Commentary by Susan Brinkmann, OCDSThe world is reacting with shock and grief at the tragic story of a Dutch teen who never recovered from being raped and chose to end her life through state-sanctioned suicide.
Attendees of the first Young Women of Grace Retreat held at Malvern in July, 2018What is a BFF? How do you find one? And – What does it mean to BE one? are just some of the topics this Young Women of Grace retreat will discuss with Catholic teens on July 13 at the Malvern Retreat House in Malvern, Pennsylvania.
Research by the University College London (UCL) has found that more than a quarter of people who regularly attend residential meditation programs such as Vipassana or Koan experience “unpleasant” episodes including feelings of fear and anxiety.
Commentary by Susan Brinkmann, OCDSA decision rendered on Good Friday by a D.C. federal appeals court has ruled that Father Patrick Conroy, chaplain at the U.S. House of Representatives, does not have to allow an atheist to deliver their daily prayer.
April 5
“It is better not to fast and be thereby humbled, than to fast and to be self-satisfied therewith.”
-Pascal: Pensees (17th century)
Today's Reflection
We must always be on the lookout for wrong intentions. They can creep into everything we do, even spiritual exercises. Take a moment today to renew your intentions for this Lent and remember to do so from time to time throughout this holy season.
February 7
"A human person...as we know, cannot be an object for use."
- Karol Wojtyla (St. John Paul II)
Today's Reflection:
Are there times when our focus on material possessions diverts our energy away from the people God has placed in our lives? Seek to find one way to focus less on things and more on people today.
Reflection: O holy night! The stars are brightly shining, It is the night of our dear Saviour's birth. Long lay the world in sin and error pining, Till He appear'd and the soul felt its worth. A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices, For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees! O hear the angel voices! O night divine, O night when Christ was born; O night divine, O night, O night Divine.
Led by the light of Faith serenely beaming, With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand. So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming, Here come the wise men from the Orient land. The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger; In all our trials born to be our friend.
He knows our need, to our weaknesses no stranger, Behold your King! Before Him lowly bend! Behold your King, Before Him lowly bend!
Truly He taught us to love one another; His law is love and His gospel is peace. Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother; And in His name all oppression shall cease. Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we, Let all within us praise His holy name.
Christ is the Lord! O praise His Name forever, His power and glory evermore proclaim. His power and glory evermore proclaim. - O Holy Night by John Sullivan
Challenge: Ponder the holy moment of Christ's birth when the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us. What does it mean to you this year? How will you carry Jesus Christ anew in your heart throughout 2019?
August 25
Commentary by Susan Brinkmann, OCDSIf there was ever a perfect example of why I decided to sit down and write Young Women of Grace for our young women, it’s an op-ed appearing in a recent issue of Teen Vogue that glorifies a group of potty-mouthed feminists whose life work is to make the destruction of innocent unborn human life into a big joke.
August 24