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World at Prayer blog
Reflections of Family and Faith
"The family that prays together stays together." - Venerable Patrick Peyton
Holy Women's History Month | Lenten Reflections | catholic mom | women's history month
I saw Legally Blonde when it came out in theaters with my cousin. I was just about to turn 13, so seeing a PG-13 movie, especially without my parents, was a big deal. The lasting impression it made, however, concerns femininity. As an adolescent, I felt a tension between my identity as the “smart one” and my love of traditionally “girly” things. I loved wearing dresses. I loved pink. I was curious about makeup. And I read voraciously. My room was filled with books. I earned good grades and enjoyed school for the coursework, not for the social aspects (that would come later). Could you be smart and pretty? Could you love books and lacey dresses? Legally Blonde said the answer was “yes,” and I was here for it, though it took me years to really believe it. Eighteen years, in fact — when I discovered Jewish convert, philosopher, and teacher Edith Stein — later the Carmelite, martyr, and saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross — and her Essays on Woman. Prefer to Listen—Audio version available!
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What if I told you that hope is not just a word on a signboard but a lifeline—a promise that can transform your life, your family, and even the world? Recently, I saw a huge sign in downtown Chicago with the word "HOPE" shining brightly. It made me reflect on how hope isn’t just a fleeting feeling; it’s a call to action, a journey, and most importantly, a promise from God.
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Brief and contemporary inspiration focused on hope and family prayer will be delivered to your inbox! Articles include live video, written word, and links to resources that will lead you and your family deeper into faith.
Holy Women's History Month | Lenten Reflections | catholic mom | women's history month
I love making new friends in Heaven, because they pray for me and I can follow their example. I especially need role-models in my two most important earthly roles — as a wife and as a mother — so bonus points if I can find a heavenly friend who was also married with kids. A few years ago, while working on my book about married saints, I met and became fast friends with the Servant of God Zita of Bourbon-Parma. From here on out, let’s just call her Zita. Prefer to Listen—Audio version available!
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Let’s start with a story that sounds like a divine romantic comedy. A woman prayed to Saint Joseph for ten years for a good husband. Ten years! At that point, even the most patient among us might start drafting a strongly worded email to heaven. One Sunday morning she returned from Mass and knelt before her statue of Saint Joseph imploring him to grant her request. But after ten minutes, in a fit of irritation and despair, she took the statue from the table and threw it out the window.
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Holy Women's History Month | Lenten Reflections | catholic mom | women's history month
The saints make themselves known to me in different ways. It’s almost like they are pursuing me for attention, popping up repeatedly on social media, public signs, and even mentions by friends. You’d think the saints were politely knocking on my front door to introduce themselves, “Hello, Maria, can we be friends?” Except for Saint Teresa of Avila. She barged into my life like a bull through a China shop. The result was a contentious relationship. Persistent on her part. Resistant on mine. Prefer to Listen—Audio version available!
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Holy lives of inspiration | Why pray?
Today we remember and pray to Saint Cyril of Jerusalem. He was biblical scholar, cleric, and eventually bishop of Jerusalem in the 4th century. Saint Cyril gave this great instruction: “We proclaim the Crucified and devils quake. So don’t be ashamed of the cross of Christ. Openly seal it on your forehead that devils may behold the royal sign and flee trembling away.” For those who feel like you’re up against it with our current political and secular ideology at this time, Saint Cyril had to contend with both political and doctrinal controversies following the Council of Nicaea.
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