Jesus shows His love for me in His Incarnation
O Most Amiable Jesus, at the same instant that Thou didst look up to the Father, after the Incarnation, Thou didst also look upon me. … More A Meditation on the Incarnation
The commas in our life produce pauses, but they can also unite a juxtaposition. In my first years of grief after losing my mom, the comma left me feeling restless. When will this pain be over? When can I get back to normal? But the comma gave me hope knowing my pain was not wasted, and God would help me in my grief. … More Grief Commas
I perceive there to be so much conformity between God and the soul that when He sees it in the purity in which His Divine Majesty created it He gives it a burning love, which draws it to Himself, which is strong enough to destroy it, immortal though it be, and which causes it to be so transformed in God that it sees itself as though it were none other than God. Unceasingly He draws it to Himself and breathes fire into it, never letting it go until He has led it to the state whence it came forth, that is to the pure cleanliness in which it was created. … More An Excerpt from The Treatise on Purgatory
I beg of you to beware of thinking of the Rosary as something of little importance – as do ignorant people, and even several great but proud scholars. Far from being insignificant, the Rosary is a priceless treasure which is inspired by God. … More Introduction to The Secret of the Rosary
Mary was not only Queen of Martyrs because her martyrdom was longer than that of all others, but also because it was the greatest of all martyrdoms. Who, however, can measure its greatness? Jeremiah seems unable to find any one with whom he can compare this Mother of Sorrows, when he considers her great sufferings at the death of her Son. “To what shall I compare you or to what shall I liken you, O daughter of Jerusalem … for great as the sea is your destruction: who shall heal you?” … More Introduction of St. Alphonsus de Liguori’s Meditation on the Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary
After learning all of this, I reflected on the Seven Sorrows. I realized that Mary understands the grief of losing a child. She had to surrender her own child to God. Mary accepted this heavy cross for the glory of God’s kingdom. She understands the depths of our sorrow, and I was indeed experiencing much sorrow that I carried for many years. … More The Comfort of Mary: Coping with Grief
She knows what it’s like to ache for someone you love. She’s held a suffering child in her arms. She’s waited in uncertainty. She’s stood by while people she loved were misunderstood, mistreated, crucified—literally. She has stood in the space between hope and heartbreak—and not run from it. … More Our Lady of Sorrows: A Ministry of Presence
Upon learning about St. Thomas’ remedies, I recognized all of them to have been among those things that were the most beneficial to me, and not just for grieving the loss of a child.
These things are helpful no matter what sorrows and sufferings we face, and even our modern psychology would agree: the Angelic Doctor was ahead of his time. … More Five Powerful Remedies for Sorrow from St. Thomas Aquinas
Yes indeed, my daughter, for in seasons of dryness our will forcibly carries us on in God’s Service, and so it is stronger and more vigorous than at a softer time. There is not much to boast of in serving our Prince in the comfort of a time of peace, but to serve Him amid the toils and hardness of war, amid trial and persecution, is a real proof of faithfulness and perseverance. … More Wisdom from St. Francis de Sales on Spiritual Barrenness
Now a good means of walking in God’s presence is to picture Our Lord as present with us wherever we may happen to be. We may think of Him at times as a little babe in the crib of Bethlehem; as a poor exile on His way to Egypt; as an apprentice in the workshop of Nazareth; a man of sorrows who was condemned a criminal to suffer and die; as scourged and crowned and crucified. … More How to Walk in God’s Presence