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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’ve always wanted to be a strong woman, the kind of woman who wasn’t afraid of anything and stood strong in what she believed. Unfortunately, I was the girl who was scared to get her driver’s license, the girl who was scared to take risks, trying always to keep the peace and not make waves. When I left home for college, I made a plan that would help me achieve my strong woman goals. In my 18-year-old eyes, a strong woman had a college education. A strong woman had her own job, lived on her own, and could support herself financially. I worked hard my first two years of college toward these goals. Prefer to Listen—Audio version available!
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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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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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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 Women's History Month | Lenten Reflections | catholic mom | women's history month
The short Old Testament book, Esther, tells the story of a Jewish girl who unexpectedly finds herself Queen of Persia and the last hope for the Jewish people. Admittedly, my interest in this biblical heroine was first peaked by the Veggie Tales episode (circa 2000) titled “Esther, the Girl Who Became Queen.” There is nothing that grabs your attention like the story of a beautiful green onion who has the courage to stand up to an evil gourd and powerful zucchini. Prefer to Listen—Audio version available!
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Holy Women's History Month | Lenten Reflections | catholic mom | women's history month
Saint Teresa of Calcutta, commonly known as Mother Teresa, is a household name around the world. You don’t have to be Catholic to know about her actions to serve the poorest of the poor in Calcutta, and if you’re over 30, there’s a good likelihood you remember seeing images of her on television or in print media while she was alive. I can’t remember a time in my life when I wasn’t aware of Mother Teresa. She was everywhere from childhood through early adulthood. Her importance and influence snuck up on me. I guess you could say I took her example for granted throughout much of my life. It was only after she passed away and her cause for Sainthood was opened that I really allowed her example to influence my life. Prefer to Listen—Audio version available!
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