I vividly remember the day my mom handed me a book on St. Therese the Little Flower. As a professional reader at age 11, it did not take me long to devour it. It was the first time I felt a real connection with a saint. St. Therese's story taught me valuable lessons in patience, love, and humility. Since that time, she has always been one of my favorite saints. Each year on her feast day, I make sure there are fresh flowers displayed throughout our house. Last year, I wore a flower crown on her feast day and made one for each of my daughters to wear as well. It was whimsical way to celebrate the Little Flower’s feast and to teach my children about this wonderful saint. Today, I'm sharing my simple flower crown tutorial so you can incorporate this tradition into your celebrations, too! Flower Crown Tutorial for the Feast of St. Therese You can make these flower crowns a few days in advance or on the actual feast day. It would also be a great project to complete with your children any time you teach them about St. Therese throughout the year. Another fun way to celebrate St. Therese's feast day is to invite some girlfriends over to tackle this flower crown tutorial together over wine and dessert! No matter when you make these or with whom you make them, this is a great activity to help cultivate your relationship with this lovely saint or to simply remind you to do everything lovingly and joyfully. 1. Gather Materials You can find these materials at Hobby Lobby, Michael’s, Walmart, or pretty much any crafting store. I've provided links from Amazon who prefer to do their shopping in their PJs ;) Flowers (real or fake) Floral tape Floral wire Wire cutters 2. The Wire Cut enough floral wire to wrap around your head. Make sure there is a little extra at both ends in case you need to adjust. 3. Floral Tape Cut off about 6 inches of floral tape. 4. Flowers Cut the flowers off but leave 2-3 inches of stem. 5. Adding Flowers Line up the flower at the top of the crown (what sits at your forehead). Take the floral tape and begin wrapping the stem of the flower to the wire. 6. More Flowers After the first flower is on securely, add another flower behind it. The six inches of floral wire should get 2-3 flowers on the wire before you need to cut another piece. 7. Completing The Circle Repeat step six until your crown has the desired amount of flowers! You can wrap them all the way around, make a half circle, or just do a little cluster on one side. Get creative! 8. Celebrate! Wear your flower crown on the feast of St. Therese. Share a picture on Instagram and use the hashtag #bislittleflower so we can see your beautiful crowns! And that’s it! If you decide to do this activity please share on social media! I’d love to see your finished crowns! Have a blessed feast of St. Therese! Written by Susana Starbuck. Find out more about her here.

On the 29th of September the Church celebrates the feast of the Archangels Rafael, Gabriel, and Michael. For centuries this holy day was called Michaelmas, the day the faithful went to Saint Michael's Mass. You may know Saint Michael the Archangel from Revelation, where we read about him throwing Satan out of Heaven and leading God's war against evil, and you may be familiar with his prayer, which I have often said when I get the heebie jeebies. But personally, it was only recently that I discovered the fun feast of Michaelmas and its traditions. As my friends, family, and I have kept the day we have even added a few modern twists to the celebrations. If you're looking for some ideas of how to celebrate, here's a list to help you out. Some of the ideas are super easy and some will take a bit more effort but no matter your season of life there should be something for you. It's all in how you say it Let's start by making sure we're saying it correctly. Michaelmas is pronounced "mick-el-mess." If you weren't saying it the right way, don't worry. I was pronouncing it wrong for years. Blackberries The legend goes that when St. Michael threw Satan out of Heaven, as described in Revelation 12, the devil landed on a blackberry bush, which he then spit on and cursed. Therefore, blackberries are to be picked and eaten by Michaelmas, or before the devil gets a chance to spit on them. Treat your friends and yourself to a bottle of blackberry wine or buy some fresh blackberries and put them on your oatmeal, bake them into a pie or cobbler, or top your angel food cake with them for a double nod to the feast day. Dress for the day My friend Molly hilariously pointed out that in many pictures of Saint Michael it looks like he's wearing leggings. So in honor of the feast day pull on your favorite pair, be sure to wear a top that covers your bum, and then take a picture and share it with the hashtag #leggingsformichaelmas. Thank a Police Officer Saint Michael is the patron saint of police officers and so I can't think of a better day to stop by your local police station with a yummy treat to thank them for their service. Tell them that it's their feast day so you brought some food for feasting and let them know that you are praying for them in an extra special way on Michaelmas. Feasting for the Feast Day A traditional Michaelmas dinner includes roasted goose and carrots, both of which are "in season" in late September in Britain. It's a bit harder to find goose nowadays so I like to roast a chicken, stuffed with onions, garlic, and herbs; surrounded by potatoes and carrots; and seasoned with butter, salt, and pepper. I add fresh baked bread and my family feels like royalty. Gather with your family or invite some girlfriends over to enjoy the feast with you! If you don't have time to bake bread, chop carrots, and roast a chicken don't worry; we've also feasted on rotisserie chicken, hot and fresh from our local grocery store, and a bag of frozen carrots. Sacraments and sacramentals Last but not least, lean into your faith. Display a Saint Michael holy card in a prominent location in your home. Attend Mass. Say the prayer to Saint Michael. Choose one, two, or all of these ways to live out your faith in an intentional, joyful way and enjoy the fact that our Catholic faith is beautiful, true, and fun. Happy Michaelmas to you! [bctt tweet="A Step-by-Step Guide to Celebrating Michaelmas:"] Written by Bonnie Engstrom. Find out more about her here.

One of my favorite parts about being Catholic is the Communion of Saints. They remind me of ice cream flavors. Hang on, stick with me for a second here! There are endless of ice cream flavors from which to choose; you can stick with what you like best or sometimes be a little more adventurous. The same is with the Saints. There are so many different kinds of Saints: writers, teachers, moms, married, single, radical thinkers, and philosophers. As a woman, I love the many, many different examples these women provide on living out the universal call to holiness. Here are a few I have been getting to know better over the last six months of my own life. Dorothy Day I remember I first heard about Dorothy Day in junior high when we watched the movie "Entertaining Angels" in my junior high school religion class. At the time I wasn't quite sure what to make of her. Our life experiences were as opposite as vinegar and water. It was not that I disliked her, but I wasn't sure how to relate to her. Fast forward to this past winter, when I read her autobiography The Long Loneliness for the first time. I was captured by the very radical nature she took the words of Jesus in living out the Gospel. She struck me now (12-15 years later) as passionate, radical, honest, and feisty. In learning more about Dorothy, I began to grow in my understanding of Catholic Social Teaching and found myself reflecting upon what it looked like to live out in my life where God has me right now. Do you have a particular cause you are passionate about? Do you love to get your hands dirty in the work of ministry and charity? If yes, then Dorothy is a woman you want to become friends with. Servant of God Dorothy Day, pray for us! Saint Teresa of Calcutta (Mother Teresa) Some of my earliest memories as a little girl were watching old documentaries on the life of Mother Teresa at my grandparent's house. I was in total and complete awe of this woman. The day my mom had to explain I could not be the Blessed Mother, Mother Teresa, and a Mommy all-in-one was a sad day for little Patty. There are many pictures of little Patty with blue dish cloths on my head "rescuing" my naked, dying baby dolls. So you better believe when she was canonized this past September, I was up super early (coffee in hand!) watching the live stream of her canonization Mass! Something in the way she lived her life always connected deeply with me. Looking back, I think the best way I can describe it is how she loved so beautifully. While I love her book Come Be My Light, if you are not ready for the hefty journey of reading about her years and years of spiritual darkness, I would say start with something a little easier. While not written by Mother Teresa, Mother Teresa’s Secret Fire is a beautiful story of what and who gave her the strength to do what she did in her life. But still, make sure you get your hands on a copy of Come Be My Light. Do you feel sometimes God doesn't hear you or that He is distant? Then Mama T is your woman! Saint Teresa of Calcutta, pray for us! Saint Teresa of Avila Okay, confession time. The first time I encountered Saint Teresa of Avila was in graduate school was when I had to read The Interior Castle for a class on the history of Christian spirituality. I have to be honest, I was intimidated by her. I felt like a spiritual infant compared to her talking about the spiritual life. I more or less set her back on the shelf and thought to myself, Well how can I relate to a spiritual genius like that?! This summer, browsing the biography section at my local library I stumbled across this biography on the life of Teresa of Avila. What caught my attention was the title An Extraordinary Life. I have fallen in love with this feisty, sassy, and passionate nun. I can see pieces of myself in her own journey, and I look at her now as an honest woman who doesn't hold back in her relationship with the Lord. Reading this biography of her has helped me come to better understand her and it's given me the courage to go back and re-read The Interior Castle. Do you need revival in your heart, mind, and relationship with Jesus Christ? Do you struggle with beating yourself up for past sins and mistakes? If yes, then Teresa is your gal! Saint Teresa of Avila, pray for us! Who are holy women that challenge and inspire you? [bctt tweet="Who are holy women that challenge and inspire you?"] Do you have any favorite books or writings from our sister saints? Written by Patty Breen. Find out more about her here.

Our beautiful wallpaper this week is quoting 1 Timothy 6:11. Let us use this as a reminder for what we should always be pursuing: righteousness, devotion, faith, love, patience, and gentleness. Every single day of our lives. Thank you to Marie of Fawnly Prints for this GORGEOUS wallpaper. Download and share with a friend below: Phone Wallpaper Desktop Wallpaper

I wish I could look back on my senior year of college without any regrets as this shining moment in my life where everything came together and it all made sense. Instead, when I look back on that time of my life it was just a mess. Oh, it was fun and filled with great memories, but I was a bit of mess. Trying to figure out what to do after I had that diploma in hand, trying to understand how to really be an adult, navigating some major changes in life from long term relationships and major breakups. Looking back, the one thing I wish I had had was more guidance, and of course, the sense to listen to that advice. Sadly, most of us are going through those years with wonderful people who are navigating, succeeding and failing at many of the same things—sometimes they're wise beyond their years and sometimes we should have known better. I wish I had had a few more resources to not only inspire but guide me—to push me not only to be a great student but to push me to be a great person, and especially a great Christian. One of the great things about moderating the Blessed is She communities is that I get to see that support there for the girls currently striving for more in those last college years. They have the resources I didn't through social media to reach out to women who are more than ready to with lists of "I wish I had" and "Don't do what I did." Recently, we had a great discussion about books to read during that pivotal senior year. It was filled with excellent resources and we've collected them here to share with you. Story of a Soul by Saint Therese of Liseux Her life in her own words and probably the most recommended book on our list. It is filled with wonderful gems from a woman convinced that her ordinary little life was destined for great things. “God would never inspire me with desires which cannot be realized; so in spite of my littleness, I can hope to be a saint.” If Saint Therese interests you, also consider "I Believe in Love: A Personal Retreat Based on the Teaching of St. Therese of Lisieux." In the School of the Holy Spirit by Jacques Phillippe A much-recommended book focusing on the interior life and awareness of the movement of the Holy Spirit in your life. “One of the petitions we make to God most often should be: “Inspire me in all my decisions, and never let me neglect any of your inspirations.” Also, recommend by Jacques Phillippe "Interior Freedom" and "Searching for and Maintaining Peace." Abandonment to Divine Providence by Jean-Pierre de Caussade A Catholic classic focusing on living in the present moment and learning to trust in God. Though it was written over 300 hundred years ago this practical guidebook still offers much to the modern reader. "All simple souls must admire and respect one another, saying: 'Let us proceed each one along our path to the same goal, united in purpose and by means of God's order which, in its great variety, is in us all." The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence A guide to opening yourself to and feeling His presence in your life every day. "He does not ask much of us, merely a thought of Him from time to time, a little act of adoration, sometimes to ask for His grace, sometimes to offer Him your sufferings, at other times to thank Him for the graces, past and present, He has bestowed on you, in the midst of your troubles to take solace in Him as often as you can. Lift up your heart to Him during your meals and in company; the least little remembrance will always be the most pleasing to Him. One need not cry out very loudly; He is nearer to us than we think." Letters to a Young Catholic by George Weigel A journey through Catholic landmarks from the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to G.K. Chesterton's favorite pub this book takes you through not only some of the most important places in Catholicism, but through some of the most important ideas in Catholicism. Sober Intoxication of the Spirit: Filled with the Fullness of God by Raniero Cantalamessa A reflection the incredible power of the Holy Spirit with reflection on the examples given to us by Scripture and the Church Fathers. True Devotion to the Holy Spirit by Luis M. Martinez Another practical guide book for listening to and responding to the call of the Holy Spirit in your life and how the Holy Spirit helps one grow in virtue. From our member's recommendations, it seems to be clear there's a theme in the books they'd recommend for a well-rounded year—focus on listening to and discerning the Holy Spirit while learning to experience God in the present moment. That sounds like a tall order with final tests and thesis projects on the horizons, just remember you don't need to read all at once. Pick the one that seems to call to where you are at in your personal developement and see where the Holy Spirit leads you this year. [bctt tweet="Books to read during that pivotal senior year --->>>"] Written by Molly Walter. Find out more about her here.

"As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our sins from us." Psalm 103:12 This beautiful wallpaper is from Tara of Frameworthy Designs. Download yours below and share with your friends! Thank you, Tara! Phone wallpaper Desktop wallpaper

We are big fans of our guardian angels in my house. My kids ask their angels for help when they are faced with a big test at school or if they wake up in the night from a bad dream. Before I go to bed, I pray over their four sleeping bodies and ask their angels to watch over them. They had guardian angel medals hanging in their nurseries as babies and I have one pinned to the sun visor in my minivan to protect us as we go. The Saints, though? That’s something our family could do a little more learning about. There are certain saints that I am intimately familiar with. Saint Cecilia has helped me on more than one occasion when I didn’t feel my voice could carry me through a performance. Saint Anne and our Blessed Mother have prayed me through many a worrisome mothering moment. And there were numerous times as a fledgling teacher that I implored Saint Mother Theodore Guerin for help. At the beginning of this new school year, maybe it would be helpful to take a cue from my 4th grader and use a study guide to learn something new. Who are the men and women that our Church, in her wisdom, has put forward as experts in their fields? To whom should we turn for help with our school-related issues this year and in the future? Grab your index cards and highlighters, sisters, and feel free to take notes. This is by no means an exhaustive list, but more the Cliffs Notes version. Not to worry, though. There won’t be a test. The Main Idea Patron Saint of Teachers Saint John Baptist de la Salle was a Frenchman from the 17th century who was a pioneer in teacher training. He formed the Brothers of the Christian Schools religious community and was a leader in educational reform in France. Some of the changes he instituted were providing educational opportunities for the poor, teaching children in the vernacular instead of in Latin, and involving parents in their children’s education. His feast day is April 7. Patron Saint of Schools Saint Thomas Aquinas is a patron of schools, Catholic schools, and colleges/universities. He was a 13th century Dominican teacher, professor, and founder of schools who was declared a doctor of the Church by Pope Pius V. He taught in France and in Italy and wrote several prayers for students. His feast day is January 28. Patron Saints of Students Saint Catherine of Alexandria lived in the 3rd and 4th centuries and, when she was a teenager, came before Emperor Maxentius who was persecuting Christians. Because of her great intellect, she was faced not with physical hardships but with fifty orators and philosophers to debate her. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, she spoke so eloquently that she won her debate and even converted several pagans. Saint Joseph Cupertino was a 17th century man who struggled academically and finally passed his exams to became a priest at the age of 25 after failing multiple times. (He was also known to levitate, which most kids think is pretty cool). Saint Catherine’s feast day is November 25 and Saint Joseph’s feast day is September 18. Extra Credit The patron saints of catechists are Saint Charles Borromeo and Saint Robert Bellarmine (both active in the life of Saint Aloysius Gonzaga). And the patron saint of school principals is Saint Thomas Aquinas. He’s actually the patron saint of a lot of things related to education! Supporting Details Patron Saint of Young Boys Saint Dominic Savio was an Italian boy from the 19th century. He was a student of the great Saint John Bosco. He was a regular boy who sometimes got into trouble and loved to laugh. From Don Bosco, Saint Dominic learned the holiness of ordinary things. He died at the age of 15 and his feast day is May 6. Patron Saint of Young Girls Saint Agnes of Rome was an innocent girl of 12 or 13 when she was martyred for refusing to deny her faith and marry the governor of her home. She declared that she was already promised to the Lord and is said to have looked as happy as a bride on her wedding day when she was going to be executed because she knew that in death she would be united with Jesus. She is usually portrayed with a lamb to signify her purity. Her feast day is January 21. Patron Saint of Teenage Boys Saint Aloysius Gonzaga was born into a family of Italian nobility in the 16th century. He renounced his life of wealth and privilege, made a vow of chastity at age 9, and eventually became a Jesuit. He was studious and counselled many of his friends. He died during an outbreak of the plague after caring for the sick. His feast day is June 21. Patron Saint of Teenage Girls Saint Maria Goretti was an Italian peasant who died in 1902 at the age of 12 after being brutally attacked and raped. She may not have had a good education, but she had an abundance of faith. She fought her attacker and yelled that God did not wish for what was happening, that it was a sin. Years later, her attacker saw a vision of Maria offering him flowers in a dream and he sought the forgiveness of her family. Her feast day is July 6. Extra Credit After all that talk about young children and teenagers, maybe it would be good to mention that the patron saint of parenthood is Saint Rita of Cascia. In addition to our Blessed Mother and Saint Joseph, of course! Outside of the Classroom Patron Saint of Athletes Saint Sebastian was born in Gaul and then lived in Rome during the 3rd century. He was a member of the Roman army, eventually becoming a captain under Diocletian. When it was discovered that he was a Christian who had converted many soldiers, he was put to death. He is also the patron saint of archers and his feast day is January 20. Patron Saint of Bus Drivers Yep! That would be Saint Christopher. The legendary saint of the early Christian church who is said to have delivered the child Jesus safely across a river is also the patron of the brave men and women who transport our kids to school and back every day. His feast day is July 25. Patron Saint of the Sick There is a patron Saint for just about any illness or malady you can think of. For throat ailments, pray to Saint Blaise. For cancer, Saint Peregrine. For tummy troubles, look to Saint Timothy. But for general sicknesses (and for doctors, too), the saintly one to look to is Saint Michael the Archangel, who will also be there to escort the faithful to Heaven when they die. Extra Credit These two suggestions are for the tweens and teens in our lives. Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati and Blessed Chiara Badano are two 20th century Italians who turned the ordinary into the extraordinary. Their lives of simple holiness, giving endlessly of the love of Christ to others, ended with illness at young ages. How special would it be for our kids to establish prayerful relationships with these modern-day young people and then witness their canonizations?! Homework Time For further information on patron Saints, take a look at the following websites. Consider yourselves warned, though! Once you get started looking these things up, you might just make a new friend or two. EWTN’s Saints & Other Holy People Catholic Online’s Saints and Angels Saint’s Name Generator 5 Patron Saints of Students [bctt tweet="To whom should we turn for help with our school-related issues this year and in the future?"]

"If today you hear His voice, harden not your hearts." Psalm 95 How do you hear His voice today? Let us be open to what He has to say. Download this beautiful wallpaper by Erica of Be a Heart. You can download it for your phone or desktop for free below! Phone wallpaper Desktop wallpaper

In our generation of college aged people, practicing faith is not the norm and there is a societal pressure that, in a way, discourages faith in young people. At times it feels like I am an outcast for being a Christian and that role is overwhelming and difficult. With that being said, keeping faith in college is a very difficult thing to do, and I have experienced this first hand. From transferring schools my freshman year and trying to transition to a new university and make new friends, I stopped prioritizing my faith. I lost track of who I wanted to be as a daughter of God, and I stopped practicing my faith boldly. This ultimately made my experience more difficult, but with my realization of how far I wandered from where I wanted to be with my faith, I put my trust in the Lord and He guided me back into the path I wanted to be on with my faith. After I got back on track, I realized the three things that really helped me in my struggle, and I hope they help you too. Keep prayer as the center of your day. Whether it's saying a prayer on your way to class or getting novenas emailed to your student email, prayer is the foundation of your relationship with God. Find community. If your campus has a Newman Center on campus, use that resource! And if your campus doesn't, there is probably some sort of Newman Club. Regardless of what your college has to offer, these groups are great places to find sincere friends who will build you up and support your faith. Without like-minded community, it was really hard for me to stay grounded in my faith. I love and appreciate my friends who aren't Catholic, don't get me wrong, but I noticed that the more time I spent with these friends, the easier it was for me to forget my Catholicism. I would forget to say grace before eating, I wouldn't talk about my faith, and most importantly, I wasn't growing in my faith. When I started getting more involved with the Newman Center on campus, my faith an overall attitude increased substantially. I was a lot happier, I felt more like myself, and I was making friendships that allowed me to grow more deeply in my faith and live it more boldly. Prioritize Mass. I cannot stress this enough. If there isn't a Newman Center on your campus it can be difficult to get to Mass, but I'm sure there are people who have cars that would be willing to take you. Prioritizing Mass and going every Sunday really helps to keep you grounded in college. It can definitely be stressful, between juggling classes, homework, and friends, but the Lord knows how to make things fall into place. Sisters, I hope this helps in your transition into college and know that I am praying for you that your faith grows so deeply with the Lord during this season of your life! [bctt tweet="Tips for the Catholic Woman's Transition to College:"] Written by Jillian Wagner.

As we begin our school year those of us who homeschool are looking for renewed spirits and a fresh attitude to guide our children's education. I hope this prayer helps us surrender our hearts to the Lord in order to better lead our children to Him. Happy homeschooling! Lord God, gracious father, I praise you for the gift of my children, for all their gifts and talents, and for all their weaknesses. Thank You for giving me these children to guide and teach, thank You for creating my children as unique persons with unique minds and hearts. Lord, please pour Your graces upon me today as I teach my children; give me Your patience, Your love, and Your peace. Help me teach from the confidence that Your Spirit is at work in every subject, every book, every exercise. Lord, I surrender all my desires for control over every moment of the day, from all I want my children to get done, from all the frustrations that get in the way of checking things off my unending list. Grant me the eyes of faith to see that my relationship with my children and their relationship with You is more important than math. Bless me with the virtue of perseverance as I strive to grow in consistency and wisdom every school day. Blessed Mother, I entrust to you my children and my day, please intercede for us to your Son. Help me imitate you and your constant love for your Son in your home in Nazareth. Intercede for each of my children today, for their learning, for their struggles, for them to always draw closer to your Son. WRITE + PRAY We invite you to sit with the Word and unpack it in a uniquely personal way, finding your own story. Discover your story within His. GET WRITE AND PRAY Help me Lord to live in the present moment today, to recognize Your presence in my home and in our family, and to do the work of educating my children with a joyful heart. And most importantly, Jesus let me love with Your heart. I ask this all in Your most holy name. Amen. [bctt tweet="A Prayer for Our Homeschooling Children:"] Written by Christy Isinger. Find out more abut her here.

"Your kindness is a greater goodness than life: my lips shall glorify You." God is so good to us and we have this beautiful wallpaper by MJ of Pars Caeli. You can download it for your phone or desktop for free below! Phone wallpaper Desktop wallpaper

It’s that magical time of year again. Shopping carts are filled with endless reams of paper, composition books, glue sticks, and pencils. Big yellow buses are cruising the neighborhood during this season when sneakers are still clean and backpack zippers actually work. Once again, we send our kiddos out into the great wide world to learn and grow. We’ve spent the summer strengthening their spiritual and familial roots and having all manner of togetherness and now it’s time to let them stretch their wings. Along with the growing and stretching our kids will face, we moms have to stretch a bit, too. We are given a chance to trust in God and share the responsibility of shaping the minds and hearts of our greatest treasures with people we may or may not know personally. Sounds a bit daunting, doesn’t it? Even for us “experienced” mamas (those of us who’ve boarded the bus a time or two, you might say), new school years bring new challenges. And entrusting our children to veritable strangers isn’t the least on the list. New adults in their lives Classroom teachers, catechists, librarians, coaches, music directors, dance teachers, and scout leaders. School administrators, cafeteria workers, nurses, crossing guards, and maintenance staff. Day care providers, extended day teachers, and club moderators. These are just some of the people our children will interact with during their school year. Some of them we select, but many are already part of their school community. How can we best support the men and women who dedicate so much of their time and talents to our precious children? The answer is, fellow mamas, we pray. Love the children first Way back, many moons and three children ago, I was a fourth-grade classroom teacher at a small Catholic school in Tucson. For the four and a half years I taught there, I had a small card with my favorite quote from Saint Mother Theodore Guerin that I kept displayed right by my plan book: Love the children first, and then teach them. I really think that is the ultimate, possibly unspoken, goal of all of these various teachers our kids will encounter. Rare (and probably seriously confused) is the person who gets into any form of teaching or coaching or administration for the glory of it. No, they teach because they have a passion for their subject matter, want to contribute to society, and basically love children! Let’s pray that their sights remain true to that ultimate goal for the good of our kids and to the glory of God! WRITE + PRAY We invite you to sit with the Word and unpack it in a uniquely personal way, finding your own story. Discover your story within His. GET WRITE AND PRAY As numerous as the stars in the sky Let’s switch perspective for a quick second, shall we? We’ve been thinking of the many kinds of teachers that will be influencing our kids this school year, but we might also want to consider just how many different kinds of kids these awesome human beings will be responsible for! Just as God promised Abraham that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars in the heavens (Genesis 26:4), He could make the same promise to teachers. He will give them students as numerous as the crayons at the office supply store and they’ll be every bit as varied. Teachers want to do their very best for each and every child. They desire to meet every need, fill every gap, and boost every ego. What one child lacks, another has in aces. What one child excels in, another finds as a huge struggle. Skills that come easily to most of the group will be especially challenging for one or two to achieve. Some children are open while others may more slow to warm up. Let’s pray that God will open the hearts of all teachers this year; that they will see not only the sweet faces of our kids, but the Light of Christ that burns inside each of them. May they recognize that light and use it as a guide to provide for their individual needs as well as for those of the group as a whole. A mother's prayer for teachers Dear Lord, Thank you for the gift of good teachers. Thank You for men and women willing to take on the responsibility of shaping the next generation of thinkers and doers. As the school year starts, grant them strength and courage to face what lies ahead. Spark their imaginations with ways to reach even the most difficult learner. When the days are long and the challenges seem too many, grant them peace. When things go smoothly, let them see Your guiding hand and give You thanks. When they’re spending their money to make my child’s learning environment more successful and enjoyable, grant them treasures in Heaven. Please, Lord, give them the grace they need to see You in every preschooler, grade schooler and high-schooler. Help them respond to the individual needs of each child to the best of their ability. Protect them from harm, but make them brave and knowledgeable in times of crisis. May they find strength for the journey in each smile, hug, high five, and newly learned skill. I know that their job is often a thankless and incredibly demanding one. Help me to support them the best that I can so that my child will know how much I value his/her education and the hard work of others. Please bless the vocations of my child’s teachers, coaches, administrators, and school staff. Help them truly know what a difference they make in the lives of each child they encounter. And at the end of each day, may they find rest and replenishment to rise and do it all again tomorrow. Saint Mother Theodore Guerin, pray for them. Saint Jean Baptist de la Salle, patron of teachers, pray for them. In Our Lord Jesus’ name, Amen. [bctt tweet="A Prayer for Our Children's Teachers // "]

A handful of retreatants are already waiting when I arrive at the monastery for Morning Prayer. For the last three days, three times each day, I have walked to the monastery from its neighboring retreat house, tread quietly up a flight of stairs, and entered a brightly-lit chapel for Liturgy of the Hours with the Benedictine Sisters. This morning, there is a greater sense of ease among the retreatants. We have settled at last into the rhythm of prayer that winds through life at the monastery. We are more familiar with the components that comprise the different “hours” of prayer—with the progression of psalms, readings, responses, and hymns; with the exchange of voice and silence. It is the end of retreat, and it seems we have finally begun. It was only recently that I grew more curious about the Liturgy of the Hours, or “Divine Office,” which Catholic religious offer on a daily basis. I knew that it provided a way of engaging with Scripture and also of praying with the communal Church—for religious and lay people alike. I knew only the broad strokes of the different “hours,” however. In fact, the Divine Office invites Christians to pray at five distinct hours of the day, from Morning Prayer (Lauds) to Night Prayer (Compline), designating each part of the day as sacred. Each prayer has a unique structure and rotation of Scripture verses, which are found in the Christian Prayer book, or, more completely in a 4-volume text of the Hours. A person does not need to offer each hour of the Divine Office in order to engage meaningfully with this prayer, though. Nor does she require proximity to a religious community. Although rooted in communal prayer, the Office can be offered individually and from anywhere—in its own way, this is participation in community, too. Over Lent, I began adding Night Prayer to my routine. I chose this “hour” in part because it fit my schedule and, in part, because it has a simpler structure—helpful for the novice. For further simplicity, I utilized an app on my phone that outlines the prayer in its entirety. (Although, admittedly, I find something irreplaceable about holding a book.) The introduction always begins the same way: “O God, come to our aid,” followed by the response “O Lord, make haste to help us.” In community, a presider would begin and all would offer the response. The doxology (“Glory to the Father . . . ”) follows. You can pause here to offer an Examination of Conscience and to recite the Hymn. At least one Psalm follows, beginning with an “antiphon,” which is said at the start and conclusion of the psalm. Fittingly, the psalms that rotate through Night Prayer often ask God for guidance, peace, and protection. I may carve a small phrase from these verses to carry into the next day. Next, there is a Reading, Short Responsory, and the Canticle of Simeon, which begins and ends with the antiphon: “Save us Lord, while we are awake; protect us while we sleep; that we may keep watch with Christ and rest with him in peace.” There is, finally, a Concluding Prayer and a Marian Hymn. It seemed complicated to me, too. But a rhythm gradually emerged, and by entering into that rhythm, I began understand more fully what this prayer does: It points to the holiness wrapped within every hour. It ushers a quiet spaciousness into our frenzy for success and production, a place where God can speak. It deepens the experience of Church community by joining voices across distance, each carrying a unique story and struggle and joy and petition. For those interested in the Liturgy of the Hours, I recommend the (free!) app Laudate, which includes a number of excellent prayer resources. The IBreviary website and app are additional options, and the USCCB website also has a helpful introduction. Finding (or starting!) a community that gathers regularly for prayer is never a bad place to start, either; my own experience with the Benedictine Sisters sparked my spiritual curiosity and encouraged my further exploration. No app or guide can surpass the simple practice of showing up, however. In my experience, this bears fruit on the I-have-no-mental-space-for-prayer days when mere habit spurs my participation. Sometimes, it is quick and sleepy and unfocused. It is not always striking or spiritually consoling. Sometimes, the entire prayer flits by before I realize that my mind remains latched to its opening words: O God, come to our aid; O Lord make haste to help us. Sometimes, these words are enough. Written by Anne Boyle.

"For from Him and through Him and for Him are all things." What gorgeous lettering by Emily Rachelle for our weekly wallpaper. You can download it below for your phone and desktop free! Phone wallpaper Desktop wallpaper

Like many Catholics I know, I had not gone to the Sacrament of Confession for a number of years. The Catholic Church recommends we go at least once a year and I was far, far below that. The thought of Confession literally gave me heart palpitations. I am not fond of talking about myself and confession would be all about me and not the me I like; the me that I prefer stays hidden. I was participating in a small faith sharing group in the spring of 2014 focusing on the habits of discipleship. An important habit of a disciple is regular participation in the Sacrament of Reconciliation and I was getting this nagging feeling that I should go. I tried to push it aside. I can apologize directly to God on my own in the privacy of my heart and that will do. Right? Why do I need to tell a priest what I did? The nagging feeling returned. I was thinking I would just head over to Cor Jesu and go to Confession, but there was always some (reasonably) good reason why I couldn’t make it. Facing the fear of Confession Then I got mad at God. Being mad at the One who created me was scary. God is really big—who am I to get mad at Him? But I was and it was frightening. The next time I went to my small group, I told them I was going to go to Confession that very night and I asked them to ask me about it the following week. I knew that if I was held accountable I would do it. That evening I showed up to Cor Jesu at 7pm. The church was dimly lit, the music was relaxing, and there was an overall sense of peace and rightness with the world. It was a sanctuary. And I was terrified. As I waited in line, my hands were shaking and if it wasn’t for my desire to not admit failure to my fellow group members, I would have left. Not only was I going to confess my sin; my sin was being mad at God. It was finally my turn and I slunk over to the pew where the priest sat. I admitted that I did not know what to say and that it had been a long time since I had been to Confession. The priest was gracious and welcoming. He listened carefully and I did not feel uncomfortable or judged. He assured me that God can handle me being mad at Him. I felt cared about. After being absolved, while doing my penance and a feeling of relief washed over me. I suddenly knew not just in my head, but in my heart, that it was okay. I was forgiven. The tears started slowly and then they were gushing out. I was forgiven. If I hadn’t taken that to Confession I would have walked around not knowing that being mad at God is not a sin in and of itself. It is a feeling. Being certain of forgiveness and mercy was amazing. I felt clean and free and light. I was no longer mad at God. Instead I knew that He was with me in that challenging time. The situation that had created so much disquiet in my soul was suddenly manageable. Since that evening I have begun to go to Confession more often. It has helped me be more mindful of my actions. By going regularly and praying about my sins, I have identified the patterns that I slip into. We are like children Fast forward to spring 2017 and a different small group. We plan to go to Cor Jesu together for Confession and Adoration. Some of us are more comfortable with this plan than others. As some of us struggle with it, we talked about a good way to look at it: thinking of how we relate to children. When mine were toddlers I felt such tender love. I desired happiness for them and a good and healthy relationship with them. They were also irrational at times and unable to fully communicate their wants and needs. Temper tantrums ensued. There was at least one instance where out of frustration, I was whacked by an angry two-year-old and it hurt. There was wailing and gnashing of teeth—sometimes by both of us. After the emotions subsided and tears dried, I would find myself with a bundle of sweaty toddler on my lap. I would hold her and rub her back. I would feel her breathing begin to calm. I would forgive her because I am her mother and I love her more than life itself. Did I yell, lecture, criticize? I may have wanted to and being a flawed mother I probably did. But here’s what so cool about God. Our heavenly Father’s love for each of us is boundless. His love is so big that in our human weakness and frailty, we cannot understand it. When we sin, we hurt Him, but like a mother with a two year old, He readily and happily forgives us over and over—without the feeling frustrated with us part. To God, we are nutty toddlers—yet He always forgives us. As Pope Francis said, “The Lord never tires of forgiving. It is we who tire of asking for forgiveness.” So before going to Confession I remind myself that God is happy to forgive me. He is glad I came to Him and in His limitless generosity, He reconciles me to Himself and all is right again. Praying before Confession I have found that prayer helps with pre-confession jitters. This is really hard Jesus. Please help me. I’m scared. Recite the Memorare, because never was it known that anyone who fled to Mary’s protection, implored her help or sought her intercession was left unaided. Mary is our spiritual mother and she takes her role seriously. Trusting your priest Priests are confession experts and we can go to them with our nervousness as well. A good priest will help you feel at ease even if it has been decades since your last Confession. Priests are given the grace to forget what we tell them so we do not need to be worried that next time we see him at Mass, he will know our secrets. He won’t. We can be assured that he will never tell anyone what we confess. Priests will endure jail, torture, or even death before breaking the seal of Confession. That, my friends, is love. The priest does not forgive my sins. He acts as a conduit through which Christ’s amazing mercy and love flow. I asked a priest once to lay his hands on the top of my head while he prayed instead of just holding them above me and in that moment I felt the love of Jesus and the certainty of forgiveness. Why we go Yes, I can bring my sins to Jesus in personal prayer and it is good. But there is something holy about speaking them aloud to another human being that makes the mercy real. It is fairly easy to offer up a quick I’m sorry or even a silent prayer of contrition, but it is not so easy to say out loud what I did wrong. And being penitent and forgiven shouldn’t be easy. How else will we begin to understand how much our sin hurts Jesus if we do not share some of that burden ourselves? Jesus hung on a cross for my sin. I can drag my sorry self to the confessional and speak what I have done. Because when I do that, I am more likely to think twice the next time. I still get nervous before going to Confession, but it is a good kind of nervous. It reminds me that what I am doing is a good thing. The day I do not get nervous about telling Jesus what I have done wrong is the day I get worried. Written by Merridith Frediani. Find out more about her here.

All of us have, at one time or another, needed a good book as we explore the Faith. Or perhaps we need a good book recommendation for someone searching for answers about the Catholic Faith. Catholic publishing is working hard to create more titles that appeal to more people. There is a plethora of books for Catholic converts that examine different aspects of Church doctrine to memoirs of conversion experiences. Awesome Books for Catholic Converts Today I’ve compiled a list of popular books that have a fairly wide appeal in hopes something on this list can help you or someone your know answer some of the big questions about Catholicism. Personal Stories Rome Sweet Home: Our Journey To Catholicism by Dr. Scott and Kimberley Hahn This quintessential conversion story has remained one of the most popular books about conversion for over 25 years with converts and lapsed Catholics alike. As a Presbyterian minister and biblical scholar Scott Hahn assumed the Catholic Church was incorrect about everything, until he begins to see that the Church has the answers to all his questions. The book also shares the difficulty Kimberley had with Scott’s conversion, how she grappled with his coming to the Church and her own acceptance of Church teaching. Something Other Than God: How I Passionately Sought Happiness and Accidentally Found It by Jennifer Fulwiler This is perhaps the best written and most readable memoir of faith and conversion written in recent memory. Fulwiler does a phenomenal job of detailing what led her to seek truth after growing up an atheist. Her humour and candor make her conversion process imminently relatable. Her intellectual honesty is sure to touch a reader of any faith or non-faith background. Catholicism Overviews What Catholics Really Believe—Setting the Record Straight: 52 Answers to Common Misconceptions About the Catholic Faith by Karl Keating This handbook of common misconceptions regarding Catholicism gives clear answers of what the Church actually teaches to be a true. This is a great starting out point for someone who has basic questions about the faith. It also gives the whys behind Church teaching at a quick search. Fundamentals of Faith: Essays in Christian Apologetics by Peter Kreeft A selection of essays that lay the foundation not just for Catholicism, but for the need of faith and religion and how religion works. A clear framework answering questions about the need for faith in your life, or to answer questions other's may be tossing your way. Dr. Kreeft’s work is always aimed at helping readers understand the faith more clearly and deeply. Catholicism: A Journey to the Heart of the Faith by Bishop Robert Barron Most Catholics know Bishop Barron. But he’s also making great inroads with people who have no belief. He talks about today’s culture from a Catholic perspective. In his book Catholicism, Bishop Barron synthesizes the beauty and teachings of the faith so that someone who has no idea what the Church is about can gain a clear understanding of the Faith. This book is a great reference for the history of the Church, and also discusses the lives of famous saints. Introduction to Christianity by Pope Benedict XVI This book provides a deep dive into the Apostle’s Creed and what Christianity is. It's written by Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. This book provides a beautiful, intellectual basis of what Christianity believes. Pope Emeritus Benedict’s insight and genius in his understanding of theology and Scripture is a gift not just to the Church but to Christianity as a whole. Diving into any of his books will provide the reader with new ways of seeing faith, Scripture, and the Church. The Catechism of the Catholic Church So many Catholic converts point to the Catechism of the Catholic Church. There, they found beautiful, full, and profound explanations of the Faith written in digestible sections, leaving them something to ponder and pray with. Specific Topics Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist: Unlocking the Secrets of the Last Supper by Brant Pitre A fascinating look at the Scriptural and Jewish roots and meaning of the Eucharist. As the Eucharist is one of the most important teachings of the Catholic faith, this book helps flesh out the importance of Christ’s words and actions at the Last Supper. Seeing the continuation in tradition and teaching from the Old Testament to the Church today makes for a great introduction to the faith and for deepening your understanding of Jesus in the Eucharist. By What Authority? An Evangelical Discovers Catholic Tradition by Mark Shea Where does the Catholic Church get the authority to teach her doctrines anyway? Mark Shea shares his personal conversion story as he investigates Sola Scriptura. He shows how biblical authority is the source of the Church’s magisterial teaching and tradition. A book with wit and an easy to read style that answers and appeals to Evangelicals and their questions about Catholicism. Walking with Mary: A Biblical Journey from Nazareth to the Cross by Edward Sri A great book for those with questions on Mary’s role in the Church and salvation history from a Biblical perspective. This book follows Mary’s life through Scripture, her journey of faith, her presence in the life of Christ, and what we can learn from her. A great place to begin if you wonder what devotion to Mary is all about. Signs of Life: 40 Catholic Customs and Their Biblical Roots by Scott Hahn Another invaluable book by Dr. Scott Hahn, Signs of Life looks at different customs and practices of the Catholic Church and the biblical basis for them. Each chapter explores a different tradition, such as devotion to the saints or the celebration of Holy Week and Easter. A great place to begin if you’ve wondered about all this “Catholic stuff” or if you want to know the deeper meaning behind aspects of the faith. More Great Titles Ready for more reading? These other books are informative and inspiring for those considering converting to Catholicism. Hail, Holy Queen by Scott Hahn Why We're Catholic by Trent Horn The Lamb's Supper by Scott Hahn I'm Not Being Fed by Jeff Cavins The Fathers Know Best by Jimmy Akin Crossing the Tiber by Steven Ray A Biblical Walk through the Mass by Edward Sri Are you a Catholic convert? What books would you add to the list?   [bctt tweet="Awesome Books for Catholic Converts #BISblog //" via="no"] This post contains affiliate links. Thanks so much for supporting the ministry of Blessed is She!

This beautiful wallpaper from Marie of Fawnly Prints with today's verse: O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish. // Matthew 15:28 The Lord loves our faith in Him, in His plan. In the darkness, in the light, in the times that we see it all clearly and in the times that it would be easy to fall into doubt. He calls us to remain in faith and that He rewards! Grab this free wallpaper below for your phone and desktop! Phone wallpaper Desktop wallpaper