DEVOTION TO THE HOLY FACE.  When we gaze into the Holy Face of Jesus in prayer, we enter into His passion and humbly align ourselves with the suffering Christ. And Jesus Himself told Sister Mary of St. Peter, "Those on earth who contemplate the wounds of My Face, shall in Heaven behold it radiant with glory, and they themselves shall shine with particular splendor in Heaven." Join the conversation: anycatholicconversation@gmail.com  ..read more

MEEKNESS AND HUMILITY.  Jesus uses the word "meek" in the Beatitudes  - it represents a quality of the heart with which a person is willing to accept and submit to the will and desire of someone else - so necessary in marriage.  And by embracing the virtue of humility, we can more readily love God above all things, and love our neighbor as ourselves. Join the conversation: anycatholicconversation@gmail.com  ..read more

GROWTH, TRANSFORMATION, & THE JOY OF GOD.  We are called to be saints, and we must keep striving for growth and transformation in our spiritual lives.  A Benedictine nun, Sister Mary David, offers reflections on spirituality that are steeped in simple wisdom and practical advice. Her collected writings are in a book called The Joy of God.   Join the conversation: anycatholicconversation@gmail.com  ..read more

GRUMBLING. It's been called "faithless complaining." It's moaning and growling about everything and everyone around us, but it is dangerous because it can easily turn to bitterness and harden our hearts.   Join the conversation: anycatholicconversation@gmail.com  ..read more

TURNING BACK TO WORLDLINESS. Many of us make only a tepid effort at practicing our faith, and grow frustrated when the going gets tough. In our frustration, we turn back to the things of the world. Worldliness seems the easier path. Join the conversation: anycatholicconversation@gmail.com  ..read more

THE 7 SPIRITUAL WORKS OF MERCY. Are you looking for ways to enrich and strengthen your prayer life this Lent? Consider practicing the Spiritual Works of Mercy. They draw us into a deeper relationship with God and make us instruments of God's peace. Join the conversation: anycatholicconversation@gmail.com  ..read more

REFUSALS. It is God's will to enter into our lives, and abide in us.  He does not force us, He calls us.  But we ourselves often block this from happening. We sometimes intentionally stand in the way of a fuller life with God. Let's talk about these impediments, these "refusals" to make room for God in our hearts.   Join the conversation: anycatholicconversation@gmail.com  ..read more

RELICS. We preserve and venerate these bones and fragments because they give a connectedness to the sacred, to the holy people of God – the Saints!  Relics are not magic, but they prayerfully draw us closer to God, and they can be a channel through which God answers our prayers.   Join the conversation: anycatholicconversation@gmail.com  ..read more

INDULGENCES. Yes, they still exist, and they are a wonderful incentive to pray!  Any act of prayer expressed devoutly provides a way to reduce the amount of punishment one must undergo for sins that have already been forgiven. God is merciful! Not only does He offer us freedom from eternal punishment, but also from the consequence or punishment required in this world, or in Purgatory. Join the conversation: anycatholicconversation@gmail.com  ..read more