The Blessed Virgin is like a good mother who, not content with looking after all her children in general, watches over each one separately. —St. John Vianney As I think about my relationship with my children, I recognize how I relate to each child differently. I am grateful to know them so well. I can anticipate their needs, what will help them in certain situations, and when they just need a hug or time to talk. A mother has a…
Today is the Feast of St. Faustina. She was a young nun in Poland in the 1930s. She came from a poor family, and she did not have much education, so her tasks in the convent were simple and humble. During her time in the convent, Jesus appeared and spoke to Sister Faustina. She compiled her conversations with Him in notebooks, which became what is known today as the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska. The message is one of God’s…
It is a bright, sunny fall day. (Do you notice how even on the sunniest day in fall the light just seems to have a warm glow to it?) I head into St. Paul to meet my spiritual director. I feel so blessed to have found this Catholic woman, who loves the Lord and who somehow “gets” me. Her office is in an old mansion that the university purchased and renovated into offices and classrooms. Since it is on campus, parking…
Today is the First Saturday of October and Day 3 of my 31 Days With Mary series! I spent the day cheering on my oldest daughter at a volleyball tournament, while the rest of my family is on a fall camping trip. It is hard to split up, especially on such a beautiful fall day, but this is what this busy season asks of us. Fortunately, this is just a season, and the end is in sight. The first Saturday of…
Since I am writing 31 Days With Mary during the month of October, maybe I will begin by sharing how Mary became my queen and my mother. Venerable Archbishop Fulton Sheen once said of Mary, “She existed in the Divine Mind as an Eternal Thought before there were any mothers. She is the Mother of mothers, she is the world’s first love.” #1 Slow beginnings My first real encounter with Mary was through the quiet actions of my grandma, who…
Welcome to 31 Days With Mary! In the Catholic tradition, the month of October is devoted to the Rosary, the beautiful prayer that the Blessed Virgin Mary gave to St. Dominic, which invites thoughtful contemplation on the life of her Son, Jesus Christ. For the past few years, the month of October also is marked in the blog-world with a 31-day writing challenge, founded by The Nester, Myquillin Smith. I thought I would merge two of my favorite things—Our Blessed…
As I look out my window, I notice the glorious changes taking place in nature. Bright green summer leaves are transforming to yellow, orange and red. There is a crispness in the once-warm breeze, and I notice pumpkins sitting on my neighbor’s porch. It is the first day of fall. Today begins my very favorite season of the year. I love the warm hues that paint the landscape, the weather that provides a chance to dig out the cozy sweaters…
This will be short and sweet, because we have a birthday to celebrate today! But as I greeted my daughter this morning, on this her 10th birthday, I couldn’t help but take a moment to let it soak in that 10 is a pretty big milestone in a child’s life … and in a mom’s life, too. Be silly, be honest, be kind.” —Ralph Waldo Emerson That quote sums up my daughter, Lucia, perfectly. I saw it on a spiral…
Have you ever been asked the question, “Are you a ‘Mary’ or a ‘Martha’”? It’s as if we are expected to choose one or the other. It’s also as if one is better than the other, for doesn’t Jesus say, “Mary has chosen the better part”? (Luke 10:42) Many women identify with Martha more than Mary. After all, we see ourselves doing the same tasks that cause so much anxiety in Martha—cooking, cleaning, running errands, feeling busy with our long…
I am on Day 6 of the Whole30, and I have to say, “So far, so good.” Thanks be to God! I have reached a point with my Hashimoto’s where I am fed up with unexpected weight gain, swollen ankles, and chronic fatigue. As in, “I’ll try anything, if I think it might work.” Hence, the Whole30! But it took me awhile to get here. The first time I attempted the Whole30, I made it to Day 13. I got off track…