They were countless in number, and they cried out in a loud voice: "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches, wisdom and strength, honor and glory and blessing." // Revelation 5:11-12 Thank you for these beautiful free wallpapers from Sarah Elizabeth. Let His word dwell in us richly, sisters. Remember, Members, you get this 8x10 digital download for free! Head to the shop for your download. Download your F R E E wallpapers right here --->>> Phone wallpaper Desktop wallpaper

Ah, the glory of the battlefield. My childhood was formed by a thousand tales of skirmishes and battles, knights and soldiers, wars and warfare. Some of them were factual. The best of my history books came blazingly to life in my mind when describing the valor of the opponents of evil in the Second World War. Some of them were fictional. The Battle of Pelennor Fields in Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings left me wide-eyed with admiration for the heroism of a little hobbit and a young woman who refused to be complacent. Sadly, but necessarily, my growth into maturity brought with it an awareness that battles are hardly picturesque and only glorious in the sense that sometimes they are won. Evil is defeated, good triumphs, God’s will prevails. And that is a beautiful thing, despite the ugliness that it takes to get there. Because that is what war and the battlefield bring: ugliness. Suffering, pain, death. Chaos. The Battle of Our Church Our Church is fighting a particularly ugly and painful battle herself right now. The request by many of our priests and bishops to say the St. Michael prayer at the end of every Mass couldn’t be more vital. “Defend us in the battle,” we pray, while Our Eucharistic Lord rests before us and in us, giving us the strength we need to take up arms. But what, exactly, does this battle entail? Some Catholics have felt uncertain or even offended by the request to join in this prayer. Why should the Church ask to be defended? Aren’t her members the aggressors in this case? Shouldn’t we be praying and acting for the defense of victims? The Origin of the St. Michael Prayer Pope Leo XIII first composed a prayer to St. Michael at the dawn of the 20th century, reportedly after a vision of evil spirits congregating around Vatican City. His first version of the prayer was much longer. I suppose it’s a good thing for those of us who are in the midst of battling our children’s wills to run down the aisle or scream in the middle of Mass that we’re saying the short one. But we’re missing out on some particularly potent phrases, like these paragraphs: “This wicked dragon pours out, as a most impure flood, the venom of his malice on men of depraved mind and corrupt heart, the spirit of lying, of impiety, of blasphemy, and the pestilent breath of impurity, and of every vice and iniquity. “These most crafty enemies have filled and inebriated with gall and bitterness the Church, the spouse of the Immaculate Lamb, and have laid impious hands on her most sacred possessions.” [Emphasis added.] That last line rings with sickening truth. What are the most sacred possessions of the Church, if not, in the spirit of St. Lawrence’s words, its most vulnerable members? Where is the evil of the world more detestable than in the “pestilent breath of impurity” that has victimized them? The Defense We're Praying For Pope Leo—and our bishops today—didn’t ask us to say the St. Michael prayer to defend the Church from earthly forces or governmental justice. We’re praying for defense against a much stronger and much more intimate enemy: the dragon who has “inebriated with gall and bitterness the Church.” We’re fighting evil, within the Church and within our own hearts. If governmental justice or media attention will help that evil to be eradicated, we pray that St. Michael will give the Church’s leaders the courage to allow that, ugly and painful a battle as may result. But we can’t forget that we, ourselves, are the Church. To fight the evil in her midst, we must never neglect the duty to fight the evil within our own minds and hearts. We should recall that the young men preparing for knighthood in the Middle Ages were taught horsemanship and swordplay—but before they could officially become knights and take up arms in an actual battle, they were obligated to spend the night in vigil in a chapel, praying and fasting. At the knighting ceremony, they wore a white tunic and belt to represent the purity expected of them. They were given a two-edged sword. One edge represented loyalty, the other justice. St. Michael, we pray, will lead us in the battle for justice in the Church. But we must also beg him for purity and virtue in our own souls. We must struggle against the enemy in our personal lives so that we may be more prepared and effective when we take up that two-edged sword to defend our Church’s treasures. Not Alone in Our Fight Against Evil When Pope Leo XIII was given his vision of demons closing in on the Vatican, he may not have realized what that would mean to Catholics a century later. But he knew that mankind could not fight against evil like that alone. Only with God’s help and power can we hope to push back the corruption and destruction the dragon is hurling at us at every opportunity. And so we pray, “Cast into hell Satan,” “may God rebuke him.” And, please, St. Michael, defend us in this battle. [bctt tweet="Defend Us in Battle #BISblog //" via="no"] Faith E. Hough is a writer and homeschooling mother of six. She and her artist husband live in Connecticut, where you can find her making art and avoiding laundry. You can find out more about her here.

The first people to ask us for a devotional for children were, in fact, our own children. Their sentiments were echoed from the amazing women in our community and in our own hearts. We at Blessed is She desired to offer something to the kids in our lives to help them grow closer to Jesus through His Word, His Saints, His Church, and His example. For this reason, Rise Up was born. Written by 15 Blessed is She writers, Rise Up focuses on 15 virtues with passages from Scripture and the Catechism, relevant quotes from the Saints, and a short reflection written for kids ranging from 8-12 (although we have found our younger kids love it, too!). The Vision Behind Our First Catholic Prayer Book for Kids Nell O'Leary, Blessed is She's Managing Editor, sat down with Susanna Spencer, our Theological Editor and pioneer of Rise Up, to discuss the inspiration behind the book. Susanna, you’re the Theological Editor for Blessed is She. Let’s talk about how you had an idea to write a book on virtues for children. What was the original inspiration behind Rise Up for you? Last year my eldest daughter mentioned to me that she was interested in having a new prayer book for devotional reading. This lead to my idea of collaborating with Blessed is She to create a beautiful prayer book for children, one that is rich in the Catholic tradition of becoming holy through growth in virtue. Further, I wanted to have a book for my children that taught them how to pray by learning to place themselves in God's presence, make an an examination of their daily lives, and then receive inspiration from the Holy Spirit. For whom is this book written? What age range do you think would be well-suited to read it? This book makes the virtues accessible and practical for children ages 8-12 depending on their reading ability. It would be good for any young person interested in growing in holiness! You selected the virtues for the book. Can you tell us what they all are and briefly why you chose them? My first thought in choosing virtues was to write on ones that my own children needed to grow in! While writing it, I realized that I need them as well! The first virtues are the three Theological virtues of faith, hope, and charity. I then chose the four main Cardinal virtues prudence, justice, courage/fortitude, and temperance. The other virtues I chose are parts or subvirtues of the Cardinal virtues: gratitude, generosity, obedience, perseverance, patience, humility, studiousness, and honesty. I wanted to pick virtues that children could understand and apply to their daily lives, but also decode the more abstract ones that are more difficult to understand. You collaborated with fifteen of your fellow Blessed is She writers to put this together. Can you talk a little about what you did for each chapter, drafting the introduction to each virtue and then the first reflection and conclusion? My role in Rise Up was to choose the virtues and then explain them to the reader. The book begins with my introduction, which explains what virtue is and how to grow in virtue in general. Each chapter focuses on an individual virtue. I based the introduction for each chapter on Saint Thomas Aquinas' explanation of the virtue in his Summa Theologiae. But I took the language down to the level of a 8 to 12-year-old child. Then comes my favorite part in each chapter. There's a passage from one of the Gospels which demonstrates this virtue, and a reflection on that Scripture leading the reader into imaginative prayer. Fifteen different Blessed is She writers wrote the five middle days of the week for each chapter. These are based on a short Scripture selection or Saint quotation that you picked, Nell! On the final day of the week, I lead the reader to reflect, pray, and make resolutions on how to live this virtue out. I love that the five days in the middle of the chapter are centered around the virtue for the chapter, but also a Saint quote or Scripture selection. What do those quotes mean for the kids reading the book? We chose to give the reader contact with both the Word of God and the words of the Saints. The Word of God was divinely inspired and teaches us how to become like God. Children need to know that it is okay for them to pick up Scripture and read it. The words of the Saints make holiness seem possible as we remember that they, too, are just humans like us. This Catholic prayer book for kids has the Nihil Obstat and the Imprimatur. Can you tell us what that means and a little about what that tells parents about it? We were super excited to get an Imprimatur for this book. The Imprimatur and Nihil Obstat means that a Church official has read over the book at the bishop's request and has declared that nothing in the book contradicts or is opposed to the defined body of Church doctrine or goes against the moral law. As a parent, I look for this on Catholic books for my children. It helps me to know they are reading the Truth. What was one surprise you had in seeing the book altogether? Maybe one thing that gave you great joy? I loved seeing all of the different beautiful voices of my fellow Blessed is She writers. It feels like a huge group act of spiritual maternity for the children of the women that we minister to together. We wrote it for all the children in our lives, in our families, and spiritual families. It is such a gift to be able to do this together! Have you gotten your copy of Rise Up yet?! [bctt tweet="The Vision Behind Our Prayer Book for Kids #BISblog //" via="no"]  

I was scrolling through social media and came across a meme that read: Your circle should want you to win. Your circle should clap the loudest when you have good news. If they don’t, get a new circle. I immediately hit the “love” on it. A statement that both celebrates a loyal tribe and appeals to the unappreciated, this meme testifies to the tension many women feel in their relationships. The meme also illustrates how tempting, and sometimes satisfying, it is to weigh the women who inhabit our circles on our personal scales, sorting them into categories defined by our standards and expectations. Working for One Another Instead of Against One Another However, this measuring of the women in our lives can be emotionally dangerous. Not only does it fall short of the charity Christ calls us to, but it also begs the question: how would I measure up? It probably depends on who is holding the yardstick. Throughout my life, I’ve fluctuated between having healthy and toxic attitudes towards my relationships with women. In my thirties, the busyness, complications, and disappointments in my life had worn me down. I just wanted to enjoy other women for once. I began to see the example of how to do this in the Visitation, and it became a favorite Scripture passage of mine (Luke 1:39-56). This past Advent, the Abiding Together Podcast put out a series called “The Fellowship of the Feminine Genius.” The passage at the heart of the series was the Visitation, where Mary and Elizabeth encounter one another as women fully living in unity with the Lord. Each recognized the work of the Holy Spirit in the other and responded in humility with encouragement and praise for the Lord. While I may seek to imitate the model of the Visitation, I confess that I often fall short of this ideal. I know I’m not alone. Even as Scripture reveals the examples of Mary and Elizabeth or Naomi and Ruth, there is also the enmity and hostility of Sarah and Hagar or Leah and Rachel. Brokenness among women seems to be as old as sin. [bctt tweet="In my thirties, the busyness, complications, and disappointments in my life had worn me down. I just wanted to enjoy other women for once. #BISblog //" via="no"] Reverencing One Another How can women move forward from brokenness and achieve healing and authenticity with one another? As Mary and Elizabeth show us, the key lies in reverencing one another. Reverencing another is intimate and personal. To acquire a disposition of reverence, I must adjust my eyes to see God in another. I must be vulnerable and receptive to God’s power working in others. This means I must shed the lenses of competitiveness, jealousy, egotism, and insecurity. Reverencing another is not merely being kind. Rather, it is an encouragement of another in the grace God has bestowed upon her in the ways she says “yes” to God’s plan for her life. When I reverence a sister in Christ, I do not impose my own ideas upon her. Instead, I accept the invitation to truly see her. Reverence is an acknowledgement of the sacred reality of who she is—of who God made her to be. [bctt tweet="Reverence is an acknowledgement of the sacred reality of who my sister is—of who God made her to be." via="no"] Glorifying the Creator Here is where Mary and Elizabeth’s example contains the most power. Reverencing another not only enhances my relationships, but it can become an act of prayer. When I reverence other women as uniquely called, gifted, and graced, my reverence praises and glorifies the Creator. It’s easy to fall into the temptation to indulge in self-pity and point my finger at women who have hurt me. However, in order to grow as a sister and friend to others, I must acknowledge the ways I have not reverenced the women in my life. In the Abiding Together series, the ladies spoke about the need to “be the kind of friend that we want.” Heather Khym challenged me when she said, “It’s not always about what we’re going to get.” Instead, I need to discern what I have to offer. In the Visitation, Mary and Elizabeth’s example of reciprocal reverence for one another shows two women never consumed by what they were going to get. Rather, we see two women offering to one another. Putting on the disposition of reverence towards other women in my life requires grace, which requires prayer. One of my favorite forms of prayer is the litany. I wrote out my own for the grace to grow in reverence for the women in my life.     A Litany for Female Friendships and for Women in Relationship with One Another Mother Mary, I long for authentic, holy relationships with other women. I seek to receive mercy from your Son for the times I allow darkness to seep into my relationships: For the times I judge women on appearances or material possessions . . . Jesus, have mercy on me.For the times I compare myself to other women instead of looking to You, Lord, for my worth . . . Jesus, have mercy on me.For the times I expect other women to validate or fill me in ways that belong to You alone . . . Jesus, have mercy on me.For the times I avoid friendship with women because of fear, jealousy, or judgement . . . Jesus, have mercy on me.For the times I envy another woman’s gifts, talents, possessions, or relationships . . . Jesus, have mercy on me.For the times I do not listen well when another woman is being vulnerable with me . . . Jesus, have mercy on me.For the times I lack compassion for another woman in her pain, suffering, or hardship . . . Jesus, have mercy on me.For the times I destroy another woman’s dignity through gossip . . . Jesus, have mercy on me.For the times I diminish another woman in order to feel better about myself . . . Jesus, have mercy on me.For the times I indulge in suspicion and choose to assume the worst of another woman rather than seek out Christ living within her . . . Jesus, have mercy on me.For the times I harbor anger, hatred, or resentment towards another woman . . . Jesus, have mercy on me.For the times I choose unforgiveness over reconciliation in my broken relationships with women . . . Jesus, have mercy on me. Mother Mary, along with St. Elizabeth and through the example of your holy friendship, show me how to reverence others as you did. Teach me how to bring Christ to others and to receive the miracle of Christ other women bring me. Walk with me as I grow in vulnerability with other women, being honest about who I am and receiving other women as they are. May I seek to be an instrument of authentic love towards my sisters in Christ, always remembering that each are made in God’s image and likeness. Help us all work together to restore one another, our Church, and our world. Amen. Blessed Mother, and St. Elizabeth, pray for us! [bctt tweet="A Litany for Female Friendships #BISblog //" via="no"] Jacqueline Hollcraft lives in central California with her husband and seven vibrant children. She is a lecturer in the English department at Stanislaus State, and she is an editor and contributor for The Daughters of Mary Blog. In her free time, she enjoys serving with her husband in their parish’s hospital ministry, hiking (especially in Yosemite), drinking craft beer, and reading or watching murder mysteries.

“Look, Mom! That lady is feeding her baby while she drives!” shouted the alarmed voice from the backseat. Confused by this outburst, I looked around to find the woman in question. It didn’t take long for me to put the pieces together. We’d pulled up alongside of a woman who was pumping under a nursing cover, I imagined, as she drove to work. I fist-bumped her, one (former) car-pumper to another. I explained to my daughter that the woman was indeed feeding her baby while she drove, but there was no infant behind the steering wheel (crisis averted). Today is the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker. What’s the connection? There is precious little detail provided in Scripture on Joseph’s life on earth beyond his own "yes," after the visit of the angel, encouraging him to take Mary as his wife (Matt. 1: 20-21). His brief Scriptural appearances speak volumes about the nature of his relationship with God, as well as his relationship with Jesus and Mary. Joseph is known as the patron of the Universal Church, fathers, a happy death, and social justice. He is nearly always depicted with a lily, symbolizing purity, or a carpenter’s square, representing his vocation as a carpenter. How do we integrate the charism of St. Joseph the Worker into our daily lives? We have so little information on this pivotal character in the story of the life of Christ. What we do have is often presented as a patron Saint for men. As women, how do we integrate the charism and wisdom of St. Joseph into our daily lives? What do we know about Jesus’ earthly father? Theologians and Scripture scholars agree that based on the details we have on St. Joseph, there are three clear themes that we can learn from. 1. Working in the Margins The most clear picture we have is the fact that Joseph worked as a carpenter to support their household. This was a trade he knew, and the trade he would teach to Jesus. More than likely, this was a job for Joseph that took place within his home, in the margins of their family time. Unlike the schedules of today, where careers are often associated with a particular place and time, Joseph could integrate his work as well as his apprenticing Jesus, to the rhythms of their daily life. Maybe you are working a job that provides that certain "blue flame" as Jennifer Fulwiler has described. I hope so. So often as women, the callings that give us the most life are the ones that require us to carve out time and space in the folds of our days. Not because we are being paid for them, rather, we simply can’t not do them. St. Joseph inspires me to integrate the gifts I have to share—somewhere, anywhere they’ll fit in the space of a day. 2. Humbly, in Silence St. Joseph was entrusted with an incredible responsibility as Jesus’ earthly father. And yet, there is a reverberating humility that surrounds all the details of his life. With all reason to be assured that he was doing the will of God, even influencing the shape of human history, he does it quietly and in the background. Aren’t there times when our obedience, our "yeses," our own sacrifices and self-gift feel a little bit as though they might be worth celebrating? And yet, they aren’t. This is a viscerally human experience, and perhaps one Joseph understood well. Like Jesus, Joseph’s very nature seems to be content to point back to the Lord with the actions and (limited) words of his life. We can learn a lot by emulating him in this quiet way. 3. Provider Joseph’s role as provider for the Holy Family is likely what he is best-known for. In concrete physical and spiritual ways, he supported the lives of Mary and Jesus. The work of his hands literally put food on their table and bolstered their faith by putting it into practice. It can be easy to separate ourselves from the lives of the Saints. To put up walls around the holy work done by their hands and to assume we are not called to (or capable of?) the same. But I think this is a misconception. In the same way that St. Joseph understood his particular call to provide materially and spiritually for Jesus and Mary, we too can understand our calling in our day to day experience. St. Joseph the Worker Animates Our Service to Others Whether for the Children’s Liturgy of the Word program that you volunteer to teach, the food drive you organize at work, the 5k you run to support a cause close to your heart, the margin-work you make time for because you have a God-given gift to be shared, the precious ounces of breast-milk you pump during your daily commutes, the faith life you support by sponsoring an RCIA candidate, the foster children you open your home to, you are doing the work of the Church. This is the supporting ministry of St. Joseph the Worker at its finest. How can you imitate the work of St. Joseph in your own life today? Want to learn more about Saint Joseph, patron of the Universal Church? Check out this incredible video series with our own Beth Davis!   [bctt tweet="St. Joseph the Worker #BISblog //" via="no"]

We all have children in our lives in some capacity. We are moms, aunts, big sisters, teachers, godmothers, parish volunteers, and foster parents. In our work with children—whatever that looks like—most of us are highly concerned with their physical, emotional, educational, and spiritual wellbeing. As Catholic women tending to the hearts of kids, our greatest question always remains: How can I help them to know, love, and serve the Lord? This task is at the heart of Blessed is She's first prayer book for kids, Rise Up: Shining with Virtue. We longed for a solid Catholic resource for the kids in our lives, and you all expressed the same desire. So over a dozen of our writers set out to create a prayer book centered on the virtues taught by St. Thomas Aquinas. What to Expect from Rise Up Rise Up offers an in-depth, age-appropriate view of virtues, steeped in Catholic tradition, for children ages 8-12 (but we find that the younger kids in our lives love to listen in, too!). There are 15 chapters, each focusing on a different virtue. The reflections are accompanied by Scripture verses, Saint quotes, and heart-felt prayers designed to plant the seeds of a prayer life and guide it to blossom. Rise Up has the Nihil Obstat from Rev. Monsignor Peter D. Bui and the Imprimatur from Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted. It is our prayer that this prayer book helps children learn more about the virtues our beautiful Faith gives us so as to plant seeds that will last a lifetime. Why We Hope Our Kids Rise Up We asked each contributor to Rise Up what their hopes are for the reader. For some, they envisioned their own children while writing. Others envisioned their young students in the classroom or the children they encounter on mission. But what each woman ultimately hopes is that this book will play a role in raising up a new generation of Saints in the Church. Dr. Samantha Aguinaldo-Wetterholm   Dr. Samantha Aguinaldo-Wetterholm’s hope for the readers is to have trust in hope in God for every aspect of life and to lean on Him in good times and in tough times, too.     Nell O'Leary   Nell O’Leary's hope for the readers is that they will fall in love with Scripture and Saint quotes, etching them into their minds and hearts.     Gina Fensterer   Gina Fensterer’s hope for the readers is to let nuggets of truth and goodness sink into their hearts to inspire in living a faithful everyday life.     Susanna Spencer   Susanna Spencer’s hope for the readers is that they will be inspired by learning about the virtues to want to be like the Saints in Heaven.     Sister Maria Kim Bui   Sister Maria Kim Bui's hope is that this book will inspire kids and their families to pursue the life of virtue which is the good.     Jenna Guizar   Jenna Guizar’s hope for the readers is to help them learn more about how much God loves them, and how much that love will never, ever end.[/vc_column_text][vc_text_separator title=""][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row content_placement="middle" css=".vc_custom_1544725066302{border-top-width: 5px !important;border-right-width: 5px !important;border-bottom-width: 5px !important;border-left-width: 5px !important;padding-top: 20px !important;padding-right: 40px !important;padding-bottom: 20px !important;padding-left: 40px !important;background-color: #f3e5d3 !important;border-left-color: #b88943 !important;border-left-style: solid !important;border-right-color: #b88943 !important;border-right-style: solid !important;border-top-color: #b88943 !important;border-top-style: solid !important;border-bottom-color: #b88943 !important;border-bottom-style: solid !important;}"][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text="Get the BIS Blog Posts weekly in your inbox!" font_container="tag:h2|text_align:center" google_fonts="font_family:Karla%3Aregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal"] [/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Abbey Davis Dupuy   Abbey Davis Dupuy's hope for the reader is to form a lifelong friendship with Jesus Christ that will be a joy and a comfort no matter what life brings.     Mary Catherine Craig   Mary Catherine Craige’s hope for her readers is that they may know that they are created good and are deeply loved by God Who made them with great care and purpose.     Anna Coyne   Anna Coyne’s hope for the readers is that this book will help them make their Catholic faith all their own.     Jacqui Skemp   Jacqui Skemp’s hope for the readers is that they would find this work to a be source of approachable formation for the Christian life for many years to come.     Blythe Fike   Blythe Fike’s hope for the reader is that each one may be encouraged to begin again, no matter how hard they fall.     Bobbi Rol   Bobbi Rol’s hope for readers is that they develop a natural love of prayer and building a life of virtue.     Joan Geiger   Joan Geiger’s hope for the readers is to learn more about and grow in their unique God-given gifts and talents.     Rose Coleman   Rose Coleman's hope for the readers is that they would learn to hear the voice of the Good Shepherd with greater clarity.     Megan Hjelmsted   Megan Hjelmstad’s hope for her readers is that they become closer friends with Jesus and always know how much God loves them.     Dr. MaryRuth Hackett   Dr. MaryRuth Hackett’s hope for the readers is that the virtues become more applicable to their daily lives.     Olivia Spears   Olivia Spears' hope for the readers is that they encounter Christ in these pages and fall more deeply in love with Him who loves them endlessly.     Helping Our Kids Rise Up It is a blessed duty to walk alongside the children in our lives and to help them encounter Christ. Handing on the Faith to the next generation is a joyful mission; but it's not always easy. We hope that Rise Up helps you in this mission. What do you hope the kids in your life will glean from Rise Up? We can't wait to pray with you for them! [bctt tweet="Why We Hope Our Kids Rise Up #BISblog //" via="no"] *headshots by Lexi Popa Photography THE PERFECT BOOK FOR KIDS Rise Up will open up beautiful conversations with your children about the virtues. . This will bring beautiful fruit to your prayer life and to your children's prayer lives. GET RISE UP

The Easter season is here, sisters! After a long, beautiful, difficult, redemptive Lent and profound Triduum, we have arrived at the celebration of the pinnacle of our Faith: the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. The fact that Our Lord was raised from the dead is the crux of our Faith. But how easy is it to overlook the Easter Octave and the entire Easter season (50 days)? Entering Into Easter So instead of casting a short glance toward our Faith's greatest Mystery, let's more deeply enter into this Easter season. To help us do that, Blessed is She is hosting an Easter gathering called Go and Tell. Go and Tell is a free online gathering that encourages Catholic women across the world to gather together for an afternoon. During this gathering, we'll hear from Laura Kelly Fanucci, author of Risen, about the importance of the Resurrection in our own lives and how we can live Christ's call to go and tell. The Importance of Community During Easter To better understand the importance of gathering as a community of believers during the Easter season, we chatted with Beth Davis about the impact these gatherings can have on our personal and communal faith. What does it mean to Go and Tell? Why is it important we do this? These are the words used in three of four Gospels to Mary Magdalene in the Resurrection accounts (Matthew 28:7, Mark 16:7, John 20:17). It is the first instruction Jesus gives after He has risen from the dead: go and tell. And this command is given and entrusted to a woman! Women are particularly meant to communicate the Good News of Jesus' Resurrection and are given a special dignity and role as missionaries to speak hope to those in doubt, fear, and despair (How cool is that?!). We just finished Lent, a time of deep prayer and reflection. Why is it important to continue to go deeper with Jesus during this season of celebration? It strikes me that we as Catholics are so good at entering into the penitential and preparatory seasons, but then we get the thing we're waiting for and we fail to celebrate it! Or at least that's true in my own life. But the Church highlights the importance of Easter by observing the season for 50 days—that's ten days longer than Lent. The Church is trying to tell us how important the Resurrection is. How important it is to celebrate what Jesus has done. How important it is to receive and internalize His victory for ourselves. We spend this blessedly long season celebrating because as Laura Kelly Fanucci says, "the Resurrection changes everything." The Resurrection can and should change everything in our lives. [bctt tweet="The Resurrection can and should change everything in our lives. #BISblog //" via="no"] You attend all the BIS Gatherings. What is it about them that makes them fruitful in your own life? I love the Gatherings because they prioritize and celebrate faith and community. I would love faith and community to fall in my lap, to be easy. And sometimes, by God's grace, it is. But more often than not, it takes work: intentionality, emotional investment, and time. When I take the time to prepare and host a Gathering, I find myself making space for the season in my own life. And after the Gatherings, my conversations with the women who also watched are so fruitful! It can sometimes be hard to take a conversation or friendship deeper, so the Gatherings provide a context for sharing my heart, hearing theirs, and a starting place for prayer together. How can the experience of this gathering in community with real-life people deepen our friendships and mutual striving for holiness? As meaningful and moving as Gatherings are on their own (I'm always praying and thinking about the content for days before/after), they are so much more transformative in community. Holiness doesn't only happen in isolation. So when we meet with one another and honestly share our struggles and desires—and pray together!—there is deeper growth and lasting fruit. It reminds me of Jesus' words in the Gospel of Matthew, "For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them." (18:20). But perhaps the best and first fruits are just simply realizing that you're not alone. I need to get out of my head and off the hamster wheel to genuinely connect and laugh with other women...regularly! There is always a special, set apart feel to the Gatherings (and brunches). I think you'll find that getting together with other women of Faith is refreshing and life-giving. What will Laura be talking about during the gathering, and why is the message one every woman needs to hear right now? The two things I am most excited for Laura to unpack are women's particular and chosen role in the work of evangelization and the life-changing implications of the Resurrection. There is so much hope in both of these messages that we sometimes miss when we read more familiar Gospel accounts. Jesus came to women, spoke to women, loved and trusted women, and gave women a special assignment. Secondly, I can't wait to hear more from Laura about how to live Easter and lean into the Resurrection. I know I'll be spending my Easter season thanking Jesus for what He did, asking Him to show me what He wants to resurrect in me, and believing that He can do it because He already has! Come and See, Go and Tell Friends, we hope you'll join us for this year's Easter Gathering. Come and see what the Lord has done, then go and tell the world about it. Will you be joining us for Go and Tell? You can register for free here! [bctt tweet="Why We Go and Tell #BISblog //" via="no"] Beth Davis is a lover of Jesus, a recently retired youth minister and the Director of Ministry Advancement for Blessed is She. She is passionate about teaching women how to develop an intimate relationship with Jesus and speaking hope to weary hearts. Her favorite things include being an aunt to her five fantastic niece and nephews, the Saint Name Generator and whatever book she’s currently reading.

It’s no secret that fewer and fewer millennials attend Mass and identify as practicing Catholics. To some, this may seem like a crisis. To others, this may seem like a challenge, an opportunity to embrace being a minority in the church and to use it as a catalyst to grow the Catholic Church. Leaving the Catholic Cocoon I went to a Catholic university and was constantly surrounded by students wanting to grow in faith, build Catholic community, go to Mass, and attend and staff retreats. I even lived in a lay Catholic community. During that time, I was satiated with spiritual nourishment. In my ignorance and naivety, I took for granted the immediacy of Catholic community. When I graduated from college, my Catholic community dissipated. Friends moved away and my community became less convenient. It became work to go to Mass and to find a Faith community. Though I had Catholic friends in town, we were on different schedules, so I started to go to Mass by myself. So began my struggle to discover my place in the Church. I often found myself looking around the church to see an abundance of families, elderly folks, and high school students, but few millennials. Where was everyone?! This weighed heavily on me. I wanted to meet other Catholics and grow in community together. [bctt tweet="I often found myself looking around the church to see an abundance of families, elderly folks, and high school students, but few millennials. Where was everyone?! I wanted to meet other Catholics and grow in community together. #BISblog //" via="no"] The Temptation to Give Up Every generation is tempted not to prioritize religion. The secular world’s lack of ethics and morality so greatly conflict with the Catholic Church’s teachings. The attempt to reconcile the truth—our Catholic Faith—with the secular world can be overwhelming. Millennials are pulled in so many directions. With a world of information at our fingertips, the distractions away from God and our Faith are growing. The adversary is trying to drown out the voice of Truth. But there is hope in this challenge to carry our crosses and spread the Good News of Christ. Responding to the Millennial Catholic Mission Jesus never said that being His disciple would be easy. After falling off the wagon for a bit and wallowing in self-pity that I no longer had a rich faith community, I realized that I was perpetuating the problem. I wasn’t living as a disciple. It was time for me to embrace the call to discipleship. Instead of seeing the decreasing number of millennial Catholics as an overwhelming obstacle, we are called to see this as an opportunity and a responsibility to be disciples of the truth and to grow the millennial church. [bctt tweet="It was time for me to embrace the call to discipleship. #BISblog //" via="no"] So How Do We Celebrate and Grow the Millennial Church? While the task to grow the millennial church seems daunting, little by little, we can respond to our call to discipleship. This starts with celebrating the Church. Recognize That There are Other Catholic Millennials It can be easy to recognize the limited number of young adults as Mass or church events. But we need to shift our perspective and recognize and celebrate the ones that are there. We need to step out of our comfort zones and talk to other young people after Mass, read the bulletin, and attend events that are catered to young adults. Let’s put ourselves out there! Join a Local Young Catholic Professionals Chapter Young Catholic Professionals is national organization helps young Catholics to become leaders and to grow in faith and community. Attending YCP events is an easy way to network with other young folks and celebrate the millennial church. If there isn’t a YCP in your area, consider starting a chapter. Go to Theology on Tap Theology on Tap often appeals to younger crowd. What better way to grow the millennial church than by casually sipping beer with fellow Catholics and listening to speakers discuss current and relevant topics in the Church? Pray for the Church We aren’t called to sit complacently and watch the conflict between the secular and religious world grow. We are called to take action through prayer. Ephesians 6:18 reminds us to pray “on all occasions.” Prayer is more powerful than the adversary. Pray constantly for God to work in the hearts of young people. Invite, Invite, Invite We all know people who are struggling with their faith, don’t know God, haven’t been to church in a while, or practice different religions. We never know when someone is seeking an invitation to grow closer to God. Don't be afraid of rejection. We have to be invitational and encourage the people in our lives to discover the beauty of the Church. The Challenge Through prayer, action and invitation God beckons us to respond to the challenge, the opportunity, to celebrate and to grow the millennial Church. May we eagerly answer this calling to live this mission of discipleship. Are you looking for a young adult faith community? What are some ways you think you can act to grow your community right where you are? [bctt tweet="Embracing the Millennial Catholic Mission #BISblog //" via="no"] Mercedes Shirts lives in Idaho, land of the potatoes, with her husband, bulldog and cat. When not indulging in a good read and black coffee, she enjoys cooking, running and sipping red wine. You can find more about her here.

Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!" // John 20:27-28 Thank you for these beautiful free wallpapers from Rose Harrington. Let His word dwell in us richly, sisters. Remember, Members, you get this 8x10 digital download for free! Head to the shop for your download. Download your F R E E wallpapers right here --->>> Phone wallpaper Desktop wallpaper

“It was really good to see you out there dancing,” my friend told me with a gentle smile. We’d been at a party a few nights before and in a rare occurrence of carefree abandonment, I’d danced the night away like a total goof. Usually I’m too afraid of looking like a fool to get out on the dance floor. My friend knew this, which was why he’d been so struck by the sight and thought it worth mentioning. His comment made me stop and think. There’s no question that I have a serious personality. I approach life in a melodramatic fashion. I quickly get angry at myself when I fail or do something bad, I avoid any situation where I risk looking silly or ridiculous. It’s just a part of my personality, I used to tell myself. I can’t help it. And in some respects, it’s true that I can’t totally control this. I’ll never be a life-of-the-party kind of person, and I’m at peace with that. The Question of Seriousness But after talking with my friend, and after struggling with a lot of sadness and discouragement about my own faults recently, I decided to delve a little deeper into this question of seriousness. It turns out that the Saints have a lot to say about taking yourself too seriously! Especially St. Philip Neri—the patron saint of laughter and joy—and St. Francis de Sales, who wrote extensively about anxiety, peace, and being gentle with oneself. I began to realize that, as much as I hated to admit it, excessive seriousness can actually be a form of pride. While I’ll always have a more reserved nature, there were certainly many aspects of my life where I could and had to lighten up. Reliance on Self, or God? I saw that a lot of it sprang from my reliance on myself instead of God. I didn’t want to give Him control, I was afraid to trust Him, and I wasn’t confident that His love sustains and holds me even when I stumble. I’d forgotten what it means to be a true daughter of the Heavenly Father. What it means to be a little child who leaves everything in her parent’s hands and lives in the present. I suspect I’m not the only one who struggles with this. So what’s a serious person to do? How to Lighten Up The main thing is to break free of the cycle of always thinking and worrying about ourselves. To let go of our own sense of self-importance. As C.S. Lewis put it, “True humility is not thinking less of yourself: it is thinking of yourself less.” This sort of humility leads to freedom and joy. Cultivating a Sense of Wonder Most of us lose our sense of wonder when we become adults, and yet it’s key to living a rich, deep life. When we admit that we don’t have all the answers and allow ourselves to be caught up in the incredible beauty, power, and mystery of the reality around us, it helps us lose ourselves in a good way. We realize how small we are in the grand scheme of things, and frankly, it’s a relief. I’m reminded of a passage at the end of The Hobbit, when Bilbo and Gandalf have the following exchange: [Gandalf said] “Surely you don’t disbelieve the prophecies, because you had a hand in bringing them about yourself? You don’t really suppose, do you, that all your adventures and escapes were managed by mere luck, just for your sole benefit? You are a very fine person, Mr. Baggins, and I am very fond of you; but you are only quite a little fellow in a wide world after all!” “Thank goodness!” said Bilbo laughing, and handed him the tobacco jar.   There are many ways to stoke our sense of wonder. From taking a slow walk outside and drinking in nature to listening to a beautiful piece of music and letting our imaginations wander. Whatever it is, space and quiet time to contemplate are essential. Responding Gently to Your Own Weakness While we should obviously have genuine sorrow for our sins and strive to grow in virtue, we also have to be humble enough to recognize our innate weakness. “Fits of anger, vexation, and bitterness against ourselves,” says St. Francis de Sales, “tend to pride and they spring from no other source than self-love, which is disturbed and upset at seeing that it is imperfect.” God knows how much we need Him and how we can’t do anything without Him. He works slowly, gently, and patiently on our particular wounds and weak spots. If the God Who is Love and Goodness itself is kind with us in spite of our littleness, then how much more so should we be patient and kind with ourselves. Instead of becoming angry when we fail yet again, we can practice throwing ourselves into God’s arms and asking Him for help. Even when we feel like we don’t deserve it. It’s all He asks of us. It’s as simple as that. Filling Your Life with Moments of Joy When you’re truly laughing, you’re completely immersed in the moment. It’s impossible to think of yourself. While I’m not advocating for incessant giggling, intentionally making space in our lives for things and people that bring us laughter is a must. And we should laugh at ourselves, too! One thing that I realized and am still trying to adjust to is giving myself permission to simply cut loose and be goofy. I think a lot about that wonderful scene in The Passion of the Christ where Jesus throws water at His mother, chases her, and they both dissolve in a fit of laughter. Find activities that engage your entire mind and body and pull you out of your introspection (for me, it’s dancing ballet). Cliche as it sounds, find someone to serve, whether it’s a family member, roommate, or someone less fortunate than you. And, as much as I didn't really believe this at first, smiling more really makes a difference. It opens you up to others and in some mysterious way opens you up to God’s joy and love too. The Joy of the Lord There’s no question we’re involved in spiritual warfare and that life can be hard. But now I strive to keep these words close to my heart: “I have said this to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (Jn. 16:33) How do you make yourself lighten up when life seems too heavy? [bctt tweet="Lighten Up, Christian Soldier #BISblog //" via="no"] Maria Bonvissuto lives in Washington, DC, and works in marketing and communications for an all-girls Catholic school. She spends way too many hours on planes flying off to new places and adventures. In the rest of her spare time she reads voraciously, plays classical guitar, shamelessly rewatches episodes of The Office, and spends hours discussing the good, true, and beautiful with her friends. This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase by clicking through one of these links, Blessed is She will receive a small percentage of your purchase at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting this ministry by using our affiliate links!

At the parish I work at, one of my new responsibilities is overseeing the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA). While there were a few learning curves, the experience of walking with these people has been so lifegiving to my own personal faith. We had a unique group this year, in that of our ten candidates and catechumens, all were female except one! They came from very different backgrounds. Some were raised Catholic and some had no religious upbringing of any kind. Another was Jewish and a handful were unbaptized. Working with mostly women, my heart has become attuned to the better ways our parish community can help support and nurture the growing faith of these women as they enter full communion with the Catholic Church. In getting to know each of these women over the last year and a half, we have done both the Blessed is She Advent and Lent journals together. Some of them have attended different women’s ministry events like retreats or Bible studies. I bought each of them the Catholic Journaling Bible and Scripture memory cards to help them pray with and get to know Sacred Scripture more. It has been such a blessing to be a part of their growing relationship with Jesus Christ and His Church. The Richness of Our Faith As a cradle Catholic, I think sometimes it is easy for me to take for granted the Faith I was raised in. I can too easily take granted the riches of the Faith that I have been blessed to have in my life from the day I was born. For that reason, I am so grateful for the witness of men and women who intentionally choose to become Catholic Christians. It inspires my own faith and gives me hope, especially in this confusing, painful time for the Church. Ways Parishes Can Support New Female Converts For someone who becomes Catholic, they often may not know a lot of Catholic people. They need extra support, connection, and ways to grow in faith and have community. Blessed is She is a faith community for women of all ages, so we want to highlight specific ways that parishes can offer programming to help our new sisters who have or are in the process of entering the Church. Walking with Purpose Founder Lisa Brenninkmeyer converted to the Catholic Church but quickly realized there was a lack of relevant Bible studies that were open to women of all ages. She took it upon herself to change that! Walking with Purpose is a parish-led, small group Bible study that is a great fit for women of all ages and states in life. There are also specific studies for young adult women and middle school girls. This could be a great thing for a mother and daughter to do together, or go with a group of girlfriends! If you want to hear more of Lisa’s story, she was recently on the Blessed is She podcast and The Catholic Feminist! I know after listening to Lisa speak, it made me more excited to try the study this Fall at the parish I work at. Start a Blessed is She Community Group Starting a small group can feel overwhelming and maybe bit outside your comfort zone. Not to fear! At Blessed is She, we offer all the tools to get you started in forming and creating a small group right from the beginning. We have lots of resources that you can use in your small group like studies on the Rosary. We have lots of groups of different sizes all across the country. Not to mention, we’ll help you get started! There is also a special Facebook group for women leading a BIS Community Group in their local area. Be sure to join and get ideas, support, and encouragement. Host a Blessed Brunch Who doesn’t love a reason to get together with some gal pals over some brunch?! That is one of my secondary love languages. Hosting a Blessed Brunch at your parish or home is a great way to get to meet other Catholic women in the local area. It can also serve as a great pre-curser for forming a Blessed is She community group. Hosting a brunch doesn’t have to be an overwhelming task. You can add your own personal touches to make it feel special and inviting. We have a hostess guide to help guide your time together. But there’s room to be creative! I know groups that meet to eat and discuss a Teachable Tuesday video. Some have a local speaker come to give a short talk. I have hosted these a few times at the parish I work at, and there has been a great response to them. If you have never hosted a brunch, I would encourage you to do so! I have never regretted doing it myself. Endow Study Groups Endow study groups are another great option for meeting in small group communities with other Catholic women trying to learn and grow in their faith. The small groups meet once a week for about one hour-and-a-half to two hours. The studies range from different doctors of the Church, female Saints, papal writings, and more. It is a way for women to grow in relationship with each other while also reflecting upon the deeper mysteries of life and our Faith. Welcome Home! If you are a woman who is new to the Catholic Church or coming back after years from participating, we are so glad you are here! We need you in our Church. We want you in our Church. Your voice, story, gifts, and creative ideas are needed to help build Jesus’ Kingdom here on earth. Welcome home sister, we are on this journey with you! [bctt tweet="How Parishes Can Support New Female Converts #BISblog //" username="amoderngrace"]

Most people are familiar with the creation story found in the first chapter of Genesis. God creates the world in an ordered fashion over the course of seven, poetically-flowing days. It is such a well-known narrative, that even individuals of other faiths (or no faith at all) know the story. However, a Christian concept that is not as commonplace throughout the world is the notion of the eighth day of creation. You see, in light of Christ’s Death and Resurrection, everything is “made new,” sin and death are no more, and all of creation is restored to its original form. Thus, in the eyes of the Church, every Sunday is also known as “the eighth day” or “the Octave,” and the number eight became symbolic of new life. Historically Speaking Under the Roman Emperor Constantine, whose legalization of Christianity ended the persecution of the Early Church, Christianity boomed. While the blood of the martyrs certainly bore great witness to the Truth and miraculously attracted more people to convert, the formal legalization of the Faith allowed for the construction of actual buildings. Gone were the days of worshipping God hidden away in private houses and the catacombs! After construction was completed, the dedication of the basilicas at Tyre and Jerusalem were observed. The festivities lasted for eight days, signifying “new life” in the Church. After these once-in-a-Church-lifetime occasions, it was decided that major liturgical feasts should also be celebrated with an octave in order to help the congregation more fully comprehend their magnitude. Explosion and Revision of Octaves Over the next eight centuries (how’s that for irony?), people got a little “slap-happy” with the practice of octaves. They began to celebrate almost every feast with eight days of jubilee. And while the Church is all about celebrating the glorious things God has done through and for the Saints, some of these observances were causing confusion among the faithful. If the feast of Christ’s Resurrection is being celebrated in the same way as the feast of a “lowly” Saint, it is bound to breed some misunderstanding of the difference in significance between the two. Thus, many revisions were made by multiple popes over the course of a few centuries. Catholic Feasts with Octaves As of 1969, only two feasts are deemed worthy of a liturgical octave, Christmas and Easter. Christmas The Christmas Octave runs from Christmas Day (December 25th) until the Feast of the Solemnity of Mary (January 1st), with related feasts being celebrated during that time period. These include St. Stephen, St. John, the Holy Innocents and The Holy Family. Liturgically, the Church walks us through the Gospel’s infancy narrative. This is encouragement to take these mysteries to prayer, to greater reflect on this Child and the wonders of His birth, and to personally and intimately come to a fuller understanding of Who He is. Not just as a Church Figurehead, but in relation to each one of us specifically. Thus the feasts, celebrated together as an octave, are meant to help propel us forward in our comprehension of Christ. On the final day of the Christmas Octave, we get an answer as to who this Child is: He is God. We rejoice in this together—as it is another Holy Day of Obligation for Catholics—and we honor Mary, the sacred God-bearer. Easter Easter is the mother of all other feasts. I love this imagery (and took it straight from the USCCB), both for its natural symbolism and its modern meaning. Naturally speaking, mothers give life. The Resurrection “gives life” and meaning to every other aspect of our Faith, almost literally! Our Church wouldn’t exist if Christ hadn’t risen from the dead. Had this not occurred, the world could have concluded that Jesus was a fraud and Christianity wouldn’t be a thing. But it did happen. This makes Easter Week the greatest week of the entire Church year. Modernly speaking, if something is “the mother,” it is the boss. It is a major finding, strikingly powerful, and/or something that is hard (if not impossible) to overtake. This is also true of Easter. It is “the mother” of all feasts. Unlike at Christmas, no other feast is ever celebrated during the Easter Octave. For eight days straight, every day is Easter (liturgically speaking). The Gospels throughout the Masses that week all tell different aspects of the Easter story. What a lot of Catholics don’t realize is that most of these stories actually took place on the same day as Jesus’ Resurrection. The ones that don’t happened only days later. All of them are a part of the Resurrection story, which is why all eight days are Easter. Easter Monday // Mary and the Other Mary find the Tomb Empty (Mt 28:8-15) Easter Tuesday // Mary Magdalene Returns to the Tomb, Weeps, Sees the Resurrected Lord (Jn 20:11-18) Easter Wednesday // Jesus Appears to Two Disciples on the Road to Emmaus (Lk 24:13-35) Easter Thursday // Jesus Appears to the Hidden Apostles (Lk 24:35-48) Easter Friday // Jesus Helps the Apostles Fish (Jn 21:1-14) Easter Saturday // Jesus Instructs the Apostles to See, Believe, and Preach the Gospel (Mk 16:9-15) Why These Readings? To the faithful, Jesus made His identity clear. He was alive again (proven by His appetite). He was the same person (helping the Apostles make a great catch of fish), but glorified (He could walk through walls, appear and disappear). By choosing these readings as the Liturgy of the Easter Octave, our modern Apostles are echoing these same truths to us. They are propelling us forward in our understanding of what the Resurrection meant for all mankind, but also for us individually. Jesus is God and God had mercy on humanity. This truth was specifically highlighted for the Church by the great Pope St. John Paul II who officially declared the Sunday after Easter to be Divine Mercy Sunday. How To Celebrate the Easter Octave St. Augustine called the Easter Octave, “the days of mercy and pardon.” You can do anything to celebrate. Try to keep it centered around Christ, but also make it festive! Here are “eight” suggestions. Go to Daily Mass He died and rose to save us. We access those graces with every reception of the Eucharist. This is by far the best way to celebrate the Easter Octave. There are actually special graces promised to those who receive communion throughout the Octave, especially the Octave Day of Easter (Divine Mercy Sunday)! Read the Gospel Sometimes it’s impossible to get to daily Mass. If you can’t, make an effort to read and reflect on the daily Gospels. Seek out reflections and explanations from other knowledgeable sources. Spend Time in a Garden Be like Mary Magdalene, although you don’t have to weep while you’re there! Take a stroll, do some planting, have a picnic, and so on. Lots of Botanical Gardens offer free admission. Reflect on the connections between gardens and the spiritual life while you’re there. Go Fishing Just like the Apostles. They had one of the biggest catches of their lives after the Resurrection. It’s a reflective and restful endeavor, as well as a great bonding opportunity. You could also do this metaphorically... Go to the Beach In another Gospel account, the Apostles encounter Jesus on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. They have a campfire, roast fish, and enjoy breakfast together. You could pack a picnic and take a day trip, provided you live close enough. If not, and you have the ability to do so, make a vacation of the week, citing liturgical living as the excuse. Go to Confession Return to the Lord just as St. Peter did. While on the beach, Peter and Jesus have a heart-to-heart. Three times Jesus asks Peter, “Do you love me?” This is seen by many theologians as a “reversal” or redemption of the three times Peter denied Christ during His Passion. If you found yourself failing in love of others during the business of the Easter Triduum, this might be a good time to reconnect with Jesus in humility and accept His constant forgiveness. Go for a Walk Like Jesus and His disciples did on the road to Emmaus. Go by yourself as time of prayer and reflection, or go with friends and build community. Break Bread With Friends Like Jesus and His Apostles. It doesn’t have to literally be bread; simply share a special meal with friends and/or family. Maybe do something on theme, like preparing eight simple dishes (including entree, sides, and desserts). No matter what you choose, the emphasis should be fun and festive as we rejoice in the mercy of God! How will you be celebrating the Easter Octave? We want to know in the comments below! [bctt tweet="The Magnitude of Eight: Why the Church Celebrates in Octaves #BISblog //" via="no"]

Happy Earth Day! Perhaps you’re wondering what this secular holiday has to do with the modern Catholic woman. A lot, in fact! The discussion about creation is not a new one, and there’s been a lot of buzz in recent years within the Church about the care and concern of our planet. If you haven’t read Pope Francis’ 2015 encyclical Laudato Si, today is the perfect day to dive in. The reality is that caring for our planet isn’t simply a secular issue or a millennial issue. As Christ followers and faithful Catholics, we are called to be diligent in caring for our planet. Here’s why. God and Nature Nature, in all its beauty, leads us back to the One Who created it to begin with. Since I was young, I have always felt incredibly close to God when I’m nature. Whether it’s laying in the grass in the backyard with my kids making cloud shapes or sleeping under the stars on the edge of the Grand Canyon, I rarely feel closer to God than when I’m in His creation. There is something so powerful about the fact that God gave our human parents—Adam and Eve—a natural world to inhabit and care for. He didn’t give them a grand palace or strong fortress. He gave them a garden. We are created with an urge to seek out nature and to meet God in the midst of His creation. Being in nature brings a peace and tranquility few other things do, especially in the hectic, ultra-connected world we live in. To that end, Pope Saint John Paul II offered this beautiful sentiment at World Youth Day in 1990: The aesthetic value of creation cannot be overlooked. Our very contact with nature has a deep restorative power; contemplation of its magnificence imparts peace and serenity. The Bible speaks again and again of the goodness and beauty of creation, which is called to glorify God.   Creation Whispers God's Goodness Maybe you’ve experienced this yourself. The breeze blowing through open windows on the first spring day. The crunch of vibrant leaves under your feet in the fall. The feeling of being in the woods, or listening to the sound of the rain. Watching buds burst bravely forth after a long winter. A cloudless blue sky in June. These things all whisper to us of God’s goodness and His presence. The Catechism words it simply and well: The beauty of creation reflects the infinite beauty of the Creator and ought to inspire the respect and submission of man's intellect and will. (CCC 341)   Our Call to be Stewards In Genesis 2:15, it says: “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to cultivate and care for it.” The call to care for and steward our natural world is a Biblical call that stems from this verse in Genesis. God made all things and called it good. Everything in existence praises Him simply by existing. Therefore, we are called to treat the natural world with respect as the handiwork of God the Father. This call is also reflected in the Ten Commandments, the seventh of which is “Thou shall not steal.” Again, the Catechism expounds on this in the following paragraph: The seventh commandment enjoins respect for the integrity of creation. Animals, like plants and inanimate beings, are by nature destined for the common good of past, present, and future humanity. Use of the mineral, vegetable, and animal resources of the universe cannot be divorce from respect for moral imperatives. Man's dominion over inanimate and other living beings granted by the Creator is not absolute; it is limited by concern for the quality of life of his neighbor, including generations to come; it requires a religious respect for the integrity of creation. (CCC 2415)   In short, we are commanded to care for nature in a way that respects not only our current generation, but also generations to come. In the words of Pope Benedict XVI: The environment is God's gift to everyone, and in our use of it we have a responsibility towards the poor, towards future generations and towards humanity as a whole. (Caritas in Veritate [Charity in Truth], 2009, no. 48) Practical Steps to Care for the Earth We are obligated to use the earth’s goods responsibly. This big question is... how? Today provides the perfect opportunity to consider our current actions and evaluate where they fall in terms of sustainability. Are there things we could be doing to reduce our impact on the planet, and the burden on future generations? Every person is in a different season with a different capacity, so there is no one-size-fits-all approach to this. One family might be able to own one car, compost, grow all their own vegetables, and buy all organic clothing. Another family might not have the capacity for any of these things. But we can all assess our own actions and see where we might be able to make some changes that demonstrate “respect for the integrity of creation.” Maybe it’s keeping a reusable coffee mug in your car for your coffee shop run, or switching from paper towels to cloth towels for kitchen clean-up. Maybe you can host a clothing swap instead of shopping for new clothing (the conventional fashion industry has a tremendous impact on the environment). Caring for Creation this Earth Day and Beyond The good news is that no matter your age, stage or season, there is something you can do to “cultivate and care for” the earth, and every tiny step is worthwhile and beneficial. In the words of St. John of Damascus, “the whole earth is a living icon of the face of God.” This Earth Day, and every day, let us live and act like it. [bctt tweet="On Caring for the Earth: Living Earth Day as Catholics #BISblog //" via="no"]

Christ, our paschal lamb, has been sacrificed; let us then feast with joy in the Lord. Alleluia, alleluia. // 1 Corinthians 5:7-8 Thank you for these beautiful free wallpapers from Brass and Mint Co. Let His word dwell in us richly, sisters. Remember, Members, you get this 8x10 digital download for free! Head to the shop for your download. Download your F R E E wallpapers right here --->>> Phone wallpaper Desktop wallpaper

This Saturday, at the Easter Vigil, men, women, and children across the world will be brought into the Catholic Church. People will be baptized and confirmed, they'll receive Jesus in the Eucharist for the first time, and even marriages will be blessed in the Church. What a night to rejoice with our brothers and sisters in the salvation found in the Resurrected Christ and His Church! Our Blessed is She Sisters Becoming Catholic There are many women in our Blessed is She community who will be among those initiated in the Church this Easter, and we are so thrilled for them! We asked those candidates and catechumens in our community to share a bit about what has drawn them to the Church. Their answers serve as both inspiration and worthy reminders of our own mission as Catholics. Why I'm Becoming Catholic “I’m coming into the Church at the Easter Vigil! I’m becoming Catholic because I’ve been searching for years for the Truth, and I kept (reluctantly) coming back to Catholicism. I was drawn to Mary, especially after I had my son 4 years ago. Right before Lent last year, I decided to pray the Rosary daily and see what happens. Well, I started going to Church the Sunday after last Easter and never stopped. With encouragement from friends, I joined RCIA in the fall, and now I can’t wait until I can receive Communion at Easter!” -Jenn C. “I'm coming into the Church this year because God has led me to it my whole life. It feels like home. I can never get enough of Mass, Adoration, and praying the Rosary. I'm in love with the richness of the Faith.” -Brittany W. “Everything I didnt understand about being a Christian makes sense now. There is so much depth to the Catholic Faith. With every step closer, I feel nothing but complete peace with my life. I've never been so happy, and everyone in my life can see the joy radiating from me.” -Natasha K. “At first, I was converting to Catholicism for marriage purposes. After spending Monday nights in RCIA, I’m converting for not only myself but for my relationship with God.” -Cynthia V. "I wasn’t raised with any particular religion in my life but I believed in God always (my parents were baptized Baptist and have since converted to Catholicism). Fast forward to college where I attended in Rome IT and I became exposed to Catholicism everywhere I went and studied. Fast forward to life after graduation where I met my husband and started a family. My husband is Catholic and we agreed to baptize our children in the Catholic Faith. Last summer, we lost our 3rd baby (baby boy) after five days of life. A month later, while working through my grief and pouring my heart out to God and Mama Mary, I asked my husband if we could do RCIA together in September (he needs to complete his Sacraments) because it is what our Son and God and would want. Plus, I desperately want to see my baby boy again. We enrolled and our lives have drastically changed since starting this journey. God has been working on me and calling me home my whole life. Our small BIS group has been such a blessing to my life and these ladies and the Blessed is She community has educated and supported me in more ways than I can count." -Ashley A. "When I was nine years old and first went to St. Patrick’s in NYC, I wanted to be Catholic. It’s been a long journey and almost 30 years. At first, I went to the Episcopal church. It was the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist and a devotion to Mary that pushed me into RCIA." -Kelley A. "It was honestly just a pull, well more of a literal kick in the butt. I was thinking about it for a while (I was baptized Catholic, but I never had any other Sacraments). But I was always terrified to go to Mass because I had a perception of Catholics being a better person than I was at the time. It was the middle of Lent last year and I got this huge push to go to Mass. I asked God to show me a sign, to tell me what to do. Right after that, a very deep urge to go to Mass the next day occurred. It was a couple of weeks before Palm Sunday. The homily was the defining point for me. Then I jumped in full force and I have met the most amazing people I know through Church, and I love them with my entire heart. These first people were the people that validated my path, and I am here now." -Amber H. "I had been attending Mass with my boyfriend for about a year. I enjoyed Mass, but didn't feel compelled to convert and didn't mind missing the Eucharist. But one day, as he went up for communion and I stayed in my seat as usual, I just became overwhelmed with sadness and started crying. I suddenly knew I was missing out on something amazing and decided I would enroll in the next RCIA." -Kristin B. "I was drawn to the Catholic Faith by Jesus in the Eucharist. Communion in the Protestant faith had become so under pronounced and wasn't taught or given the importance Christ gave it. I am anxiously awaiting my First Communion in the Catholic Faith, knowing I have the true Christ Jesus in me." -Elizabeth P. "When I was young, my father led me to believe that Christianity was filled with damnation and hate. I was abused both physically and mentally and subsequently loathed all Christian belief. Once in high school, I was called to the Faith and had a slow journey towards the Catholic Church. Now in college, my supportive best friend called me to learn more about Catholicism and I experienced my very first Latin High Mass. I was instantly drawn to the sacredness, sacrifice, and reverence of the Latin Mass. Since then I have devoted myself to RCIA classes, reading daily Scripture, memorizing prayers, and doing all I can to be a faithful Catholic." -Meghan R. Welcome Home, Sisters! Sisters, we are praying for you on this night and beyond. We are so happy for you. Congratulations! Thanks be to God for the good things He has done and will continue to do in your hearts and lives. Friends, let's celebrate our sisters who are joining the Church! Send them your love and prayers in the comments! [bctt tweet="Why I'm Becoming Catholic #BISblog //" via="no"]

One of the gifts of Catholicism, because of the primacy of the Incarnation, is the importance of the human person. Our Faith acknowledges that we are not just spiritual beings. We have a body, mind, and soul. Each aspect of our being needs to be tended to and cared for. A way to tend to the garden of both our bodies and souls is through reflecting on the beauty of holy artwork. Statues and artwork depicting God, biblical scenes, and lives of the Saints are hallmarks of our Faith. It is meant to lift our senses, our thoughts, and desires to all that is good, true, and beautiful. Good Friday in Art May these images of Christ in His Passion and Death lead you closer to His Merciful Heart this Good Friday. The Agony In The Garden Artist: Giovanni Bellini Location of Artwork: The National Gallery, London Let Us Pray Lord, awaken my soul! Breathe life into me and let me always be fully alive in Your presence. I know I often fail You in the slumber of sin, yet Your mercy and love is unfailing and unchanging. Let my heart be a garden of love for You, a place where You may always rest. “Lord, You may sleep in my boat, I will not wake you.” (Saint Therese of Lisieux, Poem 17) The Taking of Christ Artist: Michelangelo Merisi Caravaggio Location of Artwork: National Gallery of Ireland, Dublin Let Us Pray My Lord, may my heart always be faithful to You. For the times I have betrayed You, have mercy on me. For the times I have betrayed Your little ones, have mercy on me. For the times I have betrayed Your Bride, the Church, have mercy on me. For the times I have betrayed my family, have mercy on me. For the times I have betrayed my friends, have mercy on me. For the times I have betrayed those in need, have mercy on me. Jesus I love you, Jesus I trust in Your Merciful Love. “God is greater than our hearts.” (1 John 3:20) Christ Taken Before Caiaphas Artist: Rembrandt van Rijn Location of Artwork: The Cleveland Museum of Art Let Us Pray When we see someone alone or in need, let us remember that when we serve them through our presence and love, we are serving You. “All the Gospels are an exhortation to believe. Jesus’ great question throughout the Gospels is: Do you all believe? Do you individually believe? The Church steps forward and declares to the whole world: ‘I believe!’ And would God not love the Church after that?” (Father Raniero Cantalamessa, O.F.M. Cap.) Peter’s Denial Artist: Carl Bloch Location of Artwork: The Museum of National History, Frederiksborg Let Us Pray When haunted by regret and shame of past sins, deliver us Jesus. Let us begin anew in Your mercy. Let us always live in the present moment, where grace is found. “He said to him the third time, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love me?’ Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ And he said to him, ‘Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.” (John 21:17) Ecce Homo Artist: Antonio Ciseri Location of Artwork: Gallery of Modern Art, Florence Let Us Pray Jesus, You are with me when I am deeply humiliated and You are with me even in the small embarrassments of life. May I always remember this moment of Your Passion when I feel humiliated or embarrassed. May Your silence, Your humility, Your patience, and Your sacrificial love be my strength. “The person who remains silent under criticism gains a great freedom from concern and worry about other people’s opinions. No longer living as a slave to others’ minds, such a person more easily soars into the divine mind.” (Father Thomas Dubay, S.M.) The Mocking of Christ Artist: Fra Angelico Location of Artwork: Wall of Cell 7, Convento di San Marco, Florence Let Us Pray In remembrance and honor of Your scourging, keep my body and actions pure, O Lord. In remembrance and honor of Your crowning with thorns, keep my mind and thoughts, pure O Lord. In remembrance and honor of Your mocking, keep my tongue and words pure, O Lord. “If you are experiencing trials or are sad, behold Him bound to the column, filled with pain, with all His flesh torn in pieces for the great love He bears you; so much suffering, persecuted by some, spit on by others, denied by His friends, abandoned by them, with no one to defend Him, frozen from the cold, left so alone that you can console each other. Let us walk together, Lord. Wherever You go, I will go; whatever You suffer, I will suffer.” (Saint Teresa of Avila)   Christ Carrying the Cross Artist: El Greco Location of Artwork: The Met, 5th Avenue, Gallery 958 Let Us Pray Just as Saint Simon of Cyrene helped You carry Your Cross, may I help others carry theirs. “The everlasting God has in his wisdom foreseen from eternity the cross that He now presents to you as a gift from His inmost Heart. This cross He now sends you He has considered with His all-knowing eyes, understood with His divine mind, tested with His wise justice, warmed with loving arms and weighed with His own hands to see that it be not one inch too large and not one ounce too heavy for you. He has blessed it with His Holy Name, anointed it with His consolation, taken one last glance at you and your courage, and then sent it to you from heaven, a special greeting from God to you, an alms of the All-Merciful Love of God.” (Saint Francis de Sales)   Christ of Saint John of the Cross (The Crucifixion) Artist: Salvador Dali Location of Artwork: Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, Glasgow Let Us Pray Jesus, I love You. May I always have the courage to stand at the foot of Your Cross, and not run and hide in fear and shame. You are my rock, my fortress, and my heart’s desire. “And even if the sins of soul are as dark as night, when the sinner turns to My mercy he gives Me the greatest praise and is the glory of My Passion.” (Saint Faustina, Divine Mercy in my Soul, 378)   The Pieta Artist: William Adolphe Bouguereau Let Us Pray Mother Mary, hold us close as you held your Son. May we always take you into the home of our hearts, just as Jesus asked of His disciple when He spoke His final words on the Cross. Mother Mary, thank you for saying “yes.” Teach me to say “yes” to God’s will for my life. “In the Passion, Mary was united to the redemptive love of Christ. That love, like all forms of authentic love, bore fruit. It was, and remains, generative. And so Mary’s participation in the Passion could be likened to the pains of childbirth. To become the spiritual mother of all Christians she labored and suffered tremendously in spirit. And truly, her sufferings were not in vain. Mary, Our Mother and Our Lady of Sorrows, pray for us who have recourse to thee.” (Brother Hyacinth Grubb)   [bctt tweet="Good Friday in Art #BISblog //" username="findphilothea"]

If you have enjoyed walking through Lent or Advent with the thousands of other women doing the Blessed is She liturgical journals, you may be wondering what's next. How can you keep your momentum going? How can you stay connected to Our Lord in Scripture, to the truths taught by the Church in the Catechism, and to your sisters in Christ? Of course, first and foremost, continue to encounter Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament by going to Mass as often as you can, visiting Him in the Adoration chapel, and receiving His forgiveness and grace in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. What's Next for You And in your day-to-day? Here are the resources we have made here at Blessed is She for you to continue journeying in your life of faith. Daily Devotions via Email Are you already a subscriber to our free daily devotion emails? They’re a simply way to read the Mass readings for the day along with a brief reflection by one of our forty writers. It's a great opportunity to pray alongside your sisters in Christ. Regional Facebook Groups Our Facebook groups are thousands of women strong, meeting for the purpose of praying for each other and encouraging one another on our Catholic journey. Find your region and ask to join today! Blessed Brunches Find Catholic women friends near you geographically! Sign up to host a potluck Blessed Brunch and we do the work of finding the friends for you. It only takes a few clicks. Then, it's as simple as opening your front door and making a pot of coffee. Our hostess guide does the rest of the work for you! Blessed Conversations These no-prep, no-homework studies are designed for groups of 2 or 200 women. One set is on the Catechism and another on the Rosary. They are doable in under an hour with selections from Scripture, Catechism, a reflection, reflection questions, and discussion questions. Join our leader Facebook group to learn more on how to arrange a group. Gift of You Series This seven-video series with Nell O’Leary guides you through developing the gift that you are, learning about Church teaching on the “gift of self,” making friends with Saints and Church fathers along the way, and being equipped to give of yourself more completely to your community. Blessed is She Blog The Blessed is She blog publishes several posts each week on any and all topics that pertain to being a modern Catholic women. Hear from different voices and perspectives on everything from living faithfully when your spouse isn't Catholic to book and movie reviews through the lens of Catholicism. Teachable Tuesdays Every Tuesday, we go live on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube for a community Bible study. Beth Davis shares whatever God is teaching her in prayer and His Word that week. The whole goal for us is to have a teachable heart, to be attentive the the ways God is working and speaking, and to learn and grow in the ways God is teaching. On Instagram, we stick around for a Q&A with the community to chat and pray together! Regional Retreats The regional retreats are a chance to encounter Jesus and connect with the larger BIS community. The day-and-a-half retreats are a blend of talks, worship, Sacraments, individual prayer, and small group conversation. The retreats span from college students to grandmothers—seriously! All ages and stages of life are represented. The food is delicious, the space is beautiful, the swag is sweet, and the company is life-giving. The whole experience is encouraging and transformative! Have you experienced any of these resources or ways to connect? Let us know which ones in the comments! [bctt tweet="What's Next After Advent and Lent? More BIS Resources #BISblog //" via="no"]