As we draw near to the Feast of All Saints, it is fitting to spend some time getting to know a little more about these heavenly friends of the Church Triumphant. Today, I’m sharing with you a short list of my favorite books about saints. While a few of these folks are still traveling the road to canonization, all are certain exemplars of the love of Christ in their daily lives. We would do well to take a note or two for our own path of sanctification. Favorite Books about Saints The Story of a Soul by St. Thérèse of Lisieux If you haven’t read the autobiography of this dear saint yet, do yourself a favor and move it to the top of your TBR pile. Her way of humility and love is something every one of us should take a lesson from and imitate on our road to sanctification. The interior life of this cloistered nun was anything but boring. Joan of Arc by Mark Twain This is probably my favorite saint biography of all time. Twain writes such a moving account of this beloved saint through the eyes of her admiring, fictitious page (who is clearly Twain’s proxy), that you can’t help but adopt his devotion. Such an endearing account is especially telling as he was a man rather skeptical of religion. The Song of Bernadette by Franz Werfel This sweet story is told by a Jew who escaped Nazi-occupied Austria into France and remained for a time in Lourdes, asking the intercession of St. Bernadette for protection. He promised to write her story if he escaped. I imagine you can guess if he made it out alive. A Man of the Beatitudes by Luciana Frassati An inspiring tale told by the sister of Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati, who exemplified the Beatitudes throughout his short life. He was a man of his time, yet always rooted firmly in the love of Christ. He had a heart for the poor and gave all, including his life, in service of them. The life he blazed in his short 28 years was phenomenal. A Witness to Joy by Cristiana Paccini and Simone Troisi The cause for the canonization of Servant of God Chiara Corbella Petrillo was just opened in June 2017. In this book, two close friends of hers relate her unrelenting joy in the face of unspeakable pain and suffering. After returning two children to God right after their births, Chiara faced trial anew when diagnosed with cancer after becoming pregnant with her third child. Through all the crosses she was called to carry, her reliance on the providence of God stood firm and the smile she carried inspired all who met her. To Quell the Terror by William Bush This relates the story of the Carmelite Martyrs of Compiègne, sixteen religious sisters who were beheaded during the French Revolution because they refused to denounce the Faith. The hymns of praise they sang to God as they ascended the scaffold was moving to even the most stone-hearted of their captors. Their martyrdom is believed to be the catalyst for bringing an end to the Reign of Terror in France. (The dramatic play by Georges Bernanos called Dialogues of the Carmelites also magnificently tells their story.) St. John Paul the Great: His Five Loves by Jason Evert A beautiful tribute to this holy pope relating many untold stories from his life revolving around his five loves: Young People, Human Love, The Eucharist, Our Lady, and The Cross. If there was a man who exemplified the love of Christ in every aspect of his life and showed us how to suffer well over this past century, it was our dear Pope John Paul II. Something Beautiful for God by Malcolm Muggeridge The author of this book was an agnostic journalist whose encounter with Mother Teresa while on assignment to produce a documentary about her life profoundly impacted his life. Her ardent faith moved him in a way he couldn’t shake and he wrote this in an effort to survey all that she had taught him through her unassuming example. Muggeridge later converted to Christianity. The Life of St Francis by St. Bonaventure A book about a saint by a saint. Bonaventure relates the transformation from spoiled child to humble servant of this radical saint. A contemporary of Francis, Bonaventure gives us a first-hand account of his love for all creatures great and small. Bonus: Drinking with the Saints by Michael P. Foley I would be remiss in providing a booklist of saint biographies, but excluding this excellent book to help you properly celebrate their feast days. Containing a thorough list of libations for nearly every recognized saint’s feast, you now have a reason to Sláinte! every day of the year! What's your favorite book about saints? Let us know in the comments below! [bctt tweet="My Favorite Books about Saints on the #BISblog //"] Laurel Muff is a creator and appreciator of beautiful things. She resides with her husband and daughters in Northern California. You can find more about her here.

Jesus does all things in love. This is something I have really begun to understand and embrace. I feel His love in my triumphs, in the gifts I am given, and in the people He has generously placed in my life. But what about the opposite? What about in suffering? With Jesus in Our Trials If God loves us so, how can He allow us to suffer? I know I have experienced times of trial in my life: when I had a kidney stone, when I was stressed out during my exams in college or with all the paperwork that needs to be done for work, or when my grandpa passed away. I didn’t feel His love. I just felt hurt, pain, and abandoned. Even if we don’t feel it, He loves us just as much when we suffer as when we are joyful. Saint Francis de Sales said that while, “your sufferings have been steadily mounting, our Lord is allowing you to participate in His holy cross and is crowning you with His crown of thorns." How to Endure in Love God isn’t just allowing us to suffer alone. He gently allows our crosses and stays by our side every staggering step we take as we endure them. But how can we feel His gentle love amidst a seemingly dark, never-ending path of pain? Remember and Reflect Take a deep breath and know that you truly are not alone in these moments. Christ Himself even had low moments. He endured the greatest suffering and in the midst of it, His best friends denied that they knew Him! It may have seemed that He was alone, but His Father, our Father, walked by His side every step of the way. He walks with us, though we cannot physically see Him. In these moments when I feel like it’s just me on my own isolated island of suffering, I love to reflect on the “Footprints” poem by Margaret Fishback Powers: One night I dreamed a dream I was walking along the beach with my Lord Across the dark sky flashed scenes from my life For each scene, I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand, One belonging to me and one to my Lord When the last scene of my life shot before me, I looked back at the footprints in the sand There was only one set of footprints I realized that this was at the lowest and saddest times of my life This always bothered me and I questioned the Lord about my dilemma “Lord, You told me when I decided to follow You, You would walk and talk with me all the way But I’m aware that during the most troublesome times of my life, There is only one set of footprints I don’t understand why, when I need You most You leave me” He whispered, “My precious child, I love you and will never leave you Never, ever During your trials and testings, when you saw only one set of footprints, It was then that I carried you We don’t need to feel the weight of our suffering, for it is in love that He picks us up and carries us along the dark paths in life. Look to the Saints We are not alone in suffering. Look to the many saints of the Church who now rejoice in the paradise of Heaven because of their joyful suffering in this world. Saint Helen’s husband divorced her after 22 years of marriage, Saint Monica endured her son Augustine’s sinfulness and rudeness toward her for many years, Saint Rita was in an abusive relationship, Saint Teresa of Calcutta lived in spiritual desolation, Saint Teresa of Avila was afflicted with constant migraines, and our Mother of God lost her only Son. These women may have suffered from different crosses, but they all looked to the same Savior hanging on the Cross for strength, courage, and love. Whatever you may be enduring in your life, research the patron saint of your trial, and pray for them to lead you to Jesus on the Cross. They can help you give Him glory through your pain. Meet Jesus at the Cross Finally, to love God in and through our suffering, we need to meet Him at the cross. Take a moment during your day, whether it’s between classes, at lunch, when a child is down for a nap, or whenever you happen to find that spare moment of being alone, and go to meet Jesus. If possible, go to Him in the tabernacle, or find a quiet place with no distractions. Talk to Him, tell Him how you feel, whether it be abandonment, anger, despair, or frustration. Don’t hold back! He wants to hear you. He yearns for you to come to Him as you are, brokenness and all. After pouring out your heart, just sit and let Him love you. Just be with Him. Know that He loves you, even in your suffering. Know that the same God who has sent you this suffering is also the one who heals it. Graciously ask Him to heal you. Let Him love you in the sorrow, pain, and agony. Loving More Fiercely We need to persevere through our sufferings. We need to love Him back even more during these times. Loving God through the bitterness of life is the victory of loving faithfully. We must try to graciously accept these trials from His outstretched hand. We must look to Jesus on the cross, the ultimate suffering in this world, and unite our suffering to His. We must love through the pain, through the feeling of abandonment, through the anger, through the wondering and wandering. We must endure for Christ as He endured for us. A Prayer for a Time of Suffering by Saint Francis de Sales O Lord Jesus, by your incomparable sadness and by the unparalleled desolation that seized your divine heart on the Mount of Olives and on the Cross, and by the desolation of your dear Mother when she lost you, be our joy, or at least our strength, now while your Cross and Passion are so closely joined to our hearts. [bctt tweet="We need to persevere through our sufferings. #BISblog"] What are some ways you endure in love for Jesus when times are tough? Maggie Grevas is a FOCUS missionary currently serving at Valparaiso University with her loving husband and adorable baby girl. Originally from the mountains of Virginia, you can find her spending all her free time doing anything outdoors with a smile on her face and coffee in hand. You can learn more about her here.

There is no other like our God. Let us rest in this promise, straight from the Lord. You can get this reminder for your phone and desktop by downloading the wallpapers by Tara of Frameworthy Designs. Phone wallpaper Desktop wallpaper

Consider the surface of a lake, above which the sun is shining. If the surface of the lake is peaceful and tranquil, the sun will be reflected in this lake; and the more peaceful the lake, the more perfectly will it be reflected. If, on the contrary, the surface of the lake is agitated, undulating, then the image of the sun cannot be reflected in it... The more our soul is peaceful and tranquil, the more God is reflected in it, the more His image expresses itself in us, the more His grace acts through us. On the other hand, if our soul is agitated and troubled, the grace of God is able to act only with much greater difficulty. All the good that we can do is a reflection of the Essential Good, which is God. The more our soul is peaceful, balanced and surrendered, the more this Good communicates itself to us and to others through us. God is a God of peace. He does not speak and does not operate except in peace, not in trouble and agitation. Often, we cause ourselves to become agitated and disturbed by trying to resolve everything by ourselves, when it would be more efficacious to remain peacefully before the gaze of God and to allow Him to act and work in us with His wisdom and power, which are infinitely superior to ours. [This] is not, it is well understood, an invitation to laziness and inaction. It is an invitation to act, even to act considerably sometimes, but under the impulse of the Holy Spirit, which is a gentle and peaceful spirit. - Fr. Jaques Philippe (source) Reflect Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the LORD, who has compassion on you. Isaiah 54:10 Listen For musical inspiration for your restful Sunday, listen to our BIS Rests playlist. [bctt tweet="God is a God of peace. #BISblog"] Curated by Megan Hjelmstad. You can find out more about her here.

Do you feel like there is a saint in the Church who just "gets" you? Maybe it's your confirmation saint or a saint you discovered while going through a particular trial or a saint you read about on the internet. Maybe, that saint found you. Meeting the Pope About a month ago I hung this piece of artwork in the living room of my newly-purchased home. Purchased over 15 years ago as I trekked my way through Toronto, Ontario on my very first excursion to World Youth Day (WYD), it is a simple image of the man I was going to see: Pope John Paul II. He was coming to meet us, the young Catholics of the world. I was there. And I was ready. That is to say, I thought I was ready. My wide-eyed college-aged self had no grasp of the pivotal role those days would play in my life as a fledgling young adult in the Church. I didn't quite know why I was drawn to this dear faithful man. Maybe it was knowing tidbits of his story and struggle under Communism and Nazism in his home country of Poland. Maybe it was his passion for theater and the outdoors and so many other beautiful things in life. Most of all, it was his enthusiasm for Jesus Christ. He had a joy and a passion for Christianity that was so authentic and attractive. He had a joy that I craved in my life. And I wanted to know why he had it. A Discovery of Hope One early Sunday morning in Downsview Park, Toronto, I sat in the pouring rain and braved the driving wind alongside close to a million other Catholic youth, waiting for the Holy Father to arrive for Mass. I was very wet, very cold, and, to be completely honest, a bit miserable. But in a moment of sheer beauty, the rain ceased and the sun broke through the clouds just as the Holy Father arrived and began Mass. My young, tender, Catholic heart was in awe as he preached a homily that felt like it was written just for me: You are young, and the Pope is old, 82 or 83 years of life is not the same as 22 or 23. But the Pope still fully identifies with your hopes and aspirations. Although I have lived through much darkness, under harsh totalitarian regimes, I have seen enough evidence to be unshakably convinced that no difficulty, no fear is so great that it can completely suffocate the hope that springs eternal...Do not let that hope die! Stake your lives on it! We are not the sum of our weaknesses and failures; we are the sum of the Father's love for us and our real capacity to become the image of his Son. Photo Credit: Toronto Star Those few days in Toronto, including that ever-memorable Sunday in the rain, changed me. They set the stage for every good and hard and beautiful moment in my life over the past decade and a half: cross-country moves, new jobs, and new friendships. They've sustained my during doubts about Christianity and the deaths of loved-ones; through disappointments, upsets, and personal and professional struggles. Each event was a return, in a manner of speaking, to that moment of communion with the Holy Father. Three years after that World Youth Day experience, I had graduated from college and moved to Washington, D.C. One rainy April evening, I was hurriedly getting ready to attend a concert at the Kennedy Center with some friends from church when we heard that John Paul II had died. How beautiful and fitting that the performance we were scheduled to see was Mozart’s Requiem Mass. Together, in a crowded concert hall among both believers and non-believers, we quietly prayed for his entrance into heaven. Be Not Afraid! Two years later, I was enrolled at the John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family (a school that JPII himself founded) studying marriage, family, and bioethics. Two years after that, I taught at his namesake high school, Pope John Paul the Great. And in that time, my father was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, the same disease that was JPII's heavy cross for over 10 years. All the while I discovered that the spirit of this gentle saint was with me during those hardships and transitions. I took comfort in the knowledge of his love for young people, in his exhortation throughout his papacy to “Be not afraid,” and the confidence that if we move through life clinging to the cross of Christ, we can know with certainty that we will never be left alone. That little pencil sketch that I bought for $10 at WYD also moved with me - through four different homes in D.C. and two different homes in Minnesota before it recently landed in my living room in Minneapolis. Fifteen years later it speaks the same message to me: “Be not afraid, Karen.” Be not afraid. The whole of human existence boils down to those four words of Christ. It is at once that simple and that challenging. There is nothing, nothing that cannot be endured with the love of Jesus. [bctt tweet="There is nothing, nothing that cannot be endured with the love of Jesus. #BISblog"] Many details from those days in Toronto have faded from my memory. But those three words, spoken in a gentle Polish accent, have remained. As we prepare for the upcoming feast of Pope St. John Paul the Great, I pray that they will remain with me, and with you, to the end of our days. Have you ever attended a World Youth Day? Do you have your own stories about Pope St. John Paul II's influence in your life? Please share them with us in the comments! Karen Schultz hails from the Land of 10,000 lakes, where she is often found in or near one of them. As a doula, lactation educator, and FertilityCare Practitioner, she finds joy in helping women to embrace the gift of their bodies. Downtime is found in quiet adoration chapels, farmers markets and gardens, listening to bluegrass music, and embracing the diversity of Minnesota’s seasons. You can find out more about her here.

I don't know about you, but when I think of the beauty of the Catholic Church I tend to go old school. And by "old school," I mean Old World. Most of the churches in my area were constructed post-Vatican II, when church architecture and design got, well...interesting. Perhaps not-interesting is the best way to put it. So often we think we need an expensive plane ticket and fluency in a romance language in order to find that charm and beauty, but that beauty is often in our backyards. My particular backyard holds two idyllic examples - the New Melleray Abbey and the Shrine to Our Lady of Guadalupe - proving that you don't need to travel far to find both physically and spiritually beautiful churches. Along the Mississippi River, tucked in areas known more for its Protestant communities, are beautiful pockets of the Catholic faith. The first I discovered almost by accident; I was on my way to a Catholic women's conference and saw a sign pointing to the New Melleray Abbey. Being a bit of free spirit, I decided to pull over and see what it was. I fully expected it to be a Historical Marker, an old building now repurposed into a bridal salon (we are fans of doing this in the Midwest). What I found confounded my expectations. I found a thriving community of Trappist Monks and one of the most beautiful sanctuaries I've seen. New Melleray Abbey is tucked away in Northeast Iowa, about 30 minutes from Dubuque, and is run by a small but dedicated group of Monks of the Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance, commonly known as the Trappists. The Abbey was founded in 1849 and has been serving the community ever since. To provide for the monks, the Abbey offers a guest house and regular retreats as well as their primary business of making caskets. The Abbey is a beautiful, edifying place to spend time in prayer, whether it is a few hours or a few days. Being able to attend one of their Compline Prayers remains one of the most moving experiences in my faith life. A few hours north of the New Melleray Abbey is another gem along the Mississippi. Folded in the rolling hills of La Crosse, Wisconsin is the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe. There is so much to say about this Shrine, as it holds a very special place in my heart and in the life of my family. If you are in search of a place of peace and healing, this is the place for you. The Shrine is currently under the care of the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate and its mission is to be a place of pilgrimage and prayer. You can read more in their mission statement. The grounds of the Shrine offers a Stations of the Cross and Rosary Walk. Statues in honor of St. Joseph the Worker and St. Kateri. A votive chapel dedicated to Our Mother of Good Counsel. You can purchase candles for any intentions through the Shrine website. Our Lady of Guadalupe is a patron Saint of the unborn, so there is a special mission at the Shrine to reach out to those who have lost children, either through miscarriage or stillbirth. On the grounds is a memorial to these children where families can choose to have their babies remembered at the Memorial of the Unborn. This memorial has been a place of peace and healing to our family and to many others. The Shrine Church, while being a beautiful Church and a wonderful place to participate in the Mass and worship, is also a place of veneration for a number of saints, including St. Peregrine, St. Miguel Pro, and (my personal favorite) Saint Gianna Beretta Molla. Throughout the year the Shrine offers public veneration of a number of relics of these Saints and more. So remember you don't need a passport or even a grand itinerary to find places of spiritual beauty. These places are just waiting around the bend. Or at least a nice drive down I-35. [bctt tweet="You don't need a passport or even a grand itinerary to find places of spiritual beauty. #BISblog"] Have you ever visited New Melleray Abey or the Shrine to Our Lady of Guadalupe?

I love this sentiment "fully supply." He doesn't say just "supply," but FULLY SUPPLY. He knows our needs and it will come, we just have to place our trust in Him. You can get this reminder for your phone and desktop by downloading the wallpapers by Erica of Be A Heart. Phone wallpaper Desktop wallpaper

Just these two words He spoke changed my life, “Enjoy Me.” What a burden I thought I was to carry – a crucifix, as did He. Love once said to me, “I know a song, would you like to hear it?” And laughter came from every brick in the street and from every pore in the sky. After a night of prayer, He changed my life when He sang, “Enjoy Me.” - Saint Teresa of Avila (source) Reflect When I was six or seven years old, growing up in Pittsburgh, I used to take a precious penny of my own and hide it for someone else to find. I was greatly excited at the thought of the first lucky passerby who would receive a gift in this way, regardless of merit, a free gift from the universe. . . . The world is fairly studded and strewn with pennies cast broadside from a generous hand. But- and this is the point- who gets excited by a mere penny? But if you cultivate a healthy poverty and simplicity, so that finding a penny will literally make your day, then, since the world is in fact planted in pennies, you have with your poverty bought a lifetime of days. Annie Dillard (source) Listen For musical inspiration for your restful Sunday, listen to our BIS Rests playlist. I recommend praying with “No Greater Love” by Danielle Rose. [bctt tweet="BIS Rests: Enjoyment + Poverty //"]

When I was younger, I was the kid who dragged my feet to church. To be honest, I was really only in it for the donuts. As I got older and my faith matured, my motives changed. Not only did I begin to truly understand the importance of Sunday but also the weight of going to Mass on the Sabbath. I began to really love everything about Sundays. I mean, my love of Sunday donuts never wavered, but I also began to enjoy the slow (depending on how we were doing on time) start to the day and putting on my Sunday best for Mass. Why Get Dressed Up for Mass? I know “dressed up” looks different for everyone, and that’s ok! For me, I really enjoy putting on my Sunday best. It has made Sunday really stand out from the remainder of the week. The extra care I take in apparel choices helps remind me internally that something big is going on that day, my meeting and reception of Jesus in the Eucharist. Fall Trends for Your Sunday Best So maybe you’re like me and you love getting dressed up on Sundays, or maybe you just want to shake up your closet a little! Today is all about great fashion trends for the fall that can be applied to your Sunday best. I’ve put together a little collection of items from popular trends that you will see this fall! 1. Berry Lipstick As soon as those leaves start to turn and the mornings begin to cool off, it’s time for a cozy sweater and berry colored lips. Berry ranges from strawberry to blackberry and all the berries in between, so find a color that fits your style and personality and give it a try! 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 2. Fall Florals Florals are not just for spring and summer. There are a lot of darker and deeper florals floating around stores this fall and they are gorgeous! Don’t be afraid to wear a midi floral with some ankle booties or a floral maxi with your favorite cardigan. 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 3. Red This fall, Pantone has Grenadine as one of it’s top colors. While wearing an entire red dress can be a little intimidating (insert dancing lady emoji) an easy way to dip your toe in is with accessories. Adding a little pop of red to your Sunday best can give your outfit a new feel. So whether it’s a scarf, a clutch, or a pair of flats, add a little red and see how you like it! 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 4. The Graphic Tee This is a trend that’s been around for the past year or so and I’m so glad it’s still popular! I love pairing a graphic tee with a pleated midi skirt or tied in a knot over my favorite maxi dress. Some of you might wonder if a graphic tee is appropriate for Sunday Mass. When given a Catholic spin and beautifully designed, like the ones below, the tee takes on a new reverence perfect for the Sabbath. 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 Remember, trends are a lot of fun to play with, but they are fleeting! The most important thing you can do with your Sunday best is to love what you’re wearing and to feel good in it. We’d love to see your Sunday best! Post a picture on social media and use the hashtag #BISsundaybest (and we will all get more ideas, too!) [bctt tweet="Fall Trends for Your Sunday Best // "] Susana Starbuck is wife of a youth minister and mother to four littles five and under. She lives in Phoenix, AZ and enjoys reading a good book, posting her highlight reel on Instagram, and drinking wine. You can connect with her here.

The Blessed is She Selah Journal is here! "Selah" means to pause, to think of that. Intended to be a companion to the daily devotions, this reflection journal offers women the space to process and apply the Word of God to their own lives. It's beautifully designed with hand-lettered Scripture passages throughout. The journal is an ideal size for carrying in your purse or briefcase, making praying and meditating upon Scripture even easier to weave into your daily life. The best part is the the journal gives you the freedom to pray and reflect according to your own preferences and style and how the Holy Spirit moves you. Here are some ways the Selah journal can help you deepen your prayer life. The Selah Journal Gives You the Space to... 1. Write your own daily reflection Once you read the daily Mass readings, there is room in the Selah journal to write your own reflections on the Scripture passages. It's also wonderful for lectio divina reflection. 2. Respond to the daily devotional Did the day's reflection on the Mass readings strike you? Journal what touched you, what made you think, or how you plan to implement the call. 3. Reflect on the feast day Is it a special feast day within the Church or a meaningful feast day to you? Do you find the saint of the day intriguing? Take some time to journal about the feast day, what it represents, and how the grace from the day can apply to your particular life. 4. Write the Scriptures One of my favorite ways to use the Selah journal is to actually write out the Mass readings. Sometimes I choose an entire reading, sometimes just a verse or two. Writing Scripture engages a different part of our brains and we are able to recall and understand it better. 5. Examine the readings Perhaps, as you were reading the daily Scripture or devotional, you came across a word, location, or name you didn't know before. Maybe the devotion taught you something new theologically about the context of the reading. You can use the pages of the Selah journal to write down your Google findings or to make a note about what you learned. 6. Make your art your prayer Many people process best through drawing. Use the pages of the Selah journal to hand letter a certain passage, to illustrate the Gospel story, or to paint how the Scripture moves your heart. 7. Offer your heart to the Lord Use the Selah journal as your love letter to God. Fill the pages with your thoughts, concerns, worries, joys, struggles, and desires. It can serve as a true journal as you journey with the Lord throughout His life in the Scripture and throughout His life in you. 8. Remember how God is working in your life The Selah journal is a great place to write down memories, answered prayers, or milestones in your life of faith. Years from now, you can look back and remember that on such-and-such day, the Lord let His presence in your life be known in a major way. Think of it like a spiritual scrapbook! 9. Count your blessings One of my favorite features of the Selah journal is the area dedicated to thanksgiving. Scientifically, expressing gratitude makes us happier. Spiritually, it makes us happier, too. On hard days, when I feel like nothing is going right, the gratitude section calls me to truly examine my life and name the ways I've been abundantly blessed. It helps me choose gratitude over discontentment. 10. Offer your petitions Every day, there is a place in the journal for intentions. I like to write down my own petitions, but especially the intentions that have been entrusted to me by others. It helps me remember my promise to pray for them and gives me the chance to deeply intercede on their behalf. Grab Your Selah Journal Here [bctt tweet="10 Ways the Selah Journal Can Deepen Your Prayer Life // #BISblog //"] Do you like to journal? What's your journaling style? Olivia Spears lives in Kentucky, where sweet tea and bourbon flow like milk and honey. She works from home as an editor and social media manager while raising her children and laughing with her husband. Although she now spends most of her free time away from the internet, past adventures are still on her blog. You can find out more about her here.

My affection for sweet and sour chicken did not begin until a few years ago. In simpler times, I preferred macaroni and cheese, chicken tenders, and the occasional peanut butter and cheese sandwich (yes, with cheddar cheese). Then, just as I began to increasingly discover the depths and dark crevices in my soul, I felt myself drawn to sweet and sour chicken. An inexplicable coincidence? Possibly. Or perhaps the sauce’s contrasting flavors resonated with the blend of good and evil I encountered in myself and my surroundings, and perhaps this resonance sparked craving for the food. Chicken mysteries aside, the weight of evil I find in my soul can be lifted by the Sacrament of Confession, but I have often struggled with this sacrament. Picking apart the threads of intricate and tragic human messiness can become an exercise in stress if I am not careful. Such stress probably occurs when the sacrament becomes more about me than about God. Sometimes it is difficult to see the priest as a representation of Jesus; more often it is simply myself and my shortcomings that concern me. Peaceful Confessions A resource that recently has helped re-orient me toward confession is “Stars of Comfort,” a collection of retreat talks delivered by Father Vincent McNabb. Not surprisingly, several of the reflections focus on confession as a means of union with God, but the focus is emphatically on how good God’s love is for us, if we just muster courage to accept it. He writes that when a soul can see what is right but fails to do it (as when one should go to Confession more frequently, yet fails to do so), that soul has let its eyes wander from the goodness of the object it should desire. He says, “If we see a background of merely human anxiety, we are doomed, but seen against the background of the love of Jesus Christ, everything else becomes almost invisible.” Almost invisible. These words stuck. Father McNabb spoke them in June of 1940, amidst the havoc of World War II. I think of that era’s turmoil and the turmoil I encounter today: political unrest, cultural concerns, interpersonal conflicts, emotional wounds, and so on. What an incredible power it would be to truly see all this as almost invisible, unable to unsettle me or cause even an ounce of fear. And it is possible, I have to admit. For didn’t John of the Cross, Francis of Assisi, Thomas More, and Edith Stein, among others, live as if the turmoil surrounding them was almost invisible? Saints witness to the ordered peace borne from intensely encountering Jesus’ merciful love, the transformation possible if I don’t look away from love’s goodness. Counting and Clear Vision When fear dominates, my vision needs renewal. I can tend to see an examination of conscience as a reversal of Browning’s famous words, “How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.” In my mind, the words become, “How have I lost thee? Let me count the ways,” and thinking of sin becomes counting the ways I have allowed God to be lost to me by choices to disorder my days. And yet, as Fr. McNabb reminds me, Confession is not only about counting, but also about re-seeing the goodness of God and the mercy He desires to give, a mercy so vast it makes anxieties dissolve into near invisibility. So, I am learning to view Confession as less about my losses and more about my response to love. By surrendering my sight to the goodness of the Word, my response zooms in to the center of the cosmos. [bctt tweet="Confession is about re-seeing the goodness of God and the mercy He desires to give. #BISblog"] A Sweet and Sour Soul Relating the realities of love, loss, sweetness, and sourness to the spiritual life is not an original idea, I’ve learned. In his poem “Bitter-Sweet,” George Herbert speaks of how his experience of God ranges from anger to love, from being cast down to being lifted up. He concludes with a promise of faithfulness: And all my sour-sweet days / I will lament and love. Just as love and loss are intertwined, so are sweet and sour, and eating sweet and sour chicken (preferably with a friend) remains a satisfying act. That the craving stems from increased knowledge of good and evil in my soul may be whimsical speculation. But I am glad I have thought of it, for now when I dunk fried chicken into scrumptious sauce I will think of how each anxiety and hurt, however sharp, can find its proper place in relation to mercy, and how each fades into invisibility the more I accept Jesus Christ’s love as life’s truest background. Can you relate to this desire to view all of yourself against the backdrop of Christ's merciful love? Savanna J. Buckner is an M.B.A. student at the Saint John Institute in Denver, Colorado. Previously, she spent two years as a missionary teacher at a junior college in Belize, followed by a year of teaching preschool and Catechesis of the Good Shepherd in northern Virginia. She loves film, philosophy, and art, and especially enjoys reading Evelyn Waugh, Czeslaw Milosz, and Alexander Solzhenitsyn.

This week's BIS wallpaper is from our 2017 Advent mug!! It is on sale now in our shop! Laura Fanucci wrote this year's Advent journal, called In the Beginning, and in this beautiful prayer journal she says, "All that hope and energy buzzing in the air. Anything could happen." So we thought it would be so fun to keep this as a reminder on our coffee mugs AND our phones and desktops. The Lord is moving as He wills, and there is hope and energy buzzing the air. Truly, anything can happen. PS You can also get the mug and journal together with a lovely print. Grab your Advent bundle here. Phone wallpaper Desktop wallpaper

We are so thrilled to announce the release of the 2017 Catholic Advent Journal from Blessed is She! Advent begins a brand new year within the Church. We are invited to reset, restart, and refresh as we prepare to celebrate the most joyous occasion of the birth of Our Lord. Advent beckons us to reflect on our lives and our relationship with Jesus. Are we preparing His way? Are we waiting on Him with joyful hope? This short but mighty season within our liturgical year grants us the opportunity to pray with John the Baptist, "He must increase, I must decrease" (John 3:30). In the Beginning seeks to facilitate this deep dive. A Catholic Advent Journal for Women Written specifically for women, this Catholic Advent journal walks with us through the season of Advent, offering reflection on Scripture, a space to journal your thoughts and prayers to God, a small activity that can help you live liturgically in your daily duties, and more. We sat down with the author of In the Beginning, Laura Fanucci, to chat about her inspiration, her process, and the heart behind this beautiful work. In the Beginning: An Interview with the Author 1. Tell us about the meaning behind the name of the Advent Journal. “In The Beginning” has two meanings. First, it reminds us how Advent is the beginning of a new liturgical year in the Church. We don’t always think about Advent in that way because January holds the place of “New Year” in our minds. But the truth is that we’re called to begin anew with God during Advent with all the enthusiasm that we bring to a new calendar year. Second, the journal takes us through the beginning of each Gospel to learn what it can teach us about preparing our hearts for Christ during Advent. We often hear from the infancy narratives during Advent and Christmas (the stories surrounding Jesus’ birth in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke). But I wanted to dig into all four Gospels and learn what Mark and John also had to teach us about Advent. It was a delight to discover the connections between the beginnings of all four Gospels and the spirit of Advent. 2. How does it feel to "live" Advent before the rest of us? How has your past year influenced the way you entered into this writing about Advent? It did feel a bit funny to be writing about Advent in the spring and summer! But it was such a gift to think about the beauty of this liturgical season during a time that wasn’t filled with Christmas shopping and wrapping and cards and parties. I could hear the Advent invitation to slow down and seek God in a new way. I was also very pregnant when I wrote this journal! So it was a lovely connection to think about the stories of Jesus’ birth in new light when I was preparing for another birth, too. I could connect with the awe (and hardship) of Mary’s bearing Jesus in a physical way, and I saw all over again what a gift her fiat and sacrifice gave us. 3. Is there an image, song, or verse that inspired you throughout the writing process? I mention in the introduction to the journal that when I was a little girl, my dad used to tell me the story of the world by saying, “In the beginning, there was a TREMENDOUS explosion!” It was his beautiful way of telling me the story of creation in Genesis by describing God’s words of “Let there be light!” as the powerful burst that might have been the Big Bang. I loved those words as a child, and I always knew that when my dad smiled and said, “In the beginning…” there was going to be a wonderful story that followed. The words of Scripture are like that, too: the beginning of Jesus’ life is like God speaking anew, “Let there be Light!” Because the Child who comes at Christmas is the Light of the world. So I kept those words in my mind as I wrote—praying that the joy and delight I felt as a child listening to my father would come to each woman who prays with this journal, too. 4. What role, if any, did Our Lady play in inspiring this journal designed for women? I always think about Mary during Advent. When my husband and I finally learned we were pregnant after infertility, it was December. So I have always had a soft, sweet spot in my heart for how Mary became a powerful part of my Advent expectation from that point on. I prayed a lot while writing the journal that I could simply be a channel for whatever words God wanted to speak to the women who would use it. And Mary was part of that intercession I prayed for, that we would all be able to journey with her through Advent, to welcome Christ into our lives following her amazing model of love. 5. Many of us find moving through Advent prayerfully to be a challenge. It's the end of the school semester, and holiday festivities and responsibilities can feel overwhelming. How can this Catholic Advent Journal be an aid and guide for us to truly enter into the Advent spirit? As I was writing, I tried to keep in mind how busy December always becomes—especially for women who are often doing the bulk of the planning and preparing for all the holiday celebrations. I felt strongly that this journal would not feel like one more “to do” to cross off our list during that busy time of the year, but rather an invitation over an obligation. So I intentionally built in moments of peace and quiet within the “activities” of the journal (sometimes saying, “Do nothing and just listen to God in the silence for 5 minutes!”) because I felt God calling us to remember that Advent is a time of prayerful preparation into deeper intimacy with Him. I designed the journal to be a realistic and fruitful companion for busy women. [bctt tweet="I designed the journal to be a realistic + fruitful companion for busy women. // @laurakfanucci"] 6. How is the Advent Journal structured? Each week we journey through the beginning (the opening chapters) of one Gospel. So each day has a Scripture passage, a short reflection, a question to journal about, an easy activity idea, and a closing prayer. I wanted to give women a variety of ways to enter into the spirit of the Scripture, so that they could develop a prayer practice with the journal that fits their needs and life. 7. What themes do you reflect on most throughout the Advent Journal? I try to look at the beginning of each Gospel with fresh eyes. Often we think we know these familiar stories so well—the Annunciation, the Visitation, the Nativity. But there is always so much to learn from Scripture. So I keep encouraging us to go back to the beginning and open our hearts to see how God is speaking to us through the Word in new ways in our lives today. 8. What is it that you hope women learn and experience from In the Beginning? I hope women hear God’s call to enter into Advent with an open heart. Not to think of the journal as one more thing to do during December, but to see it as a daily reminder of their own belovedness in the eyes of the One who delights to be with them in prayer. My hope is that any time that a woman spends with this journal will offer her the peace and joy that is always waiting for us in the quiet when we come to God in prayer. Have you claimed your copy of this year's Catholic Advent Journal yet? Don't miss out, click here to get yours! Laura Kelly Fanucci is a mother, writer, and project director for the Collegeville Institute at Saint John’s University in Collegeville, Minnesota. She is the author of several books including Everyday Sacrament: The Messy Grace of Parenting and the co-author of Living Your Discipleship: 7 Ways to Express Your Deepest Calling. Laura writes about parenting as a spiritual practice at her blog. You can find out more about her here.

Dear Jesus, help me to spread Your fragrance everywhere I go. Flood my soul with Your spirit and life. Penetrate and possess my whole being so utterly, That my life may only be a radiance of Yours. Shine through me, and be so in me That every soul I come in contact with May feel Your presence in my soul. Let them look up and see no longer me, but only Jesus! Stay with me and then I shall begin to shine as You shine, So to shine as to be a light to others; The light, O Jesus will be all from You; none of it will be mine; It will be you, shining on others through me. Let me thus praise You the way You love best, by shining on those around me. Let me preach You without preaching, not by words but by my example, By the catching force of the sympathetic influence of what I do, The evident fullness of the love my heart bears to You. - Blessed Cardinal John Henry Newman (Saint Teresa of Calcutta prayed the above prayer every day with her sisters after receiving the Eucharist.) Reflect Today too, amid so much darkness, we need to see the light of hope and to be men and women who bring hope to others. To protect creation, to protect every man and every woman, to look upon them with tenderness and love, is to open up a horizon of hope; it is to let a shaft of light break through the heavy clouds; it is to bring the warmth of hope! Pope Francis (source) Listen For musical inspiration for your restful Sunday, listen to our BIS Rests playlist. I recommend praying with “Shine Through Us” by Danielle Rose (inspired by the prayer above). Curated by Elise Howe. Find out more about her here.

My calf began to cramp as I bounced my leg up and down, attempting to nurse my 9 month old to sleep on my lap in a too-small plane seat. The cramp was manageable at first, but quickly became a pain I could no longer ignore, so I shifted my weight and used my opposite leg to bounce. My baby arched his back and screeched in protest, unlatching as the screech turned into a wail. The wail, one of the subtly crippling sufferings of motherhood, provoked stress in me that I always expect to happen immediately after my baby begins to cry. I began to sweat and more muscles cramped as I shifted my weight here, there, anywhere I could think of in attempt to make the wailing cease. I had no luck. I exchanged a knowing look with my husband. The baby needed sleep, badly. We spotted an empty row in the back of the airplane where the baby could fall asleep more easily. One of us would have to go to the back of the plane with him. Although we discussed it briefly, both of us knew it would be me. Not because my husband was unwilling, but because, as so often occurs with infants, no comfort but the comfort of a mother would suffice. My husband promised to bring me a snack and a drink of water because motion sickness crept as a result of the turbulence. So, baby in one arm, I walked carefully down the rows of seats to the back of the plane, using my other arm to occasionally grab onto a seat in order to stay steady on my feet. I sat down, now sweating even more due to the increased stress resulting from a still wailing baby. I focused on calming myself down so that I could, in turn, calm my baby down. After what felt like an eternity of wailing, unlatching, relatching, bouncing, and singing, my baby was finally asleep in my arms. Once he fell asleep, I paid more attention to the state of my own body, a state I had been ignoring, as mothers so often do when caring for their children. My entire body was tense from straining muscles I didn’t normally use bouncing, swaying, and rocking my infant in a cramped space. Then, I realized I wasn’t actually sitting on a seat, but was situated between two seats with my spine on the crevice in the middle of them. One arm was supporting my baby’s head, and the other was wedged under his legs. I didn’t dare move a muscle for fear of waking him. I waited for my husband to relieve me with the water and snack. The stewardess came on the intercom and announced that the turbulence was picking up, and no one was to leave their seats. Panic set in as I realized I was alone for longer than anticipated. I was thirsty, a little hungry, and increasingly nauseous from the turbulence. The Everyday Sufferings of Motherhood This story may sound like an ordinary mother having an ordinary, albeit a little rough, day. And it is. Suffering in motherhood is uniquely intimate, but also universal and shared. Mothers every day suffer physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. This suffering is often inescapable. I can feel trapped by this suffering. But, if we choose, if we simply have the courage to accept our crosses, we can be redeemed by this everyday suffering. St. John Vianney sums it up well: On the Way of the Cross, you see, my children, only the first step is painful. Our greatest cross is the fear of crosses. . . We have not the courage to carry our cross, and we are very much mistaken; for, whatever we do, the cross holds us tight—we cannot escape from it. What, then, have we to lose? Why not love our crosses, and make use of them to take us to heaven? The journey to motherhood is riddled with suffering: the nausea, fatigue, and migraines of the first trimester and the intense pain of labor and childbirth certainly give mothers a fitting initiation into the reality that is motherhood. When I realized that caring for my newborn was not the simple, nurturing experience I expected it to be, but was instead a physically and emotionally painful process, I experienced fear. Fear of bearing these crosses of motherhood. Why didn't anyone tell me it would be so hard? Looking back, plenty of people did, I just didn’t hear them. It felt unfair. It felt painful. As St. John Vianney said, the first step of accepting our crosses is painful. One of my greatest crosses in motherhood is lack of sleep. It’s such a normal cross of motherhood that we all experience in some form or another, but I had (and still have) a difficult time accepting it. But if I cannot escape the cross, why not make use of it to get to heaven? 6 Ways to Endure and Offer the Sufferings of Motherhood In Bishop Barron’s video on St. Teresa of Calcutta, he says that becoming a saint is not mimicking Christ. Becoming a saint is letting Christ live His life in you. I know that Christ experienced the totality of human suffering. He experienced physical suffering, psychological suffering, and spiritual suffering. So why am I so often surprised when my vocation is full of suffering? Why am I surprised when the intense joys of motherhood are accompanied by intense sufferings of motherhood? The way of the cross was a central part of Christ’s life. When we allow Him to live in us, to suffer in us, we are becoming saints. Along the way, we can allow Christ to suffer in us and find reprieve on our journey of motherhood: 1. Call on your mother Then he said to the disciple, ‘Behold, your mother.’ And from that hour the disciple took her into his home (John 19:27). The simplest and most powerful aid through my journey of motherhood has been asking for and accepting the help of Mama Mary. Don’t be afraid to bring her into your home! She can offer solidarity, hope, and comfort—all those things that we, as mothers, give our children on a daily basis. We can be restored in Mary’s arms by accepting her help. If you haven’t already, I highly recommend doing a Marian Consecration (like 33 Days to Morning Glory). It was such a powerful turning point in my life and has brought me so much peace. 2. Practice self-care You can’t give what you don’t have. Self-care is important, especially spiritual self-care. When I feel I need a little self-care in my life, I often first think of treating myself to physical self-care—a manicure, a bath, or a peaceful walk outside sans child. However, don’t forget about spiritual self-care! As mothers, we often have to multi-task, so make a commitment to say the rosary on your walk or chat with a friend about the daily readings while you get a manicure together. 3. Find a community of mothers Motherhood might not look like what you imagined, but you are probably bearing similar crosses as other moms. When you feel alone and confused about your journey as a mother, it can be so helpful to relate to other moms. Whether it is an in-person moms group, an online community of some like-minded mothers, or a weekly check-in with your sister to talk about the struggles you are facing in motherhood, make sure you have a space where you feel comfortable talking about your struggles and can turn to for advice or simply empathy. 4. Give yourself some grace If you try to take up your daily crosses with the expectation that you will always bear them with perfect humility and patience, you are bound to be disappointed. As mothers, we will constantly falter; we may lose our patience, we may speak harshly to our spouse, we may ignore a family member in need because we feel we have too much on our plate already. This does not make us failures as Christians, mothers, wives, sisters, or daughters. This makes us human. Ask for forgiveness when you fall short and accept God’s grace and mercy afterward. His mercy makes the sufferings of motherhood bearable. 5. Accept help Accepting help is easy in the early days. Everyone knows a mom with a newborn is tired and overwhelmed. But often, around the 6 month mark, we think we should have it all together. We thought our baby would be sleeping more by now. We thought we would be back on track with laundry schedules and meal planning routines. But we may find this isn’t the reality, and it can be hard to admit we need additional help. Always accept help when it is offered and don’t be afraid to ask a friend or family member to help you cook a meal or take the baby out to the park while you catch up on laundry (or sleep). 6. Pick a patron saint Whether you are named after a saint or you simply ask a particular saint to be your patron because you relate to their life story, a patron saint can be another “friendly face” as you work through the sufferings of motherhood. Our ultimate mission as mothers is to raise our children to be saints, so what better way to help us fulfill this mission than to call on a saint for help? [bctt tweet="What are some ways you offer and endure the sufferings of motherhood? #BISblog"] Carly Matthews is an Ave Maria University graduate who lives with her husband, son, and lab mix in Orlando, Florida. She works at Catholic Charities of Central Florida and enjoys weekends filled with visiting local parks, attempting to catch up on sleep, and sewing. Find her on Instagram.

As a Catholic woman in modern society, I'm always on the lookout for art forms that demonstrate the realities of our fallen world and the redemption that can be experienced when humanity is at its best. Whether you are a parent, child, wife, step-mom, foster child, in-law, sister, godmother, grandmother, aunt, or human, you are connected to other people by means outside of your control. This makes us all part of a larger family. And in a world of not-so-admirable film and TV, This is Us stands out as an illustration of the loyalty found in family and friendship, even when comprised of imperfect people. If you've heard of This is Us, I’d venture to guess that you are either: a. smitten by the show or b. trying to figure out what all of the fuss is about. Either way, it is worth exploring, as the show just began its second season last week and folks will be talking about it at work and on Facebook once again. Why All the Hype? NBC's This is Us has taken the country by storm for its flawed but striving characters and its relatable plot lines. It follows the Pearson family over the course of decades, detailing their everyday triumphs and tragedies. The show is known for reducing its audience to tears in nearly every episode. I think this is because the writing touches on the most fundamental emotions we have as humans as part of our immediate and broader family. Fair warning: This show would be considered rated "PG-13" so watch accordingly. 3 Reasons I Love This is Us Honestly, I am typically not a bandwagon fan nor much of a TV-watcher. Hours of quiet time at the end of the day are too precious to waste. I was originally skeptical of the storyline for This is Us. However, after watching each episode last season (and crying through many of them), this is what I’ve come to appreciate about the show's ability to make me consider daily details with an eternal perspective: 1. This show is not overtly faith-based, and I think that is an advantage. Because of its diverse storyline and characters, it seems that anyone could be caught up in what the Pearson family lives through and picture themselves within its beauty and dysfunction. It's easy to appreciate the complexity of the Pearson family because families, by nature, are complex. Often, such complexity might be the very reason a person begins to feel disconnected to the universal Church. But this show offers its viewers a glimpse at the beauty found when we love one another unwaveringly, even in circumstances that are not clear or ideal. This reality is especially true when applied to the Church as communion. 2. It authentically highlights the highs and lows of the human experience. Attention to both the tough exterior and tender underbelly of our daily lives gives a glimpse of dignity to the human experience in a way that doesn’t compare to other TV dramas. The range of experiences this show aims to cover is expansive: marriage, parenting, identity, bi-racial adoption, addiction, issues of self-acceptance, guilt, death, forgiveness, and family, just to name a few. By highlighting the love and tension inside each of the characters (inside each of us), we can zoom in on an important detail: life is an embodied experience. It is visceral. Jesus understands this with perfect clarity. He became human and understood our messiness, emotions, and fundamental longings. 3. It falls short—and this is its strength. If you are hoping that NBC is going to connect the dots for you so that you can hone in on these experiences of sacrament as they transpire, it does not. To do this would be to lose all credibility for the show. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve watched an exchange between characters or an episode where there was clearly something sacramental (an outward experience of an inward grace) going on and it is never outright named. As I hit the lights and head upstairs after finishing an episode, I find myself reeling about the obvious experience of reconciliation or confession or Eucharist or dying to self or upholding the dignity of the human person that was just demonstrated. The characters’ inability (or the producer’s decision) to refrain from connecting the dots from the temporal to the eternal causes me to examine my own messy life. I'm challenged to search for the sacramental encounters that might otherwise heart-breakingly go unnamed, just as they do in the show. The very reason This Is Us garnered 11 Emmy nominations is not because we’ve never seen a well-performed drama before; rather, I suspect it has something to do with its ability to bring us close to that tender part of ourselves. That part where we feel deeply and deserves to be celebrated for the holiness it involves. It's Captivating Because It's Our Story I’m not suggesting that your life will change or you’ll experience any type of spiritual awakening by watching this show. What I do suspect, whether you decide to watch it or not, is that we will be blown away by entering into our own stories with the awareness that we have the opportunity to participate in these graces, these sacraments, multiple times each day. As Catholics, we have the advantage of not only grasping at the deeper reality that the characters point us toward, but we also have the language to name these experiences of grace. The public is grappling to name the goodness this show has to offer and what it might mean for our humble human experience—and it’s a story we’re already privileged to know. There’s something deeper going on here: This is us. [bctt tweet="There’s something deeper going on here: This is us. #BISblog"] Have you watched This is Us? What's been your favorite episode so far? Let us know in the comments below!

"Then, overcome by joy, I cried, 'Jesus, my love. At last I have found my vocation. My vocation is love. In the heart of the Church, my mother, I will be love, and then I will be all things." Saint Thérèse de Lisieux Emily Rachelle designed these beautiful wallpapers for us this week. Be sure to download yours and share with your friends! Thank you, Emily! Phone wallpaper Desktop wallpaper