This summer, join the Blessed Is She community as we dive deep into the true peace of Christ through the new devotional, The Promise of Peace. For twenty-one days, we will pray for and reflect upon the peace Christ promises through Scripture, Church teaching, saintly wisdom, and personal reflections.

We are so blessed to have a mother in the Blessed Virgin Mary, who offers us a shining lived example of virtue and intimacy with God. However, approaching Mary can feel intimidating, as her holiness and perfection seem unattainable. But in the newest Blessed is She study, called Home: A Blessed Conversation on the Virtues of Mary, the authors invite us to see Mary as a gentle, compassionate mother who welcomes us exactly as we are. Shedding the Pressure to Measure Up As contributing author Debbie Herbeck put it, "There's nothing to prove here — this is just a mama's heart." This refreshing perspective challenges the concept that we must be perfect like the Blessed Mother in order to have a relationship with her. Far from it! She delights in meeting us where we are, inviting us into her home and into her life with open arms. Debbie reflects that it is as if Mary says, "'Come on into the mess. It's okay, I'm just going to receive you as you are." In the same conversation, Sister Maria Fatima — another author of Home — eloquently describes the beauty of Mary's maternal heart. She emphasizes that Our Lady's heart is not concerned with competition or comparison but is characterized by surrender and trust. "It's not about what we do, it's about our surrender," Sister shares. "It's about our giving up control and allowing our Our Lady to be Our Mother." Our Mother Mary yearns to embrace us, console us in our sorrows, and rejoice with us in our joys. Confiding in Mary's Feminine Heart Moreover, Mary is able to relate to every woman in every stage of life. For she embodies the fullness of feminine vocation — virgin, spouse, and mother. As Sister Maria Fatima reflects, "Every single woman can find in her an example, every single woman can find in her a confidant, every single woman can find in her one who's been there." Ultimately, Mary's greatest desire is not to draw us to herself, but to lead us to her Son, Jesus. She is a gentle guide along the journey, leading us to the source of all grace. By responding to Mary's love, we open ourselves to a more intimate relationship with Christ, one that is nurtured by the tenderness and wisdom of our Heavenly Mother.  A Gentle Invitation to Deeper Faith While the world often values perfection and performance, Our Lady just desires our presence. This study on the virtues of Mary invites us to simply enter into Mary's home, to sit with her, and to allow her maternal love to transform us, one moment at a time. As we come to know her, we discover a mother who is ever-present, ever-loving, and ever-ready to guide us to the heart of her Son, Jesus. MARY SHOWS US THE WAY Just as a mother might pass on a beloved family tradition to her daughters, Mary shares the recipe for growing in virtue with us. This study on Mary's Virtues will breathe new life into your everyday, beginning right in Mary's home. GET HOME STUDY

This month we are so inspired by this beautiful verse from Saint Paul in Romans: For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. // Romans 8:5-6 Click to download your phone wallpaper Click to download your desktop wallpaper SHOP SPIRIT COLLECTION

For some of us, it is difficult to go to Mary, knowing full well that we can't live up to her. After all, she is perfect, she is sinless, she is the Immaculate Conception! She is everything we want to be as women, as followers of Jesus, as friends.  Obviously, we are not conceived without sin like Our Lady. "That's not going to happen," Beth Davis laughs in a recent Q&A session. "But do you know what can happen? I can be her little child. She can be my mother." Making Mary Personal  Rather than gazing upon Our Lady from a distance, as a woman on her own level, what if we looked at her as a toddler looks at his mother? Invite her into the inner chambers of your heart. Go to Mary as she is doing the dishes, putting her baby down for a nap, welcoming her husband at the door. Where are you in her home? What is it like when she stops her work to listen to you or to look at you? On Q&A, Beth shared a meditation from her own imaginative prayer. On Holy Thursday, praying with the washing of the feet, she pictured the same scene in the home of the Holy Family. Jesus saw Mary wash Joseph's feet, Joseph wash Mary's feet, Mary wash His own feet when He came in from playing outside. "It was just this beautiful understanding that Jesus lived in the school of love," she explains. Being in the School of Love By going to Mary as our Mother, we too can learn in the school of love, just as Jesus did growing up in her home in Nazareth. "Mary will do or say something in my prayer, and I notice...it transforms me," Beth reflects. "I notice that I start talking, acting, doing what she did." Beth pictured herself as a little girl, allowing her Mother to wash her own feet. Our Lady was so beautiful that Beth impulsively reached up to touch her, and Mary simply leaned in closer. Lean in Towards Our Lady In Beth's prayer, Our Lady did not lean away from her child's love. She did the opposite! Yet we, perhaps as a result of our perfectionism, can be tempted to lean away from her as our Mother. "When I've been loved in my life, I've pulled back," Beth relates. "I feel embarassed and very vulnerable. And by Mary leaning in and letting me look at her face...I now know how to receive love." Rather than feeling hesitant to lean in towards Our Lady in her fullness of grace or embarrassed to receive her ardent love, let us simply turn to her to teach us how. MARY SHOWS US THE WAY Just as a mother might pass on a beloved family tradition to her daughters, Mary shares the recipe for growing in virtue with us. This study on Mary's Virtues will breathe new life into your everyday, beginning right in Mary's home. GET HOME STUDY

The start of my devotion to the Blessed Mother Several Mays of my childhood my mother set up a little prayer table with a statue of the Blessed Mother and a candle, and I remember praying a family rosary in the evenings. Now, I can’t tell you that we did this every evening of those Mays, but I do know that this was the beginning of my devotion to the Blessed Mother. Or maybe it was my godmother giving me my first miraculous medal accompanied by a book about Saint Catherine Laboure. Perhaps it began with impatiently praying Our Lady of Perpetual Help devotions after Tuesday morning Mass with my mother in the summer. It also could have been gazing into the crèche on Christmas morning and then trying to make the Fontanini figurine of the Infant Jesus fit into His mother’s arms raised in amazed adoration. Another place could have been praying with my dad’s heartfelt rendition of John Michael Talbot’s “Holy is His Name”—no one plays and sings it quite like my dad. Then there is the cassette tape with Amy Grant’s “Breath of Heaven,” given to my older sister by our younger aunt. I think wherever I was in my childhood, the Blessed Mother was not far away. It was in high school I began my first devotion of praying a daily rosary; I loved the scriptural rosary book. The development of our relationship I hit the hills of Steubenville, settling into my first dorm room of Marian Hall at Franciscan University, with a daily rosary routine in place. Late one evening my first weekend at school an acquaintance I had met in the courtyard walked with me over to the Portiuncula Chapel so that I could pray my rosary. I had developed a rapid-fire style of praying the rosary—the kind one develops when sharing a room with older sisters who want to turn out the light. This friend was quite surprised that night when I popped up from my knees and slipped out of the chapel after seven minutes. He had been expecting a twenty-minute-plus prayer time. This friend is now a monk. But the Blessed Mother was not finished developing my devotion to her—she is still working on it. In the Spring semester I took a class on Mariology and learned all sort of reasons for devotion to the Blessed Mother. After learning that it was necessary in order to properly wear a scapular, I sought out a friar to enroll me in the Brown Scapular. But perhaps the most significant step in my relationship with our Lady was when my newly forming household (Steubenville’s version of sororities/fraternities) decided to do a “total consecration” to the Blessed Mother, following the directions given by Saint Louis de Monfort in A Treatise on the True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin. So, nineteen years ago, without really understanding what it all entailed I pledged myself a “slave” to Mary. Even more than intercession, Mary is a model I am not sure how I would have managed the years since then without her. The following semester she sustained me as I prayed my first 54 Day Rosary Novena for Mark to discern his vocation. I have done many 54-day novenas since then. There have been the countless rosaries prayer on road trips, in labor, through sleepless nights with a baby. And then, further, when I started praying Mother Teresa’s “Flying Novena” of nine Memorares, plus an extra one in thanksgiving for answered prayers, so that my son would fall asleep. But it is more than going to her in prayer. It is learning that she is the model for all of us of how to be a creature towards our Creator. Her yes is the one to imitate. Her fiat should be imitated by us in our every breath, at the moment of our waking, in the face of each duty of our days, and when we go to bed at night. Saint Louis de Montfort wrote that God desired for the Blessed Mother to “reproduce herself” in His people, so that her virtues could be found on earth without her “ceasing to be in heaven.”[i] And while Mary wishes to do God’s will in helping us grow like Him, Saint Louis tells us that it is best for us to consecrate ourselves to her care and seek to imitate her virtues through true devotion to her: True devotion to our Lady is holy; that is to say, it leads the soul to avoid sin, and to imitate in the Blessed Virgin particularly her profound humility, her lively faith, her blind obedience, her continual prayer, her universal mortification, her divine purity, her ardent charity, her heroic patience, her angelic sweetness, and her divine wisdom.[ii]   The more years I have prayed with her virtues, the more I have seen how my holiness is bound to my love and imitation of the Blessed Mother. I have gazed many Sundays on the fresco of the Holy Family in my parish; the Blessed Mother looks on, with sewing in her hands, as Saint Joseph is at work at carpentry and the child Jesus assists him. I always pray for our home life to be like theirs, for the Blessed Mother to help me in my motherhood, wifehood, and commitment to my daily work. The birth of Home: A Study on the Virtues of Mary Thus, last summer, when the book team at Blessed is She decided to put together a book on the ten Marian Virtues as listed by St. Louis de Montfort, I was delighted. A year and a half ago, my dear friend at Blessed is She stepped down from her position as managing editor, moving on to other things. Having worked under her as theological editor editing books for over five years, I stepped up into the role of content editor for Blessed is She. Home: A Blessed Conversations Study on the Virtues of Mary, is the first complete book I midwifed as a head editor. This book, which invites you into the home of the Blessed Mother, consists of twelve chapters, one per virtue plus an introduction and conclusion. Each chapter includes an explanatory narration by Olivia Spears, Scripture for lectio divina, a story written by one of Blessed is She’s writers, questions for reflection by Beth Davis, and a prayer compiled from the Church tradition by me and our copyeditor Sarah Zenter. It is designed for a woman to use on her own or with a small group. The writers of the stories are Mariana Pimiento, Cathy Webb, Megan Hjelmstad, Debra Herbeck, Jana Zuniga Pingel, Michelle Karen D’Silva, Blythe Fike, Sister Maria Fatima, Senite Sahlezghi, and Karen Schultz. The design and layout is by Michelle Slough with artwork by Aubrey Major. The book is a true window into the home of our Lady—a space to spend time with her, to understand her virtues, and to seek to grow in them. I invite anyone who is feeling the draw of the Blessed Mother, to consider reading and praying with this newest Blessed is She study. [i]  Saint Louis-Marie Grignion de Montfort, A Treatise on the True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin, trans. Frederick William Faber (London: Burns and Lambert, 1863), 19. [ii] Saint Louis, True, 72. This post first appeared on Living with Lady Philosophy, a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support her work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. MARY SHOWS US THE WAY Just as a mother might pass on a beloved family tradition to her daughters, Mary shares the recipe for growing in virtue with us. This study on Mary's Virtues will breathe new life into your everyday, beginning right in Mary's home. GET HOME STUDY

As a Christian, have you found yourself in situations where anxiety and fear seemed to have the upper hand? Times when you felt that you were constantly on the defensive, trying to fend off the enemy's attacks? If so, you're not alone. Many of us feel this way, but the good news is that we can reclaim the offensive in our spiritual lives. We can shift our postures from praying with anxiety to praying with authority. Shifting from Defense to Offense In a recent video, Beth Davis shared a testimony about learning to pray from a place of authority and power, rather than from a defeated position of anxiety. She had been traveling and faced a series of unexpected delays and challenges that threatened to derail her plans. As she found herself spiraling into anxiety, she had a revelation that changed everything. Beth had been reading a book that described the spiritual life as a football game, where God has already won the victory, and we, as Christians, are the ones moving the ball down the field, reclaiming territory from the enemy. This shift in perspective proved a game-changer for her. Declaring Victory in the Face of Anxiety Instead of praying from a place of fear and defeat, Beth chose to declare victory in Jesus' name. This was her prayer: "No, Lord, I declare in Jesus' name that I'm going to make this connection, and you're going to part the sea of people like you did the Red Sea, and I'm going to make it to my gate." And that's exactly what happened. This experience was a powerful reminder that we don't have to live in a constant state of anxiety, fear, and spiritual warfare. Instead, we can choose to walk in the power and authority that Christ has already won for us. We can declare victory over the enemy's schemes and trust that God is on our side, moving us forward towards the fulfillment of His perfect plan. Praying with Power and Authority As we confront fear and spiritual warfare, Beth's story reminds us that we don't have to be on the defensive. We can choose to pray with power and authority, declaring victory in Jesus' name and trusting that God is on our side. So, the next time you find yourself facing anxiety, remember that you have the ball. Stand firm in the authority you have in Christ and watch Him part the seas before you, leading you to victory. WANT TO DEEPEN YOUR PRAYER? Get ready to be radically changed by the Lord and His presence. Be drawn into intimacy with the Lord by way of weekly videos, a community within the Blessed is She app, and invitations into reading scripture in a whole new way. BEGIN THE WELL: ABIDE

Hi friend! I’m Monica, and I want to grow in prayer and friendship with you! If you, like me, are a college student (or maybe just graduated last month!) — I want to invite you to come away this summer, once a week, to a college women's Bible study just for us gals who are in this season of life.  All you need to bring is yourself and the Gospel of Matthew (follow along in your Bible or one of our beautiful Matthew studies!).  College Women's Bible Study What // Small group prayer and discussion with the Gospel of Matthew When // Every Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. PDT, June 12-July 31 Where // This Google Meet Reading Plan We'll read the first chapter at our meeting on the date listed, then read the next few chapters on our own throughout the week Week 1: Part I (Matthew 1-4) // June 12 Week 2: Part II (Matthew 5-7) // June 19 Week 3: Part III (Matthew 8-10) // June 26 Week 4: Part IV (Matthew 11-14) // July 3 Week 5: Part V (Matthew 15-18) // July 10 Week 6: Part VI (Matthew 19-22) // July 17 Week 7: Part VII (Matthew 23-25) // July 24 Week 8: Part VIII (Matthew 26-28) // July 31 Here’s why this is on my heart: This season of summer in particular is so set apart for us as students. It’s gift to have more space in my life after the busyness of the school year. But I don’t just want this space to lie empty or to grow cluttered. I want it to bear fruit. The Lord really highlighted this gift of space for me last week in my backyard. This spring was rainier than most, causing all sorts of growth while I was away at school. Heading towards a little bench in the corner, I was startled by the blossoms of the bougainvillea bushes there — and by all the weeds, knee-high, threatening to choke the pink blooms in all their glory. If the flowers were going to keep growing, they would need more space. And the Holy Spirit invited me — Will you make the space? The rain will come and the sun will shine, He will provide the grace and the growth. But will we give Him the space? Let's do it! Let's give space in our calendars and hearts to Jesus by making the time to be in His Word each day. We’ll read Matthew on our own throughout the week (see reading plan below), then meet each Wednesday to pray and share together. Come once or every time — whatever works for you! Happy summer, and hope to see you in our small group! Love, Monica  Monica Weinkopf fell in love with Jesus one spring night in high school, through a graced experience of Scripture and Confession. Now she is in her last year of college in Southern California, where she reads old books and majors in liberal arts. Outside is her favorite place to pray, sunrise is her favorite time to run, and white is her favorite thing to wear. HIS WORD CHANGES LIVES God is speaking to you through His Word. In this personal study, you will learn to hear God's voice by reading slowly and praying deeply. BEGIN THE JOURNEY

As Catholics, we are blessed with the rich treasure of Scripture and Tradition that guides our faith. The Bible, the living and active Word of God, is the foundation upon which our beliefs are built. Yet, too often, we find ourselves disconnected from this Sacred Word, unsure how to approach it or read it. But, my dear friends, it is time to reclaim the Bible as a constant companion, a source of nourishment, and a means to deepen our relationship with Jesus Christ. Let's dive into praying with Scripture as often as we can. The Necessity of a Personal Bible We know as Catholics that the Bible is not merely a decorative piece to be displayed on a shelf or a coffee table. It is a living, breathing document that demands our attention, our time, and our devotion. As Catholics, we must embrace the Bible as our own, carrying it with us, opening it daily, and allowing its words to transform our hearts and minds. Jenna shares the importance of this personal relationship with the Bible. "You need a Bible that you love and you're going to use," she emphasizes. "It's not just about hearing the readings at Mass or reading them on a website. You need this actual book, and you need to open it. You need to hear Jesus's words for yourself, and you need to come to know Jesus Christ in the word." This call to action is a powerful one. We must not relegate the Bible to the sidelines of our faith, but rather embrace it as a vital and indispensable part of our daily lives. Whether it's carrying a Bible with us throughout the day or setting aside time to read and meditate on its words, the key is to make the Bible a constant companion in our journey of faith. The Beauty of Praying with Scripture Praying with Scripture is a transformative experience that can deepen our relationship with God and bring us closer to the heart of the Church. As Jenna shares, "When you read scripture, you really can't read it in isolation. You're reading under the Ark of all of Salvation history." The Church, guided by the Holy Spirit, has carefully curated the readings and liturgical seasons, allowing us to immerse ourselves in the grand narrative of God's love for humanity. One practical suggestion Jenna offers is to read a Psalm as the last thing before going to bed. "Instead of looking at your phone, what if you just read a Psalm?" she asks. "You're kind of going to bed meditating on and marinating in the word." This simple practice can be a powerful way to end the day, allowing the words of Scripture to soothe our souls and prepare our hearts for the next day's journey. Recommended Catholic Bibles Jenna highlights two excellent Catholic Bible options that can enrich our experience of the word of God. The first is the NRSV Catholic Edition, which is what the Blessed is She Bible is! The second is the Ignatius Study Bible, which features in-depth commentary and insights from renowned Catholic scholars like Dr. Scott Hahn. These Bibles offer a wealth of resources to deepen our understanding of the Scriptures and their connection to the rich tradition of the Catholic Church. Whether you choose the NRSV or the Ignatius Study Bible, the important thing is to find a Bible that speaks to your heart and that you will use regularly. Embracing the Word of God As we embark on this journey of rediscovering the beauty of the Catholic Bible, let's be reminded that "the Word either convicts or it comforts, sometimes it does both." The power of the Scriptures lies in its ability to challenge us, to comfort us, and to draw us ever closer to the heart of God. Let's embrace the Bible as a constant companion, a source of nourishment, and a means to deepen our relationship with Jesus Christ. In doing so, we will discover the transformative power of the living and active word of God, and our lives will be forever changed. Conclusion: A Call to Action for Praying with Scripture My dear friends, the time has come to reclaim the Bible as a vital part of our Catholic faith. Let us heed the call to carry our Bibles with us, to open them daily, and to allow the word of God to shape our hearts and minds. Let us pray with Scripture, immersing ourselves in the rich tapestry of Salvation history and the guiding light of the Church. As we embark on this journey, may the words of the Psalmist resonate within us: "To be near God is my happiness; to place my hope in God the Lord" (Psalm 73:28). Let us draw near to God through the power of His living and active Word, and may our lives be forever transformed by the beauty of the Scripture. HIS WORD CHANGES LIVES God is speaking to you through His Word. In this personal study, you will learn to hear God's voice by reading slowly and praying deeply. BEGIN THE JOURNEY

Praying with Art (& How We Designed the 2024-2025 Liturgical Planner) This year in the Blessed is She Catholic Liturgical Planner, we're asking the Lord to help us see His love, every single day, like it’s the very first time. We're staying awake to our beautiful daily life, to live every moment in wonder.  Inspired by Matthew 5:8 and our desire to see God, we chose Impressionism artwork to walk with you through the whole year of planning + praying. But why? Praying On the Spot Impressionism art developed in France in the nineteenth century. It is based on the practice of painting outdoors and spontaneously 'on the spot' rather than in a studio from sketches. God is crafting a beautiful life right in front of us. Are we pausing to pray “on the spot” — truly noticing the present moment? The Mess Can Become Beautiful Impressionists used quick, thick, and sometimes messy brushstrokes. In this particular technique, it is the smallest strokes that come together to create a complex, detailed scene. The light was ever-changing and the scene was marvelous, so these painters were determined to soak it up and stay present to the beauty. Everyday Goodness Most impressionist subjects were landscapes and scenes of everyday life. These painters marveled in the vast seas, open skies, and rolling hills. This same nature often leads us to ponder the greatness of God as our creator. How beautiful that they also chose to capture daily life in the same way! Looking closely at our own life with a similar awe and wonder can help us to truly love god as the creator of the little things, too. Light Defeating Darkness Did you know that impressionist artists never used black?  Claude Monet felt that black had a “dulling effect.” Instead of black, he used a color's complement to darken an area. For example, to darken something blue, he would add some orange or red. Where the enemy attempts to strip our lives of their color, the Lord offers us vibrance + light to restore our life to its fullness.  Presentness over Perfection The primary goal of Impressionism was to capture the momentary, sensory effect of a scene rather than its accuracy. Impressionist artists were not worried about their own sense of control or perfection. What mattered most was appreciating the scene in front of them. Can we learn to set aside our need to “get everything right” and instead rest in the beauty of His love. Can we release our need to understand, analyze, and control, and instead let His presence be enough? Impressionism Paintings & the Art of Seeing God This next year, the theme for our BIS Planner is to truly see God in daily life. We’re looking closely, waking up, noticing god, and thanking him for every beautiful, intentional detail. The 2024-2025 Catholic Liturgical Planner includes Scripture passages all about sight—physical sight (like blind healings in the Gospels) and spiritual sight (the Lord opening our eyes through His teachings). Down to every detail and prayer, the Lord will unfold this theme of living with eyes wide open all year long. “My teacher, let me see again.” // Mark 10:51 LITURGICAL PLANNERS Our Liturgical Planners are based on the Litany of Humility. Enter into prayer every day alongside this beautiful Litany. Order your days in His peace. GET YOUR PLANNER

Introducing The Well Catholic Mentorship: A Transformative Journey One of Blessed is She's core values is sisterhood, which is deeper than just being casual friends, but women who long to grow spiritually alongside each other, every single day. We're excited to invite you to an extraordinary opportunity – The Well Mentorship. This 8-week Catholic mentorship is designed to be a transformative experience, where you'll dive deep into the heart of prayer and community. The Power of Catholic Small Group The Well Mentorship is a unique program that brings together groups of 10 women, each with a dedicated facilitator. Over the course of 8 consecutive weeks, you'll gather for 90-minute sessions filled with prayer, sharing, and spiritual direction. This intimate setting allows you to not only learn from your facilitator but also to be inspired by the testimonies and experiences of your fellow participants. One of the key benefits of The Well Catholic Mentorship is the opportunity to receive personalized feedback and guidance. Your facilitator will provide one-on-one support, helping you to identify and overcome any barriers you may be facing in your prayer life. Additionally, the small group dynamic fosters a sense of accountability, encouraging you to stay committed to your spiritual growth. Unlocking the ARRR of Prayer At the heart of The Well Mentorship is a powerful prayer practice known as ARRR. This acronym stands for "Acknowledge, Relate, Receive, and Respond," and it serves as a transformative tool for deepening your relationship with God. By learning to pray with honesty and vulnerability, you'll discover new depths of intimacy and connection with the Lord. The ARRR method is a game-changer, especially for those who struggle to maintain a consistent prayer life. When you find yourself hitting a wall or feeling disconnected, ARRR can be the key to unlocking the doors of your heart and allowing God's love to flow in. Through this simple yet profound practice, you'll learn to approach prayer with authenticity, openness, and a willingness to receive the Lord's transformative grace. Hear Beth explain how ARRR has changed her prayer life -->> The Importance of Community & Small Groups One of the unique aspects of The Well Mentorship is the emphasis on community. As you journey alongside a small group of like-minded women, you'll have the opportunity to share your experiences, challenges, and triumphs in prayer. This shared experience not only provides accountability but also fosters a deep sense of belonging and mutual encouragement. Often, we can find ourselves feeling isolated or unsure in our prayer lives. The Well Mentorship addresses this by creating a safe and supportive environment where you can be vulnerable, learn from others, and draw strength from the collective wisdom and testimonies of the group. This communal aspect is crucial for sustaining a vibrant prayer life, as we were never meant to walk this path alone. Building Intimacy Before Routine The Well Catholic Mentorship recognizes that establishing a consistent prayer routine can be challenging, especially for those who are new to the journey. Rather than focusing solely on creating a rigid schedule, the program emphasizes the importance of first cultivating a deep, personal relationship with God. Through the guided exercises and shared experiences, you'll have the opportunity to encounter the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit in a profound and transformative way. As you grow in this intimacy, the desire to meet with God in prayer will naturally flow from a place of love and trust, rather than mere obligation. Joining the Blessed is She Community Blessed is She is more than just a ministry – we're a vibrant community of women who are passionate about following Jesus and growing in our faith. Our desire is to provide encouragement and resources for you on the journey. Beyond the Catholic mentorship program, Blessed is She offers a wealth of free resources to help you on your spiritual journey. From daily devotions delivered to your inbox to comprehensive guides and study materials, we are dedicated to providing you with the tools and community you need to deepen your relationship with God. Embracing the Journey Ahead in Catholic Mentorship Whether you're a seasoned prayer warrior or just beginning to explore the depths of your faith, The Well Mentorship offers a unique opportunity to ignite or reignite your passion for prayer. By embracing the power of community, intimacy, and transformative practices like ARRR, you'll embark on a journey that has the potential to forever change the way you approach your relationship with the Lord. So, as you consider the path ahead, we invite you to explore The Well Mentorship and discover the blessings that await you. Let this be the season where you unlock the fullness of God's love and grace, surrounded by a supportive community of sisters in Christ. Exploring More Resources from Blessed is She Blessed is She is committed to providing you with a wealth of resources to deepen your faith and prayer life. Be sure to check out our: Catholic Resources and How-To Guides Free Resources Blessed is She Study Guide Learn More About Blessed is She Explore Our Catholic Women's Store Blessed is She's Amazon Page Remember, you belong here. WANT TO DEEPEN YOUR PRAYER? Get ready to be radically changed by the Lord and His presence. Be drawn into intimacy with the Lord by way of weekly videos, a community within the Blessed is She app, and invitations into reading scripture in a whole new way. BEGIN THE WELL: ABIDE

Click to download your phone wallpaper Click to download your desktop wallpaper   P.S. This artwork comes from our new study on Mary, called Home! It's also featured on these bible verse prints.

The Stillness of the Home It’s 7:30 p.m. on a Wednesday. The house is mostly quiet with soft music playing over the buzz of family life which is just beginning to settle down for the evening. I dim the lights, throw a tablecloth over what had been covered with homeschool papers a few hours earlier, light a candle, and gather chairs from around the house to make sure there is a place for everyone. I swat away eager hands as I set out treats from the Trader Joe’s run that I just made on the way home from my daughter’s dance class: veggies and dip, fruit, something crunchy, salty, sweet—always chocolate. Porch lights shine their welcome to friends who will begin to trickle in for this time set apart, prepared for us to seek the Kingdom together. Some knock gently in case the baby might be sleeping, while others let themselves in and make their way to the table that has been set for them. Hugs are given, drinks are poured—a glass of wine or sparkling water over ice—and plates are filled as we reconnect in a way that only happens here. We see one another often over playdates at the park, school activities, book clubs, and Sunday Mass but somehow this feels different, is different. In fact, it wasn’t until this small group started a little over a year ago that these familiar faces truly began to become intimate companions. As Friendship Grows It is strange how you can know someone for so long without really knowing them at all. When and how does a true sharing of hearts in a way that really matters happen? How do we know, love, support, and care for one another, and allow others into our lives enough to do the same? How do we draw closer to God and come to know His heart for us more intimately alongside and through our sharing of Him with others? Those were some of the questions and longings that prompted that first small group invitation which I sent to these women now filling my home with their laughter and tears, their encounters with Jesus and intentions, their presence that feels like a hug wrapped around my life. As the last friend rushes in, breathlessly taking her place at the table, we begin in a prayer to leave the cares and distractions of the day to enter into His presence. We welcome the Holy Spirit and ask Mary to guide our conversation, that God would be glorified and that we would encounter the Jesus of the Gospel once again through our sisters. It's as if one collective sigh exhales gratitude to be here together in this time and place set apart with the intention of seeking Heaven together. His Word is For You The house is quiet for the first time this evening as devotional studies on the Gospel of Matthew are opened and each of us flips through pages scrawled with notes, scanning to find what was most meaningful to share, to encourage and be encouraged. Each ponders and remembers time spent alone in the quiet with Jesus because as beautiful as this time is together, it is because of what has gone before that makes it the unique gift that it is. Alone with nothing but an open Bible, the blank page of a BIS Gospel devotional, and a pen in hand, we respond to the invitation written to read just a handful of verses each day with the beautiful reminder right there on the page: “His Word is for you, and He invites you to meet Him in it.” Incredibly, that is exactly what begins to happen as day after day, I carve out time in His Word, to “select a verse or part of the passage to meditate over” and then to “ponder the scene in prayer and write down what God is trying to say in [my] life today.” Such simple prompts on creamy, smooth paper lure me to listen differently, to pay attention and choose to write what I think I might be hearing. What starts tentatively begins to flow and before I know it, a flood of His truth spoken for me fills not only the lines but the margins too. Lyrics of songs, scenes of movies, and memories start pouring onto the page and I know Jesus is with me speaking in and through His Gospel. Lovely photography throughout seems to take me by the hand, encouraging me to breathe in His presence. There are just enough guided meditations scattered throughout to place myself in the scene with Jesus and enter more deeply into what has already begun. This Gospel devotional is allowing me to find what has been hidden there all along and it is changing me. It is changing us, because my friends are experiencing it too! It's not just you. Someone breaks the silence: “This verse really stood out to me,” “Do you ever remember hearing that?” “I feel like God just wants me to know . . .” “Do you have any idea what this means?”  The stories of His Word spoken over and in us tumble one over the other as we share which verses were the most meaningful and how they are transforming our lives. We are hearing some of the verses differently tonight through the testimony of our friends and feel the need to revisit them in prayer to continue this renewal of our unfolding minds. I realize there is always more to receive as I return to the Gospels again and again, so grateful for this invitation given to meet Him endlessly. Inevitably, someone gasps as they see the time and we all realize how late it has gotten and bemoan that the alarm will be sounding all too early tomorrow morning. Just like that, the real world rushes back in. We hurry to share intentions to pray for one another until next time, give final hugs and go our separate ways, reassured that it was worth the risk to seek Him. When we do, we always find more than we could have ever imagined. About the Author Alison Oertle is a Catholic Christian who is head-over-heels in love with Christ in His Church and continually inspired by the lives and words of the Saints. She is a former missionary turned homemaker, wife to a naturopathic medical doctor, and mother to children through birth and adoption. She is a classical homeschooler, artist, speaker and writer living in the gorgeous Sonoran Desert. HIS WORD CHANGES LIVES God is speaking to you through His Word. In this personal study, you will learn to hear God's voice by reading slowly and praying deeply. BEGIN THE JOURNEY Find out more about our NEW Gospel of Mark Meditation Study: MARY SHOWS US THE WAY Just as a mother might pass on a beloved family tradition to her daughters, Mary shares the recipe for growing in virtue with us. This study on Mary's Virtues will breathe new life into your everyday, beginning right in Mary's home. GET HOME STUDY

I'm a long-time homeschooling mom of 6, and have been using the BIS planner as part of my organizing for the last several years. Both the Big and Mini have been great options for me, (truthfully it's hard to choose every year) but I choose the Mini because it's so portable, and IMO, flexible for my planning without the hourly layout. My planning style is laid-back and imperfect. Maybe that's why I love the BIS planner, because it helps me stay on track with big-picture things that matter—faith, food (gotta feed the hungry!), and family goals—while giving me flexibility to make it my own. I love that those habit-tracker bubbles can track anything! My school planning is big-picture, while highlighting some essential specifics day-to-day. For me, big-picture items are the top academic things for the day, appointments, and extra-curriculars. I check the box as we go, without worrying about the time. It works for my type-B, go-with-the-flow brain. ;) The stickers are perfect to mark our weekly family holy (half) hour & monthly Confession trips, and to remind myself to pray first on Monday mornings (see pic!). I also like to use stickers on the notes pages as creative touches and prayerful reminders. "Jesus I trust in You" is one of my faves; keeping my focus on His will as I plan our homeschool days and months. One of my favorite spreads in the Mini is the monthly goals spread. There I plan our most important and most desired goals, like sacrament prep and field trips. Having this focus on faith, family, and fun every month helps me to revisit what needs the most attention, and to keep Christ at the center. The Blessed is She Planner helps me do just that. P.S. You can DM Gina @somedaysaints on Instagram for more questions about how she uses the planner with her homeschooling family! LITURGICAL PLANNERS Our Liturgical Planners are based on the Litany of Humility. Enter into prayer every day alongside this beautiful Litany. Order your days in His peace. GET YOUR PLANNER For Your Prayer Life Deepen your daily prayer life with a planner built around the Liturgical Year. Shop the Catholic Liturgical Planner →

You likely don’t need any reminders that May is jam-packed with celebrations and events, ranging from milestones like graduations and the end of the school year to Memorial Day,  Mental Health Awareness Month, and for us Catholics the month of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Chances are good that if you are at all affected by the cadence of the academic calendar, this all goes by in a blur.  It does for me, at least. Truthfully, I sometimes roll my eyes when I learn about all of the (obscure) causes that have adopted a month. However, at around the same time I was reading Father Henri Nouwen’s The Wounded Healer, I learned that National Nurses Week is celebrated the week of May 6th. Timing is everything, isn’t it? Especially about books. Father Henri Nouwen was a Catholic priest who wrote extensively on the relationship between faith and community, pastoral ministry, psychology, depression, and vulnerability. His most famous book, The Return of the Prodigal Son, connects many of these themes. He was a speaker, author, theologian, retreat leader, professor, and chaplain. Likely because of his willingness to speak to the topic of vulnerability, he was (and continues to be) widely accessible. The Work of Healing Nouwen’s lens in The Wounded Healer is specific to those providing spiritual care, or hope of any kind, to others in an increasingly existential culture. He is explicit in the need for those of us who have experienced wounds to walk with One Who has been wounded (Christ) and emphasizes the irreplaceable role of those who stand in the gap between the wound and the wounded seeking healing. Uncannily, he describes the landscape of ministering to an increasingly hopeless generation (in 1972), which is all the more relatable today. Whether it be through our professional lives or our vocations, often the desire to offer hope and healing comes from a desire to be healed ourselves. And because we know that “hurt people, hurt people,” Nouwen named the necessity of addressing the work of healing in ourselves before we can be of comfort or hope to another. By remaining vulnerable enough to acknowledge our brokenness, we allow the healing of Christ who has experienced deep wounds to step in and heal us and in turn make us instruments of healing. Tending to Our Wounds As I mulled over the wisdom in Nouwen’s words, I called to mind some of those in my life who have attended to my wounds, both physical and spiritual. Specifically, I remembered the two nurses assigned to me after the unforeseen complications of my daughter’s delivery. They were so attentive to me. They did not leave my side through any procedure, advocated for my desire to nurse my little one, created a makeshift tube top for me after days of living in a gaping hospital gown, washed my face, and stayed close and updated us while my husband cared for our daughter. I also remembered my spiritual director who walked with me as I tried to make sense of a deep loss. She gently prompted me to enter Scripture alongside the brokenhearted–-the uncomfortable readings of the Holy Innocents (see Matthew 2:16-18) and Mary weeping at the tomb of Jesus (see John 20:11-18). Her presence itself did not provide healing, but she offered accompaniment and hope. Our Wounded Healer Ultimately Christ is the Great Physician—the Wounded Healer. The One Who tends to our wounds. The One Who is intimately familiar with being wounded, having been wounded Himself. Nouwen makes the connection that if the Lord of the universe has experienced wounds in order to be close to humanity, it stands to reason that our wounds might offer a place of healing as well: for ourselves and others.  Saint Gregory of Nazianzus wrote, “For that which He has not assumed He has not healed; but that which is united to His Godhead is also saved” (source).  In other words, God redeems what He assumed. By taking on humanity, Jesus offers redemption to us. In the same way, Jesus assumed the experience of suffering, not as a valiant act of chivalry or showmanship, but to enter the most wretched brokenness we experience, that it might be redeemed. Without directly saying so, Saint Gregory and Henri Nouwen were speaking the same language, nearly 1500 years apart. In relatable terms, Nouwen offers examples of vulnerability, accompaniment, self-awareness, and attentiveness to those we may walk with through difficult seasons. By encouraging deep listening and fellowship, The Wounded Healer encourages each of us to take seriously our invitation to offer and seek hope in a hurting world. May it be so.   Keep track of your notes while you join us in reading this new BIS Reads pick! Our spiral journals flip open to make it easy to jot down quotes you love or insights you gather from Nouwen's words! MARY SHOWS US THE WAY Just as a mother might pass on a beloved family tradition to her daughters, Mary shares the recipe for growing in virtue with us. This study on Mary's Virtues will breathe new life into your everyday, beginning right in Mary's home. GET HOME STUDY

It's Pentecost! When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together. And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim. // Acts 2 Click here to download your PINK phone wallpaper Click here to download your IVORY phone wallpaper Click here to download your PINK desktop wallpaper Click here to download your IVORY desktop wallpaper

Jesus was just twelve years old when He began teaching, something He was peacefully doing while His parents frantically searched for Him for three days. In fact, He wasn’t just teaching, He was teaching the teachers!  “After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers [ . . . ] and all who heard him were astounded at his understanding and his answers” (Luke 2:46-47).  I love that the English word “astounded” is used here in this translation! It comes from the Latin word extonare meaning “to leave someone thunderstruck.” Jesus was leaving all those around Him thunderstruck!  This has me imagining my four-year-old walking into a mini “thunderstorm” each morning as she walks through the front doors of her preschool. With her heart and mind open and curious to the world, I imagine there are many times throughout her day that she learns something new that shifts her perspective. Something that points her to a truer and fuller understanding of the world. The image of ignorance as darkness and the truth as light is a common one in the tradition, and part of education children is leading them to this light.  The excellent teachers that help draw people into the light of truth are not working a typical nine-to-five. The ones I know consider their classroom and their students long before they are assigned a room or their first day of class begins. While summertime might be considered their vacation, it is also a time of intention and pondering on how to best engage their students. Many of the teachers I know use their personal money to purchase books and decorations for their rooms, and they do so with a desire to bring awe and wonder into the lives of their students. Creating a warm classroom is something that brings joy to them.  Then, when the leaves start falling and the air feels crisp, these teachers do eventually meet the students brought under their instruction. They greet them, memorize their faces and names, learn about their families, and think about them well past their drive home at the end of the day. They even pray for them.  Saint John Bosco wrote much on helping his students open their hearts to learning and to God.   Good teachers are there because they want to touch hearts and minds, but in order for one’s heart and mind to be touched, they have to be open to receive.  In the coffee shop I am sitting in right now, there are about ten laptops open. For those who aren’t staring at a screen, they are reading a hard copy of something, like a newspaper or a book.  This makes me reflect on my college years, and the many hours I spent behind a screen studying my notes for an upcoming exam or clicking away, writing a final paper. How often was I open to receiving the wealth of knowledge that was laid out before me?  I remember cramming for an astronomy exam, and the class that I thought would be an easy A, turned out to be one of the most challenging classes I ever took. Turns out learning about stars and black holes has a lot more to do with trigonometry, algorithms, and lab work and less to do with pondering the beauty of the night sky.  As I vented to my dad about my struggle with the course material, he said to me, “Make sure that you are studying to learn, not studying to pass an exam. If you are studying to learn, you might actually get something out of it that you will remember even after the course is over.”  These words of wisdom have stuck with me for over a decade. While I am no longer in the classroom, they challenge me to ask myself if I am reading a book just to check it off my list or if I am actually reading deeply, opening my mind to the thoughts stirred up from the author’s words.  Or, going back to the Gospel of Luke, when I hear Jesus speak, do I open myself up to being astounded by His teachings? Will I slow down enough to place myself at His feet, putting myself in the posture to receive?  Reflecting on the idea of slowing down and being quiet gives me a much greater appreciation for my daughter’s preschool teacher, and the patience she must have as she waits for her little students to still themselves to listen and learn. It also reminds me how the Lord is incredibly patient with me as I struggle to quiet my soul in His presence. So I am thankful that His grace is new every morning, and just as a good teacher, He always desires to touch my heart and bring me into His light. P.S. If you're a teacher or mom looking for a new planner, check out our newest academic year liturgical planners!  LITURGICAL PLANNERS Our Liturgical Planners are based on the Litany of Humility. Enter into prayer every day alongside this beautiful Litany. Order your days in His peace. GET YOUR PLANNER

Our faith tells us that names are the icon of the person. This means that our names reveal a core truth about our identity. Saint Mark the Evangelist’s name is derived from one that honors the Roman god of war, Mars. It indicates that the one bearing the name is “warlike,” with the spirit of a fighter. While most of us know him as the author of the second Gospel, there is much more about him that is worthy of note. We can see from the tradition and Scripture that he lived up to his name with his fighting and resilient spirit. The Things You May Not Know Like many individuals at the time, Mark was not his only name. He was also known as John. In Scripture, he is referred to as both, and also as John Mark (see Acts 13:5, Acts 15:37, Acts 15:39). Mark probably knew Jesus. It’s possible he was one of the seventy-two disciples. Another possibility, some theologians say, is that Mark was the man carrying the jar of water in Luke 22:10. When instructing Peter and John to find a place to celebrate Passover in Jerusalem, Jesus told them to look for a man carrying water. This was unusual as it was typically the work of a woman. Upon seeing the man, the two Apostles followed him to a house. This is where the Last Supper took place, and some in the tradition of the Church speculate that this was the family home of Mark. If this was Mark’s family’s home, it’s possible that Mark helped to serve the meal, and witnessed the Institution of the Eucharist and then followed Jesus and the Apostles to the Garden of Gethsemane. His Gospel contains a detail the rest don’t. After Jesus’ arrest, a man in a linen garment followed the guards. When they spotted him, they seized him, but he struggled and pulled away. Leaving his linen garment in the hands of the guard, the individual ran off naked (see Mark 14:51). Some Scripture scholars in the tradition hold that this was Mark himself, and he added that detail to show he was an eye-witness. Likely, it was this same house to which the Apostles ran and hid during Jesus’ Passion. We know it is where they were hiding on Easter Sunday as Scripture tells us they were in the Upper Room. This is also where the 120 followers of Jesus stayed and prayed for the nine days between the Ascension and Pentecost—and where the Holy Spirit descended. And, whether it was his home or not, it is probable that Mark was present in the house for all these things. In Acts 12, Saint Peter is imprisoned and condemned to death by King Herod. When an angel helps him escape, our first pontiff’s safe haven and hiding place is referred to as the “house of Mary, the mother of John who is called Mark” (Acts 12:12), also known as Saint Mary of Jerusalem. This is where the tradition draws the connection to her home possibly being that containing the Upper Room. Mark’s cousin Saint Barnabas (see Colossians 4:10) was the first Christian in Jerusalem to believe the Pharisee Saul when he said he had converted (see Acts 9:27). It was Barnabas who took the risk and the time to get to know if Saul’s conversion was genuine. Upon realizing it was, Barnabas brought Saul, who became Saint Paul, to Peter and the Apostles. When Paul and Barnabas set off on their first missionary journey, they bring Mark along as a disciple (see Acts 13:5). Shortly into the trip, however, Mark leaves and returns home. Scripture does not provide an explanation as to why, but Paul is unhappy about it (see Acts 13:13). Years later, when Paul is ready to leave for his second journey, Mark desires to accompany him and Barnabas. Paul refuses to bring him along, and the two part ways and go on separate missions. Barnabas allows Mark to accompany him. (See Acts 15:36-41.) Mark eventually becomes a disciple of Peter, which is why most of his Gospel seems to be written from Peter’s perspective. It is also why his intended audience are the Roman Christians. He was serving the people in Rome alongside Peter. Mark has grown and matured and done so much good for the Church that Peter refers to him as a beloved son in his first epistle (see 1 Peter 5:13). Saint Mark’s story is good news for us. Even though Mark failed in his mission a couple of times—running away naked, abandoning his mission with Paul, being rejected by one of the most prominent figures in the early Church—God was able to use him for so much good. Mark used his resilience and fighting spirit to unite himself to God’s will and overcome his own weaknesses. He continued to come back to God and try again—as many times as he had to.  His story is one of immense hope and mercy. We can all be assured that even if we mess up, God’s great plans for our lives are not yet over. To experience the fruit of his work, try reading his Gospel along with our newly released Catholic Bible study. Saint Mark the Evangelist, pray for us!