Ten years ago I went for a walk with Alice von Hildebrand. The lovely Catholic philosopher and theologian had come into Phoenix to give a talk on God’s love, and desiring to enjoy the weather and the views around Camelback mountain, she found me a willing companion. Our conversation turned to my uncle, who had recently died after a terribly painful battle with stomach cancer. I had described his life to her, and then she stopped me, looked into my eyes, and said in her beautiful accent, “You’ve got to write that.” Firmly. And I knew I should, not just because when Alice von Hildebrand tells you to do something, you probably should, but also because deep down I knew it was true. So…it took me nine years, but here goes, and intentionally in time for the feast of St. Joseph the Worker, May 1st.
This is a beautiful tribute to Mother Angelica that was shared by our friend and Women of Grace Television guest, Kathy Labosh.
by Kathy Labosh
JERUSALEM, ISRAEL – MARCH 3, 2015: The icon of Resurrection from Church of the Holy Sepulchre by unknown artist.On Easter Sunday, a very dear nun, Mother Angelica passed away. She has been in my living room off and on for years on her EWTN television show. Her words were often opportune. However since her death, she seems to have come in a whole new way. EWTN is running clips of her all day and she has been speaking directly into my world.
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.
I'm re-posting this blog which was written several years ago. It contains a four point plan to help you make this a good Lent and some wisdom from my granddaughter Julia. At the bottom, I've shared the podcast from yesterday's Women of Grace Live radio program as well as my Lenten themed e-book. During the program we talked about this blog and had a lively, thought-provoking discussion about it. Please read, listen and share.
May God bless you abundantly this Lent.
This morning, my somewhat precocious six year old granddaughter and I had a conversation over breakfast:
“Grandma,” she said gazing out of the kitchen window in our Florida home.
“Yes, Julia?” said I.
“Pretty soon Easter will be here because it is Spring outside.”
“Yes, you are right. Ash Wednesday is this week and that begins the season of Lent.”
Urgent prayer request from Sister Monica, Daughter of Charity in Paris: "Members of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul in Syria were kidnapped, along with their wives and children. The children were isolated and put into cages. Adults who do not deny their faith will be decapitated, and their children burned alive in the cages. Let us remain fervently united in prayer, and have as our intention the welfare of all brothers and sisters in our Christian faith who are being held hostage. Mother Mary, please console them, and protect them all from harm! O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee." EWTN Prayer Warriors, please share this with everyone you know.
Through the course of this week, we have discovered that New Year resolutions, rooted in Christ and prayerfully chosen, can lead us along the path to holiness. Today we come to the last two resolutions for the New Year using the acronym, R-E-S-O-L-V-E-D.
Already 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.
The 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.
One of my favorite books for Lectio-Divina (see Week One of the Advent Study) is Divine Intimacy, by Father Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalene.
This book provides meditations on the interior life for every day of the liturgical year. I have found it to be very efficacious.
One of the meditations offered by Father Gabriel for the fourth week of Advent is entitled, The Call to the Apostolate.
In it, he offers an insightful perspective of the Christian call to evangelization based on the words of St. John the Baptist, "Prepare ye the way of the Lord" (Luke 3: 4). In the end, he tells us that "Jesus has need of us." When I read these words, they infused me with zeal.
Because I found this meditation so spiritually benefiicial, today I'd like to share with you what Father Gabriel presents.
Richard Zeidler, my “Uncle Dick”
One of my favorite books for Lectio-Divina (see Week One of the Advent Study) is 