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

I thought I lived my life with an intentional awareness of balance in our home life—not too many extracurricular activities for the kids and not too many commitments outside of the home for my husband and me. Sure, there were some days that I wished baseball practice was cancelled or would call upon my mother-in-law to take our daughter to musical theatre class. But I thought it was because I was just sleep-deprived and needed a little break from the routine, not because we had a lot going on. I would tell myself, “one extracurricular for each kid is doable.” But that didn't include the commitments my husband or I had or the ones we shared. A New Version of Home Life As our routines came to a screeching halt, we were thrust into a new(er) version of home life. At first, I felt the void for my children not being able to physically go to school. And then, little by little, their extracurricular activities fell away. I felt slightly relieved that I didn’t have to take the kids anywhere. During the week, days always felt like a mad dash to get the homework done, initial that we had completed the assigned reading, sign the homework to confirm that we did it, make dinner, eat dinner, start the bedtime routine...and don’t forget it's also spirit week! I really felt like that pace was taking away from the enjoyment of the time I spent with my family. Suddenly, I didn’t have to be a homework cop or try to plan ahead and think about what everyone’s needs outside of the home were. I could just focus on my family. The Most We've Lived at Home For many of us, this is as much as we have ever lived at home. We're eating at home, enjoying entertainment at home (like movies, board games, and cooking shows), and enjoying a live stream from the Cincinnati Zoo (I have learned so much about hippos with the kids). Our homes have become the front and center of everything we do. Grocery and retail shopping are now done from the couch. All outside distractions have been eliminated. Maybe we needed this time to return to each other, to return to the people for whom we do all these things. Keeping Family as a Priority Our families are at the center of the vocation given to us by God. We attempt to find balance when we feel our lives becoming too busy. We plan a vacation because we think it is the antidote that will rejuvenate us to get back into the reality of the routine. The theme parks, European vacations, summer beach trips, camping and all other outside experiences are good in and of themselves. But sometimes simply making those plans takes us away from each other. With many places in a state of pause right now, we are reminded that we aren’t required to go somewhere to make memories as a family. The world isn’t where we find time to be together. It is home. A Firm Foundation Those wonderful trips may pass us by, but the foundation of family life doesn’t. Children may have an opportunity to catch a glimpse of authentic marriage as spouses adjust to working from home and new dynamics. These circumstances create opportunities for healthy conflict resolution, which is a normal part of family life. Siblings may express opinions about one another and attempt to parent each other. As frustrating as those sibling squabbles or parental disagreements may be, they strengthen the family unit. While everything remains on pause, we have been presented with an opportunity for the whole family to reconnect in new and meaningful ways. We may not know what lies ahead, but everything we do within our homes will help us rediscover what we value, who we love, and how we love them. This helps us recommit ourselves to each other once reentry into the outside world occurs. Enjoying One Another Lately, our family has been trimming our rose bushes, making blueberry pancakes on Sundays, doing laundry together, and immersing ourselves in the very ordinary things of what it takes to run a household. For the first time in a long time, it's not just resting on my shoulders as a wife and mother. My husband can come downstairs from working from home and take out the trash or pop in to see how homeschooling is going. The kids can share the artwork they are so proud of in the middle of the day with their Dad, rather than waiting until he gets home from work. The time that I am not spending in the car is now used playing in our yard, watching Brother Francis on Formed, or praying the Divine Mercy Chaplet as a family. Suddenly, the world stopped. But it has allowed us to be home and to know what home is and that family is always at the center of everything we do. How has this time reframed your family life?   [bctt tweet="How to Keep Family as a Priority #BISblog //" via="no"]

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

I stand at the kitchen island slicing tomatoes. The lettuce and onion are already on the tray. There are french fries baking in the oven and a pan of brownies cooling on the counter. My oldest, a senior in high school, yells through the open back door, “Mom! The grill is ready! Can somebody bring me the burgers?” I grab the plate of hamburgers and the long spatula from the drawer and walk out to where he stands on the patio. “Thaaaaaaank you!” he says, in that funny way of his. I pat him on the back and smile as I walk back inside. “Girls!” I call. “It’s time to set the table!” And they come running, 12 and 9 years old, still giggling over whatever silly YouTube dance they’d been practicing together, to lay out the plates and napkins and utensils. I keep walking through the house and then out the front door this time to where my husband and our 15-year-old son are finishing up the yard work. “Dinner’s just about ready, guys. Time to wash up!” “We’ll be right in,” says my husband. “Thank goodness!” says our son. “I’m starving!” The Beautiful Ordinary I smiled as I walked back inside. These are my people! My heart and soul out in the world, dancing around, cooking dinner, helping each other. It wasn’t a special occasion, though. We weren’t celebrating anything in particular. It was just a plain old ordinary Saturday afternoon. And we were all together, and it was beautiful. Maybe that was a special occasion of its own. Because the closer we get to graduation, the less ordinary these days seem, and the more I treasure all of the seats at our kitchen table being filled. The more my heart comes close to bursting when these children of mine laugh together. And the more I find myself offering up quick prayers of thanksgiving for the gift of motherhood. Tissues Not Included I was so excited when my copy of Danielle Bean’s newest book Giving Thanks and Letting Go: Reflections on the Gift of Motherhood arrived on my doorstep. A friend who’d been given the chance to read an advanced copy had told me it was a must-read at this stage in my life. And after devouring the whole book in just under 48 hours, I have to agree with her. In 10 chapters and just over 100 pages, Danielle Bean takes her reader on a journey through years and experiences that inspire laughter, tears, and everything in between. It was an absolute joy to read. As a mom who’s about to send her very first baby out into the big wide world, I’m kind of wishing each copy of the book came with a complimentary box of tissues. Reminiscences and Reassurance Throughout the book, we travel back with the author as she remembers specific moments with each of her eight children. We read of this one’s difficult birth, that one’s broken bone, and the other one’s marriage proposal. She shares sweet stories about her relationship with her husband and how the years have seen their marriage grow. And she shares with us how her mission, her career, and her manner of evangelization has changed over the years. The constant theme in all of this, though, is the love, mercy, and generosity of God who is the source and summit of it all. God has mercy on mothers who feel gaps. And the biggest mercy of all is the reminder that these big kids who tear out pieces of our hearts and fly around the world with them are part of his plan for good. Our grown-up children can use those parts of themselves, formed by the pouring out of our very selves, to bless and change the world, one person, one connection at a time. Giving Thanks and Letting Go As I lean back in my chair after dinner later that night, wiping tears of laughter from my eyes, I send up (yet another) quick prayer in gratitude for these children and this husband of mine. And I realize that maybe not all of those tears were from laughter. There’s a poignancy to motherhood that is becoming more and more real to me as the years go on. And I realize something important—I’ve been letting them go for some time now, already. From the first time they toddle away from us on their own two chubby legs, to that first solo bike ride, to asking for the car keys for the evening, our children are always asking us to let them go. And little by little, step by step, we do just that. We teach them, we steady them, we give them a soft place to land...and then we let them fly. Thank you, Danielle Bean, for writing a book that can be a soft place for us to land when they do. Have you read this book yet? Tell me your thoughts in the comments!   [bctt tweet="Giving Thanks and Letting Go #BISblog //" via="no"] This post contains affiliate links. Thanks so much for supporting the ministry of Blessed is She!

Pregnancy is a beautiful and often difficult season. A season of waiting, longing, excitement, worry and ultimately, total dependence on Jesus. For me, I have never been more aware of my own humanity than when pregnant. I am not the One who breathed this child into existence. I have no control over how the pregnancy goes. I cannot guarantee that I will hold this baby in my arms. It is a time of learning to completely surrender all my perceived control and trust in God and His goodness and provision—no matter the outcome. As I write this, I am nearly 27 weeks pregnant with my third child. We are in the midst of strange, unprecedented times in our country and world, as everyone is consumed with fighting COVID-19. Pregnancy is already an exercise in total surrender and loss of control, but this feels like an entirely different ball game! I’ve never needed prayer as an anchor in my life more than these past few weeks. And with the future so uncertain, prayer is the thing that is grounding me as I try to envision and plan the remaining weeks until this baby’s arrival. Praying through Pregnancy There are so many incredible prayers to turn to during pregnancy, from the Litany of Trust to the Prayer to Our Lady of la Leche. As I’ve prayed through two-and-a-half pregnancies, I’ve picked up some specific ways of praying that have proved to be really fruitful. Pray through Symptoms Offering up whatever symptoms I might be experiencing and uniting them, in my very small way, to Jesus’ suffering on the Cross has been very powerful for me. Whether it’s morning sickness, headaches, extreme fatigue, food aversions, heartburn, or whatever you might be experiencing, you can offer up your discomfort and know that it’s consoling the Heart of Jesus to do so. What does it mean to offer it up? It doesn’t mean to pretend you aren’t struggling or to paste on a fake smile, but rather to pray that your discomfort would be meaningful and that Christ would use it how He sees fit. Consider offering up your experience for a friend who longs for a child in their arms or one who lost a child. Offer for all those experiencing infertility or simply for mothers everywhere. Additionally, give thanks for symptoms you don’t have! It can often feel like you’re just drowning in every miserable symptom, but a quick look at BabyCenter will likely remind you otherwise. Grab a journal and dot down some symptoms you’ve been spared! Let the Baby’s Development Inspire You Grab your favorite baby app, and let the baby’s development week-by-week inspire how you pray. When the baby’s heart is developing, you can pray for a heart for Jesus and others, a heart for the marginalized, a heart for justice. As the little hands and feet begin to form, pray that they would be the hands and feet of Jesus. As the lungs are growing, pray for the Holy Spirit to infuse them with the breath of life. You get the picture! This has been a beautiful and powerful way to both connect with the baby being knit together beneath my ribs, and pray intentionally for them. Pray for Dad While pregnancy is a time of immense change for the expecting mom, it is also a great time to pray for dad! Although he may not be dealing with the not-so-fun symptoms of early pregnancy or feeling every kick and flutter, he is still adjusting and growing and preparing for the arrival of this child. If you haven’t already, ask your husband how you can pray for him specifically as it pertains to pregnancy. It’s a beautiful way to grow together as a couple and be united in this vocation God has called you to—the mission of parenthood. WRITE + PRAY We invite you to sit with the Word and unpack it in a uniquely personal way, finding your own story. Discover your story within His. GET WRITE AND PRAY Turn to Our Lady and the Saints How gracious God was to give us the ultimate model of motherhood in the Blessed Virgin Mary! If you’ve never had a strong devotion to Jesus’ Mother, now is the perfect time to start. After all, she understands what we as women and mothers are going through. She carried a child for nine months in her womb. She faced uncertainty during her pregnancy. She may have experienced loneliness and sadness as friends and family turned their backs due to her situation. She gets it. She is a mother in every way, and she wants nothing more than to walk alongside you, intercede for you, and wrap you in her mantle of peace as you journey through pregnancy. We also have incredible models and friends to look up to in the Saints. There are so many incredible examples of Godly mothers in the saints, like St. Zelie Martin, St. Gianna, and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton. As you prepare to be a mother—whether it is your first child or fifth—turn to the Saints and ask for their prayers! The Communion of Saints is a beautiful part of our Catholic Faith, and what a gift we have in it! Total Surrender Pregnancy is a time unlike any other. It's a time of total surrender and reliance, more than ever, on Jesus’ strength to sustain you. May it also be a time of deeper relationship with Jesus, His Mother, as well as the Saints. May you experience great growth in your faith! Our Lady of la Leche, pray for us! Mary, Mother of God, pray for us! What prayer practices have you found fruitful during pregnancy?   [bctt tweet="Praying through Pregnancy #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

Looking forward to next school year even more this year? We are, too. To help sweeten the wait, we are thrilled to release the 2020-2021 Catholic planner! Come take a tour? The Purpose of the 2026-2027 Catholic Planner For the last several years, Blessed is She has brought us the first ever liturgical planner for Catholic women. The hope is to provide women of all ages and phases of life with a tool to help them plan intentional and faith-filled days. Even more than that, this year's planner seeks to profoundly deepen our relationship with the Lord. Pray This year's Catholic planner invites us to encounter Christ as we plan our days with and for Him. At the beginning of every month, you'll begin in prayer and reflection. So before we even "put pen to paper", we will be seeking the Heart of God. We will spend time asking Him what He wants our months, weeks, days, and hours to look like in His Kingdom. So before we construct our plans, we allow Him to construct our hearts. Plan Once you've spent time with Him, now is the time to live out the fruit of your prayer. Now is the time to be good stewards of our lives by ordering them. Now is when we arrive at the monthly prep pages and the weekly pages. The monthly layout shows us the liturgical season and includes feast days! It is a flexible tool that you can use for anything from a general overview of major events in your month to meal planning! In the big planner, the weekly prep pages are useful for meal planning, list making, focused prayer, and note taking. Then, you can see your week broken down my days and hours. This planner helps us keep first things first. It's beautiful to reference as we begin our days and at the end of our days to reflect with gratitude. In the mini planner, you have space to reflect upon your goals for that month and to jot down prayer intentions as they cross your mind and heart. Then, each weekly layout includes feast days, daily gratefuls, and—at your overwhelming request—a place to meal plan! Each planner also has a Notes section in the back, which I think is immensely useful! Want to Know More? GET YOUR BIG PLANNER HERE If you have other questions about the planner, check out our FAQ page! Will you be using the Blessed is She liturgical planner this year?! For Your Prayer Life Deepen your daily prayer life with a planner built around the Liturgical Year. Shop the Catholic Liturgical Planner →

Sometimes I feel like I need a spiritual boost in order to re-ignite my prayer life. I feel like I know all the things I should know in order not to get lax in prayer, but there are times when I feel myself getting lazy. There are a lot of things I could try to do in this state. I could read the hottest new book on the Catholic bookshelf or find a religious talk to go to—both are very good ways to try to grow in my Faith. Yet, I find that I often receive inspiration in the things which I too frequently take for granted and look past. To put it simply, I find Jesus when I am being more childlike. Recognizing Your Identity There is one short story that always builds a hunger in me to sit with the Father, and this is the book You Are Special by Max Lucado. This childhood favorite of mine reads like a love letter from God the Father to me His child. Now, when I read this book to my daughter, I love that I am both teaching her about God’s love while also being reminded of how precious I am in His sight. When I turn the last page over, my heart longs to run to the Father and sit at His feet, listening to His words of truth over my life. One way I’ve learned to sit with the Father more intentionally (or Eli, as He is named in the book) is by praying with Scripture through Lectio Divina. Praying With Scripture Lectio Divina is Latin for “Divine Reading” and it is a great way to dive more deeply into the Word of God. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI emphasized the power of Lectio Divina in his Apostolic Exhortation Verbum Domini. Here he mentioned Lectio Divina as a way to “be struck by the inexhaustible freshness of God’s word which never grows old.” He quoted the early Christian scholar, Origen, who said to never give up praying with Scripture: If during the lectio you encounter a closed door, knock and it will be opened to you...By applying yourself in his way to lectio divina, search diligently and with unshakable trust in God for the meaning of the divine Scriptures, which is hidden in great fullness within. God’s Word is always new and alive. The Simple Steps of Lectio Divina To enter into the “inexhaustible freshness ofGod’s word”, set aside a minimum of ten minutes to pray with Lectio Divina. This will allow you to really soak up the words you are praying with in Scripture. You can start by choosing a passage that intrigues you, or you could start with the Gospel of the day. The Gospels are a great place to start because it is where we hear Jesus’ words directly. Daily Mass readings can be found here. 1. Lectio (Reading) First read through the passage and try to understand what the text is saying. What word or phrase stands out to you? 2. Meditatio (Meditation/Reflection) Read through the passage a second time, but this time more slowly. Pay close attention to the word or phrase which stood out to you during your first reading of the passage. Then, meditate on what Jesus is saying to you. Read through the passage a third and final time and at an even slower pace. Really place yourself in the scene of the Scripture passage. 3. Oratio (Prayer) This time is for praying with the passage you chose to read, specifically with the word or phrase that jumped out at you. Ask the Lord how He wants you to use what He has shown you, and offer Him a prayer of thanksgiving. 4. Contemplatio (Contemplation) Use your final few minutes to contemplate what the Lord revealed to you and spend this time basking in His love. Perhaps use this time to journal. WRITE + PRAY We invite you to sit with the Word and unpack it in a uniquely personal way, finding your own story. Discover your story within His. GET WRITE AND PRAY Additional Resources for Daily Spiritual Inspiration The Magnificat One of my favorite guides for prayer is the Magnificat. This monthly publication guides the reader along the liturgical seasons by providing daily content applying to the daily Mass readings and feast days. The portions of the Magnificat which I read each day include the daily Mass readings and the daily meditation. The daily meditations are written by Saints, great spiritual writers, and contemporary authors ranging from Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI to a mother who lost her daughter in a school shooting. It also offers morning and evening prayers which draw from the Liturgy of the Hours, essays on the lives of the Saints, and commentaries on sacred art. Blessed is She’s Rooted Study This study book on the Catechism includes seven separate studies written by seven different authors. These studies range from three to eight sessions and each session is intended to be one meeting. Sessions include a summary of the Catechism’s teaching on the topic, Scripture passages, a short reflection from the author, and questions for reflection. The Scripture passages would be a great place to start with Lectio Divina! Topics include the Virtues, Ways to Pray, and the Seven Sacraments. You could go through the study on your own, or gather a group of friends or parishioners to join you. We All Need Spiritual Inspiration Saint Ignatius of Loyola frequently speaks of the reality of both consolation and desolation. He says that we can all expect to experience times of desolation. Yet in these times we must resist the temptation of the devil who is using such times to try his best to lure us into despair. In times of spiritual dryness, know that you are not alone. In such a time, call on the intercession of Saint Teresa of Calcutta who experienced spiritual desolation for much of her life. Despite her struggle, she reminds us that Jesus is near to us. She writes: Just keep the lamp burning and you will always see him. Keep on filling the lamp with all these little drops of love, and you will see how sweet is the Lord you love. No matter where you are on your journey, the Lord wants to bring you in deeper. He is near to you. How do you find spiritual inspiration?   [bctt tweet="How to Find Spiritual Inspiration When You Feel Like You've Seen and Heard It All #BISblog //" via="no"]

You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence. // Acts 2:28 Download these beautiful free wallpapers from Abigail Katherine Rose from today's readings. Let His word dwell in us richly, sisters. Remember, Members, you get this 8x10 digital download for free! Head to the shop for your download. Download your F R E E wallpapers right here --->>> Phone wallpaper Desktop wallpaper

I had a plan. He was pretty much perfect, and I knew exactly how things would go for us. My imagination ran wild with ideas for the future which seemed inexpressibly bright and full of hope. All those St. Joseph novenas were finally being answered. Then, that conversation happened. You know, the one where he says you’re not the one. I remember the ironic warmth of the day and the sounds of laughter from a park nearby. The universe was blissfully unaware of my broken heart. Looking Forward to the Future When the Present is Painful How do we look forward to the future when the future just crumbled before our eyes? As a musician, I continued traveling and performing and writing music. But really, I stood still for months. Life washed over me, but I didn’t move. One rainy afternoon, I walked into my friend Kirsten’s house for a co-write. I know this is weird, but in Nashville, writing sessions are scheduled (as if creativity is something you can plan). Kirsten asked how I was doing. Tears streamed down my face as I told her the story and my inability to let go of my version of happily ever after. She looked at me lovingly and explained that I wasn’t alone. And she finished by saying something strikingly beautiful: Our neat and tidy idea of the future is never secure, but we are always securely held by the Father. Preach, sister. I needed to hear that. A Melody of this Moment In light of this conversation, we wandered towards the piano and began to write lyrics.... I don’t have the answers I wish that I had At the end of my questions is One brave new step I don’t have tomorrow Just one more deep breathe At the end of my sorrow is One brave new step It takes bravery to walk forward in a direction you never intended to walk. I am realizing the promise was never a comfortable, predictable life. God wants us to be brave, brave like Our Lady whose "yes" to a change of plans changed the world. One Brave New Step Today, there is so much uncertainty, but each brave new step brings us closer to a God Whose plan is for you to be with Him. We are always walking towards Home if we are walking by faith. I’m reminded of a quote from my spiritual fairy godmother, Ann Voskamp: Maybe grieving over plans changed is part of the plan to change us. My friend and I finished “Brave New Step” in just a couple of hours. As Kirsten and I exchanged stories from friends who have miscarried, lost jobs, lost loved ones, lost their way, I realized quickly that my heartbreak wasn’t the only thing going on in the world. Many people were taking much braver steps than I was. We are all living unplanned and unforeseen lives. A Song of Thanks + Trust A couple years later, I would be lying if I told you that I am always perfectly joyful in this new journey. This story does not end with me dating the Catholic Tim Tebow and out on a rescheduled (Coronavirus-free) world tour. I honestly don’t know where I am being led, but I know Who is leading me. That is enough of a reason to be brave. I clung to the ashes I didn’t want to forget But I am ready to let go Take one brave new step This video was created by people around the world to thank all the brave health care workers who are working tirelessly and risking their own health to keep us safe during the Covid-19 pandemic. [bctt tweet="Brave New Step: When All Our Best Laid Plans Change #BISblog //" via="no"]   Marie Miller is a singer/songwriter and mandolin player from the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia. She grew up on a small vineyard with her parents and nine siblings in an old house named Glenway. Her most notable performance was for Pope Francis and 700,000 attendees at the Festival of Families in Philadelphia, PA.

A few years ago, I heard a newscaster reporting on a scene from the Vatican, in which Pope Francis presided over the Liturgy during Ordinary Time. The newscaster, offering commentary on the event, enthusiastically shared that in the spirit of Earth Day, the Pope was sporting green vestments. His observation was as innocent as it was inaccurate, which made it all the more humorous. Yet, it gets to the heart of what can feel is a disjointed relationship between the faithful and our responsibility to be good stewards of creation. Being Catholic and Caring for Creation This month, we celebrate Earth Day, a federal holiday acknowledging the importance of caring for the planet and our role in that as human beings. As Catholics, this day offers both cause for celebration and a challenge. Why? Since the publication of Pope Francis’ encyclical, Laudato Si, the mainstream media have heralded the Church for prioritizing care for creation, and this is well-deserved. What gets less press are the strides taken by Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. He was dubbed the "green Pope" for his multiple calls for a greater stewardship among all people of faith, Catholics in particular. Pope St. John Paul II went so far as to say: Instead of carrying out his role as co-operator with God in the work of creation, man sets himself up in place of God and thus ends up provoking a rebellion on the part of nature, which is more tyrannized than governed by him. (Centesimus Annus 37) Another voice that added to the conversation was Pope Paul VI in 1967 when he wrote Populorum Progressio (On the Development of Peoples). In fact, he encouraged us to be men and women with a responsible vision for development of the world in tandem with God’s instructions for Adam and Eve in Genesis. This provides the foundation of "Care for Creation" as one of the seven tenets of Catholic Social Teaching. Creation + Care for the Vulnerable As we can see in both Scripture and Tradition, the Church has a rich history of connecting care for creation with care for the vulnerable, God’s anawim. When air, land, or water, are contaminated by irresponsible use, those on the margins are the first to experience the consequences. Because of our responsibility to Love God and our neighbor as ourselves, we are not exempt from the challenging call to be part of the solution rather than the problem. In addition to the Popes and Bishops who have been speaking to the subject for decades, there are contemporary voices like Dan Misleh and those at the Catholic Climate Covenant who speak meaningfully about this invitation. Sr. Dorothy Stang, whose cause for canonization is underway, was martyred in the Amazon for her solidarity with peasant farmers getting in the way of development of highly valuable land and resources. I truly believe this place of conscientiousness is worthy of celebration. What Stewardship of Creation Looks Like Perhaps the challenge lies in an openness to personal examination and a willingness to change our habits. The Church’s teaching on care for creation is reflected in what Pope Francis referred to avoiding a "throwaway culture." Stewardship is about accountability. Practical Steps of Stewardship What might it look like for you and I to claim stewardship as a hallmark of our life as Catholics? Offer God praise for the beautiful place we live. Shop locally or ethically for food/clothing—learn about the companies your purchases support. Carpool, pick up friends, neighbors, or those who don’t drive on your way to church (or anywhere). Shop with reusable bags. Pick up trash/don’t litter. Treat creation as the indispensable gift it was intended to be, rather than a means to profit. Support organizations who educate about responsible stewardship. As a family, parish, or workplace: recycle! Think of alternatives to serving food or coffee in styrofoam. "Live simply that others might simply live." This pithy bit of wisdom encourages each of us to assess what it is we need and how our habits affect the lives of others (clothing/shopping, food, travel, transportation, trash, chemicals, and so on). Rather than remaining ignorant of the impact our choices have on others, living simply is an invitation to be intentional and informed in a way that doesn’t harm another for my own personal gain. Rather, it is possible that life around me might flourish if I heed this call. Bless the Lord The profit Daniel illustrates this beautifully: Let the earth bless the Lord, praise and exalt him above all forever. Mountains and hills, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever. Everything growing on earth, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever. You springs, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever. Seas and rivers, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever. You sea monsters and all water creatures, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever. All you birds of the air, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever. All you beasts, wild and tame, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever. All you mortals, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever. (Daniel 3: 74-82) Daniel’s words remind us that all of creation offers praise to the Creator. Rather than a practice unaffected by our faith, would that our efforts at stewardship be animated by acknowledging creation as a gift! The whole earth is a living icon of the face of God. -St. John of Damascus   [bctt tweet="Catholicism + Stewardship of the Earth #BISblog //" via="no"]

A novena is an ancient devotion in which you pray certain prayers for nine days for special graces, a specific intention, or in preparation for a feast day. Many people don't understand the power of novenas but they are, indeed, very powerful. When people pray novenas, they don't always receive specifically what they request, but they do always get an answer in some form. 9 Ways Novenas Can Help Us Overcome Disappointments Recently, I completed two novenas that helped me greatly and have started a third one. The first novena provided me with clarity that I needed and the second novena gave me peace with a decision, so I do believe the third novena will be helpful as well. In honor of the all the graces I received from the novenas I completed, here is a list of nine ways I believe novenas can help you overcome disappointments in life. 1. You learn to surrender your hopes. You may have expectations about the results your novena will bring. But as you begin your novena, you learn to let go of those expectations and surrender your intentions to the Lord. You realize that the novena is supposed to change you and help you align your will with God's will. 2. You grow in love of prayer. If you didn't have a great appreciation for prayer before, you will once you start a novena. Novenas require faith and the commitment to praying specific prayers for a certain period of time. You will start looking forward to praying the novena for your specific intention and your faith will also increase. 3. You gain a sense of humility. You only get to the point of praying a novena when you recognize that you can only accomplish so much alone. You need the intercession of Saints and the help of God for things beyond your capabilities. You realize that you need to humble yourself to ask for help from above. 4. You start to trust God more. In Luke 17:6, the Lord says: If you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you may say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted, and be transplanted to the sea.' And it would obey you. When you pray a novena, your faith will allow you to start trusting more in God and His plans for you. 5. You begin to believe the truth about your own goodness and self-worth. Novenas can help improve your self-esteem by showing you that you are worthy of many things, including love, answered prayers, joy, acceptance, and contentment. If you're praying the novena with a community, you can develop a sense of belonging and accountability. WRITE + PRAY We invite you to sit with the Word and unpack it in a uniquely personal way, finding your own story. Discover your story within His. GET WRITE AND PRAY 6. You relate more to the Saint who is interceding for you. If you're praying the novena of a certain Saint, you will naturally want to learn more about that Saint and will probably discover that you have more in common with the Saint than you originally thought. The Saint had trials and difficulties just like you, yet persevered and reached Heaven. Since the Saint faced similar circumstances as you, you know that he or she can be your best advocate to God. 7. You become more realistic about your intention. There will come a point in time, usually in the last days of your novena, when you start getting an answer for your intention. Maybe you prayed for a sick aunt and she has started recovering, or maybe you prayed for a future husband and he's nowhere to be seen. At this point, you become more realistic about what you asked for and what God was able to do for you. Does your aunt's slow recovery mean that she will ever be 100%? She may never be, but the slow recovery does mean that God wants her to have some comfort and wants you to believe for–and continue to pray for–her healing. Does the fact that you didn't meet a man by the end of your novena mean that you'll never get married? Well, it could mean that or it could mean that it is not yet God's timing. The novena may, instead, help you confirm your vocation is marriage and help you be more patient in selecting and praying for your future spouse. 8. You develop a sense of peace. Before the end of your novena, you will develop a sense of peace within yourself. You have prayed fervently for your intention and you have gained the understanding that God is working on you and for you. If your heart is open to the graces a novena can grant you, you will obtain peace and spiritual healing. No matter what the results are, you are at peace knowing that everything is in God's hands. 9. You increase your gratitude. Lastly, as you start to develop peace, joy, acceptance and contentment, your gratitude will also increase. Whether the answer to your intention was what you wanted or not, you become grateful for the opportunity to complete the novena and grow in your faith and trust in the Lord. You will recognize that the Lord was moulding you during your novena and that many of your worries and fears began to dissipate while you were praying. You also begin to grow in confidence that God only wants what's best for you and for others. How have novenas helped you overcome disappointments in the past? [bctt tweet="9 Ways Novenas Can Help You Overcome Disappointments #BISblog //" via="no"]   Maria Montemayor is a Toronto-based writer with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and political science. She loves hearing from her readers. You can write to her at maria.montemayor (at) hotmail (dot) com.

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, his mercy endures forever. // Psalm 118:1 Download these free wallpapers from Elayne of Annunciation Designs from today's Responsorial Psalm. Let His word dwell in us richly, sisters. Remember, Members, you get this 8x10 digital download for free! Head to the shop for your download. Download your F R E E wallpapers right here --->>> Phone wallpaper Desktop wallpaper

Sex, Catholicism, and feminism. Do I have your attention? These words are spoken about more frequently these days, both online and in Catholic culture. You might not think that those three words go together at all. In many ways, these words do go together. The intersection of these words have powerful implications for the Catholic Church and for women. Defining Terms and Exploring History A few years ago while browsing the FemCatholic recommended books to read, my eye was caught by Sue Ellen Browder’s book Subverted: How I Helped the Sexual Revolution Hijack the Women’s Movement. As a woman who values certain but not all ideals held by feminism, I was very interested to read this book from the perspective of a woman who used to identify as a secular feminist. One of the main things I learned? Abortion and contraception were never originally a part of the 1960’s women’s movement. I was shocked. The book went more deeply into the background and history of how those changes came to be. Fast-forward to the present day. Sex and the Catholic Feminist Book Review In January of 2020, Sue Ellen Browder released her newest book, Sex and the Catholic Feminist: New Choices for a New Generation. The premise of this book delves more deeply into tracing back the roots and history of feminism in the United States while taking up a battle cry for the ardent need for Catholic women to take back the word (and ideals) of feminism. Secular feminism has reduced a woman’s dignity and personhood merely to her sex organs and desirability. At the same time, it denies motherhood and marriage and exults abortion and contraception. How Did We Get Where We are Today? The author does an incredible job of laying the historical foundation of feminism in this country (also covered in her previous book). In this book, she also introduces readers to several women from the women’s movement in the 1960s and how their individual influence has brought our culture to where it is today. I want to highlight two of them so you can get a fuller picture of how we ended up here. Betty Friedan + The Feminine Mystique When asked to conduct a survey for a college reunion, Betty began to realize how the prosperity and consumerism of the day was not making women happy. While unhappy in her own marriage, the Smith College survey revealed that many other educated, suburban women were struggling with a sense of emptiness in their lives. Betty defined what she thought was the problem: a deeply-ingrained cultural belief that feminine fulfillment was to “just be a housewife” (the feminine mystique). Betty believed the solution was work. The problem is that she oversimplified and misnamed the problem. Clearly looking at modern culture today, the world of total work has not set women free at all. Interestingly enough, Betty’s book and call for feminism initially included things like marriage, motherhood, college degrees, and careers. But how did this original feminism go so far off the tracks? Helen Gurley Brown + Sex and the Single Girl + Cosmpolitan editor-in-chief Her book Sex and the Single Girl, a forerunner to the TV show Sex in the City, came out in 1962. It quickly became a sensational best-seller which strove to blow away the “myth” that a woman must be married to enjoy a satisfying life. In the 1960s and 1970s, Helen was one of the leading women in America promoting Alfred Kinsey’s reduction of a woman’s personhood to the level of a sexual animal. Interestingly enough, she was also the editor-in-chief of Cosmopolitan magazine for 32 years. High numbers of these women living a supposedly fulfilling, sexually-liberated life didn't actually exist. Her solution? She and writers for her magazine made them up. Yes, writers began to lie and make up stories about women to change their minds and hearts about sexuality. Several chapters further explain this in the book, and it blew me away. A Foundation of Lies So in many ways, you could say that the secular feminism of today was built on a foundation of lies. More or less, the seductive marketing story Cosmo told (and still tells) is that sex without commitment is glamorous. One of the powerful things this book left me thinking about is the power of media, stories, and how those things can sway people’s beliefs and opinions. Lifting the Veil Without giving away more of this gem of a book, I hope this review gives you an idea of some of the important themes the author discusses. Sue Ellen takes the reader on a journey of the transformation of her heart, which eventually led her home to the Catholic Church! As Catholic women, as a Church, we need to know these parts of history to better understand how to minister and reach the hearts of women in the world around us. We have a right to know the truth about the stories of how things played out in the history of the women’s movement and feminism. Have you read this book? What did you think of it? [bctt tweet="Sex and the Catholic Feminist Book Review #BISblog //" username="amoderngrace"]   This post contains affiliate links. Thanks so much for supporting the ministry of Blessed is She!

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

Sometime after your 35th birthday, when you find a moment to actually take a break from the hamster wheel you seem to be perpetually stuck on, you reflect on how mid-life looks on you. You’ve hit some major milestones and celebrated accordingly. You’re educated, and that education is important to you. Thoughtfulness, reflection, and intelligent discussion are your love language. Not in a pretentious way, however. If a friend engages you in thoughtful conversation with articulate points and a moderate perspective, your brain lights up and your mind feels invigorated. Milestones and Musings of Adulthood With these milestones, however, have come transitions, setbacks, and even disappointments. You’re starting to second-guess some major life decisions. The novelty of young adulthood is starting to wear off. You appreciate the maturation of wisdom that advanced from your 20’s to your 30’s, but life is starting to seem, well, more mundane, more complex, and overall more tiring. Recently you’ve experienced a major transition: a new baby, a career change, a big move… and your lack of flexibility troubles you. Whereas, when you got your first job, you felt like you could take on the world and rid it of its injustices, now you feel a little lost, and unsure if you will regain that same confident step you once had. The bad habits you tried to fix as a child and young adult (shyness, procrastination, avoidance) seem to be magnified now as you try to figure out where you fit in this world. You still seem to be deciding what you want to be when you grow up. You’re beginning to notice physical signs of your age. While there is still a clear youthful beauty in your eyes, crow's feet appear at your temples. Between stress eating, pregnancy, and lack of an exercise routine, you’ve gained a stubborn fifteen pounds that have forced you to change your wardrobe style into something less chic. You've Lived Some Life You know you're not alone in your quiet struggles of everyday life; you have friends who have suffered some major blows. The excitement of weddings and new babies has given way to stories of infertility or divorce. Maybe these hardships are part of of your own story. Social Understanding Social media, while providing a quick shot of addictive dopamine, leaves you with confusing and contradicting messages. Your feed is full of mommy blogs showcasing their messy homes and parenting misadventures, providing chuckles and affirmation that you’re not the only hot-mess-mom out there. Then there are the longer essay-style articles about the mental load of mothers, which also affirm your levels of exhaustion, but never really provide easy answers to solve the problem. All the calls for self-care, decluttering, slowing down, eating right, and exercise overwhelm you as simply more categories of incompetence and failure. This is the thick of adulthood. Is This All There Is? You ask yourself, "Is this really all there is?" In a way, yes. The exhaustion, the sadness, the mundane drudgery….we live in a fallen world and perhaps all this isolation, loneliness, and overwhelm is what the curse of Original Sin looks like. As the line of the Hail, Holy Queen prayer reminds us… ...this is our exile. But deep down, you also know better. WRITE + PRAY We invite you to sit with the Word and unpack it in a uniquely personal way, finding your own story. Discover your story within His. GET WRITE AND PRAY The One Constant The one constant in your life has been your Faith. Even if you've church-hopped in the past, or experienced a bitter hiatus from the Church altogether, you are never quite able to deny your title as Daughter of God. You know that it's a permanent mark of your identity, even on the days when you don’t feel it. No matter how much you question what God is doing (or is He even listening?), you keep returning to your little prayer corner in your home, you keep reaching for your Bible, you keep arriving to the pew in the back of the church just as the opening hymn is starting. It is in the silent prayer of your broken heart that you rest in this truth: You are known and loved. Radically loved. What You Can Do Today There will always be tension between our purpose in this life and our longing for the next. As much as we desire to be with our Creator for all eternity, we also know that we have to fulfill our mission in this life: to love God and to love others. For today, you can love. And when tomorrow comes, you can love. And that is enough. And once you remind yourself of this greater purpose...beneath the piles of laundry, above the noise of the kids whining, beyond the worry of limited funds in the checking account, you begin to see some slices of Heaven: The baby watching you with adoring eyes, clapping his chubby hands. The most magnificent sunset on the horizon as you race home from your little soccer player’s practice to start dinner. The warmth of a sleepy preschooler as he snuggles up, listening to you read his favorite book (again). The fresh breeze on your face and the sound of a whippoorwill from your back porch after the kids have finally fallen asleep. These are reasons for joy. His joy is your strength, and His love is infinite. And that is enough for today.   [bctt tweet="The Spiritual Life in the Thick of Adulthood #BISblog //" via="no"]   Kimberly Lynch is a wife and mother, incessant over-thinker, language geek, coffee junkie, and writer. She and her husband raise their large-ish brood in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. You can find out more about her here.

To him all the prophets bear witness, that everyone who believes in him will receive forgiveness of sins through his name. // Acts 10:43 Download these beautiful free wallpapers from Lauren Thomas from today's readings. Let His word dwell in us richly, sisters. Remember, Members, you get this 8x10 digital download for free! Head to the shop for your download. Download your F R E E wallpapers right here --->>> Phone wallpaper Desktop wallpaper

What a strange time we are all experiencing. Walking outside of our convent—which is on our school and parish grounds—I'm met with quiet. We are used to the sounds of faithful activity: the children playing during the day, faith formation classes, guitar groups, youth group at night. I saw a post on social media that said, “This is the Lentiest Lent that ever Lented.” More than that, these days have a feeling of Holy Saturday. A very,very long Holy Saturday. The Silence of Holy Saturday, the Silence of Now Holy Saturday is a day of emptiness, but also of hopeful anticipation of the Resurrection. I always find myself in a mix of emotions—a little lost without the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament, excited for Easter, and a bit anxious for the Triduum to be over. As Sisters, we are in silence from Holy Thursday until the Easter Vigil, which intensifies the whole situation as well. Every year, I feel an urgency during the Triduum to pray for the Church to “stay awake.” I feel that same intensity and silence now as we are facing this pandemic as a Church. Our Mission Has Not Changed As I was praying before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament yesterday during our Holy Hour, the Lord reminded me that, even though the world looks quite different right now, my vocation and your vocation has not changed. Exteriorly, my apostolate looks different. I spend a lot more time looking at a computer screen now rather than the beautiful faces of my students entrusted to my care. However, the computer screen is a tool, and not the work. The work, the apostolate, the goal of each of our vocations—whether single, married or religious—has not changed. My ultimate role as an educator has not changed. I am still to do everything I can to get those entrusted to my care to Heaven. [bctt tweet="The work, the apostolate, the goal of each of our vocations—whether single, married or religious—has not changed. #BISblog //" via="no"]   It’s easy to lose sight of that in the everyday business of our lives. As Pope Francis said in his special Urbi et Orbi address on March 27th, 2020: Prayer and quiet service; these are our victorious weapons. Bringing You Before Him in the Eucharist As a Sister and bride of Christ, I am all the more aware during this time that we represent the entire people of God when we pray before Our Lord in the Eucharist. We know that it is our privilege and our duty to unite ourselves more completely with Christ and His people. Our lives are set apart precisely for God and for you. So I am taking this time very seriously. I am being called to pray for you personally, and for us as a community of Faith. I am praying that we are all healthy and safe, and that the Lord draws us closer to Himself and to our families. Let's Not Waste This Time We all know Lent is a time to slow down and turn to the Lord. Although not one of us could have predicted Lent 2020 would look quite like this, let us make the best of this time. Let's become the saints God is calling us to be, because our mission has not changed. This is not the Lent we chose, but it is the Lent that God chose for us. And He is always good and always about our good. May the Lord continue to light the way. Jesus, we trust in You.   [bctt tweet="Our Mission Has Not Changed #BISblog //" via="no"]   Sr. Mary Claire of the Holy Family is a member of the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity (SOLT) and currently serves in Phoenix Arizona where she shares the love of Jesus with her middle schoolers. A Tennessee girl who could live on Dr. Pepper and popcorn, she'd love to road trip with St. John Paul II, Servant of God Leonie Martin, and Captain America.