St. Maria Goretti, Ya'll

Today is the first day of Pray More Novenas's St. Maria Goretti novena. Have ya signed up? Ya getting the reminders every morning?

Even when I don't really feel a strong connection to one of their chosen saints, I still pray the novena anyway, because you never know what fruit will come to bear. Trusting in the saints to intercede is a powerful thing, plus you get the added bonus of getting closer to them and learning why they were chosen by the Church to be saints (really, chosen by God). What you learn via prayer, and the closeness you feel as a result, may surprise you.

This is the case with Maria Goretti. Do you know her story? It's gruesome, and it's why she's the patron of chastity, among other things. Short version: as a child, a worker on her family's farm attempted to rape her, and rather than submit, she allowed herself to be stabbed to death by her attacker. Not only that! As she died, she forgave him. Then she then appeared to him in a dream while he was in prison and he repented utterly, eventually being forgiven by Maria's mother and becoming a lay brother of a Capuchin order. Oh and she was 11 when this all happened.

So, there is not much there that I really relate to. She lived a brief life; at 11 years old she was more saintly than I will ever be; she was clearly predisposed to many virtues and the grace of a mighty forgiving heart. Nonetheless, I 100% see things in her that I could better explore and emulate, of course, so pray I will do. And it is nice to think that by spending just a few moments in prayer with her every day, I will get to know one of God's very special children.

St. Maria Goretti, pray for us!

Daily Scripture: June 22, 2017

Radio! Plus Twitter

Ladies and gentlemen, I am excited to announce that I have joined Twitter! CHECK IT OUT! Username: @LauraRDeMaria. I will use Twitter as one more way to communicate about the things that matter to me in the world of spiritual exploration and growth. It's lots of fun to find other Catholics online, as well, and share stories and information from all over the world and be able to keep on top of what's happening politically and socially as it relates to the Church. Very exciting times!

I also spoke with John Harper and the Morning Air team this morning, discussing my article, Finding Your True Self in Marian Devotion. The article itself has generated a few comments at the bottom, and I love hearing how other people have been led "home" by a calling to pray the rosary. It really is that simple. 

The radio interview was really more focused on my own path home, as it began with the rosary. It was a brief interview so trust and believe I could have talked on that subject, and more deeply, for an even longer time. Just as a bit of behind-the-scenes, I never actually know exactly what I'll be talking about when I go on, just that the article itself will be the focus point. So it's fun to see what angle John takes and what he is interested in speaking to me about. You can listen to the audio here, starting at 41:45. Will I ever get used to the sound of my own voice via radio or technology? Nah. Also, can I tell when it's John or Glen talking? No, not really, and that's also funny to me. By the way, sorry for the initial technical difficulty, if you listen - we fixed it eventually.

One other thing: it is officially summer. This is my favorite season, and as I write, the sun is setting against a baby blue sky, setting the strands of clouds to pink and periwinkle. The pool below is flickering peacefully with the day's last swimmers slushing back and forth. Did you dance about the maypole today? Or drink in some fresh air? Summer is fast and not lasting - like many good things. Even though I did not get outdoors today, I thank God simply for the fact it is summer and that outside the world is turning to glorious, warm dusk, right at this very moment in time.