Padre Pio in the Garden
It’s been said that we don’t choose our patron saints—they choose us. This is certainly the case with St. Padre Pio, who seems to have planted himself as a spiritual father to all the Roses in Hope’s Garden. Padre Pio…
Wonder, Discovery, and Being Made New
Imagine yourself standing at a high mountain overlook. You've broken through the treeline and are walking along a trail, cut perfectly through a green mountain meadow. You breathe in the fragrance of the crisp air as you wind your way…
Igniting the Fire of Divine Love
Inspired by the words of Revelation 3:15-16, St. Catherine of Siena wrote to one of her disciples, “See that you are not lukewarm but on fire … If you are what you ought to be, you will light a fire…
Blemished and Beautiful
You are wholly beautiful, My love, and without blemish. (Song of Songs 4:7) How can my Divine Bridegroom say such a seemingly absurd thing? When I look in the mirror, I see plenty of blemishes; not just physical defects, but…
The Cross is a Door
Within the cross is life And consolation. It alone is the road Leading to heaven. This sacred cross, An olive tree so dear, With its oil anoints us Giving us light. My soul, take up this cross Rich with consolations…
St. Catherine of Siena’s Song
My beloved is to me a sachet of myrrh that lies between my breasts.” (Song of Songs 1:13) In a letter written during the Easter season of 1376, St. Caterina (Catherine) of Siena chided a parish priest in the town…
St. Gertrude the Great: A Heart that Bore Christ
In this moving image of St. Gertrude the Great, I am invited into the silence of divine intimacy. Clothed in the habit of a Benedictine nun, she rests gently upon the Scriptures, symbolizing her life steeped in contemplative prayer and…
The Art of Tenderness
Tenderness. It is one of my favorite words, one of my favorite experiences of human connection. A tender glance, a tender embrace, a tender touch or word of gentle kindness. A sincere and softly-given offering, heart to heart. When is…
Our Guardian Angels and Our Holy Imagination
For he commands His Angels with regard to you, to guard you wherever you go. With their hands they shall support you, lest you strike your foot against a stone. (Ps. 91:11- 12) The worth of souls is so great…
Awakening to the Spiritual Senses
De explores the spiritual senses, senses given to us by God to help us come to know that which is spiritual in nature, most especially, God Himself.