Lately, though, I've had some beautiful moments meditating on the joyful mysteries. Becoming a mother brings them to life in a way they never have before; I can relate my own experiences of motherhood to the awe-inspiring experiences of the Blessed Mother as she and St. Joseph raised the Son of God.
Praying the Rosary: It’s a Journey
Day by day, bead by bead, the rosary bringing me closer to Jesus and his mother—and I'm bringing my daughter there with me.
Celebrating Mother Teresa on My Wedding Anniversary
My husband and I got married last year on the feast day of St. Teresa of Calcutta (perhaps still more commonly known as Mother Teresa). We'd selected that day partly because of the time of year (not too distant from when he proposed but enough time for marriage prep and wedding planning ... and, it … Continue reading Celebrating Mother Teresa on My Wedding Anniversary
Pregnancy and Pro-life Ministry
I've always been vehemently pro-life. I argued with classmates in my 10th grade civics class about abortion, I read about the science of fetal development, I spoke out on social media, and I eagerly followed the news of pro-life ministries and advocacy organizations. I started putting more money (and time) where my mouth was in … Continue reading Pregnancy and Pro-life Ministry
“Reflecting on Them in Her Heart”: Pondering Versus Ruminating
What made Mary's reflection different from rumination? How can an anxious person like me imitate her, deepening my relationship with God by pondering the good and bad things that happen in my life rather than ruminating on the negative?
When Motherhood Doesn’t Feel Like You Thought It Would
Nothing can prepare you for becoming a parent. You can read all the books and blog posts and talk to all the parents you know, but the experience will still surprise you. And if you'd hung your hat—knowingly or unknowingly—on a particular image of what being a mother would be like, that surprise will be painful.
6 New Friends From “Radical Saints”
Note: I received a copy of "Radical Saints: 21 Women for the 21st Century" in exchange for an honest review. I love learning about saints. Well, I love learning about people, and saints are holy, inspiring people, so they're my favorite. I especially love learning about female saints — people who struggled with the challenges … Continue reading 6 New Friends From “Radical Saints”
I Talked to a Therapist Last Week. You Should, Too.
I put on my headphones and logged on to the platform my therapist's practice uses for tele-therapy. Soon, I saw the face of the therapist I hadn't seen — hadn't needed to see — in almost a year. I'd been putting off making the appointment for a week or two, but after two meltdowns and a few almost-meltdowns, … Continue reading I Talked to a Therapist Last Week. You Should, Too.
Eating to Live, Not Living to Eat
"Your grandfather always says, 'We eat to live; we don't live to eat.'" So my mother told me when I was 15 and became hypoglycemic. I don't think I really appreciated this wisdom, which came from my diabetic grandfather, until last year. I was diagnosed with PCOS and endometriosis after a decade of suppressing my … Continue reading Eating to Live, Not Living to Eat
The Best Love Story Is Your Love Story
“Intense love does not measure, it just gives" (St. Teresa of Calcutta). On Saturday, my boyfriend proposed to me. I was expecting a proposal sometime this fall, but I was not expecting it on Saturday, so I was very surprised. It was a simple, sweet proposal, and I said yes as soon as I recovered … Continue reading The Best Love Story Is Your Love Story
