This post contains affiliate links.  Please see my “About Me” page for more details.

I recently saw a picture with the words “Lord please give me a sign on what I should do” on the top of it.  The picture was of a kitchen.  The sink was full of dishes and the sunlight was beaming directly on the dirty dishes.

I laughed out loud and had to share.

I guess, yes, sometimes God does want us to do the dishes.

Seeing this “meme” was timed perfectly with the theme of a mini-retreat I was planning.

I often found the question, “What does God want me to do?” burning in my heart and mind when I was younger.  As a child, a teen and before I was married . . . I often wondered, what did God really want me to do.

Maybe our pride seeks bigger answers, but often God desires us to simply put love into all the little things.

As a part of a “mini-retreat” series I am running with a group of young girls, this question was the theme of our last meeting.  Each of the answers are found somewhere inside the Be Yourself Journal!

What does God want me to do?

Be kind to the person that annoys you.

(St. Therese’ of the Child Jesus)

People can be sooooo annoying!

I love how St. Therese’ confesses in her Story of a Soul how a fellow nun drove her nuts!!!

Okay, maybe those weren’t here exact words, but, in a letter she wrote to her sister Celine she reveals how there were many times where she didn’t want to practice virtue, but in those moments she gave a smile or a friendly word.

People can be annoying.  Even saints had to deal with this.  Be kind. Smile.  Truly love.

Never worry about numbers.  Help one person at a time and always start with the person nearest to you.

When I think back to the times I really agonized over the question, “What does God want me to do?” I can see now how I didn’t value how important the little things are . . .

So many times I wanted big answers – but that’s just it.  That’s what I wanted – not what God wanted.

This piece of advice from Mother Teresa (Saint Teresa of Calcutta) helps us realize God doesn’t call us to do the impossible.

Pray without ceasing.  In all circumstances, give thanks.

(Saint Paul in his first letter to the Thessalonians)

How many times do we start a personal prayer asking for Our Lord’s help without thanking him for something!?

I realized when I started prayer journaling how rude I had been to God!!!

I would start a letter to Jesus, Dear Jesus and think, well, I can’t just say hi can you do this for me – that’s so rude!

But that is what I had been doing . . .always diving right into what I hoped he would do for me.

We often see that quote, “pray without ceasing”; but that next sentence is so important.

God gave you that breath you just took.  God created the world we live in.  Thank God for all the things!

Make it your responsibility to know what acts are sinful and avoid them.

(Inspired by the life of Saint Maria Goretti)

When reading about Saint Maria Goretti, I was quite impressed with how she was taught by her mother to avoid sin at all cost.

Assunta [Maria’s mother] was Maria’s teacher. She could neither read nor write, but she understood her religion and she taught Maria what she knew; to love god, to die rather than offend Him. In her summation: “I taught her the fear of god and God did the rest.”

read more here: Saint Maria Goretti, Martyr of Purity

This lesson could have served me well in my teenage years.  I think it’s human nature to say, “well I think I’m not sinning” and accept that.  Nope.  Not okay.  Find out and get to work on avoiding sin like it’s important.

Never give up on hope.

(Advice from Saint John Paul II)

We might have to give up our goals to both become President of the United States and the highest paid professional athlete in the world – but we should never, ever give up on hope.

Pope (now Saint) John Paul II words of advice were:

I plead with you, never ever give up on hope.  Never doubt, never tire and never become discouraged.  Be not afraid.

There are certainly times where we are tempted to give up all hope, but that voice or thought does NOT come from God.  God wants us to hope!!!!

Saints really do give us such real, practical advice!  Want more?  Check out:

5 Lessons I Learned from the Daughter of a Saint

Saint Francis De Sales’ 5 Practical Tips for a Better Day

Two Words That Will Make a Good Day Better (Inspired by Joan of Arc)

3 Ways St. Gianna Leads Us Closer to Jesus

Let’s stay connected!  Subscribe here: Subscribe to prayerwinechocolate.com

The post What Does God Want Me To Do? 5 Saintly Answers to that Burning Question appeared first on Prayer Wine Chocolate.

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Saint Gianna’s feast day is April 28th.

3 Ways St. Gianna Leads Us Closer to Jesus

1. Her Intercession

Recently during a visit, I noticed something on the floor of my parent’s house.

I picked it up and saw that it was a pair of Saint Gianna holy cards folded in half.

My son said, “Oh, those are mine”.  He quickly took them and placed them in his coat pocket as he passed by me . . . not sure when he finally stopped.

I couldn’t help but wonder why those holy cards were in his pocket, but, it brought back a vivid memory.

Without sharing to much of our son’s story, I can tell you a St. Gianna holy card spent at least 6 weeks attached to his hospital bed as a newborn.

When he was about 4 years old I heard from a nurse that took care of him in that NICU that her and some other nurses “didn’t think he would make it”.

Thank God I didn’t hear that then.  I knew he was sick, I knew he needed prayers.

I knew St. Gianna was a doctor and a mother.  I had holy cards that had touched her gloves.  I taped one behind his hospital bed name sign.

I asked everyone to pray, and I fell in love with the most wonderful baby boy in the whole world.

Even though I knew a little bit about St. Gianna and how her life ended as a young mother, I didn’t know much about how she viewed her faith and what wise words she had stated while living in this world.

Then I listened to her daughter, Gianna Emmanuela, speak about her “saint Mom” and I realized how far I am from where God wants me to be.

What I’ve come to learn, is that not only is St. Gianna a powerful intercessor, but a wise mentor.

Her words are relevant and full of truth.

Her simple but wise words are helpful to anyone living in the modern world with the hopes of going to heaven one day.

Her witness to true Christianity has inspired her daughter to dedicate her life to her mother’s memory and legacy – even though she only “knew” her for about a week.

Having that physical rectangular holy card helped me.  Attaching it to my son’s name sign was a prayer itself.  But I know that when I asked others devoted to Saint Gianna to pray for “a sick little boy in the NICU” that they prayed too.  They asked St. Gianna to intercede for him.

2. Her Wise Words and Christian Witness to our Modern, Fast-paced  Life

Her simple but wise words are helpful to anyone living in the modern world with the hopes of going to heaven one day.

I love how Catholic artisans have made it possible for us to place reminders of St. Gianna’s wisdom around our homes and in our work spaces.

“One earns paradise with one’s daily task”

Saint Gianna Molla

“The Secret of Happiness is to live moment by moment and to thank God for all He, in His goodness, sends to us day by day.”

“Whatever God Wants”

3. Her Example and Witness As a Holy Wife and Mother

In the book, Saint Gianna Molla: Wife, Mother, Doctor, Pietro Molla shares his personal insights of the heroic witness, love, sacrifice and joy of his saintly wife.

It is clear he truly loved and admired his wife.  These words take on a whole new life if you have ever heard their youngest daughter, Gianna Emmanuela, speak about her “saint Mama and holy dad”.  She knew her mom only for a week, but truly learned her mother was a model Christian.  Gianna Emmanuela shares letters written between Gianna and Pietro in the work:

The Journey of Our Love: The Letters of Saint Gianna Beretta and Pietro Molla. 

As the book description states:

“From balancing work and family life, to dealing with a long-distance relationship, to parenting, to coping with illness and death, Gianna and Pietro conquered it all. But none of it was accomplished without tremendous trust in each other and in God.”

The transcribing of these letters into a book was done by Gianna Emmanuela.

Gianna Emmanuela has dedicated her life to preserving her “saint mom’s” legacy.  She now travels the world asking for help in the
St. Gianna Restoration Fund Project, also known as the Ponte Nuovo Project.

5 Lessons I Learned From the Daughter of a Saint

The Ponte Nuovo Project’s goal is to honor and promote knowledge of Saint Gianna and her spirituality as well as to spread devotion to her by restoring, as a place of pilgrimage and prayer, the place where she lived as a spouse, a mother, a doctor, and a Martyr to Life in Magenta (Milan), Italy.

Each of the St. Gianna inspired products shown in this article can be purchased by these small business owners who have agreed to give 15% of their profits between now and May 13, 2018 to the St. Gianna Restoration Project.

We thought this would be a great way to honor St. Gianna and allow you to also have something physical to remind you of her great example and how much it means to truly love our God and be His child.

Want more information about the project?  Click here: PDF Document describing The St. Gianna Restoration Project

Want to donate directly to the project?  Click here: Make a donation to the St. Gianna Restoration Project

Saint Gianna is a special saint that can influence both the young and the old.  Here are some kid friendly St. Gianna products:

I know that physical holy card I placed on my son’s hospital bed wasn’t a magic wand.  But having something that physically reminds us of what our life should be about . . .well, it’s helpful.

I don’t know why those holy cards were important to my son, perhaps it was nothing.

But, I can only imagine how important the St. Gianna Restoration Projectis to Gianna Emmanuela.  I’ve read that it was very important to her father as well.

How wonderful would it be to the future of our world to have this place and Saint Gianna’s holy example preserved!

A group of incredibly talented artisans, who are devoted to St. Gianna, and myself, would like to help in our own little way.

Each of the St. Gianna inspired products can be purchased by these small business owners who have agreed to give 15% of their profits between now and May 1, 2018 to the St. Gianna Restoration Project.

We thought this would be a great way to honor St. Gianna and allow you to also have something physical to remind you of her great example and how much it means to truly love our God and be His child.

The small business featured in this article that will be donating a percentage of profits to the St. Gianna Restoration fund are:

Annunciation Designs

SaongJai Catholic Shop

Trendzilly

Just Love Prints

Books Faith Life

The Little Catholic Box

Want to browse more Catholic shops and support Catholic Artisans?  Check out Catholics Online: A Directory of Catholic Social Media Influencers

Did you see what happened that time I went to interview Gianna Emaneula? 5 Lessons I Learned From the Daughter of a Saint

Want to connect with others devoted to Saint Gianna – join the Facebook group Saint Gianna Beretta Molla, Pray for us!

The post 3 Ways St. Gianna Leads Us Closer to Jesus appeared first on Prayer Wine Chocolate.

The coverage had me thinking of many different topics.  It also had me thinking about how blessed I have been in my life with a family so full of wonderful women. My mother, grandmothers, and aunts have been incredible role models and have truly loved me for who I am.  One of the aspects I have long noticed about the women in my family is that they never seem to gossip, always enjoy a good laugh and really, truly listen to one another.  Although we may not always agree, I love them dearly and see them as a gift from God.

I also started thinking about the women I have read about that have inspired me to be a better Christian, a harder working woman, and simply, a better person.

Here are some inspiring resources I recommend about some truly heroic women:

Our Blessed Mother

Although there are an unmeasurable amount of resources about Our Lady, there are two I’d like to rccommend . . . The first is 33 Days to Morning Glory by Fr. Michael Gaitley. 33 Days to Morning Glory: A Do-It-Yourself Retreat In Preparation for Marian Consecration is an easy read and not only serves as a personal retreat, but is also incredibly informative about Our Blessed Mother’s role in our faith.

The second resource about Our Lady is the fascinating Our Lady of Guadalupe. I heard someone give a talk about Our Lady of Guadalupe and she referred to this book Our Lady of Guadalupe: Mother of the Civilization of Love.  So much she said fascinated and intrigued both my husband and I.  It’s not only on my “to read” list – it’s on his as well!

Saint Catherine of Siena and Saint Katharine Drexel

Sitting in Eucharistic Adoration once, I came across the book titled, 15 Days of Prayer wit Saint Catherine of Siena.  One of my favorite quotes is attributed to her:

Be who God wants you to be and you will set the world on fire!

I LOVE that quote.  I often pray – Dear God, help me to be who you want me to be – and set the world ablaze!  However, there is much I do not know about this saint.  Reading this book in the chapel was quite interesting to me and gave me more knowledge about the truly heroic woman.  Not to long after, I was in the Eucharistic Adoration chapel again.  I came across a similar book, but this time the saint was Katharine Drexel. As I read 15 Days of Prayer with Saint Katharine Drexel, I truly felt as though I was receiving advice from heaven.

Saint Gianna

We live in quite an amazing time.  Saint Gianna Beretta Molla- wife, mother and physician has been canonized and three of her children are still living!   Gianna Emanuela, the daughter of the great modern saint, stated to me in an email  that this is her favorite book about her “Saint Momma”: The Journey of Our Love: The Letters of Saint Gianna Beretta and Pietro Molla. As someone who not only feels Saint Gianna has interceded for my own personal prayers, but also a person who loves history and reading historical documents – this type of book is a gold mine!  How cool is it to be able to read the letters a saint wrote to her husband – and that he wrote to her!  The art of letter writing has become almost an ancient ritual in modern times, but also quite a nostalgic memory for many of us.  I wish I could read the letters my grandparents wrote to one another during WWII.  People wrote with such elegance and detail.  Having this book as a way to model marital love is quite a blessing and treasure.

Saint Zelie Martin

Speaking of love letters . . . and motherhood . . .and marriage . . . I have a fairly new addition to my “favorite saint list”.  For years I have been quite fond and devoted to Saint Therese’ of Liseux.  Not so long ago, both her mother and father were canonized.  One time I was reading a letter Saint Zelie wrote to her brother, and I was so struck by the love she had for her husband.  In this particular letter, dated January 1, 1863, Zelie writes:

I’m always so happy with him, he makes my life very pleasant.  What a holy man my husband is.  I wish the same for all women; that’s my wish for them for the New Year.” 

It is my belief that if asked, she intercedes for husbands and wives.  This book, Call to a Deeper Love: The Family Correspondence of the Parents of Saint Therese of the Child Jesus (1864-1885) is an incredible way to see how two very faithful people dealt with daily struggles and real challenges.

Immaculee Ilibagiza

Immaculee lives in New York and survived the Rawandan Genocide.  Her experience and the way prayer and faith helped her through unimaginable horror and enabled her to truly understand forgiveness is more than inspiring.  Left to Tell: Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust  and  Led by Faith: Rising from the Ashes of the Rwandan Genocide (Left to Tell) are both incredible accounts of a woman who is most certainly a hero of faith.

If you are looking to be inspired by women of faith . . . I strongly recommend these women!  Who inspires your faith?

Who is a hero to you?

The post Heroic Women; Inspiring Resources appeared first on Prayer Wine Chocolate.

“Get ice cream from the ice cream truck, buy ice cream cones and pray your rosaries.”

This was my son’s advice to me when I asked him what I should ask Saint Gianna’s daughter if I got the chance to talk with her.

If you are unfamiliar with Saint Gianna Beretta Molla, she was a wife, mother and physician.  She often treated her patients that could not pay her.  She was a devout Catholic, devoted spouse and loving mother. When diagnosed with a benign tumor, a fibroma, in her uterus during her last pregnancy. The doctors gave her options about treatment and Gianna chose what was safest for her unborn child. One week after the birth of her daughter, Gianna Emanuela, Saint Gianna passed away.

Her youngest daughter, who was one week old when her mother died, is Dr. Gianna Emaneula.  Dr. Gianna Emanuela is in the United States this week promoting a project that will preserve the home and two other buildings in her mother’s honor.  I had the incredible privilege to hear her speak and meet her personally this weekend.  I was pretty excited about it . . . hence me asking many people, including my 4-year-old son, “what should I ask Saint Gianna’s daughter if and when I meet her?!!”

Like most of life, I had no idea what to expect.  And like most experiences, it taught me some things . . .

1. Humility

I have to start by talking about the elephant in the room.  You may not see that elephant, but I do.  You see, I thought I was going to be able to interview Gianna Emanuela on a Facebook Live video.  I was elated when the shrine director offered to ask her if she would be interested, and even more excited when I met Dr. Gianna Emanuela and she agreed to do it – but after her speech that had been planned for the next day.  Gianna Emanuela is so incredibly kind and sweet.  I waited until she greeted everyone before I approached her for the quick interview.  She was understandably exhausted.  She spoke with me for a little about the first question I had on a piece of paper.  Seeing how reluctant she was, I asked her if instead of an interview, would she just say “hi” to the viewers and say a prayer with me.  Honestly, I think she didn’t want to, but she did it.  Then, when I watched the video after, I saw that only about 30 seconds of the video was clear.  The rest was completely fuzzy.  The “interview” I had talked up and been so excited about . . . didn’t happen and the little that I was able to film was almost all “unviewable”.  Here is a classic case of God not giving me what I wanted, but giving me what I needed.  I wanted an interview, I needed a dose of humility.

2. Gratitude

After sulking about my video for a short amount of time, I picked my head up.

I thought, “Am I crazy?  How can I feel sorry about anything!?  I met Saint Gianna’s daughter!  I held her hand and spoke with her.  My family got our picture with her and got to tell her how we believe her mother interceded for our little boy – who she met and said hello to.  We hugged.  We prayed together.  We talked about little things like we were old friends, and we talked about big things like how one stays joyful when life is hard.”

Although I didn’t get to video all of it, I listened to Gianna speak.  The admiration and love she spoke of when referring to her father was more than endearing.  She told the crowd listening how her “Papa” endured so much heartache.  He lost his spouse only 6 years after they were married.  Two years later, his daughter – at the age of 6 years old – passed away.  Gianna told us how her father reassured her that he could “never be thankful enough’ for all the blessings God had given him.

When I spoke to Gianna after her talk, I asked her, “How do you stay joyful when life is hard?”  She said, “I thank God for every breath I take.”  And, as I sat there, I thought: “She means that.  She means that with all her heart.”  What a lesson.  What a thought . . . to simply thank God for every breath . . .

3.  Keep Praying to Our Blessed Mother

When I asked Gianna what her favorite prayer was, she responded, “The Ave Maria.”  I noticed during her talk, that she not only referred to her saint mother, Gianna, but also her heavenly Mother, Our Blessed Mother. Something I am noticing lately is how devoted Saints who clearly loved Christ, truly loved His Mother.  And like my son said, “pray your rosaries.”  Sometimes I think he says things that his guardian angel has whispered in his ear.

4.  Work for a purpose that is far greater than myself

I am convinced that Gianna Emanuela would be a great Christian whether she chose to return to her work as a geriatric physician or if she continues to take on the mission of sharing with the world her mother’s incredible life witness.

Gianna exudes a love for Our Lord.  It is clear to me that not only is her mother a saint, but her father as well.  When she speaks of her father, I am in such awe of how he taught her to love God and love “the way of the Cross”.  She speaks of him with such tenderness, and he taught her that the way to true joy is through Jesus.  No matter what she chooses to do for her work in this life, it is clear that she loves the Lord with all her heart.

Gianna chose to help the world receive her mother’s message.  Gianna said that before her father passed away he told his children that the world needs Saint Gianna’s message.  He said that at least one of his children should make sure that their mother’s “wonderful message” of a simple love and joy be heard by as many people as possible. When Gianna speaks of her mother’s Christian witness, she stresses

her sacred respect for life;

her courage,

her unlimited trust in Divine Providence,

and her amazing sacrifice and donation of her own life.

She also spoke of how her mother is a saint of every day life.  Unlike many other saints who seem to be removed from our daily concerns, Saint Gianna Berreta Molla is accessible to the modern person.  Saint Gianna had many of the same stresses and worries as we have today.  She was a wife, a mother, and a physician. She prayed she would find a wonderful husband, she experienced the grief of two miscarriages, she went to work and truly tried to love everyone she knew.  Gianna Emanuela, like her father, see Saint Gianna’s message as a message of hope.  Gianna Emanuela is working to spread that hope and keep it alive.

Looking for a gift inspired by Saint Gianna?  Check out this post: Gifts inspired by Saint Gianna

5. Believe in Miracles 

So many people came to introduce Gianna Emanuela to their Giannas.  I wonder if someone counted how many Giannas met with her this past weekend!  So many women and couples ask Saint Gianna’s intercession when trying to get pregnant or when they are worried about the health of the baby and their health throughout pregnancy.  So many are grateful for Gianna’s intercession.

Although I believe Saint Gianna interceded for my son’s health as he laid in the NICU, my miracle this weekend was different.

In early June, I spoke with the director of the Shrine of Saint Gianna Beretta Molla, Angela Shammo, located in Warminster, PA.  I asked Angela if I could come and do a short video one day while she was there.  She said that would be fine, and gave me the dates she was scheduled to work at the shrine.  We decided on July 16th.  A short time later the director notified me that she wasn’t sure what would be going on that day . . . because she got word that Gianna’s daughter would be visiting that weekend!

The one day this summer I had planned to show the world Saint Gianna’s shrine, Saint Gianna’s daughter traveled half-way across the world to be there as well.

To me . . . that’s a miracle.

Want to know more about Saint Gianna?  This book was written by her husband.  (These are affiliate links):

Gianna Emanuela told me this is her FAVORITE BOOK!

The Journey of Our Love: the Letters of Saint Gianna Beretta and Pietro Molla

Saint Gianna Molla: Wife, Mother, Doctor

More gifts inspired by Saint Gianna in this blog post: Gifts Inspired by Saint Gianna

The post 5 Lessons I Learned from The Daughter of a Saint appeared first on Prayer Wine Chocolate.

I daydream of vacationing in Tuscany: renting a villa, drinking wine overlooking the Italian countryside, and walking the roads that St. Francis and St. Clare walked.  To me, it would be the perfect vacation that would allow me to experience my faith in a way I never have; it would also allow me to enjoy wine in a place filled with history and gorgeous scenery.

I don’t think I can express the excitement I felt when I saw that this type of pilgrimage is not only one I would enjoy – but a whole group of women have a similar desire.  WINE: Women in the New Evangelization is an organization that is planning a pilgrimage to Italy.  They are calling their trip WINE & SHRINE: Visiting the Great Female Saints of Italy. They are leaving at the end of the week.

Sadly, I will not be joining them – this time.

However, I am inspired!

I am also extremely lucky to live near many awesome shrines and holy places.  My home is located a short distance away from the burial places of two American saints. I can drive to St. John Neumann’s shrine and Saint Katherine Drexel‘s shrine in less than an hour.  I have knelt at their graves several times in my life.  Now, I want to go there with YOUR intentions.  And who am I kidding . . . I’m bringing my own too!

I also live in driving distance to a Carmelite Monastery, St. Gianna’s shrine,  the Shrine of the Miraculous Medal, and the National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia.

In addition to these awesome pilgrimage destinations, there are relics coming to my area that I have never had the privilege to encounter – those of St. Padre Pio, St. Thomas More and Saint John Fisher!

My plan is to:

• visit each holy place and bring your intentions with me.  If there is a first class relic at the location, I will do my best to touch the relic with your intention.

• Shoot a video of some form (leaning towards Facebook Live (will be broadcasted here: Prayer Wine Chocolate on Facebook)

• Take pictures and write a post about each visit.

Since taking a video and “reporting live” is part of my plan, I want to give you a tentative schedule.  I also wanted to let you know a little bit about each Saint whose relics I will be venerating, that way if you have a specific intention that connects with one of these saints, I can be sure to ask for that Saint’s intercession on your behalf.

Since the following schedule is very tentative, and does not include times for Facebook Live videos, I created a group on Facebook that will allow me to update the schedule and give you a heads up for what time I plan to go “live”.  Please request to join the group if you want to be updated!  Here is the link: Prayer Wine Chocolate: updates and announcements.  Another reason why I would like to keep you posted is because if possible, I’d love for you to join me when I visit the shrine!  If you happen to be in the area, I’d love your company!

Tentative Schedule for Shrine Visits and Videos:

June 20:

The Carmelite Monastery in Philadelphia – the birthplace of devotion to St. Therese in the United States! Here I will pray before the Relics of St. Therese and Saints Louis and Zelie Martin! Saint Therese’ is patron saint of missionaries and missions. She is a powerful intercessor to anyone who goes to her!  I write about her in the post Raining Roses. Saints Zelie and Louis are patrons of the domestic church.  I have also found Saint Zelie to be a powerful intercessor for help in marriage.

The Miraculous Medal Shrine – Our Lady manifested the Medal to St. Catherine Labouré on November 27, 1830, in the motherhouse of the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul and St. Louise de Marillac, in Paris. There is a piece of the chair which Our Blessed Mother sat on display at the shrine!

June 25-26:

This a busy weekend in the Philadelphia area for visiting Saint relics!  The relics of Padre Pio, St. Thomas More and St. John Fisher will be in the area!  I may not get to the separate locations, so please let me know if any interest you more!  Padre Pio’s relics will be in Bucks County at St. Bede’s Church; St. Thomas More and St. John Fisher’s relics will be at the Cathedral Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul.

July 9 -10

The National Shrine of Saint Katharine Drexel

Sadly, the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament announced earlier this month that they will be selling the grounds of this gorgeous, peaceful, holy place.  Saint Katherine Drexel is buried in this location, but next year will be moved to the Cathedral Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul in Philadelphia.  I may attempt to go to this shrine when it’s less busy.  This is a MUST for this summer, since this place will no longer be and holds so much history.

July 16:

Saint Gianna Shrine –  Saint Gianna’s gloves are kept here.  We will talk to the shrine director!  Many women, longing to conceive a child, have come to the Shrine to touch and venerate St. Gianna’s gloves and ask for her intercession. God has granted many of them new life. There have also been many other kinds of answered prayers. St. Gianna holy cards & pamphlets in English and Spanish are available at the shrine.

July 30-31:

Visit The National Shrine of Saint John Neumann and/or the National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia

Saint Rita of Cascia is the patron of impossible cases, difficult marriages, and parenthood.

Saint John Neumann is invoked as a patron of sick children and of immigrants. He was first American man to be named saint.

August 20:

National Shrine of Our Lady of Czextochowa

The National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa occupies approximately 170 acres of land. Located In Doylestown, PA and overlooks Peace Valley. The Shrine is the perfect place to come and spend time in prayer and reflection.

What I’m asking of you!

1. Please pray that this summer we will grow closer to Jesus and have positive experiences through the intercession of Our Blessed Mother and the Saints we venerate!
2. Let me know which shrine I can bring your petitions and tell me your intentions!  If you don’t mind others praying for you as well, leave your intentions as a comment under this article.  If you want me to keep your intention private, you can comment special intention or email me at prayerwinechocolate@gmail.com.
3. Join the group Prayer Wine Chocolate: updates and announcements* on Facebook!  This way I can give you an idea of what time I will be going “live”!  Also, if any dates change, I will post that in this group.

*I also hope to plan a Day of Reflection and at least one “Tour the Shrine, Pour the Wine” day!  Join the group to get all the updates on upcoming events!!!!

The post Summer Shrine Schedule 2016 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!

The post Happy Saints Works of Mercy eBook Review appeared first on Prayer Wine Chocolate.

Do you remember being young, and wanting to do something that you could not do because you “weren’t big enough”? Whether it’s your three-year-old who wants to use a jackhammer or your tween that wants a cell phone, we find ourselves telling our children, “when you’re older”.  Most children have heard this from their parents.  Most children would rather not hear it.

St. Therese’ didn’t want to hear it either.

The Little Flower: A Parable about St. Therese’ is an absolute beautiful reminder of how we all make the world radiant.  Whether we are feeding the poor in a third world country, or reaching out to a classmate that feels excluded, when we act out of love, we glorify the Lord.

I LOVE this book for so many reasons, but I will condense them into three!

3 Reasons Why I LOVE The Little Flower: A Parable of St. Therese’:

1. Children can relate to the main character.

   St. Therese’, as a young girl, wants to do things her big sisters and older people do in order to show how much they love God. Therese’ wants to do lots of things, but, unfortunately, she is just “not old enough”. Most children have had this desire and because of that they will immediately connect with the story.

2. The book is a spring board for so many discussions and activities!  

   I read The Little Flower: A Parable of St. Therese’ to three six year old girls.  Each time I read the book I asked questions like, “If you were a flower, what color would you be?” “Which page of the book is your favorite?”  “Which flower is your favorite?”.  I loved how each little girl answered the questions differently!  I then printed out out some free coloring pages of flowers.  The three young ladies picked a total different page to color.  If I had them all together, I could have asked what they liked about the other persons flowers, and discussed how each one was beautiful.  I could then have discussed how God made every little girl beautiful.  We could discuss how we are all different and we all love God in different ways.  I could go on and on!  It’s a great book that can be used to build self-esteem, nurture a young child’s faith and provide an opportunity for a parent and child to get to know one another a little better (you never know what they will say when you start asking questions)!  This book is a  great opportunity for a mom to show her daughter which flower she likes the best – and how maybe she liked a different flower when she was little.  A dad could tell his son what he couldn’t wait to do when he was older!

3. The illustrations are gorgeous and exude happiness! 

   My words will not do these pictures justice. When you open this book you see flowers everywhere, beautiful days, friendly people and radiant colors.  I don’t know where I heard Tina Fey say, “I want to go there”, but I think of that when I look at this book. I want to hop inside these pictures “Mary Poppins and Bert” style!

What is your favorite flower?  My friend Kate’s is the pansy, and until reading The Little Flower: A Parable of St. Therese of Liseux, I did not know what a pansy looked like! When I asked Kate’s daughter to point out her favorite page, she picked the page with the pansy.  So cute right!?

Reading this book is a great way to say goodbye to Winter and hello to Spring with your children! It would be a great addition to an Easter basket, an awesome birthday present or even a wonderful First Holy Communion gift!

Author Becky Arganbright  and illustrator Tracey Arvidson did an amazing job.  I hope they have another book coming out soon!

Want One?

Purchase your copy here: The Little Flower: A Parable of St. Therese’

The post Beautiful Little Flowers: The Little Flower Book Review appeared first on Prayer Wine Chocolate.

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Happy All Saints Day!  I know we live in a fast paced society and we are all extremely busy! Lucky for us, prayers do not have to be lengthy to be meaningful!  There are certain words of wisdom, given to us by the saints, that really strike me.  You know, phrases or quotes that you hear and make you think ‘YES” or “THAT IS SO TRUE”!  There are a few that I have thought about this year and they have compelled me to ask the Lord for help in living such wise words.

Here are some words of wisdom and a short, quick prayer to follow:

“Pray, Hope and Don’t Worry” – Padre Pio

Dear Lord, Help me to pray without ceasing!  Help me to feel hope in my heart, and help me to not be so easily anxious. Take those worrisome thoughts from me Lord, and replace them with joyful, hopeful ones!  Amen!

“Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire” – St. Catherine of Siena

Dear Lord, Help me to set the world on fire!

“The secret of happiness is to live moment by moment and to thank God for all that He, in His goodness sends us day after day.” – Saint Gianna Molla

Dear Lord, Thank you for everything you have done to bring me to this present moment. Help me to live in the present.  Help me to feel your presence, and trust you with my life and challenges.  Help me to embrace this moment and truly feel and spread happiness.  Amen.

“Don’t say: ‘that person gets on my nerves’; think: ‘that person sanctifies me” – Saint Josemaria Escrival

Dear Lord, Help. Please help.

“O Holy Spirit, descend plentifully into my heart.  Enlighten the dark corner of this neglected dwelling and scatter there thy cheerful beams.”  St. Augustine

Amen!

“When tempted, invoke your Angel. he is more eager to help you than you are to be helped! Ignore the devil and do not be afraid of him: He trembles and flees at the sight of your Guardian Angel.” St. John Bosco

Dear Lord, Thank you for giving me a guardian angel!  Please help me to remember that I can invoke my angel and ask for help.  Help me to not be afraid!  Love you Lord Jesus!  Amen

“I’m always so happy with him, he makes my life very pleasant.  What a holy man my husband is.  I wish the same for all women; that’s my wish for them for the New Year.” Saint Zelie Martin, telling her brother how much she loves her husband in a letter dated January 1, 1863.

Saint Zelie!  Please pray for my marriage!  Pray that I love my husband and always feel happy with him! Pray that we laugh together often! Saint Louis Martin, please pray for my husband and I to be happier every day!  Amen

“We ought to speak, shout out against injustices, with confidence and without fear.  We proclaim the principles of the Church, the reign of love, without forgetting that it is also a reign of justice.” Blessed Miguel Pro

Blessed Miguel, please pray that I be confident and not fearful!  Ask the Lord to help me to know when to shout out! Blessed Miguel, please pray to the Holy Spirit to give me all the right words! Amen.

“Never be in a hurry; do everything quietly and in a calm spirit.  Do not lose your inner peace for anything
whatsoever, even if your whole world seems upset.”  Saint Francis De Sales

Dear Lord, so often I lose my inner peace.  So often I am in a hurry and hurrying others.  Please help me to slow down and have a much more quiet spirit.  Please help me to maintain an inner peace, even when I feel hurt or provoked.  Actually, especially when I am hurt or provoked, help me to feel inner peace and remain calm.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Thank you for reading this . . . o wait . . .

“Pray for me . . . don’t forget” Pope Francis

God Bless Pope Francis!  Please Lord Jesus, keep him faithful, joyful and allow him to be an instrument of Your peace to the world.  Give Pope Francis great health, and surround him with people who keep him holy and make him laugh! Please answer his personal prayers and guide him with Your truth and love!  Amen!

I almost forgot to pray for Pope Francis!  Love him!

Remember!  “Prayer is the best armor we have, it is the key which opens the heart of God.”  Saint Padre Pio

Do you have a favorite saint quote?  What saint inspires you?  What saint challenges you?  What saint comforts you?  Please share!

If you would like more short prayers – plus a free printable – check out 11 Quick, but Powerful, Prayers

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