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Saints and Astronauts: Sixth Mansion, Chapter Four, 8-13
Today, we are reading from the Sixth Mansion, Chapter Four, numbers 8-13. Topics are: 8. Simile of the museum. 9. St. Teresa’s visit to the Duchess of Alva. 10. Joy of the soul during raptures. 11. No imaginary vision. 12. True and false raptures. 13. Revelations of future bliss. Our sponsor today is Chrism Press.…
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Daily Reflection: 4 October 2023
A snapshot of my spiritual life: Late teens: I had basically nothing to do with God. No church, no reading of the Bible. Nothing. Early twenties: Mostly the same as my late teens. Rest of my twenties: Trying to figure out my faith life as I now had a daughter and I didn’t want her…
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Daily Reflection: 3 October 2023
This is the inside of the church located in the City of St. Jude. If you remember, in 1934, Fr. Purcell came to Montgomery, Alabama to serve the black community. He had five dollars in his pocket. Thankfully, the bishop of the Diocese of Mobile helped him purchase 54 acres of land on which to…
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Daily Reflection: 2 October 2023
“Belief in the existence of angels is an article of faith.” —CCC 336 As I said the other day, I’ve always had a fascination with angels. However, it wasn’t until becoming Catholic that I understood more fully their role. In much of the Protestant world, the belief is, what is in Heaven is in Heaven…
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When Words Fail: Sixth Mansion, Chapter Four, 5-7
Today, we are reading from the Sixth Mansion, Chapter Four, numbers 5-7. Topics are: 5. Mysteries revealed during ecstasies. 6. These mysteries are unspeakable. 7. Moses and the burning bush. …
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Daily Reflection: 1 October 2023
In 1934, having come to Montgomery, Alabama with little more than five dollars in his pocket, Fr. Purcell organized the construction of The City of Jude, a “city” built to meet the needs of black people in the south. It had a hospital, a school, a home for disabled children, a nursing school, two convents,…
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Daily Reflection: 29 September 2023
absolutely love the angels, Catholic Pilgrims. I find them fascinating and, also, comforting—it’s a relief knowing they are around to guide and defend us. The St. Michael Prayer is one of my favorites and I say it pretty often when I need to be strengthened. The way angels are depicted in the Bible is quite…
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Rapture Is Not a Swoon: Sixth Mansion, Chapter Four, 1-4
Today, we are reading from the Sixth Mansion, Chapter 4, Numbers 1-4. Topics are: 1. Courage required by the soul for the divine espousals. 2. Raptures. 3. Rapture caused by the spark of love. 4. The powers and senses absorbed. Our sponsor today is Chrism Press. To pick up your copy of “The City Mother,”…
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Daily Reflection: 28 September 2023
One time when I was a kid, I decided to start a secret club. Without much thought into what exactly its members were going to do, I threw out the news that a secret club was starting in my backyard. Soon, several kids found their way to my yard wanting to be a part of…
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Our Culture’s Rejection of Beauty
The other day I was perusing Instagram and a video of a man came up that stopped me in my tracks. So drastic were the alterations he’d done to himself, that I couldn’t see him anymore. My eyes could physically look at him, but I couldn’t see him and, by that I mean, he had…
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Daily Reflection: 25 September 2023
This weekend, my family and I watched “Big Fish” starring Ewan McGregor. Cool fact: A lot of the movie was shot here in Alabama. The movie came out in 2003 and I remember watching it then and not liking it. But, this weekend, I thought I’d give it a retry and then we could go…
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All For God’s Glory: Sixth Mansion, Chapter Three, 25-27
Congratulations on listening to the 60th episode. Today, we are reading from the Sixth Mansion, Chapter Three, Numbers 25-27. Topics are: 25. Results of true locutions. 26. They should remove alarm. 27. Answer to an objection. …
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Daily Reflection: 22 September 2023
Can we finally declare Fall is here, Catholic Pilgrims? Each and every day, so many of you show up to read my—sometimes lengthy—posts. Brevity is not my strong suit. As much as many of you say you learn from me, I learn from all of you, as well. I make it a point to read…
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Daily Reflection: 21 September 2023
When I was a teenager and was fighting one time with my mom about having to go to church, I said, “Everybody there is a hypocrite! Why would I want to go some place filled with a bunch of hypocrites?” “Do you think you’re going to find a church not filled with hypocrites? Are you…
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A Divine Message To My Sister : Sixth Mansion, Chapter Three, 19-24
Today, we are reading from the Sixth Mansion, Chapter Three, numbers 19-24. Topics are: 19. Interior locutions. 20. First sign of genuine interior locutions. 21. Second sign. 22. Third sign. 23. Fourth sign. 24. Fifth sign. Our sponsor today is Chrism Press. To pick up your copy of “In Pieces,” go here: https://chrismpress.com/. Use coupon…
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Daily Reflection: 20 September 2023
Sometimes, you can’t win with people and that’s okay; we just have to recognize those that have no desire for fruitful conversation. I’ll give two examples: Yesterday, on one of my accounts, a person showed up that was very anti-Catholic. Their tactic was what I call “Bombardment of Issues.” Instead of addressing one issue they…
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Daily Reflection: 19 September 2023
I’ve been reading a book called the “The Dictator’s Handbook.” It’s required reading for my husband’s class that he’s in and he wanted me to read it so we can talk about it. Plus, I like studying human behavior and it’s a good look at those in power. I don’t agree with everything it says…
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Daily Reflection: 18 September 2023
I found a tiny chapel on a hike yesterday. It’s more like a little church designed for children, so I look like a giant next to it. Nearly every time we are physically sick, we pray and pray for the ailment to leave us. Nobody wants to stay suffering through cancer, the flu, bodily injuries,…
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Hearing What We Want To Hear: Sixth Mansion, Chapter Three, 16-18
Today, we are reading from the Sixth Mansion, Chapter Three, Numbers 16-18. Topics are: 16. Locutions coming from the fancy. 17. Imaginary answers given to prayer. 18. A confessor should be consulted about locutions. …
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Daily Reflection: 15 September 2023
In my late teens and through my twenties, my understanding of what the Christian life entailed was wrong. It was my understanding that Christianity was sort of a blanket that protected you from all suffering. Consequently, when some tough suffering came my way, I thought God must have abandoned me and must not really care…
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Daily Reflection: 14 September 2023
Within the span of a week, I’ve seen a shocking number of videos of people-mostly women-extolling the joys of living a self-centered life. I shouldn’t be shocked, but there seems to be a deluge of them recently. Our culture is centrally focused on the self. Self-care Self-affirmation Self-discovery Selfish. Oops, did I type that out…
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Locutions Heard By Moses: Sixth Mansion, Chapter Three, 11-15
Today, we are reading from the Sixth Mansion, Chapter Three, numbers 11-15. Topics are: 11. Third sign. 12. The devil suggests doubts about true locutions. 13. Confidence of the soul rewarded. 14. Its joy at seeing God’s words verified. 15. Its zeal for God’s honor. Our sponsor today is Chrism Press. To pick up your…
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Daily Reflection: 13 September 2023
One of my least favorite phrases on earth is “you do you.” It grates like nails on a chalk board. It’s akin to saying “There’s my truth, your truth, no truth, all the truth, whatevs.” Now, if it was a phrase used to concede to a person’s opinion on favorite soda, favorite color, where you…
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Daily Reflection: 12 September 2023
Have you ever played the game with your kids where you try to see if another name fits you? I’ll ask my kids, “Do I look like a Sarah?” “No, not at all.” “What about a Becky?” “No, only Amy fits you.” My sister and I are named after characters from the book “Little Women.”…
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Daily Reflection: 11 September 2023
Tragedies are complex events: At the time, you think you’ll never, ever forgot the moment, but as time crawls on, the memories of the tragedy start to fade into the background of history. This is the first year since 9/11 where my social media feeds weren’t loaded with pictures of that fateful day. In fact,…
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Is That God’s Voice I Hear?: Sixth Mansion, Chapter Three, 6-10
Today, we are reading from the Sixth Mansion, Chapter Three, numbers 6-10. Topics are: 6. First sign of genuine locutions. 7. Effect of the words: “Be not troubled.” 8. “It is I, be not afraid.” 9. “Be at peace.” 10. Second sign. …
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Daily Reflection: 10 September 2023
Our idea of love in the modern world is 1 cup of niceness and 10 cups of “do-whatever-you-want-and-I’ll-hold-your-hand-as-you-slip-into-self-destruction.” Too many demand that nobody ever tell them that what they are doing is wrong and too many go along with this. Consequently, we have very spiritually, emotionally, and physically unhealthy people simply existing because everyone around…
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Daily Reflection: 7 September 2023
Many of us have experienced having a sin so great that we feel we are doomed. We wrongly believe that God won’t love us anymore and we might as well just set off on our own, sentenced to a life without God. We view ourselves marked as the big sinner. This is how I felt…
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Is That Voice Real or Not?: Sixth Mansion, Chapter Three, 1-5
Today, we are reading from the Sixth Mansion, Chapter Three, numbers 1-5. Topics are: 1. Locutions. 2. Sometimes caused by melancholia. 3. Caution needed at first. 4. Locutions frequently occur during prayer. 5. Resist those containing false doctrine. Our sponsor today is Chrism Press. To pick up your copy of “The Good Death of Kate…
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Daily Reflection: 6 September 2023
If you’ve noticed like me, not too much in the world seems to be “bearing fruit and growing.” Everything seems sickly to a certain degree. Our educational systems. Governments and leaders. Sports. Cultural values or lack thereof. Cities. You know what I’m talking about. To add to this, there is a real fear about everything.…
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Daily Reflection: 5 September 2023
If old churches could talk… This past Sunday, my family attended Mass here at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Atlanta. It hasn’t always gone by this name, but received its name change in 1898. The usher we met at the church knew that we were visitors, as he’s been attending the…
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Let’s Define Our Terms: Introductory Note to the Third Chapter
Today is going to be a bit different. I don’t know if you’ve flipped to the next page after our last reading, but if you have, you saw that we have an Introductory Note to Chapter Three. This isn’t written by St. Teresa. This is by the editor at St. Benedict Press. From what it looks…
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Don’t Be Deceived: Sixth Mansion, Chapter Two, 10-15
Today, we are reading from the Sixth Mansion, Chapter Two, numbers 10-15. Topics are: 10. First reason of immunity from deception. 11. Second and third reasons. 12. The imagination not concerned in it. 13. St. Teresa never alarmed at this prayer. 14. “The odor of Thine ointment.” 15. No reason to fear deception here. Our…
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Daily Reflection: 30 August 2023
We often forget that Jesus reprimands pretty hard at times in the Gospels. As I’ve noticed, we tend to read these passages where Christ calls out the Pharisees and scribes, with our arms crossed as we say, “That’s right! Call ‘em out! The hypocrites!” Then we go about our business sure that we are in…
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Daily Reflection: 29 August 2023
St. John the Baptist was put to death because he spoke truth. It’s always amazing to me the lengths people will go to in order to block out truth. So whetted are they to what they want to believe or what they want to do, people will gravely sin just to avoid the truth. Which…
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Daily Reflection: 28 August 2023
I once wondered, “If I ever tried to run for president, what would people dig up from my past in order to try and discredit me?” Well, there’s a lot of fodder there and so I concluded, I’d be canceled within about two seconds of my announcement. I’m not looking to run for president, but…
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Burning Furnace of God: Sixth Mansion, Chapter Two, 6-9
Today, we are reading from the Sixth Mansion, Chapter Two, Numbers 6-9. Topics are: 6. A spark of the fire of love. 7. The spark dies out. 8. This grace evidently divine. 9. One such wound repays many trials. …
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Daily Reflection: 25 August 2023
I am a hard-headed, opinionated person. I will dig my heels in if anyone tries to make do something I don’t want to do. The medical community loves people like me. I will passionately defend the things I like and love. I was telling my son yesterday that a lot of my prayer time goes…
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Daily Reflection: 24 August 2023
Starting with television and then moving into the age of social media, we have seen the desperation with which people want to be seen. Television and movies brought more people fame, which caused more people to want to be famous. Not everyone, though, was going to make into movies or television. Social media changed all…
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The Pain of Love: Sixth Mansion, Chapter Two, 1-5
Today, we are reading from the Sixth Mansion, Chapter Two, numbers 1-5. Topics are: 1. Our Lord excites the love of His spouse. 2. The wound of love. 3. The pain it causes. 4. The call of the Bridegroom. 5. Effect on the soul. Our sponsor today is Chrism Press. To pick up your copy…
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Daily Reflection: 23 August 2023
I have a very strong sense of justice. I imagine that if you asked one of my loved ones to describe me, at some point they would say, “Amy has a very strong sense of right and wrong.” “Give to others what is due to them” is a strong mantra within me. If people need…
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Daily Reflection: 22 August 2023
On the Feast of the Assumption last week, a respectful dissenter showed up and asserted a lot of wrong things about Mary and one of them was this: “Mary is not the Queen of Heaven.” Because many of us live in modern Western American culture, I completely understand why this guy believes this. 1. In…
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Daily Reflection: 21 August 2023
Today, I embark on my 14th year of homeschooling. I’ve graduated my two oldest, so now, it’s just my big dude and me. Fourth grade, here we come! So, I thought for the start of the school year, I’d share a bit of history about this abandoned convent and school behind me. In 1907, Father…
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How To Bear Suffering: Sixth Mansion, Chapter One, 24-27
Today is the 50th episode! We will be reading from the Sixth Mansion, Chapter One, numbers 24-27. Topics are: 24. Remedies for the interior trials. 25. Trials caused by the devil. 26. Other afflictions. 27. Preparatory to entering the seventh mansions. …
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Daily Reflections: 17 August 2023
One of the most frustrating things about having an online presence is when you share something beautiful and meaningful and the kill-joy shows up. I’ll post a picture of a beautiful church and off in the corner behind a wall, the head of a guitar will be poking out and someone is going to ignore…
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When Prayer Doesn’t Comfort: Sixth Mansion, Chapter One, 19-23
Today, we are reading from the Sixth Mansion, Chapter One, numbers 19-23. Topics are: 19. Bewilderment of the soul. 20. God alone relieves these troubles. 21. Human weakness. 22. Earthly consolations are of no avail. 23. Prayer gives no comfort at such a time. Our sponsor today is Chrism Press. Please check out their selection…
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Daily Reflection: 16 August 2023
I was listening to Jeff Cavins this morning give his reflection on the Gospel reading for today. He asked the question, “Would you rather give correction or receive correction?” Uh, easy. Give it. And I think most all of us would say the same thing. My husband is in the military, as you know, and…
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Daily Reflection: 15 August 2023
Today is the day, when I am again compelled to share my favorite painting of Mary as she is assumed into Heaven. It is found in The Cathedral of San Pedro de Los Milagros in Colombia and the artist is Juan de Jesus Munera Ochoa. I have stared at this painting many, many times. I…
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Daily Reflection: 14 August 2023
I didn’t hear St. Maximilian Kolbe’s story until a few years into my conversion to Catholicism. When I finally heard it, though, it shook me a little, because his sacrifice was a level of devotion to Christ that I had never really read about before outside of the Bible. He gave his life not for…
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You Can’t Escape Suffering: Sixth Mansion, Chapter One, 14-18
Today, we are reading from the Sixth Mansion, Chapter One, numbers 14-18. Topics are: 14. St. Teresa’s physical ills. 15. A timorous confessor. 16. Anxiety on account of past sins. 17. Fears and aridity. 18. Scruples and fears raised by the devil. …
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Daily Reflection: 11 August 2023
Today is the Feast Day of St. Clare of Assisi and here is Mission Santa Clara de Asís in Santa Clara, California. I was at Daily Mass the other day and I was inundated with negative thoughts. First, I started stressing about the state of our country. Then, I started stressing about a personal issue.…
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Daily Reflection: 10 August 2023
I watched a video this past week from a young ex-porn star bragging about how she’s already been divorced at least two times, possibly three. It was unclear whether the third engagement ended before or after marriage. She went on to give marriage “advice,” telling women to dump their man if he isn’t giving them…
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Be Indifferent to Praise: Sixth Mansion, Chapter One, 5-13
We have an interesting milestone today. Today, we will end on the pagethat is halfway through the readings. We have crested the hill, so to speak. Our readings today will be from the Sixth Mansion, Chapter One, numbers 5-13. Topics are: 5. Ourcry raised against souls striving for perfection. 6. St. Teresa’s personal experience of…
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Daily Reflection: 9 August 2023
In the readings for today, we have two totally different mentalities. In the first reading from Numbers, the children of Israel are camped outside the Promised Land and a group of guys go to scout things out. They come back with some good news and some bad news. Good news: The land is full of…
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Daily Reflection: 8 August 2023
Today is the Feast Day of St. Dominic. St. Dominic was known for his preaching and intellectual rigor. I used to belong to a church that was led by Dominicans and their homilies were intellectually intense. I appreciate St. Dominic and his order because I cannot stand bland, trite, watered-down Christianity. St. Dominic preached against…
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Daily Reflection: 7 August 2023
When I was a kid, I’d sometimes go to Mass with my best friend after a Saturday night sleepover. As a side note: I wasn’t Catholic then and the Catholic Church my friend went to in our hometown was burned down by arson in 1996. From what my young mind can remember, it was a…
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Entering the Sixth Mansion: Sixth Mansion, Chapter One, 1-4
Congratulations! We made it to the Sixth Mansion. Today, we are reading from the Sixth Mansion, Chapter One, numbers 1-4. Topics are: 1. Love kindled by divine favors. 2. Our Lord excites the soul’s longings. 3. Courage needed to reach the last mansions. 4. Trials accompanying divine favors. …
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Daily Reflection: 6 August 2023
The Church of the Transfiguration. Beautiful churches are a draw for me. I know that many people grumble and gripe about the grandeur of many of our Catholic Churches, but I need them in my life. We have enough ugliness in the world, I need a place full of beauty. Each time I walk through…
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Daily Reflection: 4 August 2023
It’s Friday, Catholic Pilgrims! I thought today was a good day for some musings on living just over a month in Alabama. 1. It is a true struggle not to say “Alabama” like Forrest Gump does when he yells, “Greenbow, ALABAMA!” 2. I have not yet heard “Sweet Home Alabama” for which I’m thankful. It’s…
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Daily Reflection: 3 August 2023
Recently, when people find out I have two adult daughters who are out of the house, I’ve had a number of those people say, “Oh man, I can’t wait till my kids are gone.” Then I look at their kids and they are little. There’s a lot of years to go and these parents are…
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Love Is Not Idle: Fifth Mansion, Fourth Chapter, 8-12
Another milestone day! We are finishing the Fifth Mansion today. We will be reading from the Fifth Mansion, Fourth Chapter, numbers 8-12. Topics are: 8. Prayer and watchfulness our safeguards. 9. God’s watchfulness over such souls. 10. Progress in virtue. 11. Insignificance of our actions compared wtih their reward. 12. St. Teresa’s motives for writing…
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Daily Reflection: 1 Aug 2023
August is already here, Catholic Pilgrims. When I was younger, my dad always told me that the older you get the faster the trips around the sun become. I didn’t understand him then, but I do now. Wheat is talked about a lot in the Bible. We’ve been reading from Matthew 13 in the daily…
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Daily Reflection: 31 July 2023
It’s not often that I showcase a church that isn’t Catholic, but today, I must make an exception. The church you see below is the Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church founded in 1877. Now, based off the name and the fact that I’m in Montgomery, Alabama now, you probably are like, “Well, that’s Dr.…
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To Save Another Soul: Fifth Mansion, Chapter 4: 4-7
Today, we are reading from the Fifth Mansion, Chapter Four, numbers 4-7. Topics are: 4. The great good done by souls faithful to these graces. 5. Religious subject to the devil’s deceptions. 6. Satan’s stratagems. 7. Why they are permitted. …
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Spiritual Espousal to God: Fifth Mansion, Fourth Chapter, 1-3
Our readings today will be from the Fifth Mansion, Fourth Chapter, numbers 1-3. Topics are: 1. The spiritual espousals. 2. The prayer of union resembles a betrothal. 3. Before the spiritual nuptials temptations are dangerous. Our sponsor today is Chrism Press. To pick up your copy of “Markmaker” go here: https://chrismpress.com/. Use coupon code “pilgrim15”…
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Daily Reflection: 26 July 2023
This is St. Anne’s Church in Jerusalem near the Lion’s Gate. Growing up, I didn’t once think about the fact that Jesus had grandparents, or even that Mary had parents. I mean, I knew she did but I never wondered about them. Upon becoming Catholic, I was introduced to the Communion of Saints and how…
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Daily Reflection: 25 July 2023
I always cringe a bit when I read today’s Gospel passage. James and John’s mom has no qualms asking Jesus to give her boys honor and power. I have to wonder, did they cringe? Were they embarrassed? She just marched right up to Jesus and said, “Command that these two sons of mine sit, one…
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Daily Reflection: 24 July 2023
When we visited St. Mary’s Church in Fairfax Station, the church that became a field hospital during the Civil War, my son wanted to take a picture from the perspective of the priest. This church is mostly used now for special occasions and because of this fact, Jesus was not in the Tabernacle, so I…
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Don’t Look At My Faults: Fifth Mansion, Chapter Three, 10-12
Mini-milestone: We finish the third chapter of the fifth mansion today! Our readings will be from the Fifth Mansion, Chapter Three, numbers 10-12. Topics are: 10. Illusionary good resolutions. 11. Works, not feelings, procure union. 12. Fraternal charity will certainly gain this union. …
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Daily Reflection: 23 July 2023
In the first parable we read today in Matthew 13:24-43, the Master of the field is the Son of Man—Christ. I was reading some commentary on this passage from Fr. Simeon and he pointed out that the servants are panicked over the weeds that have been sown in the field alongside the wheat. They want…
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Daily Reflection: 21 July 2023
A funny story for this Friday, Catholic Pilgrims. Several months ago, I was at Mass on a Friday at Old St. Mary’s in Alexandria, Virginia—the oldest Catholic Church in Virginia. We all stood up when the priest said, “Pray, brothers and sisters, that my sacrifice and yours…” At this moment the priest had his arms…
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Daily Reflection: 20 July 2023
My priest recently said, “The world tells you to do whatever makes you feel good. This is wrong. Instead, we are to be good.” For those of us that have tried to follow the world’s advice of “feel good at all costs” know that this causes a certain heaviness. The things that are always encouraged…
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Loving Your Enemies: Fifth Mansion, Chapter Three, 7-9
Today, we are reading from the Fifth Mansion, Chapter Three, numbers 7-9. Topics are: 7. Divine union obtained by perfect love of God and our neighbor. 8. Love for God and our neighbor are proportionate. 9. Real and imaginary virtues. Our sponsor today is Chrism Press. To pick up your copy of the “The Good…
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Daily Reflection: 19 July 2023
Yesterday in the car driving back from daily Mass my son said to my husband and me, “You know what?” “What?” “Going to daily Mass in the morning makes a light shine on your whole day.” At that time, Jesus exclaimed, “I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you…
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Daily Reflection: 18 July 2023
In my travels, I’ve visited every major city in the US except Seattle and Boston. I’m not a big city gal, though. I grew up in a small town right outside of Kansas City and I much prefer the small town feel. I used to like visiting big cities for a few days before they…
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Daily Reflection: 17 July 2023
My family went to the 12:10 Mass at St. Peter’s Catholic Church this past Friday. It’s the oldest Catholic Church in Montgomery. After the Mass, the other congregants swarmed around my family wanting to meet the newcomers. “You must be military,” one guy said to my husband with a smile. I laughed and said, “Are…
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Lilies of the Field: Fifth Mansion, Chapter Three, 4-6
Congratulations, we hit day 40! Today, we are reading from the Fifth Mansion, Chapter Three, numbers 4-6. Topics are: 4. Union with the Will of God the basis of all supernatural union. 5. Advantage of union gained by self-mortificaton. 6. Defects which hinder this union. …
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Daily Reflection: 16 July 2023
Today’s Gospel reading is a clear indication that the “once saved, always saved” doctrine doesn’t hold water. Jesus’ parable of the sower of the seeds shows us that seed can be scattered and it can take root for a bit, but then something gets to the seeds—something attacks one’s faith life. Now, some might say…
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Daily Reflection: 14 July 2023
Back in 2019, I did a year-long walk through the Book of James. It’s my favorite non-Gospel book of the NT. My followers encouraged me to take my weekly posts and compile it into a book. So, I did. It’s called “Reflections on the Book of James.” I just revamped (or my husband and daughter…
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Daily Reflection: 13 July 2023
We’ve been reading through the story of Joseph, son of Jacob, in our daily readings recently. And, no, I don’t like “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.” I have a high cheese detector and this is a cheese-fest extravaganza. Back to Joseph. Families are messy. They just are. Comprised of sinful humans, nobody has a…
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Judas Is a Cautionary Example: Fifth Mansion, Chapter Three, 1-3
Today, we are reading from the Fifth Mansion, Chapter Three, numbers 1-3. Topics are: 1. Zeal for souls left by divine union. 2. The soul may fall from such a state. 3. How divine union may always be obtained. Our sponsor today is Chrism Press. To grab your copy of the “Markmaker” click on the…
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Daily Reflection: 12 July 2023
Almost one year ago, I did Fiat90 with a group of ladies. It’s a 90-day, intense focus on your relationship with God. It’s the women’s equivalent to the guys’ Exodus90. One of the things you have to do is incorporate going to daily Mass once a week. So, my kids and I started attending daily…
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Daily Reflection: 11 July 2023
The part in Genesis where Jacob wrestles around with God is one of the most curious parts of the Bible to me. It seems so bizarre and it comes out of nowhere in the story of Jacob. But, as I think about it, there is a point in our lives where most of us, especially…
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Daily Reflection: 10 July 2023
This is a picture of me in Canada visiting Montreal. It seems that in order to talk about the history of Catholicism in Alabama, we have to first start in Canada. Confused yet? See, history is never boring. Long, long ago, it was a dark and stormy night…oops, wrong intro. Long ago, Alabama was explored…
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Prayers For The Lost: Fifth Mansion, Chapter Two, 9-13
Today, we are reading from the Fifth Mansion, Chapter Two, numbers 9-13. Topics are: 9. Longing for death and zeal for God’s honor. 10. This zeal supernatural. 11. God alone works this grace. 12. The same zeal as that felt by Our Lord on earth. 13. Christ’s keenest suffering. …
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A Catholic Pilgrim Traveling To Downtown DC–Part Two
This is the second part to my “A Catholic Pilgrim traveling to Washington DC” series. You can read the first one here, which I recommend as it gives some ideas for places to stay and eat. In the summer of 2022, I decided to explore the oldest Catholic churches in downtown DC. I made it…
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Act Up to Your Light: Fifth Mansion, Chapter Two, 5-8
Today, we are reading from the Fifth Mansion, Chapter Two, numbers 5-8. Topics are: 5. Mystic death of the silkworm. 6. Effects of divine union. 7. Increase of fervor and detachment. 8. Trials succeeding the prayer of union. Our sponsor today is Chrism Press. To check out their selection of fiction books informed by Catholic…
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Daily Reflection: 3 July 2023
Last night, I was hanging some curtains in my son’s room. His bunk bed was in the way so it made it difficult to hang them because I had to stand at an odd angle. My son was in the room listening to me grunt and mutter under my breath at the difficulty. When I…
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You Are Like a Silkworm: Fifth Mansion, Chapter Two, 1-4
Today, we are reading from the Fifth Mansion, Chapter Two, numbers 1-4. Topics included are: 1. The soul compared to a butterfly. 2. The grandeurs of creation. 3. Symbol of the soul and the silkworm. 4. Preparation of the soul for God’s indwelling. …
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Don’t Be Ill-Informed: Fifth Mansion, Chapter One, 8-10
Today, we are finishing up Chapter One of the Fifth Mansion. Our readings will be from Chapter One, numbers 8-10. Topics are: 8. Proof of Union 9. Assurance left in the soul. 10. Divine union beyond our power to obtain. Our sponsor today is Chrism Press. To pick up your copy of “In Pieces,”…
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Don’t Limit God’s Power: Fifth Mansion, Chapter One, 5-7
Today, we are reading from the Fifth Mansion, Chapter One, numbers 5-7. Topics are: 5. The prayer of union and of quiet contrasted. 6. Divine and earthly union. 7. Competent directors in these matters. Our sponsor today is Chrism Press. To purchase your copy of “Shadowed Loyalty” go here: https://chrismpress.com/. Use coupon code “pilgrim15” to…
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Daily Reflection: 20 June 2023
I love how the light streamed down on this woman as she prayed. It’s like a visual image of the graces she received. I recently heard a sad story over lunch with friends. The guy at our table was telling us that the year he converted to Catholicism, another guy had been in his RCIA…
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Who Are the Carmelites: Fifth Mansion, Chapter One, 1-4
Today, we are entering the Fifth Mansion. We’ll be reading from Chapter One, number 1-4. Topics are: 1. Graces of the Fifth Mansion. 2. Contemplation to be striven for. 3. Physical effects of the prayer of union. 4. Amazement of the intellect. …
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Don’t Fall Away: Fourth Mansion, Chapter Three, 10-13
Today, we are finishing the Fourth Mansion. Our readings will be from the third chapter, numbers 10-13. Topics are: 10. The devil specially tempts such souls. 11. False trances and raptures. 12. How to treat those deluded in this way. 13. Risks of delusion in this mansion. Our sponsor today is Chrism Press. To check…
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Daily Reflection: 13 June 2023
Blessed Feast Day of St. Anthony of Padua, Catholic Pilgrims, or as they say in Portugal, St. Anthony of Lisbon. In March, when we arrived in Lisbon, Portugal, it was on a Sunday afternoon. After checking into our home, we quickly changed clothes for Mass and headed out to find the church I had researched…
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Daily Reflection: 12 June 2023
Isn’t the Mount of Beatitudes beautiful, Catholic Pilgrims? Can you imagine being taught here by Christ? As I was meditating on the Beatitudes today from our Gospel reading, I was drawn over and over again back to one—Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God. It is incredibly difficult to have a…
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Two Questions: Fourth Mansion, Chapter 3, 7-9
Today, we are reading from the Fourth Mansion, Chapter 3, numbers 7-9. Topics are: 7. The prayer of recollection, and distractions in this prayer. 8. Liberty of spirit gained by consolations. 9. The soul must be watchful. Our sponsor today is The Mustard Seed Shop. To check out the collection of saint keychains, pins, and…
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Daily Reflection: 11 June 2023
In different parts of Turkey, you can find images like this where the artist was clearly trying to show that Jesus is truly present in the chalice. You go back to the early Church Fathers and read their words and you can see that they understood that the Eucharist was/is the most Holy Body and…
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Daily Reflection: 9 June 2023
Things become ugly when God is denied, Catholic Pilgrims. When we were in Portugal, we walked everywhere we went, pretty much. Walking a city is the best way to get to know a place. Everywhere you turned, there was art. Even down obscure alleys, there were little tiles with depictions of St. Anthony or Mary.…
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Daily Reflection: 8 June 2023
Our next military move is coming up quick and this time, there will only be three of us going. My two adult children will be elsewhere making their way in the world. Between my middle daughter and son, my husband and I lost a lot of babies. We have 10 saints in Heaven. But, thankfully,…