On the Nightstand: Beautiful Holiness: A Spiritual Journey with Blessed Conchita to the Heart of Jesus by Kathleen Beckman

Concepcion Cabrera de Armida (1862-1937) was a mother of nine when her husband died. It was not an easy life; she lived in Mexico City, and the Mexican Revolution began nine years after her husband’s death. Undoubtedly, she asked the Lord for many graces during those years. This is the response she received: “Ask me… Continue reading On the Nightstand: Beautiful Holiness: A Spiritual Journey with Blessed Conchita to the Heart of Jesus by Kathleen Beckman

On the Nightstand: The Handy Little Guide: Liturgy of the Hours by Barb Szyszkiewicz

Back in the fall of 2019, I bought the 2,000-page Christian Prayer: Liturgy of the Hours, with every intention of adopting the practice of stopping to pray five times a day (also known as the Divine Office) in 2020. I was just starting to get into this beautiful habit and then, well, covid. And I… Continue reading On the Nightstand: The Handy Little Guide: Liturgy of the Hours by Barb Szyszkiewicz

On the Nightstand: How to Relax

Thich Nhat Hanh, the Vietnamese Buddhist monk, died earlier this year at age 95. I had a vague recollection of him meeting with the Trappist monk and writer Thomas Merton during the Vietnam War, but that was about it. But the obituaries about him intrigued me, and I learned that a friend had been on… Continue reading On the Nightstand: How to Relax

On the Nightstand: Grace in Tension: Discover Peace with Martha and Martha

I had the pleasure of scanning through a galley of Claire McGarry’s wonderful new book, and now I’m looking forward to holding it in my own hands as I read it. Regardless of how much we grow spiritually, I’m betting we all still identify with Martha telling Jesus, “Make my sister help me!” and Mary… Continue reading On the Nightstand: Grace in Tension: Discover Peace with Martha and Martha