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Miracles. I'm not talking about, "oh, the sun came up again, it's a miracle!" type of miracles. I'm talking about real, genuine science-defying miracles. I've experienced three in my short lifetime and heard of many, many more. This semester and last, I've been attending a book study with one of the priests on campus. Last semester's book was Healing: Bringing God's Gift of Mercy to the World by Dr. Mary Healy. This book is absolutely incredible and has opened my eyes to the power of the Holy Spirit. (I could talk about this for hours...) You see, by virtue of our being Children of God, we, too, have the same power in the Holy Spirit as Jesus was given at His Baptism. When the sky opened, and the spirit came upon Jesus in the form of a dove, the sky never closed again- the "dove" never left. The same power of the Spirit of God that Jesus used to perform miracles, heal the sick, bring sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf, speech to the mute, and even bring the dead to life, is still available to us. I've seen it firsthand. When I was twelve years old, I had already endured almost two years of chronic illness. I had a headache that lasted 1 year and 11 months straight with very, very few pain-free days. With this came migraines on top of my baseline headache, as well as horrible stomach issues, anxiety, and medication side effects galore. It got to be a year and eleven months in. I was in the ER for some extreme pain I was having after having a nerve block done by my PA in Philly. It was Dec. 12- the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe- and my mom and I were praying the Rosary while I tried to rest. The on-call doctor came in and checked on me. They were going to start a more aggressive treatment soon since I wasn't improving. A few minutes later, as we finished up our Rosary, the pain was gone. No pain. Nothing. The doctors had no medical explanation for it. It has never come back since. I give all the credit to Jesus and to Our Lady of Guadalupe. The second instance came just a few months ago. I found a lump on the side of my leg below my knee, and after a few days, it wasn't going away or getting any smaller, and I was ready to make an appointment to get it checked out. I have multiple chronic illnesses (though not the headaches!!), and anything additional that I find needs to be taken care of quickly. I went to the book study on healing that night, and as we wrapped up, I asked the group to please pray for me, that this thing on my leg would go away. Instead of simply interceding for me, they stopped, and prayed over me. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, my priest led us in prayer as we commanded the pain to go away and asked Jesus to take it away. Father asked me, "How do you feel?" I couldn't stop smiling, which was the first thing I noticed. My leg was also warm and sort of tingly. And I reached down and felt the spot on my leg where the lump had been. Gone. No swelling. No pain. Nothing. Our God can make even bodily tissue disappear!! He can heal anything! Everything! It hasn't come back since. The third happened just last Friday. A couple of weeks ago, I woke up to a dislocated knee cap (I have Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, and my body doesn't like to stick together the way that it's supposed to.) After I popped it back in, I was still in pain, so I wore a brace and stopped going to the gym for a week. After that week, I tried going to the gym again, and my knees were sliding around and very clearly not stable. Fast forward to Friday. I was meeting with my priest, and as we were finishing up our discussion, He offered to pray for the healing of my knee. I, of course, said yes, and he prayed over my knee. The muscles and joints in my leg were spontaneously moving, and my leg was warm and tingly as Father prayed over me, and we prayed that the pain would be gone and all of the bones, joints, etc, would go back to where they were supposed to be. I didn't notice any immediate change, but later that day, and since then, I have been able to run, jump, and dance... today I took a 1.5-mile hike. No knee pain!! I'll try the gym tomorrow, but I know God healed my knee. He healed my leg. He healed my head. And He wants to heal you, too. Just today, after Mass, there was a woman who was healed and was pain-free for the first time in a very long time. He wanted to heal her. He wants to heal you. Friends, God may allow pain and suffering but never WANTS it for us. He wants to heal us and use our sufferings to benefit us and those around us. Even if He does not physically heal us when we want it, how we want it, when we ask for healing, we can be certain and have faith that He is healing us, He is working in, and through us, and even if we are called to suffer in a certain way, He will still heal us in other ways, even if we can't quite see them. If you take nothing else from this, please make it this: God is real. He loves you. He wants to heal you, and He wants to work through you to heal others. The Holy Spirit is alive and well in the Body of Christ- will you let Him be alive and well in you? If you have questions about healing, what I have experienced, or would like prayers for healing, please let me know! I will pray for you (and with you when I can, if you'd like) and find answers to any questions you might have.

A couple of weeks ago, I went to our first Bible study of the semester, and the first question that was asked was, "What is one word you would use to describe the start of the semester so far?" And the word just rolled off of my tongue- "Balanced." I don't know where it came from, but it's true. The start of my semester has been balanced. And I got to thinking about it, normally I would have said something like, "exhausting" or "crazy." I realized that so many of us as young people tend to look at life from a negative point of view. Perhaps it's from all that we've been through in the past few years, or because of the influence of social media, or too much news, or any number of things- but whatever the cause is, pessimism seems to have infected our generation. So, when I said that my semester so far has been balanced, I was surprised. I found myself pondering what the difference is between this and other semesters. Why am I balanced? I think it's been a few things... #1. Taking care of myself I've been eating better, going to the gym every other day, getting enough rest, getting all of my homework done, praying frequently, reading more, and spending more time with my friends. Managing my time has been so incredibly helpful. #2. Focusing on God The days when every day starts and ends with Him are so much more fruitful and beautiful. But the thing I think has changed my mindset the most has been an attitude of gratefulness and surrender. As you'll see from another recent post, my theme for the year is gratefulness. I've found myself pondering the good parts of my day time and time again and being grateful for them instead of only focusing on the negatives. Thanking Him for the good things helps to make the bad things seem less scary- He's got it all under control! That's where surrender comes in. Knowing God is my Father and is continually holding and sustaining me brings so much peace. So if you're feeling out of balance, stressed, tired, overworked, or any number of things, to just look to Jesus. Be grateful for the good things and surrender the bad things. Give Him glory and honor and praise for everything. He alone is where we'll find our balance.

Catholic Teen Life is joining forces with Ignatius Press to bring you even more faith-filled content you'll love! Get ready for: Exclusive book reviews & recommendations Be the first to know about discounts and the latest and greatest Catholic media Deeper dives into relevant topics Some of the incredible books you can get from Ignatius Press... Youcat- Youth Catechism of the Catholic Church A must-have for any Catholic teen's, parent's, youth minister's, priest's library... Youcat presents the Catechism of the Catholic Church in a way that is easy and enjoyable for young people to read. It's a great resource to have- something you could either pick up and read or use to look up answers to questions you have about the faith. Rome Sweet Home by Scott Hahn One of the most incredible conversion stories in the Christian world. Rome Sweet Home is a great read for Catholics and non-Catholics alike. Summa of the Summa by Peter Kreeft Kreeft presents a summary of Aquinas' classic Summa Theologica, a fantastic read for students or anyone who wants to read more of Aquinas' work in a more digestible format. And finally... the Ignatius Press Clearance Page 😍 Enough Said. Feel free to contact me with any questions!

"Why are you pro-life?" I'm pro-life because children are not protected in their mother's wombs. I'm pro-life because those who are sentenced to death because of their actions will not have the chance to turn their lives around. I'm pro-life because suicide is a tragedy and can be prevented. I'm pro-life because those with disabilities do not deserve to die simply because they are suffering. I'm pro-life because every single human being is worthy and deserving of love and life. I'm pro-life because there are well over 63,000,000 souls missing from the United States alone since 1973 as a result of abortion. I'm pro-life because 878,000 lives were lost to abortion in the first ten months of 2023. I'm pro-life because 24 people were executed in the United States last year alone. I'm pro life because hundreds of people die by suicide every day. I'm pro-life because in 2021 there were 102 children whose lives were ended in the womb for every 500 births. I'm pro-life because the numbers speak for themselves. I'm pro-life because it helps me to appreciate every single person I encounter. I'm pro-life because Jesus said, " Whatever you do for the least of these, you did for me." I'm pro-life because each person is made in the image and likeness of God. I'm pro-life because Jesus said "Let the little children come to me" I'm pro-life because each person was knit together in their mother's womb. I'm pro-life because Jesus is. I'm pro-life because a life ends when abortion occurs. I'm pro-life because a child's heart starts beating in the womb at just 3 weeks after conception. I'm pro-life because a child in the womb can feel pain as early as 12 weeks. I'm pro-life because medical textbooks teach that life begins at the moment of conception I'm pro-life because a fetus is another term for a stage or development- like child, teen, or adult. I'm pro-life because it's scientifically true. I'm pro-life because abortion causes serious mental health issues I'm pro-life because abortion frequently is the start of years of infertility and reproductive issues I'm pro-life because the foster care system needs reform and has the potential to do so much good I'm pro-life because adoption is a beautiful and heroic option I'm pro-life because the death penalty will not be abolished unless we make our voices heard I'm pro-life because mothers deserve to have access to prenatal and postpartum care and resources I'm pro-life because one word, a simple smile, can change and save someone's life I'm pro-life because our voices need to be heard. I'm pro-life because 1/3 of our generation has been lost to abortion I'm pro-life because my mother gave me life I'm pro-life because I love everyone around me, no matter what. I'm pro-life because who will speak up and defend the most vulnerable if we do not? I'm pro-life because when will these horrible evils ever end if we do not work to stop them? To put it simply, I am pro-life because, well, how could I not be?

Time and time again I've found myself thinking, "Why am I like this?" Yes, the exhaustion, pain, loss, anxiety, and busyness were certainly real, but so were God, my family, my boyfriend, and so many other things I've prayed for. So when my word of the year for 2024 popped up as "Grateful", my reaction was one of, "ohhhh..... yeah. That makes sense." The attitude of pessimism needs to turn into an attitude of gratitude. The solution to pessimism, discontentment, impatience, annoyance, busyness, and so many other things, is gratitude. And the cool part? The word Eucharist means "Thanksgiving." Gratitude. Looking to Him is the solution to all of those things. Eucharist is just as much of my word of the year as grateful is, and I'm so excited to dive deeper into gratefulness and the mystery of the Eucharist. I'm looking to imitate Mamma Mary's worship in my own. In her beautiful Magnificat, part of what Mary sings is, "My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my savior, for He has looked with favor on His lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is His Name." Mamma's worship and glorification of God flow from a place of gratefulness. She knows that nothing that is happening to her is for anyone but God and His purpose for her life and the world. This overflow of beautiful gratitude occurs when she is carrying Jesus, the Eucharist, present in her womb, His Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity. The same Jesus we receive at each Mass. Gratitude shouldn't just be a fleeting thought; it should be a song sung constantly, rejoicing in the mystery of Christ in the Eucharist, present in me. Just as Mary's grateful song was born from the miracle within her, our own constant hymn of praise can begin at the altar. Following the example of St. Zita, who happens to be my saint of the year, we can bring a spirit of gratitude and worship into even the busiest days with quiet prayers of praise, turning every task, every challenge, into a whispered prayer of gratitude for the Eucharist we carry within us, just as Mary carried Jesus. Zita spent her entire life as a maid for a wealthy family, obtaining holiness through her attendance of daily Mass and her dedication to her daily tasks. She is the patroness of homemakers, maids, and bakers. She once famously said, "A servant is not holy if she is not busy." With my upcoming (last!!) semester coming up and looking like it will be much busier than the last, St. Zita gives me hope that through everything I'm cramming into each day, God will work in me and use everything He can to make me holy. I think of Zita, working long, hard days, sustained only by her constant internal song of praise to the Lord who'd she received just hours before. I hope you'll join me on this journey of gratefulness and worship as we enter 2024, and I encourage you to check out Jen Fulwiler's Word of the Year and Saint of the Year generators and discern where God is calling you to grow this year. May He bless you and your families as we begin this new year!

It can be difficult to find faith-based gifts that are unique, affordably priced, and suitable for teens and young adults. This list can help! The following items come from various websites and Etsy Shops and would make fantastic gifts for any Catholic teenager or young adult. Many of them are suitable for both men and women and may even get here by Christmas if you order soon :-) Please note that I am not partnered with any of these brands (except the Hallow App!) and am receiving no monetary compensation from this post. For the athlete: Shoe Lace Saints from TotusTuusTreasures-$9.99 Trust In the Lord Water Bottle- $21.99 Elite Athletic Gear Wristbands- $5-$20 For the nature-lover: Genesis 1:1 Hiker Sweatshirt from PacifiClothingandArt- $40.26 Faith Can Move Mountains Bible Cover from 28Collective- $50.00 Engraved Christian Knife from AnLGiftStore- $22-$27 For the gardner: Seed Paper Plantable Cross- PlantablesAndPaper- $12.00 Consider How the Wildflowers Grow Sticker- SavannahandJamesCo Personalized Christmas Garden Tools Bag 2D Ornament-VintageShopCloCrafts- $13.00 For the artist: “Our Creativity is an Outflow of His” Mug-LaurentCollective- $25 Sewing the Saints Embroidery Kit- JoFloDesigns33- $12 Catholic Christmas Paint Kit- DivineInspirationArt- $16.50 For the new driver: 4pc Protection Catholic Medal Keychain- AgnusDeiJewelry- $14.00 Eucharistic Revival Catholic Car Decal- littlewaydesignco- $8.49 Travel Visor Clip- MerryandGrace- $16.99 For the gym-goer: SoulCore Products Motivational Bible Verse Water Bottle- ShePraise- $15 The Original Deadlift Shirt- DiscipledApparel- $25 For the sticker-lover: 100 pcs Christian Faith Sticker Pack- DivineServicesCo- $6.95 Catholic Sticker Bundle- LoveNLightDesignCo- $10+ Sticker Paper (to make your own stickers!)- $6.18 For the Marian Devotee: StephenMaryRosaries- $15- Made and blessed by an young, amazing Franciscan priest! Marian Catholic Miraculous Medal Shirt- BurmaApparel- $23 For the musician: Saint Cecelia Prayer Card with Patron Saint Medal Christian Tee Music Note Shirt from BrightandBoldGifts- $20.04 Hallow App Subscription (good Catholic music!) For the homebody: Signed by the Saints Blanket from WorthyofAgape- $51.00 Chrism Aromatherapy Spray from EverythingCatholicUS- $13 The Catholic Card Game- $35 For the homemaker: Theology of Home from Tan Books- $34.95 Catholic in the Kitchen from Tan Books- $29.95 Vintage Sacred and Immaculate Heart Apron- The Catholic Cottage- $30 For the writer: God is still writing your story wood block decor- ThePICKED- $19.95 4 pack Lined Journal Notebooks- $22.99 Writer Stickers- $4.99 For the fashionista: Jewelry from The Little Catholic That One Sheep Shirt- varying prices Catholic T-Shirt Club- $30 For the student: The Great Adventure Catholic Bible- Ascension Press Saints Photo FIlm Strip- thestumpofjessee-$5.95 Mr. Pen Aesthetic Highlighters and Pens No Bleed- $9.99 For the Self-Care enthusiast: Beauty Bath Box- Heralding Goods- $25 Jesus is the Balm Lip Balm from Blessed is She- $5 for 3 Hallow App Subscription For the history buff: Formed.Org Subscription (Catholic Streaming Service with lots of Documentaries) Christ the King Lord of History (Best history-related book EVER) Start a pilgrimage fundraising fund for them and help them fundraise to go on a mission trip or pilgrimage! For the pro-life activist: Unapologetically Pro-Life Shirt- FastCustomTees- $14 Pro-Life Sticker Blend- MeVidaloca- $17 Persuasive Pro-Life by Trent Horn

Happy Feast of St Nicholas! As a special gift to you today, I'd like you to have a freebie... The link below contains free, downloadable Christmas cards in various styles. All of them are printable and can be used as standard or e-cards. They'll be listed in the MercyLight Designs shop soon, but I wanted to give you early access. ✨Here is the link to download:✨ https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1gnqtiCkt6d5EIBHg1BbN2LXlJd8icMnk?usp=sharing Please let me know what you think and if you need any help! Instructions are included with the files. Have a blessed Advent! In His Mercy, Colleen

Sundays are my absolute favorite day of the week, especially during the semester. A domestic, holy quiet spills into the world from Christ's home within His Church- each of us who receives His Body and Blood. Sunday is a "reset," if you will. Mind, body, and soul are reset and restored by the presence of Christ. We've been given this day of rest to do just that- rest. Yes, life gets hectic and some weekends it feels like we just aren't able to squeeze in even one extra minute to sit down and relax, but it is so, so important to fit in a Sabbath rest at some point during your week. Make time to rest, recharge, and let the Lord press that "reset" button :-) How can we do this? I have a really hard time resting. To sit and do nothing makes me feel... not rested 😂 But resting and resetting doesn't necessarily mean simply doing nothing. Your Sabbath rest can be uniquely yours and you can rest in the way that the Lord has made you capable of. Here are a few ways to do that... Rest for your mind... Journal! Make extra time for prayer Reflect on the past week and write a summary of your thoughts, feelings, and activities Listen to praise and worship music Take a break from schoolwork for all or part of the day Spend time in silence Read a book you've been wanting to finish for a while Color in a coloring book Plan out your week in a planner or journal Plan and prep healthy and fulfilling meals for the week Watch a TV show or movie that you enjoy Spend time with friends and family- or don't! Whatever gives you more energy. Rest for your body... Give yourself permission to NOT push your body to its limits. Take a break from your exercise routine to let your body rest ... or exercise more if you don't already! Go for a walk Make and eat a yummy meal Make or buy yourself a fun warm drink Stretch! Take a nap Wear a cute outfit Go to bed early Or just wear sweatpants after church because they're comfy Lay in your bed and do nothing. Really. It's okay. Rest for your soul... Go to Mass (0bviously) Pray the Rosary with your family or by yourself Write in a prayer journal Find a parish that keeps the church unlocked and pray there for a while. Study the Bible Think about what you're thankful for Listen to Christian podcasts Go to confession or make an examination of conscience Read a spiritual book or learn about a Saint For example, today I began my morning with some prayer before doing some homework. Then I went to Mass, brunch with my friends, and then got coffee before making some sticker packs for a Respect Life Club fundraiser later this week. Then I played cards with one of my friends, and now I'm listening to music and writing this while dinner is cooking and I'm going to read and watch Gilmore Girls before I get ready for bed and have more prayer time. How do you enjoy making Sunday a day of rest? I'd love to hear your practices and ideas. Have a wonderful rest of your day! - Colleen

One thing that the FOCUS missionaries on my campus like to do with us to start out our Bible studies is have us share a high, low, and God moment from the week. It's fairly self-explanatory... you share one "high", or fun, exciting, or happy thing that happened during your week; one "low" or sad, difficult, scary, etc. time from your week so that your friends can pray for you, and a God moment, a time when you encountered the Lord and saw Him working throughout your week. Today I want to share with you some of my highs, lows, and God moments from the past couple of weeks just to give you an update and ask for some prayers. To start off with the "highs"... My boyfriend got accepted to a new college which is only about ten minutes away from where I am attending school now! I got a new prayer journal. We held a bingo for the SFU Respect Life Club and made a lot more money for a pregnancy care center than we had accepted. Pumpkins! I got to go home for fall break and be with my family. I found a time management and planning system that works well for me. I did well on my midterms. My roommate and I got a TV for free! Now the lows... Seasonal depression is kicking in (but I'm trying to kick it back!!!) Pain. Not fun. It's cold outside. God moment... This one topped them all this week. To preface this, I'm currently in a book study that is reading the book "Healing: Bringing the Gift of God's Mercy to the World" by Mary Healy. We've been talking and learning about how the ministry and miracles of healing are not something confined to the early Church, but are something that we are called to practice as well, through the power of the Holy Spirit. Fantastic book. I'd highly recommend it. Anyway... back to my God moment. This past Thursday I had been at work all morning and got done with my shift at twelve to go to Mass. I had a migraine and was feeling really sleepy. Instead of suffering through it, gritting my teeth, and trying to tough it out, I was honest with Jesus. I told Him that my head hurt really badly and I was trying so hard to stay awake for Him. And then I asked for healing. I prayed all through Mass, "Jesus, I know you can heal me. I trust that you want to heal me. You've done it before and I know that you will do it again. I trust you." And then He did. It took me a few moments to realize it, but as soon as the Host touched my tongue, my migraine was gone and I could stay awake to pray. I could concentrate on praying and communing with Jesus, and was even able to go to lunch with my friends afterward instead of going back to my room to lie down. I was so comforted by the fact that He had healed me that I started telling random people... my friends, the lady who made my sandwich for lunch, girls in the Bible study I was leading... pretty much anyone who asked how my day was going. It was incredible, and I'd like to think that Jesus healed me partially so that even just one of those people, or someone who overheard, would put their trust in Him. Granted, my migraine did come back later in the day, though to a lesser intensity, and I've been in a lot of pain in other ways since then, but there is no doubt in my mind that Jesus healed me, even if my being pain-free was only for a few hours. I'm so grateful. I'm sharing this also to encourage you to pray for healing. Pray for your own healing, both physical and emotional, and for that of your friends and family. Every single person is going through something different and difficult. You might be the only person who has the faith to pray for their healing. Whether you pray with and over them or simply in the silence of your heart, know that our Lord hears our prayers and will heal us when the time is right. I'm praying for you!

If you're on social media at all you've most likely heard of the concept of "romanticizing your life." Speaking broadly, this means to take delight and find beauty in everyday moments, making them more beautiful. This could mean simple things like lighting a candle in your room while you get ready for the day, making your notes for class colorful and pretty, or making an effort to have a routine that you enjoy and stick to, while listening to soft, beautiful music. What does the Church say about this practice? From what I can tell, romanticizing your life is a beautiful way to practice mindfulness and keep God at the center of your life. The Pontifical Council for Culture, in The Via Pulchritudinis: Pathway for Evangelization (2006), wrote, “The via pulchritudinis [‘way of beauty’] can open the pathway for the search for God.” When we see or experience something beautiful it makes us slow down in order to savor and appreciate it. Saint John Paul II wrote in his Letter to Artists, "Beauty is a key to the mystery and a call to transcendence. It is an invitation to savour life and to dream of the future." Think of a groom gazing at his bride as she walks down the aisle toward him on their wedding day. He is fully present in the moment, captivated by her beauty, while also dreaming of their future together as they make their way to Heaven. Now, while romanticizing one's life and everyday, mundane tasks certainly seems like a good thing for both one's mental and spiritual health, as with everything, there are downsides. It would be easy to get so caught up in creating beauty that we never stop to appreciate it, or the natural beauty that occurs in nature and in the human person. When this happens, it shifts the focus away from the beauty of God and improving one's mental health, and on to personal pleasure and enjoyment. And this, self-centered romanticization as opposed to romanticization centered on pleasing God and growing closer to Him, will never satisfy the deep longing in our hearts for beauty, goodness, truth, and love. Pope John Paul II continues, "That is why the beauty of created things can never fully satisfy. It stirs that hidden nostalgia for God which a lover of beauty like Saint Augustine could express in incomparable terms: ‘Late have I loved you, beauty so old and so new: late have I loved you!’” Considering that as Catholics, all we do should be centered on God, what are some ways that we can practice romanticizing our lives while keeping our minds and hearts focused on the Lord? Here are some ideas... Pray a morning offering as soon as your alarm goes off. Exercise each morning wearing cute, modest shorts and a t-shirt while praying a Rosary. Put on Praise and Worship music as you get dressed and make some coffee. Take time to eat breakfast, even if it's just a bowl of cereal, honoring your body as a Temple of the Holy Spirit. Pray using the Hallow App while you commute to school or work. Decorate your study or workspace with beautiful artwork. Listen to music while you study or work. Try to attend daily Mass or have designated prayer time at some point throughout the day. Smile! Smile to yourself. Smile at others. Just smile. It helps. Take a lunch break to eat a yummy meal or snack and then ACTUALLY STOP WORKING and take a walk, work on a craft project, or read a book. Put on comfy clothes after work or school and take time to do something you love or spend time with family. Take a walk in your neighborhood, taking a different route than usual. Make a corner of your room into a prayer corner by decorating it and having a comfy chair or other spot to sit. Keep a gratitude or prayer journal and write in it each day before bed or during your prayer time. Read Catholic literature. Light prayer candles around your home or these chrism scented Sacred Heart of Jesus Candles Celebrate feast days and Sundays with Liturgical living, decorating, dressing, and eating according to the celebrations in the Liturgical calendar. Dress in a classy and modest way each day for work and school. Visit and take pictures of beautiful churches or locations while you are on vacation or other trips Choose a verse, passage, or quote to pray with each week. Create an evening routine for prayer and relaxation. Commit to reading a spiritual book each month. Learn! Take a course in Theology, philosophy, history, or ethics. Keep Sundays as rest days where you limit doing homework or any other sort of labor or thought-intensive work. Participate in activities and ministries at a parish, local, or diocesan level. ... And many more! Try this week to implement even just one of these options and stick with it to see if you're beginning to notice the effects of additional beauty and intentionality in your life. Bringing small, beautiful moments into your life (AKA, romanticizing) is a journey, not a one-time event. It takes practice to find the extraordinary in the ordinary and infuse your life with the beauty and joy that are only found in pursuing God. Let's embrace the journey to Heaven by living a life infused with purpose and faith, finding Heaven every step of the way.

One of my priests at school presented our book study group with a life-changing thought this evening. It's something that I never truly thought about or stopped to consider, though it makes so much sense. Are you ready? Here we go. Heaven is wherever God is. You're probably thinking "Of course it is. I know that." That's what I thought, too. But let's think about it. If Heaven is where God is, then Heaven starts now. If Heaven is where God is, then Heaven is within you. If Heaven is within you, then where you are is where Heaven is. You know that verse about how your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit? The temple of the Holy Spirit is Heaven. Heaven is where God dwells. By the virtue of your Baptism, the Spirit of God dwells in you. When you have the Spirit of God in your Soul, you have Heaven within you. Furthermore, in the Lord's Prayer, we pray that God's will be done on earth as it is done in Heaven. In Heaven, there is no death. There is no sickness. There is no evil. There is no anxiety. There is no fear. When we are in Heaven we will not need to worry about any of these things. It also means that God wills for these things to be done on earth as well. It was not only the earliest Christians that were called to heal the sick and raise the dead. After all, just as they had Jesus in the flesh, so do we. Their Baptism and Confirmation are the same as our own. Finally, Just something for you to ponder tonight... how differently would we live our lives if we lived like Heaven was within and around us all the time? How would we treat those around us? Our bodies? Our mind? How would we pray? Work? Study? If we truly recognized that anywhere that God dwells is Heaven, how could we NOT become Saints?!

One of our Franciscan Priests at school, Father Jason, who also happens to be my favorite professor, (Extra credit, Father???😂) gave an excellent and inspiring homily this morning! This post is based on a few notes that I took from it and a fantastic analogy that he gave. It can be immensely difficult to forgive. Throughout our lives, we will be hurt many, many times by nearly everyone we love and who loves us, and even sometimes by people whom we don't know. We hear so often the phrase "forgive and forget." I don't think that's practical or necessary. We will always remember the times we've been hurt in major ways. There's no need to forget them, as long as we can forgive. Imagine you're standing behind the person who's hurt you. They have their back turned towards you. For a while, you might have your back turned to them as well. Anger, pride, fear, or a myriad of other feelings might keep your back turned to that other person. Forgiveness is when you turn around, and back towards them. You are willing to look at them and say, "I forgive you. I love you, because God loves you. I set you free from what you did to hurt me." And oftentimes this is simply done in the heart, though in certain situations it helps to say it aloud to the other person. Forgiveness sets the other person free and sets us free from hatred, pride, and resentment. Now, the other person might also turn around- or they might already be turned around, waiting for your forgiveness. Reconciliation is turning back towards them when they are and being in a position where you are able and open to embracing them once more, acknowledging their dignity and that they are no better or worse than you. Instead of viewing them as someone below you because they hurt you, you view them as an equal, a fellow sinner, whom Christ loves. Think about it... when you hug someone, your hearts are on the same level. Neither of you are above or below one another. You're equal in dignity- no one owes any other any sort of debt. All is forgiven. At the same time, we should not place ourselves below someone who has hurt us. Forgiveness does not mean that we become door mats to be walked all over and let people do whatever they'd like to us! Forgiveness restores equality. It's also important to consider situations of abuse. In these situations, we can forgive, and turn towards them, but we should never feel the need to go to them and put our full trust in their good intentions. Oftentimes abuse will occur over and over again if this is done. We can turn towards someone who has hurt us, recognizing their dignity because of their humanity, but still keep a boundary wall of safety up to avoid being hurt again. Forgiveness does not always take away distrust. Of course, there are situations in which someone will radically reconcile with their abuser or someone who has hurt them very badly- as Jesus forgave us, for instance- and that is absolutely incredible. Though that is something we can hope for, for physical, mental, and emotional safety purposes it is not always possible. I invite you today to think about who you can forgive. Maybe you're ready to forgive them. Maybe you're not. Whatever the case may be, just pray for them today. Pray for them, and pray that Jesus would help you to forgive them for what they've done to you and that He would forgive them as well.