I recently spoke with Matt Swaim on EWTN’s Son Rise Morning show about my new outreach to the homeless and needy “Warming the homeless with LOVE, ‘holy’ scarves, and sacramentals.” You can li
sten to our short segment here.
If you’d like to learn more you can go here to this blog post
.
Life is always interesting even when living where I do, way back in the woods of rural Connecticut. Even when I am stuck in the house without a car and recovering from a fever, chills, and pain I had the other day–life is always fascinating.
I often tell my audiences when I am out speaking that they shouldn’t worry if they can’t get out of the house to do their ministry work or evangelizing for any reason because God will certainly bring the people to them!
This morning my elderly neighbor’s cleaning lady knocked on my door to tell me that my neighbor’s phone was not working and asked if I could kindly make a couple of calls for her. I then realized that my landline was not working either. But I could use my cell phone to make the calls. One call was to alert the phone company about the outages. That took some time as the technician checked everything out over the phone on my neighbor’s line and mine. I was happy to help my neighbor Bev since she is in her eighties and has had a couple of strokes. She definitely needs her phone to be working.
After some checking, the phone company woman on the other end of the call was able to send a signal to the phone lines and surprisingly fixed them. Though the phones seemed to be working fine, she said she’d leave the order in for a repairman to come to the houses today just in case they went out again. I thought it was a good idea even though I didn’t have time to be dealing with this today. The phones did go out again, but they came back on shortly after.
Soon after, my phone rang and it was my neighbor Bev. We hadn’t talked in a couple of weeks or more because her schedule had changed due to some health issues with both she and her husband and I had not wanted to disturb with a phone call in case they might be resting. So it was very nice to speak with Bev. We caught up on the phone for a few minutes and decided to get together for tea after Thanksgiving. I told Bev that I was happy that we had a problem with our phones today so that I could have the opportunity to speak with her.
After that, I got back to my work and then another phone call came in. This time it was the phone company repairman. He asked if the phones were working. I told him that they were fixed by the phone company woman during the phone call. He told me that he would check it out by going to the telephone pole and box down the road and then he’d stop by the house. He warned me that the phones might go out again but I shouldn’t be alarmed because it might just be him tinkering with the connections and wires.
“It’s a good thing I don’t have a radio show today,” I said. “I do regular radio shows from my telephone,” I explained.
The man asked, “Do you mind if I ask you a personal question?”
“Not at all,” I reassured.
“Did you write a book?” He inquired.
“Is your name Dave?” I fired right back.
I instantly recalled an entire scenario that had transpired years prior in which a phone man showed up at my house when my phone was completely fine. He told me all about his life-changing experience, and after a while, left with a copy of one of my books and a couple of blessed Miraculous Medals.
“Yes!” he said. He added that he’d see me within the hour. We said “good bye” and hung up. I could tell that he was so surprised that we mysteriously reconnected after an interesting encounter years ago. Truth be told, I was very surprised too!
Wait a minute. Pausing. I thought, Isn’t he in my Miraculous Medal book? He is, I know he is.
I ran up to my office to get a copy of the book to check. Yes, indeed, he was there right under the subtitle, “The Phone Man.” I took the book downstairs because I planned to give it to Dave when I would see him.
Wow. God never ceases to amaze me!
Dave arrived at my front door and we heartily shook hands to greet one another, smiling, happy to see one another again.
“Wow, you know those Mir–a–cle Medals you gave me?” Dave asked.
“The Miraculous Medals?” I asked him. I couldn’t help smiling at his slight change of the word. “Yes, I remember. I gave you two – one for you and one for your son.”
“Well, those medals sure are powerful!” My son keeps his in his wallet. I keep circulating the one you gave me to each person in the family who needs it. It really works!” He explained.
“I’ll need to give you more blessed medals so you won’t have to keep passing the one around.”
I also explained that it is best to wear the medal around the neck if possible. The Blessed Mother actually said that great graces will be received when it is worn around the neck. I gave Dave a little more history while we both stood on the sidewalk outside my front door. I kept moving a bit to get into the sunshine since the temperature seemed to be dropping and I was still feeling a bit sick.
Then I told Dave that he was in my Miraculous Medal book. He was so surprised, he couldn’t believe it.
“Wow, I am really blown away to know that I am in your book.”
“Yes, your story is inspiring people all over the world,” I told him.
“I can’t believe it–wow” he said.
“Maybe I shouldn’t tell you where you are in the book,” I teased, “so that you will read the whole thing and learn the history of the Miraculous Medal and about St. Catherine Laboure.”
I handed the book to Dave and he expressed his gratitude. I did point out the location of his story. He read it and smiled. I ran to grab a copy of my memoir too, The Kiss of Jesus as well as five blessed Miraculous Medals and a bunch of blessed St. Benedict medals. I told him about the power in a St. Benedict Medal, also explaining that there is nothing superstitious about it. I gave him a few leaflets that explained the origin.
We chatted a bit. We talked about Miraculous Medals, families, life, and Dave told me that every night he thanks God for his life. When we first met he had shared about a harrowing experience. He is thankful to be alive.
I asked if I could take his picture. I also asked his permission to blog about it later. He happily obliged and gave his permission to post his photo. I reminded him that God is always in control and that it was very interesting that both times that he came to my house there was really no problem with the phone. But, I believe that God wanted Dave to receive the blessed medals and books so God brought him here to my house.
Dave made a point to mention that it had been 4 or 5 years ago when he came to my house the first time and he said today was the only other time that he worked in this area.
Just then, Dave gazed down at both books he held in his hands and said, “I didn’t come here to help you with the phones. It is very clear to me now that I came here for you to help me. God is in charge!”
Life is a holy adventure! God is always in control!
I recently had the pleasure of chatting with Tony Rossi of “Christopher Close Up.” He wrote a lovely review as well. Here is his review:
“Jesus, help me, please,” prayed a then-teenage Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle in a state of terror as her fiancé Matthew (not his real name) forced a gun into her hand and tried to get her to kill him.
Matthew was an ex-Marine and Vietnam veteran who had been a leader in O’Boyle’s Catholic parish and she believed that he would make a good husband. But then something snapped inside him and he suffered a nervous breakdown. With several guns, including a machine gun, in his home, he threatened to kill O’Boyle and her family if she ever left him. Fearful of what would happen, she stayed put, but kept trying to come up with ways that she could safely escape this situation.
One day, Matthew lunged at her, forced a pistol into her hand, got her finger on the trigger, and pushed her to shoot him. Tears streamed down O’Boyle’s face because, even though she wanted to get away from Matthew, she didn’t want to kill him. That’s when she prayed, “Jesus, help me, please.”
During an interview on “Christopher Closeup” about her new memoir “The Kiss of Jesus,” O’Boyle recalled, “Jesus did help me because [Matthew] got up immediately off my lap, threw the gun against the wall and ran out of the room screaming all kinds of crazy things. He came right back, picked up the gun and put it in his pocket. I had to sit there and not make one sound, one move, one blink, one breath – and then try to stay clear of him until I could figure out what to do next.”
Thankfully, O’Boyle did finally get away from Matthew and move on with her life – and she believes that Jesus was there to help and guide her every step of the way. But that doesn’t mean her road was trouble-free or pain-free. In fact, it was often just the opposite…
You can see the entire review and listen to our half hour chat here.
Happy feast of St. Elizabeth of Hungary! She inspires us to help the poor. Even from a young age she was thinking about and helping the less fortunate.
As a daughter of royalty, Elizabeth was thrust into many responsibilities as well as her future marriage which had been arranged by her father. This arrangement caused her to be separated from her family at a very young age.
Elizabeth lived up to her duties, as well as took care of the countless needy people who came to her gate for bread. In serving the afflicted, there were times Elizabeth gave away the royal clothes and goods.
Perhaps my very favorite story about St. Elizabeth was when she allowed a sick leper to sleep in her bed when her husband was away. Her husband Ludwig returned unexpectedly and his mother, who always found fault with Elizabeth, summoned Ludwig to see who was in his bed. Upon throwing back the blankets, Elizabeth’s husband did not see a leper but miraculously saw Jesus lying there.
Constantly caring for the severely ill, Elizabeth became deathly ill and died at the young age of almost twenty four. Miraculous healings soon began to occur at her grave located near the hospital she founded. Elizabeth was canonized only four years later.
St. Elizabeth is the patron saint of Secular Franciscans and Catholic Charities.
Pope Benedict XVI spoke about her:
Elizabeth practiced assiduously the works of mercy: she gave to drink and eat those who came to her door, she got clothes, paid debts, looked after the sick and buried the dead. Coming down from her castle, she often went with her maidservants to the homes of the poor, taking bread, meat, flour and other foods. She would hand the food out personally and carefully oversaw clothes and shelter for the poor. This behavior was reported to her husband, who not only was not annoyed, but answered her accusers: “So long as they don’t come to the castle, I’m happy!” Placed in this context is the miracle of bread transformed into roses: While Elizabeth was going through the street with her apron full of bread for the poor, she met her husband, who asked her what she was carrying. She opened her apron and, instead of bread, magnificent roses appeared. This symbol of charity is often present in depictions of St. Elizabeth.
Hers was a profoundly happy marriage: Elizabeth helped her husband to raise his human qualities to the supernatural level and he, on the other hand, protected his wife in her generosity to the poor and in her religious practices. Ever more in admiration of his wife’s great faith, Ludwig, referring to her care of the poor, said to her: “Dear Elizabeth, it is Christ whom you have washed, fed and looked after.” A clear testimony of how faith and love of God and one’s neighbor reinforce marital union and make it even more profound…”
~ Pope Benedict XVI, Oct. 20, 2010.
Conrad of Marburg, St. Elizabeth’s spiritual adviser, wrote a letter in support of her canonization:
“Elizabeth was a lifelong friend of the poor and gave herself entirely to relieving the hungry. She ordered that one of her castles should be converted into a hospital in which she gathered many of the weak and feeble. She generously gave alms to all who were in need, not only in that place but in all the territories of her husband’s empire. She spent all her own revenue from her husband’s four principalities, and finally she sold her luxurious possessions and rich clothes for the sake of the poor.
“Twice a day, in the morning and in the evening, Elizabeth went to visit the sick. She personally cared for those who were particularly repulsive; to some she gave food, to others clothing; some she carried on her own shoulders, and performed many other kindly services. Her husband, of happy memory, gladly approved of these charitable works. Finally, when her husband died, she sought the highest perfection; filled with tears, she implored me to let her beg for alms from door to door. Good Friday of that year, when the altars had been stripped, she laid her hands on the altar in a chapel in her own town, where she had established the Friars Minor, and before witnesses, she voluntarily renounced all worldly display and everything that our Savior in the Gospel advises us to abandon. Even then, she saw that she could still be distracted by the cares and worldly glory which had surrounded her while her husband was alive. Against my will, she followed me to Marburg. Here in the town, she built a hospice where she gathered together the weak and the feeble. There she attended the most wretched and contemptible at her own table.
Apart from those active good works, I declare before God that I have seldom seen a more contemplative woman.”
Pray for us and teach us to love the poor, St. Elizabeth! As your husband realized and exclaimed, “Dear Elizabeth, it is Christ whom you have washed, fed and looked after,” pray for us that we will strive to care for the poor too. Amen.
Today begins the Miraculous Medal novena which is nine days of prayer to end up on the feast day of November 25th (though it is also celebrated on November 27th, the anniversary of an important apparition).
It seems so fitting to me that I should be going out today with the first batch of “holy” scarves for the homeless and needy. You might have seen my post about this new part of my ministry: “Warming the homeless with LOVE, scarves, and sacramentals.”
Please pray along with me in this beautiful novena. I am requesting that in this novena all throughout the nine days which is to Jesus through Mary and Her blessed sacramental, the Miraculous Medal, that you ask for special help for the homeless and unfortunate and if you could, please keep my ministry in your prayers as well. Of course, we don’t want to forget to include France in this novena. The Blessed Mother Herself mentioned France to St. Catherine in one of Her apparitions to her when explaining the Miraculous medal.
Please add all of your own intentions in this powerful novena. Thank you in advance for praying for the homeless, for my encounters with them when I gift them with the “holy” scarves, that Our Lord would really speak to their hearts, and for whatever God’s holy Will might be in this regard.
Here is the novena prayer (but please continue to read the post below the prayers because there is more):
Novena of the Miraculous Medal
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy
Spirit. Amen.
Come, O Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your
faithful, and kindle in them the fire of Your love. Send
forth Your Spirit, and they shall be created. And You
shall renew the face of the earth.
Let us pray.
O God, who did instruct the hearts of the faithful by
the light of the Holy Spirit, grant us in the same
Spirit to be truly wise and ever to rejoice in His
consolation, through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen.
O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have
recourse to you. (3 times.)
O Lord Jesus Christ, who have vouchsafed to glorify by
numberless miracles the Blessed Virgin Mary, immaculate
from the first moment of her conception, grant that all
who devoutly implore her protection on earth, may
eternally enjoy Your presence in heaven, who, with the
Father and Holy Spirit, live and reign, God, for ever
and ever. Amen.
O Lord Jesus Christ, who for the accomplishment of Your
greatest works, have chosen the weak things of the
world, that no flesh may glory in Your sight; and who
for a better and more widely diffused belief in the
Immaculate Conception of Your Mother, have wished that
the Miraculous Medal be manifested to Saint Catherine
Laboure, grant, we beseech You, that filled with like
humility, we may glorify this mystery by word and work.
Amen.
Memorare
Remember, O most compassionate Virgin Mary, that never
was it known that anyone who fled to your protection,
implored your assistance, or sought your intercession
was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, we fly
unto you, O Virgin of Virgins, our Mother; to you we
come; before you we kneel sinful and sorrowful. O Mother
of the Word Incarnate, despise not our petitions, but in
your clemency hear and answer them. Amen.
– Novena Prayer
O Immaculate Virgin Mary, Mother of Our Lord Jesus and
our Mother, penetrated with the most lively confidence
in your all-powerful and never failing intercession,
manifested so often through the Miraculous Medal, we
your loving and trustful children implore you to obtain
for us the graces and favors we ask during this Novena,
if they be beneficial to our immortal souls, and the
souls for whom we pray. (Here privately form your
petitions.) You know, O Mary, how often our souls have
been the sanctuaries of your Son who hates iniquity.
Obtain for us also a spirit of prayer and self-denial
that we may recover by penance what we have lost by sin
and at length attain to that blessed abode where you are
the Queen of angels and of men. Amen.
An Act of Consecration to Our Lady of the Miraculous
Medal
O Virgin Mother of God, Mary Immaculate, we dedicate and
consecrate ourselves to you under the title of Our Lady
of the Miraculous Medal. May this Medal be for each one
of us a sure sign of your affection for us and a
constant reminder of our duties toward you. Ever while
wearing it, may be blessed by your loving protection and
preserved in the grace of your Son. O most powerful
Virgin, Mother of our Savior, keep us close to you every
moment of our lives. Obtain for us, your children, the
grace of a happy death; so that, in union with you, we
may enjoy the bliss of heaven forever. Amen.
O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have
recourse to you. (3 times.)
[from EWTN and appears in my book]
***
Novena of the Miraculous Medal (a shorter novena)
O Immaculate Virgin Mary,
Mother of Our Lord Jesus and our Mother,
penetrated with the most lively confidence in your all-powerful and never-failing intercession, manifested so often through the Miraculous Medal,
we your loving and trustful children implore you to obtain for us the graces and favors we ask during this novena,
if they be beneficial to our immortal souls,
and the souls for whom we pray.
(Here form your petition)
You know, O Mary, how often our souls have been the sanctuaries of your Son who hates iniquity.
Obtain for us then a deep hatred of sin and that purity of heart which will attach us to God alone so that our every thought, word and deed may tend to His greater glory.
Obtain for us also a spirit of prayer and self-denial that we may recover by penance what we have lost by sin and at length attain to that blessed abode where you are the Queen of angels and of men.
Amen.
https://www.ewtn.com/Devotionals/novena/MiraculousMedal.htm
You can also check this out at one of the popular Miraculous Medal Shrines (in Philadelphia) to follow along with what they are doing for the novena if you’d like.
THANK YOU again from the bottom of my heart for praying along with me this beautiful Miraculous Medal novena. I pray that Mother Mary may grant you many graces. I do hope that you are (or will) wear a blessed Miraculous Medal.
O, Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee. (the prayer that the Blessed Mother asked to be printed on each Miraculous Medal).
You can read the whole history of the Miraculous Medal, the Blessed Mother, and St. Catherine Laboure in my book: The Miraculous Medal, Stories, Prayers, and Devotions.
Saint Maximilian was someone who had a beautiful devotion to Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal and would hand out blessed Miraculous Medals often also saw the medal as a means of expressing the Total Consecration of his followers to the Blessed Mother and was a means of safeguarding it. He added his own prayer to be said by those in the Militia Immaculatae (Knights of the Immaculate) group that he formed:
O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us
who have recourse to thee, and for all who do
not have recourse to thee, especially the enemies
of the Church and those recommended to thee.
Saint Catherine Laboure would pray this way:
“When I go to the Chapel I place myself before the good God and I say to Him: ‘Lord, here I am, give me what you will.’ If he gives me something, I am very pleased and I thank Him. If He gives me nothing, I still thank Him because I do not deserve anything. And then again, I tell Him all that passes through my mind; I recount my pains and my joys and…I listen. If you listen to Him, He will speak to you also, because with the good God it is necessary to speak and to listen. He will always speak to you if you go to Him simply and sincerely.”
Click on image to see more about the medals.
This morning I headed out with a healthy armload of beautiful hand-made scarves embellished with blessed medals which I had sewn on to each one. Here is a bit of information about this “holy scarf ministry.
The scarves that were all ready to go out this morning are shown here stacked up on this little rocker.
I decided that the first stop after my doctor’s appointment was to visit a Religious Order that is very near and dear to my heart–the Missionaries of Charity (Mother Teresa’s Order). So, after my appointment we headed over–my husband drove and I prayed many Hail Mary’s as my fingers glided over the beads of my Rosary with a passion. We were headed deep into an area of the city known for its crime. Though I knew this to be a certain reality, I also knew without doubt that we would be safe. God was with us.
A couple of times, as we drove along I pointed out various people to my husband who was intent on finding the address of the MC convent and was totally focused on that.
“There’s a little lady in a wheel chair. She could use a “holy” scarf.”
She continued wheeling down the sidewalk and my husband kept on driving–a man on a mission.
“There’s someone who looks very needy…” My voice trailed off. I wanted to offer the scarves to everyone. I continued on with my Rosary.
Our destination this day was the convent where I knew the Sisters would welcome the scarves for the poor and who would have direct contact with the most in need.
I spotted a church and we found the convent very near. My husband and I were greeted warmly by the Sisters upon arriving at the convent. I was surprised that I was recognized immediately when one sister called out my name. I wasn’t expecting that. I spent some time with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. I felt so much at home as I knelt there in quiet Adoration for a few moments. Peace entered my soul.
Then, when my husband came back inside after he had re-parked our vehicle closer to the convent, I prayed a prayer out loud quietly in the chapel while Dave stood by my side. I prayed for the Sisters, for all of the needs in that area, and for all who would receive the scarves. We then enjoyed a chat with the gracious and joyful Sisters.
If you have read any of my books you’ll know how much I appreciate those two poignant words, “I Thirst” painted on the MC chapel wall. I have observed those same two words painted on at least seven other MC chapels around the world. But, that might be another subject for another time.
For now, I’ll tell you that I was so happy to give the Sisters the “holy” scarves so that they could give them to the homeless and needy in their area. I let them know that I will be sending more scarves to them and that I’d visit again when I could.
We had to bid our good byes because I knew the Sisters needed to get back to their work.
“Come back anytime. You are welcome!” one Sister called out to us again as we made our departure down the front steps to our vehicle.
I’ll keep you posted about further journeys. I’ll keep scarves with me as I am out and about all throughout the cold Autumn days winter days ahead.
Pray for me please and all those I will meet who will receive these warm gifts. Thank you in advance!
My recent interview with Staci Gulino on “Faith and Good Counsel”
talking about my memoir The Kiss of Jesus is here. You can listen at your leisure. I hope that you enjoy it!
From Alcon Entertainment and Warner Bros. Pictures comes the untold true story of “The 33.”
In 2010, the eyes of the world turned to Chile, where 33 miners had been buried alive by the catastrophic collapse of a 100-year-old gold and copper mine. Over the next 69 days, an international team worked night and day in a desperate attempt to rescue the trapped men as their families and friends, as well as millions of people globally, waited and watched anxiously for any sign of hope. But 200 stories beneath the surface, in the suffocating heat and with tensions rising, provisions—and time—were quickly running out.
A story of resilience, personal transformation and triumph of the human spirit, the film takes us to the Earth’s darkest depths, revealing the psyches of the men trapped in the mine, and depicting the courage of both the miners and their families who refused to give up.
Based on the gripping true story of survival—and filmed with the cooperation of the miners, their families and their rescuers—“The 33” captures the never-before-seen actual events that unfolded, above and below ground, which became nothing less than a worldwide phenomenon.
The international cast is led by Antonio Banderas, Rodrigo Santoro, Academy Award winner Juliette Binoche (“The English Patient”), James Brolin, and Lou Diamond Phillips, with Bob Gunton and Gabriel Byrne. The cast also includes Mario Casas, Jacob Vargas, Juan Pablo Raba, Oscar Nuñez, Tenoch Huerta, Marco Treviño, Adriana Barraza, Kate Del Castillo, Cote de Pablo, Elizabeth De Razzo and Naomi Scott.
Patricia Riggen directed “The 33” from a screenplay by Mikko Alanne, Oscar nominee Craig Borten (“Dallas Buyers Club”) and Michael Thomas, based on the screen story by Oscar nominee José Rivera (“The Motorcycle Diaries”) and the book Deep Down Dark by Hector Tobar. The film was produced by Oscar nominee Mike Medavoy (“Black Swan”), Robert Katz and Edward McGurn. Carlos Eugenio Lavin, Leopoldo Enriquez, Alan Zhang and José Luis Escolar served as executive producers.
The behind-the-scene creative team included cinematographer Checco Varese, production designer Marco Niro, editor Michael Tronick and Oscar-nominated costume designer Paco Delgado (“Les Misérables”). The Academy Award-winning team of Alex Henning and Ben Grossmann (“Hugo”) supervised the visual effects. The score was composed by Oscar winner James Horner (“Titanic”).
“The 33” was filmed on location in Chile’s harshly remote yet breathtakingly beautiful Atacama desert just kilometers away from where the event took place, and deep within two mines located in central Colombia.
“The 33” is a presentation of Alcon Entertainment, co-founded by CEOs Andrew A. Kosove and Broderick Johnson. A Phoenix Pictures production, the film is being distributed domestically and in select international territories by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company. This film has been rated PG-13 for a disaster sequence and some language.
I recently had the pleasure of speaking with and sharing my story and my memoir The Kiss of Jesus with the very sweet Barbara McGuigan on EWTN’s “The Good Fight.” We chatted for a whole two hours which was my longest radio interview yet!
In case you didn’t get to tune in you can listen here at your leisure. I hope you enjoy it. Get yourself a beverage and pull up a chair. You might be surprised at what you will hear.
The first two scarves have arrived!
“This is the fasting that I wish: Sharing your bread with the hungry, sheltering the oppressed and the homeless; Clothing the naked when you see them.” (Is 58:6-7)
I am so happy that the first donation of scarves has arrived! I recently started a ministry to the homeless called “Warming the Homeless with LOVE, Scarves, and Sacramentals.” I will be attaching a blessed Miraculous Medal and a blessed St. Benedict Medal (which has a full exorcism blessing on it) to each scarf.
I am praying that not only will the scarves help to keep the homeless warm this winter, but will also keep them protected, and even inspired due to the attached holy sacramentals. I plan to have the scarves (hats, and gloves) blessed ahead of time with holy water too. And when possible, blessed by a priest.
Here is the blog post in which I told about a homeless man named Andrew, the new ministry, and how one can donate new or gently used (and freshly washed) scarves, hats, or gloves that I will give out to the homeless.
You can share in this “Works of Mercy” ministry by praying about helping, praying for the ministry, and especially for the homeless. And, hopefully, by sending your donations of new or very gently used (and clean) scarves, hats, and gloves to me at: PO Box 773, New Milford, CT 06776.
ANOTHER WAY to join in this “Work of Mercy” is to get together in your own area with people who would like to crochet or knit scarves for the homeless. Imagine the beautiful fellowship that can unfold as you chat and pray, and knit or crochet away! I recommend that you start with a prayer when you gather together. Or, purchase or collect donations of scarves, gloves, and hats (or from your own closet) and attach blessed Miraculous Medals on them (and hopefully a blessed St. Benedict medal too). You can get them at my website or elsewhere. My medals have FULL blessings upon them. If you decide to do this, please let me know in the comments section, or you may email me: DMCOBoyle@aol.com.
Thank you very much in advance. God bless you!
PS Look what just arrived–a big box filled with homemade scarves!! I will get busy sewing the blessed medals onto these beautiful hand-made scarves.
Gorgeous homemade scarves donated to the ministry!
Please pray for me as I will be going out in a couple of days into a couple of big cities to gift these warm scarves to the needy.
So many beautiful scarves!
“Whatever you do to the least of my brothers you do to me.” (Matthew 25:40)
A woman just reviewed The Kiss of Jesus and disclosed that because of the book and God’s Infinite Grace, she is now on a path to healing. Praise God!
“The inner most devastating details shared within this book spoke directly to my soul and have given me a real hope that God is with me…and also given me an understanding that this spiritual journey she presents (which is all too familiar) is purposeful and necessary in its purification of the soul perhaps or some other meaningful teaching that needs to be learned. I’m grateful for the courage Donna-Marie used to forge through revealing such painful experiences. I’m on a path to healing myself because of having read it and of course, more importantly thanks to God’s infinite grace.”
Let’s say a prayer for her and for all women experiencing difficulties and dark nights. May God bless them in great abundance!
Recently I visited with Kathie Duggan on Sacred Treasures on Radio Maria. You can listen here at your leisure. I hope that you enjoy it.
Two lovely women I know.
Guess who I called yesterday afternoon? Suzanne! She is the 88-year-old woman who called me by mistake a few weeks ago. We chatted for about an hour!
I’ll admit I was cleaning out a hall closet for part of the time as we spoke. But, I can multi-task. 🙂 And I paid full attention to her.
Finally, after an hour of chatting I needed to get off the phone and told Suzanne once again (I had tried a few times already) that I had better go. She then very enthusiastically told me that I had made her day by calling her! She thanked me over and over again. I told Suzanne that I was very happy to have chatted with her and I promised my prayers.
God is so good and I am thanking Him for the opportunity to reach out to this woman. Only He knows the reason that He arranged all of this. But I have no doubt that God has a plan. Mother Teresa would call this woman “Jesus in the distressing disguise.”
Here is a note about our first phone conversation when Suzanne called me by mistake when dialing a wrong number.
In case you missed my recent radio visit with the lovely Wendy Wiese the other night it’s right here to listen to whenever you have about 20 minutes or so. You can move the little time thingie (at the bottom) to the 26 minute mark if you’d like. That’s where my interview begins. I hope you enjoy it!
Award-winning anchor and reporter Liz Faublas recently interviewed me about The Kiss of Jesus for Currents TV in Brooklyn. Here is our five minute interview:
In a recent article in the National Catholic Register, Katie Warner quotes me (using my sentiments expressed to her in an earlier interview).
Katie writes:
“Ever since I was a little girl, I observed a bit of the ‘big Church’ inside little domestic churches,” author, EWTN host and new grandmother Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle reminisced. “My Polish grandmother’s home was adorned with sacred Catholic items. From pictures of the saints and images of her favorite — Polish Pope John Paul II — to rosary beads and crucifixes, my grandmother’s faith was easily perceived in her home. My mother followed in her mother’s footsteps, and I grew up with [the Catholic faith] inconspicuously woven into my life.”
O’Boyle continued to build upon the foundation that her grandmother and mother gave her in her own family, adorning her home with Catholic art and sacramentals, which for her serve as “holy reminders that help uplift one’s spirit and heart to God” in the midst of busy family life. “Placing visible signs of our faith throughout our Catholic homes will transform walls, brick and mortar into a beautiful domestic church,” she explained.
Furthermore, O’Boyle has noticed that the church of the home is a powerful place to evangelize others. “The sacred items and sacramentals that we are accustomed to in our home can spark a conversation about the faith with a visitor or even a complete stranger. A deliveryman ended up staying a short while because we became engrossed in a conversation about God. It all unfolded after he observed religious art in the foyer of my home. After that, he left with a big smile on his face and said, ‘Wow! This was really meant to be … I have never had this route before!’”
You can read the entire article here: http://www.ncregister.com/site/article/fostering-holiness/#ixzz3qRWHZF00
My heart goes out to the needy and less fortunate–especially at this time of year. I always enjoy this beautiful season of Autumn. But, in my humble opinion, there is a problem with this glorious Fall season in my part of the world. It’s that winter and its freezing weather never fail to be not too far behind.
I am not particularly fond of the cold weather. But, more than that, I am c
oncerned for the poor and homeless who are cold and needy.
The other day, I had a beautiful encounter with a couple of homeless men in which I offered a bit of monetary help and blessed sacramentals from our Church. I was very happy to see Andrew and his friend so that I could converse with Andrew again even briefly. I had met him a few weeks ago when I was passing through his town. That story is here. Perhaps you should take a look at that brief story first before continuing.
I had been hoping I’d see Andrew again when I would travel through that town. He had been in my thoughts and prayers. I wanted to see how he was doing and perhaps offer him a little something to eat, or a little money, or something to keep him warm.
In fact, with Andrew in mind, I dug around a bit in my hall closet and pulled out a scarf that my husband had not worn in years and I asked him if I could give it away to a homeless man. I thought I could bring it with me when we went back up to that area of Massachusetts. Well, Dave said he wanted to hang onto that particular scarf. So, I didn’t push the issue. But something was definitely brewing in my heart.
Recently, when passing through that area, I purposely strolled over to the area where I had met Andrew a few weeks ago. I was so delighted to see him again and I told him that I remembered that his name was Andrew.
He lit right up.
Then, he got right up from the sidewalk and reached into his pocket to pull out the blessed medals I had given him a few weeks ago. Wow. He said he always keeps them with him in his pocket. My heart was secretly soaring. And, I told him that I was happy that he still had the blessed medals. We chatted a few minutes and then I gave each of the homeless men a dollar bill. I handed the scruffy-looking man with the nose ring who was sitting next to Andrew, two of the same kinds of blessed medals that I had given to Andrew previously. He seemed very happy to receive them. I told him that they were powerful medals.
I pray that God blesses these men and all those who are living on the streets.
Sharing an Inspiration
I have an inspiration to do something to help keep our brothers and sisters warm. I would like to give warm scarves to the homeless that I will have attached blessed medals onto in advance. Of course, I’ll still be handing out the blessed medals to people I meet when I am inspired to do so. But, giving out the scarves is a way to help the needy to stay warmer, as well as have the protection of the blessed medals too.
Do you have a winter scarf hanging around? Maybe there are too many in your closet and it’s a good time to de-clutter. Would you like to donate a scarf to help keep someone warm?
Do you crochet or knit? Would you like to make a scarf for the homeless? Or perhaps you would like to buy a scarf for the homeless. If you’d like to help in some way, you can send your scarves to me at: PO Box 773, New Milford, CT 06776. I will add the blessed sacramentals (a Miraculous Medal and a St. Benedict medal that has the FULL exorcism blessing on it) to the scarves and give them to the homeless and will find ways to distribute them.
In addition, if you’d like to donate adult sized warm gloves or mittens, please feel free to send them along too.
ANOTHER WAY to join in this “Work of Mercy” is to get together in your own area with people who would like to crochet or knit scarves for the homeless. Imagine the beautiful fellowship that can unfold as you chat and pray, and knit or crochet away! I recommend that you start with a prayer when you gather together. Or, purchase or collect donations of scarves, gloves, and hats (or from your own closet) and attach blessed Miraculous Medals on them (and hopefully a blessed St. Benedict medal too). You can get them at my website or elsewhere. My medals have FULL blessings upon them. If you decide to do this, please let me know in the comments section, or you may email me: DMCOBoyle@aol.com.
God bless you for considering helping and also for praying for the homeless and less fortunate.
Remember that Jesus continually teaches us in the Gospel of Matthew: “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.” (Matthew 25: 40).
AFTER POSTING ABOUT THIS MINISTRY, Aleteia interviewed me for an article. Check it out here.
A woman recently shared her heartfelt thoughts on Face Book about how The Kiss of Jesus has changed her life. I am deeply thankful to God.
She said:
As one of those who Donna-Marie has helped make sense of a troubled life through her new book I encourage all to not only read the book but go to her website and read the blog tour. Also I recommend everyone to listen to this interview and all others there. The more blogs I read and interviews I listen to the more graces I receive from this book!! Donna-Marie has helped me deal with memories and deep sorrows from a difficult childhood, many life events, and poor choices I have made in my 60 years of life. Most importantly she has helped me realize my many blessings in my suffering and offering it all to God. I know going forward my relationship with God will not only improve but maybe I can even bring some blessings to others. This book and my friendship with Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle indeed has changed my life!
I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Jeff Young AKA the Catholic Foodie.
He writes: “I have wanted to have Donna-Marie join me here on The Catholic Foodie Show for quite a while, and the recent release of her new book provided the perfect opportunity. The Kiss of Jesus is the name of the book, published by Ignatius Press. In The Kiss of Jesus, Donna-Marie tells her story, the good and the bad. She doesn’t shy away from the dark corners. She tells her story because she knows that so many of us are suffering. We are hurting and we are trying to make sense of it all. We are trying to find God in the midst of it. Donna-Marie understands the power of stories, and she shares hers knowing that doing so might just give hope to you and to me. Listen now to our conversation. Full show notes are available at CatholicFoodie.com.
Jeff has recently interviewed me on his radio show. You can listen to that here.
Today’s The Kiss of Jesus Blog Tour stop is over at The Snoring Scholar.
Sarah begins with an excerpt of my book and then gets into some personal stuff:
I had been writing Catholic articles whenever I could fit them into my schedule. After careful reflection and prayer, I decided to retire from my preschool program and to devote myself to full-time writing. Mother Teresa and Father Hardon had encouraged me to continue writing. Mother Teresa had said that she prayed my writing would “do much good” and that I should do it “for the glory of God and the good of the people.” Father Hardon had given me positive feedback and had reminded me that “many mothers are overwhelmed” and need encouragement and inspiration.
After many years of storing away my writings in cardboard boxes, I heard from a publisher who asked if I would be interested in writing a prayer book for Catholic mothers. They had seen some of my writing in the past, and I was thrilled to be invited to write for them. Before long, I signed my first book contract and got to work. Dave was very supportive of my writing work, and I thoroughly enjoyed the writing process, praying as I wrote that God would use my words for His glory and to help and encourage mothers of all ages. I drew from some ideas I had during my long bed rest while pregnant with Mary-Catherine.
I’ll never forget the day that the copies of my first book arrived…
[see the entire blog post here]
