Here is my interview with Doug Keck on EWTN’s Bookmark television show. We discussed three of my books: Small Things with Great Love: A 9-Day Novena to Mother Teresa, Saint of the Gutters, Advent with Our Lady of Fatima, and 52 Weeks with Saint Faustina: A Year of Grace and Mercy.
You can tune in above by clicking the video or tune in here on Youtube at your leisure. If you like it, Please take a second to give it a thumbs up on You tube. 🙂
This was a very different kind of interview as compared to all of my other visits with Doug Keck for EWTN’s Bookmark. Doug and his lovely producer Lee South were off site so we conducted the interview through a video camera, an ear piece, and microphones (and I was seated on a high stool!).
Unfortunately, the technology was not the best and the feedback in my ear and very loud echoing as I was answering Doug was so disconcerting. I had to persevere and move forward, pretending all was well. 🙂 I’m always amazed at how the interviews come out, despite the technological problems.
A recent visit on “Mast Appeal” Radio show on Ave Maria Radio talking about things from a Catholic perspective including my book Family Consecration to Jesus Through Mary.
I was featured on Boston Catholic TV “This is the Day” on August 18, 2020 through Skype to talk about my book Family Consecration to Jesus Through Mary.
Unfortunately, there were technology issues, but we persevered and were able to salvage a couple of parts of the interview. You can see the links below.
My friend June who had worked nearby to the horrifying devastation that occurred on 9/11 paused to reflect upon the events of her day, and nineteen years later, has shared her thoughts with me.
“I was living in Westchester County, north of New York City,” she recalled, “and taking the Metro-North commuter railroad to Grand Central terminal on the East side of New York City each day.” This began her trek to work, which she did so often, she could probably do it in her sleep!
It began as a typical work day for June. Buses, taxis, trucks, and cars were out in full force. Shop owners were opening their doors for business, while conversations emanated from newsstands and breakfast kiosks, and the unmistakable satisfying rich aroma of freshly brewing coffee wafted through New York City’s air.
My friend recalled her typical morning, “I would then walk to my office at the Verizon location at 42nd Street and 6th Avenue.” Every day, June naturally took in the day-to-day New York City sights and sounds as she walked briskly to get to work.
Looking south from 6th Avenue, the view was dominated by the twin towers.
Though the daily sights and sounds along June’s commute were pretty much predictable, she remembered that on that particular morning, she had made a point to pause and make a mental note of appreciation of the incredible beauty that caught her eye.
June told me, “As I reached 6th Avenue and approached the Verizon building, I recall looking south, seeing the towers, and thinking what a beautiful day it was. Without a single cloud, the sky was an incredible rich blue.”
Mental note taken, she kept up her swift morning pace and got to the office for what she imagined would be yet another true to form work day.
That striking eye-catching beauty that June had gazed upon earlier and so much more was about to quickly evaporate. As June recalled, “I was on a call, when someone came to my office to tell me that a plane had hit one of the towers.”
Dumbfounded, June went over to one of the offices with a view south and “saw just one tower standing.”
“For the sake of His sorrowful Passion…”
She immediately turned to God. June said, “I prayed for everyone, including friends who were working at the Verizon building across the street.” Within minutes, a second plane hit the other tower. As June watched in utter disbelief, she shared, “The second tower fell.”
She added, “I recall praying the Chaplet of Divine Mercy for all the souls.”
The Empire State Building is just eight blocks from the Verizon 42nd Street building. “Fearful that a third plane might target the Empire State Building,” June said, “about 11 AM, upper management advised us to vacate the building and head home.” June made immediate arrangements with her brother who was working at the same location. They met in the lobby, along with another worker, who headed out with them. June said, “Because no trains were leaving from Grand Central, we decided to walk to my brother’s home in Queens.”
June deeply reflected and continued to share her experience, “By 11 AM, with almost all traffic stopped and no planes flying overhead, and the hushed tones of other people nearby, midtown New York City was eerily quiet.” She told me that suddenly everything had dramatically changed. There were, “No engines humming, no impatient horns tooting, no boisterous crowd conversations.” None of that was left—it had totally, frighteningly dissipated into thin air, it seemed.
June called to mind, “It was spooky without all the noise of daily hustle and bustle.” She vividly remembered, “With so many walking—heading uptown, walking across the bridges usually filled with vehicles—the visual was like that of refugees walking miles to safety.”
Eerie silence remains vividly in her thoughts
June could not forget. “Everyone was focused on the billowing smoke where the towers had been downtown.That frighteningly eerie silence is still very vivid in my thoughts.”
“We walked about seven or eight miles into the heart of Queens,” June shared. The siblings found a tour bus driver who was willing to take them a few miles farther. June said, “At that point, off the bus, we neared the famously heavily traveled Long Island Expressway.”
June recalled the experience. Even eerier still, “With no vehicles traveling on the Expressway, the only sounds we heard were the booms of fighter jets flying overhead.”
June’s brother contacted a parish priest who is a good friend stationed at a church about three miles from where they were at the time. “The priest had to navigate through police blockades but did reach us about an hour later.” June will never forget that long journey when, amid countless others who suddenly found themselves in the same inconceivable predicament, the three of them kept putting one foot in front of the other to get to safety.
“We started our journey at 11 AM and reached my brother’s home about 4 PM.”
It was a trek that June, her brother, their priest friend, and thousands of others would never forget. June said, “I stayed with my brother overnight. The following day, he was able to drive me to the Westchester train station where I had left my car the previous morning.”
As June recollected, she stated a couple of times, “I can hardly believe that all this, and more in the months that followed, happened 19 years ago!” It is still so very fresh in the minds of countless people.
June counted her blessings and told me, “We were fortunate to have been far enough uptown to only see the macro picture of what was happening, but our friends who worked at the Verizon building across the street from the towers saw, felt, and experienced everything within a couple of hundred feet.”
June stated, that because of the unimaginable horrendous trauma, “A number of them suffered from PTSD afterward and still have difficulty today.”
Sadly, in addition to the horrifying devastation thousands have experienced and have even perished from, many others suffer from “survivor’s guilt,” and, as June pointed out, “many are reliving the trauma of seeing everything close up.”
June shared with me, “My brother and I pray each year for the deceased and also for the survivors, those friends and heroes who were there that day and those who worked later at the site doing rescue, recovery, and cleanup.”
June encourages us, “If you haven’t had an opportunity to go to the memorial and museum, both are beautiful solemn tributes.”
Our first meeting with Mother Teresa. She grabbed my daughter’s little face. We had a very blessed conversation which I have shared in my books…
Joy is the sign of union with God, of God’s presence. Joy is love, the normal result of a heart burning with love.”
Mother Teresa
My son Joseph in my arms years later one time when we visited Mother Teresa in a private meeting. What a gaze!
Today…
Today is a special day. It’s the anniversary of when St. Teresa of Calcutta (whom I still refer to as Mother Teresa), received what she referred to as her “Call within a call” to start her religious order the Missionaries of Charity. I thought I’d tell you about it by using a couple of excerpts from my books.
From my book Advent with Our Lady of Fatima, I’ll share first about Mother Mary and Mother Teresa and then tell you how Mother Teresa’s journey to found the Missionaries of Charity began:
Mother Teresa Stands with Mary at the Foot of the Cross
Mother Teresa was madly in love with Jesus and His holy Mother. She chose the Immaculate Heart of Mary as her special patroness and established that special feast day as the titular feast for her congregation. We know that the Immaculate Heart of Mary is a big part of Our Lady of Fatima’s message. Mary’s Im- maculate Heart is full of love for all her children. But it is even more than that.
I will share something rather contradictory. I just said that Mary’s heart was full, and it is full of love and grace, but some- one else — a credible source — says it is empty. In his book Mother Teresa: In the Shadow of Our Lady, Father Joseph Lang- ford, MC, cofounder with Mother Teresa of her community of priests, the Missionaries of Charity Fathers, writes, “The Im-maculate Heart of Mary refers not only to Our Lady’s love and virtues, but also to her interior emptiness of self in imitation of Christ who ‘emptied himself’ to save the human race.” He continues, “Our Lady’s heart is the emptiest of all human hearts, the emptiest of self and the emptiest of pride, and therefore the most ready to give a heart’s welcome and shelter to those who are shelterless.” Fr. Langford knows that Mother Teresa understood the mystery of Mary’s Immaculate Heart: “Mother Teresa saw this as the condition both for receiving and giving God to the full.”
Those dusty train tracks…
Let’s step back to those dusty, often unreliable train tracks, and that rickety steam train running slowly down them in 1946. It was nearing autumn, and the thirty-six-year-old Sister Teresa left Calcutta to head to West Bengal, where she departed in Siliguri to board the small train to Darjeeling on the last leg of her journey. As I mentioned earlier, she had received her “call within a call” on September 10, 1946, while sitting on that hot, crowded train en route to her annual retreat. As the train made its way on the tracks, amid the sometimes-deafening noise, the humble nun distinctively heard Jesus speaking to her heart. She became profoundly aware of her great and holy work ahead: taking care of the poor and the salvation of souls. After that very eventful train ride, Mother Teresa received countless extraordinary revelations from Jesus, informing her of the mission entrusted to her and reiterating what He wanted. This went on for over a year. Then, at the end of 1947, Jesus revealed a series of three visions to Mother Teresa. She was shown a crowd of the poor in each of the visions. In the first vision, she saw the reality and painful poverty of the poor, and their inner poverty. She saw herself in the scene and the poor were reaching out to her. In the second scene, the Blessed Mother was amid the poor with Mother Teresa kneeling at her side. Our Lady spoke to her:
Take care of them—they are mine. Bring them to Jesus — carry Jesus to them. Fear not. Teach them to say the Rosary, the family Rosary, and all will be well. Fear not — Jesus and I will be with you and your children.
The Blessed Mother is intimately linked to God’s call to Mother Teresa. In the third vision, the distressed crowd is in darkness, seemingly unaware of the presence of Jesus in their midst, hanging from the Cross. Our Lady and Mother Teresa are there, too. But, this time Mother Teresa saw herself as a little child. The Blessed Mother was supporting Mother Teresa, one hand on her shoulder and the other on Mother’s outstretched arm. Our Lady was providing the strength that Mother Teresa needed in that moment. Mother Teresa’s right arm was out- stretched toward Jesus on the Cross. Jesus spoke to Mother Teresa.
“I have asked you. They have asked you. And she, my Mother, has asked you. Will you refuse to do this for me — to take care of them, to bring them to me?”
With God’s grace, and Mother Mary’s incredible help, Mother Teresa was able courageously to give her fiat of accep- tance for such an arduous and beautiful mission. Mother Mary was always nearby to support her as Mother Teresa carried out the work of striving to satiate the thirst of Jesus for the salvation of souls and to bring the poor to Jesus and Jesus to the poor. As well, the petite nun had the huge responsibility of managing her newly founded religious congregation and forming all her Sisters, and later, the brothers, priests, coworkers, and lay Missionaries of Charity who would follow. Again, Our Lady assisted Mother Teresa every step of the way.
Father Langford, who wrote about Mother Teresa and the Blessed Mother, spoke about the two in an interview. “As it was Our Lady who brought St. John, alone among the Twelve, to stand faithfully at Calvary,” Fr. Langford explained, “so it was Our Lady who brought Mother Teresa through the sea of suffer- ing opened before her, that she might shine the light of God’s love on the poor.”
Although the “two-way communication” that I mentioned earlier ceased when Mother Teresa endured the Dark Night, she continued to trust God and moved forward with love to accomplish God’s holy mission entrusted to her. Mother Mary never left Mother Teresa’s side.
Visiting Mother with 4 of my children at the time.
Reflect
Has God redirected your life in some radical way? Do you think He can? Will you allow it? We cannot all be Mother Teresas, but we are all, without a doubt, called to a life of holiness. Mother Teresa often said that holiness is not a luxury of the few but a simple duty for all. Take time to ponder how Mother Teresa was devoted to Mother Mary and relied upon her for powerful help. As we read in the passage beginning today’s reflection, Mother Teresa reminds us, “With great love and trust stand with Our Lady near the Cross.”
Pray
Dear Jesus and Our Lady of Fatima, please help me to remember to turn to you often during this Advent, especially when I am suffering in some way. St. Teresa of Calcutta, please pray for me. Immaculate Heart of Mary, please pray for me. Help me to become a saint to bring glory to God!
From my book “Small Things with Great Love”
In one of her letters to me, Mother Teresa asked me to “Be the one.” She was referring to the verse above, beginning this day of our novena: “I looked for compassion, but there was none, for comforters, but found none” (Psalm 69). She told me that Jesus said he looked for one to comfort him but found none. She reminded me that he experienced deep loneliness in the Garden and on the Cross.
Mother Teresa encourages us all to “be the one.” More likely than not, we won’t be pulling maggots out of anyone anytime soon. But, what about the love we can show in our gentle smile at someone who is mean to us, or in the time we give to someone who needs to vent, or in being present to our family members, our neighbors, our co-workers when we are exhausted, and in showing love to a complete stranger when it is difficult to do so. Opportunities unfold for us to love sacrificially every day. Take time to ponder your own life and how God might be calling you to love more sacrificially. Strive to “be the one” to comfort Jesus through your prayers and good works.
You are a faithful and devoted servant of our Lord and of his poor—those you called, “The poorest of the poor,” those in the greatest need, and those for whom our Lord instructs us to serve, saying, “Whatever you do to the least of my brothers you do to me.” Through your life of holy service, you demonstrated the joy of loving and taught us the greatness and dignity of every human being, from conception to natural death. Your continual walk in faith to serve those in need even as you were stricken with hardship and darkness floods my soul with great hope. Please, dear Saint of the Gutters, help me in my present need by presenting my prayer petition before the throne of God. [Here, mention your request.]
Please also intercede for me so that I may have the strength and courage to give my own personal “yes” each day and so that I will come closer to our divine Lord Jesus Christ, ultimately joining you one day in praising him forever in heaven.
Amen.
Be the One
I mentioned this earlier in my excerpt, however, I’ll mention it again–Take time to ponder your own life and how God might be calling you to love more sacrificially. Strive to “be the one” to comfort Jesus through your prayers and good works.
I felt inspired to create a lovely bracelet design (which becomes a sacramental after it is blessed) for parents and grandparents of kids away from home. I designed the first two to be a bit fun and uplifting by using the lively colors of glass art beads.
One is a bit more colorful than the next which has darker beads (using blacks and white and some other colors). I made them with my signature nine-beads to represent a novena of prayer and also the nine-month pregnancy of human-life!
I believe having something tangible like these bracelet can bring a needed dose of hope and inspiration to the hearts of parents and grandparents who are missing their beloved kids and grandkids.
It is also a reminder to pray for them continuously.
We give them Roots and Wings!
I have added a touch of “empty nest” as well as giving them “wings” idea to the design by adding a sweet bird with nest charm. The featured medal is of the Holy Family of Nazareth and on the back of the medal is an image of a Guardian Angel. Each bracelet also has a crucifix and a Miraculous Medal.
No two bracelets will be exactly alike because I will place the colors in various different places on the bracelet and might add slightly different silver spacer components.
As well, I’ll be designing a couple of more “Roots and Wings” bracelets very soon so that there will other options for those who do not prefer such a “dazzle dazzle” colorful design with these larger beads.
Delivered to you…
Each bracelet will come to you in a gift box with a prayer card. I have composed the novena prayer that is on the back of the card that you see here in the photo above.
Here is just one more “Roots and Wings” design, a smaller beads.
I have added a touch of “empty nest” as well as giving them “wings” idea to this design as well, by adding a sweet bird with nest charm and two sweet silver bird components near to the slightly hammered style silver toggle clasp. The beads are sapphire blue glass combined with ceramic blue and white flower pattern.
The featured medal is of the Holy Family of Nazareth and on the back of the medal is an image of a Guardian Angel. Each bracelet also has a crucifix and a Miraculous Medal.
What think ye?
They are available at my “Bracelet Shop” for your purchasing options.
September is the month to remember Our Lady of Sorrows. The feast (or Memorial) day is celebrated on September 15th.
Every morning, as part of my Morning prayers, I stand before an old painting of the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary which hangs in my living room.
There, before the image, I ask Mother Mary’s help for so many needs as well as for all those whom have asked my prayers. It has become an important prayer habit of mine to do this. Mother Mary is so much a part of our lives as Catholics. Mary works tirelessly to usher us close to her Son Jesus Christ. Everything she does points us to Jesus. After all, she succinctly told the wine stewards at the Wedding Feast at Cana to “Do whatever He tells you,” (John 2:5) thus helping to bring about her Son’s first public miracle.
According to Catholic teaching, (you can see more here) the feast is dedicated to the spiritual martyrdom of Mary, Mother of God, and her compassion with the sufferings of her Divine Son, Jesus. In her suffering as co-redeemer, she reminds us of the tremendous evil of sin and shows us the way of true repentance. May the numerous tears of the Mother of God be conducive to our salvation; with which tears Thou, O God, art able to wash away the sins of the whole world.
As Mary stood at the foot of the Cross on which Jesus hung, the sword of sorrow Simeon had foretold pierced her soul. Below are the seven sorrows of Mary:
The prophecy of Simeon (Luke 2:25-35)
The flight into Egypt (Matthew 2:13-15)
Loss of the Child Jesus for three days (Luke 2:41-50)
Mary meets Jesus on his way to Calvary (Luke 23:27-31; John 19:17)
Crucifixion and Death of Jesus (John 19:25-30)
The body of Jesus being taken from the Cross (Psalm 130; Luke 23:50-54; John 19:31-37)
The burial of Jesus (Isaiah 53:8; Luke 23:50-56; John 19:38-42; Mark 15:40-47)
Symbols: heart pierced with a sword; heart pierced by seven swords; winged heart pierced with a sword; flowers: red rose, iris (meaning: “sword-lily”), cyclamen.
Recent Inspiration!
Recently, I felt inspired to create a new bracelet in honor of Our Lady of Sorrows. It is called the “Seven Sorrows of Mary Bracelet.”
It is at my Bracelet Shop where you can see more and also where you can purchase. The bracelet comes in a gift box with a card explaining the Seven Sorrows.
I’m excited to debut my new design inspired by Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta whom I knew personally and who prayed nine Memorares in a row for an urgent need. She prayed an additional Memorare after that in thanksgiving to God (no matter what result).
This unique bracelet is designed to help you to turn to Our Lady with Mother Teresa’s intercession. It is comprised of blue and white (reminiscent of Mother’s Teresa’s sari) ceramic beads, petite cobalt blue glass crystals, and antique styled silver-plated components. It features a Saint Teresa of Calcutta medal, a petite Miraculous Medal, a Crucifix, and is finished with a slightly hammered shiny silver toggle clasp. It measures approximately 7 and 3/4 inches long.
It sells for $39.99 plus shipping and you can purchase at the “Bracelet Shop“!
The second design of the:
Memorare “Express” Novena Bracelet
Nine Memorares in a row for an urgent need.
This unique bracelet is designed to help you to turn to Our Lady with Mother Teresa’s intercession. It is comprised of cobalt blue glass beads, petite white pearl-like beads (reminiscent of Mother’s Teresa’s sari), and antique styled silver-plated components. It features a Saint Teresa of Calcutta medal, a petite Miraculous Medal, a Crucifix, and is finished with a decorative silver toggle clasp. It measures approximately 7 and 3/4 inches long.
It sells for $39.99 plus shipping and you can purchase at the “Bracelet Shop“!
Each bracelet comes with a gift box and card that contains the Memorare prayer.
I am very excited to announce my new and upcoming book for Grandmothers: “Prayerfully Waiting”! It is actually my very first book for Grandmothers. Did you know that I am a Grandmother? A proud Grandmother, I might add!
In this video, I share a few words about “Prayerfully Waiting.”
I was blessed to speak with Peggy Stanton on her brand new radio show: “A Place for Peace” on Ave Maria Radio. You can listen to our half hour long chat here. We discussed my new book, Saints, and the spiritual life. I hope you’ll get a chance to tune in.
To pray for their unborn “grand blessings” and their born grandchildren!
This elegant bracelet is comprised of 9 semi-precious gem stones. The number 9 is significant to my bracelets. It’s my signature design (9 beads, and not 10 as in a chaplet), bringing together the notion of a novena (which has to do with the number nine) and a pregnancy which consists of a nine-month duration. You can read more about that on the “Bracelet Shop” page where I explain the background, etc.
This bracelet also has Swarovski crystals, silver and sterling silver-plated components, a lovely antique style toggle clasp, a crucifix, Miraculous Medal, and St. Anne medal. It measures about 7 and 3/4 inches long. It comes in a gift box along with a card which has a special novena prayer to St. Anne.
Designed and hand-crafted with love by Donna-Marie!
I didn’t plan to spend any amount of time with anyone the other day. Truth be told, I had a very tight schedule. Yet, that morning, on my knees in my living room before the image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, I asked our Lord to please allow me to be a bright spark of HOPE for others that day. I always pray my Morning Offering to essentially hand my whole day over to God–everything.
However, that particular morning, I felt the extra earnest prayer rise straight from the depths my heart and I heard it with great clarity being uttered from my lips. For a second, I thought I might use that short passionate prayer in an Instagram post (hopefully, to inspire others). But, alas, there was no time, and out the door I went to get to my appointment on time.
I don’t get out of the house much at all these days because of the pandemic. Just Mass on Sundays (and sometimes a week day Mass). I work from home, so most of my prayers are earnestly expressed within the walls of my domestic church, as well out in the amazing nature that God provides around my home.
Pulling into a parking space nearby to my destination, I spotted a man reclining at a table on the sidewalk along with his telltale gear (back pack and sleeping bag, etc.) tucked between his legs. He seemed a bit disheveled. I knew in an instant that he was homeless or displaced in some way.
Grabbing up my purse and face mask that I would soon don, I locked my car, and headed up the sidewalk. Slowly passing the man, I turned to him and said, “Hello!” And, “How are you?”
“It’s just another day,” he replied in a blasé tone while putting his hand up.
“Oh!” I exclaimed. “It’s a good day! The sun is shining…”
I suddenly remembered that on my way out of the house, I had tossed a granola bar into my purse, knowing that I’d be gone for a few hours and wouldn’t have a chance to eat for awhile. I didn’t want my head ache to get any worse than it already was.
“Oh, would you like this granola bar?”
“Please!” And, he stretched out his hand to receive it. He then asked me a question.
“Could you possibly sponsor me for a coffee?”
I had never heard it said quite that way before and had to think quickly because I didn’t want to be late for my appointment and because I didn’t know how I could pay for it.
“Well, I don’t have any cash on me. I have to hurry to my appointment. Maybe, when I get to my appointment, I could call a place on this street and order a coffee for you…”
Without missing a beat, the man told me the name of the place that served coffee. So, I asked his name and quickly introduced myself, and confirmed that I would order his coffee.
“Wait about five minutes and then go in,” I told him. “I’ll tell them that you will come in for coffee. Well, actually, you had better make that ten minutes…”
I knew I needed a bit more time, not knowing how it would pan out with ordering. Because of the pandemic safety measures in place all around, I thought it might be a bit tricky to pull it off. Like for instance, some places don’t take cash (due to germs, etc.). That’s why I told Jake (not his real name) to wait a bit.
I got settled in at my appointment and looked up the phone number for the coffee shop and called. Turned out, that particular coffee place didn’t want to take my debit card over the phone. So, I told the woman where I was and asked her if she could kindly serve the man whatever kind of coffee he wanted and I would come inside to pay for it after my appointment. She graciously agreed and told me that Jake was in fact, already there.
“Would You Care to Join Me?”
After finishing up at my rather long appointment, I paid up at the coffee shop, thanked the woman profusely, and was about to head to my car. The barista commented to me that she was very touched by my generosity towards the stranger. I smiled and said something to the effect that we have to help one another. She agreed.
Well, Jake was still sitting at the same table. I paused to ask if he had enjoyed his coffee.
“Yes! Thank you!
My heart was touched upon hearing what he said to me next.
“I kept saying your name over and over in my mind so I would remember it when you came by this way so that I could say, “Thank you for the coffee, Donna!”
He then surprised me with a request.
“Would you care to join me?” he asked as he extended his arm to motion to the empty chair on the other side of his small metal bistro table.
How could I refuse? I was in a hurry to get back to my work, but I wanted to accept his kind invitation. I then remembered the 2 blessed medals that I retrieved from my purse and put into my pocket while at my appointment so that I could easily find them for Jake should the opportunity arise.
I asked Jake if he had heard of Mother Teresa of Calcutta and the work she did in the slums of Calcutta, picking people up from the gutters, helping them, etc. He nodded affirmatively, but I’m not completely sure that he knew what I was saying. I went on to show him the Miraculous Medal that I was wearing which the Saint of the gutters had given to me. That brief explanation gave way to a lively conversation that unfolded between us.
We talked a while and I pulled the blessed medals from my pocket. I asked Jake if it was okay that I give the medals to him. I told him that I could clean them with hand sanitizer first. He threw his hand at the air in an effort to convey that he wasn’t worried about the pandemic, bacteria, or germs. Jake told me that he would like the medals but wanted to give something to me. I quickly explained that he didn’t have to give me anything, but stopped at that because it was clear that he wanted to.
“Like a trade,” he said as he rummaged through his belongings–most likely it was all he owned. As he rummaged around, he pulled out a huge slightly old looking cucumber, a small bruised egg plant, and a bag of walnuts and he set it all on the table.
“Oh good, “I said. “You have something to eat. But, how do you cook your vegetables?”
He quickly lifted the small eggplant to his mouth and took a big chomp of the raw vegetable.
“A little spicy, but okay,” he quipped.
I then told Jake about my vegetable garden and said I’d bring some fresh tomatoes to him if I should see him again.
Medals and a Special Gift
We talked a good while–about God, the world, the universe, even cats! At one point I asked Jake if he ever prayed. He gave me a round about answer and told me that he is very forgetful. I was still holding the blessed medals in my hand, waiting as Jake poked through his things to find that special item that he wanted to give to me.
“Here it is!” He suddenly exclaimed and pulled it up closer to his eyes to take a good look.
“It’s a little rough around the edges…” He said as he turned it round and round.
“Oh! It’s blue. I love the color blue! Are you sure that you want to give this to me?” I asked him.
“Yes! I actually found it on the street!”
Just then, Jake stretched out his hand and gently dropped a blue marble into my hand. I looked at it admiringly and thanked him. I decided to snap a quick picture of the marble alongside the blessed medals.
I gave the medals to Jake and told him to keep them with him and that they would act as a protection for him. He thanked me.
It was long past time for me to get going, so I put the marble into my purse and stood up to bid farewell to Jake, and assured him of my prayers, and maybe even some fresh tomatoes from my garden if I should find him at the table again on my next trip out of the house.
Jake shot out his right hand ready to give a firm farewell hand shake. I greeted his hand with mine and said good bye.
As I pulled away from the side of the street, I saw that Jake was looking at me and getting ready to wave. I waved back heartily and drove away. My heart was full. I couldn’t help but think of my friend Mother Teresa and how she constantly preached that we are to serve Jesus in one another. I knew that Jesus was there with us in that encounter.
All the way back home, I prayed a Rosary for Jake while tears of thanksgiving brimmed in my eyes. It was a holy encounter indeed. Suddenly, I remembered that fervent request I put before the Lord earlier that day.
“Dear Lord, help me to be a bright spark of HOPE to others today.”
By the way, there’s more to the story. I’ll try to write the continuation tomorrow, Lord willing.
Stay tuned!
Dear Lord, help me to be a bright spark of HOPE to others today and always.
There is no doubt about it–Catholic Moms hit the ground running every morning! During this worldwide pandemic, that “ground” might be within the walls of her domestic church.
Mothers of every age and stage could certainly use a 5-Minute Retreat to give them a good shot in the arm for strength and wisdom to walk (or run!) forward in Faith. That’s why I wrote this book, Catholic Moms Cafe: 5-Minute Retreats for Every Day of the Year.
Fr. Mitch Pacwa from EWTN had something to say about my book:
So many people are so busy.
Moms find it difficult to structure a time for personal prayer, especially stay at home Moms. So many variables are beyond her control feeding and its concomitant processes in infants, illnesses, emergencies, etc. Finding time for prayer is a luxury in a world determined by the demands of others, particularly loved ones, particularly when they are little ones. This book is a handy tool to bring relief by setting aside a short time with profound and relevant meditations for Moms by a Mom. When a few quiet minutes appear, this is a great spiritual help with the cup of coffee and some time with our Lord.
Certain great saints are gourmands of the spiritual life. Doctors of the Church, such as St. Catherine of Sienna, O.P., St. Theresa of Avila, O.C.D., and many others were able to savor spiritual delights over many hours of deep and mystical prayer. The vocations opened these opportunities to them.
The vocation of motherhood opens eternal opportunities that most religious sisters miss sharing life’s adventures with a man [her husband] whose love can open up a life of whole new adventures, some of whom enter the world crying, hungry, needing special consolations, including dry diapers and nursing through illnesses.
The adventures of husbands and children generally place limits on the amount of time available for savoring spiritual nourishment. However, the quality of spiritual food need not be compromised just because the time for savoring is short. Of course, a person might snack on spiritual junk food that gives a sugary high, or a saccharine substitute for authentic spiritual sweetness, a fried potato or corn chip that fills the hunger with empty spiritual calories all of which can be found in New Age falsehoods or superficial Christianity.
On the other hand, an appetizer that tides one over until there is time for a meal can be truly healthy, delicious and full of spiritual nutrition. These short daily meditations in Catholic Mom s Café are a long table full of tasty, spiritually nutritious appetizers for the soul of a busy Mom. One can snack on them in a short period of time each day and savor the tastes in those moments that pop up between busyness. The quotes in the “Ponder” sections of this book are full of wisdom, and they have been chosen wisely. Each time one returns to those quotes, one can learn still more. The “Offer” reflections both draw out good ideas from the “Ponder” quotes and suggest things to do within family life. Enjoy, grow and find some refreshment in your busy schedule.
–Fr. Mitch Pacwa, S. J.
Amazon noted that my book is out of stock at this time. However, I have copies here through my website.
I recently visited with Ralph Martin President of Renewal Ministries on his EWTN television show: “The Choices We Face” to discuss Divine Mercy, St. Faustina, and my book 52 Weeks with Saint Faustina: A Year of Grace and Mercy. We also chatted about my life a bit which you can see in the first show. In this 2nd show we also discussed Our Lady of Fatima, the shepherd children, and so much more. You can see the show below. I hope that you enjoy it. God bless you!
I recently visited with Ralph Martin President of Renewal Ministries on 2 of his television shows: “The Choices We Face.” It was a blessing to share the faith with Ralph. The shows were aired recently on EWTN TV. You can see the first one “A Hard Life Redeemed” here below. I hope that you enjoy it. God bless you!
Author of Feeding Your Family’s Souland Reclaiming Sundays
Grab your favorite beverage and pull up a chair to join EWTN TV Host and best-selling author Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle as she shares her practical, insightful and spiritual tips for Catholic families during this time of pandemic.
Catholic wife, mother, and grandmother, Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle is known worldwide for her heartfelt encouraging words and down-to-earth guidance. Meeting St. Teresa of Calcutta deeply impacted her soul and transformed Donna-Marie’s life. She weaves the wisdom from her ten-year friendship with the saint of the gutters into her work. Donna-Marie is the EWTN Host of three television series which she created, a world-renowned speaker, award-winning journalist, and best-selling and award-winning author of thirty books. She leads pilgrimages and gives retreats worldwide.
Pray for the USA! You might already know that I was inspired years ago to design a NOVENA bracelet which contains 9 beads to represent a novena of prayer (not 10 beads as in a decade). You can read about here on this page of my website. It will give you the background.
Today, I’d like to share with you two new designs inspired by a request I received the other day from a woman who prays for our country and our President and his family every day. We sure do need to pray for our country. Perhaps this patriotic bracelet will inspire more prayers for our country. Any novena can be prayed with the inspiration of this bracelet. Get it blessed as soon as you can (since we are in a worldwide pandemic now). As long as my supply lasts, I will add as my gift to you, a small St. Benedict medal to each bracelet. The medal contains a full exorcism blessing.
This is a BRAND NEW design. It is a PATRIOTIC NOVENA Bracelet with a Saint Michael Medal (with Guardian Angel on the reverse side), a Crucifix, Miraculous Medal, and a St. Benedict Medal. This bracelet has extra “BLING” (lots of sparkly components)! Pray for the USA!
Pray for the USA! One “Patriotic” Novena Prayer Bracelet with “BLING” for $44.99 (plus shipping):
Pray for the USA!TWO “Patriotic” Novena Prayer Bracelets with “BLING” for $84.99 (plus shipping):
This is also a BRAND NEW design. It is a PATRIOTIC NOVENA Bracelet with a Holy Family medal (with Guardian Angel on the reverse side), a Crucifix, Miraculous Medal, and a St. Benedict Medal (I will add a blessed St. Benedict medal with the full exorcism blessing as long as my supply lasts). Pray for the USA!
Pray for the USA! One “Patriotic” Novena Prayer Bracelet for $39.99 (plus shipping):
Pray for the USA!TWO “Patriotic” Novena Prayer Bracelets for $75.00 (plus shipping):
On this day–Holy Thursday, I will reveal a big surprise! I have not breathed a word about this thus far. But, I will right now! The wonderful news is that my book Prayerfully Waiting: A Grandmother’s Prayer Journal will release on October 13th! It is a prayer journal for Grandmothers to help them to pray for their unborn grandchildren!
A Brief Description
A grandmother’s prayers are of significant importance through every age and stage of a grandchild’s development! These prayers are amazing and lovely blessings that can powerfully nurture and help shape a grandchild’s conscience and future life! It is so important to recognize the great gift and role grandparents have in praying for grandchildren in utero.
This grandmother’s prayer journal offers a delightful and unparalleled opportunity to not merely sit back and wait for the wondrous arrival, but instead, to use the time wisely by prayerfully waiting for your grandchild throughout what can be a meaningful and powerful nine-month novena of prayer.
Month-by-month, inspired with holy insights, you will learn, discover, and note the development of your precious “grand-blessing.” Spaces are provided for you to personalize this special unborn baby book, as well as lovingly record your thoughts and prayers as you pray for your grandchild’s first nine months of life.
From beginning to end, you’ll be partnering with St. Anne, the grandmother of Jesus, to swaddle your unborn grandchild with prayer. You’ll journey with Mother Mary, and all the saints, to prayerfully prepare for the little one’s birth.
A Personal Note
As a mother of five, and now a proud grandmother, I couldn’t help but write this book for grandmothers who are awaiting the birth of their precious grandchild. Many years ago when I was on complete bedrest for a precarious pregnancy and when my doctor didn’t think my baby would survive, I prayed and pondered the amazing significance of a nine-month waiting period while our unborn babies are nourished by our love and life, nestled inside our wombs. During that time of staying still and earnestly prayerfully waiting, I was deeply inspired to write “Prayerfully Expecting: A Nine-Month Novena for Mothers to Be” for expectant mothers. My dear friend Mother Teresa wrote the Foreword! Now, as a grandmother, I am excited to offer this beautiful prayer journal for the “expectant” grandmother whose period of waiting can become transformed into an amazing novena of love while her heartfelt meaningful prayers are benefiting her unborn grandchild and her own soul as well. May God bless every grandmother and grandchild and nurture their relationship–even as early as from their conception!
Early Praise for Prayerfully Waiting
Grandparents become grandparents as soon as their grandchildren begin to exist. How appropriate it is, therefore, to get to know more about your grandchild during his or her journey of growth in the womb – and especially to accompany that knowledge with prayer! Prayerfully Waiting will help you begin your lifelong relationship with your new grandchild!
—Fr. Frank Pavone, National Director, Priests for Life
With its many and varied prayers, wisdom from Mother Church, and space to journal and create memories, Prayerfully Waiting is a lovely, gentle companion for the grandmother-to-be. I plan to use it myself when I’m prayerfully waiting for my first grandchild!
—Karen Edmisten, author of After Miscarriage and Deathbed Conversions.
As I flipped through the pages of Prayerfully Waiting, I recognized the beauty it offers in drawing families across generations closer together. As a mother prepares to welcome her newborn child, the grandmother can also prepare for her role – through prayer and reflection. What a blessing for a grandchild to receive so many graces from prayer before even being born! A new life is worth celebrating and Prayerfully Waiting reflects that it’s worth celebrating in multiple family generations.
–Catherine Hadro, Host of EWTN Pro-Life Weekly
This is a blessed book and a brilliant idea. Combining information on the baby in the womb’s developments with prayer to the Blessed Mother, St. Anne and other saints, Prayerfully Waiting is both practical and spiritual. I am a grandmother of four and I know I will be referring to this book often.
—Janet Morana, Executive Director, Priests for Life, Author of Recall Abortion
And, Now, the Cover REVEAL!
You can PRE-ORDER your autographed copy here! It sells for $15.99 plus shipping. I suggest purchasing a couple of copies to have on hand to gift to someone when they are expecting a grandchild. It is a great resource for any stage of the pregnancy (if I may say so myself!). Though, I believe it will be extra beneficial to start reading the month-by-month book just as soon as possible for praying for the unborn grandchild.
Here is the Amazon listing. Keep in mind that Amazon is very behind with book orders and are only selling essential items due to the coronavirus.
I decided to share this talk at this time of uncertainty
In this time of uncertainty due to the Cover-19 pandemic, I think it’s time to watch this video once again. I gave this talk last Divine Mercy Sunday at the National Shrine of Divine Mercy to an audience of 20,000 or so. It was a freezing cold day necessitating many layers of clothing and hand warmers just before my talk. The priests up on the platform and the others of us there were passing them around to try to prevent frostbite! Despite the challenges of rain, snow, and wind, it was a day filled with much grace. I hope that you enjoy my talk.
The following is an excerpt from my book 52 Weeks with St. Faustina:
“I thirst. I thirst for the salvation of souls. Help Me, My daughter, to save souls. Join your sufferings to My Passion and offer them to the heavenly Father for sinners.” — Jesus to St. Faustina (Diary, 1032)
Our Savior Jesus, amazingly, thirsts for our love. It might seem hard to believe — after all, He is God! How and why does He thirst for our love? We will take a thorough look at this holy “thirst” of Jesus from the Cross for the salvation of souls and what it entails in this week’s spiritual exercise. Let’s get to it!
The human heart is restless until it finds God. In the Psalms, we read, “As a deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God” (Ps 42:1-2). Saint Augustine penned the now familiar words, “[F]or you have made us for yourself, and our heart is restless until it rests in you” (CCC, 30). Man might do tons of searching in all the wrong places and never have peace until he is right with God. But that’s not just a one-sided longing, or a one-sided quest. It’s true that our Lord yearns for us, too, though He is the Creator of the universe. He thirsts for our love.
When Jesus hung dying on the Cross, He uttered the words, “I thirst” (Jn 19:28; NABRE). It was not merely for water that He thirsted. He also thirsted for our love and the salvation of souls. This thirst was expressed immediately after He had gifted to His disciple John (as well as to all of mankind) the eminent gift of His own Mother, when He said, “Here is your mother” (Jn 19:27). Most of us cannot comprehend the full meaning of such a gift. However, we can at least try to remember to call upon Mother Mary often in all of our needs. She will pray for us, protect us, and mother us! Mary is our wonderful mediator. She will show us how to satiate her Son’s thirst for love and for souls.
Mother Mary knows all about the need to save souls — the souls for whom Jesus thirsts. Mary is fully aware of the problems and blessings of our sinful world, and has always been closely united to her Son’s work of salvation, right from the start. She continues to work from Heaven. We can recall that when Mary appeared to three simple peasant children in Fatima, Portugal, in 1917, she offered several “tools” to save souls. One such tool is praying the daily Rosary. Another is committing to the Five First Saturdays devotion. Further, praying a powerful prayer that she taught the children (Lucia, Francisco, and Jacinta) is most effective: “O Jesus, this is for love of You, for the conversion of poor sinners, and in reparation for the offenses committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary.” The Blessed Mother taught the children this prayer during her July 13, 1917, apparition. It can be prayed at any time, especially when offering up a specific suffering or situation to our Lord, asking Him to use it for the purposes mentioned in the prayer. The simplest thing can be trans- formed into a formidable means to save souls! In this way, we are helping to satiate Jesus’ thirst!
Mother Teresa, St. Faustina, and Jesus’ Thirst
In discussing Jesus’ thirst for the salvation of souls, I can’t help but think of St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta, who was deeply impacted by Jesus’ thirst for the salvation of souls and, in fact, founded a religious order that would work to accomplish their salvation. Mother Teresa was a Catholic nun who received what she referred to as a “call within a call” when, on September 10, 1946, she was on a train en route to her yearly retreat in Darjeeling. Mother Teresa experienced a mystical vision of Jesus on the Cross, uttering the words, “I thirst.” Jesus called to this simple nun’s heart and asked her to take care of His poorest — “the least.” Mother Teresa totally embraced Jesus’ invitation. After an exercise of due diligence and following normal protocol, the Church’s hierarchy reviewed Mother Teresa’s proposal for the religious order she would found and gave her permission to step out in faith, following the call of the Lord. On August 17, 1948, Mother Teresa crossed over the threshold from the peaceful order of the Loreto convent into the unpredictable, sometimes dangerous, slums of the poor. On October 7, 1950, Mother Teresa and 11 companions (some were her former students!) were established officially as a religious congregation of diocesan right.
Mother Teresa stated, “The General End of the Missionaries of Charity is to satiate the thirst of Jesus Christ on the Cross for Love and Souls.” She included these words in the order’s Statutes. In each of the Missionaries of Charity (MC) convent chapels all around the world, the words “I THIRST” are prominently displayed on the wall, close to the altar and tabernacle. Mother Teresa explained, “We have these words in every chapel of the MCs to remind us what an MC is here for: to quench the thirst of Jesus for souls, for love, for kindness, for compassion, for delicate love.”51 I have been personally blessed to meditate upon these simple, yet profound, words in many of the MC chapels in various places around the world.
On March 25, 1993, Mother Teresa explained the meaning of the words “I thirst” in a letter to her community. She wrote, “‘I thirst’ is something much deeper than just Jesus saying ‘I love you.’ Until you know deep inside that Jesus thirsts for you — you can’t begin to know who He wants to be for you. Or who He wants you to be for Him. The heart and soul of [Missionaries of Charity] is only this — the thirst of Jesus’ Heart, hidden in the poor. … ‘I thirst’ and ‘You did it to me’ — remember always to connect the two.”
Just after Mother Teresa passed on to her eternal reward, St. John Paul II described the saint of the gutters’ holy mission: Her mission began every day, before dawn, in the presence of the Eucharist. In the silence of contemplation, Mother Teresa of Calcutta heard the echo of Jesus’ cry on the Cross: “I thirst.” This cry, received in the depths of her heart, spurred her to seek out Jesus in the poor, the abandoned, and the dying on the streets of Calcutta and to all the ends of the earth.
Later, at her beatification on October 19, 2003, the pope expressed similar sentiments:
The cry of Jesus on the Cross, “I thirst” (Jn 19:28), expressing the depth of God’s longing for man, penetrated Mother Teresa’s soul and found fertile soil in her heart. Satiating Jesus’ thirst for love and for souls in union with Mary, the Mother of Jesus, had become the sole aim of Mother Teresa’s existence and the inner force that drew her out of herself and made her “run in haste” across the globe to labor for the salvation and the sanctification of the poorest of the poor.
About 10 years before Mother Teresa experienced hearing Jesus’ words “I thirst,” another great saint in the making would be blessed to hear the same two powerful words spoken to her heart. It was during a vision when Sr. Faustina saw Jesus suffering on the Cross. Sister Faustina recalled, “During Holy Mass, I saw the Lord Jesus nailed upon the Cross amidst great torments. A soft moan issued from His Heart. After some time, He said, ‘I thirst. I thirst for the salvation of souls. Help Me, My daughter, to save souls. Join your sufferings to My Passion and offer them to the heavenly Father for sinners’” (Diary, 1032). What an awesome privilege to be asked by Jesus Himself to help Him save souls! Sister Faustina no doubt took these words to her heart and meditated upon them deeply. She searched for every opportunity to help Jesus save souls by joining her every suffering to His. The humble saint said she didn’t know how to suffer properly. Specifically, she wrote, “I understood that I did not know how to suffer. In order to gain merit for my suffering, I will unite myself more closely, in suffering, to the Passion of the Lord Jesus” (Diary, 1762). This she did often. At another time, Jesus told His bride, “I desire that you know more profoundly the love that burns in My Heart for souls, and you will understand this when you meditate upon My Passion” (Diary, 186).
In a meditation on Jesus’ words, “I thirst,” Pope Francis said: “Love is not loved”: This reality, according to some accounts, is what greatly upset St. Francis of Assisi. For love of the suffering Lord, he was not ashamed to cry out and grieve loudly.55 This same reality must be in our hearts as we contemplate Christ Crucified, he who thirsts for love. Mother Teresa of Calcutta desired that in the chapel of every community of her sisters, the words “I thirst” would be written next to the crucifix. Her response was to quench Jesus’ thirst for love on the Cross through service to the poorest of the poor. The Lord’s thirst is indeed quenched by our compassionate love; he is consoled when, in his name, we bend down to another’s suffering. On the day of judgment, they will be called “blessed” who gave drink to those who were thirsty, who offered true gestures of love to those in need: “As you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me” (Mt 25:40).
Something to Ponder
Both Mother Teresa and St. Faustina acted upon the great invitation of Jesus to help save souls. Also, the shepherd children at Fatima responded to Our Lady’s requests to save souls with their prayers and sacrifices. Calling to mind Jesus’ invitation to Sr. Faustina to “join [her] suffering to [His] Passion and offer them to the heavenly Father for sinners,” can we strive to do the same? Jesus’ cry from the Cross expressing His thirst for the salvation of souls should echo deeply in our hearts. Take time today and this week to ponder these things. Make your life all about being lovingly attentive to the needs of those around you and to saving souls — “connecting the two,” as Mother Teresa suggested. Also, ponder Jesus’ great thirst for your love. Can you strive to satiate His thirst? Jesus has asked in a particular way two of His daughters (Sts. Faustina and Mother Teresa) to help Him to save souls. He beckons to us, as well.
A Merciful Action
Who near you is most in need of God’s love? Knowing that each human heart desires deeply to rest in God’s love, how can you satiate their thirst for God’s love? What work of mercy can you put into practice throughout this week? Pray about it. Here are a few suggestions:
• Go out of your way to help a stranger. • Take time to truly listen to someone who needs to share (even if you’ve already heard it!). • Strike up conversations with people around you, allowing them to vent. • Always mention “prayer” and “God.” Get those powerful words in your conversations! It can help change someone’s life!
A PRAYER OF MERCY FOR THIS WEEK
(To be prayed each day this week.) Dear Merciful Lord, my Crucified Jesus, I love You. I am Your unworthy servant. Thank You for thirsting for my love. I want to satiate Your thirst for love and I want to offer my life for the salvation of souls. Mother Mary, please help me. Saint Faustina, please pray for me. Jesus, I trust in You!
