Blog Archives - Women of Grace

The Questionable Opinions of Anthony DeMello, S.J.

Posted on Thursday, April 14, 2022 by Susan Brinkmann

KK asks: "I noticed on your website that you have a new age section and was wondering if you considered Anthony DeMello and his book Awareness to be new age?"

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A poem for Holy Thursday

Posted on Thursday, April 14, 2022 by Women of Grace Staff

Holy Thursday

Prone in Gethsemene upon His face,

His eyelids closed, — lay Christ of all our world,

The winds with endless sorrows seemed enswirled;

A little fountain murmured of its pain

Reflecting the pale sickle of the moon;

Then was the hour when the Angel brought

From God’s high throne the Cup of bitter horn,

While on His hands tears trembling fell like rain.

Before the Christ a cross arose on high;

He saw His own young body hanging there

Mangled, distorted; knotted ropes half-tear

The sinews from their sockets; saw He nigh

The jagged nails’ hot rage, the direful Crown

Upon His head, and every dripping thorn

Red-laden, as in fury of its scorn

The thunder battered all kind voices down.

He heard the pattering drops, as from the cross

A piteous sobbing whispered and grew still.

Then Jesus sighed, and every pore did spill

A bloody sweat.

-From Gethsemene

by Annette Von Droste-Hulshoff (1797-1848)

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In the day of salvation

Posted on Wednesday, April 13, 2022 by Women of Grace Staff

April 13

“Confess what you have done in word or deed, by night or day. Confess in an acceptable time, and in the day of salvation receive the heavenly treasure."

-St. Cyril of Jerusalem

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Testimonial: Carole

Posted on Tuesday, April 12, 2022 by Kate Mathis

We love sharing the inspiring stories from our Sacred Sisters of their experiences with Women of Grace. Today we're hearing from Carole. If you would like to share your story, click here! Stay tuned for regular testimonial stories.

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The Hijacking of St. Hildegard by New Age Enthusiasts

Posted on Tuesday, April 12, 2022 by Susan Brinkmann

SM writes: "I read your article about mandalas and how they are prayer 'gimmicks.' I was just wondering what you think about the artwork (mandalas) of St. Hildegard of Bingen, especially since she is now a Doctor of the Church. It seems to me that you are saying some of her practices were new age."

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My servant whom I uphold

Posted on Tuesday, April 12, 2022 by Women of Grace Staff

April 12

"Here is my servant whom I uphold,

my chosen one with whom I am pleased,

Upon whom I have put my Spirit;

he shall bring forth justice to the nations,

Not crying out, not shouting,

not making his voice heard in the street.

A bruised reed he shall not break,

and a smoldering wick he shall not quench,

Until he establishes justice on the earth;

the coastlands will wait for his teaching.

Thus says God, the LORD,

who created the heavens and stretched them out,

who spreads out the earth with its crops,

Who gives breath to its people

and spirit to those who walk on it:

I, the LORD, have called you for the victory of justice,

I have grasped you by the hand;

I formed you, and set you

as a covenant of the people,

a light for the nations,

To open the eyes of the blind,

to bring out prisoners from confinement,

and from the dungeon, those who live in darkness."

-Isiah 42: 1-7

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Surely it is not I, Lord?

Posted on Monday, April 11, 2022 by Women of Grace Staff

April 11

One of the Twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot,

went to the chief priests and said,

"What are you willing to give me

if I hand him over to you?"

They paid him thirty pieces of silver,

and from that time on he looked for an opportunity to hand him over.

On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread,

the disciples approached Jesus and said,

"Where do you want us to prepare

for you to eat the Passover?"

He said,

"Go into the city to a certain man and tell him,

'The teacher says, "My appointed time draws near;

in your house I shall celebrate the Passover with my disciples."'"

The disciples then did as Jesus had ordered,

and prepared the Passover.

When it was evening,

he reclined at table with the Twelve.

And while they were eating, he said,

"Amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me."

Deeply distressed at this,

they began to say to him one after another,

"Surely it is not I, Lord?"

He said in reply,

"He who has dipped his hand into the dish with me

is the one who will betray me.

The Son of Man indeed goes, as it is written of him,

but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed.

It would be better for that man if he had never been born."

Then Judas, his betrayer, said in reply,

"Surely it is not I, Rabbi?"

He answered, "You have said so."

-Matthew 26:14-25

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Will you lay down your life?

Posted on Sunday, April 10, 2022 by Women of Grace Staff

April 10

Palm Sunday

Simon Peter said to him, "Master, where are you going?"

Jesus answered him,

"Where I am going, you cannot follow me now,

though you will follow later."

Peter said to him,

"Master, why can I not follow you now?

I will lay down my life for you."

Jesus answered, "Will you lay down your life for me?

Amen, amen, I say to you, the cock will not crow

before you deny me three times."

-John 13:36-38

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A day of Faith, Fortitude, and Femininity in Harrisburg PA

Posted on Saturday, April 09, 2022 by Kate Mathis

(Johnnette with the volunteer team at Holy Name of Jesus Parish)

by Kate Mathis

What a blessing it was to come together with our Sacred Sisters in Harrisburg Pennsylvania! Johnnette led us through faith-filled presentations and unpacked how to live out authentic femininity in the midst of suffering and uncertainty. After so much time apart, you could feel the relief and joy in the room to be with sisters in Christ once again! Together we were emboldened to stand firm on the teachings of the Church and forge ahead in trust-filled hope.

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