Words Were Sharper Than a Knife

I just have messaged a friend in Europe who has served in the army and is the type of man who rises up with righteous indignation when confronted with evil. There are times when men must stand up for what is right, even take up arms. Lucky for me because it is not in me to…… Continue reading Words Were Sharper Than a Knife

Surrendering Control to God

The  pivotal point in my personal and spiritual growth was realizing that, in fear, I  clung to control. I have let go of this control at least a thousand times already. A thousand times of choosing to surrender fear and lies and trusting. Each time I peel back a layer, another deeper level of fear…… Continue reading Surrendering Control to God

Small Success Thursday: My Word For This Year

Well, when I asked for a word for this year with a fuzzy, mush brain on Jan.1, the word that popped into my head was quite unexpected, a surprise really because it is not a word that I would usually focus on. What popped into my head seemed boring and mundane at first..steadfast. Then, unexpectedly, I…… Continue reading Small Success Thursday: My Word For This Year

The Catholic Prayer of Silence

The words prayer and contemplation intimidate many people but the reality is that prayer is simple, so simple that it eludes many adults, Relax. Be Quiet. Breathe in Deeply. Enjoy the silence. Connect and listen. Sometimes we need to simply cease our activity, live in the moment and breathe. This is reality. When the Spirit…… Continue reading The Catholic Prayer of Silence

Small Success Thursday: Sleep Apena

        Better late than never right? I wrote a post on the feast of St. Stephen for Boxing Day before my brain realized it was Thursday, then my brain shut down late at night and refused to coöperate by writing another post. I am fascinated by the fact that the Church celebrates the death…… Continue reading Small Success Thursday: Sleep Apena

Why Boxing Day is the Feast of the Martyr St. Stephen

Why would the Church celebrate the death of a martyr the day after Christmas?Remember the old English carol Good King Wenceslaus?  St. Stephen’s charity is the reason for the songs and customs which have become the traditional way of celebrating his feast. The old English carol Good King Wenceslaus celebrates how King Wenceslaus went out on St. Stephen’s day to…… Continue reading Why Boxing Day is the Feast of the Martyr St. Stephen

Ave Maris Stella Illustrated with Icons

Ave Maris Stella Hail, O Star of the ocean God’s own Mother blest, ever sinless Virgin, gate of heav’nly rest.  Taking that sweet Ave, which from Gabriel came, peace confirm within us, changing Eve’s name. Break the sinners’ fetters,                                …… Continue reading Ave Maris Stella Illustrated with Icons

Anticipating His Birth: The Magnificat

Magnificat My soul doth magnify the Lord. And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior. Because He hath regarded the humility of His handmaid; for behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. Because He that is mighty hath done great things to me; and holy is His name. And His mercy is…… Continue reading Anticipating His Birth: The Magnificat

I Guess That Means God Is In My Feet

As David waited expectantly for my wise answer, I scrambled to think quickly but truthfully. I was preparing dinner one afternoon, when five-year old David came running up to me with a serious look on his face. He was always full of energy and mischief but he also had a delightful spirituality that was not…… Continue reading I Guess That Means God Is In My Feet

Born of the Light of God: The Art of Ron DiCianni

 I love Ron DiCianni’s work, especially Simeon’s Moment. DiCianni has a unique ability to capture the inner essence of the light of the Holy Spirit in a manner that is vibrant and realistic, not sentimental or sappy. His paintings evoke tangible joy in the viewer; this is a unique gift that I want to share…… Continue reading Born of the Light of God: The Art of Ron DiCianni

Advent Prayer While Shopping

Dear God, as I look through my gift shopping list, I hold up to you each person listed on it. Slowly, one by one, I ask that the fire of your abundant love burn within each of them. I pray that the gift I find for each person will bring joy into that life. But,…… Continue reading Advent Prayer While Shopping

All HE Needs

We tend to rush around during Advent to get everything done before Christmas but the Church calls us to stand still in our hearts, waiting in silence, listening for the voice of God. Word sensed interiorly:          You think you are building my Church With all your hectic activity. BUT You are…… Continue reading All HE Needs

Advent Prayers of the Heart, For the Heart

                                       ADVENT PRAYER  God of power and mercy, open our hearts in welcome. Remove the things that hinder us from receiving Christ with joy, so that we may share his wisdom and become one with him when…… Continue reading Advent Prayers of the Heart, For the Heart

Small Success Thursday: The Tetter-Totter of Life

Happy Thanksgiving to all Americans;  Canada celebrated Thanksgiving six weeks ago. Just this last week, I have discovered a new dynamic between parents and adult children. I have decided to call it the tetter-totter of life because when we are weak, our children are set free to rise up to help,  just as if they…… Continue reading Small Success Thursday: The Tetter-Totter of Life

Self-Important Humility

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.” -Ephesians 2:8,9   When many Christians think of  humility and sanctity, they often think of ascetic fasting and the heroic acts of the saints but these…… Continue reading Self-Important Humility

Without Mary

Without Mary we do not really understand what it means to be a disciple, a member of his Church. Without Mary we do not really understand what it means to be a human person. Without Mary we do not really understand what it means to be a creature. And because of all that, Without Mary…… Continue reading Without Mary

Vote For Me

It’s time to vote for the 2013 Frankie Award! Don’t forget to invite you readers (and friends and family, and fan club) to visit this page and vote for you. Feel free to copy the badge above and link back here from your blog. My post is Mary is Living in my Heart? Help! by Melanie Jean…… Continue reading Vote For Me

A Surprise Gift

Today, on Vivificat, Teófilo de Jesús posted a quote by a Carthusian monk. Interestingly enough, when I tried to visit his site, Google told me to stay away because his site was infected by Malware. I don’t understand computers but this was all bogus and it was soon fixed. When I got to the site and read…… Continue reading A Surprise Gift

Sabbath Moments: The Sacrament of the Sick

Sabbath moments are a way of taking time to rest in God, to enjoy God in silence or in nature. The word sabbath comes from a Hebrew word meaning “cease.” And that is what we need to do sometimes, cease our activity and live in the moment and breathe in God. Yesterday, both my husband…… Continue reading Sabbath Moments: The Sacrament of the Sick