When I consecrated myself to Mary earlier this year, I received a brown scapular that had been blessed by a priest. I'd seen scapulars before and heard of the brown one in particular but didn't really know what it meant to wear one until my consecration. Now, I wear it every day. (And on a … Continue reading The Brown Scapular: A Carmelite Tradition
Fr. Michael Gaitley, MIC, creator of the "33 Days to Morning Glory" Marian consecration retreat and book, says that "the act of consecrating oneself to Jesus through Mary marks the beginning of a gloriously new day, a new dawn, a brand new morning in one's spiritual journey. It's a fresh start, and it changes everything." … Continue reading Totus Tuus: All Yours, Mary!
"Confession is an act of honesty and courage – an act of entrusting ourselves, beyond sin, to the mercy of a loving and forgiving God" (Pope John Paul II). I was terrified at my first Reconciliation. As a socially anxious seven-year-old, the idea of having to tell my sins to a priest I didn't really … Continue reading Returning to Reconciliation
January is National Mentoring Month. Since I'm an editor for a company in the training industry, I've been writing and editing a lot about the topic this month. It started me thinking about mentors outside of work and, specifically, in the Church. Who are my spiritual mentors? I can group them into three categories: the … Continue reading Celebrating Our Spiritual Mentors
I don't know about you, but sometimes, I really wish turning off the news in the 21st century was as easy as turning off a TV channel. But with social media, email newsletters, podcasts, and of course the good old fashioned TV and radio, it feels impossible sometimes. (Not to mention irresponsible - it's important … Continue reading Communicating With Truth and Dignity
Yesterday, I attended NC Right to Life's annual prayer breakfast with a small group of friends from the Raleigh Catholic young adults group. Several of us were even given the opportunity to help lead a prayer, which was a moving experience in itself. I've heard of the breakfast, which is followed by a march, but … Continue reading Why We Need Pro-Life Prayer
I think I first heard the term "imposter syndrome" a couple of years ago. It was an "aha!" moment when I was able to put a word to a feeling - and know that I wasn't alone. Imposter syndrome is the feeling, all evidence to the contrary, that success is due to luck, that accolades … Continue reading There Are No Imposters
I attended the Raleigh Catholic Young Adult Total Consecration to Mary kickoff potluck on Saturday with almost no expectations beyond dinner and fellowship. I bought the book we're using for our retreat, "33 Days to Morning Glory: A Do-It-Yourself Retreat In Preparation for Marian Consecration" (Fr. Michael E. Gaitley, MIC), skimmed the introduction and googled … Continue reading What Is Total Consecration?
It’s that time of year again: the time when we make well-intentioned resolutions that most of us never follow through on. (We all know what the road to hell is paved with, right?) I am the queen of resolutions, especially at the new year. Like most people, I love the idea of a blank slate, … Continue reading Spiritual New Year’s Resolutions
A lot happened when I was 13. First of all, I was 13 – not an easy year. I started high school, throwing myself into marching band and honors classes with enthusiasm. And I had my second and final year of Confirmation prep – which, as a socially anxious teenager who still didn’t really know anyone in my … Continue reading Fibromyalgia and the Little Way: The Beginning of a Journey
