Often, when I think of St. Francis of Assisi, I feel overwhelmed by the legacy of his holiness. At first glance, the heights of his sanctity seem out of reach. His radical charity, his desire for poverty, and his extraordinary joy are difficult to comprehend, let alone live out. It is easy to think of great Saints like Francis and become disheartened. How can I, a wife and mother, live out Franciscan charity, poverty, and joy? After prayer and reflection, the answer was pressed upon my heart. St. Francis was charitable because Christ was charitable. St. Francis chose poverty because Christ was poor. He was joyful because of Christ’s joy. [bctt tweet="St. Francis was charitable because Christ was charitable. St. Francis chose poverty because Christ was poor. He was joyful because of Christ’s joy. #BISblog //" username="findphilothea"] Lovers and Imitators of Christ No matter what state of life or vocation we're in, we are called to be lovers and imitators of Christ. When I started thinking of Francis’ life as a beautiful love story instead of a giant list of virtues, I became inspired instead of discouraged. Fall in love with Christ and the charity, poverty, and joy will fruitfully follow. Knowing, loving, and imitating the life of Christ leads to holiness and sanctity. This is true whether we are a Franciscan friar walking the streets of Assisi or a mother walking the halls of her home. The Communion of Saints We all have unique gifts that God desires to cultivate and that we in turn are called to share. We have specific talents, strengths, and virtues that help build the Kingdom of God. Yet we cannot do it alone. We are a community of Faith that depends on one another. God gave us the gift of the Saints and we can learn from their example of holiness and imitate them in their outstanding virtues. The Best Bible Interpreters Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI spoke of this in a General Audience when he said: The Saints are the best interpreters of the Bible. As they incarnate the Word of God in their own lives, they make it more captivating than ever, so that it really speaks to us.   Pope Benedict continued to proclaim that the witness of St. Francis of Assisi: who loved poverty as a means to follow Christ with dedication and total freedom, continues to be for us too an invitation to cultivate interior poverty in order to grow in our trust of God, also by adopting a sober lifestyle and a detachment from material goods. St. Francis and Lady Poverty The poverty of St. Francis of Assisi is often seen as his hallmark virtue. From the time he stripped naked and renounced his father’s riches to the moment of his death bearing the wounds of the Crucified Christ in the stigmata, Lady Poverty reigned supreme in his heart. Poverty was a virtue St. Francis of Assisi lived both in his interior and exterior life. He had a poverty of spirit, a poverty that, if lived out, has Heaven as a reward (Matthew 5:3). From this poverty of heart sprung exterior signs of poverty. This was not only in the way he dressed, spoke, and looked, but also in his service and love for the poor and sick. Three Ways to Become Poor Like St. Francis Sisters, that same poverty that Christ lived and that St. Francis imitated is obtainable for us here and now, no matter what our state of life or vocation. We are called to not just desire poverty, but to delight in it! How? The life of Saint Francis teaches us how to do this through keeping our eyes fixed on the Crucified Christ, through complete trust in our Creator, and through rejoicing in moments of poverty. Keep Our Eyes On the Crucified Christ St. Francis’ great love story began at the Cross. It’s where he was told to rebuild the Church and it’s where he gathered the grace and strength to do so. Francis’ life was completely and wholly Christ-centered. Everything He did was for Christ and to make Him known and loved in this world. There is no greater poverty than the poverty of the Crucified Christ. Vulnerable, despised, naked, and alone, Jesus hanging on the Cross is poverty embodied. St. Francis fell in love with the poverty of Our Savior on the Cross. When we gaze at a crucifix, let us realize that because of Christ’s great poverty we are able to become poor in turn and rebuild His Church. Let us see that the true riches of this earth are found in love and sacrifice. [bctt tweet="There is no greater poverty than the poverty of the Crucified Christ. Vulnerable, despised, naked, and alone, Jesus hanging on the Cross is poverty embodied. #BISblog //" username="findphilothea"] Complete Trust in Our Creator Do we truly, completely, wholly, and fully trust in God, our Creator? I have had small moments of this kind of trust with Him in my life, and they have been the most sanctifying and graces. Yet like St. Peter on the water, my feet (and heart) often fail and fall into the ocean of anxiety, which always leads to distrust. St. Francis placed all his trust in God. Because he fell so deeply in love with the Crucified Christ, and knew that He lovingly died for him, he found Him trustworthy. Trust is a fruit of love. Christ is worthy of our full and complete trust! Our lives will never be the same if we live out the words, “Jesus, I trust in You!” Rejoicing in Poverty Every time I pay bills or a financial “stress” happens, I am tempted to become anxious. St. Francis and his companions rejoiced in these moments. They gladly accepted everything Christ laid before them because they saw it as an opportunity and invitation to trust in their Creator. They cried out, “God will provide!” and He always did. And He always does. We can do the same thing in our work, with our children, at home, as a religious, or wife. We can delight in these moments of exterior and interior poverty, crying out to our Creator in trust, and watch the miracles unfold. How do you imitate the poverty of St. Francis within your particular vocation or state in life? [bctt tweet="Ways to Imitate the Poverty of St. Francis No Matter Your Vocation or State in Life #BISblog //" username="findphilothea"]

In 2004, I was an awkward, gangly freshman with an unfortunate haircut (weren’t we all?). My new high school had no lockers, no athletic fields, no bleachers in the gymnasium. And no, I wasn’t homeschooled! I had the unique experience of attending our diocese’s brand-new Catholic high school and was part of the first class to attend all four years. When my high school opened its doors in 2004, it welcomed 100 students, only freshmen and sophomores. My high school experience was undoubtedly very unique (we each had a laundry basket to hold our books because of the aforementioned lack of lockers). But it’s an experience I’ll always cherish. I loved my high school for many reasons, not least of which is the patroness under which it was founded: St. Theodore Guerin. In 2004, this Saint was not yet canonized. The name of my high school actually changed during my time there—from Blessed Theodore Guerin Catholic High School to Saint Theodore Guerin Catholic High School. I’d never heard of Mother Guerin before starting high school, but my life will never be the same since coming to know her throughout my teenage years. St. Theodore Guerin was Obedient to the Call Known to us now as St. Theodore Guerin and recognized as the first Indiana Saint and 8th American Saint, Mother Theodore was born Anne-Therese Guerin on October 2, 1798, in Etables-sur-Mer, France. She had a rough start in life and bore the responsibility of caring for her mother and sister after the death of her father and brothers. Finally, at age 25, she was allowed to fulfill the desire of her heart and call from God to enter religious life. She joined the Sisters of Providence at Ruillé sur-Loir, France. When the bishop of Vincennes, Indiana wrote asking for an order of sisters to come help with the influx of Catholic immigrants in the area, it was decided that Mother Theodore was the only one up to the task. She did not want to leave France, especially for what was at the time completely untamed wilderness in Indiana. Yet she was obedient to the call and agreed to make the difficult journey. Together with five other Sisters of Providence, they took on the mission of bringing Christ’s love to the settlers of southern Indiana. Mission in the Wilderness The sisters arrived to a remote area of Indiana, with no town or other neighbors in sight. They were tasked with establishing a motherhouse, opening schools, and ministering to the pioneers who had settled in the area. During their first winter, the mission at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods consisted of a rough log cabin chapel and a small farmhouse where Mother Theodore, her fellow sisters, and a few postulants lived. During their first winter in the wilderness, harsh weather, cold, and frequent hunger plagued the sisters. Not to be deterred, they converted the house’s porch into a chapel and were comforted by the presence of the Blessed Sacrament. Mother Théodore said, “With Jesus, what shall we have to fear?” [bctt tweet="“With Jesus, what shall we have to fear?” -St. Theodore Guerin #BISblog //" username=""] Endless Challenges, Endless Trust Mother Guerin faced numerous challenges during her early years in Indiana, including fire, hunger, crop failures, prejudice, a split between the diocese of Vincennes and the diocese back in France, separation from her original order, and severe illness. When you read accounts of Mother Guerin’s time establishing Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, it sounds surreal. How did one woman endure so much hardship, sorrow, and physical challenges? Her answer was simple: trust in Providence. Trust in Providence Providence is defined as “the protective care of God.” Mother Guerin put all her trust in God, trusting that He would protect, guide, and care for her and her missionary sisters as they tackled the immense tasks set before them. She trusted that He would see her through all the trials and tribulations and imbue her with the necessary strength. She trusted that God was good, even when things didn't go as planned. In many ways, her faith was very simple and straightforward. St. Theodore Guerin + Our Own Wilderness As I reflect on St. Theodore Guerin’s life and legacy, I often wonder what wilderness God is calling me to. He may not be asking us to sail across an ocean and establish schools, hospitals, and a religious order in the middle of the untamed forest. But He is calling us all to something. Often that “something” is not clear to us. Or if it is clear to us, it can feel daunting or overwhelming. I can’t imagine what it was like to set off into the wilderness with no guidebook, no plan, no Google in the palm of my hand. But I do know what it’s like to be called to something, and feel ill-equipped. As I mother my two young children, I often feel ill-equipped. As I take on the sacrifice of a husband who works night shift, I feel ill-equipped. When people ask me for advice on basically anything under the sun, I feel ill-equipped. I often wonder if I’m the woman for the job. I wonder, as Mother Guerin traveled to the wild frontier of Indiana, if she felt the same. Maybe your wilderness is your vocation to your family, your classroom, your workplace with co-workers who believe differently than you, your family of origin who doesn’t understand. Maybe your wilderness is a broken marriage, the weight of singleness, or the cross of infertility. May We Have Great Trust! Whatever wilderness God is calling us to, may we respond with the bravery and confidence of St. Theodore Guerin. May we “have confidence in the Providence that so far has never failed us. The way is not yet clear. Grope along slowly. Do not press matters; be patient, be trustful.” May we, like Mother Theodore, submit willingly to the will of God, holding nothing back from Him. May we place ourselves gently in the hands of Providence, with full knowledge that in a life with Christ, we have nothing to fear. St. Theodore Guerin, pray for us! [bctt tweet="St. Theodore Guerin + Trusting in Providence #BISblog //" via="no"]

Guardian angels are way cooler than most people realize. I blame bad religious art, misrepresentations in the media, and a lack of emphasis on them in religious education. To be fair, catechists and religious educators have so much to cover in such a short amount of time, I completely understand why in-depth explanations of the angelic hosts fall by the wayside. After all, understanding “angelology” is not necessary for salvation as is understanding the Sacraments, Scripture, and Tradition. So in all honesty, it kind of makes sense as to why people don’t know as much about angels as they do other aspects of Catholicism. That being said, knowing more about your guardian angel will help you to foster a relationship with him. And that will only help you in your quest for holiness! In fact, that’s exactly why God gave each one of us a friend from Heaven. Guardian angels aren’t merely here protect us from physical harm. Their mission is to help us make our way to the right side of eternity. There are innumerable ways in which they can step in and assist us through daily difficulty. Responsibilities of Guardian Angels One of the first prayers we learn as children is the Guardian Angel Prayer. It’s short, sweet, and easy to memorize. It actually also reveals a short summary of all the assistance your guardian angel can give. In the last line, we make the request that our angel would be with us throughout our day, “...to light and guard, to rule and guide.” What exactly does this mean? To Light Unlike humans, angels have infused knowledge. This means that they already know everything there is to know about anything and everything. This does not mean that they know the future; rather, they have all knowledge of spiritual and material truth. When God created angels, he made them differently than us. Human beings gain knowledge through involvement. We have to experience the truth in some way, shape, or form before we can understand it. This is not true for angels. They were created already knowing these things. Part of the duty of our guardian angel is to help enlighten our minds. This is especially advantageous to us in light of the Fall that takes place in Genesis. One of the effects passed down from that first sin in the Garden was the darkening of our intellects. By choosing to know evil, it clouded our understanding of goodness, truth, and beauty. We all experience this everyday. Sadly, we often forget that our guardian angel can help us sort through “gray matters.” Assigned to us at conception, they are given the ability to communicate with us. Being spiritual beings, they don’t talk. But they do have the power to influence us (which they do without disrupting our freewill). Intellectual Difficulties If you’re struggling with something intellectual, or any matter of the mind, ask your guardian angel to light the way. If you’re studying and struggling to comprehend the material, request a “lightbulb” from your guardian angel. If you’re in the middle of a test and can’t seem to remember the right answer, speak a silent prayer and seek some aid. Maybe you’re a professional, and there’s some coding you can’t figure out, or a case you can’t crack, or a medical issue that has you stumped. Or maybe you’re dealing with family issues that can’t seem to be ironed out. Or you’re struggling to believe in something the Church teaches. In all of these instances, as well as any other place in which you find yourself stuck at a stand-still, call upon your guardian angel. The Saints can certainly intercede for you, but your angel can actually enlighten you. I mean, his sole purpose is to serve you in your pursuit of goodness, truth, and beauty. Utilize him! To Guard Within our Faith, this is the best known craft of our angels. Almost automatically, we picture them protecting us from bodily harm throughout our days. They can do this, and we should ask them for their guardianship, especially in dangerous situations that cannot be avoided. However, they can also guard us from evil spirits trying to lead us astray. This is something we all deal with all day, everyday. Our guardian angels can help us with spiritual warfare, a silent but costly battle. He can’t fight your battle for you, but he can fight alongside you, sharing his influence to help encourage you to act courageously, with virtue, and with strength. [bctt tweet="Our guardian angels can help us with spiritual warfare, a silent but costly battle. He can’t fight your battle for you, but he can fight alongside you. #BISblog //" username="grace_swap"] To Rule By asking our guardian angels to “rule” over us, we’re asking for their assistance with moral decisions, as well as discipline. Back in the Garden, when humanity was in its state of original personhood, we had complete control over all of our appetites. Our lives were balanced, we knew when to say “yes” and when to say “no.” We could easily distinguish between right and wrong. Sin changed that. In addition to the darkened intellect, another effect of sin was the weakening of man and woman’s will. Now, it’s common for our appetites and whims to “rule” us. We all know from experience that it’s often easier to obey our weaknesses and tendencies than it is to stand firm and do the right thing. Sometimes we encounter situations with a lot of gray moral matter. They can be very difficult to navigate, and we don’t even know what the right thing is in a particular circumstance. Our guardian angels are able to assist us with all these things. Just as their intellect differs from ours, so does their will. Their will is “fixed,” in contrast to ours which is free. What this means is that, when they were created with infused knowledge, there was also a moment of decision. In this one moment, each angel chose whether they would or would not obey God. When they made their choice, it was definitive. There is no “changing their minds.” They can’t change their mind because they already know and understand everything. Thus that one choice to obey (or not to obey) became fixed. They will always obey God and they can help us to stand firm in our moral resolve as well. To Guide Remember, we are merely pilgrims on earth, journeying to Heaven. I don’t know about you, but anytime I’m going through something new or difficult, I want guidance. I want the wisdom of others. I want to be led. It makes sense to rely on my guardian angel for spiritual guidance. I often ask mine to guide me through dark thoughts or disagreements with a loved one. I ask him to pray alongside me and for me. Sometimes when I can’t pray, I imagine myself behind him and ask him to pray in my place. I ask him to remind me to do the good things I promised I would do for another. I try to rely on him the same way one might rely on a mentor. He knows more than I do about material and spiritual matters, and God gave him to me to help me. Imploring his aid actually makes my angel happy and helps me from getting lost. Foster the Angelic Persons The angels do so very much for us, and most of it goes unnoticed and underappreciated. St. John Bosco said that our guardian angel is our most faithful friend and companion. St. John Vianney said that our guardian angel tracks our merits in order to make a case for us at our personal judgment (he also says that Satan keeps a list of our sins). St. Bernard of Clairvaux encourages us to show affection for our angels, “…for one day they will be our co-heirs just as here below they are our guardians and trustees appointed and set over us by the Father.” We often forget that they are always present with us here on earth. But in Heaven, we will be very aware of their presence and all that they have done for us. It makes sense to spend some intentional time with them now and to form a real friendship with them. After all, they already spend so much time with you! It's Easier than We Might Think Establishing and nurturing this relationship with your guardian angel is way easier than you think. All you have to do is talk to him. Seriously, that’s it. Start by including the traditional prayer to your guardian angel in your morning offering. Then, as the day passes and the hard stuff hits, stop for a moment and consider how your angel might help you. Can he offer you some knowledge? Can he offer you encouragement? Can he fight alongside you as you overcome a difficult moment? Think about what he can do for you and then simply ask for help. Repeat this over and over again throughout your days. You won’t be disappointed. Do you have a close relationship with your guardian angel? How do you call on him throughout your day? [bctt tweet="How to Grow Closer to Your Guardian Angel #BISblog //" username="grace_swap"]

Oh, the fun that could’ve been had with the title to this post! Should I have called it Archangels for Dummies? Or maybe, Mike, Gabe, and Raf: Three Cool Dudes to Know? Perhaps Raphael & Friends: Not Just Ninja Turtles? OK, that’s a little silly, even for me. Nevertheless, here we are on the feast day celebrating the archangels with what can best be described as a very brief introduction to who and what the archangels are. If you came in search of high theological ideas or catechetical astuteness, look elsewhere. We are going to be covering the basics here, today, friends. See, I can hardly understand humans sometimes, so the inner workings of angels and things of Heaven are a little outside my grasp. Let’s learn together, shall we? (Spoiler alert: I’m going to lean heavily on the Catechism of the Catholic Church and the Bible for this one.) Is there a difference between angels and archangels? Before we answer that question, maybe a better question would be, “Who/what are angels?” For that, let’s turn to St. Augustine. He says: “‘Angel is the name of their office, not of their nature. If you seek the name of their nature, it is ‘spirit’; if you seek the name of their office, it is ‘angel’” (CCC 329). So, basically, angels are spirits. These spirits have intelligence and will and are immortal, personal creatures. They are the servants and messengers of God (CCC 329-330). If angels are the messengers of God, it would stand to reason that archangels are messengers of a higher office. A higher standing, if you will. The most important jobs are given to them. An Archangel By Any Other Name... The Catholic Church recognizes three archangels by name and has bestowed the title of Saint to them, as well. They are Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael. Rabbinical (relating to rabbis and their writings) and apocryphal literature (spurious writings not included in Sacred Scripture) contains the names of several other archangels. However, just as those books are not included in the Catholic Canon, neither are the names of those archangels. Let’s take a closer look at Heaven’s main messengers. Keep the Saints Close All Year A Happy Life Keep feast days, prayers, and the Saints woven into your daily rhythm with the 2027 Catholic Liturgical Planner. Inspired by the Beatitudes, it makes room for prayer, gratitude, goals, and the ordinary details of a life centered on Jesus. Explore the 2027 Planner → Michael St. Michael seems to be the main man when it comes to archangels. He’s got four very important jobs: Fight Satan. Champion and defend Christians and the Church. Bring the faithful to Heaven when they die. Call people from their life on Earth to judgment in Heaven at the end of days. Michael is mentioned in both the Old and New Testaments in the Bible. In the book of Daniel, he is named twice. First, Michael comes to Daniel in a vision that leaves Daniel weak and without an appetite for three weeks (chapter 10). Then again, he is mentioned as a “great prince” and a “guardian of your people” during a vision Daniel has of the resurrection (chapter 12). In the New Testament, we find Michael fighting the devil as protection over the body of Moses (Jude 1:9). And in Revelation, Michael is once again at battle against the devil in the form of a dragon as he and his army of angels protected the woman and her infant son (Revelation 12:7-9). The name Michael means: Who is like God? St. Michael is the patron of soldiers, police, and doctors. Gabriel If Michael is a soldier, then Gabriel is a good, old-fashioned mailman. But this mailman brings only the biggest and best of messages. Namely, just about anything concerning the Messiah. The first of these revelations comes in the Old Testament to, you guessed it, our guy Daniel (Daniel 9:21-27) when Gabriel shares with him a timeline of sorts as to when the Messiah will come. He appears in the New Testament first to Zechariah to reveal that Elizabeth will give birth to a son despite her old age. Then, he takes away Zechariah’s ability to speak because of his disbelief (Luke 1:10-20). Of course, Gabriel’s ultimate message is best known to us as The Annunciation. Gabriel appears to our Blessed Mother and announces to her that she is to bear the Son of God in some of my most favorite verses in the Bible. (Luke 1:26-38) One source I read said that it seems only natural that Gabriel was given special charge over the Holy Family. It was offered that Gabriel was the angel who visited St. Joseph in his dreams and may have been the angel who came to comfort Jesus during his Agony in the Garden. The name Gabriel means: Man of God. St. Gabriel is the patron of messengers, telecommunications workers, and postal workers. Raphael Michael the Soldier. Gabriel the Mailman. Raphael the Doctor. The Archangel Raphael is only mentioned by name in the book of Tobit. In this book, Tobit and Sarah both pray for death as they feel it is the only thing that can save them from their sufferings. Tobit sends his son Tobiah on a journey and tells him to find a trustworthy traveling companion to help him on his journey. Raphael appears to Tobiah disguised as an Israelite. He helps Tobiah on his journey, teaches him ways to make medicines, and eventually heals both Sarah and Tobit of their ailments. In Chapter 12 of the Book of Tobit, Raphael reveals to the people who he actually is and says to them, “Do not fear; peace be with you! Bless God now and forever. As for me, when I was with you, I was not acting out of any favor on my part, but by God’s will. So bless God every day; give praise with song.” (Tobit 12:17-18) Tradition holds that Raphael was present during the New Testament, as well. Perhaps he could be found at the pool called Bethsaida where the sick would go for healing (John 5:2-4). And perhaps he is still at work today, delivering miraculous healing to the faithful. The name Raphael means: God heals or Divine healer. St. Raphael is the patron of travelers, the blind, bodily ills, happy meetings, nurses, physicians and medical workers. Happy Feast of the Archangels! In honor of these Heavenly Messengers, perhaps we can take a moment to pray for all of those under their patronage. Maybe read the Book of Tobit today (it’s not too long, I promise!) or the first chapter of the Book of Luke. Of course, the prayer to St. Michael is always a good choice. However you choose to celebrate the Archangels today, I hope you’ve learned something new. I know I have!

In the way that only the Holy Spirit can work, St. Vincent de Paul has been tailing me for a long time. In eighth grade, long before I had ever given thought to (or heard of) the Vincentian charism, I chose St. Elizabeth Ann Seton as my Confirmation Saint. This was based solely on the facts that she was both mother and Sister and was reputed to be an expert horsewoman (Mother Seton Founded the Sisters of Charity, a Vincentian order). My first real job was as a case manager in the Seton Women’s Center at a Catholic Hospital. I married a man whom I met volunteering with the Vincentians, and was later hired to help other reflect on their own service experiences with those on the margins in the spirit of Vincent de Paul. Long before I made sense of these “coincidences,” God was already at work on my heart by the example of these fine folks. It’s clear I had, and still have a lot to learn in this way. St. Vincent de Paul: An Unlikely Saint I’ve said before that I have a soft spot in my heart for unlikely Saints—those who don’t fit neatly into our boxes of holiness: St. Oscar Romero, St. Bridget of Sweden, St. Elizabeth of Hungary. I’ll now add St. Vincent de Paul to the list, and here’s why. St. Vincent de Paul was born to a large and impoverished family in France in 1581. Knowing well that money was tight and his future may not hold much stability, he enrolled in seminary for a steady income to by which to support his family, and to gain some prestige. One story told of him is that his father came to visit him one day during seminary, and St. Vincent was so embarrassed by his father’s shabbiness that he claimed he did not know the man and refused to receive him as his guest. If there is fodder for a less likely saint, I don’t know it. Encounters with the Poor But the Lord works so often and so beautifully with our hard-heartedness and circumstances. Vincent asked the local Daughters of Charity to introduce him to the poor with whom they worked. St. Vincent began to visit them to bring food and comfort in whatever ways he could. Overwhelmed by the scope of needs, he realized that his connections in the community and in the parish could assist him with financing and helping him to visit the poor he’d begun to visit. Recognizing the importance of this partnership, he began to use the prestige he had achieved to connect the wealthy women in his parish to make visits to these impoverished families as well (thus establishing the Ladies of Charity). His mission was born out of an encounter with the Christ, in the image of the most vulnerable he served. [bctt tweet="St. Vincent de Paul's mission was born out of an encounter with the Christ, in the image of the most vulnerable he served. #BISblog //" via="no"] You will find that charity is a heavy burden to carry, heavier than the bowl of soup and the full basket ... It is not enough to give us soup and bread ... You are the servant of the poor ... They are your masters, terribly sensitive and exacting you will see. It is only for your love alone that the poor will forgive you the bread you give them. -St. Vincent de Paul   Connecting Communities St. Vincent had a knack for remaining present to two different communities and introducing them to one another: the elite and the impoverished. By nurturing both relationships, he was able to be formed by those he served and provide invitation to those with means to take on a posture of service, too. In doing so, his vocation was born. It was at this time that St. Vincent met his would-be counterpart and spiritual directee, Louise de Marillac. Louise had been recently widowed and felt called to religious life, but was interested in Vincent’s particular charism of going to the people of France as opposed to joining a cloistered convent where she felt she would be separated from those on the margins. At the time, no such order existed for women. Due to the complete lack of organization for charitable works in France at the time, Louise’s desire for service and innovative approach for meeting these needs came at a perfect time. She began to instruct other women interested in meeting the needs of the day, to "Love the poor and honor them as you would honor Christ Himself." In this way, hospitals and orphanages were established to streamline the service that was so direly needed. Out of this work, came the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul. A Legacy of Service In 1833, Frederic Ozanam, a university student in a debating club was challenged to identify the place of the Church and its involvement in meeting the needs of Paris of the time. In light of this challenge, Frederick founded the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. It’s first work really began serving the sick poor during Paris’ cholera outbreak. The St. Vincent de Paul society was and continues to be a lay organization of Catholics committed to meeting the needs of the poor, both in their homes and in the community. Better for the Kingdom Together I love the witness of these three distinct individuals and the ways that their vision for service to the poor and their belief that serving the marginalized in this way made tangible their deep love of Christ incarnate. It speaks deeply to the creativity of the people of God as well as the creative and collaborative nature of our very callings. The legacy of Saints Vincent and Louise and Blessed Frederic Ozanam invite collaboration and remind me that I do not have to act alone as I’m tempted to believe from time to time. We are, in fact, better together. [bctt tweet="Better Together: On the Feast of St. Vincent de Paul #BISblog //" via="no"]

Can I tell you something? Long before I had a personal relationship with Jesus or a prayer life of any depth, I would always roll my eyes if on Sunday Mass a certain text from the Gospel of St. Matthew was read aloud. Can you guess which one I am referring to? The genealogy of Jesus that is full of all those difficult to pronounce first and last names. Fast forward ten years or so. My Favorite Gospel: St. Matthew I now read and love the four Gospels in an intimate, personal way. But in a special way over the years, Matthew has become one of my favorite two of the four Gospels (the other one being John). And yes, I have grown to love and appreciate the telling of Jesus’ genealogy! There is something special to me now about understanding and appreciating the genealogy of Jesus. The Gospel according to St. Matthew was the most widely distributed in the early Church. Even when the canon of Sacred Scripture began to crystalize, a primacy of honor was still given to Matthew. This is for a variety of reasons. One important point being that Matthew was the first Gospel to be published and distributed bearing the name of one of the original Twelve Apostles. Matthew’s account offers a beautiful account of the life and mission of Jesus Christ, with equal focus on His mighty deeds and memorable teachings. Matthew’s Gospel insists that the Good News of Jesus is meant to be proclaimed—not only to the Jews but also the Gentiles. The mission and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth are for all people everywhere; a concept all the more important for our world today. As the Church calendar honors the feast of Saint Matthew today, I wanted to help demystify him a bit and help us better understand and appreciate this particular Gospel. Looking at three different categories, I want to unpack more deeply the author, his audience, and the message. Author From as early as the second century, it was the widely accepted belief that the Gospel according to Matthew was written by St. Matthew the tax collector himself. Today, the apostolic authorship of Matthew’s Gospel is only held by a minority of biblical scholars. The reasons are many and varied. Most critical scholarship identifies the Gospel of Matthew was written by a Jewish Christian of the time. Some believe Matthew’s Gospel was written and obtained information from the Gospel according to Mark. The author of Matthew’s Gospel shows familiarity with cultural and religious customs of his day, giving him firsthand knowledge of the writings, language, and traditions of ancient Israel. However, in the final analysis, the view of Christian tradition (the author was Matthew) and the view of critical scholarship (the author was a Jewish Christian), Sacred Scripture tells us that Matthew was a Jewish disciple of Jesus (Matthew 9:9, 10:3). Being a tax collector in ancient Galilee, Matthew would have been fluent in Greek, so it is not that great a leap to say the person the Gospel calls Matthew fits quite well the profile of the evangelist assumed by modern scholars. Audience Christian scholars have long maintained that Matthew’s Gospel was written for a Palenstinian Christian audience. The Jewish perspective and tone of the book seem to point in that direction, as did the fact that Matthew had originally written in a Semitic language, such as Aramic or Hebrew. Since few Gentiles would be interested in a work influenced by Jewish concerns, every indication points to the fact that Matthew’s Gospel was meant for new believers in Palestine. The Jewish perspective the book is written would have been very familiar and helpful to new Jewish Christian converts. Biblical scholarship today pinpoints Matthew’s original audience and readers in the eastern Mediterranean region. However, the majority of modern scholars today believe the Gospel of Matthew was written to a mixed community of both Jewish and Gentile Christians in or around the Syrian city of Antioch. Thought the exact locations remain uncertain, it is very probable that Matthew’s original audience lived around the Syria-Palestine region. Message The Gospel of Matthew can easily be summed up as the “Gospel of the kingdom.” Interestingly enough, the word kingdom appears over 50 times in the Gospel. In Matthew’s theology, the kingdom of Heaven is the divine perfection of the ancient kingdom of the great King David. Jewish Christians would have been very familiar with this strong theme in the experience. Throughout the gospel a very strong theme views Jesus as the fulfillment of the Davidic Messiah. The new and everlasting covenant established through Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of the Davidic covenant of kingship. While King David was a strong, mighty warrior king, the kingship of Jesus Christ is radically and profoundly different. Have You Read the Gospel of Matthew Lately? In the almost ten years of working as a parish youth minister, one of my favorite things to do was help teens meet and discover the person of Jesus Christ through the four Gospel accounts. I often tell people to this day, You want to get to know Jesus personally? Read the four Gospels! Today’s feast is as good a time as any to dive more deeply in the Gospel accounts (specifically Matthew!) to get to know Jesus on a heart level. Start in Matthew...take your time each day reading a bit and praying over it. A Scripture Meditation Study Seek His Kingdom Pray with Scripture through the Gospel of Matthew. With guided reflections, prayer prompts, and space to journal, this study helps you encounter Jesus and make His Word part of your daily prayer. Explore the Matthew Study → I am excited for how He speaks to your heart in new ways. This blog post references citations and historical insights from the book The Gospel of Matthew by Curtis Mithc and Edward Sri.

There’s an age old devotion to Mary which has somewhat fallen by the wayside in recent generations. At times, I still find myself hesitant to pray to this Madonna myself. Devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows just does not sound sweet. If I’m being honest, it actually sounds like it’s going to be brutally painfully. I mean, who wants to be devoted to sorrow? Who wants to focus on the heavy-hearted? Embracing the Sweetness It was a dear friend in college who invited me to pray the novena to Our Lady of Sorrows for the first time. I participated out of love for my friend, thinking I was doing her a favor by interceding for her petition in this way. But I did not know that the experience was going to have such a lasting impact. I did not know that Mary was actually inviting me closer to her heart, that she wanted me to know her deeply, and that she wanted me to learn how to not waste my sufferings. I also did not know that Mary favors this devotion. The Madonna once revealed to Berth Petit: This title [Our Lady of Sorrows], willed by my Son, is dear to me above all others. Accordingly, as it is spread everywhere, there will be granted graces of mercy, spiritual renewal and salvation.   Our Lady treasures this title above all the others. Above Theotokos. Above Immaculate Conception. Above Queen of Heaven. My mind could not help but wonder… Why? Why does she treasure her sorrow so? Hers Alone Mary is an incredible example to humanity, and as prophesied in Scripture, generations continue to call her blessed. It was Pope St. John Paul II who so brilliantly and simply stated that in the grand scheme of things, Mary did nothing marvelous. She did not conceive herself immaculately. She did not do anything to miraculously conceive Christ. Mary did not assume herself into the celestial realm, and she did not crown herself Queen of Heaven. Those are all things that God did. All Mary did was say “yes.” Saying “yes” isn’t all that special when you put it next to something as astonishing as the Incarnation. But it was all Mary had to give. It was all she could contribute. And contribute she did, with her whole heart. In light of this, I find myself wondering if Mary treasures her Seven Sorrows because they were fully hers. They weren’t acts of God working through her. They were her own emotions and experiences which she could give back to God as acts of trust. Though they were events that pierced her heart and left her bitterly broken, they did not “break” her. Rather, because she continued to say “yes” to God over and over again, even in the midst of her suffering, they united her more fully to her Son. In this, she helped to bring about salvation (which is why we celebrate her feast the day after the Exaltation of the Holy Cross). [bctt tweet="These events pierced her heart...but they did not “break” her. Rather, because she continued to say “yes” to God over and over again, even in the midst of her suffering, they united her more fully to her Son. #BISblog //" username="grace_swap"] Following Her Example If you look at it this way, Our Lady really simplified our understanding of how to approach the Christian way of life. Each and every single one of us can do what she did. Each and every single one of us is capable of saying “yes” to God’s will for our lives. No doubt there will be suffering along the way. But like Mary, we are capable of staying faithful. We can continue to trust, giving our fiat in every moment, and remembering to unite our pains with Christ crucified. Like her, our suffering, when united with Christ’s on the Cross, contributes to the salvation of souls. More Reasons to Foster a Devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows Besides the fact that it will help you grow in holiness and not waste chances to win grace for this world, there are additional promises attributed to Devotion to the Seven Sorrows of Mary. Those Revealed by Mary Our Lady reserves these seven graces for those who daily pray seven Hail Mary’s while meditating on her sorrows. “I will grant peace to their families.” “They will be enlightened about the divine Mysteries.” “I will console them in their pains and I will accompany them in their work.” “I will give them as much as they ask for as long as it does not oppose the adorable will of my divine Son or the sanctification of their souls.” “I will defend them in their spiritual battles with the infernal enemy and I will protect them at every instant of their lives.” “I will visibly help them at the moment of their death—they will see the face of their mother.” “I have obtained this grace from my divine Son, that those who propagate this devotion to my tears and dolors will be taken directly from this earthly life to eternal happiness, since all their sins will be forgiven and my Son will be their eternal consolation and joy.” Those Revealed by Jesus In a Revelation made to St. Elizabeth of Hungary, Christ promised these four gifts to His Mother for all those who show devotion to her Sorrowful Heart. Those who call upon her Sorrowful name before their death will be granted the grace of true repentance for their sins. He will be with them personally throughout their life’s tribulations—and especially on their deathbeds. Jesus will inscribe the remembrance of His Passion on their minds and they will obtain a reward for this in eternity. He gives Mary “free-reign” in regards to her devotees, obtaining for them whatever graces she desires. Solacing and Sanctifying Though she suffered much in her life (more than everyone else in the world combined, according to St. Bernadine), she complained of only one thing: that most people forget the sorrowful aspects of her life and do not grieve alongside her. This heavenly Mother even asked of St. Bridget, “...my daughter, though I am forgotten by many, at least do not thou forget me.” On this feast celebrated in her honor, may we give her the reverence she deserves and desires. Consider praying the Seven Sorrows Rosary. Do you have a devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows? What has she meant in your life? [bctt tweet="Our Lady of Sorrows: How to Comfort the Blessed Mother #BISblog //" username="grace_swap"]

I live in Southern California which means I deal with traffic all the time. To make matters even more fun, I work in Los Angeles, but live in Orange County, so I’m typically on the freeway at least two hours a day. Sometimes longer. It doesn’t matter if I take the 110, the 405, the 605, the 5 or the 105. I will face traffic. And yes, we say “the” before every highway, thank you very much! Ways to Pray While Carpooling or Commuting Therefore, I have had to get pretty creative with my daily commute in order to make the most of it and to incorporate some prayer time. So, if you have a long commute or even a short one, here are some fun ways to make your commute intentional. SiriusXM Catholic Channel My new car came with Sirius radio for free and now I’m hooked. I think if my commute were nonexistent, I would let it go. But when you have a long drive, it is nice to listen to something that challenges your mind as you pray for no traffic. via GIPHY It’s also great to have radio hosts who talk about Catholic issues, theology, and content. Whether you turn on the Jen Fulweiler Show, Conversations with Cardinal Dolan, The Catholic Guy with Lino Rulli, or the Busted Halo Show, you will always hear interviews that make you think about the Catholic Faith in our world today. You'll hear interviews with intelligent, funny, and authentic sisters and brothers who are living their Faith in the world today. Audible Books There are so many fabulous Catholic and Christian books to read, but when you don’t have time to sit down with a book in hand, Audible Books are a gift from St. Frances de Sales (patron Saint of authors). Many of your favorite Catholic authors have recorded audio versions or their writings. Personally, I find theological audible books to be difficult to comprehend while facing Los Angeles traffic, but many inspirational books are fantastic in this format. via GIPHY This also works for books like 33 Days to Morning Glory or Advent and Lent devotionals. Sometimes carving in the time to read these books can be difficult but audio versions are a new inspiration as you grow in relationship with Christ. Music, Music, and More Music Singing praise and worship music is by far one of my favorite things to do in my car. However, when there is traffic, I don’t typically listen to worship music. Why, you ask? Because I tend to speed up when I love a song and raise one hands off the steering wheel in praise. When you are listening to a queen like Stephanie Grettzinger at full volume and singing along, raising your hands might not be safe. But it's necessary. It doesn’t have to be just praise and worship music. It can be classical music that inspires you to reflect on the Word you read in the morning. It could be chant (be careful with this style when your sleepy). It could even be Gospel music, or whatever allows you to shout praises to God on high. The point is, you will look strange and people will point. But God sees and hears your praise to Him and will bless you because of your praise. via GIPHY Audible Rosary, Divine Mercy Chaplet, or Stations of the Cross Every day as I drive home from work, I turn on Spotify to A Rosary Companion and pray a Rosary for everyone I promised to pray for during my day. Typically, this means I’m praying for my students at USC, staff members, friends I called on my way to work, or family that I know is in need. There are days I sing along to the Divine Mercy Chaplet. During Lent, every Friday I listened to the Stations of the Cross podcast which allowed me to reflect on the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Christ. All these beautiful traditions keep me centered in prayer but still able to concentrate on the road. via GIPHY Silence I know what you’re thinking… If you want me to fall asleep at the wheel, silence during traffic is the fastest way to closed eyes. Yes, I agree. Sometimes this is not the best idea, but sometimes you need to turn the volume down and clear your mind and talk to God. I typically don’t do this before the coffee has kicked in, but after a long day where a lot might be weighing on your heart and head, silence is truly golden. via GIPHY Podcasts via GIPHY I could have a different podcast for every day of the week, and who’s to say I don’t? Monday is typically Fr. Mike Schimdt’s homily for the students at UMD Catholic. Tuesdays are my girls Heather Khym, Sr. Miriam, and Michelle Benzinger of Abiding Together (Yes, I have my coffee in hand, girls). Wednesday I will either listen to Jenna Guizzar and Beth Davis with Blessed is She’s podcast The Gathering Place or to Teachable Tuesday (I put it face down and just listen to it while streaming it online. Don’t worry, I’m not watching and driving). Thursday is my Friday, so I often listen to our BIS sister Katie Prejean McGrady and her husband Tommy on their podcast The Electric Waffle. The list could go on and on. There are so many to listen to and if need something to erase the miles of your drive to work, pick up line, or soccer practice, give some Catholic podcasts a try. Talk Out Loud to God Now that there are speaker phones in almost every car, no one questions when someone is talking out loud in their car. No one needs to know that you’re talking to God out loud or if you're on the phone with your bestie. The reality is you are talking to your bestie, Jesus Christ, so be loud, cry, shout, whisper, vent, or just share what’s on your heart. No one will think you are crazy and even if they do, who cares?! God is listening and it’s the best place for a one-on-one conversation with Him. I Just Called to Say I Love You Every morning I start my day reading the readings of the day in my prayer room and asking God who I need to reach out to or offer up at daily Mass. On most days, God places specific people on my heart to pray for and reach out to on my commute. If the person is the east coast or central time, they get a call from me on my way to work. If they are on pacific time, I will call on my way home. I check in with them, leave a message if they don’t answer, and just ask them how they are doing and how I can pray for them. Most of the time we will pray together on the call. It never ceases to amaze me how God knows exactly who to call. Pray More Novenas I just recently realized I can listen to Pray More Novenas online and I have become so much better at starting and completing a novena. It is simple, actually. I put the Audible link on my calendar, and it alerts me during my drive to work. I just click the link without even looking down and listen to the novena while I drive. Try it—it is a game changer. How Do You Pray on Your Commute? Consider one or more of these suggestions and if you have other things you have done, please share them with us. God wants to accompany you in your care, so get in the carpool lane because you have a legitimate companion on your next commute! [bctt tweet="Ways to Pray While Carpooling/Commuting #BISblog //" username="socaltriciat"]

Everyone works. Animals work, humans work. But freedom can only be found in the work of a human because through it we become who we are meant to be. Human Work As An Expression Of Man’s Dignity In Laborem Exercens Pope St. John Paul II wrote specifically on human work. From the beginning, as we read in Genesis, man was placed on earth to order and subdue it. It is in his very nature. John Paul even describes work as something worthy of man—it expresses man’s dignity. He tells us about the ethical meaning of work, writing that: Work is a good thing for man-a good thing for his humanity-because through work man not only transforms nature, adapting it to his own needs, but he also achieves fulfilment as a human being and indeed, in a sense, becomes ‘more a human being.'   When one works, they are thinking of others. First, one may be thinking of their own family. But they should also consider the society they belong to, their country of origin, as well as their entire human family both present and those to come in the future. For as John Paul said, “he is the heir to the work of generations and at the same time a sharer in building the future of those who will come after him in the succession of history.” John Paul’s Experience Of Work The definition of “labor” means “expenditure of physical or mental effort especially when difficult or compulsory.'' Labor Day is a much appreciated day of rest from this physical and mental exertion. I appreciate that, while recognizing the good of work, John Paul does not diminish the hardship it entails. He notes that the bread man produces he does by the work of his hands and by the sweat of his brow. As he writes in Laborem Exercens, man works "in the midst of many tensions, conflicts and crises, which, in relationship with the reality of work, disturb the life of individual societies and also of all humanity." John Paul has shared with us about his first hand experience of this. Poetry Within The Quarry During World War II, Wojtyla experienced forced labor in a limestone quarry. He wrote about this in his poem titled “The Quarry”. Here he speaks of a man who, although deeply engrossed in an environment which would easily trigger one to feel anger and resentment, does not fall prey to despair. While this worker observed the blood, sweat, and tears around him, he kept his sight on Christ. John Paul wrote that rather then let evil corrode his soul, “the man has taken with him the world’s inner structure, where the greater the anger, the higher the explosion of love.” This quarry worker viewed the constant smashing of the hammer against stone as a meditation for chiseling away at his own imperfections in order to become a more perfect reflection of Christ. To be an explosion of His love. The Fruitfulness of the Work of the Laity Though I doubt that many of us reading this have experienced the manual labor of work in a quarry, this poem can be a reminder to us as we labor in our own work day, be this in the home or out in the world. Pope Paul VI wrote in Lumen Gentium that: the laity, dedicated to Christ and anointed by the Holy Spirit, are marvelously called and wonderfully prepared so that ever more abundant fruits of the Spirit may be produced in them. For all their works, prayers and apostolic endeavors, their ordinary married and family life, their daily occupations, their physical and mental relaxation, if carried out in the Spirit, and even the hardships of life, if patiently borne-all these become ‘spiritual sacrifices' acceptable to God through Jesus Christ...the laity consecrate the world itself to God.   One tangible way we can dedicate our day to Christ is by praying a daily offering. Though at times, we may find human work less of a joy and more of an invitation to embrace Jesus’ Cross, it is also a sign of hope, or as John Paul says, “a glimmer of new life,” for through it we participate in God’s divine plan. A Day Worthy of Rest Of course, the knowledge of the goodness of work should not keep us from enjoying the wonderful day of leisure that Labor Day offers us. After all, John Paul advises that we imitate God not only in working, but also in resting, especially on the Sabbath. He says that man’s work “cannot consist in the mere exercise of human strength in external action; it must leave room for man to prepare himself, by becoming more and more what in the will of God he ought to be.” Find rest today, in the confidence that by doing so you are preparing to be the person God has created you to be. [bctt tweet="The Dignity of Human Work #BISblog //" via="no"]

Fall is right around the corner! And I don’t know about you, but the beginning of the autumn season reminds me of a “mini” new year. Of course, it feels like that because autumn ushers in a new academic year. What says “fresh start” better than opening a new notebook and writing in it with a newly-sharpened #2 pencil? While we all enjoy the slower pace of summer days, by the end of August, most of us are ready to refresh our rhythms of life, renew our commitments, and return to a more orderly way of life. Thankfully, the Church’s continuation of Ordinary Time into the autumn season helps us incorporate ways of keeping our spiritual routines steady and consistent. At the same time, a multitude of Catholic customs and traditions keep our faith life interesting and engaging. Liturgical Living Ideas for the Fall So how do we live liturgically during the ordinary days of autumn? Here are four ideas to help us fall into a beautiful rhythm of orderly, faith-filled autumn days. 1. Recommit to prayer. If summer’s lack of routine caused your prayer time to fall by the wayside, now is the time to start anew! Recommit to spending time with the Lord everyday. It’s okay if you have to start with a few minutes and grow from there. It is simply important to get back on track and work on consistency. 2. Learn something new. There is something in the crisp autumn air that reminds us of our love of learning. Whether you are still in school or it has been years since you stepped foot in a classroom, God invites us to continuously learn, grow, and discover within our Catholic Faith. So, this autumn dive into an aspect of Catholicism that you’re curious about: prayer, Scripture, the Saints, or Christian living. A Planner for a Faith-Filled Year A Happy Life Refresh your rhythms for the new season with the 2027 Catholic Liturgical Planner. Inspired by the Beatitudes, it makes room for prayer, gratitude, goals, habits, and the everyday details of a life centered on Jesus. Explore the 2027 Planner → Books I Recommend Here are a few books to ignite your desire to learn more about the Faith: Busy Lives & Restless Souls: How Prayer Can Help You Find the Missing Peace in Your Life by Becky Eldredge is for readers who feel like peace is missing in their lives. In this book, Becky unpacks the wisdom of St. Ignatius of Loyola in a fresh way and equips us with prayer tools that are accessible and practical within our daily routines. Becoming Women of the Word: How to Answer God’s Call With Purpose and Joy by Sarah Christmyer breathes new life into the stories of Old Testament women and makes their lives surprisingly relatable. Stories from Sarah’s faith journey as well as family and friends demonstrate how the same principles that turned ordinary women into faith-filled heroines are also true for us today. Catherine of Siena by Sigrid Undset presents a memorable portrait of one of the greatest female Saints of all time. Sigrid based this biography on primary sources, her experience living in Italy, and her personal understanding of the human heart. 3. Befriend the angels. In the autumn season, we celebrate the angels with two special feast days. The Feast of the Archangels is September 29. On this day, we honor three angels named in the Bible: Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael. Michael is mentioned in Daniel 10:13-21 and 12:1, Jude 1:9, and Revelation 12:7-9 where he defeats Satan. In Luke 1:26-38, Gabriel greets Mary with “Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you” and announces the birth of Jesus. Just prior to that, in Luke 1:8-20, Gabriel announces to Zachariah the birth of John the Baptist. Lastly, Raphael is named in Tobit 12:15. The Feast of the Guardian Angels is October 2. As Catholics, we believe that “beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life” (CCC 336). This fall, take time to read the Church’s teachings about the angels found in the Catechism 325-354. Or, begin praying the Angel of God prayer on a daily basis. This simple prayer invites our own Guardian Angel to be with us throughout the day, and helps us imagine his presence, guidance, and protection in our lives: Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom God's love commits me here, ever this day be at my side, to light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen.   4. Focus on gratitude. As we move into the month of November, it is important to intentionally slow down. The world around us wants to jump ahead to Christmas, while we still have a few more weeks of Ordinary Time before Advent begins. How to do it One way to stay present to the moments of this beautiful time of year—the natural season of autumn and the liturgical season of Ordinary Time—is to focus on gratitude. Here are a few ways to cultivate an attitude of gratitude this fall (and beyond): Keep a list // Every day, jot down one, three, or five things you are grateful for. Keep them in your Blessed is She planner in order to cultivate a daily gratitude habit. St. Ignatius of Loyola encouraged reviewing each day with gratitude, as part of his daily examen prayer. Say thank you // Send a thank-you note to someone who has blessed you practically or spiritually. Be specific in your words of gratitude. Pray the Scriptures // Find a Bible verse that exudes gratitude to the Lord for who He is and all that He does. Write it out, and post it prominently in your home. Pray it daily and make it personal. A Time of Renewal After the relaxed season of summer, we enter fall ready to refresh our routines and return to a more consistent schedule. The steady pace of Ordinary Time helps us in our pursuit of orderly days. It is a wonderful time to continue growing a regular prayer practice. Fall’s ordinary days also invite us to learn something new about our Faith, deepen our relationship with the angels, and cultivate a greater sense of gratitude in our lives. Of course, these ideas only begin the conversation of how to live liturgically during the ordinary days of autumn. Our rich Catholic Faith will always have us discovering new ways to live out our Faith in every season of life. How do you practice liturgical living during the ordinary days of autumn? This post contains affiliate links. Thanks so much for supporting Blessed is She!

As I have grown in my faith, I have made close spiritual friendships with a wide variety of saints. Like many of you, I have my favorite spiritual besties who I rely on and talk with frequently. The parish I joined several years ago bears the name and patronage of Saints Monica and Augustine, one of the most famous mother-son duos in the Church. A small, diverse African American community located in eastern Detroit, my parish has helped me get to know and appreciate the unique lives of these two saints. An Unlikely Happy Ending On some level, many of us have at least heard of Saints Monica and Augustine. Augustine was born to an upper-class family around the year 354 in modern-day Algeria. His father Patricius was a pagan, who converted to Christianity on his deathbed. His mother Monica was a devout Christian and raised Augustine in the Faith. Despite the deep faith of his mother and his Christian upbringing, Augustine abandoned the Faith of his childhood and became a Manichean. Monica was utterly destroyed. But she never let go of the hope that someday her prodigal son would return to God. As a young man, Augustine began a long-term affair with a woman. They never married, and their relationship led to the birth of their son Adeodatus. In Latin, his name means “by God given” or “gift of God.” Augustine was a very intelligent man, and he eventually took a position teaching rhetoric in Milan. This experience led him to engage more frequently with Christian literature and other believers. Meanwhile, Monica unceasingly prayed for her son’s conversion. Perseverance in Prayer One hot summer day in 386, Augustine heard a childlike voice calling him to “take up and read.” He took this as a divine command, picked up the Bible, and opened to read the following: “... let us conduct ourselves properly as in the day, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in promiscuity and licentiousness, not in rivalry and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the desires of the flesh.” // Romans 13:13-14 Augustine was cut to the heart. The conversion his mother prayed for all those years now began in great haste. By the next Easter Vigil, Augustine and his son were baptized by Saint Ambrose. Augustine's radical conversion led him to become one of the most profound spiritual teachers and bishops of Western Christianity. To this day, he is one of the most beloved and prolific writers and thinkers in the history of Catholicism. Lessons From Saints Monica and Augustine The story of Saints Monica and Augustine holds powerful, unique lessons for us. No matter where we are in life, and no matter what sins and shortcomings we wrestle with, there are special insights and lessons we can learn from this dynamic duo. Lessons From Saint Monica Saint Monica teaches us hope and persistence when situations look bleak. Hope The theological virtue of hope shines brightly in the life of Saint Monica. She hoped against all odds for her wayward son to return to the Lord. The virtue of hope is not wishful thinking for something you desire to happen. Rather, hope is all about who God is and who we are not. It helps us grow and develop a deeper trust in Jesus, which I imagine happened to Monica as she prayed for Augustine’s conversion. Persistence Monica was also a fierce woman who persisted in believing her son would convert. She never gave up, and she never stopped praying and fasting for him. More importantly, she never stopped loving Augustine, even when he lived a life contrary to the Gospel. Many of us have family members or friends away from Jesus or the Church. We wonder if our prayers make a difference and if we will see the day our loved one returns to the Lord. In these situations, Saint Monica reminds us to continue to persist in prayer and never give up. No one is too lost for the power of Jesus Christ to find them and bring them home. Lessons From Saint Augustine Saint Augustine teaches us two important lessons: the significance of a personal relationship with God and the reality that no person is too far gone for God. A Personal Relationship With God Augustine was raised in a devout Christian home, and he probably knew a lot about Jesus. But did he really know Him? It was not until he was an adult that he had a personal encounter with the Living God, which propelled a radical conversion. Living in an increasingly secular culture, it is important to keep in mind that people do not always come to the Faith through laws and rules, but through a personal encounter with God. This encounter leads them to a place of conversion, where the laws and rules can make more sense. No One is Too Far From God Before Augustine’s conversion, he lived many years away from the Lord. His story reminds us that no one is outside of the mercy and healing of Jesus Christ. There is no one whose sins are too great; there is no one who is too far from God. He can reach anyone with His love, because God sees and knows the depth of every human heart, and He has the power to transform every single one of us. Saints Monica and Augustine Lead the Way The lives of the Saints are a powerful example of what God can do in each of our lives. They were like us in many ways, with similar struggles, issues, joys, and dreams. What set them apart, and why we can follow their lead, is that they never gave up, even when their situation seemed impossible. Saints Monica and Augustine were no different. So, may we look to them for hope and encouragement. Do you have a devotion to one or both of these Saints? We would love to hear about their influence on your lives in the comments! [bctt tweet="Sts. Monica and Augustine: Lessons from One of the Most Famous Mother-Son Duos in the Church #BISblog //" username="amoderngrace"]

Who doesn’t love the idea of liturgical living—of bringing fun, beauty, and deliciousness into our homes according to the rhythms of the liturgical year? It stirs excitement, creativity, a sense of belonging to something bigger than ourselves and, most importantly, leads us into deeper comprehension of our Faith. That is the ideal. Is Living Liturgically Overwhelming You? The reality is that sometimes, adding one more thing to your daily to-do list can feel like a spiritual stumbling block. What started out as an attempt to grow spiritually can become a near occasion of sin due to the stress of bringing it all to fruition. After our momentary undoings, we then find ourselves feeling guilty, defeated, and wondering… “Is it even worth the effort?” The good news is that it doesn’t have to be like this. Chances are, you may be comparing your efforts with those liturgical living experts who testify time and time again that it took them years of building to find what worked naturally and smoothly for their families. Don’t compare and don’t fret. With time you’ll find what works best for your family, and here are some tips to help. Keep It Simple Most of us have meals that are easy family favorites. My go-to move for liturgical living for beginners is to take those meals I already make and see how I can connect them with the feast days of that week. Sometimes it’s clever (like grilling on the feast of St. Lawrence) and sometimes its basic (like eating a pasta dish on the feast of an Italian Saint). But it is always easy! Then, while we eat, we talk about the connection between the feast and the food. Whether it’s a short discussion or a long one doesn’t matter. We’ve “lived liturgically.” Quick-Fixes for August Feasts August 5 // Dedication of the Basilica of St. Mary Major When it comes to Marian feast days, I keep a recurring ingredient: blueberries. They can show up by themselves, or in a recipe, and we can have them for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Truly versatile and connected to Our Lady by their color. August 6 // Transfiguration of Jesus Anything with grapes! August 8 // St. Dominic The color white is one of the first things that comes to mind for this Saint because it is the color of the Dominican habit. Make meals that incorporate this color: yogurt at breakfast, creamy pasta at dinner. Maybe even some white wine. August 9 // St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross I pay tribute to her German heritage with the bratwursts we have for dinner. August 10 // St. Lawrence Famous for his line, “Turn me over, I’m done on this side,” the Roman Saint was martyred by being burned alive over a grill. As long as the weather cooperates, we take whatever ingredients we have on hand and grill out. August 12 // St. Jane Francis de Chantal A French Saint bodes French-inspired cuisine. Since their culinary arts are a tad more complex, I try to buy French baked goods to go with a meal. Try croissants, baguettes, eclairs, or macaroons! August 13 // Sts. Pontian and Hippolytus One was pope, the other was the antipope. Both died as martyrs on the island of Sardinia. If you’re a fan of sardines, this day would be especially appropriate to indulge in them. We’ll stick to a caesar salad, or maybe just include pretzels as a snack (since their relationship was a little salty before their reconciliation). August 14 // St. Maximilian Kolbe To celebrate this Polish martyr we turn to unstuffed cabbage rolls, a simpler version of the traditional but time-consuming Polish cabbage rolls. If it’s too hot for a heavy meal, try a cherry-dipped ice cream cone from your favorite local ice cream spot for dessert (cherry because its red, red because it's the liturgical color associated with martyrs). August 15 // The Assumption of Mary Blueberry pancakes, or blueberry muffins, or blueberries in oatmeal, or in yogurt, or tossed in a salad, or baked in a pie… August 16 // St. Stephen of Hungary Paprika Chicken is fitting since the spice is quittisential in Hungarian cuisine. August 19 // St. John Eudes See suggestions for St. Jane Francis de Chantal August 20 // St. Bernard of Claivaux Another French Saint, see above! August 21 // St. Pius X An Italian pope! It’s hard to go wrong with Italian cuisine. But since he is best remembered as the pope who encouraged frequent reception of the Eucharist, perhaps a nice, freshly baked loaf of bread from the bakery would be appropriate. August 22 // The Queenship of Mary Something with blueberries! August 23 // St. Rose of Lima A Peruvian Saint, we draw inspiration from Peruvian cuisine, using ingredients such as quinoa and chili peppers with dinner. August 24 // St. Bartholomew Also known as Nathaneal, Bartholomew is the disciple whom Jesus saw under the fig tree. Thus, I might grab a package of fig newtons at the store that week. Or even the figs themselves if I’m feeling really adventurous! August 27 // St. Monica A dish with the use of any of the following spices (alone or combined), as these are commonly used in the region of Africa from which she hails: cumin, cinnamon, turmeric, ginger, paprika, coriander, saffron, mace, cloves, fennel, anise, nutmeg, cayenne pepper, fenugreek, black pepper. August 28 // St. Augustine Hailing from the same place as his mother, Monica, we simply eat leftovers from the night before. August 29 // Passion of St. John the Baptist As it is the feast which remembers the day this man was martyred, we make sure our main meal for the day contains red meat. Liturgical Living for Beginners: Dine with the Saints One of the traditions I brought into our marriage is the inclusion of a small prayer. At the end of saying grace before meals, we all say “Mary Queen of Peace, pray for us.” My husband loves it so much that he added more Saints to the mix, mostly family patrons, as well as whichever Saint he feels we need assistance from that day. Ever since I've gotten into liturgical living, he’s always sure to add the name of the Saint whose feast it is. The running joke is that we have to pray a litany before we can eat our meal. He always retorts, “You all can thank me when we get to Heaven.” His cheeky response has given renewed focus to my liturgical living efforts. They are meant to lead me and my family deeper into worship and closer to Christ so that we can spend eternity with Him. Rather than allowing this to “increase the pressure,” I think about the simplicity of the narrow path, and wisdom of Mother Teresa who encouraged the world to do small things with great love. It's made all my liturgical living goals simpler and our home more focused on Heaven. What are your best tips for liturgical living for beginners? [bctt tweet="Liturgical Living for Beginners: Start with Food #BISblog //" username="grace_swap"]

You, or someone you know, may have walked The Camino de Santiago. This is the very pilgrimage which leads to the tomb of St. James the Apostle. Or maybe you have seen the movie The Way, starring Martin Sheen, which follows one man's journey on the Camino. The Camino is a compilation of routes from major cities in Europe that lead to this pilgrimage site in Northern Spain. After Jerusalem and Rome, it is considered the next most important Christian pilgrimage. Over two and a half million people visit Santiago de Compostela every year. Today the route is one of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites. Who is St. James the Apostle? Son of Thunder. Son of Zebedee. St. James the Greater. The Apostle James goes by a few different names and is not to be confused of James the Less, another of the Twelve Apostles. He was one of the first disciples called by Jesus. As Jesus walked along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, He saw James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John, who were mending the nets of their boat. Upon Jesus’ call to James and his brother, they both left their father and followed Him. When Jesus summoned the Apostles up to the mountain with Him, He appointed, “James, son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James, whom He named Boanerges, that is, sons of thunder” (Mark 3:17). These two sons of thunder were reproached by Jesus in Mark 10 when they sought authority above the other Apostles saying, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” When Jesus asked them what this was, they answered, “Grant that in your glory we may sit one at your right and the other at your left.” Jesus replied, “...to sit at my right or at my left is not mine to give but is for those for whom it has been prepared.” Jesus then used this as an opportunity to teach the Apostles about true humility. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all. For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many. -Mark 10:43-35   The Innermost Circle Despite St. James’ need for correction, we refer to him as James “the Greater” because he, along with St. John and St. Peter, shared in an especially close relationship with Christ. These three men were the only ones with Jesus when He raised Jarius’ daughter from the dead, when He cured St. Peter’s mother-in-law, and who witnessed the Transfiguration. These three also accompanied Jesus during His Agony in the Garden (albeit sleeping). I love the fact that Jesus’ closest friends were so real, so human! St. Peter doubted Jesus when He walked on water, yet Jesus still made him the rock of our Church. James ignorantly told Jesus that He should do whatever James asked of Him, and yet Jesus continued to love him and remain close friends with him. This should give us great hope! St. James’ Life After Jesus’ Ascension After Jesus’ Ascension, St. James traveled to the Iberian Peninsula to share the Good News of Jesus. When he returned to Judea in 44 AD, he was martyred by King Herod Agrippa I who had James beheaded. He is considered to be the first of Jesus’ Apostles to be martyred. Powerful Patron After his death, St. James' followers brought his remains back to the Iberian Peninsula, or what is now known as Galicia in Spain. These remains are believed to be buried in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. He is considered the patron Saint of Spain and also of pilgrims. Not only did St. James make pilgrimage to Spain to spread the Gospel, but his followers made the same pilgrimage to Spain to put his body to rest. This site is now venerated by millions of people every year. St. James is also considered a patron of arthritis. Legend tells us that when James was being led to his execution, he heard a man call out to him who had been suffering from this crippling disease. In his deep faith, this man pleaded with the Apostle to pray for his cure. St. James then said to him in reply, “In the name of Jesus Christ, for Whom I am being led to execution, stand up and bless your Creator.” Upon his words, the man was healed, stood up, and praised God. How to Find Him In Christian art, the Saints are often depicted with a symbol that is closely connected to the person’s life. If you are trying to spot St. James in Christian art, keep your eye out for the attire of a pilgrim. He is often depicted with either a staff, a gourd (for drinking water), riding on a horse, or a scalloped shell. Why a Scalloped Shell? Why is a scalloped shell a symbol of pilgrimage? In the Middle Ages, it was common for priests to require pilgrimages as a form of penance. Upon completion, the pilgrim would have to prove his penance was fulfilled by providing a local souvenir. Scalloped shells can be naturally found near St. James' tomb on the coast of Galicia, making it a fitting (and free) souvenir. Shells have also been used in the Sacrament of Baptism. As Baptism is the beginning of one’s Christian journey, the symbolism of the shell as pilgrimage is very fitting. Keep your eye out for shells when you see baptismal fonts, as they are sometimes used to decorate the font, or may be used to hold the holy water poured over the one being baptized. A Festive Celebration The feast of St. James is a festive celebration, specifically in Santiago de Compostela, where they celebrate his life with a two-week long celebration concluded by fireworks. Perhaps you could join in celebrating his life by lighting up a few sparklers with your family and friends! Do you have a devotion to St. James the Apostle? [bctt tweet="On the feast of St. James the Apostle #BISblog //" via="no"]

Recently on a hot afternoon at the park, my kids and I headed for the shade of a picnic pavilion at a nearby lake. We were marveling at the dragonflies and ducks and red-winged black birds over peanut butter and jelly sandwiches when a group of teenagers approached, each carrying a net. Their language was rough. I could see my oldest eyeing them suspiciously. Truthfully, I was eyeing them suspiciously. How often are a group of tweens traipsing innocently along the shores of a lake on an idle Wednesday? (Not enough, is the obvious answer.) As we continued eating, my curiosity got the best of me. “What are you catching?” I asked. “Tadpoles,” they said. I asked if we could take a look at their catch and they agreed. A deep, Tupperware bin filled with large, emerging frogs sat on the shore. Needless to say, my kids were enraptured. We began trailing the teens like little ducklings. They pointed out the bullfrogs under the dock and how they were scooping up the maturing frogs. We half-heartedly picked at our lunches and continued to watch them. To my heart’s delight, I watched them pull trash out of the pond, release the tadpoles, and gift my children with their net. As quickly as they’d arrived, they left; blowing all of my preconceived ideas about them out of the water. Preconceived Notions about the Saints I don’t know about you, but I tend to approach Saints in the same way. I have often let my preconceived ideas about the Saints get ahead of me. Beautiful as they are, it can be hard to measure up to the likes of some of these holy folks. There are two categories that I find myself sorting them into: Things they are known for: Living a life that radiated holiness Starting a religious order Having some kind of miraculous prayer life Practicing austerity and self-denial Things they probably aren’t known for: Having a complete mid-life change of direction Having a pleasant marriage Rocking the boat Admittedly, my list of what they probably didn’t do is getting shorter as I learn about more and more folks who have given a holy witness with their lives. Saint Bridget of Sweden is one such Saint. St. Bridget of Sweden Surpassed My Assumptions Despite my efforts to learn about the whole person who has been declared a Saint, I fall into old habits of holding them up on this pedestal of unattainable perfection. Clearly this is not a fair interpretation of any one person. We are each the sum of our entire lives, not only our best (or worst) moments. It’s also not especially helpful for me. Rather than allowing myself to be inspired by the lives of the Saints, I’ll admit that it can turn a bit sarcastic. Where is the humanity? Where is the struggle? Is there any joy? Humor? Do I know anyone like this? St. Bridget’s life meets many of my preconceived notions of holiness…and breaks the rest to bits. Her life, from beginning to end, really did radiate holiness. She did found a religious order. She wrote extensively about her exchanges with Christ. And that’s about as far as my prejudices get me (note to self). Major Life Changes Bridget is said to have been happily married to Prince Ulf, and to have borne eight children (among them, St. Catherine of Sweden). Both Bridget and her husband were underwhelmed by the frivolity of their royal lives and they became Pilgrims on the Compostela. Her husband died following this trip. Bridget was prompted in a vision to begin a monastery in Sweden before relocating to Rome. At this point, St. Bridget did experience a change in vocation. Her role as widow and mother turned quickly to one of pilgrim and advocate against the sins of injustice of the time, particularly slavery. She had harsh words for the Pope (Urban V) and is remembered for strongly reprimanding said Pope for negligence of duties and souls. Bridget is a woman who feels a bit more accessible in her witness, simply because she was moored in familiar circumstances, and she did it with grace. Timely Reality Her life direction shifted, not because of a major conversion or change of heart, but because of the changing circumstances. She used the gifts she could share from that place, which feels like a timely reality. How many of us have started and stopped careers based on the needs of the day? She certainly did shake things up—particularly for a woman of her time. Her devotion combined with her wisdom commanded respect from her contemporaries, even the Pope, who eventually approved of her rule for the Brigittine community. Happy Marriages, held up There are countless stories of Saints that include some sort of unfortunate marital arrangement or endurance tests, because they are plentiful. Another detail about St. Bridget’s life is that she flourished in her vocation of marriage with her husband. They raised a family, ministered to the marginalized, and grew in faith and in holiness, together. True, her calling was beyond marriage. But we need stories like hers to remind us that we are sanctified in our vows and callings to loving relationships and marriages. What might a standard of holiness look like for individuals who are married? Individuals who have children? There are blessed few to choose from. St. Bridget gives a firm foundation upon which to form an answer to these questions. St. Bridget, pray for us! [bctt tweet="St. Bridget of Sweden + Preconceived Notions #BISblog //" via="no"]

Celebrating its 243rd birthday today, the United States of America’s history is brief compared to most other countries. In such a short amount of time, though, our country has been blessed by a handful of Saints. These men and women not only achieved sanctification through their holy lives, but were also instrumental in bringing Catholicism to America and spreading it throughout the country. It is because of these Saints, some born in America and some who immigrated, that we have many of the institutions Catholics in the United States are best known for today: parochial schools, hospitals, services to the poor, and so much more. Praying for The United States with American Saints In celebration of the Fourth of July, here is a look at five American Saints whose intercession we can ask for our country and our role in it. St. Elizabeth Ann Seton St. Elizabeth Ann Seton was the first American-born Saint to be canonized. It's one of a handful of “firsts” she is known for. Born in 1774, she was raised Episcopalian and enjoyed a life of privilege in New York society. She married a wealthy businessman and they had five children. Their seemingly-charmed life began to collapse around them in 1798, when Elizabeth’s father-in-law passed away. Elizabeth’s father died three years later. Two years after that, her husband filed for bankruptcy and his health began to fail. Elizabeth accompanied him to Italy in the hopes of relieving his symptoms of chronic tuberculosis, but the disease took his life while abroad. The sweet consolation of her time in Italy was that her eyes were opened to the beauty of the Catholic Faith by her husband’s Italian colleagues. She was especially drawn to Mary, having lost her own mother as a child, and to the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. Upon her return to America, she entered the Church. Then she opened a school for girls in order to support her family. The backlash from her community following her conversion was so severe that the school struggled greatly. She ultimately relocated her family to Emmitsburg, Maryland and founded another school, followed by a religious order, the Sisters of Charity of St. Joseph, which was focused on caring for poor children. Her organizations were the first Catholic parochial school in the country and the first congregation of religious sisters started in the United States. She served with both until her death at the age of 46. St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, patron of Catholic schools, pray for the Catholic schools, religious education programs, and all parents who are striving to teach their children the Faith here in America. Pray that all educators may hold firmly to the teachings of our Faith and pass them on to our country’s children with care, expertise, and the utmost dedication to the Truth. St. Frances Xavier Cabrini St. Frances Xavier Cabrini began her adult life as a teacher in Italy. She dreamed of being a missionary but was continually rejected by religious communities due to her poor health. Her bishop, recognizing her holiness and zeal, encouraged her to start her own order. She founded the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and her work caught the attention of Pope Leo XIII. It was he who encouraged Mother Cabrini to go “not to the East, but to the West” to further her mission work. She and six sisters traveled to New York City. Despite arriving without money or adequate lodgings, they began their work in high spirits. They opened multiple orphanages and a hospital, all focused on serving the many Italian immigrants. They spread their efforts to Chicago, and eventually throughout the country and even into Nicaragua, establishing 67 institutions in her 67 years of life. St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, help us to lovingly welcome and meet the needs of immigrants. Help us to see them as Christ does and to serve as a witness of God’s love for them. Intercede for all politicians and those who create laws and legislation surrounding immigration, that they may always put the dignity of the human person first. St. John Neumann Born in the now-Czech Republic, St. John Neumann moved to New York in 1836 after completing seminary. He was ordained there and made pastor of the entire New York frontier, covering 100 square miles. One of only 36 priests for 200,000 Catholics, he threw himself headfirst into serving as many of them as he could. He spent the majority of his time traveling between the rural villages and towns, meeting with and serving the German and Irish immigrants. A gifted linguist, he spoke English, German, French, Italian, Dutch, and Gaelic so he could hear confessions in any of those languages. Longing for deeper community, he joined the Redemptorists in 1842. This gave him the opportunity to minister to even more immigrants, particularly in Baltimore and Pittsburgh. In 1852, he was named bishop of Philadelphia. A great focus of his ministry was education. He increased the number of schools in his diocese from two to nearly 100. St. John Neumann, pray that we too may experience your tireless zeal for teaching and sharing the Gospel. Help us to remember that our greatest opportunities for mission work may be right here at home—within our own houses and communities. St. Katharine Drexel Born an heiress to a wealthy and influential family in Philadelphia, St. Katharine Drexel lacked for nothing during her childhood. By the grace of God, her family was not only privileged but incredibly holy and generous. Her father and stepmother modeled a dedication to prayer and a commitment to the works of mercy. Blessed with the opportunity to travel, she accompanied her father West. There she saw firsthand the desperate hardships Native Americans faced. This had a lasting effect on her. After their father’s death, Katharine and her sisters went to Europe together. There they had a private audience with Pope Leo XIII. She told him about her desire to live a contemplative life, as well as the plight of the Native Americans she had witnessed. Upon urging him to send missionaries to their aid, the pope responded, “But why not be a missionary yourself, my child?” Katharine became a nun in 1891. She added a promise “to be the mother and servant of the Indian and Negro races” to her vows. Over the next 40 years, she used her inheritance to found and help maintain an astounding 145 missions, 50 schools for African Americans, and 12 schools for Native Americans through her order, the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament. St. Katharine Drexel, inspire us to always keep our eyes opened to the needs of the marginalized in our society. Pray for us to have the boldness and courage to reach out and meet the needs of those who are in need and to serve where no one else is serving. St. Theodore Guerin Born Anne-Therese Guerin, St. Theodore Guerin spent the first 25 years of her life with her family, first assisting her mother during her father’s many months at a time at sea. When tragedies took the lives of her father and two of her brothers, leaving her mother unable to cope, she then took over the maintenance of the household and the care of her younger sister. At age 25, Anne-Therese’s mother finally accepted her desire to enter religious life and gave her her blessing. After nearly fifteen years of serving some of the most challenging missions in the area, the new Bishop of Vincennes, Indiana asked for a group of sisters to form a mission in the Indiana wilderness. While St. Theodore Guerin did not volunteer due to her health, her participation was personally requested by the sister in charge. So she boarded the ship for America in 1840. The sisters arrived to a single, crowded, broken-down home in the middle of the woods that was to serve as their temporary home. They got right to work, despite the difficult pioneer conditions and harsh winters that the French sisters were unaccustomed to. Persevering through great hardships and persecution from within and outside of the Church, St. Theodore Guerin boldly led the founding of schools, orphanages, a free pharmacy, and a new motherhouse for the Sisters of Providence. St. Theodore Guerin, pray for us, that we may always lovingly accept the tasks appointed to us by the Lord. May we, like you, have the strength to carry them out in service to others, remaining steadfast in faith despite the trials and sufferings that may arise. Lord, Make Us Saints! Thankfully, this list is nowhere near exhaustive. There are many other American Saints, Blesseds, Venerables, and Servants of God throughout our relatively short history. Especially on this Independence Day, we thank God for the examples of these holy American men and women, and pray that we may someday be counted among them! Do you have a special devotion to any United States American Saints? Let us know who and why below! [bctt tweet="Praying for the United States with American Saints #BISblog //" username="lisajanelkirk"]

I don’t know about you, but I find it fairly simple and rather exciting to live out the liturgical seasons of Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter. There are so many tangible ways to naturally integrate these seasons into everyday living—in my prayer life, in my home, and with my family. During Advent and Lent, I enjoy praying with a devotional to prepare my heart for the extraordinary miracles of Jesus’ birth on Christmas and resurrection on Easter. During the dark evenings leading up to Christmas, my family gathers around the Advent wreath. The light grows brighter, as we anticipate His coming. During Lent, a simple prayer table focuses our attention on Christ’s passion and death—all He endured for our salvation and what we can offer Him in return. When Christmas and Easter finally arrive, I am ready to enter into the celebration. On Christmas, I arrive in Bethlehem, ready to receive the Christ Child in my heart. And on Easter, my entire being rejoices in the hope of new life in the Lord. But what do I do when the calendar turns to the day after Christmas? Or when the 50-dayl ong Easter season is over and life returns to normal? How do I live liturgically during Ordinary Time? Order Our Days in His Peace There are two periods of Ordinary Time in the Church calendar. One is the short time between the end of Christmas and the beginning of Lent. The longer stretch of Ordinary Time—the one we’re in now—begins after Easter and ends just before Advent. Ordinary Time comes from the Latin ordinalis, which means “showing order.” In many ways, we practice “showing order” when we intentionally commit to prayer during Advent and Lent. We get into the habit of daily prayer and reflection, so that we can continue that practice during the everyday, ordinary times of our lives. But perhaps Ordinary Time still feels too expansive to make meaningful. Perhaps we need more tangible ideas to live liturgically during Ordinary Time. The good news is that our faith can remain alive and active, even during our most “normal” days. Throughout Ordinary Time, the liturgical color of green gives us hope, just as green in nature symbolizes new life, growth, fullness, and fruitfulness. Also, there are plenty of beautiful feast days and Catholic customs that we can integrate into our everyday, ordinary lives. How to Live Liturgically During Summer's Ordinary Time Since we are in the midst of that longer stretch of Ordinary Time, here are four ways to live liturgically during June, July, and August. Pick one or two to incorporate into your summer routine, and slowly add more over time. 1. Keep praying. While we may not have a beautiful devotional to pray with each day, allow the time you spent with your Advent and Lent prayer journals to be a springboard for a daily prayer habit. One way to do this is by meditating on the daily Mass readings. You can find the readings, along with a daily Gospel reflection, right here. I am always surprised by how often the daily readings speak directly to my personal circumstances. It’s like they were written just for me! Keep a journal close by to jot down verses that are especially meaningful to you. 2. Discover a new devotion. The month of June is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which culminates on the June 28th feast day. Since the Sacred Heart of Jesus is present on earth in the Blessed Sacrament, visit a Eucharistic Adoration Chapel on this feast day. Perhaps this will slowly turn into a weekly Holy Hour. Another custom involving the Sacred Heart of Jesus is enthroning your home, which simply means inviting Jesus into your home and giving Him authority over it. To learn more about this process, click here. 3. Become friends with the Saints. July is dedicated to the Precious Blood of Jesus. St. Catherine of Siena lends us a beautiful prayer to incorporate into our daily prayer time: Precious Blood, Ocean of Divine Mercy: flow upon us. Precious Blood, Most Pure Offering: procure us every grace! Precious Blood, Hope and Refuge of Sinners: atone for us! Precious Blood, Delight of Holy Souls: draw us! Amen.   Also, many Saints have feast days in July. This long summer month is a great time to befriend them! Here are a few ideas: Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati (July 4) is a favorite among young-adult Catholics. In his honor, go on a hike and spend time with God in nature. Our Lady of Mount Carmel (July 16) gave St. Simon Stock the scapular. Learn more about this sacramental and the protection that it offers through Our Lady’s powerful prayers. Sts. Joachim and Anne (July 26) are the grandparents of Jesus. Through their intercession, say a special prayer for your grandparents. If they are still living, plan a visit, give them a call, or send them a card. St. Martha (July 29) and her siblings Lazarus and Mary were good friends of Jesus. Ask for Martha’s intercession when your to-do list is causing you to be “anxious and troubled” (Luke 10:38-42). 4. Grow in your relationship with Mary. August is dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. We honor Mary’s heart, because it remained purely attentive to the will of God and devoted to her Son, Jesus. Here are a few ways we can grow in our relationship with Mary, especially this August: Pray a daily Rosary. Start small by praying one decade a day and slowly build up to one Rosary per day. Display a beautiful statue or picture of Mary prominently in your home. During the summer months when nature is in full bloom, place flowers near your Marian image. After all, moms love flowers from their children! Celebrate the Solemnity of the Assumption on August 15 with Mass and a special dessert. Consecrate yourself to Jesus through Mary. Anything but Ordinary Ordinary Time may be the longest liturgical season, but it is anything but mundane and boring. It is a great time to order our days in Christ’s peace. In addition, feast days, rich traditions, and Catholic customs ignite our faith, so we can live prayerfully, intentionally, and liturgically all throughout the year. How do you practice liturgical living during the ordinary days of summer? [bctt tweet="Ways to Live Liturgically During the Ordinary Days of Summer #BISblog //" via="no"]

I used to be the US Military Coordinator for the international ministry, Mother's Prayers. It is a para-liturgical service in which we lay our children down at the feet of the crucified Christ and give up all our worry for them to God. We try really hard to remember that He loves our children in service so much more than we can fathom. Whether it is those little helpless babies that are so dependent on us, or rebellious teenagers, or grown ups who should be, but are not always as mature as we wish them to be, spiritually or otherwise, they are still our children. That maternal love and wanting to protect and nurture a child is just a hint of Heaven's love for each of us. Mother's Prayers There are many wonderful things that come from placing that level of trust in God during the service. The words that resonate the most with the women I talk to about Mother's Prayers, and to me, are "laying your children at the foot of the Cross." I think it's because we can all visualize standing at the foot of the Cross. How many times have we participated in the Stations of the Cross during our lives? How many times have we heard or sung the Stabat Mater? At the cross, her station keeping...close to Jesus to the last.   We imagine Mary "weeping, mourning in this valley of tears," as we profess in the Hail, Holy Queen prayer. And we are with her. As mothers ourselves, we don't want to imagine Mary's anguish as she witnesses the tortured death of her Child. And yet we are awed and amazed by the fact that God chooses this horrible, painful death out of His love for us. He loves us that much, He loves our children that much. The Hope We Have And in that terrible scene, we must recall the hope that is ours because of it all. While we certainly remember Jesus' sacrifice for us every time we're at Mass during the Liturgy of the Eucharist, during the Stations we often also focus on the sacrifice of Jesus' mother. And we realize that she is our Mother, too. As we are the Body of Christ, Mary is the Mother of the Church, the feast day we celebrate today. During the Mother's Prayers service, after we write each child's name on a white circle of paper, we kneel in front of a crucifix after placing them in a basket. It is a reminder of eternal realities. We physically place the names of our children, and so each child symbolically, at the foot of the Cross. We place them into Jesus' care, into His merciful love that has no boundaries. Mary is with us there; her concern for each of our maternal worries endear us to her. She wants to intercede on our behalf out of her motherly understanding of our love for our children. Mary Cares and Understands Think back to Mary telling Jesus that the newlyweds have run out of wine. Really a social faux pas more than anything, but her mother's heart compels her to tell her Son who she knows can make it right. She doesn't know how; but she trusts. And Jesus will deny her nothing. That's how involved Jesus will get in our lives, and His mother, too, evidently! So, it's important to bring our requests to the Mother of God and the Mother of the Church when we pray to God about our concerns, especially for our children. Contemplate what she had to endure during Christ's Passion and Death. She once again had to trust Jesus and His obedience to the Father. But she was also with her Son in the joyful moments, too; the pinnacle of which is Jesus' Resurrection! 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 She is Our Confidant How can we feel anything but comfort and gratitude for Jesus' very existence? True God and true Man, deserving none of the punishment that is heaped upon Him, sullying His perfect, sinless Being with our sin. How can we ever doubt that our children's salvation is a priority for Him? Of course it is. And how can we ever doubt that His mother won't join us in petitions for the sake of her children? That's all of us, all of us who make up the Body of Christ, including our own little ones, of course. But she is the mother of young and old alike, no matter our situation in life, no matter our station. We must turn to our mother, the woman who Jesus, from the Cross, gives to John. In that instant, through blinding tears and grief too intense to understand, Mary beheld her Son dying on the Cross. Then John beholds his mother, our mother, the mother of Jesus and of the Church. He is Our Comfort This experience of Mother's Prayers gives women great comfort. God loves our children with an infinite love. That reality is illuminated during the prayer service and it moves us deeper into our relationship with Him, allowing us to emphatically declare, "Jesus, I trust in You." It also allows us to ask Mary to join us in our prayers for our children. She will wrap her mantle around both of you, each child whose name you place at the foot of the Cross and around you, Mom. For you need her love and presence as much as any of her other children. Surely it causes Jesus to smile when she tends to the needs of others, just as she did all those centuries ago at a wedding reception in Cana. [bctt tweet="Our Mother's Prayers #BISblog //" via="no"] Lynda MacFarland loves Jesus and her fondest desire is to encourage others in their faith journey toward Home. She prays often that the things she does will glorify God and advance His Kingdom. Lynda is the author of one book (so far!), Drowning In Lemonade: Reflections of an Army Wife. You can find out more about her here.