking for more Saints to intercede for you in your own fertility and motherhood, check out this amazing list that comes along with a downloadable litany. And don’t forget your Blessed Mother! The month of October is dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary. She is just waiting to pray with you and for you! Who is your go-to Saint when it comes to pregnancy and motherhood?   [bctt tweet="Saint Gerard // Relics and Redemptorists #BISblog //" via="no"]

The Comforter. The Advocate. The Helper. The Paraclete. We call the Holy Spirit by many names, but do we know how He calls us? Are we drawing close to Him in prayer, or leaving Him on the sidelines thinking of Him only on Pentecost and on the feast of the Annunciation? Drawing Close to the Holy Spirit We sat down with Sr. Mary Ann Fatula to talk all about her life in the Holy Spirit and what she wants every Catholic to know about the Holy Spirit. I know you will find her insights just as encouraging as I did! Would you tell us a bit about your journey with the Lord and how He led you to religious life? Every day the Holy Spirit inspires every one of us to pray for all kinds of blessings, but He also helps us to become more grateful for past blessings that we so easily may have taken for granted. In my own case, with each year I grow more grateful for how our family of seven children (with a little sister in Heaven) was so deeply blessed with our beautiful Mom and Dad—faith-filled Catholics who put the Lord at the very heart of our family life. Their devotion to the Lord helped me to realize, even when I was a child, that I was created to belong completely to Him. From the day of my First Holy Communion, the Lord drew me to go to Mass and to receive Him every morning. I also was blessed to have wonderful, joyful Dominican Sisters as my teachers in grade school and high school. Through them, I fell in love with Saint Dominic, and the Lord drew me to join their Dominican community after high school. When did you first encounter the Holy Spirit as a Person? Because of my father's heritage, I am blessed to be a Byzantine Rite Catholic. The Eastern rites have a tremendous love for the Blessed Trinity, and I am so grateful to have grown up with a love for each Divine Person. I was especially close to the Father and the Lord Jesus, but, when I was a young sister, the Holy Spirit gave me a desire also to know and love Him more deeply. One day, during Mass in the convent chapel at the high school where I was teaching, we were singing a beautiful hymn to the Holy Spirit, and I was very much drawn to pray: Most Sweet Holy Spirit, I long to truly know You and love You and be close to You. Draw me to Yourself. This is a prayer He Himself put in my heart, and He has never stopped answering it. But the wonderful truth is that this is also the prayer the Holy Spirit wants to put in the heart of every one of us, the prayer He wants to answer so intimately by drawing every one of us close to Himself. How has relationship with the Holy Spirit transformed your prayer life? Your religious life? Your interactions with others? Because the Holy Spirit is the living, intimate Love between the Father and the Son, knowing and loving the Holy Spirit truly has deepened my prayer as intimacy with Him and with the Father and the Lord Jesus. And this is the same gift the Holy Spirit wants to give every one of us! It is so natural for us perhaps to spend a lot of our time in prayer asking for favors, and the Trinity surely want to answer our requests in the best possible way. But prayer given by the Holy Spirit is so much more than that. The closer we come to the Holy Spirit, the more our prayer becomes intimacy with the Holy Spirit and the Father and the Lord Jesus, an intimacy that really does fill and satisfy our soul! When we are close to others, we love to be with them. We tell them that we love them, and we rest in them, as Saint John rested on the Heart of the Lord at the Last Supper. That is how it is when we draw close to the Holy Spirit. How tremendous a gift it is that the Trinity dwell intimately in us through our Baptism! And the Holy Spirit, "who prays within us with sighs too deep for words" (Rom 8:26) draws us pray to Him and to the Father and the Lord Jesus in a prayer that rests in Their presence and closeness, in the prayer of simply loving to be with Them. Closeness with the Holy Spirit also has very much deepened my religious life. The heart of consecrated religious life is belonging completely to the Lord, being free for the Lord and for the things of the Lord. The Holy Spirit is the One who keeps freeing my heart and deepening my love for Him and for the Father and the Lord Jesus every day. Again, the Holy Spirit wants to do this for every one of us in the vocation for which we have been made and to which we are called, whether it is married life, single life, the priesthood, or consecrated religious life. The Holy Spirit gives us the strength and sweetness in our soul to live the responsibilities to which we are called with love and generosity and joy. As we grow close to the Holy Spirit, who is Love, He never fails to give us more and more deeply a happy heart, a loving heart, a generous heart! What is your favorite title for the Holy Spirit and why? There are so many beautiful names for the Holy Spirit, but the name that is dearest to me is "Love," because this name is so intimate. All three Divine Persons are Love by nature, but only the Holy Spirit, who is the living, intimate Love between the Father and the Son, is the Divine Person whose own proper name is Love. It is so beautiful and intimate to pray to the Holy Spirit: Oh Love, possess me. Make me Your own. Fill me with Yourself. Another name for the Holy Spirit that is precious to me is "Beloved." I love how Saint Thomas Aquinas tells us that the Holy Spirit, who is the Father's and Son's own Love and Beloved, dwells in us as our "Beloved." This is so amazing, so intimate! I am so touched by a beautiful prayer of Cardinal Mercier that begins, "Most Holy Spirit, Beloved of my soul." Another name for the Holy Spirit that I love is from the Pentecost Sequence: "Father of the Poor." This is the name that wells up in my heart when I am in need, especially in desperate need! "O Father of the Poor, help me!" The Church has given us a rich deposit of devotion to the Holy Spirit, which is on display in your new book. Do you have a favorite hymn or prayer to the Holy Spirit? Again, there are so many beautiful hymns and prayers to the Holy Spirit which I love, but the one dearest to my heart is the Pentecost Sequence. Every single line in it is so precious, so beautiful, so true. "Come, Father of the Poor…Of Comforters, You are the Best. You are the soul's most welcome Guest, our sweet Refreshment here below!" "Where You are not, we have not, nothing good in deed or thought." "Heal my wounds, my strength renew." "O most Blessed Light divine, shine within this heart of Thine, and my inmost being fill!" I also love the short hymn to the Holy Spirit written by Saint Ambrose and used as a hymn for daytime prayer in the Liturgy of the Hours. "O Love, light up my mortal frame, til others catch the living flame!" And there is a beautiful medieval hymn by Adam of Saint Victor that deeply touches my soul: "O Comforter, Paraclete," "Soother of the troubled heart, at your approach all cares depart; You soften hearts, and expel, where You dwell, clouds of heaviness and gloom!" Amen! If you had two minutes to explain to someone how the Holy Spirit could change their life and set them free, what would you say to them? In Heaven, our ecstasy will be an intimacy with the Father, the Lord Jesus, and the Holy Spirit that is so fulfilling, so satisfying that we cannot begin even to imagine its joy in this life! We were made for this: to share in the Divine Persons' own intimacy with One Another. Every beautiful, wonderful, precious, good, and intimate relationship we have here on earth is a delicious "taste of the soup." But They, the Divine Persons, are the Feast we were made for! The Trinity made us for Happiness, and so the Trinity want us to be happy—perfectly happy in Heaven, but also happy here on earth. The Holy Spirit is the living Sweetness and Love of the Father and the Son for One another, so when we come close to the Holy Spirit, we begin to taste the sweetness and joy of Heaven in our souls now. In the Trinity's beautiful plan of love for us, the Holy Spirit, the Third Divine Person, is the "Giver" of the Trinity's precious life to us, and the "Giver" of every good gift and blessing that comes to us from the Father through the saving mysteries of the Lord Jesus. And the unfailing fruit of being truly and intimately loved by the One who is Love, is joy! How can we not profit tremendously, amazingly, from closeness to the Holy Spirit, the Person of Love and Joy Who gives us everything that is good? Let us ask the Holy Spirit to possess us completely and to fill our souls with His joy!   [bctt tweet="Drawing Close to the Holy Spirit #BISblog //" via="no"]   You can get Sister's book on the Holy Spirit, Drawing Close to the Holy Spirit, here.   This post contains affiliate links. Thanks for supporting the ministry of Blessed is She!

Do I know Jesus? Do I truly know Jesus with my heart? We tend to grow indifferent to the Lord as we live out each day, sometimes in subtle ways and other times in big ones. We either become so familiar with God that we cease to truly know Him and enjoy His friendship or we get caught up in the routine of prayer exercises and our knowledge of God becomes just that: routine. Faith depends on knowledge because we cannot trust someone we do not know. Taken further, our speech mirrors our faith and knowledge: Beloved, you excel in everything: in the gifts of faith, speech and knowledge. // 2 Corinthians 8:7 Building Our Faith We are called to excellence. Faith gives us hope when things are not going according to our plans. It gives us the strength and courage to dive into something the Holy Spirit has continuously put on our hearts, calming all our worries and reminding us not to fear (see Isaiah 43:1-2). Faith allows us to hold on during moments of weakness, sickness and loss because we believe that a new heaven and new earth await (see Revelation 21:4-5). When we possess faith, we can speak life into situations and people. We ask and we speak because we know who is in charge and what He can do. Our own faith, then, becomes the propellant which helps other people’s faith journeys to start off, or perhaps re-start. The gift of faith—gifted to us—allows us to see life through the lens of God’s plan and desires for us. When our eyes of faith are open, we are in a position to see the great and wonderful things God is doing in our lives, especially today (see Hebrews 11). Training Our Tongues The Lord gave me my tongue as a reward and I will praise Him with it. // Sirach 51:22 Throughout Scripture we are reminded of the need to keep our tongues clean of sin. James 3:2 tells us how those who make no mistake when they speak are perfect and able to keep the whole body in check with a bridle. Yet, more often than not when things do not go our way, we say a lot of unnecessary things. Some of us do it more than others but the reminder and invitation stand: our gift of speech is called to excellence and, by the help of the Holy Spirit, we should learn to tame our speech, respectively. We can start today by speaking words which reflect faith even if we presently believe otherwise. When we believe it, we will see it. Psychology says that the more a lie is repeated, the more it begins to seem like the truth. Imagine if we utter only faith-infused words so that our speech convinces and ultimately leads us to have more faith. Imagine just how much our thoughts will transform into positive, hope-filled cogitations. Praising God also means not using our tongues to speak to ourselves in ways God would disapprove. Speak gently to yourself. The best way to embrace the gift of speech we have been given is to praise God (see Psalm 100:1). Now Proclaim that Truth to Others Have you ever met a person who knows things and then another who knows? As baptized Catholic Christians, we know the Truth in its fulness. But if we do not fuse all the knowledge that has been gifted to us by the Church through various channels, with the gifts of faith and speech, what good is our knowledge? If we speak without knowledge, our words are without insight and pretty helpless (see Job 34:35, 38:2). If we use our gift of speech to showcase our knowledge from a place of pride, our knowledge is helpless because it is destructive. As we evangelize and or proselytize we must always remember that our gift of speech should share our knowledge in a loving manner. Winning hearts for Heaven should be our only task when we share knowledge. We have faith that the Holy Spirit will do His role to convince and convict and so we should leave that to Him and do our part (see Ephesians 3:19). If we use our gifts of faith, speech, and knowledge well, we will excel in everything God has called us to do.   [bctt tweet="Believe, Know, Speak #BISblog //" via="no"]   Written by Nyasha Masuku.

Jesus looked at them and said, “For human beings it is impossible, but not for God. All things are possible for God." // Mark 10:27 Love this from today's readings. Let His word dwell in us richly, sisters. Download your F R E E wallpapers right here --->>> Phone wallpaper Desktop wallpaper

  If you’re like me, you may tend to keep the Rosary at a comfortable distance. For example, I have one inside my night stand, one inside the center console of my car, and one in my diaper bag. It’s always there if I want it. What I don’t do consistently is make the actual praying-of-the-Rosary a priority. Of course, a daily Rosary is not a requirement, it is a devotion. Yet every year, when the month of October rolls around (a month dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary), I am convicted that I need to again redouble my efforts and accept the invitation to intercede alongside my Blessed Mother. And here’s why. Devotion of the Rosary In Pope Leo XIII’s 1883 encyclical letter Supremi Apostolatus Officio, on the Devotion of the Rosary, he writes how it is a Catholic habit to run to Mary when in need. After all: it is her greatest pleasure to grant her help and comfort to those who seek her, it cannot be doubted that she would deign, and even be anxious, to receive the aspirations of the universal church. Thus, Pope Leo decreed the month of October to be consecrated to Our Lady of the Rosary, a month which also includes the Feast Of Our Lady of the Rosary on October 7th. So what is the history of this devotion in the Church, and why did Leo see to it that there was an entire month dedicated to this prayer? The Battle of Lepanto The origin of this feast day comes, believe it or not, from a 16th century battle in Italy. Pope Pius V had formed a Holy (or Catholic) League which included a number of Catholic states in Italy as well as Spain. At the time, the Turks of the Ottoman Empire were attempting to dominate all of Europe. On their way they killed millions of people while also imposing their Islamic religion upon anyone who survived. In order to protect Italy from invasion, The Holy League entered into battle with the Turks on October 7th of 1571. A battle taking place just East of Italy on one of the gulf shores in Greece. In anticipation of this fight, Pope Pius V had the churches of Rome opened both day and night, urging Catholics to pray the Rosary and ask the Blessed Mother to intercede. Despite being small in number compared to the Ottomans, they did have the advantage of not only more firepower, but also of much more powerful prayer. Just what they needed to achieve victory over the Turks, in what is known as the Battle of Lepanto. When the Pope heard of the Holy League’s victory he declared October 7th as the feast of Our Lady of Victory, later renamed by Pope Gregory XIII who changed it to the feast of the Holy Rosary.   Entering Into the Mystery If you do desire to commit to this prayer more regularly just ask the Blessed Mother to inspire you! We have a helpful step-by-step guide on How to Pray the Rosary and a study specifically on this Marian prayer: Mystery. The study is intended to run for five months with a focus on each of the mysteries of the Rosary: Sorrowful, Glorious, Luminous, and Joyful. Each of the four mysteries is studied over the course of five chapters, making it a total of twenty chapters and includes a reflection, as well as questions for reflection and discussion. W hat’s great about this study is that it can be done with just you and another girlfriend, or a huge group from your parish or community! And bonus, there is an Imprimatur from Bishop Thomas Olmsted with the Diocese of Phoenix! In the words of Bishop Olmsted, “When we pray the Rosary and spend time in the presence of Jesus and Mary, we grow in freedom from selfishness and become freer”. What is your favorite Marian prayer?   Join us over in our app for a live weekday Rosary at 11am ET!  Our new Blessed Is She Rosaries have arrived! Get yours here!  [bctt tweet="Our Lady's Greatest Pleasure #BISblog //" via="no"]

The Holy Spirit has inspired me many times, and oft have I written down the rhymes He’s given me. Ahh, what better way to spend my talents than by glorifying He Who bestowed them upon me! With a title surpassed by no other, this prayer of praise was written in the Presence of our Blessed Lord. A Poem about the Eucharist As I contemplated Him, I felt this insurmountable joy course through my bones. It was a feeling like no other, and one which I wish would never have left me! Prayer Before The Most Blessed Sacrament The surge of joy within me Cannot be contained When Your holy priest, there Holds the Host, now raised The bells, then ringing Alerting those who answer Your call Your Son’s Sacrifice is finished Perfect remedy for man’s sinful Fall Bowing my head in happy surrender For Who I behold is completely You Weary traveler finding rest and solace Gazing upon all that is Holy and True Whether before this moment I was attentive in full Now am completely captivated By Your beauty’s pull The Sacred Host, in vict’ry raised The battle, You have won Chalice of Your most Precious Blood, so praised Oh Lord, God’s glorious Son! Now, humbly I approach You Unworthy sinner, though I be Joy running through my every bone As I kneel and gaze upon Thee You enter under my roof I excitedly invite You in O Divine Physician, You heal my every sin You gather me in Your Arms I pray rejoicing, my head bent You bring me comfort and joy once more Through the most Blessed Sacrament!   [bctt tweet="Insurmountable Joy // A Poem about the Eucharist #BISblog //" via="no"]   Danielle Erwin is a Catholic wife, mom of five, homeschooler, dog mom, author, poet, and master of puns. She has helped moms through their miscarriages with the poetry she wrote following her own pregnancy losses. Danielle is now working on compiling all of her poetry on the Faith into a book…and a few other author-y projects when she gets the time.