This spring, my oldest daughter graduated from high school. It was one of those milestones that I never thought I would reach. But now, it has come and gone. And as of yesterday, my daughter has officially left our nest to serve as a missionary for the next year. Once Upon a Time When I was a young mom, with five children in preschool and younger, I remember a more seasoned mom telling me how quickly the years would go by. I also remember not believing her. This mom was well-meaning, but her solicitation came in the midst of sleepless nights, dirty diapers, potty training, and naptime battles. I was also in the midst of cuddles, bedtime stories, sticky smiles, and so many new beginnings. In the thick of all the beautiful, sweet, tiresome, and challenging moments of young family life, I could not imagine that a day would ever come when my children would turn 18, graduate from high school, and leave the house for their next adventure. It just seemed too far away. Believe it or not, it’s true But here I am. The day has come. And now, I am a mom who has just sent off her oldest child and who is preparing to send off two more children in the next two years. Transitions Lead to Reflection Realizing now that the 18 years we have to raise our children go by more quickly than we can fathom, I cannot help but wonder: How do I avoid living with regret, wishing I could take back those unkind words and maybe even get a couple of do-overs on those not-so-great days? How do I simply savor the good memories, seek forgiveness for the bad ones, and remain content in this transition that is the present moment? Moreover, how do I parent my daughter in her new season of life, while she is serving high school youth across the United States? How do I let her go? Let’s Walk this Road Together If you also find yourself in this next phase of mothering, I do not begin to have many answers to the questions I ask above. Because let’s face it: mothering a young adult can make even the most experienced mom feel like a new mom all over again—totally unsure of herself. In many ways, mothering young adults requires new skills and a fresh perspective. Right now, I am receiving a crash course in how to advise, encourage, bite my tongue, and let go. It reminds me of Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, where it talks about a season for every matter under Heaven. I am learning that there is a time to suggest and a time to back off; a time to help and a time to let them figure it out for themselves; a time to put my foot down and a time to lighten up; a time to speak truth and a time to silently pray. And so, while I am not an expert in parenting young adults, I am learning, and I can offer some reflection, prayer support, and companionship as our children become young adults and as we share in the experience of their leaving the nest. Lean on the Lord This leads me to convey what I know for certain: As our children leave the nest and as we learn to let go, we cannot lean on our own understanding. We must remember that God’s ways are not our ways, and His plans for our children far surpass anything we could ever imagine for them. We need to entrust our young adult children to the Lord. For they are His children more than they are ours, and He knows and loves them so much more than we ever could. And so, let us seek God’s guidance and assurance by turning to His Word for strength and comfort. And let us increasingly trust Him and surrender our children to Him through Catholic prayers, litanies, and novenas. Scripture Verses to Pray When Children Leave the Nest For this child I prayed; and the Lord has granted me my petition which I made to him. Therefore I have lent him to the Lord; as long as he lives, he is lent to the Lord. // 1 Samuel 27-28 Thou dost show me the path of life; in thy presence there is fullness of joy, in thy right hand are pleasures for evermore. // Psalm 16:11 The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts; so I am helped, and my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him. // Psalm 28:7 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. // Proverbs 3:5 Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. // Isaiah 43:19 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and return not thither but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and prosper in the thing for which I sent it. // Isaiah 55:8-11 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. // Philippians 4:19 And so, from the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, to lead a life worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. // Colossians 1:9-12 Catholic Prayers When the Nest Begins Emptying Thanks to our beautiful and rich Catholic Faith, we have a treasure trove of prayers, litanies, and novenas for just about every life circumstance, including the time when our children leave the nest. Here are four that will certainly help us entrust our children to the Lord as they begin this new chapter of their lives … away from us. Surrender Novena Litany of Trust Efficacious Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus Litany of the Guardian Angels Whether your first or last child is leaving the nest this fall, sending them off won’t be easy. There certainly will be a learning curve. But when we turn to God’s promising words in Sacred Scripture and prayerfully entrust our children to the Lord, we can let them leave the nest and enter this next chapter with greater peace and confidence. Anyone else launching a child into the world this month? How are you doing with it?   [bctt tweet="When Our Children Leave the Nest #BISblog //" via="no"]

I have a dear friend who is a master when it comes to liturgical living. She is creative and intentional and I'm convinced that crafting is her charism. I am so thankful for her because, not only is it a joy to witness someone using their God-given gifts for His Kingdom, I also get to steal her wonderful ideas. Because, as it stands, crafting is not my charism, but I love celebrating the liturgical year. It is especially important to me to weave the life and calendar of the Church into our family culture. I want my children to grow up with the church's rhythm as their constant, and I think that part of that is celebrating the liturgical year. My personal favorite way to do this is to live liturgically through the lives of the Saints. Their diverse histories, customs, and abiding devotion to Jesus and the Church all drew me in. Their witness inspires my desire to be like them in holiness, ever loving the Lord more and more. A Massive Family One of my favorite things about the Communion of Saints is how different everyone is. The Catholic Church is truly universal in all her ways. The Church is for everyone and every place, for every background and every experience. We are blessed, as Catholics, to have such a large family who loves us and prays for us. No matter our particular life circumstances, there is a Saint in the family who has been through similar and come out holier for it. What a gift.   Saints Around the World Wanting to pass on this love of the Saints to my children, I've gathered various resources on the lives of the Saints over the years, but none have I loved so much as the new book from Meg Hunter-Kilmer, Saints Around the World. This gorgeous hardcover book holds over 200 pages of stories about Saints. The books highlights some Saints that are already beloved by many Catholics and many Saints who will be introduced to many of us for the first time. We have been using this book as a part of our homeschool mornings and, truly, it has been so much fun. We have learned so much about our brothers and sisters in Christ, and I cannot wait to continue using this book throughout the years to not only teach my children but myself. What I Love There is a lot to be loved in this book. Here are some of my favorite aspects: The illustrations: I am a big fan of Lindsey's work with Almond Rod Toys, so I was thrilled when I saw that she was the illustrator. The illustrations are warm and engaging. Under each illustration of each saint, you will find a description of the various elements, why they're included, and what it tells us about the Saint. The format // For each Saint, you will find their feast day, when they lived, and how to pronounce their name. The maps: You will also see a map of the world with a star located where that Saint lived. This has sparked many conversations with my kids about culture and geography and it has been a blast. Finally, the stories of the Saints found in this book showcase their extraordinary holiness in the midst of their ordinary lives. The Saints are presented in their authentic imperfections and their inspiring perseverance in love and service of God. A Book for Children and Adults As much as I love having this book for my children, I equally have loved having it for myself. It's been a blessing to our days, and if you have not yet gotten a copy for yourself, please do so!   [bctt tweet="BIS Reads // Saints Around the World #BISblog //" via="no"]   This post contains affiliate links. Thanks so much for supporting the ministry of Blessed is She!

As I get older and walk farther along with the Lord, the shock of loneliness mellows, but the pain persists. I am able to more quickly identify a feeling of loneliness—in my marriage, friendships, work, or church community—and to acknowledge it as just that: a feeling. Identifying loneliness for what it is helps shift my mindset from victim to one of acceptance of my human condition. We all feel lonely sometimes. The Good News is that, as Christians, we know that, although feelings of loneliness are an inevitable part of life, we are never alone. We know that Jesus is ever-present to us. Our Good Shepherd, our Prince of Peace, our Beloved. Bringing My Loneliness Before Him Earlier this year brought a season of extreme loneliness for me in all areas of my life. I felt like a square peg trying to fit into a round hole in most arenas of life. Along with loneliness rose questions of worth, doubts about relationships, and anxieties about decision-making. The feelings I was battling reminded me of another season of loneliness several years before. That season nearly suffocated me, but this time, I knew what the answer was. Or rather, Who. My remedy was found in the presence of Our Eucharistic Lord. Adoration became a consolation for me, where the spiritual reality of Jesus' nearness to me was lived out physically. The Eucharist was my place of refuge, truth, and hope. Upon Him I cast my cares and found freedom from fear of abandonment, because my home is in Him. Never Alone Knowing that I am not alone in either my feelings of loneliness or my preference for His presence in the Eucharist, we asked women in the Blessed is She community to tell us about times in which Jesus in the Eucharist has been a source of consolation. "My grandfather died recently and Jesus has been a constant source of reassurance and comfort. I know He’s there and that He cares. I go over every day with Him how I’ve been doing with my grief, and I know He listens and truly cares; as a Father, as a spouse, as a friend and as my Beloved God who never leaves." // "My heart cries for Him when I am feeling lonely. Going to spend time with Him in the Blessed Sacrament heals my heart like nothing else. I receive peace that can be found nowhere else. Today I wanted to go to adoration—I arrived at the church to find they had “cancelled” that time with Jesus and locked the church doors. I went to the window I know He rests behind and sat on the grass outside the church to be near to Him. Even though I couldn’t see Him, I felt His reassuring presence. My heart is going through a lot right now and just knowing He was there with me meant everything!" // "A few years ago I felt stuck in my career and in life feeling like I’ve missed all my opportunities and felt the lack of good friends in my life. Getting to visit Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament just walking distance from where I stayed gave me solace and peace, I was able to pour out to Him all my worries, regrets, and fears. I became thankful for that time spent alone with Him, I realized I had so much that I needed to get right with God before anything else. Lately I’ve been feeling lonely again, this just reminded me that maybe I need to meet Him in prayer again, maybe it’s been a while." // "Years ago when I went through a hard bit of depression. The thing that kept me going was forcing myself to go to Sunday and receive the Eucharist. It was a physical reminder I wasn't alone when I needed Jesus most." // "During the time I find out I had something wrong with my health. I was scared and lonely. I would go to adoration and receive Jesus at the Eucharist and I was never alone. Jesus was alway there. I am so small and He held my hand through the whole time. I love You, Jesus! God is greater than I." // "When I, together with my parents and two younger siblings, moved here to the U.S. from the Philippines when I was 16, away from my friends, family, and everything I was familiar with. Also, when I was a new mom with my first born. There were times when it felt isolating. But God is always faithful. He is my stronghold and my anchor. During those times I have learned that God is enough and He is all I need. He gives us everything that we need. People come and go in our lives, but God remains constant. If we fix our eyes on Him, everything will fall on its rightful place at His perfect time." // "During my first year of college (last year), I’d have low moments every week and they would hit hard almost every Thursday, and we had Eucharistic exposition on Thursday nights at the student center. Those were my power nights where I recharged enough to finish the week and make it until the next adoration night. Those nights I would be physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually drained; and every week Our Lord would wrap me in His presence as I sat on the floor in the front row of the chapel, and that was probably the only reason why I survived my freshman year with some shred of sanity. Our Lord is amazing and He’s always there for you! Don’t lose hope!" // "In general, I have some sort of encounter every time I pray in church with the Blessed Sacrament exposed. I cry a lot of times and let out my emotions. I could stay there for hours praying for people and situations in my life. I’ve had the most peace after these times in Adoration and after confession. Definitely recommend experiencing both of these often!" // "When I was told it was my mom's time to pass from this world. I went before Him in Adoration and He held me in my heart. Let me weep. Gave me the courage to fly across the country to be with her so she wasn’t alone." // "In moments of true surrender and kneeling before Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament is when He comforts me and I am able to hear Him speak to me clearly." // "Visiting Jesus often in the Blessed Sacrament of His Eucharistic Face long before COVID hit, and after chapels and churches finally made it available again, helped me greatly in letting go of relationships not meant for me to keep. Jesus in the Eucharist helped me turn what started as loneliness into a love for healthy solitude. When I felt forgotten and pushed aside, I came to Him to reclaim my identity and peace through Him." // "As my husband is deployed and I was getting ready to give birth alone due to me being away from family, I went to a holy hour hosted by my church and the Eucharist truly provided that comfort and I was reminded that I’m never alone and even in the times where I felt the loneliest he was there by my side to provide that comfort I needed." If you're longing to fill your loneliness with the Bread from Heaven, check out our study on the Eucharist, Gift. [bctt tweet="Our Consolation in Loneliness #BISblog //" via="no"] WANT TO DEEPEN YOUR PRAYER? Get ready to be radically changed by the Lord and His presence. Be drawn into intimacy with the Lord by way of weekly videos, a community within the Blessed is She app, and invitations into reading scripture in a whole new way. BEGIN THE WELL: ABIDE

One of my favorite aspects of Scripture is the meaning of people’s names. They are never random; they always have deep significance, revealing something about the person’s very essence. God uses their names to reveal a piece of their identity. For this reason, I am fairly certain that the meaning of names will always fascinate me. It is also why it was a very big deal for me when it came to choosing the name of our daughter. A Baby to Name After a couple of months of trying to conceive and having to read negative pregnancy tests, it was hard not to worry if something was wrong. It was hard not to think about it. It got to a point where I knew I needed a little bit of help in “letting go.” It was August 14th, my birthday, which also happens to be the eve of the feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. Since I was born on the eve of this feast—and eves of major feasts are kind of like little feast days themselves—I always felt a special devotion to Our Lady of the Assumption. That night, I decided to begin a novena asking for her intercession. Typically, one would start a novena nine days before a major feast and end their prayer in celebration. Instead, I started on the eve of the feast … the beginning of the celebration. My request was pretty simple. In fact, I don’t even know that it was so much a request as it was an “entrusting.” I simply handed over all my worries and concerns about conceiving a baby into her hands, with complete faith that she would give me peace. We did not conceive that month, or the next month, or the following month. And while I can’t say that I was not disappointed, I can say I was not worried anymore. It was in the hands of Our Lady, and I trusted her completely. A Positive Test At the end of November, I was actually surprised when the pregnancy test I took had a second pink line. Obviously I knew pregnancy was a possibility, but somehow, it was still a shock when it actually happened. Chris responded in the same way as well—he even asked me to take a second pregnancy test just to be sure. Due to travel plans and closed doctors’ offices over Christmas, we were not able to see an OB until we were nearly in the second-trimester. It was surreal to see that peanut-shaped baby on the screen of the ultrasound, and the doctor gave us our official due date. It was not until later that evening as I prayed before bed that I realized the due date was within a week of my birthday … meaning it was within a week of the Feast of Our Lady of the Assumption … meaning the baby could be born on the feast day of the very person I had asked for help. I knew in that moment that this little babe existed thanks to the intercession of Our Lady of the Assumption. And I was kind of in awe. The Naming Dance At that point, we were still months away from knowing the gender, but I couldn’t help but think back to the previous August. During the time I was praying the novena, I remember looking up the meaning of the girl’s name, “Imogene” as it was the current favorite on my personal short list. Originally, I had simply liked it for its southern-sound and Irish roots, as well as for the fact that it was both unique and traditional. However, I also thought it was a little more than a coincidence that this name meant “maiden.” Obviously it is not explicitly a Marian name, but it certainly seemed to go along with who Mary was when the angel Gabriel appeared to her. I remember thinking, “How perfect would it be if we conceived this month and had a little girl? We could name her Imogene after Our Lady.” Having learned the due date, and being convinced even more so that the Feast of the Assumption was tied to the existence of our little one, I was pretty hung up on that name if the baby was a girl. Chris wasn’t as fond of the name as I was, and not wanting to be pushy or make this a one-sided decision, I agreed to a name that we both liked, “Alice Olivia.” A Wrench Thrown After finding out the gender on March 19th—the feast of Saint Joseph—we began to call our baby girl by the name we had agreed upon, but it always sounded weird to me. The more we used it and the more others said it out loud, the more “wrong” it felt. “Alice Olivia … Alice Olivia … Alice Olivia …” the name would actually echo in my head each time I heard it, almost like it was taunting me. One day I came home from work and told Chris that I was struggling big time with the name Alice,and he already knew why. “You want the name Imogene, don’t you?” he asked me. All I could do was nod. The Image of Her Mother Though he was pretty upset, Chris was very gracious and took the name to prayer, considering my own experience and explanation of its unveiling to me as well. After a couple of weeks, he was more at peace about the name and agreed that it did seem to reveal the littlest bits that we knew about our daughter. It revealed both to us and to the world, just a teeny tiny bit of her essence, just like all the names in Scripture. Chris then had the perfect suggestion for her middle name: Catherine. The meaning of the name Catherine is “pure.” Pair it with the name Imogene and our daughter would be named after a pure maiden … one so pure that sin had no decaying effects on her body and she was assumed into Heaven (aka Our Lady of the Assumption). Being the obsessed, theological nerd that I am, I did a few more in-depth searches and discovered another possible meaning for the name Imogene: “the image of her mother.” This pretty much sealed the deal for us. Not only is our little Immy named after Our Lady of the Assumption, a pure maiden, and calls upon her continued patronage, but it is also a prayer for our daughter, that she would be an image of our Heavenly mother here on earth and in this way draw others to her Son, Jesus. What’s your baby’s story? Does he or she exist because of the intercession of a heavenly friend?   [bctt tweet="Our Lady of the Assumption and Our Baby #BISblog //" via="no"]

Blessed are they who hear the word of God and observe it. // Luke 11:28 Love this from today's readings. Let His word dwell in us richly, sisters. Download your F R E E wallpapers right here --->>> Phone wallpaper Desktop wallpaper

When I was seven or eight years old, I felt very disconnected from my friends and family. I noticed that I had a different way of thinking that just did not go with the norms and culture around me. My mom once called me “the rebellion who will bring shame to her.” So every night I cried myself to sleep, and the only way that I could find comfort was by imagining that the Blessed Mother was holding me and brushing my hair with her fingers. She was always my role model and my comforter, even in the season of my life where I was angry with God and stopped going to church for two years. I later learned I had a spiritual depression. Mother Mary was the one stable thing I could count on. Desperation in Early Days of Marriage In 2019 I married my best friend. I always wanted a big family and our plan was to get pregnant right away. But that was not the case. The reality was that I had a psychological condition (caused by all the negative things my culture told me about sex) that caused my muscles to voluntarily spasm at the very thought of sexual intimacy. At the time, this made the idea of having a baby very far-fetched. There is no medicine for it. My options were psychotherapy and pelvic floor exercises. Nothing worked. Turning to My Mother, Again If I have learned anything from my thirty-two years on earth, it is that my mother, Mama Mary, always has my back. Always. As any one of her lost, stressed children would do, I turned to her. I walked to the living room and told my husband, “We are praying the novena to Mary, Undoer of Knots and will ask Mary to cure my vaginismus.” I remember pulling up the novena on my phone in both Arabic and English. I am not sure why, but I wanted to pray it in both languages. I prayed with such certainly in my heart that I will conceive this month. My husband was so afraid that if I did not get pregnant it would take a toll on me. He kept saying that I should not get my hopes up. But that only made me pray it harder. I planned to pray the novena so that it would end on my ovulation day. I closed my eyes and said: “I believe that you are capable of curing me, Lord, with the intercession of your Blessed Mother.” Our Miracle It was the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend, two weeks after my ovulation day. I bought an early pregnancy test and ordered a cute onesie to use for the baby announcement. I went to take a shower and took the pregnancy test, even though the science says it was perhaps too early to get an accurate result. It was positive. I wrapped myself in a towel and went to the bedroom to tell my husband. I was crying so hard I could not get the words out of my mouth. He saw the pregnancy test in my hand and, because I was crying, he thought that it was another negative one. He looked at me and said, “I am sorry sweetheart. That is why I did not want you to get your hopes up.” “No, it is positive,” I shouted. “Look, there are two lines.” You are Not Alone I later learned from a friend who has the same condition that a priest told her that vaginismus could be a spiritual issue and advised her to pray a spiritual warfare prayer. It makes sense! Who would be better to kick the devil’s behind than Mary? If you are reading this right now and suffering from vaginismus, I want you to know you are not alone sister! And this condition does not make you any less of a woman or a bad wife. There are steps that you can take to handle it, both on the spiritual and physical side: Pray a novena Pray a spiritual warfare prayer every night Pelvic floor exercises Dilation Go to therapy Regardless of what you do remember you are created in his beautiful perfect image. And as He promised, He will always have you in the palm of His hands.   [bctt tweet="I Was Healed through Our Lady's Intercession #BISblog //" via="no"]   Written by Dana Sawaked. You can find out more about her here.

"I need Adoration." My friend's evening text put words to the longing on my own heart. In the midst of the shut downs, our usual Holy Hours were cancelled, and we were left feeling a little lost. So we scoured town to find a parish with open doors and, blessed, His Eucharistic presence in the tabernacle. I heard my friend's sigh echo mine, and I knew we were both filled with the kind of peace that only comes when arriving home. And home is wherever He is. The Sacraments Helps Us Live a Personal Relationship with Jesus Some of my most honest prayer happens before Jesus in the Eucharist: during Mass, while the Eucharist is exposed on the altar, or when I'm before the tabernacle, waiting in line for Confession. There is something about being physically present to Him that draws me out of myself, my discouragement, my will, and my doubt and instead draws me to the Truth of His everlasting love. This is the kind of personal relationship I want with Our Blessed Lord, and our relationship is lived and sustained by the Sacraments. The Source and Summit of Our Faith If you're like me, you did not quite grasp the importance and centrality of the Eucharist in our Catholic Faith until your adulthood. Maybe you feel behind in your understanding or frustrated that this piece has been missing from your life. Maybe you already deeply love the Eucharist and sense the Holy Spirit beckoning you deeper into the Mystery. Maybe you have a lot of questions about how a Truth so veiled can have concrete influence in your daily life. Maybe you are ready for your small group to move beyond the latest world news and into the heart of the Faith. Maybe you're longing to feel seen and understood, to understand your purpose and your calling, to be convicted and consoled . . . to be, essentially, home. [elementor-template id="469410"] Dwell // A Study on the Eucharist We wanted to create something to help all of us understand more about Jesus in the Eucharist and to in turn love Him more. Dwell is the newest addition to our Blessed Conversations series, and it is our prayer that this brings you closer to the Heart of Christ in the Eucharist. Because grasping the theology behind the Eucharist is one thing, but devoting your heart and life to Him is another. What to Expect In an effort to help us all increase our devotion to the Blessed Sacrament, this study contains five different parts on the Church’s teaching about how Jesus comes to dwell within us in and through the Blessed Sacrament as: Lover Nourishment Unifier Healer Grace We will look at what and why the Church teaches what she does about the Eucharist, what God's Word says about the sacrament, and how the holy men and women who have gone before us in faith rested their entire beings on Our Eucharistic Lord. Then, five writers share stories from their own lives about how the Eucharist has been a home for them. They relate how the Eucharist not only saved them during their darkest days, but also provided the light with which they could see His next steps for them. We pray you will see your own stories in theirs, coming to contemplate how Our Lord is beckoning you closer, offering to be your lover, nourishment, unifier, healer, and grace. Finally, we present you questions for reflection, inviting you into prayer and greater intimacy with Jesus. For Ride-or-Dies or Riding Solo Who can use this study? Easy answer: anyone. You can prayer through this study on your own, with a girlfriend, or with a sprawling small group. This study is crafted intentionally to be flexible to your particular needs and availability in this season. I have even done Blessed Conversations studies with a friend via text messaging and, admittedly, I was surprised by how truly fruitful that time of prayerful and consistent connection was both for my prayer life and our friendship. We Need the Eucharist No matter what we are facing in life—whether a season of joy or a season of grief—the answer to our longing is always Jesus in the Eucharist. He is our home, and, this side of Heaven, the most ourselves we will feel is before His Eucharistic Face. So let's not delay any longer. Let's commit ourselves to drawing closer to Him, closer to our home. You (and your buddies) can get Dwell here!   [bctt tweet="Dwell // A Study on the Eucharist for Women #BISblog //" via="no"]

As I was doing our bedtime routine with the kids the other night, we prayed the Saint Michael prayer. We began, “Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil... May God...” And then my mind just went blank. The lack of sleep, the long day, and the brain fog finally caught up with me and the words just totally slipped my mind. I blinked, caught up in embarrassment, and after a slight pause, my kids continued the prayer. “May God rebuke him, we humbly pray...” and so on until they said the rest of the prayer without me. I stared at them, in total awe and gratitude. I’ll admit, in a bit of shock, too, because I know that, as parents, we wonder half the time while we pray with the kids if they’re actually listening (they really are!) and if it’s making a difference (it really does!). I was so proud of my kids and in that moment, I felt God telling me, “They are not just your kids. They are my kids first.” A Load Lightened That took a load off my back because I constantly wonder if I am doing enough for them or if I am doing the right thing. Should I sign them up for more activities? How many more times will I have to remind them to say “please” and “thank you”? Are these time-outs even working? But at least I know I am doing some things right. At least they know the Saint Michael prayer. At least they know who Jesus is, how He died for them, how angels and Saints pray for them, and how the devil never wins. When I know that I have made a mistake (which will inevitably happen again and again) and I have failed to be a good example, I know God never fails. I know He is the perfect example. I know the love and hope I have for them are nothing in comparison to the love, strength, and wisdom God has for them. [bctt tweet="I know the love and hope I have for my children are nothing in comparison to the love, strength, and wisdom God has for them. #BISblog //" via="no"] What My Kids Have Taught Me I know it is my duty and privilege to teach my kids to be good people and equip them to face the world, but I did not expect that my children would be teaching me. Motherhood taught me so much—about my gifts and strengths, but also my weaknesses and selfishness. It exposed all the ugly parts of my heart and brought my issues up to the surface, leaving me raw and open so that I had no choice but to finally confront them. My kids teach me what it means to love and cling to their parents, to run to them when they fall and scrape their knee, to ask unceasingly to spend time together, to trust that they will be forgiven when they do wrong, to believe that they will be provided for. Aren’t these the very things our Father is asking of us? Having Faith in My Children I remember when I became a mom for the first time and a friend asked me what had surprised me the most about motherhood. And while I thought about how difficult parenthood is, the amount of sacrifice, the complete and total life change it is, I heard myself saying, “Confidence. I feel more confident in myself than I’ve ever been.” And it was true. Even if I was Googling “Is this normal?” in the middle of the night or crying desperate tears as my baby screamed in the car seat, I felt so sure about who I was, what my purpose was, and what I was made to do. Now, after having multiple children and watching them grow over the past several years, I realize that yes, I have grown in my confidence and my ability to look after them. But actually, it is not about me. What has surprised me most about this season of motherhood is that I have grown even more confident in them: who they are, what their purpose is, how they will bring Jesus to others, and that Heaven is their home. Despite my best efforts, it will ultimately be up to them to choose God and I have every confidence that they will. Every time my daughter draws a picture of the Sacred Heart, or my son reminds me to pray in the car, or my baby raises her hands in praise during a worship song, my heart soars. Having Faith in The Father And more importantly, I have grown more confident in our Heavenly Father. Because if my efforts and my love is making any difference, how much more will His efforts and His perfect love move their hearts? It is because of who He is, that I am able to let go and surrender my precious babies to Him. It is His grace that covers them, it is His peace that comforts them, His still, small voice that will guide them and remind them of who they are. It is His perfect love that will take them all the way home. What are some ways you have grown as a mother? How has motherhood surprised you? How has God surprised you? How has He shown you that you can trust Him? What areas of your life can you surrender to the Lord?   [bctt tweet="They Are His Children First #BISblog //" via="no"]   Written by Maggie Kim.

Be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another as God has forgiven you in Christ. // Ephesians 4:32 Love this from today's readings. Let His word dwell in us richly, sisters. Download your F R E E wallpapers right here --->>> Phone wallpaper Desktop wallpaper

I will never forget that ecstatic feeling, as we sat on top of "First", the minor summit above Grindelwald, Switzerland. We were a troupe of 10, making our way to the 50th Charismatic Jubilee celebrations in Rome and had stopped to soak in some Swiss splendor. One morning, I made my way alone to a tiny hill where we gathered for our early morning worship. As I walked amidst the serene, still, gigantic landscape, I heard it. I raced uphill, my heart pulsating with what felt so familiar, until I saw it—a river—gushing forth from the mountains, flooding my sight with sensational awe, as the words "current of grace" inundated my spirit. That afternoon, I learnt that it was very unusual to sight melting snow in May. Current of grace, indeed! Made for Heaven I really think this is why Jesus did it, why He showed a glimpse of His heavenly glory to Peter, John, and James in the Transfiguration and why He continues to woo us with beauty, truth, and mercy on earth. We are made for Heaven. In this feast, we are invited to those “thin places” where the membrane separating Heaven and earth becomes transparent and Jesus is seen "unveiled". Standing with Moses and Elijah, His face shone like the sun, His garments glowing with light, as a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from Heaven thundered: This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him! Who Do You Say I Am? The favored disciples saw what always was, what we rightfully profess in the Creed: “God from God, Light from Light, True God from True God.” But there is so much more than just dazzling light on Mount Tabor. Jesus reveals who He is. In a world of quick fixes, addictive lifestyles and moral abandonment, to consider a kingdom Jesus offers, leaves us with a question we cannot escape: ‘Who do you say I am?’ (Matthew 16:15) Jesus is not asking, “What have you heard about me?” He is not even asking, “Who does the Church say I am?” Rather He asks, “Who do you say I am?” The question is personal. It is life-changing. Do I know Jesus? Have I encountered Him personally? While the disciples may have recognized Christ as the Messiah, they often failed to act in proper reverence. It is only when they walked intimately with Jesus that their response moved from a posture of familiarity to one of faith. Pope Benedict XVI reminds us: The essence of Christianity is Christ, not a doctrine, but a person. This is what the Transfiguration is: a "getaway" to know Christ, to encounter Him and to be transformed by His light. Only Jesus Remains As suddenly as it all began, it also faded. The patriarchs disappeared leaving the disciples with no one, but Jesus. Only Jesus remained. Only Jesus remains. “Listen to Him” the voice of Heaven demands. We live in an age where listening is drowned out with noise and busyness. Listening demands time and stillness. No wonder we settle for doing rather than listening. Peter’s impetuous suggestion to build shelters could well be ours. How different he is from Mary whose quiet pondering enabled her to sustain her pilgrimage uphill Calvary? Are we taking time to listen to Jesus? I received the word "linger" for 2021. It didn’t take long to realize that my life was consumed with crammed calendars and unsurpassable schedules, robbing me of the solitude my soul demanded. I comprehend today that the Lord was requesting my "getaway" to prepare me for months that followed, months heavy and hard, months flooded with trials and tears. A Time of Preparation How gracious that the Lord prepares us for such. How kind that He beckons us to come so He can listen to and comfort the one He calls beloved. Saint Ignatius describes this as spiritual consolation—an interior movement within, where the soul becomes inflamed by Grace. We are called to soak up and store these Divine consolations so that they may sustain us in the future. I have been spending time reliving consolations. How desperate I am for this current of grace that floods my soul each time I remain, linger, and listen. When I listen, I can recognize Jesus, when I listen I can follow Him more closely. Descend to Discipleship While the trip to Switzerland left me with mountain-top wonder, the journey downward to Rome reminded me why. We gathered at Circus Maximus, with people from across the world, listening to Pope Francis charge, "the harvest is plenty, the laborers few. Go, the world needs you." Those words dispelled any romantic notions I had about discipleship. I realized how easy it is to live in the ecstasy of being chosen and forget the mandate of being commissioned. How tempting it is to cling to mountain-top euphoria and want to control where I am going. But discipleship isn’t about going or even arriving, it is about following. If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves, take up their cross and follow me. // Matthew 16:24 No matter how high we ascend, the Cross still shines. What does it mean to follow Jesus? Will I go where He leads? Am I willing to descend to the most unlikely places? Am I willing to live with ambiguity, insecurity, and vulnerability? The Transfiguration reminds us of Who we follow. He who gives us wings to soar on great summits also accompanies us in the valley of the shadow of death. As we follow Him to "Jerusalem", we who are surprised by His Glory are unavoidably transformed by His Grace. [bctt tweet="How easy it is to live in the ecstasy of being chosen and forget the mandate of being commissioned! #BISblog //" via="no"] You are the Light At the end of the stunning experience, the disciples came down the mountain, where they witnessed and ministered. This is our journey, too. Transformed by Light, we carry light. Who in your "Jerusalem" needs Christ’s light today? You are the concrete sign of the Transfiguration: a light for the world, a city on a hill. Flooded by currents of grace (see Ephesians 3:20), you are a vessel of hope and healing to a world weighed down by suffering. You are the light because Christ’s light is within you. Even on the darkest of nights, Jesus, your lamp, will never go out. Community Sent Forth On days when I’m tired and when the glow of Mount Tabor remains but a distant memory, I lean into my community. In the sisterhood, I have found fellow travelers who are willing to walk with me, linger, and listen to my woes. Together we discover that our earthbound experiences, however pleasant, are temporary. We still suffer, but we don’t have to suffer alone. We don't have to wake up in the dark. We can share our burdens. We can share our consolations. We can share our light. And yet, all the mountain-top experiences are nothing compared to what awaits us as Children of the Light. When all is dimmed this side of eternity, we will stand face to face, before the real, risen, and radiant One, who took on the longest journey there ever will be, to bring us to Heaven, to bring us home. There we shall live on Mount Zion with Him. There we shall see what no eye has seen. There we shall touch the trophies of His Grace. There we shall be transfigured with Him. We will be like Him because we shall see Him as He is. // 1 John 3:2   [bctt tweet="On the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord #BISblog //" via="no"]

As a summer girl at heart, I do not need a lot of encouragement to celebrate. Hot days, stormy afternoons, fireworks, ice cream ... I am in! And, I am not one to pass up the opportunity to capitalize on one more reason to embrace these long, sunlit days, either! I did come upon a connection recently that I found especially noteworthy: a vast majority of the saints whose feasts we celebrate over these hot months were contemporaries, dear friends, and in some cases, family to others whose inspired relationships had a significant and long-lasting impact! 7 Summer Saint Connections I am delighting in these examples that show we need one another in our lives of faith, coupled with the reminder of the potential of our influence our peers and circumstances. Saint Bridget of Sweden and Saint Catherine of Sweden // mother + daughter Bridget’s vocation began as a wife and mother for twenty years, although her deep devotion to Christ began during her childhood. After the death of her husband, she went on to begin the Brigittine order of monks and nuns. Later, after her daughter Catherine was widowed, she joined her mother’s religious community and upon the death of her mother, became one of its leaders. During this time, Catherine of Sweden and Catherine of Siena are said to have become good friends. Saint Bridget is remembered as one of the six patron Saints of Europe. Saint Benedict and Saint Scholastica // twin brother + sister Benedict, founder of Western monasticism, established a Rule for vowed religious communities. He is remembered as the patron Saint of a happy death, as well as the twin to his sister, Scholastica. The two are said to have met annually between their homes, where, one year, Scholastica prayed fervently that the two would get a longer visit, whereby a sudden heavy thunderstorm allowed the two to continue their visit another day. Saint Scholastica is remembered for her prayerfulness and as the foundress of Benedictine women’s monastic communities and the patroness of reading. Saint Jane Francis de Chantal and Saint Frances de Sales // spiritual director/directee + friends Jane and Francis met as spiritual director and directee after the death of Jane’s husband. Although she was inclined to become a nun, she deferred the decision under his guidance and went on to form a religious community for women. They were to emulate the life of Mary as understood in the story of the Visitation. Thus began the Visitation sisters. As Bishop and writer, Francis had a profound impact on the life of Saint Vincent de Paul, and remains the patron on more than one Salesian orders.   Saint Ignatius of Loyola and Saint Frances Xavier // Jesuit priests + best friends Ignatius and Frances Xavier worked together to form the Society of Jesus, also known as the Jesuits. At its inception, Ignatius became its leading founder which would eventually embody the mission to "seek God in all things" through education and missionary work. Frances Xavier, Ignatius’ best friend, died while serving as a missionary in China. Today the Jesuits are the largest Catholic religious community in the world. Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross and Saint Maximillian Kolbe // contemporaries While unrelated by blood, the lives of Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein) and Maximillian Kolbe are inextricably linked by their witness to Christianity in a dark time. They shared experiences of being martyred alongside of their Jewish brothers and sisters in the Auschwitz concentration camp in 1941 and 1942. Kolbe is remembered for having voluntarily taken the death sentence in place of a young husband and father; Stein for being a Catholic nun of Jewish descent. Saint Clare and Saint Francis // co-founders Clare and Francis were an unlikely pair: Clare from nobility, Francis who had denounced wealth out of love for Lady Poverty. Clare, who had heard Francis preach, decided to embrace a life of poverty rather than the life of luxury that had been offered to her. She became the first woman to follow Francis. Together they would co-found one of the largest religious communities in the world, due in large part to Clare’s guidance after Francis’ death. Saint Monica and Saint Augustine // mother + son This mother and son duo are as well-known as unlikely to be Saints celebrated side-by-side. Monica, Augustine’s mother, desperately and consistently offered prayers for her son’s conversion to the Christian life. Augustine, who eventually did convert, became one of the most influential Church fathers in Western Christianity. After years of promiscuity and secularism, it is difficult to capture the breadth of his influence on the Church or on the world. Saint Jerome, another contemporary, said of him: “(He) established anew the ancient Faith.” Ripple Effects This is a tiny glimpse of the ripple effect of the Christian life in our particular time and place in history. I doubt I am even scratching the surface. What a tremendous sequence of days to pray that in the same way our lives might be permeated with a lingering holiness and that we ourselves be surrounded with others who do the same. Perhaps one day, we might even be blessed to see the fruits of these seeds planted! Did I offer peace today? Did I bring a smile to someone's face? Did I say words of healing? Did I let go of my anger and resentment? Did I forgive? Did I love? These are the real questions. I must trust that the little bit of love that I sow now will bear many fruits, here in this world and the life to come. // Henri Nouwen Who are your favorite Saints who were contemporaries?!   [bctt tweet="Saints Who Lived at the Same Time #BISblog //" via="no"]

I was nineteen and it all happened very gradually. First I was noticing achy knees and feet, but thought it was due to all of the running I had been doing since the onset of summertime. Then I found myself struggling to walk up the stairs, but simply chalked it up to morning stiffness because of my early hours as a barista. But then it became hard to tie my shoes, and I had to take my time tying them when before it was an action which barely required much thought. It’s not a good sign when your body fails to recognize the difference between your healthy cells and those that are foreign. But this is exactly what happens when we talk about autoimmune disease, one of the most common being rheumatoid arthritis. This is a disease when one’s immune system attacks the healthy cells and tissues, thus causing inflammation and potentially organ damage. A disease in which it would be nice to have a special intercessor. Saint Alphonsus, Special Patron Perhaps you have heard of Saint Peregrine, the patron Saint of those suffering from cancer. Or maybe Saint Lidwina, the patron Saint of the chronically ill (she herself became paralyzed after gangrene set in after an ice-skating accident). But did you know that there is a patron Saint of arthritis sufferers, too? His name is Saint Alphonus Liguori, a former lawyer, bishop, moral theologian, and now a Doctor of the Church. He is also the Founder of the Redemptorists Order, an order whose charism is to serve the poor, both materially and spiritually. Sharing His Gifts As A Talented Lawyer Liguori was born near Naples, Italy in 1696, the first of seven children. His mother came from a family of nobility and his father was a captain in the Royal Navy. His parents' devotion to him and to his education landed him doctorates of civil and canon law from Naples university at the age of sixteen. This was four years earlier than normal! It was common for nobles to join the Confraternity of Our Lady of Mercy. He joined when he turned eighteen, serving with a compassionate heart as he took care of those in the hospital who were considered “incurable”, feeding them and washing their clothes. Even decades ago one couldn’t escape the pressure given by their parents, despite this pressure being given out of good will. Liguori’s father desired him to be a lawyer, and before he even reached the age of twenty he was considered to be one of the most talented lawyers in the city of Naples. It was believed that he had not lost a single case, until the one he lost right before he left the career. Despite his popularity and the praise he was so often given, it was not enough to satisfy him. He longed for something deeper. While he had been ministering to those in the hospital he heard a voice saying “Leave the world and give yourself to Me." This call gave him the courage to face the disappointment of his father when he resigned as a lawyer to enter the priesthood. He was ordained at twenty years old. The Redemptorist Mission There is no doubt that this man had passion. He was a man of zeal both when it came to the law, and as a priest. The poor were close to his heart, and he could not abandon them. Eight years into his vocation as a very popular priest and confessor, he knew he needed to leave his family and friends in order to give himself more fully to serving the poor. He found others to accompany him in this mission and thus began his founding of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, also known as the Redemptorists. A Redemptorist mission would bring together the congregation's priests and brothers to share the Gospel and minister to the spiritual needs in specific areas. They didn’t just preach a mission and depart. The priests and brothers lived together in the community where they were sent on mission. This allowed them to do their mission work in a way which showed the people the true love of God. A love which does not leave or forsake. When Alphonsus came to speak, the people would follow him to the neighboring churches and towns where he preached. He had a way of connecting with the poor and uneducated and he served them tirelessly. In addition to his life immersed with the poor, he also wrote over one hundred books. One of his most popular books is titled Visits to the Blessed Sacrament. This book is a thirty-one day to day guide to meeting with the Lord throughout the course of a month. Each day Liguori offers a meditation and a prayer to Jesus, but he does not neglect our Mother, including a prayer to the Blessed Mother to conclude each Eucharistic visit. He always encouraged prayer, writing, “If you pray, your salvation will be secure.” A Companion for those Suffering Alphonsus didn’t fail to serve the sick and the suffering, but even he too could be considered in those very categories. Later in his life he suffered from the pain of arthritis which eventually necessitated the use of a wheelchair as well as a permanently crooked neck. An experience which now makes him a patron for those struggling with the same afflictions. In addition, he struggled with scrupulosity, a kind of “crippling conscience”. In his times of hardship he would gather with his friends to pray, often to Our Lady, the one whom he wanted by his side on the day he would die. The night before he died, he asked for Our Lady and asked for her intercession throughout the night, holding her image in his hands. He died at the age of ninety one on August 1st, during the ringing of the noon Angelus bell. He would be canonized a Saint just fifty-two years later in 1839. Any other arthritis sufferers out there? We have this incredible Saint praying for us!   [bctt tweet="Saint Alphonsus Liguori + Rheumatoid Arthritis #BISblog //" via="no"]

Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.. // John 6:35 Love this from today's readings. Let His word dwell in us richly, sisters. Download your F R E E wallpapers right here --->>> Phone wallpaper Desktop wallpaper

One time, I snapped at my husband about the day’s Gospel reading. We didn’t hold opposing beliefs. We didn’t interpret a fundamental teaching differently. We simply read the words uttered by Saint Martha in the Gospel of Luke in practically opposite ways. “As they continued their journey, he entered a village where a woman whose name was Martha welcomed him. She had a sister named Mary [who] sat beside the Lord at His feet listening to Him speak. Martha, burdened with much serving, came to Him and said, ‘Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving? Tell her to help me.’” // Luke 10:38-40 Dave and I were in the midst of our morning routine, adding steaming water to the pourover coffee maker in between getting breakfast for our kids and packing our son’s school snack. He filled two mugs and passed one to me as we started chatting about the day’s readings. That’s when he said, “I think Martha just said that offhandedly and everyone made a bigger deal of it than she meant it to be.” My jaw dropped. Anxious and Worried About Many Things “You are so wrong!” I exclaimed (speaking far less delicately than I would to anyone else on the planet). “You don’t understand her at all!” I continued, “She was trying so hard to do a good job and get everything done that needed to get done and make sure everyone was taken care of! She must have been so frustrated seeing Mary sitting there because that’s what she wanted to do! But if everyone just sits there, nothing gets done! She finally asked for help because she was at her breaking point!” Dave looked at me curiously. Compassionately. Then, he softly said, “Are you sure you’re talking about Martha?” That caught me off-guard. Falling Short of What? Around the time I became a mother, I grew more obsessed than ever with being productive. As my “free” time dwindled to the minutes stolen between feedings or during naps, it felt as though there was never enough time to accomplish everything I wanted to do. Every chore was left half-finished. Every writing session was interrupted. Every workout was cut short. I felt resentful if I saw my husband sit down when there were still unchecked items on my to-do list. I am sure, looking back, that I did occasionally finish things, but it never felt like enough. Everything felt essential, time-sensitive, and, most of all, like a direct reflection on my worth. I knew I needed help, but my pride insisted that asking for help meant I had failed. So, day after day, I swallowed those sinking feelings of overwhelm and frustration, went to bed disappointed, and felt my anxiety levels slowly climb out of my control. The Better Part Later that day, I opened the words of the Gospel again. The Lord said to her in reply, ‘Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.’ // Luke 10:41-42 My tender heart could not bear to read these words as a scolding. I closed my eyes and tried to imagine what else Jesus might have said to his dear friend Martha, or what He might have expressed to her through his loving gaze and gentle tone. “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. I see you. I see how hard you are working. But right now, I don’t need food or drink or for your kitchen to be clean—I just want your presence. I just want you near to Me. I want to speak with you and laugh with you and listen to what is on your heart. I want to give you peace and contentment in My presence. I want to speak life and truth over you. I want you to find your identity in Me, not in your work or your productivity. I call you by name. I love you. I see you. Cast all your worries and anxieties on Me. Let Me give you rest.” As I imagined Him saying these words to Martha, I let Him say them to me as well. The One Jesus Loves We don’t know very much about Saint Martha, other than the three references to her across the Gospels of Luke and John. The first is the above exchange at Martha and Mary’s home. The second is when the sisters send word to Jesus about their brother Lazarus’ serious illness. In the midst of that chapter is John 11:5, which says simply, “Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.” It blew my mind when I realized that every reference in John’s Gospel to “the disciple Jesus loved” was John referring to himself. I can only imagine that his perfect confidence in Christ’s deep and abiding love for him came from his place at the foot of the Cross. What if I too could find that assurance at the feet of Jesus, sitting beside these sisters that Jesus loved? It took years of prayer and months of therapy to break free from the anxiety that had determined my thoughts and actions for most of my life. To recognize and embrace that I, like Saint Martha, Saint Mary, Saint Lazarus, and Saint John, am one that Jesus loves. That He invites me, too, to set down all of my work and be near to Him. [bctt tweet="I, like Saint Martha, Saint Mary, and Saint Lazarus, am one that Jesus loves. #BISblog //" username="lisajanelkirk"] Jesus, You know me. You know when I sit and when I stand. You understand my thoughts from afar. You sift through my travels and my rest. With all my ways, you are familiar. Even before a word is on my tongue, Lord, You know it all (Psalm 139). Help me to lay everything down. Give me the strength to let things wait or to let go of them altogether so that I can rest in Your presence. Reorder the priorities in my heart to align with Yours. Amen. Do you relate to Saint Martha? How do you answer Jesus’ invitation to sit at His feet?   [bctt tweet="Martha, Martha... // Anxious and Worried #BISblog //" username="lisajanelkirk"]

Imagine having to learn Scripture, not through paging through the pages of your Bible, but by walking into your church and viewing its artwork. The Legend of St. Joachim, Meeting at the Golden Gate is a fresco painted by one of Italy’s most remarkable painters of the 14th century, Giotto di Bondone. Giotto is known for his beautiful panel paintings done by Fresco. During the 1300s, most of Europe was unable to read, nor did they have easy access to the Bible which at the time, was written by hand. Giotto’s artwork served as illustrations for Scripture, a visual aid for people to understand and enter into the Bible’s stories. The Legend of the Golden Gate This illustration by Giotto shows the story of Saints Joachim and Anne. The legend goes that while Joachim was traveling, an angel appeared to him, telling him to meet his wife Anne at the golden gate in Jerusalem. The angel brought Joachim an answer to his prayers and told him that his wife had conceived. The same angel then gave this message to Anne and departed from her. They then joyously met one another at the gate, embracing and kissing one another. While what we know about these two Saints is passed on through tradition and legend, it is believed that they suffered the cross of infertility for years before they conceived their daughter Mary. Through their patience and faith, we can turn to these two Saints when we are striving to live more fully in the present moment and trust in God’s plan. The Home of Saints Joachim and Anne Upon entering the Old City of Jerusalem there is a Romanesque church which can be found just inside the Muslim Quarter. This is the site of the beautiful and well-maintained Crusader Church of Saint Anne. The church is known for its spectacular acoustics that resound off the austere stone walls, making one quiet voice amplified as it bounces off every crevice. Below the church is where historians believe that Jesus’ grandparents lived and where Mary grew up. As you walk into the church there are stone steps which lead down to the crypt chapel. While today it looks like a cave, this is where you can see the remnants of Saints Joachim and Anne’s home. Just a few steps away from Saint Anne’s you will find the Pools of Bethesda. This is the spot where Jesus healed the paralytic in the Gospel of John, telling him to rise up and walk. The home where Mary grew up is also near the start of the Via Dolorosa, or Stations of the Cross. This paralytic was asked to take up his mat and walk while Jesus was asked to take up the cross and walk. A walk which would lead to the healing and transformation of all of us who are paralyzed by sin. Teaching Virtue Today the Church of Saint Anne is entrusted to The White Fathers who carry with them the mission of passing on the Faith through evangelization and education. The White Fathers are continuing the same task of Jesus’ grandparents. Mary’s parents raised their daughter with a solid formation and reading of Scripture. They provided her with a faith she could pass on to her own Son. We must not forget the important role that Mary’s parents had in her upbringing. Even Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI has addressed the significance and value of the family and the role that grandparents play. He said: Thinking of grandparents, of their testimony of love and fidelity to life, reminds us of the Biblical figures of Abraham and Sarah, of Elizabeth and Zechariah, of Joachim and Anne, as well as of the elderly Simeon and Anna and even Nicodemus: they all remind us that at every age the Lord asks each one for the contribution of his or her own talents. Again, we can call on the intercession of Saints Joachim and Anne to help us rise up to the occasion of sharing the Good News of the Gospel. A “Catholic” Grandparents Day One of the great joys of our Catholic Faith is celebrating the great faith of the Saints who intercede for us from Heaven today. Here are a few ideas inspired by teachingcatholickids.com for celebrating the Feast of Saints Joachim and Anne. You can participate in these activities whether you are single, married, or have children. If your grandparents live nearby, invite them over for a meal and go for a walk outside afterwards. If you live too far away from your grandparents to join them for a meal, give them a call or send them a card, thanking them for the gift that they have been in your life. Are you looking for some wise counsel? Consider asking them some of your own life questions. Reach out to an elderly neighbor or visit them in a nursing home. If you have children, have them design cards which they can bring along as gifts. Another fun activity you can do with children is to color this Saints Joachim and Anne coloring page and send it to grandparents. Finally, pray for your grandparents. Here is a beautiful prayer written by Pope Benedict XVI. I included a part of it below! A Prayer for Grandparents Lord Jesus, you were born of the Virgin Mary, the daughter of Saints Joachim and Anne. Look with love on grandparents the world over. Protect them! They are a source of enrichment for families, for the Church and for all of society. Support them! As they grow older, may they continue to be for their families strong pillars of Gospel faith, guardians of noble domestic ideals, living treasuries of sound religious traditions. Make them teachers of wisdom and courage, that they may pass on to future generations the fruits of their mature human and spiritual experience. Amen.   How will you celebrate the lives of Saints Joachim and Anne? What intentions do you want them to intercede for on your behalf? Entrust your heart to the parents who helped to form the Mother of God.   [bctt tweet="Meeting at the Golden Gate // Saints Joachim and Anne #BISblog //" via="no"]

Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed them to those who were reclining, and also as much of the fish as they wanted. // John 6:11 Love this from today's readings. Let His word dwell in us richly, sisters. Download your F R E E wallpapers right here --->>> Phone wallpaper Desktop wallpaper

“I was one way … and now I am completely different. And the thing that happened in between … was Him.” These are my favorite lines from Season 1 of The Chosen TV series that portray with artistic imagination and dialogue, the back-story of Jesus’ ministry, and in this episode, the life of Mary Magdalene. In this scene, Mary, who takes on the name Lileth, is plagued by demons that have thrust her into an immoral life. She is seen clinging to Isaiah 43 remembering how, as a frightened little girl, her father would reassure her with the words: Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. No One Can Help Mary Magdalen But Him As torment engulfs her life, she is visited by religious leaders including Nicodemus who, although caring about her, is incapable of helping her and acknowledges that only God could cast her demons out. Then, in a single moment, Jesus encounters her and calls her by name. Completely thunderstruck that anyone would know her "real" name, she turns to look and the intensity of His gaze pierces her darkness and the demons are cast out. She is free. The words of Nicodemus ring true: “Only God Himself could have drawn them out ...” Today we celebrate the feast of Saint Mary Magdalene, a "true and authentic evangelizer". Pope Francis’ appreciation for this “apostle of the apostles” inspired him in the Year of Mercy to elevate her place in the Church’s liturgical calendar from a memorial to a feast, drawing attention to her life, her faith, and the overwhelming grace of God extended to unworthy sinners like us. Demons and the Deliverer Mary Magdalene’s dark, deranged, and desperate existence is manifested in Luke 8:1-2. She is introduced as one cured of seven spirits. At first glance, it appears uncanny to be remembered this way in history, yet, this is precisely what sets her life apart. Her wounds become the place of her victory. Jesus met Mary at her worst. He gave her freedom and she gave Him her fears. Mary knew personal resurrection, not when the demons were cast out, but when she invited Jesus in. Only then was she permanently free, made spiritually new and given eternal life. Demon-possession is a difficult concept to grasp in our 21st century yet we are aware that we all struggle with our demons. There are days where the pull of sin is too strong; other days we wrestle with our past, our failures, and our defeat. In my own life, I’ve had to deal with the terrifying oppression of darkness following my conversion from atheism. I had deep wounds and too many demons to confront resulting from a godless existence. In my desperate pleas before a God who hears, I encountered the only way to freedom made available through Jesus Christ. “Only God Himself could have drawn them out ...” The demons are real but so is the Deliverer. You can trust Jesus to heal you. Which part of your history, your sin, that accident, that mishap, or that relationship needs to be named? There is no lingering surprise before God’s throne, only freedom bestowed. [bctt tweet="Saint Mary Magdalen's wounds become the place of her victory. #BISblog //" via="no"] Called by Name In John 20:11-18, following the crucifixion, Mary woke up early to anoint Jesus’ body, wanting to see Him one last time. She witnessed His miracles before. Could she hope for one even now? Worn out from Good Friday and with strength worn to a thread, Mary was frantic as she searched for Jesus' missing Body, mistaking Him for a Gardener. How profound that is! Jesus is the Divine Gardener, restoring the first garden that was fractured by Adam’s sin. As Mary sought for the One Who was dead dead, it is He who surprised her with life, calling her by name. “Mary!" Don’t we desire to be called in this most intimate way? The greatest event in history did not resound with a thunderbolt; it began in the calling of a name. Mary didn't have to wait until Heaven to experience the Resurrected Christ, she encountered Him in the ordinary, and so can we. Called Forth in Freedom At my moment of conversion, the brother who laid hands on me was praying in tongues, but I heard: “Michelle, I am here.” Astonished how he knew my name, I went to inquire only to find out that he didn’t know me at all. He concluded, “It is God calling you.” Over the years, the memory of that whisper remains etched in my spirit. But I am also aware that the thought of God knowing our names can be startling and frightening. We may live under the illusion that our flaws, fears, and fragile memories can stay hidden. But how might it change if we imagined God calling our names in the midst of it? Would we run and hide, afraid of being "seen" where we were once hidden? Or would we take a risk for freedom, found in the very Presence of One Who sees everything and still calls? Mary found herself in the midst of the greatest miracle. A new love song burst forth. It's a new beginning. The risk for the freedom Christ offers is worth it. It is worth turning, again and again, to find it. Christ calls us from within, only to propel us forward into freedom. Go and Tell Do you doubt that God can call you? The One who marks us with His own Name also trusts us to tell of the love that transforms. Who would say that a demon possessed woman would be entrusted to "go and tell"? Yet this is our story. Like Mary, we discover both a life beyond the grave and the freedom to go forth as the light, in the Name of the Light Who offers every sinner an opportunity for sainthood. There are no recorded miracles and signs by Mary in the Gospels but this we know: Mary was a lover, a faithful lover. This is how she is remembered. This is how we must be remembered. Sister, your past is not a barrier for God and your poor choices cannot derail His plans. The Resurrection can begin right here, right now, the moment you turn to look at Him. Hear Him call your Name. Hear Him whisper, “Fear not, for I have redeemed you ...” See Him offer you your own personal resurrection and then thank Him for the opportunity to go and tell: “I was one way….and now I am completely different. And the thing that happened in between… was Him.” Saint Mary Magdalene, pray for us!   [bctt tweet="The Thing that Happened in Between #BISblog //" via="no"]