To pray for their unborn “grand blessings” and their born grandchildren!
This elegant bracelet is comprised of 9 semi-precious gem stones. The number 9 is significant to my bracelets. It’s my signature design (9 beads, and not 10 as in a chaplet), bringing together the notion of a novena (which has to do with the number nine) and a pregnancy which consists of a nine-month duration. You can read more about that on the “Bracelet Shop” page where I explain the background, etc.
This bracelet also has Swarovski crystals, silver and sterling silver-plated components, a lovely antique style toggle clasp, a crucifix, Miraculous Medal, and St. Anne medal. It measures about 7 and 3/4 inches long. It comes in a gift box along with a card which has a special novena prayer to St. Anne.
Designed and hand-crafted with love by Donna-Marie!
I didn’t plan to spend any amount of time with anyone the other day. Truth be told, I had a very tight schedule. Yet, that morning, on my knees in my living room before the image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, I asked our Lord to please allow me to be a bright spark of HOPE for others that day. I always pray my Morning Offering to essentially hand my whole day over to God–everything.
However, that particular morning, I felt the extra earnest prayer rise straight from the depths my heart and I heard it with great clarity being uttered from my lips. For a second, I thought I might use that short passionate prayer in an Instagram post (hopefully, to inspire others). But, alas, there was no time, and out the door I went to get to my appointment on time.
I don’t get out of the house much at all these days because of the pandemic. Just Mass on Sundays (and sometimes a week day Mass). I work from home, so most of my prayers are earnestly expressed within the walls of my domestic church, as well out in the amazing nature that God provides around my home.
Pulling into a parking space nearby to my destination, I spotted a man reclining at a table on the sidewalk along with his telltale gear (back pack and sleeping bag, etc.) tucked between his legs. He seemed a bit disheveled. I knew in an instant that he was homeless or displaced in some way.
Grabbing up my purse and face mask that I would soon don, I locked my car, and headed up the sidewalk. Slowly passing the man, I turned to him and said, “Hello!” And, “How are you?”
“It’s just another day,” he replied in a blasé tone while putting his hand up.
“Oh!” I exclaimed. “It’s a good day! The sun is shining…”
I suddenly remembered that on my way out of the house, I had tossed a granola bar into my purse, knowing that I’d be gone for a few hours and wouldn’t have a chance to eat for awhile. I didn’t want my head ache to get any worse than it already was.
“Oh, would you like this granola bar?”
“Please!” And, he stretched out his hand to receive it. He then asked me a question.
“Could you possibly sponsor me for a coffee?”
I had never heard it said quite that way before and had to think quickly because I didn’t want to be late for my appointment and because I didn’t know how I could pay for it.
“Well, I don’t have any cash on me. I have to hurry to my appointment. Maybe, when I get to my appointment, I could call a place on this street and order a coffee for you…”
Without missing a beat, the man told me the name of the place that served coffee. So, I asked his name and quickly introduced myself, and confirmed that I would order his coffee.
“Wait about five minutes and then go in,” I told him. “I’ll tell them that you will come in for coffee. Well, actually, you had better make that ten minutes…”
I knew I needed a bit more time, not knowing how it would pan out with ordering. Because of the pandemic safety measures in place all around, I thought it might be a bit tricky to pull it off. Like for instance, some places don’t take cash (due to germs, etc.). That’s why I told Jake (not his real name) to wait a bit.
I got settled in at my appointment and looked up the phone number for the coffee shop and called. Turned out, that particular coffee place didn’t want to take my debit card over the phone. So, I told the woman where I was and asked her if she could kindly serve the man whatever kind of coffee he wanted and I would come inside to pay for it after my appointment. She graciously agreed and told me that Jake was in fact, already there.
“Would You Care to Join Me?”
After finishing up at my rather long appointment, I paid up at the coffee shop, thanked the woman profusely, and was about to head to my car. The barista commented to me that she was very touched by my generosity towards the stranger. I smiled and said something to the effect that we have to help one another. She agreed.
Well, Jake was still sitting at the same table. I paused to ask if he had enjoyed his coffee.
“Yes! Thank you!
My heart was touched upon hearing what he said to me next.
“I kept saying your name over and over in my mind so I would remember it when you came by this way so that I could say, “Thank you for the coffee, Donna!”
He then surprised me with a request.
“Would you care to join me?” he asked as he extended his arm to motion to the empty chair on the other side of his small metal bistro table.
How could I refuse? I was in a hurry to get back to my work, but I wanted to accept his kind invitation. I then remembered the 2 blessed medals that I retrieved from my purse and put into my pocket while at my appointment so that I could easily find them for Jake should the opportunity arise.
I asked Jake if he had heard of Mother Teresa of Calcutta and the work she did in the slums of Calcutta, picking people up from the gutters, helping them, etc. He nodded affirmatively, but I’m not completely sure that he knew what I was saying. I went on to show him the Miraculous Medal that I was wearing which the Saint of the gutters had given to me. That brief explanation gave way to a lively conversation that unfolded between us.
We talked a while and I pulled the blessed medals from my pocket. I asked Jake if it was okay that I give the medals to him. I told him that I could clean them with hand sanitizer first. He threw his hand at the air in an effort to convey that he wasn’t worried about the pandemic, bacteria, or germs. Jake told me that he would like the medals but wanted to give something to me. I quickly explained that he didn’t have to give me anything, but stopped at that because it was clear that he wanted to.
“Like a trade,” he said as he rummaged through his belongings–most likely it was all he owned. As he rummaged around, he pulled out a huge slightly old looking cucumber, a small bruised egg plant, and a bag of walnuts and he set it all on the table.
“Oh good, “I said. “You have something to eat. But, how do you cook your vegetables?”
He quickly lifted the small eggplant to his mouth and took a big chomp of the raw vegetable.
“A little spicy, but okay,” he quipped.
I then told Jake about my vegetable garden and said I’d bring some fresh tomatoes to him if I should see him again.
Medals and a Special Gift
We talked a good while–about God, the world, the universe, even cats! At one point I asked Jake if he ever prayed. He gave me a round about answer and told me that he is very forgetful. I was still holding the blessed medals in my hand, waiting as Jake poked through his things to find that special item that he wanted to give to me.
“Here it is!” He suddenly exclaimed and pulled it up closer to his eyes to take a good look.
“It’s a little rough around the edges…” He said as he turned it round and round.
“Oh! It’s blue. I love the color blue! Are you sure that you want to give this to me?” I asked him.
“Yes! I actually found it on the street!”
Just then, Jake stretched out his hand and gently dropped a blue marble into my hand. I looked at it admiringly and thanked him. I decided to snap a quick picture of the marble alongside the blessed medals.
I gave the medals to Jake and told him to keep them with him and that they would act as a protection for him. He thanked me.
It was long past time for me to get going, so I put the marble into my purse and stood up to bid farewell to Jake, and assured him of my prayers, and maybe even some fresh tomatoes from my garden if I should find him at the table again on my next trip out of the house.
Jake shot out his right hand ready to give a firm farewell hand shake. I greeted his hand with mine and said good bye.
As I pulled away from the side of the street, I saw that Jake was looking at me and getting ready to wave. I waved back heartily and drove away. My heart was full. I couldn’t help but think of my friend Mother Teresa and how she constantly preached that we are to serve Jesus in one another. I knew that Jesus was there with us in that encounter.
All the way back home, I prayed a Rosary for Jake while tears of thanksgiving brimmed in my eyes. It was a holy encounter indeed. Suddenly, I remembered that fervent request I put before the Lord earlier that day.
“Dear Lord, help me to be a bright spark of HOPE to others today.”
By the way, there’s more to the story. I’ll try to write the continuation tomorrow, Lord willing.
Stay tuned!
Dear Lord, help me to be a bright spark of HOPE to others today and always.
There is no doubt about it–Catholic Moms hit the ground running every morning! During this worldwide pandemic, that “ground” might be within the walls of her domestic church.
Mothers of every age and stage could certainly use a 5-Minute Retreat to give them a good shot in the arm for strength and wisdom to walk (or run!) forward in Faith. That’s why I wrote this book, Catholic Moms Cafe: 5-Minute Retreats for Every Day of the Year.
Fr. Mitch Pacwa from EWTN had something to say about my book:
So many people are so busy.
Moms find it difficult to structure a time for personal prayer, especially stay at home Moms. So many variables are beyond her control feeding and its concomitant processes in infants, illnesses, emergencies, etc. Finding time for prayer is a luxury in a world determined by the demands of others, particularly loved ones, particularly when they are little ones. This book is a handy tool to bring relief by setting aside a short time with profound and relevant meditations for Moms by a Mom. When a few quiet minutes appear, this is a great spiritual help with the cup of coffee and some time with our Lord.
Certain great saints are gourmands of the spiritual life. Doctors of the Church, such as St. Catherine of Sienna, O.P., St. Theresa of Avila, O.C.D., and many others were able to savor spiritual delights over many hours of deep and mystical prayer. The vocations opened these opportunities to them.
The vocation of motherhood opens eternal opportunities that most religious sisters miss sharing life’s adventures with a man [her husband] whose love can open up a life of whole new adventures, some of whom enter the world crying, hungry, needing special consolations, including dry diapers and nursing through illnesses.
The adventures of husbands and children generally place limits on the amount of time available for savoring spiritual nourishment. However, the quality of spiritual food need not be compromised just because the time for savoring is short. Of course, a person might snack on spiritual junk food that gives a sugary high, or a saccharine substitute for authentic spiritual sweetness, a fried potato or corn chip that fills the hunger with empty spiritual calories all of which can be found in New Age falsehoods or superficial Christianity.
On the other hand, an appetizer that tides one over until there is time for a meal can be truly healthy, delicious and full of spiritual nutrition. These short daily meditations in Catholic Mom s Café are a long table full of tasty, spiritually nutritious appetizers for the soul of a busy Mom. One can snack on them in a short period of time each day and savor the tastes in those moments that pop up between busyness. The quotes in the “Ponder” sections of this book are full of wisdom, and they have been chosen wisely. Each time one returns to those quotes, one can learn still more. The “Offer” reflections both draw out good ideas from the “Ponder” quotes and suggest things to do within family life. Enjoy, grow and find some refreshment in your busy schedule.
–Fr. Mitch Pacwa, S. J.
Amazon noted that my book is out of stock at this time. However, I have copies here through my website.
I am very excited to let you know about my upcoming book! It’s the only one of its kind–a Family Marian Consecration book! It is titled, Family Consecration To Jesus Through Mary: 33 Days of Preparation with Saint Louis Marie de Montfort. It is my labor of love for the family and will be released next month (June)!
I’ll share a snippet from the Introduction here:
…Back to those two questions I asked earlier, “How do we get to heaven?” and “How do we help our children and grandchildren to get there?” Well, I must tell you that I am deeply touched by Saint Faustina’s words. In her Diary, she explained one of her visions, in which she encountered a crowd of children about five to eleven years of age. They cried out to her, “Defend us from evil.” Saint Faustina then saw the Lord Jesus, who was distressed and told her, “You are to defend them from evil.” Saint Faustina said that from that moment she prayed for the children. She added, “But I feel that prayer alone is not enough” (765).
Helping children to be consecrated to Jesus through Mary will surely help to “defend them from evil” by greatly aiding their souls. It will be more than simply praying for them. Remember, Saint Faustina expressed that she believed that “prayer alone is not enough.” Your children’s consecrations will surely please Jesus and Mary too. It will certainly help pave the way to Heaven.
There is no better time than right now to seize the opportunity and help your family to consecrate their lives to Jesus through Mary. Your total consecration will be a perfect renewal of your baptismal vows, with Mary at your side and through her loving hands and Immaculate Heart…
And now, I will share the full cover! You can zoom in to read the back.
And here is just the front…
What do you think? I happen to think that it is gorgeous! I was just shown the cover late yesterday.
The good news is that even with the pandemic, the book is still on track for the June release. God is good! I pray that the book will aid countless families around the world!
I recently visited with Ralph Martin President of Renewal Ministries on his EWTN television show: “The Choices We Face” to discuss Divine Mercy, St. Faustina, and my book 52 Weeks with Saint Faustina: A Year of Grace and Mercy. We also chatted about my life a bit which you can see in the first show. In this 2nd show we also discussed Our Lady of Fatima, the shepherd children, and so much more. You can see the show below. I hope that you enjoy it. God bless you!
I recently visited with Ralph Martin President of Renewal Ministries on 2 of his television shows: “The Choices We Face.” It was a blessing to share the faith with Ralph. The shows were aired recently on EWTN TV. You can see the first one “A Hard Life Redeemed” here below. I hope that you enjoy it. God bless you!
I recently spoke at a Webinar hosted by Paraclete Press. I gave some tips on family life during the sheltering of this pandemic. I also offered spiritual tips for the family and in general too. If you weren’t able to attend, you can now watch the video at your leisure. I hope that you enjoy it and that it helps. Hang in there! God bless you!
Author of Feeding Your Family’s Souland Reclaiming Sundays
Grab your favorite beverage and pull up a chair to join EWTN TV Host and best-selling author Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle as she shares her practical, insightful and spiritual tips for Catholic families during this time of pandemic.
Catholic wife, mother, and grandmother, Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle is known worldwide for her heartfelt encouraging words and down-to-earth guidance. Meeting St. Teresa of Calcutta deeply impacted her soul and transformed Donna-Marie’s life. She weaves the wisdom from her ten-year friendship with the saint of the gutters into her work. Donna-Marie is the EWTN Host of three television series which she created, a world-renowned speaker, award-winning journalist, and best-selling and award-winning author of thirty books. She leads pilgrimages and gives retreats worldwide.
For your family or for a family you know, I would like to suggest two of my books that will aid the family during this time of pandemic isolation. You can save by buying the two books in a bundle. Plus, maybe a special gift (which you’ll read about below).
Each book is filled with Catholic guidance, teaching, inspiration from the Saints, recipes, family activities, fun games, and much more. Surely, these books will benefit Catholic families at such a time as this worldwide pandemic.
Take advantage of the sale prices and order an autographed set for your own family and a set as a gift for a family you know.
As I am writing this blog post, I feel inspired to gift an 8 ounce Holy Water bottle to the first 5 orders!
Here are a couple of endorsements for Reclaiming Sundays:
Wow! Just, wow! Reclaiming Sundays is a must-have for any family that wants to take what they receive in word and sacrament at Mass on Sunday, and integrate a Eucharistic faith into their homes every day. Through the use of simple, practical yet powerful signs of faith and culture, Donna-Marie reminds us that God designed Sundays as sacred family time. She shows how works of mercy, arts and crafts, recipes, and celebrations can be catalysts for developing strong families that form the domestic church. This book will help parents build lasting memories in their children’s hearts, memories that they will bring into their own families one day.
Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers, Author, Father Augustus Tolton: The Slave Who Became the First African-American Priest
If there were an antidote to reclaiming peace in our families and the world, Donna-Marie just wrote the book on it. Reclaiming Sundays is truly the answer to build and rebuild the domestic church.
Leah Darrow, author of The Other Side of Beauty and founder of Lux University
Here are a couple of endorsements for Feeding Your Family’s Soul:
Donna-Marie’s book is a real treasure. The family has been called the “domestic church” and it is there that we first learn about God, our prayers, and how to live our Christian life. Donna-Marie certainly offers a valuable tool, because when the family gets together for a meal, it is an appropriate time to share and teach the faith. We are reminded at a meal that we not only feed our body, but we need to feed our soul with God’s word and message.
Fr. Andrew Apostoli, C.F.R., Founding member of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal and Host of EWTN’s Sunday Night Prime
There is no shortage of studies showing the importance of family meal time. Add in the spiritual component of prayer and teaching the faith and you have, as Donna Marie so eloquently illustrates, a recipe for success. Follow Donna Marie’s plan and you’ll be fortifying your loved ones in their faith now and in the future.
Teresa Tomeo, Syndicated Catholic talk show Host and best selling Catholic author
You can learn more about these books here on the BOOK page of my website. You’ll also be able to purchase them at the SALE price which you’ll see right at the top of the page.
Pray for the USA! You might already know that I was inspired years ago to design a NOVENA bracelet which contains 9 beads to represent a novena of prayer (not 10 beads as in a decade). You can read about here on this page of my website. It will give you the background.
Today, I’d like to share with you two new designs inspired by a request I received the other day from a woman who prays for our country and our President and his family every day. We sure do need to pray for our country. Perhaps this patriotic bracelet will inspire more prayers for our country. Any novena can be prayed with the inspiration of this bracelet. Get it blessed as soon as you can (since we are in a worldwide pandemic now). As long as my supply lasts, I will add as my gift to you, a small St. Benedict medal to each bracelet. The medal contains a full exorcism blessing.
This is a BRAND NEW design. It is a PATRIOTIC NOVENA Bracelet with a Saint Michael Medal (with Guardian Angel on the reverse side), a Crucifix, Miraculous Medal, and a St. Benedict Medal. This bracelet has extra “BLING” (lots of sparkly components)! Pray for the USA!
Pray for the USA! One “Patriotic” Novena Prayer Bracelet with “BLING” for $44.99 (plus shipping):
Pray for the USA!TWO “Patriotic” Novena Prayer Bracelets with “BLING” for $84.99 (plus shipping):
This is also a BRAND NEW design. It is a PATRIOTIC NOVENA Bracelet with a Holy Family medal (with Guardian Angel on the reverse side), a Crucifix, Miraculous Medal, and a St. Benedict Medal (I will add a blessed St. Benedict medal with the full exorcism blessing as long as my supply lasts). Pray for the USA!
Pray for the USA! One “Patriotic” Novena Prayer Bracelet for $39.99 (plus shipping):
Pray for the USA!TWO “Patriotic” Novena Prayer Bracelets for $75.00 (plus shipping):
I hope that you have had a very blessed Divine Mercy Sunday yesterday. No doubt, it was an unusual one since we are in the midst of a worldwide pandemic. Nevertheless, Jesus’ promises are very real and His Mercy is available to all.
The Marian’s at the National Shrine of Divine Mercy in Stockbridge, Massachusettes put on a tremendous presentation yesterday on Divine Mercy Sunday. It aired through EWTN television. You can see the Mass here on Youtube.
When speaking to His Apostle and Secretary of Divine Mercy, St. Faustina, Jesus has always emphasized that His Mercy is especially for the most hardened sinners. Let us never hesitate to turn to God and ask for His Mercy. He is waiting.
Last September, I had the privilege of meeting up with Ralph Martin, S.T.D. in the television studio in Michigan to film two shows for his series, “The Choices We Face.”
In case you might wonder what I have over my arm, I’m carrying a priest’s alb. He had accidentally left it at the hotel and I was asked to stop by the hotel desk to get it and bring it along to the studio.
Ralph Martin is the President of “Renewal Ministries” and Director of Graduate Theology Programs in the New Evangelization at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in the Archdiocese of Detroit. I have known about Ralph for many years and finally met him a few years ago at a Catholic Leadership Conference where we both spoke. Ralph is known worldwide as a sincere and talented dynamic speaker and evangelizer. I thoroughly enjoyed our time together and feel very blessed to have been on his shows.
Before, during, and after the filming, we enjoyed fascinating conversations about Divine Mercy, St. Faustina, and my book 52 Weeks with Saint Faustina: A Year of Grace and Mercy.
Ralph also surprised me by adding another book and additional Saintly friends into the mix. You’ll see that on our shows.
I want to let you know that the first show will air tomorrow (April 21, 2020) on EWTN television. After giving you the schedule, I’ll also let you know another way in which to watch.
UPDATED to say that I heard from someone that the show aired on Boston Catholic TV today (Monday). Perhaps, it is now available in their archives.
Here’s the Schedule for EWTN
FIRST WEEK OF AIRING: The first show will air on Tuesday, April 21, 2020 at 5:00 PM ET. It will air again on Friday, April 24, 2020 at 6:30 AM ET.
The second show will air on Tuesday, April 28, 2020 at 5:00 PM and will re-air on Friday, May 1, 2020 at 6:30 AM ET.
THE SECOND WEEK OF AIRING: The first show will air on Tuesday, October 20, 2020 at 5:00 PM ET. It will air again on Friday, October 23, 2020 at 6:30 AM ET.
The second show will air on Tuesday, October 27, 2020 at 5:00 PM and will re-air on Friday, October 30, 2020 at 6:30 AM ET.
The Diary Is Not in Chronological Order
Many don’t realize that the Diary of St. Faustina is not in chronological order. It is a treasure trove of amazing wisdom on God’s Divine Mercy and contains direct teachings from Jesus Himself! However, since the order of writings is not chronological, sometimes people get a bit confused when reading it. I encourage everyone to stick with it! It will definitely help your spiritual life and growth in holiness.
As well, I want you to know that I have written 52 Weeks with Saint Faustina in a chronological order. I go through St. Faustina’s entire life and put it all into 52 topics that are relevant to the spiritual life. I researched heavily and relied only upon strictly approved sources. I wove pertinent messages from the Diary all throughout my book. The book is appropriate for the laity and religious alike.
You don’t need to start the book in January. You can start at any time of the year and read at your own pace, read straight through, or pause weekly and ponder the week’s teaching for a period of a week before moving to the next teaching.
I really believe that St. Faustina helped me to write the book! I had her relic with me all throughout the writing and asked for her intercession all throughout. I think readers might find the Preface and the Afterword interesting, for I disclosed personal sentiments and experiences.
I Feel Honored
I am humbled and blessed by the Foreword by Fr. Chris Alar, MIC.
He wrote:
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 Conception. I’ve met people whose lives have been transformed by their encounter with St. Faustina in her work the Diary of Saint 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 classical 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
In addition
I feel very honored that Ralph Martin told me on the show that 52 Weeks with Saint Faustina benefited his own life and that he felt my book was “…the best presentation in a clear, orderly way, of her spiritual teaching” that he knew of…
Ralph had also stated:
“I’m not usually keen about reading one of the 30 days or 52 weeks kind of books as I don’t usually find them going into depth enough to decently treat the saint they are focusing on. But it was different with Donna-Marie’s book. As I began to skim through it in preparation for doing a Television interview with her I realized that this book was different and I wanted to read it from cover to cover. This is the best integration of the main events of St. Faustina’s life and the best presentation in a clear, orderly way, of her spiritual teaching that I know of. I am very grateful for this book and highly recommend it.”
You can go to the Renewal Ministries website to see the shows there as well or click on the image below!
I hope that you can tune into the shows. As well, please share this post with your friends and loved ones. We all need God’s Divine Mercy. We also need to learn more about it.
Hopefully and prayerfully, Ralph’s and my visits on “The Choices We Face” will help. Jesus, I trust in YOU!
We are in the midst of praying our Novena to Divine Mercy and Divine Mercy Sunday is rapidly approaching. With most all churches closed right now due to the worldwide pandemic, how do we prepare? How can we receive the special blessings and indulgences?
I will get to that shortly.
First, I’ll share something from last year’s Divine Mercy Sunday at the National Shrine of Divine Mercy in Stockbridge, Massachusettes. I was invited to give a speech about St. Faustina and Divine Mercy to an audience of about 20,000. It was a frigid day in the Berkshires. Nevertheless, I felt unbelievably blessed to be there and to share about my friend St. Faustina, once a simple freckle-faced Polish farm girl who was called by God to tell the world about God’s unfathomable Divine Mercy.
Those of us on the stage there, where the main altar is situated were using hand warmers to prevent frostbite. I was wearing many layers, two coats, big clunky boots, and gloves and a hat. Yet, I and others were still shivering in the cold. Nonetheless, the bitter cold couldn’t deter us—God’s graces seemed just about palpable on that special day.
You can see the image of St. John Vianney in front of the podium. That is because the relic of the esteemed Saint’s heart had made its way to the Shrine at that time. It’s on that pedestal on the right. What a blessing to be so near to it and have the chance to venerate it earlier.
As Fr. Donald Calloway, MIC finished up his speech, I quickly shed one of my coats, and after I was introduced to the audience, I quickly approached the podium.
Fr. Chris Alar, MIC tells us not to be discouraged.
This year, Divine Mercy Sunday will be very different from those we have experienced in the past. However, Fr. Chris Alar, MIC tells us not to be discouraged and not to worry. He gives us concrete straightforward instructions and helps us by telling us what we can do differently this Sunday (April 19, 2020) to make it a most important day in our life n receiving the Extraordinary Promise Jesus offers us on Divine Mercy Sunday.
Fr. Chris Alar, MIC instructs:
Do these three things on Divine Mercy Sunday with the intention to turn away from sin in your life:
Make an Act of Contrition
Since you are unable to get to Confession, make an Act of Contrition, instead. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church states, “Among the penitent’s acts contrition occupies first place. Contrition is ‘sorrow of the soul and detestation for the sin committed, together with the resolution not to sin again’” (1451).
You thereby will be completely forgiven of all sins, even “mortal sins if it includes the firm resolution to have recourse to sacramental confession as soon as possible” (Catechism, 1452).
Make a Spiritual Communion
Since churches are closed and you cannot receive Holy Communion, make a Spiritual Communion instead, asking God to come into your heart as if you received Him sacramentally — Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity. For instance, you can say this:
Act of Spiritual Communion
My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Blessed Sacrament.
I love You above all things and I desire You in my soul.
Since I cannot now receive You sacramentally,
come at least spiritually into my heart.
As though You were already there,
I embrace You and unite myself to You;
permit not that I should ever be separated from You.
Amen.
Again, do this act of trust with the intent to return to the sacrament of Holy Communion as soon as possible.
Say a prayer like this:
Lord Jesus Christ, You promised St. Faustina that the soul that has been to Confession [I’m unable, but I made an Act of Contrition] and the soul that receives Holy Communion [I’m unable, but I made a Spiritual Communion] will receive the complete forgiveness of all sins and punishment. Please, Lord Jesus Christ, give me this grace.
But there’s much more that he has to tell us, and I encourage you to read the entire post here. As well, please watch the video below and feel free to share this blog post far and wide.
As well, please watch Fr. Alar’s video below. Please also share this post to help others to prepare for Divine Mercy Sunday.
Enjoy the video:
Watch Fr. Chris Alar, MIC.
Finally, I’d like to also tell you that Fr. Gordon MacRae, a priest prisoner
posted about my book 52 Weeks with Saint Faustina: A Year of Grace and Mercyin his blog post today: “Divine Mercy in a Global Pandemic.” You can read it here.
Yesterday, I posted about my inspiration: “Project Easter Joy.” I also posted this photo on Instagram which my husband snapped late Easter afternoon.
Well, the following day a huge tree crashed down in a storm…
…right behind this Forsythia bush. This morning, I went out to access the damage.
Thankfully, it fell far away from our house. The winds were howling up a storm yesterday, so I lit a blessed candle and said an earnest prayer. There are a few ominous dead trees close to my house. I prayed that all would be well. The winds died down immediately. I give glory to God!
As I was taking a look around this morning, a cute little bird came and perched right near me. God knows that I love birds. I think their visits are His gifts!
Pay attention to the gifts around you–large and small–God gives us reason to smile even through tough times like a pandemic, for instance!
During the Last Supper, Jesus explained to His disciples what was about to occur and then He comforted them by saying, “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full” (John 15:11).
During the darkness of Holy Saturday, I felt inspired to launch a campaign for Easter JOY. We are very well aware that Easter 2020 was celebrated in a most unusual way in many households and parishes all throughout the world. No doubt, we are living in strange and difficult times. Most have said that these are indeed unprecedented times. We could not have imagined any of this. We never expected that a worldwide pandemic would ever happen to us.
Add to that, we have never before experienced a pandemic in our lives and so much has changed. Many of our everyday comforts and routines have been disrupted and suspended. These abrupt changes, which include social isolations and the lack of sacraments available to us has left many people very upset and even afraid. Some people are all alone during this time. And, it’s very unnatural to be isolated from loved ones, especially when their presence is so needed.
Now, More Than Ever
“My brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance; and let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing” (James, 1: 2-4).
Now, more than ever, we need to cling to the promises of our Lord during this Easter season and beyond. We should continue to celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord and not allow the prevailing pandemic darkness to rob us of our joy!
Did you know that Easter is not just one day of celebration? It lasts for 50 days! Truly! Easter is a continuous season in which Easter is prolonged. The Church teaches, “The fifty days from the Sunday of the Resurrection to Pentecost Sunday are celebrated in joy and exultation as one feast day, indeed as one “great Sunday.” These are the days above all others in which the Alleluia is sung” (Universal Norms on the Liturgical Year and the Calendar, 22).
I love what dear St. John Paul II has said about Easter and how we are to behave. He said, “Do not abandon yourselves to despair. We are the Easter people and hallelujah is our song.”
The Holy Spirit Helps Us
Many people are not happy with what is going on right now. The pandemic is horrible. Folks are having trouble feeling peaceful or happy. Sadly, many might give in to despair. Yet, we should remember that there is a big difference between joy and happiness. Joy is not a jolt of excitement, a fleeting thing, or a mere feeling. Joy can’t be conjured up!
Joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. We read in Scripture, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23 ).
Saint John Paul II expressed how much the Holy Spirit has helped him. He said:
From the time I was little, I learned to pray to the Holy Spirit. When I was 11, I was feeling sad because I was having a lot of trouble with math. My dad showed me in a little book the hymn ‘Veni Creator Spiritus,’ and he told me, ‘Pray this and you’ll see that He’ll help you to understand.’ I’ve been praying this hymn every day for more than 40 years, and I’ve seen how much the Divine Spirit helps us.
Let’s pray to the Holy Spirit often for help:
Come, Holy Spirit, Creator blest,
and in our souls take up Thy rest;
come with Thy grace and heavenly aid
to fill the hearts which Thou hast made.
O comforter, to Thee we cry,
O heavenly gift of God Most High,
O fount of life and fire of love,
and sweet anointing from above.
Thou in Thy sevenfold gifts are known;
Thou, finger of God’s hand we own;
Thou, promise of the Father, Thou
Who dost the tongue with power imbue.
Kindle our sense from above,
and make our hearts o’erflow with love;
with patience firm and virtue high
the weakness of our flesh supply.
Far from us drive the foe we dread,
and grant us Thy peace instead;
so shall we not, with Thee for guide,
turn from the path of life aside.
Oh, may Thy grace on us bestow
the Father and the Son to know;
and Thee, through endless times confessed,
of both the eternal Spirit blest.
Now to the Father and the Son,
Who rose from death, be glory given,
with Thou, O Holy Comforter,
henceforth by all in earth and heaven.
Amen.
JOY Each Day
In almost every one of the 22 letters that dear Mother Teresa had written to me, she mentioned JOY. Today, I decided to pull one out of the notebook where I keep them, and snap a photo to include in this blog post. You will notice towards the end of the letter that Mother Teresa wrote, “Keep the joy of loving Jesus ever burning in your heart and she this joy with others.”
Mother Teresa spoke much about JOY!
That said, during this Easter season and time of pandemic when sadly many are afraid and despondent rather than joyful, I felt inspired and decided to act upon that inspiration to accentuate JOY each day of the Easter season, and hopefully beyond it too.
Since I use Instagram quite often, I will be posting an image and message of JOY each day. I plan to use hash tags with each image. I plan to use the following hashtags: #Projecteasterjoy, #Easterjoy, #Easterpeople, and #hallelujahisoursong As well, I will also post the same image and message on Facebook and Twitter. Please feel free to share and re-post, etc.
In case you are not familiar with hashtags, they are meant to help someone to find things associated with certain topics. For instance, if someone were to plug a particular hashtag into the internet, various items falling under that category would become available.
I will try my best to spread Easter JOY each day, Lord willing! You can do it too! Please use the 4 hashtags that I mentioned above. And, if you’d like, please feel free to tag me on your post. Together, we can help others!
We are the Easter People!
Remember, we are the Easter people! In the words of our dear St. John Paul II, “We are the Easter people and hallelujah is our song.”
So, we must truly BEEaster people and spread our HALLELUJAH everywhere we go! The world needs it!
Mother Teresa reminds us, “Keep the joy of loving Jesus ever burning in your heart and share this joy with others.”
On this day–Holy Thursday, I will reveal a big surprise! I have not breathed a word about this thus far. But, I will right now! The wonderful news is that my book Prayerfully Waiting: A Grandmother’s Prayer Journal will release on October 13th! It is a prayer journal for Grandmothers to help them to pray for their unborn grandchildren!
A Brief Description
A grandmother’s prayers are of significant importance through every age and stage of a grandchild’s development! These prayers are amazing and lovely blessings that can powerfully nurture and help shape a grandchild’s conscience and future life! It is so important to recognize the great gift and role grandparents have in praying for grandchildren in utero.
This grandmother’s prayer journal offers a delightful and unparalleled opportunity to not merely sit back and wait for the wondrous arrival, but instead, to use the time wisely by prayerfully waiting for your grandchild throughout what can be a meaningful and powerful nine-month novena of prayer.
Month-by-month, inspired with holy insights, you will learn, discover, and note the development of your precious “grand-blessing.” Spaces are provided for you to personalize this special unborn baby book, as well as lovingly record your thoughts and prayers as you pray for your grandchild’s first nine months of life.
From beginning to end, you’ll be partnering with St. Anne, the grandmother of Jesus, to swaddle your unborn grandchild with prayer. You’ll journey with Mother Mary, and all the saints, to prayerfully prepare for the little one’s birth.
A Personal Note
As a mother of five, and now a proud grandmother, I couldn’t help but write this book for grandmothers who are awaiting the birth of their precious grandchild. Many years ago when I was on complete bedrest for a precarious pregnancy and when my doctor didn’t think my baby would survive, I prayed and pondered the amazing significance of a nine-month waiting period while our unborn babies are nourished by our love and life, nestled inside our wombs. During that time of staying still and earnestly prayerfully waiting, I was deeply inspired to write “Prayerfully Expecting: A Nine-Month Novena for Mothers to Be” for expectant mothers. My dear friend Mother Teresa wrote the Foreword! Now, as a grandmother, I am excited to offer this beautiful prayer journal for the “expectant” grandmother whose period of waiting can become transformed into an amazing novena of love while her heartfelt meaningful prayers are benefiting her unborn grandchild and her own soul as well. May God bless every grandmother and grandchild and nurture their relationship–even as early as from their conception!
Early Praise for Prayerfully Waiting
Grandparents become grandparents as soon as their grandchildren begin to exist. How appropriate it is, therefore, to get to know more about your grandchild during his or her journey of growth in the womb – and especially to accompany that knowledge with prayer! Prayerfully Waiting will help you begin your lifelong relationship with your new grandchild!
—Fr. Frank Pavone, National Director, Priests for Life
With its many and varied prayers, wisdom from Mother Church, and space to journal and create memories, Prayerfully Waiting is a lovely, gentle companion for the grandmother-to-be. I plan to use it myself when I’m prayerfully waiting for my first grandchild!
—Karen Edmisten, author of After Miscarriage and Deathbed Conversions.
As I flipped through the pages of Prayerfully Waiting, I recognized the beauty it offers in drawing families across generations closer together. As a mother prepares to welcome her newborn child, the grandmother can also prepare for her role – through prayer and reflection. What a blessing for a grandchild to receive so many graces from prayer before even being born! A new life is worth celebrating and Prayerfully Waiting reflects that it’s worth celebrating in multiple family generations.
–Catherine Hadro, Host of EWTN Pro-Life Weekly
This is a blessed book and a brilliant idea. Combining information on the baby in the womb’s developments with prayer to the Blessed Mother, St. Anne and other saints, Prayerfully Waiting is both practical and spiritual. I am a grandmother of four and I know I will be referring to this book often.
—Janet Morana, Executive Director, Priests for Life, Author of Recall Abortion
And, Now, the Cover REVEAL!
You can PRE-ORDER your autographed copy here! It sells for $15.99 plus shipping. I suggest purchasing a couple of copies to have on hand to gift to someone when they are expecting a grandchild. It is a great resource for any stage of the pregnancy (if I may say so myself!). Though, I believe it will be extra beneficial to start reading the month-by-month book just as soon as possible for praying for the unborn grandchild.
Here is the Amazon listing. Keep in mind that Amazon is very behind with book orders and are only selling essential items due to the coronavirus.
I decided to share this talk at this time of uncertainty
In this time of uncertainty due to the Cover-19 pandemic, I think it’s time to watch this video once again. I gave this talk last Divine Mercy Sunday at the National Shrine of Divine Mercy to an audience of 20,000 or so. It was a freezing cold day necessitating many layers of clothing and hand warmers just before my talk. The priests up on the platform and the others of us there were passing them around to try to prevent frostbite! Despite the challenges of rain, snow, and wind, it was a day filled with much grace. I hope that you enjoy my talk.
The following is an excerpt from my book 52 Weeks with St. Faustina:
“I thirst. I thirst for the salvation of souls. Help Me, My daughter, to save souls. Join your sufferings to My Passion and offer them to the heavenly Father for sinners.” — Jesus to St. Faustina (Diary, 1032)
Our Savior Jesus, amazingly, thirsts for our love. It might seem hard to believe — after all, He is God! How and why does He thirst for our love? We will take a thorough look at this holy “thirst” of Jesus from the Cross for the salvation of souls and what it entails in this week’s spiritual exercise. Let’s get to it!
The human heart is restless until it finds God. In the Psalms, we read, “As a deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God” (Ps 42:1-2). Saint Augustine penned the now familiar words, “[F]or you have made us for yourself, and our heart is restless until it rests in you” (CCC, 30). Man might do tons of searching in all the wrong places and never have peace until he is right with God. But that’s not just a one-sided longing, or a one-sided quest. It’s true that our Lord yearns for us, too, though He is the Creator of the universe. He thirsts for our love.
When Jesus hung dying on the Cross, He uttered the words, “I thirst” (Jn 19:28; NABRE). It was not merely for water that He thirsted. He also thirsted for our love and the salvation of souls. This thirst was expressed immediately after He had gifted to His disciple John (as well as to all of mankind) the eminent gift of His own Mother, when He said, “Here is your mother” (Jn 19:27). Most of us cannot comprehend the full meaning of such a gift. However, we can at least try to remember to call upon Mother Mary often in all of our needs. She will pray for us, protect us, and mother us! Mary is our wonderful mediator. She will show us how to satiate her Son’s thirst for love and for souls.
Mother Mary knows all about the need to save souls — the souls for whom Jesus thirsts. Mary is fully aware of the problems and blessings of our sinful world, and has always been closely united to her Son’s work of salvation, right from the start. She continues to work from Heaven. We can recall that when Mary appeared to three simple peasant children in Fatima, Portugal, in 1917, she offered several “tools” to save souls. One such tool is praying the daily Rosary. Another is committing to the Five First Saturdays devotion. Further, praying a powerful prayer that she taught the children (Lucia, Francisco, and Jacinta) is most effective: “O Jesus, this is for love of You, for the conversion of poor sinners, and in reparation for the offenses committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary.” The Blessed Mother taught the children this prayer during her July 13, 1917, apparition. It can be prayed at any time, especially when offering up a specific suffering or situation to our Lord, asking Him to use it for the purposes mentioned in the prayer. The simplest thing can be trans- formed into a formidable means to save souls! In this way, we are helping to satiate Jesus’ thirst!
Mother Teresa, St. Faustina, and Jesus’ Thirst
In discussing Jesus’ thirst for the salvation of souls, I can’t help but think of St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta, who was deeply impacted by Jesus’ thirst for the salvation of souls and, in fact, founded a religious order that would work to accomplish their salvation. Mother Teresa was a Catholic nun who received what she referred to as a “call within a call” when, on September 10, 1946, she was on a train en route to her yearly retreat in Darjeeling. Mother Teresa experienced a mystical vision of Jesus on the Cross, uttering the words, “I thirst.” Jesus called to this simple nun’s heart and asked her to take care of His poorest — “the least.” Mother Teresa totally embraced Jesus’ invitation. After an exercise of due diligence and following normal protocol, the Church’s hierarchy reviewed Mother Teresa’s proposal for the religious order she would found and gave her permission to step out in faith, following the call of the Lord. On August 17, 1948, Mother Teresa crossed over the threshold from the peaceful order of the Loreto convent into the unpredictable, sometimes dangerous, slums of the poor. On October 7, 1950, Mother Teresa and 11 companions (some were her former students!) were established officially as a religious congregation of diocesan right.
Mother Teresa stated, “The General End of the Missionaries of Charity is to satiate the thirst of Jesus Christ on the Cross for Love and Souls.” She included these words in the order’s Statutes. In each of the Missionaries of Charity (MC) convent chapels all around the world, the words “I THIRST” are prominently displayed on the wall, close to the altar and tabernacle. Mother Teresa explained, “We have these words in every chapel of the MCs to remind us what an MC is here for: to quench the thirst of Jesus for souls, for love, for kindness, for compassion, for delicate love.”51 I have been personally blessed to meditate upon these simple, yet profound, words in many of the MC chapels in various places around the world.
On March 25, 1993, Mother Teresa explained the meaning of the words “I thirst” in a letter to her community. She wrote, “‘I thirst’ is something much deeper than just Jesus saying ‘I love you.’ Until you know deep inside that Jesus thirsts for you — you can’t begin to know who He wants to be for you. Or who He wants you to be for Him. The heart and soul of [Missionaries of Charity] is only this — the thirst of Jesus’ Heart, hidden in the poor. … ‘I thirst’ and ‘You did it to me’ — remember always to connect the two.”
Just after Mother Teresa passed on to her eternal reward, St. John Paul II described the saint of the gutters’ holy mission: Her mission began every day, before dawn, in the presence of the Eucharist. In the silence of contemplation, Mother Teresa of Calcutta heard the echo of Jesus’ cry on the Cross: “I thirst.” This cry, received in the depths of her heart, spurred her to seek out Jesus in the poor, the abandoned, and the dying on the streets of Calcutta and to all the ends of the earth.
Later, at her beatification on October 19, 2003, the pope expressed similar sentiments:
The cry of Jesus on the Cross, “I thirst” (Jn 19:28), expressing the depth of God’s longing for man, penetrated Mother Teresa’s soul and found fertile soil in her heart. Satiating Jesus’ thirst for love and for souls in union with Mary, the Mother of Jesus, had become the sole aim of Mother Teresa’s existence and the inner force that drew her out of herself and made her “run in haste” across the globe to labor for the salvation and the sanctification of the poorest of the poor.
About 10 years before Mother Teresa experienced hearing Jesus’ words “I thirst,” another great saint in the making would be blessed to hear the same two powerful words spoken to her heart. It was during a vision when Sr. Faustina saw Jesus suffering on the Cross. Sister Faustina recalled, “During Holy Mass, I saw the Lord Jesus nailed upon the Cross amidst great torments. A soft moan issued from His Heart. After some time, He said, ‘I thirst. I thirst for the salvation of souls. Help Me, My daughter, to save souls. Join your sufferings to My Passion and offer them to the heavenly Father for sinners’” (Diary, 1032). What an awesome privilege to be asked by Jesus Himself to help Him save souls! Sister Faustina no doubt took these words to her heart and meditated upon them deeply. She searched for every opportunity to help Jesus save souls by joining her every suffering to His. The humble saint said she didn’t know how to suffer properly. Specifically, she wrote, “I understood that I did not know how to suffer. In order to gain merit for my suffering, I will unite myself more closely, in suffering, to the Passion of the Lord Jesus” (Diary, 1762). This she did often. At another time, Jesus told His bride, “I desire that you know more profoundly the love that burns in My Heart for souls, and you will understand this when you meditate upon My Passion” (Diary, 186).
In a meditation on Jesus’ words, “I thirst,” Pope Francis said: “Love is not loved”: This reality, according to some accounts, is what greatly upset St. Francis of Assisi. For love of the suffering Lord, he was not ashamed to cry out and grieve loudly.55 This same reality must be in our hearts as we contemplate Christ Crucified, he who thirsts for love. Mother Teresa of Calcutta desired that in the chapel of every community of her sisters, the words “I thirst” would be written next to the crucifix. Her response was to quench Jesus’ thirst for love on the Cross through service to the poorest of the poor. The Lord’s thirst is indeed quenched by our compassionate love; he is consoled when, in his name, we bend down to another’s suffering. On the day of judgment, they will be called “blessed” who gave drink to those who were thirsty, who offered true gestures of love to those in need: “As you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me” (Mt 25:40).
Something to Ponder
Both Mother Teresa and St. Faustina acted upon the great invitation of Jesus to help save souls. Also, the shepherd children at Fatima responded to Our Lady’s requests to save souls with their prayers and sacrifices. Calling to mind Jesus’ invitation to Sr. Faustina to “join [her] suffering to [His] Passion and offer them to the heavenly Father for sinners,” can we strive to do the same? Jesus’ cry from the Cross expressing His thirst for the salvation of souls should echo deeply in our hearts. Take time today and this week to ponder these things. Make your life all about being lovingly attentive to the needs of those around you and to saving souls — “connecting the two,” as Mother Teresa suggested. Also, ponder Jesus’ great thirst for your love. Can you strive to satiate His thirst? Jesus has asked in a particular way two of His daughters (Sts. Faustina and Mother Teresa) to help Him to save souls. He beckons to us, as well.
A Merciful Action
Who near you is most in need of God’s love? Knowing that each human heart desires deeply to rest in God’s love, how can you satiate their thirst for God’s love? What work of mercy can you put into practice throughout this week? Pray about it. Here are a few suggestions:
• Go out of your way to help a stranger. • Take time to truly listen to someone who needs to share (even if you’ve already heard it!). • Strike up conversations with people around you, allowing them to vent. • Always mention “prayer” and “God.” Get those powerful words in your conversations! It can help change someone’s life!
A PRAYER OF MERCY FOR THIS WEEK
(To be prayed each day this week.) Dear Merciful Lord, my Crucified Jesus, I love You. I am Your unworthy servant. Thank You for thirsting for my love. I want to satiate Your thirst for love and I want to offer my life for the salvation of souls. Mother Mary, please help me. Saint Faustina, please pray for me. Jesus, I trust in You!
My 4 year old grandson on FaceTime the other day said, “Grandma, we can’t get together because of coronavirus.” That gave me a jolt. Wow. Not only did he say the “c” word, but he knew that this is what what’s going on. His Mom was even a bit surprised. It turned out that his Dad had explained it to him when they were washing their hands. That simple teaching helped my grandson to understand why they were washing their hands extra now, why the nursery school is closed, why he couldn’t see his friends or his Grandma.
I recently chatted on the airwaves about families and how they are coping in this pandemic. The radio host wanted me to give some tips and also to chat about my book Reclaiming Sundays. I decided to put together a list in a blog post too, to hopefully benefit families.
Reclaiming Sundays!
Anxiety…
This time of uncertainty during the pandemic can cause much anxiety. Explaining things to children in the best way that they can understand can certainly help to alleviate anxiety.
A SCHEDULE is so important
Families always need a schedule to feel grounded – to feel stability—to have a rhythm to their day—With any change in the family, I believe that it is even more important to have some sort of schedule in place. Schedules help so we don’t feel loss of control or to be OUT OF CONTROL. This is for children and adults alike.
Write your hopeful schedule on a dry erase board, or your tablet, or a piece of paper as a reminder. Hang it up and refer to it often. You don’t have to be regimented in keeping it, but you can certainly try to stick to it.
No doubt with little ones (and older ones!!) schedules need to bend a bit – people need to be flexible. We should do our best to work together, especially during this trying time.
SCHEDULE TIMES FOR:
Prayer: (we need it to survive!)
Exercise: Relieves stress, makes you feel good – keeps you healthy.
Rest: Reading (together or alone), resting, being quiet, telling stories.
Work: Yes! Chores – its a good time to start with the kids if you haven’t already. Teaches them responsibility.
Play!: Enjoy board games and your precious time together!
Cook together: Don’t worry about the mess – make memories – reach out to relatives on the phone and Face Time and get family recipes – hand them down–carry on traditions.
Check on your elderly neighbors. Do Works of Mercy! Offer a meal. The kids can make cheery cards.
Reach out: In addition to elderly neighbors, reach out to others who are anxious or alone. It’s a very difficult time and remembering others with phone calls, texts, and emails will make a huge difference for those in need of encouragement and will help your own soul too!
Limit and Schedule Screen Time: It’s important to limit screen time – and especially important to always be sure you know what they are looking at. Set a schedule for screen time so kids don’t go wild with the screen! It’s important for the adults to also refrain from too much screen time. Yes, we want to be informed, but there is such as thing as TOO MUCH news!
Eat healthy: “The Mom in me” needs to add this. This is not a time to sit around and eat Doritos. Eat healthy foods and take your supplements. I know it’s difficult to shop and get certain items but we must try our best. Healthier people have better immune systems to fight off what comes at them.
Feed their souls too!
Despite our fears…
Despite the fears that we might experience, this is a time for great HOPE! Even if we cannot get out to the structure of the church, be prayerful and holy in your domestic church at home. Set vibrant examples for the children, carve out the necessary prayer times, set parameters to ensure that life doesn’t become a free-for-all situation. Show your love and smile often! It’s contagious (in a good way!).
FAMILY PRAYER LIFE:
Prayer before and after each meal.
Family Rosary: (or at least a decade with the kids and parents can do the whole thing).
Chaplet of Divine Mercy: However you can do it with the kids – try to do at 3:00 PM (again, being mindful of the schedule helps us to have a holy rhythm to our day). Pray the Chaplet for the dying.
As well, how about starting a new prayer habit? Might I suggest the Angelus at noon? This will certainly please Our Lord and His holy Mother.
Perhaps, you’ll start a new devotion during this time stuck in the house – perhaps DEVOTION to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Cardinal Burke, the other night on EWTN Nightly News was talking about the Sacred Heart of Jesus and how it is Eucharistic – in this time of no Holy Communion for most os us – let us turn to the Heart of Jesus and His Mother’s Immaculate Heart as a REFUGE and for STRENGTH and protection. Learn about these devotions yourself as a parent or grandparent and impart it to the family.
Perhaps you’ll take up learning more about the Saints. There is a plethora of information on the Internet if you don’t have books at home. Invite the Saints to intercede for your family and every family.
Adding and Sustaining…
If you add a new prayer time, devotion, or habit, you are establishing a wonderful foundation in the children’s lives that they can turn to later on in life too.
If you keep up with your regular prayer schedule – you are reinforcing the foundation – the strength for the battle – both spiritual and in every way. You are helping to keep everyone more focused, safe, and calm during uncertain times.
Easter banners draped over the pews in our empty church
Holy Week and Easter…
HOLY WEEK AND EASTER ARE FAST APPROACHING: Even if churches are closed, along with your family, dig into this time like never before! Pray for many graces! I heard Cardinal Burke say that this is a time of GRACE!
Ask for the graces!
These are just a few tips to hopefully help your family to stay the course, to alleviate unnecessary anxiety, and to grow closer as a family and closer to God.
God bless you! I’ll try to post more soon – perhaps some recipes, crafts, and other ideas.
I hope and pray that you are well and hanging in there as best as you can during this terrible deadly pandemic. Let us keep up our many prayers, stay safe in isolation, and trust God. I have a busy writing day today, but I feel a need to pause from it for a bit so that I can write this blog post. I want to share a good dose of HOPE with you.
Yesterday was the 15th anniversary of St. John Paul II’s entrance into Eternal Life. I prayed for his intercession and went about my busy book writing day. My heart felt a bit heavy because with each passing hour, things got terribly worse in New York City where one of my children lives.
I am not an alarmist.
Trust me…
I don’t watch every single news report or get caught up in hysteria. I only get the news from what I hope to be credible sources. I consider myself a realist. On top of that, I believe that my Faith is strong and I do believe in miracles. As well, I know that we have to be smart. We can’t fool around and be stupid at a time like this. We have to stay safe and isolated and do the best that we can.
That said, the news reports were getting more and more grim as reporters told of the thousands of body bags bought and shipped to New York City for the Covid-19 deaths that were being predicted. And, it sure doesn’t make a mother’s heart feel very good hearing about the make-shift morgues consisting of the many tractor trailer trucks pulling up outside of the New York City hospitals. As you must well know, there’s so much more to this, and my point is not to dwell on the negative aspects of our current situation. We can’t live in crippling fear.
A tidbit more…
My husband’s friend showed him a video filmed by his friend who, supposedly (I take most everything with a grain of salt) filmed in the basement of a New York City hospital. The video showed many rooms overflowing with filled body bags. My husband told me about it and I questioned it. Was it “fake news”? Who knows? It could be true. So, all of the above was weighing on my mind as I went about my morning–working and praying.
A bright splash of color…
Though it was a rainy day, I decided to step outside for a moment to cut some daffodils since the vase in my foyer contained just a few lonely daffodils –waiting for some company. At that particular moment, I might not have bothered to go out in the rain to pick them. However, because I had accidentally broken a few daffodils when I raked out my flower gardens on the previous sunny day, I needed to fix that silly looking bouquet.
By the way, my arms are sore as I write this. 🙂 I haven’t raked since last year. And, I’m getting old!
Well, I’m glad that I took a moment to step outside. After picking a few more, I popped the bright yellow happy flowers into the vase and set it on my foyer table. I noticed quickly how the yellow paint on my foyer walls perfectly matched the flowers. I also recalled that I was not particularly fond of that paint color twenty years ago when I moved into this new home. I even declared at that time that I would paint it another color as soon as I had the chance. Funny thing, the yellow grew on me–I began to appreciate the bright splash of the color in the entryway and in the stairway.
The picture of the daffodils on the table of my foyer didn’t get posted on Instagram as I had planned. I had wanted to post a hopeful image at a time when the world is so worried. I never did get a chance, though. I was beckoned by my work and I got caught up in the busyness of the morning. The picture would need to wait for later…
Yellow has grown on me! If you look closely you will see something else that is special. I’ll remind you about it later…
Instead of posting the daffodils, I ended up posting this photo…
J.P. 2, we love you!
I’m holding up a special relic card of dear St. John Paul II.
So, on with the day I went, working and praying, asking God for protection and help for everyone and to please especially watch over my son in NYC. I had asked Joseph the other night if he could come home to Connecticut. I knew things would get worse and there would be a time when he couldn’t get out and would have to wait it out there–for better or worse.
But, Joseph felt he had to stay there. He didn’t want to chance infecting anyone by leaving. He wasn’t sick, but knew that there are carriers of the virus and that is one of the reasons we are all to stay home. He believed he would be okay. He said he would be careful and stay in and only go out once a week for groceries, but several times a day to take the dog out for a short walk.
Though he was staying there for now, I asked him to consider coming home and to bring his girlfriend (and her dog) and that he and his girlfriend could be quarantined for 2 weeks here before we get close to them. I’m sure you can imagine my concern that I can’t simply put him under my wing to protect him like a mother hen would. I knew that he didn’t have surgical face masks. They are impossible to buy at the moment.
So, I needed to continue to trust God and continue to pray.
A cry for help from the other side of the world…
Before everything got so bad here in the United States, a man in Hong Kong who had read one of my books and had gotten in touch with me a year or so ago, recently got back in touch again. The first time that he wrote to me was about his reading and enjoying my book, The Miraculous Medal: Stories, Prayers, and Devotions. Another time to ask for blessed Miraculous Medals though he was not yet a Catholic (but hoping to be one day).
This time around he was in touch to ask me an unexpected question. Could I possibly find surgical masks and mail them to him? He said they couldn’t purchase any and people were panicking as the Covid-19 Virus aggressively attacked. Well, it’s kind of a long story and I told about it at length in my newsletters, but I’ll TRY to keep it short right now, and give you a nutshell version.
By the grace of God, it turned out that I was able to order a large quantity of the best masks available to protect from virus and flu. Still, I wasn’t sure if my order would actually make it to my house or if I would get a notice that they were out of stock. I had heard this was happening all over. Thankfully, the masks arrived!
I had not known…
I was surprised to find out that my new friend was a doctor of a small clinic and was rapidly running out of supplies as he was treating people and exposed to illness. That was the first I heard from him that he was a doctor. He told me that he was wearing the blessed Miraculous Medal that I sent to him and praying for protection as his wife and son stayed isolated at home
He also said the government was not helping them at all to get the necessary supplies. I was so happy to help. I shipped off the package to him after saying a prayer. My new friend was so very appreciative when I told him that it was on its way to him. Yet, we didn’t know if my package would get to him– would ever make it to Hong Kong. It seemed to take forever. As well, we felt that there was the chance that it could be stolen or confiscated. Our prayers were answered–it arrived safely. Praise God.
At the time I sent the masks to my new friend, I didn’t save any for ourselves. I didn’t think that shortly thereafter, it wouldn’t be possible to purchase masks. After my purchase, the mask prices immediately skyrocketed (companies were taking advantage of the pandemic) and then it soon became completely impossible to purchase the masks because factories could not keep up with the manufacturing. We are still in that situation.
Uncertainties loomed…
I asked Joseph about the possibility of making masks out of fabric as many people are doing now. Did he have any handkerchiefs or fabric? The fabric masks won’t fully protect from the Covid-19 virus, but at least it is somewhat of a barrier. Joseph assured me that he and his girlfriend (who also lives nearby in New York) would do so. They’ll probably do this sewing by hand. I planned to pull out my sewing machine very soon…but, I wanted Joseph to have something sooner than I could make and send them. It seemed that every hour counted…
Last night as my husband and I prayed a Rosary together, we prayed for all who needed help and I asked for special protection for Joseph and his dear girlfriend. Towards the end of our Rosary, I felt as if I was struck with a lightening bolt (not literally!). I suddenly remembered that once upon a time we had a few masks in the house. It was about 3 or 4 years ago when needed for a home construction project.
I was thinking that I might have thrown the package away at some point. Or, maybe there were some left and the package was someplace tucked away SOMEWHERE! Bringing my focus back, I kept my mind and heart on finishing up the Rosary.
Well, I knew exactly what I had to do as SOON as we finished!
I didn’t say anything to my husband because I wanted to surprise him. I got right up from the Rosary and as I quickly walked to our garage, I prayed.
“Please God, show me where they are…please lead me RIGHT to them!”
I opened the door from the house to the garage and walked straight over to a box, carried it to the kitchen and opened it up.
Imagine my surprise…
Guess what was right at the top, under the flaps of the box???
TWO (not one!), but two N-95 masks! They were in a protective plastic package. I praised God and thanked Him on my knees. Then, I brought the masks to show my husband and immediately texted my son. I told him that miraculously, I found 2 N-95 masks and would send them to him the following day!
Thank you, dear St. John Paul II!
I added some “survival” food items to the package, sealed it up promptly, and my husband took the package to the Post Office this morning. But, before that package left here, I blessed it with Holy Water so that it would arrive safely to my son. We had heard reports that some New Yorkers aren’t getting their mail deliveries.
The package is in God’s hands. Please Lord…get it there safely…
God is forever showing us that He loves us very much and that He is in the very details of our lives. As well, I thank dear St. John Paul II for his intercession.
Please be assured of my prayers for you and yours.
God bless you!
Donna-Marie
PS I almost forgot to tell you! Take a look again at the photo of the daffodils. Notice the Divine Mercy image reflected in the mirror of my foyer from my front door window? The Image of Divine Mercy has been added to our front door at the encouragements of Fr. Chris Alar, MIC. He said we should “seal our doorposts”! Exodus 12!
One more thing…I posted this on Instagram today. Remember, Our Lady of Fatima requested that we pray for souls in danger of dying. Please, let us remember them continuously in our prayers.
There’s more to share, but must go for now. I am going over to an empty church with my husband to meet up with two friends to pray the Stations of the Cross. We will be on opposite sides of the aisle, keeping a social distance. I haven’t been out of the house since last Sunday when I went to the same empty church to pray.
I will be praying for you tonight. Please pray for me too. Please check on your elderly neighbors and reach out by phone, text, or email to those you know who need encouragement. These simple acts of love indeed make a huge difference in someone’s life–especially if they are anxious.
