Eight inches or so high, simply crafted of wood and silver, the crucifix was worn from years of doing much more than hanging on a wall. It rested in his left hand as he preached. He kissed it at the end of each homily and each Sign of the Cross. He shifted it from one hand to the other as he greeted people after Mass. And one day, he passed it to me. Somehow, even after years at this parish, it was the first time I had ended up in the confessional with my favorite priest. He had encouraged me profoundly week after week, officiated my wedding, and baptized my son. On this day, he listened to me pour out my sins with compassion in his eyes. He offered brief counsel and wisdom in his ever-gentle, but challenging way. “And now,” he said, holding his cherished crucifix out to me, “please make your Act of Contrition.” I hesitated. My hands trembled as I tentatively reached out, wrapping my fingers around the crucifix. Tears filled my eyes as I gazed onto this figure of Christ on the Cross. For all the crucifixes I have seen and touched throughout my entire life as a Catholic, this one meant the most. I had witnessed firsthand the deep love that this holy priest had for Christ Crucified. How his love for Jesus in His Passion defined who he was and how he lived. The weight of my sins suddenly felt so heavy. This is what they had done, but this is what He did for me. “O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended thee…” A Few of My Favorite Passionist Saints It may come as no surprise that this holy priest—so deeply in love with Jesus that the Cross was never far from his mind or heart—is a Passionist. The order was founded in 1725 by Saint Paul of the Cross, so named because he, likewise, was rarely without a crucifix in hand. Passionists are most easily recognized by their black wool habits, simply adorned with the Passionist symbol: a white Sacred Heart and the words “Jesu XPI Passio” (the Passion of Jesus Christ). Between the two incredible Passionist priests who served at my home church during a few formative years of my life and my Confirmation Saint, this order holds a special place in my heart. In honor of Saint Paul of the Cross’ feast day, which we celebrate today, get to know a few of the Saints this order has instructed and inspired. Saint Paul of the Cross The founder of the Passionists, Saint Paul of the Cross, was born in Italy in 1694. A series of visions—first of himself clothed in a black habit, and later, of the Blessed Mother in a similar black tunic and the Passionist sign—inspired him to form a community dedicated to the Passion of Jesus. He fervently believed there was no greater indication of Christ’s love for us than His Passion. He once said: The world lives unmindful of the sufferings of Jesus which are the miracle of miracles of the love of God. His life’s work was bringing the Passion, and therefore, God’s infinite love, to the forefront of people’s minds. It took 21 years to found The Congregation of the Passion of Jesus Christ. During that time, Saint Paul served as a hospital chaplain, ministering to the sick and suffering, and as a traveling preacher, encouraging the faithful in devotions to Jesus’ Passion. Along with his poignant preaching and deep love for Jesus and the Blessed Mother, he was best known for his frequent sacrifices and penance for the conversion of sinners. Saint Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows Saint Gabriel Possenti, also known as Saint Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows, grew up in a large family in Italy. Throughout his youth, he endured the deaths of his mother and multiple siblings. Despite these family tragedies, he was exceptionally sociable and well-liked amongst his peers. Twice during his youth, Saint Gabriel (then known as Francesco) fell seriously ill. During both illnesses, he promised God he would enter religious life if his life was spared...and both times, upon his recovery, he forgot about his promise. Soon after, at a church procession, He encountered the Blessed Mother. Her eyes, as shown in a banner of Our Lady, Help of Christians, turned right toward him and he heard the words “Keep your promise.” Finally, he did, entering the Passionisit novitiate as soon as he completed school. While Saint Gabriel hoped to become a missionary priest, he died of tuberculosis at the age of 24, before he could reach ordination. Along with Saint Aloysius, he is one of the patron Saints of young people. Saint Gemma Galgani Although she was never accepted to the Passionist Convent she deeply desired to join, Saint Gemma Galgani is one of the most beloved Saints that the Passionists claim as their own. Intensely devout from her childhood, Saint Gemma was an ardent follower of Saint Paul of the Cross’ teachings. In particular, she shared Saint Paul’s deep devotion for Jesus in His Passion and his commitment to making sacrifices for the conversion of sinners. Saint Gemma’s life was filled with suffering, from losing both of her parents, to experiencing debilitating illnesses, to being turned away from the convent due to her poor health. However, it was also marked with miracles. She communicated freely with her guardian angel (even sending messages through him to her spiritual director), experienced miraculous cures, saw visions of Jesus, Mary, and other Saints (including Saint Gabriel Possenti), and bore the wounds of Christ in the stigmata. After her death, she was finally clothed in the Passionist habit. Saint Charles of Mount Argus Most Passionist priests are known for their preaching, an essential part of their commitment to spreading devotion to Christ in His Passion. Saint Charles of Mount Argus, however, was not a very good preacher. The Dutch priest spent most of his life at a Passionist monastery in the outskirts of Dublin, Ireland. The fact that he never fully mastered the English language further hindered his preaching, but what he may have lacked in his homilies, he more than made up for in the Confessional. Known for his holiness, compassion, and devotion to the suffering, he was a highly sought-after spiritual director. He also had the gift of healing, which furthered his popularity with people across the country. Following his death in 1835, the Superior of his monastery wrote to his family, "The people have already declared him a saint." Pope Benedict XVI made it official in 2007. Hope in His Mercy While these Saints—just a few of the many associated with the Passionists—vary in age, vocation, and personality, they clearly shared in this belief of Saint Paul of the Cross: I hope that God will save me through the merits of the Passion of Jesus. The more difficulties in life, the more I hope in God. By God's grace I will not lose my soul, but I hope in His mercy. Do you have a favorite Passionist Saint? Let us know who in the comments below!   [bctt tweet="An Introduction to Passionist Saints #BISblog //" username="lisajanelkirk"]

The Catholic Faith is a treasure trove. A treasure trove where upon exploration, we discover that it is bottomless. The precious gems and jewels within it—Holy Mass, Sacraments, Sacred Scripture, graces, prayers, devotions, traditions, teachings, and more—go on and on. These treasures exemplify the generous goodness of God and His desire to draw us closer to Him. It reminds me of what St. Paul writes to the Romans:  O the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! Our Lady of the Rosary The Rosary is a priceless treasure inspired by God.-Saint Louis de Montford One precious treasure of our Catholic Faith is the Blessed Mother, whom we honor today (October 7th) as Our Lady of the Rosary. Another treasure is something she gave to us, her children, in order to keep us tethered to her motherly heart. And that gift is the Holy Rosary. Today’s feast dates back to 1573, when Christians attributed their victory over the Turks at Lepanto to the Blessed Mother under the title Our Lady of Victory. Three hundred years later, in 1883, Pope Leo XIII dedicated the entire month of October to the Holy Rosary. Through this dedication, he asked faithful Catholics to pray that God would console and defend His Church, through the intercession of the Queen of the Holy Rosary. The Traditional Rosary Many Catholics are familiar with the traditional Rosary. Some grew up praying the Rosary with their family, while others adopted the prayer practice in their adult years. The Blessed Mother urged Catholics to pray the Rosary every day in the Fatima apparition in 1917. She has pleaded with us to pray the Rosary in other apparitions, too. Why? Because Our Lady desires to be our Mother and ask for her assistance. And when we do ask for her prayers and intercession, she goes directly to her Son, Jesus, Who refuses her nothing (John 2:1-12). Rosary Variations Draw Us Closer to the Lord In addition to the traditional Rosary, there are other prayers we can say on traditional Rosary beads. Each draws us closer to the Lord in a unique way. The most popular is probably the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, which Jesus gave to Saint Faustina in the 1930s. Catholics typically pray this chaplet at 3 p.m., which commemorates the death of Our Lord, the hour of mercy. Listed below are a few of the many Rosary variations. Perhaps one will become a new treasure in your prayer routine. 📿 Make It a Daily Habit Find Your Perfect Rosary From the Blessed Mother to St. Therese, St. Joseph, and Our Lady of Guadalupe, our rosaries are made to pray for your intentions every day. Shop All Rosaries → Chaplet of the Immaculate Heart of Mary To begin, make the Sign of the Cross five times in veneration of Jesus’ five holy wounds (two Hands, two Feet, and His Side). On the large beads, pray: Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for those who seek refuge in you. On the small beads, pray: Holy Mother, save us through your Immaculate Heart's flame of love. At the end, repeat the Glory Be three times. WRITE + PRAY We invite you to sit with the Word and unpack it in a uniquely personal way, finding your own story. Discover your story within His. GET WRITE AND PRAY Rosary to the Holy Wounds This devotion honors the five wounds of Our Lord. The prayers were composed by Jesus and given to Sr. Mary Martha of the Monastery of the Visitation of Chambery. Many promises are attached to this devotion. Prayers on the Crucifix and first three beads: O Jesus, Divine Redeemer, be merciful to us and to the whole world. Amen. Strong God, holy God, immortal God, have mercy on us and on the whole world. Amen. Grace and mercy, O my Jesus, during present dangers; cover us with Your Precious Blood. Amen. Eternal Father, grant us mercy through the Blood of Jesus Christ, Your only Son; grant us mercy, we beseech You. Amen, Amen, Amen. On the large beads: Eternal Father, I offer You the wounds of Our Lord Jesus Christ. R: To heal the wounds of our souls. On the small beads: My Jesus, pardon and mercy. R: Through the merits of Your Holy Wounds. Concluding prayer: Lord Jesus, Man of Sorrows, we have meditated upon your suffering. We have considered those wounds we know and those unknown to us, and with confidence in your mercy, we ask you to grant us a greater purity of heart, true humility, and courage in our own suffering. We place ourselves and our loved ones into your holy wounds, trusting in your compassion and healing grace. Make us holy and worthy to call you Lord. Amen. Rosary in Honor of Saint Joseph The Rosary in honor of Saint Joseph is a beautiful way to ask for this holy Saint’s intercession. This prayer is said like a traditional Rosary, but instead of the Hail Mary, pray the Hail Holy Joseph. Hail, Holy Joseph, spouse of the ever virgin Mary, foster father of God the Son, whom our Father in Heaven chose to be head of the Holy Family, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen. Joyful Mysteries: The annunciation of Joseph The birth of Jesus The circumcision and naming of Jesus The presentation of Jesus in the Temple The finding of the child Jesus in the Temple Sorrowful Mysteries: Joseph's spouse Mary is found to be with child The journey to Bethlehem Joseph flees to Egypt with Mary and Jesus Jesus is lost in Jerusalem The death of Joseph Glorious Mysteries: The glorification of St. Joseph Saint Joseph, patron of the Universal Church Saint Joseph, protector of families Saint Joseph, patron of the sick and suffering Saint Joseph, patron of a holy death Chaplet of the Seven Sorrows This chaplet requires the use of special beads that are in groups of seven, but it follows the traditional Rosary format: Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be. The seven groups remember the seven sorrows of Our Lady: The prophecy of Simeon The flight into Egypt The loss of the Child Jesus in the Temple Mary meets Jesus carrying His Cross The Crucifixion Mary receives the body of Jesus from the Cross The body of Jesus is placed in the tomb To conclude the Chaplet of the Seven Sorrows, pray: V: Pray for us, O most sorrowful Virgin. R: That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Lord Jesus, we now implore, both for the present and for the hour of our death, the intercession of the most Blessed Virgin Mary, Thy Mother, whose holy soul was pierced at the time of Thy passion by a sword of grief. Grant us this favor, O Savior of the world, Who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen. Do you pray the Rosary or a variation of the Rosary? How has it drawn you closer to Jesus through Mary?     Join us over in our app for a live weekday Rosary at 11am ET! 

Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life. From its beginning until death, human life is surrounded by their watchful care and intercession. -Catechism of the Catholic Church 336 An Old Prayer Made New For as long as I can remember I prayed the Guardian Angel Prayer every morning. It’s a simple sentence that only takes a few seconds to say: Guardian angel, my guardian dear, to whom God’s love commits me here, ever this day be at my side to light, to guard, to rule, to guide. Until recently, I prayed these words out of habit. Yet, after listening to a talk about angels by Dr. Mark Miravalle, a Professor of Theology and Mariology at the Franciscan University of Steubenville, I have since prayed this prayer intentionally and lovingly. One of my daily goals is to foster a relationship—a friendship—with my guardian angel. Since making communication with my guardian angel a priority, the fruits have been beautiful, not only for me personally, but my entire family. I have such peace entrusting my son to his guardian angel each day and night. My heart is filled with joy in asking my guardian angel, and my husband’s, to protect our marriage. Guardian angels bring peace and joy. What Are Angels Like? In his book, Time To Meet The Angels, Dr. Miravalle writes that “Angels are created spiritual persons without bodies. They are pure spirits, created by God out of nothing as part of the wonder of divine creation. In the natural order, they are beings created with the closest possible image and likeness to God. Their principal goal is to glorify God and to act as messengers of God to us.” Guardian Angels: Specifically For You All nine choirs of angels were created by God to glorify Him. The ninth choir is where most of our guardian angels come from. Something very powerful to meditate on is that our guardian angels aren’t recycled. Meaning, after we die, our guardian angel isn’t assigned to another person. In fact, our guardian angel has been waiting for each one of us since creation! This shows God’s deep, unique, individualized love for us. A Gift From God Our guardian angels are a heavenly gift to us from God. Saint Bonaventure preached that they, “guard, comfort, and support humanity.” It is true that many aspects of our guardian angels remain a mystery to us, yet it is a beautiful opportunity to trust in Christ and the Church’s teachings, and place our confidence in these spirits who are aiding us on our journey to Heaven. A Holy Love God has given our guardian angels the knowledge necessary for our holiness. He has also given our guardian angels a love that resembles His love for us, a perfect love. That means that no human here on earth can or will know us or love us like our guardian angel knows and loves us! It is important for us to call upon our guardian angels each day, throughout the day. Our guardian angels will never leave our side, no matter how deeply we sin. It would be wise of us to ask their intercession in both the joys and sorrows of the day and request them to protect us from evil and keep us safe from harm. Fostering Friendship The Opus Angelorum Sanctorum, a spiritual movement within the Catholic Church that encourages devotion to our guardian angels, lists four ways we can foster a friendship with our guardian angels: Attend Mass and Adoration. Contemplate God, asking our guardian angels to help guide our thoughts and hearts. Ask our guardian angel to help us offer our daily sacrifices to God in reparation for sin. Ask guidance from our guardian angel within our vocation. Another way to grow closer to our guardian angels is through consecration. In the Great Jubilee Year 2000, the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith officially approved this consecration prayer to our guardian angel. Whether it’s the simple guardian angel prayer memorized from childhood or a formal prayer of consecration, it is important to communicate to and entrust ourselves to our guardian angels. Turn to them always. Learn More About Guardian Angels Time To Meet The Angels by Mark Miravalle Opus Angelorum Sanctorum Saint Thomas Aquinas’ Summa Section About Angels (Saint Thomas is known as the “Angelic Doctor” because of his work and teachings about the Angels in the Summa Theologiae.) The Catechism of the Catholic Church Works of Saint Bonaventure (Saint Bonaventure is referred to as the “Seraphic Doctor.”)   [bctt tweet="The Guardian Angels #BISblog //" username="findphilothea"]   This post contains affiliate links. Thanks so much for supporting the ministry of Blessed is She!

The year 2020 has been...a bit much. I'd venture to guess that most of us are weary and honestly, still trying to figure out what just happened. But there's always Good News: Jesus Christ is King, and no matter what each year brings, He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. And this year, even this year, the beautiful season of Advent is still coming. Jesus still saves the world. [bctt tweet="Jesus Christ is King, and no matter what each year brings, He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. #BISblog #bisadvent // " via="no"]   Softening Our Hearts Many of our hearts have become calloused this year. Perhaps we've grown more cynical, hardening our hearts toward one another and, maybe, to the Lord. But He is the only One who can preserve, defend, and redeem us. But as grace is a gift, it must be received. And this Advent, we are invited to accept His grace, allow it to penetrate our souls, and soften our hearts. A Greater Reliance One fruit of this softening of our hearts is a greater reliance upon Jesus. Perhaps you're nearing the end of this year burnt out from making decisions, from wearing so many hats, from trying to safeguard yourself and those you love. Perhaps you've spent this year striving to save yourself and the whole world. You're not alone. Of course, we know that we cannot save ourselves. And that's why we're baking in burnout if we've tried. Only Jesus can save us. And while we know that Truth, sometimes our hearts forget. This Advent, be reminded that Jesus is the Savior. The 2020 Advent Devotional // Maranatha As we all venture toward living fully in the truth that Jesus is the only One Who can rescue us, we'd love to pray with you. This year, the Blessed is She Advent Devotional seeks to provide us with such encouragement and guidance. Maranatha: The Story of Our Savior is all about learning how Jesus fulfilled the Messianic prophecies and our pursuit of telling the world about this Savior. If you've ever doubted Who Jesus is or what He is capable of accomplishing on earth, this devotional is for you. If you've ever wondered how the Old and New Testaments are connected, this devotional is for you. If you're longing for space to contemplate God and speak to Him as a friend, this devotional is for you. The Story of Our Savior Through Advent, we will be reflecting on: Jesus' Incarnation and Jesus as the Messiah Jesus’ ministry and Jesus as the Shepherd The Cross and Jesus as Healer The call of evangelization and Jesus as the Way We know that every new thing learned about God is another reason to love Him. We're so excited to learn more about Him and love Him more alongside you. Get your Advent Devotional How to Use the Advent Devotional Each week, we will dive into Scripture. We will be given space to pray about how Jesus is the Savior of the world, and the Savior of each of us, personally. You can pray through the Advent Journal on your own, with a buddy, or with a small group. Our First Ever Kids' Advent Companion Devotional In addition to this year's Advent devotional, we are thrilled to offer our first ever companion devotional for kids! If your children, nieces or nephews, godchildren, or students are eager to pray by your side, snag a companion devotional for them. I am so excited about this devotional, and I know my kids will love spending our morning prayer time discussing similar passages and thoughts about Jesus. If you want to pick up a devotional for you and some for kids, you can snag them in a bundle here. Buy the Kid Journal The Advent Bundle Finally, if you want some additional prayer tools to accompany your Advent devotional, check out this year's Advent bundle. Along with the book, you'll receive an exclusive Rosary bracelet and ceramic candle. Personally, I love lighting a candle for my prayer time, and I cannot wait to use this one to help keep me focused on what matters most. Order the Advent 2020 Bundle This Advent, and forevermore, will you let Him be your Savior? Will you be praying through Maranatha with our Blessed is She community?   [bctt tweet="Advent is Still Coming, Jesus is Still the Savior #BISblog //" via="no"]

Padre Pio said that, “Once I take on a soul, I also take on the entire family as my spiritual children.” I know this to be true. My son has always been drawn to him and that devotion has only continued to grow. When asked who his favorite Saint is, he always says, “Padre Pio!” My son’s devotion to this great Saint has encouraged our family to take him on as our patron. Spiritual Children Even though I had gone on a pilgrimage to San Giovanni Rotondo, I was never naturally drawn to Saint Padre Pio. In fact, I was intimidated by him! A man who bore Christ’s wounds in the Stigmata, could bilocate, read souls in the confessional, and is now incorrupt seemed too great of a Saint for me to even approach. It was my son, who was born almost a decade after my pilgrimage, who taught me, through his pure, child-like confidence, to ask Saint Pio’s intercession with joy and trust. Since doing so, my life has truly transformed. Do Not Be Afraid My son helped me understand a beautiful lesson: never be afraid or intimidated by the holiness of the Saints. Approach them with confidence and love. There are so many graces available to us when we ask for their intercession. Fear is not of God and all that the Saints desire is for us to be in Heaven with them, glorifying God beside them for eternity. They have all struggled, they have all sinned. They know that the remedy of sin is Jesus Christ. Their lives, their witness, always encourage and point to Him, our salvation. The Communion of Saints Because of our son, and now our own devotion, we have filled our home with images of Saint Padre Pio and we are learning more about him through books and film. We have venerated his relics at a chapel close to our home and ask his intercession each day, throughout the day. His words have given us such comfort, as well as the many miracle stories that we continue to read about him! A Saint of Our Time Francesco Forgione (Padre Pio) is a Saint of our time, born during the late 19th century in Italy. His parents were devout Catholic peasant farmers. Francesco was a devout child and dedicated his life to Christ at a young age. Francesco entered the Capuchin Franciscan Friars in Morcone, Italy, where he took the name Pio. Pio finally became a priest, after years of study, filled with illness and frequent spiritual warfare. Saint Pio served briefly during WWI, yet because of his poor health was discharged twice. After his permanent military discharge in 1918, Padre Pio moved to Our Lady of Grace Capuchin Friary in San Giovanni Rotondo. It was there that Padre Pio started a medical clinic for the poor, a place that now serves as one of the greatest research hospitals in Europe. Saint Pio’s greatest joys were offering the Sacrament of Mass and Confession. He, like all the great Saints, loved Our Lady and encouraged devotion to her. On September 23rd, 1968, Padre Pio died. He was canonized by Pope John Paul II, the pope he had met and offered Confession to decades prior, in June 2002. Miracles continue to occur through his intercession. Words From Padre Pio // “Fear nothing. Jesus is and will always be totally yours, and nobody will take him from you. Do not allow yourself to be overcome by discouragement if you don’t always visibly see your every effort crowned. Jesus sees, rewards, and commands good will and not good success, because the latter does not depend on human efforts and work.” // “Place all your cares in Him alone, because He has very great care of you.” // “Don’t be discouraged if you experience spiritual dryness. This does not mean that the Lord has abandoned you. All that is happening in your soul is due to the exquisiteness of Jesus’ love for you. He wants you entirely for Himself, He wants you to place all your trust and all your affection in Him alone, and it is precisely for this reason that He sends you this spiritual aridity, to unite you more closely to Him, to rid you of certain little attachments which do not appear as such to us and which, in many cases, we do not even recognize or detect.” // “How happy are those souls who live by faith; who adore the holy plan of God in everything.” // “Try as best you can, without excessive anxiety, to do what you must and wish to do with perfection. But once it is done, think no more about it, but rather attend only to what you must and want to do or to what you are doing. Walk with simplicity in the ways of the Lord and do not torment your spirit.” // “Prayer is the best weapon we have; it is the key to God’s heart.” // “O daughter of little faith, I also repeat to you with the divine Master, Why are you afraid? No, do not fear; you are walking on the sea amid the wind and waves, but be sure that you are with Jesus. What is there to fear? But if fear takes you by surprise, you too shout loudly: “O Lord, save me!” He will stretch out His hand to you; and this hand is precisely that tenuous ray of trust in Him which you feel in the depths of your soul. Squeeze His hand tightly and walk joyfully, at least in the apex of your soul.” A Prayer Written By Padre Pio Stay with me, Lord, for it is necessary to have You present so that I do not forget You. You know how easily I abandon You. Stay with me Lord, because I am weak, and I need Your strength, so that I may not fall so often. Stay with me Lord, for You are my life, and without You, I am without fervor. Stay with me Lord, for You are my light, and without you, I am in darkness. Stay with me Lord, to show me Your will. Stay with me Lord, so that I hear Your voice and follow You. Stay with me Lord, for I desire to love you very much, and always be in Your company. Stay with me Lord, if You wish me to be faithful to You. Stay with me Lord, for as poor as my soul is, I want it to be a place of consolation for You, a nest of Love. Stay with me, Jesus, for it is getting late, and the day is coming to a close, and life passes, death, judgment, eternity approach. It is necessary to renew my strength, so that I will not stop along the way and for that, I need You. It is getting late and death approaches. I fear the darkness, the temptations, the dryness, the cross, the sorrows. O how I need You, my Jesus, in this night of exile. Stay with me tonight, Jesus, in life with all its dangers, I need You. Let me recognize You as Your disciples did at the breaking of bread, so that the Eucharistic Communion be the light which disperses the darkness, the force which sustains me, the unique joy of my heart. Stay with me Lord, because at the hour of my death, I want to remain united to you, if not by Communion, at least by grace and love. Stay with me Jesus, I do not ask for divine consolation because I do not merit it, but the gift of Your presence, oh yes, I ask this of You. Stay with me Lord, for it is You alone I look for, Your Love, Your Grace, Your Will, Your Heart, Your Spirit, because I love You and ask no other reward but to love You more and more. With a firm love, I will love You with all my heart while on earth and continue to love You perfectly during all eternity. Amen. Here For Us Saint Padre Pio suffered not only physically, but also spiritually, emotionally, and mentally. We each have a cross and the Saints, like Christ, help us in our suffering. The intercession of the Saints is powerful. Call upon Saint Padre Pio to be with you in both your joys and suffering. And rest in knowing that you are never alone, you are surrounded by a communion of Saints, a communion of grace. Are you a spiritual child of Padre Pio? What will you entrust to him today? [bctt tweet="Be a Spiritual Child of Padre Pio #BISblog //" username="findphilothea"]

Edith Stein was a German-Jewish woman, a Catholic convert, a Carmelite nun, and a respected philosopher. Killed in a German concentration camp in 1942, Edith Stein is revered as a martyr. In order to understand the reality of Edith Stein, it is necessary to view her life, her spirituality, and her writings, in light of her melancholic temperament. An understanding of her melancholic temperament sheds light upon Edith Stein’s path to sanctity as she serves as an incredible example of the melancholic temperament culminated in sainthood. The four temperaments (sanguine, choleric, phlegmatic, and melancholic) originated thousands of years ago. Hippocrates, the first to develop personality theory, established the four temperaments according to four type of fluids of the body. Modern scientists have since expanded on personality and temperament theories and the four temperaments have been used to provide insight into human nature. The Depth and Desire of a Melancholic Edith Stein, as evidenced from her actions, her writings, as well as others’ recollections of her, was a melancholic. The melancholic temperament is characterized by perfectionism and idealism. The melancholic longs for perfection and tends to struggle with depression and pessimism. Even as a child, Edith had a rich interior life. She felt emotions keenly but was unable to express any of what she experienced. At a young age, Edith already felt a void within herself. Comparing her interior world unfavorably with the real world caused Edith to turn toward herself. It was only when she found Christ and could unite her sufferings to Him that Edith found peace. Edith’s idealistic nature gave her a drive and determination beyond that of the average student. She wanted to seek truth and she was determined to find answers for the problems which plagued her. In university, Edith struggled to remain indifferent to the current social and political problems. The state of humanity was a constant source of worry for Edith. The Struggle Edith continued to suffer from poor health as a result of emotional and spiritual conflict during her young adult years. Her temperament unperfected and immature, Edith struggled with the seemingly dark nature of the world. Yet, despite whatever inner tension Edith faced, she always managed to be kind and cheerful for her friends and family. She felt that she could not reveal the inner turmoil happening in her soul. As Edith began to pursue philosophy and writing under the guidance of mentor Edmund Husserl, her health began to suffer due to overwork. Edith recalls, “there was a long period during which I totally lost all appetite, and this recurred nearly every year thereafter. I lost about twenty pounds in a very short time.” This alarming description of her health exemplifies Edith’s determination and sense of duty, two vital aspects of her temperament. The melancholic, characteristically appearing smaller and weaker than some of the other temperaments, tends to be prone to small yet draining illnesses. Longing for Rest In 1916, Edith received her Ph.D in Philosophy at age 24. All of Edith’s work in Academia further illustrate her search for truth and peace which plagued her soul. Despite her success in the academic world, much of Edith’s young adult life was characterized by what she calls “her deplorable state.” In a letter to an academic mentor, Edith reflects back on this period of her life. “That condition lasted for years until I found the place where there is rest and peace for all restless hearts.” For years, Edith had struggled against her transcendent desire for truth and goodness. The world only sought to disappoint her. In Christ, however, Edith found the Person to Whom she could surrender herself. She was already His. Edith’s experience corresponds with Art and Laraine Bennett’s assertion that the melancholic, drawn to the highest of ideals, “should focus on personal intimacy with Christ” because nothing else satisfy. Conviction and Conversion Despite Edith’s joy at finding Truth, she struggled with the knowledge that her conversion would pain her family. Consider the enormity of Edith’s action: she was denying the faith of her family and her people at a pivotal point in history. Yet, she continued on in complete faith. Soon after Edith’s conversion, she wanted to become a Carmelite nun. However, both due to the advice of her spiritual director and her mother, Edith decided to wait. Waiting was incredibly difficult for Edith. Diligent, determined, and idealistic, Edith felt she was a stranger in the outside world. Yet, her strong sense of duty prevented her from taking this course of action though she was longing to devote herself completely to Christ. When Edith was finally able to enter Carmel in 1933, she was 42 years old. She took the name Sr. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross. Entering Carmel was Edith’s response to the truth and the ideals which she had sought for so long. Her melancholic temperament, predisposing her to scrupulosity and doubt, was calmed in Christ. She surrendered her will to God, allowing him to transform her. Her Religious Name Edith’s religious name, Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, points to Edith’s spirituality. The “Teresa” and “Benedicta” aspects were chosen for Saint Teresa of Avila and Saint Benedict of Nursia. “Of the Cross” alludes to her devotion to the Cross of Christ, the highest ideal in Christianity. Edith, who desired so wholeheartedly to become united personally and irrevocably with Christ, viewed the vocation of every Christian as to help Him carry the Cross. For Edith, joy was not possible without partaking in Christ’s suffering. It is only through participation in the Passion that one can achieve true joy. Edith writes: helping Christ carry his cross fills one with a strong and pure joy, and those who may and can do so, the builders of God’s kingdom, are the most authentic children of God. For Edith, a relationship with Christ did not just consist of merely consolation or even prayer. Relationship with Christ meant choosing to be crucified beside Him. [bctt tweet="Helping Christ carry his cross fills one with a strong and pure joy... -Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross #BISblog //" via="no"] Personality Purified and Perfected In 1942, Edith, along with her sister Rosa, who had join Edith in Catholicism after the death of their mother, were taken by the Nazis. Edith’s reported last words, as she and Rosa were taken by the Gestapo were, “Come, let us go for our people.” She was unafraid. Eyewitnesses report that Edith was distinguished by her silence. Edith, sorrowful to the depths of her soul, intuitively aware of all the pain of those around her, was described as carrying “so much pain that it hurt to see her smile.” Edith and Rosa Stein are reported to have been killed in the gas chambers on August 9th, 1942. Edith Stein provides an incredible example of a melancholic Saint. Understanding her natural preferences and inclinations provides greater insight into Edith’s journey toward Christ. Her high ideals and determination for truth were fulfilled in Christ. She struggled with depression and doubts, but she chose to follow Christ in blind faith. She trusted Him to the point of martyrdom. Edith’s melancholic temperament was perfected through her faith and allowed her to ultimately ascend the Cross beside Christ. She offers a stunning example of the melancholic temperament perfected in sainthood. Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, pray for us.   [bctt tweet="Edith Stein: Hope for the Melancholic #BISblog //" via="no"]   Mary Grace, born and raised a Texas girl, recently graduated from Benedictine College with a major in Evangelization and Catechesis. She is a dancer, a writer, and a wanna-be explorer. Mary Grace loves to spend her spare time choreographing dances, going on runs, practicing calligraphy, and searching for the best chai tea latte. She is doing her best to go wherever God calls her whether it be Oklahoma, Kansas, Ireland, or back to Texas. Mary Grace is currently living her dream of serving the Church by working as the Marketing and Communications Assistant at a parish in Frisco, Texas. Find out more about her here.

Several weeks ago, I had the opportunity to attend a Missa Cantata on a Monday evening at our local parish. The Missa Cantata, which is Latin for “sung Mass,” is a form of the Traditional Latin Mass, sometimes referred to as the Tridentine Mass. As I sat silently listening to the priest pray in Latin, I took a minute to look around. I knew the priest had spent time preparing and learning the complexities of the rubrics. There was a small choir, along with an organist who had spent time practicing before Mass began. College students and seminarians had driven across the city during finals week to serve. My son and his school friends had skipped after-school activities to prepare the altar and to serve. Birettas had been found, linens were pressed, and candles were lit. There was incense, and a parishioner had set up a makeshift altar rail. There were people scattered about the pews, some praying silently, while others were flipping through the worship aid, trying to follow along with the unfamiliar Latin text. There were mothers and fathers holding their tired, fidgety children. It was going to be at least twice as long as an ordinary daily Mass, and considerably more effort. I thought for a moment: Was this really necessary? Was it not a bit excessive? Surely everyone there was busy on a weekday evening. No doubt homework, dinner, laundry, bills, and family obligations were waiting at home. Wasn’t this a little much for a Monday evening? The answer, I think, is yes. Why "A Little Much" is Completely Appropriate A Missa Cantata on a Monday evening is like Mary pouring out expensive perfume at the feet of Jesus and washing Him with her hair. It is extravagant, perhaps to the point of seeming unreasonable, past what is required or deemed necessary to fulfill any obligation. In Mary’s encounter with Love Incarnate, she showed no restraint, no moderation in her response. Why should she? And just as Lazarus’s house was filled with the sweet smell of perfume, the smell of incense filled our ordinary, suburban church. Jesus’ answer to the question of ‘why?’ is the same for us today: because He is here. Christ is made present to us in the Sacrifice of the Mass, in the midst of our busy lives. [bctt tweet="Christ is made present to us in the Sacrifice of the Mass, in the midst of our busy lives. #BISblog //" via="no"] God's Movement, Our Response Is that not truly the height of extravagance, to the point of absurdity? That our Creator would come to us, to be consumed by us, to save us? I am reminded of the words of Saint Francis: Let the entire man be seized with fear; let the whole world tremble; let heaven exult when Christ, the Son of the Living God, is on the altar in the hands of the priest. O admirable height and stupendous condescension! O humble sublimity! O sublime humility! That the Lord of the Universe, God and the Son of God, so humbles Himself that for our salvation he hides Himself under a morsel of bread. That should compel us to respond with excess, with our highest effort. Not because we have to, but because we want to. Even to the point of seeming inordinate or ridiculous to those looking on. Finding a Missa Cantata I think that’s the reason so many made their way to that particular Mass that evening. Not in spite of the extra time or effort, but because of it. We felt called in that moment to do something more than necessary, to participate in something beautiful and sacrificial. We have each experienced, in some way or another, the lavishness of God’s love for us, and the only satisfying response is to pause our ordinary lives and pour ourselves out with whatever beauty and goodness we can muster. Find a Traditional Latin Mass in your community here. Have you ever attended Missa Cantata? What was your experience like?   [bctt tweet="Missa Cantata on a Monday Evening #BISblog //" via="no"]   Cheryl Witty-Castillo is a mother, freelance writer, and director of the Writing and Language Center at St. Mary’s Seminary. You can find out more about her here.

I have vivid memories of our family gathering at my Abuela’s house to dress the Infant Jesus (Santo Niño). Everyone would gather around the Christmas tree to pray, sing hymns, and witness the chosen “Godparents” of that year dress the little babe of Bethlehem. This is a tradition Mexican households participate in, especially during the Christmas season. Devotion to the Infant Jesus is centuries old. In Spain, He is known as Santo Niño de Atocha, (click here for a little more background). In the Philippines, He is known as Santo Niño de Cebu. Although each culture has its own rich traditions and celebrations, at the heart of the Devotion is the opportunity to increase our relationship with the Father with humbled hearts. Devotion to the Infant Jesus is widespread, but the most promulgated in Western Culture is the Devotion to the Infant Jesus of Prague. History and Origin of Devotion to the Infant Jesus Devotion to the Infant Jesus of Prague is devotion to the Child Jesus. It is veneration of the Son of God, who in the form of an infant chose a stable for a palace, manger for a cradle, and shepherds for worshippers. Our Savior grants special graces to all who venerate His sacred Infancy. -Devotion to the Infant Jesus of Prague According to sources, the statue of the Infant Jesus of Prague originates in Spain. It was probably made in Spain sometime in the second half of the 16th century or earlier. Legend says that the Infant Jesus miraculously appeared to the monk who molded the statue based on his vision. A different legend tells us that the statue was owned by Saint Teresa of Jesus who greatly venerated Jesus' childhood and spread the veneration of the Infant Jesus throughout Spain. She is said to have given the statue to a friend whose daughter was getting married in Prague. The statue of the Infant Jesus was brought to Prague by the Spanish Duchess Marie Manriquez de Lcara, who married Vrastislav of Pernstejn in 1556. She gave the statue to her daughter Polyxena of Lobkovic as a wedding gift. She greatly venerated the statue and received consolation and help from it many times. Polyxena of Lobkowicz donated the statue as a precious gift to the monastery of Discalced Carmelites at the Church of Our Lady of Victory. She presented her beloved statue to the religious with these prophetic words: “I hereby give you what I prize most highly in this world. As long as you venerate this image you will not be in want” (Devotion to the Infant Jesus of Prague). Blessings poured forth in the community, but once the devotion became relaxed, the abundant blessings went away. Restoration Father Cyrillus a Matre Dei was very devoted to The Infant Jesus because of the consolation he had received from Him. Suddenly the devotion ceased altogether because the Carmelites fled the monastery as Prague was seized from the Saxons. The Infant Jesus was damaged and discarded as junk. When the Carmelites were able to return to Prague, Father Cyrillus remembered the powerful intercession of The Infant Jesus and found the statue. With great sorrow he discovered that both its arms had been broken off. During prayer he heard the Infant Jesus say: “Have mercy on me and I will have mercy on you. Give me my arms and I will give you my peace. I will bless you as much as you will venerate me!” It is in this repair of the statue that the real story takes place. Father Cyrillus had to persevere in finding a way to acquire the funds for it to be restored. When he had the funds, his superior suggested purchasing a new statue all together. For a more in depth history and timeline of events visit The History and Veneration of the Prague Infant Jesus. Today, the statue is enshrined on a side altar in the church of Our Lady of Victory in Prague, the capital city of the Czech Republic. Description of the Statue The statue is made of wax and is about nineteen inches high. The Infant Jesus is clothed in a royal mantle, and has a beautiful jeweled crown on His head. The Infant Jesus’ right hand is raised in blessing; His left hand holds a globe signifying sovereignty. This website offers a great description about the appearance of the statue. How the Infant Jesus is Dressed The Infant Jesus, like the priests at the altar, is dressed in robes in accordance to the color of the liturgical season. The robes change accordingly for special feast days as well. Follow this interactive link to see the robe changes on The Infant Jesus. The Carmelite Sisters of the Child Jesus are in charge of dressing the Infant Jesus. The Sisters help the Discalced Carmelite Brothers to look after the pilgrimage site of the Infant Jesus. Heart of the Devotion The heart of this devotion is a humbled heart. A heart with confidence such as that of a child. It's knowing that whatever we ask of Jesus, as long as it benefits us, He will grant to us. Just like when our own children come to us we do what they ask of us out of love. This littleness in prayer helps us grow in our spiritual lives and helps us to see just how much we depend on having a steady relationship with the Lord. The Infant of Prague is pictured wearing a crown, with a globe in one small hand, and this is not without meaning. “The government is on His shoulder,” we sing in the Introit of the third Mass for Christmas day. The Child of Bethlehem was born with a mission of salvation. Being a flower of Christ demands courage, decisive action, maturity., But coupled with these must always be humility candor, confidence - those virtues of childhood. It is these virtues that Jesus is recommending. A child accepts himself for what he is. Undismayed by falls and setbacks, he gets up again and begins over. -Devotion to the Infant Jesus of Prague Devotions and Prayers to The Infant Jesus Powerful Novena in Urgent Need (In cases of great urgency, a novena of hours may be made instead of days. The prayers should, if possible, be repeated at the same time every hour for nine consecutive hours). O Jesus, who said, “ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened to you,” through the intercession of Mary, Your Most holy Mother, I knock, I seek, I ask that my prayer be granted. (Mention your request) O Jesus, who said, “All that you ask of the Father in My Name He will grant you,” through the intercession of Mary, Your most holy Mother, I humbly and urgently ask Your Father in Your name that my prayer be granted. (Mention your request) O Jesus, who said, “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my word shall not pass,” through the intercession of Mary, Your most holy Mother, I feel confident that my prayer will be granted. (Mention your request) Prayer of Thanksgiving for Graces Received from the Infant Jesus I prostrate myself before Your most holy image, O most gracious Infant Jesus, to offer You my most fervent thanks for the blessings You have bestowed on me. I shall incessantly praise Your ineffable mercy and confess that You alone are my God, my helper, and my protector. Henceforth my entire confidence shall be placed in You! Everywhere I will proclaim aloud Your mercy and generosity, so that Your great love and the great deeds which you perform through this miraculous image may be acknowledged by all. May devotion to Your holy infancy increase more and more in the hearts of all Christians, and may all who experience your assistance persevere with me in showing unceasing gratitude to Your most holy infancy, to which be praise and glory forever. Amen. The above prayer is from the Devotion To The Infant Jesus of Prague published by TAN books. More Resources For other online prayers, devotions, and pilgrimage sites, check out the following: Prayers to The Infant Jesus from the church of Our Lady of Victory. Novena to The Infant Jesus from the National Shrine of the Infant Jesus of Prague. Pray More Novenas also has a novena to The Infant Jesus. The United States also has a National Shrine of The Infant Jesus in Prague, Oklahoma that is worthy of putting on the list of churches to visit. Mother Angelica, the foundress of EWTN, received inspiration from the Divino Niño to build a chapel in His Name (but that’s another story!). Do you have a devotion to the Infant Jesus? If so, what title? How has the littleness of heart in this devotion increased your trust in the Lord?   [bctt tweet="Devotion to the Infant Jesus #BISblog //" via="no"]

Saint Philip Neri, a prominent figure of the Counter Reformation, is best known for reaching out to the laity in Rome, both young and old. At the time, outreach to the laity was not considered as important as it is today as the universal call to holiness was not yet widely understood. Philip Neri dedicated his life to being in the world, teaching the laity how they could live a life of holiness, and showing them that such a life was not reserved only for those in religious life. His heart for catechizing the laity, including the poor and the homeless youth of Rome, earned him the title of “Apostle of Rome”. A Cheerful Heart Saint Philip Neri’s charity stems from a heart of joy and good humor, in fact, he is the patron Saint of both! He lived with the attitude that “cheerfulness strengthens the heart and makes us persevere in the good life,” and, “a joyful heart is more easily made perfect than a downcast one.” He was known for his practical jokes. Once, he showed up to one of his parishioner’s houses with a half-shaved beard. And when he knew he would be meeting with Cardinals he would put on his clothes inside out. He was also known to give penances which included a small act of humiliation, like telling someone to wear a hair shirt over their clothes when confessing the sin of pride. His lighthearted nature was due both to his innate carefreeness and his constant effort to maintain humility. Thoughtful Evangelization Neri was a man of great influence and he offered many gifts to the Church through his unique evangelization style. In addition to the events he organized like spiritual talks and gatherings to sing hymns, he also organized walking pilgrimages. The Seven Churches Pilgrimage Neri invited neighbors, friends, and strangers to join him for his daily afternoon walk. While this was a casual stroll, he also organized a more formalized walking pilgrimage. He started the Seven Churches Pilgrimage to divert attention away from the sinful behavior found at Rome’s Spring Carnivale. These pilgrimages were led with music and joviality and were an opportunity for the younger generation to encounter Christ more profoundly. Through this walk, pilgrims discovered the richness of the Church by visiting and praying at some of the most historical and beautiful churches in Rome. It began on the Wednesday of Holy Week and stopped at the four major basilicas and three minor basilicas. It covered a total distance of roughly fifteen miles, and included a break for lunch to re-energize. To this day, pilgrims continue retracing Neri’s footsteps, traditionally on Holy Thursday. Each stop of the pilgrimage represents one of the seven stations of the Via Dolorosa, the journey Jesus made on his way to Calvary. Congregation of the Oratory During his life, Neri also founded the Congregation of the Oratory. Oratorians are priests who live a life of prayer, teaching, and the Sacraments while also living and working in community. Their apostolates outside the parish include ministries like teaching, spiritual direction, or chaplaincies. Chiesa Nuova: The Heart of Saint Philip’s Ministry In the middle of the 16th century, Neri founded the Confraternity of Pilgrims and Convalescents as a way to provide help for the many pilgrims making their way to Rome. Pope Gregory XIII recognized this great work and, as a gift, he gave him the Church of Santa Maria in Vallicella (Our Lady in the Little Valley). Neri then reconstructed the church and it became known as Chiesa Nuova, meaning “New Church”. This church was the heart of Saint Philip Neri’s evangelization and it is located prominently on one of the most popular streets in Rome, the Corso Vittorio Emmanuele. Read on to find links for virtual tours of the style of his church, Chiesa Nuova, as well as works of art within the church. Building in Baroque While Saint Philip Neri had intended for Chiesa Nuova to have simple, whitewashed walls, it’s patrons decorated the church in full on Baroque style. This style was widely popular during the Counter Reformation as artists worked fiercely to draw the congregation back to the Catholic Church by creating art that helped them move towards God through their senses, to show them that they really are a part of the story shown in the sacred art they see. Architecture, paintings, and sculptures emphasized drama and movement, never afraid to use bold, elegant, and golden embellishments. Caravaggio’s Entombment of Christ Examples of Baroque architecture include Bernini’s marble statue, the Ecstasy of Saint Teresa (click here for a virtual tour of the statue) as well as the Chair of Saint Peter (click here for a virtual tour of the chair) which is located at the forefront of Saint Peter’s Basilica. Inside Chiesa Nuova is a chapel with Caravaggio’s Entombment of Christ, a beautiful example of employing Baroque style in painting. This image depicts the removal of Christ’s body from the Cross. Caravaggio painted using the chiaroscuro technique which is used to accentuate light and shadow. The background of this image is total darkness. But the characters appear to be lit with a spotlight, giving it a dramatic effect. Closing the gap between space and making you feel a part of the scene is key to the Baroque style. Caravaggio achieves this by painting the figures in a way that makes them look close enough to touch. Cortona’s Clouds A few fun places to look around in this Church include the breathtaking frescoes by Pietro da Cortona. Cortona was commissioned to paint the ceilings of Chiesa Nuova. He had a gift for creating movement and harmony in his work. In the apse (above the altar) he painted the Assumption of the Virgin Mary between Angels and Saints which shows the Blessed Mother supported by a cloud which is held up by angels. It makes it appear as though she is being flown up to the dome of the church. In the dome, he painted the Triumph of the Trinity, with God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit directly in the middle of the dome. This breathtaking use of movement in his paintings helps to “teach in pictures” what Mary alway does: leads us closer to God. Reni’s Rendering of Neri’s Vision Saint Philip Neri is buried in the Blessed Sacrament chapel of Chiesa Nuova, the church where he spent the final twelve years of his life. He passed away on the Feast of Corpus Christi, but only after hearing confessions and celebrating Mass. Above his tomb is a painting by Guido Reni, The Virgin Appearing to St. Philip Neri, which depicts the alleged vision Neri received from the Blessed Mother. Taking On The Attitude of Saint Philip Neri In these ever-changing days, Saint Philip Neri is a great person to turn to when trying to live life with a more joyful heart. A sense of humor is a breath of fresh air during these hard times. Pope Francis said that “a bit of good humor is very good for us!” and suggests that we pray Saint Thomas More’s prayer, a prayer that he frequently prays with. So with the attitude of Saint Philip Neri, let us pray Saint Thomas More’s Prayer for Good Humor: Grant me, O Lord, good digestion, and also something to digest. Grant me a healthy body, and the necessary good humor to maintain it. Grant me a simple soul that knows to treasure all that is good and that doesn’t frighten easily at the sight of evil, but rather finds the means to put things back in their place. Give me a soul that knows not boredom, grumblings, sighs and laments, nor excess of stress, because of that obstructing thing called “I.” Grant me, O Lord, a sense of good humor. Allow me the grace to be able to take a joke to discover in life a bit of joy, and to be able to share it with others. What is a simple joy that you have noticed in your life lately? Take time today to share that joy with a friend or family member.   [bctt tweet="A Tour of Chiesa Nuova in Rome #BISblog //" via="no"]

The Easter Gospel stories from both Matthew and John lead with Mary Magdalene. This is as important as it is surprising. Certainly her account of encounter of the empty tomb and the Risen Lord are compelling. Given the time and place in which she lived in history, the fact that the deliverer of the news of the resurrection was female is of particular significance: After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, approached, rolled back the stone, and sat upon it. His appearance was like lightning and his clothing was white as snow. The guards were shaken with fear of him and became like dead men. Then the angel said to the women in reply, “Do not be afraid! I know that you are seeking Jesus the crucified. He is not here, for he has been raised just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead, and he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him.’ Behold, I have told you.” Then they went away quickly from the tomb,fearful yet overjoyed, and ran to announce this to his disciples. -Matthew 28: 1-8 A Credible Source If you have done much historical reading, Biblical or otherwise, the lion’s share of accounting belongs to the voices of men. Women’s voices, roles, and responsibilities waxed very much domestic and have been viewed as mostly inconsequential. Given this context, it would be logical, perhaps even wise, to imagine that Saint Matthew’s crescendo in the final chapter of his Gospel would have heralded in the Good News of Jesus’ Resurrection with unquestionable authority, particularly given the controversial nature of the claim: Jesus rising from the dead. After all, if you have incredible news, common sense dictates the tremendous benefits of the person left holding the metaphorical megaphone be… credible. It would stand to reason that John would have described one of the disciples, someone who had been with Jesus as a part of the Twelve, as the one calling out the name "Rabbouni." That would have comforted the hearers of the surprising news to have it on good authority, but it may have encouraged them to believe that this incredible news wasn’t going to shake things up too much. The Good News Instead, both Matthew and John recount Mary Magdalene as the herald of Good News. Mary Magdalene, traditionally thought of as the one out of whom demons had been called. Mary Magdalene, the one with a reputation. The one who lavishly anointed Jesus at table. The mind reels. And yet, with a slew of reasons for the surrounding community to doubt her audacious proclamation, the empty tomb and Christ’s self-revelation confirmed her words to be true! The earth quaked, and the status quo was about to be turned on its head. Mary Magdalene, Apostle to the Apostles This woman holds a distinguished role in announcing the Christ. So much so that, in the realm of iconography, Mary Magdalene is often depicted with a jug of oil and/or an egg in one hand, gesturing toward it with the other. Her historic role was to point the people toward the news of new life. This role of pointing the way to Christ is demonstrated well by the Saints, although it is vital that we ourselves see it as a a responsibility shared by all of the Baptized. This is the core of what we profess at the Easter Vigil when we renew our Baptismal promises: V. Do you reject Satan? R. I do. V. And all his works? R. I do. V. And all his empty promises? R. I do. V. Do you believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth? R. I do. V. Do you believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was born of the Virgin Mary was crucified, died, and was buried, rose from the dead, and is now seated at the right hand of the Father? R. I do. V. Do you believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting? R. I do. V. God, the all-powerful Father of our Lord Jesus Christ has given us a new birth by water and the Holy Spirit, and forgiven all our sins. May he also keep us faithful to our Lord Jesus Christ for ever and ever. R. Amen. Saint Mary Magdalene, a Model for Us As the Easter season continues and the unprecedented events of our time threaten to overwhelm us, we approach the celebration of Pentecost fifty days after Easter. And it feels fitting that we do so in the company of Mary Magdalene. We would do well to emulate Saint Mary Magdalene’s particular ability to hold the tension of being both "fearful and overjoyed," that we too might announce the Good News with our lives. Saint Mary Magdalene, pray for us!   [bctt tweet="On Saint Mary Magdalene #BISblog //" via="no"]

Since becoming a mother myself, Mother’s Day has become one of my favorite days. Not only because it’s a day that I feel honored and celebrated in my own vocation as a mother, but because I’ve realized, since becoming a mom, how much my own mom sacrificed all those years for the sake of her children! It’s a dedicated day on the calendar to celebrate and love on her, even as I’m being celebrated as well. I always imagined I’d be able to spend every Mother’s Day with my mom in person since she lives close by, but circumstances have made that impossible for the last couple years. Instead of getting together for brunch, coffee and cake or bringing her flowers in person, I rely on technology, deliveries and the internet to make the day special. Celebrating Mother's Day When Your Mom is Far Away Whether you’ve moved away from your mom or temporarily aren’t able to see her because of social distancing recommendations, you can still celebrate from afar. Here are a few fun ways to make the day sweet and special, even if you’re miles apart. Send Flowers I know, I know, so cliche, right? But think outside the box! Send her a packet of flower seeds she can plant in her garden. Bonus if you plant the same ones in yours! Gift her a painting of flowers she loves, or something she might not expect, like this Botanical Rosary print. Or consider sending a spiritual bouquet instead. Offer up Rosaries, Chaplets of Divine Mercy, Novenas or other prayers and write them out in a beautiful card you can pop in the mail. And if you want to send a typical floral bouquet, consider shopping small and ordering from somewhere like Farmgirl Flowers. Share an Experience Thanks to technology, it’s possible to feel like you’re doing things together, even if you’re far apart. Hop on FaceTime to cook a recipe, do a craft “together”, or have an at-home spa day, complete with mani/pedis and face masks. If movies/TV is your thing, start the same movie or show at the same time and chat on the phone while you watch. Get creative! My mom and I both love to do macrame, so it would be fun to FaceTime or hop on a Zoom call while we work on the same macrame project and catch up. Donate in Her Honor Amid the current circumstances, donating money, food or other supplies to a charity in your mom’s honor is especially meaningful with so many people out of work and needing basic necessities. It’s a beautiful way to honor and pay forward the sacrifices she made all throughout your childhood! If she has a favorite charity, go ahead and donate there. Most have an option to print a little card you can send that details your gift. Deliver a Meal or Treat If you’re close enough for a drive-by drop-off, leave something yummy on your mama’s porch. Make (or pick up!) her favorite treat or something you love sharing together. If an in-person drop-off isn’t possible, you can order online from most places and have it delivered. Whether it’s a delicious cake, gourmet ice cream, or just takeout from a local spot, a surprise delivery is sure to make your mom’s day. And let’s be honest, the one thing most moms want most of all on Mother’s Day is not have to cook (or clean up!). Having dinner delivered takes care of that! Gift Her Something Unique Email her a video message she can watch again and again or make a list of all the things she was right about (in my case, it would be a very long list!). Make her a calendar she can hang on her fridge filled with photos that will make her smile. Or splurge on a digital picture frame that allows you to email photos straight to it so you can surprise her with new photos whenever you want. A delicious-smelling candle to remind her of the ultimate model of motherhood, a gorgeous Rosary bracelet or a beautiful mug to brighten her morning routine. Think beyond Amazon and send her something she might not expect! Love for Our Moms Whether you’re celebrating Mother’s Day from 1,500 miles away or 15 minutes down the road, I pray the day is a beautiful reminder of the love and sacrifice of your mom, and moms everywhere. There is but one and only one, Whose love will fail you never. One who lives from sun to sun, With constant fond endeavor. There is but one and only one On earth there is no other. In heaven a noble work was done When God gave us a Mother. -Irish Blessing How will you be celebrating your mom this year?   [bctt tweet="Ways to Celebrate Mother's Day When Your Mom is Far Away #BISblog //" via="no"]

When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, ‘Woman, here is your son.’ Then he said to the disciple, ‘Here is your mother.’ And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home. -John 19:26-27 These were some of the last words Jesus spoke before He died. In the most excruciating moment of His life, He looked down from the Cross and saw two people whom He loved: His mother and the beloved disciple, John. And as their presence consoled Him, He ministered and took care of them by bringing them together, as mother and son. Tradition says that Mary lived the remainder of her life with John in a home in Ephesus (in present-day Turkey). But according to Pope Benedict XVI, “the Greek text [of the above Bible passage] is far deeper, far richer. We could translate it: he took Mary into his inner life, his inner being … into the depths of his being.” Here is Your Mother Jesus’ final words not only pertained to Mary and John. They also included you, me, and all of humanity. Jesus Christ, after having given us all he could give, that is to say, the merit of His toils, His sufferings, and bitter death; after having given us His adorable body and blood to be food for our souls, willed also to give us the most precious thing He had left, which was His holy mother. -St. John Marie Vianney Yes, Jesus gave us Mary to be our mother. And He gave Mary all of us to be her children. But how do we cultivate a relationship with our mother Mary? How do we take her into our homes—and even into the depths of our being—like John did? Honoring Mary at Home Here are six ways to honor Mary in and around our homes. 1. Pray The prayer we associate the most with Mary is the Hail Mary. And the prayer with a series of Hail Marys, which Mary gave to St. Dominic, is the Rosary. When we pray the Rosary, we meditate on the life of Jesus, and while we do so, we ask Mary to intercede for us. The Rosary is a powerful and beautiful devotion. But as we develop the habit of praying the Rosary everyday, it can feel overwhelming. The good news is that we can start small and grow from there. To begin, pray one decade of the Rosary each day for five days, so by the end of the week, you will have prayed an entire Rosary. Another way to ask Mary for her prayers and intercession is by simply incorporating the Hail Mary, Memorare, or another Marian prayer into our daily prayer routine. 2. Ponder One way to grow in relationship with Mary is by pondering her presence in Scripture. While she does not say much, what she says (and does) is powerful. Below is a simple Marian lectio divina. Some passages will be familiar, as they are also mysteries of the Rosary. After reading a Bible verse, consider what it means to you. What can you learn from Mary? How can you emulate her words and actions in your own life? The Annunciation: Luke 1:26-38 The Visitation: Luke 1:39-56 The Nativity of Our Lord: Luke 2:1-20 The Presentation: Luke 2:22-38 The Losing and Finding Jesus in the Temple: Luke 2:41-52 The Wedding at Cana: John 2: 1-12 The Crucifixion: John 19:26-27 The Early Church: Acts 1:14 3. Read Another way to get to know Mary is by reading a good book about her. This will help you grow in relationship with her, and it will equip you to share the truth about Mary with others. Here are a few wonderful books about Mary. And if you want the children in your life to know Mary from an early age, Take It To the Queen: A Tale of Hope by Josephine Nobisso is a beautiful children’s book about her. 4. Decorate If you do not have one already, begin shopping for a beautiful statue or image of the Blessed Mother. (For the one in our picture above or different beautiful images of Our Lady, check out Paper Monastery.) Once you find one that you like, display it prominently in your home. During May (the month of Mary) and October (the month of the Rosary), it is customary to create a special place in your home to honor Our Lady. A Mary altar can be simple but beautiful atop a fireplace mantle or bookshelf. It can include a statue, framed holy card, Rosary, and candles. Get the kids involved by inviting them to make little bouquets of flowers to place on the Mary altar. During these months, take time to pray here, adding special Marian prayers to your repertoire. 5. Plant Mary gardens have been part of Catholic culture for a long time. They can be elaborate or simple, depending on your gardening skills. A Mary garden includes specific flowers named after Our Lady. Typically, a Mary garden also includes a statue of her. If you do not have a yard, create a Mary garden by planting flowers in large pots. Then, simply tuck a small statue or holy card of Our Blessed Mother among the flowers. Here are some traditional Marian flowers: Bleeding Heart: Mary’s Heart Daffodil: Mary’s Star Ferns: Mary’s Hair Geraniums: Lady Beautiful Hostas: Assumption Lily Impatiens: Mother’s Love Marigold: Mary’s Gold Pansies: Our Lady’s Delight Tulips: Mary’s Prayer 6. Celebrate Within our Catholic tradition, there are many Marian feast days. Find a few that are meaningful to you. Write them on your calendar, and plan something special for those days. Some ideas include: Decorating cupcakes for Our Lady’s birthday (September 8th) Making white hot chocolate for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception (December 8th) Enjoying a Mexican dinner on the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe (December 12th) Of course, Marian feast day celebrations do not have to include food. Other ideas include: Making an act of consecration to Jesus through Mary. This is a 33-day process that ends on a Marian feast day. Creating something in honor of Mary, such as a prayer shawl, watercolor painting, or hand-lettered quote. Incorporate it into your home’s decor, or give it away to someone special. Sing Marian hymns. ✨ Featured Resource Learn More About Our Lady Just as a mother might pass on a beloved family tradition to her daughters, Mary shares the recipe for growing in virtue with us. This study on Mary's Virtues will breathe new life into your everyday, beginning right in Mary's home. Shop the Study → What are some of your favorite ways to honor Mary in and around your home? This post contains affiliate links. Thanks so much for supporting the ministry of Blessed is She!

Tell the whole world about My inconceivable mercy. I desire that the Feast of Mercy be a refuge and shelter for all souls, and especially for poor sinners. On that day the very depths of My tender mercy are open. I pour out a whole ocean of graces upon those souls who approach the fount of My mercy. The soul that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment. On that day all the divine floodgates through which grace flow are opened. Let no soul fear to draw near to Me, even though its sins be as scarlet. Jesus’ words to Saint Maria Faustina Kowalsa, as recorded in her diary, paragraph 699 Two Different Feelings, Same Feast Day I remember the first Divine Mercy Sunday that I worked as an oncology nurse during the night shift. I went to Mass after a particularly trying shift feeling feeling exhausted, empty, and numb. My legs shook from overuse as I stood in the long Confession line after Mass. The only reason I knew it was Divine Mercy Sunday was because the priest mentioned it during his homily. I didn’t plan anything for Divine Mercy Sunday other than making it through Mass awake. I didn’t feel anything, really. I didn’t feel Jesus’ Mercy, His love, nor the joy of Confession. Yet I was fully receiving Jesus’ Divine Mercy, I was deeply in love with Jesus, and I had been forgiven fully and wholly in the Sacrament of Confession. This year I am excited, ready, and yearning to “do all the things” for Divine Mercy Sunday. My list of liturgical living ideas has been planned for weeks. I’ve been preparing my heart and eagerly awaiting this grace-filled feast day. Love is Willing the Good Our world tells us that feelings dictate reality. However we must remember what love truly is. It isn’t a feeling. Love is willing the good of the beloved. What better example of this do we have than Jesus’ Divine Mercy? Each year (especially this year), Divine Mercy Sunday looks a little different. Yet the one constant is Jesus’ love for us and our desperate need for His mercy. In fact, it is often the years when I feel prepared to celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday that I need His merciful love the most. His Mercy is Enough The beauty and power of Jesus’ Divine Mercy is that it is a pure gift. We don’t have to do anything to obtain it, save for having a heart open and a willingness to receive the gift of His Mercy. Whether you are exhausted from a night shift of caregiving to patients or children this Divine Mercy Sunday, or excited and fully ready to delve into the day, know that you are loved by a merciful God. His mercy is enough. Liturgical Living Ideas for Divine Mercy Sunday These Divine Mercy Sunday liturgical living ideas are instruments to help us grow in and reflect upon Jesus’ Divine Mercy. Pick one or two things—or one thing from each category—to do. Know, however, that the most important thing isn't accomplishing things on this list, it is knowing that you are loved completely by Jesus and accepting His merciful love. Divine Mercy for the Soul Pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet or the Divine Mercy Novena. Set up a Divine Mercy space in your home. It could be as simple as placing the Divine Mercy image on a table and lighting a candle. Invite your family or roommates to help you come up with ideas for the space and to write down intentions and place them in front of the image. Participate in your parish’s Divine Mercy Sunday services. Parishes often offer Confession, time to pray to Jesus in Exposition, and other devotions around 3:00 pm, the hour Jesus died, the Hour of Mercy. If you are unable to attend a Divine Mercy Sunday service, spend a few minutes in prayer and silence at 3:00 pm. Reach out to someone you need to ask forgiveness from or feel called to forgive through a phone call, letter, text, e-mail, or by sending them red or white roses. Receive a plenary indulgence through participating in Divine Mercy prayers and devotions, prayer in front of the Blessed Sacrament, reciting the Our Father and the Creed, praying a prayer to the merciful Lord Jesus, and receiving the Sacrament of Confession within 21-days of the Feast. Click here for more information about this indulgence. Divine Mercy for the Mind Start reading the book 33 Days to Merciful Love: A Do-It-Yourself Retreat in Preparation for Consecration to Divine Mercy by Michael E. Gaitley, MIC. Say a prayer to the Holy Spirit, open Divine Mercy in My Soul: Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalsa, and read the first few paragraphs you see. Spend time in prayer with what you read. Watch this video of Bishop Barron speaking about the power of Jesus’ Divine Mercy. If you have children, print out a coloring sheet of Divine Mercy and sit with them to color it. Ask them what they see, describe Who is in the image, and tell them what the rays signify. Divine Mercy for the Body Wear red, white, or pale blue in honor of the rays depicted in the Divine Mercy image. In St. Faustina’s Diary, she writes that Jesus explained to her, “The two rays denote Blood and Water. The pale ray stands for the Water which makes souls righteous. The red ray stands for the Blood which is the life of souls" (Divine Mercy in My Soul: Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalsa 299). Go for a hike in honor of Pope St. John Paul II who enjoyed outdoor adventures with friends. Pope St. John Paul II canonized St. Faustina and instituted the second Sunday of Easter as Divine Mercy Sunday. Make a Polish meal in honor of St. Faustina and Pope St. John Paul II. Homemade Pierogi, Bigos, or Galumpkis would all make delicious dinners! Decorate heart-shaped sugar cookies with rays of red and blue frosting. Make Divine Mercy ice cream sundaes, using strawberries and blueberries (or whipped cream if you want a white ray!) to represent the image of Divine Mercy. [bctt tweet="Liturgical Living Ideas for Divine Mercy Sunday #BISblog //" username="findphilothea"]

It was October 22, 2016, the feast of our family patron Saint, Pope John Paul II. Two-and-a-half years earlier, in the same stone cathedral, our beloved Passionist priest looked at my husband and me and said: “I now pronounce you husband and wife.” On this day, his gaze turned from us to the sleeping one-month-old in my husband’s arms as he gently proclaimed, “Charles Kolbe, I baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.” Grateful tears filled my eyes as I watched holy water flow over my baby son’s dark hair. If there was ever a moment in which the beauty and tradition of our Catholic Faith took my breath away, this was one of them. Now, as we’re preparing for the baptism of our second child, my thoughts have frequently returned to that beautiful October day. Too often, I’ve seen a baby’s Baptism either downplayed (to the tune of, “What’s the point of baptizing an infant?”) or over-emphasized, with the faith formation that is meant to follow the Baptism all but ignored. The Catechism states that “By its very nature, infant Baptism requires a post-baptismal catechumenate” (CCC 1231). Meaningful Ways to Celebrate Your Baby's Baptism The following ideas for celebrating a baby’s first Sacrament properly acknowledge the great joy of the occasion. Even more importantly, though, they open up opportunities for encouraging the child’s faith in the years to come, and unite those who agree to walk alongside them. (An added note as we weather the COVID-19 pandemic: This post was written before most of us in the U.S. were affected by stay-at-home/social distancing directives, experiencing canceled public Sacraments as a result. Both my daughter’s Divine Mercy Sunday Baptism, for example, as well as our attempted back-up plan (a private Baptism with proxy godparents), were canceled as our city’s restrictions tightened. We are praying for the opportunity to have her baptized as soon as possible and are learning how we can baptize her ourselves in case of an emergency (as directed by Canon Law). While we are holding on to the hope that our church doors will be safely opened again soon, please note that some of the celebration ideas below will not be appropriate for this extremely unique time.) Write your child a letter. One of my favorite traditions is writing my children letters on their birthdays each year. I reflect on the year, note what they’re like at that moment in time, and tell them how much I love them. I’m eager to add to that tradition by starting to write Baptism day letters, too. Unlike my birthday letters, these will focus specifically on why we, their parents, love our Faith and are excited and honored to raise them as Catholics. I’ll also share any prayers we have for their lives and their personal walks with the Lord. I love imagining giving them these letters, maybe on their Confirmation days! This would be such a meaningful thing for godparents to do as well. Share the witness of your child’s patron Saint. If your baby is named in honor of a Saint, their Baptism is the perfect opportunity to share that Saint’s story and why it resonates with you. Consider displaying a print of the Saint in your home (if you’ll be gathering there after the Baptism), passing out holy cards to those you’re celebrating with, or leading your loved ones in a prayer that asks for the Saint’s intercession. Gather for a meal. A Baptism inspires a sense of true community, as parents, godparents, family members, and friends promise to encourage the child’s faith together. What better way to immediately strengthen the bonds between loved ones than over a delicious meal? Whether you opt to host in your home or reserve a table at your favorite restaurant, gathering for a meal can be as meaningful of a celebration as it is enjoyable. Especially if you’re hosting at home, don’t hesitate to keep things simple. You’re caring for a baby, after all! If there is ever a time to ask for a hand with cleaning, opt for catering or takeout, or turn a party into a backyard picnic so you don’t have to set the table, this is it. For a few easy, crowd-pleasing brunches (perfect for after morning Mass), consider setting up a buffet of bagels and cream cheeses, an assortment of pastries from a local bakery, or baskets of biscuits with toppings. For lunch, you can’t go wrong with a crockpot full of your favorite hearty soup, a big salad, and fresh loaves of bread from your favorite bakery. And take it from someone who attempted a dinner party for 20 after my one-month-old’s Baptism and then panicked and switched to barbecue takeout: if you’re serving dinner, outsource the cooking from the start! For an extra special touch, consider opting for a cuisine that coordinates with your baby’s patron Saint. Another easy option is to avoid gathering at a meal time, and instead serving coffee and tea alongside a beautiful cake in the mid-morning or afternoon. Another tip: Be a Heart Design carries the most adorable disposable plates, napkins, cups, and straws that would be a perfect fit for a Baptism celebration. I especially love the “Let Us Rejoice” cocktail napkins and All Saints cups. Bonus points for major Instagram-ability and effortless clean-up! Start a Sacraments box. Since you’ll need a safe place to store your child’s baptismal candle, consider picking up a special box to serve as their “Sacraments box.” Along with the candle, save a small bottle of holy water from the fount the priest uses (Reliquary Supply makes beautiful holy water bottles and keepsake candles) and your baby’s hat/bonnet...especially if it smells of chrism at the end of the day! Throughout your baby’s childhood, take out the box often to talk about the items inside together. Be sure to add keepsakes and mementos from their First Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation as well. Do you have any special traditions for celebrating baptisms? We would love for you to add your ideas in the comments! [bctt tweet="Meaningful Ways to Celebrate Your Baby's Baptism #BISblog //" username="lisajanelkirk"]

This Lent has been like no other. On Ash Wednesday, we began with a plan for prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. But less than three weeks into Lent, life turned upside down because of COVID-19 and the precautions we were asked to take in order to prevent its spread. As life’s normal rhythms were interrupted, so were our Lenten plans. And we entered a Lenten desert we did not expect to experience. A Different Kind of Holy Week Our prayers shifted direction. Fasting suddenly included not attending Sunday Mass and enduring a new hunger for Jesus. We got creative with almsgiving, focusing on those within our home or how we could serve at a social distance. Now, as Lent draws to a close, we anticipate the holiest week of the year. And we settle into the reality that we will spend it at home, too. The good news is that, even under these unusual circumstances, Holy Week can still be one of the most prayerful weeks of the year. Meaningful Ways to Celebrate Holy Week at Home Below are simple and meaningful ways to draw closely to Jesus in His Passion and Death—all while staying at home. Set a Schedule Since we have already spent multiple weeks at home—and the days can run together—it is important to set Holy Week apart so that it feels special. Create a schedule for the week. Designate times for: Prayer Spiritual reading Simple meals Rest and recreation, including time outside Work (i.e. bigger projects Monday-Wednesday; only necessary work during the Triduum) Create a Space Set up a designated prayer space: Clear off a table and place a cloth on it. Move a chair close by or place big pillows on the floor. Add things that draw your heart and mind to Jesus: a Crucifix, candles, holy cards, a Rosary. Corral a Bible and other prayer books in a basket. [bctt tweet="Even under these unusual circumstances, Holy Week can still be one of the most prayerful weeks of the year. #BISblog //" username="sarahcdamm"] Live-stream the Liturgy Live-stream the Holy Week liturgies of Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday, through your parish, EWTN, or another source. Print out a copy of a Spiritual Communion prayer to pray during the time of Holy Communion. Here are more helpful tips for watching Mass or other liturgies at home. Pray with Scripture Pray and reflect upon the daily Psalms and Gospel readings. This is a beautiful way to follow Jesus from Palm Sunday through His Passion on Good Friday. Magnificat’s online magazine is free right now. It includes all the daily Mass readings, plus morning and evening prayers. Here are some simple guidelines for praying with Scripture: Spend 5-10 minutes settling down. Notice your cares and concerns. Jot down a few feeling words. Invite God to approach you. Notice His presence, and enter into it. Read the daily Scripture passage slowly several times. Highlight words or phrases that stand out to you. Notice what rises in your heart: thoughts, emotions, memories, hopes, fears, or dreams. Offer them to God. Listen for His response, through Scripture or a stirring in your heart. At the conclusion of your prayer time, thank God for this time together. Journal your experience, if you so desire. Turn Down the Noise During Holy Week, limit secular music, social media, and news programs. Instead, enjoy sacred music, such as Lent at Ephesus by the Benedictines of Mary Queen of Apostles. Grow in Your Faith Holy Week is a wonderful time for spiritual growth. Do something each day to enhance your faith. Read a chapter from a spiritual book. Watch a Blessed is She workshop (many are free right now). Download Formed for a free (for 40 days) treasure trove of Catholic content. With the Kids If you have children, enjoy a prayerful activity with them each day. Read aloud the Easter story from a children’s Bible. Print out faith-based coloring sheets. Bake Hot Cross Buns for a simple Good Friday breakfast. Watch a children’s version of the Stations of the Cross. MagnifiKid! is free this month and a great resource for kids’ spiritual growth. Enter the Triduum The summit of the Liturgical Year is the Easter Triduum. -United States Conference of Catholic Bishops The Triduum lasts from the evening of Holy Thursday to the evening of Holy Saturday. Holy Thursday Holy Thursday commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus Christ, when he established the Sacrament of the Eucharist and instituted the priesthood. Foot Washing Have a foot washing ceremony. Read John 13:1-15. Parents, wash your children’s feet. Roommates, wash each other’s hands. Share a time when someone showed you an act of service and what that meant to you. Brainstorm ways to incorporate the Works of Mercy into your life, especially during this time of quarantine. Remain With Jesus Consider Jesus’ loneliness during this week, but especially as He entered into His Passion. Tonight, spend time with Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. Unite your loneliness during this quarantine to His loneliness in the Garden. Add flowers or plants to your prayer space to give it that garden feel. If it is warm enough, take your prayer outdoors. Read Matthew 26:36-46 to set the tone. Good Friday Good Friday commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus. On this day, follow the guidelines for fasting and abstaining from meat. Keep a period of silence from noon-3 p.m. Venerate the Cross Around 3 p.m., spend time before a crucifix. Read John 18:1-19:42. At the words, “And bowing his head, he handed over the spirit,” kneel and adore Christ Crucified. You can also pray the Stations of the Cross. This will be live-streamed from many places, or you can pray along in the digital version of Magnificat. Holy Saturday Have you noticed that Scripture is almost silent about Holy Saturday? The Gospel of Luke gives the only clue about what happened that day: “On the sabbath they rested according to the commandment" (Luke 23:56). It’s as if, with the death of our Lord, everything stops … and the world rests, and waits, for the revelation of redemption. -Walk In Her Sandals Rest and Wait Life feels a lot like Holy Saturday right now, doesn’t it? We are waiting, barely holding on. At times, we don’t know what to do. But Jesus’ own disciples teach us what to do. In the midst of tremendous sorrow and pain, in the midst of chaos, in the midst of uncertainty and fear, Jesus’ friends rested and waited. And we are invited to do the same. Bring these questions to prayer: As you wait by Jesus’ tomb, how do you feel? Especially as you see similarities between the historic Holy Saturday and this unique time in our lives? How do you hear His still, small voice whispering to you promises of a new day, a new creation? Like the Apostle John, invite Mary into your heart and home (John 19:25-27). Make Preparations Quietly and hopefully prepare for Easter: Dye eggs. Make Easter cards and mail them to loved ones. Go on an evening walk and write hopeful messages on the sidewalk with chalk. Place painted rocks in neighbors’ yards. How do you plan on making this Holy Week at home extra special? [bctt tweet="Meaningful Ways to Celebrate Holy Week at Home #BISblog //" username="sarahcdamm"] This post contains affiliate links. Thank you so much for supporting the ministry of Blessed is She!

We went to Mass as a family the first Sunday in March. We sat in our usual first-row pew, sweated through toddler misbehavior, extremely loud requests for donuts, and whining about when church would be over. We laughed at the kids’ antics afterwards with the people who sit behind us—the same two families who always sit behind us—and spent time in the community room afterwards, eating donuts and catching up with friends. In short, it was a very regular Sunday morning. Since then, it feels like life has been turned upside-down for nearly everyone as we try to navigate the current COVID-19 crisis. With public Mass suspended for the foreseeable future, many are tuning in to live-streamed or recorded Mass online and watching from their living rooms. While this is an amazing resource we’re able to utilize thanks to modern technology, nothing compares to experiencing Mass in person, and I know so many of us are yearning for the day when we can return to our pews—rowdy kids in tow and all. Tips for Attending Mass at Home with Kids During this Time If you’re trying to keep Sundays special and create a “new temporary normal” for Mass in these very extraordinary times, I’m right there with you. Here are five tips to making Mass at home sacred and special, especially if you have young children in the mix! Dress Up Although the current situation has us sitting at home for extended periods of time, consider changing into your usual Sunday Mass clothes to watch, even if you’re just sitting on your couch. Dressing up reminds us that this day is special, set apart, and that what we’re doing is different from the Netflix binge we’ve been partaking in. Even if we aren’t experiencing the Mass in-person or receiving the Holy Eucharist sacramentally, we can still make the effort to present our best selves to Christ and ditch the weekday sweatpants for an hour or so. Create a Reverent Atmosphere You may not be able to whip up some gorgeous stained glass windows in a pinch, but I’d be willing to bet you have some items around your house that can help create a reverent atmosphere in which to watch Mass. Figure out where you’ll be setting up your laptop to live-stream and consider covering the table with a tablecloth (white or purple for Lent) or any piece of fabric! Even draping a scarf around the computer would add an element of beauty. If you have candles (these are on sale right now), set a couple out and light them. Grab a crucifix and lay it nearby, and add any statues or icons you might have (or even print an image off Google!). If you have children, put away all the toys and allow them to have the usual things you bring to Mass or some faith-based books and Rosaries.     Involve the Family, Especially Kids Think of ways your family can be involved in preparing the space throughout the Mass viewing. Can someone lay out the tablecloth and set up the laptop? Can someone else light the candles? Maybe a child would love to “process” in from another room carrying a crucifix or Bible to mimic an entrance procession. Have someone pass a “collection” basket, and go ahead and toss in your offering for the week, which you can either mail to your parish office or donate online. Let’s face it—watching Mass from home is far less interactive than we’re used to, but a little creativity can go a long way in making it engaging, even for the littlest ones. Keep Your Post-Mass Tradition Do you usually get brunch at a specific restaurant after Mass? Order it to-go, if it’s available. Normally head to the community room for coffee and donuts? Pick some up at the grocery store and FaceTime the people you usually sit with to catch up while you eat. If you usually make a certain meal at home, stick to it. Whatever your tradition is, keep to it as much as possible! It will help things feel a bit more normal in this time of staggering uncertainty. Stay Flexible and Pray for Patience Nothing about this is normal or easy, and that’s okay. Pausing the live-stream to redirect rambunctious kids, adjusting your usual Sunday traditions, and longing for in-person community and fellowship is all going to take a lot of patience and flexibility on everyone’s parts. Pray for the patience to continue to adapt as this current crisis evolves, and trust that God provides everything you need. "Come to Me..." At the end of the day, God is so pleased with our sincerest effort, no matter what that looks like for you. Whether your “Mass table” is adorned with a lace tablecloth and candles or it’s a beat-up card table shoved in a corner of the living room as you attend Mass virtually this Sunday, be assured that your desire to experience Him is enough. He will meet you wherever you are, now and always. What tips do you have for meaningfully watch the Mass from home? [bctt tweet="Tips for Watching Mass from Home with Kids #BISblog //" via="no"]

Many Americans hail heritage from the Emerald Isle, myself included. Some of my great grandparents (and great great grandparents) on both sides of my family emigrated from Ireland. Growing up, my family had special traditions to keep us connected to the roots of our family history. We cooked certain foods or special family recipes and listened to stories about my great grandparents. The Feast of St. Patrick As an Irish American, I am struck by the importance of celebrating the feast of St. Patrick. If he never went back to evangelize the pagan culture in Ireland, Catholicism may not have taken root and spread. Maybe it's a stretch, but I like to think my Irish relatives were Catholic because of St. Patrick. And, in a way, so am I. Regardless of whether you claim Irish heritage or not, the life and legacy of St. Patrick (like many of the Saints in the Church) have impacted the world we live in to this day. Meaningful Ways to Celebrate St. Patrick's Day Here are some fun, unique ways to celebrate the feast of St. Patrick, including some ways the we celebrated growing up. Food Many people associate St. Patrick’s Day with corned beef and cabbage. While it's not my personal favorite, there are lots of ways you could have an Irish themed snack or supper. An easy supper plan is an Irish stew, or Shepherd's Pie. Made often with lamb or beef, it often has a mixture of vegetables and potatoes (a staple in many Irish dishes). Hearty and filling, it is great especially if you are dealing with cold temperatures where you live right now. Our family still swears by great Grandma Lardner’s famous Irish soda bread recipe. Complete with raisins, buttermilk, and caraway, it always pleases a crowd. There are lots of different ways to make tasty soda bread. Whatever you pick, make sure the end result has lots of moisture...and that you have plenty of warm Kerrygold Irish butter on hand. A more traditional (though perhaps less well-known) Irish recipe is Colcannon. Think of this as the Irish version of mashed potatoes mixed in with either Kale or Cabbage. Oh, and two whole sticks of butter! Slainte! If you're serving some spirits, a pint of Guinness or a shot of Jameson Irish Whiskey are classic options. Or, if you’re more like me, add a bit of Bailey’s to your coffee this day. If you want to learn a Gaelic toast, heartily belt out Slainte! The word translates to "health" in Gaelic and is a common toast. Culture Watch The Quiet Man I remember first watching this sweet, funny love story filmed in Cong, Ireland with my Dad as a little girl. It is a heartwarming film directed by John Ford and starring John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara. The story follows a retired Irish-American boxer who returns to the home of his childhood to make a new life. Along the way, he falls in love with a spirited, red-headed Irish woman. If you have never seen it, I am certainly not going to spoil it for you. The supporting characters add color and humor in a way that makes you feel like you’re a part of the story. Growing up, it never quite felt like Saint Patrick’s Day until we had a family viewing of The Quiet Man. Enjoy Traditional Irish Music Doesn’t Irish music make you smile and feel light? I am slightly biased, but I do love Irish tunes. Give a listen to some classics like The Chieftains, The Irish Rovers, or The Dubliners. If you want something a bit more modern, I’d recommend Scythian. Prayer Pray for Unity Among Christians Ireland is a country that has been torn apart for many years by hate and religious wars among Protestants and Catholics. It is a country that has known oppression of an occupied foreign military of the British Empire for many years. This is a sad reality of what happens when people allow hate and racism to make us forget the dignity and worth of people who may be different or hold different religious beliefs. The Irish flag even reflects this. The green represents Catholics. The orange represents Protestants. The white symbolizes unity between the two groups. Use the feast of St. Patrick as an opportunity to pray for unity among all Christians. Take an opportunity to learn about the healing, restorative projects Ireland has developed from these awful bloody years known as The Troubles. St. Patrick’s Breastplate This is a popular prayer is attributed to St. Patrick and is one of the most common to Irish Catholic people. According to legend, St. Patrick wrote it in 433 A.D. for divine protection before successfully converting the Irish King Leoghaire and his subjects to Christianity. The term breastplate refers to a piece of armor that was always worn in battle. Use this day as an opportunity to pray this prayer. Maybe start your day with this prayer over your morning cup of coffee or include it when you pray grace with your family over dinner. The feast day of Saint Patrick is another opportunity to connect our Catholic Faith to the wider culture and history of the people of Ireland. St. Patrick, pray for us! And in the words of the Irish, Erin Go Bragh (Ireland forever)! [bctt tweet="Ways to Celebrate St. Patrick's Day #BISblog //" username="amoderngrace"]