Reflection on Freshman Year

Classes are complete. 2 finals done and 4 more to go. Where has freshman year gone? It has become a wonderful memory... a year of so many blessings, so many graces given by God. I have learned so much, participated in so many activities, grown in so many ways. There are many dear, dear people whom I am now privileged to call my friends (who make the idea of leaving for 3 whole months very difficult). But at the same time, summer is near and I look forward to spending it with my family and friends back home, working and volunteering and doing things I love to do!

Thank You, Lord, for bringing me to Christendom. Words cannot express my gratitude for all the gifts You are giving me here. Please help me to give back in some small way. Help me to make the world a better place for You!

Today's challenge: Take a moment to pause and thank God specifically. How has he blessed your life today? This week? This school year? Please keep me in your prayers, friends, and know that you are in mine!

For some wonderful spiritual reflections, see my sister Claire's blog here!

Mother Mary, help us on our way to your Son...in Paradise

This prayer to our Heavenly Mother in Paradise is so beautiful that I have to share it!

Virgin Mother, daughter of your Son,

humbler and loftier past creation's measure,

the fulcrum of the everlasting plan,

You are she who ennobled human nature

so highly, that its Maker did not scorn

to make Himself the Creature of His creature.

In your womb was the flame of love reborn,

in the eternal peace of whose warm ray

this flower has sprung and is so richly grown.

for us you are the torch of the noonday

of charity; below, you are the spring

of ever-living hope for men that die.

Lady, so great you are, such strength you bring,

who does not run to you and looks for grace,

his wish would seek to fly without a wing.

Not only does your kindness come to brace

our courage when we beg: often your free

favor arrives before our prayer's race.

In you is mercy, in you is piety,

in you magnificence, in you the sum

of excellence in all things that come to be.

Prayer of St. Bernard in Paradiso

(Divine Comedy by Dante, trans. Anthony Esolen, 33.1-21)

Spring Musical and Spring Formal!

Spring Formal was very enjoyable! My lovely dress was designed and made by my sister Veronica, with accessories (hair piece and jewelry) designed and made by my sister Claire. Thank you, dears! You helped make me look like the princess I felt!

Also, our spring musical Hello, Dolly! was a huge success! Thank you for your prayers. See a write up with great photos here.

Today's quote:

"Pride goes before another fault."
- by yours truly and a fabulous waltzing partner at Spring Formal

Alleluia!

HE is Risen!

What did you do to commemorate the Triduum and celebrate Easter Sunday?

I went home with my good friend Sarah B. and stayed with her sweet family a few hours away from college. Here is a glimpse of some of the things we did...

Holy Thursday:
Studying Philosophy outside in the sun
Mass of our Lord's Supper
Adoration
Singing around the guitar with Mr. B

Good Friday:
Walking Stations of the Cross with the Archbishop
Rosary outside of an abortion mill
Tour of the first US Cathedral
Rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet with Novena of the Divine Mercy at 3pm
Good Friday service with veneration of the Cross

Holy Saturday:
Shopping for baking ingredients and Easter dinner (we snuck in some Thrift Store shopping too and found a dress for Sarah B. to remodel for Spring Formal :)
Lunch on the run (a yummy veggie pizza)
Baking! We made two poppyseed rolls, cinnamon raisin buns, apple of your eye cheesecake, cookie dough truffles, and German butter cookies...
Easter Vigil (Where 8 catechumens were baptized and 14 more candidates were confirmed into the Faith. Praise God!)

Easter Sunday:
Sarah B.'s little brother woke us to come downstairs for a delicious homemade breakfast!
Holy Rosary before Mass
Holy Mass. He is Risen, Alleluia!
Lunch and recreation with family members, which included violin and guitar music, ultimate frisbee, and finally a campfire where the little ones roasted marshmallows and I taught them fun kids' praise songs with actions!
Then we hit the road to come back to Christendom and it's been delightfully busy ever since.

Please keep me in your prayers and know that you are in mine!

Praise the Lord!

We Adore Thee, O Christ, and We Praise Thee...

...because by Thy Holy Cross, Thou has redeemed the world.

Thank You, Lord, for Your sacrifice which opens the gates of Heaven to me, Your unworthy child. My words could never thank Thee enough, so instead I will simply love You.

His Passion Draws Near

Beg Jesus to make His Passion come alive for you this Holy Triduum. Don't complain when He sends extra trials and sufferings. Thank Him for them. Remember: they are NOTHING compared with what He suffered.

I watched The Passion of the Christ last night and it hit me in a way it never has before: not one inch of Christ's sacred body was preserved from excruciating suffering, while not one inch of His sacred body deserved it. Yet He opened His heart and embraced it lovingly. For you. For me.

How can we ever thank Him? Ask Him. He'll tell you.

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"Look at His adorable face
Look at His glazed and sunken eyes.
Look at His wounds
Look Jesus in the face.
There, you will see how He loves us."

-St. Therese the Little Flower

For our Shepherds...

...please join me in offering prayer for our Priests. I think that this time in History is one of the most difficult ever to be a Priest, so let's shower them with spiritual support!

My sister Claire has some beautiful prayers on her blog, as well as reflections on the recent Liturgical Feast days.

Today's Reflection: Readings for the Palm Sunday Liturgy

Awarded...

...with a beautiful reminder to Seek Him First!

Thank you Katherine Sophia!

Make this last week of Lent the best yet. He waits for you.

Spring is here!

And I hope it's here to stay. Today we had history class outside and it was so nice and warm and sunny! What a privilege.

Today's quote:
Love God with your whole heart, soul, mind, and strength.

The library is closing so I bid you farewell!

Over Spring Break...

I've heard:
"Christ should not be wedged into our schedules. He should be our schedule."
- Fr. James Kurzinski at the Catholic Women's Conference in Eau Claire, WI

I've read:
"You must believe in mercy to the point of believing that you are a joy for Jesus. The life of a Christian is a life of love. Can people love one another without knowing that they are a joy for each other?"
- I Believe In Love
(A personal retreat based on the teaching of St. Therese of Lixieux, by Fr. Jean C.J. d'Elbee)

I've seen:
Rehearsal for the Seven Last Words of Christ Lenten Performance. My appreciation and awe for this liturgical season and for Christ's redeeming sacrifice have been immensely multiplied.

How is your Lent going? In need of some inspiration? Consider attending the Seven Last Words of Christ. Buy tickets online or call (815) 727-3018.

Quote from my Astronomy reading...

"There is but one thought greater than that of the universe, and that is the thought of its Maker."

- John Henry Newman

Have you paused to thank our Maker yet today?

Happy Birthday...

...to the dearest older sister: my sister Claire! Claire, you are a wonderful example of courage, perseverance, and virtuous womanhood. You are beautiful and I love you and I pray that God bless you and keep you and help you to grow in sanctity each and every day of your life.

Love always,
Sarah