One thing about writing is that it is a little like parenting. (Stay with me here…) It doesn’t come with a manual or step-by-step instructions; you just dive in and figure it out as you go. When setting out on either venture, you have a vague, general idea of how things work, but ultimately, you learn with experience.

Both require a generous dose of patience and longanimity — also known as “long-suffering” — to achieve the desired results. The abbreviated definition for longanimity, according to Catholic Culture, is “extraordinary patience under provocation or trial.” In the case of writing, these trials could be delays and rejections or even a simple case of writer’s block, while with parenting, they are often things like middle-of-the-night infant feedings, toddler tantrums, and with teenagers, general poor moods.

When you first sit down at the keyboard, the ideas are often bouncing around in your head like energetic toddlers, and the task is to corral them and create some semblance of order.

Writing and being a good parent also both call for a degree of instinct, intuition, and ingenuity. The first attempts are often replete with missteps and errors. You will have to look back at what you have done, correct your mistakes, and improve from them.

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The most rewarding thing about both, however, is the sense of accomplishment and great blessings you receive from your hard work and sacrifice. At the end of the day, you thank God for the opportunity to give of yourself and (hopefully) contribute positively, if only in a small way, to building up the Kingdom of God.

All of this being said, I am so happy to have the opportunity to write (and parent) and to be diving into completing my upcoming book. The title has not yet been finalized, so I am not sharing many details yet, but hopefully I’ll be able to reveal more in the next newsletter.

In my downtime, I’m slowly savoring The Power of Silence: Against the Dictatorship of Noise by Robert Cardinal Sarah. Here’s a snippet:

“…all are called to contemplation, perfect love, and holiness. It is up to each individual to place himself at the disposal of the silent God who awaits us in the deep desert of our heart by avoiding din and turmoil.” - Cardinal Sarah, The Power of Silence, p. 66

We are always looking for a good chicken recipe, and there are plenty at Salt & Lavender. We tried the Chicken Riesling, which was delicious, and I’m sure it will become a family favorite. It can be paired with the same Riesling or a Pinot Noir. I didn’t get a photo, but trust me, it looked delicious and tasted just as good!

Chicken Riesling

By Natasha Bull

• ▢5-6 strips bacon cut into small pieces

• ▢2 large chicken breasts cut in half lengthwise

• ▢1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

• ▢Salt & pepper to taste

• ▢Flour for dredging

• ▢2 tablespoons butter

• ▢7 ounces cremini mushrooms sliced

• ▢1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning

• ▢3 cloves garlic minced

• ▢1/2 cup Riesling

• ▢3/4 cup heavy/whipping cream

Buttered parmesan pasta:

• ▢8 ounces uncooked spaghetti

• ▢2 tablespoons butter

• ▢1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese

Instructions

• If making the buttered parmesan pasta with this recipe: boil a large salted pot of water for the spaghetti, and cook it al dente according to package directions. Aim for it to be done around the same time as the chicken. Once the pasta is cooked, drain it, return it to the pot it was cooked in, and then immediately toss it with the 2 tbsp butter and 1/2 cup parmesan cheese until smooth and well-coated. Keep covered until you’re about to serve it.

• Cut the bacon into small pieces (I use kitchen shears), and fry in a skillet over medium-high heat until crispy. Take the skillet off the heat. Transfer the bacon to a paper towel lined plate and leave 2-3 tablespoons of the bacon fat in the skillet.

• Cut the chicken lengthwise into 4 thinner pieces, then sprinkle each piece with the garlic powder and some salt & pepper (go fairly easy on the salt as bacon is salty), then coat it in flour and shake off the excess.

• Return the skillet to medium-high heat, and once it’s hot again, add the chicken and cook for 4-5 minutes (golden but not fully cooked through). Transfer to another plate.

• In the same skillet, add the butter, mushrooms and Italian seasoning. Cook for 5-6 minutes or until the mushrooms release their water, it’s cooked off, and they get a nice sear.

• Stir in the garlic and cook for about 1 minute.

• Add the white wine to the skillet and scrape any brown bits off the bottom of the pan. Let it bubble until the liquid is reduced by half (about 2-3 minutes).

• Stir in the cream, then add the chicken and bacon back to the skillet. Cook for about 5 minutes or until the sauce has thickened up a bit and the chicken has cooked through. Spoon some sauce over the chicken and season with extra salt & pepper if needed. Serve immediately.

I shared on social media about the mother bird who has secured some real estate in a fern hanging on our front porch. Three tiny eggs are patiently waiting to hatch. Not sure what type they are, but there are quite a few guesses from friends and family, who’ve suggested possibly house finch, blue jay, or robin. We’ll keep you posted.

Carmelite Corner

We are nearly halfway through the Jubilee year in honor of St. John of the Cross, December 2025 through December 2026, celebrating the 300th year since his canonization and the 100th year since he was named a Doctor of the Church. It’s a great time to learn more about this 16th-century spiritual giant. With St. Teresa of Avila, he helped to reform the Order of Carmel and is the author of some of the most sublime spiritual writings in Church history.

The month of July is filled with celebrations honoring the saints of Carmel, and on July 16th, we celebrate the annual Novena to Our Lady of Mount Carmel. More on the history of Our Lady under this title to come.

Until then, please keep me in your prayers, and I will be praying for you. Peace and blessings to you and your family.

I am happy to be able to share some EXCITING NEWS with you!

After a very LONG period of praying, discerning, and WAITING, I am thrilled to announce that yesterday, on the eve of the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, I signed a contract with Sophia Press for my first book! I’ll share the title when it’s official and give more details very soon. For now, I raise a glass and then get to work.

As I look back in my journal at the goals I have set for myself in this midlife season, I am reminded of how genuinely GOOD God is and how He often answers our prayers abundantly and beyond our expectations. Since putting pen to paper and writing out my hopes and aspirations, I have earnestly brought them to prayer and entrusted them to God, asking Him to answer favorably, but only if it is His Will. There have been countless times in life when I have clung tenaciously to my own ideas and plans, but He always shows me how His way is the best and only way to peace and happiness.

(I highly recommend The Surrender Novena by Dolindo Routolo for help with letting go and accepting whatever God ordains - I have prayed this prayer on repeat for the past few months as I asked for direction regarding this book.)

In addition to spending time with my family and becoming the best wife and mother I can be, some items on my goals list have included health and fitness objectives, spending more time enjoying hobbies and exploring the arts, and continuing to grow as a writer — a pursuit I believe is part of the vocation and mission I have been entrusted with. It is a tremendous blessing to receive such a clear and positive answer to prayer and be able to anticipate the publication of my first book.

I humbly ask for your prayers as I enter this new stage of the journey, and I assure you of my prayers for you in return.

Thanks for subscribing and following the newsletter. What to look forward to in the coming months:

• Continuing twice-monthly newsletters containing articles on topics of faith and family, along with a little lagniappe: book recommendations, recipes, photos, and a few articles from the digital sphere

• Any outside articles, podcast appearances, or future interviews

• Regular updates on the progress of my book

Until next time… blessed Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus!

** Updates and big announcements from The Way of the Wildflowers are coming soon! For today, I’m sharing an article I wrote a few years ago in honor of the month of the Sacred Heart.

“This is my commandment: love one another as I love you.” (Jn 15:12) In a world that can be cold and unfeeling, how do we love one another when many of us have been harmed and injured by other people, by institutions, and by our own sins and the sins of others? Healing of the heart is needed. What does God tell us about healing? The New Testament reveals that it is through the Passion and death of Jesus that we are healed:

“But he was pierced for our sins, crushed for our iniquity. He bore the punishment that makes us whole, by his wounds we were healed.” (Isaiah 53:5)

It is by seeking Jesus and following the narrow path that he asks us to walk – the path of love, forgiveness, and obedience – that we can be healed and restored. We should thank and praise him daily and constantly for HIS great love that led him to sacrifice and lay down his life for us.

Loving Like Jesus Did

Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, [love] is not pompous, it is not inflated. It is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury. It does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. (1 Cor 13:4-8)

St. Paul’s description of love is a lofty standard to live by. This level of Christlike love does not come naturally or easily; we must work at purifying and increasing our love so we love like Jesus did, and this is often accomplished through our own healing. Through the many healings that Christ effected in the gospels, from the leper to the blind man, it is apparent that Our Lord loves us and desires our healing so that we can become more whole and disposed to love and forgiveness. What are some practical ways we can experience his healing and forgiveness? Three avenues of that are readily available to us, even daily, are the Eucharist, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and forgiving those who have offended us.

1. Healing Power in the Eucharist

Jesus promised that he would be with us until the end of the world, and he keeps this promise through his Divine Presence in the Eucharist. He makes himself available to us every day through Holy Communion and Eucharistic Adoration. There is power in receiving and adoring Christ in his Eucharistic Presence. Eucharistic Adoration has been described as “divine radiation therapy” to heal our spiritual, emotional, and even physical ailments. Spending time with Jesus in Adoration is essential is growing in the spiritual life and helps to purify and sanctify us. Reception of Holy Communion can also bring about inner healing, and when we receive Communion our venial sins are forgiven and we receive strength and power.

Fr. John Hardon reminds us, however, that in order to receive healing through the Eucharist, it is essential to believe and have faith in Jesus’ True Presence and to believe that he has the power to heal and restore us. He states,

“However, let’s have no misunderstanding; Christ the Almighty Son of God, who became man, worked miracles during His visible stay on earth only in favor of those who believed. Those who believed that the man they called Jesus was no one less than Almighty God. We should therefore expect this same Jesus to continue working miracles. But I repeat, only for those who believe that the same Jesus is still on earth, but now demanding our faith twice over. He wants us to believe that He is in the Holy Eucharist with the fullness of His humanity, and also to believe that His human nature is united with the second person of the Holy Trinity.”

We must have faith to receive what God wants to give us. Our healing and transformation, and the answers to our prayers, are dependent upon this.

2. Your Sins Are Forgiven – Healing in Confession

Another rich source of restoration is through receiving the sacraments of healing – Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick. Reconciliation is the most available of the two and should be frequented. In an address given by Cardinal James Francis Stafford in 2006, the cardinal recalled remarks by Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI:

“‘Sacramental Confession calls us to ‘a path of ascent, renunciation, purification and healing,’”-Pope Benedict XVI.

Like Jesus we stand similarly “stripped” before God because we are required to lay bare our souls before Jesus in his representative in the confessional. Our passions and attachments are purified and cleansed when we go before the priest and humbly confess. Doing so can seem unappealing and difficult; however, the graces one receives after absolution are absolutely worth the sacrifice.

Confession is often compared to the cleansing and medicating of a wound. The wound must be exposed and cleaned out before healing can begin. This process can be painful; however, without it, infection can set in and healing cannot take place. The same is true of our souls. It has been said that we are as sick as the secrets we keep, and there is some truth to this. The priest represents Jesus and has authority to administer absolution, which effects the healing of our souls. Going to Confession is also a wonderful source of peace and healing. We should not fear it but run toward it.

“Confession heals, confession justifies, confession grants pardon of sin. All hope consists in confession. In confession there is a chance for mercy. Believe it firmly. Do not doubt, do not hesitate, never despair of the mercy of God. Hope and have confidence in confession.” (St. Isidore of Seville)

3. Seventy Times Seven – Forgiving Others

A great burden is lifted off of our shoulders when we can forgive and move past the hurts that prevent us from loving like we should. If we are still suffering from injuries done to us and have not yet forgiven, a simple prayer of, “Lord, give me the desire to forgive,” can be a good place to begin. The Lord answers prayer if the answer will benefit and not harm our souls, and he always desires for us to forgive others. Therefore, we can pray for the desire to forgive, and then we can begin to experience the forgiveness and healing that he desperately wants to give us. When we release our anger and desire for revenge, peace, joy, and love can enter our hearts and we can begin the process of being restored and healed and of reconciling with our neighbors and loving like Jesus desires us to.

This article was originally published at Patheos Catholic

Some childhood stories plant seeds of wisdom that resonate throughout a lifetime. The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams remains one of my very favorite pieces of children’s literature; one that began to shape my own understanding of human dignity and the power of love at a very young age. If you haven’t yet shared this delightful tale with your children (or read it yourself), it is worth purchasing, and it’s a must-have for any home library.

Becoming Real

The story begins on Christmas morning, when the Rabbit, newly discovered by the Boy in his stocking, soon finds himself cast aside and forgotten for a time, living “in the toy cupboard or on the nursery floor,” without notice. The Rabbit compares himself to the other, fancier toys and feels alone and isolated. He is befriended only by the Skin Horse, who has become worn and bald in patches, the oldest and shabbiest of the toys in the nursery.

“What is REAL?” the Rabbit asks the Skin Horse. The Horse explains how, with time and love (and a little nursery magic), a toy can become “Real” in the eyes of its owner: “’Real isn’t how you are made,’ said the Skin Horse. ‘It’s a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real.’” The Horse tells the Rabbit that once you are Real, it doesn’t matter how worn or shabby you look, and that:

“...these things don’t matter at all, because once you are Real you can’t be ugly, except to people who don’t understand.” - the Skin Horse, The Velveteen Rabbit

After being rediscovered by the Boy, the Velveteen Rabbit finally (and gratefully) becomes “Real” to him and eventually reaches full authenticity, but only after being loved so hard that his tail comes unsewn and his nose becomes faded from the Boy’s kisses.

A Timeless Question

The Velveteen Rabbit shows us how being “Real” is about relationship, love, and commitment and has nothing to do with how we look or what we can accomplish. The book was published in 1922, but its lessons are still relevant over 100 years later, both individually and as a collective society grappling with rapid developments in technology, especially in the areas of AI.

The Velveteen Rabbit ponders, “What is Real?” In his first encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas, Pope Leo XIV addresses a similar question facing humanity today. During the official presentation of the encyclical at the Vatican on May 25, 2026, theologian Professor Anna Rowlands framed the question this way:

“What does it mean to be a flourishing human being in a time of AI?” - Professor Anna Rowlands

Remaining “Profoundly Human”

In Magnifica Humanitas, the Holy Father issues an appeal to each of us to fulfill our duty as Christians and participate in “building up the common good.” He states:

“In the era of artificial intelligence, when human dignity is threatened by new forms of dehumanization, ours is the pressing duty to remain profoundly human. We must lovingly safeguard the grandeur of humanity bestowed upon us and revealed in its fullness in Christ, the splendor of which no machine can ever replace. True progress always stems from a heart open to others, an intelligence willing to listen, and a will that seeks what unites rather than what separates.” (Magnifica Humanitas, 15)

The Transforming Power of Love

The “dehumanization” that Pope Leo refers to in the encyclical is the danger that we are facing with the advent of AI. In a world too often consumed with competition, utility, and profit rather than charity and communion, weaker and more vulnerable individuals may experience rejection, isolation, and exploitation by the powerful. The story of the Velveteen Rabbit, in a touching and childlike way, reminds us of the power of love, compassion, and understanding to heal and transform. It is a beautiful reminder of the maxim attributed to St. Teresa of Calcutta: “If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.”

The Dangers of Dehumanization

Magnifica Humanitas issues a warning about the dangers of dehumanization and offers guidelines on how to navigate this new era in light of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Without fully understanding the possible future outcomes and consequences of these new technologies, society will undoubtedly face many uncertainties and ethical dilemmas as AI becomes mainstream in our daily lives. Some of these areas of concern outlined in the encyclical include: upholding truth, education, employment, family life, and “new forms of slavery.” The document sets forth the Church’s Social Teaching and outlines principles to guide us in navigating these challenges so we can become more fully human, both individually and in relationship with others.

In the encyclical, the Holy Father affirms that developments in AI can serve as a valuable tool; however, he urges vigilance and caution against a growing culture of unbridled power. He states that the inherent dignity of every human being, especially the poor and most vulnerable, must be affirmed and protected with these technological advancements.

Art as a Reflection of Lived Reality

Realizing that artificial intelligence has its place in making our lives simpler and less burdensome, some of us remain skeptical and find ourselves approaching it with caution. My husband speaks to ChatGPT with great frequency; I have not once used it.

Many of us have a respect and appreciation for beautiful art, music, and literature. It can be difficult to accept and enjoy the manufactured pictures that now populate social media feeds and internet searches. The too-perfect, computer-generated images are, to me, devoid of the softness and subtlety that characterize fine art, which issues forth from passion and emotion and memory. The arts should be a reflection of realities lived and endured by human beings with a mind, heart, and soul. This expression of human experiences makes authentic art infinitely more valuable than anything a computer can produce.

Loved In Our Weakness

Just as the brushstrokes and imperfections are visible in a painting and contribute to the originality and uniqueness of the finished work, we must remember that our limitations are what make us human and, like the Velveteen Rabbit, “Real.” As the gospel stories repeatedly convey, Jesus loves us in our weakness and imperfection, and He came to redeem humanity from its sinful condition. It is through our weaknesses that God often humbles and heals us.

The Lord’s own words to St. Paul in 2 Corinthians affirm this truth. He says,

“My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Cor. 12: 9)

St. Paul responds, in turn, with acceptance when faced with his difficulties and limitations:

“Therefore, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and constraints, for the sake of Christ; for when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Cor. 12:10)

The Humility of Mary

In the age of AI, we must recognize our humanness as something to be embraced and not overcome or conquered. We are called to love others rather than seeking to dominate and control them. In Magnifica Humanitas, Pope Leo lastly points to our Blessed Mother as an example of humility and love, teaching us how to view humanity through the lens of the humble as she did. He urges us to:

“…look at the world from a lower position: through the eyes of those who suffer rather than the mighty; to view history through the eyes of the little ones, rather than through the perspective of the powerful; to interpret the events of history from the viewpoint of the widow, the orphan, the stranger, the wounded child, the exile and the fugitive.”(Magnifica Humanitas, 244)

The Holy Father entrusts our efforts to uphold the dignity of each human being in this age of AI to the “Woman of the Magnificat,” Mary, who always intercedes for us and brings us to her Son Jesus.

Know this: Because of God’s great love for us, he desires an intimate relationship and communication with us.

God calls us to conversation and a loving exchange, and we are invited to respond accordingly. This exchange is known to us as prayer.

“Whether we realize it or not, prayer is the encounter of God’s thirst with ours. God thirsts that we may thirst for him.”

(Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph 2560)

Many forms of prayer

There are many types of prayer and all are acceptable to God. Meditation is a form of prayer which is encouraged and beneficial to growth in the spiritual life. It is a stage in the progression of prayer that begins with vocal prayer, progresses to meditation, and ascends to contemplative prayer, which is remaining in silence in the presence of God. St. Ignatius of Loyola describes meditation as, “calling to mind some dogmatic or moral truth, and reflecting on or discussing this truth according to each one’s capacity, so as to move the will and produce in us amendment.” According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC), “meditation is above all a quest. The mind seeks to understand the why and how of the Christian life, in order to adhere and respond to what the Lord is asking” (CCC, 2705). The practice of meditation is described by the Catechism as utilizing, “thought, imagination, emotion, and desire. This mobilization of faculties is necessary in order to deepen our convictions of faith, prompt the conversion of our heart, and strengthen our will to follow Christ” (CCC, 2708)

I recall attempting to pray the Rosary as a child, and even as a teenager continued to carry the beads with me, reciting the Our Fathers and Hail Marys, usually in petition or when I felt in need of God’s help. Although praying the Rosary is an exemplary form of meditative prayer, and I continue to pray it daily, my faith then was childlike and lacked the depth that comes with experience and trials of life. Rather than merely reciting the memorized words of the cherished prayers upon the beads, my Rosary has become more of a meditative prayer, reflecting upon the mysteries in the lives of Jesus and Mary. Today, in adulthood, in addition to reciting the Rosary, I recognize the importance of also carving out a portion of each day to be spent reading and reflecting on the truths of the Faith and the Word of God. I have come to understand that, like in any other relationship, it is necessary to cultivate friendship and communication with God through meditative prayer – listening to his words and the wisdom of the saints and reflecting on them.

The saints offer us wisdom

Meditation comes in many forms and can be nourished by Scripture, the writings of the saints or the Church fathers, holy images, or other types of spiritual writings. There are many methods of meditation and many books are available detailing its practice. The writings of St. Teresa of Avila and St. John of the Cross, both Carmelite doctors of the Church, are preeminent sources of instruction on setting out on the way of meditation and contemplation. As the saints will tell us, what is important is to remember that the aim or objective of meditation is knowledge of the love of Christ and union with him.

Aside from the Carmelite doctors, many other of the saints stress the importance of meditation for growing in the spiritual life. St. Padre Pio likens meditation to checking our reflection in a mirror: “Whoever does not meditate is like someone who never looks in the mirror before going out, doesn’t bother to see if he’s tidy, and may go out dirty without knowing it.” Through it, we become more in tune with the ways of God and more self-aware. We are enlightened about ourselves – our imperfections and faults and how to correct them, and we often receive insight into God’s will for our lives. In short, we come to know God more and to be transformed into his likeness.

In her Story of a Soul, St. Therese of Lisieux expressed her love of Scripture and how the gospels nourished her soul and provided inspiration for her periods of meditation and contemplative prayer. Drawing upon her wisdom and experience, I have found that spending time in prayer with Scripture, especially the gospels, which contain the words and actions of Jesus himself, has been the most beneficial form of meditative prayer for me, as it is for many others. Often a word, phrase, or passage jumps out and seems to resonate during prayer. I often pause with that particular thought, reflecting upon it to contemplate its deeper meaning and allowing the Lord to speak to my heart.

Although Scripture is usually considered the most effective material for meditation, other works and images can be used to supplement prayer as well. There are numerous books and writings which are excellent for inspiring meditative prayer. Some of these, according to the Catechism, include: “the Sacred Scriptures, particularly the Gospels, holy icons, liturgical texts of the day or season, writings of the spiritual fathers, works of spirituality, the great book of creation, and that of history.”

One of my own personal favorite sources for spiritual reading and reflection is the Imitation of Christ by Thomas à Kempis, which was also loved by St. Therese, St. Thomas More, and St. Ignatius. The Imitation is a masterful collection of wisdom and instruction on the way of holiness and the spiritual life.

Along with reading the material and reflecting upon it, St. Frances Xavier found it helpful to write down the thoughts and inspirations which come to a person during meditative prayer. He says, “When you meditate on all these things, I earnestly advise you to write down, as a help to your memory, those heavenly lights which our merciful God so often gives to the soul which draws near to him, and with which he will also enlighten yours when you strive to know his will in meditation, for they are more deeply impressed on the mind by the very act and occupation of writing them down.” Through this action, the saint says, we can refer back to our notations and will be reminded of the insights we have gained through our prayer.

Seek communion

Although we are relentlessly bombarded with distractions from the world, it is vital to take time to incorporate prayer into our daily lives. Meditation is an excellent method of seeking communion with God. On the importance of this practice, the Imitation of Christ proclaims, “In silence and stillness the devout soul advances and learns the hidden truths of Scripture. There it finds the salutary tears that wash away the guilt of sin, so that it grows more intimate with God as it severs itself from the clamor of the world.” (Imitation, Book 1, Ch. 20) Meditation and prayer are necessary to maintaining peace and joy in our daily lives. Through these practices, we come to know God more intimately and love him more completely.

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would have been affliction of the soul, as they endured the trials and tribulations of their lives on earth and the devastating effects of Jesus’ Passion and death. Having experienced this suffering, they can certainly understand and relate to the hardships of those of us who suffer in mind or spirit.

Our Lady lived her life in perfect obedience to God’s plan of salvation, even when she endured moments of sorrow and anxiety during her life on earth. Because she steadfastly remained at the foot of the Cross with her Son, she experienced a share in the suffering which he encountered in the Passion. She is the perfect image of faithfulness and devotion to Jesus, and she gives us a perfect example of how to suffer faithfully and well. We can be sure that she also accompanies us whenever we endure painful trials and tribulations.

The Church honors Mary under the title of Our Lady of Sorrows on her feast day, September 15. We remember not only her sufferings at the Passion and death of Our Lord, but also the seven dolors, or sorrows, she experienced throughout her life that were foretold by Simeon at the Presentation. What are these Seven Sorrows of Mary? They are events from the life of the Blessed Virgin in which she suffered alongside her Son Jesus and participated in his redemptive mission.

They are as follows:

1. The Prophecy of Simeon (Luke 2:34-35)

2. The Flight into Egypt (Matthew 2:13-21)

3. The Loss of Jesus for Three Days (Luke 2:41-50)

4. The Carrying of the Cross (John 19:17)

5. The Crucifixion of Jesus (John 19:18-30)

6. Jesus Taken Down from the Cross (John 19:39-40)

7. Jesus Laid in the Tomb (John 19:39-42

The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) affirms that Mary cooperated fully with the sacrifice of Christ and remained in union with him throughout his act of redemption: “Mary’s role in the Church is inseparable from her union with Christ and flows directly from it. “This union of the mother with the Son in the work of salvation is made manifest from the time of Christ’s virginal conception up to his death”; it is made manifest above all at the hour of his Passion:

“Thus, the Blessed Virgin advanced in her pilgrimage of faith, and faithfully persevered in her union with her Son unto the cross. There she stood, in keeping with the divine plan, enduring with her only begotten Son the intensity of his suffering, joining herself with his sacrifice in her mother’s heart, and lovingly consenting to the immolation of this victim, born of her: to be given, by the same Christ Jesus dying on the cross, as a mother to his disciple, with these words: ‘Woman, behold your son. ” (CCC, 964)

How can the Seven Sorrows strengthen and console us when we are going through difficult times? Throughout the trials of my own life, I have been uplifted and consoled by considering the suffering of Mary under the title of Our Lady of Sorrows. After hearing the testimony of Rwandan genocide survivor Immaculee Ilibigaza and Our Lady’s urgent message to return to prayer, I began praying the Seven Sorrows Rosary. In her approved apparitions to the visionaries in Kibeho, Our Lady urged them to spread this devotion, which had been forgotten by many over the years. Meditating on Our Lady’s Seven Sorrows has given me a sense of unity with her during my own sufferings and trials, and has, over time, obtained for me a new sense of peace and confidence, or fortitude, in the midst of difficulties and hardships. Because Our Lady possesses these virtues herself, she is able to help us to imitate her and to grow in holiness. I am certain that she is the one who obtains these graces from her Son Jesus in response to our petitions in the Seven Sorrows Rosary. Like generous gifts to her poor beggar children, she graciously bestows her favors on us when we take the time to reflect on her Sorrows and ask for her guidance and assistance.

Our Lady assured St. Bridget of Sweden of the following promises to her children who would practice this devotion:

1. “I will grant peace to their families.”

2. “They will be enlightened about the divine Mysteries.”

3. ”I will console them in their pains and will accompany them in their work.”

4. ”I will give them as much as they ask for as long as it does not oppose the adorable will of my divine Son or the sanctification of their souls.”

5. ”I will defend them in their spiritual battles with the infernal enemy and I will protect them at every instant of their lives.”

6. ”I will visibly help them at the moment of their death– they will see the face of their mother.”

7. ”I have obtained this grace from my divine Son, that those who propagate this devotion to my tears and dolors will be taken directly from this earthly life to eternal happiness, since all their sins will be forgiven and my Son will be their eternal consolation and joy.

These are wonderfully comforting and consoling promises to those of us who experience mental suffering on earth! We can have confidence that our loving Mother walks alongside us and strengthens us in these trials.

Having anxiety and depression does not mean that a person is any weaker or more sinful than those who do not suffer with these conditions. Just as physical ailments such as diabetes and cancer affect many people, some of us, due to many factors, encounter mental suffering. Just as those with diabetes and cancer seek medical treatment for their illness, those with mental illness should not be ashamed to seek help from a professional when their anxiety, depression, or other condition interferes with their ability to function in their daily life.

In addition, the Church community should embrace and welcome those suffering with mental illness. The Corporal Works of Mercy require us to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, and visit the sick, among other charitable actions. This includes caring for and encouraging those who carry the burden of mental illness. Our children’s Catholic school service club participates in feeding and performing acts of service for the local SOMI, or Survivors of Mental Illness, organization. This is one way the Church can reach

out and make a difference in the lives of the mentally ill. There are many individuals who walk among us carrying a hidden cross of anxiety and depression, fearful to disclose their suffering because of the stigma associated with mental illness. With an increase in love and compassion for the multitude of people who endure anxiety and depression, perhaps more people will be emboldened to share their struggles with the Church community, and we, as a Church, can help facilitate healing for this group of silent sufferers.

We must remember that everyone, even the sinless Virgin Mary, endures suffering on this earth, and that our patient and cheerful endurance can produce much fruit and assist us in our salvation and in the purification of our sins. Meditating on and considering the Seven Sorrows of Mary can give us strength and consolation in knowing that she walks beside us as she walked beside her Son during his Passion. We are not alone in our difficulties; Jesus and Mary accompany us and help us to carry our crosses.

An image of the Seven Sorrows of Mary, daggers piercing her heart, depicts the pain that Our Lady must have endured during the darkest moments of her life. Her somber demeanor and the sorrow in her downcast eyes remind us that perfect happiness will not be found here in this life, but in eternity with God in heaven. His Kingdom is truly not of this earth, or else he and his sinless Mother would not have endured such suffering. We can weather the storms of life and triumph one day in heaven if we turn to Our Lady of Sorrows, asking her to accompany us on our journey through life and to give us a share in her faithfulness and courage. Most importantly, even in suffering, we should keep our eyes focused on the Resurrection of Christ and his triumphant entry into heaven where he reigns forever, reminded that after a faith-filled life of dedicated service to him and with a spirit of unquelled perseverance, we will surely experience eternal joy with him. For it is written that, “What eye has not seen, and ear has not heard, and what has not entered the human heart, what God has prepared for those who love him.” (1 Cor. 2:9)

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*This article was originally published at CatholicMom.com

When I was in the hospital having one of my daughters (so much has happened since then, it’s hard to remember which d…

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Whether our moms are here or have passed on to eternity, we are all assured the help of our heavenly Mother, who we can turn to throughout the day for guidance and comfort. Although we might not be aware of her presence, our Faith teaches us that she is a Mother to the Church and to each of us individually, and we are reminded of her constant protection and intercession.

Stillness and silence are the keys to perceiving Mary’s gentle action:

“Mary transmits to the believing people this silence-acceptance of the word, this ability to meditate on the mystery of Christ. In a world full of noise and messages of all kinds, their witness allows us to appreciate a spiritually rich silence and promotes the contemplative spirit.” (St. John Paul II, General Audience, Nov. 22, 1995)

During times in my own life when noise and activity have flooded my moments and days, it has been difficult to discern her gentle guidance and follow her inspirations. One way I have learned to recognize the voice of Our Lady in my life is to reduce distractions such as compulsive scrolling, constant monitoring of 24-hour news channels, and listening to secular radio in the car. Sitting in the silence can be challenging when we are so used to a barrage of information and images throughout the day, but I have found that eliminating the unnecessary consumption of media frees us to hear the still, small voice of God in our hearts and recognize Mary’s motherly presence.

Because of her gentleness and humility, I often only realize how she is moving in my life in retrospect. When I look back, I can see how she has always reached out to me with her maternal hand and helped me to rise after failure. She has guided me when I wasn’t sure where to go next, and she directs my path when I wander off course. Without a doubt, I can see her intervention in my life through the years.

I recently took a pause from actively engaging on social media and other platforms to focus on nurturing my interior life through more silence and prayer. In my spirit, I felt I was becoming overly distracted and needed to become more attuned to the presence of God. I believe it was Our Lady calling me aside from my regular activity to speak to my heart and help me to grow in faith and trust in her and Jesus.

During this time, I was able to join the Legion of Mary and make my formal promise on my birthday, April 7. The Legion, a global lay association which draws inspiration from St. Louis-Marie de Montfort’s True Devotion to Mary, is dedicated to growth in holiness through prayer and apostolic works. It was founded in Ireland in 1921 by Servant of God Frank Duff.

Through my call to the Legion, daily prayer, and frequent reception of the sacraments, this “retreat” of sorts has been an opportunity for me to experience the love of Jesus and Mary in a deeper way and to rededicate myself to prayer and service. I hope that having taken time away from what I love -- writing about faith and family -- I will be able to better serve God and others and more readily discern His will in my life.

Our Lady continues to assist us moment by moment, especially when we ask for her help. From the time that she was entrusted to St. John at the foot of the Cross by her Son, she became the Mother of humanity, of each of us. As St. Maximilian Kolbe reminded us, we should never fear loving Mary too much, as we can never match Jesus’ love for her.

*This article was originally published at CatholicMom.com

When I am grocery shopping for my family, I’m always amazed and sometimes perplexed by the array of choices shoppers encounter. From the variety of breakfast cereal options to the numerous brands of laundry detergent lining the shelves, every trip to the grocery store brings with it the need to ma…

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Job changes. Health problems. Financial stress. All these major life events and others can cause tension and upheaval within a family. When we are facing significant moments in our lives, my husband and I like to remind each other that it’s simply God “moving our furniture around” again.

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“There is an appointed time for everything, and a time for every affair under the heavens... A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1,4)

*This article was originally published at CatholicMom.com

In the South, where my family and I were born and raised, Mardi Gras is such an integral part of the culture that it would be hard to imagine the beginning of Lent without it! King cakes are the dessert (and sometimes breakfast) of choice, the streets become parade routes, and the spirit of celebration is heavy in the air. Though Mardi Gras is often associated with excesses and debauchery, the origins of the celebration are firmly rooted in Catholicism.

In many areas of the country, Carnival season begins on January 6 with the Epiphany, also known as “Twelfth Night,” as it is the last of the Twelve Days of Christmas. The season, with its brightly colored beads, parades, and rich foods, continues for several weeks until Mardi Gras Day, or “Fat Tuesday,” the eve of Ash Wednesday, which we celebrate today.

During Carnival, which, translated, means “farewell to meat,” early Catholic Christians used up all the rich foods in the home, such as meat, eggs, milk, and fat, to prepare for the Lenten fast, which was considerably more austere at the time. Although Mardi Gras has, in places, become extremely secular, the original intent was to rejoice and relish in the festivities to prepare mentally, physically, and spiritually for the rigor of Lenten fasting and abstinence.

The rich symbolism of Mardi Gras can help us to remain focused on Christ as we enjoy this time of feasting and merrymaking. The season is surrounded by visible signs of Christianity, which serve to strengthen our devotion during this time. From Epiphany on, many indulge in King Cake, which commemorates the coming of the three Wise Men to the newborn Infant Jesus after his birth. The Mardi Gras colors themselves - purple, green, and gold - represent the characteristics of justice, faith, and power, respectively. In the center of the King Cake is often found a plastic baby, signifying the Christ Child. With it, we are reminded to continue to rejoice at the birth of our Savior, as we transition to the more ascetical practices of fasting, prayer, and almsgiving of Lent.

Many people have a renewed interest in reviving the original Catholic purpose and practice of the celebration of Mardi Gras. It is a time for families and communities to gather to experience friendship and fellowship in a joyful and wholesome manner, in anticipation of the more prayerful and penitential time of Lent. We need times of celebration to balance the hardships and trials of life. St. John Paul II remarked that “God made us for joy. God is joy, and the joy of living reflects the original joy that God felt in creating us.” We can recapture the rhythm of the liturgical year by engaging in and enjoying our festive seasons, as well as participating in the sacrifice of the penitential ones.

Mardi Gras is an excellent time to come together as a family or community and enjoy the gift of life. If your area of the country does not host festivities for this season, you can create your own by baking your own King Cake or pancakes, which are another traditional Mardi Gras indulgence. Families with children can create their own Mardi Gras masks, decorated with traditional colors of purple, green, and gold, or dress up in costumes to commemorate the day. The idea is to revel in the day, preparing for the change in seasons which occurs at midnight before Ash Wednesday.

Mardi Gras Day is a day for festivity, family, and fun – a time to dance! How is your family celebrating this joyful day?

*This article was originally published at CatholicMom.com

As we emerge from the sacrifice and penance of Lent, Tina Mayeux offers five ways to experience hope this Holy Week.

If your Lent has been like mine, it has been a season of darkness and dryness. Personal struggles, doubts, fear, discouragement, and dealing with the illness of my youngest sister are some of the challenges that have arisen on the journey through Lent, providing plenty of opportunity for built-in sacrifice and penance. Through the difficulties, however, the joyful theme of hope repeatedly emerged as the virtue to focus my attention on and embrace. I realized that I have been concentrating on the trials and hardships and taking my eyes off of Jesus and the hope of the Resurrection.

Everyone needs hope in order to survive the difficulties of life, but what do we place our hope in? Do we focus solely on earthly goals or solutions, or do we keep our eyes fixed on heaven as the ultimate source of our hope? The Catechism of the Catholic Church’s definition of Hope says it all: “Hope is the theological virtue by which we desire the kingdom of heaven and eternal life as our happiness, placing our trust in Christ’s promises and relying not on our own strength, but on the help of the grace of the Holy Spirit.” (CCC 1817) In other words, hope is elevating our gaze heavenward and lifting our eyes towards the source of all good, Jesus and the promise of heaven.

Our Lenten journey began with the imposition of ashes on our foreheads, along with a call to remember our mortality and to “repent and believe in the gospel.” Throughout these days of fasting, penance, and prayer, we were called to reflect upon the fragility of life, while at the same time growing in hope in the love and mercy of Jesus and the Good News of the gospel. This balancing act is not always easy, especially when we are going through difficult times. What are some ways we can maintain and grow in hope for the Kingdom of Heaven this Holy Week as we prepare to celebrate Easter?

1. Receive the Sacraments. As we enter Holy Week and Easter approaches, we can continue to draw strength from Confession and Communion. Going to Confession frees us from the burden of sin and gives us a new optimism and a more hopeful outlook on life. Knowing that we have received God’s mercy and are in the state of grace can help us to feel better about life and feel more positive about the future. By attending Mass and receiving the Eucharist, our souls are fed and nourished with “Christ Jesus, our hope” (1 Tim 1:1) and we are prepared to celebrate the Church’s greatest feast, Easter.

2. Pray the Psalms. At the advice of a spiritual director, I have recently begun praying Psalm 91 each night before going to bed for encouragement. This psalm, along with many others, speaks of the protection and consolation of God. The Psalms meet us where we are in our times of difficulty. They soothe and encourage us on our journey and give us hope.

3. Serve others. Having children provides countless opportunities to focus our attention on serving, rather than remaining fixed in discouragement and worry. We can also find other opportunities in our church or community to reach out to our neighbors in need in service when we are facing difficulties. Helping others takes our attention off of our own problems and we receive the joy of knowing that we are being the hands of Christ to those around us.

4. Make a gratitude list. Many mental health professionals recommend this exercise to increase feelings of happiness and contentment and to ward off depression and despair. When we list and reflect on the blessings in our lives, we are able to experience positive feelings about our current situation and hope for our future.

5. Remember Easter joy. This is Holy Week and it is the most important week of the Church year! If we immerse ourselves in the remembrance and celebration of the Easter Triduum with our families, we will surely experience a renewed joy in Jesus, for He is our Hope! Easter Sunday is not the end of the story, however, since the Church will celebrate for seven weeks until Pentecost. We can continue to feast and find hope in the Resurrection of Jesus during this beautiful season of rejoicing!

St. John Paul II made more than 100 trips to various locations around the world during his 26-year pontificate. I remember a story I heard about the saintly “Pilgrim Pope” during one of his numerous voyages during which the crew encountered a minor issue with the aircraft while in flight. While the passengers and crew became worried and agitated, the Holy Father calmly continued praying at his seat, as he was accustomed to doing. When the issue was resolved and he was asked about the issue, he calmy and confidently indicated that he had no idea about it. Instead of fretting about the danger, the holy pontiff was so immersed in prayer that he took no notice of the problem, or else, his prayers obtained the solution and guided the passengers safely to the ground.

On a recent flight to visit my sisters three states away, I found myself feeling a bit like the passengers and crew did aboard the pope’s flight in the story. It had been many years since I traveled alone without my family, and I was feeling apprehensive as we took off from the airport. I thought of St. John Paull II and the focus on Jesus and complete trust in God that he must have had while circling the globe by plane all those years of his pontificate. I asked his intercession to help me maintain my peace during the flight and to increase my courage and trust. I asked him to help me to be as calm and courageous as he was while on that difficult flight years ago.

St. John Paul II died on April 2, 2005. Those of us who were young Catholics during his pontificate remember his great influence and the joy and enthusiasm he brought to the Faith. As we remember him this month, 17 years after his death, we should recall his encouragement to “be not afraid” as we face new and difficult challenges in our personal lives and in the world we live in.

During these turbulent times, we can look to the great St. John Paull II to rediscover and reclaim the enthusiasm, conviction, and joy that he so wonderfully demonstrated during his life and especially during his 26 years as Pope. With the invasion of Russian forces into Ukraine in February which began a devastating conflict, Catholics around the world have prayed for peace in the region. When praying for an end to this war, we can remember St. John Paul II, his tremendous strength and leadership as he stood up to the advance of Communism in Poland, and his role in the collapse of the Soviet Union. He recognized that the conflict between communism and the rest of the world was primarily and fundamentally a spiritual battle that could be won be reminding people of their inherent dignity in God’s eyes. He also articulated that we, as God’s children, were meant for freedom through peaceful means rather than through war.

When thinking of this great saint, we can’t fail to remember his trust in Mary, the Mother of God. His papal motto, “Totus Tuus,” taken from the classic True Devotion to Mary by another great Marian saint whose feast is approaching on April 28, St. Louis de Montfort. In True Devotion, de Montfort writes of Mary, “Totus tuus ego sum et omnia mea tua sunt,” or, “I am totally yours and all that I have is yours.” This total devotion and consecration to Mary is, according to de Montfort, the best and surest way to heaven because it conforms us most closely to Christ.

We can imitate our beloved St. John Paul II today in a spirit of trustful dependence on Mary to bring us closer to her Son Jesus and ask her to bring about peace in our turbulent world that is so desperate for Him. We can also ask her intercession to assist us in the ups and downs of our own personal situations, helping us to weather any storm that we might encounter, knowing that she never fails to answer when her children call upon her.

Technology has become a way of life for us in the 21^st Century. Nearly every aspect of our lives is guided or affected by some sort of technological process. Many of us are attached to our cell phones in a way that can, at times, be considered unhealthy or excessive. Since technology is not likely to be going anywhere and will probably remain a signific…

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*This article was originally published at CatholicMom.com

The magnificence of nature can provide unlimited sources for reflection on God’s goodness and tender love toward us. On a recent be*ach trip, one of my daughters and I walked along the seashore searching for interesting shells, rocks, and pieces of driftwood. She wanted to collect these treasures so that she could take them home to paint and decorate them in hopes of creating art to sell to willing friends.

Many of our finds were broken and otherwise not intact, yet she was certain she could transform them into beautiful creations that would become valuable treasures with her artistic touch.

Her project reminded me of how God can take the often-fragmented raw materials of our lives and transform us into holy and pure images of Himself if we allow him to. Even after we have fallen into our weakness or sin, as we all do from time to time, He gently picks us up off of the shore like those odd, assorted items that my daughter and I found, brushes the sand off of us, and begins his transformative and restorative work on us.

Through an often lengthy and sometimes painful process, we are cleaned, buffed, and transfigured into God’s image and hopefully, by our life’s end, restored to the original beauty and innocence of our Baptism so that we can be ready to enter Heaven where we will experience eternal joy and happiness.

The process of becoming Christlike is a lifelong experience. We may be tempted to think that we will reach a place where we will reach perfection and no longer struggle with temptation and sin here on earth; however, even the saints themselves contended with these things. St. Anthony the Great was known to have said, “Expect temptation until your last breath.” Rather than to let these words discourage us, we should allow them to motivate and inspire us to continue to work diligently on our spiritual lives throughout our journey here on earth, knowing that the reward for this work will be Heaven.

We should remember that if we are faithful and allow Him to, Jesus does much of the work for us, carefully forming and transforming us through the people and experiences of our lives. Our job is to fulfill our particular vocation as perfectly as possible and to accept willingly the sufferings that inevitably come in life. Like St. Therese, who embraced the “Little Way” of sanctification, we can simply ask Jesus to help us learn who He wants us to be and ask His help in becoming that person.

Unlike those various shells and pieces of wood collected on the beach, we, ourselves, have free will and must cooperate with God’s grace and His work if we are to become the people he intends us to be. We can do this by humbly submitting to the Church’s teachings and availing ourselves often of the Sacraments, especially Confession and the Holy Eucharist. Belonging to a Church community is also important for our spiritual growth and development. We are sculpted and formed through our relationships with the people in our lives. As Proverbs instructs us, “Iron is sharpened by iron; one person sharpens another.”

We encounter God’s abundant love and mercy through our experiences with the people we love and who love and care for us. The Holy Spirit brings us together in community as we live and worship together, and together are transformed into God’s holy people. We learn about genuine love and charity through living and working with all kinds of people – those we like and those we have a difficult time with. We learn to forgive others and to be forgiven through these relationships, and to discover God’s great love and mercy through them.

My daughter’s treasures included pieces of broken shells of many colors, shapes, and textures. Just so, we come to God very diverse and unique souls, no one like the others, and God has a mission and plan for each of us that is unique to us and can be completed by no one else. Everyone is important in the family of God; everyone is necessary.

In our diversity, we are all loved and cherished by God, even if we are broken and seem to be far from Him. Jesus doesn’t discard us because we have been through difficulties and troubled waters. Instead, he offers us a chance to become new and whole again through his restorative power. Like those rocks and shells, He gathers us up into His arms and promises us new life with Him. Which areas of our lives do we need to surrender to God for restoration and renewal?

*This article was originally published at CatholicMom.com

We have recently celebrated the glorious Solemnity of Easter and entered into the Easter season, marked in our churches by the symbols of Easter lilies in bloom and the Paschal candle, which symbolizes Christ himself. As a Church, we are still steeped in rejoicing and celebration of the season, as we should be. However, today’s remembrance of St. Martin I reminds us that until we are safely home in heaven, we will still experience trials, sufferings, and persecutions here on earth. This should not sadden us, but rather, we should consider it a privilege to encounter hardships with Christ and the saints. St. Paul proclaims,

Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh, I am filling up what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ on behalf of his body, which is the church. (Colossians 1:24)

Even after Jesus’ Resurrection, the apostles were faced with trials and tribulations on earth. They had been emboldened to proclaim the gospel after they experienced the empty tomb; however, they faced difficulties and persecutions in the time after Jesus’ death and Resurrection. Similarly, even in the midst of the Easter season, you may be experiencing suffering, dryness, or temptations. We are reminded by the Church’s remembrance of today’s Saint of the Day, St. Martin I, to call on the holy ones who have gone before us for assistance and to look to their lives for inspiration to conquer any darkness we may be feeling or experiencing.

St. Martin was elected pope in 649. He endured imprisonment, mistreatment, and exile for defending the doctrine that Christ had both a divine and a human will. He was willing to stand up for the Church’s teachings even when faced with these terrible sufferings at the hand of the Emperor Constans II. In a letter written as he faced exile and abandonment even by friends and relatives, St. Martin ponders, “Why am I anxious? The Lord is near.” His words remind us that Christ can bring us true peace, even in the midst of suffering.

We are reminded to look to the lives of saints for inspiration to conquer any darkness we may be feeling or experiencing. #catholicmom

It may be difficult for us to understand the saints’ acceptance and resignation to their sufferings. No one seeks out trials and difficulties, but we are all sure to experience some of them in this life. The saints want to help us here on earth in our journey toward heaven. Many of them looked forward to eternity so that they could assist others still struggling and suffering on earth. St. Thérèse promised a “Shower of Roses” to those who sought her intercession. Padre Pio said he would “wait outside the gate of Heaven until all my spiritual children are inside.” If we ask them, along with Our Blessed Mother Mary and St. Joseph, to intercede for us and obtain this grace of fortitude in trials, we can be sure that they will obtain it for us in time.

In Morning Prayer, or Lauds, from the Divine Office for today, the closing prayer includes the line, “Neither hardship, pain, nor the threat of death could weaken the faith of Saint Martin.” It continues, “Through our faith, give us courage to endure whatever sufferings the world may inflict upon us.” Let us today imitate the strength and fortitude that St. Martin showed in the face of his trials and ask his intercession so that we can grow in these virtues and experience the true joy of the Resurrection.

*This article was originally published at CatholicMom.com

On our home alter, we have a unique statue of the Sleeping St. Joseph. The devotion has experienced an increase in popularity since promoted by Pope Francis. The Holy Father has explained that he keeps a statue of the sleeping saint, writing his petitions out on a slip of paper and placing them underneath the statue, trusting that St. Joseph will handle things for him as his sleeps. Needless to say, there is a generous stack of petitions underneath my statue at home, and St. Joseph always comes through for us!

“Why is St. Joseph sleeping?” you may ask. The answer is found in Scripture. St. Joseph was visited by an angel in his dreams as he slept and instructed on the Father’s will for him and the Holy Family. Four times Joseph was directed in dreams to act, and four times he promptly obeyed. In a world that has nearly forgotten the virtue of obedience, we can look to his example of prompt and willing submission to the Will of God in every circumstance.

Men face the responsibilities and obligations of providing and protecting their families. Often the stressors on our husbands can be overwhelming. The same was probably true for St. Joseph as he took Mary as his wife and welcomed Jesus at the Nativity. We can only imagine the array of emotions which St. Joseph must have experienced during the time he was espoused to Mary until the birth of Jesus and their harrowing flight into Egypt. Despite any fear and apprehension he may have felt, his faith and trust in God guided all of his actions, and his obedience never wavered.

We need men who are ready to imitate the courage, purity, and obedience of this great Saint. In this year of St. Joseph, as declared by Pope Francis, what better time to become familiar with this great man of God and to learn from his virtuous life. Devotion to St. Joseph is for everyone, but we can especially encourage our husbands and sons to nurture a devotion to St. Joseph and to begin to turn to him for help and assistance in becoming faithful and more virtuous men. One way to a stronger devotion to St. Joseph is through Fr. Donald Calloway’s Consecration to St. Joseph, which has gained popularity in this year devoted to the saint. Each night, our family is praying together the preparation for Consecration, which will take place on the Solemnity of St. Joseph, March 19. This practice has united us as a family and enlightened our children about the wonder and power of this great saint.

There are no words recorded from St. Joseph in Scripture; however, his actions reveal great wisdom that we can imitate and learn from. He is regarded as a model of courage, obedience, and humility. Pope Francis, in his Apostolic Letter Patris Corde (With a Father’s Heart), issued on the 150^th Anniversary of the declaration of St. Joseph as the Patron of the Universal Church, reminds to turn to the silent and unassuming Saint, especially during this time of pandemic. He explains,

Do you feel unnoticed or overlooked? Remember that St. Joseph was a strong but silent support for Our Blessed Mother and Jesus, and through his gentle humility, he teaches us that although others may not acknowledge us, God loves each of us with a perfect love and sees the good that we do.

When you are unsure, Go to Joseph.

When you are afraid, Go to Joseph.

When you need a powerful intercessor, Go to Joseph!

As they were going out, they met a Cyrenian named Simon; this man they pressed into service to carry his cross. (Matthew 27:32)

Recently, I came across an inspirational sign which caught my eye that read, “Slow down, happiness is trying to catch you.” Those words resonated within me and reminded me of my own need to slow down and to be alert and fully present in the current moment, instead of mindlessly forging ahead with whatever projects and goals I have set for myself. So often we rush around, pursuing our own plans, instead of slowing down to listen to the Holy Spirit’s soft whispering. What we fail to realize is that peace and true happiness will only be found in God’s will, which, very often, we ignore or miss in our hectic pursuit of success and achievement.

The last two weeks have been challenging, as my second daughter, who has a diagnosis of ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder, had a setback and has been home from school, struggling to deal with her diagnoses and the additional burden of depression. These two weeks I have had to let go of my routines and plans and slow down to a crawl to accompany her as she recovers and learns how to cope with life carrying all of these heavy burdens, along with her schoolwork and other responsibilities. I realized that I had been rushing ahead with my life, not fully aware of the extent of the hardships she faces from day to day, trying to survive in a world that is too fast and complex for her to keep up. Although we have tried to meet all of her needs at home and school, I realized she needs more intense care and support than we have been giving her.

This time with her has been a blessing, as I have found happiness and joy in spending quiet moments with her and have been able to appreciate the beautiful soul that she is, and to be thankful that God has gifted our family with her. I felt like Simon the Cyrenian, who was chosen to trudge slowly and painfully through the dust with Jesus as he carried his Cross. I wondered if Simon had to slow down to prayerfully respond to the promptings to the Holy Spirit that lead him to that fateful spot, where he was given his momentous task of assisting our Savior and providing relief to him as he walked the Way of the Cross. Surely, Simon had to sacrifice his own will and plans to assume the duty of carrying the Cross with Jesus. Similarly, we are called to surrender our will and our plans to the Divine Will so we can serve others and cooperate in God’s plan for our lives.

I am thankful to God for the opportunity to be Simon to our daughter, shouldering some of the burden of her heavy crosses for her and hopefully easing some of her pain and suffering. Each of us has the opportunity every day to slow down and find a suffering soul in need of a Simon to help – someone who needs us to lean on or to look to for comfort, aid, or companionship. So many people are suffering spiritually and emotionally in our world; how can we reach out to those around us in need each day?

There are people all around us, in our homes, within our families, and among our friends, who are quietly suffering and need a helping hand or a warm embrace. As mothers, we have built-in opportunities to minister to our children daily and help each of them to carry their own unique crosses.

Mother Teresa told us to “find our own Calcutta,” where we can bring Christ to others. “Giving drink to the thirsty” can involve more than a cup of water. It can be a visit to the lonely, a word of comfort to the sorrowing, or simply lending an ear to listen to someone who is hurting. When we identify the suffering souls in our lives and reach out to them with love and care, we are serving as the hands and feet of Christ to them. This is true happiness and joy – not to acquire more money, possessions, status, or power, but to serve others and receive the grace that comes with imitating Christ in our lives.

Who are the suffering souls in your life, and how can you be Simon to them today?

*This post was originally published at CatholicMom.com

The month of October brings with it crisp, cool air, falling leaves, and football. For Catholics, it also brings the feast days of two special Carmelite saints: St. Therese of Lisieux on October 1 and St. Teresa of Avila on October 15. These two Teresas hold a special place in the hearts of devotees worldwide and are powerful intercessors in time of need. Although they were both cloistered nuns who lived years ago, their lives and writings can serve as guides for us in our family lives, even in modern times. We can look to their teachings for wisdom in attaining holiness and apply it to our own lives and to the way we form and raise our children.

Pope Paul VI said, “The family is, so to speak, the domestic church. In it parents should, by their word and example, be the first preachers of the faith to their children.” (Lumen Gentium #11) We are obligated to create and maintain a spirit of love and communion within the walls of our homes and to foster spiritual growth and love for God in our children. Just as St. Therese and St. Teresa lived out their religious vocations in their respective Carmelite communities, we are called to live out our vocations as wives and mothers in the “domestic churches” of our homes. What can we learn from the lives of these two saints about Christian motherhood?

1. Bearing patiently with the faults of others. Members of religious communities live in close proximity with each other and must exercise charity and patience. Similarly, in a family, we must love one another and bear with each other’s faults and shortcomings. Within the pages of St. Therese’s diary are many examples of her heroic dealings with the slights she encountered from her fellow sisters, along with her kind and gentle responses to their faults. She refrained from complaining when splashed repeatedly with dirty water at the wash pool. She smiled as she assisted an older nun who found fault with the saint’s every action. Her example of charity and virtue is an example to us all as we strive to live in harmony within our families.

2. Finding God in all things. “Everything is grace,” St. Therese remarked. In our daily lives, do we see God’s hand in the events that unfold, both good and bad? We don’t need to go in search of profound spiritual experiences to do God’s will. St. Teresa of Avila was a very practical woman and once said, “God walks among the pots and pans.” What a comforting reminder these words are! We can be assured that by performing the mundane tasks of motherhood, we are, indeed, fulfilling our mission and our vocation and God is present as we go about our day.

3. Prayer is key. St. Teresa of Avila is known for her mastery of the art of prayer. She emphasizes the need for all the faithful to practice daily prayer, which she describes simply as a friendly conversation with Jesus, who loves us. Though we may be busy during the day, we can set aside a time for prayer to reconnect with the Lord.

4. Trusting and depending on Him. A hallmark of the lives of both of the Teresas was complete trust and dependence on God. They credited their spiritual success on his grace and power and took no credit for themselves. Like little children, they depended on God for everything and they were not disappointed.

5. Loving God above all else. St. Therese declared that her vocation was to LOVE, and to love God above all else. In a letter to her sister Celine, she eloquently exclaimed, “There is one ONLY THING to do here below: to love Jesus, to win souls for Him so that He may be loved. Let us seize with jealous care every least opportunity of self-sacrifice. Let us refuse Him nothing - He does so want our love!” In the vocation of motherhood, we can feel pulled in many directions. Like Therese, we can remember that if we seek God first, everything will fall into place and we will have peace in all our daily activities.

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