Lord Jesus we pray that you strengthen our Sisters and Nuns to bring forth your hope and love in a suffering world. Where war has inflicted death, let our Sisters and Nuns work for peace. Where famine has brought suffering, let our holy women feed the poor. Where earthquakes and floods have caused hopelessness, let our consecrated women provide relief. Where epidemic has spread, let our Sisters and Nuns care for life. We ask in Jesus’ name that God guard... Read more
Most of us want our gardens to come back to life as soon as the snow is melted. Once the soil is thawed, you may be tempted to buy plants and get them in the ground, but resist the urge. For those of us in USDA Zone 5, we can still anticipate a hard frost, or freeze, until mid-May. Another option to consider for your garden is direct seeding cold-hardy vegetables, herbs, annuals, and perennials. Many of these plants will... Read more
Its here! My newest book A Catholic Gardener’s Spiritual Almanac: Cultivating your Faith throughout the Year. It has been a joy to create this book and work with the folks at Ave Maria Press. I would like to share that joy with you by offering a special gift. I’ve put together a basket that includes several of my favorite things for the garden—tools, books, seeds, and more! Look below…What do you think? Would you like it? So let’s get started!... Read more
Here they come, the woodland plants. Its the one garden that remains in my yard–Mary’s Garden. Because of arthritis, the rest of the flower beds were torn down since I couldn’t keep up with the maintenance. I loved the exaggeration of spring, the sultry textures of late summer, the riotous autumn. But now…well its the time for a smaller, more mindful garden. Do you have a lot of flowers? How about I come and visit... Read more
Beloved Mother Mary, Mother of Sisters and Nuns, take to your heart your daughters who are close to you because of their higher calling and because of the power which they have received to carry on the work of Christ in a world which needs them so much. In this holy season of Easter be their comfort, be their joy, and be their strength. Loving Mother help them to live and defend the ideals that your son suffered and died for... Read more
O Almighty, Eternal God, look upon the Face of your Son and for love of him, who is the Eternal High Priest, have pity on your priests. Remember, O most compassionate God that they are but weak and frail human beings. Stir up in them the grace of their vocation which is in them by the imposition of the bishop’s hands. Keep them close to you, lest the enemy prevail against them, so that they may never do anything in... Read more
We often take mini retreats into our gardens for a moment of quiet in which to pray. When I’m in the garden for times of prayer I like to have sacramentals available— rosary, incense, journal, or other items. Creating a box to keep them at hand is an easy and fun project. You can decorate the box with short quotes, favorite images, stencils with a classic design, or have the kids place their handprints on the sides. So here’s how to... Read more
O God, you are beauty and wisdom, mystery and love. Touch the hearts of your Sisters and Nuns to flame for you and for your Church through the prayer and example of St. John Baptist de la Salle, patron of teachers. It is our Sisters and Nuns who, through their efforts as teachers, plant the seeds of your love into the hearts of the young. We ask this grace through Jesus the Christ, our Lord. Amen (Image courtesy De La... Read more
O my Jesus, I beg you on behalf of the whole Church, grant it love and the light of your Spirit and give power to the words of priests so that hardened hearts might be brought to repentance and return to you, O Lord. Lord, give us holy priests. You yourself maintain them in holiness. O Divine and Great High Priest, may the power of your mercy accompany them everywhere and protect them from the devil’s traps and snares which... Read more
Beloved Mother Mary, Pray with us this day for our Sisters and Nuns. In the face of unending need, let them not be discouraged but always serve with joy. Let their hearts, so often moved with pity, always reveal their devotion to your Son. May their faith in him help them to persevere through seemingly insurmountable tasks. Guide them Mother, encourage them in their desire to love, as God loves, in a world that often does not love back. In... Read more
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