The Bible is filled with stories depicting the power and strength of the angels. Of all these tales, only three of these angelic persons are revealed by name. Saint Michael, Saint Gabriel, and Saint Raphael each appear in Scripture at pivotal moments, providing the protection, strength, and healing that accompanies God’s revealed will.  These incredible stories have long inspired devotion to the Archangels. Much like devotion to the Eucharist and to Mary, you would be hard pressed to find a Saint without a love for the angels–especially the only three we know by name! The Saints were well aware of the invisible reality through which God carries out His will on earth, and thus they were eager to seek help and cooperate with any direction the angels would give them. Three brief examples follow. Saint Michael and Saint Paul of the Cross Saint Paul of the Cross was the founder of the Congregation of the Passion. Commonly known as the Passionists, the order takes a fourth vow in addition to the traditional vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience. They vow to spread memory and devotion to Jesus’ Passion, a devotion which was considered peculiar by many. Perhaps this contributed to the antagonism that Saint Paul faced in the midst of constructing a house for those within his order. Apparently the contempt grew so strong that after attempting “civilized” ways of delaying or forbidding construction, the ill-wishers planned to destroy the progress which had already been made. Armed with torches in the middle of the night, the opposition had every intention of burning the building to the ground. As they approached the construction site, a beam of light broke through the darkness and an angel with a sword descended from heaven through it. This was Saint Michael. His intense expression and stance made it abundantly clear he would protect the building from anyone who tried to harm it. The mob not only abandoned their plan that night—they no longer fought the Order’s right to construction.  Even when the housing was completed, Saint Michael continued to appear to the founder and his congregation. Saint Gabriel and the Mystic, Père Lamy A French mystic whose bishop insisted, “I have in my diocese, another Curé of Ars,” Père Lamy (Father John Edward Lamy) had visions of Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and the angels (just to name a few). Beloved by the Virgin Mary, Saint Gabriel was sent by our heavenly Queen to watch over Père Lamy as he was aging and losing his eyesight. The archangel obliged. On a fiercely sunny day, the priest was out walking and struggling to see due to the glare. He strolled into the path of a boy on a bike and should have been struck–hard! Instead, Saint Gabriel picked up the bike with its rider still astride, moving him off the road and into the grass. The rider was shocked as he was also able to see the archangel, and he struggled to speak in such a comical manner the priest had to stifle his laughter. When he found his voice, he told anyone who would listen. When Père Lamy was asked about the supposed happening, he would smile and pretend not to understand. {formbuilder:OTk3ODc=} Saint Raphael and Saint Anthony Marie Claret Finding himself stranded in a strange and unfamiliar city for a few days, Saint Anthony Marie Claret remembered how in the book of Tobit and the traveling companion of Tobias was the disguised archangel Saint Raphael. After this recollection, Saint Anthony Marie Claret addressed his stress and fears with a prayer to the angel asking for his assistance. Shortly after this short but heartfelt prayer, a young stranger appeared at the door of where the priest was staying and offered to be his guide. Throughout the next few days, the man remained by his side leaving only at meal times, showing Saint Anthony Marie Claret all around the city. When the Saint’s ship was finally ready to depart, his new companion guided him to the port, assured his safe boarding, and then immediately disappeared, convincing Saint Anthony that he had been in the presence of the archangel that entire time.  Our Helpers and Friends It is easy to forget the presence of our angelic friends who we cannot see. It is also easy to think that they are only special friends and aides to the holiest among us. The truth is the angels love and guide us all, protecting the innocent and doing all they can to influence sinners to change their ways. On this Feast of the Archangels, let us bring in prayer to our heavenly intercessors those areas of our lives where we need protection, strength, and healing. May we have the trust and assurance that they will be present and fighting alongside us, just as they have done for God’s faithful throughout the ages.

I closed the car door and let the tears well up in my eyes. It was the end of another work day, this one filled with lots of confusing emotions. We all want to be someone's first choice. The person someone else texts first thing in the morning. The top choice as a candidate for a job position. It stings when you find out you're not. Is it pride? A misguided sense of belonging? Or, is it a natural desire to be wanted, chosen, and loved? We are God’s First Choice It could be all of the above, but what I believe it ultimately points to is the reality that is at play every day. We, each and every one one of us, without exception, are always God's first choice. He would have suffered on the Cross if there was only one soul for whom to conquer death. He loves us tremendously, deeply, passionately, with fervor and a love set on fire. No one, not one human, can even come close to giving love as profound as our Lord. He loves all of us, with a deep,  intimate, and personal love. He is Love, and He encompasses it in its entirety. Christ, our Bridegroom—as we are members of His Bride the Church—sees and knows each of us in His image. He is so personal with us and seeks us out, speaking the language of each of our individual souls. He crafts each intimate detail of who we are with the absolute best for us in mind. He wants your joy and peace more than you want it for yourself. And God as the Heavenly Father cares for His daughters. He searches out the abyss in the human heart; He understands its innermost secrets. The Most High knows all that may be known. No thought escapes Him, and nothing is hidden from Him (see Sirach 42:18, 20).  In the simplest terms, He gets us. God knows the most and knows the best.  My point is this—when you are longing to be first in someone's heart, or in first place, remember, my dear sisters in Christ, Whose heart you ultimately belong to, and where you ought to place the aches of life. Jesus Christ will always choose us, without fail. He will always relentlessly pursue us, until we can be one with the Beloved. He so desires for every soul to rejoice in the Beatific Vision. {formbuilder:OTk3ODc=} Making Him Our First Choice So, I ask you this—what is your vision set on? How are you making our Lord and Savior your first choice in the big and little things? Do you default to human consolation, without first resting in His sweet embrace? Do you allow our Lord to console you by laying it all down at His feet and pouring your heart out to Him, the One who created you and knows your deepest desires? Are you confident that, no matter what happens, He never ceases to be in control and wills the ultimate best? In the midst of the everyday, how can we honor the One Who awaits us? Our earthly pilgrimage to eternity presents us with countless ways to consciously choose Him. Pick a morning and nightly prayer and keep it close to your heart. Before you get out of bed, offer a Memorare or Morning Offering through the intercession of our Blessed Mother. At the end of the day, say a prayer for your daily omissions and for the souls in purgatory. Eventually, you can add in a daily examination of conscience, try a litany, or weave in a novena. As we start and end our day, He is the One ultimately behind every breath and heartbeat. Let us not forget He sustains us and is always with us.  Start to pray the Rosary. When we honor Mary, we honor her Son. First, try one decade in the morning or at night. Then, two. Later, as you progress, you can add in the mysteries of each day. Perhaps you can pick a day of the week, like Saturday, to recite five decades and progress from there. It is not the perfect recitation of a prayer but the power of Whom we pray to that moves mountains and makes miracles happen. It is best to pray it well and pray it in full, but the Lord and Blessed Mother are pleased even when we just pray part of a daily Rosary. Dive into a daily devotional. Find a book with two to three pages of meditation per day on Scripture, virtue, or other facets of the devout life (see Divine Intimacy or Imitation of Christ). You can also go straight to the Bible, a missal, or sign up for daily emails to read the daily Mass readings, doing lectio divina every day or even just once a week.  Start with what you know you can offer our Lord and set a structure. This might look like five or ten minutes at the start. Remember that our good Lord sees the intentions of our hearts and values quality over quantity. Even when you don’t feel like it, stick to it. Remember that the Lord meets us where we are at—in the stillness of silence or in the busyness of life. Don’t neglect to come to Him just because the circumstances are not the best they could be. Above all, remember to do small things with great love. Pray before a meal to give God gratitude. Make the Sign of the Cross when passing a Catholic Church to honor His Real Presence. Smile at a stranger, for anything we do for our neighbor, we do for Him. Make authentic love your motive in each moment. The beauty of any of these suggestions is that when we put them into practice, we can continue to grow into abundance. There is no such thing as enough when it comes to giving ourselves to the Lord. It is an ever-increasing process to strive for perfect unity with Christ, a lifelong endeavor worth the effort. Putting Him first is not one moment in time. It is not reserved only for the wee hours of the morning. It is a constant choosing of how we spend our time throughout the day, with every thought, action, and word. How We Use Our First Fruits In a consumer-centric world, the clamor of noise can cloud our minds. The instant convenience of online delivery and satisfaction of instant “likes” on social media opposes the nature of forever, which is the eternity we were ultimately created for. We are in constant tension with the society we live in and the Heaven that calls us home. We might be tempted to think that the exterior world needs to change to fit our desires better, but in reality, change begins internally when we totally entrust our lives to the Lord. The beauty of frequenting the Sacraments while striving to cultivate a deep relationship with Christ is the way in which He provides the grace for those who take the first step in giving Him their first fruits. The Heavenly Bread we are fed at Mass and the mercy that washes over us in Confession will heal our souls and make us more like Him. It does not get more intimate than consuming the Eucharist and outright admitting our failures. Through this, the Lord’s grace is sufficient for us to set out and accomplish anything.  We ought to give the Lord our first fruits, the best we can offer each and every day. Sometimes, that means throwing ourselves into His arms with all of our sorrows. The next time something disappointing happens, the next time something hurts you, the next time something dampens your spirit, turn to the Lord. He is eagerly awaiting us and has all the answers. Before you try to scroll through some posts or text a friend, say a prayer to our Lord, won't you? Ask Him to reveal what this desire for affirmation really means and what it is rooted in. Spend some time in silence, whether it be in front of the Blessed Sacrament or on your commute home from work. Honor His importance in your life by seeking out the Almighty One first. Ladies, let us grow in friendship with our Lord and have recourse to Him. Run to the Father, and never stop until you reach the gates of Heaven. Author Bio: Paulina is a Jesus loving gal living out in the Midwest. An avid reader, she still has more books on her shelves than she has finished. Good puns, good cups of coffee, and Italian food are some of her favorite things. On a pursuit to go where one feels most alive, she desires to share her passion for the beautiful Catholic faith with others through writing and photography.

My journey from evangelical Christianity into full communion with the Catholic Church has felt like a reunification with family members I hadn’t known about. When I entered the Catholic Church in 2022, it was such a beautiful surprise to get to meet so many Catholics who love the Lord. What has felt like an even greater spiritual homecoming, though, has been my discovery of the Saints. Before becoming Catholic, I thought that the Saints, like many other aspects of Catholicism, were a sort of spiritual blockade that got in the way of a person’s relationship with Jesus. I pictured Catholics praying to Saints instead of to Jesus. I didn’t understand why Catholics seemed to elevate God’s creation over the Creator Himself. At times, it seemed like Catholics invoked the Saints in a superstitious sort of way. The whole concept of the Saints made me uncomfortable. Praying With Catholic Media Things began to change in September 2020. I was still a practicing Protestant, yet I downloaded the Catholic prayer and meditation app Hallow. I decided to give Hallow a try after hearing about it in a video by Emily Wilson Hussem—a Catholic author and content creator I discovered on YouTube and came to admire. Emily and a couple other Catholics came into my life around the same time and, simply through their lives, challenged my belief that Catholics don’t have a relationship with Jesus. Some of the prayers on Hallow that I enjoyed most were the Night Prayers, especially the Penitential Act from the Mass in the beginning: I confess to almighty God and to you, my brothers and sisters, that I have greatly sinned, in my thoughts and in my words, in what I have done and in what I have failed to do, through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault; therefore I ask blessed Mary ever-Virgin, all the Angels and Saints, and you, my brothers and sisters, to pray for me to the Lord our God. As much as I was moved by this prayer, I felt disturbed during the part that asks for the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the angels and Saints, so I said instead, I’m praying only to you, God. A couple months later, Hallow introduced me to Father Mike Schmitz’s “Bible in a Year” podcast. I decided to listen to the podcast, thinking to myself: It’s only a reading of the Bible, so it’s fine that a Catholic priest is the host. And when I started it in January 2021, I never would have thought that Father Mike’s commentary would get me to leave the church I was happily attending and enroll in RCIA at my local Catholic parish by September 2021. The Saints Break Through I don’t remember when exactly my view of the Saints changed. Compared to the main questions I was wrestling with—Is Jesus really present in the Eucharist? Is the Catholic Church the church Jesus founded?—my objections to the Saints seemed less important. But eventually, I came to understand that through the Communion of Saints, we have the ability to ask the “Church triumphant” (those in Heaven) to pray for us. I saw that praying to Saints is not worship but is a request for their intercession. I began to see the beauty and wisdom of asking those in Heaven, who are living in for eternity in God’s presence, to pray for us. After all, Jesus often healed people as a result of another person’s faithful request for that healing, such as in the healing of the centurion’s servant in Matthew 8:5-13. And Christ’s own statement that “He is not God of the dead but of the living” (Mark 12:27). As I approached my entry into the Church and it was time to pick a Confirmation Saint, I had no idea who to choose, mainly because I knew of so few Saints. My Confirmation sponsor assured me that a Saint would make him- or herself known to me. After spending some time reading about some Saints online and not feeling a connection to anyone I came across, I decided to narrow the scope down to Saints in the Bible. I felt more comfortable with these people I had known about all my life, even though I had previously viewed them as historic, inspirational figures, not potential spiritual friends. Saint Peter’s life really resonated with me. I thought about how God powerfully transformed him from a man who struggled with fear overpowering his faith to a man of incredible faith and boldness. I was hesitant to pick the rock on whom Jesus chose to build His church, but I realized I kept feeling drawn to him. After entering the Church and being confirmed in the name of Peter, I started to think of Saint Peter as a spiritual big brother. I often look to him for inspiration and ask him to pray for me. One time in particular stands out. {formbuilder:OTk3ODc=} Forgiven, Like Saint Peter Several months after entering the Church, I planned to see a Protestant friend I hadn’t seen in a while. I was looking forward to seeing her, and I was excited to share with her the graces I had experienced since entering the Church. I knew that she wasn’t actively practicing her faith, so I hoped I could encourage her to take her faith more seriously. I prayed for opportunities to share with her, that the Holy Spirit would give me the words to say, and that she would be open to what I had to say. When the day came, there arose multiple opportunities to share about my relationship with Jesus, just as I had been praying for. But I was suddenly scared of being vulnerable and sharing about how much Jesus had been working in my life. I continued praying, but fears of awkwardness or judgment caused me to speak only in a general, watered-down way. I was incredibly disappointed and felt like I had effectively denied the importance of Jesus in my life because of the tiniest fears. I asked Jesus to forgive me for allowing my fears to stop me from fully talking about Him (and knew that He had forgiven me). I was planning on going to an Adoration event the next evening, and I felt like I needed to unburden myself first by bringing this to Jesus in the Sacrament of Confession. The parish I went to for Confession had the Blessed Sacrament exposed in the sanctuary, and I continued talking with Jesus about how I felt as I was in line. I suddenly realized that I knew someone who knew exactly how I was feeling—Saint Peter! I talked to Peter about the situation and asked him to pray for me to have confidence in Jesus’ boundless mercy and for the grace to grow in faith and boldness, as he did. During Adoration later that evening, I felt strongly that I needed to read the Gospel account of Jesus talking to Peter after Peter’s threefold denial and Jesus’ Resurrection–where Jesus asks Peter three times if he loves Him and gives Peter responsibility over His flock (see John 21:15-17). I pictured myself on that beach in the early morning, professing my love to Jesus and being forgiven. In the Communion of Saints Saint Peter was my foray into the Saints and inspired me to get to know more Saints. Spending time with the Saints has been such a blessing. In Saint Francis de Sales, I’ve found a brother who shares my desire to bring the truth and goodness of the Catholic Church to Protestants. In Saint Maximilian Kolbe, I’ve found a brother who shares my desire to evangelize through the media. In Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, I’ve found a sister who encourages me to approach my loving Father as a little child. I used to think that the Saints got in the way of a relationship with Jesus. But I now see that they help us develop a deeper relationship with Him. The Christian life is hard. And the Church, in her wisdom, holds up particular people—the Saints—as examples of those who lived the Christian life well. They had their struggles and faults like we all do, but they continually said yes to God and allowed His love to transform them and create a beautiful masterpiece out of their lives. I enjoy looking back now and realizing that even though I tried to reject their prayers before, the Saints were always there praying for me and cheering me on. Author Bio: Lindsay Baxter enjoys long walks (especially at the beach), stand up paddle boarding, and reading and writing about the Saints. She entered the Catholic Church in 2022 after being a non-denominational Christian. She loves the Sacraments and learning about the Church.

It’s a conversation I’ve heard time and time before. Just yesterday I overheard one woman ask her friend, “How are you?” To which her friend replied, “I’m good” and, wait for it . . . “SO busy!” I recently came across an article by essayist and cartoonist Tim Kreider. He wrote a piece for The New York Times titled, “The ‘Busy’ Trap.” It is an insightful piece on how we use busyness as a form of self-worth. We check our calendar like we check our pulse. If our calendar affirms our busyness, our blood is still pumping and we are still living.  But are we living life to the fullest?  In our busyness do we actually leave room for leisure, or is that scheduled for an after-dinner pedicure at your local salon while you check all your notifications?  I was struck by four points in Kreider’s piece in the Times:  We’re addicted to busyness.  Kreider makes the keen observation that those who work long hours overtime trying to make ends meet consider themselves tired as opposed to busy. Busyness is rather something that many people with time intentionally seek out. They may not sign themselves up to be busy merely for the title, but because it’s second nature: “It’s almost always people whose lamented busyness is purely self-imposed . . . They’re busy because of their own ambition or anxiety, because they’re addicted to busyness and dread what they might have to face in its absence.” Too often when we (and I do include myself) have open space in our calendars, we feel a societal pressure to fill it with something.  The “latchkey” generation has been lost. Long gone seem the days that kids played outside for hours. Kreider remembers, “I was a member of the latchkey generation and had three hours of totally unstructured, largely unsupervised time every afternoon.”  What would we do with three hours of unstructured time?  When I have three hours, I find myself experiencing a self-imposed obligation for productivity. How many appointments can I schedule, how many errands could be run, or how many words could be written?  What would happen if I started the day with no plan at all? In some ways, it scares me. Heaven forbid, would I find myself bored? But maybe this is just what the body, mind, and soul need. In these words attributed to Albert Einstein, “The monotony and solitude of a quiet life stimulates the creative mind.”  We need space to breathe to feed our imagination. We emphasize the importance of free play for our children, but do we allow ourselves the same privilege?  {formbuilder:OTk3ODc=} Busyness wards off emptiness. Kreider points out that, “Busyness serves as a kind of existential reassurance, a hedge against emptiness; obviously your life cannot be silly or trivial or meaningless if you are so busy, completely booked, in demand every hour of the day.”  These words hit me deep and stared me right in the face.  As a stay-at-home mom, having a full schedule gives me a false sense of security. It makes me feel like I have my kids involved in all the right things, whether it be a library story time or a playdate with friends. Both things are good, just need to be rightly prioritized in order to give both me and my children time in our day to simply be. Perhaps even to “stimulate our creative minds.” (Leisure) is indispensable.  Kreider explains: “Idleness is not just a vacation, an indulgence or a vice; it is as indispensable to the brain as vitamin D is to the body, and deprived of it we suffer a mental affliction as disfiguring as rickets.” Here, I think Kreider is mistaking the word “idleness” for “leisure.” I think his point harkens back to the words of Albert Einstein, that quiet moments point us to true awe and wonder.  Josef Pieper, author of Leisure: The Basis of Culture, writes that idleness is actually a “deep-seated lack of calm which makes leisure impossible”—for example, scrolling mindlessly through your phone. On the other hand, Pieper describes leisure as “like a man falling asleep, for one can only fall asleep by ‘letting oneself go.’ When we really let our minds rest contemplatively on a rose in bud, on a child at play, on a divine mystery, we are rested and quickened as though by a dreamless sleep.”  If we want to truly experience beauty and have fully human lives, then leisure is indispensable.  While there is much goodness to be gleaned from “The ‘Busy’ Trap,” I do see a few flaws in Kreider’s logic. For example, it’s not possible for everyone to spontaneously meet a friend for drinks. Nor is it possible to just go outside and play whenever the wind stirs up the desire. Discipline and responsibility are also essential. But I appreciate his observations on how we use busyness as a measure of our purpose and worth.  Instead of allowing our to-do lists and calendar items to speak to us of our meaning, what if we slowed down enough to contemplate a rose in bud, and in doing so, received the truth that we were born into a beautiful world and must then be loved enough to be placed here to appreciate it. 

“Do not leave the altar without first shedding tears of sorrow and love for Jesus, crucified for your eternal salvation. Our Lady of Sorrows will keep you company and inspire you.” // Saint Pio of Pietrelcina I met Our Lady of Sorrows on my very first silent retreat. The priests of Miles Christi, who led the retreat, have a special devotion to her under this title. Every time we prayed, we invoked her intercession: Mater Dolorosa, Cause of Our Joy, pray for us. And one day, instead of praying the traditional Rosary, we prayed the Chaplet of the Seven Sorrows of Mary instead. Throughout the retreat, I felt an increasing desire to draw near to Our Lady of Sorrows. I wanted to console her, as she consoled her Son at the Foot of the Cross. Through prayer and meditation, I realized, maybe for the first time in my life, just how much Mary suffered. Not only at Calvary, but throughout her entire life. And yet, she never wavered in her faith, and she maintained a peace of heart that could not be shaken. She remained the Stabat Mater, “close to Jesus to the last.” By the end of the retreat, I felt closer to Mary than ever before. But I knew this initial introduction was only the beginning. I wanted to know her better as Our Lady of Sorrows, because I wanted to learn how to love the Lord like she loves Him—not just in joyful and peaceful times, but also when pain, suffering, disappointment, and heartache come my way. Seven Sorrows of Mary From the moment of the Annunciation, Mary cooperated perfectly with God's plan of salvation. As the Mother of God, there were many joys in Mary's life. But even though she was highly favored and blessed among women, Mary did not live an easy life. She experienced life’s highs and lows, just like we do. Mary knew suffering, heartache, and deep sorrow. Traditionally, the Catholic Church honors seven sorrows in the life of Mary, which are rooted in Sacred Scripture: The Prophecy of Simeon The Flight into Egypt The Loss of Jesus in the Temple of Jerusalem Meeting Jesus on the road to Calvary The Crucifixion and Death of Jesus Receiving the Body of Jesus from the Cross after He Died Jesus’ Burial With each sorrow, Mary continued to say yes to God, continued to be docile to the Holy Spirit, and continued to lovingly surrender it all to Him. Our Lady Understands Sorrow Years after my initial introduction to Our Lady of Sorrows, I experienced a tipping point of sorts. The last straw, so to speak. One life stressor after the other, some at the same time. It didn’t seem possible, and it certainly didn’t seem fair. My family was experiencing so much loss and disappointment; so much pain and heartache. And I often wondered like the Psalmist, How long, O Lord? (see Psalm 13:1 and 90:13) As I turned to Our Lady of Sorrows, I considered that she may have prayed that prayer, too—How long, O Lord?—because she did not know how long she would have to suffer, either. Since Mary knows and understands so much about the human experience, she remains by our side when the Lord asks us to wait longer than we anticipate. She keeps us company when waves of sorrow come crashing down or when agonizing emotion overpowers us. And she intercedes for us, as our devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows grows. {formbuilder:OTk3ODc=} Devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows Throughout Church history, two feast days have been associated with the Seven Sorrows of Mary: September 15 the Friday before Good Friday Devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows began in the 1200s with the Servite Order. In the fourteenth century, Our Lady revealed to Saint Bridget of Sweden seven promises that she would fulfill to those devoted to her Seven Sorrows. Then, in 1482, a feast was placed in the Roman Missal under the title of Our Lady of Compassion. And in 1727, Pope Benedict XIII placed the feast on the Friday before Good Friday. While this feast was eliminated from the liturgical calendar with the revision published in 1969, the September 15 feast day remains in the liturgy. And the Church dedicates the entire month of September to Our Lady of Sorrows. Cause of Our Joy Something worth noting about the Feast of the Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary on September 15 is that it is preceded by the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary on September 8 and the Most Holy Name of Mary on September 12. These three feast days of Our Lady invite us to contemplate the totality of Mary’s life—how joy and sorrow ebbed and flowed throughout her life, just as they do in ours. Moreover, the proximity of these three feast days reminds us that suffering with Christ should not lead to despair. We have hope, because God always keeps His word. He promises new life in the hope of the Resurrection, and He fulfills His promise through the sorrow and pain of the Cross. Our Lady knew this. And she believed with all her heart that “at dusk weeping comes for the night; but at dawn there is rejoicing” (Psalm 30:6). Yes, Mary shows us how to find joy in the midst of suffering. And this is how Our Lady of Sorrows is indeed the Cause of Our Joy. “It is because Mary is the ‘Mother of Sorrows’ that she is able to be the ‘Cause of Our Joy,’ and we must all pass by the same route” (Mother St. Paul, Mater Christi: Meditations on Our Lady). Compassion for Our Sorrows Since first meeting Our Lady of Sorrows fifteen years ago, I have experienced ample sorrows of my own. But every time I walk through a “vale of tears,” Mary is there to offer comfort, guidance, and intercession. From her own experience, she understands my sufferings. And like a comforting balm, she soothes my broken heart with hope in her Son. Mater Dolorosa, Cause of Our Joy, pray for us!

A little sign of hope after seven years of experiencing infertility is that I have a long list of baby names. My husband and I have always dreamt of having a daughter. If that prayer petition is answered, we will honor Mother Mary, who has been our dear intercessor while carrying this cross, by naming our daughter in honor of her, our Queen and Mother. In paragraphs 2158 and 2159 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, we read: God calls each one by name. Everyone's name is sacred. The name is the icon of the person. It demands respect as a sign of the dignity of the one who bears it. The name one receives is a name for eternity. In the kingdom, the mysterious and unique character of each person marked with God's name will shine forth in splendor. What a beautiful truth of our faith!  Each person’s name is noble, sacred, and beautiful. It is the icon of the person. Icons are not just painted, they are prayed into reality. As Pope Benedict XVI said so profoundly, “Each of us is the result of a thought of God. Each of us is willed. Each of us is loved. Each of us is necessary.” God calls each of us, who He thought of and formed, so fearfully and wonderfully, by name. I love contemplating the joy God takes in Mother Mary’s name. Mary—a name repeated often by the Christ Child, by the Angels, by the Saints, by many sinners, by you and by me. What joy Our Lord must take when we honor His Mother by naming our children after her! These are some of my favorite Marian baby names: Miriam Marie Maria Mari Maryann Lourdes Fatima Maren Dolores Bernadette Eva Regina Stella  Cora Gabriella What would you add to this Marian baby name list? What is your name? Do you know the meaning of your name? If you have a baby, what is their name and name meaning?  Know that whatever your name is, you are called by God. Know that He loves you, and that there is a place He is preparing for you, to welcome you by name, into His kingdom.

As I sat across from my confessor in the back of a dark church with praise and worship filling the space, I was given advice that would change the way I look at prayer forever: “You need to be honest with the Lord. You need to share everything with Him, and if you’re upset, you need to tell Him. If you’re happy, you need to tell Him. You can even be angry with Him if that’s you being honest . . . You need to talk to Him like He’s a real person who understands your feelings, because He is—and He does. He desires a real relationship with you.” These words came to me at a time I needed them most. At nineteen, I was spiritually depleted, cared too much about what people thought, and compared my life to those closest to me. I was volunteering with a youth group at the time, and though I loved ministering to the young men and women who were genuinely seeking the Lord, my effort to seek Him was at a standstill. My soul was bone dry, and I couldn’t admit that to myself. Even worse, I wouldn’t allow myself to admit that to Jesus . . . that is, until the night I brought it up in Confession. The words of my confessor stuck with me and gave me the permission I needed to tell the Lord how I felt, truly and unabashedly. Returning to my pew, I had my first brutally honest prayer session with God. I laid it all out there—what I was frustrated with, how I was blaming Him for the things happening (or not happening) to me, and how I wanted to trust Him but didn’t know how. There was so much freedom that came with this invitation to pray honestly. This freedom with the Lord has been one that I have sought after and fought for ever since that night. Seasons change and so does one’s relationship with God, and believe me—I have been through many highs and lows. The key is to remember that He is always present and accessible to me even though, in my humanity, there are times I neglect to seek Him and share my whole heart with Him in the way that I ought to. It is in these moments that I must humbly ask for Him to speak to me in a way that will stir my heart and allow His words to move me into deeper communion. Though I am no pro at prayer, the Lord is constantly revealing ways for me to maintain honesty when growing in relationship with Him. Here are a few ways I have been drawn to honest prayer with the help of The Dwell’s album Honest (https://www.thevigilproject.com/honest-release). Use Your Words “My God, I wanna know why I just can’t seem to be alright.  I’m not giving up just yet, but I’m getting too tired to fight. Sometimes it feels like I’m talking to an empty room . . .  And if I’m honest, I could be doing better.  If I’m honest, I can’t blame You forever.  If I'm honest . . . ” // “Honest” by The Dwell - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CF-_lwjypmc At the end of April, two friends of mine released their first full-length album as a duo named The Dwell ( https://www.instagram.com/thedwellband/). From the first line of the title track (“Honest” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CF-_lwjypmc) to the end of the album’s last song (“Worthy of Praise”- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BbkD8daP1k), it is evident that the theme of this album is honesty with God and with one’s self, which is something I have needed to be reminded of throughout the past year. Each song wrestles with what a real relationship with the Lord looks like, incorporating the highs and lows in a way that feels real and raw. As I have reflected more and more on the lyrics of the songs, the Lord has reminded me of what an honest relationship with Him looks like. Honesty is easy when the relationship is going well, but that can’t always be said when something doesn’t go the way you hoped it would. Speaking from experience, I know it is easy to want to blame God for the bumps in the road that I will experience throughout my life, but when reflecting on these lyrics I am reminded that true honesty involves recognizing both how I feel unseen by God and the responsibility I have to take my relationship deeper with Him. A core tenet of honest prayer is using honest words. For much of my adolescent and teen life, prayer was a formal act that always included clasped hands and a prayer card full of someone else’s words. Now don’t get me wrong, the words of the Saints that we still pray today are beautiful and should be prayed, but exclusively praying these prayers allowed for me to keep God at an arm's distance. Prayer is supposed to be a personal conversation between you and God, and a personal conversation requires your own personal thoughts and feelings. I know for a fact that my words aren’t perfect, and sometimes praying feels like I am talking to an empty room, but by the virtue of faith I believe that these imperfect words overflowing from my heart are being heard by the Lord. It’s from this place of humility that God is given full access to your heart. Overcoming Self-Reliance “I’ve heard Your voice calling out my name. It sounded so sweet, but I was still so afraid. And I felt Your hand guiding me through the trees, but my feet aren’t as sure as You made them to be. So I roam through the desert and wander through the hills; tried to put a mountain between us. Still the roamin’ left me broken and the wanderin’ left me ill,  ‘til You brought me to Your garden and You showed me how to heal.”  // “Running” by The Dwell - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ceEcEl3IMg Every time I listen to the song “Running,” I am reminded of how many times my self-reliance has separated me from the Lord and my relationship with Him. If there is ever a dry season in prayer, I begin to think, If I control the situation, I won’t have to wait . . . If I do this myself, I won’t have to rely on someone else . . . The change in mindset is subtle, and not always noticeable, but in relying more on myself than on God, I lose out on the chance to grow in virtue and ultimately grow with Him. The result? Weariness, restlessness, and shame. “Running” has become my anthem in growing from self-reliance to humility. It has been a reminder that God is not so far away. The juxtaposition of the desert and the garden calls to mind all the times in Scripture the Israelites wandered and strayed from their covenants with God. Whether it be man’s impatience, fear, pride, or a little bit of all three (and then some), God draws His people close and brings them to the garden—a place of healing, restoration, and honesty. This is where He is calling me. {formbuilder:OTk3ODc=} Allow for Vulnerability “Lord, we sit here at your feet. Lord, we give you everything.  I’m giving you all of me.” // “At Your Feet” by The Dwell - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvnm1RtUHDM Being open, selfless, and honest have one thing in common, and that is being vulnerable. The word “vulnerable” comes from the Latin word vulnerare which means “to wound, hurt, or injure,” and this definition always takes me aback. Being vulnerable is a platitude we often hear thrown around in relationships, but to be vulnerable is to completely open yourself up to woundedness and pain, and the importance of this cannot be overstated—especially in our relationship with Jesus. On the Cross, Jesus Himself becomes our supreme model of vulnerability. He dies naked, bruised, bleeding, and broken. He has nothing left to give, because He gives us everything. When we pray, we are able to take on the disposition of Our Lady and Saint John at the Foot of the Cross. Though they can do nothing, they give Him their all by standing at His feet. Prayer at its best is allowing for the Lord to have access to your whole heart, especially the wounded and broken parts. It might be painful, but in giving Him everything our hands become open to receive His Sacred Heart, which is the epitome of love itself. Let The Lord Hear You One of the most consoling verses from Scripture is Psalm 37:4: “Find your delight in the Lord who will give you your heart’s desire.” There have been many times where I have had to remind myself that God knows the desires of my heart, and He desires nothing more to give them to me . . . but He also desires a relationship with me that extends beyond desire, and that relationship requires honesty. The Lord gives us words so that we could lift them up to Him, so find your voice! Sing along to a song that perfectly captures the way you feel. Write in your journal a letter to Him. Participate in the Mass. Say a prayer aloud. No matter what it looks like, accept the invitation to the freedom that comes only when you are totally and completely honest with Him—you have permission. Author Bio: Raised in Baton Rouge, Nicole Jones grew up believing college sports are a way of life, crawfish season is the only season, and the best things that life has to offer are the things only Louisianans can pronounce. Currently serving as the digital media manager for the Diocese of Baton Rouge, Nicole spends her days sharing the good, proclaiming the Truth, and admiring the beautiful. When not at work, you will most likely find her in her kitchen (baking), on her couch (watching a movie), at an estate sale (falling in love with old furniture), or behind her computer (creating).

I am particularly delighted any time there is something that moves the human heart for which no algorithm can give an account. Now and then a movie comes out that surprises critics and sweeps the polls. It is no easy task to compete with the money and glitz of Hollywood. There is no reason that a summer movie on the rarely acknowledged scandal of modern-day slavery could or should stand a chance in the box office against the likes of Mission Impossible or Barbie, and yet . . .  Despite five years of fits and starts, The Sound of Freedom was released on July 4, 2023, and has surpassed all predictions of cinematic success. Viewers are making it known by purchasing tickets for themselves or others (paying it forward), and showing up in theaters for what may be the first time since the pandemic. Whether or not you have seen or plan to see this film, here are a few thoughts from one movie-goer to another: A quick overview The Sound of Freedom is a thrilling story based on the life of Tim Ballard, a former Homeland Security officer. Ballard, played by Jim Caviezel, arrests pedophiles and those seeking/promoting graphic images of children. One day, Ballard’s co-worker asks how many children have been saved through their efforts and Ballard is forced to acknowledge that in fact, no children have been rescued by their well-intentioned efforts.  Spurred by this challenge, Ballard begins the task of returning one child to his family. As he works to unravel the distressing tale that eight-year-old Miguel shares, he returns him to his father only to realize that his sister has suffered the same fate. As a father himself, Ballard realizes that he cannot hang his hat on the singular reunion of the first child he encountered. The primary challenge of the film focuses on the monumental efforts put forth by Ballard and friends to reunite the Aguilar family. “God's children are not for sale.” When asked about his motivations for entering into this dangerous line of work, Caviezel’s character simply replies: “God’s children are not for sale.” The conversation around modern-day slavery (human trafficking) necessarily begins here, with a recognition of our universal inborn human dignity as children of God. At our core, at the most basic level, Judeo-Christians hold that we are made in the image and likeness of God. Anything that goes against this most fundamental principle is a distortion of the Truth. So it should go without saying that any time a price is put on an image-bearer, we are in grave territory.  Human trafficking fits into this category, but we deceive ourselves when we imagine that it is the only place in our modern lives where children (and adults) are for sale. We cannot forget about the evils of pornography, sweatshops, prostitution, unjust labor conditions, etc. These topics are not easily acknowledged, but if we do not do so—and note our role in supporting them through things like fast fashion, unjust wages, forced labor, and rock-bottom online pricing—there is no hope for change in a universal acknowledgment of the value of human life (and labor).  The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it (John 1:5). Just as Jesus came to bring light into the darkness, we, the people of God, are called to shine the love of God into the darkest realities that exist. That doesn’t mean that we are all equipped to take on the challenges that someone in Ballard’s position might be. That said, circumstances where trafficking arises most often occur over time and in relationships with dysfunctional family members (as opposed to kidnappings). We are obligated to recognize for ourselves, and to witness to those in our lives, that the value of human life is to be protected.  Although the Church and many organizations have been at the forefront of educating about and working to end human trafficking for decades, the realities presented in The Sound of Freedom have lit a new fire in the lives of viewers to be more informed and to work to end such a travesty, which is a grace. I have even seen reminders to look for signs and report abuses or suspected human trafficking in restaurants, hotels, truck stops, and airport bathrooms, which should tell you everything you need to know about its pervasiveness. {formbuilder:OTk3ODc=} Should you see The Sound of Freedom? This is a personal question. Is it a difficult movie to watch? Without a doubt. Is it an important movie to watch? Without a doubt. And there is a possibility that the trauma presented in this film could be triggering of traumas experienced in your own life. If this is the case, by all means, learn about the issue in a different format. It is one man’s story, and by no means an exhaustive account.  Whether or not you choose to watch the movie, we have a moral responsibility to respond to this complex, contemporary tragedy. Here is a great opportunity to remember the corporal & spiritual works of mercy that guide us in our action and prayer to our brothers and sisters in need. The cost of our $15 movie tickets certainly helps to communicate our values, but it cannot end there. It can be easy to walk out of the theater and wash our hands of the matter as long as we are not personally patronizing red-light districts—and although that is good, it is a low bar.  A Red Light Prayer I heard a speaker on human trafficking years ago who encouraged one way to consistently keep victims of human trafficking (and perpetrators’ conversion) in prayer, each time we are stopped at a red light. She called it a ‘red-light prayer.’ Because very often the districts where sex trafficking occurs are called ‘red-light districts.’  What a simple and regular reminder to pray. Further Resources *The Sound of Freedom is in theaters for a little while longer, after that it will be made available for streaming. The Coalition of Catholic Organizations Against Human Trafficking U.S. Catholic Sisters Against Human Trafficking International Catholic Migration Commission

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I encountered one of my greatest fears less than one month after taking a thirty-day trust leap into Jesus’ arms.  In my daily life, it had been more and more evident to me that my trust in God was lacking. I feared trusting Him, because I feared disappointment. So I kept hope at arm’s length. This is better, I thought. It seemed better to be realistic so that I could brace for my fall, rather than stumble with no plan on how to best land. I believed I could trust both that God had everything in His hands, and that I was in the best posture to handle whatever He was holding.  In this grasping to control I came upon the book Jesus I Trust In You: A 30-Day Personal Retreat with the Litany of Trust, a personal retreat led by Sister Faustina Maria Pia, S.V. Having been familiar with praying the Litany of Trust, I knew this book wouldn’t disappoint.  Beginning the Retreat Throughout this month-long retreat, Sister Faustina offers practical tips and helpful invitations to prayer which slowly and consistently strengthen our trust in Jesus.  Day 8 My preparation for the unexpected was to imagine all possible scenarios and consider how I would respond to each result.  On day eight of the retreat Sister writes,“The unexpected arises in all of our lives, but our preparation is trust—just like Joseph and Mary received Jesus on that Christmas night. Can I recognize the immediate next step even if I cannot see the full plans of the future?” This really put radical trust into perspective for me. Jesus was with Joseph and Mary, yet they still did not know what each year would hold. They didn’t even know where He would be born. But they just kept knocking on doors, hoping for a place of refuge where Mary could deliver her Son. And shortly thereafter, the next step was fleeing to Egypt to escape the Massacre of the Holy Innocents by Herod. Mary and Joseph had plenty of reasons to doubt God’s plan, but they persevered, and they continued trusting, just taking the next right step.  Day 12 “...we too can feel overwhelmed by what God is inviting us to. This is the very place He wants to restore trust in our hearts.” It is in our vulnerability that we have the opportunity to grow. It’s hard to grow in trust if there is no reason we need it. Sure, we can choose to self-protect in our moments of weakness, but then that is where we stay. There is no hope for growth when we face the next challenge.  Day 15 “Do I have a plan for when discouraging thoughts come my way, either in the midst of temptations or afterward, to reject those lies? A simple phrase, such as ‘I do not consent,’ stops these thoughts from coming into our hearts.”  This simple tip has been transformative. When I start feeling the hot breath of the evil one whispering into my ear, saying the words, “I do not consent,” reclaims my power over the devil through the power of Christ. This prayer gives me the strength to rebuke the devil, casting him back into hell.  Put To The Test As I neared the end of this retreat I could feel trust building and hope re-emerging.  And then I was brought to my knees, as I lost my new baby to miscarriage. Day 25 “Situations that bring us to our knees, helpless, press us to seek what true strength is. Is not love at its strongest when, in our moments of deepest need, we allow His life to course through us? [ . . . ] We too can experience ‘it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me’ (Gal 2:20). Trust knows we are as strong as His love.”  Through an experience I had hoped never to have, God’s grace came rushing over me. His grace sustained me, and I felt a peace I didn’t know was possible during such a hard moment.  Because growing in trust had put me in a better posture to receive, I could very tangibly feel Christ’s life coursing through me. Living in me. I know this because I would not have handled it as well on my own. My heart was broken, but sustained.  Day 26 Each day of this retreat seemed to be divinely appointed.  “‘Is my afternoon being taken from me, or will I give it as a gift’—or my future, my plans, my health. Trust frees the heart to live the gift of my life.”  Would I see our child's life as being taken from us? Or would I give him back to the Lord? Would I trust the Lord enough to offer my child back to Him as a gift and trust Him with the future? “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, my thoughts higher than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:9).  Choosing Daily Through her words, Sister Faustina encourages her readers to trust that God’s ways are higher than our ways. But because life happens, this isn’t always an easy task. This is why her thirty-day retreat proves so helpful. It is where the Holy Spirit speaks into our lives, giving us the motivation to keep on trusting. Sister Faustina doesn’t sugarcoat hardship and tragedy, but she reframes it in a way that brings life and not defeat.  Jesus wants you to experience this life. Will you trust Him with yours?

Jesus, I implore You to help me plant flowers in Heaven; flowers of patience, surrender, Penance, sacrifice, and virtue Throughout my life. Please procure and tend to my heavenly garden While I am out of reach of their fragrance on Earth. Weed out impurities and sin that are tempting to chokethese flowers’ sprouting roots and blossoming petals. When my life is over, let me pick these flowers for You, Jesus. Let me pick flowers from the fields of sacrifice To humbly place them at Your feet when I join You in Eternity. Let these flowers be reminders that all my efforts Are futile without Your green thumbs, and ever-loving  Weeding and attention to growth. I can only plant  With your help, Jesus. Let my garden be bursting at The seams with sweet blooms for You, at my death!   Author Bio: Kateri Estano is a recent graduate of Salem State University with a B.A. in English and a concentration in Professional Writing, living in Peabody, Massachusetts. Besides spending time with and preparing to marry her fiancé in July 2023, she enjoys knitting, baking, hanging out with friends, traveling, and adoration. An avid writer since high school, she has recently felt called to share her poetry and writing beyond her computer files. She enjoys composing pieces about God's love for His creation and her relationship with Him. She hopes that her writing will help spread the message of God's intrinsic love to other women. You can find her on Instagram @katericampbel

The Royal Mother and the Little Queen  Today on the Feast of the Queenship of Mary, I am reminded of a quote from my favorite Saint. On August 21, 1897, a day prior to this great feast we celebrate today, Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, just over a month before she died, bedridden and in pain, said of Our Lady: “We know very well that the Blessed Virgin is Queen of heaven and earth, but she is more Mother than Queen” (St. Thérèse of Lisieux: Her Last Conversations, p. 161). In no way was Saint Thérèse diminishing or slighting the great reality of Mary’s Queenship; she knew well the love involved when being called by that royal title, as her father had nicknamed her his “Little Queen.” Rather, Saint Thérèse was speaking from her experience, her lived relationship with Our Lady, who Jesus Himself instructed us to call “Mother” (see John 19:27). The Wisdom of a Saint To fully understand this quote we must not separate it from the sentences Saint Thérèse spoke right before this: “For a sermon on the Blessed Virgin to please me and do me any good, I must see her real life, not her imagined life. I’m sure that her real life was very simple. They show her to us as unapproachable, but that she lived by faith just like ourselves” (Last Conversations, p. 161.) Saint Thérèse knew that Mary is our Mother, knowing our hardships, our sufferings, and our trials. Saint Thérèse knew that Mary isn’t in a faraway castle; rather, she is with us, and desires to be with us, in our simple, everyday lives.  {formbuilder:OTk3ODc=} In Her Height of Agony Let us go back to when these words were spoken by Saint Thérèse. We have become numb to words, even someone’s fatal diagnosis of tuberculosis, and we tend to read them without much further thought. Often we hear stories about how the Saints died and we don’t pause to contemplate the horrific suffering so many of them experienced within their final moments. When we truly contemplate the suffering, both physical and the spiritual—the hemoptysis, the applications of painful vesicatory treatments that blistered her body,  the “mere thought of [which] made her shudder” (Last Conversations, p. 35), the immobility, the swollen limbs, the intestinal pains that made her feel like she was sitting on “iron spikes,” (Last Conversations, p. 162), the unbearable agony of every breath as her lungs collapsed, her suffocation, her dark night of the soul during the height of her torturous death—that is when we realize the profundity of her words. That is when we can realize why Saint Thérèse was reaching out not only for her Queen, but for her Mother.  The Intercession of A Mother Though most of us are not experiencing the great sufferings that Saint Thérèse experienced, each of us knows what suffering is and each of us has our own cross. Saint Thérèse teaches us that no matter the degree of our pain, we have a Mother beside us who loves us, who intercedes for us, who loves us. In turn, our great Mother Mary teaches us that the proper response to suffering is to gaze upon her Son, to enter into His own suffering. At the Cross, amidst the greatest suffering the world has ever known and will ever know, we do not find a woman who is angry or bitter at the death of her Son. Rather we find a woman, clothed in the beauty of love, with one mission: to gaze upon and share in the suffering of her Son and intercede for those who inflicted the suffering. Mary’s response is always love. Whenever we cry out to her for help, Mary brings us to Christ, the Beautiful One. And that is what makes her the greatest of Queens.

Patron Saints of Beekeeping The third Sunday in August is celebrated as National Honey Bee Day in the United States. Honeybees have become more or less a darling of conservationist groups in recent years and with good reason. All bees (not just honey bees) have a significant role in the health of our environment and in ensuring that the food we love can grow. As a beekeeper, I am heartened by this enthusiasm. Perhaps surprisingly to some, the Church herself has had a long-standing relationship with the keeping of bees, and with bees as a metaphor for the Christian life.  Monastic Life The greatest example of this, of course, is religious life. The metaphors are mind-blowing. If you have spent time in a monastery or convent, more than likely you have heard the private rooms referred to as “cells.” This is the exact terminology for the individual hexagonal honeycomb where the queen lays each egg, and the bees live and grow. Add to that the fact that the entire bee colony (besides the queen) is celibate, going about the greater community making wax and gathering nectar and pollen—not for their gain, but for that of the greater good of the whole hive.  Sound familiar? The presence of a hive (or a monastery) means the flourishing of life in the greater community. In the same way that bees pollinate and collect nectar from the diverse vegetation of an area and allow for crops to grow, so, too, the religious community adds a flourish to its surrounding community by providing health care, education, prayer, agriculture, and service. Many monasteries are producers of honey specifically! Each does so not for personal gain, but for the greater good, the Body of Christ. “The bee is more honored than other animals not because she labors, but because she labors for others.” // Saint John Chrysostom {formbuilder:OTk3ODc=} Liturgy While bees have been in the Latin text of the Easter Vigil Mass since the ninth century, it has only been since 2011 that the mention of bees was returned to the English translation of the Easter Exsultet. The honey bee gets a significant shout-out when the Exsultet invites us to celebrate Christ Our Light, and acknowledge these tiny creatures that help to bring it about: On this, your night of grace, O holy Father,accept this candle, a solemn offering,the work of bees and of your servants' hands,an evening sacrifice of praise,this gift from your most holy Church. But now we know the praises of this pillar,which glowing fire ignites for God's honor,a fire into many flames divided,yet never dimmed by sharing of its light,for it is fed by melting wax,drawn out by mother beesto build a torch so precious. (Easter Exsultet) All candles used for all Masses are at least half beeswax. Their aroma, purity, and long-burning characteristics are a little-noticed hallmark of our communal worship which are intended to remind us of the purity of Christ.  Scripture How sweet are Your words to my taste! Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth!  // Psalm 119:103 Sacred Scripture is littered with references to the fruit of the bees’ labor: honey. It is used to indicate abundance, sweetness, balm, medicine, and a delicacy. Over and over the Promised Land is described as a place ‘flowing with milk and honey.’ Manna, the bread from heaven, is described as tasting like honey, and King Solomon certainly included honey in the Song of Songs! Bees are only mentioned by name a handful of times. They are often described as a potential threat. In both cases, as a threat or a symbol of abundance, Scripture is clear about the long-standing relationship cultivated between the people of God and this tiny creature. Patrons I have often smiled at the memory of the reporter who described Pope Benedict XVI as being dressed for “Earth Day” in his green Ordinary Time vestments, but he wasn’t wrong about the late Pope Benedict XVI’s commitment to stewardship. During his papacy, Pope Benedict was gifted with many hives in celebration of caring for creation, a fitting gift in honor of a long-standing relationship between the Church and bees.  Out of curiosity, I began to do some research into the patron/patroness of beekeepers. Having our hives blessed, we had invoked the prayers of Saint Benedict of Nursia, the sixth century founder of the Benedictines, but I have since learned that many claim that title, and for a variety of reasons!  Saint Valentine, Saint Ambrose, Saint Gobhalt, Saint Benedict,  Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, Saint Kharlamii, Saint Bartholomew, Saint Dominic, and Saint David, pray for us! In honor of this day, all who work to promote greater stewardship, and the efforts large and small to bear fruit and bring the Light of Christ, we ask for the intercession of these many Saints! **Beautiful video on beekeeping & its spiritual components. Article on the return of bees to the Exsultet

“You are right in saying ‘I do not have a  husband.’ For you have had five husbands, and the one you have now is not your husband.” //  John 4:17-18 Of all things, why would Jesus point to this woman’s messy love life as a means of telling her that He is the Messiah? I used to not understand the hype behind the story of the Woman at the Well. It almost seemed cruel for Jesus to initiate this conversation, and confusing as to why the woman responded in the way she did. The passage itself is also packed with deep theological meaning and historical references which completely flew over my head. But recently, a professor of mine dove into the beautiful nuptial imagery of this passage, all while unpacking the context surrounding the story. It shifted my heart toward the passage and reminded me, once again, of the deep intimacy that Jesus desires with each of us and with all His people. First of all, what is the context? Who are the Samaritans? And why did such a feud exist between them and the Jewish people? Let’s buckle up for a brief history review! If you can recall your Old Testament, you’ll remember that after King David died, Israel was divided into two kingdoms—Northern Israel and Southern Judah. When the Northern Kingdom was raided by Assyrians, some were left behind. These people who were left behind intermarried with pagan cultures and began worshiping false idols (we’ll dive into the spiritual significance of this later). Their southern cousins in Judah were later carried off to Babylon, which is known as the Babylonian exile. When the southern people returned to Judah, they were disgusted with the pagan worship their northern cousins participated in. Thus, a wall of bitterness was erected between the two people, who used to be one under the same covenant. {formbuilder:OTk3ODc=} Okay, now keep that history lesson in mind as we return to the New Testament. The passage of the Woman at the Well itself starts in chapter four of John’s Gospel, with Jesus traveling through Samaria. It’s interesting to note that Scripture states that Jesus “had to pass through Samaria” (John 4:4). The majority of Jews simply circumvented Samaria in any and all travels. To go near Samaria was unthinkable. From this we can tell that spiritually, Jesus had a mission to accomplish in Samaria, and He chose to go there for the sake of the people. He went to bring all people into a covenantal relationship with God. John, a master of Old Testament references, again alludes to historical events when he mentions that Jacob’s well was in this place (see John 4:6). Jacob met his bride, Rachel, at the well in Genesis 29. In Genesis 24, Isaac’s bride was also found at a well. And if that isn’t enough, Moses, in Exodus 2, meets his future bride at a well (Anyone remember the movie The Prince of Egypt??). So when reading about a man at a well, a knowledgeable Jewish reader would automatically think that a good old-fashioned romantic comedy is about to occur. Guy meets girl at a well. Jesus then employs the classic pick-up line of Genesis, “Give me a drink” (John 4:7), and suddenly they get into this whole theological conversation. This is already looking different than most of the Jewish romantic comedies at wells which we’ve seen before. She asks Him, “Are you greater than our father Jacob?” (John 4:12) Well . . . yes. Yes, He is. But Jesus diverts the questions and instead says that anyone who drinks the water that He gives “will never thirst” and that water He gives them will become in the drinker a “spring of water” (John 4:14). Bam! If the present circumstances weren’t enough to suggest nuptial imagery, Jesus is revealing to us some more! This “spring of water” directly references Song of Songs 4:15, when the Bridegroom speaks of His Bride as a garden with a fountain that is a “well of living water.” The double meaning here shows how if you drink the living water you will have eternal life and become the Bride, as we see in Song of Songs! Before this verse, all the marriage imagery is subtle, very below the surface. But now, Jesus explicitly references marriage. He tells the woman to call her husband, to which she answers that she has none. Here is where the divided Samaritan and Jewish history ties back in. Remember how the Samaritans intermarried and began worshiping pagan gods? To be more specific, they intermarried with five pagan nations, resulting in five pagan deities, which were called “Baal.” Now “Baal'' is often translated to imply pagan lords, but it also translates to “husband.” In other terms, the Samaritan people “married'' five pagan husbands. We are starting to see how this Samaritan woman at the well represents the entirety of her people. Jesus goes on to tell the woman that the one she is with now is not her husband (see John 4:18). How does this tie back to the Samaritan people? Well, eventually in history they came back to monotheism, and began worshiping God again. But, in the shame of having committed adultery with other pagan gods (and broken the covenant they had formed with the Lord), they built their own temple and worshiped separately. They chose not to enter back into the Davidic covenant, but remained outside. They were performing covenantal acts without being in the covenant itself. Or in other words, they were performing marriage acts without being in the marriage itself, also known as cohabiting or fornication. Jesus came back so that the Samaritans could once again be rightly married to God in a covenant. He never leaves His lost sheep. Not only does He bring the woman at the well back, but through her witness, He brings the Samaritan people back into that intimacy which they lacked. Jesus is a Bridegroom that desires to romance His Bride, the Church. He wants to woo us at the well, to give us the eternal waters of Baptism which will make us His Bride. And from that water of Baptism a “spring of water” of grace transforms us every day, drawing us ever closer to Him. In the moments where He is healing little things, He sees the bigger picture and restores the bigger divisions in our lives too. How in your life can you see Jesus drawing you closer in intimacy? What are areas in your heart that feel lost, or divided, that you want to reunite with Jesus?   Author Bio: Maggie Agra is a senior theology major at Franciscan University of Steubenville. She enjoys learning all things theology, especially Theology of the Body. When not weightlifting or watercoloring, you can find her enjoying a cup of coffee with friends or trying something new and adventurous.

After years of instructing children in the faith, I have learned that in order to fully engage in a beautiful, trust-filled relationship with God, it is so important for children to understand the four types of prayer: praise, contrition, thanksgiving, and petition. Drawing children into the following discussion helps them incorporate the full range of meaningful conversations they can share with Jesus, their Divine Friend:  Let us think about two friends that have known each other for their whole lives. We’ll call them John and Evan. John notices and compliments Evan for so many things: when Evan uses his talents, when Evan does something neat, when Evan looks great, and even when Evan is trying to learn something new. If John hurts Evan by not acting with care, he says sorry right away. John gives Evan wonderful gifts, answers his questions, and does many, many nice things for him.  On the other hand, Evan never compliments John. Evan very, very rarely says sorry when his actions hurt John. In fact, Evan just pretends that John’s hurt never happened. Evan almost never says thank you for all those gifts John gives, the questions John answers, or for all the nice things John does for him. Many times, Evan doesn’t even seem to notice all the things John devotedly does and gives him. It seems that all Evan does is ask, ask, and ask John for more things and favors.  Now let us think about these questions: Does this friendship show love and care to both people?  Would you like a friend like John or Evan? Why? How would this type of relationship make you feel? What would make this a better friendship? Consider this truth: Jesus is your loving amazing friend. Jesus loves spending time with you! He waits for you to spend time with Him. Jesus is incredibly happy to help you always and gives you the most amazing gifts. He answers all your questions regardless of when you ask. In fact, He wants to share eternity with you. Jesus thinks you are special and unique. He loves you so much that He made you in His image and likeness. Jesus is your Divine friend, the absolutely best friend you could ever have! Consider for a moment, are you like John or Evan towards Jesus? Do you compliment Jesus often for all the wonderful things about Him? Do you tell Him that He is extraordinary? Think of WOW words. Wow, Jesus you are, _____!  These are Praise Prayers to Jesus!!  Do you tell Jesus you are sorry every time you hurt His precious Heart by the things you do, think, and say? These are Contrition Prayers to Jesus!! Do you thank Jesus often for helping you? For all His gifts? For answering your questions and prayers even in the middle of the night? These are Thanksgiving Prayers to Jesus!! Do you ask Jesus for help when you are sad, frustrated, mad, upset, don’t know what to do, or need help with something? These are Petition Prayers to Jesus!! Do you tend to say one kind of prayer to Jesus a lot more than another? How can you be a better friend in the ways you speak to Jesus? {formbuilder:OTk3ODc=} Let’s take a prayerful moment to speak to Jesus in each of these ways. Praise Prayer to Jesus // Jesus, You are my God I adore You! Jesus, You are my Savior. I adore You! Jesus, You are my King. I adore You! Jesus, You are my Creator. I adore You! Jesus, You are my nourishment. I adore You! Jesus, You are my everything. I adore You! Contrition Prayer to Jesus // As you slowly and thoughtfully pray this prayer, think about any sins you may have committed: “Oh Lord, forgive me my sins. I love You and I wish to love You for all eternity! Let this sacrament wipe out all the sins I have ever committed by my eyes, my ears, my lips and my feet: may my soul and body be made holy by the merits of Your Sacred Passion.” // Saint Dominic Savio Tell Jesus any sins you committed with your eyes, your ears, your lips, and your feet. If needed, ask Jesus for forgiveness and ask your parents to help you find a time to go to the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Thanksgiving Prayers to Jesus // Name specific people or things in each category that you are thankful for. Tell Jesus thank you for each person or item one by one. Petition Prayers to Jesus // Ponder how warm and cozy you feel when you are wrapped up in a soft blanket. Now think of people who might be feeling sad, sick, or in need of a little extra love. Using each person’s name, ask Jesus to wrap up that person in His love like a blanket. These resources and others are available in Melissa Kirking’s new book, Jesus and Me: Talking with My Greatest Friend. A free prayer activity can be downloaded from the book page.   Author Bio: Melissa Kirking, the author of Jesus and Me: Talking with My Greatest Friend, is a passionate children’s Eucharistic Adoration expert with over two decades of experience bringing children to meet and know Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. It is her heart’s work to bring as many children as possible to spend time with our Eucharistic Lord in Adoration. She enjoys creating a wide variety of crafts in her free time and lives of outside Austin, Texas, with her husband, youngest son and has recently been blessed with her first grandchild.

Jesus, as I express my love to those close to me and the easiest to love, aid me in lavishing Your love on those I find particularly difficult to love. Help me see You in the eyes of those I struggle to love. Abolish the obstacles I place to maintain my comfort, that keep me safely tucked away from loving those that You are gently pushing me towards. Most importantly, help me love others that think themselves not worthy of love, especially Yours. Whisper in my heart encouragement to love others I have pushed away so that I may be a greater reflection of You, not the version of myself that picks and chooses whom I love. Amen. Author Bio: Kateri Estano is a recent graduate of Salem State University with a B.A. in English and a concentration in Professional Writing, living in Peabody, Massachusetts. Besides spending time with and preparing to marry her fiancé in July 2023, she enjoys knitting, baking, hanging out with friends, traveling, and adoration. An avid writer since high school, she has recently felt called to share her poetry and writing beyond her computer files. She enjoys composing pieces about God's love for His creation and her relationship with Him. She hopes that her writing will help spread the message of God's intrinsic love to other women. You can find her on Instagram @katericampbel

In my first year of teaching, a student asked sincerely, “Did Jesus ever smile?” It elicited a dual inner reaction. On the one hand, it made me want to chuckle as one would at a toddler’s adorable antics. On the other hand, it saddened my heart because it also communicated that no one had ever modeled the joy of the Gospel to this tenth grader. In all his years of Catholic education, something had gotten lost in translation. The obvious answer is yes! Of course Jesus smiled, laughed, and joked! Jesus displayed and experienced every aspect of humanity other than sin. Furthermore, humor is not a characteristic reserved for mankind. Scripture helps us to discern the goodness of anything by the fruit it bears—and what sort of fruit does comedy bear? When rooted in love, humor is an immense gift which brings joy and lightheartedness to all kinds of situations. Mirth has an incredible ability to raise and strengthen one’s spirits, even in the midst of difficult situations. It could be argued that there is, in fact, a Divine attribute to humor.  The Levity of the Saints Today we celebrate the Feast of Saint Lawrence, a third century deacon who was martyred during the persecutions led by the Roman Emperor Valerian. Having beheaded six deacons and the bishop of Rome the day before, Valerian offered to spare Saint Lawrence’s life should he hand over the treasures of the Church. Saint Lawrence agreed, and proceeded to gather the poor and the outcasts throughout the city bringing them to the Imperial Palace. The Emperor was enraged that the deacon did not bring with him all the gold and silver the Church was rumored to possess. Infuriated, he had Saint Lawrence put to death. According to Saint Ambrose and others, rather than being beheaded like his comrades the day before, Saint Lawrence was roasted over a fire on a gridiron grill. Unfazed, Saint Lawrence continued to display peace throughout his execution. Tradition has passed on his famous sentiment. Apparently at some point in the process, the deacon quipped that he was “done” on that side and it was time to flip him over. This humor in the face of death led to the declaration of his saintly patronage over both comedians and cooks. {formbuilder:OTk3ODc=} Saint Lawrence is not the only saint to display wit and mirth with those he encountered. Many others exuded a jovial atmosphere both in spirit and speech. Take the following examples:  Pope Saint John Paul II // Shortly after being elevated to the rank of Cardinal, Karol Wojtyla was surrounded by journalists and reporters. An avid outdoorsman, his love of skiing was well known by many. A reporter, thinking the “loftiness” of Wojtyla’s new appointment to necessitate a serious reverence at all times asked, “Is it unbecoming of a cardinal to ski?” The future pontiff smiled and quickly retorted, “It is unbecoming for a cardinal to ski badly.”  Saint Teresa of Avila // A Doctor of the Church, she famously responded with wit during an episode in which she was upset with God. “If this is how you treat your friends,” the pious sister responded to difficulty, “no wonder you have so many enemies.” Similarly, a bit of humorous sarcasm is seen with her introduction to the Interior Castle. There, she joked, “So many books have been written by learned and holy men that there is nothing left for a woman to write about.”  Pope Saint John XXIII // Another pontiff whose hilarity was well documented, Saint John XXIII was once asked by a reporter, “How many people work at the Vatican?” The pope acknowledged, “About half of them.” Saint Philip Neri // A practical jokester who played tricks on seminarians who took things too seriously, Saint Philip Neri kept a notepad full of jokes he wrote in his desk drawer. His biography is full of stories regarding his immense humor which led others to the depths of peace and humility. A glimmer of his sense of humor can be understood in his impulsive desire to stroke the beard of any on-duty member of the Swiss Guard he passed while visiting the Vatican (which was often).  Saint John Vianney // In response to another priest requesting permission to say Mass in the parish of the Curé of Ars, Saint John Vianney replied, “Father, I only regret that it is not Christmas Day so that you might say three.” Saint Ignatius of Loyola // When imprisoned and on trial before the Inquisition for the content of his evangelization and catechetical tactics, the man replied, “My Lord, I would not have thought it had been any novelty to speak of Christ to Christians.” Saint Francis de Sales // When conversing with someone who poked fun at a hunchback, the Saint chided the acquaintance, insisting, “The works of God are perfect.” Confused, the other person asked, “What! Perfect, and yet deformed?”  “Yes,” Saint Francis de Sales insisted, “perhaps he is a perfect hunchback.” Saint Teresa of Calcutta // A member of the Swiss Guard, who was working in the kitchen due to being reprimanded, volunteered to wash dishes because it was easy. However, the task proved to be difficult and then went all the more amok when he threw a pot and created a tidal wave of soapy water, which soaked his clothes down to the skin. Not realizing anyone was in the room with him, he began cursing. Then he heard a voice assert, “Wow, you really sound like a sissy!” The comment came from Mother Teresa, who proceeded to leave a Miraculous Medal for the guard as a gift, instructing the other Sisters to give it to the man acting like a little girl in the kitchen. He was mad, but accepted the medal. Some time later, he lost it. The next time he ran into Mother Teresa, she had another medal waiting for him and said, “This time don’t lose it, sissy!” Saint Kassia the Hymnographer // A great beauty, with brains, talent, and riches, she caught the eye of the Emperor Theophilos who was seeking a wife. Either trying to charm her with an idiotic pick-up line, or possibly in an attempt to not be intimidated by her wealth of knowledge and virtue, the emperor remarked, “Through a woman came the baser things.” By this he was insinuating that sin came into the world through Eve. Saint Kassia immediately responded, “And through a woman the better . . . ,” reminding him that Salvation entered the world through Mary.  Venerable Fulton Sheen // In 1953, the televangelist won an Emmy for Outstanding TV Personality. Upon accepting the award, he walked to the microphone to give a brief speech and joked, "I wish to thank my four writers: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John." The Wisdom of Whimsy In the end, sanctity and humor are linked. “The cheerful are much easier to guide in the spiritual life than the melancholy,” insists Saint Philip Neri. “Cheerfulness strengthens the heart and helps us to persevere.” Saint Teresa of Avila agrees with his sentiment insisting, “A sad nun is a bad nun [ . . . ] I am more afraid of one unhappy sister than a crowd of evil spirits [ . . . ] What would happen if we hid what little sense of humor we had? Let each of us humbly use this to cheer others.”  May we all grow in holiness as the Saints, becoming all the more able to see the mirth of the Divine in the mundane of the day! What’s your favorite humorous Saint story? Share with us in the comments below!