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Up and Down Emmitsburg, Maryland: A Spiritual Journey

On the Feast of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, travel the mountains and valleys of Maryland where she lived and worked and grew in holiness—all out of love for God.

The Holy Name of Jesus: A Name Foretold

During the month of January, which is dedicated to the Holy Name of Jesus, let us speak His name with love and reverence, ever more aware of the power, sweetness, and beauty that it holds.

Two Helpful Tips for Praying the Rosary With Greater Devotion

On the Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, here are two helpful tips for praying the Rosary that will keep this prayer alive in our hearts.

Monthly Wallpaper from Blessed is She // 385

This month in our BIS Member Community we're talking all about MISSION. What does mission mean for us and why does it matter? Join us for our weekly Q&As live every Tuesday, our live daily rosary, and so much more! The mission of Christ the Redeemer, which is entrusted to the Church, is still very far from completion. As the second millennium after Christ's coming draws to an end, an overall view of the human race shows that this mission is still only beginning and that we must commit ourselves wholeheartedly to its service. It is the Spirit who impels us to proclaim the great works of God: "For if I preach the Gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel!" (1 Cor 9: 16) Click here to download your phone wallpaper. Click here to download your desktop wallpaper.

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New Year, New Word, New Saint

Discover how to prayerfully adopt a Saint for the year and listen for the word God has for you ... and why you should!

Christmas Lights + Daughterhood: The Theology of Disney’s Tangled

The significance of the little illuminations that appear everywhere each December and the significance of the movie Tangled do converge, because they originate in the same truth. It is all held in the reality of Christmas.

Christmas Octave: Simple and Intentional Liturgical Living

Christmas Day is just the beginning. Here is a list of simple ways to celebrate the birth of Christ throughout the entire Christmas Octave.

The Christmas Angels: How Their Message Uplifts Those Facing Holiday Hardship

The appearances of the angels during the Christmas season are great evidence that no matter what we are going through, God sees us and is sending us heavenly aid.

Three Gifts from Mary, Unwrapped During Advent

Mary gifted me with three lessons that continue to guide me through the darkness and light, the joys and sorrows, of life. May they be a source of strength and inspiration for you, too.

Hoping Even When We Feel Weary

Embracing the Virtue of Hope Advent is truly a season of hope. For those of you enjoying the Advent devotional from Blessed is She, you know that this season brings us a thrill of hope. Liz Kelly has done such a beautiful job showing us that the thrill of hope doesn’t necessarily mean sparkles and a perfect life. Instead, hope offers us God Himself, who is the object of all our desire and affection. He is the reason we can rejoice, even when the world feels weary. The Anchor of Hope As we explore hope, let’s consider the book of Hebrews, which offers us a powerful image of hope as an anchor. In Hebrews 6, we learn about the hope that Abraham had, and how he waited many years for God's promise to be fulfilled. Hope is described as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul—an anchor that keeps us secure in the Blessed Trinity, steady amidst life's storms. Now, if our souls are like boats, where we choose to cast our anchor matters greatly. It’s tempting to cast our anchors close to the shore where we feel safe and in control. However, the best place to anchor is in the deep waters, where we must trust God and let go of our need for certainty. When we do this, we find God, the source of all truth, goodness, love, and intimacy. Renewing Our Desire for God Hope is not just about wishing for a better future; it’s about staking our happiness on God and His promises. The Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us that hope is a theological virtue by which we desire the kingdom of heaven and eternal life as our happiness. When we desire life with God, we can endure life's challenges with a renewed spirit. Each day, we must renew our desire for God and allow that desire to shape our present reality. What we believe about our future should transform how we live now. If we truly believe God has a future filled with hope for us, it should inspire confidence and joy in our daily lives. The Gritty Nature of Hope Hope is gritty. It involves action, perseverance, and often, hard work. It might look like getting out of bed when you’d rather stay under the covers, or choosing to love even when it feels pointless. Hope calls us to keep trying, to keep believing, and to keep moving forward, despite our circumstances. In Hebrews, we find that hope requires endurance. Abraham serves as a model of hope, showing us that even when we falter, we can still trust in God's promises. We must remember that true hope is not passive; it’s a battle cry that demands resilience and strength. Practical Ways to Cultivate Hope As we navigate this Advent season and beyond, let’s consider some practical ways to cultivate hope in our lives: Create habits of consolation that will sustain you in desolation, such as daily prayer and the reception of the sacraments. Remember who God is. Knowing Him deepens our love and trust. Patiently endure small, everyday challenges. These moments can build our capacity for hope. Foster a holy community. Surround yourself with those who inspire you to hope. Avail yourself of the sacraments, which offer the grace we need to live in hope. Put a Saint in charge of you. Ask a Saint to guide you and help you maintain hope. Advent is a season of hope, where we walk in step with the Israelites who hoped for the coming of the Messiah. As we await His coming, let’s remember that hope is a divine anchor, not a human guarantee. Trust in God's promises and lean into His love.

O Antiphons: A Special Way to Pray During the Last Week of Advent

Looking for a way to renew your prayer this last week of Advent? Meet the O Antiphons!

Praying Through the Hustle and Bustle of the Holidays

Are you overwhelmed this holiday season? Try one of our eleven tips to help you keep praying in the midst of your hectic holiday schedule.

A Messy Advent Can Be a Holy One

What happens when Advent isn't as perfect as expected? We can turn to our Blessed Mother and Saint Joseph to guide us to the Christ Child.

On the Feast of Saint Nicholas

On the Feast of Saint Nicholas, learn about this generous saint and how his example is the perfect model as we prepare for Christmas.

Guiding Little Hearts: The Importance of Taking Your Kids to Confession

Blessed Is She offers a free, downloadable Examination of Conscience for Kids, which is a great way to help them prepare for the Sacrament of Confession.

BIS Reads // A Melody of Love

Blessed Is She reviews a sweet new book, “Melody of Love,” which makes the perfect bedtime story this Christmas season.

Monthly Wallpaper from Blessed is She // 384

"In Jesus God was incarnate, he became a man like us and in this way opened for us the road to his heavenly Kingdom, to full communion with him." // Pope Benedict XVI Click here to download your phone wallpaper. Click here to download your desktop wallpaper.