Category Archives: The Spiritual Life

St. John Paul II — “Christmas is the Feast Day of Man”

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When I came back to the Faith in 1981, one Scripture passage became the rudder of my spiritual life. It is Ephesians 1: 3-4. Through the years, this passage has spoken to me in many ways and has sustained me through many trials.

Verse 4 , however, is particularly relevant for this time of the year, and was echoed by St. John Paul II in a Christmas reflection. It states this, “God chose us in him before the world began to be holy and blameless in his sight, to be full of love.” Those first five words tell us something about ourselves that is amazing and astounding — each one of us was distinctively and individually chosen by God to have life. Read the rest…

Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God

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What wisdom Holy Mother Church has in dedicating the first day of the year to Mary, Mother of God!

Mary is the Mother of God and she is our mother, too. Her fiat is the genesis of every fiat given to God. And every fiat given to God is enriched by hers. The fathers of the Second Vatican Council state it simply, succinctly, and profoundly: she is our Mother in the order of grace.

This poem, written by Giovanni Domini (1356-142), expresses the maternal beatitude we find so dear. May it elevate our hearts in gratitude to God for the gift of the Blessed Virgin. And may it elevate our hearts to the reality of our salvation which comes through the gift of her Son, Jesus Christ Savior of the World. Read the rest…

God is Always Speaking to Us

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Dear Friends,

On a recent Women of Grace Live radio program, we discussed the quote below, which came from one of my previous blog posts.  It generated a spirit-filled conversation about overcoming fear when we are moving forward in what we believe to be God’s will for our lives.  I am re-posting the blog below as well as the link to the radio program below.  I hope that it provides you inspiration today if you are experiencing fear. Read the rest…

Woman of Grace: St. Katharine Drexel

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stkathrinedrexel

It’s only fitting that during this Lenten season, we have the opportunity to celebrate the Feast of St. Katharine Drexel, a woman who lived to the full the spiritual and corporal works of mercy.

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Prayers for Fr. Benedict Groeschel

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Dear Friends,

This morning I received the following email request from Fr. Benedict Groeschel’s frgroeschelcommunity, the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal.  They have asked for special prayers, through the intercession of Venerable Solanus Casey, for his recovery and healing.  I hope that you will join me in praying.

Yours in Christ,
Johnnette Read the rest…

More Resources for Your Lenten Journey

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Dear Friends,

lentenresourcesIn addition to those suggested in our slideshow, following is a list of resources that I recommended on Women of Grace Live, Ash Wednesday, March 5. Each of these is structured in such a way that it is perfect for a daily devotional during this Holy Season of Lent.  They also are great resources for increasing our life of faith and strengthening our interior life. My prayer is that you find them so useful, you continue to use them once this Holy Season is over. Most of them are available through EWTN Religious Cataglogue or on our website. Read the rest…

R-E-S-O-L-V-E-D: New Year Resolutions for the Spiritual Journey, Part IV

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young woman listening to gossipAlready the acronym “R-E-S-O-L-V-E-D” has given us much to ponder regarding New Year Resolutions and the spiritual life.  We have discovered that a recommitment to Jesus Christ coupled with a daily examination of conscience, fortified by surrender and obedience ,does much to lead us on the path to holiness.

 Today, we will find out that the L and the V in the acronym lead us a few steps closer to our goal. Read the rest…

R-E-S-O-L-V-E-D New Year Resolutions for the Spiritual Journey, Part III

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78323561The word “Resolved” has provided us with an opportunity to fashion our new year’s resolutions around an acronym that helps us make progress on the path of holiness.

Yesterday, we looked at  the importance of Recommitment to Jesus Christ and two types of Examinations of Conscience.  Each of these enable us to take a confident step forward on our spiritual journey.  Today we will see, however, that without the wisdom provided by the S and the O, we will never reach the depths of union to which God beckons us. Read the rest…