What does it actually mean to be joyful?
What is joy? We might hear many people describe it synonymously with happiness; the dictionary defines it as “a feeling of great pleasure and happiness.” But in that sense, joy…
How I’m learning to sit at his feet
“You’re the hardest worker I know. I mean that.” My dad looked at me with admiration. “Yes, I know,” I nodded solemnly. I was well aware of my “excellent” work…
What happens when you approach desire with an abundance mindset
I recently read the Gospel of Matthew again and was struck by the description of Jesus’ time in the desert (for those wondering, that’s from Matthew 4:1-11). Just to give…
Leading with a heart like Mary’s
Every life is filled with joy (hopefully!) and sorrow. As the mother of Jesus, Mary’s life was no exception to this rule. It was also an example of how to…
The Visitation: The antidote to comparison and envy
Your co-worker got the promotion you’ve been working for. Your newlywed sister is pregnant, and you and your husband have been trying for years. Your friend and her family bought…
Weakness: A powerful feminine attribute
I doubt anyone has ever been called “weak” and blushed a shade of rose while uttering a humble “thank you.” By most standards, such a qualification would be considered a…
Gazing upon the crucifix helps us grow in virtue
Almost 11 years ago during a semester abroad in Rome, some classmates and I opted for a day trip to Orvieto, Italy. We visited the Orvieto cathedral, praying in front…
What the modern woman needs to know about wealth and poverty
Poverty. It is one of the three vows consecrated religious commonly make, and in a world fueled by financial success, it seems irrelevant to the life of an average layperson….
Understanding what humility is — and what it’s not
“You are dust, and to dust you shall return” (Gn 3:19). These words, often heard on Ash Wednesday, were originally spoken by God to Adam after Adam ate the forbidden…
A valuable lesson from the most ambitious saint
I’ve heard it said that after her death from tuberculosis in 1897, some of St. Thérèse’s religious sisters wondered what would be put in her obituary. After all, she was…