Mother’s Day, Mary, You and Me

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I hope those of you who are women had a blessed and happy Mother’s Day. Each of us, as women, are called to be mother. Some have been called to be a biological mother or an adoptive mother, but each of us, by virtue of our femininity has been called to be “spiritual mother.” Perhaps that is why I spent a good portion of my Mother’s Day thinking about our Blessed Mother. She is the pre-eminent and most exalted icon of spiritual maternity. In her we see the realization of the feminine ideal, the perfect woman, who identifies every woman’s call and mission.

On this precious day do not forget to send flowers to your love ones, even if they are not in the same country, you can use this flower delivery to Mexico City and show them your truly love. Read the rest…

A Miracle for Our Time

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Have you heard of the Eucharistic Miracle approved in Poland? What does it have to do with our day in time?  What does it tell us about God’s mercy?  This is just what we discussed last week during a special Women of Grace Live radio program with our staff journalist, Sue Brinkmann, OCDS, to talk about a Eucharistic Miracle in Poland that was recently declared by the Catholic Church to be authentic. Read the rest…

Words of Encouragement For Those Who Grieve

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Anthony and Simon

A friend recently shared that he had read this Catholic Exchange article about my husband that was written by Heidi Hess Saxton following my husband’s death in 2007. There is rarely a week that goes by that I am not asked to pray for a grieving mother or loved one who has lost someone dear to them. I am posting this article today for you to share with a friend or family member, parishioner or client, health care professional or co-worker, anyone you know about, who may need some words of encouragement. May it bless you and may it bless them. Thank you, Tony, for calling this article to my attention. It blessed me. You are a good man. Read the rest…

St. Joseph’s Hands by Claire Dwyer

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Richard Zeidler, my “Uncle Dick”

Ten years ago I went for a walk with Alice von Hildebrand.  The lovely Catholic philosopher and theologian had come into Phoenix to give a talk on God’s love, and desiring to enjoy the weather and the views around Camelback mountain, she found me a willing companion.  Our conversation turned to my uncle, who had recently died after a terribly painful battle with stomach cancer.  I had described his life to her, and then she stopped me, looked into my eyes, and said in her beautiful accent, “You’ve got to write that.”  Firmly.  And I knew I should, not just because when Alice von Hildebrand tells you to do something, you probably should, but also because deep down I knew it was true.  So…it took me nine years, but here goes, and intentionally in time for the feast of St. Joseph the Worker, May  1st. Read the rest…

Don’t Look for the Living Among the Dead

This is a beautiful tribute to Mother Angelica that was shared by our friend and Women of Grace Television guest, Kathy Labosh.

by Kathy Labosh

Jerusalem - icon of Resurrection from Church of Holy Sepulchre
JERUSALEM, ISRAEL – MARCH 3, 2015: The icon of Resurrection from Church of the Holy Sepulchre by unknown artist.

On Easter Sunday, a very dear nun, Mother Angelica passed away.  She has been in my living room off and on for years on her EWTN television show. Her words were often opportune.  However since her death, she seems to have come in a whole new way. EWTN is running clips of her all day and she has been speaking directly into my world. Read the rest…

Women told: True beauty is soul-deep

More than 190 hear Johnnette Benkovic at Women of Grace conference

by Lizette M. Lantigua
Published in the Florida Catholic 
Johnnette S. Benkovic, founder of Women of Grace, speaks to women during the one-day conference at St. Mark Church in Southwest Ranches.

Photographer: JUAN BELTRAN | FC

Johnnette S. Benkovic, founder of Women of Grace, speaks to women during the one-day conference at St. Mark Church in Southwest Ranches. Read the rest…

God is Always Speaking to Us

Dear Friends,

On a recent Women of Grace Live radio program, we discussed the quote below, which came from one of my previous blog posts.  It generated a spirit-filled conversation about overcoming fear when we are moving forward in what we believe to be God’s will for our lives.  I am re-posting the blog below as well as the link to the radio program below.  I hope that it provides you inspiration today if you are experiencing fear. Read the rest…

Woman of Grace: St. Katharine Drexel

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It’s only fitting that during this Lenten season, we have the opportunity to celebrate the Feast of St. Katharine Drexel, a woman who lived to the full the spiritual and corporal works of mercy.

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Woman of Grace: St. Josephine Bakhita (1869 – 1947)

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It is natural to express thanksgiving for being released from difficult trials and circumstances. But who would be grateful for those who cause such difficult trials or circumstances? This is the stuff of saints — the very stuff of which Saint Josephine Bakhita was made.

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Lenten Wisdom from a Six Year Old

I’m re-posting this blog which was written several years ago.  It contains a four point plan to help you make this a good Lent and some wisdom from my granddaughter Julia.  At the bottom, I’ve shared the podcast from yesterday’s Women of Grace Live radio program as well as my Lenten themed e-book.  During the program we talked about this blog and had a lively, thought-provoking discussion about it.  Please read, listen and share.

May God bless you abundantly this Lent.  

This morning, my somewhat precocious six year old granddaughter and I had a conversation over breakfast:

“Grandma,” she said gazing out of the kitchen window in our Florida home.

“Yes, Julia?” said I.

“Pretty soon Easter will be here because it is Spring outside.”

“Yes, you are right. Ash Wednesday is this week and that begins the season of Lent.” Read the rest…