It’s fitting that this year, Simbang Gabi’s fifth day of the novena, fell on Wednesday. Hump days can be hard–intellectually, we know we’re past the beginning of the novena and the week, but we’re still too far away from the end to be excited. So we all came in, most of us a little later… Continue reading Simbang Gabi 2017: Hump Day
Category: Prayer
Wednesday’s Woman: Blessed Mary of the Divine Heart (Maria Droste zu Vischering)
The Basics: Born September 8, 1863, in Germany; died June 8, 1899, in Portugal; beatified November 1, 1975; feast day, June 8. Woman religious; mystic. The Story: Her early life was a mix of seeming contradictions. Maria Droste zu Vischering was born along with a twin brother into a wealthy noble family. Her health was a matter… Continue reading Wednesday’s Woman: Blessed Mary of the Divine Heart (Maria Droste zu Vischering)
On the Nightstand: Be the Gift
I had lunch recently with a friend, and as usual, my mind wandered off to all the things I had to get done that afternoon. Then she asked with a bright smile, “Have you prayed yet today? Can we pray together now?” Wham! And so we did, for about an hour, going through the day’s… Continue reading On the Nightstand: Be the Gift
Wednesday’s Woman: Blessed Irene Stefani
The Basics: Born August 22, 1891, in Italy; died October 31, 1930, in Kenya; beatified May 23, 2015; feast day, October 31. Woman religious and missionary. The Story: Talk about an adventure! Irene burned to become a missionary, but at times, it must have seemed an impossible dream. One of twelve children, she was not quite eight… Continue reading Wednesday’s Woman: Blessed Irene Stefani