Last day of March

Greetings! This morning I joined John and Glenn on Morning Air to discuss my recent article, Praying Our Way through Pandemic. They framed the conversation: how has your prayer changed as a result of the crisis? Highlights were getting to talk about St. Corona, the different Marian devotions appropriate for this time, and hearing a caller’s experience of adapting prayer to a large family at home in lieu of attending Mass or other public devotions. You can listen to the audio by clicking on podcast 199 located in the player here. The conversation starts at 31:46.

Here’s the article I mentioned: Coronavirus worry sparks searches for ‘prayer’ to skyrocket. Not surprising, eh?

And here’s the Relevant Radio prayer vs. pandemic campaign. I’m signed up - please do the same!

Bonus headline of the day that gave me great joy, as I have fondness both for the British and for Our Lady, so it’s the best of all worlds in an article: Britons rededicate England to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Last thought: I am thinking about the virtues needed during a time of pandemic. What got me thinking was watching the Thomistic Instutute’s Aquinas 101 video today, which is Fr. Petri discussing virtue. Watch it here. Courage is the one that pops to mind, but how about prudence? It takes a lot of prudence to stay home when you really want to go run around in the sunshine.

Holy Week is next week!

Actual last thought: this Sunday is Palm Sunday. I have ones from last year that I will hold. I have also been getting dressed up for Mass, and this weekend will be no different.

Relevant Radio Interview: 3/31

Hiya folks. Listen in this coming Tuesday, March 31, where I’ll be joining Morning Air on Relevant Radio to discuss praying through the pandemic. I’m slated for 7:45 am. You can open up this player and listen live on the device of your choice. Or, find your radio station here.

Edit: I can’t believe I forgot to add the best memes of the weekend. Which is your favorite: fiddle ears dog or not all sports are canceled? I laugh so hard I cry when I look at that dog (and wish I were beside it, hugging it, feeling the wind on our faces).

Prayer on the Fifth Friday of Lent

Photo courtesy of America Magazine. I love this image.

My latest article, Praying Our Way Through the Pandemic, is up at Catholic Stand. St. Corona, now is your time, homegirl!

Speaking of prayer, Holy Trinity in Georgetown has moved a few of its Ignatian programs and retreats online. Holy Trinity is where I have made several Ignatian retreats, and where I was guided through the 9-month 19th annotation retreat in daily life. I cannot recommend the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius enough. Our current quiet, solitary, contemplative status makes this a perfect time for a prayer retreat.

Another powerfully prayerful thing from today: the Pope gave an Urbi et Orbi blessing. Here is the transcript of his homily, which I highly encourage you to read. It was quite a thing to see the Pope in an empty St. Peter’s square, with the rain coming down and great torches lit along the path, and a deep blue sky becoming more deeply blue. It was the perfect kind of alternative universe image for what we are all feeling inside. It was Moses going up on the mountain to pray for his people, and I think the way will forever remember Pope Francis.

It is a Friday, so I will get outside in a bit, then virtual dinner and rosary with some gal pals (and one toddler!).

I am reminded that God is still doing wonderful things. All of this could be leading to something - strangely wonderful and new. Even when I feel hopeless I think, well, I’ve never, ever known what God is going to do next. And usually He does something I once thought impossible.