Blessed are they who hope in the Lord. // Psalm 1 Thank you for these beautiful free wallpapers from Katrina of Rose Harrington. Let His word dwell in us richly, sisters. Remember, Members, you get this 8x10 digital download for free! Head to the shop for your download. Download your F R E E wallpapers right here --->>> Phone wallpaper Desktop wallpaper

Maybe you’ve already bought the new Blessed is She Lent Journal, To the End, and you’re filled with hopeful anticipation to begin. But you can’t help but wonder if you’ll actually be able to stick with it till Easter. Maybe you’ve shrugged it off, because most days, you’re lucky to fit in ten minutes of prayer in the car, let alone some uninterrupted journaling time. So why bother trying? Whether you fit one of those descriptions or fall somewhere in between, this post is for you. As Catholics, wives, mothers, grandmothers, religious sisters, students, working women, sisters, daughters, friends, and more, we all have a lot on our plates. We’re all busy with the good work that our vocations and seasons of life demand of us, and that is not a bad thing. In fact, it’s one reason why Lent is such a tremendous blessing. Each year, God calls us to forty days set apart from our daily lives—not physically, maybe emotionally, but certainly spiritually. It is too easy—tempting in fact—to let Lent look no different from the other 325 days of the year just minus the chocolate, or social media, or whatever we choose to give up. But what if we would gain more spiritually by committing to daily prayer (with or without the guidance of the Lent Journal) than by saying sayonara to Instagram for forty days? I think we might. When and Where to Use Your Lent Journal In this short month before the start of Lent, pray about what it might look like to add some prayer or devotion to your days, instead of or in addition to making a sacrifice of some kind. What is God asking you to lift up or lay down? If the Lent Journal may help you set Lent apart spiritually, here are a few ideas for how you may be able to best fit it into your daily routine. During Your Morning Prayer Routine If you already carve out time for prayer at the start of the day, adding the daily pages of the Lent Journal may fit into your routine seamlessly. If you don’t want it to replace something that’s part of your current routine, you may need to set your alarm fifteen minutes earlier. Just consider that part of your Lenten sacrifice. It will be well worth it! Even more of a sacrifice? Starting a morning prayer routine from scratch during Lent. A few tips: get your coffee maker ready the night before and set it to brew automatically so you’ll be able to pour a cup as soon as you get up. Set out your materials (like your Lent Journal, a pen, your Bible, a Rosary) the night before along with a blanket to cozy up in. Offer up the words “All for you, Jesus” as your feet hit the floor, especially on the days when you could really use the extra sleep. Trust that Jesus will never miss your morning coffee date. He will cherish that sweet, quiet time with you! On Your Commute Of course, if you drive to work yourself, skip to the next idea. But if you take public transportation or carpool, stick your Lent Journal in your work bag and pull it out during your commute. Reflecting on Jesus and who He is is sure to start your day off on a peaceful, soul-filling note that can carry over into each interaction throughout the day. At Noon Tracing back to 11th-century Italy, praying the Angelus daily has long been a beautiful part of Catholic prayer tradition. Traditionally marked by the ringing of church bells at 6 a.m., noon, and 6 p.m. (something that is still done in some places, but not quite as often as in the past), my personal favorite time to pray the Angelus is at noon. I’m usually right in the middle of prepping lunch for my two-year-old, scrounging up something for myself, or wrapping up my last email or draft from a morning of work. But that’s exactly why I need it. When the “noon bells ring” (ahem, via an iPhone app, in my case), I’m reminded to try to stop what I’m doing and recall our Lord’s Incarnation and Mary’s role in our salvation story. Perhaps during Lent, these bells can also be a call to take fifteen minutes with your Journal. I’ll be the first to admit that this timing would not be the best in my particular season. But I think I would have loved it during college! At 3:00 P.M. The 3:00 hour holds special significance to us year-round, but especially during Lent when Our Lord’s Passion is always close to our hearts. Again, if your schedule and season of life make this middle-of-the-afternoon time a possibility, 3:00 would be an incredibly beautiful time to sit down every day with your Lent Journal. Consider pairing it with a Divine Mercy Chaplet. While Waiting for Your Children If your afternoons are often defined by waiting for your children—in the carpool line, on the bleachers during soccer practice, in the lobby during gymnastics, etc.—consider using this time to dive into your Journal. Its slim (but sturdy) profile and soft cover make it lightweight and easy to throw into your bag and bring it along wherever you’re going. Best of all, your kids catching you with it opens up beautiful opportunities to share with them about doing something meaningful for Lent. After Dinner Do you know which moments of Lent seem to be the hardest to me? That hour or two after dinner when whatever I gave up is particularly tempting. Gave up dessert? This is when the post-dinner, “I could go for a little something sweet,” feeling kicks in. Gave up TV? This is when curling up on the couch with my husband for a show on Netflix sounds the most enticing. And so on and so forth. No matter what I gave up, my resolve feels weakest at the end of a long day. That’s why picking up the Lent Journal at this time would be so helpful. It would serve as a needed reminder that our sacrifices are for a purpose, and we are drawing closer to Christ because of them. Before Bed My husband falls asleep within seconds of his head hitting the pillow. But if you’re more like me, and desperately need some quality wind-down time before sleep is even on your radar, I love the idea of closing the day with Jesus. Dim the lights, maybe light a calming-scented candle, and go through the Lent Journal pages for the day. Conclude with an Examination of Conscience. When we reflect on who Christ is and how we can better reflect Him in the days ahead, we set ourselves up for daily growth in our walks with the Lord. What more could we ask for during Lent, and beyond? When and where will you be fitting your Lent Journal into your daily routine? Let us know below so we can be encouraged by one another! [bctt tweet="When + Where to Use the Blessed is She Lent Journal #BISblog #BISlent //" username="lisajanelkirk"]

It was a Saturday evening not too long ago. I was getting ready to go out with my girlfriends. We were going to a nice dinner at a swanky restaurant in the oh-so-hip part of town. I had showered, washed and dried my hair, and even put on makeup. But when my husband walked into our closet, what do you think he saw? A woman who was ready to go? A hot, 40-something mama ready for a night out on the town with her friends? Nope. He found a hot mama, alright! A hot mess of a mama who couldn’t, for the life of her, figure out what to wear. A mama who felt like no matter what she did, she just wasn’t going to look cute enough or stylish enough. Who felt two-sizes too big for every piece of clothing she owned. Knowing What I Need Now, he could’ve run out of that closet. Not a soul would’ve blamed him, least of all me! But he didn’t. He stayed. He talked me through what I would feel comfortable in and what the other gals would be wearing. And he reassured me that yes, my clothes did indeed still fit. He stayed with me, encouraged me, and made me laugh. When I was finally ready to walk out the door, he twirled me around and planted a big ol’ kiss on me for good luck. Ladies, if that ain’t romance, I don’t know what is. A Long Time Gone It’s crazy to think that in just a few short months, my college sweetheart and I will be celebrating our 20th wedding anniversary. This month, in fact, we celebrate 23 years since asked me to be his girlfriend. So, yeah, you could say we’ve been a long time gone on each other. On the other hand, how many other couples do you know and look up to who have been “boyfriend/girlfriend” for decades longer than that? Our parishes and families are full of examples of that long-lasting love. Love that evolves from the fluttering hearts and dewy-eyed flirtations of those early days together, to the deep understanding and commitment of lives lived intertwined in purpose and faith. No two couples are alike, though. So what counts as romance in one relationship will look very different than what might be romantic in another. And honestly? That’s such a beautiful thing! Cruising Along Together My dad’s parents were deeply in love for the entire 57 years they were married. My grandad liked to tell about a cruise to Alaska they took around their 50th anniversary. They were snuggled together on a deck bench as they watched the world go by. He turned to my grandmother and asked if she would like to smooch, seeing as it was such a pretty spot and all. And—this was his favorite part of the story—she turned him down! They were in public and she would do no such thing! Every time he told this story, they would both laugh! And I have to tell you, friend, the look that would pass between the two of them then was the stuff that books are written about. The knowing, loving smile she would give him, and the impish grin he would shoot back, was so special. Even my teenage self knew it to be extraordinary. Relationships of All Types Alternately, of course, we all know those couples whose common love language seems to be bickering. No public smooching for them! Yet, despite the bickering and sharper edges, you can see the deep and abiding love and esteem they have for one another. Each type of relationship is beautiful, don’t you think? How marvelous that God brings together partners who can, over time and through serious trial and error, learn to love each other so well. Cards and Flowers Not Necessary (But Appreciated!) As couples grow and mature alongside each other in marriage, we work to learn exactly how to make our spouses feel loved. For some, grand romantic gestures are where it’s at. They live for the trips and gifts and spontaneous flowers, the Valentine candies and the candlelit dinners for two. For others, it’s the fact that he knows exactly how she takes her coffee. And that she knows just the right time to offer for him to hit the golf course with his buddies or take a run by himself. Sure, there are all kinds of romantic gestures. This time of year, the Hallmark Channel and the card aisle at Target are overrun with glittery pink and red ways of showing how much you “love” someone. Floral shops and candy stores are bursting with sweet, sweet inventory. You know what I say to that? Fantastic! Those gestures are lovely, wanted, and greatly appreciated. But take it from this old married lady (and, yes, I do say that with my tongue firmly planted in my cheek): the most romantic gestures aren’t in things. They are born out of truly seeing and knowing the other person. The most romantic story isn’t found in a novel, but in living the ordinariness of life in love together. Marriage and Ordinary Romance True, ordinary, beautiful romance is experienced in hearts that beat together, trust each other, and truly desire what is best for the other. In my humble opinion, there’s not much in this world that can top the “ordinary” romance of marriage. Today, let’s pray for all married couples, that they feel that beautiful romance deep within their souls and never take it for granted. [bctt tweet="The Ordinary Romance of Marriage #BISblog #ValentinesDay //" via="no"]

Three Words: Happy Valentine’s Day! (You do know it's tomorrow, right?) Another three words: Five Love Languages The last set of three words: I love you. Pondering these sets of words, I have to share with you that I’m a hopeless romantic. Yes, I am. I was the young girl who enjoyed watching all the teen movies about love. I am the woman who loves the Hallmark movies which are predictable and similar in theme. They are the best! I can be found reading Love Inspired Christian romance novels in my spare time. Yet when I was single, I had a hard time with the big V-day. In my mind, I was left out. I was overlooked, and part of me questioned if I’d ever have my fairy-tale ending. Once I met my husband, I remember feeling so happy. I felt too happy, actually. I told my best friend that I didn’t know if I should even be this happy and things should be this easy. Real Love and a Real Love Story Based off my preconceived romance ideas from the movies I had watched and books I read, my husband’s and I’s love story did not look like any of the movies did. It was not a perfect read like a Christian romance novel. Instead, it was and is a real love story. One that is full of love, happiness, hurt, forgiveness, and peace. Our love story is still unfolding, but we are creating it together with God at the center. Along with this, my husband and I also pay attention to how each of us receive love. This can be pivotal in a relationship. When we were going through marriage prep, we were introduced to a book called The Five Love Languages by Dr. Gary Chapman. This book changed our lives. Our Emotional Love Tanks If you have not read this book, I would highly recommend it. This book is about figuring out how your emotional love tank can be filled. It can enlighten you and how you view others. It allows you to know why certain people feel more love than others when it comes to presents, being together as a family, getting hugs, doing something for someone, or even being given a compliment. This book is beneficial for any person, whether you’re in a romantic relationship or not. Gary Chapman, the author, came to the conclusion that people have five different categories or ways that people express or feel love: Quality Time Receiving Gifts Acts of Service Physical Touch Words of Affirmation Knowing how to communicate these love languages—as well as what your family members, children, or friend’s love language is—will give you insight into what these people want and how they expect you to communicate and express your love toward them. The Five Love Languages To help you understand these love languages better, let’s break it down. Quality Time People whose love language is Quality Time enjoy spending time with people. Their tanks are full when they can have uninterrupted, one-on-one time conversing with others. They enjoy doing things with others while getting that person’s full attention. Quality Time people may have their love tank filled by: playing a game with them, eating a meal together, going for a walk together, reading a book and then discussing it, and/or going bowling together. Basically anything that involves being together and focusing on each other will fill this person’s love tank. Some Quality Time people can get their love tank full by watching a movie together. But most of the time, that doesn’t work since the movie is taking the attention of everyone involved. Receiving Gifts People whose love language is Receiving Gifts will have their love tank filled by being given a tangible gift that is meaningful or thoughtful. These people thrive on the spirit of giving. If someone likes receiving gifts, it doesn’t mean they're materialistic, which sometimes people assume of this love language. Ideas for this love language include: a note telling the person how much you care about them, a basket full of good things you know they like, a piece of pie from Perkins (if you know they love sweets), a coffee, or even a gift of flowers to show them you were thinking of them that day. When it comes to this love language, the idea of being thought of out of the ordinary is what makes these people feel loved. Your gift to them doesn’t have to be extravagant or large, it can be simple. Just thinking of them and getting them an item to go along with your thought of them will fill their tank to the top. Acts of Service Have you ever heard the saying, “Actions speak louder than words?” If so, then you know who ever is telling you this is someone whose love language is Acts of Service. These people love simple task done for them. It may be cooking them supper, cleaning up the living room, raking their leaves, fixing a light bulb for them, or anything that shows them you are willing to lend a hand and help out. These people can become unhappy when they see someone who does not keep their promises or can view these broken promises as a sense of laziness which causes more work or worry for people who have this love language. In order to fill this person’s love tank, doing small things for them will show them you care and want to make them happy. Physical Touch Do you have a grandma who is always hugging you? Or how about the child that wants to continually be held? These people’s love language is Physical Touch. Someone who seeks out a hug, a kiss, a pat on the back, wants to hold your hand, or seems to even reach out and touch others as they’re speaking, definitely has this love language. Things you can do to reaffirm people with this love language is to give them a hug, pat their back, and/or hold their hand. Giving them some type of physical touch will help these people know you care for them. Words of Affirmation We all like to be told that we’re good enough once-in-a-while. But instead of being told that sparingly, people whose love language is Words of Affirmation thrive on positive words. They are the ones who constantly need affirmation that what they are doing is good. Giving them simple compliments is all they need throughout the day. Negative words affect everyone, but especially people who have this love language. What can you do to show these people you love them? You can do this by telling them what makes you proud of them, what they do well, and why you are thankful for them. Writing a note, calling them on the phone, sending a text, or writing an email with positive words will uplift their spirit and fill their tank. More than One Love Language It is possible that people can have more than one love language. Usually there is one primary love language and then a second one that follows closely. Love Language Quiz Reading Dr. Chapman’s whole book will help you understand these languages more. In his book he has a quiz that helps you figure out your primary love language. This quiz can also be found online here. More than One Love Language Book Gary Chapman has published multiple books that include but are not limited to: The Five Love Languages for Men, The Five Love Languages for Teenagers, The Five Love Languages for Children, The Five Love Languages Singles Edition, The Five Love Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace, and God Speaks Your Love Language. Knowing your love language and how you can respond to other’s love language will allow you to have that fairy-tale ending. Both in friendships and relationships, in order for the other person to be the best-version-of-themself, they need to feel loved. The Ultimate Love Today, take the quiz, find out more about your love language. Enjoy the day whether you’re in a relationship or not. Most importantly, rest in the fact that you are loved by God. He is the one that can fill your love tank to the top and is always there saying, “I love you.” He’s everyone’s happily-ever-after! Let us know what your love language is in the comments below! [bctt tweet="The Five Love Languages #BISblog //" via="no"] This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase by clicking through one of these links, Blessed is She will receive a small percentage of your purchase at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting this ministry by using our affiliate links! Ann Marschel is a licensed elementary teacher who currently is at home with her boys and teaches the Billings Ovulation Method (NFP) on nights and weekends. She loves spending time with her family and talking to Jesus as she goes for walks. Find out more about her here.

Envy has been popping up a lot in my life. I think this is partly because, as a new mother, it is so easy to compare myself to other mothers, wondering if what they are doing is better. And when it looks like it is, envy sneaks in slyly to steal my joy. However, if there is one thing I know, it is that envy does not discriminate. Whether you’re a mother or not, male or female, young or old … envy mounts an attack on all human persons. And in our world that is now so saturated with social media—which normally distorts the reality of everyday life—envy has an easy time playing around with the emotions and minds of many. What to Do When Faced with Envy So, what’s a girl to do? Here are some steps that I’ve been taking to help kick the green-eyed monster of envy in the butt. 1. Let God remind you of who you are. So many times, envy controls us because we forget about our worth. We forget that we are wonderfully and fearfully made in the image and likeness of God. It's easy to forget that He knit us together in our mother’s wombs. In this process of knitting, He gifted us with unique talents, traits, and temperaments. We imagine that because we have less (talent, skill, or things), we are less than someone else. This is perfect soil for envy to take root. However, if we can simply remember that our worth doesn’t lie in what we can or cannot do or on what we have or do not have, envy has less of a hold on us. Remember, the devil likes to make us think we are useless, worthless, and good for nothing. He wants us to believe that all those around us are better and that we will never amount to anything. And this is precisely why envy is one of his favorite tools. It not only makes us feel low, but also fuels a need in us to knock other people down so that we don’t feel low alone. However, if we let God remind us of our worth, our dignity, and our beauty each and every day, the enemy’s tactics are less effective. When we better appreciate ourselves, it makes appreciating the beauty and wonder of others easier as well. 2. Say your thank you’s. My mom used to have a sign in her house that said, “It is not happy people who are thankful. It is thankful people who are happy.” Vice, like envy, makes us unhappy, and thanksgiving is our biggest tool against vice. Thanksgiving gives us a reality check. It helps us to realize that all great things in life come from God, and that He truly is a generous God. It guides us to see how much He has entrusted us with and what little time we have to waste worrying about what others are given. So everyday, make sure to lift some praise to God for His goodness and the great gifts that He gives, big and small. This can be thanking Him for the unnoticed things such as the air that you breathe, or really big things like getting the job promotion you wanted. When envy comes to steal your happiness, remember to give thanks and stay happy. 3. Cultivate humility. In most things that I have read, kindness is thought to be the opposite of envy. And I can see why that is. However, I still think humility is the biggest defense against envy, and thus the best virtue to cultivate in retaliation of envy. One of my favorite definitions of humility is: “the awareness that all one’s gifts come from God and the appreciation for the gifts of others.” So how do we cultivate humility? How we should cultivate any other virtue. By practicing it. Here are a few suggestions for practicing and growing in humility: Pray the litany of humility Make up your own litany of humility to pray Let others talk about themselves more than you talk about yourself Foster an openness to being taught and learning new things Don’t become defensive when under criticism Open yourself to feedback Do not seek out admiration Take a break from social media 4. Identify your fears and give them to God. As the litany of humility suggests, many times envy comes from fear. Fear of being forgotten. Of being unwanted. Of not having enough. These fears, when left unchecked, make the perfect foundation for envy to build its bricks upon. We begin to covet our neighbor’s talents or goods with the idea that these things would take away the problem causing our fear. However, that’s rarely the case. Our fears are much better in the hands of Lord, who can heal us from them and remind us that He will provide. When we let Him take our fears, envy has no place to twist them into thoughts or actions that can hurt us and our relationships with others. 5. Be satisfied. That’s easier said than done, thus the reason you are probably reading this post. However, take time to rest in God’s presence, especially when you are feeling particularly envious. Let Him fill you up with His grace, peace, and joy so you can continue on with the mission He has specifically given you and no one else. We are only satisfied by God, yet we seek to be satisfied by all these worldy things. Stop. Let God satisfy you and you will notice envy lessen it’ s grip. An awesome prayer to pray while resting is St. Anthony’s “Be Satisfied” Prayer. It’s a good reminder that what we truly seek in life is God and God alone. When we keep our eyes on the prize—Heaven and union with our Creator—it’s harder to get distracted and caught up with envy of others. 6. Build others up. Envy tells us that we need to break others down. If we are not successful, they should not be successful either. So actively seek out opportunities to build others up. Share their work over your own. Compliment someone daily. Pray for others to use their gifts and goods for a greater cause: the extension of God’s kingdom. Envious of someone’s talents? Tell them how awesome you think their work is! 7. Keep doing what you're doing. Not only does envy want us to break others down, but it also wants to break us down. We want to quit when we feel inadequate and envious of others. We want to stay depressed and feel like we have a bad deck of cards. Envy makes us want to throw in the towel. Don’t. Don’t stop. Push through. God sent you on a mission. We must trust that He has equipped us to carry the cross He has given us and to succeed in this mission. Stay close to Him and keep doing what you’re doing. Even when it seems futile. Even when it seems like we are failing. He sees the struggle. And while you may not see any reward in this life, God will reward you. 8. Find joy! Do the things you love to do. Again, envy wants to bring us down. Do something that you know will lift your spirits up. Go out with a good girl friend. Attend bible study. Go for a run. Paint a picture. Doing what you love and finding joy in it will help clear your mind and put into perspective all the good in your life. Revel in the things that bring you joy. Keep joy present by your side, and the devil has a harder time taking you down with negative thoughts of envy. What do you when you’re finding yourself particularly jealous of another and their circumstances? Let us know below! [bctt tweet="Steps to Take When Envy Rears Its Ugly Head #BISblog //" via="no"] Jennifer Vilcan is a new wife and mother who blogs about prayer and temperament. She’s hoping to release her first book, Into the Darkness, sometime in the beginning of 2020. You can find out more about her here.

Today marks a feast day in the Church that gives much solace and hope to my heart. It is the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, which is the day we commemorate the Virgin Mary’s first appearance to young Bernadette Soubirous in the village of Lourdes, France in 1858. St. Bernadette’s Special Mission of Healing The story goes that young Bernadette was the eldest of nine children. Her family was very poor—so poor, in fact, that their only housing was the cellar of the former jail in Lourdes. It is believed that the Virgin Mary first appeared to Bernadette while she was out gathering firewood for her family on February 11th, 1858. The Blessed Mother was clothed in a white gown and blue sash with yellow roses at her feet. She continued her appearances to the young girl for a number of days, only confirming her identity during the sixteenth visit. Our Lady prayed the Rosary with Bernadette, implored her to tell the clergy to build a chapel there at the Grotto of Massabielle, and to pray and make sacrifices for the sake of all sinners. In one conversation, Our Lady implored Bernadette to scratch into the soil near the river, and from that place a spring of water flowed. Since the first apparitions, close to 70 instances of healing have been meticulously documented by those who bathed in the water of that same spring. On that Same Riverbank A century and a half after the first vision, I was one of those pilgrims who came seeking healing. At the time of my pilgrimage, my heart was filled with brokenness: a romantic relationship had just ended and my father was in the end stages of Alzheimer’s. I felt an acute ache for healing in my heart like I had never felt before. I was not like the usual Lourdes seekers—those with cancers, paralysis, or or other physical infirmities—but I needed healing, too. And so, outside the grotto and on the banks of St. Bernadette’s river, I prayed for myself and my fellow pilgrims. Over, and over, and over again. Waiting for a miracle. We Don't Get to Choose Our Healing Timeline When I look back on that time in Lourdes, I can’t say that I was healed of those things that very day. In fact, I didn’t have any say in the timeline of my heart’s healing. I came back to the U.S. with my still-broken heart and had to continue to move forward with my work, home, and family life. But I do know that during my time at Lourdes and after, I was heard, loved, and cherished. I know that Our Lady was there as my Mother. She was tending to my broken heart and reminding me of the hope that her Son promised. I know that she came alongside me and held me close, just as she did for St. Bernadette. In time, I found the healing I so desired. Finding Joy in the Healing He Chooses Yes, Our Lord healed me, but in far greater and better ways than I ever could have hoped for myself. Through much prayer and counsel, I’ve found deeper relationship wounds in need of healing and have made the space in my life to work through them. I’ve grieved the death of my dad and know that this, too, is being worked out in my heart. I smile because I know I am not one of the “official” 66 miracles at Lourdes, but I still count myself among them! I’ve found peace in the love He has for me as a Father and in my identity as His beloved. Healing is daily work, and I trust that it is being done, even though I’m no longer on those riverbanks. “I do not promise you happiness in this world, but in the next...” On the third appearance of Our Lady to St. Bernadette on February 18th, she uttered a promise that gives me much hope. She said: I do not promise you happiness in this world, but in the next.   Our Lady’s words remind our hearts that our earthly lives can be hard. Sometimes we have to really be on the lookout for joy, don’t we? Even St. Bernadette suffered great rejection at the hands of those who did not believe in the apparitions. She was never cured of the tuberculosis of the bone that eventually took her life at the age of 34. She wasn’t healed in the way that perhaps most would have wanted, but in a much deeper way. St. Bernadette knew the Lord loved her and that she was a precious, chosen sheep. Her healing and her joy was found in her beautiful unity with the Father in Heaven. Our Lady of Lourdes Gives Me Healing and Hope When my life is hard, or when those in my family struggle, I remember the story of St. Bernadette and Our Lady of Lourdes. I take comfort that Mary intercedes for me whenever I ask her to do so, knowing that she desires healing for you just as she does for me. Have you ever been to Lourdes? What was your experience like? [bctt tweet="Our Lady of Lourdes and Her Love of Healing #BISblog //" via="no"]

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts! All the earth is filled with his glory!”// Isaiah 6:3 Thank you for these beautiful free wallpapers from Carolyn of Brass and Mint. Let His word dwell in us richly, sisters. Remember, Members, you get this 8x10 digital download for free! Head to the shop for your download. Download your F R E E wallpapers right here --->>> Phone wallpaper Desktop wallpaper

Right before His Ascension, Jesus tells His Apostles, to “...make disciples of all nations…” (Matthew 28:18). After an outpouring of the Holy Spirit, the Apostles went and did just that. Based on the popularity of well-known Saints, we may have fallen into the line of thinking that Christianity spread firstly across Europe. In reality, Christianity’s presence in Europe came after its prevalence in Africa. This truth is even illustrated in Scripture, when Philip encounters an Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8. Philip explains the fulfillment of the man’s reading choice. The eunuch rejoices enthusiastically about the Gospel, asking to be baptized right then and there. Philip obliges, the eunuch returns home, and Christianity spreads to Africa. Early African Martyrs and Saints Christianity dispersed across the Northern parts of the continent rapidly. Hundreds of Africans were some of the earliest Christian martyrs, including Sts. Perpetua and Felicity. Other notable African Saints include St. Augustine of Hippo and his mother, St. Monica. These may be some of the most well-known Saints from the region, but there are many more men and women of African descent who lived holy lives, contributed impactful work and service to the Catholic Church, and who intercede for us now in Heaven. Let's take a look at Catholic history and draw inspiration from these seven black Saints who built up the Body of Christ. St. Josephine Bakhita This gem of a woman has been gaining lots of popularity among Catholic circles in recent years. Perhaps this is because of the fight against human trafficking and the fact that she herself was a victim of this horror. Kidnapped as a girl, she was sold and resold multiple times. She experienced beatings and mutilations before being sold to a family that instead used her to watch their daughter. Josephine accompanied the girl to school in Venice where she was introduced to Christ by the Sisters who ran the school. When her owners decided to return home to Africa, Josephine refused to go. When a judge declared her to be free since slavery was illegal in Italy, Josephine joined the religious order that had brought her to Christ. She lived a life of “unnoticed holiness,” completing simple tasks for the rest of her life. [bctt tweet="Be good, love the Lord, pray for those who do not know Him. What a great grace it is to know God! // Saint Josephine Bakhita" via="no"] St. Maurice of Aganaum Maurice was born less than 250 years after Jesus, near Egypt. As a young man, he entered the Roman army and moved his way up the ranks, eventually becoming a general. He took command of a legion in modern-day France right before being given orders to stamp out a rebellion against the empire. When Maurice and his 6,000 African soldiers discovered the rebels were fellow Christians, they refused to fight. Their disobedience earned (most of) them martyrdom. Their relics are housed in the Basilica in Aganaum, Switzerland. Venerable Mother Henriette Delille Born in 1812 in New Orleans, Henriette lived a part of her life as a mistress in a placage, whereby wealthy white men entered relationships with free women of color, circumventing the laws against interracial marriage. Two children were born from this relationship, but after their deaths at a young age, Henriette expericienced a conversion and rejected placage altogether. Shortly after her thirtieth birthday, she and two friends formed a religious order for women of color: the Sisters of the Holy Family. Only the second religious community in the United States specifically for women of color, their mission was to care for the poor and elderly and to teach the uneducated of Creole society. Her cause for canonization is currently open. If canonized, she will become the first New Orleanian, and the first United States-born black person, to be recognized as a Saint by the Roman Catholic Church. St. Severus There is not much known about this fifth century Saint. Because Severus was of royal blood, his conversion to Christianity was not taken lightly. At the hands of his torturers, he was thrown airborne before being jerked back down towards the pavement. His wrists were bound with ropes and the executioners drug him throughout the city streets until his bones were exposed. Somehow, this did not kill him immediately. It is believed that he died as a result of his tortures, and thus he is remembered among the early Church martyrs. Venerable Pierre Toussaint Pierre was born into slavery in Haiti. When an uprising threatened the safety of his owners, they fled to New York, taking Pierre, his younger sister, his aunt, and two other house slaves with them. In New York, Pierre became an apprentice under one of the city’s leading hairdressers, eventually earning large sums of money doing the hair of many renowned women in the city. After his owner died, Pierre financially supported the widow and the rest of the slaves with his earnings. He treated those who enslaved him as if he was a dedicated member of their family. Moved by his goodness and generosity, the widow granted Pierre his freedom shortly before her death. He became a philanthropist for the black community, opening his home to many and purchasing the freedom of others (including the woman who became his wife). At his death, he was one of the most well-known and respected Catholics in New York City. Servant of God Thea Bowman Bertha Bowman was born in Mississippi in 1937. Although her father was a doctor and her mother a teacher, her grandfather had been a slave before the emancipation. Her family were devout Methodists, and at age 9, Bertha converted to Catholicism. When she was just fifteen years old, she answered the call from the Lord and entered religious life. Sister Thea Bowman was passionate about evangelizing Black Catholics in the United States. Wounded by the horrific history of slavery, abuse, and segregation, many Black Americans didn't see a place for them in the Church. Sister made it her mission to highlight their contribution and belonging. The joy of Christ in her heart radiated throughout the United States and Central America, and her work bore fruits of peace and unity. [bctt tweet="I’m content to do my little bit. Sometimes people think they have to do big things in order to make change. But if each one would light a candle we’d have a tremendous light. // Servant of God Thea Bowman" via="no"] St. Martin de Porres Martin was born in Peru, the illegitimate son of a Spanish soldier and a freed slave. His father was so unhappy that Martin had inherited his mother’s dark complexion that he refused to acknowledge him for years. After the birth of a baby girl, Martin’s father abandoned the family altogether, leaving them in dire poverty. Despite having almost nothing himself, Martin gave generously to those who had less than he. When he was mocked for his illegitimacy and race, he responded by doing nice things for the very people who made fun of him. As a man, Martin wanted to join the Dominican Order. Peruvian law did not allow people of color to enter religious life, but the Dominicans allowed him to work as a servant, sweeping the floors and answering the door. He did so joyfully, and after years of good works and miraculous cures at his hands, the Dominicans worked around the law, allowing him to become a lay brother. Martin eventually founded orphanages for homeless children and cared for lonely African slaves who had been forced to come to Lima. When he died, everyone in Lima mourned him, even bishops and members of the royal court. He is the patron Saint of persons of mixed race and of those who suffer from discrimination. St. Moses the Black Moses was a slave to an Ethiopian government official during the 4th century. When he was accused of thievery and murder, he was disowned (protection of his master being withdrawn) and started a gang. After one particular act of terrorizing, Moses fled to the desert to escape authorities. He found shelter in a colony of monks. Their dedication, peace, and contentment was like nothing Moses had ever seen before. Affected deeply, Moses gave up everything to become a Christian. He then joined the monastic community permanently and lived a life of prayer and fasting. Model Catholics One of the most beautiful aspects of our Catholic Faith is its universality. Every member of the Body of Christ plays a vital role, and the steadfastness and perseverance of these men and women prove that each of us has an important role to play within the Church. Somehow, despite betrayal and mistreatment, these black Saints showed deep and personal faith in Christ. St. Josephine Bakhita even once remarked that if she ever met the people who kidnapped her as a child, she would sincerely thank them. If it hadn’t been for that injustice, she never would have come to know her Redeemer, Christ. Every Catholic can learn from her example. Let us all pray for the intercession of these Saints today. We ask that their humility, fidelity, and bravery may take root in our own hearts. If you want to learn more about Saints of African descent, check out the The National Black Catholic Clergy Caucus. [bctt tweet="St. Josephine Bakhita #BISblog //" via="no"]

Each of us have our favorite ways to connect on social media and create connection. There is a lot of good that can come from it. But let’s be honest for a second here...have you ever felt your own social media use can become all consuming? I know I have. Maybe you’re going on Facebook at all times of the day or late at night before bed. Maybe you just mindlessly scroll through Instagram so as not to miss out anything in the lives of your friends. Or maybe, like me, sometimes you just post something without really thinking about the reason why you’re doing it. I have done all of these and more. About two years ago, I started seeing my own consumption of social media was getting to be a bit much. I felt scattered, distracted, and like it was running me instead of me choosing when to use it or step away. Something Was Not Working When 2017 rolled around, I decided to make some intentional changes. I started tracking some of my daily social media use in my Blessed is She Planner (or the mini if that’s more your jam!) and in my Powersheets. The thing about good goals is they do not happen overnight. They take time to grow, slow and intentionally. Over that year, I saw my relationship with social media and my online presence drastically change (and for the better!). I do not claim to a guru expert on how to have a better relationship with your phone or social media. I just know that year-long experiment had a lot to teach me. And my life has changed for the better. How to (More) Intentionally Use Social Media Here are the biggest steps and lessons I learned, the insights that have continued to help me more purposefully use social media in a way that is not mindless scrolling or adding to the “online noise.” 1. Deleting the Facebook app from my phone. For years, I have heard people talk about deleting apps you waste too much time on as a way to see how often you use them. I always hemmed and hawed at that idea. But when I was on Facebook in a long line waiting for food or at the bank, I had to acknowledge I was wasting too much time on an app that really wasn’t the most important thing I needed to focus on in my life. 2. Setting a timer each day for how long I go on Facebook. Yes, you read that right! And yes, it is possible. I go on Facebook one time a day for 30 minutes. No, I am not perfect at this. But I stick to it about 75% of the time. And believe it or not, there are days in a row where I don’t even go on Facebook. Going on Facebook first thing in the morning as I sit down in my office is the best time for me. I check Facebook, go through my emails, and assemble my to-do list for that day at work. I find I am much more productive at life and work when I give myself a set time to be on Facebook, because then I don’t feel deprived, but I still have a healthy relationship with how I use it. 3. Don’t go on your phone past a certain time. There are lots of scientific studies out there that show the lights from our iPhones and computer screens are not good for our bodies late at night. They make it harder for our body to relax and get ready to fall asleep. Not using the phone past a certain time will make it easier to relax before bed and will likely help your sleep cycle. What time to do you typically go to bed? Got that number in your head? Now work backwards. I would say 2-3 hours before you want to be in bed, actively falling asleep, have your phone down for the night. Charge it in another room or turn it off. Just don’t use your phone until the minute you climb into bed. 4. Only go on favorite social media accounts one time a day. For me, this one has been the hardest but most rewarding goal to grow and develop. This is the area of growth I am most proud of for myself. Now, I'm in the habit of only going on my favorite social media apps one time a day. I try to plan it so I have time to go through pictures, comment on posts, and watch Insta stories. I'm not perfect at this, but honestly this trick is where I have seen the most growth. The biggest insight I have had with this trick is that I can still be engaged and connected without feeling like I am deprived. This has also helped me acknowledge when I go on Instagram for the wrong reasons, like when I am feeling lonely or insecure, or I just want to be validated by something pretty I post. Now, I can catch myself and take that as a cue I need to journal or name the real feelings of what is going on deeper inside of me. 5. Only post when you have something life-giving to say. I noticed a trend in my social media posting habits. Sometimes I would post for the likes or affirmations. To the best of my ability, I now really only try to post when I have something life-giving or valuable to say. I do not want to be contributing to more “noise” on the internet. Another way to help me understand my motives when posting is by asking these types of questions: Is this good, beautiful, or true? Am I adding to a conversation with my own unique perspective? Am I posting because I feel lonely (insert other feeling here) and want to be affirmed right now? Reflecting on my motives before I hit "post" has helped me keep in check why and when I post things on social media. The Upside of Social Media Being active on social media is a good thing that has many positive benefits. But sometimes you can feel burnout, overwhelmed, jealous, or compare yourself to other people you follow. If you struggle with these things from time to time, maybe use 2019 as a year to re-evaluate why and how you use your online presence. Does your social media use run you or do you choose how to incorporate into your life? Are there certain tips or tricks you use to better intentionally use your own social media accounts? [bctt tweet="How to Intentionally Use Social Media #BISblog //" username="amoderngrace"]

Although any farm-kid will tell you that there are limitations to being tied to the land, I have always romanticized it. I love the stability and commitment to a particular place and community, the wonder of dark nights, without the nearest town encroaching on a view of the stars. Barn cats, chickens, and all manner of pets I didn’t have growing up. The sense of stewardship and neighbor, when convenience might be far away, is compelling. It makes me wish for a time when we are simultaneously more connected and less connected. Farms and Feast Days The best memory I have on a farm and of this feast day was on a trip to my friend’s family dairy farm one weekend during college. It was a delightful visit to her small hometown, to be with her family, and to have a glimpse of the daily rituals of a life dependent upon the rhythms of the season. Obviously this meant being at work, early, having some downtime until midday chores, and then going out again in the evening as they put the farm and animals to bed. Having company on the farm, unaccustomed to these rituals, is probably equal parts comical, fun, and possibly even helpful. I imagine that’s the case anyway, when a child comes home from college and brings a fellow social work student. My friend gave me a tour of the farm she’d known since childhood. Her dad pulled us around farm-fields on an inner-tube behind their snowmobile. She tried to wake me for 4 a.m. chores (this visitor turned out not to be much help, a sleepy choice I regret). It also meant the blessing of the throats that Sunday. The Feast of St. Blaise I hadn’t remembered participating in this tradition prior to my visit to Miesville in their beautiful, white, high-steepled country church. It was a small congregation of course, but they were committed to receiving the grace of this blessing, snow and farm chores be darned. I observed the priest makes a cross with two candles—blessed on the Feast of the Presentation—over the neck of each recipient. In some cases, the candles may be secured in a candelabra, tied with a red ribbon (symbolizing martyrdom), or simply held to form a cross. May Almighty God at the intercession of St. Blaise, Bishop and Martyr, preserve you from infections of the throat and from all other afflictions. So, I joined the faithful who’d arrived that February morning, baring their throats between lighted candles to receive the blessing. Stepping Up When Called Out There is, after all, some grace in being called out of ourselves into something we never imagined we might take part in. Public speaking, living in a cold climate, caring for a loved one who is ill, advocating for a child with special needs, leading Vacation Bible School, performing car maintenance, or morning chores on a dairy farm. One day, circumstances call for it and our invitation stands before us, beckoning that we might know ourselves in a broader sense than we might ever have expected. I suspect God takes some delight in this. Likely all of us know this experience of becoming the teacher/confidant/nurse/advocate/pastoral presence that a situation calls for whether or not we were “ready” for it, or when our calendar prepared us for a U-turn. We rally, generally, for those we love. But on our best days, we rally for those we may not even know. And in a sense, this is the story of St. Blaise. [bctt tweet="We rally, generally, for those we love. But on our best days, we rally for those we may not even know. And in a sense, this is the story of St. Blaise. #BISblog //" via="no"] The Life of St. Blaise Blaise was a physician early in his life. His particular calling was to provide physical healing for those in his community. Because of his devout faith and holistic nurturing of those in his care, he became known as a healer of many kinds—including spiritual. After the local bishop died, Blaise was chosen to be his successor. Rather than living out his days in a role he had practiced, perfected, and likely felt comfortable in, the Holy Spirit seemed to have a more imaginative take on the gifts Blaise would offer this particular community. In this light, the blessing of the throats makes heaps more sense. St. Blaise was martyred in 316 after being arrested for his Christian Faith. Legend holds that even on his journey to prison, he was asked to intercede on behalf of a woman whose child was choking on a bone, and the child’s life was saved. Blaise’s gift of bringing healing to those afflicted in a variety of ways—particularly afflictions of the throat—is helpful imagery in the unique and tactile blessing Catholics receive today. Bearing His Image, Bearing His Light All of this points to the nature of our Creator who is actively participating in the daily lives and callings we experience; re-making the faithful into images that bear the imago dei, image of Christ, to the world. With confidence, and in the company of St. Blaise, would that our ‘yeses’ be bold (not sleepy), and our illusions of the shapes our lives might take, be colored by the One posing the invitation who is Ever Ancient, Ever New. So it is with You and how You make me new With every season's change And so it will be as You are re-creating me Summer, autumn, winter, spring. -Nichole Nordeman, Every Season Have you ever received the blessing of the throats on the feast of St. Blaise? Will you receive it this year? [bctt tweet="The Feast of St. Blaise + the Blessing of the Throats #BISblog //" via="no"]

Nearly nine months ago, I sprained my ankle. In a classic moment of a klutz kerfuffle, I was carrying the vacuum down the steps, tripped, and landed on an overextended, turned out ankle. Although the initial injury seemed to only hurt for about a week, the injury flared up again several months later after starting a new workout routine. Regardless of what precipitated the pain again, the dormant inflammation seemed to flare with a vengeance, and this time, hurt much more than when I initially sprained it. Walking or standing for long periods of time provoked frustrating pain and soreness. Normal daily tasks put a toll on my wobbly ankle. My aspirations for getting in better shape were dashed by this injury that I could no longer ignore. After visiting a few doctors, x-rays, and consultation, I was diagnosed with a residual ankle sprain and was sent to physical therapy. Healing is coming, but it has come very slowly. I was hoping my issue would resolve in a matter of weeks, not months. I wanted healing to be linear, not circular. I wanted to be able-bodied, competent, strong, again and quickly. The Patient Work of Healing This process of healing happening in my body has made me think about the greater experience of healing on other levels: the healing of emotion, of psyche, of soul. It’s made me realize that, although there are the exceptions, healing most often comes at a slow pace. Our wounds are too tender for genuine healing to be rushed. There have been many lessons I have learned about healing on this journey to recovery. Healing Takes Deliberate Work Any one who has done physical therapy knows how boring and monotonous the exercises can be. I am usually coming up with every excuse not to do these exercises. But they are simple because they are targeted. They are meant to strengthen the weak parts so that our bodies work to grow stronger in very specific ways. Repeated movements, whether of the muscle, or head or heart, build that strength and resolve. It creates a unison to allow better function and range of motion. If I apply those same disciplines to my head and my heart, imagine the expansion of the range of my heart: what I can reach and what can reach me. Healing is Not Linear Whenever I had my check-in with the doctor, I found myself describing my progress often as two steps forward and one step back. Just when my strength seemed to be increasing and my pain seemed to be decreasing, I’d experience a setback. Discouragement would begin to quickly overcome me, and I would question if the treatment was really working. I doubted if I would ever get better, if things would eventually improve. It wasn’t until I began to grasp less at expedient healing and accept the fact that it might be gradual for me that I noticed quicker improvements. Tensing to control only increases the body and heart’s natural ability to let blood flow back in and make space for a therapeutic growth. It Gets Worse Before It Gets Better Anyone who has experienced healing—whether it’s physical, spiritual, or emotional—knows that frequently the pain increases at the beginning of treatment. When probing the tender ligament, straining the fragile heart, putting pressure on the area of pain, it hurts. Sometimes it hurts like crazy. But this is part of the release, part of the letting go, giving your body permission to begin the process of deep healing and long-term growth. It’s OK to Not Be OK The worst thing you can do when trying to heal is to push yourself too hard. Especially at the beginning of my treatment process, I knew better than to go for a long run or even a rigorous hike. In order to accept healing, we must first receive the reality of our fragility. Our slowing down, attentiveness, and care towards self are the critical steps in fostering a calm state for our bodies, minds, and souls to heal. If God is asking you to heal, physically, mentally, or spiritually I encourage you: slow down. Be attentive. Stop trying to do so much and be so much. Focus on the wound or the injury. Be at peace knowing that you are worthy of healing and the time it takes to get there. You are worthy of setting aside for yourself rest and peacefulness and focus and the quiet spirit needed to do the hard work of healing. As the Jars of Clay song, "Faith Enough," says “It’s just enough to be strong in the broken places.” You’ll Still Have Trigger Points Even after my ankle has healed extensively, there are some triggers I experience from time to time that make it flare again. It feels discouraging. I think to myself, “Ugh, I thought I was done with this." I must practice grace towards myself and towards time. To reassure myself that I have indeed, come far despite the fact that healing is ongoing. Leaning Into the Brokenness, Leaning Into Christ Maybe, most of all, it’s the humility of suffering and brokenness that is the hardest. We struggle with the void between what we want to be or do and the reality of things as they are. Brokenness, illness, ailment, heartbreak, loneliness. These are all our companions on this human journey. Not one of us makes it through life without experiencing these. Surrender is a requirement, not an option, when it comes to the patient work of healing. Surrender and a firm belief in power that reaches into the depths of our aches, pains, and fragility and tenderly promises, “Behold I make all things new.” Sometimes this healing comes on this side of eternity, and often times it won’t be fully realized until Christ restores us in the Heavenly Kingdom. But on this journey, we open up our painful places, our trigger points, and wobbly joints. We give time permission and space to bind our wounds. We do the work, and we let restoration settle in, slowly and surely. Are you in the midst of a difficult work of healing right now? We're praying for you! [bctt tweet="The Patient Work of Healing #BISblog //" via="no"] Maria Koshute is a librarian in Annapolis, Maryland. She enjoys living by the water as it provides a perfect backdrop for meditation, reading, and conversation. In addition to the literary arts she enjoys hiking and traveling. She enjoys time spent with family and friends, and watching the Holy Spirit work in unexpected ways through everyday life.

For a brief period of time in my young adult life I explored a vocation as a high school science teacher. As I immersed myself in the day-to-day joys and challenges of classroom life, I found myself developing a fond devotion for the Italian saint we celebrate today: Saint John Bosco. The beloved “Don Bosco”, as he preferred to be called, turned out to be my intercessor for every single kid who was struggling with home life, with a particular sin, or with memorizing the minutiae of some tough concept in biology or anatomy. In a special way I asked for his intercession whenever I knew one of my students felt unloved, unwanted, or unseen. Don Bosco held a particular love for such young people. What St. John Bosco Would Want Us to Know about the Youth If you’ve never read any books on this mid-19th century Italian priest with a love for youth, this little one is a gem. Whether you work with youth as an educator or youth minister, or whether you are simply a parent, godparent, aunt, or big sister, you know that the challenges facing our youth today are many. I often wonder, if dear Don Bosco were alive today, what wisdom he might offer for bringing the hearts of today’s youth to the heart of Christ. Our hearts form their hearts. St. John was born impoverished into the little village of Becchi, Italy, in the summer of 1815. By the age of two, he has already lost his father to pneumonia. He began his discernment toward the priesthood as a young boy, and would often find that Our Lady would visit him in his dreams, encouraging him as he steadfastly saved the money necessary to attend seminary. I find it striking that Don Bosco, fatherless from such a young age, would go on to become a spiritual father to hundreds of orphan boys. It was as if the Lord was preparing his heart to be attentive to the needs of young men and boys who were grieving similar losses. It reminds me that the Lord continually uses the crosses of our own lives to connect with the hearts of our youth. Confidence and love. “You can do nothing with young people unless you have their confidence and love,” St. John was known for saying. At an early age, St. John connected with a traveling circus, and learned from them the arts of juggling and acrobatics. He’d later use those skills to attract school children to a performance, only to follow it with a preaching of the homily he had heard earlier in the day! Good Don Bosco knew that souls come to Christ through relationship. His playful, unassuming character meant that youth were drawn to him and trusted him. This formed the foundation for their relationship. Our Sacraments become their Sacraments. Don Bosco’s approach wasn’t all fun and games, though. Fiercely devoted to the sacramental life, to prayer, and to the study of Scripture, he continually availed himself of the Sacraments and encouraged his boys to do the same. An afternoon of soccer in an Italian field, for example, would always be followed by Mass and Confession. St. John’s love of Christ and His mother couldn’t help but rub off on the boys, who desired to emulate their spiritual father in all things. At one time one of Don Bosco’s younger boys had his heart set on making a good Confession. According to author F.A. Forbes, the story goes something like this: Boy writes his sins down on a piece of paper. Boy promptly loses them. Boy is found in tears by Don Bosco. “What’s the matter?” he asks. “I have lost my sins.” “Good business!” says Don Bosco encouragingly. “You will go straight to heaven if you have no sins.” “It’s the paper where I’d written them,” the boy persists, “I can’t find it!” The boys face lights up as Don Bosco pulls the list of sins out of his pocket and he quips, “If I’d known it was you who had them, Father, I should just have said, ‘Father, I accuse myself of all the sins you have in your pocket.’” The tenderhearted approach that Don Bosco had with his youth is a reminder that our young people will find a home in the Church when they know that they are first, loved, and second, forgiven. But it must start with ourselves. Are we also finding mercy in the Sacraments and inviting our youth along for the same? We could learn so much by Don Bosco’s example. "Always leave something with Providence.” While Don Bosco’s imprint on the hearts of Italian youth was impressive, his pocketbook was not. He was born poor and died poor. Between birth and death he was always begging for one thing or another—money for a new church or school or other program for his growing Oratory for boys. “Leave something with Providence,” he would often say. By that he meant that in spite of the most magnificent plans we can make, God is always the one who meets our needs. Perhaps we can be mindful of that wisdom in our own work with youth. We may pour in hours of sacrificial time and energy but ultimately, our children’s hearts are in the hand of Providence. Don Bosco entrusted everything to the Lord, and we can, too. “A largeness of heart as the sand on the seashore.” John Bosco died on January 31st, 1888. His last message for his many dear spiritual sons was this: Live together as brothers, love each other and bear with each other. The protection of Our Lady, Help of Christians, will always be with you. At the time of Don Bosco’s death, close to 800 boys were living at the Oratory that he had built. Forty-six years later, over 80,000 people gathered in Rome for his canonization, and since then his order has gone on to serve young people throughout the world. Wrote Pope Pius XI of the beloved saint, “God gave him largeness of heart as the sand on the seashore.” That, I think, is the heart of Don Bosco that we can emulate today in serving our youth. Whether we are classroom educators or mothers or simply the woman leading Wednesday night Bible Study for the local 8th graders, may our hearts always be enlarged as good Don Bosco’s was. St. John Bosco, pray for us and pray for our youth, today and always. [bctt tweet="Loving the Hearts of Our Youth (al la St. John Bosco) #BISblog //" via="no"]

Week Five // Holy Spirit, Living Breath of God Holy Spirit, living breath of God, Breathe new life into my willing soul. Let the presence of the risen Lord Come renew my heart and make me whole. Cause Your word to come alive in me. Give me faith for what I cannot see. Give me passion for your purity. Holy Spirit, breathe new life in me. Holy Spirit come abide within, May Your joy be seen in all I do. Love enough to cover every sin, In each thought and deed and attitude. Kindness to the greatest and the least, Gentleness that sows the path of peace. Turn my strivings into works of grace; Breath of God show Christ in all I do. Holy Spirit from creation’s birth, Giving life to all that God has made. Show your power once again on earth, Cause your church to hunger for your ways. Let the fragrance of our prayers arise; Lead us on the road of sacrifice, That in unity the face of Christ Will be clear for all the world to see. Week Five Intention We pray for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the entire world. Week Five // Day Five Holy Spirit from creation’s birth, Giving life to all that God has made. Show your power once again on earth, Cause your church to hunger for your ways. Let the fragrance of our prayers arise; Lead us on the road of sacrifice, That in unity the face of Christ Will be clear for all the world to see. Never had I felt anything like it before. Hundreds of women together in Adoration, singing and praising, kneeling and standing, heads bowed and arms raised. College students and grandmothers worshipped alongside single women and moms with babies in their arms. Every skin tone, every body type, every beautiful face shining together with the image and likeness of our good, good Father. The sweetest incense I had ever smelled filled the chapel and rose ever higher through the air. Love was so real in that room, you could almost reach out and touch it. That, my friends, is what Adoration was like at the Blessed is She Wild Retreat I attended in November. I don’t ever want to forget it. Sure, it’s one thing to head into Adoration or a time of prayer on our own. A lot of times, that is exactly what our hearts need—a little one-on-one time with Jesus. But when we share our needs, our hopes, and our dreams in faith with others? How much stronger do we become? Jesus didn’t institute the singular Church, did He? No! He gave us the Catholic—universal—Church! He told us that where two or more of us come together in His name, there He is in our midst. And can I tell you something? Do you know why, in the midst of all the heartache and unrest that is happening in our Church right now, I feel so inspired in my Faith? It is precisely because of this. It is because of you! You, the women in the Church who will not be moved, will not let evil tear you apart from your Faith. I see a determination like never before; people becoming more active, diving into Scripture, supporting good priests. Mothers are resolving to take their children to Mass, to live a liturgical lifestyle. Young women are entering religious life. Women of all ages and stations are committing themselves openly and fully to the love that is Jesus Christ. Yes, God breathed life into this world at the very dawn of creation. Yes, Life came anew at the birth of the Church on that first Pentecost. And that same Holy Spirit who was given to us then is with us now. He is moving and breathing in the lives of all of us, making us ever more hungry for wholeness. And, through women just like you and me, He will continue to bring His power, beauty, truth, and goodness to the Church and to the entire world. So, let us continue to pray with and for each other. Let’s sacrifice together in love. And in that gift of Love that knows no bounds, may the Holy Spirit continue to make us new, strong, and ever more alive in Christ Jesus. Make a plan! Find a way to carry this new habit of prayer into your life in the days and months to come. Prayer + Discussion for Prayer Partners Has the Prayer Pledge been fruitful in your life? Where have you seen the Holy Spirit bring new life into your new year? How can you carry that forward?

I don't know about you, but sometimes I approach Lent with a self-improvement mentality. When I think about what to give up, take up, and reflect upon, I tend to think about what's going to make me a better person. And that's not a bad thing. Where I go wrong, however, is when I make that my sole purpose and focus for Lent. So Lent becomes more about me, and not so much about Jesus. But of course, Lent is not ultimately about me. It's about Christ's sacrifice on the Cross. Lent is about His great love for us, a love so consuming it drove Him to become one of us, to suffer for us, and to die for us. He became a slave so that we would be set free. That should be our focus for Lent. To the End: The Story of Sacrificial Love Considering this, Blessed is She's 2019 Lent Journal, To the End, is centered on that same sacrificial love of Jesus. Written by Jenna Guizar with co-authors Beth Davis and Nell O'Leary, this year's Lent Journal examines seven characteristics of Christ's sacrificial love, illustrated most profoundly in His Passion and Death. With each week of Lent we will reflect on Our Lord's: Vulnerability Generosity Courage Humility Faithfulness Surrender Presence Learning Love Himself Our hope this Lent is that we would gain new understanding of Jesus' love for the world and how we can emulate His sacrificial love in our own lives. In pondering what women’s hearts tend to need, we fell on the theme of learning love. Learning to love, but also learning Love Himself. Jesus teaches us to love so spectacularly through His Passion and Death. We took sacrificial love and examined a handful of components that could be emulated by us. The Church, in her wisdom, offers us so much richness in the fullness of her teachings on each of these topics, as do the writings and examples of the Saints and Doctors of the Church! - Nell O'Leary The Story of Our Salvation The title for the Lent Journal comes from John 13:1, "He loved his own in the world and he loved them to the end." As a Blessed is She community, we'll spend this Lent walking with Jesus through Holy Week according the Gospel of Saint John (chapters 13-19). So often we reserve a deep dive into these Scriptures for Holy Week itself, but they are so rich! They deserve a longer look and more prayer than I normally give them. We are going to journey with Jesus throughout this week in particular to learn how to love in imitation of Him. - Beth Davis A Lent Journal for Women Much like Advent, Lent can be a busy time in our lives. Spring activities abound, and it's easy to be distracted from the spiritual work going on in our hearts. Our hope is that the Lent Journal gives you a moment of pause and reflection. Is this for Individuals or Groups? Both! You can move through the Lent Journal on your own or with a group of women. If your small group is looking for something to pray with and discuss during Lent, this is ideal! Additional Tools and Ways to Pray Along with To the End, you're welcome to also check out the Lent bundle, which includes the Lent Journal, a print, and a tote designed by Erica of Be a Heart. He Loved Them to the End Sisters, we can't wait to pray with you through Lent. It's our hope that To the End helps you encounter the Person of Jesus in a new way, and facilitates a deeper experience of Christ's sacrifice of love. I hope this helps us dive into Scripture in a really profound way. I want us to open up our Bibles and put ourselves in the scenes, flesh them out, and see how Jesus is moving in our lives by praying through these Scriptures. -Jenna Guizar   May we all grow closer to Him, and live by His example and grace! We hope the Lent Journal speaks to each woman on her journey to live a life of heroic virtue and equips her with inspiration and examples on how to love sacrificially. -Nell O'Leary  

Week Five // Holy Spirit, Living Breath of God Holy Spirit, living breath of God, Breathe new life into my willing soul. Let the presence of the risen Lord Come renew my heart and make me whole. Cause Your word to come alive in me. Give me faith for what I cannot see. Give me passion for your purity. Holy Spirit, breathe new life in me. Holy Spirit come abide within, May Your joy be seen in all I do. Love enough to cover every sin, In each thought and deed and attitude. Kindness to the greatest and the least, Gentleness that sows the path of peace. Turn my strivings into works of grace; Breath of God show Christ in all I do. Holy Spirit from creation’s birth, Giving life to all that God has made. Show your power once again on earth, Cause your church to hunger for your ways. Let the fragrance of our prayers arise; Lead us on the road of sacrifice, That in unity the face of Christ Will be clear for all the world to see. Week Five Intention We pray for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the entire world. Week Five // Day Four Kindness to the greatest and the least, Gentleness that sows the path of peace. Turn my strivings into works of grace; Breath of God show Christ in all I do. It seems like we can’t turn on the TV or hop onto Facebook anymore without falling into some sort of tailspin of argumentativeness, doesn’t it? Sometimes if feels like the whole world is spoiling for a fight. I, though, tend to avoid conflict like the plague. Probably because it always makes me cry, and I hate to cry! It doesn’t matter if it’s a face-to-face disagreement with my husband, a phone conversation with an administrator from the kids’ school, or even just reading contentious comments on social media. I literally get hot under the collar and go into defensive mode. Hearing how awful people can be to each other (and, yes, how awful I can be sometimes) just makes me want to shout from the rooftops that trite old can’t we all just get along?! But no. Of course we can’t! Our fallen human nature makes us prone to disagreement. Along with free will, God gave us minds that think and hearts that feel. So, naturally, there are as many varying thoughts and opinions as there are people. The key, I think, is to face these differences in a Christ-like manner. We need to approach each other with kindness, even when we disagree. Harsh words can be answered with gentleness, and hatred answered with grace. Am I saying we need to roll over and be doormats every time we come across opposition? Certainly not! I don’t think a God who literally flipped over tables would ask that of us. It’s just that oftentimes—and especially when we engage in online disputes—we may not be apprised of the entire situation. We don’t and can’t know the hearts, minds, and experiences of the other. So, maybe, we need to be brave and approach conflict differently. We can ask the Holy Spirit to deliver this grace to us; to help us show His kindness and gentleness with others, even when we disagree. It would probably work out better for all concerned if we faithfully attempted to show the loving face of Christ to others instead of the red and blotchy faces of our angry selves. When faced with a difficult person or situation today, take a moment to ask the Holy Spirit to breathe the love of Christ through your words and actions. Prayer + Discussion for Prayer Partners Think back to a recent argument you had. How would the outcome have been different if you had invited the Holy Spirit to inspire you with kindness, gentleness, and grace? [bctt tweet="Kindness to the greatest and the least, Gentleness that sows the path of peace. Turn my strivings into works of grace; Breath of God show Christ in all I do. #BISblog #prayerpledge //" via="no"]

As the product of a Catholic elementary school education, a current provider of Catholic education, and a supporter of it for my own children, I’m so excited to be celebrating Catholic Schools Week! NCEA (National Catholic Educational Association) created this week to honor all the beautiful things a Catholic education provides for anyone able to attend, Catholic or not. NCEA’s motto is “Learn. Serve. Lead. Succeed.” and I could not agree more whole-heartedly. What Makes Catholic Schools So Great? As a former Catholic school student, I am certainly well-educated. Smaller class sizes enabled my teachers to work with us and provide individual support before differentiation became an educational buzzword. We wrote and performed our own puppet shows for younger grades in honor of All Saints' Day and were exposed to advanced math and science concepts without feeling overwhelmed by them. We were able to participate in daily Mass twice a week as servers, lectors, cantors, and gift bearers. We served our church and the greater community by volunteering in a variety of ways. St. Lawrence gave us the opportunity to be leaders like Christ, serving those around us. My elementary school classmates went on to achieve distinction in sports, leadership roles, and academics in secondary school. The foundation my Catholic elementary school provided has served me well throughout high school, college, and graduate studies. I am so appreciative for the Catholic education my parents prioritized for me. Passing on My Catholic Education I am now a Catholic school educator and the irony of me advocating for Wordly Wise for my own 6th graders is not lost on me. As I reflect on what my educators did well, there are many projects, tasks, and lessons that I realize I can continue to use to support my own students’ learning. Through a partnership with parents, the primary educators of their children, our scholars at St. Regis Academy are encouraged to seek God’s Truth in everything they learn. Teaching at a Catholic school enables me to speak truth to my students. We can note that a certain character has committed a sin in our novel; we can acknowledge that God is the root of all that is good, is the divine inspiration for all of the things we read. I may teach English, but it is not uncommon for my students to leave with a mini-lesson on religion as well. Our scholars are empowered to lead through opportunities to be active participants in the Mass as lectors and cantors. They serve their community in a variety of ways: visiting the elderly nearby, helping around the school, being buddies to the younger scholars, and taking leadership opportunities within their own classrooms. Our scholars are prepared to succeed in life; not just academics. The ultimate goal of a Catholic school is not to just create bright, well-educated young people, it is to get them to Heaven. The Catholic school system enables us to do that! A Future Catholic School Parent Although my son is not old enough to attend an actual school, we are fortunate enough to have an early childcare center as part of our campus. The peace of mind I have dropping my son off each morning is enormous. I know that the teachers have my son’s best interests at heart; not just developmentally, but also emotionally and spiritually. My son is surrounded by people of faith who model good, Catholic behavior for him day in and day out. He prays with his friends each morning at circle time and they pray before meals. As life goes on, we will prioritize a Catholic education for our children. My son will be raised to learn, serve, and lead as a son of God. His Faith development will be just as important as his ability to read or write. As silly as it sounds, God will not ask to see his report card when he arrives in Heaven. He will ask what my son did to further the Kingdom of God on earth. Sending my son to Catholic school prepares him to live a life in service to others, not in service to himself. Although the responsibility to raise our children belongs to my husband and me, the partnership a Catholic school offers us is ideal for our family. Catholic Schools Prepare You for This Life and the Next My elementary years at small, rural Catholic school prepared me for a life of stewardship and deep understanding of my faith. The foundation my time in Catholic school built for me has served me well as a student, wife, mother, teacher, and, most importantly, a Daughter of the King. Catholic schools were created as a space to educate young people with their parents, but also a place to help raise young men and women of God. They deserve to be celebrated. Whether you are a product of Catholic education, an educator in it, or a parishioner who supports it, from the bottom of my heart, thank you. There are many different ways we can choose to spend our money, but while things like name brand shoes and cars will eventually deteriorate, the education a child receives can never be taken from them. The relationships they build and the Faith formation they receive will remain with them throughout their entire lives. Catholic schools provide outstanding learning opportunities but they also help parents create the foundation their child needs to be a successful steward of the kingdom of God. Happy Catholic Schools week to all who attend or attended Catholic schools and all who support us! Thank you! [bctt tweet="The Beauty of Catholic Schools #BISblog //" via="no"] Post written by LeAnn Wood

Week Five // Holy Spirit, Living Breath of God Holy Spirit, living breath of God, Breathe new life into my willing soul. Let the presence of the risen Lord Come renew my heart and make me whole. Cause Your word to come alive in me. Give me faith for what I cannot see. Give me passion for your purity. Holy Spirit, breathe new life in me. Holy Spirit come abide within, May Your joy be seen in all I do. Love enough to cover every sin, In each thought and deed and attitude. Kindness to the greatest and the least, Gentleness that sows the path of peace. Turn my strivings into works of grace; Breath of God show Christ in all I do. Holy Spirit from creation’s birth, Giving life to all that God has made. Show your power once again on earth, Cause your church to hunger for your ways. Let the fragrance of our prayers arise; Lead us on the road of sacrifice, That in unity the face of Christ Will be clear for all the world to see. Week Five Intention We pray for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the entire world. Week Five // Day Three Holy Spirit come abide within, May Your joy be seen in all I do. Love enough to cover every sin, In each thought and deed and attitude. I’ve been a singer my entire life. In fact, raising my voice in song and praise is my absolute favorite way of praying. I can totally relate to St. Augustine’s offering that “those who sing, pray twice.” When I was in college, I studied voice, even though I wasn’t a music major. And I have been in choirs for ages. In my mind, it’s part of that “giving back to the Master all that he gave me and more” idea that Jesus talks about in the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30). All of this made it extremely difficult a few years ago when I went through a period of debilitating performance anxiety. I couldn’t cantor at Mass. I didn’t want to do any solos. There was even a Sunday when I had a near panic attack while singing at the ambo. My vision narrowed to pinholes and I could hardly breathe much less sing. I wasn’t altogether sure my legs would carry me back to my seat. I remember asking the Lord, “Why? This is the talent You have given me and I am trying to use it for You! So, why won’t You just let me do it?!” And, in His graciousness, He answered me. Not with an audible answer or even anything sudden or impactful, but with a tug on my heart. He told me that yes, this was my talent. But I wasn’t the one who should be doing it all. See, we are not the stars of the show. Our abilities, inabilities, any tricks or talents we may have are His. So we simply needed to step up, stand back, and let Him shine. The only job we have is to let His joy be seen in what we do. So now, whenever I sing, I pray that it’s not my voice they hear, but His. I ask that the Holy Spirit will sing through me to the hearts of His people. Invite the Holy Spirit into your “special thing” today. Ask Him to share His joy with others through you. Then, step back and watch Him shine. Prayer + Discussion for Prayer Partners Where does the Holy Spirit shine in your life? What talents does He use to bring joy to others? What is it that you lack that His goodness covers? [bctt tweet="Holy Spirit come abide within, May Your joy be seen in all I do. Love enough to cover every sin, In each thought and deed and attitude. #BISblog #prayerpledge //" via="no"]