Beauty Unveiled: Wearing a Mantilla to Mass
Years ago during my single college days (when I was a daily Mass goer), I was captivated by the few women who wore mantillas. That interest led me to consider veiling, but it was a transitory thought...
View Article“All are Equal in Dignity in the Sight of God”
“By reason of their Baptism, all Catholics are equal in dignity in the sight of God and have the same divine calling.” (Guidelines for the Celebration of the Sacraments with Persons with Disabilities;...
View ArticleThe Four Keys to Everlasting Love
Most of us didn’t receive an instruction manual when we became engaged. We likely participated in the required pre-Cana classes at our parish and completed the FOCUS test. But that may have been the...
View ArticleThe Problem of Suffering
I remember sitting in my Introduction to Moral Theology class as a college undergraduate and being asked, “What is the problem of suffering, and how do we respond to it?” We were then introduced to...
View ArticleIs Motherhood a Choice?
I recently stumbled upon a series of memes about womanhood and motherhood. They were posted on Facebook by a friend’s daughter, and the one that immediately caught my eye was: “Rose decided not to...
View ArticleWomen’s Leadership Conference Reveals the Gift of Feminine Genius
In a culture that lauds feminist ideology, many lay and women religious chose to respond to St. John Paul II’s definition of “feminine genius” this year instead. In early June, a new women’s...
View ArticleDemystifying the Gift of Tears
A few years ago, I read an article about the gift of tears and was immediately intrigued. Most comments centered around people who said they weep freely at Mass when they never used to, or they...
View ArticleThere’s No Such Thing as “Balance”
I hate the word balance—at least the way our modern culture defines it. For most of my adult life, all I’ve heard (or read) is about how to balance work and family life or finding balance when life...
View ArticleSuffering Is An Act of Love
“I’m a nurse, and I’ve seen children suffer senselessly. It’s far more merciful to allow them to die than to suffer.” “If we humanely euthanize pets, why can’t we do the same for people? I see...
View ArticleAmerica: Trust in God, Not People
As I write this, I have no clue who will win the office of presidency for my home country, the United States of America. I don’t know who will fill the hundreds of empty Congressional seats and the...
View ArticleAdvent: Letting Go of our Expectations
This year, Advent isn’t going as I had hoped, not even close. I had promised myself that we wouldn’t overdo anything—baking, decorating, planning, shopping. I wanted the liturgical season to be...
View ArticleStrive to be Legendary, not Popular
A while ago, I was lamenting to myself that I have not yet had my “big break” as an author or speaker (I know, it’s a bit ridiculous to admit). My first traditionally published book was released...
View ArticleLiving Your Anointing
I am five years old. I’m sitting in my bedroom, pondering as I tend to do at this age. “God, I just want you to know that I am here when you need me,” I silently pray as I gingerly caress a favorite...
View ArticleOut of the Darkness and Into the Light
A recent Lenten homily spoke to my heart in a profound manner. Our rural Catholic community doesn’t boast of many grandiose things. We are a humble church and a humble people. But our pastor spoke...
View ArticleBecoming a New Creation
“So whoever is in Christ is a new creation: the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come” (2 Corinthians 5:17). “I can’t do this again,” I sighed to myself as we entered our new home....
View ArticleWhen You Feel Stuck
Right now I feel stuck. I mean good and rooted in some kind of nowhere, a limbo of sorts, a holding pattern. Call it what you want, feeling like nothing is moving forward is a frustrating place to be....
View ArticleFlourishing and Dying
About two months ago, our family moved to a new city and home. Life was on the cusp of a spring breakthrough, though we couldn’t yet perceive all of its wonder and glory. Our new backyard was riddled...
View ArticleI am His Beloved
I paused before exiting the guest bedroom. It was still new to me, since we had moved only a little over a month prior. But the walk-in closet beckoned me to open it, reminding me that I had thrust...
View ArticleAsk for a Sign
I wasn’t looking for anything—not a sign from God, anyway. Long before that moment, I had abandoned asking God for signs. Maybe it was that it seemed superstitious or petulant or…maybe it was my lack...
View ArticleWhat We Learn From Darkness
“I will bless the Lord who gives me counsel, who even at night directs my heart.” ~ Psalm 16 For decades I’ve called myself a morning person, an early bird. I am drawn to the light for so many...
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