Glory Bee to God!

A cute little Carmelite postulant named Michele Morris sent Kevin and me a care package with instructions on the outside  that we were to open it together. 

When she’d written at Eastertime, our dear friend/sister in Christ, mentioned she had a surprise for us.  We never in a million years could have guessed what it would be.   

    
Ever since the spring a few years ago when I gave Michele a Pieta prayer book, we’ve been talking about “glory bees.”  In the prayer book is a Novena to St. Thérѐse of Lisieux which includes twenty-four “Glory Be to the Father” prayers each day.  Upon seeing this, she turned to me and exclaimed: “That’s a lot of Glory Be’s!”  At which point we both started laughing imagining bees with halos buzzing around glorifying God.  Thus began our affection for “glory bees.”

    
That Easter, I presented Michele with a stuffed animal bumblebee with candy in the zippered pocket and a makeshift halo out of silver pipe cleaner.  It was one of the few personal possessions she brought with her when she entered the Carmelite Monastery of Our Lady and St. Thérѐse.  Subsequent gifts to one another after that Easter often carried a theme of bumblebees.  I have a bumblebee pillow pet, a tall mug featuring a cartoon drawing of our adopted mascot, and a pair of yellow and black striped knee socks with bees on them all from Michele.

    
When learning to make rosaries, Michele thought it would be fun to make “Glory Bee Rosaries” for Kevin and me.  She was given permission to do so.  We are now the humbled owners of the first two “Glory Bee Rosaries.”  The community liked the idea, so she made a whole batch of them to go to the mission in Uganda.  With some bee research under her wings, she came up with a brochure using for graphics the picture of the bee I gave her with the halo and some of the bee graphics I used in making a memory book for her before she left. 

    
Inside the package was one self-portrait drawn with brown marker, one “Glory Bee Rosaries” brochure, two black and yellow beaded rosaries, and a five page handwritten letter from Michele.  I was laughing as I read the letter out loud about how she went from learning to make rosaries, to being inspired to make “Glory Bee Rosaries” for Kevin and me, to the project being blessed by the community. 

     Here’s an excerpt of her letter:

    For Trisha the gift is special in other ways as well.  It is also for you:

1.      A bridesmaids gift.  In thinking about and cherishing our “Girls Day Out” it occurred to me that as the bride-to-be I never did give you a bridesmaids gift-as is custom.  So I made one for you as well as Carrie and Betty J

2.      Something tangible to hold onto as reassurance that I am with you and praying for you.

3.      Tangible evidence that God does indeed work through you—inspiring others—good inspirations. 

Since July 16 is the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel as well as the two-year anniversary of the first performance of “Teresita” the original play Michele wrote, directed, and performed, and also the day when Michele received the letter accepting her as a postulant to the Carmelite Sisters by the Sea, I thought I’d share this story and the joy it has brought us. 

Angels and Saints: A Biblical Guide to Friendship with God's Holy Ones

In his recently published book, Angels and Saints: A Biblical Guide to Friendship with God’s Holy Ones, best-selling author Dr. Scott Hahn gives an overview of how the heavenly hosts and the faithful who have gone before us can inspire, influence, and guide our lives and the Church now.  He shows the Biblical support and proof of the importance of angels and saints in time and eternity. 

    
In part one, he establishes the context through which people have seen and interacted with angels and saints throughout the years.  He offers a number of Scriptural examples of these types of encounters and their significance in the lives of devout Catholics.  He also explains the Church’s in-depth process for canonizing saints. 

    
In part two, Dr. Hahn, founder and president of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, does an overview of the biographies and wisdom offered by twelve popular saints.  Sometimes the separation between those on earth and those in heaven makes it seem impossible for the two to interact at will, on a regular basis, and in the midst of daily tasks and undertakings.  What a relief to know that we have the encouragement, wisdom, and strength of the holy ones in heaven even while we’re here on earth! 

    
This would be a good book to give someone who is interested in learning about the Biblical support for the Church’s teachings that angels and saints are an essential part of the Body of Christ.  It’s easy-to-read, well-researched, and cited.  Hahn has hit the highlights when it comes to the saints included, using just a smattering of those near and dear to him who were also scholars and teachers.  We’re heartened by the Communion of Saints and encouraged to ask for their help and intercession. 

    
I received a free copy of Angels and Saints from Blogging for Books for this review.  For more info or to order your own copy of Angels and Saints, click here.  

Our Lady of Fatima Visions and Message

On May 13-October 13, 1917 the Blessed Mother appeared to three shepherd children, Lucia, Francisco, and Jacinta, six times in Fatima, Portugal.  To read about the Message of Fatima she gave to the children and the world, click on this link to the Vatican website on these apparitions.   

   
Both of my parents and my grandmothers have often prayed the Rosary and turned to Mary, the Mother of God, to ask for her prayers and intercession.  Devotion to the Blessed Mother has been a tradition in our family since long before I was born.  

   
The two prayers that I prayed daily in hopes to bring about Kevin's return to the Catholic faith in which he was raised were the Rosary and "The Prayer to Mary for the Conversion of a Loved One," a prayer which I first came across in this amazing book.

   
Kevin gave me a beautiful pink crystal Rosary even before he returned to the faith, because I’d asked for one.  I once said another Rosary wouldn’t mean as much, though I now have another one that means a great deal to me.  The Rosary case I have is still the one my mom gave me years ago, and the Rosary I keep with me all the time belonged to my dad.  He used it a lot during his life, so I’m very grateful to carry on the tradition of the Catholic faith and devotion to the Blessed Mother by using it regularly to pray for family, friends, and all who are suffering in mind, body, and spirit.
   
Here is the trailer from the original film The 13^th Day: The True Story of Fatima is a beautiful portrayal of the events including and surrounding these apparitions:

      

What Is Divine Mercy Sunday?

Did you know Divine Mercy Sunday is April 27, 2014?  It's always observed the Sunday after Easter, though many of the faithful don't know about this powerful prayer and important message from the Lord.      Click here to see a 15-minute video explanation of how to celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday here.
     
There are a number of beautiful ways to celebrate the Lord’s Divine Mercy and the messages of mercy given to the world, especially through Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska. I encourage you to read up on this feast day and find a church in your area that actually celebrates it. I love The Chaplet of Divine Mercy prayers.   This sung version is one of my absolute favorites! It's a very powerful prayer to sing with others. 
     
We've used it on Cursillo and Christ Renews His Parish retreats with great success!  Some have said it was the most powerful part of the weekend for them. 
     
Click here to pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy on your computer.
     "
Eternal Father, I offer You the Body and the Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your dearly Beloved Son in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world...For the sake of His Sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world."  "Jesus I trust in You!" - excerpts from the Chaplet of Divine Mercy
     
Please keep the team and candidates of the 465th Cursillo weekend taking place from April 24-27, 2014.  We are celebrating our theme which is based on the message of Divine Mercy and we will be sharing the Chaplet of Divine Mercy as part of the weekend.

Catholicism Blog Tour: March 31-April 9, 2014

     We're celebrating Image Books paperback release of the highly acclaimed book and DVD series by Fr. Robert Barron called Catholicism.  Over 10 days, ten different bloggers (including yours truly) are hosting the Catholicism virtual blog tour by posting a reflection inspired by one of the chapters in the book.  In case you're wondering, the chapters in the book correspond directly with the episodes in the DVD series.  

     For more information or to order your own copy of Catholicism, click here.

March 31 – Chapter 1: Stuart’s Study

April 1 – Chapter 2: Seasons of Grace

April 2 – Chapter 3: A Good Measure
April 3 – Chapter 4: Snoring Scholar

April 4 – Chapter 5: The Catholic Book Blogger

April 5 – Chapter 6: Prints of Grace

April 6 – Chapter 7: Catholic Bibles

April 7 – Chapter 8: Team Whitaker

April 8 – Chapter 9: Single Catholic Girl

April 9 – Chapter 10: The Curt Jester

St. Patrick's Breastplate Prayer

St. Patrick's Breastplate is a popular prayer attributed to one of Ireland’s most beloved patron saints. According to tradition, St. Patrick wrote it in 433 A.D. for divine protection before successfully converting the Irish King Leoghaire and his subjects from paganism to Christianity. (The term breastplate refers to a piece of armor worn in battle.)

More recent scholarship suggests its author was anonymous. In any case, this prayer certainly reflects the spirit with which St. Patrick brought our faith to Ireland! St. Patrick's Breastplate, also known as The Lorica (the cry of the deer), was popular enough to inspire a hymn based on this text as well.

I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through belief in the Threeness,
Through confession of the Oneness
of the Creator of creation.

I arise today
Through the strength of Christ's birth with His baptism,
Through the strength of His crucifixion with His burial,
Through the strength of His resurrection with His ascension,
Through the strength of His descent for the judgment of doom.

I arise today
Through the strength of the love of cherubim,
In the obedience of angels,
In the service of archangels,
In the hope of resurrection to meet with reward,
In the prayers of patriarchs,
In the predictions of prophets,
In the preaching of apostles,
In the faith of confessors,
In the innocence of holy virgins,
In the deeds of righteous men.

I arise today, through
The strength of heaven,
The light of the sun,
The radiance of the moon,
The splendor of fire,
The speed of lightning,
The swiftness of wind,
The depth of the sea,
The stability of the earth,
The firmness of rock.

I arise today, through
God's strength to pilot me,
God's might to uphold me,
God's wisdom to guide me,
God's eye to look before me,
God's ear to hear me,
God's word to speak for me,
God's hand to guard me,
God's shield to protect me,
God's host to save me
From snares of devils,
From temptation of vices,
From everyone who shall wish me ill,
afar and near.

I summon today
All these powers between me and those evils,
Against every cruel and merciless power
that may oppose my body and soul,
Against incantations of false prophets,
Against black laws of pagandom,
Against false laws of heretics,
Against craft of idolatry,
Against spells of witches and smiths and wizards,
Against every knowledge that corrupts man's body and soul;
Christ to shield me today
Against poison, against burning,
Against drowning, against wounding,
So that there may come to me an abundance of reward.

Christ with me,
Christ before me,
Christ behind me,
Christ in me,
Christ beneath me,
Christ above me,
Christ on my right,
Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down,
Christ when I sit down,
Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.

[Note that people sometimes pray a shorter version of this prayer just with these 15 lines about Christ above. The conclusion follows below.]

I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through belief in the Threeness,
Through confession of the Oneness
of the Creator of creation.

When St. Paul referred to putting on the “Armor of God” in his letter to the Ephesians (6:11) to fight sin and evil inclinations, he could have been thinking of prayers just like this one! We may not wear combat gear in our daily lives, but St. Patrick's Breastplate can function as divine armor for protection against spiritual adversity.

St. Teresa of Avila poem: In the Hands of God

I am Yours and born of You,

What do You want of me?

Majestic Sovereign,

Unending wisdom,

Kindness pleasing to my soul;

God sublime, one Being Good,

Behold this one so vile.

Singing of her love to you:

What do You want of me?

Yours, You made me,

Yours, you saved me,

Yours, you called me,

Yours, you awaited me,

Yours, I did not stray.

What do you want of me?

Good Lord, what do you want of me?

What is this wretch to do?

What work is this,

This sinful slave, to do?

Look at me, Sweet Love,

Sweet Love, look at me,

What do you want of me?

In Your hand

I place my heart,

Body, life and soul,

Deep feelings and affections mine,

Spouse – Redeemer sweet,

Myself offered now to you,

What do you want of me?

Give me death, give me life,

Health or sickness,

Honor or shame,

War or swelling peace,

Weakness or full strength,

Yes, to these I say,

What do you want of me?

Give me wealth or want,

Happiness or gloominess,

Heaven or hell,

Sweet life, sun unveiled,

To you I give all.

What do you want of me?

Give me, if You will, prayer;

Or let me know dryness,

And abundance of devotion,

or if not, then barrenness.

In you alone, Sovereign Majesty,

I find my peace,

What do You want of me?

Give me then wisdom,

Or for love, ignorance,

Years of abundance,

or hunger and famine.

Darkness or sunlight,

Move me here or there:

What do You want of me?

If You want me to rest,

I desire it for love;

If to labor,

I will die working:

Sweet Love say

Where, how and when.

What do You want of me?

Calvary or Tabor give me,

Desert or fruitful land;

As Job in suffering

Or John at Your breast;

Barren or fruited vine,

Whatever be Your will:

What do You want of me?

Be I Joseph Chained

Or as Egypt's governor,

David pained

Or exalted high,

Jonas drowned,

Or Jonas freed:

What do You want of me?

Silent or speaking,

Fruitbearing or barren,

My wounds shown by the Law,

Rejoicing in the tender Gospel;

Sorrowing or exulting,

You alone live in me:

What do you want of me?

Yours I am, for You I was born:

Yours I am, for You I was born:

What do You want of me?

A Lenten Journey with Jesus Christ and St. Thomas Aquinas

“Prayer transforms us, for it is impossible to come into contact with God without being changed.  The change is proportional to our openness, our disposition, to being transformed by God.” (p. 24).    

     
A Lenten Journey with Jesus Christ and St. Thomas Aquinas is a wonderful resource to help Christians understand the importance of prayer, the necessity of ongoing transformation, and the value of the Sacraments.  This book is one that could easily be used for a group study as well as for journaling, personal prayer, and contemplation. 

   
I enjoyed reading this book with its single serving size insights from St. Thomas Aquinas to go with the Gospel readings for each day of Lent and Holy Week.  Dominican author Fr. Paul Jerome Keller has done a magnificent job of incorporating brief passages from one of the most well-known and widely read members of the Order of Preachers, Thomas Aquinas, into daily meditations that are perfect for the season of Lent.  Fr. Keller has selected poignant passages from Aquinas’s vast works as the precursor to his own short reflections and original prayers written on the Gospel for each day.

   
During the season of Lent, we are all encouraged to enter into a deeper relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.  These practices are intended to bring us closer to Jesus not only as we prepare for the upcoming Easter season, but also as we move beyond it and live out our call to apostolic action. 

   
If we are truly changed from the inside out by our encounters with the Lord, then we will not be content to return to our former ways.  We will be inspired and called to keep moving forward into a more intimate relationship with the Source of All Love and Mercy.       

   
“The real benefit of prayer is that we are lifted to God; in our conversing with Him, which often should involve more listening than our own talking, we are deepened in our love of God.” (p. 23). 

 For more information or to order your copy of A Lenten Journey with Jesus Christ and St. Thomas Aquinas, click here.  I received a free copy of this book from Tuscany Press in exchange for an honest review.

Sisterhood of Saints

Word is out that I love reading, and tend to devour books, especially on topics of faith and spirituality, so when the Cursillo co-chairs in our area received a copy of Sisterhood of Saints, they asked me if I wanted to be the first to read it.  How could I turn down a book written by a fellow Cursillista whose reflections in the magazine Living Faith my husband and I both love?  I couldn’t.  I wouldn’t.  I didn’t. 

    
I was immediately drawn to the beautiful cover.  Yes, I know you’re not supposed to use that as a way of judging a book, but in this case, it is actually quite indicative of the loveliness found in these pages.  That plus the focus on female saints, our sisters in Christ, got me intrigued right away.  Of the 366 saints Melanie Rigney includes, I’ve heard of and know a bit about a number of them, but I have to say that the majority of them are brand new or nearly new to me. 

    
I love the mix of famous saints with more recently canonized, lesser-known women of faith.  For each day of the year, a woman’s brief bio is given along with a quote from Scripture or from the saint herself that serves as a summary of her philosophy on life and ministering to others.      

    
Here’s one inspirational quote I love: “The secret of happiness is to live moment by moment and to thank God for all that he, in his goodness, sends to us day after day.” -St. Gianna Beretta Molla

   
One of my favorite aspects of Sisterhood of Saints is that the reader is not only given the opportunity to connect and identify with other holy women, but through the challenge on each page, she is also invited to incorporate the wisdom of these women into her day.  Each challenge relates to some aspect of the saint’s life and ministry but is a very doable, practical way to reach out to others in our modern world.  The prayers and actions suggested are often simple, but powerful.  Most of them would fit under the category of “small things” that done with great love can make a huge difference.

    
Here are a couple excerpts of the challenges: “Ask God what he wants you to do today, and what he wants you to prepare to do for tomorrow.  Then, no matter how challenging it seems, do it” (pg. 212).

    
“Who in your life today inspires you by the way he or she has persevered in a struggle?  Write this person a note of thanks.  Ask for the wisdom to deal with a challenge you currently face” (pg. 348).

    
This treasury of saints serves as a perfect daily inspiration to live out our “feminine genius” in ways as varied and creative as these women.  I can’t even fathom surviving, much less thriving in the circumstances in which some of these women lived, but each one ultimately proved that staying close to Christ is always the best way to endure anything and gain eternal life.

    
Whether living in a busy city or a remote village, called to consecrated religious life or to marriage and raising a family, these saints will spark your interest, feed your faith, and give you hope for the journey.

     
For more information or to order your copy of Sisterhood of Saints, click here.  You can find other writing and get current updates and blog posts by the author Melanie Rigney at this website.

My Day of the Little Way Reflection

     How often in our lives are we challenged by the seemingly small things in our day or on our to-do list?  How attentive are we when doing those many mundane chores that don’t seem very significant?  For me, there are many times I really have to slow down and be aware of being present if I am to do even the most menial daily tasks with great love.  

    Most often we are sanctified by looking to the Lord for love and living each moment, doing each minor task set before us as if we were carrying it out for Jesus Christ Himself.  Does that include washing another load of laundry, preparing another meal, doing more dishes, paying the bills, being the chauffeur, holding the door for someone, smiling to cheer someone else up, and being friendly even when you don’t feel like it?  Yes, it includes all of those things and many more.   

     Our most important conversions and service to others may look different from those St. Thérѐse of Lisieux and others have experienced and performed, but we need not be discouraged by our weakness, frailty, and sinfulness as long as we come running back to Christ each time we have turned away and allow His Mercy and Love to wash over us once more. 

     Perhaps one of the greatest challenges in life and certainly in growing closer to the Lord is accepting how small and feeble we are, how liable to make mistakes, how likely we are to try to run from or hide our weaknesses rather than embracing them.  I would have to say that I’m very apt to get frustrated, flustered, and upset by my many imperfections.  There seem to be so darn many, and they don’t get resolved permanently, so I have to keep coming back to Jesus over and over for the grace to do better.  The magnificent, saving grace is that He doesn’t get sick of us returning to Him once we’ve messed up.  Not now, not ever. 

     It’s really quite a tiring project to fall down and get back up a bazillion times (Just ask any toddler trying to learn how to walk), but when we are welcomed and comforted by a loving Lord ready to embrace us with open arms after yet another fall, we have the incentive to keep going.  What God calls each of us to do, though, is to let our vulnerability and humanness be the biggest, most urgent inspiration for us to acknowledge how profoundly we need His Mercy every minute of every day.  We try and do things on our own, make our own rules, use our own strength, test our own wisdom and pride, and because we have the gift of free will.  He lets us. 

     So often we rush through or even neglect the less glamorous, smaller tasks that we’re given to carry out in pursuit of great, noble undertakings, yet, it’s the little mundane things that St. Thérѐse realized as being prime opportunities to exhibit God’s love if we are fully in the present moment.  I can’t imagine what a huge difference making an effort to be fully present to God’s grace each moment will make in our marriage, our home, our family, our relationships, and ministries, but I intend to find out.

Three Gifts of Thérѐse of Lisieux: A Saint for Our Times

As someone with a special affection for Thérѐse of Lisieux (as well as some other well-known St. Teresas), I knew I’d enjoy reading about how a bishop who considered The Little Flower as a sister to him from the time he was in seminary.  He was inspired to serve the Lord and live out the prescribed “Little Way” she wrote about in her autobiography The Story of a Soul.

   
Patrick Ahern cherished Thérѐse’s writing and example so much that he went to the trouble of learning French when he was 70 for the sole purpose of being able to read the original manuscript and other works written by scholars in her native tongue.  That to me shows a profound respect for the written word and the desire for an even deeper understanding of a saint he loved dearly. 

    
One of the most beautiful and inspiring books I’ve ever read about Thérѐse is one that Bishop Patrick Ahern wrote that was published in 1998.  It is a heartfelt story based on the correspondence between Thérѐse and a young seminarian.  Their letters to one another are filled with love, wisdom, and affection.  Both of them were tireless in serving the Lord and in doing whatever they could to spread His Love in the world.  Maurice and Thérѐse: The Story of a Love is a remarkable example of how two people of faith can pray for and encourage one another a great deal—even if they are miles apart, never meet in person, and have very different lifestyles due to the specifics of their vocations. 

    
I love Three Gifts of Thérѐse of Lisieux: A Saint for Our Times all the more knowing the tenderness and affection Ahern recognized Thérѐse had for Maurice, her sisters, her family, those in her religious community, and the entire world.  Thérѐse suffered a great deal of loss, illness, disappointment, as well as a very dark night of the soul, yet she remained cognizant all the while that even she could be useful for God if she would live out the daily tasks given to her with supreme love and selflessness.

    
One of my favorite personal stories from Ahern’s faith journey is included in this book.  It involves a brief stop at a candy shop that changed everything for him.  What he thought of and saw as weakness in a friend turned out to be an act of faith so profound that it changed the course of his life (and no doubt his friend’s as well).  I enjoy how much Ahern appreciates and embodies what Thérѐse experienced and described as the “Little Way.”

   
To find out more about Three Gifts of Thérѐse of Lisieux or to order your own copy, click here.

On the Wings of Glory Bees

I know for certain that the prayers of many were lifting me up this past Monday.  I gave a talk on How Faith, Technology, and You Can Be Part of the New Evangelization to the Women in God's Spirit (WINGS) group at Church of the Epiphany.  The last time I had been to that parish was with Michele Morris when she performed her original play "Teresita" for the WINGS group.

Watching the performance, which is largely about discernment, while surrounded by a number of older women served as a good reminder that we are called to discern God’s Will for us throughout our lives. The poem by St. Teresa of Avila called “In the Hands of God,” which Michele included in her program is one that I have found to be a beautiful prayer and reminder that we should ultimately be asking God (rather than other people) what He wants of us. 

   
In memory and honor of Michele and because I could feel that her prayers were with me, I wore the black and gold striped "glory bee" knee socks she bought me just days before she entered the Sisters by the Sea, a cloistered Carmelite monastery in Carmel, California.  No one could see the socks under the black boots I was wearing, but I knew they were there, and they made me Click here to read about how Michele and I developed a fascination with glory bees inspired by a novena to St. Thérѐse.

smile.

Upon entering the room where the meeting was held this past Monday, I gazed at the beautiful poster hanging on the wall of the Blessed Mother with the words “Mary kept all of these things and pondered them in her heart.”  I like the implication that the Mother of God also had things happen which she didn’t completely understand, but because of faith she pondered them in her heart, knowing God would provide clarity and grace for greater comprehension when the time was right. 

    
I noticed a nice statue of St. Thérѐse had been set on the small table under the poster.  I smiled at the likeness of the famous cloistered Carmelite holding her bouquet of pink roses, sensing that it was another “God wink” that I was where I was supposed to be doing His work.  I later found out that no one knows who brought the statue in and put it on the table used for the Praying Hands prayer shawl ministry, which made it even more significant that it was one of the first things I saw upon entering.

    
It is customary for women in WINGS to bring in items that are special to them.  The items are placed on the table in front of the lectern, and the significance of each one is briefly described to the group.  Again, I was awed and inspired by what two women brought for “show and tell.”  My favorite was the most gorgeous painting of St. Thérѐse of Lisieux that I have ever seen.  She seems to be somewhere with beautiful gardens near the water.  This also made me think of Michele, who has entered the Carmelite Sisters by the Sea.   
The woman shared with us that it had been hanging over her grandmother’s bed through the birth of all of her children, of which she had many, between when she was 14-31 years old.  The WINGS member told us about how her grandmother had prayed to St. Thérѐse when her first child, to whom she gave birth at age fourteen, was born prematurely.  The child not only survived, but she lived to the ripe old age of 95. 

After telling us about the painting, she was going to pack it up in the box she’d brought it in.  I asked her if she would be so kind as to leave it up on the table in front of the lectern where I was about to give my talk since it tied in so perfectly with much of what I would say.  You’ll notice there’s a pink rose on the banner of my blog.  There are a number of reasons it’s there, but one of them involves my special connection with saints named Teresa.

My mom has been praying the novena to St. Thérѐse that includes praying the “Glory be to God” twenty-four times, one for each year of the saint’s life for family members.  The other day she mentioned that the one she’s currently praying has been for Kevin, in part that he will find a job that is a good fit for him soon.  She mentioned how she hadn’t received any roses as is a somewhat common occurrence for those doing the novena as a sign that their prayers have been answered.  When I shared with her the story about the statue of St. Thérѐse that had appeared at church without anyone knowing who brought it in and texting her a picture of the beautiful painting the women brought in to show us, my mom realized that the roses God has been sending her are coming to her in other forms, ones that arrive via technology instead of with thorns.  This reassured her. 

If you are interested in learning more about St. Thérѐse the Little Flower, I highly recommend reading the following books:

Story of a Soul: The Autobiography of St. Thérѐse Lisieux

Maurice and Thérѐse: The Story of a Love

The Four Teresas

My Sisters the Saints 

7 Quick Takes Friday (Vol. 126) Birthdays, Joy, Saints, and the Blessing of Hope Edition

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Grace is…realizing again that God has been answering prayers you prayed over a decade ago in miraculous and hope-inspiring ways, offering your prayer intentions at Mass for someone who is struggling in mind, body, and/or spirit, finding out something hurtful and frustrating happened completely due to a misunderstanding and both sides feeling much better once given the chance to clear the air, having hope when it could only mean having faith in God’s plans for your future even when He hasn’t made any of them clear to you, yet, having dinner and time to visit with three adorable little girls who are way cuter than any Disney Princesses…

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All You Holy Men and Women, Pray for Us. This verse is part of the Litany of Saints that is often sung at Mass, reminding us that we are connected to all of those past, present, and future who have been open to the Lord’s love and grace moving in and through them.  I personally have found it extremely comforting to know that people throughout the ages from a very wide variety of backgrounds, time periods, socio-economic situations, abilities, skills, personalities, and passions are present each and every time we gather to celebrate the Eucharist.  Not only that, but we have a number of intercessors who will pray with and for us when our own measly prayers hardly seem adequate.   

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My Sisters the Saints Can women with very different lifestyles focused on doing the Lord’s will above all else be companions, true guides, and sisters for women of today?  Absolutely!
     My Sisters the Saints illustrates the truth of the adage that you should choose your friends wisely because you will become like them in some interesting and unexpected ways. 
     The six saints most prominent in Colleen Carroll Campbell’s life and spiritual memoir are holy women also very dear to me: Teresa of Avila, Thérѐse of Lisieux, Faustina Kowalski, Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein), Blessed Mother Teresa, and Our Mother Mary.  The concept of considering female saints as sisters is one I believe in and have embraced wholeheartedly.  For many years, I have felt a greater closeness to some of the saints and my sisters in Christ than I have sometimes shared with my two biological sisters.

     To read a complete review of this amazing book, click here.

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The Saint that Is Just Me I first heard this song when John had Kevin and me over to his apartment for dinner one evening.  As has been the case with every single one of her songs, the lyrics which Danielle Rose always writes in the Presence of the Blessed Sacrament resonate with me on a very deep level.  I’ve read a great deal about and by the saints, and most of the time, I have found it inspiring and uplifting.  Other times, I have gotten extremely discouraged when I see how I am eons away from having the sort of trust, devotion, faith, and dedication to God’s Will that they had.  

The Saint that Is Just Me is a perfect reminder that every single one of us is called to be a saint, meaning we are called by God to be holy, but that our sanctification and living out what the Lord calls us to often looks different from what it looks like for other people, even the saints.  If we conform our lives to Christ, then we will become the saint that the Lord wants us to be and knows we can be.  If we imitate the saints and try to become like then, we’re liable to end up failing miserably.  God doesn’t need another Blessed Mother Teresa, but He always needs people who are willing to use all of their mind, body, and spirit to serve Him in the unique ways and with the special set of talents with which He blesses us.  He loves you for who you are, where you are, and is calling you to holiness and sainthood. 

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Birthday Blessings I tend to dread my birthday, not so much because it means I’m a year older, but more due to the fact that it makes me likely to take stock of my life and what I have or have not accomplished or done by the age that I am.  I received a beautiful, very loving card from my mom for my birthday and frequent reminders throughout the day (though she was out of town at a funeral) that having me in her life has brought her a great deal of joy.  My mother loves me, God loves me, my husband loves me, and so do many others.  That is enough to be grateful for. 

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Honoring Our Departed Loved Ones Four years ago, I went by myself to an All Soul’s Day (November 2) service our parish had.  There were a number of people I added to the list of the faithful departed loved ones that year, my dad being just one of them.  I wasn’t sure how well I’d hold up, and really wished Kevin had agreed to come with me.  Being there and offering our sorrow and sadness to the Lord and having the courage to get up in front of others and speak a few words about the loved ones we’d lost recently was quite powerful.  So many friends and family members have lost loved ones this year.  It is my hope and prayer that they will also find comfort and courage that there is indeed life after this one, and that we will again be with those we love in the next life.  My grandmother passed away this last January.  I will be praying for her this evening and for all who are mourning the loss of loved ones.  This is the reflection I wrote about the All Soul’s Day service.
    

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All that Matters is God’s Will, His timing, and His plan for our lives.  My husband continues to look for a
new job, and we are bracing ourselves as his severance package which includes our insurance coverage ends on November 12.  I have confidence that the Lord will lead Kevin to a job that is a better fit for him, more fulfilling, and incorporates more of his skills and talents, but his hope is running low the longer he waits.  He’s frustrated and angry that so many contradicting things are said and advised, and he’s not sure which to follow.  It’s easier for me to look at this situation and have faith that things will work out, because he’s a hard worker, fast-learner, awesome at customer service, great at sales, very gifted in a number of other areas, in addition to being a good, compassionate person...than it is for him to trust at this point.

     Our sometimes very different approach to things has again nudged me back to our spiritual memoir.  That and several reminders that the most fervent prayers I have prayed in years past have been those which the Lord placed on my heart.

                  

Check out Jen Fulwiler’s tradition of 7 Quick Takes Friday at her tremendously popular blog Conversion Diary.