Today is my favorite feast day, the Feast of Blessed Chiara Luce Badano!
I love Bl. Chiara!
I love her heart and soul!
I love her love for life and young people!
I admire her generosity!
She recalls the need to "give", going against the current of the world which is usually focused only on "having." 15 days of Prayer with Blessed Chiara
Though she suffered, she turned her suffering into light.
"Going against the current can also be an act of love, a gift of yourself." 15 days of Prayer with Blessed Chiara
Bl. Chiara died at an early age in her teenage years from cancer on the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, October 7th, 1990.
Blessed Chiara has taught me to give my heart fully to God.
"For you, Jesus...if you want it, I want it too." Blessed Chiara Luce Badano
Let us pray
O Father, source of every good, we give You thanks for the wonderful testimony of Blessed Chiara Badano. Filled with the Holy Spirit and guided by the radiant light of Jesus, she believed firmly in Your infinite love, and wished to return it with all her strength, surrendering herself in complete trust to Your paternal will. We humbly beseech You that You may also grant us the gift to live with You and for You, and ask You, if it be Your will, for the grace of.... through Our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Today marks twenty-six years of you being in heaven.
During those twenty-six years, I only knew you for ten weeks.
I would have loved to have spent more time with you.
However, God had other plans.
He had prepared a place for you in heaven.
I can picture you surrounded by family and angels.
This gives me peace.
Although you are there, you live in our minds and our hearts.
I ask that you will continue to guide our family on this journey toward heaven.
Death isn't something anyone can prepare for. When it happens, it hurts. It will always hurt. But, knowing the loved one is experiencing the love of God, that gives me joy.
"In the hour of our agony, in the hour of truth, when at the moment of our appearance before God, we perhaps review in our memory our whole life, with so many miseries and weaknesses, so many failings and falls, I hope that with contrite hearts but immense confidence we shall say to Jesus, "All this I give You. Did You not come to earth to seek out my sins and take them upon Yourself? In exchange, give me the price of Your Blood, the treasures of Your Redemption, all Your merits; they are mine." It is in this spirit that little Saint Thérèse said, “In the evening of this life I shall appear before you with empty hands,” and “It is just this—to find myself at my death with empty hands—that gives me joy, for having nothing I shall receive everything from God.” - Fr. Jean Du Coeur De Jesus D'Elbee
"For me prayer is a burst from my heart, it is a simple glance thrown toward heaven, a cry of thanksgiving and love in times of trial as well as in times of joy." St. Therese
Love you, Jenny! Pray for us!
Mom, Dad, Sr. Jordan, myself, Maddie, Nicole and Max.
We have been listening to Josh Groban’s Christmas Album today to celebrate Mom and Dad listening to Christmas music with Jen.
I admired his humility and how he directed everything to God.
"Do not be afraid to be holy! Have the courage and the humility to present yourselves to the world determined to be holy, since full, true freedom is born from holiness."
I admired his wisdom and love for all people.
"Where ever people are suffering make it your task to serve them."
I loved his joy and how he shared his happiness with the world.
"People are made for happiness. Rightly, then, you thirst for happiness. Christ has the answer to this desire of yours. But He asks you to trust him."
Jesus, I trust in You!
My favorite thing about Pope John Paul II was his "yes."
"Totus Tuus!" Totally Yours!
May we all desire to give our 'yes' to God and to trust Him with all of our hearts the way PJPII did.
Special birthday shout out to my godson, Daniel, who turned seven today!
What a wonderful day to be born!
St. Pope John Paul II, pray for us!
"He is waiting for you when nothing else you find satisfies you."
St. Pope John Paul II
Erin K. McAtee Artist, Printmaker and Educator erinkmcatee.com @erin.k.mcatee
October 16 was the 104th Anniversary of the Founding of the Militia Immaculata!
But what does that even mean?
I am going to let St. Maximilian explain that to us. Then at the end of this blog I will explain what it means to me. Please stay with me here...!
Permitting Her to Act In and Through Us
From The Writings of St. Maximilian Maria Kolbe
The Immaculata: there is our ideal.
To approach her, become like her, permit her to take possession of our heart and all our self, that she may live and act in and through us, that she may love God with our heart, that we may belong to her without any restriction: this is our ideal.
To radiate in the surroundings, conquer souls for her in a way that, before her, the hearts of our neighbors may be opened so that she may extend her dominion in the hearts of all those who live in any corner of the earth, without regard for racial, national, linguistic differences, and similarly in the hearts of all those who will live in any moment of history till the end of the world: this is our ideal.
Besides, may her life be ever more rooted in us from day to day, from one hour to another, from one moment to another, and this without any limitation: this is our ideal.
Again, may her life develop in the same way in every soul that exists and will exist in any time: this is our cherished ideal. (KW 1210)
"Let our hearts be awakened to a new fervor to continue working together to conquer all people who live on the face of the earth for Christ through the Immaculata!" St. Maximilian Kolbe
From The Militia Immaculata
Holy Spirit of Truth and Love, I thank You for having inspired St. Maximilian Kolbe to start the Militia of the Immaculata movement in our time to be an instrument of Our Lady’s maternal presence for the transformation of the world according to the Gospel. Lead me and all MI members to be firmly rooted in the Lord through prayer and the sacraments, to be totally consecrated to the Immaculata and to persevere in striving for holiness following her invitation, “Do whatever He tells you.”
With Your grace and her guidance, make us willing to witness to the Truth and sacrificial love, with the humble boldness of St. Maximilian. Give us courage to speak up for the sacredness of the life of every human being, for the family according to God’s plan, for religious freedom, and for all that can lead each person to eternal life in Heaven. Inspire us to make Our Lady known and loved that she may win each soul for her Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ who, with You and the Heavenly Father, is God for ever and ever. Amen.
I know this blog post is long. I know that these are not my own words.
Yet, these are the words that speak to my heart.
I cannot keep from sharing this powerful and beautiful message.
I desire to share this invitation and pray you feel a desire within you as well.
Our Blessed Mother is quoted, "Do whatever He tells you."
There is no better way to Jesus than through Mary.
Mary has taught me how to trust.
I am still learning but I am learning from no one better than the Queen Mother herself!
Jesus, I trust in you!
I ask for the grace to grow closer to her Immaculate Heart and for the grace to be ever close to His most Sacred Heart.
Immaculata, pray for us! St. Maximilian, pray for us!
And on this feast day of St. Luke, the physician, I pray for healing in each of our hearts.
I pray for the grace to accept and to receive this gift.
As we celebrate this anniversary, the story of Queen Esther might provide inspiration! Enjoy reading this short book of the Old testament. In chapter 4, Mordecai tells Esther:
"Who knows - perhaps it was for a time like this that you became queen?"
Thinking about "our time," perhaps... it was for a time like this" that the Holy Spirit inspired St. Maximilian to start the Militia of the Immaculata! Let's pray for one another to be the max wherever we are...!
She was a martyr and is now a Doctor of the Church.
“Let nothing trouble you, let nothing frighten you. All things are passing; God never changes. Patience obtains all things. He who possesses God lacks nothing; God alone suffices.” St. Teresa of Avila
This is one of my favorite quotes from St. Teresa of Avila!
It reminds me to have courage and to take heart.
It reminds me that nothing else matters.
In moments that disturb and frighten us, turn our hearts toward you, God!
Nothing is more important!
Our everything to Him who made us!
Our thoughts and our actions to Him who loves us!
God alone suffices.
God who is love.
Let us lift up our hearts to Him in these moments when we lose focus of His love.
"Whatever you do, offer it up to God, and pray it may be for His honor and glory!" St. Teresa of Avila
And let us pray with the words of St. Teresa, "Let nothing" come between us and God's love.
Last night at the Life in the Spirit Seminar, the Gospel of Luke was referenced in a beautiful testimony.
Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for a fish, will give a snake instead of a fish? Or if the child asks for an egg, will give a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” Luke 11:9-13
I've mentioned before that I didn't like this scripture growing up after praying a Padre Pio novena for my healing. The reason being that I wasn't open to healing at that time.
Since we began this Seminar, I have been wanting to be more open to the Holy Spirit and His gifts.
However, being open is not as easy as I thought it would be.
It's actually really hard.
It's hard to be open to the unknown.
"If we cannot learn to be comfortable with uncertainty, we cannot learn to live amidst the mess. Learning to live with not knowing is essential if we are to grow in wisdom." Life is Messy, Matthew Kelly
The Holy Spirit spoke to my heart in a new way.
After desiring to be open to the Spirit, J woke up this morning and prayed,
God, I am knocking on the door.
Open the door of my heart!
I desire to be open!
I then opened my Magnificat devotional to pray with and the Holy Spirit spoke directly to my heart!
Behold, I have left an open door before you, which no one can close. Revelation 3:8
O Lord, you have told us to knock and the door would be opened to us. You yourself are the doorway into everlasting joy. Open your way before us as we set out on this day's journey and guide us to our journey's end.
Magnificat Morning Prayer
How much more will the Holy Spirit give to us when we simply just knock, seek and ask for Him to open our hearts!
Sister Maria Cristina, Sister Pia Jude, Sister Cara Marie, Sister Elizabeth Grace, Sister Magnificat Rose, and Sister Jordan Rose.
Joy spilled out of St. Patrick's Cathedral and out of each of these sisters hearts!
The joy of being finally professed and in love with the Lord!
Our hearts, too, are full of joy!
The sisters smiles and joy were contagious!
The joy of seeing friends and family for the first time.
Following Final Profession was a lovely reception.
Good food and good people celebrating together!
There was even birthday cake for Sister Elizabeth Grace of the Trinity's birthday!
The following day we were invited for brunch at Villa, the Sisters' Convent in Connecticut.
All 28 of us piled on the bus the next day!
A few days before the family brunch, we found out that family and friends were welcome to present their love and gratitude in honor of each newly professed sister.
Meaning, some families sang beautiful songs with instruments, some families shared heartfelt words and poems for their daughters.
And then there was our group...the final entertainment.
I remind you that we had last minute planned to perform.
We didn't know what anyone else was going to be doing but we decided to sing a familiar song everyone would know, "We will rock you" by Queen.
Don't worry, we changed the lyrics!
We Will Love You
Sisters, you are fun, you were young girls praying, then you got a call from God one day!
You got a smile on your face, filled with grace Spreading God's Love all over the place, singin' We will, we will love you We will, we will love you Sisters you're a young group, fun group, praying. Merciful Love's gonna take on the world today. A smile on your face, filled with grace Spreading God's love all over the place We will, we will love you, sing it! We will, we will love you, yeah
Sisters, You came from all over, we did too! You've showed us all what love can do. We've got A smile on our face, filled with grace Spreading God's love all over the place! do it! We will, we will love you, (yeah, yeah, come on) We will, we will love you, (alright, louder!) We will, we will love you, one more time We will, always love you!
Complete with all 28 of us stomping and clapping to the beat!
Well not all of us were keeping the beat...
But the Sisters LOVED it!
Sister Jordan especially! She was surprised that all of us performed together!
We followed "We will love you" with the Idaho State Song and the Vandal Fight Song.
Idaho State Song
You’ve heard of the wonders our land does possess, Its beautiful valleys and hills. The majestic forests where nature abounds, We love every nook and rill
CHORUS And here we have Idaho, Winning her way to fame. Silver and gold in the sunlight blaze, And romance lies in her name. Here we go, Singing, singing of you, All proudly too. All our lives thru, We’ll go singing, singing of you, Singing of Idaho.
I-D-A-H-O, Idaho, Idaho, GO! GO! GO!
So grateful for our fun our big fun group!
So grateful for the Sisters and their love!
Sr. Maria Kateri and Sr. Charlotte, my two dear friends!
I decided to do a blog today instead of tomorrow because I love Blessed Chiara Luce Badano so much!
Thirty-one years ago on October 7th, Blessed Chiara, went to heaven.
She offered her cancer and her sufferings to the Lord.
"For you, Jesus, if you want it, I want it too." Bl. Chiara
"St. Therese used to say: that before dying by the sword, one must die by pinpricks. I see that it's the little things I don't do so well, or the little sufferings, the ones I allow to escape me. So now I want to continue loving all of them like pinpricks." 15 days of prayer with Blessed Chiara Badano
She inspires me.
Those of you who know me, know I do not like needles. Yet, I want to embrace these pinpricks like Blessed Chiara did.
It's the little things that we can give to Jesus.
Something even as little as our guilt.
"Chiara Luce never allowed herself to be crushed by guilt." 15 days of prayer with Blessed Chiara Badano
I struggle with guilt but now I can ask for Blessed Chiara's help with any guilt I might have.
Pope Benedict XVI declared her "A model of holiness for young people and a light for all".
Everyday is an opportunity to do the right thing and to share the light.
She was made a blessed on September 25th, 2010.
Her actual feast day is October 29th, her birthday.
Our Lady of the Rosary and Blessed Chiara share this beautiful day (October 7th) together.
"O soul, whoever you may be in this world, even if your sins were as black as night, do not fear God, weak child that you are, for great is the power of God's mercy." Diary of St. Faustina
The Divine Mercy is a promise of love.
He invites us to receive and to give His love and mercy.
To be merciful love in the world.
"Act in such a way that all those who come in contact with you will go away joyful. Sow happiness about you because you have received much from God; give, then, generously to others. They should take leave of you with their hearts filled with joy." St. Faustina
This week I received this relic of St. Faustina from one of the Sisters of Life.
St. Faustina, pray for us!
Jesus, I trust in You!
Divine Mercy Chaplet with the Sisters of Life:
Check out on Facebook praying the Divine Mercy Chaplet with Jonathan Roumie
Consider reading one of the best books there is, Merciful Love by Fr. Michael Gaitley.
When I think of St. Francis I think of his prayer for peace and for love.
Peace and love were his answers to everything.
St. Francis understood the power of love and that is what gave him peace.
God is love. 1 John 4:8
"Jesus said, "I have come to cast fire on the earth." Once you have caught fire, you must spread it to others. To spread love, we must begin by knowing it; we must begin by believing in it; we must begin by being filled with it; we must begin by living it. Jesus, fill with the fire of Your love the "little flock to whom it has pleased the Father to give the Kingdom." Give Your flock a flame big enough to fill all around it with radiance." I believe in Love by Fr. Jean C. J. D'Eibee
There is wisdom is following his prayer for peace and for love.
We should want to desire living this way!
Spreading love and peace because we know God is love and Jesus is the Prince of Peace.
"Sanctify yourself and you will sanctify society." St. Francis
Come, Holy Spirit and kindle in us the fire of your love!
Today is October 1st, the First Friday of the month and the Feast of St. Therese the Little Flower!
St. Therese is one of my favorite saints! Her wisdom, humility and love never fail to amaze me.
I am enjoying reading two St. Therese books: A Family of Saints and I believe in Love.
Dynamic Catholic emailed me this quote from Matthew Kelly. Although it wasn't about St. Therese, it reminded me of her.
"Just as life is not meant to be easy, it is not supposed to be comfortable. Be ever vigilant of the role you allow comfort to play in your life. Allow it to serve you in your trials and tribulations, and at the end of a long day of exertion, but do not become a lover of comfort. Comfort will destroy you long before the difficulties of life." Matthew Kelly, Life is Messy
St. Therese reminds us that, "The world is thy ship and not thy home."
When life isn't easy we should remember our true home is in heaven.
Pope Benedict XVI said, "We were not made for comfort."
I have realized my own attachment to comfort and want to change this behavior.
"It is good to serve God in darkness and trial! We have only this life to live by faith." St. Therese of Lisieux
Discomfort and trials only last but a moment.
Faith, Hope and Love last for eternity.
"Don't drag yourself any longer to His feet, follow that first impulse that draws you into His arms. That is where your place is." St. Therese of Lisieux
