He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.” + Matthew 26:42
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Palms from last year, mass streamed from our tv, Holy Week looks a little different this year than I thought it would. Like Jesus, let us remember to always give ourselves to the will of the Father, even when we beg for this suffering to pass over us. Like Father Mike Schmitz said today, as Catholics — we cannot waste our suffering. Whatever it is, whatever’s on your heart — Give it to God. Health concerns, anxiety about the future, devastation for victims of abuse, confusion or frustration at the state of the world, annoyance in your personal life — ask Him to use it. He will.
I stopped by my home parish today to pray. I walked past the signs posted on every door explaining that there will be no public masses during Holy Week, into a nearly empty church. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
I remembered walking down this aisle with my dad on my wedding day. Friends and family filled the pews of this church, people sat nestled close together, their faces beaming with joy. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
I began to think of all the other times this church had been so full of life. Last Easter, when I’m sure I complained about the large number people who only show up for holidays (I know, I’m uncharitable. This is a personality flaw I constantly work on, I’m sorry). What I would give for all of those people I’ve never seen before to be at mass this Easter with me.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
I also thought about every time I experienced the sacraments here in this church. Gianna’s baptism, our wedding. My brother Peter’s first holy communion a few years back. I thought of all the sacraments that are now, indefinitely, on hold. Peter’s confirmation, which was supposed to be a few weeks from now, weddings that are rescheduled, or are happening entirely differently than a beautiful bride had hoped and planned for, without loved ones present.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
I thought about just a few weeks back, being at Sunday mass. Running into familiar faces, shaking hands, receiving the Eucharist. It all seems so far away right now from me, sitting alone in this empty church.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Only, it isn’t empty at all. Jesus, fully present in the Blessed Sacrament, is still here. As I kneeled before Him I prayed for an end to this awful pandemic, for the suffering and dying, for those selflessly caring for them, for those mourning unimaginable losses. I prayed for the bishops to have the wisdom to see the need for the sacraments, and the courage to reinstate them.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Jesus didn’t answer all of my prayers in that moment. But, He reminded me that He is still here, in this church, in our world, and He is in control. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
and you know what? That is enough. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
He alone, is our hope,
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
and our salvation.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
So, have hope.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Because Easter is still coming.
If you’ve been here long enough, you know that I’m a fan of #saintstalker stories — when Saints reach out to us in some way, befriend us, and pray for us. I know that the Saints can be difficult for some to understand, but to me they’ve always been one of my favorite parts of our faith. I mean, holy men and women who’ve DONE this whole life thing, have MADE it to Heaven, and can help us through their examples of holiness & their intercession? I’m all about it. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
So, meet my new friend: Servant of God Maria Esperanza — the coolest saint you’ve never heard of.
She’s not from long ago, in fact she only died in 2004. She was a mystic, experienced the stigmata of our Lord, healed people through prayer, and was a dear friend of Padre Pio, he was actually a spiritual director of hers! Also, she was a wife and mom of seven — which my favorite part about her.
My friend @pgallruns729 mentioned this book to me a few times over the past few months and I picked it up after I found out it is my diocese that opened up the cause for this Venezuelan woman’s sainthood. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
The Virgin Mary appeared to her several times on her farm in Venezuela. Mary appeared to her under a new title in Church history, “Mary, Virgin and Mother, Reconciler of All Peoples and Nations” and several apparitions occurred on March 25th, the feast of the Annunciation — including the very first apparition in 1976 and the biggest, public apparition in 1984. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
I’m not sure why, but Maria Esperanza reached out to me in this time. I was feeling discouraged by the state of our world and considered praying a Rosary Novena beginning on the Annunciation for all COVID—19 related intentions. When I read that our lady appeared to her under this title, on that feast, I knew I needed to pray this Novena to Our Lady, Reconciler of All Peoples and Nations — because this is exactly what our world needs right now. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
I’d love for you to join us today at 5 PM EST to pray the Rosary for an end to COVID—19. My friend @pgallruns729, who told me about this book (and gave me the first rosary I ever prayed back in college).
Recently, I’ve been feeling sort of helpless with everything going on in the world. My heart breaks for the worldwide devastation COVID—19 has brought upon us. I’ve found myself discouraged, thinking all I can do is pray. But this is not something to be discouraged by. The single greatest thing we can all do right now is pray, and I believe this battle is one that may need to be won spiritually. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
The other day, it was on my heart to pray a Rosary Novena to Our Lady in order to ask for her intercession for an end to this pandemic, and for specific intentions related to it. I pushed this thought to the back of my mind and ignored it, until yesterday. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
I’m finally reading a book my friend recommended months ago, about a woman who was a wife and mom to seven — and has been declared a Servant of God. Her name is Maria Esperanza, and her cause was opened by my diocese. She was a mystic, suffered the stigmata, and received spiritual direction from Padre Pio!
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
One thing struck me yesterday as I was reading. She received apparitions of the Virgin Mary on her farm, the first of which occurred on the feast of the Annunciation in 1976. She appeared again, to many people in 1987 on the feast of the Annunciation once again. In these apparitions, Our Lady appeared under a new title: Mary, Virgin and Mother, Reconciler of All People and Nations. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
This was the just the confirmation I needed to commit to this rosary novena beginning today, on the Annunciation. I will be asking for Mary’s intercession under the title Reconciler of all People and Nations — because I think that is exactly what our world needs right now.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
So, YOU’RE INVITED to pray along with us here on Instagram live! I’ll be praying each day with some of my favorite Catholics of Instagram, and we’d love for you to join in and SHARE this. The more people praying, the BETTER!
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
I’ll be sharing the full schedule soon including who we’ll be praying with, what time, and for what intentions, but today I wanted to let you know we’re praying with @clodaghgalla at 3 PM EST specifically for those who have COVID—19 and are currently suffering.
