We’re moms, all of us. That’s what we have in common, along with our Catholic Faith. Every Monday, we drop our big kids at school and meet in the choir room of our church, which is full of toys and has a miniature table to gather around. I don’t remember anyone ever complaining about the tiny chairs we sit in or the goldfish cracker crumbs that need to be vacuumed from yesterday’s child watch during Mass, which was held in the same room. Rosary group is a joyful gathering that we look forward to each week. We lament when our kids are sick or we have another commitment and can’t make it. We keep in touch all week long through prayer requests in a messaging app we made a point of downloading. As busy women, we don’t have a lot of extra bandwidth on our phones or in our lives, but we choose make time for prayer, each other, our kids, and our community—priorities that feel most important and life-giving. The Format of Our Rosary Group The format is simple. We start by oohing and ahhing over each other’s littles as they arrive. Who’s wearing a sweet bow? Who said something precious at children’s liturgy? Who’s getting so big? We notice, and we love them like our own. Then, we redirect the kids to each other, so we can chat. Often, this involves raucous laughter. We met by showing up to prayer and have become good friends. Eventually someone says, “We should get started.” I usually nudge one of the extroverts to start with their intentions because some people have a gift for getting the attention of a chatty room. Sharing Our Hearts Then, we go around the circle and give each woman a voice and opportunity to share what’s on her heart. Though technically we meet to pray for the kids and everything going on with the school across the street, we are open to any and all prayer requests. Sometimes, we have a heart full of praises. Other times, laments. Usually we are praying for others, but sometimes we need support for what we are going through as individuals. As women who are typically the doers and the givers in our community, sometimes this is the only time all week we’re asked, “How are you really doing?” Over the years, we’ve been through the adoption process, death of siblings, infant loss, grief, depression, difficult relationships, miscarriages, health crisis, teenage drama, and kids with all kinds of issues including mental illness and open-heart surgery. We open our hearts to each other, accept each other, and listen without judgement. Celebrating One Another We also celebrate each other’s accomplishments. Members of our group have planned fundraisers, started non-profit organizations, run marathons, become board-certified OBGYNs, gone on fabulous vacations, had beautiful babies, and been blessed in countless ways. It is a safe place to suffer and shine with Christ through the ups and downs of life.     Praying the Rosary Together When everyone has had a chance to share, we take turns leading decades of the Rosary. Since we meet on Mondays, we always pray the Joyful Mysteries, which I tailored into meditations for the needs of the kids at the school across the street. Then, we pray. Yes, we pray the whole Rosary with small children in the room. I want you to know it is possible. We’ve had as many as 15 at once, but usually 5-10 show up. Sometimes a preschooler will lead a decade for his mom, and it’s the sweetest thing in the world. Other times, a preschooler will pick a fight with her sibling the moment it’s her mom’s turn to lead a decade, and we can all relate. Often, a hush falls over the room when we start to pray. The Mother of God is clearly present with us in a powerful way. The kids seem to feel it and get into a gentle rhythm of play. We may never know all the blessings that flow into our community through our consistent devotion to prayer, but the grace is palpable and so are the fruits of the Holy Spirit growing in our hearts over time. Many Blessings Within Our Group Over the years, we’ve grown from the original three prayer warriors to a pool of 30 women, who come when we can. Anywhere from seven to 15 tend to show up at once. Out of this group, friendships have been forged, along with a committee called Navigating Technology Together that support parents to set limits on screen-time. We have planned candlelit prayer vigils for sick babies, started meal trains for families in need, and gathered with schoolchildren to pray through surgeries. We’ve created coalitions to swap watching each other’s kids and blessed items like prayer shawls and Rosaries for those in need. We’ve showed up boisterously to daily Mass on feast days with all of our preschoolers in tow, hilariously livening up an ordinarily quiet Mass time. Together, we’ve crafted faith notes and laid hands to pray over each other through devastatingly difficult times. Together with our Divine Mother’s help, we have created a safe place to journey closer to the Lord in authentic Christian community through the Rosary. We consider each other sisters and celebrate joyfully when new members arrive. We want to share this sisterhood in Christ with others. How to Start a Rosary Group at Your Child's School If you don’t have a weekly rRsary group at your child’s school, I pray you have the grace to start one as beautiful and genuine as ours. Here’s how. Find another interested mama or two (remember we started as a group of three before growing to 30). Decide on a time that works naturally into your schedules (I think our group is successful because it flows naturally with when we already have to drop our kids at school). Commit to that time (in our group, there are three who very rarely miss, which keeps the meeting time solid for those who come and go). Invite others (personal invitations are most effective, but we also advertise in the school e-newsletter, parish bulletin, and on Facebook). Bring extra Rosaries and printouts of the mysteries. Be real (our group is successful because of the open-hearted women, who are willing to be vulnerable and embrace each other wholeheartedly). Welcome new members joyfully (make sure they know it’s okay if they don’t have the prayers memorized or feel comfortable sharing). Listen and love (don’t give advice or try to fix anyone’s problems unless specifically asked—sometimes we just need to be heard and accepted as we are). Stay connected throughout the week (group texts and messaging aps like GroupMe help). Thank God and each other (it is a pure gift from Heaven to have a weekly prayer group with other faith-filled women)! Let's Pray for More Rosary Communities! Mother Mary, thank You for being our Divine Mother. Please help us to draw more groups of women together to pray the Rosary once per week. Bless our families and schools. Teach us to be genuine friends to one another, and give us the grace to be better mothers to our own children. Have you ever considered starting a Rosary group at your child's school? [bctt tweet="How to Start a Rosary Group at Your Child's School #BISblog //" via="no"] Nicky Gant is a mother of four who is passionate about Christ's miraculous ability to transform lives through the power of prayer. A lifelong student of spirituality, she is a practicing Catholic with a heart for social justice, the spirituality of motherhood, and cultivating a personal connection with God in silence. You can find out more about her here.

But the tax collector stood off at a distance and would not even raise his eyes to heaven but beat his breast and prayed, 'O God, be merciful to me a sinner.' // Luke 18:13 Download these beautiful free wallpapers from Brass and Mint Co. 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 2. Abbey Dupuy // Assistant Theological Editor for Blessed is She + Writer 1) I wanted to share this story because so many women struggle with comparing ourselves to those we see as holy and feeling like we can’t ever be enough. God wants to release us from this burden He never imposed. We aren’t enough, but Christ in us is enough, and that freedom is His gift to each of us. 2) "I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob" (Exodus 3:6). 3) My prayer is that each woman who reads this book will realize that God's work in her family is His own and that she isn't responsible for fixing everything herself—just for being open to His working in her life. Our stories are each a part of the One Big Story of God's love and redemption, and He can (and does) use us to help heal our families, but it doesn't depend on us. Thanks be to God! Katie Waldow // Pinterest Coordinator for Blessed is She 1) I chose this story because for me it was a turning point in my faith. It changed how I approach my loved ones, how I approach the Lord, and taught me so much about surrender and trust. 2) "No plague shall fall upon you to destroy you" (Exodus 12:13). 3) I hope it draws individuals closer to the Lord, so they can pour out from His strength and grace. Ultimately, I hope that it softens hearts, changes postures of prayer, and strengthens bonds. Leana Bowler // Writer for Blessed is She 1) I wanted to share a story that would illustrate the beauty of brokenness and redemption. I wanted readers to see that hope overcomes, forgiveness overcomes, and we can rejoice over our Savior and all the ways He will love us and restore us. 2) "[A]nd you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation" (Exodus 19:6). 3) I hope this book brings healing through forgiveness. That these stories reveal to all of us that the Lord wants to redeem all brokenness and sin in our families, and that we participate in the work of redemption when we forgive. When we love those who are difficult. When we choose peace and when we choose to love. Kendra Tierney // Writer for Blessed is She 1) I wanted to encourage readers to consider that a life of faith right now is a choice, and isn’t dependent on past circumstances. 2) "[A]s for me and my house, we will serve the LORD" (Joshua 24:15). 3) My hope for everyone reading this is . . . hope! Hope for a future of faith and love whatever your past may have been. Rose Coleman // Writer for Blessed is She 1) God's choice of Gideon reminded me of how I prayed more deeply about the mystery of being chosen by God while I was discerning a vocation to the Consecrated Life. 2) "And Gideon said to him, 'Pray, sir, if the Lord is with us, why then has all this befallen us?'" (Judges 6:13) 3) I hope that readers will invite Jesus to heal all the parts of their hearts—even the parts that they did not know needed healing. Gina Fensterer // Writer for Blessed is She 1) I picked this story because it hasn't ended yet for me. I'm still living it, learning about serving in love, and waiting while God works. 2) "Your God my God" (Ruth 1:16). 3) I hope women find hope and encouragement to persevere in love. God's healing is promised and will be more than any of us can imagine. Emily Wilson Hussem // Writer for Blessed is She 1) Sharing the story I did worked very well in the sense that my passage was about mentorship—which is something I undertake in each day of my life. 2) "Here I am Lord, for you called me!" (1 Samuel 3:5) 3) I pray the Lord is able to gently place His healing hand on the areas where women need restoration. I pray that through each voice each woman who holds this in her hands is able to find peace and healing through her vulnerability. 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 3 writers will be shared next week!

After turning on the news and seeing all of the turmoil that is going on in the world, it's easy to think that the world has abandoned God altogether. It’s easy to feel that the number of good Catholic Christians is dwindling down to nothing day by day. However, if The Lion King reminds us of one thing, it should be that the world is crying out for God’s presence. Major Themes in The Lion King If you haven’t seen The Lion King before, there are spoilers ahead! The Lion King begins with a monkey presenting Simba, the son of the reigning King Mufasa, to the rest of the animal kingdom on Pride Rock, their home. Mufasa is so proud of his son, who has done nothing at this point except exist, that he wants to share him with the world. Although the world tells us that we don’t have any value until we start making money, this movie reveals the desire we have to be valued for just being who we are. Rescuing and Reconciliation Fast forward a little bit, and Simba and Nala have gotten themselves into a pickle. They ran away from Zazu, Mufasa’s right-hand bird, and are now surrounded by hyenas. Before the hyenas attack them, Mufasa rescues them. He then has Zazu take Nala home so he can talk with Simba alone. Mufasa teaches Simba a life lesson not through anger or bitterness, but with love and patience as they gaze up at the sky together. He uses Simba’s shortcomings and failings as a way to teach Him about the world. They then proceed to play and roll around in the grass because at the end of the day, Mufasa still delites in Simba no matter what he has done. That’s the same relationship we have with God the Father who loves us no matter what we do. The Ultimate Sacrifice Later on in the movie, Simba, who still has basically done nothing but get in trouble at this point, is tricked by his evil Uncle Scar and becomes trapped in a gorge while a wild herd of wildebeests is stampeding through. Upon hearing that his son is trapped, Mufasa runs to the gorge to save Simba. Knowing that the stampede is fierce and he may not come out alive, he jumps into the gorge to save his son. He successfully gets his son to safety but dies in the process. If this doesn’t remind you of Christianity, nothing will. This is the same kind of sacrifice that Christ made for us on the cross, one of redemptive love. Mufasa truly showed Simba the love of a Father for his son just like the love God the Father and Son have for us. Running Away Although Scar is the one who killed Mufasa, Simba, thinking that he is responsible for his dad’s death, runs away to another part of Africa where he meets his two friends, Timon and Pumba. They teach him the phrase, Hakuna Matata, which means “no worries.” This phrase is meant to symbolize the meaninglessness of life and that nothing really matters. It’s a common viewpoint that many people have today, although it is very seldom sad overtly. Through preoccupation with social media, video games, the internet, and much more, people have become detached from the real world. They begin to feel isolated and often feel like their lives lose more and more meaning. Living in sin also detaches us from God and can make us feel depressed and ashamed which leads to withdrawing from relationships. This place can also be analogized to hiding in our sin and guilt out of shame. We don’t want to face our wrongdoings and would rather run away than admit we were wrong and fight for what’s right. The Promptings of the Holy Spirit One day, a lion attacks Timon and Pumba and Simba steps in to find that the lion is a lioness and his old friend, Nala. She had been searching for help to save Pride Rock. Nala tries to convince Simba to come back to Pride Rock and save the kingdom from Scar. She sees the good in him despite him running away and tries to convince him to come back and save Pride Rock. At first, he denies her, but he then receives motivation from the monkey who tells him his father lives on inside of him. This is kind of like when the Holy Spirit lights a fire in us. Sometimes we feel that we are against all odds and are too small to accomplish something. This is when God inspires us with the mindset that it is not about who we are, but who He is and what he can do through us. Relationships and Triumph Simba returns to Pride Rock and is followed by Timon and Pumba. They have realized that when you care about someone, life has meaning. We are meant to be in relationship with one another. Simba fights and valiantly defeats his Uncle Scar. He is able to save Pride Rock, takes his rightful place as king, and restore the kingdom to beauty. Good triumphs over evil; love triumphs over hate; beauty is restored. It’s a story we hear so often, but so desperately want to be repeated. The Longings of the Human Heart If there’s one thing you take away from The Lion King, please let it be that the world is not rejecting God, it is crying out for Him. In this time of need, we as Catholics, need to point the world to Christ. Have you seen The Lion King live action adaptation? What symbolism did you see? [bctt tweet="BIS Reads: The Lion King #BISblog //" username="lilliandorablog"] Lauren Cook is a food and faith blogger. She started her blog, LillianDora, to share healthy and yummy recipes with others and bring people closer to God through food. You can find out more about her here.

Grasping. Clinging. Containing. Owning. Hiding. Hoarding. Defending. These can be our immediate tendencies when something good is within reach. We find ourselves grasping for things and trying to possess them. We attempt to control and own, to protect and hide. We fall into the lie that God is not truly a God of abundance, that He is somehow limited and so we must take care of things. There is enough for others, but when it comes to me, will there be enough? After all, don’t we live in a world of scarcity? A World of Scarcity If someone gets a promotion at work, that inevitably means that someone else did not. If someone wins a race, someone else necessarily loses the race. Some people have plenty, to the point of conspicuous luxury, while other people barely survive. We see scarcity all around us: hunger, thirst, disease, homelessness, loneliness, and spiritual poverty. We watch churches burn and wars unfold. We see starvation in our own cities. We even personally feel scarcity: the scarcity of understanding, affection, or compassion. Our world is a world of scarcity. And we often let this worldly paradigm of scarcity seep into our spiritual lives. We have seen sparsity in the world and we apply these experiences to our relationship with God. We project our false beliefs on Him so that He does not seem totally sovereign, but somehow seems insufficient. And now, suddenly, God is not Who He says He is. This sounds a lot like the first sin, doesn’t it? Eve had to grasp for the fruit because God wasn’t enough. He was holding something back. It’s an all too familiar set of lies. God is not enough and so we must grasp and control. What to Do When You Doubt God's Abundance So how do we combat these untruths in our lives? Read the Word Let us first turn to Scripture to combat this dangerous lie of an exiguous God. During our Savior’s time on earth, He was unceasingly showing us that His love is a love of true abundance. At the wedding at Cana, Christ had the servants fill the stone jars “to the brim” (John 2:7). He didn’t just provide wine for the wedding feast, He provided an abundance of it. His miracle filled the jars all the way to the very top. When He multiplied the loaves and the fishes, there were seven baskets with leftovers (Matthew 15:37). Now, it seems that our omniscient Savior would know exactly how many people He needed to feed and multiply accordingly, doesn’t it? He is showing us that He will always give us more than enough. He will provide so that we may be perfectly satisfied. When our Savior forgave sins, He also healed bodies. And when He died for us, He gave every last thing He had, holding absolutely nothing back. He wouldn’t even take a mixture of wine and gall (a concoction given to criminals to numb some of the pain of execution) before His crucifixion (Matthew 27:34). Even after He expired and handed over His spirit to the Father, Jesus still wasn’t finished giving. In a the ultimate exemplification of His love, Christ’s Sacred Heart gushed forth blood and water (John 19: 32-27). Our salvation story is unquestionably a story of abundance. Learn from Our Lady Let us also turn to our Mother Mary in order to learn to trust in His abundant love. While Eve grasped and clung, Mary held her hands open to receive all that God wanted to give her. She believed in the Father’s providential care. She lived out a perfect trust in Him so that she never had to wonder if His plan was going to be enough. She will take us under her protective mantle and help us to see how plentiful His divine love is for each of us. So let us come and sit at her feet to learn all that she has to teach. So here, through deep Scripture study and the intercession of our beautiful Mother, is an invitation to live more fully in the abundance of our God. Trust that He will give you exactly what you need and more. He will endlessly and generously bestow plentiful grace upon your heart. His abundance is limitless and His plan is greatness. In Him, we have enough. [bctt tweet="When You Doubt God's Abundance #BISblog //" via="no"] Catherine Gilmore is a third grade teacher at a Catholic School in Saint Louis, Missouri. She enjoys reading quality children’s literature, studying the art of coffee roasting, and engaging in conversations about the miraculous image of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

I'm going to preface this by saying that infertility is devastating. It has always been. If we look back through human history, through literature and the Scriptures, we can see the heartbreak that infertility has wrought. I am not going to suggest that anything about our modern world causes the pain of infertility. Being unable to have the children you so desperately want is a tragedy in and of itself. What I do want to consider, however, is whether all the means the world offers women to “control” pregnancy and childbirth contribute to an unhealthy obsession with perfection…and result in a greater sense of disappointment when things don’t work out like we had hoped. Seeking Perfection As we know, the Church teaches us the beautiful truths about NFP and family planning, but the world offers women many different options. We are presented with birth control to avoid pregnancy until we feel ready, and then there are fertility treatments when we are not able to conceive like we planned. When it comes to childbirth, pregnant moms are inundated with information about homebirths, birth centers, midwives, and doctors. We can read blog after blog, complete with professional Instagram-worthy birth photography, describing seemingly magical birth experiences. All these things taken into account, in the eyes of the world, it doesn’t seem unreasonable for women today to plan their perfect family. In fact, we are expected to. Young women are told, over and over again, to take their pill and avoid pregnancy until they have competed school and established their career. Women who experience an unplanned pregnancy are often ridiculed. “Don’t you know what causes that?” Moms with little ones close in age are asked, “Why didn’t you plan better?” Older moms are challenged with, “Was this one planned?” And the list goes on. Enter Disappointment Any foray into a moms group, both in “real-life” or those on social media, reveals the dissatisfaction of motherhood not going as expected. We see moms devastated that their planned homebirth ended in a C-section. We see gender disappointment when a mom is only planning on two children and both end up being girls. Moms seek advice for marital problems stemming from one spouse wanting to deviate from the agreed upon family size. The truth is, despite having more power over reproduction than any other time in history, these worldly options still don’t give women complete control. Birth control fails. Fertility treatments don’t always work. Adoptions fall through. Childbirth can go haywire in the blink of an eye. And suddenly, it can feel like all our hopes and dreams are coming crashing down. What we have been raised to expect does not meet the reality of our experience. Enemy of the Good Is it wrong to be disappointed? No, of course not. When unexpected things happen that make our life more difficult, it is natural to feel upset. And when we are not able to grow our family like we deeply desire to, it can be truly devastating. But we do need to keep in mind that perfection is oftentimes the enemy of the good…and causes us to overlook the truly tragic. We need to evaluate our perspective and ask ourselves... Am I setting myself up for unhappiness? Is my expectation of control contributing to my frustration when things look different than I had planned? Is my quest for perfection causing me to lose sight of the good in my life? Am I unable to give the needed support to my sisters struggling with infertility because I am overly-focusing on the less-than-perfect aspects of my own family? Just like there is nothing wrong in feelings of sadness, it is ok to work and plan for the future. It is normal and healthy to have dreams for our families. We just can’t let our modern obsession with controlling our bodies paint an unrealistic picture of the reality of fertility. We can't ignore what Mother Church teaches us about the beauty of our fertility. And the reality is this: biology is profoundly and heartbreakingly unfair. Sometimes, we can exhaust all our possibilities, and there is simply nothing we can do to change that. A Catholic Perspective on Fertility and Childbirth It can be tempting to think that we, as Catholic women, are immune. But that is not the case for even those who choose NFP over birth control, or adoption over certain fertility treatments that are detrimental to the dignity of the human person. The pressure and prevailing mentality of our modern society can be all-encompassing. We are often bombarded on a daily basis on social media with images of perfection. It can be incredibly hard not to internalize it. Yet, at the heart of the Catholic Church’s teaching on reproduction we find this: respect life. We must respect life in its imperfection and unpredictability, cherish it in its many forms. Will our family look exactly like we always hoped it would? Maybe, maybe not. One thing is for certain though: it will never be perfect. There is no “perfect family” here on earth. Accepting the beauty in what we cannot control and opening ourselves up to the gifts of God that we could never plan for or imagine is the only antidote, allowing us to be truly open to life in all its unforeseeable possibilities. Have you ever struggled with perfectionism when it comes to family size, timing, and birthing? What has helped you refocus on God's will and goodness? [bctt tweet="Fertility and Childbirth: Does More Control Mean More Disappointment? #BISblog //" via="no"] Cheryl Witty-Castillo is a mother, freelance writer, and director of the Writing and Language Center at St. Mary's Seminary.

I have always had big dreams. I was one of those kids that had a crazy answer to what they wanted to be when they grew up. While other kids wanted to be teachers and doctors, I wanted to be a detective (thank you, Nancy Drew), a world traveler, a National Geographic photographer, and especially a Disney animator. While these all seem like crazy dreams, I can see how God used my ability to dream big and to think outside of the box to prepare me for the path He invited me to follow. My Upbringing as a Catholic My name is Carmen Briceño, but everyone calls me “China” (sounds like Cheenuh), and I was born in Venezuela but I have lived in the United States for most of my life. I can honestly say that I took my Faith for granted growing up since all of my friends were Catholic. I went to a Catholic school and, culturally, most Venezuelans are Catholic. Sure, I prayed every so often, but I didn’t really have a relationship with God and honestly didn’t know that you could or were supposed to! All of that changed when I moved to the United States as a young adult and met my first Protestant friend, Sandie. We played volleyball together and her joy and faith were so attractive to me. She loved Jesus in a way that was authentic and real and that I had never seen before. I wanted what she had. Through this friendship my faith grew exponentially not only because she taught me how to have a relationship with Jesus and to read the Bible, but also because she asked sincere questions about the Catholic faith that in my ignorance I had no idea how to respond. Providentially, at the same time, God placed in my life a priest that through his friendship and accompaniment taught me to find the answers I was seeking and in doing so to find the truth and beauty of the Catholic faith. It was Fr. Juan who introduced me to Theology of the Body which dramatically changed my life. I was overwhelmed by the beauty of John Paul II’s teaching on human love and sexuality. I burned with a passion to share this incredible teaching, especially with the young. I was convinced that if we understood the profound meaning of our sexuality and of our call to love that our lives and relationships would never be the same. The Turning Point The turning point came in 2005 when Fr. Juan invited me to World Youth Day in Cologne, Germany with a group of young adult pilgrims. I knew a couple that met at World Youth Day. She was from Bulgaria and he was American and they met and fell in love at World Youth Day so I thought that perhaps the same could happen to me. Couldn’t I also find my significant other in the midst of over 500,000 pilgrims? As you can see, my intentions were not purely spiritual but God has a sense of humor and can use all things for our good. Throughout World Youth Day, I was challenged to love Jesus and to be open to His will. It was here that for the first time I was faced with the proposition that God may be calling me to belong exclusively to Him. While some people say that when they were called they felt great peace, I was a wreck. I was anxious, nervous, and skeptical. Me? No way. I had other plans, I wasn’t “holy” enough, and up until that point I had never even considered it as an option. Yet, there was an agonizing attraction to this new possibility. I told Fr. Juan what was happening in prayer and once we returned from the pilgrimage we began a lengthy process of spiritual direction. A Sisterhood I was very lucky that Fr. Juan knew other women who were also discerning consecrated life and we moved together into a house of discernment. This house was not attached to a specific order, but allowed us to continue to work and study all the while living with other women who were discerning. We were able first to discern if God was calling us to belong exclusively to Him and then we could discern the concrete form of consecrated life He was calling us to. This was such a gift because consecrated life is so expansive. When I thought of consecrated life, I only knew of religious life, but there is much more such as secular institutes, societies of apostolic life, consecrated virgins, etc. Consecrated Virginity Throughout my two years there I visited many orders and communities but I fell in love with Consecrated Virginity. Consecrated Virginity is one of the most ancient forms of consecrated life within the Catholic Church. Even before there were religious sisters, there were women who at first made private vows of perpetual virginity and they lived with their families and dedicated themselves to prayer and the Works of Mercy. These were among the first virgin martyrs who when asked to marry a Roman noble man declared themselves already married to Christ and were denounced as Christians and martyred for their Faith. Later, this vow was no longer a private vow but a public vow. Among the famous early consecrated virgin was Marcelina who was the sister of St. Ambrose and was consecrated by Pope Liberius into the Order of Virgins. Order of Virgins does not mean a religious order but rather the term “order” refers to a specific group of people as in the “Order of Deacons”, “Order of Presbyters”, “Order of Virgins”. Is Consecrated Virginity the Same as Religious Life? A consecrated virgin is not a religious sister but is a member of consecrated life. All religious women are consecrated but not all consecrated women are religious. This means that we do not wear habits nor are we called “sisters”. We do not live in community nor have a religious superior. We do not profess vows but rather state our “propositum” of perpetual virginity. We owe obedience to our Diocesan Bishop, who is the one that consecrates the virgin, but this obedience is different from the obedience we find in religious life. For starters, consecrated virgins must work and make their own income since the Diocese is not responsible for her financially. This means that she is free to work in accord with her talents and vocation rather than be assigned to a specific job. That is why you find a variety of professions among consecrated virgins from missionaries to lawyers, artists, teachers, doctors, and musicians to name a few. As a consecrated virgin our charism is to be a Bride of Christ in the world with the gift and talents that God has given us. Life as a Consecrated Virgin After being accepted as a candidate by my Bishop, I had two years of formation. On August 22, 2009 I was consecrated into the Order of Virgins. Throughout my years as a consecrated virgin I have been able to see God use and transform my desires and talents. My youthful desire to travel the world has been transformed into an apostolic zeal that has taken me as a missionary around the world to places like the Dominican Republic, India, El Salvador, Cuba, and Europe. It has led to a speaking ministry where I travel and give talks and retreats in both English and Spanish to youth, young adults, and parents. My desire to be an artist has been realized by making original and whimsical images of the Saints, illustrating books on prayer geared for youth and young adults, and creating Catholic apparel and products that are meant to evangelize the culture. My passion for Theology of the Body has allowed me to teach a program in local Catholic schools called “The Gift of Human Sexuality.” It amazes me how God has not wasted any of my desires and dreams but has purified, transformed, and set them on fire. What if I Feel Called to a Vocation as a Consecrated Virgin? For any woman who is discerning this vocation, the first step is to spend quality time in prayer and to have a spiritual director. Next, I would recommend visiting www.consecratedvirgins.org as they have wonderful resources on the history of the vocation as well as on the discernment process. They also have an informational conference once a year where one can meet many consecrated virgins as well as attend talks and conferences on the vocation and discernment process. Also, it would be very helpful to read the recent Instruction from the Vatican called “Ecclesiae Sponsae Imago” on the Ordo Virginum (Order of Virgins). God has a unique plan for each one of us. He is calling us ever deeper to Himself. Many times, He uses our talents, dreams, and desires to attract us to Him. Let us not be afraid to open the door and let Him in. Let us not be afraid to allow Him to transform our desires. Let us not be afraid to dream big for Him. [bctt tweet="My Life as a Consecrated Virgin #BISblog //" via="no"] Written by Carmen Briceno. Find out more about her here.

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 1. Jenna Guizar // Founder & Creative Director of Blessed is She 1) I was excited to set the scene for the rest of the book on the first day. It's an honor to write for this, and I couldn't be more excited for you to unpack alongside us these stories from our lives where God has healed and continues to heal to this day. This book is truly a gift to women, starting with the vulnerability of the writers writing for it with authenticity and love. 2) "God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him" (Genesis 1:27). 3) I'm looking forward to our readers to look into their own story the Lord is weaving in their lives, in their families. He is doing something new, day in and day out, and sometimes we have to pause long enough to notice it. So I'm excited to dive in alongside our reader and start to notice with her. Beth Davis // Director of Ministry Advancement for Blessed is She 1) Learning the Father's true heart has been one of the most liberating, healing experiences of my life. As I've come to know what God is really like through prayer and Scripture, has helped me to start running to Him in pain or shame, rather than avoid Him out of fear. I want every woman to know how loving and gentle their Father is toward them. 2) "Where are you?" (Genesis 3:9). 3) Family tension and heartache runs so deep, it can sometimes feel hopeless. But nothing is beyond God, nothing is too broken to heal and restore. When the relationship seems too lost or the weight of it is overwhelming, I want them to know God can be trusted with it all, even if it's just letting Him in bit by bit. Nell O'Leary // Managing Editor for Blessed is She + Writer 1) Unexpected twists and turns in our lives are often under-shared. I like presenting myself like I have it all together but this story was one where we were so upside-down as a family, and that’s how we learned to trust the Lord. 2) "But I will establish my covenant with you" (Genesis 6:18). 3) I hope that this book and all its stories and all our vulnerabilities invite women to sit with theirs and not be ashamed to bring them to God for healing and His loving tender touch. Lindsay Durrenberger // Executive Assistant for Blessed is She 1) I chose this story because it is the most blatant example of God's unbelievable provision in my life, and also because it was the one time in my life that I really, truly, inexplicably trusted Him. I didn't question if He would come through; I knew He would, and that is pretty rare for me! 2) "Look toward the heaven and number the stars, if you are able to number them" (Genesis 15:5). 3) More than anything, I want the reader to feel seen, no matter what her family situation—wounds and all—may look like. I want her to find healing in the notion that she is not alone; she has us in addition to her Father. Olivia Spears // Blog Manager for Blessed is She + Writer 1) Abraham's faith is held up as a an example throughout the Old and New Testaments. So many of us want to have that kind of deep faith and trust in God, but I think there's parts of all of us that hold back a bit. There are countless moments in life when we want to respond freely and readily to the Lord, like Abraham and Mary did, but we can all relate to hesitation of heart. 2) “By myself I have sworn, says the LORD . . . " (Genesis 22:16). 3) My prayer is that this helps the reader more closely examine those parts of their hearts in relation to their family that they haven't quite fully surrendered to the Lord. These areas are so tender and can be deeply painful, and it's difficult to entrust them to someOne else and to let them go. I hope that we can all be inspired by Abraham's response. Megan Hjelmstad // Instagram Stories Manager for Blessed is She + Writer 1) I chose this story because seeking counseling was a huge turning point in my journey of healing. Not just emotional and relational healing, but spiritual healing—peeling back the layers to trust God more, accept His love, and by extension begin to realize my true worth. Even though I had a great childhood and a loving, faith-filled family, counseling helped me understand that we are all still human, we all still suffer wounds and inflict wounds throughout life, and it’s a beautiful gift to receive practical tools to better relate to each other and our God in both our brokenness and our striving. 2) "[Jacob] went on before them, bowing himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother. But Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept" (Genesis 33:4). 3) I hope this devotional reminds readers that they are not alone—these heartaches and relationship wounds and human error have been around since the Fall. I pray they’re also assured daily of God’s enduring presence, reminded that He’s right here with us in it, just as He’s been since the Fall, in the very worst of our mistakes and the very deepest of our wounds. He’s always working to redeem us through it when we let Him, and always restoring us to Himself and even to each other wherever possible. Susanna Spencer // Theological Editor for Blessed is She + Writer 1) I related to Joseph in the Scripture who faced unexpected hardship, but saw God's hand bringing good in it. In my story God uses my suffering for the sake of my family to grow in love and holiness—for Joseph it was the same. 2) "God sent me before you to preserve life" (Genesis 45:5). 3) I hope that it helps our readers see how God is using their suffering, even family hurts for something greater than they can see now. 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 2 writers will be shared next week!

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Believe it or not, I never actually attended a high school football game while I was in high school. My tiny Catholic high school in rural southern Illinois didn’t have the students or the insurance to support a football team. I didn’t care enough at the time to go to the games at the public school across town. So it wasn’t until my own son started high school three years ago that I got to experience the phenomenon that is the high school football game or, as it’s fondly referred to thanks to a popular TV show, Friday Night Lights. Faith + Friday Night Lights In these last three years, though, I have developed a love for high school football that I honestly never dreamed possible. Win or lose, it doesn’t matter to me. From the tailgaters to the parents working the concession stands. From the crazy kids in the student section to those taking the field to play, cheer, dance, and march. There is tradition there. It can be easy to miss in the noise and the hoopla, of course. The brightness of those Friday night lights can wash out the holiness and highlight the hullabaloo. But lean in and look more closely, sisters. Let’s see if you can find it, too. Pre-Game Every Friday afternoon around the country, pre-game meals are served to the team, the marching band, the color guard, and the cheerleaders. Sometimes, it looks like friends ordering pizzas that they’ll scarf down before they change. Sometimes, volunteers from local churches come together to cook big meals for the kids. Other times, parents, grandparents, and volunteers sacrifice their time to take off work early to serve them hot dogs and hamburgers. Regardless of the bread that is broken, the idea remains the same. Community is formed around a shared table. Even when that “table” looks more like the rear of an SUV with the back hatch lifted up or a truck’s tailgate lowered. After the meal, it’s time to suit up. Pads and helmets for some, bibs, jackets, and hats for others, poms and sneakers for others. The kids put on the armor suited to their own particular callings, and prepare to share their gifts with hundreds or thousands of people. The Pep Talk Before they go, though, there’s always some sort of pep talk. Maybe it’s a coach who pumps them up for the game ahead. Possibly a director who reminds them of the part of the drill they need to improve. It could even be a chaplain who takes a moment to calm the storm, quiet the noise, and lead them in prayer. Then, it’s game time.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row content_placement="middle" css=".vc_custom_1544725066302{border-top-width: 5px !important;border-right-width: 5px !important;border-bottom-width: 5px !important;border-left-width: 5px !important;padding-top: 20px !important;padding-right: 40px !important;padding-bottom: 20px !important;padding-left: 40px !important;background-color: #f3e5d3 !important;border-left-color: #b88943 !important;border-left-style: solid !important;border-right-color: #b88943 !important;border-right-style: solid !important;border-top-color: #b88943 !important;border-top-style: solid !important;border-bottom-color: #b88943 !important;border-bottom-style: solid !important;}"][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text="Get the BIS Blog Posts weekly in your inbox!" font_container="tag:h2|text_align:center" google_fonts="font_family:Karla%3Aregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal"] [/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Kick-Off There’s nothing haphazard about the start of a football game, is there? There’s a method to the madness that serves both to keep order and excite the crowd. At my sons’ school, the first sign of the start of the game is when you hear the drumline moving towards the field. The 200+ member marching band starts marching a quarter mile away at the school. At first, all you hear is a dull rhythmic thump. As they get closer, you the beat becomes more distinct and you can hear the chant they yell. The cheerleaders and dance team run to line the track where the band enters the stadium. And when the band enters the stadium, they act as heralds and the very air gets charged with a new level of anticipation. Soon after, the teams who have been warming up clear the field. When the team names are called, they charge through whatever sign or banner the cheerleaders have made that week as the crown cheers, and take to the sidelines. The band plays the National Anthem. Announcements are made and, in some communities, pastors lead everyone in prayer. Game Time Confession time: Even though I go to every home game, I’m not actually a football parent. Nope. I’m a band parent. I go to the games and watch my kid blow a horn, not take hits. The footwork that moves him around the field carries almost zero risk of broken bones, concussions, or worse. Week after week, my heart goes out to the moms of those boys in the pads and helmets. For four quarters, we watch and cheer. We argue with the refs from our seats in the stands. We encourage the players as our weekly case of bleacher butt sets in. Families and neighbors, classmates and friends spend time together out in the elements. Depending on the week, we complain about the heat, cold, rain, or even snow! If we’re lucky, the game is uneventful and the paramedics just get to hang out at the end of the field and watch a good game from the tailgate of the ambulance. But if the time comes and they are needed, it’s a powerful thing indeed to feel the silent prayers being lifted from the stands as players on both sides take to their knees. Post-Game At the end of the night, there’s got to be a winner and a loser. Prayers of thanksgiving are lifted from some teams and prayers of consolation from the other. Like an athletic examination, coaches review how the game was played, what was done wrong, what needs to be fixed, and who needs to fix it. In the locker rooms and band rooms around the country, blessings are given as the kids are dismissed to live their lives, work, practice, and study until they come back next week and the whole process begins again. Faith and Fun Maybe this juxtaposition of faith and fun seemed a little absurd to you. I get that. The way I see it, though, these Friday nights are an excellent time for our young people to really put their faith into action! When they share the hard work of winning and losing and with others, they internalize that faith into a part of their lives that otherwise might feel quite far removed from “church.” You know, I’ll just let Pope St. John Paul II run this point in for the touchdown… The potential of sports makes it a significant vehicle for the overall development of the person and a very useful element in building a more human society. A sense of brotherhood, generosity, honesty and respect for one's body - virtues that are undoubtedly essential for every good athlete - help to build a civil society where antagonism is replaced by healthy competition, where meeting is preferred to conflict, and honest challenge to spiteful opposition. When understood in this way, sport is not an end, but a means; it can become a vehicle of civility and genuine recreation, encouraging people to put the best of themselves on the field and to avoid what might be dangerous or seriously harmful to themselves or to others.   How do you see faith in action at your school’s sporting events? [bctt tweet="Faith + Friday Night Lights #BISblog //" via="no"][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

There is something magnetic and enchanting about old Italian families who for generations have produced wine, cheese, or olive oil. Whatever the endeavor, current members speak with pride of the family that handed down the trade, leaving a legacy reflected in land, cultivated crops, livestock, and a coveted product. Perhaps a great-great-great-great grandfather merely eked out a living by planting olive trees or grape vines in hopes that he could bottle enough of its fruit to feed his growing family. Today, centuries and generations later, not only is there a business, but perhaps an old manor house, majestically worn, or an ancient stone barn situated among a beautiful vista of craggy hillsides overlooking the ocean, or vines ambling up a hillside reaching up to a medieval fortified town. Some properties are sumptuous, others more modest, but there is something about these families and their lands—their legacy, their history, their striving for excellence, their sense of family—that we instinctively want to wrap our arms around. How do I get that? How do I create a legacy that hints, even in the slightest of ways, at the essence of this kind of family legacy? Legacies capture our imaginations, which is why a show like Downton Abbey was so popular. They involve a building up, a sacrificing for people not yet known, for children’s children, a gift to pass along to the future. Families like these don’t happen by chance but involve vision, trust, sacrifice, hard work, perseverance, unity, and love. As Scripture says, “A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children” (Prv 13:22). Economy and Love More than three millennia ago, Aristotle spoke of the importance of community life. To live outside of it, the pagan Greek philosopher stated plainly, requires that one be like a god or beast. What he meant was that outside of community, we must be either very holy like the gods or the isolation will make us little more than a savage beast. This ancient idea of community was captured in the Greek word oikos, which is where we get the English word for economy. Economies started with a household, with the community of people who worked together to not just survive but hopefully thrive. Oikos also refers to the idea of a legacy, to provide something for future children, future generations to receive, to give meaning to the family name, and to establish something that wasn’t there before. The real fabric of a home and any kind of a legacy is woven together with love, particularly caritas, the willing of the good for others. This specific kind of love is what unites a group of people thrown together, despite different temperaments, goals, dreams, and desires. Love is the great unifier among any kind of division. “And over all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony” (Col 3:14). Without love, our relationships become just a contract, a business, a partnership, often prone to splintering and division, and certainly not strong enough to pass along the best the world has to offer to the next generation. This not-so-secret ingredient is what motivates and solidifies the family striving for a legacy. As the Psalms say: “How good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! It is like the precious oil upon the head, running down upon the beard, upon the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes! . . . For there the Lord has commanded the blessing, life for evermore” (Ps 133:1–3). Material Matters Detachment is an important element in the Christian life, but the detachment of Catholicism is not like the detachment of Buddhism. Material is important. We are embodied souls who have the capacity to create harmony among the aspects of who we are, to find balance between the requirements of our bodies and the necessities required to feed our souls. The two are not mutually exclusive but work together for the sake of true human flourishing. There is a desire in the human heart for both the material and the spiritual. The material is a curious thing because it can be just a thing—to be used properly for a real function—but it can also lead us to something beyond the thing itself. The material, as found in icons, art, and statuary, can help us go deeper, to access the infinite. Our homes are a fantastic example of this. Trends in our culture are being driven by this oft unexpressed but keenly felt desire. Home improvement shows, cooking channels, homesteading; all of these stir our imaginations by connecting what it means to be human with the immediacy of rich sensory experiences. But few of these, in order to make a true legacy, can be done in isolation—one does not cook all day for an empty table or plow a field for one’s own dinner. As award winning chef Samin Nosrat said, “Cooking is not about the food, but what happens at the table,” just like making a home isn’t about the house but about what happens in that house. Our efforts are not for the structure and things themselves; they are for the people and enduring connections established in this place. What this interwoven tapestry points to is a legacy worth weaving. Families who are conscientious about legacy tend to prize ceremony, tradition, family, and togetherness. They are generally families with a lot of stories, like how great grandfather started doing such and such or how their grandparents met. Meaning is given to things and acts that manifest connections to the past: land, photographs, family traditions, ancestral lore. All of this ultimately rests on the human desire for eternity and communion. Legacies provide a type of permanence amidst the constant change of life, while serving as a grounding reminder of timeless values their family holds fast to, no matter what fashions may come and go. All of these desires—for eternity and communion, and for the signs and symbols which point to them—direct us quietly not just to these good things but also to sacramental life. [bctt tweet="BIS Reads: Theology of Home #BISblog //" via="no"] Excerpted and adapted from Theology of Home by Carrie Gress, Noelle Mering and Megan Schrieber. Copyright © 2019 by Carrie Gress, Noelle Mering & Megan Schrieber. Published by TAN Books. Used by permission. This post contains affiliate links. Thanks so much for supporting the ministry of Blessed is She!

In the twenty-first century, Flannery O’Connor seems to have more of a presence in Catholic conversation, though she’s been a prominent figure in the American literary canon for quite some time. Yet, whenever I mention her to fellow readerly Catholics, it seems many have still not read her work. The descriptions of her fiction as dark, Southern-gothic, grotesque, and confounding seem to be a turn-off. I was introduced to O’Connor by my brother-in-law many years ago in the midst of the resurgence of all things Tolkien thanks to The Lord of the Rings movie trilogy. Although I greatly appreciated Tolkien’s work, my reading tastes tended to be a bit...darker. My brother-in-law suggested that I might enjoy O’Connor. O'Connor's Characters are Really Many essays I’ve read about O’Connor mention the initial shock, repulsion, and bewilderment often experienced after digesting one of her stories. True, her stories are not preferred by those used to tidy, mainstream, romantic reading. However, O’Connor’s work is essential reading for modern Catholics facing a world that itself has become quite grotesque and hostile to faith. O’Connor seemed to anticipate the post-Christian era we are in, and her writing, both fiction and non-fiction, imparts a unique perspective that is valuable for the modern faithful to understand. First, let’s get this word, which is the most common description of O’Connor’s work, out of the way...“grotesque.” Many associate the word “grotesque” with horror or monstrosity, but these qualities are not always present in the grotesque. The grotesque is about contradictions. We are reading about people and events that are both ugly and beautiful, horrifying and funny, dynamic and wicked. A grotesque character is both saint and sinner, an irritant and a salve, a monster and a hero. She's Writing About Us O’Connor is a master with these kinds of characters and situations. She introduces us to a charming serial killer, a girl who sees the divine in a hermaphrodite, a little boy whose moment of grace comes through drowning, a predatory Bible salesman, and a woman who’d rather be terminally ill than pregnant, to name a few. These characters are strange, but don’t they also seem familiar? She is writing about us. When we read O’Connor, we see our own warped, crippled, contradictory selves. We see the ways we rise and fall, and O’Connor emphasizes that sometimes in order to rise, we must fall. Christ Meets Us Here This is where Christ meets us in O’Connor’s stories, for He descended and fell to death on a Cross in order to rise for our redemption. This great contradiction is reflected in every image, every character, and ever story O’Connor crafts, even if Christ is not overtly mentioned. She doesn’t hold back. O’Connor is honest. Brutally so. The shocking, strange, violent images are there for a reason—to jolt us out of our modern complacency. O’Connor makes us uncomfortable because so much of what impedes grace from working in our lives comes from being too comfortable. O’Connor commands our attention, and once she has it, she reveals the human condition exactly as it is: flawed, earnest, convicted, weak, inspired, burdened, cruel, tender, hardened, and vulnerable. Sometimes all in one person. Opportunities for Redemption In O’Connor’s stories, no one is perfect. But then again, no one is a lost cause either. Everyone has the opportunity to grab a hold of grace. Unfortunately, many opt to let grace pass them by to their own peril. Yet O’Connor is not preachy or judgmental in her writing. She gives her readers an image, a character, a moment, a choice, and either redemption or damnation. Then, she leaves us to ourselves. We are left pondering, wondering what the heck we just read, and reflecting on our own warped—yet redeemed—selves. How to Start Reading Flannery O'Connor To get started with O’Connor, I recommend Mystery and Manners. Here we see O’Connor’s astonishing intellect as she explains her perspective as a Southern Catholic writer and warns against the pitfalls of sentimentality and self-righteousness in fiction. She also offers a compelling explanation on how readers, writers, and Christians need to adjust their lenses in order to truly see the world as it is in order to create honest, effective, true art. Her anthology A Good Man Is Hard to Find is a good start for her fictional work, particularly the short story of the same title. I also highly recommend listening to her work on Audible. I recently downloaded A Good Man Is Hard to Find in order to introduce O’Connor to my husband during our longer car rides, and the reading by Marguerite Gavin is fantastic. Bronson Pinchot also gives a worthy reading of her novel Wise Blood. I’ve come to believe that O’Connor’s stories are only enhanced when heard rather than just silently read, mainly to enjoy the rhythm of her writing and the cadence and drawls of her characters. And, for a glimpse into the makings of a woman striving to love her Lord, desperate to be a good writer, and wary of the suffering she suspects would lead her to holiness (she would later be diagnosed with lupus, which she would endure and later succumb to at the age of thirty-nine), then pick up A Prayer Journal. This intimate work moves me as much as any of her fiction and reveals the makings of a modern-day literary saint. Have you read anything by Flannery O'Connor yet? If not, what would be your first pick? [bctt tweet="Why the Modern Catholic Needs Flannery O'Connor #BISblog //" via="no"] Jacqueline Hollcraft lives in central California with her husband Patrick and their seven vibrant children. She is a lecturer in the English department at Stanislaus State, is an editor and contributor for The Daughters of Mary Blog, and has also written about Flannery O’Connor for Seeds of Truth Ministries, which was founded by her brother-in-law. In her free time, she enjoys serving in hospital ministry with her husband, hiking (especially in Yosemite), drinking craft beer, and reading or watching murder mysteries.

Then he said to him, "Stand up and go; your faith has saved you." // Luke 17:19 Download these beautiful free wallpapers from Mariana Pimiento of Big Apple Catholic. 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

This Sunday, on October 13, Cardinal John Henry Newman will be canonized a Saint. Newman is one of the most well-known converts to the Catholic Church from Anglicanism. Before his conversion, he was a renowned Anglican theologian who led the Oxford Movement, a movement with the goal of returning the Church of England to the Catholic roots founded before the English Reformation. He wrote forty books and over twenty-thousand letters, with his most famous books being an Essay on the Development of Christian Doctrine, Apologia Pro Vita Sua, and Essay on the Grammar of Assent. One of the miracles attributed to Newman is from an American law school graduate who was healed after asking for his intercession while suffering from a life-threatening pregnancy. How I Came To Know Newman John Henry Newman is not a man that I became familiar with until I enrolled in a college course on him taught by world-renowned Newman scholar Dr. Don Briel. I bring up this beloved professor because of his particularly lucid explanation of Newman’s vision. In Dr. Briel’s words, in order “to think deeply about the truth of things, requires that a student thinks about his purpose or her purpose in life.” This requires attentiveness and leads us to the fullness of life, which is Christian joy. Dr. Briel was diagnosed with cancer just over one year ago and has since passed away. When his students learned of his illness they flocked to him to ask for his advice. What he shared with them was Newman’s vision: Newman’s vision is that we have a great dignity and are meant for a purpose which we can’t fully grasp. If that’s true, then the main purpose in life is to be attentive. Attentive to the working of grace that invites us to understand that work more deeply and participate in it more fully...that’s the real key...God is inviting a transformation of life and its purpose, not simply a work to be done.   Transformation Requires Change One of Newman’s most famous quotations is “To live is to change and to be perfect is to change often.” Prayer can lead us to this change. Newman wrote “prayer, I say, has what may be called a natural effect in spiritualizing and elevating the soul. A man is no longer what he was before; gradually … he has imbibed a new set of ideas, and become imbued with fresh principles”. All living things are in the process of change, it is an essential part of life and what enables us to be transformed more fully into the image of God. [bctt tweet="“To live is to change and to be perfect is to change often.” -Bl. John Henry Newman #BISblog //" via="no"] So Who is This John Henry Newman? Newman went to Trinity College in Oxford, England. During Newman’s time there, it was known for its “gentleman-commoners,” men who attended elite colleges, not in order to delve into their studies, but rather to prove their high status. Most of the men at this school were ones who abused their freedom and lived their college years as though they were entitled to behave however they pleased. Newman was of a much different character than these men. Unlike many of the others, he placed his priorities on his studies. While he also found time to enjoy his hobbies of playing music, learning to dance, and writing plays, these pursuits were always secondary to his studies. His diligence paid off, and just four years after he finished his undergraduate at Trinity, he was made a tutor at Oxford’s Oriel College. Newman’s Habit of Mind Newman noticed that the goal of liberal education in a university was becoming disordered. Students were not being challenged beyond their comfort zone and failed to look beyond themselves. Newman aimed to make possible an education which combines intellectual learning, moral discipline and religious devotion. According to Newman, the primary goal of a liberal arts education should be to form a philosophical habit of mind. In his well-known book, Idea of a University, Newman describes this habit of mind. He talks about how a man who is properly liberally educated is one who will customarily see things in their right order and balanced connectedness to the world around them. Newman wrote, “not to know the relative disposition of things is the state of slaves or children; to have mapped out the universe is the boast, or at least the ambition of Philosophy.” The endeavor of liberal education should not be the mere acquisition of knowledge, but rather knowledge permeated with reason. Reason is what fleshes out and makes sense of simple facts, allowing us to find our purpose. Finding Purpose If you are looking to find more purpose in your life, pray this prayer written by our new Saint, John Henry Newman. God has created me to do Him some definite service. He has committed some work to me which He has not committed to another. I have my mission. I may never know it in this life, but I shall be told it in the next. I am a link in a chain, a bond of connection between persons. He has not created me for naught. I shall do good; I shall do His work. I shall be an angel of peace, a preacher of truth in my own place, while not intending it if I do but keep His commandments. Therefore, I will trust Him, whatever I am, I can never be thrown away. If I am in sickness, my sickness may serve Him, in perplexity, my perplexity may serve Him. If I am in sorrow, my sorrow may serve Him. He does nothing in vain. He knows what He is about. He may take away my friends. He may throw me among strangers. He may make me feel desolate, make my spirits sink, hide my future from me. Still, He knows what He is about.   Rest in the knowledge that God knows what He is about. And if you are attentive, you will fulfill the mission He has for you. [bctt tweet="The Canonization of John Henry Newman #BISblog //" via="no"] This post contains affiliate links. Thanks so much for supporting Blessed is She!

Several years ago, I was struggling to keep a consistent rhythm of prayer in my life. At the time, I was a mom of six young children, and life was constantly changing. Just as we came out of one transition, we seemed to enter a new one. And I was tired. Oh so tired. But I knew that prayer was essential, and I could not give up on it. Standing in line for Confession one day, I was reviewing an Examination of Conscience. It followed the Ten Commandments and gave examples of sins that fell under each one. I was stopped in my reflective tracks when my eyes read these words under the First Commandment to not have strange gods before the Lord: Have I neglected prayer? As I continued to prepare for the Sacrament of Confession, I felt the Holy Spirit nudging me to admit my struggle to pray. So I did. And of all the sins I confessed that day, my struggle with prayer was the one Father focused on when he offered counsel to me. It made sense, for prayer is at the center of our relationship with God. Prayer is Vital and Personal According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, prayer is having “a vital and personal relationship with the living and true God” (2558). “Thus, the life of prayer is the habit of being in the presence of the thrice-holy God and in communion with him” (2565). Prayer does not have to be fancy or elaborate, but it needs to be consistent. Consistency forms a fruitful prayer rhythm and allows us to maintain that prayer rhythm, too. During Confession that day, Father suggested a simple formula to help me form and maintain a prayer routine in my life: daily prayer + weekly Mass and Adoration + monthly Confession + yearly retreat Over the years, I have followed this formula with various prayer practices, depending on my season of life. At times, my prayer rhythm is very fruitful; at other times, it is rather rotten! But it is always helpful to have something practical to return to again and again, when I need to get back on track. [bctt tweet="Prayer does not have to be fancy or elaborate, but it needs to be consistent. #BISblog //" username="sarahcdamm"] Six Tips for a Fruitful Prayer Rhythm Here are six tips to form and maintain a fruitful prayer life, following the prayer formula mentioned above: 1. Pray for your heart’s desire. Talk to the Lord about your heart’s desire to grow closer to Him. Invite Jesus into your prayer plan. Ask Him to show you how and when to pray. Listen for ways He is inviting you to spend time with Him. 2. Seek support. You do not have to figure all of this out on your own. In fact, it is probably better to share your plans to grow in prayer with others, such as your husband, close friend, or spiritual director. Not only can they help you find time to pray, but they can also hold you accountable in a kind and gentle way. 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 3. Be consistent. Habits form when we do the same things at the same times, over and over again. So try to praying at the same time everyday. Attend the same Mass every week. Go to Confession on the same day each month (i.e., first Friday). Attend a retreat at the same time each year (i.e., every summer). 4. Ask questions. In order to find the times that work best for prayer, Mass, and other prayer practices, ask yourself the following questions: When do I have time during the day to pray? Right when I wake up in the morning? When the baby takes a nap in the afternoon? After I am done with work in the evening? What Sunday Mass is best for me to attend? The early one, later one, or the Saturday vigil Mass? Is there an hour during the week when I can go to Adoration? Could I visit the chapel on my way home from dropping off the kids at school? Or maybe when my husband gets home from work? When does my parish offer Confession? How can I make it a monthly habit to go on the same day each month? What retreats are available near me? Does my parish offer an annual women’s retreat? Is there a Blessed is She retreat coming to a town near me? Do I know of a retreat house that offers silent weekend retreats? 5. Pencil it in. As with any important appointment, prayer needs to be scheduled. Once you decide what works for you, add prayer, Mass, Adoration, Confession, and your retreat to your calendar. It helps to see visual reminders of these important activities, especially when they aren’t automatic habits, yet. 6. Be patient. When Father encouraged me to give this formula a try, he also advised me not to do everything at once. So, I give you the same advice! When forming your prayer rhythm, take small steps and build upon them slowly and steadily. Faithfulness, Faithfulness, Faithfulness In prayer, as in everything, “God does not require that we be successful, only that we be faithful” (St. Teresa of Calcutta). There will be days when our prayer is far from perfect. But over time, we will see the fruits of being faithful and consistent. Our hearts will be closer to God, and we will be more in tune to His voice and will in our lives. How have you formed a prayer rhythm in your life? How do you plan to maintain that rhythm during busy seasons? [bctt tweet="How to Maintain a Fruitful Prayer Rhythm #BISblog //" username="sarahcdamm"]

Where we come from matters. Despite our experience of family life, our origin stories play a large role in who we are today. What our grandmothers, and great-grandmothers, and great-great-great-great-great grandmothers lived through greatly influences the course of our own lives. The story of our family—for better or worse—is also our story. It was the same for Jesus. Family Matters The story of Salvation History really walks us through the building and cultivating of God's family, culminating in the Incarnation of God Himself. When we read the Old Testament, we get to shake hands with Jesus' family—the men and women who came before Him, paving His way. These aren't irrelevant details in the life of Christ. On the contrary, the events in the life of His ancestors profoundly influenced His hidden life, His public ministry, and even His salvation of the world. And while many parts of God's family's story are beautiful and faithful, there's a lot of mess, too. So if you feel like your family is less-than-holy, you're not alone. So was Christ's. There are murderers and adulterers and liars and cheaters and cowards in Jesus' earthly family. And yet God used them to construct the most incredible story ever lived. Knowing Jesus' Family, Knowing Our Own Families It is with this knowledge that we at Blessed is She set out to craft this year's Advent Journal. At the heart of All the Generations, you'll find Scripture that introduces you to the lineage of Jesus and encouragement to reflect on and pray for your own family. Family life is beautiful and difficult, and God is no stranger to that. In this Advent Journal, we will walk by His side—and alongside one another—through the story of His family. We will talk with Him about our own families' stories and how they have influenced our life. We'll bring our hurts to the mercy of His Heart. We'll entrust any division, brokenness, wounds, and unforgiveness to the promise of His redemption. If Jesus can bring Resurrection from His own imperfect family, He can certainly do the same in ours. [bctt tweet="If Jesus can bring Resurrection from His own imperfect family, He can certainly do the same in ours. #BISblog //" via="no"] All the Generations Advent Journal So what can you expect from this year's Advent Journal? Well, the first new surprise is that it is not only a journal for the Advent season. All the Generations takes us through both the Advent and Christmas seasons! For years, you all have asked for a prayer resource for Christmas as well, and we're thrilled that this journal will help you continue to pray through the joy of the coming of the newborn King. The Writers This year's Advent Journal is written by the entire Blessed is She team. Each day is written by a different woman, allowing multiple perspectives shine through. The Rhythm Every day, there is a different Scripture passage about the events of God's family: from Genesis to you. We start in the beginning, and build toward the coming of Christ in history. You'll have space to reflect on some questions that are provided for you. You can use these questions during your individual prayer time, or as a part of a small group if you're praying through this journal with others. Then, you'll find a short reflection written by a Blessed is She writer. Finally, each day closes in a prayer, specifically for our families. It's no secret that all of our families, in some capacity, are in need of healing. We don't always ask God to move in mighty ways in the midst of our family pain. This Advent, while we lean on Our Blessed Mother and one another, we're going to do just that. Will You Pray with Us this Advent and Christmas? We would love to pray along side you this Advent as we prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ, and to bear witness with you to His glory in the Christmas season. Would you please walk this journey with us? Grab All the Generations here, and let's get to praying for our families. [bctt tweet="The 2019 Catholic Advent Journal: All the Generations #BISblog //" via="no"]

Metaphors are a powerful tool for teaching, and there are few metaphors richer than that of bringing something new to birth. Two Kinds of Birth I always find it interesting when men use childbirth metaphors to illustrate a point. Although one of my favorite authors is such a man and I’ll allow it because I think he’s onto something. He describes what he has observed are the two experiences of birthing that come with bringing a child into the world. The first, of course, happens after much love, prayer, and nurturing of an anticipated child until the day of their arrival—by plane, social worker, birth mom, delivery, or c-section. There is raw emotion, relief, excitement, anticipation, fear, pain, and joy. This leaves the new mother feeling elated, exhilarated, exhausted, and in need of her own nurturing. Beginning already at this time, we instinctively begin the slow process of teaching this new life the basics: how to eat, drink, use a potty, and so on. The second birth he describes is more theoretical, but no less real. It is the significantly longer process of pushing a child into longer and longer durations of independence, until eventually the child understands the basics for themselves and can sufficiently move about in the world, without assistance. Between the two, he describes the second as the more painful. Letting Go is Harder I remember thinking about this passage when a friend of mine was worried about her son who enlisted in the Navy. I think of this description when I think of mothers whose children have won gold medals in the Special Olympics. I think of women whose children are physically healthy, and those whose children are facing life-threatening illness. I think of those with a child in prison, or hired for their first job. It is a complicated dance of independence on the part of one and letting go of the other. Each of these snap-shots offers a glimpse of an experience where the illusion of control has been released with no guarantee of outcome one way or another. It is a surrendering of our own best-laid plans and trusting the wobbly, unpracticed approach of those we love. Insert your own struggle. Most of us will fight tooth and nail to avoid this kind of vulnerability if we can help it whether our own, or that of another. Time for Harvest When I imagined what the topic of harvesting would surface for me, I naively pictured pumpkins, colorful foliage, harvest wheat, and crisp apples. These illustrate the practice that instructs us to unclench our fists and generously offer back what we have been given. In general, I try to give a nod to the season outside of my window to inform the way I enter a season, spiritually. What I hadn’t anticipated was the deep ache I would be experiencing as I sent my littles both to school for the first time and came home to my empty house. It’s been a fresh glimpse at how independent they have grown and how ready they are to be in this new arena. It’s enough to make me swell with pride and crumble over one of many milestones that mark their move toward independence and the role I play in letting go, so that I might graciously step out of the way to allow them to shine as only they can. Not Alone and Not Mine Alone It has also amplified my own heart’s desire—expectation, if I’m honest—for the details I had filled in for myself. This empty house is a reminder that my own vision for my life is not mine alone. In many ways this new era has ushered in a season with its own rhythm. It has felt something like dormancy, which, without my knowing it, has quietly paved the way for other callings to take root. We know this in our bones. The hardest work is often done in the dark. Unseen and uncomfortable for a time. ...new life starts in the dark. Whether it is a seed in the ground, a baby in the womb, or Jesus in the tomb, it starts in the dark. –Barbara Brown Taylor, Learning to Walk in the Dark   The light begins to wane this season. Would that we have the courage and grace to unclench the fists we have tightened on the things we desire and to enter into the quiet place where we hear our most intimate invitations. What might it look like for me to release my grip, even a little, on something near to my heart? What might it look like to do that with joy? [bctt tweet="Harvest Time and Letting Go #BISblog //" via="no"]

My relationship with praying the Rosary has been off and on for the past ten years. Returning home from Marian pilgrimage sites, for a time I would earnestly pray the Rosary each day. Over time it faded and lessened into calling it quits altogether. There have been a handful of Advent and Lenten seasons I took up the Rosary for the particular liturgical season. But I never stuck with it long-term. It was a family vacation at Mackinac Island two years ago that I first learned of The Living Rosary. The priest at Sunday Mass explained what it was and had signups for people to participate in praying one decade of the Rosary everyday. Each person was assigned a decade for a length of time and, together with other people praying their decade, a full Rosary will be prayed each day. Fast forward to winter 2019. Praying the Rosary Consistently This past Lent (after some inspiration from Kristin at Many Hail Marys at a Time), I decided to pray the Rosary each day of Lent. Surprisingly enough, I stuck with it and only missed a few days. Fresh off a break-up, I figured extra prayer was not a bad idea and I have always found comfort in the repetition of the Rosary. Then, in the middle of winter, my mom asked me if I would join her Living Rosary group. Along with a close friend, they wanted to create a Living Rosary group among their daughters, sisters, friends, and coworkers. We started in May and for the next three months I prayed the fourth Joyful Mystery, the Presentation, each day. Currently, I am praying the first Joyful Mystery, the Annunciation. The blessings of this new devotion has been a real gift to me in life right now. Each time I have been assigned a new decade, it feels like the perfect fit for where I am in life right now. I have asked the Lord how this new decade speaks to my current season. He tells me, and each time it has been such a sweet comfort. It is as if that particular decade has a lesson to teach me over a few months.     History of the Living Rosary The Living Rosary was first founded by Venerable Pauline Marie Jaricot at Lyon, France in 1826. She was only 27 years old and was a close friend of St. John Vianney. The Living Rosary Association was approved and heartily supported by Pope Gregory XVI. In 1832 the association received official canonical status. Pauline was inspired to create groups of 15 people who would each be responsible for praying one decade of the Rosary a day, so that the full Rosary would be prayed between all the people in the group. During the Nazi occupation of Poland, a young layman (Jan Tyranowski) began to form Living Rosary groups of 15 men representing the 15 mysteries of the Rosary. A leader of one of these groups was none other than the young Karol Wojtyla, the future Pope Saint John Paul II. The groups met in secret for prayer, spiritual direction, and community during the length of the war. Wojtyla remained faithful to the Living Rosary group. After his own priestly ordination, he brought this model into his own parishes. A Tool for Praying the Rosary The beauty of a Living Rosary is that it is a “perpetual Rosary.” That means the Rosary is continually being prayed among the group. Together, all participants pray the full Rosary each day. Across time zones, state, or country lines, someone in your group is invoking our Mother, asking her to watch over our cares and concerns. I am finding this as a simple, powerful way to begin to pray the Rosary more frequently amid daily life. I can absolutely pray a decade of the Rosary every day! And more often than not, I find I can pray the whole thing. Sometimes people feel intimidated with the thought of praying the Rosary every single day. Maybe that works for some of us, but maybe not all of us in the current season of life. I think starting a Living Rosary group can be a great way to ease into the practice of the daily Rosary. The communal aspect of doing it with other people is a gift because you can share specific prayer requests or praise reports. There is something special about doing it with other people. Now is a Great Time to Start a Living Rosary! October is the month of the Holy Rosary. Why not take the plunge with Our Lady and 14 other friends to start your own group? You might be surprised how God speaks to you through it. I know that is how I feel. Will you take up the challenge of starting a Living Rosary this month? Join us over in our app for a live weekday Rosary at 11am ET!  Our new Blessed Is She Rosaries have arrived! Get yours here!  [bctt tweet="On the History of the Living Rosary #BISblog //" username="amoderngrace"]