But for you who fear my name, there will arise the sun of justice with its healing rays. // Malachi 3:20 Download these beautiful free wallpapers from Abigail Katherine Rose from today's readings. 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

Our 2019 Advent Journal, All the Generations: From Genesis to You, is an offering written by our entire Blessed is She team! For the first time this year, we will be journeying together as a community not only through the Advent season, but through the Christmas season as well. We want you to get to know the women who will spiritually walk by your side through these transformative seasons. In order to help you get to know the heart behind the Advent Journal, for the next several weeks, we'll sit down with the writers for each week of Advent and Christmas. Coffee Break with the Advent Journal Writers Consider this a quick moment over coffee with the Advent Journals writers. We asked the writers of each week the same questions: Why she shared the particular story she shared in her Advent Journal writing. Her favorite Scripture passage from the day. Her hope for us all in healing we're praying for in ourselves and our families. Let's hear from the writers of Week 5. Karen Schultz // Writer for Blessed is She 1) I love thinking about all the people who have come alongside me in my faith journey and been my "family," even if not in the biological sense. This writing was one happy memory of that. 2) "And immediately they left their nets" (Mark 1:18). 3) Every family, however loving, has wounds that need to be worked on. So often we don't talk about family wounds because they're so deeply painful. And yet, we need to talk and pray about them to find that deeper healing. My hope and prayer is that this book is one step in the journey toward healing. Anna Coyne // Writer for Blessed is She 1) The nine days I spent in the NICU with my son were some of the darkest of my life. They made me lean on my family in ways I had never needed to before. That time also made me see my family in a new way, particularly my older brother. He's a carpenter, and mechanic, a man's man, and to have him come into the hospital and sit and cry with me was so out of the ordinary, there was no denying the Lord's presence with us. 2) "When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her" (Luke 7:13). 3) If you're not particularly close to your family it may not occur to you that the Lord could use your family to minister to you, or you to them. But the Lord can use any person in any situation to bring about healing. All He needs is open hearts. Chika Anyanwu// Writer for Blessed is She 1) In light of Cornelius’ boldness, my heart was pierced when I perceived my timidity in sharing the Good News with those who are closest to me, especially my family. I sensed that God was calling me to shake off fear and live in uncompromising faith that He can use me as a witness to the gospel despite my past failures, current weaknesses, and future mistakes. 2) "Cornelius was expecting them and called together his kinsmen and close friends" (Acts 10:24). 3) I pray that the Holy Spirit enters the heart of the woman reading this Advent book and gives her knowledge of her loveliness, dignity, and strength, the restoration of her mind, soul, and body from past and present wounds, the passion of humility to create change in her life that overflows onto her family, and everlasting joy in God who is always worthy of our praise. Elise Howe // Writer for Blessed is She 1) At the time we were writing these devotions, the Holy Spirit had recently brought to my attention what a turning point for a deeper conversion of heart meeting Him in Adoration was. I wanted to share a bit of that story with other women as an invitation of sorts to encounter our Lord in the Eucharist. 2) "You did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the spirit of sonship" (Romans 8:15). 3) I hope this book will bring about healing for the reader in the way they perceive their identity and their own belonging in God's family as His beloved daughter, making all of us sisters. Sarah Rose // Writer for Blessed is She 1) Honestly, were it not for the promptings of the “ask” questions I was provided with to prepare my reflection, I’m not sure what I would have written about. But when I read the question “When you are misunderstood or mistreated by family members, do you tend to react in defensiveness or respond in charity?” my mind immediately jumped to a Thanksgiving experience with my family three years ago that I am still processing and praying through. I’m working with Jesus to move past the defensiveness to charity. 2) "Rejoice in your hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer" (Romans 12:12). 3) My biggest hope is for readers to recognize that they aren’t alone. Too often we live in isolation thinking circumstances are unique to us and that no one could understand what is weighing on our hearts. From the outside, certain families seem "perfect" and unattainable which is simply untrue. I’m convinced those thoughts are from the Enemy who wants to keep us from connecting and accompanying each other on the path to Heaven. No family has it all together and you are never alone, friend. Dr. MaryRuth Hackett // Writer for Blessed is She 1) I was feeling a little reflective as my husband’s grandmother passed away . . . the last few months of her life left me with a lot to reflect on regarding the relationships I have and I hope to continue to have as I age. 2) "[B]ut have not love, I am nothing" (1 Corinthians 13:2). 3) I hope it helps them to have peace in seeing that strife and trouble is found in most families. What is most important is how we deal with those struggles. We can’t choose our families but we can choose how we respond to them. When we keep perspective and learn from Scripture and listen to His guidance, we can come out better for it! Ginny Kubitz Moyer // Writer for Blessed is She 1) When I think of times I've seen evidence of true and perfect love, this memory always comes to mind. Sometimes death brings everything into focus. 2) "Love bears all things" (1 Corinthians 13:7). 3) I hope it helps them realize that their own family challenges, whatever they are, are shared by other women. It's always so comforting to know we are not alone! Come Pray with Us? We cannot wait to share our stories, hear your stories, and help you find the healing that God so desires in your family this Advent and Christmas season. If you haven't grabbed your Advent Journal yet, you can find it here! We will hear from the writers of week 6 next week!

A Saint is a person in Heaven who lived a virtuous life in a heroic way for the Faith and who is worthy of imitation. It is pleasing to God and gives Him glory when we honor those who excelled in love of Him. The devotions we have to Saints do not end with the Saints themselves, but rather reaches ultimately to God. Universal Call To Holiness The Saints are in their glory, contemplating God and stand before Him in perfect joy, peace, love, and happiness in Heaven. As different as all the Saints are, there is one thing they all have in common: they lived out their specific call of Christ, that universal call to holiness. Every Saint is a man or woman who desired a friendship with God, and who fell in love with Him, our King. The Communion of Saints The witness of their heroic love stories with God can inspire, and even change our own lives. Whenever I feel dry or apathetic, reading stories about the lives of the Saints and calling upon their intercession always rekindles and ignites my faith. Their witness of love, joy, and fidelity to God within their obstacles, pain, and even their own dryness inspires and uplifts my soul. St. Giuseppe Moscati In retrospect, during the most pivotal moments in my life I was asking the intercession of a specific Saint. Many of my memories are accompanied with the name of a Saint. As a child I remember reciting the words on a Marian prayer card at night. In high school I asked St. Bridget to be with me during a particularly painful year. During nursing school I offered my vocation as a nurse to St. Joseph. When I was single and discerning I called upon the intercession of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati. Throughout my pregnancy with my son, Peter Karol, I asked Pope St. John Paul the Great to protect us. And now, I have a devotion to St. Giuseppe Moscati. Doctor of the Poor I first discovered St. Giuseppe Moscati two years ago after watching a film about him. I was immediately drawn to his story of fidelity, courage, sacrifice, and strength. Moscati was a brilliant Italian doctor, professor, and miracle worker. Known as the “holy physician of Naples,” St. Giuseppe Moscati saw Christ in each of his patients. He went to Mass and received Jesus in the Eucharist each day before visiting his patients. His pure love for God and neighbor culminated in the vow of chastity and poverty that he made. Moscati lived simply in order to serve the poor without cost, and never charged a fee to priests or religious. Miracle Worker Miracles happened while he was alive and continue to occur after his death. Healings from cancer, accidents, and other ailments, including infertility, take place through his intercession. St. Giuseppe Moscati lived out the Beatitudes, serving Christ in the sick, poor, lonely, homeless, and suffering. Saints Change Our Lives Saints change history because they change lives. After watching the film and learning more about St. Giuseppe Moscati’s life I was inspired to create a medical scrub line in his honor, Moscati Scrubs. Before becoming a stay at home mother, I worked as an oncology nurse. It’s been a joy combining my passion for the Faith and the medical field. My life truly has not been the same since discovering this incredible Saint and I see his intercession in my life so clearly. Our Friendship With Christ There is nothing more attractive to me than a person living for Christ, when it is clear that a person truly has heaven as a goal and lives like Heaven is their goal, just as St. Giuseppe Moscati lived. Those are the people I’m drawn to and that is the person I want to be. My goal is for Christ to shine through me so that people may see Christ and have a friendship with Christ. Our world needs that. People in the world are yearning for that! Our world needs you; the world needs your friendship with Christ. [bctt tweet="The world needs your friendship with Christ. #BISblog //" username="findphilothea"] Three Challenges for the Feast of St. Giuseppe Moscati Here are three challenges for us on this Feast of Saint Giuseppe Moscati: Do You Want Heaven? Ask yourself if you want Heaven. Do you want to be with God, do you want to be His Saint? Do you want the glory, joy, peace, love, and happiness for eternity? If your answer is yes, make Heaven your goal in the way you live. Live like you want Heaven. Start praying each day, even if it’s a few seconds or saying the words, “Jesus, I want heaven, help me become a Saint.” And if your answer is “no” or you aren’t sure if you want Heaven, please say a little prayer asking God to place that desire for Heaven in you. Because we want you in Heaven. God wants you in Heaven. He wants to spend eternity with you. [bctt tweet="Live like you want Heaven. #BISblog //" username="findphilothea"] Fall in Love with Christ Begin falling in love with Christ. Let your heart be romanced by God. Falling in love with our Creator is the greatest love story. God loves us deeply and profoundly. He loves us no matter what. No sin is too big for Him. And once we fall deeply in love with Christ, we are better able to love people here on earth. Find Heavenly Friends Make a Saint your best friend. It could be your confirmation Saint or the Saint your parents named you after. Or if you don’t know where to begin, ask God to send you one—He will! You could even Google some of your hobbies and who the patron Saint is of that hobby. For example, if you love music, St. Cecilia is the patron Saint of music. Or pick up a book about the lives of the Saints and if you feel drawn to one, begin asking them to be with you throughout the day. Be a Saint! Sisters, you are beautiful. You have gifts and talents that God gave you, that He wants you to use and share with the world. You are the light of this world, a world that is often full of darkness and despair. You are God’s joy. You are His joy! You are loved by Him. You are meant for that perfect joy, peace, love, and happiness in Heaven. Saint Giuseppe Moscati, pray for us! [bctt tweet="The Life of St. Giuseppe Moscati #BISblog //" username="findphilothea"]

A handful of Saints within Catholicism have been given the title “Great.” Most recently canonized is Pope St. John Paul the Great, but there’s also St. Albert the Great, St. Gregory the Great, St. Leo the Great, St. Basil the Great, and St. Bartholomew the Great (just to name a few). The title is bestowed upon a person whose intellectual influence within the Church was so profound that it’s impact continues to echo for generations after their death. One such individual—and the only female to have this title associated with her name—is St. Gertrude, whose feast we celebrate today. St. Gertrude + Visions of Love A brilliant mind, Gertrude began her convent years far more interested in her academic studies than in the spiritual practices which accompanied life in the habit. Her focus transformed drastically when she began receiving visions of Christ at the age of twenty-five (a gift that was first and foremost meant to spark her conversion, and then aid the life of the universal Church). There were two prominent motifs that spanned across the entirety of her visions. Firstly and most importantly, she was granted the grace of seeing the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. No joke, she was given a vision in which she gazed through Christ’s open side and peered upon the Divine, beating Heart (roughly 300 years before devotion to the Sacred Heart was made popular by St. Margaret Mary Alacoque). Secondly, she received multiple visions of Purgatory, which seems slightly extraneous considering the topic of her primary visions. However, with God, nothing is random. These visions were purposefully paired together. What first appears to be a hodge podge of happenstance was actually God’s way of revealing His heartfelt love for those souls being purified in fire. Beyond that, He wanted to recruit our assistance in alleviating their suffering. The Good Father In the book of Hebrews, God is compared to a parent disciplining a child. My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor lose courage when you are punished by him. For the Lord disciplines him whom he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives. ...God is treating you as sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? -Hebrews 12:5-7 Now, Purgatory is not a punishment for sin, but it is a consequence. A consequence that God upholds for our own benefit. However, as any parent, teacher, or child care-taker would tell you, holding them accountable and letting them deal with the consequences of their actions is no fun for anyone. It brings no satisfaction and often causes pain for the person in charge of upholding the standard. God’s relationship with His children in Purgatory is no different. In a vision to Gertrude, He confided that He longs for the faithful on earth to plead for mercy for the suffering souls. He uses the metaphor of a king who imprisoned a friend for justice's sake, but internally hopes that someone will beg for mercy for his friend. Sin does require justice, but God desires to be merciful … and quickly! A Pearl Exchange The Sacred Heart longs to be merciful and thus wishes people to pray often for the souls in Purgatory. He revealed to St. Gertrude that each and every prayer prayed on behalf of the Church Suffering appears as a valuable pearl on a magnificent golden table in Heaven. This holds true no matter how brief the petition. Jesus told Gertrude... I accept with highest pleasure what is offered to Me for the poor souls, for I long inexpressibly to have near Me those for whom I paid so great a price. By the prayers of thy loving soul, I am induced to free a prisoner from purgatory as often as thou dost move thy tongue to utter a word of prayer.  Christ is so eager to be reunited with those souls He saved that even the most minute prayers will do. Obliging the Sacred Heart As is the case with all hearts devoted to another, Gertrude found herself loving those things the Sacred Heart loved. In her case, she became devoted to offering prayers and supplications for souls stuck in Purgatory. At every Mass, she offered her Eucharist for their souls. In thanksgiving, Christ granted her a vision of all the souls that were realized because of a single reception. It was so numerous that Gertrude was left stunned. In another vision, Jesus gave her a prayer and a promise that each time it is prayed, He would release 1,000 souls from Purgatory. Gertrude used the prayer herself and also wrote it down. Eternal Father, I offer You the Most Precious Blood of Thy Divine Son, Jesus Christ, in union with the Masses said throughout the world today, for all the Holy Souls in Purgatory, for sinners everywhere, those in the Universal Church, in my home, and in my family. A Three-Fold Benefit In praying for our Church Suffering, there is nothing to be lost and only good things to gain. First of all, it benefits the souls themselves. Whether your prayers merit them Heaven or simply alleviate the suffering they face, the souls are grateful. So grateful, in fact, that they turn around and offer prayers for you! That’s the second benefit of praying for these souls—it brings more Divine Grace into your life as they offer their sufferings for you and your intentions. We Will See Them Lastly, and most importantly, it is a great comfort to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus who desires an end to their suffering more than anyone. Venerable Fulton Sheen (soon to be beatified!) once said, “As we enter Heaven we will see them, so many of them coming towards us and thanking us. We will ask who they are, and they will say, ‘a poor soul you prayed for in purgatory.’” I’ve always loved this imagery, and am looking forward to this moment greatly. However, now thanks to learning more about the revelations of St Gertrude, I can’t help but imagine Christ in the mix, making His way to the front of the group and embracing me in gratitude for the small ways I helped to reunite Him with all the souls He loves. Have you ever heard of this prayer of St. Gertrude for the souls in Purgatory? Let's all take a moment and pray it today! [bctt tweet="St. Gertrude + the Souls in Purgatory #BISblog //"

During a conversation with a soon-to-be ordained priest, he told me that he looks forward to writing homilies now that he will no longer be giving reflections in class but rather to his new parishioners. The people of his assigned parish, he noted, are not well-off. They are struggling financially, and many are undocumented immigrants. Then he said: “They won’t be interested in theology. They just want love.” At first, I was simply humored by his statement. Due to the nature of my work at the seminary, I get to watch many young men step out into the “real world” after ordination, and oftentimes it does not look quite like they were expecting. But after a bit more reflection, I no longer found his words funny. I found them to be alarming. His sentiment reveals a fundamental misunderstanding of just about everything essential to the priesthood: love, human nature, and theology. Intellectual Charity A number of years ago, Pope Benedict XVI put forth the notion of intellectual charity during an address delivered at the Catholic University of America. He said: “This aspect of charity calls the educator to recognize that the profound responsibility to lead the youth to truth is nothing less than an act of love.” Yes, he was speaking to Catholic educators here, but his words hold true across the board: universities, seminaries, parishes. Charity is inseparable with truth; you cannot give one without giving the other. So to say that the average Catholic sitting in the pew just wants love, not theology, is disingenuous. What, then, is this love you are offering? Apart from theology, from Truth, is love not reduced to nothing more than politeness, simply common courtesy? A validation of feelings and homilies filled with encouraging words and platitudes? Programs in the parish that hand out clothes and free food? The Catholic intellectual tradition is immense; the depth of her theology is as beautiful as it is profound. To sidestep that in the interest of providing the type of friendly environment virtually indistinguishable from what one might get a favorite coffee shop is a quite unfortunate. Our Need to Seek God As a lay person sitting in the pew, it is frustrating not only because theology is intrinsically good but also because it is desirable. There is a concerning trend in seminaries and beyond, often blanketed in the misuse of the term “pastoral care,” that the faithful want only to be catered to. Don’t say anything that might hurt feelings. Don’t promote anything too intellectually taxing. However, we were not created to simply be provided for; we were created to ponder, to contemplate the Divine. Just as humans must have their physical needs satisfied, we also have need to seek God. [bctt tweet="However, we were not created to simply be provided for; we were created to ponder, to contemplate the Divine. #BISblog //" via="no"] God Wants to Be Known by All of Us There is an added element of injustice here, when you consider that the statement was made in response to a perceived indifference toward theology due to his future parishioners’ economic poverty. I myself am a mother. I understand that a woman who does not know where her child’s next meal will come from does not have extra mental energy in that moment to try to understand the Trinity. However, even the woman who has faced the perils of immigration, who has carried her child across countries, through unimaginable struggle and pain, and crossed the border exhausted and terrified is still a human being. She too is spiritual, physical, intellectual. To treat her as anything less in dehumanizing. As Catholics, we have an understanding of human nature, and we do not suddenly become dualist based on economic or immigration status. The vulnerable immigrant mother is a person with inherent dignity, made in the image and likeness of God, just the same as the financially well-off mother sitting comfortably in the pew with a diaper bag full of snacks for her children. Both women walk through the same church doors, close their eyes and pray to the same God, contemplate the same mysteries of the same Rosary. They both want to lead a better life; they both seek knowledge and peace from the same well. Does one of those women need assistance to help her meet her physical needs? Absolutely, and the Church should respond with unparalleled generosity. But it should be in addition to, and never at the expense of, the gift of the teachings of the Church. In the vastness of the human experience, evident from ancient paintings left in caves to the frescoes in the Sistine Chapel, humans have always wanted to contemplate divinity and the world to come. Men and women have, and always will, search for meaning and purpose. The Church, in her fullness of Truth, claims to have answers. Why would anyone assume we don’t want to hear about it? The Reason I Stay Catholic The tragedy in the Church today is, while priests have bent over backwards for the past decades to avoid preaching anything too difficult or too offensive from the pulpit, they have at the same time betrayed the faithful in the worst possible way by failing to protect our children. In the past, the Church has weathered storms of her own making by essentially holding the Sacraments hostage. Of course the laity are angry, but they will eventually return because they need Baptism, Confession and, ultimately, the Eucharist, which no one else can provide. But that’s not going to be sufficient any longer. The Sacraments meet human needs, sure, but the world today offers many options that can, on the surface at least, provide apparent alternatives. If I want to dedicate my baby to God, I can chose a Protestant church that offers some sort of ceremony. Don’t they also offer the Lord’s Supper? If I want a sense of community, I don’t even need to join a church. Crossfit will suffice. If I want the cathartic release of Confession, I can turn to social media. Her Theology There is only one thing that will hold me to the Catholic Church: her theology. I need to know why the Sacraments of the Catholic Church are different from what the rest of the world offers. Anyone who has spent time with a young child can attest to their obsessive need to know why. Knowing why provides the foundation, and it is something that we, as human beings, never stop seeking. And as things stand today, for many Catholics, the Church has given them every reason to leave and no reason to stay. The why has been systematically denied to them; why should they come back? We are not warm bodies, content with a handout and a high five from a jovial parish priest. The priest must look at every person with equal dignity and deserving of the Truth, made to know Him, to love Him, and to serve Him in this world, and to be happy with Him forever in Heaven. Truth and love are inseparable and interwoven, but do not exist in a vacuum. In every parish, there needs to be a trifold: there is a messenger of the Word and its hearers, and the Truth, which is Love, is shared between them. Indeed, I think we will find a cord of three strands is not so easily broken. [bctt tweet="Charity is Theology #BISblog //" via="no"] Cheryl Witty-Castillo is a mother, freelance writer, and director of the Writing and Language Center at St. Mary's Seminary. You can find out more about her here.

“I feel so far from Jesus.” Sigh. “If only He would make Himself known to me,” I lamented to my husband as I collapsed in a heap onto our bed. The irony in this statement is literally two days before, I texted my mom about a profound prayer experience as I walked out of Adoration. 

Two days. Sadly, this isn’t even a record for how quickly I can forget an obvious spiritual consolation. On more than one occasion, it was later the same day when I found myself begging for a(nother) sign of Christ’s presence after a pretty noticeable God-wink. How am I this forgetful?! What is Spiritual Amnesia? This condition of spiritual amnesia is both humbling and frightening. How can I so easily forget how great our God is? It becomes clear when looking all the way back to Adam and Eve’s lack of trust to the Israelites wandering in the desert to Peter’s denial and fear. Spiritual amnesia is not a new problem. Thus the sons of Israel did not remember the Lord their God, who had delivered them from the hands of all their enemies on every side... -Judges 8:34   If I’m honest with myself, I often judge the Israelites when reading these passages. How could they so quickly turn away from God? He wiped out Pharoah’s army, and that was right after He parted the waters of the Red Sea for them to walk through. I would never make and worship a golden calf, let alone after such incredible wonders. How ridiculous! Yet, I do the same thing, just the 2019 version, as I worship the idols of my smartphone and the comma in my bank account. Remembrance I take my eyes off Our Lord, I look around at the mess of this world, and I get discouraged. I forget who God is, what He has done, and what He has promised. I shall remember the deeds of the Lord; Surely I will remember Your wonders of old. -Psalm 77:11   The answer to our spiritual amnesia is clear: we must remember. “Remember” is used somewhere around 350 times in the Bible. If you use a variant of the word, the occurrence jumps to nearly 550. The solution is not a secret. In fact, it’s not even that complex. Unfortunately, simple does not equal easy. [bctt tweet="The answer to our spiritual amnesia is clear: we must remember. #BISblog //" via="no"] How to Remember in the Midst of Spiritual Amnesia How do I remember? Prayer and practice. Every single day. 

The Lord makes His Spirit known in both subtle and obvious ways. Keeping our eyes on Him and open to Him is the key. 1. Pray to the Holy Spirit The Advocate, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you. -John 14:26   Jesus knows we cannot simply will ourselves and depend on our own strength to remember. Frequent prayer for the power of the Holy Spirit to help us remember is vital to battling spiritual amnesia. 2. 

Gratitude Notice what He is doing daily and thank Him for it. The eyes follow the mind. If I am in the market for a red minivan, I will begin to notice all the red minivans. There aren’t suddenly a spike in red minivans, I am just noticing them for the first time. Similarly, if I notice God working in my life, I will begin to see it more. He’s always been there, but I am often too busy with an over-scheduled Google calendar or my face buried in my social media to notice. 3. Write it down Our memories of good moments are not nearly as strong as our memories of bad experiences. Writing them down ensures the positive experiences are not lost. I’ve tried to depend on my memory to preserve moments of the Lord moving in my life. Yet, I can walk in to a room and forget why I am there just 30 seconds later. My memory does not have a strong track record; I have to write it down. 4. Read the list And re-read it. Probably daily, at first. Maybe multiple times per day. Remembering is not a passive state. No, it is an action. An important action we must take daily. Practically speaking, I have a spiritual amnesia list in the “notes” app on my phone. It contains with examples of moments I’ve felt God’s love. I add to the list whenever I remember or experience a new moment, and I read the list as often as I need it (which is very often). 5. Spiritual desolation Spiritual desolation is a true condition. We can expect to have seasons of spiritual dryness. Being able to separate real desolation from simple spiritual amnesia is important. St. Ignatius of Loyola defines spiritual desolation as containing attributes “such as darkness of soul, disturbance in it, movement to low and earthly things, disquiet from various agitations and temptations, moving to lack of confidence, without hope, without love, finding oneself totally slothful, tepid, sad, and, as if separated from one’s Creator and Lord.” An intentional recollection every day, of the moments I knew God was with me, has been a life raft in seasons of true desolation. A drop of divine water to bring relief during the dry season. Different from spiritual desolation, spiritual amnesia stems from my inability to rest in God’s goodness and abide with Him. When I get distracted and fearful, I take my eyes off our Lord. I forget. He is still present; He hasn’t left. My frantic grasping at the promises of this world quickly take the place of peace in my heart. And I find myself collapsed in to a pile of discouragement. Peace Comes in Remembering As soon as I look up, fix my eyes on Jesus, ask the Holy Spirit to help me remember what He has done, peace once again begins to flow through my soul. Do you struggle with holding on to the peace and presence of God’s goodness? How do you remember what Christ has done for you? [bctt tweet="Spiritual Amnesia #BISblog //" via="no"] Bekah Knobeloch is a midwestern mama of three crazy boys and wife to a mountain man from Colorado. She is registered nurse, Marquette Model NFP instructor, and loves to travel, write, and host dinner parties. As the founder of Feminine Genius Ministries, she is passionate about education and empowerment of authentic femininity. She runs on coffee and the intercession of St. Catherine of Siena.

He is not God of the dead, but of the living. // Luke 20:38a Download these beautiful free wallpapers from Sarah Ann Design from today's readings. 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

Our 2019 Advent Journal, All the Generations: From Genesis to You, is an offering written by our entire Blessed is She team! For the first time this year, we will be journeying together as a community not only through the Advent season, but through the Christmas season as well. We want you to get to know the women who will spiritually walk by your side through these transformative seasons. In order to help you get to know the heart behind the Advent Journal, for the next several weeks, we'll sit down with the writers for each week of Advent and Christmas. Coffee Break with the Advent Journal Writers Consider this a quick moment over coffee with the Advent Journals writers. We asked the writers of each week the same questions: Why she shared the particular story she shared in her Advent Journal writing. Her favorite Scripture passage from the day. Her hope for us all in healing we're praying for in ourselves and our families. Let's hear from the writers of Week 4. Liz Kelly // Writer for Blessed is She 1) One of the great healings of my life came through writing, understanding that writing was a gift God had given me and that I was to use it for others. As women, we need to share these stories about our competencies and successes. 2) "Blessed is she who believed" (Luke 1:45). 3) My hope for the reader is that she knows that a strong woman who knows her strengths and believes in the gifts God has given her strengthens and blesses her home, her community, and the Church. Sarah Elizabeth // Writer for Blessed is She 1) I picked this story to share because it is actually one that I rarely tell. However, there is something about this year's Advent theme that I feel is calling these stories out of us. When I read about this breaking of tradition in naming John, I reflected upon the ways that the names I have been given have set me apart from generations. I remembered my own questions of identity and wanted to share one of my most raw experiences of that, especially as it came to my own family wounds. 2) "And they all marveled" (Luke 1:63). 3) I hope that the reader sees that regardless of their upbringing or family situation, they are fathered by God. There is profound healing in exploring our familial roots as daughters, as His. We are not just known by the names we have been given by our earthly family, and I hope that this Advent can be a season of discovery of what the Father's names for us are. I pray we can press further into His perspective, as He has immense healing in store, especially for those readers who come from a broken family. This is simply not the end of the story. The Father has more to say. Debra Herbeck // Writer for Blessed is She 1) As I sat in the airport waiting to return home from a five day retreat on inner healing this summer, God began to show me the work He had just done in my heart to redeem my own shame. 2) "[H]er husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame . . . ” (Matthew 1:19). 3) I pray that during this Advent season of expectant hope, families can put their trust in the God of the impossible, who brought salvation to the world through the resounding yes of the Holy Family. Laura Kelly Fanucci // Writer for Blessed is She 1) I chose a story of my grandmothers’ presence with me during birth because I was so struck by how Mary would not have been surrounded by the usual female relatives who would have supported her during birth. Her strength—even when far from home and family—is incredible! 2) "And she gave birth . . . " (Luke 2:7). 3) I hope these stories of the diversity of our families unites us in remembering we are all beloved, even when we feel broken, and believing that God can bring healing to any relationship, no matter the situation. Bonnie Engstrom // Writer for Blessed is She 1) When I reflected on Christmas there wasn't a story that came to mind but extravagant images and a sense of anxiety and being smothered, which is the exact opposite of how I want to feel. I immediately identified that healing was needed in that dichotomy and searched for the Holy Family in it, in part as a way of saving my own children from a similar experience. 2) "But Mary kept all these things, pondering them in her heart" (Luke 2:19). 3) My hope is that the book brings comfort and hope to those who are pursuing family healing, and maybe opens their eyes to ways peace and healing can be achieved. Dr. Samantha Aguinaldo-Wetterholm // Writer for Blessed is She 1) When reading the scripture, I immediately knew that the Holy Spirit was asking me to tell my story of trusting God in the face of the unknown too. 2) "This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet" (Matthew 1:22). 3) I hope this book helps the reader see that God has great plans for your family—known and unknown—and to trust that He will show you. Jenny Uebbing // Writer for Blessed is She 1) Christmastime can be such a season of contradiction, especially as we age and lose family members, become aware in an adult sense of strained family relations, etc. It’s helped me to make the jump emotionally from curated perfection to “okay, Christmas is messy in real life, and Christmas was messy in Bethlehem that first year." What’s left at the end is love. 2) "He came to his own home, and his own people received him not" (John 1:11). 3) I hope it invites readers to feel a sense of solidarity that nobody has a perfect family, that behind the public personas and pretty Christmas photos, most everyone is harboring some kind of pain or fractured relationship, either this holiday season or from holidays past. Come Pray with Us? We cannot wait to share our stories, hear your stories, and help you find the healing that God so desires in your family this Advent and Christmas season. If you haven't grabbed your Advent Journal yet, you can find it here! Week 5 writers will be shared next week!

Today is the feast of the Dedication of the Basilica of St. John Lateran! So why do we care so much about a building in Rome that we dedicate an entire feast to it on the Roman calendar? History and Architecture of the Basilica of St. John Lateran Upon looking back at the dedication of the St. John Lateran in Rome, Rome’s Cathedral, we owe our attention to the Emperor Constantine, the son of Saint Helen. In 313, when the Emperor Constantine granted Christians freedom to practice their religion, he had the first church built in Rome: the Church of St. John Lateran. Constantine donated the land for this church, as the land was a gift to him from him from the Lateran family. This is where the Pope lived up until the Avignon Era and today it is the Pope’s Cathedral Church. As such an important church, St. John Lateran is given several different distinctions: cathedral, archbasilica, and major basilica. A cathedral is where the bishop's seat, or cathedra, is located and it symbolizes their teaching authority. It is also granted the name “archbasilica” for its spiritual, historical, and architectural significance. Finally, it is one of the four major basilicas in Rome, a distinction given to the city’s most highly ranked churches. What You'll See On the facade of St. John Lateran you will find inscribed in Latin: omnium urbis et orbis ecclesiarum mater et caput. This translates to “the mother of all churches of Rome and the world.” This church is our mother church, the head of all the churches in the world, making it the church and spiritual home of all Catholics. The dedication of St. John Lateran was celebrated in 324, and at that time it was dedicated to the Most Holy Saviour. It was not until the 6th century that the names of St. John the Baptist and St. John the Evangelist, the current namesakes, were added. Inside, along the nave, you will find giant depictions of the twelve Apostles who appear to be supporting the ceiling of the Church and each is holding the symbol of his martyrdom. Above the high altar you will also see reliquaries of ... wait for it ... the bones of the heads of Saints Peter and Paul! We are “God’s Building” The readings for this feast day invite us to reflect on the meaning and importance of church buildings. For the Jews, their life revolved around the temple. The greatest tragedies they ever experienced were the destruction of the temple by the Babylonians, and then again in 70 A.D. by the Romans. The Jews could only hope and pray that one day the temple would be restored to its pure state, and their prayer was answered by Yahweh Himself. Churches today are meant to be that new temple. We are that temple. In today’s Gospel of John we hear how Jesus went up to the temple in Jerusalem and overturned the tables of the money-changers, angry with them for desecrating the temple with their sales. When they asked Him what sign he could show them to prove the authority with which He spoke, He said He would, “Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up” (John 2:19). He fulfilled this prophecy through His bodily temple. In the Second Reading today, Paul says, “You are God’s building...Do you not know that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:9,16). Jesus foreshadowed the coming of the temple of the body of Christ, the Church, the place where divinity and humanity meet. Every church building represents this temple which reveals to us the body of Christ. This is what we are celebrating today! The Importance of Buildings in the Life of a Christian Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI said that today’s feast: reminds us of the importance of the concrete buildings in which the community gathers together to celebrate God’s praises. Every community therefore has the duty to carefully guard their holy structures, which constitute a precious religious and historical patrimony. For this we invoke the intercession of Mary Most Holy, so that she might help us to become, like her, a ‘house of God’, living temple of his love.   We can do this through answering our baptismal anointing as priest, prophet and king. What it Means To Act as Priest, Prophet, and King Bishop Robert Barron has spoken about how the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran honors St. Peter, St. Paul, and St. John and in so doing it encapsulates the three-fold offices of priest, prophet, and king. We see the priestly office in St. John, as he was very contemplative and mystical. It it is our priestly responsibility to live a life of prayer and going to Mass. St. Paul’s office is the prophetic office, as he teaches and preaches and goes out to all nations. We can exercise this role by sharing our Faith with others and proclaiming the love of Jesus Christ. The third, kingly, office we see in St. Peter, as it represents rule and governance in the Church. We practice the kingly office when we practice self-mastery and self-control in our lives. Bishop Barron speaks of our kingly responsibility as one which requires us to help lead others to the Kingdom of God. We can start to live these three offices today by simply praying and asking the Blessed Mother to help us become a “house of God,” evangelizing through being a “living temple of His love” which will therefore help us to lead others to experience God’s love and hopefully, in turn, they too will direct their lives towards the Kingdom. Have you ever been to the Basilica of St. John Lateran? [bctt tweet="On the Feast of the Dedication of the Basilica of St. John Lateran #BISblog //" via="no"]

Following Christ sometimes feels like a lonely road as we make career decisions that cause people to scratch their heads, as we date or lead our families counter-culturally, and as we stay close to the Sacraments in an age when skepticism dominates. Thankfully, we are not alone in this life of discipleship. Part of our Church’s beauty is the witness and friendship of thousands of men and women who also walked this road, striving for holiness in their own ways and times. The Catholic Church recognizes and formally declares as Saints individuals who have lived holy lives and are definitively believed to be in Heaven. By virtue of our baptisms, we are in communion with them. Truly, what better witnesses could we ask for in our own pursuit of holiness?! The Saints Want to Be Our Companions Yet, the idea of befriending a medieval French heroine can be daunting, even for those who have been in the Church for years. A cradle Catholic friend recently said to me, “I want to have my go-to Saint friends, but I don’t know where to start.” Well, I’m no expert, but I find myself increasingly looking to the Saints for intercession and inspiration. Through prayer and guidance from some Saint-loving friends, I have developed a soft spot in my heart for particular Saints. These include: St. Padre Pio, whose reminder to “pray, hope, and don’t worry” calms my heart when I’m anxious. Blessed Chiara Luce Badano, who exemplifies vivacity in the face of suffering. St. Teresa of Ávila, who reminds me that God can handle my sass Pope St. John Paul II, who embodies courage and joyful strength. These “friends” have deepened my spiritual life and continue to serve as stalwart companions on this road. How to Be Friends with Saints With a little time, initiative, and prayer, you can grow comfortable turning to the Saints, too. Whether you are starting at square one or just seeking to expand your saint circle, these ideas can help. Start with your vocation. As you seek to make a connection with the Saints, an easy place to begin is with your vocation. Are you a wife? Mother? Grandmother? Religious sister? Daughter? Young adult discerning God’s call? There are Saints who were each of these! As a young woman dating and discerning marriage, I find myself turning to St. Anne, the mother of Mary and wife of St. Joachim. I know some of my married and engaged friends have devotions to Sts. Zélie and Louis Martin, the parents of St. Thérèse of Lisieux and the first married couple to be canonized together. St. Monica, the mother of St. Augustine who loved our Blessed Mother and prayed for her son’s conversion for 17 years, is the patron saint of mothers. Perhaps a strong vocational call right now is to your profession as a student, teacher, physician, lawyer, writer, or artist. Check out St. Thomas Aquinas, St. John Baptist de la Salle, St. Gianna Beretta Molla, St. Luke, St. Thomas More, St. Francis de Sales, or St. Catherine of Bologna to find a saint who shared your professional vocation. Think about your interests... After looking at the vocations that are most pertinent to you right now, think about your interests. Surely, there is a Saint who shared that interest, too. Do you like music? St. Cecilia is your girl. Perhaps you volunteer regularly with your parish food pantry or are passionate about social justice. The lives of St. Vincent de Paul, St. Katharine Drexel, St. Oscar Romero, and St. Martin de Porres would inspire. Do you love animals and spending time outdoors? Turn to St. Francis of Assisi, St. Kateri Tekakwitha, St. Pope John Paul II, or Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati. St. Sebastian is the patron Saint of athletes, St. Christopher of travelers, St. Arnold of beer brewers, and Sts. Martha and Meinrad of hosts and hospitality. The Saints are as diverse as we are, which C.S. Lewis celebrated by calling them “gloriously different.” So don’t give up if you haven’t yet found one with whom you connect. And your life experiences, too! My love for St. Teresa began when I visited her city of Ávila, Spain while studying abroad. Likewise, as a student at a university founded by the Congregation of Holy Cross, the order’s first canonized saint, St. André Bessette, became a model of humble service for me. Think about your travels, heritage, education, name, or family devotions. Possibly, your family’s California roots render St. Junípero Serra a Saint to befriend, or fascination with Hawaii invites you to learn more about St. Damien of Molokai. Are you part of a Hispanic community? Learn more about St. Juan Diego. Maybe you attended a Jesuit high school or crossed paths with a Dominican who influenced your faith life; many holy men from these orders are Saints. If the tragedy of miscarriage, infant loss, infertility, domestic violence, or divorce is woven into your story, spend some time with St. Gianna, St. Zélie, St. Catherine of Sweden, St. Rita of Cascia, or St. Helena. Have you been affected by breast cancer? Pray to St. Agatha. I grew in devotion to St. Thomas the Apostle during a period of doubt in my own faith life because I recognized something of myself in him. Your faith journey might be marked by conversion, and so turning to St. Paul, St. Josephine Bakhita, or St. Edith Stein would be meaningful. People tend to think that the Saints are all the same: pious, boring, and obsolete. As you begin exploring the lives of these holy people, you’ll discover how alike we are to them and how profoundly they speak to our lives today. Then, it’s time to befriend! How to Start Now that you have some ideas of whom you can befriend, the question becomes how. Start by picking one Saint whom you want to get to know better (this could be a great monthly challenge!). Give yourself time to get acquainted with him or her. Saint biographies abound, as do many of the Saints’ own spiritual writings. To serve as a visual reminder, I like to write a quote from the Saint on a Post-It note and hang it on my mirror or place it in my planner. Pray using the Saint’s own words (check-out Pray More Novenas as a helpful guide in praying for the nine successive days leading up to the Saint’s feast day), or ask the Saint to intercede for you. Finally, find some activity that commemorates that Saint. Introduce friends to the Chaplet of Divine Mercy for St. Maria Faustina Kowalska, explore local trails to celebrate St. Kateri, donate to a pro-life cause in honor of St. Gianna, or share Polish donuts—paczki—to celebrate St. Maximilian Kolbe. It Takes Willingness and Time Just as making friends takes invitation, intentionality, and time, making friends with the Saints does, too. Anticipate that certain stories and personalities will resonate more strongly, so be patient in finding your saintly companions. Who are some of your saintly friends? Tell us about them in the comments below! [bctt tweet="Making Friends with the Saints #BISblog //" via="no"] Grace Carroll is a native New Englander who currently calls the cornfields of Indiana home as she pursues her Master’s in pastoral theology. In between studying and working in college ministry, she sneaks in as many runs, naps, novels, trails, snail mail, and dark chocolate that she can.

I want everything to be perfect. I've always been a perfectionist. Some people see this as a bad thing, and in some ways it can be. Sometimes I obsess over wanting things to go my way, and then I am crushed when it doesn't turn out how I planned. Can the desire for perfection be a positive thing? I think it can be, if we understand where it comes from and don't become obsessed with earthly perfection. I would guess that most of us are perfectionists, to some degree. We all want the perfect job, the perfect boyfriend or husband, the perfect family, the perfect vacation, perfect health, the perfect house... and the list goes on. Most of us get at least a little disappointed when things don't go our way. [bctt tweet="Heaven is our home. #BISblog //" via="no"] Homesick for Heaven What I've come to realize is that our human preoccupation with perfection and getting what we want is the manifestation of our homesickness for Heaven. Heaven is our home. It's where we will experience perfect joy in the Beatific Vision and freedom from suffering and disappointment. Heaven is perfect happiness with God, and all the angels and saints. We were created for this. We were made to joyfully sing the praises of God and be unified with Him forever. Living on Earth Yes, we can still be happy, and we can and should sing God's praises while we're here on earth. We shouldn't give up or desire for things to go well, but we also shouldn't obsess over perfection. Until we can become saints, what can we do to rightfully order our perfectionism, and quell our homesickness for Heaven? 1. Partake in the Sacraments. The Eucharist and the Sacrament of Reconciliation were given to us by Jesus to help make us more perfect, more like Him. What if you can't get to a church to receive Communion or go to Confession due to less than perfect circumstances? Call your parish, or any parish, and request to have a priest come to you. They are more than happy to help. What if you physically cannot receive the Eucharist? You can make a spiritual communion until you are able to receive the Body of Christ. The Sacraments bring us as close to Heaven as we can get while we are on Earth. 2. Establish a prayer routine. There are so many ways to make prayer a part of your daily routine. There are many prayers to choose from to begin implementing a prayer routine, including the Rosary, the Divine Mercy Chaplet, a 3 o'clock devotion, the Angelus, the Liturgy of the Hours, novenas, and more. I started with spending one minute meditating on Christ's Passion during the 3 o'clock hour. I set a recurring alarm on my phone to remind me to pray at the same time each day. Saying a Morning Offering before your feet even touch the floor in the morning is another easy way to structure your day around prayer. Having a prayer routine reminds me of my purpose: to glorify God. 3. Dedicate time to spiritual reading. This can include but isn't limited to Scripture readings, the lives of the Saints, books about how to grow in relationship with God, encyclicals, or daily meditations. If you're just getting started with spiritual reading, I recommend starting with the daily Mass readings and Blessed is She devotions. I like to spend a couple minutes pondering what I've read and try to understand what it means for my life. Spiritual reading is admittedly not easy for me, but has helped me dive more deeply into the mysteries of God, and has made me more attuned to His voice. 4. Spend time in silent meditation. Time spent in silence is so difficult, especially during the busy seasons of life. If you have an hour a day to get to the Adoration chapel, that's wonderful! Unfortunately, spending time in a daily Holy Hour isn't doable for most people, but that doesn't mean we can't spend time listening to God. Start slow, spending one minute a day in silence. No music, no TV, no cell phone, no other tasks. Ask God to speak to your heart, and just sit, listening, for one minute. If you're able to spend more time, by all means, do it! Even just one minute in silence, listening for God's voice, brings you closer to His Heart. Desire for Perfection and Desire for Him In the past year, I've realized that my desire for everything to be perfect is a God-given desire. It's a desire that we all have, to some degree, because we were made for it. We were made to be in eternal, perfect happiness with Him. While we can't experience the perfect joy of Heaven just yet, there are things we can do that will bring us closer to God. Intentionally making time for prayer, meditation, spiritual reading, and the Sacraments has helped me focus less on my hunger for perfection and more on my relationship with Christ. He's given us the gift of His Church, in all Her richness, to help us become saints and attain eternal joy and perfection in the next life. [bctt tweet="Longing for Heaven + Living on Earth" via="no"] Kelly Schroeder is a wife, mom, embroidery enthusiast, and former 1st grade teacher. She enjoys making custom and religious embroidery and cross-stitch, and occasionally writes for her blog. You can find out more about her here.

A thousand years of enjoying human glory is not worth even an hour spent in sweetly communing with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. - Saint Padre Pio   What does the Eucharist mean to you? In the book of Matthew, Jesus asked St. Peter, "Who do you say that I am? (Matthew 16:13-20). If he were referring to Himself today, under the appearance of bread and wine, He may ask us, "What do you say that I am?" A question much disputed among Christians through the ages. What Does the Eucharist Mean to Me? What does the Eucharist mean to me? Well, as a kid it was a sign that Mass was almost over. As a Protestant, communion was for remembrance. Strictly a representation. Today, I am unsure how love like this exists, but I believe in it with all that I am. During the odd years of my faith journey, I would read the accounts of Jesus' life in the New Testament and think how lucky the disciples were! They were at the right place, at the right time to sit at the feet of Jesus and be ministered to by God Himself. Not just as a spirit or a distant Ruler in the heavens, but right there before them. Their Savior in the flesh! Eucharistic Adoration was never a part of my faith life growing up and is still fairly new to me. The first few times I went, I totally chickened out and couldn't go inside. The brief presentation, "Body of Christ," before receiving Holy Communion at Mass was one thing. But the thought of sitting with God face-to-face was intimidating. Through Confession and prayer, I accepted that He wanted me close. Once I worked up the nerve to go my heart began to crave the time, knowing Jesus waits for me there. With kids in tow I don't usually get a full holy hour in, but I still like to stop and visit as often as I can. My Heart with His in Adoration One busy afternoon, I was on my way to pick my daughter up from a friend's house. I was driving along when I realized that exposition of the Blessed Sacrament was available at my parish. I read the dashboard clock: 10 minutes left. Knowing my daughter wouldn't mind a little more time with her pal, I changed course and zipped across our little town. I needed the visit badly. Our family had dealt with a lot that week. As the mom, I was supposed to be the tie that binds us all, but my grip was rapidly slipping. I felt desperate. Like the bleeding woman in the crowd. Pressed and tired. Longing for peace and healing. Stretching my fingertips toward Jesus in hopes of brushing the hem of His garment. I begged for His presence praying, "I just need a second, Lord! I just need a moment before You to get me through." Soaking Him In After a few anxious miles the church was in sight. I relaxed the tight grip on the steering wheel, parked my car, and jogged to the chapel with no time to spare. I opened the door to the dim, silent room, entering gracelessly with a jangle of keys and pocket change. As I dunked my hand into the holy water for a hasty blessing, the guardian for that hour lifted a heavy lid, offered a nod of acknowledgement and settled back into his chair. I knelt to pray and squeezed my tired eyes shut. I rested my head on my hands, one clutching the other. It felt like all that I could do to hold myself together. My heart relaxed but my brain remained scattered. I had no words, no eloquence to offer my King. So I just said, "I love You, Lord. I adore You. Please bless me. Please give me strength. You are my everything!" Knowing my time was short, I took in His holy presence. I filled my lungs with chapel air, dank with prayer and the smell of holy water. I stared at the backlit host until the threat of tears stung my eyes. Far too soon, our time was up. Before I was ready, I pulled myself reluctantly from my knees and with another splashy blessing, bowed out into the night. Never Enough Jesus Hidden in the dark of my car, I let myself fall apart. The tears were a mixture of relief and gratitude that swelled from a place of deep and mysterious longing. I was thankful to have gotten my moment but the thirst in my soul was unquenchable. Homesick for Heaven, I felt so alone. I missed Jesus already. I needed more time! But God whispered sweet consolation to my soul, "I'm still here, daughter. I always am." He assured me, "You have my Holy Spirit. I'm with you wherever you go!" I drove back across town at a slower pace this time. The moon illuminating the country road ahead reminded me of the Sacrament. The gentle presentation. His constancy. How Jesus draws us to himself repeatedly like lunar gravity pulling the waves to shore. From My Head to My Heart When I came back home to the Church I accepted the Real Presence as dogma but it took longer to truly sink in on a heart level. Regular Adoration gives me time, however short, to focus on the Eucharist, the center of our Catholic Faith. It grows my faith through affection, stillness, wonder, and awe. The Eucharist is the center of the Mass, deepens prayer, and brings all other Sacraments to life. It is nothing less than the incredible opportunity to sit, quite tangibly at the feet of Jesus. Our Savior in the flesh! My ear may not have heard Jesus' voice in an audible way that night but, there is no doubt that He ministered to my soul. No, it's not just a wafer. It's our Jesus: Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity. It is Emmanuel. I feel like most of the time we are a bit numb to this profound reality. Not always due to lack of faith (though sometimes that is it), but to unconsciously ease the weight of a supernatural truth which our human minds can't wrap around completely. But if we're bold enough to look boundless love and infinite mercy in His glorious Face, we can taste eternity. We can catch a glimpse of Heaven on Earth. When is the last time you went to Eucharistic Adoration? Would you consider going this week? [bctt tweet="How Jesus Won My Heart through Eucharistic Adoration" via="no"] Cait Winters is Catholic re-vert, wife, and mama of three from a small woodsy town in Massachusetts. She is a full-time mama of a blended family, aspiring author, intermittent blogger, and freelance writer. On weekdays you can find her juggling kids, kettle-bells, and coffee cups. On the weekends, she loves nothing more than an old library book and a glass of wine. You can find out more about her here.

Walk into any store or tune into any radio station, and you would think Christmas is next week. The minute Halloween is over, Christmas is here. Never mind that it’s still very much fall, Thanksgiving is still a few weeks away, and Advent is the season that prepares us for the long-anticipated birth of Our Savior. It can be hard to form holiday traditions rooted in Faith, when we live in a very secular (and commercial) society. We hang stockings, decorate the tree, and give gifts. But perhaps we wonder why we do these things. Is there meaning behind these traditions? Or do we do them “just because”? Holiday Traditions Rooted in Faith Developing traditions takes time and patience. My family has tried things that simply didn’t click for us. Or some ideas worked well when we had two children but not as well with six. Eventually, the traditions that were meant to be ours took root in the hearts of each family member. And before we knew it, the kids started telling me, “That’s our tradition, Mom!” And because we believe that Christmas is—and always will be—about God coming to dwell among us, we recognize how our holiday traditions are rooted in Faith … while fun and nostalgic, too. Counting the Days Celebrating the season of Advent helps us prepare our hearts and homes to welcome Jesus on Christmas Day. The Advent Wreath The Advent wreath is a lovely connection between home and church, with Advent wreaths prominently set up in both places. My family enjoys the flickering light of the candles as the winter days grow darker. Our Advent wreath acts as a “Christmas countdown” of sorts, too, as we light another candle each week and the anticipation of Christmas grows. Jesse Tree Another way to countdown the days until Christmas is with the Jesse Tree. This custom traces Jesus’ lineage all the way back to Creation. Each day, we hang an ornament that corresponds with a Scripture reading. As each Bible story is read, we see a golden thread tying them together. And that thread is God. The Jesse Tree reminds us of God’s immense love and faithfulness. We see how He transforms the messiest situations by giving us a Savior. We recognize that the story of salvation is our story, too. Decorating Glorifies God It is quite customary to do a lot of decorating at Christmastime. In fact, we can have multiple bins of Christmas decorations that are enjoyed for only a few weeks each year! And that’s OK. Because we are celebrating Jesus’ birth, after all! And when we decorate to honor the Lord, of course we want every space to sparkle! Often, the Christmas tree is the focal point of our Christmas-y homes. But perhaps we can turn greater attention to the nativity scene. One way to do this is by displaying it in a more central location. Add candles or twinkle lights. Make the scene a tiny altar, where we come to pray. Decorating the tree helps us think about how God’s love is everlasting, just like the life of an evergreen. While stringing lights around the tree, we contemplate how Jesus is the light of the world, and His light “shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:5). And placing a star or angel on top, we remember the first Christmas when angels appeared to shepherds in the night sky and announced the birth of Jesus (Luke 2:8-20). Think of Mary and how she must have kept her house for the Holy Family. I imagine it being tidy, peaceful, and ready to welcome family and friends. As we prepare our homes for Christmas next month, let’s ask for Mary’s intercession to focus on hospitality, not perfection. Hanging Stockings by the Chimney Whether or not Santa Claus is part of your Christmas celebration, it is very popular to hang stockings somewhere in the home. This tradition can be linked to St. Nicholas, whose feast day is December 6th. On St. Nicholas Day, fill shoes or stockings with chocolate coins and a small faith-based gift. Read The Night Before Christmas by Clement Clarke Moore. In this poem, “the stockings were hung by the chimney with care in hopes that St. Nicholas soon will appear.” This references the legend of St. Nicholas, who tossed bags of money through windows to help poor families. His generosity slowly evolved into the idea of Santa. Giving Generously, Like the Wise Men Can we even think about Christmas without thinking about gift giving? We may wonder why we do it, but we can’t imagine not doing it! To make gift giving more meaningful, consider praying with the Scripture passage that tells the story of the Three Wise Men and the gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh that they gave to Jesus at His birth (Matthew 2:1-12). As we contemplate giving Christmas gifts, let’s ask the Lord to fill our hearts with the generosity of the Wise Men. Like the Wise Men, we can be lavish in our giving, even if we can’t spend a lot of money. For example, we can spend extra time visiting an elderly family member. We can help an elderly neighbor string lights on their house, or we can bake cookies for our parish priest. Consider giving gifts that symbolize the gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Since gold is known to be valuable, the gold gift is something at the top of the recipient’s wish list. The frankincense gift is something that draws us closer to the Lord, just as our prayers rise up like incense (Psalm 141:2). And since myrrh is an ointment for the body, the myrrh gift is something practical, such as clothes, pajamas, or a new purse. This practice adds meaning to the presents we give (and receive) on Christmas Day, and it also simplifies the shopping. Rooting Traditions in Faith is Easier Than You Might Think Holiday traditions that we enjoy year after year are special for one reason or another. And the more we think about it, the more we discover how they are rooted in Faith and help us celebrate the birth of Jesus. What are some of your holiday traditions rooted in Faith? [bctt tweet="Forming Holiday Traditions that are Rooted in the Faith #BISblog //" via="no"]

But you have mercy on all, because you can do all things; and you overlook sins for the sake of repentance. // Wisdom 11:23 Download these beautiful free wallpapers from Jazmin De Guzman from today's readings. 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

Our 2019 Advent Journal, All the Generations: From Genesis to You, is an offering written by our entire Blessed is She team! For the first time this year, we will be journeying together as a community not only through the Advent season, but through the Christmas season as well. We want you to get to know the women who will spiritually walk by your side through these transformative seasons. In order to help you get to know the heart behind the Advent Journal, for the next several weeks, we'll sit down with the writers for each week of Advent and Christmas. Coffee Break with the Advent Journal Writers Consider this a quick moment over coffee with the Advent Journals writers. We asked the writers of each week the same questions: Why she shared the particular story she shared in her Advent Journal writing. Her favorite Scripture passage from the day. Her hope for us all in healing we're praying for in ourselves and our families. Let's hear from the writers of Week 3. Mary Catherine Craige // Writer for Blessed is She 1) Sometimes in childhood our family experiences influence us to make distorted conclusions and believe things about ourselves, the world and God that are not necessarily true. It is important we become aware of these limiting beliefs and allow God to shine His light upon them to offer us the real truth of Who He is and who we are as well. 2) "[A]nd the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon David from that day forward" (1 Samuel 16:13). 3) My hope is for each reader to come to a place of healing, hope and forgiveness for whatever she has experienced within her family of origin and to experience a deep belonging in her relationship within the family of God. Patty Breen // Writer for Blessed is She 1) It was was the first one that came to mind as I began to pray what to write about, like I was sharing a piece of my family story with all of you. 2) "Go again seven times" (1 Kings 18:43). 3) My hope is that it gives women the permission to look at all parts of their family story and history: the messy, painful, beautiful, real . . . and that God can be found and experienced in each of those. Tricia Tembreull // Writer for Blessed is She 1) I chose to reveal my OCD and holy meddling personality to highlight the gift of Right Judgement/Counsel. We confuse this gift of the Holy Spirit with being a judgmental person and often reject interceding with friends and family when we see they straying from God. Hezekiah reminds us that holy meddling is necessary to help ourselves and others grow in virtue and holiness. 2) "It was he who removed the high places, shattered the pillars, cut down the asherah, and smashed the bronze serpent Moses had made, because up to that time the Israelites were burning incense to it" (2 Kings 18:4). 3) I pray that in a season where we place value in presents over the presence of Emmanuel, God with us, we can remove the idols that consumerism has consumed in our lives. Annie Deddens // Writer for Blessed is She 1) I chose to share this story because I felt it was a universal wound that we could all relate to—this difficulty of forgiving and letting go. And in the past when I struggled with this, I wanted a clear way forward, and I felt that this Scripture really shows us that path which begins with prayer. 2) "Amen, amen" (Nehemiah 8:6). 3) I hope this book helps our readers to take their pain to the Lord, to show Him their wound, and to let Him work in that place in their hearts and within their families. Jacqui Skemp // Writer for Blessed is She 1) I know that the suffering that comes from struggles with mental health is so very common, but also can leave us feeling so very alone. Whether it's our own personal struggle or watching a loved one suffer, it can be hard to imagine that we are not abandoned by God. But He is faithful and always stays near those who are suffering. 2) "I have loved you with an everlasting love" (Jeremiah 31:3). 3) I hope that readers are able to view family healing with a long term and far sighted vision, so that the failures and set backs won't feel so big and instead can be seen as blips on the long life journey of healing. Christy Isinger // Writer for Blessed is She 1) I chose these familiar familial feelings to write about because it seems that they creep into my heart a lot, yet Advent and Christ's light wishes to tell a truth to this all-too-common guilt. 2) "[M]ake his paths straight" (Luke 3:4). 3) I hope this Advent devotional helps all of us give everything over to Christ this Advent. All the areas of our lives that need healing, or simply need His light. Blythe Fike // Writer for Blessed is She 1) I chose to talk about my own attachment to "plans" simply because I know I have so much to learn from Our Lady. Her "yes" needs to be my "yes," every day. 2) " . . . greatly troubled" (Luke 1:29). 3) I really hope this book helps family healing especially though the virtue of detachment. The more we can relinquish control over the things we cling to, the more we can truly love one another with a sacrificial love, and the more we love, the more we heal. Come Pray with Us? We cannot wait to share our stories, hear your stories, and help you find the healing that God so desires in your family this Advent and Christmas season. If you haven't grabbed your Advent Journal yet, you can find it here! Week 4 writers will be shared next week!

Happy Feast of All Saints! This feast begins the month of November and orders our hearts and prayers toward a posture of giving gratitude. All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day differ a bit from our traditional Thanksgiving mindset, in that we are giving thanks for, and asking intercession from those holy witnesses that have gone before us. Very often I think the close succession of holy days that fall near this turning of the calendar can jumble the focus of the particular feasts and our participation in them. It is awe-inspiring (and a little out of the ordinary) to link our individual lives with the likes of the entire Mystical Body of Christ. But that is what this feast and its next-day-twin, All Souls', are all about. Celebrating the Saints Before the days of the Saint-name-generators, choosing a Saint—or letting a Saint choose you—for the year was a practice. It was new to me. I assume this was a roommate’s New Year’s tradition, or maybe my friends were onto something cutting edge? Either way, on January 1st, out came the bag of Saint cards that my friend had stashed somewhere in her desk drawer. We passed around the tiny icons like baseball cards, singling out that patron or patroness that might offer particular guidance to our young adult lives in the New Year. When it came time for me to choose, I pulled out an icon for All Saints. My friend suggested I draw again because I was only supposed to get one, and it was a little much to expect all of the Saints to walk with me that year. I assured her that given the opportunity for all the Saints in Heaven to accompany me; I was not going to pass it up on a technicality! This is basically the feast of All Saints in a nutshell. All the Saints! After all, I had grown up attending All Saints parish. I had always appreciated that no one had chosen to pare down our heavenly intercessors to just one. With so many wonderful options, why narrow it down? We celebrated the Communion of Saints by way of our annual parish festival. I imagine I went to Mass, but perhaps my limited understanding of the Liturgy blended with all other liturgies. It wasn’t until I became rooted in a town with a Benedictine Abbey in which to celebrate the feasts of All Saints' and All Souls' Days that my eyes were opened to the magnanimity of these days, the particular distinctions between these celebrations, and what they mean. A Profound Liturgy Candles flickering and schola chanting, the Abbey was illuminated by dozens of relics throughout the church, available for veneration by the gathered community. Something about this celebration felt so mooring to me, connecting the past with the present. The next day, the atmosphere was similar, but fresh in its own way as the names and images of deceased loved ones were spoken and shared—my grandmother’s included. The loves and losses that had melded and shaped the people gathered that year collected and offered back to God not in the freshness of grief, but in the gratitude of bearing witness. All Saints' Day The Feast of All Saints is celebrated on November 1st each year, or All Hallows' Eve if you attend the Vigil Mass. It is a day to venerate all of the holy women and men who have already been canonized and the entire Church Triumphant. It is typical that during a celebration of All Saints' that a church would include any relics in its possession in the celebration of this Liturgy. At a vigil celebration, this very often looks like a votive candle illuminating the relic for the benefit of the gathered community that they might pray in a more intimate way for the intercession of a Saint that is significant to that faith community. ­ The Mass is always a sensory experiences, but in a particular way, the vigil celebration of All Saints' Day is a feast for the eyes. All Souls' Day We follow one celebration with the Feast of All Souls, at which time we celebrate everyone and anyone of the faithful who have died that year and the entire Church Suffering. We pray on their behalf for eternal rest. Often parishes will provide a book of the dead in which the names of those who have died during the year will be listed and prayed over. This is a particularly moving time of remembrance of those we love and have lost. It stirs a deep hope both in the act of remembering their lives and interceding for them. Our parish has a tradition of celebrating Dia de los Muertos after Mass on both holy days. Each year, families create memorials of their loved ones with pictures, foods, and trinkets that help to mark the significance of that person’s life. Of course, their loss is mourned. But it is joy that I notice as people commemorate the lives of those they have lost. For a concept that is difficult for adults to comprehend, and even more so to explain to children, I still find the movie Coco to be one of the best and most beautiful attempts to capture the practice of honoring the feast of All Souls and the vastness of the cloud of witnesses (Hebrews 12:1). The theology of this particular day is deeply moving and yet it smacks of ordinariness. On some level, this is how we keep the memory of our families alive, in the hope of reunion in Heaven. Honoring the lives of those we love, however long or short, is our heritage. How do you celebrate the feasts of All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day? Share ideas with us in the comments below! [bctt tweet="The Difference Between All Saints' and All Souls' Days #BISblog //" via="no"]

Sometimes I struggle to keep up with all the mess in my life. And trust me, with a 18-month-old little boy, more often then not there is a lot of it. More laundry, more toys to be picked up off the ground. More dishes to be washed. And let’s not even talk about the bathroom that hasn’t been deep-cleaned since we moved in. Does this sound familiar? It is tempting to judge ourselves by our failures. As a stay-at-home mom, it feels like my job is to keep house, like my primary duty in life is to match socks and scrub floors. When this doesn’t get done, it feels a lot like failing. Are We Failing? We all have mess in our lives. You may be better at keeping your house tidy than I am. But I bet some corner of your life is covered with dust and cobwebs—whether figuratively or literally. And it weighs on you. But equating our worth with the cleanliness of our kitchens is toxic and frankly, blatantly false. Homes were made to serve the people who live in them. Beyond that, they have no dignity of their own. A house is just four walls with a roof over it, and your stuff is well … stuff. There is nothing morally better about cleanliness. We clean our houses to serve the people in them. I find this helpful to remember when I am struggling beneath the weight of housework. Reflecting on this fact reminds me that while housework is important, it is not the most important thing I will accomplish in a day. And if, for whatever reason, it doesn’t get done, that’s okay. The Better Part Remember what Jesus said to Martha? She was running around the house, trying to make sure everything was perfect for her guest. And when she saw her sister sitting around, apparently doing nothing, she snapped. Here’s what Jesus had to say: Martha, Martha. You are anxious and worried about many things. Your sister has chosen the better part, and it will not be taken from her. He says the same to you. Being present to the people around us is the better part. Taking a break to rest, pray, or do something that brings you joy? That’s the better part as well. We don’t need to struggle on when it becomes too much. There’s beauty and grace to be found in admitting that we can’t do it all. [bctt tweet="There’s beauty and grace to be found in admitting that we can’t do it all. #BISblog //" username="erinann_11"] A Few Practical Tips for the Messy Home So what should we do when we are totally overwhelmed? Obviously I’m no expert, but here’s a few things that help me when I feel like that weight on my shoulders has become a bit too heavy to bear. 1. Pray As Catholics, our first line of defense should always be prayer. That’s obvious, but I find that a reminder is sometimes helpful. Say a Hail Mary, read the Bible, or even just sit silently with God for five minutes. It will make a world of difference, even if you don’t feel better immediately. 2. Set a Routine Even if you don’t like sticking to a strict schedule, having some sort of routine in place can help bring order into your life. For example, I like to tidy the house during my son’s nap time and right after he goes to bed. Having set times to do this task frees me from worrying about it at other times during my day. 3. Take a Shower This might sound silly, but whenever I’m feeling stressed out or unable to tackle a particularly daunting task, taking a shower almost always helps. I don’t know if it’s the relaxing effect of the warm water, the forced time-out, or if I’ve created a habit that hits some sort of internal reset button, but there is just something real and tangible about washing of the dirt of the day and starting over. 4. Set a Timer and Do Something Else Sometimes you just need to do something else for awhile, be it spending a little intentional time playing with your kids, reading a good book, working on a creative project, or sitting down for a cup of coffee. I’ve found that setting a timer on my phone is super helpful. That way my little break doesn’t turn into a three hour session and I don’t end up even more stressed when I realize half of my day is gone. Order is Good There is nothing wrong, of course, with keeping a clean house. Cleanliness and order are good things. They help create beauty, and beauty soothes our soul, drawing us closer to God. Beyond that, order helps us think more clearly, work more efficiently, and play harder. Cleanliness even keeps us healthier. No one wants to eat off of a dirty plate, after all. There’s a quote from Mother Theresa that has been circulating the internet recently, that I think is particularly applicable. “Wash the plate not because it's dirty, nor because you're told to wash it, but because you love the person who will use it next.” How often do we get so caught up in the work, elbows deep in the mess of our daily lives, that we forget that the chores we complete are more than check marks on a never-ending to do list? Chores are more than actions, completed because they need to be done. They are acts of service. By changing diapers, folding laundry and dressing screaming toddlers, you are clothing the naked. By fixing meals, day after day after day, you are feeding the hungry. And by washing those dishes? You are loving the people who will use them next. Do you struggle with a messy home? How have you found ways to be attentive like Mary and productive like Martha? [bctt tweet="To the Mom with a Messy Home #BISblog //" username="erinann_11"] Erin Rebar is a freelance writer, blogger, and author living in the Pacific Northwest with her husband Brian, son Clark, and very large dog Flash. When she isn’t writing or wrangling her toddler, she enjoys adventures and curling up on rainy afternoons with a long book, an oversized sweater, and a large cup of tea. You can find out more about her here.