Welcome to our Remember series, where we pause to reflect on how God has proven faithful in the past so to help us place our trust in Him in the present. We look to the future, knowing that God always keeps His promise and that He always makes a way. We invite you to pray with us, to write your own Psalm (see the end of the post!), and share with others about how God has been faithful in your life. When I moved to Buffalo, New York for nursing school, I was lonely. The first thing I did when I unpacked and settled into my new dorm room was Google “young adult groups in the area.” Nothing came up. After Mass one morning, I asked a priest if there were any groups or gatherings for people my age. He said he did not know of any. The school I went to was Catholic in name but felt very secular. That loneliness continued to grow and I felt my faith life suffer from a lack of community. I desired real community and authentic friendships with my entire heart. Loneliness can make us turn inward. I had to resist that temptation and I knew I needed to turn outward to God in prayer. I needed to pray for friends and I needed to pray to be a good friend. I began to ask the intercession from my “twenty-four year old Saint friends”—five men and women in Heaven who all died at the age of twenty-four: Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati Saint Elizabeth of Hungary Saint Thérèse of Lisieux Saint Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows Saint Kateri Tekakwitha During those first few months in a new city, they were my only friends. I had been asking them for help for the past few years, yet my prayers heightened as I grew in loneliness each day. I began asking them for a gift for my twenty-fourth year. I told them that they received the best gift at the age of twenty-four: to enter into Christ’s Kingdom. I asked that they might send me a gift just like they obtained during their twenty-fourth year. I prayed this prayer daily throughout each day. God was teaching me something so powerful during that time: to depend on Him. In times of both bounty and famine, He must be first in my life. As I asked the intercession of His Saints, I realized that they did just that. They placed Christ first, no matter what situation they were in, no matter how they felt, lonely or otherwise. One evening I looked at an image on my wall of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati. “Lord, what should I do?” I prayed. The answer was immediate. I knew I had to start a young adult group in honor of the Blessed. The group had its first meeting when I was twenty-four. I met the most beautiful people in that group, some of whom are still my dearest friends. And I received my gift, that gift I had longed asked for. “Ask and you shall receive that your joy may be full,” Jesus tells His disciples. My joy was full! I met Mike, my husband, my gift, in the group. I know it is through the intercession of these five Saints that I met the man I was going to marry, that I was led to my vocation. Exactly as Christian communion among our fellow pilgrims here on earth brings us closer to Christ, so too our communion with the Saints in Heaven joins us to Christ. God is not in competition with us or our relationship with the Saints; rather, He delights in it and even channels His grace to us through their intercession. In retrospect, my life during that time was made so much richer through cultivating friendships with the Saints. They are here for us, championing us on—that beautiful host of Heaven—awaiting the day we can join them in perpetual praise of our Father. During my engagement to Mike, I collected images of these five Saints. I framed them and placed them on a small table beside the altar during our wedding Mass. The priest blessed them after we said our vows and they now hang in our home. These images are a powerful reminder of our wedding day, the vows Mike and I promised to one another, and the fidelity of the Saints towards us! I thank God and His Saints every day for their gift to me. If you are feeling lonely, isolated, and in need of a faith community, don’t be afraid to start making the changes yourself and create a young adult or women’s group. People will come! I promise! Every single person here on earth desires community and deeply desires the true, good, and beautiful. Don’t be afraid to cast your nets into the deep for a beautiful catch! And pray for your gift. Ask these Saints—so active in Heaven—for your gift. Whether you are eighteen, twenty-four, forty-four, or one hundred and four, ask these Saints for a gift. They are ready to send us Christ’s love, guidance, and grace. Through them, Christ will make a way. If you would like, we invite you to write your own psalm to help you remember the marvelous works of the Lord. We walk you through it here. Keep this psalm handy. Pray it when life makes it difficult to see Who reigns sovereignly.   [bctt tweet="REMEMBER Series // Finding Friendships #BISblog //" via="no"]

I am quick to forget. I can remember birthdays and appointments and my friends' favorite flowers and yet, for some reason, I struggle to remember how faithful God has been to me throughout my life. Because He is. God is faithful. He is the keeper of promises. When the world and people and life let us down ... He never does. When we don’t feel like we can trust anyone—we can trust Him. In the midst of suffering, confusion, or monotony, we all can forget the works of the Lord. We can forget all the times He has made promises and kept them, as He always does. The Role of Remembrance in the Psalms One of the most important things we can do throughout our lives is to remember. Particularly in our spiritual journey, remembrance is key. Saint Ignatius, in his spiritual exercises, talks about the necessity of remembering during times of desolation. He suggests that we store up consolations and tuck them away in our minds and hearts, so that when moments of desolation arise, we can remember the times of consolation and that will help us persevere. Even before Saint Ignatius, the people of Israel understood the importance of remembering what God had done for them. The Psalms overflow with calls to remember the faithfulness of the Lord, especially in times of distress. The Pattern of the Psalms If we pay close attention to the rhythm of the psalms (see Psalms 105 and 106 for examples!), we can see a common pattern emerge amongst them. The psalmist cries out to God in his suffering, unrealized dreams, or dwindling hope. He relates the longings of his heart. But—and this is key—he doesn’t stay there. He lifts his soul to the Lord by recounting the many times God has proven to be faithful. Remember when the Lord brought us out of Egypt... Remember when He parted the Red Sea... In our prayer, we can often stay stuck in the stage of relating. We share our hearts with the Lord and cry out to Him. We tell Him what's going on, why we're upset, and how we feel hopeless. This is good! God wants to hear it all. But He does not want us to stay there. After the psalmist relates his heart to God, he remembers and lists off all the wonderful things God has done for him in the past. This encourages his spirit and helps him reframe his perspective. This act of remembrance takes the focus off of himself and his problems and places it upon God and His goodness. Let's Remember Together Over the next week, we will dive into this theme of remembering together. Each day, we will encounter stories from the Blessed is She Blog Team about times when God fulfilled His promises in their lives—in big and small ways. They will tell us about the times that there seemed to be no answer, no solution, no way ... and then God parted the sea. Together, we will sit with the Lord in prayer. I encourage you to spend this time remembering all the ways He has proven faithful in your life. If you would like, we invite you to write your own psalm to help you remember the marvelous works of the Lord. We walk you through it here. Keep this psalm handy. Pray it when life makes it difficult to see Who reigns sovereignly. Finally, we encourage you to share you own stories of God’s fidelity in your life. These stories are meant to prompt and inspire us to hope. When you share your story, you do the same for others. Let's begin together today. Let's remember. God is faithful, forever.   [bctt tweet="REMEMBER Series // Introduction #BISblog //" via="no"]

When I look at the lives of the Saints, I see an ocean of personalities, vocations, experiences, and spiritualities. I marvel at the creativity of God and His goodness in giving us such varied souls. There are, however, a few things that all the Saints share in common. It is not limited to this, of course, but I have noticed that all the Saints have a deep love for a devotion toward: The Eucharist Our Lady The poor While this love and devotion manifested differently in their lives, these were hallmarks in their hearts. Works of Mercy The third thread strikes me in particular and calls me to a deep examination of conscience. Am I loving the poor? Am I devoted to them? Who are the poor the Lord has placed in my life? As I work through this examination, I am so thankful for the guidance I've received in a book called Simple Mercies. Its author, Lara Patangan, has lived out the mission of mercy for years and has a wealth of wisdom she now offers readers in this thorough but approachable book. Making Sense of the Calls Sometimes we can feel overwhelmed by the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy. Where do we focus our energies? Where should we start? What exactly do they mean? In Simple Mercies, Lara offers us a friendly hand to show us the Gospel call and conviction to serve the poor, in whatever poverty they find themselves. She shares her own personal experience of God's mercy, the catalyst in the Works of Mercy. She conveys in the Introduction: For most of my life, mercy felt above me, like something I could never reach. IT was like the incense used during holy days that rose to meet the cherubs at the tops of cathedrals. It was an enigma. I never took the time to contemplate what it meant, how it's shown, or its source from which salvation hinges. Now I understand that mercy never rose to the spires of churches; it descended from the heavens, reaching down to each of us. Mercy is forgiveness, do-overs, compassion, and kindness. I have been on the giving and receiving ends of these things my entire life, but I didn't always recognize them as mercy. Her honesty and candidness help us to understand the point and purpose of the Works of Mercy: receiving mercy from God and letting that reception overflow into our interactions with others. Even more, she gives us concrete ways we can begin practicing each work of mercy in our own lives. For each work of mercy, she offers ideas for us to live it: in our homes in our communities in our personal relationships with God For Group or Personal Study The reflection questions Lara includes at the end of each chapter make this book perfect for either group or personal study. I would love to read this with a group of women and discuss how we each feel the Lord calling us to live the different works. Jesus' Merciful Love Simple Mercies directs us to the merciful love of Christ that animates and inspires any act of mercy we perform. It is only by Him and through Him that the Works of Mercy transform the world, one act of love at a time. Want to dive into the Works of Mercy with me? Which work of mercy is on your heart the most right now? [bctt tweet="BIS Reads // Simple Mercies: How the Works of Mercy Bring Peace and Fulfillment #BISblog //" via="no"]

Marguerite Bays was born to a farming family in Switzerland in 1815, the second of seven children. She grew up helping her parents with household chores and gardening. In her teen years, she gained a life-long skill as an apprentice seamstress, a talent she would pour out for others when she sewed clothing for the poor. Prayer, Play, and Petition Marguerite devoted her time to getting to know the Lord through daily Mass, the Rosary, and Eucharistic Adoration. While she savored these moments with Him, she never forgot to invite others to come alongside her in worship. In her spare time, she worked in the parish teaching children the catechism, visiting the sick, and caring for the poor. The children she taught referred to her as “Godmother”. She was a woman who incorporated not only prayer into her life, but also play. She brought the gift of her presence and a listening ear to the anxious and burdened housewives she visited. When these mothers had loved ones who were sick and dying, they turned to Marguerite to unite them in prayer. Her compassion for others and desire to serve and care for the human person eventually led her to a vocation of chastity as a member of the Franciscan Third Order (Secular Franciscan Order). Holiness in the Home Many people questioned Marguerite’s decision to stay in the home rather than enter religious life within a convent. But she felt that her call to holiness was to be present to her family right where she was. In time, they would all return home and need her. Her older brother’s wife, Josette, was a woman with a quick tongue and a distaste for Marguerite. Josette would ridicule her for her devoted life of prayer. Despite the humiliation it caused Marguerite, she did not complain, but instead persevered in patience and in prayer. Eventually, at the end of Josette’s life, the only person she wanted by her side was her sister-in-law. Marguerite would also care for her sister Mariette who returned home after a failed marriage. Her brother, Joseph, a bachelor, lived a dangerous life which ended up serving him a prison sentence. When he was released, Marguerite cared for him too. Then there is Claude, her older brother, who had a child before marriage. Marguerite took responsibility for her nephew Francois, and made sure that he was raised with a proper education. Through her witness of love and mercy, her siblings would each turn back to Christ. Suffering in Silence At the age of thirty-eight, Marguerite started feeling sharp stomach pains, nausea, and dizziness. While she tried to hide her illness, her family noticed her body weakening and finally had her see a doctor. She was diagnosed with intestinal cancer. Surgery provided no help nor relief. She began to implore Our Lady asking for healing and to help her understand her suffering. The next year, the dogma of the Immaculate Conception was proclaimed by Pope Pius XI, and her prayer was answered. Bedridden and in pain she placed a medal of the Immaculate Conception to her pain and immediately she was healed and able to walk about her house. When her family found her on their way home from Mass they found her praying the Rosary in her room. She was known to say to others in their suffering, “pray the Rosary, you will see that all will then be better." Shortly after her healing, Jesus gave Marguerite a new opportunity to suffer for souls. To suffer as He did on the Cross. She was given the stigmata (the wounds Jesus had on His hands, feet, and chest). These wounds would burn in red blotches on her skin. She suffered especially on Fridays and Good Friday, united to Jesus on the Cross through her wounds. Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows and The Sacred Heart As she neared her death, Marguerite would kiss her crucifix and pray as she looked at the image of Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows. She often said, “Honor Our Lady of Seven Sorrows. We will never realize how much She suffered for us." Marguerite prayed to die “in the wound of Thy Sacred Heart”. After twenty-five years of increasing pain, she died on June 27, 1879, the last day of the octave of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. She is buried in the cemetery of the parish church of Siviriez which now holds a chapel in her name as well as her relics. Her tombstone reads: She lived doing good. Her memory will remain blessed. Venerated sister, dear and tender Godmother, do not forget those that you have left on this earth. She was proclaimed a Blessed by Pope Saint John Paul II in 1995 and canonized by Pope Francis on Sunday, October 13, 2019. During her canonization Mass, Pope Francis spoke of her saying, “She speaks to us of the power of simple prayer, enduring patience and silent self-giving ... Such is the holiness of daily life ... Let us ask to be like this, ‘soft lights’ in the darkness of the world”. What darkness do you see in the world? Where is the Lord asking you to be a light to shine into it?   [bctt tweet="Saint Marguerite Bays // From Seamstress to “Godmother” #BISblog //" via="no"]

So we are always courageous, although we know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. // 2 Corinthians 5:6-7 Love this print from Tisa Muico from today's readings. Let His word dwell in us richly, sisters. Remember, Members, you get this for free! Log in and download! Download your F R E E wallpapers right here --->>> Phone wallpaper Desktop wallpaper

Like many cradle Catholics, my introduction to Mary came at an early age. I was given a beautiful Rosary on my first communion, learned the Hail Mary in Kindergarten and my parents have a statue of Mary on our front lawn. But also, like many Catholics, I would say my understanding of Mary and her role in both the Church and my life personally did not come until much later in life. For many non-Catholics and Catholics alike, Mary can seem like a bit of a conundrum. Non-Catholics will often argue that the focus of our spiritual lives should be Jesus alone and that honoring anyone else distracts from Him. Many Catholics struggle with the idea of relating to the perfect woman who gave birth to the Son of God. I’ll be the first to admit, it can be difficult from her limited appearances in Scripture to understand who exactly she is. Jesus and the Jewish Roots of Mary Enter Jesus and the Jewish Roots of Mary by Brant Pitre. It is rare to find a book where your mouth is literally hanging open in awe at the end, but I promise you that this is that book. With extensive research and a clear personal love for Our Blessed Mother, Brant masterfully guides the reader through Catholic Marian doctrine. Looking back to Scripture, ancient Jewish writings and the Catechism, Brant leads the reader on a journey throughout history to shed light on who Mary is in God’s plan and why she should matter so much to us today. Mary in the Old Testament Mary’s role in Salvation History can be traced back to the very beginning and our fathers in faith. First and foremost, Mary is the new Eve. Her fiat and her yes to the Father directly contrasts the disobedience of Eve in the Garden. In this yes, she, like Eve, becomes the mother of all the living—namely those who have been brought to new life by the death of her Son. Pitre also points to the Old Testament to show us that Mary is the new Ark of the Covenant, the vessel that is home to the living God. Perhaps the most striking comparison Pitre makes, however, is the least well known: the idea that Mary is the new Rachel. Rachel was the mother of Joseph and Benjamin, the favorite wife of Jacob. After bearing Joseph, Rachel goes on to deliver Benjamin and dies in labor. Not to spoil the most impactful part of the novel, but when you look at the story of Joseph, contrasting him to Jesus and Rachel to Mary, there becomes an interesting connection one can make between the younger son, Benjamin, and the beloved disciple. As many Biblical scholars have pointed out, the author of John’s Gospel refers to John as the Beloved Disciple, so that the reader may imagine themselves in that role. If this is the case, seeing Mary as a new Rachel and ourselves as a type for Benjamin provides an incredible look at who she is as our own Mother. Why it Matters The second half of the story dives into Marian teaching, fleshing out why Catholics believe certain teachings about Mary that, at first glance, may not seem to have roots in Scripture. Pitre focuses on three main teachings: the perpetual virginity of Mary, the painless birth of the Messiah, and Mary’s role in the Kingdom of God as Queen Mother. This section is particularly helpful for dispelling common misconceptions about Our Lady. After all, Scripture directly references Jesus’ "brothers", so how could Mary have been a virgin all her life? To find the answer to this and other popular Marian questions, Pitre forces readers to look backwards into the Old Testament. While some might question the importance of these different pieces of doctrine, Pitre reminds his readers that the truth matters. The more we learn the truth about Our Lady, the more we know and understand about Jesus. “Behold your Mother” Pitre takes us to the end of the journey, where we meet Mary at the foot of the Cross. It is here that he challenges the reader, now knowing all that they do about the Blessed Mother, to enter into a personal relationship with her. And he is able to give a very compelling reason why you should: Why would Jesus willingly suffer the excruciating pain it would have caused Him to pull Himself up by the nails in His hands to utter these words…. ‘Behold your Mother’? These words He speaks to the Beloved Disciple are words He speaks directly to you and me, dear sister. He gives us the most precious thing in the world to Him, His Mother, to not just to honor but take as our own loving Mother. In accepting this great gift, we not only gain a relationship with our Mother, but in doing so, draw infinitely closer to Jesus Himself. I hope you will read this book if you are curious about Mary and I hope you will welcome the Lord’s invitation to get to know His Mother, accepting her as your own. In the words of Pitre, when it comes to learning more about Mary: ...you will discover something amazing and precious. She is already there waiting for you. You will find that Mary was loving you long before you ever learned to love her. Such as it is with mothers. When a mother gives birth, she can see her child long before the child can even open its eyes to see her. What questions do you have about Mary, the Mother of God? Feel free to ask in the comments below!   [bctt tweet="BIS Reads // Jesus and the Jewish Roots of Mary #BISblog //" via="no"]   Shelby Hennen is a Catholic young professional who hails from the Midwestern metropolis of Kansas City, MO. She loves a good book, a good chat with a friend and a good taco joint.

I converted when I was 28. At this point in time, my husband and I had been married for three years and had two children under the age of three. So this decision was super convenient for everybody. I was baptized into the Catholic Church as an infant. When I was three years old we moved back to where my mom grew up and started going to the Lutheran Church that she had gone to as a child. I had a great life growing up. We were in church every Sunday (we sat mid-back like a good Lutheran family would), my mom taught Sunday School, I received my Lutheran sacraments and I was perfectly content. Sort of. Something Was Missing I felt at home in my Lutheran church because that is where my family was. It’s where my parents were married. Where I was married. Where my Grandpa’s funeral was. It was my church. But there was still something missing that I could not quite put my finger on. In 2014 I met my future husband. We went to church together every Sunday—sometimes mine, sometimes his—but always a Lutheran church. One year we decided to go on a “church tour” and would visit a new church each Sunday to see which one felt right. After much convincing on my part, one Sunday we went to the Catholic church that I had been baptized at and ... ding ding! That was it for me. The traditions and rituals and formality of everything just made me want to learn more. I felt like I had finally found what I had been missing all along. The Holy Spirit pulled me back here and I knew I wanted to be a part of it. That was in 2015. Seeing the Light Over the next couple of years, I started learning more about the Catholic Faith and what it all meant. I began soaking up all I could: books, blogs, podcasts ... you name it. In 2019 my sister-in-law (who had converted to Catholicism several years prior) invited me to go along to the Blessed is She “Shine” retreat. It changed my life. I had never experienced something so pure, honest, and beautiful. I wanted to become Catholic and I wanted to do it immediately. That August I went to the local parish to speak with the priest. We talked a little about where I was and what I wanted from all of this. I talked to my husband about it and, to be honest, he was not thrilled. In his mind, we were doing just fine. We had a baby and went to the Lutheran church just a few miles from our house every Sunday. Why would I want to change that? It wasn’t a smooth process. At all. We fought about it a few times and things ended with me crying in frustration. Why couldn’t he just do this with me? Why is this such a big deal? All In That following January, I went back to the priest and decided to start the RCIA class. I expressed to him what was going on between my husband and me and he gave me some of the best advice. He said that my husband’s conversion was not my decision. It was not something that I could make my husband do. The Holy Spirit would work in him just as it had me and the best thing to do until then was to pray. Pray hard and pray often. And so I did. A lot. I prayed for him to open his heart to the Catholic Church. For him to want to learn all the things I had come to know and love. For him to want to raise our children in the Church. I continued to do my studies and read my books. I would leave the papers and books out on the kitchen table so he would come across them, but I was not begging him to read them. This seemed to alleviate some of the tension around the subject matter. He didn't necessarily embrace my decision, but he did accept it. Loving My Lutheran Husband I was confirmed on November 8, 2020 and it was one of the best feelings ever. I remember feeling so full of joy that day and all warm and tingly inside! My husband is still not Catholic, but that’s fine. Our children will be raised Catholic and we go to each other’s church every other Sunday. On weekends that we go to his church, I either go to the Saturday vigil or to Mass after we go to his Church. It is really important to both of us that our children grow up going to church every Sunday like we did. So regardless of “who’s Sunday” it is, we are all there, and that’s all that matters. We are loud (and usually late), but we are there. Do I wish we all went to the Catholic church every Sunday and had our “designated spot” like the rest of the families I see? You bet. But I’ve accepted that we may never be that family. I still pray every day for my husband’s conversion. I pray that it will happen soon. I know that it may never happen. I know he loves God and he believes in the resurrection just as much as I do. If the day ever does come that he decides he wants to take the steps to convert, I will throw the biggest party ever and you all will be invited. Did anyone convert to Catholicism after marriage? What was your experience like?   [bctt tweet="Living Faith with My Lutheran Husband #BISblog //" via="no"]   Kyla Goebel is a Catholic convert, wife, and mother of two small (and rambunctious) kiddos. She loves hot coffee, warm days and afternoon runs. She spends countless hours in her garden and has dreams of one day having her own little farm and becoming a pioneer wife. You can follow Kyla and her family’s adventures here.

The Eucharist is "the source and summit of the Christian life." // Catechism of the Catholic Church 1324 Let His word dwell in us richly, sisters. Download your F R E E wallpapers right here --->>> Phone wallpaper Desktop wallpaper

Just as it took me a couple of years to settle in to motherhood, it took me some time to settle in to homemaking. Neither motherhood nor homemaking came naturally to me, and it has taken a lot of hard work, grace, and intentionality to find my rhythm in both. To be honest, I did not even realize homemaking was a "thing" I was first married. I thought that chores and projects were "house work" and to be relegated to moments when you could no longer stand the mess. But homemaking? That's entirely different. Since discovering the art of homemaking, it has become a great source of joy in my heart and life. It brings me happiness to serve my family in this way and it allows me to push myself, to challenge myself to learn new things, and to conquer fears. Homemaking is an Art Homemaking really is an art, and that means there are a variety of expressions. Your homemaking does not have to fit in a certain box. It is unique to you and your family—what a gift! And whatever your style of homemaking and however much joy it brings you, there are times when we all grow weary of the task and need some fresh inspiration for the journey. Kimberly Hahn—wife and mother of six—has walked the road before us and has come to guide and encourage us in her book, Graced and Gifted: Biblical Wisdom for the Homemaker's Heart. When I heard about this book, it shot straight to the top of my TBR list. My homemaker's heart needed some refreshment, and it finds it's best motivation in the Word of God. I know this book will help you find the same, too. Graced and Gifted Graced and Gifted examines six different aspects of the woman in Proverbs 31 and draws inspiration from her example: She Works with Willing Hands She Brings Her Food from Afar She Rises While It is Still Night She Provides Tasks for Her Maidens She Considers a Field and Buys It She Girds Herself with Strength Kimberly has the captivating ability to draw us deeply into Scripture while also showing us how the Word applies practically to our lives and circumstances. She spreads before us a feast of hard-won wisdom, hard-learned lessons, and hard-worked strategies and ideas. The Heart of the Matter But lest you think this is merely a manual of housekeeping and schedule-making, Kimberly is clear about the purpose of homemaking from the very first chapter when she quotes her own mother: Relationships are at the heart of homemaking. The purpose of homemaking isn't to have the cleanest house on the block or to receive praises from friends and neighbors when they enter your home. It's not to earn the title "most hospitable" or even to be the house where your teenager and all her friends want to hang out. The purpose of homemaking is to honor God by tending to the hearts of those entrusted to us. If this does not remain our motivation and our prize then our labor is in vain. A Bible Study or Solo Study Each section is followed by a list of questions for both personal reflection and a small group setting. It would be so much fun to do this amongst other homemakers in your parish, friend group, or BIS small group. Whether you read through this with a group or slowly through the year to keep you inspired and encouraged, Graced and Gifted will be a true gift to your homemaker's heart, no matter what your homemaking looks like.   [bctt tweet="BIS Reads // Graced and Gifted by Kimberly Hahn #BISblog //" via="no"]   This post contains affiliate links. Thanks so much for supporting the ministry of Blessed is She!

Everyone loves the stories of the young hero/heroine. Our hearts swell along with the music when justice is done and good conquers evil. Really, we need these stories to remind ourselves of all that is good and true in the world. This is why our imaginations are captivated by characters like Luke Skywalker, Frodo Baggins, and the Pevensie children who encounter the very real struggle—and win! Each of these characters reminds us of our own humanity. At the same time, the stories smack of the struggle to overcome whatever insurmountable obstacle we find ourselves up against: Luke’s search for identity away from the dark side, Frodo’s struggle to overcome temptation , The Pevensie’s inexperience in fighting for Narnia in the face of the white witch. In a fictional way, they make the story of Christian life feel tangible, if even in a small way. The Stories of the Saints The Saints in particular can remind us of these themes as well—which is why it is important that we know them (and know a lot of them!). Thankfully, the lived experiences of the Saints are so varied that we do not have to go back to the same underdog story to imagine that God could use our circumstances—no matter how unlikely or absurd. After all, who but God would have imagined the potential for grace in the lives of people like Servant of God Dorothy Day, Edith Stein (Saint Theresa Benedicta of the Cross), Saint Maximilian Kolbe, Saint Therese of Lisieux, Saint José Luis Sánchez del Rio, Saint Josephine Bakhita, and Saint Clare of Assisi? Each of their circumstances were unique and unrepeatable. All of them, permeated by the movement of the Holy Spirit. At the beginning I said there were Personalities in God. I will go further now. There are no real personalities anywhere else. Until you have given up yourself to Him you will not have a real self. Sameness is to be found most among the most “natural” men, not among those who surrender to Christ. How monotonously alike all the great tyrants and conquerors have been: how gloriously different are the saints. // C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity Saint Charles Lwanga and Companions The Saint we celebrate today has such a story. Charles Lwanga was born in Uganda in 1860. At the time, Catholicism was new to Uganda and was received favorably by Uganda’s King, Mutesa. However, that changed after his death. His successor, King Mwanga, was hostile toward the presence and implications of the people’s desire for Christianity, particularly as a pedophile who was known to prey upon the pages in his service. When King Mwanga ordered the murder of a visiting Anglican Bishop, Joseph Mukasa, a Catholic who served as the King’s chief page renounced his actions loudly. He was quickly beheaded, leaving Charles Lwanga as the King’s chief page and the primary defense of the other pages against the King’s advances. Charles was 25 years old. As tensions increased between the King and the faithful in his court, it became clear to Charles and the other pages that their lives were in danger. Once King Mwanga realized that the pages were preparing for Baptism, all pages were questioned and the Christians were separated from the others. Given the opportunity to renounce or claim their Faith, the fifteen young men declared their faith in God “until death.” In total twenty-two young men were martyred, burned alive. The True Triumphant End Perhaps this is less of the heart-swelling ending we hope for, but it is a very real reminder of the stakes of faithfulness in hostile territory. Saint Charles Lwanga and Companions chose Faith over participation in an unconscionable culture, even in their youth. Not all of us will be asked to give all for our belief in Christ in the same way. Although we are each asked to be decisive about whom we will serve. There are very real and challenging circumstances that surround each of our lives. Likely, our story does not have the grandeur of a trilogy, or the lives of the Saints (yet!), but these particular circumstances are the path we walk toward Heaven. In that way we can ask for the courage of Saint Charles and Companions. Saint Charles Lwanga is known as the Patron Saint of African Catholic Youth Action. Saint Charles Lwanga and Companions, pray for us!   [bctt tweet="On the Feast of Saint Charles Lwanga and Companions #BISblog //" via="no"]

Saint Gianna is one of my favorite Saints. The pediatrician, wife, and mother knew well what modern life entails, balancing work and prayer in the mid-20th century—and she did it all by dressing stylishly and enjoying her favorite activities. If she were alive today, I could see us chatting over a cup of coffee about cute clothes, decorating ideas, discernment and the simple joys of life—just like I would with other friends. My favorite quote of hers (and my favorite saint quote of all) is: Live holy the present moment. What Does it Mean to Live Holy the Present Moment? Saint Gianna encourages us to see that, in each and every moment, holiness is our goal, reminding me, and you, to seek God in all things, striving to make holy each moment. That’s our Christian call: “as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in every aspect of your conduct” (1 Peter 1:15). Yes, sometimes it’s easier at certain moments than others to truly live the moment in a holy way. We all know that well. But it is a blessed aim for us each and every day, each moment. In between the joys and the sorrows, between what is going well and what is not, we must strive for holiness. Let’s delve deeper into Gianna’s wise advice. Live What is God calling you to do right now? Maybe you are busy with work, with deadlines, emails, and meetings. If so, I’m there with you; I’m over here, editing and writing. Maybe you’re a mom, focused on what your littles need and creating a flourishing domestic church with your husband. Maybe you’re a college student, busy with classes and discernment. Whatever your call, live fully, striving to do God’s will. Holy As we do God’s will, we are to do it all in a holy way. Think of how many moments Gianna lived in a holy way. The Saints are Saints because they exhibited heroic virtue (along with interceding in miracles through the power of God). Heroic virtue is defined as, “The performance of extraordinary virtuous actions with readiness and over a period of time. The moral virtues are exercised with ease, while faith, hope, and charity are practiced to an eminent degree.” Gianna increased these theological virtues in her own life, as she went about serving her family and patients, praying and cooking and spending time with friends, and all the other things God placed before her each day. How can we increase faith, hope, and charity in our own lives? Through being more patient at work or with little ones? Offering up sufferings? Doing service for family or friends or others in need? The Present Moment Focus on the here and now. Not looking backward. Or forward. Be in the now. That’s what Gianna did. And she reminds us to do likewise. God is with us each day, as Gianna reminds us in another beautiful quote of hers: The secret of happiness is to live moment by moment and to thank God for all that he, in his goodness, sends us day after day. As her daughter, also named Gianna (Dr. Gianna Emanuela Molla, who has followed in her mother’s medical footsteps as a geriatric physician), told me a few years ago: “I think the world today particularly needs my mother’s life witness, and perhaps today more than ever. Her exemplary Christian life’s witness—her sacred respect for life, her great joy to live, her courage and spirit of sacrifice, her unlimited trust in divine Providence, her great love for life, for the Lord, for the Virgin Mary, for her family, for her neighbors and her patients, for my most beloved daddy, her most worthy spouse, for her children—[was constant] until her greatest gift of love: the sacrifice of her own life, giving birth to me. All these aspects are really like a bright light, a safe guide and a great hope for each of us on our journey towards holiness.” She also shared how her mom was bolstered in joy and hope: “Some people write to [tell] me that since they learned about the person and the witness of my mom, their life has changed. They are more serene, they live in a better way, with more joy and hope, and they would like to follow her example and became a saint.” And, as I include in my book, The Plans God Has for You: Hopeful Lessons for Young Women, Gianna encourages us on our Christian journey: “We, full of the joy that comes from Jesus, carry joy in our hearts with Jesus. He will be the strength that helps us.” Mother Mary as Our Model Gianna also points us to Mother Mary, who is the epitome of what it means to live holy the present moment, in this prayer of consecration that reflects how holiness is rooted in trust: O Mary, into your maternal hands I place myself, and I abandon myself completely, sure of obtaining whatever I ask of you. I trust in you because you are the sweet Mother; I confide in you because you are the Mother of Jesus. In this trust, I place myself, sure of being heard in everything; with this trust in my heart I greet you “my Mother, my trust”; I devote myself entirely to you, begging you to remember that I am yours, that I belong to you; keep me and defend me, O sweet Mary, and in every instant of my life, present me to your Son, Jesus. It is such a blessing to have our friend Saint Gianna show us the way as we, too, live holy the present moment. How are you living holy the present moment today?   [bctt tweet="“Live Holy the Present Moment” // Why I Love St. Gianna’s Advice #BISblog //" via="no"]   Amy Smith is the associate editor of the National Catholic Register, a service of EWTN, and you can read more about St. Gianna in The Plans God Has for You: Hopeful Lessons for Young Women. Amy spends her days drinking coffee while editing features; she likes to write about everything from hope and Saints (her favorites are Thérèse and Gianna) to Jane Austen. You can find out more about her here.

We were on our usual weekend double date when Angie told us she was pregnant, her first. I was pregnant too, four months, my second. Our husbands beamed as we chatted about symptoms and cravings, hopes and dreams as preparations made their way to our due dates. Four months after I gave birth to my son, Hannah entered our world, giving us plenty of reason to sing. Songs have been such an integral part of my relationship with Angie. As long-time music ministry members, they have strengthened our friendship through our common love for worship. And here, beholding those angelic lips and precious hands, as new songs filled the room, something unexpected happened. Hannah was diagnosed with jaundice, contracted a severe infection and was immediately isolated. Suddenly everything was falling apart. The stress and anxiety of a new mother only added to nursing challenges, delaying Hannah’s progress. We were grieving and desperate for relief. Sisters in Joy and in Sorrow One afternoon after praying the Divine Mercy Chaplet, something crossed my mind. The doctor made his regular visit and I probed the possibility of nursing Hannah every day. He immediately agreed, explaining how this was common in Middle Eastern cultures with large families. Angie and I rushed over and I held Hannah. Her latch was immediate and our relief indescribable, almost sacred. I could feel my body unclench with deep sighs and stillness as hot tears flowed. In a few days, we were home, carrying with us a memory that could best be described as our own personal "visitation" moment. The feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary invites us to look deeply into this dynamic of love, this innate capacity inside us women to draw others’ out of despair into joy. As Mary and Elizabeth meet, Saint Luke reveals that there is more going on than just a happy family reunion. There is history being made as their stories intersect: the younger one Mary pregnant with the Christ Child and Elizabeth carrying His forerunner, John the Baptist. Both pregnancies are challenging. Both are miraculous. Arise and Hasten Drawing from Luke 1:39-45 as Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country to meet Elizabeth, Pope Francis says, “She (Mary) is the virgin of readiness, Our Lady of Haste.” The difficult journey uphill to Ain Karim could have tempted Mary to stay home seeking her own comfort but Mary moved forward with urgency. She arose. “Arise” is a verb. “Go”, Jesus told his disciples (Matthew 28:19-20). Arise—it’s a call to action. It speaks resurrection; it is an awakening to new life. This is the mandate of evangelization. To go forth! We live in a generation of the "here and now", following quick fixes and hastening our way to our dreams. How often do we hasten our needs and ignore our sisters living next door? Mary teaches us “haste”, but not the kind of haste where we don’t know what it means to wait; rather, haste to share and haste to serve, even at great risk. Mary’s missionary journey leads her far from home, compelling her into places alien to her daily habits. Make Haste In a hurting and broken world, where is God calling you to make haste? Perhaps hasten to visit a friend you know is suffering? Perhaps hasten to reconcile with a family member? In following the trail of the young woman of Nazareth, don’t we discover that such paths only lead to a better, fairer, less cruel and a more humane world we all long for? My Own Visitation In Luke 1:46-55, following Elizabeth’s greeting, we read that Mary bursts forth into song, or canticle, that we know as “The Magnificat”. In her book, Manual for Women, Danielle Bean says, “This is us. Even in the darkest of places women bring life. We bring love. We bring hope to a fallen world.” We bring a new song. Who in your life needs your song today? Where is God calling you to give someone a reason to praise even in suffering? A Mystery of Joy Pope Francis says, “The mystery of the Visitation is a mystery of joy,” because Mary carries Jesus with her, the Source of joy. He is the reason for her song. The beauty of this feast lies not only in Mary visiting Elizabeth but also in Jesus visiting Elizabeth. And Jesus visits us, and, in Him, we too can live and relive our own "visitation" moments. He visits us in conversations we didn’t really want to have but knew we needed. He visits us in the birth of new babes and beginnings. He visits us in moments of doubt and despair. He visited me in the hospital as I shared in Angie’s burden; He has visited me this past year through my mom’s illness. He visits me now. Jesus visits you now. Jesus is hidden within us, within every person, in what Saint John of the Cross calls our deepest center. Celebrating Together The Visitation teaches us that when Christ becomes the source of our joy, He is uncontainable and worth celebrating. In contrast to our individualistic world so focused on competition, comparison, and celebration of self-accomplishments, Mary shows us how to celebrate “our thunder” with our sisters. Mary received the greatest honor in Salvation History, but desired to celebrate Elizabeth’s miracle. Elizabeth bypassed the joy of her own miraculous pregnancy to honor Mary’s good news. This shared joy allowed both women to be edified, supported, and celebrated. Mary and Elizabeth’s soul-bearing friendship teaches us intentional discipleship. Our common love for Jesus must lead us to recognize each other’s vocation and gifts. We need each other to achieve our common goal of sanctity. We need frequent pauses in our fast-paced world to step in and celebrate, even without "reason". We need to celebrate women who celebrate us. Perhaps as you pray the second joyful mystery of the Rosary, slip in an extra prayer of thanksgiving for women in your life who are special to you. A Church Alive In January, I launched my ministry’s first women’s community. We had women from across 25 countries and from different backgrounds, ethnicities, and experiences. We had one common goal: Jesus. It was humbling to see grandmothers and moms, teenagers and women who had been impacted by infertility, miscarriage, abuse and loss come forward to serve. It was also incredible to witness older women devoting their lives toward younger women. Such a vivid picture of the Church. Isn’t this what the Visitation must lead to? A Church alive. A Church bursting forth into songs of triumph and transformation. Sister, are there people in your life who need your time? God has placed them in your path for you to do life with, to share and strengthen, and to invest in deeply. There are friends who need a coffee moment and those that need you to "hasten" to them. There are friends who wait to "visit" Jesus in you and those who desperately need the light of Easter, a Church alive within you. My prayer for you is that, as find your own sweet visitation moment, you have the courage to carry your song to a broken friend. And I pray that, as you sing together “the Almighty has done great things”, you might rest—trusting the Promises of God and knowing deeply that the best is still ahead.   [bctt tweet="Friendship on the Feast of the Visitation #BISblog //" via="no"]

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Let His word dwell in us richly, sisters. Remember, Members, you get this for free! Log in and download! Download your F R E E wallpapers right here --->>> Phone wallpaper Desktop wallpaper

I was leaving a meeting one night when someone new pulled me aside to ask a question: “My friend’s daughter has gotten herself into some trouble because of alcohol. How can I help my friend?” I have been asked this question, or some version of it, over and over again. She continued, “I don’t want to give out private information. And, I don’t think her child is an alcoholic, but alcohol is a part of this situation.” It can feel overwhelming to be a good friend in times like these. What is helpful? What could hurt? How do we really know the difference? If you don’t have the same shared life experience, what can you do to help your friend or family member? An Ignatian Approach to Support Alcohol and drugs can create many problems. Whether a friend’s loved one has a problem with alcohol or alcohol has caused a problem, I think that my suggestions would be the same. Let me first say that I am not an addiction counselor or medical person. What I offer is my experience, strength and hope. I have spent the last 10 years practicing a 12-step program and studying its connections to Ignatian Spirituality. As my program slogan says, “Take what you like and leave the rest.” 7 Ways to Support a Friend Navigating Family Addiction I’ve come up with a list of actions that have helped me that I like to offer to friends who are looking for a way to support their friends and family members who are affected by the addictions of others. 1. Educate yourself on addiction. In my 12-step program, we learn that addiction is a disease. I like to break the word down: dis-ease. Because those who misuse drugs or alcohol experience dis-ease, they often use mind-altering substances to change the way that they feel. Understanding the disease helps you to look at those who suffer with compassion instead of judging them based upon their behavior while they are under the influence. 2. Understand that addiction is a family disease. Just like their addicted loved ones use drugs or alcohol to change the way that they feel, family members like to fix, control, or manage their loved ones in an effort to control the situation. The illusion of control sometimes makes us feel safe. It is the way that we quiet our dis-ease. Like our loved ones must admit that they are powerless over drug or drink, we have to admit that we are powerless over our addicted loved ones. You are just as powerless over your friend or family member’s situation. Because you are powerless, remember to ask God about every single decision. Don’t forget He is the Power! You just have to let Him be in charge. Pray without ceasing! 3. Listen. The best way to help your friend is to listen to them. When we accompany a friend through the hard places, that is the best gift that you can give. Addiction carries so much stigma that many people suffer in silence. Another 12-step slogan suggests that, “We are as sick as our secrets.” Science backs that up. Allowing your friend to bring their secret out into the light is a big first step towards healing. 4. Try to listen with unconditional love. Your friend or family member will try to protect their loved one from the stigma that this disease carries. A psychologist named Carl Rogers came up with the concept called "unconditional positive regard" for sessions with his clients where he stayed supportive and accepting regardless of what the client told him. He found that this helped them to feel safe sharing difficult things with him. In other words, offer unconditional love to your friend or family member no matter what they tell you. Remember they can be angry with their loved one. It may be harder for them to accept your anger towards their loved one. 5. Remember the three C’s. Remind your friend or family member of what 12-step programs call the three C’s: You didn’t cause the addiction; you can’t control the addiction and you will not be able to cure the addiction. This helps many people to alleviate the guilt and shame that often accompanies this disease. 6. Help them focus on themselves. Ask your friend or family member to take all of the energy that they have put on their addicted loved one and put it back on themselves. God takes care of our loved ones if we will get out of the way. Our loved ones will always pay more attention to what we do rather than what we say. Modeling good self-care is a very big deal. 7. Connect them to services. You cannot be all things to your friend or family member. But you can help them find support where they need it. Jesus taught us to accompany others in difficult times. If there is concern for the safety and well-being of your friend or family member, click here. The 12-step group for friends and family members of alcoholics (because you are a friend, this meeting is open to you, too). Spiritual Direction (some spiritual directors have 12-step experience, too). Ignatian Spirituality Retreats offer wonderful Ignatian retreats. Most retreat houses have recovery retreats at least once a year. Father Tom Weston Retreats. Father Tom is one of my favorites. He is a recovering alcoholic/addict and Al-anon member. He has online retreats available as well. My website that hosts many articles on addiction, as well as my book, Helping Families Recover from Addiction: Coping, Growing and Healing with 12-Step Practices and Ignatian Spirituality.   [bctt tweet="7 Ways to Support a Friend Navigating Family Addiction #BISblog //" via="no"]   Written by Jean Heaton. Find out more about her here.   This post contains affiliate links. Thanks so much for supporting the ministry of Blessed is She!

Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. // Isaiah 43:1 God Calls His Children By Name Throughout Sacred Scripture, God calls His children by name because He knows their names. He knows them. Being known by God, and thus called by name, is an intimacy that demonstrates the Father’s care, concern, love, and affection for His chosen ones. In the Old Testament, God speaks the names of Abraham, Moses, and Samuel to address them directly, to express that they are chosen, and to articulate His specific plans for them. In the New Testament, Jesus calls Zacchaeus out of a tree. He speaks Martha’s name when He shows her a better way. He tenderly says Mary’s name, so she recognizes Him as her Resurrected Lord. He vulnerably asks Peter if he loves Him. These stories were real encounters between God and His beloved people. But these stories also capture another reality. They show us—you and me—that He calls not only them, but us by name, too. After all, we are His daughters, His precious ones. And He delights in us. God Calls Us By Name, Too Yes, God calls us by name, and we belong to Him. He loves us, created us, and is constantly refining us. So, of course He knows our names and uses them when He speaks to us, in all kinds of circumstances: To get our attention To console and comfort us To give us a mission To invite us to love Him more fully and deeply Can you hear Him? In this noisy world, sometimes it is hard to hear God whispering our name. But He is. And when we spend dedicated time with Him in prayer, reading and reflecting on His Word—His love letter to us—we begin to hear Him more easily, more clearly.   New Devotional for Catholic Women To help us along, WINE: Women In the New Evangelization has published a new women’s devotional. Edited by Kelly M. Wahlquist, Allison Gingras, and Alyssa Bormes, Called by Name: 365 Daily Devotions for Catholic Women is the collaboration of 80 unique contributors who are active in the WINE ministry. Its purpose is to remind Catholic women that Jesus calls each of us by name and invites us into a personal, unique relationship with Him. Called By Name is rooted in Scripture and encourages the cultivation of a daily prayer habit. This collection of Scripture verses, reflections, prayers, and encouragements help us enter into the Word of God and begin contemplating how the Lord speaks to us—personally, tenderly, affectionately, and boldly. Each of the 365 daily devotions (plus one for leap year) is organized into three components: read, reflect, and respond. Read Every day’s devotion begins with a Scripture passage to read and ponder. While the Scripture verse is included, those praying with this devotional may want to read it with a Bible in hand, to easily linger in God’s Word, as the Holy Spirit prompts. Reflect After meditating on the Scripture passage, reflect on the words of a sister in Christ. Each reflection is personal and genuine. Some are lighthearted, while others are heart wrenching. No matter what, you will feel drawn in and connected to others on the journey. Respond Lastly, it is your turn. God has called. Now, how will you respond to His invitation? A short prayer and a call to action conclude each day’s devotion. Getting the Most Out of Prayer In addition to the daily devotional, WINE has also curated a bundle that provides everything you need to get the most out of your daily prayer time. The bundle includes a journal to guide you through praying with the day’s specific Scripture verse. It provides plenty of space to capture your thoughts for each daily reflection, as you grow in your relationship with the Lord. The bundle also includes a bookmark, 24 journaling stickers, and a vinyl Called By Name sticker to decorate your phone, laptop, or water bottle. A Daily Companion Called By Name is the perfect daily companion for women seeking to connect with the Lord and live each day in the light of His love. Open it on any day of the week and be inspired. Pray with it everyday of the year and be transformed. Because through a regular prayer practice, you will hear God speaking personally and intimately to you by name. Because, after all, you truly are His.   [bctt tweet="BIS Reads: Called By Name #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

I will put my spirit in you that you may live... // Ezekiel 37:14 Let His word dwell in us richly, sisters. Remember, Members, you get this for free! Log in and download! Download your F R E E wallpapers right here --->>> Phone wallpaper Desktop wallpaper

Recently my daughter and I attended a retreat for those preparing for Confirmation. In retreat fashion, the group was in the church basement acting out a skit from the scene of Pentecost: disciples gathered, exchanging greetings in different languages, when suddenly a rushing wind (a.k.a. a theatrical 3rd grader) came soaring through the room. It was a good effort, and it made me wonder about its inspiration. What would it have been like to be in the Upper Room when the Holy Spirit descended? When tongues of fire appeared, not as floppy tag board, but true flames? When the crowd could understand one another in different tongues? All the Anticipation The first Pentecost might have been a sensory and emotional roller coaster: Fear/hiding/waiting/locked doors Rushing wind Fire Many languages Praise Peace Reception of the Holy Spirit Any one of these occurrences might have startled us, but certainly all together would have been reason for excitement while providing a great deal to unpack. And, chances are, other than a rousing and celebratory Liturgy, our experience of Pentecost today will likely feel different. How do we embrace the awesome gift of this day, now? 7 Ideas for Celebrating Pentecost Wear Red A closet staple for any Catholic wardrobe is something bold and red. Red is the color used to celebrate the blood of the martyrs, fire as in flame or the "fire of charity", and Jesus’ Passion. Among the days that celebrate both fire and a group burning with Christian charity, Pentecost is it! Light a Candle The gift that Jesus shared with the Apostles was not a one-time grace—it is offered to each of us. Light a candle during prayer, or leave it burning throughout the day as a reminder of the Advocate Jesus gave us. Connect Whether you have sponsored someone, or you have chosen someone to sponsor you during the Sacrament of Confirmation, reach out. What is he or she doing in the world? Let them know how they continue to be a light in your life. Go for a Walk/Hike Choose a location where you can feel the wind on your face—an open field or a mountain top, and allow yourself to be reminded that God speaks so often to us through the gentlest breeze (1 Kings 19:12). Raise Your Voice I love the description of the crowd raising their voices to praise God (Acts 2:1-11). Whether you speak one language or six, take the opportunity to raise your own voice in praise. Gifts Consider the gifts of the Spirit—thank God for one that comes easily, pray for one that doesn’t: Wisdom Understanding Counsel Fortitude Knowledge Piety Fear of the Lord Seek/Offer Forgiveness In the Gospel for Pentecost, Jesus tells His Apostles: Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained. // John 20:19-23 What a great reminder of the power of forgiveness. What forgiveness do we need to extend to someone else or seek for ourselves? This could be a great day to seek out the Sacrament of Confession. The Exclamation Point of Easter Pentecost serves as a kind of exclamation point at the end of the Easter Season—the longest season in the Church year! Pentecost means "fiftieth", for the fifty days after Easter. For as long as Lent feels, the Easter party adds an extra ten days to the celebration, ending today. Just like at the Apostles, we are reminded that through our own Confirmation, we have been sealed with the gifts of the Holy Spirit to carry us back into the fray, or the mundane of ordinary time with the gifts necessary to do so. There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; there are different forms of service but the same Lord; there are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone. To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit. // 1 Corinthians 12: 4-7 How will you celebrate Pentecost today?   [bctt tweet="Pentecost: The Exclamation Point #BISblog //" via="no"]