On All Saints Day this past year, I taught my 5th grade faith formation students what it means to be a canonized Saint in the Catholic Church. We went through the basics: you have to be dead, you have to have lived an extraordinarily holy life, and you have to intercede for those who are still on earth. We discussed many saints from an array of vocations, cultures, and backgrounds. Afterwards, the students chose a Saint to draw and wrote a prayer asking them for their intercession. To Be Like Jesus As the children worked, one of my students sat contemplating this newfound understanding of sainthood. She asked me, “So, Saints are all totally different, but they are also all like Jesus?” I thought about her question for a moment before realizing she was precisely correct. This is exactly what it means to be a Saint: to be completely unique in your route to sanctification, but in your own way, to resemble Christ. In the book Chiara Corbella Petrillo: A Witness to Joy, close friends of Servant of God Chiara tell the particular story of her resemblance to Jesus. Through her dating, marriage, and motherhood before an early death at the age of twenty-eight in 2012, Chiara’s particular reflection of Christ is a modern and relatable model of holiness with a deep and true joy in the midst of intense sorrow. {formbuilder:OTk3ODc=} Chiara // A Witness to Joy The book begins with Chiara and Enrico’s dating relationship, engagement, and marriage. The Italian couple, who lived in Rome and spent quality time in Assisi, met at Medjugorje, a Marian apparition site, on pilgrimage in Bosnia and Herzegovina. While the route to marriage was a bumpy and stressful road for the two of them, including breakups and heartache, the strength of the love in their relationship became a cornerstone of their story: strengthening and bringing joy to the hardships that followed them. A Witness to Life Throughout Chiara’s three pregnancies, the couple found immense joy in their children regardless of their length of life. Chiara and Enrico’s first two children had terminal conditions. Despite knowledge of the children’s deaths to come shortly after birth, both were carried to term in a great act of charity and respect for human life. Chiara expressed great joy at every kick in her stomach. Furthermore, Chiara delayed chemotherapy for her own illness in her third pregnancy to ensure the health of her son. Chiara displayed true motherhood in her knowledge of her children as not her own, but also as God’s. She expressed a willingness to do everything in her power to love them, protect them, and lead them to her Heavenly Father.  Carrying Crosses, Radiating Light Beyond her family, Chiara’s story is also full of other moments and relationships she brought joy to, including beautiful friendships with Father Vito, an important figure in the spiritual lives of the couple, and Simone and Christiana, a married couple and the authors of this book. Chiara Corbella Petrillo: A Witness to Joy is a quick and phenomenal read, one I would recommend to all women, Catholics and non-Catholics alike, as her story contains an aroma of holiness that so clearly reflects the light and joy of Christ. The book will make you cry, but despite the tragedy and death, the tears are tears of joy, tears at the sight of the immensely beautiful image of Christ Chiara becomes as her story unfolds. Just as the Cross, a symbol of death, is the tool Jesus uses for salvation, Chiara’s story displays sacrificial love and an acceptance of her own cross in a way that will not be forgotten and has her swiftly on the route to canonization.   Annie Navone is currently finishing her MA in Theology from the University of Notre Dame and ministering in parishes and schools in Tampa, Florida. Her greatest passion is Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, a Montessori method of catechesis for young children. In her free time, she enjoys walking along the beach, cheering on the TCU Horned Frogs, journaling in Adoration, and spending time with close friends.

Recently, I had the joyful opportunity of attending the wedding Mass of my son’s teacher and her (now) husband. It had been a long time since I attended a Nuptial Mass, because I have been out of the wedding season for a while. You know, the season where everyone you know seems to be getting married? Typically, the wedding season is followed by the baby shower season. After being married for more than twenty years, I am now in the high school graduation season. But that’s a story for another day. At this beautiful wedding, which occurred in the midst of the Christmas Octave, my thoughts naturally reflected back to the day when I walked down the aisle to join my husband in Holy Matrimony. Time is funny, because I got married a long time ago: twenty-one years at the time of writing this blog post. And yet, there are many days when it seems like it was yesterday. Questions Worth Contemplating How have twenty years gone by in a flash? How are things so different and still the same simultaneously? If a young bride asked me what I’ve learned in the last twenty years, what would I say to her? More importantly, what will I say to my own daughters, as they enter young womanhood? Contemplating these questions prompted me to really consider what the Lord has been teaching me throughout my two decades of marriage: about myself, about relationship, about openness to life, about surrendering to His will. What have I gotten right? What lessons still need quite a bit of work? Seven Lessons I’ve Learned in Marriage Below are seven lessons I have learned (or am still learning) in my twenty-one years of marriage. It’s Good to Not Know // When I stood in St. Olaf Catholic Church, facing my husband and professing my vows to him and to God, I had no idea what I was getting into. And that was a very good thing. My marriage has been beautiful and blessed, but it also has included the unexpected and seemingly impossible. Because of this, I am grateful that God chooses to reveal His plans to us gradually, rather than all at once. He unfolds and reveals various circumstances slowly and carefully. He gives and takes away, but He prepares us in ways that allow us to accept and endure. This has taught me to open my heart wider and trust Him more fully. This has shown me how carefully He cares for me, my husband, and our family, in everything that has come our way. Be His Ideal Wife // Early on in my marriage, I felt like I would never live up to the wife described in Proverbs 31. I feared disappointing my husband with my shortcomings. But over time, I realized that my husband did not choose the ideal wife; he chose his ideal wife. He chose me, because he loved me. In me, he saw the best woman to help him to Heaven: “... the heart of [my] husband trusts in [me]” (Proverbs 31:11). And this realization allowed me to see Proverbs 31 in a new light: as a passage that encourages me to strive to be the best version of myself. I may not spin wool or buy fields. But in my own unique way, I look well to the ways of my household, open my mouth in wisdom, and strive to be a woman who fears the Lord. {formbuilder:OTk3ODc=} Trust God’s Plan for Marriage // Ephesians 5:21-33 often receives a bad rap. However, it is a beautiful meditation on God’s divine plan for marriage. It invites us to rise above our cloudy judgments and misconceptions and strive to put on the mind of Christ (see Philippians 2:5). And when we do, we realize God’s plan for marriage asks both husband and wife to “be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ.” Loving and respecting one another with the same love and respect Christ has for us. Is this easy? No. But God’s plan is always the ideal one, worth seeking and fulfilling. Tough Times are Better Together // On the hardest day of my life, the birthdate of our twins, I needed an emergency cesarean for my daughter. (My son was already born.) As activity swirled around me, my husband remained as steady and strong as a rock. I can’t imagine enduring that day without him. Throughout the years, we have been through so much—joy and sorrow, plans and surprises, peace and uncertainty, health and illness, life and death—and everything is better with him by my side. My Husband is More Important Than My Children // This lesson is easy to accept in theory, but it is much more difficult to practice. And yet, it is essential. And when it is compromised, nothing seems to run smoothly, and I get hung up on trivial things. That is why my husband and I constantly have to remember to kiss each other goodnight, go on dates, and plan getaways. Sometimes, we are better at this than others, but we agree that it is vital to constantly work on this—not only for our marriage, but for our children, too. Spend Time Reminiscing // What sparked interest in my husband all those years ago? How did we fall in love? What was it like when we would talk on the phone for hours, getting to know each other? Every now and then, it is important to reminisce, to look at old photos, to visit that favorite restaurant, or even talk on the phone when one of us is out of town. These things renew the spark and keep us lighthearted, especially when life feels overwhelming and busy. Listen to Mary // Faith has been the foundation of our marriage, and over time, our devotion to Mary has grown to be a vital part of it, too. In John 2:1-2, we hear about a wedding, and “the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding.” This passage teaches us the importance of inviting Jesus and Mary into our marriage. It also encourages us to listen to Our Blessed Mother, because she always points us to her Son: “Do whatever He tells you” (John 2:5). This lesson has helped us trust the Lord during difficult times, and it has invited us to join in Mary’s Magnificat when our prayers are answered. What lessons have you learned in your marriage? What treasured wisdom can you share with us?

Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift. // Matthew 5:23-24 My stomach swirled, and my palms dampened. I knew what needed to be said. The Holy Spirit had convicted me. Even more, I was confident that I would be received by my friend with love and mercy. But I was nervous to admit I was wrong, to own the hurt I had caused, and to ask for forgiveness. In today’s Gospel, Jesus speaks for many verses about the importance of forgiveness and reconciliation. Our forgiveness of others is highlighted, and we often prefer to focus our attention here. It is necessary to reflect on how we have been hurt and to forgive those who were responsible. But we can become so engrossed in forgiving “those who trespass against us” that we miss the precursor of being “forgiven our trespasses.” And, let’s be honest, contemplating our own failings and offenses against others takes a direct hit at our pride and self-righteousness. We aren’t the victims in those instances. We aren’t owed anything—we owe something to someone. People live with the consequences of our sins and shortcomings, and our call is to work for restoration where we have brought destruction (of whatever gravity). Jesus is clear about what we are to do. We need to apologize. These conversations sting, are uncomfortable, and are unpredictable in response. But they bring freedom! There is so much freedom in knowing that I’ve done my best to make a wrong right, humbled myself and asked forgiveness from God and man, and am willing to put in the effort to repair the damage. I am a sinner and will live my entire life making mistakes; but I am also a receiver of God’s grace, mercy, and direction. His conviction is a call to conversion. His promptings are a promise of peace. Who has God laid on your heart today while reading this Gospel? Who do you need forgiveness from? Pray about what God is asking you to do in that situation. Resolve to ask for forgiveness. Open your heart, and the Holy Spirit will grant you the humility, honesty, and hope necessary to do so.

Brothers and sisters: We speak a wisdom to those who are mature,not a wisdom of this age,nor of the rulers of this age who are passing away.Rather, we speak God's wisdom, mysterious, hidden,which God predetermined before the ages for our glory,and which none of the rulers of this age knew... // 1 Corinthians 2:6-8   Desktop Wallpaper Phone Wallpaper

For the past few years I have been praying the Office of Readings and Morning Prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours. Starting my day by entering into the great prayer of our Church anchors me in peace, a gift of the Spirit I need throughout the remaining hours of my day. Every February I look forward to reading the Second Reading in the Office of Readings for the Feast of Saint Scholastica, the sister of Saint Benedict. It is a story that has helped me understand the importance of intercession, especially for our siblings.  The Second Reading in the Office of Readings is often a homily, letter, or excerpt sourced from the Church Fathers. These readings fill the soul with both wisdom and knowledge. Throughout the past few years of praying the Office, the Readings have challenged me to grow in virtue. The Fathers’ holy witness, so close in historical proximity to the life of Christ, is full of verve and passion for the faith. Their words inspire and motivate me daily.  Sibling Saints  On Saint Scholastica’s Feast we read from the books of Dialogues by Pope Saint Gregory the Great. Born in 480 in Nursia, Italy, Saint Scholastica, twin sister of the Father of Monasticism, Saint Benedict, gave herself fully to Christ from her youth. Saint Scholastica followed her brother’s lead and founded a religious order, settling just five miles from Saint Benedict’s monastery. They would visit one another annually.  In the Dialogues, Pope Saint Gregory writes about one of their visits: “One day she [Saint Scholastica] came as usual and her saintly brother went with some of his disciples; they spent the whole day praising God and talking of sacred things. As night fell they had supper together. Their spiritual conversation went on and the hour grew late.” Pope Saint Gregory continues that Saint Scholastica begged her brother to stay for the night, to continue to talk about the beauty of the spiritual life. After Saint Benedict declined, Saint Scholastica began to pray. Suddenly a great storm came. Perplexed, Saint Benedict asked his sister what she had done. Scholastica replied, “I asked you and you would not listen; so I asked my God and He did listen.” She Loved More Pope Saint Gregory summarizes this great scene as he articulates, “It is not surprising that she was more effective than he; since, as John says, God is love, it was absolutely right that she could do more, as she loved more.” Three days after his departure, Saint Scholastica died. Benedict, back in his cell, saw his sister’s soul departing from her body in the form of a dove. He thanked God, singing hymns of praise.  {formbuilder:OTk3ODc=} Three Lessons from Scholastica This story recorded by Pope Saint Gregory the Great highlights three important things regarding our sibling relationships: the importance of praise in our conversation with our siblings the importance of interceding for our siblings the importance of our time and presence with our siblings Uplift the Conversation Saint Scholastica and Saint Benedict teach us that all of our conversations, especially those within our own family, the cell of society, should always speak truth with love for God and for others. How often do our conversations turn into gossip, or complaining, comparison, or judgment rather than praise for God and His creation? Whenever our conversations with our siblings start to become base, let us elevate the conversation with an uplifting message or story, with praise and thanksgiving, and with joy and charity. The Power of Intercession For Our Brothers and Sisters Pope Saint Gregory tells us that Saint Scholastica’s prayer was effective because it was infused with love. When we intercede, offer prayer and petition, for our brothers and sisters, we must enter into the Heart of Christ with love. If we are struggling to show charity to our siblings, even in prayer, we should ask Jesus to give us His Heart of Love.  In the First Letter of John we are told that, “If any one says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen.” Though written for our spiritual brothers and sisters in general, how much more for our physical brothers and sisters with whom we share our blood and name? We must love our brothers and sisters. And to do this, we need God’s grace. It is available for us. Let us ask God to fill us with His love, to lend us His heart, that we may minister in prayer to our siblings.  Our Presence Matters Just three days after their night spent together in prayer, Saint Scholastica died. That evening was the last encounter on earth that Saint Benedict had with his sister. We truly never know the last time we will encounter others, for each moment is a pure gift given to us by our Creator.  Our siblings are a gift from God. Our presence, their presence, matters. It is important. Their presence, and ours to them, has helped form them, and has created us and them into the men and women we are now.  If you have a wound, or many wounds from a sibling, ask God to be present with you and with them. Seek healing. Do not live in fear and chains. Rather, ask God to be present to you in your pain and to heal you with His forgiving love. Whether your time spent with your siblings is full of joy and praise, or instead, you are estranged and hurting, ask the intercession of Saint Scholastica and Saint Benedict. These two sibling Saints show us that Christ is present when we invite Him—within our hearts, our relationships, our conversations, our family, our prayer, and our brothers and sisters. 

Do you know how many times my husband and I have been to Home Depot since we've started renovating our new home? I have a hunch it is upwards of 40+ times. We have been there right at opening, right before closing and pretty much every hour in between. And every time I go, I am amazed at all the hustle and bustle. There really doesn't seem to be any slow time at these establishments. I suppose people are always in need of repairing something. Roaming the Aisles On one trip in particular, in search of something quite specific, I went to four different Home Depot locations in under two hours, and found myself staring up at the aisles and ultimately waiting in the customer service line. The aisles are broken into these departments: Appliances Tools Hardware Lumber Building Materials Paint Plumbing Flooring Garden & Plants That list is quite extensive. It covers pretty much all the possible needs a "home" owner could ever want.  {formbuilder:OTk3ODc=} What Would a "Soul Depot" Look Like? As my mind wandered, as it does often—the gift and curse of a creative—I thought to ask myself, What would the categories be at a "Soul Depot”? I suppose the perfect list for a workshop on the interior could naturally be split into the things we truly need to work on, deep down.  Aisle 1: Pride Aisle 2: Envy Aisle 3: Gluttony Aisle 4: Lust Aisle 5: Anger Aisle 6: Greed Aisle 7: Sloth Now, before you start thinking these giant words are drastic and dramatic—take a moment to ponder why they are, indeed, called the seven deadly sins. And why aren't there more aisles? For the reason that all the hardships, struggles, ailments, and afflictions jousting and jabbing at our humanity stem from this handful of heartbreaking truths. When we simply scroll on Facebook, wishing our lives mirrored those we see so perfectly staged and styled, we are silently strolling down the aisle of envy.  When past grievances continue to haunt relationships with our friends and family, both near and far, we are sauntering in the aisle of anger.   When we cannot admit our own wrongdoings, building walls while our marriage is growing fragile, we have set up shop in the aisle of pride.  Are we doomed to roam the dirty and dimly lit store forever? Where is the hope we so desperately need? The Searching of My Soul When I myself am lost and backtracking through the packed rows upon rows of a home improvement store, unable to find what I am searching for, there is a beautiful moment that comes into play when I take a deep breath, fold the list in my tightly-wound hand, and look up and ask for assistance.  Time and time again, a kind soul (sometimes smiling) nods and guides me to exactly where I need to be. My heart rejoices.  In my imagery of a Soul Depot, I picture each of the seven aisles growing boldly brighter with each step we take. Why? Because with each step, there is opportunity for reflection, confession, and renewal.  At the end of each aisle, there is a new sign . . . hanging high above the rafters, swinging in the breeze of the industrial fans.  These illuminating, uplifting signs read as follows: Aisle 1b- Humility Aisle 2b- Kindness Aisle 3b- Abstinence Aisle 4b-Chastity Aisle 5b-Patience Aisle 6b- Liberality Aisle 7b- Diligence The Door is Always Open There is hope. For all of us. With each moment we decide to step forward with surrender and hand over our failures and shortcomings, with each time we "miss the mark." We have a Savior and He wants to help renew our broken souls. It's what He is in the business of doing. It's why the foundation was laid in place thousands of years ago. He is the Almighty assistant, armed with every tool needed, and all we need to do is ask. And the best part is? The door is always open and you'll never have to stand in line. "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly" (John 10:10).   Monica is a writer, crafter, and lover of the Bible. She is on the leadership team at her nationally known Catholic Women's Bible Study, Walking with Purpose and also leads BLAZE (for young girls), which has changed her life. A mother of four daughters, she feels blessed and inspired daily.

I open my computer to dozens of emails of incredible resources to help my family and me during this Lenten season (mostly the most beautiful children's resources!). I click through each email, wondering in my head what I'll possibly do this Lenten season to *really* enter in—to make this a Lent that I can look back on and think, "That was my most transformative Lent ever." What to give up? What to add to in my prayer time? What to do to give alms in a unique way? What does God want from me this year? I long for a quick answer to these questions that reside just at the surface, my anxious heart thinking "I've got to rock this Lent!" I breathe deeply and ponder, "O Lord, where are the answers to the question that my soul actually wants to utter: Where is deeper union with You?" I know in my heart of hearts the answer lies in one place alone: the heart of God. He holds the key to my questioning, He knows the longings of my heart, He is calling me into something beautiful and new and quiet and hidden. And yet... I keep my email inbox open, and I keep scrolling through to find *the one* that will change the game for me instead of closing my computer, grabbing my Bible and prayer journal, and heading out to the chapel or quieting myself in my inner room—the place where God resides. That is the sacred space of encounter, the quiet refuge from the obligations, where The Answer himself dwells. If you, like me, are struggling with "What should I do for Lent?!" I created a little PDF for you and for me. It's not one with activities for every day of Lent (although I'm SO grateful for those!!), it's not one with the answers to what you're asking... but it is a PDF with prompts to take to the foot of our Lord and to ask Him what He desires, to sit with Him in adoration and worship to honestly ask, "Lord, how are YOU inviting to pray this Lent?" I hope it helps. I hope it is just the invitation you need to start that conversation with the Lord Who is holding you and holds your future. And just as a little warning: He just might surprise you.  {formbuilder:MTA1MzUz}

"The final battle between the Lord and the kingdom of Satan will be about marriage and the family." So said Sister Lucia, one of the seers at Fatima.   It does not take lengthy observation to confirm her prophecy. All around us we see marriage and the family attacked in a seemingly never-ending variety of ways.  What is the faithful Catholic to do about it? Are we to watch passively the sin of society? Of course not. Our Lord calls us to be lamps on a stand. And while there are many ways we can work to protect marriage and the family through activity, let's consider one way we can unite spiritually.  What We Can Spiritually Do Our Church offers us numerous traditional prayers and practices for our own intimacy with the Lord and personal sanctification, along with the sanctification of the world.  She also encourages us to unite spiritually for this battle. And that's the mission of the Warriors for the Sacred Heart. Women from all locations and walks of life are invited to unite their Friday fasts and penances together, offering them in reparation of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and for the conversion of the world.  As a Warrior for the Sacred Heart, you'll acknowledge that the transformation of the world for Christ Jesus must also include the transformation of your own heart. Conversion starts with you, and this intention is also at the heart of this beautiful prayer practice.   {formbuilder:OTk3ODc=} A Lenten Invitation This Lent, you are invited to join the Warriors of the Sacred Heart in their Friday prayer. Simply pray the prayer on their site and unite your fasts and sufferings for the intention of marriage and family. Not only will this facilitate your own personal conversion, but community with other Catholic women who are joining you in this spiritual battle.  This remains an ongoing effort, so even if you are not able to join for Lent, you can practice this penance throughout the entire year. Sister Lucia concluded her thought above by stating:   "Nevertheless, Our Lady has already crushed his head." We have great reason to battle full of hope. So let's take our particular place in Our Lady's army, knowing that the victory is already won.

With the start of the new year, the scent of freshly sharpened pencils and blank slates comes to mind. I want to do this year right. While I did not make any specific New Year’s resolutions, I do have hopes and goals in mind. As I pause to consider what this year holds, and my desire to live it well, a book written by a professor from my alma mater comes to mind.  The book is titled Getting Work Right: Labor and Leisure in a Fragmented World, written by Dr. Michael Naughton, director of the Center for Catholic Studies at the University of St. Thomas. An Entrustment and an Example Naughton’s main thesis is that in order to get work right, we have to get leisure right. In the very first book of the Bible, God both gives man both the responsibility of work and sets the example of rest and leisure.  Before God entrusts us with work, He shows us how to rest. “God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work he had done in creation” (Genesis 2:3).  Then, a few verses later, “The Lord God then took the man and settled him in the garden of Eden, to cultivate and care for it” (Genesis 2:15).  Our task now is to rightly order this relationship between work and leisure. As Naughton says, “rightly ordered labor and leisure gives us roots in a world that too often only gives us cut flowers.” This book will help grow the roots for a garden that flourishes. Defining Our Terms Before we get into the integration of work and rest, let’s define what we are talking about.  Labor  God created man to work. In the words of Pope Saint John Paul II, work is: “something that corresponds to man’s dignity, that expresses this dignity and increases it . . . through work man not only transforms nature . . . but he also achieves fulfillment.”  Naughton affirms this point, stating that “work is central to the practical life of goal-setting and decision-making . . . from which springs our well-being as creatures who are by nature doers.”  While goals and achievements are important, Naughton does warn against the two opposite extremes of viewing work as purely a job or becoming consumed with one’s career. To view your work as just a job is to look at it solely as a source of income and a means to an end. In doing so, work can feel empty and depleting. However, the other extreme of being consumed by one’s career can result in an identity that is so connected to one’s work that it becomes the only source of self-esteem. While work is good, it is not our ultimate purpose in this world, and continually chasing the temporary high of the next rung on the ladder will leave one equally empty. Leisure  In Leisure: The Basis of Culture, a source which Naughton drew heavily upon, author and philosopher Josef Pieper wrote, “leisure is . . . to be found in the soul that receives the reality of the world.” It is to “steep oneself in the whole of creation.” To contemplate. Leisure is to sit in the stillness and be open to what it may want to reveal to you. My favorite quotation by Pieper is his sentence, “When we really let our minds rest contemplatively on a rose in bud, on a child at play, on a divine mystery, we are rested and quickened as though by a dreamless sleep.” We are restored.  The purpose of leisure is not to distract ourselves from the world through television or our phone. This pulls us out of reality, not deeper into it. Naughton views leisure not as amusement or utility, and cautions readers not to fall into either trap:  “Wiktionary defines amuse as ‘to stare stupidly at something,’” he writes. This “amusement” does not fulfill our longing for rest, but rather stirs up restlessness in us as we find our time wasted scrolling through our social media accounts or watching our favorite streaming service. We know our time could be used better and we want our time to be used better.  To view leisure as utility is to see it only as a means to the end of work itself, but not as a good in and of itself. It is like seeing leisure as a necessity in order to get back to the work week refreshed, but then when the work week is over, we find ourselves drained and in desperate need of what we see as a well-deserved break. It’s a vicious cycle with a gloomy future. {formbuilder:OTk3ODc=} Integration Over Balance So how do we get to rightly ordering our relationship between labor and leisure? First, we need to make sure we are not putting labor and leisure into two different boxes: labor  in our nine-to-five box and leisure in our after-dinnertime or on-the-weekend box. We are called to integrate our active life with our contemplative life, not to place these areas of our life into separate boxes, hoping that if they never touch each other we’ll achieve a “balanced” life.  Our contemplative life is meant to touch all the other facets of our life. Naughton writes, “We were created both to work and to rest, both to be active and to be contemplative. These two dimensions of our lives are meant to inform each other as part of a deeper whole rather than exist as two modes of being that balance each other or effectively cancel each other out. Integration Through The Sabbath In the final chapter of the book, Naughton focuses on celebrating the Sabbath as a way to allow our contemplative life to touch our active life. He writes, “The Sabbath—the commandment to both rest and celebrate—is essential to our work and to the order of our lives.” He argues that if we don’t get Sunday right, we won’t get Monday right: “Sunday is the day when production, consumption, and especially technology do not own us; but when we are defined not by our doing or having but by our being made in God’s image; when we remember that life is a gift  given, not a task achieved”. In other words, it reminds us who we are and Who we were created for.  When we celebrate Sunday as we are meant to, keeping it holy and taking time for true rest, we put ourselves in a position to rest in the loving embrace of our Father. To receive Him. “The power of Sunday is in the rest it provides, not the work it produces; in receptivity, not in activity; in its celebratory affirmation of the deeply ordered goodness of creation, all of which nurtures our relationship with Christ.” This time with our Maker is never wasted, but enables us to grow in our identity as children of God. When we submit to the stillness Christ invites us to, we recognize that we become more fully human through what we receive from Him and how we respond to Him, not by what we achieve. 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

You are the light of the world.A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Phone Wallpaper Desktop 

As a young married woman at twenty-one, I was considered the baby of our neighborhood book club. We lived in an apartment complex with a healthy mix of young adults, young families, and urban professionals. From home decorating parties, to ladies’ nights out, to book clubs, there were so many opportunities for me to make new friends and build community. Growing into Myself As I sit in my home many years later, with eight children entrusted to my care, I marvel at the woman I am now and how she came to be. As I begin to launch young adults into the world, I find myself revisiting and reminding myself of lessons learned over these years. I feel as if I am just now shedding the masks and walls of comparison, and beginning to walk in the fullness of who God created me to be—and that wisdom, excitement, and joy is what I am striving to impart to my children. We Want to Belong No matter what age we are, we all crave a sense of belonging. We seek out groups and try them on like shoes, deciding which one is a good fit for where we are right now. What if instead, we asked ourselves, “Is this who the Lord is asking me to journey with?” “To whom shall I go? You alone have the words of eternal life” (John 6:68). Like Peter, we must have our eyes fixed on the Lord and go where He is calling us. So many times, to my spiritual detriment, did I try to “fit in,” and like a stepsister who tried to force her foot into the glass slipper, the shoe never fit, until I asked myself that vital question. If we allow ourselves to journey with whom the Lord has placed us, then we must also challenge ourselves to be vulnerable with them. That is always a heart-risk but we keep our trust that the Lord will help us heal when others disappoint or hurt us, humbly recognizing that we, too, can disappoint and hurt others unintentionally. {formbuilder:OTk3ODc=} Community is a Commitment While it is true that we are created for relationship, we must also realize that relationships go both ways. Just as when we allow Mass to feel rote and mechanical when we just go through the motions, we must stop and ask ourselves what we can bring to this relationship. Do my gifts line up with this particular group? Can I both give and receive, and is what I am giving and receiving worthy of the dignity of who I am? It’s important to ask, and also important to know who you are. When you root your identity from the beginning as a beloved daughter of Christ, then your words, thoughts, and actions will flow from that well. If my early years of marriage and mothering had known this, many destructive years of comparison could have been saved. Using Our Gifts Wisely Once we discern that we are being called to be a part of a particular friend group or opportunity, we must use our gifts wisely. I remember attending a Catholic moms’ night out and being among a group of women who began to gossip and be negative. One brave woman who was striving for holiness raised her hand and said, “Let’s raise this conversation to the dignity of the women gathered here.” ]Her bold declaration both reminded us of who we are and brought the conversation back on track. A true friend, a true disciple, takes courage to speak truth out of love for the other person. These are the women we need to strive both to be and to surround ourselves with. Community like this enlivens us and helps us thrive on our journey. Throughout the years, opportunities will arise that pique our interest. These are opportunities to challenge ourselves and perhaps try new things. Maybe we join a Rosary group? Maybe a walking group that prays the Rosary! As a busy mom, I’m always one to multitask, and this builds community, helps me be healthy, and includes prayer! Where to Begin There is one caveat here, which is to again bring it all to the Lord and ask Him where He wants us to go. Each yes is a no to something else and that is a good thing, as conversely each no is a yes to a new possibility. The key to stepping into community is both asking the Lord if this is where He is sending you and also bringing the authentic version of yourself where you can both give and be gifted.   MaryBeth Eberhard spends most of her time laughing as she and her husband parent and school their eight children. She has both a biological son and an adopted daughter who have a rare neuromuscular condition called arthrogryposis and writes frequently about the life experiences of a large family and special needs. You can find out more about her here.

Dear friend,  My mouth hung open as I read and re-read the Scripture I happened upon one day in prayer, approaching my seventh year as a worker in the vineyard of Blessed is She. Exodus lay open in my lap, chapter 23: “For six years you shall sow your land and gather in its yield; but the seventh year you shall let it rest and lie fallow…” I couldn’t believe what I saw — this tangible grace right in front of my eyes — this realization that God had a call on my life, on Blessed is She’s existence, that I couldn’t ignore. For years I had been working alongside women I mostly met through the internet, these incredibly generous women who had become dear friends and co-laborers in the vineyard of sharing the Gospel through the opening of our hearts and stories to thousands of others. For years I had offered myself alongside them — mentally, physically, emotionally, spiritually — and now it seemed God was asking something DIFFERENT from anything He had previously asked. He was asking for our obedience in a brand new way. He is asking me to let the ground of Blessed is She lie fallow. So, with my heart reaching out to Him and Him alone, I say yes. With a mix of joy and of wonder, I say yes. With obedience, I say yes. This means for the season of Lent, Blessed is She will lie fallow. We will enter into this Sabbath rest that God has called us into. We will not post or send out daily devotions, we will not create and publish new blog posts, and we will not post on social media. We invite you into this Sabbath rest with us, dear #BISsisterhood.   I invite you to rest alongside me, to let the ground of your heart lie fallow from consumption and creating, from rushing and reacting. And instead enter into this season with an expectation of deeper intimacy, fresh faith, and a heart even more open to what God is calling you into. Thanks for being here, and I can’t wait to see what God does next. xo, Jenna Founder + Creative Director   

Being both Irish and Catholic, it was no surprise to receive a Saint Brigid’s cross from an aunt’s trip to Ireland, on the occasion of our second daughter’s birth. While the gift was appreciated, it wasn’t until we received it that we learned about the significance of the cross, and thereby the patroness of Ireland.  What’s in a Name? There are many renditions of her name in English, old Irish, Welsh and contemporary Irish, as well as throughout history: Brigit, Brid, Ffraid, ‘Mother St. of Ireland,’ and ‘Mary of the Gael.’ She remains the only patroness of Ireland, and was affectionately named for her likeness to Jesus’ mother, Mary, by those she ministered to most closely in the Gael. Stories abound of Saint Brigid, like this one from her childhood. Most agree that her mother, who was baptized by Saint Patrick, had been instrumental in forming her faith. Her father was a chieftain, which meant that Brigid was born a slave. However, because she shares a name with the Celtic goddess, Brigid, there is some gray area between her saintly life and the legends that surround Brigid. Historically, the majority of Irish Catholic families had Patricks and/or Brigids, celebrating their heroic patrons. Because of this tradition that was locked in the Gaelic language, in addition to the lack of printing presses and suppression of education for the Irish people, much of this history was lost for a time. Well-meaning English speakers mistakenly provided images and stories of Saint Bridget (of Sweden), who lived in the 1300s. Because of this miscommunication, many began to inadvertently spell their children’s names as depicted on prayer cards of Saint Bridget. Only recently have the history and tradition of Saint Brigid of Ireland begun to be reclaimed.  {formbuilder:OTk3ODc=} Brigid’s Ministry in Ireland Saint Brigid began her monastery in Kildare in 480 on the site of the shrine to the goddess Brigid–a symbolic beginning, which left a fuzzy trajectory for historians. Her feast day is shared with a pre-Christian festival called Imbolc, which originated as a celebration of spring. For the first time this year, Saint Brigid’s feast day (February 1st) will be celebrated as a national holiday in the Republic of Ireland. This Irish feast is also the first marked in honor of a woman.  One famous story remembered of her was a visit she made to a man who was dying. He was experiencing anguish of both body and soul. Over the course of her visit, Saint Brigid gathered rushes off of the ground and began weaving them into the shape of a cross. As she wove, the man was intrigued and began to ask her about the cross. She was able to share the story of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. The pagan man converted and requested Baptism before he died. The design of the cross that illustrated the conversation between Brigid and the dying man has been dubbed St. Brigid’s cross. Saint Brigid’s life and love of Christ had a lasting impact on the people of Ireland and the surrounding region. It is exciting to learn that some of what may have been forgotten of her—in Celtic Catholicism, the spelling of names, and images such as this simple cross—is being brought back to light and recognized for her influential ministry.  As her witness and influence continue to unfold, we ask for the intercession of Saint Brigid, the Mary of the Gael. She is remembered as the patron saint of poetry, learning, healing, protection, blacksmithing, livestock and dairy production. Saint Brigid, pray for us. How has your understanding of/relationship with beloved saints evolved over time?   Saint Brigid, you were a woman of peace. You brought harmony where there was conflict. You brought light to the darkness. You brought hope to the downcast. May the mantle of peace cover those who are troubled and anxious, and may peace be firmly rooted in our hearts and in our world. Inspire us to act justly and to reverence all God has made. Brigid, you were a voice for the wounded and the weary. Strengthen what is weak within us. Calm us into a quietness that heals and listens. May we grow each day into greater wholeness in mind, body and spirit. Amen.

Saint John Bosco is famous for being a great educational reformer, yet he would probably not point to education as his success story. I imagine he would point to specific boys and share their stories. Knowing “his boys” was an integral piece of Saint John Bosco’s educational philosophy.  I stumbled upon Saint John Bosco’s educational philosophy providentially. I was not happy with any discipline system I tried in the classroom—all were from a negative perspective. I desired a classroom that was friendly and trusting, one that was open so I would not have to worry about what my students were doing in secret. I looked to the great Saint educators like Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton and Saint Katherine Drexel—and a quick internet search led to the book The Educational Philosophy of Saint John Bosco. (Sadly, the book is out of print, but there are used copies available.) I was hooked, both by Saint John Bosco himself and by the way he interacted with his students. I think his philosophy is not limited to the classroom; it’s appropriate for parenting, friendship, and even the workplace.  The Preventative System Saint John Bosco stumbled into being an educational leader. In the midst of the Industrial Revolution in Turin, he saw how many young boys were ending up in prison. He wanted to prevent this from happening, and headed out into the streets to meet the boys and young men where they were. He “hooked” them first with his skills of juggling and acrobatics, then shared the Gospel with them. His outreach grew into finding proper housing, then education for his boys. His work reached thousands of boys, and provided housing for eight hundred of them, with the help of Saint John Bosco’s mother.  Saint John Bosco’s educational philosophy is called the “Preventive System.” It centers on reason, religion, and kindness. It focuses on knowing the child so well as to prevent discipline, and instead forms and encourages self-discipline.  {formbuilder:OTk3ODc=} How Did Saint John Bosco Teach? Perhaps it’s better to introduce it in Saint John Bosco’s own words and as described by his own contemporaries:  In John Bosco’s own words:  “Boys should be guided and corrected but not by aloof superiors.”  “Without confidence and love, there can be no true education.” “Behave in such a way that all those who speak to you may become your friends.” “You asked for advice. Here it is:  When you have to correct someone in particular, never do so in the presence of others. When you give advice or counsel always try to send the person away satisfied and still friendly to you. Always thank those who admonish you and take their corrections in good part.  “Question, question, question, over and over again. The more the pupil is made to talk the more he will profit from his schooling.”  “Think of them as your brothers; kindness, understanding, and patience are the keys to their hearts.” He loved to quote Saint Philip Neri: “Run, jump, have all the fun you want at the right time, but for heaven’s sake, do not commit sin!”  “A warm welcome is what, above all, attracts boys. To obtain good results in educating youngsters, one must find a way first to win their love, then they will fear to displease him.”  “Be quick to forgive—and do so wholeheartedly . . . When a punishment is unavoidable, take your pupil aside and show him his wrong as well as your regret at having to punish him.”  “If you have to give any correction, do it privately, in secret, and with the greatest sweetness.”  Saint John Bosco as Described by His Contemporaries Saint John Bosco “was friendly and affable, avoiding a formalism and a rigorism which erect a wall between superior and subject. His authority inspired respect, confidence and love . . . This was a mode of operation that enabled an educator to discover his pupils’ temperament, wield it prudently, and unlock its hidden energies.”  “Humble as he was, he acted amiably with both rich and poor. He refrained from giving orders, even to his boys. His usual approach was: ‘Would you please do this or that?’”  He “knew them all individually by name and surname . . . even though the number of boys he dealt with, whether boarders or day students, ran into the thousands.”  “He was firmly convinced that to educate boys one must find the way to their hearts.”  Saint John Bosco’s Educational Philosophy “Friendliness and affability, based on patience, self-control, self-denial, and love of his fellow man were to be characteristics of the Christian educator.”  “Discipline was based on mutual trust between the teacher and taught . . . His work was useless if he failed to win the confidence and love of the educand; education was a failure if the youth did not place his trust in the educator. “ “The methods of correction were said to be effective because they appealed to the conscience and not to fear of reprimands or punishments.” “In the ‘pedagogy of confidence’ the teacher was expected to become interested in those things which interested the pupils. “Perhaps the most demanding aspect of the preventative system, in which the educator continually present among his students, involved himself in their world; they in turn adopting his because they were aware of his love for, and interest in, them.”  The Mission of the Soul For John Bosco each life was his mission, he knew he was about the salvation of that soul.  He considered the primary duty of the teacher (and anyone really) is to bring Christ to that person. My classroom, and I myself, transformed as I worked to implement the philosophy of Saint. John Bosco. I found I was able to connect with my students in a Christ-centered way, and it led to deep conversations and relationships with their families. I experienced what Saint John Bosco said about his work: “How many wonders had the Lord wrought in our midst!”

On this last day of January 2023, we are sent forth in love.  The fruit of divine intimacy is not only our personal wholeness and holiness, but it spills over into the way we love others. When we give our hearts to the Lord, He gives us His. We no longer love by our own strength, but by His grace. When we awaken to His love, we awaken to the need for love in others.  And this is how we are meant to go forth—declaring the love of the Lord by displaying love to others.  Let us continually draw from the well of divine intimacy so that we can pour His love into the longing hearts of the world. Closing Prayer //  God, You are Love. You are worthy of all our love. We offer You our hearts. Please transform them by Your love, that we may be small reflections of the ardent love with which You seek souls. Amen! Reflection Questions // Who in my life is in particular need of love? How can you reflect the love of the Lord by loving them? What is my greatest prayer moving forward from the Prayer Pledge? How do I want the love of God to move in my life?

As we enter the final days of this year's Prayer Pledge, let's return to where we began. Our Faith declares that God's very being is love.  Love is Who He is.

 Scripture, lives of the saints, and other spiritual readings are all ways to deepen prayer life and discover new intricacies of our faith (I’m slowly working through the Diary of Saint Faustina, and I love it!). However, sometimes it can be hard to work through those denser spiritual works, especially with less time. And the Lord knows, the older I get the less time I have! 5 Fiction Books to Spiritually Renew Your Soul In the following fiction books, I have felt completely immersed in the story and refreshed upon completion. Whether it be a dramatic tale of conversion, an account of the Lord’s grace working in outer space, or an apocalyptic story, all these books have deep and mystical Christian and Catholic themes with which to meditate upon. So, without further adieu, let's begin! Father Elijah: An Apocalypse by Michael O’Brien This book is number one on the list for a reason! Michael O’Brien writes a thrilling novel which explores the state of the modern world. A Carmelite priest, Father Elijah Schafer, is secretly tasked by the Vatican with a mission of utmost importance; one which involves the fate of millions of souls. Traversing across the Middle East and Europe, Father Elijah encounters saints and sinners, men of power, mystics, journalists, and traitors, all while reflecting upon his own childhood of surviving Nazi Germany. This powerful book is filled with adventure and hope, and the reminder that even the smallest among us can accomplish great things with the help of the Lord. The Spear by Louis de Wohl Before this book, I had never even heard of St. Longinus, even though he was mentioned in Scripture. Longinus, I discovered, was the centurion who speared Christ’s side on Calvary. This dramatic story follows Marcus Longinus’ early life, from that of a prominent member of a Roman family to that of a slave who sold his freedom for his father. Although you can guess the outcome, it doesn’t take away from how deeply you feel Marcus’ questions and journey towards understanding this man everyone calls “The Messiah.” This story culminates in the supreme hope shared among Christians, and leaves one meditating on their personal journey to Christ. {formbuilder:OTk3ODc=} The Space Trilogy by C.S. Lewis Surprisingly, I was long into my love of C.S. Lewis before I realized he had a sci-fi trilogy. And it is probably one of the best sci-fi series I have ever read (“Of course,” you say, “It’s C.S. Lewis!”). The three books contained in this trilogy are Out of the Silent Planet, Perelandra, and That Hideous Strength. It centers around Dr. Elwin Ransom, a university professor, who is taken to outer space. In the first book, he encounters life on mars. This planet has not fallen into Original Sin, and the beings he meets there reflect upon earth and draw striking contrasts. In the second, he reaches another planet where he meets two beings much akin to Adam and Eve before Original Sin. In the close of the trilogy, the now-beloved Dr. Ransom is fighting for earth with the dark forces that were present in both Out of the Silent Planet and Perelandra. I would highly recommend this trilogy to anyone, Christian or not! Ben-Hur I originally saw the 1959 movie version of this book, and the on-screen rendering struck me so deeply that I had to find the book to understand the full picture. Although not necessarily an easy read, this book touches the very core of one’s heart, with themes of mercy and love contrasted with revenge and hatred. It follows the young Jewish prince, Judah Ben-Hur, as he is thrown from a life of aristocracy to a slave in the gallows after an accidental crime. After years as a slave, a turn of fate finds him once again in a high position, building his life up again in anonymity. Searching for his lost mother and sister, and trying to avenge the wrongdoings against the family, Judah Ben-Hur is ready for a fight. All the while, tales of a young Jewish rabbi float around and interweave, until Judah encounters him face-to-face. The Father’s Tale by Michael O’Brien We started with a book by Michael O’Brien, and we shall end with one of his as well. The Father’s Tale is a story of a middle-aged father whose life is upended when his young adult son goes missing. From England to Russia, this father travels in search of his son, who potentially was involved in a mysterious cult. This story is saturated with the truth of a father’s love and evokes images of the one sheep that strayed. If you are looking for a reminder of how much our Heavenly Father loves you, but in a fictional odyssey novel, I would point you to this book right here.   Maggie Agra is a junior theology major at Franciscan University of Steubenville. She enjoys learning all things theology, especially Theology of the Body. When she’s not weightlifting or watercoloring, you can find her enjoying a cup of coffee with friends or trying something new and adventurous.   This post contains affiliate links. Thanks so much for supporting the ministry of Blessed is She!