The New Year A Time to Reflect and Resolve One of my favorite quotes comes from the most quotable Catholic: G.K. Chesterton. He writes of the New Year and resolutions: “The object of a New Year is not that we should have a new year. It is that we should have a new soul and a new nose; new feet, a new backbone, new ears, and new eyes. Unless a particular man made New Year resolutions, he would make no resolutions. Unless a man starts afresh about things, he will certainly do nothing effective” (source).  Taking his words to heart, with each new year I take time to reflect on the past twelve months, and then create a small list of resolutions and goals for the upcoming new year. One goal that remains the same each year is to read. Though I make changes to what that looks like each year, the heart of the resolution remains the same: to make reading good books a priority. My Reading Plan: How I Met My Goals In the year 2023, I read sixty books, the most I have read in a single year to date. To reach this goal I did a few things. First, I decided what authors I wanted to focus on last year. Though I read a variety of authors' writings, I chose a few to include works from each month: Jane Austen, Dietrich von Hildebrand, Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, Pope Benedict XVI, and David McCullough.  Next, I created a word processing document and wrote out the months of the year, writing out the titles of each book I wanted to read under the month. After that, I looked at how many pages were in each book and then divided those pages by how many days in the month there are. That number would be the number of pages I would read each day of the month for that book.  For example, my copy of the book The Diary of a Country Priest by Georges Bernanos has 298 pages in it. I listed that book in my December column, so I divided 298 by 31, for a total of 9.6. I would read 10 pages from that book on each day of December. Doing this for each book helped make my reading goals much more attainable. {formbuilder:OTk3ODc=} Difficult Yet Life-Giving  What helped the most was acknowledging that to reach my goal of sixty books would be difficult, and some days I wouldn’t want to do all of my planned reading. I coupled that thought with this reality: that if I completed my goal, if I prioritized reading every day, I would be a different person in one of the most beautiful ways at the end of the year. As I write this in December, and I am finishing up the last few chapters of my December books, I can truly say: I am a different person not just because of the beautiful words, thoughts, ideas, and wisdom from the books I read, but also because of the discipline and sacrifice it took to read those books.  Resolving To Read You don’t have to read sixty books this year. But you should read. Even one book. And if you don’t think you have the time, look at how much time is spent on your phone. Maybe a resolution this year can be reading one page of a book before picking up your phone to scroll social media. Reading fills our hearts more than a phone ever will. Reading good books opens up our minds and hearts, gifting and gracing us, leading us to discipline, virtue, and the beautiful.  What’s On Your List? Here is my 2023 book list for inspiration! Have you read any of these books on the list? What did you read this year? Please let us all know for ideas and motivation!  My 2023 Book List January Friends of God by Josemaría Escrivá  Be Healed by Dr. Bob Schuchts Introduction to the Devout Life by Saint Francis de Sales Love and Responsibility by Karol Wojtyła The Journal of Raïssa Maritain The Excellent 11 by Ron Clark Aesthetics, Vol. 1 by Dietrich von Hildebrand February Aesthetics, Vol. 2 by Dietrich von Hildebrand The Case for Catholicism by Trent Horn Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen Saint Paul by Pope Benedict XVI Truman, Vol. 1 by David McCullough I Believe in Love by Fr. Jean C. J. d’Elbée March Truman, Vol. 2 by David McCullough The Nature of Love by Dietrich von Hildebrand Mansfield Park by Jane Austen Making Sense Out of Suffering by Peter Kreeft Her Last Conversations by Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, edited by John Clarke, OCD April Ethics by Dietrich von Hildebrand Emma by Jane Austen To Know Jesus Christ by Frank Sheed You Have Words of Eternal Life by Hans Urs von Balthasar Letters of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, Vol. 1 May Morality and Situation Ethics by Dietrich von Hildebrand Persuasion by Jane Austen The Wild Orchid by Sigrid Undset On the Way to Jesus Christ by Pope Benedict XVI Letters of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, Vol. 2 One Million Followers by Brendan Kane June Graven Images by Dietrich von Hildebrand Introduction to Christianity by Joseph Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI) The One Thing is Three by Father Michael Gaitley  The Poetry of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux July Jaws of Death: Gate of Heaven by Dietrich von Hildebrand Wise Blood by Flannery O’Conner The Plays of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux  The Power of Silence by Cardinal Robert Sarah Introduction to Christianity Joseph Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI) August In Defense of Purity by Dietrich von Hildebrand The Prayers of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux Hold On to Your Kids by Gordon Neufeld Wisdom of the Heart by Peter Kreeft Prayer and Intelligence by Jacques and Raïssa Maritain I Would Like to Travel the World by Guy Gaucher  September Liturgy & Personality by Dietrich von Hildebrand Story of a Soul by Saint Thérèse of Lisieux October The Art of Living by Dietrich von Hildebrand 1776 by David McCullough A Severe Mercy by Sheldon Vanauken Thérèse by Dorothy Day What is Philosophy? by Dietrich von Hildebrand November Man and Woman by Dietrich von Hildebrand Mornings on Horseback by David McCullough Two Sisters in the Spirit by Hans Urs von Balthasar Gratitude by Dietrich von Hildebrand  Virtues of the Human Heart by Joseph Pieper December The Reed of God by Caryll Houselander The Diary of a Country Priest by Georges Bernanos The Divine Project by Pope Benedict XVI The Pioneers by David McCullough Peace of Soul by Fulton Sheen   Whether you have already prepared a book list for 2024 or not, it is not too late to get started! Make your list today!

Baptism can conjure up all sorts of images for us: perhaps the Baptism of a child, the reception of a loved one into the Church on Easter Vigil, or your own entrance into the family of God. To be sacramentally Baptized is to do an about-face from living one way, to living another.  Advent ushered in the new Liturgical year, and we shifted from hearing the Gospel of Saint Matthew (year A), to that of Saint Mark (year B). Mark is the earliest to have written his Gospel, having recorded his account around the year 70. The feast we commemorate today, the Baptism of the Lord, comes from the very beginning of Mark’s Gospel. Mark sets the scene by including prophetic words from Isaiah 40:3:  “Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way. A voice of one crying out in the desert: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths’” (Mark 1: 2-3).  Immediately, Saint John the Baptist is described as having appeared in the wilderness, doing what was prophesied by proclaiming a baptism of repentance and baptizing folks from all over the Judean countryside. He quickly and humbly proclaims that the one who is to follow him will baptize with more than water in the Holy Spirit.  {formbuilder:OTk3ODc=} Although not personally in need of the baptism of repentance, Jesus Himself is baptized by John in the Jordan River. Immediately following His baptism, a voice from heaven is heard saying: “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased” (Mark 1:11).  On some level, isn’t that a phrase we are all waiting to hear?! Perhaps from our earthly parent(s), but certainly from God at the end of our lives on earth: “You are my beloved son (daughter); with you I am well pleased.” Having been claimed and affirmed by the One Who loves us best, Who has held us close, witnessed our highs and lows, and rooted for us all the way. To have seen us through it all and be pleased with what has been seen, feels like the very way I hope to be welcomed into Heaven one day—or even with the words, “Well done, my good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:23).' And, it feels worth noting that God spoke these words to Jesus at the time of His Baptism—not at the end of His life, but at the very beginning of His ministry.  Several weeks ago I was running errands with my toddler. Slowly plodding down the sidewalk as she likes to walk all by herself now, she was looking in every window. At one point, she realized that someone was standing behind the blinds of this neutral-looking, strip mall office. She paused, waved, made funny faces, and generally delighted the woman behind the blinds. What I heard from my daughter next took my breath away. “I love you,” she said to the woman behind the glass. Unfortunately, she couldn’t have heard, and likely wouldn’t suspect that this passing child was whispering words of love to her, but she was! At that moment, I couldn’t shake the feeling that the Lord was doing that for me all day long, and in all likelihood, I do not suspect such lavishness. Rather than waiting to hear the voice of God, reserved for some special meeting in the unknown future, what if this passage from Mark of the Baptism of Our Lord were a reminder to us that we are beloved by the God of all—not only when we finish things, but when we have the courage to start them, when we’re working unnoticed (or so we think) in a bland strip mall office building. It may be that we don’t have to cross any sort of “finish line,” or check a box before we hear these beautiful and affirming words from God that Jesus hears today. Take some time in prayer with these scriptural reminders of God’s love for us:  We have come to know and to believe in the love God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. // 1 John 4:16 For I am certain that neither death nor life, neither angels nor principalities, neither present things nor the future, nor powers, neither height nor depth, nor any other creature, will be able to separate us from the love of God that comes to us in Christ Jesus, our Lord. // Romans 8:38-39 See what love the Father has bestowed in letting us be called the children of God! Yet that is what we are. The reason the world does recognize us is that it never recognized the Son. // 1 John 3:1 This is my commandment: love one another as I have loved you. // John 15:12 Understand, then, that the LORD, your God, is God indeed, the faithful God who keeps his merciful covenant down to the thousandth generations toward those who love Him and keep His commandments. // Deuteronomy 7:9 With age-old love I have loved you;    so I have kept my mercy toward you. // Jeremiah 31:3 The Baptism of the Lord is a beautiful example of God demonstrating perfect love. Scripture is littered with reminders that the Lord loves us, too. As we begin our short stay in Ordinary Time before the beginning of Lent, it feels appropriate to be on the lookout for this unexpected and lavish love that the Father speaks over us, his beloved children. HIS WORD CHANGES LIVES God is speaking to you through His Word. In this personal study, you will learn to hear God's voice by reading slowly and praying deeply. BEGIN THE JOURNEY

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In 2014, Blessed is She began as a little seed in my heart—a desire to read Scripture alongside other Catholic women as well as share about the beauties and the truths of our Catholic Faith. For nearly ten years, we have read the daily readings alongside each other and shared what God is doing in our hearts through His word.  The Holy Spirit wants to ignite that desire again. He wants to invigorate women's hearts to come alive in love for Him, for His Word, and for the grace He pours out.  As we kick off 2024, let's recommit our daily prayer to opening up His word. The Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us: "God is the author of Sacred Scripture. In Sacred Scripture, the Church constantly finds her nourishment and her strength, for she welcomes it not as a human word, 'but as what it really is, the word of God.'" Let's get to know the Author Himself, our Creator and Savior and Friend. Let's let His Word nourish us, strengthen us, heal our wounds, convict us, change us, love us. As we draw closer to Him in His Word, He digs a well within us, taking us deeper and deeper into a beautiful, intimate, sacred relationship with Him. I invite you to read Sacred Scripture alongside hundreds of other women and me every single day... to open up the daily readings, whether it be on Blessed is She, the USCCB, the Magnificat, and to let His word soak into our bones.  Let's get to know our Lord in His Word, every single day. Join us on the Blessed is She app (it's free!), comment on the day's devotions "done" or your own personal takeaway, hop on live with us every weekday at 3pm ET to share what God is speaking to you through His Word. I can't wait to be nourished by Him alongside you, dear sister. He's in the business of making us new. Join the BIS App  

Perhaps the most fitting snapshot to begin a conversation on Saint John, the “beloved disciple,” is by looking at the first and last sentences of his Gospel account: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1). “There are many more things that Jesus did. If all of them were written down, I suppose that not even the world itself would have space for the books that would be written” (John 21:25) If it wasn’t clear then, it is now: John’s mission to spread the Gospel was intimately linked with words. After years of traveling with Jesus, and bearing witness to numerous miracles and pivotal moments in Jesus’ ministry, John committed the rest of his life to spreading the word about Who Jesus is and what He had done. In total, John wrote five books of the Bible: the Gospel of John, three Epistles (1, 2, and 3 John), as well as Revelation. More than his ministry, John’s whole identity was marked in a particular way by the many events to which Jesus invited him to bear witness. He was with Jesus as He performed miracles, at the Transfiguration, with his head on Jesus’ chest at the Last Supper, and in prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane. It was John and Simon to whom Mary Magdalene ran with the news of the empty tomb. Ultimately, John had the honor of caring for and being cared for by Mary as her son.  John was present for many substantial events in Jesus’ earthly life.  It is not uncommon for someone who has experienced something of magnitude, good or bad, to identify closely with those who were with them through that experience. Soldiers in war, survivors of natural disasters, and people who witnessed something miraculous all share in common a particular kind of intimacy to which others may not be able to relate. So it seems with Jesus and John. One thing that is unique about John is that he often identifies himself as the “beloved disciple.” Sometimes this can give us pause. After all, why does Jesus love John more than others? I wonder if it has less to do with who is best loved by the Lord, and how the love of the Lord affected John’s understanding of himself. John’s proximity to Jesus defined him. It seems that John could not, or did not desire to identify himself apart from the One who loved him. Knowing what it was to be a close friend of Jesus, to have experienced the glimpses of God through Jesus’ miracles and teachings, permanently changed him. Rather than identify as John the disciple, he identifies as the one who is loved by God. And so we all are. In the same way, we can invite Jesus’ proximity to define us. We will not experience the call to follow Jesus in the same way that John did. And, we remember that the Lord is ever present to us through the Holy Spirit, the Scriptures, the Christian community, the Eucharist, and through our service to “one of these least brothers” (Matthew 25:40). Emmanuel, ‘God with Us,’ offers the same nearness to us and, like John, we cannot help but be changed. What experience of God’s nearness has defined you?

I had been sensing for a while an invitation in prayer to slow down, especially after reading this blog post that struck a deep chord in my heart. I started to pay attention to when I responded to the perennial question of “How are you?” with “Busy”—and reframed it as “Full.”   I intentionally took time in my day to recreate, not just pretend that I was doing so.   And then I received another assignment from my religious order. Not just an assignment change, but an additional assignment—one that left me with one and a half full-time jobs. Busy had just ratcheted up to the snowball barreling off the mountain at top-notch speed, gaining momentum and snow every second. You get the idea.   Yet I knew the invitation from the Lord to slow down still stood. Slowing down wasn’t in contradiction to my apostolate(s). Both were good, and I was invited to pursue both. How in the world was I going to slow down AND stay on top of the work entrusted to me?  My first objective was: Be covered in prayer. I asked my sisters to pray intentionally for me and the work entrusted to me. A gift of religious life is that my prayer life is structured, but I still have my responsibility to show up and actually dialogue with the Lord. I talked to the Lord about how my brain was running circles around my prayer time as I tried to keep my gaze on Him. I settled into His gaze of patient mercy and held on.   My second objective was: Seek advice from those whom I trust, and whom I know are also living busy and full lives. They helped me set up systems. They talked me through best practices. And one said: “You’ve got to read this book.”   {formbuilder:OTk3ODc=} The book is The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer. I highly recommend it—no matter what season of life you are in. Maybe you’re in a double-time mode or a quieter season, but there are gems and wisdom in this book for everyone. I say this because our culture is one of hurry, and no matter how strongly we resist or fight, we get sucked in by the noise and busyness of the world. Even if you are living in a convent.  What I loved about this book is that I felt deeply seen. That seems silly to say about a thing, but there were so many times I thought, Yeah, that’s me . . . What, it’s not just me?! I thought I was the only one who was “distracted from distraction by distraction”—a quote by T.S. Eliot that Comer references in his book.   Talk about references—this book is widely footnoted with brain research, the Saints, and wisdom Comer has gathered on his own journey to eliminate hurry from his life. He points to the brain research that shows that humans have an eight second attention span. (Interestingly enough, it was only twelve seconds before the digital revolution we live in.) Though he is not Catholic, many, if not most, of the conclusions he comes to will be familiar: observing the Sabbath, fasting, living a gospel-centered life. These are mixed in with extremely practical advice, including the following: observe the speed limit, set time apart to check email, and get in the longest line in the store (to cultivate patience). He reminds his readers to learn to recognize the propaganda in advertising that wants you to do more and get more, and evaluate the true cost of an item before it is bought—including the new time investment it will require.  In our culture that screams, “Slow is bad and fast is good!” we need reminders that it is more than okay to seek and strive for balance. It is beautiful to practice simplicity and abide where we are. This book is an easy read, but filled with profound reminders that we are not made for hurry.  Ultimately, the advice and conclusions are to not only eliminate hurry from your life, but live more in the image and likeness of God. God does not hurry. God is love, and love does not hurry. In reality, “love is painfully time consuming”—in other words—love is patient.

As a wife and a mother of four little ones, raising my own family and making our own traditions has been a very exciting and nerve-wracking experience all at once. My husband and I had to talk about what traditions we could incorporate from our own upbringings and what we wanted to do differently. It ranged anywhere from cheering on my husband’s football team (so I wouldn’t be left out during football season) all the way to Halloween: to celebrate or not to celebrate . . . We also knew there were more serious conversations we would need to have. Gifts of our Faith The center of our relationship and who we are as people is Jesus Christ—at least, that’s what we aim for. My husband and I met serving in ministry and grew a deeper appreciation and knowledge of our faith while forming our own relationships with the Lord. Now that we have our own family, we feel responsible and excited to echo how the faith was passed down to us to our children. We love the Lord, we love being Catholic, and we love what the Church generously offers us. The beauty of our faith is that we don’t have to “make things up” as we go. Traditions have been passed down from the Church fathers all the way to older generations of our very own relatives.  She Reigns I grew up in a predominantly Hispanic community in Los Angeles, California. Mass, praying the Rosary, the Saints, etc. were all part of the culture I was raised in. Don’t get me started on the devotions to Mary I witnessed growing up. Actually, it's too late. It seemed as if Mary was everywhere. In particular, the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe. She was on candles, shirts, rosary beads, posters, tattoos, and even on calendars that the local bakery gave away. Mama Mary was there.  I knew that it was important to honor her and ask for her intercession. I knew that I was supposed to pick roses from our garden and walk them over to the statue inside the church hall during our school family Rosary nights. I knew that I was going to wake up earlier than usual on December 12th to sing Las Mañanitas to her with hundreds of people. I knew that she was a big deal in so many ways. I might not have known the “Why’s”—but it didn’t matter to me—I knew I could still celebrate with the traditions of my elders. Through her appearance on Tepeyac Hill and the miracle of her image on the tilma, Our Lady of Guadalupe brought conversion and hope to millions of people in Mexico. The faith that was passed down to me came from her. The Lord used His Mother to touch the hearts of many and draw them back to Him. And if you’re Hispanic, you’re taught to not mess with las mamas, especially la Mama de Jesus. We are to always pay honor and respect to our mothers. “Am I not here, I, who am your Mother?” Despite all these beautiful traditions, I didn’t begin to really form a relationship with Mary until I was in high school. I knew about her and how to honor her (feast days, Rosaries, etc.) but she was just a very important public figure until then. When I began to take ownership of my faith, I desired to be virtuous and courageous like Mary. I desired to be pure and holy and close to Jesus. I failed many times. Mary encouraged me when I felt worthless. She gave me courage when I lacked bravery and when I used my youth as an excuse to be lukewarm in my faith. I remember going through difficult times when I truly began to take my faith seriously—an indication that I was on the right track. I took a leap of faith and reached out to her. And then, just like she did with Saint Juan Diego, she reminded me that she was going to always be there for me, as my Mother. The words she spoke to him, she continually spoke to me in my heart: Am I not here with you, who am your Mother?  These “mini apparitions” in my life comforted me.  I began to study the apparition of Our Lady of Guadalupe, with all the details and intricacies she possessed because I wanted to appreciate her in a more profound way. What I connected with was her mestiza appearance. She chose to appear as a beautiful combination of the natives of Mexico and the Spanish people that were there. Throughout my life, I’ve experienced this mix of cultures as I come from Mexican and Peruvian backgrounds but was living in the United States. I wanted to always be proud of my heritage and the traditions that came from it. La Virgen de Guadalupe was the prime example for me, a young Hispanic girl who wanted to love Jesus the best I could and get to Heaven. She was always available to me and continues to be to all people of the Americas as our Mother and our guide. At times, it may seem like strong traditions or devotions to her take away from reverence to our God. If anything, she only wants to lead us to Him. Find comfort in this sentiment of Saint Maximilian Kolbe: “Never be afraid of loving the Blessed Virgin too much. You can never love her more than Jesus did.” Handing it On How we celebrate Our Lady of Guadalupe will vary based on the traditions and customs that were passed on to us or that we will pass on to others. Whether we’re enjoying the danza de matachines as a form of prayer, singing the Mañanitas to our Mother on her feast day, gathering the nicest bouquet of roses, or simply retelling the story of her apparition of 1531, we should take some time to examine her role and presence in our lives and find new ways to dive into an even deeper devotion. Let us recall her role in spreading Christianity in the Americas and thank God for using her to convert millions of people in the Americas. Tradition is a beautiful thing. Taking aspects of our faith that have been shared with us and handing them to others is truly a gift. As we look to pass on or create our own traditions, may we take some time to examine where they come from and their roots that can ultimately lead us into a deeper love for our God and His Church. ¡Viva La Virgen de Guadalupe! ¡Viva Cristo Rey!

Hearing the invitation to “Discover the gift that only you can give because of the gift you are” is one that still resonates, even a few years after my GIVEN Forum experience. When I applied for the 2021 Forum, the opportunity appeared like a light in what was in many ways a year of darkness. COVID’s physical devastation and devouring isolation descended a few short weeks after I first learned about GIVEN in February 2020.  I was attracted both to GIVEN’s mission of activating women’s gifts to serve the Church and to the structure of the gathering—five days during which I’d be equipped to recognize my gifts and give of myself in the context of a small group of women with similar interests. I would be able to choose from the specialties offered to participants, including Artistic, Secular Professional, Catholic Professional, Entrepreneurial, and Care for the Human Person. I would hear inspiring talks and come into contact with women from all over the country, and even from across the world, who were similarly inspired to activate their gifts. During the year following the Forum, there was the promise of a mentor to guide me as I carried out an “action plan,” which would be a concrete and personalized way I would serve a part of the Church that most touched my heart. Little did I know in February 2020 that the year would in short order become one of heavy transition for me as I moved home and struggled through bouts of melancholy and burnout. Little did I know just how much I would need community and help out of a rather deactivated state of life. When I turned in my application on December 8, 2020, I asked that our Blessed Mother Mary guide the process. Under the title of Our Lady of Guadalupe, she is GIVEN’s patroness. Having recently completed an MFA in Creative Writing, and with a love for poetry and the power of words, I applied to the Artistic specialty. The yes I received in March 2021 to attend the Forum was like sunlight breaking into a dark room. {formbuilder:OTk3ODc=} In his essay “A Meditation on Givenness,” Pope Saint John Paul II says, “[T]here is a very deep connection between being for oneself and being for others. Only someone who has dominion over himself can become a sincere gift for others.” The GIVEN Forum presented a space in which I could begin to learn to be both for myself and for others. Throughout my life, I have struggled with deep-seated fear. When COVID rocked the world, I saw how those around me were touched by a similar fear. I find that when I am fearful, I’m tempted to abandon myself to the fear and it’s easy to lose “dominion” over myself. Community serves as a counterweight—a place where I can simultaneously come out of myself and be at home with myself. GIVEN provided a joy-infused community of women who were on a mission.  In these rather divisive days in which we live, I look back on GIVEN not with nostalgia for an idyllic gathering, but with awe at the beauty that comes from bringing together women living out a diversity of vocations. A highlight of GIVEN for me was the presence of religious sisters and consecrated women. It was beautiful to encounter them not as women on a separate life trajectory from the single and married women participating in the conference, but as collaborators in the life of faith. At GIVEN, I more fully saw the Body of Christ. I saw that there are as many ways of using one’s gifts as there are women on this earth. The Lord is abundant in his gifts. One moment that continues to touch my heart was a night of Eucharistic Adoration in which religious sisters were available to pray with women. The tenderness that comes with allowing God to work through their religious vocations was a powerful example of spiritual motherhood for me.   My action plan from the forum was to create a retreat for women artists in my home parish. However, 2021 was also a year of transition. I moved from home to a city six hours away. My mentor was a kind constant in this period, and in the fall of 2022 I traveled back to my home parish to lead ten women through a weekend of nourishing and (re)awakening their artistic gifts. It was a delight for my heart to realize that the artist, who spends so much of her creative time in solitude, can find community. This is something I’m seeking to build in the city that I live in now. Without GIVEN, I’m unsure if I would have the confidence to be for myself and for others in this way.  Sister, perhaps you are thinking about attending GIVEN. Perhaps this is the first time you’re hearing about it. Perhaps you’re in a position similar to the one I was in when I applied—unsure if in the brokenness you feel that you have a gift to give. The shift GIVEN enacts is a movement from “I have a gift” to “I am a gift.” The fact is, you are a gift and you’ve already been given to this world by God, and you have a purpose which he is unfolding in you even in the seemingly fallow seasons. At GIVEN, you are called to discover your inherent givenness and to learn how you are being called to give of yourself to others. Most importantly, you are not called to do this alone. We need each other. We need the Church. We need to be reminded over and over of the hope that has been planted within us. GIVEN is a place where these realities come together—community, purpose, growth in faith, hope, and charity. Whether a prospective participant, mentor, or volunteer, I heartily recommend applying to the 2024 GIVEN Forum, and (re)discovering the gift you are.   Author Bio: Poet and writer Lindsey Weishar holds an MFA from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. She writes for a variety of outlets, including Verily magazine. Her column, “My Vocation is Love,” appears in The Catholic Post, the newspaper of her home Diocese of Peoria, Illinois. She writes from Kansas City, Kansas, where she works at Donnelly College. WANT TO DEEPEN YOUR PRAYER? Get ready to be radically changed by the Lord and His presence. Be drawn into intimacy with the Lord by way of weekly videos, a community within the Blessed is She app, and invitations into reading scripture in a whole new way. BEGIN THE WELL: ABIDE

It was the perfect storm. It was my scheduled morning out to do whatever I wanted and I was so looking forward to it. I was going to drop my daughter off at school and head to my favorite coffee shop for a few hours. It was going to be amazing.  That is, until illness caused me to have to cancel our babysitter as she was en route to our house and my grand vision for the day was turned on its head. Suddenly I was no longer walking out the door, but rather, trying to balance a crying newborn on one hip and a crying toddler on the other.  This was the moment I needed to recall the words of encouragement I had read from a book that my mother gave to me—a book she read herself in her own busy days tending to her seven children. It is titled Holiness for Housewives (and other working women), and it was written by a Benedictine named Dom Hubert Van Zeller. It is divided into four parts: on the special vocation as a housewife, praying during daily duties, growing holier day by day, and particular prayers for housewives.  1. Your Special Vocation As A Housewife This first section reads: “Your occupation, associates, material surroundings, health and strength are there, are real, are the solids, are the substance from which the here-and-now house of God is to be built” (p. 13).  On this particular day when my plans were upset, God’s will for my day had become clear in a very concrete way. On this day God didn’t intend for me to build up His house through me sitting in a coffee shop. He intended for me to build up His house by being present to my children, brainstorming craft ideas, and spending time outside together during an abnormally warm fall day.  Van Zeller writes that “it is always the present moment, the present duty, that counts [ . . . ] There is nothing that you are up against that God has not given you the grace to surmount” (p.16).  This reminder of being present helped me to get off the couch and get outside with my children.  2. How To Pray Amidst Your Daily Duties Every day, as soon as my kids are napping, I am tempted to start checking off my to-do list. If I haven’t yet prayed that day, I need to ask God to give me “the grace to surmount” my selfishness in order to pause for a few minutes to be with Him. But when I am going about my daily duties, washing the dishes and sweeping the floor, those can become acts of prayer too.  Van Zeller writes,“You will have to find a way of communicating with God by means of and not in spite of the calls upon your time and energy and patience” (p. 26).  He goes on to describe that for one person this might mean singing the Psalms in choir, while for another it could be teaching children. Perhaps it could also mean offering up the suffering one experiences during illness. The point is that when we direct our efforts to the Lord, no matter how small, our effort then becomes a prayer. This is what the Saints did, who “did not start off with the gift of recollection: they practiced dedicating their works to God until it became a habit to dedicate their minutes to Him” (p. 28).  This reminds me that my prayer does not have to end with the start of my to-do list or the waking of my children. When I orient my daily responsibilities to the Lord in worship, each act I make can then bring Him glory.  3. How To Grow Holier Day By Day So often, growing in holiness is simply about opening our hands to receive what God has for us. Yet oftentimes, this can mean accepting the suffering in our lives.  Van Zeller explains that “love is the end of our endeavor.” Further, “A love that is exacted from the soul by a suffering imposed by God is better than a love that is expressed by a mortification chosen by the soul” (p. 54).  This is a hard one, as I think it can be tempting to think that a different cross would be easier to bear than our own. Yet it is precisely through bearing the unique grain of our own cross that we become united to Christ in love.  Van Zeller says further, “In proportion as you draw near to Truth by prayer, you inevitably increase your own conformity to the true patterns of yourself as it exists in the mind of God. And this means that, whatever it feels like, your life is going right” (p. 62).  4. Prayers For Housewives This fourth section of the book offers a myriad of prayers: prayers to start and end your day, prayers for special needs, and also books for recommended reading. One of my favorite prayers listed is the very honest, refreshing, morning dedication: I place the uncertainties of this day in Your hands, Lord. Turn them into certainties that are bound to bring glory to You. For my part, so far as I can, I foresee the events that either appear on my calendar or simply happen in the ordinary course of routine. These, together with the unforeseen events, I offer to You. Bless also all the interruptions, the accidents, the pleasant surprises, and the sudden disappointments. I might not remember to pray to You at the time, so I now refer all these things to the glory of Your name. Amen. (p.71)  I need the reminders inside this book to encourage me when the “unforeseen events” happen, when “all the interruptions” and “sudden disappointments” happen. My interrupted day went far from perfect and I certainly had my failures, but it helps to know that when I submit my will to His will, each moment, whether challenging or joyful, is all a part of His plan and my sanctification. It is ordered to holiness.

Every Advent season, God invites us to carefully prepare our hearts for the annual remembrance of the Incarnation of His Son, Jesus. That first Christmas was the day when Jesus came forth from His mother’s womb and dwelt among us. The Incarnation is one of the central mysteries of our faith, and it carries with it the extraordinary story of God’s immense love for us. Incredibly, our faith tells us that not only did Jesus come to dwell with us that first Christmas long ago, but that He still dwells physically present with us now—in the Eucharist! Just as Mary nestled baby Jesus in her arms on that long ago day, we too can open our hearts and receive Him at each and every Mass. What a miracle!  We may not automatically make a connection between the coming of Jesus at Christmas and the coming of Jesus at Mass, but the reality is that there is a powerful relationship between these two mysteries. Both of them are extraordinary examples of Jesus’ love for us. Naturally, as Catholic parents we want our kids to understand this love. So, how do we share with our children about Christ’s loving presence both in the Incarnation and through the Mass? Here are three tips to get you started. 1. Dive into these Mysteries for Yourself  The first and most important step to helping your children prepare their hearts this Christmas is to further your own understanding of Christmas and the parallels that exist between it and the Eucharist.  The prophet Isaiah in Isaiah 7:14 foretold that Jesus was to be called “Immanuel,” a Hebrew word meaning “God with us.” So, too, He was destined to be born in the town of “Bethlehem” (see Micah 5:2), another Hebrew word, meaning “house of bread.” Think about that: the incarnate Christ was called “God with us” and arrived in a town called “house of bread.” In a strikingly similar way, at every Mass, Jesus comes to be with us, hidden under the appearance of bread. These are just a few of the parallels that can be drawn between the first Christmas and the Mass!  Take some time to reflect on these similarities. Then see if you can find some more on your own. Spend time in prayer and meditation, perhaps using the Joyful and Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary to guide your prayer time. Take up the daily Gospel readings this Advent, using lectio divina and your Catholic imagination to enter into the Christmas story. As you let God’s message of love sink into your heart, talk with your children about what you are learning. 2. Live Liturgically This means to live each day with Christ in mind. Center your family life around Him. Start a Jesse Tree and explore the Scripture stories that outline the genealogy of Jesus and God’s plan of salvation. As you light the candles on your Advent wreath, spend time talking about the love of Jesus. Carve out time to bring your children to Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, so that they can spend time with our Lord truly present in the Eucharist. Whatever activity you choose, as you share about the first Christmas, always take time to remind your children that Jesus in the Eucharist meets us similarly at every Mass. 3. Make Connections for Your Kids Our kids seem to notice everything. It can be easy to assume that because kids are so observant, they are also making important connections to what they see, hear, and experience. The reality is that oftentimes they need us to help them make those connections. The most important thing that you can communicate to your kids about Christmas is this: out of love, Christ came to dwell with us on Christmas and He still comes to dwell with us today—in the Eucharist at Mass and is always in our hearts since our Baptisms. My new book, The Mass and the Manger: My Interactive Christmas Story, can help you when you’re trying to teach your kids about the love of Jesus this Christmas. Through the use of story, rhyme, and fold-out flaps, I bring to light numerous parallels between the first Christmas and the Mass. Another beautiful tradition is to read the Christmas stories right out of the Gospels of Luke and Matthew with your children, answering their questions as you read along. Finally, don’t overlook the impact of a simple manger scene—a Nativity set in your home with sturdy figures that the children are allowed to touch and play with (respectfully!) can really help them come to know and receive God’s love for them this Christmas. Every child deserves to know just how much God loves them. There is truly no greater gift we can give them. This Advent season, take the time to understand and explain these mysteries to your children—it will be time well spent!   Author Bio: Jennifer Sharpe is a Catholic mother who is passionate about helping all believers develop a loving relationship with Jesus, especially in the Eucharist. A convert to Catholicism who saw a need for engaging books for Catholic children, Jennifer is the author of several books, including her latest book with Ascension, The Mass and the Manger: My Interactive Christmas Story. She also penned Ascension’s award-winning My First Interactive Mass Book. This title won two Association of Catholic Publishers Excellence in Publishing Awards, achieving a rare first place in two categories: Children’s Picture Books and Spanish. Jennifer lives with her husband and children in Oklahoma.

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I reach to pick up my newborn and he nuzzles his way under my neck. Instinctively he knows where his place of comfort is. He knows that underneath my neck, against my chest, and wrapped in my arms is his new home outside of the womb. This is where we both experience warmth, connection, and love.  As I admire God’s work through my baby, I think about the last time that I allowed myself to be wrapped in the Father’s arms like this.  The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want; he makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul. (Psalm 23:1-2)  I also long for this type of intimacy in my spiritual life. Caring for the needs of my husband, children, and household is a gift that I don’t take lightly. At the same time, I realize that it can become all-consuming when I don’t allow myself to be embraced in the Shepherd’s arms.  One of the things I get asked a lot during my postpartum time is, “How are you?” Although this can be a loaded question—not just for a postpartum mom, but for all women—the answer for me in this season is, “In need of rest.” Not just physical rest, as in sleep, but a deeper rest, as in allowing myself to sit down and enjoy a meal instead of eating as I cook it, rest from preemptively thinking about what’s coming up the pipeline, rest from the standards and expectations I hold myself accountable for so that I may receive more joy and life in Christ.  Receive His Tender Care Everything we need is in the arms of the Shepherd Himself. There isn’t anything more that we need outside of His tender embrace. When we find ourselves overwhelmed by daily life, we can approach the good Shepherd in our vulnerability and ask Him to hold us.  The good Shepherd desires that I take the same approach as my newborn, who trusts that I will care for all his needs. When we consider the tenderness a shepherd takes with his flock to ensure their safety and wellbeing, we can see that Jesus leads us in that same way. Maybe it’s hard for us to imagine being cared for like sheep, because we have been in an ongoing cycle of going through the motions of following Him in word but not in action. We can delude ourselves into thinking we know how to follow Jesus well when, in reality, we are pretending to follow and are grasping to take the reins to lead. Follow Sometimes I find myself believing there are greener pastures than the one to which I have been led. Perhaps if I was to graze in a different field altogether my life would be easier, look more successful, or be more exciting. It’s tempting to think that what we consider ideal is better for us than the Father’s plan for us. This year’s Blessed is She Advent devotional, Found, will unpack for us the meaning of Jesus as the Good Shepherd in our lives. All of us have a deep desire to be sought after and cared for and Jesus wants to reveal that to us. In our busyness of living in the world, we are all in need of being found. Advent offers us a clean slate to begin again as we begin a new liturgical year. We can access what our prayer life needs through this theme of being found.  This journey of faith is one we can never walk alone. If you are like me and need the extra layer of accountability and encouragement, the BIS community has several ways to keep you focused on the Good Shepherd this Advent season.  After you purchase the Advent devotional you will receive an email link to the Found channel in the BIS app. Here you will be able to connect with other women, receive prayer prompts, playlists, and other ways to supplement your Advent prayer practices. Attend the Advent kickoff to create space for His coming. Join the BIS community live on the app on December 2, 2023, at 12 PM EST for a time of prayer, encouragement, and community. An RSVP link will be in your post-purchase email. Beth and Jenna will be on the Blessed is She podcast every Wednesday during Advent to share reflections on walking with the Good Shepherd.  If you are looking for in-person community in your area you can find a regional group near you, connect with a virtual group on the BIS app, or start your own.  Journey The Advent devotional has a built-in road map that makes it easy to follow along and removes the doubt of how to make the most out of the journal.  Sundays / Narration on the week’s theme Mondays / Old Testament Scripture and specific lectio divina prompts Tuesdays / Story (by one of our amazing writers), along with questions  Wednesdays / New Testament Scripture and specific lectio divina prompts Thursdays / Story and questions  Fridays / Sacred mosaic art and specific visio divina prompts Saturdays / Rest and receive It may seem overwhelming to look at the daily prayer practices all at once, but it's simply a recommendation as you are welcome to use the journal in whatever way works best for you and your current season of life. The daily prayer practices aren’t meant to be checkboxes, but invitations to grow deeper in prayer.  Find Shelter in Him We are all tempted to get lost in hot cocoa bombs, Christmas carols, twinkling lights, sugar cookie decorating, ugly Christmas sweaters, white elephant parties, and gift giving. However, for us as Catholics and Christians this isn’t the sole focus of what makes it “the most wonderful time of the year.” For us it's waiting for the tiny babe to arrive in the manger and creating space in our hearts to encounter Him there. This season of Advent, if we allow it, can be transformative for us. We can find the shelter we have been searching for in our Good Shepherd. Only He can lead us to greener pastures, living water, and provide what we need to live a life of abundance in Him.  Come away with us this Advent season and be Found in the Good Shepherd’s arms. HIS WORD CHANGES LIVES God is speaking to you through His Word. In this personal study, you will learn to hear God's voice by reading slowly and praying deeply. BEGIN THE JOURNEY

We can learn a lot from the wisdom of autumn. After a big celebration of colors, the trees let go of their leaves because they are no longer needed. Fall reminds us that we, too, need to let go sometimes. We thrive and grow the most when we learn to let go. Mother Church in her wisdom knew that in order for us to thrive and grow in our spiritual life, we would need structure. The liturgical calendar provides us that structure by guiding us through the different seasons of the liturgical year.  The recurring themes in the Church’s liturgy during the month of November invite us to draw closer to God and to reflect on the work God has done in us. The prayers and readings from Mass focus on death, judgment, hell, and purgatory with special attention on the communion of saints. Further, as the liturgical year comes to a close, we as Catholics are called to meditate over our final days and pray for those who have gone before us. Praying for those who have gone before me is something I unfortunately have been doing a lot of as of late. I lost both of my parents this year. No one is ever prepared to lose a parent, let alone lose both parents within a two month span. Dad had been sick with dementia for about nine years, with the last few of those years being very challenging. Mostly for him of course, but also for my mom, who was his main caregiver. My mom patiently watched the man she married when she was only nineteen lose his ability to do the most mundane of daily tasks, like buttoning his shirt and bathing without help. When I received a call from one of my brothers in May telling me that my dad had taken yet another bad fall and was once again in the hospital, I knew that this was not a good thing. We had been down that road a few times already. What I didn't know was that this time was different—he would not be coming back home. My dad’s body was shutting down after years of dealing with the terrible disease of dementia. The Lord called him home two days after being admitted to the hospital. Unfortunately, due to the fact of living in another country, I was not able to come home in time to say goodbye before he passed, but I was able to travel there for his funeral. I stayed in Brazil for about a week after my dad’s passing, mourning his loss and making sure my mom was okay. She surprised us by accepting everything with peace. She knew my dad was in a better place and was no longer suffering. What I could never have imagined or anticipated was that my mom would also be called to be with the Lord soon after. Excruciating pain doesn’t even describe what I felt when, just eight weeks after my dad’s passing, I was once again on a plane going to Brazil. The nine-hour flight from Charlotte to São Paulo was the longest nine hours ever. My mom had been admitted to the hospital with pneumonia and kidney failure and passed away peacefully before I arrived in Brazil. Once again I was not able to say my goodbyes in person! Words can’t even begin to  express the sorrow I felt. My mom had been my world! Everything good in me came from this amazing, unselfish woman that taught me so many things, including how to love unconditionally and sacrificially. How do you heal and go on after losing both of your parents so close together? How do you reconcile with the fact that the two people who brought you into the world and loved you unconditionally are now both gone? This kind of loss leaves you feeling like your whole foundation was ripped apart right from under you.  Acknowledging God’s goodness even in the midst of  suffering As painful as this past summer was, I still hold on to the truth that God is good. He has been there for me in ways only He could. The love of my family, my friends, and my faith has played a huge part in my grieving process. Grief is a funny thing. Some days I can look at my parents’ picture and smile as I reflect back on the legacy they left for me—my ten siblings, their many grandchildren, and those who were privileged to get to know them. Other days, I miss them so much I could scream. The fact that I’m writing about this painful season so soon after going through it is a confirmation of God’s goodness. He wants me to heal from the loss of my parents. Just like the tree letting go of those leaves, I know you and I are being called by the Lord to let go of the pain from losing a loved one just long enough for us to savor all the beautiful things they left behind.  I miss my parents dearly and daily! I don’t want the wonderful memories to ever go away and I intend to hold them to make sure of that. And while they are physically gone, I constantly feel my parents' presence around me. I find myself listening to the music I grew up singing along to with my mom as I helped her around the house. More and more I crave the foods she used to make for us growing up. I cherish the memory of my dad fondly telling me that I was just like his beloved grandmother—the woman who raised him. It was easy to see how much he loved and respected her every time he talked about her. My dad came from a generation of men who didn’t know how to show affection, but, in a way, the fact that he thought and voiced that I was just like his beloved grandmother was his way of saying that he loved me.  Finding comfort in Jesus If you are dealing with this kind of pain, I pray that you’ll find peace and comfort in knowing that the good Lord is right beside you as you go through this difficult season. Jesus knows your pain for He, too, cried when He found out his friend Lazarus had died (see John 11:35). This demonstrates our Lord’s loving nature, His compassion for people. Allow yourself some time and space to mourn. When I arrived back home from Brazil after my mom's passing, I was in a bad place. Some days I just wanted to stay in bed and not have to face the fact that I had just lost both of my parents. I will forever be grateful to all my dear friends who were so good about checking in on me, sending flowers, and making delicious meals for my family as we all dealt with the loss of my beloved parents. Knowing that Jesus wept over  Lazarus’s death gives me hope that even though I’m still in the middle of mourning the loss of my parents, I can, by the grace of God, at the same time look forward with anticipation to the new liturgical year that starts with my favorite season in the Church—Advent! HIS WORD CHANGES LIVES God is speaking to you through His Word. In this personal study, you will learn to hear God's voice by reading slowly and praying deeply. BEGIN THE JOURNEY

As I anticipate Advent’s approach, I wonder, how will this year be different? Every year I make the “Lent” and “Advent” comparison, asking myself whether or not I should really be giving anything up for Advent, like I do for Lent. After all, I think of Advent as a time of rejoicing and celebration, not of austerity and fasting.  But then again, Jesus’ birth was one of both austerity and joy—for His birth was a result of sin and came during difficult circumstances for His parents, but it also was a time of fulfillment and hope.  It seems like something to prepare for in a more conscientious, spiritual way than we often do as our December calendars fill up. When I think about it, when I am not intentionally living out the liturgical season of Advent, I find I take the day of Jesus’ birth for granted. But what if I didn’t? What if I lived Advent out more radically? Celebrating the coming of Jesus’ birth, but also creating more space to welcome Him within my own heart. What if I left a space for Him to fill, rather than attempt to fill it with my own human distractions. Small Moments I was recently reflecting on the different seasons of prayer I have found myself in over the past ten years. As a single woman, I made holy hours, daily Mass, lectio divina, and spiritual reading a high priority. As a married woman, I still make them a priority, but my prayer life has changed. My holy hours are not as frequent, and more of my personal prayer time has shifted to prayer with my husband. A good change, but a change nonetheless.  Now, as mother of three small children, my prayer time is more or less consistent, but often chaotic. My husband and I, with our children beside us, spend a few minutes in family prayer time, reading Scripture, voicing our intentions, and consecrating our day to Mary. In addition to that, I try to get five minutes of personal prayer time, just me and Jesus. Sometimes that’s while I’m driving, sometimes that’s with my kids playing quietly beside me, and sometimes it’s when all three are sleeping (which is ideal). That being said, there are so many small chunks of time throughout my day! Just the right amount of time to grab my phone to check emails, read articles, and scroll. I don’t often consider using that time to pray, and I justify my phone time by deciding that one, two, or three minutes would be too short to enter into prayer because I’d just be interrupted anyway.  But what if I used these small moments for worship instead of web browsing?  It’s true that I may not enter into an extended time of using my imagination to dive into Iganatian prayer, nor will I have the hands and minutes to open my Bible with my journal for a strong lectio divina session.  Though what I can do is orient my mind to the present. I can consecrate those small moments to Jesus with a short prayer, and make a spiritual offering to the Lord simply through living out my vocation. As it reads in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, I can seek “the kingdom of God by engaging in temporal affairs and directing them according to God’s will” (CCC § 898). Further, my “daily work, relaxation of mind and body, if they are accomplished in the Spirit—indeed even the hardships of life if patiently born—all these become spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (CCC § 901).  Using these small moments of time to pray, instead of scrolling through posts, will lead me to the still waters I thirst for. Still Waters Do we find purpose in our busyness? I know I certainly do, and Advent is a very busy time. This is why the words of Psalm 23 are at the core of this year’s Blessed Is She Advent Devotional:  The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want; He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. (Psalm 23:1-2) One of the Advent devotional writers, Rachel Balducci, writes during week one, about how the Lord whispers to us of our worth, and it is simply because we are His, not because of what we can do: We hear this truth best in our rest, when we slow down—are forced to slow down—and have nowhere to turn but the deep silence within. [ . . . ] If he is offering you rest, accept it! Even if rest is not being forced upon you, invite small moments of retreat. We find our peace in the silence. (Found, p. 13)  Later on in the week, we are encouraged in the devotional to,  Leave your phone at home or in the car to allow yourself to be totally present to the presence of God. Soak in the silence and listen for the voice of the Shepherd in the quiet of your soul [ . . . ] Simply spend time with Jesus in the beauty of creation. (Found, p. 18)  These words convict me. While I may not always have silence throughout my day, I can still savor the beauty of the creation around me, and I don’t have to look very far. There is immense beauty in the creation and gifts of my spouse, my children, our home, and the beauty of the world outside our walls.  In those moments I am tempted to scroll, these words help call back to mind that I can always choose to be in the present moment, and acknowledge the reality of always being in God’s presence.  This Advent, while I don’t plan to fast as strictly as I do during Lent, I do plan to leave those small spaces of time throughout my day, as an opportunity to reflect on Psalm 23 and the words that “goodness and mercy shall follow me” (Psalm 23:6), I just have to be present to see it.  How do you see God’s goodness pursuing you? HIS WORD CHANGES LIVES God is speaking to you through His Word. In this personal study, you will learn to hear God's voice by reading slowly and praying deeply. BEGIN THE JOURNEY

This Thanksgiving, there will be one less person around our dinner table. My husband's father—my children's grandfather—passed away this year on Father's Day. We have already experienced "firsts" without him. His presence was missed as we watched fireworks on Independence Day and remembered his birthday in October. But now, as we prepare to celebrate a holiday that centers around gratitude, I wonder what that will look like. How will our expression of gratitude look different this year? When Life is Not So Wonderful In many ways, Thanksgiving begins a season of holidays that is deemed “the most wonderful time of the year.” And that can certainly be the case. Often, we gather with family and friends, renew traditions, and reflect on all the good we are grateful for. But some years don’t feel so wonderful. We want our hearts to be overflowing with gratitude, but we find ourselves coming up empty. How do we give thanks in the midst of a breakup? Or when we are facing unemployment or serious illness? How do we give thanks when that empty seat at the table reminds us of how much we miss him? Or when the heartache of not being able to conceive is too much to bear? How do we give thanks when our spouse or child is suffering, and there is nothing we can do to ease the pain? Scripture encourages us to “Rejoice always,” and “In all circumstances give thanks” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). But we wonder: How are we supposed to do that when we are experiencing pain, suffering, loss, or hardship? We Can Do Both The answer, I believe, rests in the fact that it is not simply “either-or.” It’s “both-and.” We can acknowledge the painful emotion caused by suffering. We can feel the loss. We can lament the hardship. And we can still give thanks. This is not necessarily easy, but it is worthwhile. Because it leads to a deeper sense of gratitude, as we discover the unexpected blessings that come from the hardest parts of life. Because let's face it: When times are good, it is easy to be grateful. We can even run the risk of taking our blessings for granted, as if they are always going to be there. But in times of difficulty and uncertainty, we realize how much of life is out of our control. And here we have a choice. We can allow the difficult circumstances to overwhelm us, which could spiral into ingratitude, bitterness, or anger toward God. Or we can come to a place of deep acceptance, which leads us to greater appreciation for all that surrounds us—even to the point of better recognizing the little things we may otherwise take for granted, like hidden treasures which are always there but often overlooked. By choosing the second option, we learn how to bless the Lord’s name no matter the circumstances—when life is good, and when life is tough; when He gives and when He takes away (see Job 1:21). As Saint John of Avila is believed to have said, “A single ‘Blessed be God’ in adversity is worth more than a thousand acts of thanksgiving in prosperity.” An Act of Faith A while back, my husband was laid off from work. For months prior, I prayed for the Lord to deliver him from his toxic job, which was taking such a toll on him and our entire family. I didn't expect the Lord to answer my prayer through a layoff. At first, it felt like we were moving from one bad situation to another. I was frustrated and confused. I worried about how we were going to make ends meet. At one point, I didn’t feel an abundance of faith in the circumstances (or in what the Lord was doing). But I chose to make an act of faith anyway. Living in less-than-ideal circumstances while ascending to a place of greater faith helped me consider: If I don't have what I want—in this situation, it was a job for my husband—what do I have? And here, in the quiet of my seeking heart, the Lord showed me the hidden blessing of his unemployment: the drastic improvement in my husband’s overall health and wellbeing. He was simply better off. At this realization, unexpected gratitude swelled up for the gift of him no longer having to work in such difficult conditions. Where Are the Hidden Blessings? Focusing on the hidden blessings changes how we view uncertainty and disappointment. Our attention isn’t solely on the bad anymore. We finally see the circumstance through a "both-and" lens. Several years ago, I received a pretty firm rejection. My dream was shattered, and my heart was crushed. I ran to the Lord and surrendered my disappointment to Him. When I opened my Bible, through tears, I read this passage: “[B]ut ‘yes’ has been in him. For however many are the promises of God, their Yes is in him” (2 Corinthians 1:19-20). In the midst of my devastating news, I was comforted knowing that even the no I received was a yes from Him, because this no was part of God's better plan for me. And over time, He revealed it to me. Other examples of hidden blessings could include: When facing a chronic illness, we can be grateful for the kind nurse at the clinic or the friend who brings us flowers. When missing someone this holiday season, we can be grateful for so many memories with her. Perhaps we can share them together, around the table. When healing from a breakup, an act of faith can increase our gratitude that God is even using this heartache for our good (see Romans 8:28). When various stressors take a toll on our family, we can be grateful for how coming together to support and encourage each other in the midst of it strengthens our relationships. This is not about stuffing the pain. The pain is real, and we should spend time feeling it. But by finding unexpected gratitude in the difficulties of life, we are able to deepen our trust and offer the aching part of our heart in a unique way. And this transforms our faith, increases our hope, redeems our suffering, and restores our peace. This Thanksgiving This Thanksgiving, if life isn’t wonderful, if circumstances are not ideal, bring this to the Lord. Attend morning Mass before gathering with family and friends. Place all of your sorrows on the altar at Mass. Unite them with the Lord’s suffering on the Cross. And in an act of faith, expect to see what you could not see before. The blessing in the unexpected. The beauty in the pain. The peace in the midst of the storm. “Bless the Lord, my soul; and do not forget all his gifts, Who pardons all your sins, and heals all your ills, Who redeems your life from the pit, and crowns you with mercy and compassion, Who fills your days with good things” (Psalm 103:2-5).

Nous savons que vous avez beaucoup à faire cette semaine de Thanksgiving (au propre comme au figuré) et nous voulions faciliter vos achats de Noël. Après tout, ne voulez-vous pas terminer la majeure partie de votre liste avant le début de l'Avent afin de pouvoir entrer plus pleinement dans la saison ? Peut-être cette année plus que jamais, nous avons une occasion unique de soutenir les petites entreprises. Et nous voulions qu'il soit facile pour vous de magasiner, d'acheter et d'acheter auprès d'entreprises appartenant à des femmes catholiques. Nous avons donc élaboré ce guide de cadeaux de vacances catholiques mettant en évidence les entreprises appartenant à des femmes catholiques ( y compris plusieurs codes de réduction Black Friday/Small Business Saturday/Cyber ​​Monday uniquement pour les lecteurs de Blessed is She ! ) pour vous aider dans vos achats intentionnels et significatifs. Vous pouvez vous sentir bien de soutenir ces femmes alors qu'elles utilisent leurs dons donnés par Dieu et leurs compétences pour créer des produits vrais, bons et beaux. Cliquez pour accéder à la catégorie : ART + ESTAMPES BIJOUX OBJETS DE DÉVOTION VÊTEMENTS + TEXTILES ARTICLES POUR LA MAISON + DÉCO LIVRES + RESSOURCES ART + ESTAMPES Presse Pétronille Petronille Press est un studio d'illustration catholique inspiré par la conviction de Dostoïevski selon laquelle "la beauté sauvera le monde". Le studio produit une variété éclectique de produits d'illustration, notamment des impressions giclées, des autocollants, des œuvres d'art originales et de la papeterie. De plus, Petronille Press propose des motifs de broderie à télécharger instantanément, des feuilles de coloriage et bien plus encore. Obtenez 10 % de réduction sur tous les achats entre le 25 novembre et le 9 décembre à 23h59 HNE avec le code BIS10. Bernadette Paoni Design & Art L'art peint à la main est le cadeau parfait pour tout le monde sur votre liste de Noël. Plaques, cadres, imprimés et plus encore... tous des designs modernes et tendance avec un thème catholique unique. Studio Senn Studio Senn a pour mission de transmettre la Foi ! Et leur tout nouveau livre pour enfants, I Was Born to Be a Saint, Too, est le moyen idéal pour y parvenir ! La collection de l'Avent la plus vendue de l'année dernière est de retour ! Y compris leurs ornements en bois faits à la main Jesse Tree, les autocollants de fenêtre Jesse Tree et les imprimés O Antiphon! Il y a quelque chose pour tout le monde sur votre liste avec des accessoires, des œuvres d'art originales, des impressions, des affiches, des autocollants de prière, des cartes et des cahiers ! Jusqu'au 30 novembre, bénéficiez de 25 % de réduction sur les accessoires, 20 % de réduction sur la décoration intérieure et les livres, 15 % de réduction sur l'Avent et les Spinners, 10 % de réduction sur tout le reste (aucun code nécessaire) ! Utilisez le code GIFTGUIDE22 pour 15 % de réduction supplémentaire jusqu'en décembre ! Jardin de son ventre Place-toi dans la sécurité, la chaleur, l'amour et la tendresse du sein de ta mère au Ciel. Garden of Her Womb est une collection d'œuvres d'art inspirées par Notre-Dame à la gloire de sa maternité. "Receive Him This Christmas" propose une collection complète d'emballages cadeaux qui comprend des cartes de Noël conçues personnellement, du papier d'emballage, des rubans washi, des étiquettes cadeaux et des imprimés exclusifs, dessinés à la main par Vivienne Boddy. Stock limité disponible, commandez maintenant ! Profitez de 20% de réduction sur tout du Black Friday au Cyber ​​Monday avec le code : RECEIVEHIM Cartes de neuvaine Novena Cards a été fondée pour vous aider à envoyer l'encouragement de vos prières à vos proches par le biais de leurs cartes de vœux catholiques. Ils ont également des kits de planification et des listes de contrôle pour planifier et suivre vos prières, ainsi que des cartes de prière pour vous aider à prier. Des idées de cadeaux spécifiques incluent leur paquet de cartes Priez et encouragez, leurs kits de planification de prière 2023 pour vous aider à prier tout au long de l'année, des cartes de chapelet à envoyer après avoir prié un chapelet pour un être cher et leurs nouvelles impressions de dévotions mensuelles catholiques. Utilisez le code BIS2022 pour bénéficier de 20 % de réduction sur l'ensemble de votre commande jusqu'au Cyber Monday. Impressions d'amour juste Lindsay Trezza est maman de trois petites filles et travaille avec diligence sur son entreprise familiale, Just Love Prints, depuis son pittoresque studio du Connecticut. Vous pouvez trouver des impressions pour votre foyer catholique (les images de fausse couche lui tiennent à cœur), des autocollants catholiques lavables au lave-vaisselle et des tatouages ​​temporaires catholiques significatifs. Utilisez le code BIS15 pour 15 % de réduction sur l'ensemble de votre commande. Ce code n'expire pas. Abondance de grâce Abundance of Grace a été créé pour vous donner accès à la beauté de la foi catholique à travers les Écritures, la tradition et les saints. Leurs principales passions sont d'aider les autres à trouver la grâce de Dieu dans leur vie quotidienne, plutôt par une prière ou un verset/citation encourageant sur une carte d'affirmation, et d'aider d'autres familles à construire leur église domestique. Assurez-vous de consulter leur collection Liturgical Living conçue pour les familles et notre nouvelle collection d'articles ménagers avec des cartes de recettes, des cartes d'affirmation et des blocs-notes pour mettre de l'ordre dans vos journées. Utilisez le code BIS22 pour bénéficier de 10 % de réduction sur toute la boutique jusqu'au 15 décembre.  BIJOUX Eardrop Co Leurs boucles d'oreilles sont inspirées du jardin marial. Leur espoir est que vous puissiez vous épanouir avec chaque paire dans votre propre vie et « développer » votre jardin en récupérant une boucle d'oreille de chaque collection. De nouveaux produits ont été ajoutés pour Noël en plus des boucles d'oreilles - des ornements de bouquets spirituels personnalisés et des bibelots floraux ! Pour les ornements, soumettez une photo d'un bouquet que vous souhaitez reproduire sur l'ornement. Si votre bouquet est en l'honneur d'un bébé avorté ou mort-né, il mettra son nom au dos sans frais supplémentaires. Cartes de bouquet spirituel incluses avec tous les achats ! Il y aura une vente le week-end du Black Friday, aucun code n'est nécessaire. Pour toujours 15 % de réduction, utilisez le code : BIS15  Kiki Koyote Kiki Koyote est un bijou conçu pour capturer la beauté de l'ordinaire. Après avoir lutté contre le cancer, Kris a suivi un cours de métallurgie et est tombé amoureux du processus. Making l'installa carrément dans l'instant. Cela l'a transportée vers la simplicité, la présence et la gratitude qu'elle avait vécues alors qu'elle était malade. L'acte de se faire sonnait si fidèlement à son âme, participant au miracle de la création. Maintenant occupée à la maison avec quatre jeunes enfants, le travail du métal continue d'être un cadeau pour elle. Son espoir est qu'avec chaque bijou, ce miracle de chaque instant soit rendu tangible. Obtenez 20 % de réduction sur les commandes de plus de 50 $ du vendredi après Thanksgiving au lundi avec le code : THANKFUL20 Le petit catholique Obtenez des bijoux, de l'art, des accessoires et des cadeaux catholiques faits à la main de manière éthique pour les femmes et les hommes. Tous les produits sont fabriqués en Amérique. Achetez avec intention cette année. Magasinez petit. Utilisez le code BIS15 pour 15 % de réduction sur tout le site ! Boutique d'art Telos Élevez votre collection de bijoux. Telos Art propose des pendentifs Sacré-Cœur, des boîtes d'abonnement à des bijoux catholiques et des bijoux religieux vintage uniques pour les mamans, les papas, les grands-parents, les adolescents et les préadolescents. Investissez dans des bijoux significatifs avec une histoire qui vous inspire, vous et ceux que vous aimez, à vivre pour votre telos, votre but ultime. Recevez 10 % de réduction sur votre première commande cette saison des fêtes avec le code BIS22 jusqu'au 31 décembre 2022. Les commandes de plus de 100 $ recevront automatiquement un sac cadeau en velours, jusqu'à épuisement des stocks.  Stella et marée La mission de Stella & Tide est de répandre et d'affirmer la foi catholique pour les femmes du monde entier en proposant des bijoux délicats faits à la main avec le plus grand amour. Les superbes colliers, bracelets élégants, jolies bagues et petites boucles d'oreilles de notre boutique sont minutieusement fabriqués avec de l'or 14 carats, de l'argent sterling et de l'or rose, offrant des rappels délicats mais durables de notre foi. Depuis 2018, ils ont fait à la main et expédié plus de 20 000 belles pièces catholiques dans le monde entier. Avec plus de 2 000 avis 5 étoiles, la livraison gratuite aux États-Unis et une politique de garantie généreuse, ils vous garantissent que vous adorerez votre expérience avec leur boutique. Les lecteurs de Blessed is She bénéficieront de 10% de réduction sur leur première commande cette saison des fêtes avec le code BIS10 jusqu'au 31 décembre 2022.  BÉBÉATI Lorsque vous recherchez l'inspiration, tournez-vous vers notre Créateur qui est la plus grande source de création. C'est dans le calme et la contemplation priante que les idées pour créer des bijoux catholiques intemporels, originaux et polyvalents se développent ici chez BEBEATI. On dit que les bijoux sont le cadeau parfait. À la lumière de cela, BEBEATI s'efforce de saisir cette opportunité d'évangéliser en produisant chaque bijou avec foi et une esthétique féminine modeste à l'esprit. Leur devise est : « Ce n'est pas la mode, c'est la dévotion. Puisse cette œuvre BEBEATI [être bénie] pour Sa Gloire et notre salut. Utilisez le code GRATIAMBIS pour recevoir 10 % de réduction sur les pièces prêtes à être expédiées "disponibles" (l'offre expire le 30 novembre). Connectez-vous à leurs histoires IG pour des ventes flash sur les bijoux.  Émeute du sel rose Pink Salt Riot équipe les femmes chrétiennes pour qu'elles défendent radicalement la vérité de leur identité en Christ grâce à des produits uniques de style bohème avec des messages bibliques manifestes et cachés. Ils sont connus pour leurs boucles d'oreilles de style géométrique, leurs autocollants en vinyle, leurs tapisseries, leurs bandanas et bien plus encore avec des messages cachés qui vous rappellent les paroles de Dieu au cours de votre vie quotidienne. De Thanksgiving Day au Cyber ​​Monday, bénéficiez de 10 à 70 % de réduction sur tout dans la boutique. Prix ​​comme indiqué, aucun code promo nécessaire ! Maison de Joppé Si vous recherchez une belle décoration catholique pour la maison, des bijoux, de l'art, des chapelets ou d'autres cadeaux catholiques, ne cherchez pas plus loin que House of Joppa. Chaque produit est sélectionné par des artisans du monde entier et est conçu pour élever votre esprit et partager la beauté de notre foi catholique. Mâche la vie La mission de Chews Life est d'équiper tous les catholiques de chapelets pour la vie. Pour ce faire, ils fabriquent un certain nombre de styles différents de chapelets. Pour les bébés, ils ont de grands chapelets en silicone qui sont parfaits pour le jeu sensoriel, la dentition et se familiariser avec la beauté du chapelet. Pour les enfants, il y a les chapelets Shepherd Kids. Ces chapelets sont légèrement plus petits que les chapelets pour bébés, mais comportent toujours des perles en silicone pour la sensation, la durabilité et le silence lorsqu'ils sont déposés à l'église. Enfin, pour les adultes, il existe des bracelets chapelet et des chapelets traditionnels. Il existe une grande variété de couleurs et de styles, mais chaque article est magnifique et durable. Les bracelets Rosaire comportent également une breloque crucifix "signet" qui vous aide à suivre votre chapelet tout au long de la journée. Chews Life a tellement de produits merveilleux, et tous visent à donner vie à la foi dans votre vie et dans votre maison. VÊTEMENTS + TEXTILES Little Way Design Co. Little Way Design Co. est un petit studio de design à l'extérieur de Pittsburgh dédié à soutenir les efforts de nouvelle évangélisation de l'Église en créant des designs qui élèvent nos cœurs vers le divin et nous rappellent qui nous sommes et que le ciel est notre objectif ultime. Inspirés par Le Petit Chemin de Sainte Thérèse, ils se concentrent sur la fourniture de cadeaux catholiques uniques pour toutes les occasions et tous les âges, comme des couvertures, des décorations de Noël, des autocollants, des cartes de vœux, des décorations murales et des vêtements catholiques qui soutiennent les catholiques dans leur cheminement de foi. L'ensemble de la boutique bénéficiera de jusqu'à 40 % de réduction du Black Friday au Cyber ​​Monday (du 25/11 au 28/11). Obtenez 15 % de réduction sur votre commande à tout moment jusqu'au 5 décembre lorsque vous utilisez le code : BIS2022. Saints d'un jour La propriétaire Gina sait à quel point la prière est importante pour vivre la vie à laquelle Dieu appelle les femmes en tant qu'épouses et mères. La mission de Someday Saints est d'offrir des outils de prière simples et des articles de style de vie inspirés des Écritures pour imprégner la vie spirituelle d'une femme tout au long de sa journée. Chaque article est conçu avec l'espoir que l'utiliser ou le porter vous rappellera qui Dieu vous a appelé à être et quelles sont ses promesses dans votre vie. Gina adore écrire des journaux de prière - le journal Adoration est un best-seller trois années de suite, et concevoir des chemises et des accessoires axés sur les Écritures. Vous pourriez dire qu'elle aime "porter sa foi sur sa manche", et son design de t-shirt préféré à ce jour est le t-shirt à fleurs "Strength & Dignity" illustré ci-dessous. Les lecteurs de Blessed is She peuvent utiliser le code SISTERHOOD15 pour 15 % de réduction jusqu'en 2023 ! T-shirts totalement catholiques Totally Catholic Tees est dans le secteur des t-shirts depuis près de 30 ans. Ils sont détenus et exploités par une famille et s'engagent à fournir des vêtements catholiques de qualité que tout le monde peut porter et partager dans la nouvelle évangélisation. Leur entreprise a commencé par ne proposer que des t-shirts, mais maintenant ils proposent des sweats à capuche, des manches longues, des t-shirts pour enfants, des chapelets faits à la main, des chaussettes, des sacs fourre-tout, des cordons, et plus encore ! Bénéficiez de 30 % de réduction sur tout le magasin (hors dédouanement et non cumulable avec la livraison gratuite). C'est leur PLUS GRANDE vente de l'année ! Profitez des économies. La vente est du 25 au 28 novembre. Utilisez le code ADVENT22. Si vous manquez cette vente, ils auront notre vente de Noël de la dernière chance du 2 au 13 décembre avec 15 % de réduction dans tout le magasin. Utilisez le code NOËL22.  Chaussettes Religieux Tout a commencé par une conversation sur les chaussettes donut. "Je peux porter des chaussettes pour la journée nationale du beignet. Ce serait cool si je pouvais porter des chaussettes de Saint le jour de la fête d'un Saint ?" 5 ans plus tard, Sock Religious est une entreprise en pleine croissance qui fabrique non seulement des chaussettes mais aussi des t-shirts, des pulls molletonnés, des autocollants, des grenouillères et des tasses à café. Jusqu'au 31 janvier 2023, bénéficiez de 15 % de réduction avec le code de réduction BIS15.  ARTICLES DE DÉVOTION Cadeaux de Beth Gifts by Beth cherche à enrichir votre vie de prière en vous proposant une sélection de chapelets artisanaux afin que vous puissiez vous connecter avec notre Seigneur à travers la belle et puissante prière du Rosaire. Blessed is She lecteurs peuvent utiliser le code BLESSED pour 10% de réduction sur leurs commandes jusqu'au 14 décembre. Pour un accès anticipé aux offres spéciales, inscrivez-vous à la newsletter Gifts by Beth ici . Conceptions de marché Meyer Meyer Market Designs est votre magasin incontournable pour les cadeaux catholiques et la décoration intérieure significative. Que vous recherchiez un cadeau pour enfants, des articles en papier, des oreillers à thème catholique et de l'art, nous avons ce que vous cherchez. Le travail de Bernadette est inspiré de Saint et cherche à fournir quelque chose de beau à offrir ou à remplir votre maison ! Utilisez le code promo BIS15OFF pour 15% de réduction sur votre achat ! Servante Rosaires Co. La mission de Handmaid Rosaries Co. est d'aider les catholiques à grandir dans leur foi en les encourageant à prier le Rosaire. Ils fournissent des chapelets uniques avec des designs modernes qui sont si attrayants que vous ne pouvez pas vous empêcher de les ramasser et de les utiliser ! Tous leurs chapelets sont inspirés de la foi catholique, s'inspirant des dévotions mariales, de la vie des saints et de la Sainte Écriture. Utilisez le code SILENTNIGHT pour obtenir 15 % de réduction sur l'ensemble de votre achat du 25 au 28 novembre. Miséricorde catholique Chez Catholic Mercy, leurs principaux produits sont des chapelets et des crucifix faits à la main. Le chapelet est une grande prière méditative, ils fabriquent donc leurs chapelets avec des designs uniques pour correspondre à la beauté de cette dévotion. Ils croient que cette épée spirituelle mérite un chapelet beau et bien fait. Le crucifix nous rappelle ce que Jésus a fait pour nous et nous donne de l'espoir, surtout lorsque nous traversons les épreuves de cette vie, alors ils gardent cela à l'esprit lorsque nous les fabriquons. Bénéficiez de 15 % de réduction du 21 novembre au 25 décembre avec le code promo HOLIDAY. Dessins de petites roses Little Rose Designs est fier d'offrir une variété unique de chapelets faits à la main, de bijoux et d'œuvres d'art fonctionnelles inspirées par trois générations de femmes catholiques. Chaque pièce est délibérément conçue et faite à la main dans la prière pour servir d'ajout fonctionnel et magnifique à votre maison. J'espère que vous apprécierez votre pièce Little Rose Designs autant que j'ai aimé la créer ou la rechercher pour vous. Utilisez le code MANGER pour 15 % de réduction sur votre commande jusqu'au 25 décembre. Le code BIS10 vous permet d'obtenir 10 % de réduction sur votre commande tout au long de l'année ! Chapelets Della Madonna Della Madonna conçoit des chapelets et des bijoux qui apportent de la joie à votre vie de prière. Ils sont fabriqués avec des pierres précieuses de qualité, des médailles de bronze coulé et beaucoup d'amour ! Un cadeau de foi parfait pour les personnes spéciales dans votre vie. Le code promo pour Blessed is She est BIS10 pour 10% de réduction (code à feuilles persistantes). Ils auront également une vente du Black Friday au Giving Tuesday avec des remises allant de 10% à 20%. Catholique de la côte ouest West Coast Catholic est une marque de style de vie qui souhaite vous rapprocher du cœur du Père. Leur objectif est de vous aider à découvrir un avant-goût du paradis grâce à des produits de style de vie et des outils de prière modernes et intentionnellement conçus. Ils sont surtout connus pour leurs pierres précieuses et leurs chapelets en cuir, mais depuis, ils ont élargi leur collection à bien plus encore. En infusant la foi dans des objets de tous les jours comme des bijoux, des tasses à café, des couvertures, des vêtements, etc., nous nous souvenons de lui et nous renouons quotidiennement avec lui. Ce qui rend cette marque unique, c'est que les produits du COE vous aident à remplir votre vie de la beauté de l'Église sans compromettre votre esthétique personnelle. Leurs clients font l'expérience d'une prière et d'une communion avec Dieu plus profondes, plus ils imprègnent leur vie d'articles remplis de foi qui apportent une essence du paradis à leurs moments de tous les jours. Vente Black Friday (sans code) Tous les chapelets en vente Samedi // Achetez plus, économisez plus : Dépensez 65 $ et obtenez 10 $ de rabais Dépensez 100 $ et obtenez 20 $ de rabais Dimanche 3 heures de ventes flash toute la journée... inscrivez-vous à leurs e-mails pour profiter des soldes ! Cyber ​​lundi (sans code) 20 % de réduction sur tout le magasin ARTICLES POUR LA MAISON + DÉCOR Cie Providentielle. Providential Co. apporte une couleur fraîche et une esthétique propre aux articles catholiques tels que l'art mural, les accessoires et les bougies de prière. Cette saison, ils introduisent un calendrier de bureau sur le thème marial, ainsi que de nouvelles bougies à la noix de coco et au soja avec un art parfait pour la saison. D'autres articles dignes de cadeaux conçus et fabriqués avec soin par la fondatrice du studio, Tricia Dugat, comprennent des ensembles de cartes de correspondance, des impressions de voyage de pèlerinage et des fanions en feutre de laine fabriqués aux États-Unis. La mission principale de Providential Co. est de mettre l'accent sur la réalité qui est fondamentale pour tous : Dieu vous aime. Bénéficiez de 10% de réduction avec le code BIS2022 Amis bénis pour toujours Blessed Friends Forever est une petite boutique catholique qui vise à rendre le temps de prière et de jeu plus saint avec les saints catholiques. Les saints ne sont pas seulement vos meilleurs amis, mais vos amis bénis pour toujours ! Nous créons des designs originaux avec plus de 200 poupées-oreillers Saint, des langes pour bébé, des couvertures en polaire, des chemises Saint habillées et plus encore. C'est un cadeau de pouvoir rendre notre foi et les saints catholiques plus tangibles pour nos plus petits de cette manière spéciale ! Les soldes des Fêtes se dérouleront du 7 au 18 novembre. Pour des achats nationaux gratuits supplémentaires, utilisez le code BFFSHIPPING à la caisse. Bougie Kerygma & Co Kerygma Candle & Co est une petite entreprise familiale catholique opérant à Orlando, en Floride. Commencé par une mère célibataire qui a quitté une relation abusive et a perdu son emploi à cause de COVID19 simultanément, ils se sont depuis développés et visent à devenir un guichet unique pour tout ce qui est catholique ! Ils proposent une variété de bougies à la cire de noix de coco et à la cire d'abeille, des produits parfumés au chrême, des vaporisateurs d'ambiance, des porte-rosaires, des produits pour le bain et le corps et bien plus encore! Tout ce qu'ils créent est fabriqué à la main dans la prière et conçu en interne en utilisant les meilleurs matériaux qu'ils sont en mesure de trouver. Vous pouvez également trouver des Écritures intentionnellement placées sur tous leurs produits et emballages. Ils organiseront une vente Black Friday, leur plus grande vente de toute l'année ! 25 % de réduction sur TOUT LE SITE (commence le Black Friday et se termine à minuit le samedi). Petites choses Grand amour Small Things Great Love crée des chapelets et d'autres articles pour célébrer la beauté de la foi catholique et vivre liturgiquement. Des guirlandes liturgiques aux chapelets muraux, des simples bijoux aux autocollants, ils cherchent à être un lieu où la beauté et la dévotion se rencontrent et émeuvent le cœur. Leur boutique est surtout connue pour leurs chapelets muraux, leurs guirlandes de saisons liturgiques et leurs chapelets en perles de bois colorées. Profitez de la livraison gratuite sur tout le site aux États-Unis. Aucun code nécessaire. Leur vente de vacances se déroule maintenant avec des démarques et des tas de cadeaux. Aucun code nécessaire. Foyer catholique de Lata La maison catholique de Lata propose des sanctuaires conçus et fabriqués à l'origine, des pochettes de chapelet, de la verrerie, des enseignes, des ornements personnalisés (et bien plus encore !)… Tous conçus pour le traditionaliste moderne ! Chaque pièce est fabriquée avec amour avec un dévouement à ré-évangéliser le monde à travers la beauté et la vérité. N'oubliez pas de jeter un coup d'œil à leurs nouveaux sanctuaires en édition limitée ! De beaux cadeaux abordables pour tout le monde sur votre liste. Profitez de 10 % de réduction sur l'ensemble de votre achat et de la livraison gratuite aux États-Unis jusqu'au 2 décembre avec le code BIS10. Si vous effectuez un achat le Black Friday (11/25) ou le Small Business Saturday (11/26) : mentionnez que vous faites partie du guide de cadeaux Blessed Is She dans les "Notes au vendeur" pour recevoir un cadeau gratuit ! Rugueux 2 Rustique Rough 2 Rustic cherche à coopérer avec le Saint-Esprit dans la création d'art, de décoration et de cadeaux catholiques uniques. Tous les articles sont fabriqués à la main à Lubbock, TX et de nombreux articles sont fabriqués à partir de bois récupéré. Utilisez le code R2RLOVE5 pour 5 $ de réduction sur 49 $ ! Foi et tissu Chez Faith and Fabric, vous trouverez de magnifiques motifs de courtepointe remplis de foi, des projets de couture pour débutants, des tissus catholiques, des cadeaux faits à la main et tout ce qui se trouve entre les deux. Chacun de leurs motifs de courtepointe deviendra à coup sûr un héritage dans votre famille, et leur large sélection de projets de couture adaptés aux débutants vous incitera à coudre un peu de foi dans votre vie quotidienne. Économisez 15 % sur l'ensemble de votre commande et bénéficiez de la livraison gratuite avec le code PREPARE La petite boutique de roses Raquel a démarré cette boutique après être devenue mère célibataire et avoir eu une importante reconversion à la foi. Elle voulait s'approprier sa foi et la transmettre à sa fille de manière très authentique et tangible. La mission de la boutique est devenue : « apporter la foi au quotidien ». Maintenant, 9 ans plus tard, elle a 6 autres bébés (3 côté ciel, 3 côté terre) et ils lui donnent une mine d'inspiration. Qu'il s'agisse d'envelopper votre bébé dans un emmaillotage Mary's Mantle, de savourer une tasse de café dans une tasse de prière tout en regardant les enfants prendre le thé avec leurs Saint Dolls, ou de se disputer les enfants à la messe en espérant qu'ils resteront un peu silencieux avec un livre de masse silencieux. … Raquel veut que la foi fasse partie des choses simples de tous les jours, parce que c'est là qu'elle rencontre le plus Dieu. Utilisez le code BIS10 pour 10 % de réduction sur la communauté BIS à tout moment ! Bougies Corda Les bougies CORDA fabriquées à la main créent un lieu de paix et de prière, et elles sont un cadeau significatif et rempli de foi. Des parfums uniques sont inspirés par les saints et la foi, et chaque bougie est fabriquée en interne par une petite entreprise catholique familiale. Fabriquées avec d'excellents ingrédients et intentionnellement conçues pour diriger avec beauté, ces bougies relient le sacré et le profane, apportant la foi dans les moments de tous les jours. Utilisez le code Blessed15 pour 15 % de réduction sur toutes les bougies jusqu'au 30 novembre 2022. Collectif Foi + Famille Cette équipe mère + fille croit au pouvoir d'une famille ! Leur mission chez Faith + Family Collective est de créer des outils pratiques, beaux et innovants qui aident les familles à partager la foi dans leurs maisons de manière simple et significative. Découvrez leurs kits d'activités familiales de l'Avent, le moyen idéal pour traverser l'Avent en famille. Utilisez le code BIS15 pour 15 % de réduction sur toute la boutique jusqu'au 31 décembre 2022 ! Gloire et louange Une coutume familiale amusante a déclenché la tradition de Noël incontournable des Catholic Christmas Crackers ! Mettez la table lors de votre fête de Noël, de vos amis ou d'autres réunions de vacances avec des craquelins de Noël catholiques - lorsque tout le monde s'assoit pour manger, regardez le plaisir commencer ! Avant que vous ne vous en rendiez compte, tout le monde montrera son nouveau Bouton ou Pocket Saint (et en apprendra davantage sur la Foi !), portera une couronne amusante et racontera des blagues, avant même que le repas ne commence ! Gloria & Praise est une entreprise familiale dont la mission est de créer des interactions familiales significatives et amusantes centrées sur la foi et le plaisir ! Dirigé par une famille de catholiques amusants, italo-américains, amoureux de l'Église, qui aiment aussi: les moutons babydoll, les vieilles maisons, la famille, les amis, le café et les aventures. Utilisez le code BIS-10 pour bénéficier de 10 % de réduction sur toute commande jusqu'au 31 décembre ! fauve Fawnly est une marque de décoration et d'articles pour la maison dont la mission est d'apporter espoir et encouragement à votre maison et au monde. Il y a des couvertures en mousseline, des langes, des tirages d'art, des tasses et d'autres articles en papier et des produits de décoration intérieure, tous avec des motifs originaux. De Thanksgiving au Cyber ​​Monday, tout dans la boutique sera à 20% de réduction. Aucun code nécessaire. LIVRES + RESSOURCES Chaque dimanche sacré Ces deux amis catholiques de Houston ont un amour pour les beaux livres et la messe. En 2017, le Saint-Esprit les a amenés à créer le premier journal de messe ESS financé par Kickstarter, et ils sont honorés de créer la 6e édition de la messe ESS. revue cette année ! Chaque journal de messe contient les lectures complètes de la messe, les réponses clés, un espace pour les notes, des illustrations liturgiques et des réflexions saisonnières. Profitez de 10 % de réduction sur tout achat avec le code BIS10 jusqu'au 31 décembre 2022 (ne s'applique pas aux commandes passées). Ministères Emily Wilson Emily Wilson Ministries est dirigée par Emily (@emwilss), conférencière catholique, YouTubeuse, auteure, épouse et mère qui parcourt le monde pour partager son témoignage de foi lors de conférences et d'événements à travers le monde. La chaîne YouTube d'Emily compte plus de 125 000 abonnés et des dizaines de millions de vues. Elle écrit, parle et crée des vidéos sur la féminité, la foi et les relations, et ses livres, vidéos et conférences ont inspiré et encouragé les femmes de tous âges. Achetez ses livres pour enfants pour trouver de magnifiques bas de Noël basés sur la foi ! Utilisez le code BISHOLIDAY pour 15 % de réduction jusqu'au 9 décembre ! Dessins d'Annonciation Annonciation Designs propose des produits pratiques pour aider votre famille à rappeler le sacré au milieu de l'ordinaire. Avec des motifs écrits à la main sur des produits fabriqués de manière éthique, vous trouverez quelque chose pour chaque personne sur votre liste. Pour vos plus jeunes proches, assurez-vous de consulter leurs cartes d'activités Future Saint Dry Erase et Water Reveal Books, ainsi que notre lettre mensuelle par courrier postal, The Wanderlust Catholic! Achetez la vente du vendredi noir d'Annonciation Designs du 23 au 28 novembre, y compris 15% de réduction sur les cadeaux The Wanderlust Catholic de 6 et 12 mois. Aucun code nécessaire. Caisse familiale catholique Catholic Family Crate est une marque qui crée des cadeaux catholiques, du matériel pédagogique, des outils spirituels et de beaux objets d'art pour aider les enfants à tomber amoureux de leur foi catholique. Leurs produits font de merveilleux cadeaux aux enfants, aux familles et aux enseignants pour les anniversaires, les sacrements, l'appréciation et bien plus encore ! De l'art, des prières et des autocollants aux kits de messe et aux caisses d'activités à domicile, ils inspirent les enfants et les familles à apprendre et à pratiquer leur foi catholique. Découvrez leur planificateur et leur pack d'activités des 12 jours de Noël ! Pour 20 % de réduction sur le 1er mois d'un abonnement OU 20 % sur tout ce qui se trouve dans le magasin, utilisez le code : BLESSEDISSHE. Offre valable jusqu'au 31 décembre 2022. Lazy Liturgical par Call Her Happy Les feuilles d'activités liturgiques paresseuses sont destinées aux familles qui souhaitent célébrer l'année liturgique, mais qui ont du mal à se souvenir de planifier quelque chose de significatif. Au lieu de cela, achetez le pack croissant de feuilles d'activités et vous aurez accès à des centaines de pages d'artisanat et de coloriage qui ne nécessitent aucune préparation. Construisez votre église domestique en toute simplicité ! Utilisez le code BISSISTER pour 10% toujours sur tout. De Fiat à Halo Priez et jouez sans cesse. Gardez les yeux de vos enfants concentrés sur le ciel avec les puzzles Saint de Fiat à Halo. Disponible en pièces de 35 et 60 unités. Achetez 3 puzzles et obtenez-en 1 gratuit avec le code BIS22. Le coupon expire le 31 décembre 2022. ton olivier Thy Olive Tree vend de beaux livres catholiques d'auteurs indépendants. Achetez des livres de mémoire pour bébé, des livres de chapelet, des planificateurs, des journaux, des livres pour enfants et plus encore ! Trouvez des cadeaux uniques et significatifs pour tous les âges ! Consultez leur site Web pour obtenir des informations sur les ventes du Black Friday. Sainte du mois Les saints sont nos héros et ont tant à nous apprendre sur notre foi et notre amour pour notre Seigneur. Venez marcher sur leurs traces alors que nous vous envoyons un nouveau saint chaque mois et que vous explorez des histoires intéressantes qui vous inspireront à être qui vous étiez censé être. Les cadeaux se rapportent au Saint présenté et vous aident à grandir dans votre vie de foi. En plus du cadeau, vous obtenez un objectif qui vous met au défi d'agir selon votre foi comme l'a fait le Saint. Par exemple, on peut vous demander de dire la prière préférée des saints ou d'aider quelqu'un dans le besoin. Toute la boîte est une expérience amusante qui vous rapproche de Jésus-Christ à travers les yeux des saints. Une affiche à gratter est également incluse pour vous aider à suivre vos progrès dans l'apprentissage des saints. Cette entreprise de boîtes d'abonnement catholique appartient à la famille et est dirigée par Rebecca et son mari Patrick. Vous pouvez vous abonner pour recevoir un nouveau Saint envoyé chaque mois (abonnez-vous pour 1, 3, 6 ou 12 mois à la fois) ou vous pouvez consulter la boutique pour les boîtes passées comme cadeaux uniques. Les boîtes coûtent entre 25 $ et 38,99 $. (PS N'oubliez pas de voir notre article le plus populaire trouvé dans notre boutique : le planificateur Martha/Mary qui vous apprend à prendre les tâches de votre vie quotidienne et à les vivre tout en voyant Jésus comme Marie l'a fait). Découvrez notre nouveau jeu de cartes appelé "Eye of the Needle Card Game" où vous collectionnez des saints et essayez de battre tout le monde en étant le premier à terminer leur mission. Utilisez le code BLESSED2022 pour 15 % de réduction sur votre premier envoi lorsque vous commandez un abonnement de 1, 3, 6 ou 12 mois.