Once we acknowledge the suffering is not something we can remove, we look for ways we can help.

We search for ways to be Simon who helped Jesus carry His cross.

We desire to make our friends’ crosses lighter.

Unfortunately, we probably all know someone who has been diagnosed with cancer.  We all know someone who is suffering in a way that makes us re-evaluate our own complaints.

Angela is a young mother.

Angela is the President of the Saint Gianna’s Mom’s Club and the Shrine Director of St. Gianna’s Shrine in Warminster, PA.

Angela was the first person who asked me to pray for Philomena.  Angela prays for her everyday.

As Shrine Director, Angela gets requests for prayers and relics  people who are very ill and suffering greatly almost every day.

Although she has a grateful heart and a positive outlook on life, she also has an incredibly empathetic heart.  Each request for prayers and for the Saint Gianna relics tug her heart strings.

Angela weeps with those who weep.

But Angela also has incredible faith in God.

Angela is 39 years old and has four young children.

Angela was recently diagnosed with breast cancer.

She has asked me to ask all of you for prayers.

At first I placed her request in the Saint Gianna, Pray for us! group on Facebook.  When I posted the prayer request, a group of people commented that they would pray.  One woman, Mary, recalled meeting her at the Shrine, and shared how kind and comforting Angela was when she was sick and seeking Saint Ginna’s intercession.  Mary wrote:

I will be an 11 year BC survivor on St Gianna’s feast day – April 28. I entrusted my life to St Mama, as Gianna Emanuela calls her, and the results have exceeded my dreams. Angela was so gracious to me when my family arrived at the shrine on a pilgrimage from Wisconsin. The love she has shown on behalf of St Gianna is returning to her in abundance! We will pray for Angela and her family!

I sent Angela a screen shot of these comments and it made her so happy.  She asked if she could see more of the comments.

I thought, let’s give her more.

Many of you liked the article 39 Ways to Keep Lent Holy (without giving up sweets) . . .One suggestion I make in that article (number 12) is to:

Send someone who is sick a card.  Write a prayer in that card too.

Will you send a sweet card to Angela?

It can be super short and sweet – but please include a prayer for her healing!

I know from another friend who battled and BEAT cancer, that cards and letters were appreciated.

Will you send a prayer, a kind word and some love to Angela?

Will you help her carry her cross?

I know your kindness will fill her heart with gratitude.

I’m sure she will then pray for you  . . . because that is what she does.

I am purposely NOT including a picture of Angela.

She is beautiful.

She has a friendly smile.

She has caring eyes.

She has hair that I am jealous of!

She is a woman and a friend that you would be friends with!

Will you take five minutes today to wish her well and ask the Lord to heal her?

Will you ask your child to color her a picture of Jesus, or an angel or a saint and mail it to her?

Are you a teacher?  Will you ask your students to make her a card and send them to her?

If your heart is moved to do so, please mail a card or letter to:

Our friend Angela

c/o The Saint Gianna Shrine at Nativity Church

625 West Street Road

Warminster, PA 18974

Not sure what to say?

Just write:

Dear Angela,

I heard you are battling cancer.  I want to send you some love and assure you that you are in my prayers!  The Lord is a great healer!  I pray He heals you soon and blesses you abundantly!

Love,

Your name

Under, maybe write a personal prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus,

Please heal Angela.  Please help her recover quickly and have many, many years of good health ahead of her.

Thank you God for Your Love and healing touch!

Amen. 

The post Cards and Letters to Angela appeared first on Prayer Wine Chocolate.

When I heard Father Pio Mandato recount this story, I could not help but chuckle.

Father Pio Mandato was the celebrant and homilist at the Padre Pio Festival held at Saint Bede’s Church in Holland, PA.  As a part of my “summer shrine tour” I went to the festival with scores of intentions for many in my Hail Mary notebook.  I was excited to venerate the relics of such a holy, fascinating man.

Listening to someone preach about Padre Pio who is not only a dynamic speaker, but also knew this intriguing saint, was anything but disappointing.

In the past month or two, Padre Pio has somehow struck my intention in a number of ways. On the television, meeting his distant relative in Church and becoming friends with her, getting an inbox on Facebook Messenger from another Catholic blogger that said, “Padre Pio would like to speak with you.”; and the church that my husband and I were married in ten years ago hosted this first annual Padre Pio Festival.

All of this happened in less than 3 months.

Weird, right?

I don’t really know why Padre Pio keeps popping up on my radar.  But, I will tell you an extraordinary story Father Mandato told at the Healing Mass . . . and then what I read the next day.

Maybe there is a message for all of us.

Father Mandoto told all of us at the healing service about a man who had a son that was blind.  The man and his son went to see Padre Pio.

When people went to see Padre Pio, they went to him for confession.  So many people went to see him that there were very long lines, and at one point you had to register for a ticket.  Some people would wait for over a week to see him.

This man and his blind son made the journey and got in line.  His son went to confession to Padre Pio.  When he came out, he was still blind.  His father was sad.  He asked his son, “didn’t you tell Padre Pio you are blind?”  “Didn’t you ask him to heal you?”  The son answered his father saying that when he saw Padre Pio, he was given the grace to see how to embrace his blindness for the sake of the kingdom.

Father Mandoto told one more story.  He spoke of a woman who had a son that was “deaf and dumb”.  The son could not hear and could not speak.  The woman was a faithful Catholic, but her husband was an atheist.  The woman pleaded with her husband over and over again asking him, please, let us take him to Padre Pio.  Finally the husband said, “I will go, but I will not go inside the church”.  When they arrived, the husband kept his word.  He would not enter the church.  The woman got in line for confession with her son.  The son, like any child, could not wait patiently in line.  He went out of line and played in the church.  Padre Pio saw him and motioned for the child to come over to him.  The child went.

Padre Pio said to him, “Go get your father and tell him to come in here”.  The child went out to his father and said,”Padre Pio wants to see you”.  The first words his son ever heard were the words of Padre Pio.  The first words his son ever said were “Padre Pio wants to see you”.  The father went in.

Father Mandoto asked . . . which was the greater miracle?  The son that could not hear and speak, or the father or hardened heart was now softened?

I can’t help but think of Jesus and the Gospel.

The next night, I began Day 14 of the “Do-It-Yourself” Retreat 33 Days to Morning Glory by Michael E. Gaitley, MIC.  This day’s reading is focused on St. Maximillian Kolbe’s desire that Mary use him as her instrument to extend the kingdom of God, the kingdom of the love of the Heart of Jesus.  Each reading ends with a simple prayer.  The prayer that ended this reading was:

Come, Holy Spirit, living in Mary.  Prepare me to give all to the Immaculata for the sake of the kingdom.

I thought, there it is again.  That phrase

For the sake of the kingdom

Maybe that is what I am called on to reflect upon at the end of each day.  What did I do today . . . for the sake of the kingdom?

Maybe I should ask myself each morning . . .

What can I do today . . . for the sake of the kingdom?

What will I do today  . . . for the sake of the kingdom?

What can we all do . . . for the sake of the kingdom . . . today?

I feel like we are very aware of what we do for the sake of our neighbor.

We, as a society, are very conscious of what we should do for the sake of our world. We may not always agree on what is the most loving way to act, but we are very intent on loving others and following the golden rule.  Which is good. We should be very aware of our actions and thoughts and how they effect the people and world around us.

But isn’t it even more important to think about what we do for the sake of the kingdom?  Are we not called to love God with all our heart, all our mind and all our souls?

“You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment.The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Matthew 22:37-39

Maybe, if we focused more on the greatest and first commandment, we would be able to love one another more.  Perhaps that is the lens that allows us to see love more clearly . . .

What do you think?

The post For the Sake of the Kingdom appeared first on Prayer Wine Chocolate.

But, he didn’t have a car.

I had known a little bit about St. Therese’, after all, one of my younger sisters was named after her.  I was interested in learning more about this saint who sends roses . . . so I volunteered to drive my fellow teacher.

I felt a connection with St. Therese’ that day.  I think one reason was she was 24 when she passed away, and I was 24 at the time.  I bought a picture of her that has been on display in my home – wherever I lived – since that day.  She became a patron saint of mine, and someone I felt was “a friend in heaven”.  My devotion to her started to grow.

Thirteen years later I was working at a high school named after my heavenly friend, “Little Flower Catholic High School for Girls”.   At this point in my life I asked the Lord daily to make me a mother.  My husband and I were hoping and praying to adopt.

I befriended a wonderful teacher at Little Flower named Sister Marie. Sister Marie told me she was going to visit the Carmelite Monastery to ask the Sisters to pray for her there.  She said, “I only go there when there is something I really need from the Lord.  When I go there, God knows, this is a serious request.”  I thought – “you can go there and talk to nuns??? You can ask them to pray for you???” I asked if I could come too.  She said of course. We drove separately, but went in together.  First Sister Marie spoke privately with the Carmelite nun.  I didn’t hear anything they had said to one another.  Then it was my turn. I went in this closet sized room and talked to a door.  The Sister was on the other side.  I told her how much Matt and I longed to adopt a baby and become parents.  I asked her to pray for us.

Three months later, I was holding my son.

Until last week, that was the last time I entered the Monastery.  I was more than excited to go back.  Not only was I anxious to ask Sisters to pray that my husband and I will be blessed with another child, but I was excited to simply visit.  I was also excited to do my first official blog video!

I was looking forward to bringing the intentions of those who asked me to pray for them.  I was eager to pray close to the relics of not only Saint Therese, but her parents who are now also canonized saints.

Before I knocked on the door to enter, I stood in the courtyard and did a short Facebook Live video (click here, scroll down, videos are under photos).  Here is where I filmed the first video:

Then, I knocked and rang the bell of this door:

I was “buzzed in” and went back in that closet sized room where I saw the opaque screen and barrel-shaped wooden door that I remembered from four years before. It was there that I met Sister Rose.  This Carmelite nun gave me advice on marriage:

and told me about another Sister that lived with her there.  This Sister was adopted!  Her parents adopted twenty children!  What an amazing way for the Lord to assure me that adoption is a calling, and asking Him to give our son a sibling is something He not only can do, but would LOVE to do!

Sister Rose also told me I could come back to the Monastery for the upcoming novena to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel.

Before I said goodbye to her I may have volunteered to drive her or the other Sisters to any doctor’s appointments they have in the near future!

I asked her how I could pray for her, and before I knew it I was giving her my contact information and volunteering my driving services. That will be a whole other adventure!

After getting lost and confused in a house with many doors,

I finally found the relics of St. Therese’, Saint Zelie and Saint Louis Martin.

These golden roses house relics of Saint Therese’ and her parents.  I knelt and prayed for the intentions of everyone who asked.  I wrote the names of those who asked for prayers in this notebook.  I then admired the chapel.

Such a peaceful place.  I look forward to going back!

I then drove to the Miraculous Medal shrine.  I will write a separate post on that visit!

Interested in seeing the summer schedule?  Check it out here: Summer Shrine Schedule 2016

If you are interested in learning more about Saint Therese’, or her parents, here are some resources (affiliate links):

This Kindle book is free! Five Lessons from the Carmelite Saints That Will Change Your Life

Saint Therese of Lisieux: A Model for Our Times

A Call to a Deeper Love: The Family Correspondence of the Parents of Saint Therese of the Child Jesus, 1864-1885

The post Visiting the Carmelite Monastery appeared first on Prayer Wine Chocolate.

I must have directed my 3 year-old to do this and stop doing that more than 100 times today.  He listened once or twice.  I’m not going to exaggerate and say he listened three times.  He definitely didn’t listen to me that many times today.  Oh, and his “best friend ever” . . . he too tested my patience today.  I think the throwing of the bike down a small flight of stairs might have been a breaking point . . . but

“See that you despise not one of these little ones, for I say to you, that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father who is in heaven” Matthew 18:10

Well . . . their angels might have been looking towards heaven, but they were looking at each other giggling almost every time I put them in time-out.

It was that kind of day.

But, I am here to tell you there is a friend you have that is much more obedient than my three-year-old.  In fact, he’s more obedient than you or I.

Your Guardian Angel is a real spiritual being.  I have been reading up on them ever since I heard that people used to send their angels to Padre Pio if they could not get to him personally – and that he saw them and spoke with them.  This fascinated both my husband and I.  I decided that I wanted to learn more.

Throughout my reading, I kept thinking and asking . . . what is it I should know about my Guardian Angel?  I kept wondering, if I were to talk to my guardian angel like Padre Pio could, what would his response be to:

“What should people know about their Guardian Angels”?

With that question in mind, I found the following answers in my research.

1. God has given every person a Guardian Angel.
2. There are angels everywhere.  Not only do people have Guardian Angels, but towns, cities, diocese, countries, etc.
3. The main purpose of your Guardian Angel is to help you avoid sin, stay in a state of grace, and get you into heaven.
4. Your Guardian Angel watches and prays with you in hours of distress.
5. If you feel called to the vocation of marriage, your Guardian Angel will- if you call upon him- help you find the life companion whom God has destined for you.  If you are called to a religious life, he will help you preserve your purity.

1. If you want to picture what he looks like, picture a being gazing at Our Lord in heaven with more joy and peace on his face than you have ever seen on the face of any person.
2. Your Guardian Angel desires your friendship, your gratitude and in times of affliction or temptation or fear – your guardian angel wants you to implore his aid!
3. It doesn’t matter if you are religious, or spiritual, or how much you don’t or do pray – you still have a Guardian Angel.  (See # 1)
4. Our Guardian Angels obtain powerful graces for us from the mercy of God – they moderate our passions, remove hindrances to our use of grace and assist us to resist temptation.
5. Since Biblical times, Guardian Angels have protected people from physical dangers (for example, St. Peter was rescued from prison by an angel). Trust that your Guardian Angel has preserved you from many unknown dangers.
6. Guardian Angels are always with you – yet you can send them to others.  Saints have stated that you can “send your angel” places.  For example, Padre Pio told those that could not get to him to “send their angel”.  Saint Bernadette stated, “When you pass before a chapel and do not have time to stop for a while, tell your Guardian Angel to carry out your errand to Our Lord in the tabernacle. He will accomplish it and then still have time to catch up with you.”  I love how Philip Kosloski describes this phenomenon using the words of St. Thomas Aquinas: [T]he swiftness of the angel’s movement is not measured by the quantity of his power, but according to the determination of his will (Summa Theologica, I, 53, 3, ad 1) Philip explains further, “Angels are not bound by a material body like we are and so they can move super fast, the speed of “thought”…much faster than Superman. So if you ask your Guardian Angel to help someone else out, they will be back at your side before you realize.”
7. Your Guardian Angel is a gift to you from God.  A friend given to you that will never leave your side.  Don’t forget to talk to him once in a while

Angel of God, my Guardian dear, to whom God’s love commits me here, ever this day be at my side, to light and guard, to rule and to guide. Amen

Most of the information shared in this article came from this pamphlet available on Amazon (in case you are interested in reading further):

this is an affiliate link:

The Guardian Angels: Our Heavenly Companions

The post Love, Your Guardian Angel appeared first on Prayer Wine Chocolate.

Dear Brave Soul Standing Outside Planned Parenthood,

When you stand outside Planned Parenthood:

You are judged.

You are judged by people who feel very strongly that abortion should be legal – and legal with no restrictions.

You are judged by people who rarely think about abortion.

You are judged by people who think abortion is bad, but Planned Parenthood provides other services besides abortion.

You are also judged by Pro-Lifers who feel strongly against abortion; but have never stood outside a clinic to hold a sign or pray.

You are even judged by the person that is also standing outside Planned Parenthood, but not doing it the same way you are.

So, since you are judged by so many, yet you choose to stand there for a cause that many people avoid discussing – you are certainly brave.

Well brave one – I am going to challenge you to put your thick skin on, because this message isn’t going to be a “let me just congratulate you” post.

I am going to ask that however you stand there,  whether it is with a rosary, a sign or just a quiet presence; whether you sidewalk counsel or silently make a statement . . . I am calling you to  “add more Mercy”.

I ask that you consider . . .

• Not holding a sign of a bloody baby.  I know someone said, “until America sees abortion; they will not reject it”.  BUT, the women showing up for their appointment need to see other signs.  They need to see a sign saying, “we can offer help” and perhaps state one way you can help.  If you can’t offer help, hold up a sign that says, “Unplanned Pregnancy? We want to adopt . . . look us up on Facebook“.  That way, even if they go in, maybe they will look on their phone while they are there and start to see other options.  Make your sign show there are other options! Also, consider holding a sign that says, “WE CAN GET YOU ANOTHER JOB!”  I mean, lots of people hate their jobs!  I’m sure abortion workers do too!

• Going to Mass and Confession or Chapel beforehand.  Pray for the workers, pray for the patients, pray that you only show God’s mercy and love while you are present there.
• Leave the judgements at home. Maybe you don’t need to hear this, however . . . if you are standing next to someone who is yelling at people walking into the building – call them on it.  Tell them to stop, tell them that is not helping.  In some way, ask them to “add more mercy”.
• Invite someone to come with you. You never know who may say yes.

• Ask your guardian angel for help. Padre Pio used to tell people to “send your guardian angel” to him if they could not physically get to him.  Saint Bernadette once said “When you pass before a chapel, and do not have time to stop . . . tell your Guardian Angel to carry out your errand to Our Lord in the tabernacle.”  And Saint Thomas Aquinas wrote, “[T]he swiftness of the angel’s movement is not measured by the quantity of his power, but according to the determination of his will (Summa Theologica, I, 53, 3, ad 1)”.  You can ask your Guardian Angel to help someone – ask your angel to help the woman change her mind.  What have you got to lose?

• Pray the Spiritual Adoption Prayer daily. This prayer is extremely powerful and does save lives.  I feel like God wants me to tell you that.  If you haven’t already, I urge you to read the experience my husband, son and I had with this prayer God Hears Us: A Spiritual Adoption Miracle {Free Printable}
• Talk to the Dads (if you can). Who knows, maybe they are there because they really feel they can’t afford to buy more diapers – tell them where they can get free diapers, formula and so much more.  Most people have no idea all the help crisis pregnancy centers provide.  Share that information – share it whenever you can to whoever will listen! If you are wondering what resources are out there, here is a start.Dear Beautiful Woman Considering an Abortion You probably know more than me – please feel free to add links in the comment section!

• Continue to offer HOPE, and peace. The women going in there for abortion appointments don’t feel hopeful.  Ask God to help you show these women that there is hope.  And when someone gives you the finger – because I noticed that does happen, just say a prayer for them. Don’t give up.  Lives are saved by people like you.  I hope one day you get to experience that (if you haven’t already)!

P.S. Thank you

<3 Amy

The post Dear Brave Soul Standing Outside Planned Parenthood appeared first on Prayer Wine Chocolate.

• Recognizing that someone is doing the best they can at that moment can make forgiveness and mercy a little more accessible.  (Laurel at Muffindome.com)
• Be vigilant in finding joy in our blessings.  The devil wants to steal our joy.  Remember that God’s Mercy and grace are endless. ( Jen at Into Your Will )
• Our pre-born children are just as deserving of our efforts and charity as any other person out there. And, through the words of Pope Francis’, to focus on the heart of others and seek how much generosity each and every person is capable of . . . (Mary at Better Than Eden)

“The call of Jesus pushes each of us never to stop at the surface of things, especially when we are dealing with a person.  We are called to look beyond, to focus on the heart to see how much generosity everyone is capable.” – Pope Francis

• TAKE TIME TO DO NOTHING!  Burnout is real, and we need to show Mercy to our selves! Lydia at Flourish In Hope reassured me that this is okay by quoting Saint John Paul in a letter to his friend Teresa:

    You need to wait things out, some time to do nothing, and, simply, patience.” Saint John Paul II

• If I want to change I need to make a concerted effort to try some new things, especially as a mom and especially when I having a tough time parenting or being patient. Sometimes showing mercy to our children is hard – especially when everyone is tired and cranky!  But if I make an effort to simply try something new, it could provide some relief and possibly laughter in place of whining! (Ma Britta at Cuppa Catholic)
• Next time I am tempted with the “give-me’s,” ask the Holy Spirit to give a heavenly perspective on what matters most! ( Emily at Divine Mercy for Moms )
• The purpose of marriage is to suffer together and encourage one another in virtue as you seek to follow Christ. (Meg at Held by His Pierced Hands )

I hope you enjoyed this journey of Mercy with me!  Special thanks to the following blogs that help me learn more about Mercy!

Muffin Dome

Into Your Will

Better Than Eden

Flourish In Hope

Cuppa Catholic

Divine Mercy for Moms

Held By His Pierced Hands

The post Mercy Mania! Learning From Others appeared first on Prayer Wine Chocolate.

“For me I have longed believed that our responsibility as Christ followers is to live out the fruits of the Holy Spirit: to be peacemakers . . . to demonstrate kindness . . . to offer grace where it’s not deserved; to love others  . . .” Steve Mayer

Steve Mayer was the Superintendent of  Robbinsville School District in New Jersey. Steve was killed last week after being struck by a car while jogging.

But Steve was not just a Superintendent.  Steve was a husband, a father, a caring friend and a faithful Christian. He was a close friend and mentor of my brother.  He was a father-figure and extremely close friend to my sister-in-law. He was loved so much.  He was one of those men that when you met him, you could feel his connection to the Lord.  His smile was so genuine, his demeanor so sincere, his way was so Christlike that it gave you a glimpse of how the Lord looks at all of us.

Steve Mayer lived a life that shows how much prayer can bring true joy and happiness. When he was alive, he prayed constantly – alone and with others.  Now that he is gone, we pray for him. We pray for his soul.  We pray for his family and friends.  We also pray for the driver that struck him and for her family.

“But of that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.”  Matthew 24:36

In today’s world we hear so much about “self-care”.  We are bombarded with ads, articles and commercials about what we should eat and how we should care for our physical health.

We are inundated with advice on how to deal with stress and other mental health issues.

When I think of what we hear about our spiritual health and the care of one’s soul . . . I hear crickets chirping.

Whether you are agnostic, atheist, “spiritual”, a Catholic Christian, a non-Denominational Christian, a Christian of any denomination, a Muslim, a Jew, a Buddhist or a Sikh – you have a soul and it needs to be nourished!

No one argues the existence of Jesus.  He died on the cross.  He did this because He loved the world.

He died on the cross because He loved you.  He still loves you.

When someone loves you, you talk to him or her.

Talk to Jesus.  Tell Him you are angry.  Tell Him you are confused.  Tell Him you are so happy and grateful.  Whatever it is – tell Him!  Believe He is listening!

Watch your heart change.  Watch your perception of the world change.  Embrace that change and find peace in it.

I hate writing like I know something.  Because if you know me personally – I’m not the brightest crayon in the box.  I’m okay with that.  But I want you to feel the love of Christ. It’s an incredibly happy feeling.  I want you to be happy.  How amazing would this world be if we encountered more happy people?

Pray for the living and the dead is the last “Work of Mercy” I have left to write about.

Pray for the people in your life.  Pray for those you like and don’t like.  Pray for your enemies. Pray for your family.

Pray for those you are worried about.  What do you have to lose by doing this?

If you miss someone who has passed away, pray for his or her soul.  Here is a great prayer for those who are deceased.

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon them.
May they rest in peace.

Amen.

As Catholics, we believe that Our Lord told Saint Gertrude that the following prayer would release 1000 souls from purgatory each time it is said. The prayer was extended to include living sinners as well.

“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.”

I love these two prayers because, honestly, they are short.  Many of us lead very busy lives. Prayer doesn’t have to interrupt your life.  Prayer is meant to make life more meaningful.

In the words of Padre Pio:

“Pray, hope, and don’t worry”

What an amazing mantra.

Let’s live it!

If you enjoyed reading about the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy, here is an awesome resource (this is an affiliate link):

The Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy: Pastoral Resources for Living the Jubilee (Jubilee Year of Mercy)

More about prayer:

When There is No Time for Prayer

God Hears Us: A Spiritual Adoption Miracle {Free Printable}

More about the Works of Mercy:

Mocha, Mercy and Mondays

Mocha, Mercy, and Mondays – Clothe the Naked

Mocha and Mercy : Visit the Imprisoned

The post Mocha, Mercy and Mondays: Pray for the Living and the Dead appeared first on Prayer Wine Chocolate.

At first sight, Instructing the Ignorant sounds kinda harsh.  I picture me doing a Stephen Colbert “wag of the finger” and then making a pompous statement with my chin up in the air. But . . . after some reading and reflecting, I had a flashback of a time in my life when my deepest prayer was:

“Lord, what is the right thing to do?  What is it that You want me to do?”

I don’t know if you have ever had a time in your life where you felt this way.  But I can tell you, for me, Our Lord’s answer was not clear to me.  I needed instruction.

I needed the priest I confided in to tell me it was okay to take anxiety medication.

I needed to hear and read that God does not want me to constantly look back, beat myself up for things I could have done better and think that if I done things differently a certain relationship would have not ended.

I needed to be reminded and assured that the right thing to do is trust that I was exactly where God wanted me to be.

I was, for lack of a better word, “dying” to be instructed.

I am grateful that I discussed my concerns about taking anxiety meds to a spiritual director.  That holy, caring priest assured me that it is perfectly fine and not sinful at all to take those meds.  I needed to hear that.

The rest of my concerns haunted me for what felt like years.  I know a lot of people tried to give me advice, but I felt their advice was practical and not spiritual. I sought counsel and instruction for the good of my soul.  I desired to not just hear the words from above that “it’s okay” but I starved for my heart to feel peace.  I needed to not only forgive myself, but believe that God had a plan and that I was on the right track.

I needed an instructor.  Perhaps if more people could have shown me spiritual direction my suffering would not have lasted as long as it did.

I look back on myself now and think, “boy, I really did walk around like a lost sheep.  I needed help finding the Good Shepherd.”

For those people who we may meet in the future that feel “lost” in their present; let’s prepare ourselves to instruct them.  Here are a few ideas on how:

Read.

Read Scripture.

Read Pope Francis’ books, letters and tweets.

Read testimonials of faithful Christians and saints.  Last week I spoke of Immaculee and her books which discuss how her faith helped her survive and live a faithful and successful life after the Rwandan genocide.  Personal testimonies of faith can help us see God’s will in a deeper, more beautiful light.

Read carefully planned homilies that elaborate on the Gospel teachings.  One excellent blog is by Father Jim Chern. (click here to read Father Jim’s blog: Father Jim Chern’s Blog)

Read articles written by knowledgeable, faithful, prayerful Christians.

Pray.

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth.

O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations, Through Christ Our Lord, Amen.

Or simply, “Holy Spirit, guide me.”

Ask the Lord to guide your words.  Ask your guardian angel for help too. Ask the saints to pray for you.

Share.

Share your heart, your empathy and your sympathy first and foremost.  People listen when they feel like you “get” them.  I know I felt like no one “got” me.

Share those faith articles on social media!  Share the Saint quotes!  Share those Bible verses! Retweet Pope Francis! In an age where the Kardashians are all over my newsfeed, please, share some spiritual inspiration, direction or something!  Our souls are starving.

Share your story. Share the book you read that made you feel better when you were down. Share your therapists phone number.  Share the fact that your parish priest gives great homilies.  Share your time and pray with one another.

Share your candy . . . especially your chocolate.  Also, share your wine.

Hey . . . it helps!

Hopefully doing these three things (reading, praying and sharing) will help us see and identify a lost sheep who is looking for an instructor and then give holy, sound and helpful guidance. And hopefully along the way, we’ll be instructed too.

In case you miss a Mocha, Mercy and Monday post, here are a few:

Mocha, Mercy and Mondays: Forgiving all injuries

Mocha, Mercy and Mondays: Bury the Dead

Mocha, Mercy and Mondays – Giving Drink to the Thirsty

The post Mocha, Mercy and Mondays: Instruct the Ignorant appeared first on Prayer Wine Chocolate.

I think of an attorney giving legal advice. But more often, I think of giving advice.

But, before I write about a Work of Mercy, I read a little about it first. I prepared to write this post about Counseling the Doubtful on Divine Mercy Sunday. I came across a brief summary on the Spiritual Works of Mercy at The Divine Mercy website.  I thought, “Perfect.  There are no coincidences – let me read what this article has to offer.”

The article stressed the importance of listening. 

Yep, that’s the Holy Spirit talking to me for sure.  I talk – a lot.  I don’t listen enough.

I love the counsel this article gives.  In order to give counsel to others, we must first be in tune with the Holy Spirit.  We must take time to listen to His voice.  We must nourish our soul and our relationship with the Lord.  I am reminded of the Scripture passage:

Psalm 46:10

Be Still, and know that I am God . . .

Before we can “Counsel the Doubtful” we must be counseled ourselves.  As theDivineMercy.org article states: first we must listen and reflect in prayer; then we must discuss our prayer life with a Spiritual Director.

How many of us have a Spiritual Director? I don’t.  Although I have been thinking a lot lately about how nice it would be to have one.  Maybe this is the Lord pushing me to go on the search.  He does say “Seek and you shall find” right?

I love how much the author,Dr. Robert Stackpole, stresses listening.

Listen to the person who is in doubt.

Listen to the Holy Spirit.

Listen to your Spiritual Director.

Then, after you have listened to those three, pray some more.  Then we may be ready to give good counsel.

Isn’t this such great advice?  Stackpole is reminding us of Matthew 7:5:

Hypocrite! Take the log out of your own eye first, and then you will see clearly enough to take the splinter out of your brother’s eye.

I notice that Matthew doesn’t instruct us not to take the splinter out of our brother’s eye – but he certainly stresses to look at ourselves first.

Stackpole explains how we must look at ourselves.  That we must take our introspection seriously.  We must take time to examine our actions, our thoughts and our goals.  We must take time to listen.  More time must be spent listening than giving counsel.

In an effort to listen more – I am going to attempt taking the “Heroic Minute” Challenge.

Two Catholic Bloggers Debbie Gancila Gaudino at Saints365 and Allision Gringras over at Reconciled To You will be beginning the 14 Day Heroic Minute Challenge on Monday April 4 – based on St. Josemarie Escriva’s concept of the Heroic Minute. I figured I would share this with you incase you also want to take the challenge!  It’s about starting the day early and starting the day listening and talking to God!  

Perhaps if I start with this “heroic minute” I will take more time to listen to the Lord throughout the day.  Then perhaps someday I will be able to give good counsel to the doubtful. Until then . .

What is the best counsel you have been given in times of doubt?

The post Mocha, Mercy and Mondays: Counsel the Doubtful appeared first on Prayer Wine Chocolate.

“I need help with this one.”

Talking to a three-year-old about Jesus’ death and Resurrection is a challenge to say the least.

I found myself talking much more about the Easter Bunny than Jesus.

And wow . . . that was not what I pictured myself doing before I was a parent.

Meanwhile I am finding myself researching The Works of Mercy.  In my search I found The Happy Saints eBook: Works of Mercy.  I wrote to Happy Saints and asked them if I could review the book.  They sent me a copy in exchange for this review.  All opinions are my own. 

I absolutely love the first line of the book is from Scripture; specifically Matthew 25:40.

“The King will answer them ‘Most certainly I tell you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of my brothers, you didi it to me”.

This is definitely a teaching I can embrace, discuss and promote with my 3 year old or a child of any age. In fact, it’s a topic I can easily discuss with an adult.

The next line in the book translates that verse into an easy way for a child to “get it”.

“Jesus is close to those who suffer.  He is so close to them that He consoles our acts of kindness that are done for them as if they were done for Him.”

There it is – the word suffer.  My gateway to Good Friday and its meaning – in a way a child can comprehend.

• Children will tell you how they got that boo boo
• Children know what it is like to have their feelings hurt
• Children know how they desire to be comforted when they are hurt (or suffering).

It amazes me how much my son mirrors my actions when the tables are turned and I am the one who is sick.  He totally gets it.  He rubs my back.  He “checks on me”.  He tells me he loves me.  He gets it.  If a three year old can reflect on that, how much more can an older child grasp helping those who suffer.

Since I only have a three year old, I printed out some of the Black and White Posters included in the book and headed up the street to my neighbors’ house.  The family has a nine year old boy and a 6 year old girl.

The six year old, with her face painted like a kitten, enthusiastically started to color her saint poster. The nine year old, super cool for school boy, had to be told to start coloring, but jumped right into the task.

After they colored their masterpieces, their mother had her son read his paper out loud. He had lots of pride as he read at least one big word.  Then the mother read the poster that discussed “Bearing Wrongs Patiently”.  I could hear her emphasis on almost every word. Apparently, the two siblings have been bickering lately and this was the perfect message from above that was desperately needed. I actually chuckled as I heard her reading it – then stopping and explaining how it relates to picking on your little sister!

The ebook contains more than just coloring posters.  There are posters provided which are already colored (which will help in discussing what colors nuns wear and how people in the middle ages did not have green hair).

The book contains holy cards (in color) which can be printed out.  I love these holy cards because the art and the text are written for children.  They could also be used for any young person’s prayer journal. The prayer cards come in two different sizes which is a neat way to give your child some freedom to pick what they feel suits them best.

The eBook also contains printable greeting cards.  These could come in handy for some extension activities, and really come in handy when a child’s friend of loved one loses a family member.

The eBook also includes badges – both colored and black and white for more coloring.  What a great way to motivate your child to act out each Work of Mercy.

If you are interested in purchasing Happy Saints Works of Mercy or other Christian ebooks click here:

Happy Saints Works of Mercy

Enjoy your spiritual journey to our Lord with your child!

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