July 12
"I have given everything to my Master: He will take care of me. The best thing for us is not what we consider best, but what the Lord wants for us."
- St. Josephine Bakhita
Today's Reflection:
Is there something that I am holding on to and which I am afraid to surrender? What is it? Can I trust God to do what is best? Now, in confidence, I will release this concern to Him.
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July 11
"Faith is a gift, but for very few is it a gift given without any demand for equal time devoted to its cultivation."
- Flannery O'Connor
Today's Reflection:
In what ways do I devote time to the cultivation of a mature Catholic faith?
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July 10
"Eternal Father, I offer Thee the most precious blood of Thy Divine Son, Jesus, in union with the masses said throughout the world today for all the holy souls in purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the universal church, those in my own home, and within my family. Amen."
-St. Gertrude the Great
Today's Reflection:
This prayer was given to St. Gertrude by Jesus. He promised that every time it was said, 1,000 souls would be released from Purgatory and allowed into God's Presence. Am I willing to incorporate this prayer into my daily life? I will show my sincerity of heart by praying it again right now.
(Correction: The quote should have said 1,000 not 100,000)
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July 9
"Yes, in silence we can actually break the hold time has on us, and accept that our true home is not here on earth, but in eternity."
-Sister Wendy Beckett
Today's Reflection:
Spend fifteen minutes silently reflecting on the four last things - death, judgment, heaven, and hell.
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July 8
"Oh Jesus, I love you very much. Give me a heart as big as the universe. Tell me what You wish that I do, and do with me as You will."
-St. Frances Xavier Cabrini
Today's Reflection:
St. Frances Cabrini's request of God shows that she had magnanimity. Magnanimity is a moral virtue closely related to fortitude. It means a person is noble of mind and heart; generous in forgiving; above revenge or resentment; unselfish and gracious.
It also means a person has no fear of reprisal when necessary nor any fear of honor when deserved for all comes by mercy of God. A magnanimous person is willing to take on great endeavors for the Kingdom of God.
When have I displayed this virtue?
Today, I will pray for more opportunities to exercise magnanimity.
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“Say to the Israelites, ‘You must observe my Sabbaths. This will be a sign between me and you for the generations to come, so you may know that I am the Lord, who makes you holy." -Exodus 31:13
Do you have a daily ritual?
The Lord gives us many examples of rituals in sacred scripture: God instituted the sacrificial covenant ritual with Abram (Gen. 15:8-21); He gave us the ritual of observing the Sabbath (Ex. 8:20); He asked the people of Israel participate in the Passover each year (Ex. 12:27: 1-14); Jesus taught the apostles to pray the Our Father (Mt 6: 9-13); and He instituted the Holy Eucharist (Lk 22: 14 - 20)
We are bombarded by distractions and growing "to-do" lists. God knew that we needed routine in our lives to keep us focused on Him. Rituals help to reserve our mental and spiritual energy for what is most important.
Recently, I took a two-week vacation. My husband and I went on a road trip from Florida to New York and back again. I must admit that being on vacation, I really slacked on my daily routine and I felt a noticeable increase in frustration, agitation, impatience, and lack of peace.
Don't get me wrong, I really enjoyed my vacation but now that I'm back home, I'm working really hard to dust myself off and pick back up on my spiritual routine. Here is a list of a few things that I do my best to practice daily. The nice thing about having rituals/routines is that when you get off track, you can always return to them.
Morning routine:
- Rise early
- Praise and thank God upon waking up and say morning prayers: St. Michael, Guardian Angel, Renew Consecration to Jesus through Mary, Cardinal Mercier's Prayer To The Holy Spirit, and Memorare to St. Joseph
- Praise music while getting ready
- Coffee and prayer time with husband
- Morning prayer
- Daily mass (Several times per week, preferably daily)
- When time permits, a short time of adoration after mass and prayer of the Chaplet of Divine Mercy
- Daily Angelus at noon
- Litany of Humility prior to beginning work
Evening/Nightly routine
- Rosary
- Quiet time of meditation with sacred scripture
- Examen
- Gratitude journal
- Plan for tomorrow asking for God's wisdom
Do you have a set of rituals that keep you focused on the Lord? We'd love for you to share them with us in the comments.
Please join us for our Women of Grace Rosary Crusade, when we will take part in one of the most beautiful and powerful spiritual practices that our Catholic Church has given us.
Click the image below to join and if you've already registered, you should receive a reminder link directly from Zoom. Please be sure to share the information below with your friends and family!
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July 7
"When Christ came, he banished the devil from our hearts, in order to build in them a temple for himself. Let us, therefore, do what we can with his help, so that our evil deeds will not deface the temple."
- St. Caesarius of Arles
Today's Reflection:
What "stone" of virtue can I use today to help build a temple for Christ within myself? What one defaced "stone" can I work to remove?
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July 6
"We must keep near to the souls God puts in our way, and try to understand and love them. Here we have discovered, by God's grace, the sources of peace and the means of possessing it fully."
-Élisabeth Leseur
Today's Reflection:
Who is one soul near to me whom I can "try to understand and love"? How can I "reframe" my perspective to see this individual as an instrument of God meant to lead me to true peace and virtue?
(Hint: Perhaps a family member with whom we are called to exercise patience or a co-worker with whom we are called to exercise kindness and gentleness...)
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July 5
"Untilled ground, however rich, will bring forth thistles and thorns; so also the mind of man."
- St. Teresa of Avila
Today's Reflection
Make a list of the various ways we can "till" the ground of our mind so that it will bring forth abundant fruit for the Kingdom of God. What resolution am I willing to make in this regard?
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July 4
"Our God is God. All is as He pleases. I am the happiest creature in the thought that not the least thing can happen but by His will or permission; and all for the best."
- St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
Today's Reflection
How can I apply the truth of this quote to a current struggle or difficulty? To what extent does this bring me a sense of peace?
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