Finding Joy in the day, Day 301 (Year 2)

Friends and their selfless love

'The love which our Blessed Lady had for God was so great, that she suffered keenly through her desire of union with Him; hence the Eternal Father, to console her, sent her His only and beloved Son.'

St. Philip Neri

Finding Joy in the day, Day 300 (Year 2)

300 mark of year 2

'The religious state is like the Promised Land; it is Paradise on Earth; it is a great grace.'

St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori

Finding Joy in the day, Day 299 (Year 2)

A car that works well and stays warm

'I have seen unlearned men who were truly humble, and they became wiser than the wise. . . Another unlearned man, upon hearing them praised, instead of imitating their humility, prided himself on being unlearned and so fell into arrogance.'

St. Mark the Ascetic

Finding Joy in the day, Day 298 (Year 2)

A safe place when there is a blizzard outside

'Two things are most necessary, brethren, to you who from love of solitude live as hermits, and strive after the vision of the contemplative life. You must be assiduous in singing the psalms and watchful in frequent prayer; and you must fight against the assault of invading distractions with all the might of virtue. Let us then remove all the dirt from the hospice of our hearts and strew them with all the flowers of virtue'

St. Peter Damian

Finding Joy in the day, Day 297 (Year 2)

Getting a few errands done

'If a man is treated with contempt by someone and yet does not react with anger in either word or thought, it shows he has acquired real knowledge and firm faith in the Lord.'

St. Mark the Ascetic

Finding Joy in the day, Day 296 (Year 2) Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph

Coffee date with a friend
Iced Decaf coffee- yum

'I tell you, my brothers, there is but one thing you lack here - wives! You know well, that having thus discarded poverty, you can easily discard chastity.'

Bl. Giles of Assisi

Finding Joy in the day, Day 295 (Year 2)

Going out with a friend
Seeing beautiful flowers

'We ought to love and venerate those pure Spirits, who, although very superior to us, consent to protect and serve us.'

St. Lydwine of Schiedam

Finding Joy in the day, Day 294 (Year 2) Merry Christmas 2015

FaceTime with family

'Although the sinner does not believe in Hell, he shall nevertheless go there if he has the misfortune to die in mortal sin.'

St. Anthony Mary Claret

Finding Joy in the day, Day 293 (Year 2) Christmas Eve 2015

Christmas Eve Mass

'In everything and everywhere, I desire nothing but the accomplishment of the divine good pleasure, allowing the divine Heart of Jesus to will and desire in me and for me, just as He pleases. I am content to love Him alone: whatever He wishes me to love, that He will love for me.'

St. Margaret Mary Alacoque

Finding Joy in the day, Day 292 (Year 2)

Pretty snow

'You are the salt of the earth! You are the light of the world! See to it that the people are edified by your example, by the purity of your lives, by the moderation of your conduct, and the brilliance of your holiness! God does not ask of you mere ordinary virtue. He demands downright perfection!'

Pope St. Pius V, to the cardinals

Finding Joy in the day, Day 291 (Year 2)

Facetiming with my adorable Nephew

'Blessed the one who has hated evil-doing that is full of shame and presented himself as a living sacrifice, well-pleasing to the Lord.'

St. Ephrem of Syria

Finding Joy in the day, Day 290 (Year 2)

Chai tea latte from Starbucks

'David said: "I will pierce the lion and I will slay the bear;" (cf. 1 Sam. 17:35) that is to say: I will cut off anger and I will crush fornication with hard labor.'

St. Poemen

Finding Joy in the day, Day 289 (Year 2)

Nice talk on the phone

'Could you but realize what happiness it is to love the Sacred Heart of Jesus, you would despise all else to love but It alone.'

St. Margaret Mary Alacoque

Finding Joy in the day, Day 288 (Year 2)

Good visit with a friend

'Placing her in the most noble cloister of holy religion so that, purged there of every stain of sin, she was clothed in the adornment of holy and noble virtue. He reformed the beauty of the soul and leads it back to its first state of innocence so that after this pilgrimage, she can worthily enter into the glorious bridal chamber of her most chaste and virginal spouse Christ Jesus, from whose hand she will receive the prize of triumphant glory. This he imparts to those who, for love of him, abandon the vain pleasures of this weary world, subjecting themselves to the rule of reason and abandoning their self will, and take refuge in the safe port of holy religion, offering themselves completely to the will of another and following the way of most holy obedience and abandoning their own will in all things.'

St. Catherine of Bologna

Finding Joy in the day, Day 287 (Year 2)

Quintessential snow falling out the window

'Whatsoever we do, we can never be true children of Mary, unless we are humble.'

St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori

Finding Joy in the day, Day 286 (Year 2)

A very special gift from a very special friend

'Demonstrate what you think by your bearing and your walk. Have simplicity in the way you present yourself, purity in your walk, gravity in your gestures, honesty in your step. Do not display lasciviousness, arrogance, and superficiality. The stance of the body is the indicator of the mind. Your walk, therefore, should not represent superficiality; your step should not affront yourself or your neighbor.'

St. Isidore of Seville

Finding Joy in the day, Day 285 (Year 2)

Massage

'The things that immediately concern the glory of God are very different from those of the world, for which much activity is necessary; as regards the things of God, we must be content to follow His inspirations and leave grace to act, cooperating wholeheartedly with its movements.'

St. Margaret Mary Alacoque

Finding Joy in the day, Day 284 (Year 2)

Messages from friends

'My St. Francis Xavier used to repeat, as he faced the crosses and sufferings in India: plura, Domine, plura. [More, Lord, more.]

St. Gaspar del Bufalo

Finding Joy in the day, Day 283 (Year 2)

Getting out and driving my car

'Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.'

2 Corinthians 9:7

Finding Joy in the day, Day 282 (Year 2)

Packer win

'Love overcomes, love delights, those who love the Sacred Heart rejoice.'

St. Bernadette Soubirous

Finding Joy in the day, Day 281 (Year 2) Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe

Sample of lovely smelling perfume (Daisy by Marc Jacobs)

'Blessed the one who sits in his cell with all devotion, as Mary sat at the Lord's feet, and hastens, like Martha, to receive him, the Lord and Saviour.'

St. Ephrem of Syria

Finding Joy in the day, Day 280 (Year 2)

FaceTime with my nephew

'Some people with possessions possess them dispassionately, and so when deprived of them they are not dismayed but are like those who accepted the seizure of their goods with joy (cf. Heb. 10:34). Others possess with passion, so that when they are in danger of being dispossessed they become utterly dejected, like the rich man in the Gospel who went away full of sorrow (cf. Matt. 19:22); and if they actually are dispossessed, they remain dejected until they die. Dispossession, then, reveals whether a man's inner state is dispassionate or dominated by passion.'

St. Maximos the Confessor

Finding Joy in the day, Day 279 (Year 2)

A little grace

'As a fish cannot swim without water, and as a bird cannot fly without air, so a Christian cannot advance a single step without Christ.'

St. Gregory Nazianzus

Finding Joy in the day, Day 278 (Year 2)

Driving again
Fountain Diet MD

'O my child, bethink you that just as the bee, having gathered heaven's dew and earth's sweetest juices from amid the flowers, carries it to her hive; so the Priest, having taken the Saviour, God's Own Son, Who came down from Heaven, the Son of Mary, Who sprang up as earth's choicest flower, from the Altar, feeds you with that Bread of Sweetness and of all delight.'

St. Francis de Sales

Finding Joy in the day, Day 277 (Year 2) Immaculate Conception Dec 8

Sunshine outside and pretty picture of the sunrise

'. . . it is certain that, so long as the guilt of venial sin is not remitted, the punishment due to it cannot be remitted.'

St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori

Finding Joy in the day, Day 276 (Year 2)

Sunshine outside
Cozy new sweatshirt

'Why do we not burn with the divine fire which He has come to enkindle on earth! We ought to be consumed therein. To love and be consumed by this sacred fire will be my constant endeavor.'

St. Margaret Mary Alacoque

Finding Joy in the day, Day 275 (Year 2) Saint Nicholas' Day

Christmas coloring books
Having coffee with my friend

'O you wish to be always happy? then always be humble and obedient.'

St. Ignatius of Loyola

Finding Joy in the day, Day 274 (Year 2)

Friend visit and new coloring book

'If you wish to be saved and "to come unto the knowledge of the truth" (1 Tim. 2:4), endeavor always to transcend sensible things, and through hope alone to cleave to God. Then you will find principalities and powers fighting against you (cf. Eph. 6:12), deflecting you against your will and provoking you to sin. But if you prevail over them through prayer and maintain your hope, you will receive God's grace, and this will deliver you from the wrath to come.'

St. Mark the Ascetic

Finding Joy in the day, Day 273 (Year 2)

Packer win!!!!

'The reason why so many souls who apply themselves to prayer are not inflamed with God's love is, that they neglect to carefully prepare themselves for it.'

St. Teresa of Jesus

Finding Joy in the day, Day 272 (Year 2)

Parents coming to see me
Cute pictures of my nephew

'. . . a great movement of apostasy being organized in every country for the establishment of a One-World Church which shall have neither dogmas, nor hierarchy, nor discipline for the mind, nor curb for the passions, and which, under the pretext of freedom and human dignity, would bring back to the world the reign of legalized cunning and force, the oppression of the weak, and of those who toil and suffer.'

Pope St. Pius X, 'Our Apostolic Mandate'

Finding Joy in the day, Day 271 (Year 2)

Love and prayers of friends

'You pray too little for the souls in purgatory. If you had prayed more for the poor souls they would have reminded you not to leave the loaves in the oven all night. We have taken a vow of poverty. We live off the alms of the people. We must not abuse them.'

St. Conrad of Parzham, to a novice

Finding Joy in the day, Day 270 (Year 2)

New toothbrush

'For this reason Scripture urges us to acquire the knowledge of God, so that through our works we may serve Him rightly.'

St. Mark the Ascetic

Finding Joy in the day, Day 269 (Year 2)

Pretty white snow and not having to go out in it

'The keeping of God's commandments generates dispassion; the soul's dispassion preserves spiritual knowledge.'

St. Thalassios the Libyan

Finding Joy in the day, Day 268 (Year 2)

Icebreakers mints
Cinnamon orbit

'The thought of Friday is suggestive of reflections so sad as to make one that truly loves sorrowful unto death; for was it not on that day that my Incarnate God suffered for me, even to immolating Himself for me, on the infamous gibbet of the cross?'

St. Paul of the Cross

Finding Joy in the day, Day 267 (Year 2)

Sweet lil pictures of my nephew bringing me joy

'A bow breaks if it is bent too much, but the soul is lost if it relaxes itself.'

St. Ignatius of Loyola

Finding Joy in the day, Day 266 (Year 2)

Caribou Coffee

'He who wishes to be perfectly obeyed, should give but few orders.'

St. Philip Neri

Finding Joy in the day, Day 265 (Year 2) Happy Thanksgiving 2015

I am thankful for the wonderful support of family and friends, for all the lovely Birthday greetings!!!!!! I love you my family and friends, thank you for the gift you are to me!

Sing and make Music to the Lord in your hearts, always thanking God the Father for all things in the name of Jesus Eph 5:19-20

Finding Joy in the day, Day 264 (Year 2) Happy Birthday

Birthday wishes

'Steadfast faith is a strong tower; and for one who has faith Christ comes to be all.'

St. Mark the Ascetic

Finding Joy in the day, Day 263 (Year 2)

Birthday cards in the mail

'In seeking for counsel it is necessary sometimes to hear what our inferiors think, and to recommend ourselves to their prayers.'

St. Philip Neri

Finding Joy in the day, Day 262 (Year 2)

Package from my sister

'You must strive with all possible care to please God in such a manner as neither to do nor behold anything, without first consulting Him, and in everything to seek Him alone and His glory.'

St. Alphonsus Rodriguez

Finding Joy in the day, Day 261 (Year 2)

Packer win in MN
Friend visit

'O blissful penance, which has purchased for me so great a reward!'

St. Peter of Alcantara, to St. Teresa of Jesus, appearing to her after his death

Finding Joy in the day, Day 260 (Year 2)

Cute new nephew video bright and early in the a.m.

'Whether we think, speak or act in a good or an evil manner depends upon whether we cleave inwardly to virtue or to vice.'

St. Thalassios the Libyan

Finding Joy in the day, Day 259 (year 2)

A brand new nephew whose super cute

'The prayer of the sick person is his patience and his acceptance of the sickness for the love of Jesus Christ. This has great worth when it is motivated by the imitation of how much Our Lord suffered for us, and by penance for our sins.'

St. Charles of Sezze

Finding Joy in the day, Day 258 (Year 2)

New member joining our family

'There are three things that impel us towards what is holy: natural instincts, angelic powers and probity of intention. Natural instincts impel us when, for example, we do to others what we would wish them to do to us (cf. Luke 6:31), or when we see someone suffering deprivation or in need and naturally feel compassion. Angelic powers impel us when, being ourselves impelled to something worthwhile, we find we are providentially helped and guided. We are impelled by probity of intention when, discriminating between good and evil, we choose the good.'

St. Maximos the Confessor

Finding Joy in the day, Day 257 (Year 2)

Seeing birds of prey
Friend support

'It is necessary to be strong, in order to become great: that is our duty. Life is a struggle, which we cannot avoid. We must triumph!'

St. Padre Pio

Finding Joy in the day, Day 256 (Year 2)

Little bird greeting

'I have converted by this means the most hardened sinners, and so sincere was their repentance that, when I afterwards heard their confessions, I could no longer find in them sufficient matter for absolution. So remarkable a change came about because they were faithful to the advice I had given them to meditate on the sufferings of Our Lord Jesus Christ.'

St. Paul of the Cross

Finding Joy in the day, Day 255 (Year 2)

Trip to Patina
Seeing an unexpected friend

'Without prayer we have neither light nor strength to advance in the way which leads to God.'

St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori

Finding Joy in the day, Day 254 (Year 2)

kindness form my dad

'I constitute thee heiress of My Heart and of all Its treasures, for time and for eternity, allowing thee to dispose of them according to thy desire; and I promise thee that My assistance will not fail thee, as long as My heart fails not in power. Thou shall be forever Its beloved disciple.'

The Lord, to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque

Finding Joy in the day, Day 253 (Year 2)

Cinnamon gum
Snail mail

'When the devil again tempts you to sin, telling you that God is merciful, remember that the Lord showeth mercy to them that fear Him, but not to them who despise Him.'

St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori

Finding Joy in the day, Day 252 (Year 2)

Visiting with a friend over tea

'Hence, if we wish to engage lawfully in the struggle of the spiritual contest, we must with no less foresight cure this disease as well. For "as a moth with a garment and a worm with wood, so sadness does harm to a man's heart;" [Proverbs 15:20] Quite clearly and appositely has the divine Spirit expressed the force of this hurtful and pernicious vice.'

St. John Cassian

Finding Joy in the day, Day 251 (Year 2)

Card in the mail

'You do wrong to complain of your crosses and sufferings. Believe me, you know not what it is to suffer. God preserve you from suffering even one day what has been endured by a certain soul, whose name I must not disclose!'

St. Paul of the Cross

Finding Joy in the day, Day 250 (Year 2)

Lovely card

'Our self-love is so subtle, at times it makes us believe that we are seeking God, because we are so much attached to the things of His service, that we feel some annoyance when obliged to leave them. This is because we seek our own satisfaction rather than God; a heart that wishes for Him alone, finds Him everywhere.'

St. Margaret Mary Alacoque

Finding Joy in the day, Day 249 (Year 2)

Visiting with a friend

Trip to Barnes and Noble 

'When you observe some thought suggesting that you seek human fame, you can be sure it will bring you disgrace.'

St. Mark the Ascetic

Finding Joy in the day, Day 248 (Year 2)

Blessings of prayers from friends

'Created free and called to freedom (cf. Gal. 5:13), do not be enslaved by impure passions.'

St. Thalassios the Libyan

Finding Joy in the day, Day 247 (Year 2)

Safe sunny drive

'Again I say, do not worry over your faults, but when you have committed any, say quite trustfully to the all-loving Heart of Jesus: "O my only Love, pay for Thy poor slave and repair the evil that I have just done."'

St. Margaret Mary Alacoque

Finding Joy in the day, Day 246 (Year 2)

Coffee date with mom

Packer pants

'. . . most men turn their backs upon crosses, and fly before them. They more they run, the more the cross pursues them, the more it strikes and crushes them with burdens. . . If you were wise, you would go to meet it like St. Andrew, who said, when he saw the cross prepared for him and raised up into the air, "Hail, O good cross! O admirable cross! O desirable cross! receive me into thy arms, withdraw me from among men, and restore me to my Master, who redeemed me through thee."'

St. Jean Marie Baptiste Vianney, the Cure of Ars

Finding Joy in the day, Day 245 (Year 2)

Oil change coupon

'Offer to the eternal Father the precious blood of His only Son in propitiation for my ingratitude, and to obtain for me the grace to do His will. If this work be not for His glory, may He bring it to naught, and grant me time and an asylum, in order to do penance for and weep over my sins.'

St. Paul of the Cross

Finding Joy in the day, Day 244 (Year 2)

Seeing a bald eagle flying overhead yesterday
Getting my car washed and vacuumed before the cold sets in

'You cannot be half a saint; you must be a whole saint or no saint at all.'

St. Therese of Lisieux

Finding Joy in the day, Day 243 (Year 2)

Sunny and 60s in November

'I must be burnt alive.'

St. Polycarp of Smyrna

Finding Joy in the day, Day 242 (Year 2)

Errands done
Guatemalan coffee bean find

'Every day you provide your bodies with good to keep them from failing. In the same way your good works should be the daily nourishment of your hearts. Your bodies are fed with food and your spirits with good works. You aren't to deny your soul, which is going to live forever, what you grant to your body, which is going to die.'

Pope St. Gregory the Great

Finding Joy in the day, Day 241 (Year 2)

Above 70 in November
Clear starry night

'It is impossible for us who have fallen into the pit of iniquities ever to be drawn out of it, unless we sink into the abyss of the humility of the repentant.'

St. John Climacus

Finding Joy in the day, Day 240 (Year 2) All Souls Day

Gorgeous temperatures for November

'Yes, my dear bretheren, we shall see at the Judgement that the largest section of Christians practiced a religion of whim or caprice only -- that is to say, the greatest number of them practiced their religion merely from motives of routine, and very few sought God alone in what they did.'

St. Jean Marie Baptiste Vianney, the Cure of Ars

Finding Joy in the day, Day 239 (Year 2)

Great visiting with a wonderful friend! Love you J

'Let us submit to the orders of our Sovereign Master, and confess that -- in spite of all that seems harsh and distressing -- He is good and just in all He does and that He has a right at all times to our praise and love.'

St. Margaret Mary Alacoque

Finding Joy in the day, Day 238 (Year 2)

Good day with lots of family

'There are said to be five reasons why God allows us to be assailed by demons. The first is so that, by attacking and counterattacking, we should learn to discriminate between virtue and vice. The second is so that, having acquired virtue through conflict and toil, we should keep it secure and immutable. The third is so that, when making progress in virtue, we should not become haughty but learn humility. The fourth is so that, having gained some experience of evil, we should "hate it with perfect hatred" (cf. Ps. 139:22). The fifth and most important is so that, having achieved dispassion, we should forget neither our own weakness nor the power of Him who has helped us.'

St. Maximos the Confessor

Finding Joy in the day, Day 237 (Year 2)

Warmer day

Last of the fall walk with a few deer and some turkeys 

'The rich ought to reach that degree of perfection of possessing the riches of which they are the masters, with out allowing them to possess them.'

St. Ignatius of Loyola

Finding Joy in the day, Day 236 (Year 2)

Working heat in my car

'If you wish to overcome impassioned thoughts, acquire self-control and love for your neighbor.'

St. Thalassios the Libyan

Finding Joy in the day, Day 235 (Year 2)

Finding articles for Facebook

'He who asks of God in faith things needful for this life is sometimes mercifully heard and sometimes mercifully not heard.'

St. Prosper of Aquitaine

Finding Joy in the day, Day 234 (Year 2)

Blessed Bartholomew feast day
Short walk in the fall

'Often tell Jesus that you love him very much, and that you wish to die for love of him. Behold our love, Jesus; behold our life, Jesus; behold our all, Jesus. Let us accompany Jesus in all his ways. When we are alone, let it be with Jesus in the solitude of Bethlehem when we are traveling, let us think that we are with Jesus in Palestine or on the way to Calvary; when we are lashed by biting criticisms, behold us scourged with Jesus; when we are fixed to the cross, behold we are crucified with Jesus.'

St. Gaspar del Bufalo

Finding Joy in the day, Day 233 (Year 2)

Good temps at the end of October 

'I have touched my Spouse, and already I am pure. To awake a virgin, O tree of life, I must sleep first, and suffer or die.'

St. Margaret of Cortona

Finding Joy in the day, Day 232 (Year 2)

Sharing time with family
Hugs from nieces

'You must practice, at one and the same time, interior and exterior mortification; but with this difference, that you must give yourself up to the first particularly, always, and without exception; to the second, on the contrary, only as far as circumstances and the particular condition of persons and occasions will permit.'

St. Ignatius of Loyola

Finding Joy in the day, Day 231 (Year 2)

New windshield wipers
Flat repair

'The best of all prayers is that in which we ask that God's holy will be accomplished, both in ourselves and in others.'

St. Louis de Blois

Finding Joy in the day, Day 230 (Year 2)

Great saint feast yesterday (St. JPII, pray for us)
Nice phone chat

'I can hardly express my joy at seeing the increase of devotion to the Sacred Heart of my Saviour. I seem to live for that alone. Sometimes such an ardent desire to make It reign in all hearts is kindled within me that there is nothing I would not do and suffer to bring this about.'

St. Margaret Mary Alacoque

Finding Joy in the day, Day 229 (Year 2)

My life alive

'My very dear daughter in Jesus crucified, I invite you to Calvary, to assist at the obsequies of Our Saviour. Ah! would that we could, for once, remain there, wounded by divine charity - wounded so deeply as to die of love and sorrow over the Passion and death of our only Good!

I will celebrate the divine mysteries during these holy days, and each time I do so I will place the heart of this spiritual daughter whom God has given me in the most pure and agonizing Hearts, of Jesus and Mary. Do likewise for the poor spiritual father whom divine Providence has given to you. Adieu, my daughter; may Jesus bless you, and inflame you with divine love.'

St. Paul of the Cross

Finding Joy in the day, Day 228 (Year 2)

Winning 2 prizes

'God was pleased to ransom us, to suffer ignominy to glory us, to choose poverty to enrich us, to die in the disgrace and agony of one condemned to secure for us everlasting life in the happiness of Heaven.'

St. Ignatius of Loyola

Finding Joy ini the day, Day 227 (Year 2)

5 deer sighting on nature walk

'When it is all over you will not regret having suffered; rather you will regret having suffered so little, and suffered that little so badly.'


St. Sebastian Valfre

Finding Joy in the day, Day 226 (Year 2)

Trying a hand at drawing

'Patience is necessary for the servant of God, and we must not be distressed at trouble, but wait for consolation.'

St. Philip Neri

Finding Joy in the day, Day 225 (Year 2)

Seeing the reliquary of St. Maria Goretti
Seeing a baby

'We must not leave off our prayers be cause of distractions and restlessness of mind, although it seems useless to go on with them. He who perseveres for the whole of his accustomed time, gently recalling his mind to the subject of his prayer, merits greatly.'

St. Philip Neri

Finding Joy in the day, Day 224 (Year 2)

Red leaves on the sidewalk

'An intellect that has acquired spiritual love does not have thoughts unworthy of this love about anyone.'

St. Thalassios the Libyan

Finding Joy in the day, Day 223 (Year 2) Feast of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque

Friend and baby time
Ergo baby, wearing a babe

'May the holy cross of Christ remain ever planted in our heart! May our mind be grafted on this tree of life, and may it produce worthy fruits of penance, through the merits of the death of the true Author of life!'

St. Paul of the Cross

Finding Joy in the day, Day 222, (Year 2)

Neat quote images on FB
Good chat with my friend

'O Jesus you who were forsaken have become the refuge of forsaken souls. Your love teaches me that I must gain the strength I need to endure being abandoned by seeing how you were abandoned. I am persuaded that the most terrible abandonment I could experience would be to have no part in yours. By your death, you gave me life; you delivered me from the suffering I deserved by suffering in my place. Because of what you endured on the cross, our Heavenly Father will not desert me. He is never closer to me through His mercy than when I am most united with you in your abandonment.'

St. Bernadette Soubirous

Finding Joy in the day, Day 221 (Year 2)

A different task to keep me busy

'Seeing that this divine Shepherd has taken so many steps seeking you, you will return Him thanks for it and, uniting all your steps to His, ask His help to walk henceforth only in the way of His love. Say often to Him: O my kind Shepherd, detach me from all earthly things and from myself, that I may be united to Thee.'

St. Margaret Mary Alacoque

Finding Joy in the day, Day 220 (Year 2)

Crunchy fall walk

'No one will have any other desire in heaven than what God wills; and the desire of one will be the desire of all; and the desire of all and of each one will also be the desire of God.'

St. Anselm of Canterbury

Finding Joy in the day, Day 219 (Year 2)

New niece born

'He said: This is my Body; therefore the Eucharist is not the figure of his Body and Blood, as some have said, talking nonsense in their stupid minds, but it is in very truth the Blood and Body of Christ.'

St. Macarius the Great

Finding Joy in the day, Day 218 (Year 2)

Enjoying time with family
Watching Green Bay game- and a Win

'A crooked and rough trunk of a tree, if it could think, would never believe that it could become a statue, a master-piece of sculpture: it would not wish to place itself under the chisel of any one who, by his art, sees well what he could make of it. Thus many people, hardly living as Christians, are far from imagining that they could become great Saints, if they allowed the grace of God to act in them and not resist its influence.'

St. Ignatius of Loyola

Finding Joy in the day, Day 217 (Year 2)

Good coffee date with mom and sister

'Now, my dearest brothers, listen carefully to what I tell you.

All those throughout the world who are numbered as Christian and who truly acknowledge the Christian faith know and believe that the blessed Peter, the prince of the apostles, is the father of all Christians and, after Christ, the first shepherd, and that the holy Roman Church is the mother and teacher of all the churches.

Therefore, if you believe this and hold to it without hesitation, I ask you and enjoin upon you by Almighty God - I your brother and unworthy teacher as I am - to support and assist your father and your mother if you wish to have, through them, the remission of all your sins, along with blessings and grace in this world and in the life to come.

May almighty God, from whom all good things come, continually enlighten your minds and fill them with love for him and for your neighbor, so that by your devotion you may deserve to make this father and mother of whom I have spoken your debtors and enter without shame into their company.

Pope St. Gregory VII

Finding Joy in the day, Day 216 (Year 2)

Beautiful fall colors
Coffee with a far away friend

'When a man is out of the right way the more quickly and impetuously he advances, the more he errs.'

St. Augustine

Finding Joy in the day, Day 215 (Year 2)

A little glimpse of the sun on a cloudy, rainy day

'According to St. Bonaventure, all the angels in heaven unceasingly call out to her: "Holy, holy, holy Mary, Virgin Mother of God." They greet her countless times each day with the angelic greeting, "Hail, Mary", while prostrating themselves before her, begging her as a favour to honour them with one of her requests. According to St. Augustine, even St. Michael, though prince of all the heavenly court, is the most eager of all the angels to honour her and lead others to honour her. At all times he awaits the privilege of going at her word to the aid of one of her servants.'

St. Louis Marie de Montfort

Finding Joy in the day, Day 214 (Year 2) Feast of The Most Holy Rosary

A little structure

'I ought to burn of love for God out of gratitude for the kindness that He has shown me.'

St. Paul of the Cross

Finding Joy in the day, Day 213 (Year 2)

Warmer day

'If he lose shame and modesty, he will remain in sin.'

St. Jerome

Finding Joy in the day, Day 212 (Year 2) Feast day of St. Maria Faustina Kowalska

Feast day of a favorite saint
Green Bay win

"If we return to him like prodigal son, he has to pardon us. He has to console us in our trials. He has to sustain us in the way a father like this must. For, in effect he must be better than all fathers in the world because in him everything must be faultless. And after all this he must make us sharers and heirs with you." St. Teresa of Avila

Finding Joy in the day, Day 211 (Year 2)

Fun time dying lil sisters hair with kool-aid 

'In order the better to gain souls, in visiting the sick, we ought to imagine that what we do for the sick man we are doing for Christ Himself; we shall thus perform this work of mercy with more love and greater spiritual profit.'

St. Philip Neri

Finding Joy in the day, Day 210 (Year 2)

Catching up on a few things today
Quality sleeping time

'The best remedy for dryness of spirit, is to picture ourselves as beggars in the presence of God and the Saints, and like a beggar, to go first to one saint, then to another, to ask a spiritual alms of them with the same earnestness as a poor fellow in the streets would ask an alms of us.'

St. Philip Neri

Finding Joy in the day, Day 209 (Year 2) Feast of Guardian Angels

Patience of my mother

'The keeping of God's commandments generates dispassion; the soul's dispassion preserves spiritual knowledge.'

St. Thalassios the Libyan

Finding Joy in the day, Day 208 (Year 2) Feast of St. Therese of Lisieux

Peach iced tea from mom

"Be not afraid to tell Jesus that you love Him even if it be without feeling" St. Therese of Lisieux

Finding Joy in the day, Day 207 (Year 2)

A new connection

'Take advantage of little sufferings even more than of great ones. God considers not so much what we suffer as how we suffer. . . Turn everything to profit as the grocer does in his shop.'

St. Louis Marie de Montfort

Finding Joy in the day, Day 206 (Year 2) Feast of the Archangels

Great Game last night Go Pack Go

'To encourage ourselves to endure patiently the labors and afflictions of this life, it is well to reflect that they are much less than the pains of Purgatory.'

St. Teresa of Jesus

Finding Joy in the day, Day 205 (Year 2)

Warmth outside
Pretty red tree

'O Virtue! How rarely we see you, yet how real you are!'

St. Bernadette Soubirous

Finding Joy in the day, Day 204 (Year 2)

Live stream of Papal Mass at World Meeting of Families

'Origen and St. Jerome, the former in his preface on the Canticles, the latter in his on Ezechiel say that it was not permitted to the Jews before the age of thirty to read the three first chapters of Genesis, the commencement and the end of Ezechiel, or the Canticle of Canticles, on account of the depth of the difficulties therein, in which few persons can swim without being submerged. And now, everybody talks of them, everybody criticises them, everybody knows all about them.

And how great the profanation of the Scriptures is in this way nobody could sufficiently believe who had not seen it.'

St. Francis de Sales

Finding Joy in the day, Day 203 (Year 2)

Good time with momma
Beautiful sky

'When you can do good, defer it not, because "alms delivers from death."' [ Tobit 4:10, Tobit 12:9]

St. Polycarp of Smyrna

Finding Joy in the day, Day 202 (Year 2)

Listening to the radio coverage of the Papal visit to the US
Time out with dad at Oktoberfest

'If love is long-suffering and kind (cf. 1 Cor. 13:4), a man who is contentious and malicious clearly alienates himself from love. And he who is alienated from love is alienated from God, for God is love.'

St. Maximos the Confessor

Finding Joy in the day, Day 201 (Year 2) Day 2 of the Papal Visit for World Meeting of Families in Philly

Keeping busy
Making some connections

'In storms and squalls we need a pilot, and in this present life we need prayer; for we are susceptible to the provocations of our thoughts, both good and bad. If our thought is full of devotion and love of God, it rules over the passions. As keepers of stillness, we should discriminate between virtue and vice with discretion and watchfulness; and we should know which virtues to practice when in the presence of our brethren and elders and which to pursue when alone. We should know which virtue comes first, and which second or third; which passions attack the soul and which the body, and also which virtues concern the soul and which the body. We should know which virtue pride uses in order to assault the intellect, and which virtue leads to vainglory, wrath or gluttony. For we ought to purify our thoughts from "all the self-esteem that exalts itself against the knowledge of God." (2 Cor. 10:5)'

St. Isaiah the Solitary

Finding Joy in the day, Day 200 (Year 2) Saint Junipero Serra Canonized today and St. Pio's Feast Day

Blessing chatting with a new friend
Making Jewelry, fun
200 days of Year 2

“Prayer is the best weapon we have; it is the key to God's heart. You must speak to Jesus not only with your lips, but with your heart. In fact on certain occasions you should only speak to Him with your heart.” 
Saint Padre Pio

Finding Joy in the day, Day 199 (Year 2)

Great Fall warmth still in the air

'Think good thoughts about what is good by nature, and think well of every man.'

St. Thalassios the Libyan

Finding Joy in the day, Day 198 (Year 2)

Listening to the Packer game on the Radio is always better

'If a man has attained to that which the Apostles speaks of "to the pure, everything is pure," (Titus 1:15) he sees himself less than all creatures.'

St. Poemen

Finding Joy in the day, Day 197 (Year 2)

Low key day
Reconnecting with a  friend

'Interior locutions in these days have been a delusion of many, and exterior locutions are the least safe. It is easy enough to see when they proceed from ourselves, but to distinguish between those of a good and those of an evil spirit is more difficult. There are many rules given for finding out whether they come from our Lord or not, and one of them is, that they should be sent us in a time of need, or for some good end, as for the comforting a man under temptation or in doubt, or as a warning of coming danger. As a good man will not speak unadvisedly, neither will God;'

St. John of Avila

Finding Joy in the day, Day 196 (Year 2)

Good visit with sistas

A little cleaner in my car

'When our Lord inspires us with some good deed, He also gives the strength to do it.'

St. Margaret Mary Alacoque

Finding Joy in the day, Day 195 (Year 2)

Shopping with sister
Awesome lightning show

'Take this to heart: Owe no man anything. So shalt thou secure a peaceful sleep, an easy conscience, a life without inquietude, and a death without alarm.'

Ven. Louis de Granada

Finding Joy in the day, Day 194 (Year 2)

There are good people in this world

'When a man's intellect is constantly with God, his desire grows beyond all measure into an intense longing for God and his incensiveness is completely transformed into divine love. For by continual participation in the divine radiance his intellect becomes totally filled with light; and when it has reintegrated its passible aspect, it redirects this aspect towards God, as we have said, filling it with an incomprehensible and intense longing for Him and with unceasing love, thus drawing it entirely away from worldly things to the divine.'

St. Maximos the Confessor

Finding Joy in the day, Day 193 (Year 2)

Sunny warm weather in September

'From what Abba Serapion said, we can learn that we shall be granted the gift of true discrimination when we trust, no longer in the judgments of our own mind, but in the teaching and rule of our fathers. The devil brings the monk to the brink of destruction more effectively through persuading him to disregard the admonitions of the fathers and follow his own judgment and desire, than he does through any other fault. We should learn from examples provided by human arts and sciences. If we cannot accomplish anything in them by ourselves - in spite of the fact that they deal with things we can touch with our hands, see with our eyes and hear with our ears - but still need someone who will instruct us well and guide us, how can it be anything but foolish to think that the spiritual art, the most difficult of all the arts, has no need of a teacher? It is an invisible, hidden art which is understood only through purity of heart, and failure in it brings, not temporary loss, but the soul's destruction and eternal death.'

St. John Cassian

Finding Joy in the day, Day 192 (Year 2) Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows

Love of a compassionate mother, humble, and pure

'Christ is the Savior of the whole world, and has conferred on men the gift of repentance so that they may be saved.'

St. Thalassios the Libyan

Finding Joy in the day, Day 191 (Year 2) The Exaltation of the Holy Cross

Family support
Salvation by Christ's Sacrifice of the Holy Cross

'Modern times are dominated by Satan and will be more so in the future. The conflict with hell cannot be engaged by men, even the most clever. The Immaculata alone has from God the promise of victory over Satan. However, assumed into Heaven, the Mother of God now requires our cooperation. She seeks souls who will consecrate themselves entirely to her, who will become in her hands effective instruments for the defeat of Satan and the spreading of God's kingdom upon earth.'

St. Maximilian Kolbe

Finding Joy in the day, Day 190 (Year 2)

Safe and beautiful drive
Seeing far away family

'How is it you do not fear to touch the work of God; do you not fear the chastisement His justice prepares for you?'

St. Lydwine of Schiedam

Finding Joy in the day, Day 189 (Year 2)

Greeting an old friend

'If you have too much to do, with God's help you will find time to do it all.'

St. Peter Canisius

Finding Joy in the day, Day 188 (Year 2)

Niece time and mom time
Eve of destruction

'Be comforted with this divine thought that your spiritual and physical pains are the test of the Divine Will.'

St. Padre Pio

Finding Joy in the day, Day 187 (Year 2)

Mass with Dad
Coffee too

'Let us note how another poor man prepared himself to receive gifts from above; he cried, he shouted, he implored, he groaned with the voice of the spirit: "My heart is ready, O God, my heart is ready." [Ps. 57:7] It is as if he had said openly: I have prepared my heart, Lord, to receive the gifts of Your bounty, for I have cleansed it from all the filth of wicked thoughts, and there is nothing left in it which would refuse the gift of Your grace coming from above. I have striven to cast out what was evil in it; do You hasten in Your mercy to fill it with the gift of Your loving kindness. I have emptied my heart and am holding it ready for You; I have dug out all the stones of vice, and long with all my soul to embrace the grace of Your Holy Spirit. So you, God's poor, hold your hearts in readiness, who keep them clean of wicked thoughts.'

St. Peter Damian

Finding Joy in the day, Day 186 (Year 2)

Coffee date with bro

'The heart of the wicked swarms with sins like an anthill with ants. It is like a piece of bad meat full of worms. When we abandon ourselves to our passions, we interweave thorns around our heart. We are like moles a week old; no sooner do we see the light, than we bury ourselves in the ground. The devil amuses us till the last moment, as a poor man is kept amused while the soldiers are coming to take him. When they come, he cries and struggles in vain, for they will not release him.'

St. Jean Marie Baptiste Vianney, the Cure of Ars

Finding Joy in the day, Day 185 (Year 2)

Good time with friend
Baby love

'Our Lady, deign to intercede for us sinners with thy Divine Lord and Son, and obtain of Him a blessing for us in our trials and tribulations.'

St. Ignatius of Loyola

Finding Joy in the day, Day 184 (Year 2)

Good friends

'They who fulfill the orders of their superiors reluctantly and unwillingly should be classed among the vilest slaves.'

St. Ignatius of Loyola

Finding Joy in the day, Day 183 (Year 2)

Friend and niece time
Clearance deal

'Every one that revolts, and persists not in the doctrine of Christ: has not God. He that persists in the doctrine: the same has both the Father, and the Son. If any man come to you, and bring not this doctrine: receive him not into the house, nor say, God save you, unto him. For he that says unto him, God save you, communicates with his wicked works.'

2 John 9-11

Finding Joy in the day, Day 182 (Year 2)

Some errands out of the way
A kind word

'If man or angel always rendered to God his due, he would never sin. . . Therefore to sin is nothing else than not to render to God his due.'

St. Anselm of Canterbury, 'Cur Deus Homo'

Finding Joy in the day, Day 181 (Year 2)

Coffee with a friend
Spending time with my niece

'Virginity is the flower of the seed of the Church, beauty and adornment of spiritual grace, a glad joy of laud and honour, work entire and incorrupt, image of God, and yet more noble as to the holiness of God and portion of the flock of Jesus Christ.'

St. Cyprian of Carthage

Finding Joy in the day, Day 180 (Year 2)

Hugs from my niece
Seeing the traveling sheepshead wagon

'Two criminals were crucified with Christ. One was saved - do not despair. One was not - do not presume.'

St. Augustine

Finding Joy in the day, Day 179 (Year 2)

Feeling clean after a shower
Not getting too hot in bed

'Truly, the more the soul is enlightened by faith and prayer, the more intimately is she united to God, and by means of this union with the Supreme Being she is enriched with all goods, and she accomplishes great things with humility and a sense of her own insufficiency. Thus she disposes herself to be all absorbed in God in contemplation, for the divine Lover draws her to Himself by means of this union.'

St. Paul of the Cross

Finding Joy in the day, Day 178 (Year 2)

Meeting dad for mass
Free cheese

'I had become by this time fond of good books, and that gave me life.

I read the Epistles of St. Jerome, which filled me with so much courage. . .'

St. Teresa of Jesus

Finding Joy in the day, Day 177 (Year 2)

Getting referrals help
Seeing my long lost family

'The intellect does many good and bad things without the body, whereas the body can do neither good nor evil without the intellect. This is because the law of freedom applies to what happens before we act.'

St. Mark the Ascetic

Finding Joy in the day, Day 176 (Year 2)

Seeing baby C, and playing with her

'And so, dearly beloved, make firm your resolve, knowing that you cannot do anything greater for your spouse Christ Jesus than persevere and finish under the yoke which you have taken up through him, aware that the enemy sometimes makes the way seem too narrow or too long.'

St. Catherine of Bologna

(p.s. MB I bet you can relate to the TOO LONG and TOO NARROW- sorry you are going through that!)

Finding Joy in the day, Day 175 (Year 2)

Safe travels home to Appleton
Catching up with my amazing sister

'Of a hundred, and perhaps a thousand, of these articulated locutions, there is hardly one genuine. It is difficult, even for spiritual masters, to discern the true from the false, those of the Spirit of truth from those of the devil, who knows so well how to feign effects like in appearance to those of the Spirit of God. Therefore it is best to enjoin on him who has them to drive them away, to humble himself before God, and to protest that faith, with the Scriptures and the advice of his spiritual father, who speaks in God's name, are sufficient for him. Thus he glorifies God in distrusting himself, in humbling himself, in esteeming himself unworthy of such favors, and is thereby freed from illusion.'

St. Paul of the Cross

Finding Joy in the day, Day 174 (Year 2)

Putting pieces together
New friend

'A man ought never to say one word in his own praise, however true it may be, no, not even in a joking way.'

St. Philip Neri

Finding Joy in the day, Day 173 (Year 2)

Getting some art in the mail
Fun at Target

'In the warfare of the flesh, only cowards gain the victory; that is to say, those who fly.'

St. Philip Neri

Finding Joy in the day, Day 172 (Year 2)

Getting to know people
New friends

'Listen now to what they say about love for our neighbor: "I speak the truth in Christ, I do not lie, my conscience also bears me witness in the Holy Spirit: I have great distress and continual sorrow in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were severed from Christ for the sake of my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh, who are Israelites" (Rom. 9:1-3). Moses and the other saints speak in a similar manner.'

St. Maximos the Confessor

Finding Joy in the day, Day 171 (Year 2)

Joking around

'Each man's knowledge is genuine to the extent that it is confirmed by gentleness, humility and love.'

St. Mark the Ascetic

Finding Joy in the day, Day 170 (Year 2)

Sunny morning

'They are deprived of the sight of God, a torment far more excruciating than all other pains. Let us reflect that among these suffering souls are parents, or brothers, or relatives and friends, who look to us for succor. Let us remember, moreover, that being in the condition of debtors for their sins, they cannot assist themselves. This thought should urge us forward to relieve them to the best of our ability.'

St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori

Finding Joy in the day, Day 169 (Year 2)

The story of my sister and her husband and their courage
Visit from my family

'Blessed the one who considers those who sleep in their coffins in graves and has rejected every foul smelling desire, for he will rise in glory when the heavenly trumpet sounds, rousing all the children of humankind from sleep.'

St. Ephrem of Syria

Finding Joy in the day, Day 167 (Year 2)

Hearing from a friend after a long time

'Long-suffering and readiness to forgive curb anger; love and compassion wither it.'

St. Thalassios the Libyan

Finding Joy in the day, Day 168 (Year 2)

Chatting with Dad

'Make a nosegay of the sufferings of Jesus, and wear it on your bosom, or else keep yourself absorbed in God in pure faith; let your soul be rapt in the thought of His sufferings and His love. Remain in this sacred silence, in this holy admiration, which increases the love of God.'

St. Paul of the Cross

Finding Joy in the day, Day 166 (Year 2)

Supportive friends and prayers

'In your patience you shall possess your souls.'

Luke 21:19

Finding Joy in the day, Day165 (Year 2)

Seeing pictures of happy mom and dad and baby
My good friend visiting with my niece

'No passion is worse than an uncontrolled tongue, because it is the mother of all the passions.'

St. Agathon

Finding Joy in the day, Day 164 (Year 2)

Great great news
An exciting addition

'Steadfast faith is a strong tower; and for one who has faith Christ comes to be all.'

St. Mark the Ascetic

Finding Joy in the day, Day 163 (Year 2)

Time outside without it raining
Triple sacraments

'Conformity to the will of God is an easy and certain means of acquiring a great treasure of graces in this life.'

St. Vincent de Paul

Finding Joy in the day, Day 162 (Year 2)

Doing a little journaling
A friend

 

'Let us give ourselves over completely to our dear and good heavenly Father. Let us always love Him, and our hearts will be enlarged. There must be no standing still. Our love must become a flame which destroys within us all that does not unite us intimately with Him.'

St. Conrad of Parzham

Finding Joy in the day, Day 161 (Year 2) Feast of the Assumption

Visiting with my sister and bro in law
A nice place to sit

 

'The prayer which humbles the soul, inflames her with love, and leads her to the practice of virtue, is not susceptible of illusion.'

St. Paul of the Cross

Finding Joy in the day, Day 160 (Year 2)

Finding what I needed in my car

'You aspire to great things? Begin with little ones.'

St. Augustine

Finding Joy in the day, Day 159 (Year 2)

Getting outside

'When people say that it is impossible to attain perfection, to be once and for all free from the passions, or to participate fully in the Holy Spirit, we should cite Holy Scripture against them, showing them that they are ignorant and speak falsely and dangerously. For the Lord said: "Become perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect." (Matt. 5:48), perfection denoting total purity; and: "I desire these men to be with Me wherever I am, so that they may see My glory." (John 17:24) He also said: "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away." (Matt. 24:35) And St. Paul is saying the same as Christ when he writes: ". . . so that we may present every man perfect in Christ." (Col. 1:28) and: ". . . until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ." (Eph. 4:13) Thus by aspiring to perfection two of the best things come about, provided we struggle diligently and unceasingly: we seek to attain this perfect measure and growth; and we are not conquered by vanity, but look upon ourselves as petty and mean because we have not yet reached our goal.

Those who deny the possibility of perfection inflict the greatest damage on the soul in three ways. First, they manifestly disbelieve the inspired Scriptures. Then, because they do not make the greatest and fullest goal of Christianity their own, and so do not aspire to attain it, they can have no longing and diligence, no hunger and thirst for righteousness; (cf. Matt. 5:6) on the contrary, content with outward show and behavior and with minor accomplishments of this kind, they abandon that blessed expectation together with the pursuit of perfection and of the total purification of the passions. Third, thinking they have reached the goal when they have acquired a few virtues, and not pressing on to the true goal, not only are they incapable of having any humility, poverty and contrition of heart but, justifying themselves on the grounds that they have already arrived, they make no efforts to progress and grow day by day.

People who think it is impossible to attain through the Spirit the "new creation" of the pure heart (cf. 2 Cor. 5:17) are rightly and explicitly likened by the apostle to those who, because of their unbelief, were found unworthy of entering the promised land and whose bodies on that account "were left lying in the desert." (Heb. 3:17)'

St. Symeon Metaphrastis

Finding Joy in the day, Day 158 (Year 2)

Getting to see my sister tonight

'O Jesus and Mary, let my entire consolation in this world be to love you and to suffer for sinners.'

St. Bernadette Soubirous

Finding Joy in the day, Day 157 (Year 2)

Sun in the window

'They are the flower of the Church's growth; the grace of the spirit finds in them its beauty and delicacy; they are our pride and bloom; in them praise and honor have their perfect and incorrupt work; they are God's image reflecting the Lord's sanctity; the more illustrious portion of Christ's flock. In them exults, in them beauteously flowers the glorious fecundity of our mother the Church, and the more virginity adds to its number the more that mother's joy increases.'

St. Cyprian of Carthage

Finding Joy in the day, Day 156 (Year 2)

A peak of sunshine
Day coming to an end

'I have heard thy sighs, and the desires of thy heart are so pleasing to Me, that had I not instituted My divine Sacrament of love, I would do so now for love of thee, so as to have the pleasure of dwelling in thy soul and of taking My loving repose in thy heart.'

The Lord, to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque

Finding Joy in the day, Day 155 (Year 2)

Seeing mom and dad
Spending time in the sun

'So then, my brothers, let us give off a sweet spiritual fragrance, a perfume that each one produces for themselves by a blending of the virtues, as a truly master perfumer. This perfume is blessed. This perfume is sweet to God. This perfume attracts angels, but repels demons. With this perfume women ran behind Jesus, as it says in the Song of Songs [1,4 LXX].'

St. Theodore the Studite

Finding Joy in the day, Day 154 (Year 2)

Hoping to talk to a friend
Feeling close to others

'We should be careful to preserve great purity of heart in the love of God, loving nothing but Him, and desiring to converse with Him alone, and with the neighbor for love of Him and not for our own pleasure and delight.'

St. Ignatius of Loyola

Finding Joy in the day, Day 153 (Year 2)

Taking lots of naps
Doing a little coloring

'Guard your mind, and you will not be harassed by temptations. But if you fail to guard it, accept patiently whatever trial comes.'

St. Mark the Ascetic

Finding Joy in the day, Day 152 (Year 2)

Forgiveness
Mercy and Compassion

 

'More determination is required to subdue the interior man than to mortify the body; and to break one's will than to break one's bones.'

St. Ignatius of Loyola

Finding Joy in the day, Day 151 (Year 2)

Little baby smiles
Beautiful flower garden tour

'May the will of God be done, may the Lord be forever blessed. I wish neither more nor less than the will and the good pleasure of God, whether in time or in eternity; I can will only that which my God wills.'

St. Paul of the Cross

Finding Joy in the day, Day 150 (Year 2)

Friends to visit

'Indeed, the true friends of the people are neither revolutionaries, nor innovators: they are traditionalists.'

Pope St. Pius X, 'Our Apostolic Mandate'

Finding Joy in the day, Day 149 (Year 2)

Prayers from friends
Mom and Dad visiting

 

'The benefits to be derived from spiritual reading do not merely consist in impressing on the memory the precepts set forth, but in opening the heart to them, that they may bear fruit.'

St. Louis de Blois

Finding Joy in the day, Day 148 (Year 2)

Lightning flashes
Good night sleep

'The dear Lord knows what is going on. We must pray. The good Lord will take pity. We must not lose patience.'

St. Conrad of Parzham

Finding Joy in the day, Day 147 (Year 2) St. Alphonsus Liguori

A little bit of laid back day
Lovely bouquet card from my momma!

“He who trusts himself is lost. He who trusts God can do all things.” 
Alphonsus Maria de Liguori

Finding Joy in the day, Day 146 (Year 2)

Talking to parents
Looking for things I enjoy doing

'The works of God are perfect, and all his ways are judgments: God is faithful and without any iniquity, he is just and right.'

Deuteronomy 32:4

Finding Joy in the day, Day 145 (Year 2)

Someone who listens
Prayers when I struggle

'St. Joseph was chosen among all men, to be the protector and guardian of the Virgin Mother of God; the defender and foster-father of the Infant-God, and the only co-operator upon earth, the one confidant of the secret of God in the work of the redemption of mankind.'

St. Bernard of Clairvaux

Finding Joy in the day, Day 144 (Year 2)

Visit with my friend and my niece
Surprise from my sister

'Himself guides the bark of Peter. For this reason it can not perish, although He sometimes seems to sleep.'

St. Antoninus

Finding Joy in the day, Day 143 (Year 2)

Sunshine in the window

'So greatly did the virtue of humility please Him in Mary that He was constrained to give her the Word His Only-Begotten Son and she was the sweet mother who gave Him to us.'

St. Catherine of Siena

Finding Joy in the day, Day 142 (Year 2)

Good Spirituality group
Compassionate people

'Your most important business is the care of your soul. This is why, before leaving your room in the morning, you should spend at least a quarter of an hour in meditating on the life, the Passion, and the death of Our Lord Jesus Christ.'

St. Paul of the Cross

Finding Joy in the day, Day 141 (Year 2) Feast of St. Anne

Sunday naps

Access to the newspaper and coupons

 

"For I am With You,

to save you and deliver you

  says the Lord.

I Will deliver you out of the hand

  of the wicked,

and REDEEEM you from the

 grasp of the ruthless."  Jer.  l5:20-2l

 

'The Lord, though he was God, became man. He suffered for the sake of whose who suffer, he was bound for those in bonds, condemned for the guilty, buried for those who lie in the grave; but he rose from the dead, and cried aloud: "Who will contend with me? Let him confront me." I have freed the condemned, brought the dead back to life, raised men from their graves. Who has anything to say against me? I, he said, am the Christ; I have destroyed death, triumphed over the enemy, trampled hell underfoot, bound the strong one, and taken men up to the heights of heaven: I am the Christ.'

St. Melito of Sardis

 

Finding Joy in the day, Day 140 (Year 2) Feast of St. James

Visiting family
Clothes I can wear

'Understand the words of Holy Scripture by putting them into practice, and do not fill yourself with conceit by elaborating on theoretical ideas.'

St. Mark the Ascetic

Finding Joy in the day, Day 139 (Year 2)

Picture of brothers and sisters
Anticipating my brothers families return

'This feast [of the Sacred Heart] is a day of salvation and of eternal blessing for all who honor It with a humble and sincere heart. Let us, then, love this divine Heart and in all things try to conform ourselves to It.'

St. Margaret Mary Alacoque

Finding Joy in the day, Day 137 (Year 2)

Safe drive

'Give me ten truly detached men, and I will convert the world with them.'

St. Philip Neri

Finding Joy in the day, Day 138 (Year 2) St. Bridget of Sweden

Getting one thing done
A chance

'When you find your intellect occupied pleasurably with material things and becoming fondly attached to its conceptual images of them, you may be sure that you love these things more than God. "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." (Matt. 6:21)'

St. Maximos the Confessor

Finding Joy in the day, Day 136 (Year 2)

Morning coffee with mom and Aunt
Time with my friend and niece

'O Priest! You are not yourself because you are God. You are not of yourself because you are the servant and minister of Christ. You are not you own because you are the spouse of the Church. You are not yourself because you are the mediator between God and man. You are not from yourself because you are nothing. What then are you? Nothing and everything. O Priest! Take care lest what was said to Christ on the cross be said to you: "He saved others, himself he cannot save!"'
St. Norbert

Finding Joy in the day, Day 135 (Year 2)

2 Coffee dates
Enjoying my visits

'Open thine ears to the voices of nature, and thou shalt hear them in concert inviting thee to the love of God.'

Ven. Louis de Granada

Finding Joy in the day, Day 134 (Year 2)

Safe Travels
Pretty drive

'In union with the perfect confidence and hope that the Holy and Blessed Virgin placed in Thee, do I hope O Lord.'

Pope St. Pius V

Finding Joy in the day, Day 133 (Year 2)

A book from my dad
A trip to the Monastery with daddio

'The hour is finished - we may say the same of the year; but the time to do good is not finished yet.'
St. Philip Neri

Finding Joy in the day, Day 132 (Year 2)

Help from strangers
Love from family

'Perfection of life consists in drawing close to God. Heaven is the possession of God. In heaven God is contemplated, adored, loved. But to attain heaven it's necessary to be detached from what is earthly. What is the life of a Carmelite if not one of contemplating, adoring and loving God incessantly? And she, by being desirous for that heaven, distances herself from the world and tries to detach herself as much as possible from everything earthly.'
St. Teresa of the Andes

Finding Joy in the day, Day 131 (Year 2)

Help from mom and dad

Friends who listen to my woes

'The poor should live by alms.'

St. Benedict Joseph Labre

Finding Joy in the day, Day 129 (Year 2) Feast of St. Kateri Tekakwitha (one of my patron saints)

Friends and a bonfire
Getting an errand done before going to work

“I am not my own; I have given myself to Jesus. He must be my only love. The state of helpless poverty that may befall me if I do not marry does not frighten me. All I need is a little food and a few pieces of clothing. With the work of my hands I shall always earn what is necessary and what is left over I’ll give to my relatives and to the poor. If I should become sick and unable to work, then I shall be like the Lord on the cross. He will have mercy on me and help me, I am sure.” Saint Kateri

Finding Joy in the day, Day 130 (Year 2)

Blessings from my nanny families
French Pedicure

'By denying our self-love and our inclinations in little things, we gradually acquire mortification and victory over ourselves.'

St. Teresa of Jesus

Finding Joy in the day, Day 128 (Year 2)

A lovely bridal shower
GPS Apps on my phone

'Despise not prophecies.
But prove all things; hold fast that which is good.'
1 Thessalonians 5:20-21

Finding Joy in the day, Day 127 (Year 2)

Yay for thunderstorms
Finding what I was looking for on sale

'I acknowledge, Lord, that for the just punishment of my sins I fell into the horrible temptation which so nearly caused my destruction. Thou it is Who, by Thine infinite mercy, hast delivered me from it. I promise to serve Thee for the remainder of my days with all the fidelity I am capable of, and I beg Thee the grace to do so. Cause the light of Thy countenance to shine upon Thy servant; grant me that interior peace after which I have so long sighed; show me the way in which Thou wishest me to walk and go to Thee, for it is just that the work of Thy hands should praise Thee, obey Thee, and be entirely submissive to Thy commands.'
St. John of God

Finding Joy in the day, Day 126 (Year 2)

Good vs reflecting what I need to hear
Prayers from others

'I work here on borrowed money, a prisoner for the sake of Jesus Christ. And often my debts are so pressing that I dare not go out of the house for fear of being seized by my creditors. Whenever I see so many poor brothers and neighbors of mine suffering beyond their strength and overwhelmed with so many physical or mental ills which I cannot alleviate, then I become exceedingly sorrowful; but I trust in Christ, who knows my heart. And so I say, "Woe to the man who trusts in men rather than in Christ.'
St. John of God

Finding Joy in the day, Day 125 (Year 2)

Making art with my friend
Quality time with a good friend (BK, your awesome)

'Just as we drive out one nail by another, let us oppose effort to effort, habit to habit.'
St. Ignatius of Loyola

Finding Joy in the day, Day 124 (Year 2)

Getting to all my appointments
Squeezing in another appointment

'If some shameful thought is sown in your heart as you are sitting in your cell, watch out. Resist the evil, so that it does not gain control over you. Make every effort to call God to mind, for He is looking at you, and whatever you are thinking in your heart is plainly visible to Him. Say to your soul: "If you are afraid of sinners like yourself seeing your sins, how much more should you be afraid of God who notes everything?" As a result of this warning the fear of God will be revealed in your soul, and if you cleave to Him you will not be shaken by the passions; for it is written: "They that trust in the Lord shall be as Mount Zion; he that dwells in Jerusalem shall never be shaken" (Ps. 125:1. LXX). Whatever you are doing, remember that God sees all your thoughts, and then you will never sin. To Him be glory through all the ages. Amen.'
St. Isaiah the Solitary

Finding Joy in the day, Day 123 (Year 2)

Pleasant afternoon
Looking forward to visitors

'If our natural feelings, being hurt, cause us to utter some words, or to act in opposition with the principles we profess, we must chastise them severely until they have obeyed us.'
St. Ignatius of Loyola

Finding Joy in the day, Day 122 (Year 2)

Seeing a beautiful friend prepping for her wedding
Special moments of being vulnerable

'The greatest weapons of someone striving to lead a life of inward stillness are self-control, love, prayer and spiritual reading.'
St. Thalassios the Libyan

Finding Joy in the day, Day 121 (Year 2) Feast of St. Maria Goretti

Someone to help with the legwork
A sub for work

“Behold, now she follows the Lamb who was crucified for us,
powerful in virginity, modesty her offering,
a sacrifice on the altar of chastity.”

(Mass Entrance Antiphon, Memorial of St. Maria Goretti, Virgin and Martyr)

Finding Joy in the day, Day 120 (Year 2)

Good insight
Drove right into the fireworks grand finale, like driving into the twlight zone!
Free Watermelon

'When the intellect devotes itself continually to divine realities, the soul's passible aspect becomes a godlike weapon.'

St. Thalassios the Libyan

Finding Joy in the day, Day 119 (Year 2) Birthday and Feast day of Blessed Pier Giorgio

Catching up with my a dearest friend, I love you MK
Affirming words

“The times we are going through [he said to the young] are difficult because cruel persecution of the Church is raging.  But you bold and good young people should not be afraid of this small thing; remember that the Church is a divine institution and cannot come to an end.  She will last till the end of the world. Not even the gates of hell can prevail against her.”
-Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati

Finding Joy in the day, Day 118 (Year 2)

A day off from running around
Replacing my earings

'In leaving God for God, there is a great spiritual gain and nothing to lose.'
St. Ignatius of Loyola

Finding Joy in the day, Day 117 (Year 2)

An early end to all my to dos today
Lovely weather

'If it is your task to give spiritual instruction and you are disobeyed, grieve inwardly but do not be outwardly upset. For if you grieve, you will not share the guilt of the person who disobeys you; but if you are upset you will be tested by the same temptations as he is.'
St. Mark the Ascetic

Finding Joy in the day, Day 116 (Year 2)

Making it to all my appointments
www.masstimes.org

'What is the number of those who love Thee, O God? How few they are! The Elect are much fewer than the damned! Alas! The greater portion of mankind lives in sin unto the devil, and not unto Jesus Christ. O Saviour of the world, I thank Thee for having called and permitted us to live in the true faith which the Holy Roman Catholic Church teaches. . . But alas, O my Jesus! How small is the number of those who live in this holy faith! Oh, God! The greater number of men he buried in the darkness of infidelity and heresy. Thou hast humbled Thyself to death, to the death of the cross, for the salvation of men, and these ungrateful men are unwilling even to know Thee. Ah, I pray Thee, O omnipotent God, O sovereign and infinite Good, make all men know and love Thee!'

St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori

Finding Joy in the day, Day 115 (Year 2)

Special visit with a friend
Sharing and praying

'And it is clear that this dark contemplation is in these its beginnings painful likewise to the soul; for, as this Divine infused contemplation has many excellences that are extremely good, and the soul that receives them, not being purged, has many miseries that are likewise extremely bad, hence it follows that, as two contraries cannot coexist in one subject - the soul - it must of necessity have pain and suffering, since it is the subject wherein these two contraries war against each other, working the one against the other, by reason of the purgation of the imperfections of the soul which comes to pass through this contemplation.'
St. John of the Cross

Finding Joy in the day, Day 114 (Year 2)

Surprise call from Daddio
Feast day of 2 powerful Saints Sts Peter and Paul

'If, as Scripture teaches, everything involuntary has its cause in what is voluntary, man has no greater enemy than himself.'
St. Mark the Ascetic

Finding Joy in the day, Day 113 (Year 2)

Great Sunday Mass readings
Short road trip with some wonderful women

'All material wealth is the same, but is acquired in many different ways; similarly, virtue is one, but is many-sided in its operations.'
St. Mark the Ascetic

Finding Joy in the day, Day 112 (Year 2)

Thunder and lightning show
Laid back day

'Better a human than a demonic sin. Through performing the Lord's will we overcome both.'
St. Mark the Ascetic

Finding Joy in the day, Day 111 (Year 2)

A hard and busy 3 days done
Getting in to the building when it was locked

'Although we have received the power to become the children of God (cf. John 1:12), we do not actually attain this sonship unless we strip ourselves of the passions.'
St. Thalassios the Libyan

Finding Joy in the day, Day 110 (Year 2)

Concert with my friend
Aloe Vera Gel

'We do not always rejoice in consolations; but all is for our good, whether God gives or denies it.'
St. Ignatius of Loyola

Finding Joy in the day, Day 109 (Year 2)

Check, check, check... crossing things off the to do list today
Finally getting movitated to vacuum my carpet

'My sons, today you will see an ancient Pictish chief, who has kept faithfully all his life the precepts of the natural law, arrive in this island; he comes to be baptised and to die.'

St. Columba

Finding Joy in the day, Day 108 (Year 2)

One busy day out of the day
Lots of good coupons to use

'When the devil wants to capture our soul, he first divides our mind by many cares. Some of them appear to be necessary, others appear to be fraternal charity; and as he thus divides it, the stream of compunction is dried up, and when it is dried up the city is captured, and reason perishes. I say to you, then, be not solicitous.'

St. Anthony of Padua

Finding Joy in the day, Day 107 (Year 2)

A day off
Sleeping in

'Should we fall a thousand times in a day, a thousand times we must rise again, always animated with unbounded confidence in the infinite goodness of God.'

Ven. Louis de Granada

Finding Joy in the day, Day 106 (Year 2)

Meeting friends at a dainty cafe
$1 flip flops, gotta love Old Navy

'If we should be saved and become saints, we ought always to stand at the gates of the Divine mercy to beg and pray for, as an alms, all that we need.'

St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori

FInding Joy in the day, Day 105 (Year 2)

A day off
2 amazing women to call friends

'We do not conceal the fact that We shall shock some people by saying that We must necessarily concern ourselves with politics. But anyone forming an equitable judgment clearly sees that the Supreme Pontiff can in no wise violently withdraw the category of politics from subjection to the supreme control of faith and morals confided to him.'

Pope St. Pius X

Finding Joy in the day, Day 104 (Year 2)

Priceless watching little children pray after confession
Mercy and forgiveness in the sacraments

'We ought always to be afraid, and never put any confidence in ourselves; for the devil assaults us on a sudden, and darkens our understanding; and he who does not live in fear is overcome in a moment, because he has not the help of the Lord.'

St. Philip Neri

Finding Joy in the day, Day 103 (Year 2)

A day in the sun
Almost the end of my work week

'When young people indulge in looks, words or actions which they would not like to be seen by their parents, husbands or confessors, it is a sure sign that they are damaging their conscience and their honour.'

St. Francis de Sales

Finding Joy in the day, Day 102 (Year 2)

Unexpected sun for a little while today
Comforting verse:
I found him whom my soul loves
Song of Songs 3:4

St. Maximos the Confessor
'Many human activities, good in themselves, are not good because of the motive for which they are done. For example, fasting and vigils, prayer and psalmody, acts of charity and hospitality are by nature good, but when performed for the sake of self-esteem they are not good.'

St. Maximos the Confessor

Finding Joy in the day, Day 101 (Year 2)

Getting a few errands done
Having fun saving with coupons

I will preface with this, my plan for the next 100 days is to use a Saints quote website that generates a new quote every time you refresh the page. I am going to take the first quote I open to without generating another one. I hope this will add some variety to the quotes since they will not be personally selected.

'The blessedness of seeing God is justly promised to the pure of heart. For the eye that is unclean would not be able to see the brightness of the true light, and what would be happiness to clear minds would be a torment to those that are defiled. Therefore, let the mists of worldly vanities be dispelled, and the inner eye be cleansed of all the filth of wickedness, so that the soul's gaze may feast serenely upon the great vision of God.'

Pope St. Leo the Great

Finding Joy in the day, Day 100 (Year 2)

Day 100 yay

Thank you Jesus for giving me another 100 days, please help me to live the next 100 with perseverance and gratitude

Finding Joy in the day, Day 99 (Year 2)

Beautiful day for a procession
Being able to keep my plans

Help me to appreciate the gifts of the Faith that you share everyday with me

Finding Joy in the day, Day 98 (Year 2)

Chatting with my sis <3
A side babysitting job

Thank you Jesus for providing for all my needs, help me to trust you with more!

Finding Joy in the day, Day 97 (Year 2) Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus

Genuinly nice people

Help me to Trust you more fully!!!!!
Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us!

Finding Joy in the day, Day 96 (Year 2)

A long day almost done
Getting a little reorganization done

God grant me the courage to change the things I can and accept what I cannot change

Finding Joy in the day, Day 95 (Year 2)

2 amazing days in a row
Getting a little sun tan

Thank you for your mercy, thank you for being available to me always, help me to rely on you more!

Finding Joy in the day, Day 94 (Year 2) Feast of St. Ephrem

Getting a little sun
Accomplishing most of my plans for the day

Please help me to trust in your mercy

Finding Joy in the day, Day 93 (Year 2)

Friend and Coffee
A few errands done

Help me to find healing in your love

Finding Joy in the day, Day 92 (Year 2) Feast of Corpus Christi

Grand Old Days with Sister
A calm and beautiful cove


Jesus you gave your body to heal and free us, help me too, to give up this body so that I can live as you would want

Finding Joy in the day, Day 91 (Year 2)

Good deal on a car wash

Finding something to keep busy for a while

Done cleaning the BR

Give me the gift of discernment Lord, I never understand or clearly see the path to walk, I really can't do it so I need you to do it in me and with me

Finding Joy in the day, Day 90 (Year 2) Feast of St. Boniface

Sitting in the 3 seasons room
Enjoying the sun coming out after the gloom

Jesus, I feel I keep running into a wall. Please help me to find the path you are trying to lead me on.

Finding Joy in the day, Day 89 (Year 2)

A beautiful monastery visit
Seeing some really neat icons
Time with a friend

Jesus, help me to be totally and always honest and not take advantage of those that I love.

Finding Joy in the day, Day 88 (Year 2) Feast of the Ugandan Martyrs June 3rd

Free eyebrow wax
Free fountain pop

Jesus please help me to be more generous with the gifts you give me

Finding Joy in the day, Day 87 (Year 2)

Making a good decision
Hopefully finding a little more help

Jesus, make a way where there seems to be no way.
Jesus, I believe help me believe in my heart as well

Finding Joy in the day, Day 86 (Year 2)

Cute bird chirping sound

Sitting in sunny spots

Help me to live in a way that is for you and that honors you, Lord.

Finding Joy in the day, Day 85 (Year 2) Trinity Sunday (also Feast of the Visitation)

2 Coffee Dates in one day
FB connections

I ask Lord that you help me to really give of myself rather than try to get and have things

Finding Joy in the day, Day 84 (Year 2) St. Joan of Arc Feast Day

Getting my car back
Sparkle fun toothpaste

Please help me to turn to you always and to accept the crosses you give

Finding Joy in the day, Day 83 (Year 2)

Calming rain noise
Fun browsing

Strenthen my ability to know and trust in you. I want to know you in a way that speaks life into me, that I find comfort in your love.

Finding Joy in the day, Day 82 (Year 2)

Gentle dogs
Friendly people to work with

I often feel so hopeless Lord, please reveal to me your voice with clarity and love. Please lead me, and heal my heart, change it with your love.

Finding Joy in the day, Day 81 (Year 2)

Seeing the sun set in my rearview mirror
Friendly Hispanic who helped with Spanish prayers

Thank you Jesus that you are live so close to me, it is not hard to find your presence at several adorations nearby

Finding Joy in the day, Day 80 (Year 2)

Blessed to have time with family in WI
Picturesque drive home- Rainbow, Gold laced clouds, and stars

Thank you Jesus for your daily gifts, help me to truly appreciate the simplicity in life rather than always want more.

Finding Joy in the day, Day 79 (Year 2) Memorial Day 2015

I am very thankful for an wonderful family
Sun comes out after the rain

Mary Mother of all Graces, Pray for us

Finding Joy in the day, Day 78 (Year 2) Pentecost Sunday

Coffee with sister and friend
Seeing my precious niece

Thank you for the love of children, for the innocence they have in life to give us as an example

Finding Joy in the day, Day 77 (Year 2)

Lovely day
Plum purple lilac sighting

Thank you for a warm bed, for the gift of forviveness, and for amazing family

Finding Joy in the day, Day 76 (Year 2)

Good times with friend and niece
Being loved

Thank you Jesus for people that love me and accept me, you have given me a gift

Finding Joy in the day, Day 75 (Year 2)

Gorgeous green drive with added bonus, sunset, and then starry night

Safe drive even though several deer seen

Thank you Jesus for keeping me safe and sending Angels to watch over me during my evening drive

Finding Joy in the day, Day 74 (Year 2)

Stary night, must mean another sunny day coming
Laid back work

Thank you for helping me get a few things done, please give me peace about the rest I need to do before I visit family

Finding Joy in the day, Day 73 (Year 2)

The sun is awake today :)

The sun really helped me today Jesus, please let tomorrow to be even better

Finding Joy in the day, Day 72 (Year 2) Happy Birthday St. JPII, May 18

Free samples
A few errands done

Lord, I need a miracle to bring me peace and the ability to trust and hope in you! I need to KNOW in my heart your love. Amen

Finding Joy in the day, Day 71 (Year 2)

Babysitting on time
Good chat

Thank you Lord for friends, thank you for people that share in life with me

Finding Joy in the day, Day 70 (Year 2)

Fuzzy baby geese walking with their momma
Getting a letter done

I want to be obedient but I am so tempted, please give me the Grace hate the pleasure I get as a result of giving into my flesh

Finding Joy in the day, Day 69 (Year 2)

Sun came out to shine
Saw an Eagle and a Cardinal

Jesus help me not give into laziness in prayer and to be open to sharing with you in suffering

Finding Joy in the day, Day 68 (Year 2)

Staying warm at the moment
Kind words about my job

Jesus please propel me forward, help me to utilize all the graces you shower upon me

Finding Joy in the day, Day 67 (Year 2) Feast of Our Lady of Fatima

3 days and prayers in 3 different languages, that was an interesting experience
Really beautiful stain glass windows of the decades of the rosary

Jesus please help me find more joy and beauty in my days and appreciate what you are giving me

Finding Joy in the day, Day 66 (Year 2)

For my amazing Father who celebrates His Birthday today! Happy Birthday Daddio-

Call from my sister
Lots of phone calls done
Good first day of work

Jesus fill me with a willing heart and help me to focus more on the joy in life rather than get wrapped up in negativity

Finding Joy in the day, Day 65 (Year 2)

Postcard mail fun
Friends and coffee

Jesus thank you for the ability to work, help me to honor you in my duties

Finding Joy in the day, Day 64 (Year 2) Mother's Day May 10, 2015

Talking to my momma whose day is today- Happy Mother's Day to the BestestEVER!!!!!!!!
Free Tim Hortons "French Press" coffee

Thank you so so much Lord for the Gift of my Mother you couldn't have made her more perfect to be MY MOMMA! I love you Momma

Finding Joy in the day, Day 63 (Year 2)

Snowing apple blossoms
Fuzy baby ducklings

Lord, give lead me to be honest and not selfish, greedy, and manipulative. Help me to want what you want and to be satisfied trusting in and relying on you

Finding Joy in the day, Day 62 (Year 2)

The sacraments
Praying to Mother Mary for hope

Mary my Mother please beg your son Jesus to bring me Hope and Strength and Healing

Finding Joy in the day, Day 61 (Year 2)

Getting some needed groceries
Good deal on an item I like
Trying new pain relief

Lord, I have failed and failed again, please forgive my willfulness and help me to be willing to suffer for what is right

Finding Joy in the day, Day 60 (Year 2)

Coffee with my sis and seeing her office
Google maps

Jesus so often I don't trust in you or know you in a personal way, please show me how much you love me and help me to love you more!

Finding Joy in the day, Day 59 (Year 2)

Fun times with my cousin
Pretty landscaping
Deer in my back yard

Thank you for being available for me to visit you Jesus, I am grateful it is not too hard to find an open church to visit

Finding Joy in the day, Day 58 (Year 2)

Plum purple tulip bed
Double Rainbow

Thank you Lord for your blessings in Nature

Finding Joy in the day, Day 57 (Year 2)

Temp highs above 80
Talking to a dear and far a way friend

Jesus I believe, help my unbelief
Jesus, Mercy, I trust in you

Finding Joy in the day, Day 56 (Year 2)

Free nail polish bar at Sephora
Working on paperwork

Help me be honest and humble Lord! Teach me to trust in your love!

Finding Joy in the day, Day 55 (Year 2) Feast of St. Joseph the Worker, May 1

Little purple flowers all over the yard
Love from friends

Lord please give me and all of us the ability to Love without reserve!

Finding Joy in the day, Day 54 (Year 2)

Waking up on time and making it to appointments
Chats with friends
iMessage

Lord, Thank you for putting people in my life willing to weather the storms with me

Day 9 - Mary, Undoer of Knots Novena

1. Begin each day of the novena with the Sign of the Cross.

2. Make an Act of Contrition. You can use any form; simply ask God to pardon your sins and make a firm purpose of amendment not to commit them again.

3. OPTIONAL, but recommended: Pray the first three decades of the Rosary.

4. Make the meditation for the particular day (see below).

Meditation for Day 9

Most Holy Mary, our Advocate, Undoer of Knots, I come today to thank you for undoing this knot in my life. (Mention your request here). You know very well the suffering it has caused me. Thank you for coming, Mother, with your long fingers of mercy to dry the tears in my eyes; you receive me in your arms and make it possible for me to receive once again the divine grace. Mary, Undoer ofKnots, dearest Mother, I thank you for undoing the knots in my life. Wrap me in your mantle of love, keep me under your protection, enlighten me with your peace! Amen.

Mary, Undoer of Knots, pray for me.

5. OPTIONAL, but recommended: Pray the last two decades of the rosary.

6. Pray the Prayer to Mary, Undoer of Knots (see below).

Prayer to Mary, Undoer of Knots

Virgin Mary, Mother of fair love, Mother who never refuses to come to the aid of a child in need, Mother whose hands never cease to serve your beloved children because they are moved by the divine love and immense mercy that exist in your heart, cast your compassionate eyes upon me and see the snarl of knots that exists in my life. You know very well how desperate I am, my pain, and how I am bound by these knots, Mary, Mother to whom God entrusted the undoing of knots in the lives of His children, I entrust into your hands the ribbon of my life. No one, not even the evil one himself, can take it away from your precious care. In your hands there is no knot that cannot be undone. Powerful Mother, by your grace and intercessory power with your Son and my Liberator, Jesus, take into your hands today this knot.

(Mention your request here)

I beg you to undo it for the glory of God, once for all. You are my hope. O my Lady, you are the only consolation God gives me, the fortification of my feeble strength, the enrichment of my destitution, and with Christ, the freedom from my chains. Hear my plea. Keep me, guide me, protect me, o safe refuge!

Mary, Undoer of Knots, pray for me. Amen.

FInding Joy in the day, Day 53 (Year 2)

Humble spirits
Bright pink toes

Jesus, Help me to see your love and to accept it as unconditional

Finding Joy in the day, Day 52 (Year 2)

Interesting radio program
Having things to keep me busy away from home

Lord, I need your grace to renounce sin and follow you! Help me to surrender daily!

Day 7 - Mary, Undoer of Knots Novena

1. Begin each day of the novena with the Sign of the Cross.

2. Make an Act of Contrition. You can use any form; simply ask God to pardon your sins and make a firm purpose of amendment not to commit them again.

3. OPTIONAL, but recommended: Pray the first three decades of the Rosary.

4. Make the meditation for the particular day (see below).

Meditation for Day 7

Mother Most Pure, I come to you today to beg you to undo this knot in my life (mention your request here) and free me from the snares of evil. God has granted you great power over all the demons. I renounce all of them today, every connection I have had with them, and I proclaim Jesus as my one and only Lord and Savior. Mary, Undoer of Knots, crush the evil one's head and destroy the traps he has set for me by this knot. Thank you, dearest Mother. Most precious Blood of Jesus, free me!

Mary, Undoer of Knots, pray for me.

5. OPTIONAL, but recommended: Pray the last two decades of the rosary.

6. Pray the Prayer to Mary, Undoer of Knots (see below).

Prayer to Mary, Undoer of Knots

Virgin Mary, Mother of fair love, Mother who never refuses to come to the aid of a child in need, Mother whose hands never cease to serve your beloved children because they are moved by the divine love and immense mercy that exist in your heart, cast your compassionate eyes upon me and see the snarl of knots that exists in my life. You know very well how desperate I am, my pain, and how I am bound by these knots, Mary, Mother to whom God entrusted the undoing of knots in the lives of His children, I entrust into your hands the ribbon of my life. No one, not even the evil one himself, can take it away from your precious care. In your hands there is no knot that cannot be undone. Powerful Mother, by your grace and intercessory power with your Son and my Liberator, Jesus, take into your hands today this knot.

(Mention your request here)

I beg you to undo it for the glory of God, once for all. You are my hope. O my Lady, you are the only consolation God gives me, the fortification of my feeble strength, the enrichment of my destitution, and with Christ, the freedom from my chains. Hear my plea. Keep me, guide me, protect me, o safe refuge!

Mary, Undoer of Knots, pray for me. Amen.

Finding Joy in the day, Day 51 (Year 2)

Refreshing naps
Temps so warm I got hot!

Help me find you in a personal way Jesus, teach me how much you love me! Teach those I love how much you love them!

Day 6 - Mary, Undoer of Knots Novena

1. Begin each day of the novena with the Sign of the Cross.

2. Make an Act of Contrition. You can use any form; simply ask God to pardon your sins and make a firm purpose of amendment not to commit them again.

3. OPTIONAL, but recommended: Pray the first three decades of the Rosary.

4. Make the meditation for the particular day (see below).

Meditation for Day 6

Queen of Mercy, I entrust to you this knot in my life (mention your request here) and I ask you to give me a heart that is patient until you undo it. Teach me to persevere in the living word of Jesus, in the Eucharist, the Sacrament of Confession; stay with me and prepare my heart to celebrate with the angels the grace that will be granted to me. Amen! Alleluia!

Mary, Undoer of Knots, pray for me.

5. OPTIONAL, but recommended: Pray the last two decades of the rosary.

6. Pray the Prayer to Mary, Undoer of Knots (see below).

Prayer to Mary, Undoer of Knots

Virgin Mary, Mother of fair love, Mother who never refuses to come to the aid of a child in need, Mother whose hands never cease to serve your beloved children because they are moved by the divine love and immense mercy that exists in your heart, cast your compassionate eyes upon me and see the snarl of knots that exist in my life. You know very well how desperate I am, my pain, and how I am bound by these knots, Mary, Mother to whom God entrusted the undoing of knots in the lives of His children, I entrust into your hands the ribbon of my life. No one, not even the evil one himself, can take it away from your precious care. In your hands there is no knot that cannot be undone. Powerful Mother, by your grace and intercessory power with your Son and my Liberator, Jesus, take into your hands today this knot.

(Mention your request here)

I beg you to undo it for the glory of God, once for all. You are my hope. O my Lady, you are the only consolation God gives me, the fortification of my feeble strength, the enrichment of my destitution, and with Christ, the freedom from my chains. Hear my plea. Keep me, guide me, protect me, o safe refuge!

Mary, Undoer of Knots, pray for me. Amen.