I will be leading a pilgrimage in July 2020 to the famous Passion Play performed only once every ten years. The spaces are limited. As well, I like to take smaller groups on pilgrimages. I hope that you might consider joining us!
You can learn more here at the 206 Tours website or at my “pilgrimage” page on this website.
In his recent blog post from a New Hampshire prison, Father Gordon MacRae speaks about his pilgrimage with my book: 52 Weeks with Saint Faustina.
Among other things that this priest prisoner (imprisoned under false charges) wrote is this:
“I confess that I turned to the page, read just the first sentence, “Each day we fight a battle,” and then stopped because something happened that hasn’t happened for a long time. Suddenly, inexplicably, tears welled up. This journey is going to cost me something of myself, something stored up over these years in prison. I need to catch my breath, and then proceed….”
It’s a great post, so you’ll want to read the whole thing. However, if you are looking for his thoughts on my book, click on this link and scroll down a bit until you see the book cover image for 52 Weeks with Saint Faustina: A Year of Grace and Mercy.
I want to share a bit about Father MacRae, from his Bio:
Father MacRae maintains his innocence of these claims, an assertion of truth for which he has paid a very high price. Had he accepted one of several well documented pre-trial “plea deals” offered by the State, he could have left prison after one year. For standing by the truth, Father MacRae now serves a draconian prison term more than sixty times the sentence that would have been imposed had he in fact been guilty or willing to pretend so.
You can read the full bio here.
You can see much more about this fine priest unjustly imprisoned at his Bio page of his blog These Stone Walls, including:
In 2006, Cardinal Dulles asked Father MacRae to “contribute a new chapter to the volume of Christian literature from believers who were unjustly imprisoned.” The result is These Stone Walls, described by author, Father James Valladares in Hope Springs Eternal in the Priestly Breast as, “the finest example of priestly witness the last decade of scandal has produced.” These Stone Walls has been selected by Our Sunday Visitor as Readers Choice for the Best of the Catholic Web in the area of Spirituality, and as a second place finalist for Best Catholic Blog at About.com. These Stone Walls and Father Gordon MacRae have been cited in numerous books and articles in both Catholic and secular publications.
Please pray for Father Gordon MacRae and all those who have been unjustly imprisoned. May God bless Father Gordon and all of the others.
I was at the National Shrine of Divine Mercy on Divine Mercy week end to speak about Saint Faustina and to do book signings of my book 52 Weeks with Saint Faustina: A Year of Grace and Mercy. That week end close to 20,000 pilgrims dealt with challenging weather to be there to receive great graces. It snowed, it rained, the wind was howling, and there was a lot of mud too! But, it did not deter the wonderful pilgrims. In the photo above, I am wearing several layers of clothing as well as big winter boots to fight the cold. Moments before stepping up to the podium, I had to use hand warmers to take the edge off of the bitter cold that was numbing my hands.
You can listen to my short talk here.
Or below…
As well, you can see the Shrine’s field show that was filmed by EWTN right here. It was a great show and I hope that you get a chance to watch it.
In it, my book 52 Weeks with Saint Faustina is very nicely promoted. You can purchase an autographed copy from this website. As well you can go to Marian Press website and shop here!
I hope that you take a look at the National Shrine’s field show that was filmed by EWTN right here. It’s a great show!
In case you haven’t seen it, this is the Foreword for 52 Weeks with Saint Faustina written by Fr. Chris Alar, MIC:
Can I make a bet with you? I bet that if you take up this book and spend 52 weeks with St. Faustina, these weekly meditations will change your life.
Why am I so confident about that? Because Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle, a great Marian Helper, popular author, and EWTN show host, has created about as faithful and as thorough a presentation on the spirituality and the writings of St. Faustina Kowalska (1905-1938), the Secretary and Apostle of Divine Mercy, as I’ve ever read. It’s a deep dive into the life and writings of one of the greatest mystics in the history of the Church, a religious sister who was given to us by God specifically for the times we are living in today.
After all, St. Faustina died just before World War II; not in the Middle Ages; not in the time of the apostles; nothing like that. She’s a modern saint whose teachings are timeless, and who has helped bring about more miracles than most other saints. How? She shared the Divine Mercy message and devotion with the world.
I’ve been preaching and practicing the Divine Mercy message and devotion for more than a decade now, especially since I joined the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Con- ception. I’ve met people whose lives have been transformed by their encounter with St. Faustina in her work the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska: Divine Mercy in My Soul, and with the Divine Mercy message and devotion. I’ve heard stories of miracles such as people being healed of incurable illnesses. I’ve been told about stubborn lapsed Catholics and resistant non-Christians finding their way to church, coming to the regular practice of the Sacraments, and changing their lives forever. I’ve seen how powerful it is to preach the Divine
Mercy, touching hearts that all the fire and brimstone in the world could not change.
So again, I challenge you to spend a year — 52 weeks — with St. Faustina. And I make this promise: If you spend time every week for the next 52 weeks doing the reading, meditating on what you learn, praying the weekly prayer, and performing the weekly works of mercy, your life will be touched by grace in ways you can’t even imagine right now.
Saint Faustina changes lives. The Divine Mercy message and devotion that she was given by Jesus, a reminder and a prophetic restatement of the classic Gospel teaching on the mercy of God, changes lives.
And when you’ve completed spending your year with St. Faustina, I hope you do two things. First, I hope you plan to make another 52 weeks with St. Faustina again someday. Second, I hope that you share this book with someone who you think would find it a blessing. After all, Jesus said to St. Faustina, “Souls who spread the honor of My mercy I shield through their entire life as a tender mother her infant, and at the hour of death I will not be a Judge for them, but the Merciful Savior” (Diary, 1075).
Donna-Marie has certainly earned that promise from Jesus, the Divine Mercy, by writing this book. You can, too, by sharing what you read with your family, friends, and neighbors.
Come spend 52 weeks with St. Faustina. Let your life, your mind, and your heart be renewed. Come meet St. Faustina, and let her lead you to a deeper relationship with Jesus, the Divine Mercy; Mary, the Mother of Mercy; and the whole Communion of Saints.
May Jesus, the Divine Mercy, bless you, and may Mary, the Mother of Mercy, always keep you safely under her mantle.
Fr. Chris Alar, MIC
“Fr. Joseph, MIC” Director, Association of Marian Helpers October 5, 2018 Feast of St. Faustina
I did a short radio show this morning on Catholic Connection on Ave Maria Radio which you can listen to below…
Today is the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima. Our Lady appeared to 3 simple shepherd children 102 years ago today. I tell about the visit and all of the others in my books about Fatima: Our Lady of Fatima: 100 Years of Stories, Prayers, and Devotions, Our Lady’s Message to Three Shepherd Children and the World, and Advent with Our Lady of Fatima.
I would like to provide the special prayers taught to the children by the Angel of Peace in 1916 and by our Blessed Mother in 1917 here in this post.
You can pray these prayers today on this special feast day and any other day. Ask Mother Mary to grant many graces to you for your own soul and so that you can help others.
The Pardon Prayer
“My God, I believe, I adore, I hope and I love Thee! I beg pardon for all those that do not believe, do not adore, do not hope and do not love Thee.”
—This prayer was given to the children by the angel of Peace in Spring 1916.
Angel’s Prayer
“O Most Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, I adore Thee profoundly. I offer Thee the most precious Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ present in all the tabernacles of the world, in reparation for the outrages, sacrileges and indifferences by which He is offended. By the infinite merits of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary I beg the conversion of poor sinners.”
—Given to the children Fall 1916. A Eucharistic host and chalice were suspended in the air, and the Angel of Peace led the children to kneel before it in Adoration and pray this prayer.
The Eucharistic Prayer
“Most Holy Trinity, I adore Thee! My God, my God, I love Thee in the Most Blessed Sacrament.”
—The Blessed Mother taught this prayer to the children on the first visit on May 13, 1917.
The Sacrifice Prayer
“O Jesus, it is for the love of Thee, in reparation for the offenses committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and for the conversion of poor sinners [that I do this].”
—The Blessed Mother taught the children this prayer, as well as the Decade Prayer, on June 13th, 1917. It is meant to be prayed when offering up suffering or penance to God.
The Decade Prayer
“O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to Heaven, especially those most in need of Thy mercy. Amen.”
—On July 13, 1917, the Blessed Mother told the children that people should add this prayer to the end of each decade of the Rosary.
The details for ordering a Gift tea cup set with one of Donna-Marie’s books is here. Check it out!
I just found out yesterday that my book 52 Weeks with Saint Faustina fell into the hands of a prisoner. I don’t want to give away the story yet because I want you to get the chance to read his blog post on your own.
This is how he began his blog post…
“The GTL Tablet I purchased last year revolutionized life behind these stone walls, but I found myself quickly becoming dependent on its technology. Prior to the tablet, my only phone access was through a few outside collect-call-only telephones with poor connections. Depending on where we were living, there were up to 40 prisoners for each available phone. Just imagine living in a house with 40 adolescents sharing a single telephone. Not even Dante’s Inferno could depict such a scene.
In a New Hampshire winter, placing calls from prison meant long frigid waits outside in the howling wind and weather. After two winters of daily calls to TSW helpers in just that way, these tablets became available. I had heard rumors that they would have telephone capability, but I had serious doubts that this prison would ever allow such a thing. I was therefore shocked when my $149.00 GTL tablet arrived in April 2018 equipped with headphones, a microphone, and a phone app.
It worked great, and the prepaid calls placed through GTL were just a fraction over one-cent per minute compared with the up to 15-cents per minute we were paying for the privilege of getting frostbite. No more sharing a single telephone with 40 other prisoners. No more standing in line shivering early in the morning. No more having to talk on a phone after the last five guys sneezed on it. You get the point. The GTL tablet and its available features changed how life is lived here.
Until I dropped it…”
His story is really fascinating and you’ll see that it now involves my book, 52 Weeks with Saint Faustina: A Year of Grace and Mercy.
As well, this prisoner said he is going to pilgrimage with Saint Faustina and blog about it.
So, take a look at his blog post. I have no doubt that you will find the story fascinating. It is here.
Enjoy his blog post and let me know your thoughts in the comments. By the way, I dug further and read his back story. I won’t say any more for now to allow you to read it as well. Please pray for him. He surely needs our prayers.
If you act fast you will receive $100.00 off from my upcoming Poland and Vilinus pilgrimage September 8, 2019 to September 18, 2109. You can see the itinerary and more details here.
A Marian priest will accompany us! We will have his name soon.
I planned this pilgrimage believing that folks will want to follow in St. Faustina’s footsteps after reading my book 52 Weeks with Saint Faustina: A Year of Grace and Mercy.
My book is available here.
(to be made on Christmas Eve)
I learned of this French toast recipe in an unusual way, which I’ll tell you about in a minute. First, I’ll mention that I love it because all of the preparation is done ahead of time. Then on Christmas morning (or whenever), you simply pop the pan into the oven about 45 minutes before you’d like to serve it. I like to serve this delicious dish with fresh fruit, which can be washed and prepared on a dish and placed in the refrigerator in advance to save you the trouble on Christmas morning. I sometimes also serve fresh muffins along with it. You may substitute a whole grain baguette in the recipe for added nutrition. You can even use a gluten-free baguette.
On Christmas morning, after placing this pan into the preheated oven, simply set the timer and then go and open your presents! It’s so easy. That’s the idea—to keep it simple and enjoy your loved ones.
A meaningful encounter in the grocery store
Now, here’s my special, and true story. One day while at my local food market, I came upon an elderly woman (whose name I later learned was Ellen). She was walking around the produce aisle looking a bit lost. She sounded as if she was talking to herself. Actually, she was, as I found out as I approached her. I asked if she needed any help. She proceeded to tell me that she had been looking for fresh blueberries for a recipe. Since the fresh blueberries were a bit expensive on that late December day, just two days before Christmas, she decided to opt for frozen berries.
I decided to walk with Ellen to the frozen food department on the other side of the store. Ellen and I chatted along the way, and my new friend told me all about this fabulous recipe that she had seen in a magazine, and about how it is assembled on Christmas Eve to enjoy on Christmas morning. I was sold on the idea instantly and grabbed a bag of frozen blueberries myself and tossed them into my shopping cart. Ellen and I gathered up the remaining items we both would need for the special dish. Before parting company that afternoon, we exchanged phone numbers with the intention to chat again at some point.
Well, we did talk on the phone after Christmas; we compared notes about our delicious overnight Christmas French toast, and we made a date to get together. That was several years ago. Since then, we’ve been out for tea several times, watched a Christian movie together at the theatre, and chatted about our faith and our families time and time again. I even brought Ellen a rosary from one of my visits to Rome. Though she is not Catholic, she loved it and began praying the Rosary. We are still friends to this day. And to think that we met in a grocery store! I marvel over God’s ways. He arranges beautiful serendipitous encounters that can turn into meaningful friendships. I believe He wants us to be attentive to the needs as they unfold around us. I’m so glad that even in my hurry that day, our Lord drew my attention to Ellen.
I hope you enjoy this recipe. I can’t help but think of my friend Ellen and Christmas every time I make it. I pray that God will place a special friend in your life too!
Recipe Ingredients
nonstick spray
baguette, cut into 20 one-inch slices (I use 1½ to 2 baguettes)
6 to 8 eggs
3 cups milk
1 cup brown sugar (I use honey instead)
vanilla extract to taste (1 or 2 tsp.)
nutmeg to taste (I use cinnamon as well)
1 cup pecans, toasted
2 cups blueberries, fresh or frozen
Directions
Serve hot with pure maple syrup. For an added treat, heat the syrup with extra blueberries to make blueberry-flavored syrup. You can serve with fresh fruit on the side and breakfast sausage or bacon, too. Enjoy!
[An adaptation of this story appeared in Donna-Marie’s book: Feeding Your Family’s Soul: Dinner Table Spirituality (Paraclete Press, 2016).]
Click here to order Feeding Your Family’s Soul. Please disregard the “pre-order now!” This book is definitely available now!
Just a few thoughts I’d like to share with you. Here is an article “Making Room in Our Hearts for Our Lord and Our Neighbor” which I wrote and that was published at Catholic Mom today. In it, I have shared a few recent Advent observations including folks getting caught up in the mad rush and how we might help them.
Just now, in searching for a photo I needed for another article, I came across a blog post that I wrote just about this time last year. Wow. That had been quite an eventful week! You’ll need a cup of tea, coffee, or other beverage for this post–it’s a long one!
Here is a recent RADIO chat with good friends at EWTN’s Morning Glory show. I hope you can listen in at your convenience.
Here is a recent article at Catholic Exchange which shares an excerpt from my book: Advent with Our Lady of Fatima (Sophia Institute Press). You can order your book at Sophia Institute Press or here at my website.
Here’s the product page for my newest book: 52 Weeks with Saint Faustina: A Year of Grace and Mercy (Marian Press). You’ll see some of the reviews thus far. You can also order your copy there or through my website.
In case you missed it–here is the radio chat that Teresa Tomeo and I enjoyed this morning. It’s all about Advent, Our Lady of Fatima, Her message, the shepherd children, St. John Paul II, Mother Teresa, faith, conversion of heart, prayer and more.
It’s always fun chatting with my dear friend Teresa Tomeo (a.k.a. “Lucy”) on the airwaves!
It’s been awhile. I know. I have been so busy with my book writing and writing work, major traveling for speaking, and I have been sick too. Plus, of course, we just celebrated Thanksgiving.
It really is true. There are only so many hours in a day! 🙂 Where do I begin to catch up with you? You might be following me on social media too, so you know I haven’t fallen off the edge of the Earth!
Here I am with my precious helpers in the kitchen for Thanksgiving. My grandson in the first photo exclaimed, “I am wearing an apron–just like GRANDMA!” There’s nothing like the love of a grandchild. They are blessings to be sure!
We also celebrated four birthdays at Thanksgiving time. Three of my children’s birthdays as well as mine! Lots of festivity! After that, I got sick! I was run down and illness finally got to me. I’m getting better as we speak!
I’ll give you a few updates. My Advent with Our Lady of Fatima book has released. I have copies available here.
“Lived well, the season of Advent can help us meditate upon our eternal life as well as the need to help others get to heaven. Our Lady emphasizes that heaven is real and that we need to live holy lives to get there one day, but it’s important to recognize that hell is very real, too, and is a sure consequence for unrepented sin…” [From my book]
Catholic Exchange recently posted an excerpt from my book. You can see that here.
Here is a link to listen to a radio conversation I had with Jon Leonetti chatting about my Advent book. Just click on the link and then click on the Novemeber 21st date. You can scroll to the 18:53 time marker and listen there. It goes to about the 30:10 mark. Or, just listen to his whole show if you’d like.
As well, I made a couple of very short videos for yesterday’s and today’s reflections. You can see them on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter. I tried to upload them here but the files are too large. I’ll try to do these types of teaching videos as open as I can. I pray that they stir your heart during this marvelous season of Advent and beyond!
In case you’d like additional information on my book:
From the Inside Flap:
Spend this Advent with Our Lady of Fatima
and with six saintly souls who were particularly devoted to her:
St. Teresa of Calcutta, St. John Paul II, Fr. Andrew Apostoli, and the Three Shepherd Children to whom Mary appeared in 1917!
In these spiritually-rich pages, award-winning Catholic author Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle brings you powerful prayers and readings guaranteed to shield you from the annual holiday sales frenzy that, during the holy season of Advent, distracts even sincere believers from preparation for the coming of the Christ Child.
These wise pages are sure to draw you closer to Our Lady of Fatima and her gracious messages of peace and hope. For these Advent prayers and readings are all rooted in Mary’s 1917 messages to Jacinta, Francisco, and Lucia (the three young Fatima visionaries); and in the personal Fatima devotions of three of our holy contemporaries, St. Teresa of Calcutta, St. John Paul II, and the late Fr. Andrew Apostoli.
Reflecting on Advent through their lives and words, you will also learn:
There’s still time to get an autographed copy. Just click here or on the book cover image above. I hope that if you get a chance to read it that it will deeply inspire you. I hope and pray that Our Lady of Fatima will guide you through each day, along with some special Saintly friends I have woven through the chapters.
I was thinking of you and praying for you the other day on the 101st anniversary of the anniversary of the Great Miracle of the Sun at Fatima! And, I have some news…
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You most likely know that I have written and preached much on Our Lady of Fatima and her important messages. I wrote two Fatima books which were released for the 100th anniversary year. One is for children (though many adults have told me that the children’s version has deeply impacted their lives as well as the adult version) and one is for adults (you can see them on my website).
I have included a picture of dear Fr. Andrew Apostoli, CFR here because he is in the book! There’s a photo of Fr. Luke Fletcher, CFR with me when we were visiting with Sister Lucia’s niece in Fatima last Autumn. By the way, Dear Fr. Luke makes a “cameo” appearance in my book too!
Because Our Lady of Fatima’s messages are so important for us, I wrote an Advent book to take you through the Advent season day-by-day with Our Lady of Fatima at your side: Advent with Our Lady of Fatima (cover image above)!
Spend this Advent with Our Lady of Fatima
and with six saintly souls who were particularly devoted to her:
St. Teresa of Calcutta, St. John Paul II, Fr. Andrew Apostoli, and the Three Shepherd Children to whom Mary appeared in 1917!
In these spiritually-rich pages, award-winning Catholic author Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle brings you powerful prayers and readings guaranteed to shield you from the annual holiday sales frenzy that, during the holy season of Advent, distracts even sincere believers from preparation for the coming of the Christ Child.These wise pages are sure to draw you closer to Our Lady of Fatima and her gracious messages of peace and hope. For these Advent prayers and readings are all rooted in Mary’s 1917 messages to Jacinta, Francisco, and Lucia (the three young Fatima visionaries); and in the personal Fatima devotions of three of our holy contemporaries, St. Teresa of Calcutta, St. John Paul II, and the late Fr. Andrew Apostoli.
Reflecting on Advent through their lives and words, you will also learn:
As someone who has written books about Our Lady of Fatima before, Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle brings a unique richness to Advent with Through Advent with Our Lady of Fatima. She blends the wisdom of Fr. Andrew Apostoli, the Three Shepherd Children, Saint Teresa of Calcutta, and Saint John Paul II with her own into a fantastic formula of meditation, prayer and action that will make this your holiest, most blessed Advent ever!
Marge Steinhage Fenelon, award-winning author of Our Lady, Undoer of Knots: A Living Novena and Forgiving Mother: A Marian Novena of Healing and Peace.
Alan Napleton, President and Founder of the Catholic Marketing Network
Fr. Frank Pavone, National Director, Priests for Life
David M. Carollo, Executive Director of World Apostolate of Fatima USA
Find Out More and Pre-order HERE!
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COMING SOON!
52 Weeks with Saint Faustina
(Marian Press)
Just as a little backdrop for you to share the blessings I received…
On Sunday night, October 4th, I returned home from leading a pilgrimage to France. The following day was the feast of St. Faustina!
After a strenuous, but very AMAZING trip, my body absolutely needed some time to rest and recuperate, especially because I am still healing up from a bad bicycle accident I was in a few short weeks before the pilgrimage and because I will be leaving very soon on another European trip. This one will be to give a Divine Mercy retreat to the military.
Well, on the morning of St. Faustina’s feast day, I sprang up out of bed at 4:00 AM. I felt rested enough and I decided to check my phone for messages. Right at that exact time, I received a text from a dear priest friend who said he was going to the National Shrine of Divine Mercy in Stockbridge, Mass. that day. Oh, how I longed to go. But, practically speaking, it seemed impossible to me, logistics-wise, etc. But still, I felt deeply inspired to embark on that trip with my husband–jet lag and all! So, we both began our work very early that day and finished in time to set out for the Shrine.
I am so glad and incredibly grateful that we did! For on that very day, I was handed a copy of an advance reader’s copy of my book “52 Weeks With Saint Faustina.” What a surprise! I didn’t know it was ready. As well, I participated in holy Mass, the Rosary, the Divine Mercy chaplet, Adoration, Benediction, and more. It was so meaningful to me on the special feast. What incredible blessings! And ones I could never have anticipated since I did not plan to go to the Shrine that day!
After that, I met Fr. Anthony Gramlich, MIC (in photo above and below) who had celebrated the Mass and gave a beautiful homily on St. Faustina. We had a lovely spiritual conversation and I was blessed to receive his blessing on my book and the work of the book, the people who will read it, etc, as well as a blessing for my husband and myself.
In addition to the amazing blessings that unfolded on dear St. Faustina’s feast day, I was told that the Nihil Obstat for the book came in on that very day! If that was not enough, later that day I received a vey beautiful foreword for my book which was written on St. Faustina’s feast day! I have included a very short snippet of it below. Certainly, God was showering me with amazing blessings on St. Faustina’s feast day! I am not worthy, but I am deeply grateful and blessed!
Here is the temporary book cover. It will be updated and will contain the subtitle. It will be available at Marian Press, my website, and in stores in December. It’s available to pre-order now through my website.
Description: Come spend 52 weeks with St. Faustina! Perfect for any time of the year, this collection of weekly meditations and activities by EWTN host Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle, author of The Miraculous Medal, guides readers on a 52-week spiritual pilgrimage through the life and teachings of the Secretary and Apostle of Divine Mercy, St. Faustina Kowalska (1905-1938).
Writing in her usual loving, thoughtful style, Donna-Marie offers readers a light-filled retreat, helping them welcome the grace and power of St. Faustina’s spiritual path of mercy and trust into their lives. Drawing deeply upon the wealth of spiritual insight and truth in the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska: Divine Mercy in My Soul, Donna-Marie shares with the reader the fruits of her own discipleship at the feet of St. Faustina and other great saints of mercy, such as St. John Paul II and St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta.
Rich, beautiful, inspiring, this book will help bring light into your life, and prepare you to share that light with others, as well!
Shown on Amazon here. But, not available on Amazon yet as this is just the advance reader’s copy.
Available (and autographed!) for pre-order here. $15.95 each (plus shipping)
Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle, a great Marian Helper, popular author, and EWTN show host, has created about as faithful and as thorough a presentation on the spirituality and the writings of St. Faustina Kowalska (1905-1938), the Secretary and Apostle of Divine Mercy, as I’ve ever read. It’s a deep dive into the life and writings of one of the greatest mystics in the history of the Church, a religious sister who was given to us by God specifically for the times we are living in today…
Saint Faustina changes lives. The Divine Mercy message and devotion that she was given by Jesus, a reminder and a prophetic restatement of the classical Gospel teaching on the mercy of God, changes lives…
I hope that you’ll get a chance to partake in the “pilgrimage” in reading 52 Weeks with Saint Faustina for a beautiful transformation in your own life.
It’s been a while since I have had a chance to write a blog post. I hope you’ve had a good summer–maybe a little down time.
I’ll fill you in on what’s been happening with me…but, I’ll also give you fair warning…it will be long winded! I have a lot to share…
I have had a very busy schedule, which included travel for speaking, lots of writing work, and very tight writing deadlines. All the while, I have been making several trips with my husband back and forth to my out-of-town Lyme disease doctor to get help with my new case of Lyme disease, as well as the Q Fever (a tick borne disease) already in my system. I have been dealing with many migraines, joint and muscle pain, and several other symptoms. All good material to offer up to God.
Thankfully, the doctor thinks that the Annaplasma and Babisia are now defeated. I worked for sometime (years!) trying to get rid of those nasty tick borne infections. Now, I need to keep working to get rid of the Lyme, please God. The Q Fever is on its way out (we think). We need to do some further checking into this.
Then, there were the unwelcome visitors
There was the “attack” by hundreds of angry bees living in our kitchen wall. There are thousands, actually. But hundreds got into our house. Yellow jackets, to be specific. I was the one with the fly swatter in hand swatting away at them as they found there way into our kitchen through small cracks or crevices where the kitchen cabinets meet the kitchen ceiling. They would occasionally dive at our heads or try to get into our shirts, etc.
I should show you a photo of the massive amounts of duct tape I used to cover every single possible place they might be sneaking in. Well, maybe I’ll skip that photo.
It turns out that the bees made a nest inside our wall by going through an old stove vent on the outside of the house. That’s where thousands of bees still live (until we get them out). So, it’s been interesting keeping up with the bees and trying to get rid of them. We are still working on it.
“Interesting” Summer!
In many ways it’s been an interesting summer. I was on Doxycycline for a month for my new case of Lyme disease (the ticks love me, unfortunately!) When taking that medicine, one is supposed to stay out of the sun. So, I did. I had to stay inside for a whole month except for Mass. We had many sunny days and just going from the front door to our vehicle gave me third degree burns on parts of my body. It was crazy. The blisters and burns took many weeks to heal. I was extremely happy once I got off of the Doxy and started a new antibiotic. Then, I could thankfully go outside again. I love the outdoors.
I’ll cut to the chase…Just a few days ago I was in a bicycle accident. You may have heard about that on social media. It was supposed to be a fun time. Allow me to step back to explain. Last year, my husband and I took a very nice long bike ride on a rail trail. We enjoyed it so much that we said we’d do it again.
Need to take a drive!
But, truth be told, we have been so busy with work schedules that we never scheduled it. However, we recently concluded that we had to do something fun this summer, Lord willing! Maybe that was to get a good bike ride in before the summer ends. We knew just the place!
We made some impromptu plans, and off we went. The added bonus was that we’d also be able to get to the ocean for a very short respite. That would surely soothe our tired minds and lift our hearts and souls.
I “brought” Fr. Andrew along with me as well! I hoped I might have time to read a bit–something I very rarely have a chance to do since I am full time working on writing!
We visited the ocean for just a day.
But, I soaked in all its beauty–the gorgeous skies and pretty clouds painted in designs across the massive blue canvas…
…feeling the the strong warm breeze…watching the cute little sandpipers running back and forth on the beach and the sea gulls flying all around…
…the humongous roaring waves moving their way back and forth across the beach–each time, stealing rocks and shells and forcefully pulling them along–boasting of their power–their consitency.
We actually saw a shark! A real one! Unfortunately, it was attacking a seal. But, that is nature–played out before our watchful eyes. Yes, we saw many seals, and that was fun observing and waiting to see where they will poke their black heads out of the water next.
The day was made in heaven.
Fr. Andrew’s smiling face looked up at me from nearby my beach chair. I never did get a chance to read that magazine that day.
I also didn’t know what would soon unfold.
We finally set out for our bike ride
It was a very warm day. Okay, I should be truthful–it was VERY hot.
Photo before our ride. But, be sure to wear your helmet on bike rides. 🙂
Yet, we were happy to embark upon what promised to be a fun journey on our rented bikes. We made our way onto the bike trail and peddled away. I thoroughly loved the warmth of the wind caressing my face as I sped along, and the penetrating sun’s rays beating down on my (sunscreen-ed) arms.
There were a few challenging hills, but for the most part, it felt almost effortless, even though I have some health challenges with the Lyme disease. It seemed to be just what the doctor ordered–a little break from work–fresh air, sunshine and good company!
I had a bit of trouble with the brakes on my bike and I think the bike guy adjusted my seat a little bit too high. But, I managed to do okay throughout the trip.
Something to look forward to
We figured that after our ride we would treat ourselves to an ice cream sundae! It would be the first one we would have all summer long. For the most part, we try to eat very healthy. However, every once in a while, it is HEALTHY to have a delicious dessert!
We kept peddling away down the rail trail–the tires of our bikes spinning around wildly. Along the way, we passed a couple of families whose red-faced sweaty kids cried out, “I can’t do it anymore! I want to go home!” It was a hot day, as I mentioned. I called out to them with a smile and encouraging words as I passed by. I have no idea if it helped or not, but it was worth a try.
I knew I had to keep going–peddling away to make it up the hill. The sun beat down.
About five miles out, we stopped at a little market to get fresh water bottles. We sat on a wooden bench outside the store to take a short break, drinking our water and making plans. I suggested we turn back because it didn’t take a mathematician to tell us that it would be another 5 miles to get back. Since it was so hot out I figured we might tire easily and not be able to get back.
So, after a short break we hopped back on our bikes and headed to the bike place. I took in the scenery and enjoyed the nature all around us. But, there was one thing that I did not enjoy…
Unexpected turn of events
Just as I was turning to pull into the bike rental place, I skidded on some sand and completely lost control of my bike.Was it the faulty brakes? The bike seat too high? Whatever the case, I was headed directly towards a large solid pole which was extremely close. I came crashing down on the pavement right next to the pole and the bike swung around and belted me in the rib cage. The pain from the crash was excruciating and I couldn’t breathe due to the wallop to my ribs which knocked the wind out of me. I knew I had to wait there on the ground, even though my husband wanted to help me up.
Crumpled up, I waited. I kept crying out in prayer to Jesus to please help me. I know that He did. My husband said my head had been less than an inch from the pole. Somehow, my body swerved away from it and my head was saved. I say, “somehow.” But, I know how. I have no doubt that the collision would have been much worse.
When I could finally get up off the ground, I hobbled ever-so-slowly and painfully to our vehicle. We stopped at a store and my husband ran in to pick up supplies to treat the scary-looking wound on my left knee. But, before I could apply medication and bandages, I had to clean it out first. That was challenging, as many little twigs and pebbles were inside the wound. But, as I attempted to clean it and the water gushed over my knee, it was a perfect opportunity to offer the intense pain to God as Our Lady of Fatima has requested. For the love of God, the conversion of sinners, and in reparation for the sins committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
I then spent some time with ice packs over my very wounded knee.
It wasn’t easy, but, nonetheless, we made it back out to get our ice cream sundaes that we had anticipated early in our bike ride. The efforts to get there, with me bandaged and hobbling slowly and gingerly, were definitely worth it! I think I was still in shock!
After that, it was serious business for days on end (and still doing it!) in the healing process–staying put–icing my badly injured knees and my ribs, changing bandages, icing, elevating, lots of Advil, icing, icing, icing!
Now, here I am again, confined to the house. Like I said earlier, it has been an interesting summer. Today, just six days after the accident, the pain persists. It’s still tough to move, breathe and sleep due to my rib injury. It’s difficult to walk too. But, just today, I think I turned a corner with my left leg in that the swelling is finally going down. Thank you, Jesus! I still have a ways to go and I will be leaving to lead a pilgrimage to France three weeks from today! Please keep me in your prayers for quick healing. Thank you in advance.
I am writing this blog post with my swollen legs elevated and an ice pack on my knee and ribs, because I want to share a very meaningful encounter.
A continuing saga
The other night, I noticed that the injuries were getting worse instead of better. It appeared that a bad infection was rapidly spreading on my left leg.
This necessitated a trip to the Emergency Room. I certainly did not want to go out at that late hour, but I didn’t think I should wait until the morning. My leg looked pretty scary! I began to think that I might have inadvertently left a few stray pieces of debris in my wound which may have caused an infection.
At the ER, GUESS WHAT I happened to pull out of my wallet? It was surely something of comfort… as I retrieved my license for the woman checking me into the ER. It would seem that dear Fr. Andrew was watching over me. I asked for his intercession. Truth be told, I ask him several times a day.
I had an exam and a bunch of x-rays. I was given an antibiotic, as well as instructions. But, I had to smile at how things unfolded with the x-ray technician.
After the doctor examined me, he ordered the series of x-rays of my knee and ribs. By the way, the doctor told me that he could not have cleaned my wound as well as I had. He told me several times. He said I should be a doctor or nurse. 🙂 Well, I am a mother and grandmother, after all! But, back to the x-rays…
I waited on the hospital bed to be taken down to the x-ray. department.
“Knock knock!” A voice from behind the curtain beckoned.
The curtain suddenly moved aside and a woman was standing there. An amazed look immediately spread across her face.
“Aren’t you on EWTN?! Wow! I watch you all the time! Wait a minute…what? You live around here?!”
She was visibly excited. We launched into a very beautiful conversation. As she transported me in a wheel chair towards the x-ray department, the doctor spotted us chatting away and poked his head out from around his computer screen.
“Do you know one another?” I guess he was surprised at our animated discussion at the wee hour of the morning, especially because I was in a lot of pain.
She said, “Yes! I know her from television!”
We were still rolling towards the Radiology department. The doctor looked at me and asked, “You’re on TV?”
I peered at him and put my finger to my lips. “Shhhhhhhhhh!” I said. “I try to keep a low profile around here.”
A lot to talk about
The wonderful x-ray technician (I’ll call her Sally) and I continued gabbing all the way to Radiology and throughout our time together. We talked about EWTN–Sally has been watching for twenty years. We chatted about Fr. Andrew, Fr. Mitch, and others on EWTN, as well as the Faith. I told Sally that I was sure that God saved my head from crashing into the pole.
The only time we were quiet was when I had to hold my breath for the many x-rays.
Just before the x-rays, “Sally” unfastened the chain around my neck to take off my medals. Of course, I had to tell her that dear Mother Teresa had given the Miraculous Medal to me, and that it had gotten so worn out that I had to put it in the decorative case on my chain so I wouldn’t lose it. I also showed her the piece of Mother’s sari that I have in that same little case, right behind the medal. I pointed out dear St. Jacinta’s relic also in there, as well as the other small meaningful medals that I wear.
While my knee was being x-rayed, I realized that my Rosary which contained St. Faustina’s relic was in my pocket. I asked if it was okay that it was, since you are supposed to take off metal objects before x-rays. She said it was fine since we weren’t x-raying that area. I then happily discovered that my pocket also contained a blessed Miraculous Medal. If you know me, you’ll probably remember that I give Miraculous Medals out to people all over the world (like thousands upon thousands, by God’s grace!).
Blessings and graces
After the x-rays were completed, I put my chain back on my neck. I took out the blessed medal from my pocket, kissed it, and touched it to my medals. I then gave it to the kind lady.
“Sally” was delighted and proceeded to show me her medals. She told me the story of when she received a Miraculous Medal from a friend who told her to expect miracles!
After “Sally” brought me back to my hospital room, she thanked me again for the Miraculous Medal. I had a sudden thought that I should also touch her medal to my Rosary. After all, Fr.Andrew had blessed it for me. Why not add another blessing to her new medal? She said she’d add to her chain. She was very grateful.
I told “Sally” that when I am feeling better I will drop off one of my books at the hospital for her. I think I’ll give her my “Miraculous Medal” book!
Well, I am all banged up, and it will take a while to heal completely. But, I have to say that I do love how God brings people together. Don’t you? He arranges all sorts of meetings between complete strangers. I could write a book about that! Oh, wait! I have written several like that! 🙂 I hope you don’t mind my bad attempt at humor. I am a bit stir crazy staying still for so long. 🙂
All joking aside, I love to share true stories of Faith to help inspire others to come closer to God. I will be sharing soon about my new books that will be releasing soon! As well as two that released earlier this year in case you missed them.
It’s time for another ice pack! Oh, and I see a few more angry bees in the house…
God bless you! Please pray for me! Be assured of my prayers for you too.
By the way, how was your summer?
I have been connected to the military for as long as I can remember.
My father was in the National Guard, and my brothers Gary and Tim fought in the Vietnam War. Several other family members also served in the military.
As a young girl, I prayed so much for my brothers to be safe, and I have vivid memories of my mother’s earnest prayers for my brothers to come home alive from the jungles of Vietnam. Tears filled in her worried eyes as she fervently prayed that God would save her sons…
My National Catholic Register article shining a light on heroic military women is here.
Saint Joan of Arc is a very popular and beloved saint. I have included her in my recent book By Dawn’s Early Light: Prayers and Meditations for Military Wives (Sophia Institute Press) since she is a patroness of soldiers and military leaders. I hope you get to know her a bit more through the excerpt from my saints’ chapter of the book which I’ll share below, and perhaps through prayers to her asking for her intercession.
St. Joan of Arc, Patroness of Soldiers
and Military Leaders
Joan of Arc (1412–1431), a subject of many books, movies, and plays, was born in France to well-to-do peasant parents. Joan loved the sacraments and had a heart for the poor. In 1424, at twelve years old, this simple peasant girl began having visions of St. Margaret, St. Catherine, and St. Michael. She heard St. Michael tell her that she needed to go to King Charles VII to support him and help him rid France of the English.
Despite her young age, during the many battles of the Hundred Years’ War, Joan was instrumental in recapturing Orleans, Rheims, Paris, and numerous other towns from the English. The angry English declared her a heretic.
Joan was captured near Compiègne and was sold to the English. She was placed on trial for heresy and witchcraft, was interrogated, and was condemned to death for her crimes against the English and as a heretic, sorceress, and adulteress. Joan refused to retract her statements that it was the saints who appeared to her and spoke to her. In 1431 in Rouen, nineteen-year-old Joan was burned at the stake. She asked for a cross to be made that she put on her dress while she was burned. A priest held up another cross for Joan to gaze upon during her martyrdom. Witnesses attest to her composure and courage.
Joan’s ashes were dispersed in the Seine River. It is said that her heart did not burn and was thrown into the river with her ashes so that there wouldn’t be any relics. In 1456, Pope Callixtus III declared that Joan was innocent of her crimes and was now considered a martyr. Joan was beatified in 1909 and canonized in 1920. To St. Joan of Arc is ascribed the prayer “I fear nothing, for God is with me.” Her feast day is May 30.
Novena Prayer to St. Joan of Arc
Opening Prayer
Eternal Father, You gave us St. Joan of Arc
through Your infinite love and mercy for us.
We humbly ask that You send down Your Holy Spirit
upon us, as your Spirit is the intermediary
by which the Word goes forth from Your lips
and reaches the ears of the faithful.
Allow me to be a witness to Your Son
Jesus Christ, just as St. Joan of Arc was.
O Jesus, grant me the courage to do Your will,
that I may be in one accord with our Father in Heaven.
I thank You for the gift of Your love,
which I hope to understand fully one day.
Petition Prayer
Pray nineteen Our Fathers,
followed by the following prayer:
St. Joan of Arc,
by your powerful intercession,
hear and answer me.
St. Joan of Arc,
I ask you now to fight this battle
with me by prayer,
just as you led your troops to victory in battle.
You, who were filled with
the Holy Spirit and chosen by God,
help me this day with the favor I ask:
(mention your request).
Grant me by your
divine and powerful intercession
the courage and strength I need
to endure this constant fight.
O St. Joan, help me to be victorious
in the tasks God presents to me.
I thank you and ask you
for your continuing protection
of God’s people.
Closing Prayer
Sweet St. Joan,
plead for me before the throne
of Almighty God, that I may be deemed
worthy to be granted the request I have asked.
Help me, St. Joan, to be more like you
in the attempt to love our Lord
with all my heart, soul, and mind.
Through your guidance and prayer
help me to be a truly devout
and loving Christian, that I may
both know and see the will of God.
Help me now St. Joan, in my time of need.
I ask that you may always be near me
guiding me closer each day to Jesus.
Thank you, St. Joan,
for having heard my prayer. Amen.
In case you missed it, you can listen to Al Kresta and me chatting about military stresses and strains and invisible war wounds in our conversation yesterday on Memorial Day: Here is a link to my recent radio chat: Just slide the marker to the “22:27” mark and our chat will begin just after that point. Enjoy!
I wrote a book for Catholic Moms that I feel is both realistic and encouraging (if I may say so myself!). As a mother of five and grandmother I certainly know all about the bombardment from the culture, the demands for perfection, and the countless challenges that today’s mothers face. My desire is to encourage Catholic Moms with Church teaching and help them to discover the sublimity in their amazing vocation of raising little Saints to heaven!
Would you like a sneak peak of my newest book not yet released? I thought so! So, I am sharing the first few chapters as well as the Foreword and Introduction (copywritten material). Take a look here and enjoy!
You can learn more about the book as well as order by clicking the book cover image.
UPDATED TO SAY THAT I JUST RECEIVED AN EARLY SHIPMENT OF BOOKS! CLICK ON THE BOOK COVER IMAGE TO ORDER!
Our Lady of Fatima requested a few things of the faithful. She asked for the daily rosary for peace but also for us to commit to the Five First Saturday devotion which consists of:
Go to confession. Receive Communion. Pray the Rosary, and
Keep Our Lady company for 15 minutes while meditating on the mysteries of the Rosary.
I discussed the Five First Saturday devotion this morning on the Son Rise Morning radio show. You can listen to the archived version here. Make sure it’s on the May 4, 2018 date and move the marker to the 2:38 point to hear our short radio chat. Enjoy!
Catholic Wisdom for a Mother’s Heart is a creative and practical guide for a wide range of domestic church situations. Catholic women can live out their familial vocation with seasoned, simple suggestions for answering Christ’s universal call to holiness. Lovely poems conclude each chapter on a note of warmth that will lift hearts beyond the kitchen and up the path toward heaven.
This resource is for Catholic mothers (and grandmothers who often fill the motherly role) who are in the trenches raising their children through thick and thin amid the bombardment of the culture. They need and crave the guidance, encouragement, and affirmation that this welcoming book will offer.
ON SALE HERE
Sharing the Introduction:
INTRODUCTION
Dear St. John Paul II said, “Motherhood is a woman’s vocation. It is an eternal vocation, and it is also a contemporary vocation. . . . We must do everything in order that woman may merit love and veneration. We must do everything in order that children, the family and society may see in her that dignity that Christ saw.” Motherhood today is not necessarily viewed as a noble or dignified vocation. Unfortunately, in many areas, society continues to value a person simply by the size of their paycheck, and therefore some mothers might not feel very confident in their role of raising their children. Our culture does not acknowledge the invaluable sacrifices and love in raising little saints to heaven. Add to that, today’s mothers don’t have many opportunities to receive a pat on the back for a job well done. Not that they are looking for any recognition, but a little af rmation here and there would be nice. Pope Francis pointed out, “Every human person owes his or her life to a mother, and almost always owes much of what follows in life, both human and spiritual formation, to her. Yet, despite being highly lauded from a symbolic point of view—many poems, many beautiful things said poetically of her—the mother is rarely listened to or helped in daily life, rarely considered central to society in her role.”
The many mixed messages about women’s rights and where a woman should find her place in society can make one dizzy! Additionally, our culture does not often encourage mothers to consider the role that prayer plays in a family’s life or that motherhood is a sublime vocation. Moreover, family members may not always express their appreciation for the tireless work and care given from their mother, which may cause a mom to feel a bit neglected and unacknowledged. What’s a Catholic mother to do?
First of all, let’s keep our chins up and know in our hearts that we Catholic mothers need not feel alone and are—in reality—sisters in Christ on this journey together! We can certainly all benefit from encouragement and praise to aid and uplift us on our pilgrimage throughout the challenging vocation of motherhood. We can extend a hand to help each other along the way. How fortunate we are to have been blessed with leaders in our Church, such as St. John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI, and Pope Francis, and those before them who have always extolled mothers with their wonderful words of praise, acknowledging a mother’s sublime role. Pope Francis underscored a mother’s selfess and irreplaceable role when he said, “Mothers are the strongest antidote to the spread of self-centered individualism. ‘Individual’ means ‘what cannot be divided’. Mothers, instead, ‘divide’ themselves, from the moment they bear a child to give him to the world and help him grow.”
We can all play an important role in our world today to be of assistance to other mothers we meet who are not quite aware of God’s plan in their mothering, and we can help them to discover their God-given gifts and their high dignity in Our Lord’s eyes.
Let us ponder St. John Paul II’s words:
It is a disservice not only to children but also to women and society itself when a woman is made to feel guilty for wanting to remain in the home and nurture and care for her children. It is also necessary to counter the misconception that the role of motherhood is oppressive to women and that a commitment to her family, particularly to her children, prevents a woman from reaching personal fulfillment and from having an in uence in society. No response to women’s issues can ignore a woman’s role in the family or take lightly the fact that every new life is entrusted to the protection and care of the woman carrying it in the womb.
These are undoubtedly powerful and profound words to call to mind, especially if doubts arise within our own personal journeys and when attempting to help other mothers who have lost their way or are not sure what direction to pursue. Our example speaks volumes, and our kind words in response to women seeking direction in finding and achieving personal fulfillment can be very transforming, by God’s grace.
Throughout my ministry to mothers, I have observed that Christian mothers everywhere are looking for strategies to help improve their prayer lives, their understanding of their Faith, and their role in their home life as well. Like- minded women are feeling a vital and even urgent need to communicate with one another, comparing notes to discover the best approaches to mothering with grace as is very apparent in the many Catholic mothers’ blogs that have been popping up all over the Internet and the many mothers’ groups that are gathering together in homes, parishes, or online to participate in studies about their Catholic faith. I have also found that even though we mothers are surrounded by many confusing messages targeting women, there is an encouraging authentic resurgence of Christian women who are fighting through it all, thirsting for the truth. This is very heartwarming. God’s grace abounds! These women are tomorrow’s saints.
Mothering my own five children for the past forty- plus years has given me deep happiness, wisdom from the “trenches,” and also plenty of stories to tell! I humbly offer Catholic mothers “recipes” and advice for seeking and nding a deep and enriching spiritual life while remaining attentive to their families. My prayer is that this book will serve mothers well and that they will nd encouragement, praise, camaraderie, and direction throughout its pages.
Dear mothers, enjoy reading, reflecting, and pondering on the material in this book. I hope it will be inspiring food for your soul and that you will feel your well-deserved pat on the back! Make yourself a steaming cup of tea or coffee, and sit and take a little time to refresh your soul. Allow this book to serve you, taking in nourishment from its flavorful recipes for faithful mothering. Be at peace so that you may guide your family well with joy and love within your amazing vocation—lighting your family’s way to heaven!
Let’s be confident, knowing that by loving our families, dedicating our vocations to the Lord, and seeking assistance from the Blessed Mother, as well as intercession from the saints, we will be “making our lives something beautiful for God,” as my friend St. Teresa of Calcutta used to say.
St. John Paul II has assured us that “the dignity and responsibility of the Christian family as the domestic Church can be achieved only with God’s unceasing aid, which will surely be granted if it is humbly and trustingly petitioned in prayer” (Familiaris Consortio, 59). Let’s be sure to ask Our Lord for his unceasing aid. Let us sisters in Christ stick together, encourage one another, and continue our prayers for each other and our families within our domestic churches, as we mother our families with grace. May God bless us all!
The hour is coming, indeed has come, in which the vocation of women is being acknowledged in its fullness; the hour in which women acquire in the world an influence, an effect, and a power never hitherto achieved. That is why at this moment, when the human race is undergoing so deep a transformation, women, imbued with the spirit of the Gospel, can do so much to aid mankind in not falling.
—From the Closing Documents of Vatican II
MOTHER
The Most Important Person on earth is a mother.
She cannot claim the honor of having built Notre Dame Cathedral.
She need not.
She has built something more magnificent than any
cathedral—
a dwelling for an immortal soul, the tiny perfection
of her baby’s body. . . .
The angels have not been blessed with such a grace.
They cannot share in God’s creative miracle to
bring new saints to Heaven.
Only a human mother can.
Mothers are closer to God the Creator than any
other creature;
God joins forces with mothers in performing this
act of creation. . . .
What on God’s good earth is more glorious than
this: to be a mother?
—Joseph Cardinal Mindszenty
Learn more here as well as purchasing information.
