As Catholic mothers, we want the very best for our children. We want them to be happy and healthy. We want them to thrive in school, friendship, interests, and talents. More than anything, we want them to know, love, and serve God in this life, so they can dwell with Him for all eternity. We provide for our children so they will be successful, contributing adults to society. And we do everything we can to teach them the Faith, so that one day they will claim it as their own. But even if we check off all the “right” boxes in the “raising them in the Faith” category, some of our children may, in fact, exercise their free will to leave the Church one day. For those of us still raising our children, the mere thought of this is frightening. And for those of us with older children, this may already be our devastating and heartbreaking reality. Sadly, most, if not all, of us know someone who has fallen away from the Faith. Even if she is not our child, she is our sister, niece, cousin, or friend. Praying for Children Who Have Left the Church When faced with this situation, what can we—as mothers (sisters, aunts, godmothers, or friends)—do? How do we remain hopeful, even when our heart breaks for our child who has left the Church? Below is a collection of ways to pray for children (or loved ones) to return to the Church. Pray With Scripture When praying for a child who has left her Faith behind, what we need most is trust, hope, and perseverance. We do not want to lose our own faith in the midst of this heartbreak. Thankfully, there are many Scripture passages that encourage us to trust God, remain hopeful, and persevere in prayer. Pray them over your child. Cling to the truth that God’s Word proclaims. Immerse yourself in His promises. Psalm 34:18 // “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted, and saves the crushed in spirit.” Psalm 40:1 // “I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry.” Mark 11:24 // “So I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” Luke 18:7 // “Will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them?” Romans 12:12 // “Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer.” Philippians 4:6-7 // “Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” 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 Turn to the Saints In the Catholic tradition, Saints Augustine, Monica, and Ambrose are the trifecta of Saints to turn to when a child leaves the Church. Saint Monica Patron Saint of wives, difficult marriages, mothers, and wayward children, Saint Monica prayed for 17 years for her son Augustine’s conversion. She knows the pain of watching a child abandon the Faith. But even in the midst of her heartbreak, she modeled patience and perseverance in prayer. She exemplified just how powerful our intercessory prayers can be for our fallen-away children. Turn to Saint Monica for motherly comfort, as well as for strength and perseverance. Find prayers to Saint Monica here and the Saint Monica Novena here. Saint Augustine If any Saint understands what it is like to be wayward, it is Saint Augustine. He was raised Christian but abandoned his Faith for an impure and sinful life. His conversion is attributed to his mother Monica’s persevering prayers and his friendship with Bishop Ambrose. After his conversion, Augustine became a priest, bishop, writer, and Doctor of the Church. Be assured of his intercession for your child through the Saint Augustine Novena. Saint Ambrose While Monica prayed for Augustine, Bishop Ambrose befriended Augustine and was instrumental in his conversion. Monica said Ambrose was “an angel of God who uprooted my son from his former ways and led him to his convictions of Christ.” While praying for your child to return to the Catholic Faith, ask for a friend, an "Ambrose,” to come into her life, someone who can speak to her in a way that she will listen and be captivated. Find the Saint Ambrose Novena here. Lean into these Prayers Our Catholic Faith gives us some powerful prayers with great promises attached to them. Pray these prayers (or any favorite prayer) frequently with faith, hope, and confidence, entrusting your loved one into God’s care and protection. Memorare, including St. Mother Teresa’s Flying Novena (nine Memorares in a row) Rosary Divine Mercy Chaplet Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus (a favorite of Saint Pio’s, who prayed it daily for those who asked him to pray for them) Light a Candle There are many other faith-filled actions we can take on behalf of a wayward child. Light a votive candle as a tangible expression of your prayer. Have Mass said for her. Invite her to Mass, a talk, or a faith-based event. Pray for the wisdom to know when to say something and when to be silent. Praise God for what has yet to happen in your child’s life. Stay invested in her life. Let her know you are praying for her. Having a child leave the Faith is probably one of the most painful experiences of motherhood. But we cannot lose hope! Rather, we need to entrust our children (over and over again) to Our Heavenly Father. Our children belong to Him more than they belong to us, and as hard as it is to believe, He loves them infinitely more than we do. Our Father has a plan of sheer goodness for their lives, and Jesus came to seek and save the lost. Our Lord calls them back to Him, and He will never abandon them. So take advice from Saint Pio: Pray, hope, and don't worry. Worry is useless. God is merciful and will hear your prayer. How have you prayed for a child or loved one who has fallen away from the Faith? What has brought you comfort and hope? Which prayers have made an impact on their life?   [bctt tweet="Prayers for Children Who Have Left the Church #BISblog //" via="no"]

As to his death, he died to sin once and for all; as to his life, he lives for God. // Romans 6:10 Download these beautiful free wallpapers from Jazmin De Guzman from today's readings. Let His word dwell in us richly, sisters. Remember, Members, you get this 8x10 digital download for free! Head to the shop for your download. Download your F R E E wallpapers right here --->>> Phone wallpaper Desktop wallpaper

Working as a full time youth minister for over a decade, you would assume that I had a disciplined and abundant prayer life, but that wasn’t always the case. For many years I prayed where and how I wanted to and whenever I felt like it. It took me a long time to find a rhythm of prayer that sustained me, and I want to give you the cheat code to develop one for yourself while avoiding the many mistakes I made. Why Pray? In the Gospel of Luke, while responding to Martha’s overwhelmed plea for help, Jesus points to Mary’s attentive posture at His feet as the one thing necessary (see Luke 10:38-42) and in Matthew 6, Jesus enjoins us to “strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness” (Matthew 6:33). This call to prayer is both an invitation and instruction. Why is He so insistent?  We can find the answer to this question in the Scriptures themselves. Martha’s life of service, as generous and good as it is, is burdensome and unsustainable when fueled by her own strength. Jesus isn’t so much correcting her action as her intention. She’s focusing on the wrong thing, and so life gets overwhelming. Sound familiar?  And in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus promises that when we seek Him with our whole hearts, “all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33). Everything in our lives comes into right order when we put first things first: Jesus. Our lives belong to and are sustained by God. Jesus is the vine, we are merely the branches (John 15:4). If we want to thrive and bear fruit, we must stay connected to His loving presence throughout our day. No other life hack or organizational system will work to calm our anxious minds, renew our depleted energy, and heal our wounded hearts. He is our daily Bread (see John 6:51), our soul’s sustenance.  Jesus is the One Thing, and He is worthy of our love, attention, and time. So we must make a concerted effort to make prayer primary. But how? Pitfalls When You Start to Pray It may seem counterintuitive to start here but I want to save you from turning into a Martha in prayer and doing all the things for Jesus. It can be discouraging to dive into a new and ambitious prayer routine only to find you can’t live up to your own expectations. So consider this a gentle reminder to start slow, start small. If you don’t have a set aside time of mental prayer, start there. If you have a disciplined daily prayer time, add daily Mass to your routine. You wouldn’t expect a symphony to be written much less performed overnight, so don’t expect to execute prayer perfectly at the start. Build your rhythm of prayer little by little, over time, through repetition. That’s why we call it a prayer practice. Practical Steps to Find Your Rhythm of Prayer Whether you’re new to prayer or desiring more structure as a part of your prayer routine, a consistent, set apart time in silence and solitude is essential. The Catechism of the Catholic church reminds us that “we cannot pray ‘at all times’ if we do not pray at specific times, consciously willing it” (CCC 2697). This means a specific place and time every day where we can commune with the Lord. For me, that means sitting in my "prayer chair" with my morning coffee and prayer essentials like a Bible and journal. These consistent encounters become touch points in our day, anchoring us in His love. This prayer is primarily relational. Start with the daily Mass readings or even just the Gospel. The Rosary can be a helpful meditation to quiet our thoughts and turn toward the Lord. Or you may want to start with gratitude. Journaling can be a great way to begin to focus on. These tools will become an entry point into His presence, not the end of prayer itself.  Once we’ve “plugged into” the Vine, we gently put the tool down to give Him our full attention. Over time, our minds and bodies will learn to anticipate this practice, and so we are more readily able to dispose ourselves to the Lord’s presence and receive His look of love. Prayer will get easier to settle into.  Once you’re in the mental prayer routine, build out your rhythm from there. Try integrating daily Mass next. Your relationship with Jesus will become even more vibrant when lived in the rhythm of the Church. Frequent reception of the Holy Eucharist gives us the grace we so desperately need. It’s impossible to outline all the benefits of daily Mass because, in His goodness, the Lord will pour out the spiritual and material blessings that are uniquely meant for you. To begin, start with one day a week of daily Mass until it becomes a habit and build from there.  With the firm foundation of daily prayer and Holy Mass, your rhythm of prayer will naturally start to flow. You’ll become more aware of where the Spirit is leading you and what’s needed in different seasons. Perhaps committing to a regular Confession time is your next step. Maybe a morning daily offering or evening Examen would be helpful for surrendering your day to God. Or you might sign up for a weekly Holy Hour at your local Eucharistic Adoration chapel.  With time, you won’t be just asking the Lord about spiritual things. You’ll begin to ask Him questions about everyday things, like what to read, how to spend your weekend, or when to run an errand. As you open up, it will become more natural to turn your mind and heart to God while driving or enjoying your favorite hobby, too. God gave us His very life, His Spirit, to live life through Him, with Him, and in Him. He wants to live more of your life with you and share more of His with you. And He wants to overflow into every area of your life. Benefits of Prayer Finding and living your rhythm of prayer won’t just change your life, it will change you. With Jesus at the center, you’ll begin to experience a deep rootedness regardless of your circumstances. Your life will begin to flourish in new and unexpected ways which ripples out to others.  Once you’re consistent in your prayer practice, take inventory of how your prayer is changing or serving your relationships. Here are some ideas as to how the Holy Spirit might inspire you to love those around you: Start a conversation about the Lord with a coworker Attend (or start!) a small group Invite your child(ren) to Confession Ask one friend to Communion + Coffee End your hang-out with a friend with a prayer Find a local shelter or ministry to volunteer with Smile at the gal next to you in a coffee shop Give our Somebody Loves You card to one person a week Host a Blessed Brunch In John 10:10 Jesus declared that He “came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” As you begin to practice this rhythm of prayer, the abundant life will become more of a reality, not only for you, but for everyone around you. Connected to the Source, you’ll become the world changer you were created to be. What are helpful things that encourage and develop your unique prayer life with God? What have you learned about yourself and God through a deeper commitment to daily prayer?

Names are an important thing, a truth that becomes all the more obvious as a parent trying to choose a name for your child the first time. Some have had names picked out for years. Others simply open a Note on their phone and scroll through the list of names they have been compiling overtime to discuss options with their spouse. For others though, the task of choosing a name can be extremely difficult, especially when parents’ tastes and preferences clash. For better or worse, names make an initial impression, which is often why choosing a name for a new baby is always a hot—and exciting—topic. Want to jump right to some baby name ideas? Check out our list of not-so-typical Catholic baby names and unique biblical baby names! Names are Important to God, Too My love of nomenclature arose from my love of Scripture, which is where I initially learned the depth of meaning that can exist within a name. Within Scripture, names are not merely identifiers; names always reveal something about the very essence of the person (or place). [bctt tweet="Within Scripture, names are not merely identifiers; names always reveal something about the very essence of the person (or place). #BISblog //" username="grace_swap"] For instance, take David, the youngest son of Jesse who became the great king of Israel. David’s name means “beloved” in Hebrew. David was the youngest of eight sons and not even considered important enough to invite to the family dinner when the prophet Samuel was the honored guest. Yet from there, God raises David up to become the most beloved king in the history of the Jewish people. Another good example is the patriarch Abraham. God changed his name to mean, “father of multitudes” because He was going to give him descendants that were as numerous as the stars in the sky. In the New Testament, there is Simon, “the listener” who recognizes the Messiah because of this skill and then becomes Peter, “the rock” on whom the Church will be built. Lastly, there is Jesus himself whose name literally tells us that “God [is] with us.” God Knows the Essence of Your Baby Unfortunately, most of us do not have the capability to know the essence of our children before they are born. If we did, it might make the job of naming them a whole lot easier. Thankfully, Scripture also tells us that God knows each of us intimately before we are conceived. Since He knows our children before us, and we know Him, why not make things simpler by turning to Him for direction? How to Name Your Baby (Catholic-Style) God made our hearts and minds unique, and often our ways of approaching monumental occasions (like naming a child) can be just as particular. It goes without saying, there is no one "right" way to choose a baby name. However, if you are stuck, the following are some things for you to analyze in prayer to aid in this process. You may consider all of them, or perhaps you will find an answer after only praying through one or two. Baby’s Conception Think back to the month when baby’s life first began and consider the events that were taking place. Was it near a funeral or a special feast day? Perhaps you could name your child after that soul. Were you reading a book or watching a series that had a profound impact? Scrutinize the characters, the theme, or the author for inspiration for a good name. What was taking place for you spiritually at that time? If you were completing a Bible study, praying a specific novena, spending more time in Adoration, or had just returned from a pilgrimage, look for corroborating names. A little girl conceived during or after praying a novena to the Sacred Heart could be named, “Reese” which means “ardor”—a word which certainly describes the love of Christ. Similarly, a boy conceived during a time of increased visits to adoration might be named something traditional like, “Christopher,” or could be called, “Thomas” or “Aquinas,” the Saint who composed the majority of the Eucharistic hymns sung during Benediction. Baby’s Due Date Looking ahead, if your child is to be born during a particular Liturgical Season, perhaps a name inspired by that time would feel right. For instance, Advent is a season of Hope. A baby girl born during this season could be named, “Nadine” or “Nadia,” variations of the same name that both mean “hope.” Similarly, a little boy born during Lent could be named, “Asher,” “Ashton,” or “Dustin” (emphasis on the ash and dust). Similar names could be derived for every Liturgical Season by simply prayerfully considering details of the season and then looking up names with congruent meanings or sounds. In addition, you could wait until the baby makes his or her appearance and then consider the same things from above at the time of their birth (the feast day, a particular book or novena, etc.). 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 The Saints Chances are you have already considered naming your child after your favorite heavenly patron. This is perfectly respectable and one of the traditional ways we choose baby names as Catholics. However, sometimes you may love a Saint, but not their name. In those cases, you could consider a name inspired by that person instead. For instance, perhaps Saint Catherine of Siena has played a role in the relationship between you and your spouse. You would like to name your child after her, but you know you’re expecting a boy. “Catherine” or “Siena” would not exactly be appropriate. However, you could consider the name “Flint” inspired by her quote, “If you are who you should be, you will set the world on fire.” Or the name “Urban,” the Pope who revelled in her advice and welcomed her reprimands. A child can be named after a Saint without donning their specific, literal name. All it takes is a little studying and thinking. Scripture Another obvious consideration is to examine your favorite books, characters, and places from Scripture. These names can be literal (like Noah, Hannah, or Eden), or you could think outside the box and find names associated with those things. For instance, if Noah is a favorite character but you do not love the name, consider “Olive,” “Olivia,” or “Oliver” as an alternative (since the Olive branch plays an important role in that story). You could also consider a name inspired by one of your favorite passages. Parents who find comfort in the words of Psalm 119:105 (“Your word O Lord is a lamp unto my feet, a light to my path…”) might consider naming their son "Brighton." Your Prayer Life Aside from discerning a baby name, what does your personal prayer life look like during this time? If you’re going through a spiritual desert, perhaps you should investigate Saints who understand your plight. Saints like Anthony of Egypt and Josephine Bakhita who spent years in the literal desert (one as hermit, the other as a slave), and Saints like Teresa of Calcutta and Alphonsus Rodriguez who experienced prolonged periods of spiritual dryness. You could also go to specific places in the Bible where people are in the desert and find inspiration there. Again, you can use literal, traditional names from these stories, or you can find names inspired by them. You can do this same thing if you’re experiencing an outpouring of consolation and graces in prayer. Look for stories from Scripture and the lives of the Saintssz that correlate with your personal experience. Names From Your List Most of us approach the task of naming a child with some favorites already in mind. This is a good thing! God works goodness through the things to which we are attracted. Take those names that you already like and look up their meanings. Then reevaluate them based on all the considerations above. Take, for example, the name “Ava” which has been on the Top 100 baby names list for about a decade. It’s a Latin variation of the name “Eve” and means “life.” This name could be used with Eve in mind, or in honor of Christ, who is “the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” It would also be particularly appropriate for a baby born around Easter, when we celebrate our inheritance of eternal life. Another appropriate example would be the name “Lincoln,” which has grown in popularity these last couple of years. An English name which means, “town by the pool”; at first thought, it seems as though this name might not have any spiritual tie. However, it brings to mind the healing of the crippled man beside the pool called Bethesda (John 5:1-16). Since our God is omnipresent, it makes sense that there can be a spiritual meaning to coincide any name. All it takes is a little investigating. [bis_form id="1192"] An Original Duty The practice of naming anything has always been reserved for the creator or inventor of the creation, but in the book of Genesis, God shares that privilege with mankind. After the creation of man, God walks alongside Adam as he names all the magnificent creatures that He Himself created. He does this because since we are made in His image and likeness, and part of living that out means being a co-creator. Today, one of the most tangible ways mankind continues to co-create with God is through procreation. For this reason, when it comes time to discern a baby name, it would be most appropriate to once again, walk alongside God in prayer as you use these tools to discern a name for your baby. Then hopefully, continue that pattern as your child grows, asking God to walk alongside you and guide you as you raise them to adulthood. What were your considerations when naming your child(ren)? Share your process with us in the comments below!   [bctt tweet="How to Name Your Baby (Catholic-Style) #BISblog //" username="grace_swap"] HIS WORD CHANGES LIVES God is speaking to you through His Word. In this personal study, you will learn to hear God's voice by reading slowly and praying deeply. BEGIN THE JOURNEY

If your friend circles include folks who are Protestant, chances are that you have had the privilege of listening to them share their testimony—a personal accounting of how they committed their lives to Christ by accepting Jesus into their hearts. Perhaps you’ve even been invited to tell your story. I know I have! And truly, this is a fantastic practice, albeit often less practiced for Catholics. Always be ready to give a reason for your hope. -1 Peter 3:15 Articulating the most meaningful and inexplicable relationship in our lives is bound to require a few renderings before we might have anything coherent to share with another, lest we find ourselves tongue-tie, sobbing, or both. The point is, naming how we have come to know and love Jesus as God in the way that we do is one of the most compelling ways of sharing the Good News with the world. Being able to share this message of hope is undoubtedly important in our own faith lives, and it is the first step toward evangelization. Model Evangelists Scripture is chalk-full of individuals whose lives were changed by Christ, and their first impulse is to share the good news: Mary Magdalene, Saul/Paul, the leper who was healed, or the deaf and mute man in Mark’s Gospel, the Gerasene demoniac, the Apostles; not to mention the Gospel writers. We can also look to the Saints, and Pope Saint John Paul II who coined the phrase, “the new evangelization,” as folks who have taken to heart what it meant to proclaim the Good News. Yet, how often do we hear these accountings of evangelists and feel our own palms sweat at the thought of our own call to the same? Gratefully, we are not called to be JPII or Mary Magdalene—those roles have already been fulfilled. The invitation offered us is to confidently use our own circumstances to be heralders of the Good News. [bctt tweet="The invitation offered us is to confidently use our own circumstances to be heralders of the Good News. #BISblog //" via="no"] Such a Time as This More than likely, we will not be struck off a horse and called by name to serve the Lord, though God’s very intricate knowledge of who you are, and who I am, means that we have very particular work to do in this time and place. In the words of Queen Esther: “Perhaps you were born for such a time as this.”-Esther 4:14 Looking at it this way bolsters my confidence by acknowledging that I am the only one given this particular work to do, so I had better do it as best as I’m able. 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 Everyday Evangelization // 5 Small Ways to Begin If you are reading this with a desire to incorporate more opportunities for sharing the Good News in your sphere, here are a couple of subtle ideas worth trying as you learn to flex your evangelical muscles. 1. Pray when you go out to eat/before lunch at work. This simple gesture is a perfect way to not only remind ourselves, but to give witness to our posture of gratitude for the gifts we have been given. 2. Bless strangers when they sneeze. For some this is instinctual, for others it is a step outside our comfort zones. Generously shouting blessing for good health takes no premeditated effort and has a lingering effect—particularly to those upon whom blessings are not often verbally spoken. 3. Suggest faith resources for purchase by the public library. In general, public libraries are a wealth of resources on all subjects but faith. This is a terrific way to both support Catholic authors and to provide resources for evangelization for those who might not otherwise have access. 4. Offer to pray for/with a friend who is struggling (or celebrating). This can be a bit of a new leaf for those unpracticed in doing so. If so, perhaps begin by writing a prayer in a note and mailing it, or speaking words of prayer to a friend over coffee. 5. Wear a crucifix. I heard a story once about a devout man whose life was a model of service and love to those around him. He had earned the deep esteem and respect of a co-worker as a role model worth imitating. However, the devout man never spoke about God or acknowledged to co-workers that his life choices had been informed by his faith. Imagine the surprise of his co-workers who, upon his death, learned that he was a faith-filled man. He had lived his life in a way that was admirable, but not in a way that led those around him to the Lord. Meanwhile, those who stood to benefit from his influence missed an opportunity to open themselves to the same nourishment by which the devout man had been nourished for years. Whatever methods we choose for evangelization, would that the devout man serve as a reminder that being kind may not be enough to introduce those in our lives to the love of God. Just Begin Clearly this list is just the beginning. The sky's the limit when it comes to the ways we can share our love for Christ, and to begin to do it in ways that don’t cause anxiety. Be creative, be brave. “Perhaps you were born for such a time as this.” What creative ways have you found incorporate evangelization into your current circumstances?   [bctt tweet="Everyday Evangelization: Subtle Ways to Preach the Gospel #BISblog //" via="no"] This post contains affiliate links. Thanks so much for supporting the ministry of Blessed is She!

What I say to you in the darkness, speak in the light; what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. // Matthew 10:27 Download these beautiful free wallpapers from Brass and Mint Co. from today's readings. Let His word dwell in us richly, sisters. Remember, Members, you get this 8x10 digital download for free! Head to the shop for your download. Download your F R E E wallpapers right here --->>> Phone wallpaper Desktop wallpaper

The Litany of the Saints is a powerful and ancient form of Catholic prayer. We hear it at Easter and All Saints Day, and during Ordination Masses for new priests. It can be sung in a church or prayed silently in solitary prayer. It calls on the holy men and women in Heaven to aid those of us on Earth. How to Write a Personal Litany of Saints In my own prayer life, I keep a running list of Saints to whom I have a particular devotion—my own personal litany. The featured cast has transformed many times over the years, while a few remain the same. I’ve prayed the litany before bed, in the Adoration chapel, or silently in my head when I’m upset or anxious and need to recenter myself on God. While the length of the litany and the names included change, the simplicity and repetitiveness of a litany that speaks directly to my heart has been a rock and a comfort in my prayer life. Here’s how I form my personal litany of Saints. Mary I always have an apparition or title associated with Mary in my litany. When I was in college and had a particular attachment to Carmelite spirituality, Our Lady of Mount Carmel topped my list. Now, one of Mary’s titles speaks to me—Mary, Cause of Our Joy—so I include that as my appeal to the Blessed Mother. The Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary (also called the Litany of Loreto) includes many invocations to Mary that could be brought into your personal litany. Angels and Archangels Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael are powerful intercessors, and one of them almost always shows up in my litany. The traditional litany of the Saints usually includes all three, as well as an appeal to all the angels. You might also include your guardian angel, especially if the Guardian Angel prayer is a regular part of your prayer life already. Confirmation Saint My Confirmation Saint (Saint Thomas More) has had a place in my personal litany for as long as I’ve performed the practice. It keeps the memory of the full completion of my Baptism alive and present and allows me to regularly call on one of the most significant intercessors of my life. Name Saints Are you named after a particular Saint, or do you share part of your name with a Saint? Saint Rose Philippine Duchesne is another old standby in my personal litany because of my middle name. Does your birthday or Baptism day fall on a Saint’s feast day? These, too, can be great intercessors to add to your litany. Your Parish Patron To keep my personal litany rooted in the community of the Church, I often include the patron Saint of my parish in the list. It also reminds me to pray for my parish community and for all priests. Patron Saint of Your School or Profession So much of both the joy and frustration of our everyday lives comes from our jobs, and it can help tremendously to entrust our daily activities to the Saints. There is a patron Saint for almost every career or state of life imaginable, and adding one to a personal litany serves as a reminder to pray for your coworkers, your kids, your customers, or your teachers. For you stay-at-home moms, Saint Monica is a powerhouse of a patron. If you find yourself looking for a new job, Saint Cajetan can help. Those who work in healthcare might turn to Saint Agatha or Saint Luke. If you're a student, there are many patrons to choose from. When I was teaching and in graduate school and needed all the spiritual help I could get, Saint Thomas Aquinas, Saint Benedict, Saint Ambrose, and Saint John Bosco showed up in my litany regularly. However you spend your days, there’s a Saint to help. Saint of the Year On All Saints Day each year, I have a practice of choosing a patron Saint for the upcoming year (Jen Fulwiler’s Saint Name Generator can help with this). Including this Saint in the litany helps me get to know them and build a devotion. Saints for Special Intentions Of all the Saints in the litany, these last few change most often. If I’m praying for someone in a special way, their patron—or a patron I pick for them if they don’t have one—is added. If there is a need in my own life that I’ve been taking to prayer often, the patron Saint for the situation ends up in the litany. Assign an intercessor to whatever is happening in your life and the world around you, and ask for the help of those Saints constantly. My Home Team I like to think of having a personal litany of Saints as adding players to my home team. It reminds me to call on them, and makes me feel like I have a set of awesome friends who are cheering for me and interceding for me in Heaven. Who is on your heavenly home team? What Saints would show up in your personal litany?   [bctt tweet="How to Write a Personal Litany of Saints #BISblog //" via="no"]   Abigail Saffert lives and works in rural Minnesota. Her Catholic Studies background, her M.A. in English, and the unnecessary amount of library cards crammed into her purse testify to her lifelong love of reading and writing. She appreciates that there’s a patron Saint for coffee houses because she thinks it justifies the amount of coffee she drinks in a day. You can find pictures of that coffee, among other things, by following her on Instagram.

When Jesus appeared to Saint Faustina, He told her: The greater the sinner, the greater the right he has to My mercy. Father Jean d’Elbee’s words bring comfort, too: And if you give Him your many miseries with great humility and confidence, then you give Him His great joy—His joy of being Savior. We must be convinced of the profundity and horror of sin, not to fall into despair, but rather to discover the full opportunity of grace and mercy that is available to us. To be fully healed and to receive the fullness of grace offered to us by the Merciful Christ, we must first acknowledge our sin. Sin is horrific, yet let us always remember in joyful hope that it is Jesus who takes away the sin of the world. Romans 5:20 proclaims, “where sin increased, grace abounded all the more.” Christ’s mercy is always available to us through the Church and the Sacraments. What is Sin? To better appreciate and accept the mercy offered to us through Christ, we must admit our faults. That’s why it is so important for us to know what sin is, so that we may realize its deadening effects and continually strive for conversion. When we identify sin, we are able to remove it. The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines sin as, “an offense against reason, truth, and right conscience; it is failure in genuine love for God and neighbor caused by a perverse attachment to certain goods. It wounds the nature of man and injures human solidarity. It has been defined as ‘an utterance, a deed, or a desire contrary to the eternal law.’ Sin is an offense against God and sets itself against God's love for us and turns our hearts away from it.” (CCC 1849, 1850) Capital Sins Sins are distinguished according to their objects, the virtues they oppose, and the commandments they violate. There are different kinds of sins, namely mortal sin and venial sin. Yet all sin is like the first sin. All sin is disobedience. Our Church has identified seven capital sins, often referred to as “deadly sins,” because they each give rise to other sins. A Remedy Following Saint Paul’s proclamation to the Romans, our Church in her wisdom does not leave us without remedy. Grace abounds all the more with the seven lively virtues that combat and assist us in the triumph over the seven capital sins. The Catechism teaches us that: A virtue is an habitual and firm disposition to do the good. It allows the person not only to perform good acts, but to give the best of himself. The virtuous person tends toward the good with all his sensory and spiritual powers; he pursues the good and chooses it in concrete actions. -CCC 1803 The Seven Deadly Sins Pride // When man aims higher [supra] than he is, because he wishes to appear above what he is. (Summa Theologiae) Avarice // An inordinate love of riches, an immoderate love of possessing. (Summa Theologiae) Envy // The sadness at the sight of another’s goods and the immoderate desire to acquire them for oneself, even unjustly. (CCC 2539) Wrath // A desire for revenge, evil is found in wrath when one is angry more or less than right reason demands. (CCC 2302, Summa Theologiae) Lust // Disordered desire for or inordinate enjoyment of sexual pleasure. Sexual pleasure is morally disordered when sought for itself, isolated from its procreative and unitive purposes. (CCC 2351) Gluttony // An inordinate desire for eating and drinking. St. Gregory the Great says gluttony occurs when we consume food and drink, “hastily, sumptuously, too much, greedily, or daintily.” (Summa Theologiae) Sloth // To refuse the joy that comes from God and to be repelled by divine goodness. (CCC 2094) The Seven Lively Virtues Humility // A humble man is someone inclined to the lowest place. (Summa Theologiae) Charity // The theological virtue by which we love God above all things for His own sake, and our neighbor as ourselves for the love of God. (CCC 1822) Kindness // A fruit of the Holy Spirit. Mercy, compassion, grief for another’s distress. (Summa Theologiae) Forgiveness // Pardon or remission of an offense. (CCC 976) Chastity // The successful integration of sexuality within the person and thus the inner unity of man in his bodily and spiritual being. (CCC 2337) Temperance // The moral virtue that moderates the attraction of pleasures and provides balance in the use of created goods. It ensures the will's mastery over instincts and keeps desires within the limits of what is honorable. The temperate person directs the sensitive appetites toward what is good and maintains a healthy discretion. (CCC 1809) Fortitude // The moral virtue that ensures firmness in difficulties and constancy in the pursuit of the good. It strengthens the resolve to resist temptations and to overcome obstacles in the moral life. The virtue of fortitude enables one to conquer fear, even fear of death, and to face trials and persecutions. It disposes one even to renounce and sacrifice his life in defense of a just cause. (CCC 1808) Strive to Live A Virtuous Life Saint Gregory of Nyssa said that the goal of the virtuous life is to become like God. Sisters, let us have heaven as a goal and live like Heaven as a goal. Let us recognize the horror of sin, identify the sins in our own life, seek God’s mercy and grace made ever-available to us in the Sacraments and Church, and then extend that same mercy to others. Our lives will transform and we will become, “like God.” Resources and Ideas for Leading a Virtuous Life Make an act of contrition and receive the Sacrament of Confession regularly. Schedule it in! When we are in a state of grace we are able to recognize sin more clearly and strive to avoid it. Find an experienced spiritual director. Participate in daily Mass. Watch this video by Bishop Barron. He beautifully outlines the deadly sins and lively virtues according to Dante’s ‘Divine Comedy’. This video transformed my spiritual life! Pray! When we converse with Christ we are more sensitive to sin and we grow in virtue. We are better able to hear the voice of Christ and become more like Him. Pray everyday, throughout the day!   [bctt tweet="The Seven Deadly Sins + the Seven Lively Virtues #BISblog //" username="findphilothea"] This post contains affiliate links. Thanks so much for supporting the ministry of Blessed is She!

Here on earth we dream of Heaven. But this Heaven kisses earth on a daily basis. Sometimes I forget that amazing reality and I need to be reminded of just how incredible our Catholic Faith is. If you're new to the Catholic Mass, and you'd like to follow along during Mass (or beforehand), click here to download our How to Go to Mass PDF we created just for you with responses as well as what is going on during the Mass. If you'd prefer a printable version, we made a pamphlet version right here. Best Books About the Mass Here are some books, (including a novel and children's books!) to remind us of what Pope Saint John Paul II said about the Eucharist, that it is “the source of our happiness and holiness.” Words and Actions A Biblical Walk Through The Mass: Understanding What We Say And Do In The Liturgy by Edward Sri In this book, Sri explains the biblical foundations of the Mass as well as the history and significance of the words and gestures we use. He breaks it down into a five part “tour” of the Mass. It reminds us of the importance of common phrases said during the Mass. For example, we recognize the role of the priest leading the congregation into the Mass when we say “and with your Spirit.” Then, in the Communion Rite, just as we asked for mercy in the beginning of the Mass, we do so again by begging the Lord’s mercy in the Agnus Dei. We start the Mass stating our unworthiness and move through the Mass being brought back to God. We are unworthy, but yet, Jesus still chooses to reside with us, and to enter under our own roof! The 7 Secrets of the Eucharist by Vinny Flynn If you want your life to be transformed by the Eucharist, this easy-to-read book could be just what you are looking for. Like his chapter titled “We Don’t Just Receive” where he talks about how Communion goes beyond simply receiving, but is something that we enter into and is a way of uniting ourselves to Him. This book will bring about an interior transformation of heart and of your daily life as you come to understand the power of the Eucharist. Foundations of what Flynn presents in this book come from writings of the Saints, Popes, and Scripture. Gift // A Study on the Eucharist In this Blessed Conversations study from Blessed is She, you'll encounter the rich tradition of the Church's devotion to the Eucharist. You will witness how the Saints relied on the Blessed Sacrament and how God's Word points to this greatest Gift. Perfect for individual study or group, consider bringing along a couple of friends to discover the depths of God's love for us showcased in the Blessed Sacrament. A Devotional Journey into the Mass: How Mass Can Become a Time of Grace, Nourishment, and Devotion by Christopher Carstens I know that I often take the Mass for granted, and can tend to recite the prayers out of rote memory rather than great devotion. Carstens lays out eight easy ways to approach the Mass with a more joyful and humble heart. This book will be a help to make your prayers at Mass not only less mundane, but transform them into a personal conversation with God. A list of action items can be found at the end of each chapter, to help foster a more intense devotion to the beautiful Sacrament of the Eucharist and the Mass in which we receive Him. Eucharist by Bishop Robert Barron For many Catholics today, the Eucharist is merely a symbol. But the truth of what is made present on the altar, and what the faithful dare to receive into their bodies and souls, is far more strange and beautiful. In Eucharist, Bishop Barron invites us not only to remember Jesus and imitate his moral example, but also to enter into the grace of communion by eating and drinking the very self that Christ offers in sacrifice. Scripture and Tradition The Lamb’s Supper by Scott Hahn Dr. Scott Hahn is a theologian and former Presbyterian minister. In this best-selling book he writes about how the Book of Revelation was the early Christian’s way of coming to understand the Mass. He describes how the unusual and dramatic language we read in Revelation is also a reflection of the sacrifice and celebration of the Mass. Like in Revelation, when we read about the Lamb who was slain. This Lamb is Jesus Himself, the Lamb of God, who was slain to redeem us and who continues to pour out His Precious Blood for us at each Mass. This book will help you to pray through the liturgy with a renewed perspective. Understanding the Mass by Mike Aquilina Aquilina presents one hundred commonly asked questions about the Mass and provides one-hundred simply laid out answers. This book covers history, like the Jewish roots of the Mass, as well as pure curiosity like, why some people receive Communion in the hand and others on the tongue. This book will help you joyfully anticipate going to Mass while also making you better prepared for the beautiful celebration that it is. Rubrics The Spirit of the Liturgy by Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI is the author of this great work on the Liturgy which will lead you to worship rather than routine. Benedict promotes a movement to celebrate the sacramental liturgy properly, stemming from knowledge and understanding of the rites. His goal is to help us come to recognize that the Church is renewed by the celebration of the liturgy. The liturgy “is primarily concerned with reality, with the approach of a real creature to a real God” and this is constituted by the specific “forms of language, gesture, and instruments, their revelation, teaching, accomplishment and acceptance by the faithful.” He shows both how and why the Church rises and falls with the liturgy. General Instruction of the Roman Missal The General Instruction of the Roman Missal is the Church’s definitive document governing the norms of the Mass. The book provides in-depth information and guidance on an array of topics like the structure of the Mass, its elements and its parts, the different forms of celebrating Mass, and even the arrangement and ornamentation of churches for the celebration of the Eucharist. The Mass is the center of the Christian life and the General Instruction is provided in order to bring order to the liturgy so that both the sacred ministers and the lay faithful may draw more abundantly from its graces. Fiction Come Rack Come Rope by Robert Hugh Benson This one-hundred year-old novel is a page-turning love story which takes place during the persecution of English Catholics by Queen Elizabeth I. Robin Audrey and Marjorie Manners have promised one another that they would get married, yet they leave an openness to God’s will in the case that He has other plans. As the book progresses, Robin hears a call to the priesthood and Marjorie serves priests and Catholics by hiding them from the English authorities. While the story is fiction, it includes real life figures like Saint Edmund Campion and Mary, Queen of Scots. This book is an entertaining way to increase devotion to the Mass, because we see devout characters who are deprived of the Mass, and the lengths to which they are willing to go to attend it. In these pages, the characters ache for the Sacraments but the priests are not allowed to administer them, making this book evergreen and easy to relate to today. Books for the Kids We Go To Mass by George Brundage This sturdy board book has a “carry-me-along” handle and is perfect for standing up to heavy use. The colored illustrations and easy to understand text is a great way to start teaching little ones about the Mass. A Missal for Toddlers by Elen Lescoat This sweet little board book walks children step-by-step on how to follow along with the prayer and actions of the Mass by watching what a young sister and brother say and do as they participate in the Mass with their mom and dad. Whether you go daily or weekly, when you participate in the Mass, you are far from alone. You are accompanied by more than your neighbors in the pews or those you entered the Church with. When you go to Mass you enter into the Heavenly realm. What are some books that have helped you learn more about the Mass? THE GREATEST GIFT In this study on the Eucharist, we explore the truth that Jesus is the answer to your every need. Join us as we explore John chapter 6 to learn how the reality of the Holy Eucharist applies to our lives. Discover what a gift He is. GET THE GIFT STUDY

My husband and I have often wondered together in awe of our families’ shared history of long marriages. We ourselves will celebrate 21 years of marriage this month. Both sets of our parents have been married for over 40 years. And all four sets of our grandparents passed their 50th wedding anniversaries! Let’s be honest. As people in our forties, children of the 80s who came of age in the 90s, I think that makes us some sort of familial/marital unicorns. It seems that our situation makes us the exception rather than the rule, regardless of looking at our religious or secular friend circles. A Firm Foundation Now, while all of our grandparents and my husband’s father have passed away, I know without a doubt the one common factor that all of those couples would contribute to their lengthy marriages. Faith. More specifically, a shared Faith in the God they loved, in the strength of their marriage vows, and in each other. They rooted their marriages in the Word, turning time and time again to praying and practicing what they knew to be good and true. Turn to the Word You’ve been at weddings before and heard the same handful of readings done so many times, you can almost lip sync along with the lector. Right? That's not a bad thing, though! Those readings are chosen for a reason! We pray the words that speak to our hearts and, many times, the ones that are familiar to us. And we want readings at our weddings that will continue to bless us as we move forward in our marriages. For example: // "The LORD God then built the rib that he had taken from the man into a woman. When he brought her to the man, the man said: “This one, at last, is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; This one shall be called ‘woman,’ for out of man this one has been taken.” That is why a man leaves his father and mother and clings to his wife, and the two of them become one body." -Genesis 2:22-24 // "Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, [love] is not pompous, it is not inflated, it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails." -1 Corinthians 13:4-8 // "As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete. This is my commandment: love one another as I love you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends." -John 15:9-13 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 As Time Goes By We all know, though, that eventually the honeymoon ends and that marriage can be downright hard if not seemingly impossible sometimes. We are tried and tested and taken to the very ends of our ropes. In good times or bad, though (and yes, in sickness and health and richer and poorer and, well, you get the idea), what are some other verses in Scripture that we could turn to for help? Direction? Solace? Scripture Verses to Pray for Your Marriage Where are other verses that can speak God’s love into our marriages no matter the circumstance? Here are a few of my favorites: // "I, then, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love, striving to preserve the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace: one body and one Spirit, as you were also called to the one hope of your call..." -Ephesians 4:1-4 // "Two are better than one: They get a good wage for their toil. If the one falls, the other will help the fallen one. (...) So also, if two sleep together, they keep each other warm. How can one alone keep warm? Where one alone may be overcome, two together can resist. A three-ply cord is not easily broken." -Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 // "But Ruth said, “Do not press me to go back and abandon you! Wherever you go I will go, wherever you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people and your God, my God. Where you die I will die, and there be buried. May the LORD do thus to me, and more, if even death separates me from you!”" -Ruth 1:16-17 // "Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if one has a grievance against another; as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do. And over all these put on love, that is, the bond of perfection." -Colossians 3:12-14 // "Therefore, encourage one another and build one another up, as indeed you do." -1 Thessalonians 5:11 // "Above all, let your love for one another be intense, because love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaining. As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God’s varied grace." -1 Peter 4:8-10 // "Let us hold unwaveringly to our confession that gives us hope, for he who made the promise is trustworthy. We must consider how to rouse one another to love and good works." -Hebrews 10:23-24 1 John 4 And finally, there’s this verse from 1 John. // "We have come to know and to believe in the love God has for us. God is love, and whoever remains in love remains in God and God in him." -1 John 4:16 Really, though, you could start reading at verse 7 of this chapter and just keep going to the end. The text explores God’s love for us in Christ, our love for Him in return, and how we live that love with those around us. And it’s that circle of love, sisters, that marriage is all about. That’s where we find the firm foundation that my husband and I received from our parents and grandparents and generations before them. And it’s the foundation that will help our marriages stand firm, too. What Scripture verses have you found helpful when praying for your own marriage?   [bctt tweet="Scripture Verses to Pray for Your Marriage #BISblog //" via="no"]

Though not newlyweds, my husband and I are still fairly new to this whole marriage thing. Over the last three and a half years, we have realized over and over again that there are still lots of things about marriage and family life that we have to figure out. One such puzzle is a method of prayer for us (sans kids) that bears good fruit. Recently, we have been feeling a little discouraged that we have never maintained a routine of prayer together. It’s been attempted numerous times, but nothing seems to stick for longer than a few months (at best). It’s understandable, life is full of unpredictability. Every time we try to iron out a method of prayer for our current state, life throws a curveball (like an illness or a new job), our whole routine shifts, and that rhythm of prayer no longer works. How to Start Praying with Your Spouse Thankfully, we are both resolved to continue this search until we find something that sticks. Serious about our endeavor, but also feeling creatively blocked, I approached other couples whose marriages we admire and asked them for advice. I was uplifted by what I found. Collective Wisdom from Faithful Couples Knowing there would not be a universal answer to our problem, I sought advice from couples in all different walks of life and states in their marriages hoping something someone said would resonate with me. I sought the wisdom of empty-nesters who have been married for 30+ years, the balance of the families with multiple school-aged children, as well as the empathy of those still “newly” married and dealing with the chaos of toddlers. Everyone delivered and not a single one disappointed. What was most encouraging is that every couple affirmed their own experience with the exact same struggle in prayer—and all of them found unique and creative solutions that worked for them. Praying with Traditional Prayers Judy + Jack // Wake up at 5am every morning to say a Rosary together. Sarah + Chris // Say a Divine Mercy Chaplet together as they prepare and eat breakfast. Annie + David // Both have long commutes. They call each other from their cars and pray a Rosary together over the cell towers. Taylor + Ben // Pray a novena to Our Lady of Good Success when big life situations arise. Mary + William // Use the Magnificat to pray morning prayer in unison before getting out of bed; at the end of their day they climb into bed together and use the resource to pray evening prayer. Heidi + Ken // Pick one day a week to fast both together and for one another (outside of the traditional Friday fast). Claire + Mike // Pray various novenas and complete different consecrations together on a regular basis. Spontaneous Prayer Shannon + Johnny// Take time to pray together every night after the kids are asleep. They sit together, and starting with silent, individual prayer before praying out loud together about the occurrences in their lives. Melissa + Joe // Go to bed at the same time. They hold hands and Joe leads with an opening invocation. Together they express petitions, cares, concerns, wounds, and praises aloud, offering them to Our Lord in unison of heart. Paige + Jack // Both work from home. During difficult and trying moments, they turn to one another for prayer. One spouse places their hand over the other’s heart and prays for extra graces specific to that circumstance to be added to their day. 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 Reading and Study Marie + Mark // Read a short devotional before bed and discuss it as they fall asleep. Madeline + Ryan // Have a designated Bible study night each week. They pick one book of the Bible and work through it bit by bit. First, they read individually before expressing what caught their attention about the passage. Sometimes they share insights, sometimes questions, and together, they search online commentaries to learn deeper meanings of a particular passage. Simona + Blake // Watch episodes of different religious series and have a conversation about them afterwards. This often leads to changes in the way they approach their days and weeks. Grace + Chris // Use the drive to Mass to familiarize themselves with the readings that day. This often leads to conversation and wondering. After Mass, on the drive home, they discuss insights from the Mass and how they can do something specific to live out the Gospel that week. Outside-the-Box Lori + Keith // Give each other prayer intentions each morning, They carry those intentions throughout the day, offering sacrifices and bringing them into their moments of personal prayer. Christine + Michael // Memorized five prayers with special meaning to their relationship. Each night in bed, before falling asleep, they hold hands or touch in some way (especially if they’re angry or feel out of sync) and recite them in unison. Liv + Dave // Have close to opposite schedules and rely heavily on intercession for one another. They text deep and simple intentions to each other at various points throughout the day and go to spiritual battle for one another from afar. CC + Matt // Use holy water to trace the Sign of the Cross over each other’s foreheads at the beginning of each day. Melissa + AJ // Repeat their marriage vows each morning as a daily reminder to love and serve each other and God. Abigail + husband // Constructed a personal litany of family favorite and patron Saints to recite on a daily basis. Mary + Stan // Begin many of their dates with a stop by the Adoration chapel where they pray for their marriage. One Size Does Not Fit All The responses I received from my friends and acquaintances were incredibly uplifting. It seems that—at some point (and often multiple times throughout life)—everyone struggles to find a rhythm of prayer that is fruitful for their marriage. And often the types of prayer that do work well wax and wane over the months and years. The collective reply pointed to the following: this task is never easy. The Catechism refers to prayer as a battle for a reason, and we need to help each other in this fight! Hopefully this list contains a helpful idea, and if it doesn’t, I encourage you to do what I did. Reach out to others you admire and ask them for advice! You’re sure to be rejuvenated by their answers! Do you have a rhythm of prayer with your spouse? What works for you?   [bctt tweet="How to Start Praying with Your Spouse (Finding What Works for You) #BISblog //" via="no"]

One of the first gifts I received as a new, first-time mom was a gift of books for my son. As a book lover myself, the gift was much appreciated. I’ve always wanted my children to grow up in a home filled with books, and I love reading to them throughout the day. It’s one of our favorite activities to do together! Building a Catholic Library for Kids As my children have grown, I’ve realized that there is a dizzying amount of beautiful, quality books for children out there, including incredible books about our Catholic Faith! So many talented authors, illustrators, and publishing houses have created incredible resources for us as parents as we try to teach our children about our Faith. There are books about the life of Jesus, books about the Saints for even the smallest hands, even Missals and Catechisms meant for children. This is by no means an exhaustive list. But if you’re looking to add some beautiful books about the Faith to your child’s bookshelf, I hope this list gives you a start! Books about the Saints We have so much to learn from these holy men and women in Heaven, and these titles bring the stories of the Saints to life for kids of all ages, including the youngest ones! My Little Book of Patrons by Katie Baklinski Stories of the Saints: Bold and Inspiring Tales of Adventure, Grace and Courage by Carey Wallace Brother Francis of Assisi by Tomie dePaola Mother Teresa of Calcutta by Francine Bay and Emmanuel Beaudesson Sitting like a Saint by Dr. Gregory Bottaro Loyola Kids Book of Heroes: Stories of Catholic Heroes and Saints throughout History Cloud of Witnesses: A Child’s First book of Saints by Katie Warner Light of Heaven: A Children’s Book of Saints by Adalee Hude Saintly Rhymes for Modern Times by Meghan Bausch A Boy Who Became Pope by Fabiola Garza The Loyola Treasury of Saints by David Self Queen and the Cross by Cornelia Bilinsky The Saint and His Bees by Dessi Jackson (check out her other Saint stories here!) Books about Mary Devotion to the Blessed Mother is an integral part of the Faith that we share. These books are a great place to start in teaching that devotion at a young age! The Lady of Guadalupe by Tomie dePaola Mary Stories from the Bible Mary, the Mother of Jesus by Tomie dePaola Mary and the Little Shepherds of Fatima by Marlyn Monge Marian Consecration for Children by Carrie Gress Books about the Mass Perfect for the Mass bag or just reading at home, these titles bring the Mass to life for children. A Missal for Little Ones by Joëlle d'Abbadie Jesus Invites Me to the Mass by Sabine du Mesnil and Gemma Roman A Missal for Children Light of Sunday by Geena Harrington Father Ben Gets Ready for Mass by Katie Warner I Went to Mass: What Did I See? By Katie Warner Articles at Mass by Ellen Tomaszewski Books about the Church and Sacraments Beautiful books about Sacraments and various aspects of our Faith, put in terms kids will understand. Loyola Kids Book of Catholic Signs and Symbols by Amy Welborn Kiddie Cat by Katie Warner A Little Book about Confession for Children by Kendra Tierney and Maria Ashton Your First Communion: Meeting Jesus, Your True Joy by Pope Francis Stories of the Blessed Sacrament by Francine Bay Bibles and Bible Stories A children’s Bible or a book of Bible stories is a great way to introduce the Scriptures to kids! Bible Stories for Little Children by Sophia Institute Press The Catholic Bible for Children by Karine-Marie Amiot, Francois Carmagnac, and Christophe Raimbault The Life of Jesus According to St. Luke by Sophie de Mullenheim The Illustrated Parables of Jesus by Jean-Francois Kieffer and Christine Ponsard The Beautiful Story of the Bible by Maïte Roche Books on Prayer Foster a lifelong love of personal prayer in your kids with these books about different prayers geared towards different ages! On A Mission to Love (children’s Rosary book) by Debbie Starestinic Mysteries of the Rosary board book set by Nancy Bandzuch Let Us Pray: A Child’s First Book of Prayers by Katie Warner Loyola Kids Book of Everyday Prayers by Margaret Savitskas Other Great Titles More great titles about other aspects of our Faith! Heavenly Hosts: Eucharistic Miracles for Kids by Kathryn Griffin Swegart OFS Who Is Jesus? His Life, His Land, His Time by Gaelle Tertrais Colors of Creation by Paul Thigpen, PhD Lilly Lolek: Future Saint by Katie Warner Catholic Stories for Boys and Girls by Neumann Press Drawing God by Karen Kiefer Tell Me About the Catholic Faith: From the Bible to the Sacraments Giorgio's Miracle by Laurie Schmitt   Where to Look for More Catholic Books for Kids Want to find even more great options? On Amazon, look at what’s listed under “frequently bought together” as well as “books you may like” and “sponsored products related to this item.” They often list other great titles based on the one you’re currently looking at, and it’s a great way to discover new books you might not otherwise! Other great places to look include Magnificat Bookstore, Loyola Press, TAN Books, and The Catholic Company! Any other books that are must-haves in your home library? Share with your sisters in the comments!   [bctt tweet="Building a Catholic Library for Kids #BISblog //" via="no"]   This post contains affiliate links. Thanks so much for supporting the ministry of Blessed is She! THE PERFECT BOOK FOR KIDS Rise Up will open up beautiful conversations with your children about the virtues. . This will bring beautiful fruit to your prayer life and to your children's prayer lives. GET RISE UP

There are many meaningful ways to add to our prayer time that can guide our thoughts and serve as tools to enhance the ways we pray and grow in the Faith. The best part of these media is that you don’t have to be a theologian to plug into any of them. These resources can be accessed at any time when you feel you want to add something unique to your prayer routine. Different Media for Enhancing Your Prayer While these mediums can never replace intimate prayer time with the Lord, they can equip us to have the proper prayerful dispositions, whether it's through visual or audio sources. Audiobooks A few weeks ago, a friend sent me an audiobook. I’ve never experienced listening to a book before as an adult! I thought they for people who didn’t like to hold a physical book or who were too busy to sit and read. I was happily proven wrong! Audiobooks have allowed me to really listen attentively. My attention is captured even more than if I was just reading on my own. Listening to audiobooks is a great way to discover stories about the lives of the Saints or books from your favorite Catholic author without needing a bookmark. The audiobook does it for you! You can purchase audiobook files on Amazon, download them from your library’s app, or listen on Audible. Radio Relevant Radio offers a plethora of regularly programmed Rosaries, chaplets, novenas, and various other shows that increase knowledge and discussions of the Faith. SiriusXM also has a Catholic Channel as well as EWTN radio. Whenever I am in a music funk and catch myself skipping song after song, I know it's time to listen to something that will grab my attention and give me something to ponder. In the past, I found that whenever I turn on Relevant Radio I end up hearing exactly what I needed for that particular moment of the day. It replaces the annoyance of flipping through my iTunes playlist with fruitful prayer time that I hadn’t intentionally planned. Podcasts Another way to turn that car ride to the grocery store into a prayerful moment is by listening to a podcast. It may not be typical to be inspired in prayer by listening to familiar voices. But hearing dialogue about certain topics of the Faith can plant seeds in our minds that resonate with us long after the podcast is over. It's like our ears capture the words and conversations that we need to replay in our minds at a later time so we can share what we learned with friends and family. With so much rich content from so many voices, you can feel like you are having coffee with the hostesses, whether it’s the lovely ladies from the Abiding Together podcast or are very own podcast here at Blessed is She. Find a podcast that suits your taste or season in life and feel free to push play or pause according to your daily routine. You will find yourself being a part of a conversation that you needed to hear. (Pst! Find other podcasts for Catholic women here.) 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 Music Music can transport us elsewhere as the songs lift our hearts and praise to God. The music becomes a balm for our soul and our ears. The lyrics of the song guide our thoughts and turn our minds to Jesus, quickly becoming a form of prayer. Check out this Spotify playlist or choose from your own favorite praise and worship albums. Chant If you are in a dry season and the worship songs you have listened to in the past aren’t working out or you want to change things up a bit, try listening to Anthology: Chants and Polyphony from St. Michael’s Abbey. It will bolster your prayer experience as the chant quiets your mind and brings you peace. Chaplets and Novenas Chaplet This visual masterpiece by the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal will change the way you pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet. Suddenly you are in New York City, India, and Honduras. You can visually see God’s mercy being extended to people from all around the world. The words with the visuals make the chaplet come to life. Novenas These series of videos unlock the words and allow us to hear, speak, and listen more clearly to what it is that we are saying as we respond, “Jesus I surrender to you, take care of everything.” Adoration Livestream Adoration is available 24/7. Take a mini trip to a new church or even a Cathedral in a different country that is offering Adoration and fix your eyes on Jesus and spend time with Him. Although this isn’t an extensive list of all of the mediums that are offered, it's a road map that can be used at any time to add to your prayer routine. What media aid in your prayer? Share your favorites below so our community can check them out!   [bctt tweet="How Different Media Can Elevate Our Prayer #BISblog //" via="no"]

God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. // John 3:16 Download these beautiful free wallpapers from Lauren Thomas from today's readings. Let His word dwell in us richly, sisters. Remember, Members, you get this 8x10 digital download for free! Head to the shop for your download. Download your F R E E wallpapers right here --->>> Phone wallpaper Desktop wallpaper

One of the most inspiring reasons to practice a deep and personal devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is that it unites you to the "Heart of the Church." The month of June, dedicated to the Sacred Heart, is a perfect time to grow closer to His Most Sacred Heart. This month also highlights this devotion with the Feast of the Sacred Herat of Jesus, celebrated on June 19th. Devotion to and Enthronement of the Sacred Heart of Jesus The practice of devotion to the Heart of Jesus has been lived out since Saint John the Apostle placed his head on the breast of Jesus at the Last Supper. This devotion is for all the faithful who are members of the Body of Christ. There are many important aspects of this devotion, but one that is far-reaching is to enthrone your home to the Heart of Jesus. The idea of Enthronement is a spiritual surrender where we allow Jesus to touch us in a way that is life-changing. The simple act of placing the Heart of Jesus as the King of Love in your home can give you new graces to deepen your relationship with the Lord. In a vision to Saint Margaret Mary, Jesus shared that: Wherever the Image of My Sacred Heart is publicly exposed and honored, I will pour out graces of sanctification and salvation, I will touch unfeeling hearts, I will reunite divided families, I will help them in all their needs. Now more than ever we need to have the strength and grace to live out our Faith in the home. As Jesus promised, devotion to His Sacred Heart will reunite divided families. This also gives us an opportunity to pass our Faith on to our family in a new way! The Heart of Jesus in the Church Devotion to the Sacred Heart is based on Scripture, Tradition, the Church Fathers, and Doctors of the Church. This foundation is best explained in an Encyclical of Pope Pius XII entitled Haurietis Aquas (On Devotion to the Sacred Heart) which is a Latin phrase from Isaiah 12:3 meaning “You will draw waters.” The full quote from Isaiah 12:3 is “With joy, you will draw water from the wells of salvation.” In this encyclical, Pope Pius makes the point that the principle objective of devotion to the Sacred Heart is to unite ourselves to the Divine Love that flows between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This is the living water that Jesus invites all of us to drink, which was foreshadowed in the Old Testament prophets and brought about from Christ’s side on the Cross. Pope Pius concludes that devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is the most effective school of the love of God, which is the foundation on building the Kingdom of God in the hearts of individuals, families, and nations. Some of the more recent endorsements for devotion to the Sacred Heart from our popes come from Pope Saint John Paul II: We are called not only to meditate on, and contemplate, this mystery of Christ’s love, we are called to take part in it. It is the mystery of the Holy Eucharist, the center of our faith, the center of our worship of Christ's merciful love manifested in his Sacred Heart. And most recently, Pope Francis stated: The Heart of Jesus is the ultimate symbol of God's Mercy, but it is not an imaginary symbol, it is the real symbol. Which represents the center, the source from which Salvation for all Humanity gushed forth. Christ the King When Christ reigns in both our hearts and our homes, we give Him the opportunity to pour forth His mercy and graces. Not only for ourselves but for those closest to us. Let’s allow the Lord to use these uncertain times as a means of strengthening our love for Him and for others. To learn more about enthroning your home to the Sacred Heart, click here. [bctt tweet="Why You Should Enthrone the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Your Home #BISblog //" via="no"]   Emily Jaminet is a Catholic author, and her latest book is Pray Fully: Simple Steps for Becoming A Woman of Prayer published by Ave Maria Press. She is the Executive Director of the Sacred Heart Enthronement Network and co-founder of www.inspirethefaith.com. Emily lives in Ohio with her husband and children and manages to keep busy with ministry work, raising a large family and always trying to make time for friends! This post contains affiliate links. Thanks so much for supporting the ministry of Blessed is She!

I spent four years working as an editor at a bridal magazine. During that time, my colleagues and I reviewed hundreds of wedding submissions each week, carefully considering each one for potential publication. I’ve seen photos of wedding ceremonies in practically every location you can imagine, from gardens and beaches, to museums and mansions, to rooftops and breweries. When couples choose to be married in the Catholic Church, a few decisions are automatically made for them alongside that. Their readings will be from Sacred Scripture. The music will be spiritual in nature. A priest or deacon will officiate. And, in almost all circumstances, the wedding ceremony will take place inside a church. Why Do Catholic Weddings Only Happen in Churches? The last point can be one of frustration for some, especially if your church is not the most visually appealing or it’s a long drive from your reception venue. While I’ll be the first to recognize and affirm the values of both beauty and convenience in a wedding, the Church reminds us what takes even higher priority: the sacredness of the Sacrament. Sacred and Set Apart ...God himself is the author of marriage. The vocation to marriage is written in the very nature of man and woman as they came from the hand of the Creator. Marriage is not a purely human institution despite the many variations it may have undergone through the centuries in different cultures, social structures, and spiritual attitudes. These differences should not cause us to forget its common and permanent characteristics. Although the dignity of this institution is not transparent everywhere with the same clarity, some sense of the greatness of the matrimonial union exists in all cultures. -Catechism of the Catholic Church 1603 While our Faith is, above all else, spiritual, there is also a richly physical element. That is evident in the striking beauty of our cathedrals, the perfume of incense, the blessed water and oil necessary for our Sacraments, and the Sacred Body and Precious Blood of Jesus, truly present under the guise of bread and wine. As Catholics, we readily acknowledge the power of what is tangible to direct us to what is not. We believe that what we encounter through our senses matters. Likewise, the setting for a Catholic marriage is deeply meaningful. No matter how beautiful an outdoor space may be, it does not immediately turn our attention to God the way that entering a church does. The space itself demands a certain level of respect, reverence, and attentiveness that befits the sacredness of a wedding ceremony. An Opportunity for Evangelization Imagine two ceremonies with identical readings, music, and vows—one in a church and one on the lawn of a reception venue. Which ceremony is more likely to capture the attention of someone with little or no faith? And, if they felt a tug on their hearts, during which ceremony would they be more likely to find some direction toward God or the Catholic Faith? For some people, attending weddings is the one and only time they will ever step foot through church doors. Their physical presence in the building makes all the words and emotions experienced during the ceremony—from joy for the couple, to wonder at the Sacrament—more impactful. Setting the Tone for Your Marriage The way you begin your marriage—in that sacred space—creates an anchor in your life together. Your wedding ceremony is an event you’ll return to in your mind again and again. You’ll recall the emotions when you look through your photos. You’ll remember your vows in moments of both trial and joy. You’ll reminisce about those special moments with family and friends who witnessed them for years to come. When you celebrate your ceremony inside a church, that setting instantly becomes a crucial part of each of those memories. Your vows, your readings, your songs, and your setting represent some of the most important priorities of your life together. Some aspects of your ceremony will only live on in memories, but the church is a place you can always return to for encouragement, renewal, and refreshment. How to Embrace the Tradition Unfortunately, as beautiful as what occurs inside a church may be, let’s just say that some church architects and designers have done a better job than others. If your ceremony church falls short in the aesthetics department, consider the following tips to achieve the look you’re dreaming of, while also honoring what the Church requires. 1. Take your portraits outside. Some of the most cherished photographs taken at your wedding will be your portraits with your family and bridal party members. Those photos often take place inside the church, but there is no reason that they need to! As a matter of fact, I recommend considering outdoor portraits regardless of what your church looks like, if you’ll have the opportunity to do so in natural light. A few alternative options include the steps or space right outside of your church, any gardens or lawn near your church, outside at your reception venue, or even a separate (close by) outdoor space altogether. 2. Consider a Christmas or Easter season wedding. When selecting your wedding date, consider dates that fall within the liturgical seasons of Christmas or Easter. Along with being generally joyful, lovely times of year for weddings, they’re also the times when churches are the most elaborately decorated. Bonus: by making use of the flowers that are already in the church, you may not have to pay for additional altar arrangements. 3. Work with, not against, what’s there. From a design perspective, one of the biggest mistakes I’ve seen couples make is choosing details that clash with their setting. Pay attention to the colors in your church while selecting your flowers, bridesmaid dresses, etc. You certainly don’t need to choose red flowers because of a red carpet, for example, but perhaps steer clear of anything orange or purple. When in doubt, opt for elegant neutrals that enhance any setting, and then bring your more colorful touches into your reception. More Catholic Wedding Resources Dear bride, as you plan your wedding and prepare for your marriage, you are in our prayers! For more resources and encouragement, take a look at these past posts: Ways to Share Your Faith Through Your Wedding and Planning a Catholic Wedding.   [bctt tweet="Why Do Catholic Weddings Only Happen in Churches? #BISblog //" username="lisajanelkirk"]

Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” // John 20:21 Download these beautiful free wallpapers from Zelie and Lou from today's readings. Let His word dwell in us richly, sisters. Remember, Members, you get this 8x10 digital download for free! Head to the shop for your download. Download your F R E E wallpapers right here --->>> Phone wallpaper Desktop wallpaper