Today is October 7, Feast of the Holy Rosary, a fitting day to think about this devotion. Where did the Rosary come from? It’s not in the Bible. St. Paul tells us to sing hymns and offer prayers for leaders, but says nothing about praying these prayer beads. According to a legend, the Rosary began when the Blessed Virgin appeared to St. Dominic in the fifteenth century and gave him a rosary to pray. This legend arose because the Dominicans promoted praying the Rosary. So how did the Rosary originate?

The Origin

For ages, people kept track of prayers using notches on wood or beads. Long ago it was the custom to pray the 150 psalms. But illiterate people prayed 150 Our Fathers instead on beads called the paternoster (Latin for “our Father”). Lady Godiva bequeathed her paternoster made of gems to a monastery.

Development

When the Hail Mary prayer was finalized in the twelfth century, it was prayed 150 times on beads with each set of ten introduced by an Our Father. The Hail Mary prayer combines the words of the Angel Gabriel with the words of Elizabeth to her and adds a short plea for her prayers.

Gradually people began to reflect on events in the life of Christ, making the rosary “the Gospel on beads.” These events are called mysteries and grouped as Joyful, Luminous, Sorrowful, and Glorious. Therefore the Rosary is a christological prayer.

A Victory Due to the Rosary

The devotion of the Rosary received a boost in 1571 when a large fleet of Turks were on the way to invade Europe. Pope Pius V asked people to pray the Rosary in public to protect Rome. The Christian navy was sure to be defeated. Yet in the decisive Battle of Lepanto, against all odds the Muslims were trounced. The pope declared the feast of the Holy Rosary, which today is observed on October 7.

A Rosary for Peace

After September 11, 2001, Pope John Paul II likewise urged us to pray the Rosary for world peace, as did Mary herself in 1917 when she appeared to the three children in Fatima, Portugal. Coincidentally, this pope was shot on May 13, the day Mary first appeared in Fatima. The doctors were amazed how the bullet zigzagged to avoid major organs. The pope credited Mary with saving his life and had the bullet placed in the crown of her statue in Fatima.

The Rosary’s Purposes

Joseph Haydn always had a rosary with him and prayed it; so did Louis Pasteur. Geoffrey Chaucer had his picture drawn with a rosary dangling from his hand. Martin Luther prayed the Rosary all his life. To this day the Rosary remains a popular prayer. It’s more than a car ornament, a necklace, or a nice Communion gift. It’s a way of honoring Mary— like offering her a garland of roses. In addition, it’s a powerful way to praise God, who created Mary and through her sent his Son to save us. Praying the Rosary also deepens our faith and links us more closely to God. The rosary is not just a prayer for grandmas.

Did you know there is a e-rosary to pray along with at www.comepraytherosary.org?

This year my book The Rosary: All You Need to Know and More was published. It has a wealth of information about this devotion and tips for improving our praying of it.

 How has the rosary played a role in your life?

Do you have a special rosary?

The post Why Catholics Pray the Rosary appeared first on Catholic Faith Corner.

Originally I was invited to give an eight-day preached retreat to our Sisters in Africa. However, my visit lengthened so I could also speak to different groups: our Associates, novices, and temporary professed Sisters. For the retreat I chose the theme Pillars of Religious Life. Each day I presented two talks on a topic fundamental to our life as consecrated women. Afterward the retreatants participated in an activity related to the topic.

On the evening before the retreat, I spoke about the procedure and how the Sisters could get the most out of the retreat. I explained that every day they would have questions that they might use to go deeper into the topic and personalize it.

Day 1:  Intimacy with Jesus

During the day the Sisters were to ponder quotations about love for Jesus on a handout and look up Scripture verses about it. The activity was to write a letter to Jesus and sign it “Love” and their name. But this wasn’t all. They were also to write a letter from Jesus to them, just letting the words flow, not imagining what he would say to them. They would be surprised.

Day 2:  Love of God for Us and Our Love for God

During the talk the Sisters received Sacred Heart badges and cards with Fr. Pedro Arrupe’s reflection “Falling in Love.” In the evening the Sisters met in small groups to share their favorite name for God or Jesus. Some of them sang hymns to express their thoughts. Following this, volunteers shared their favorite names with all 35 Sisters.

Day 3:  Scripture as God’s Word

The retreatants viewed a PowerPoint presentation on Scripture. They received a small card with a Scripture verse they were to consider as God’s love note to them. On the reverse side was another verse that would be revealed after scratching off the coating. The Sisters also had a Bible IQ test to take during the day.

For the activity, each Sister received a square of aluminum foil for a prayer activity. First, she was to think of her favorite Bible story. Second, come up with an object that would represent that story. And third, somehow make that object using the foil: tearing it, folding it, or writing on it. All was to be done in silence while speaking to Jesus about why they chose that story. After a while, the Sisters shared what they had made and why. One striking symbol was flames of fire.

Day 4:  Praying with Scripture

During the day I explained praying mantras as well as using all five senses to bring a Bible story to life St. Ignatius style. The story of Bartimaeus served as an example. The retreatants received cards with the Jesus prayer. Then they listened to a presentation on lectio divina, (sacred reading). The evening activity was praying lectio divina in small groups using a psalm on a prayer card.

Day 5: The Eucharist

The presentation included a PowerPoint on the Eucharist. The Sisters sang the song “I Want Jesus to Walk with Me.” The activity was silent prayer before the Blessed Sacrament.

Day 6: Creation

After a reading from Genesis, was a talk about God speaking through creation. The retreatants were to spend time outside enjoying nature and finding something that spoke to them. Or they were to dwell on an experience they had with creation that became a cherished memory.

For the activity, the Sisters brought something from creation to the whole group and explained what God said to them through it. Sisters brought soil, branches of a bush, and flowers. One Sister presented herself. Another Sister told of seeing a donkey with its child walking behind. The little donkey followed its mother closely, never looking from side to side. We concluded with a litany in which each Sister named her created thing and everyone responded, “We praise and thank you, God.”

Day 7:  The Holy Spirit and Ministry

After a talk on the Holy Spirit as our invisible partner, the Sisters listened to ten tips for staying on fire for the ministry. They were to choose a motto for themselves similar to St. Francis’s “My God and my all” and St. Julie’s “How good is the good God.”

For the activity, the retreatants created a bookmark with their motto and then placed them on a table.

Day 8   Our Blessed Mother

This was the Feast of the Assumption. The talks were on Mary and how we can follow her, the first and best Christian. A PowerPoint presentation on the Blessed Virgin was included and a review of the Rosary. The retreatants received prayer cards with a Marian prayer and my tatted flowers:

The reverse side read:

The activity was a celebration of the end of retreat. It included a ritual: I, with my three “guardian angels” to help, sliced heart-shaped cakes, lifting the knife three times as Sisters repeated “Happy New Life.” The cakes were cut into cubes and toothpicks inserted. These were set on the dining room tables for supper dessert.

I was impressed by the Sisters’ spirituality and their joyful simplicity. Meeting them made getting the nine shots and Visas and flying over the ocean twice worthwhile.

What was the most memorable retreat you ever made?  Why?

The post Retreat in Africa appeared first on Catholic Faith Corner.

One day Sisters Mary Christine and Teopista took me on a safari in Nairobi National Park. This park is the only national park within a city. As we drove along the dusty roads though flat grasslands, the city skyline was visible in the background. Vincent, our driver, helped us spot animals and informed us about them. He also provided me with binoculars.

The roof of our jeep was raised so we could stand for better views, even balancing on our seats. We saw these animals among others: zebras, giraffes, lions, monkeys, buffalo, crocodiles, baboons, ostriches, hippos, rhinos, hyenas, impalas, buzzards, and a waterbuck. The city park had no elephants.

I’m ready to leave. The hat and shawl weren’t needed and soon removed.

Our tour began where three circles mark where elephant tusks and rhino horns are buried as a testament to eliminating poaching.

The hippos were hiding.

Giraffes were plentiful. I learned that they walk with side legs together. Can you spot the giraffe looking at you?

A parade of about fifteen zebras crossed the road in front of us.

We saw female impalas and one male on the side of the road. Now you understand the logo for Impala cars.

Many ostriches live in the park.

A Kenyan soldier guided us on a walking safari around Hippo Pools. He helped me walk over rocky parts of the narrow path and kept me from falling off cliffs. He pointed out an alligator, whose legs can be seen in the photo, and took us to a black rhino’s cave.

Here is a rhino with a white bird on its back. The bird keeps the big animal free of insects. We also saw a mother rhino walking with her child walking a distance behind her.

We waited on the road to see if five female lions would stand. Sister Christine could see them, but to me they were invisible until one stood, something Sister said was a blessing. I have it in a video. At the entrance to the park, Sister Teopista took a picture of a statue of a lion in case we wouldn’t see one.

I also have a video of a group of baboons coming toward us on the road. We had to cover our snacks so they wouldn’t jump in the jeep and steal them. Two hyenas were walking toward us too, but I only captured one of them with my camera.

Here is the origin of the song “The Lion Sleeps Tonight”:

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During the three weeks I was in Africa, I became acquainted with our Sisters in Kenya and Tanzania. They are grateful to the Sisters from other countries who established their delegation. A poster of those missionaries seen above is displayed in their convents and schools. Among them is Sister Annete Adams from Chardon, who served there for 23 years. The African Sisters also produced this song in celebration of our 175th anniversary:

Associates

Associates are mainly laypeople who make a covenant to share in our charism and ministry. Like us, they proclaim God’s goodness and provident care. Sister Mary Annete Adams began this program in Africa, and it is still flourishing under the leadership of Sister Mary Teopista. I spoke to the group about St. Julie Billiart, who founded the original Sisters of Notre Dame. They presented me with a cashmere shawl with images of the Sacred Heart. When I wear it, I’m reminded that Jesus has my back!

Candidates

Women who are interested in becoming Sisters first live together and experience community life. We have two groups of candidates, one in Kenya and another in Uganda. I met the candidates and Sister Mary Emma, their director in Kenya. Presently there are 31 candidates.

Postulants

Candidates who persevere become postulants and live in Uganda. There are thirty-one of them. Since I chose not to fly to that country (which I later learned was a site for Ebola), I wasn’t able to meet the postulants.

Novices

I met our 30 novices in Kenya and spoke to them for about an hour. Sister Mary Pascalia is their director and has a lovely rapport with them. The novices do not wear a veil, whereas when I was novice, we wore starched white veils.

A Sister from Indonesia is staying in Africa to be formed as a novice director under Sister Pascalia’s direction.

Our novices are a joyful, energetic group. In the evening they had a celebration for me and for three novices who are going to spend time in local houses. They all sang and danced with enthusiasm, accompanied by drums. Entertainment included some stand-up comedians.

The novitiate house is on the delegation house property. The novices keep busy running the farm there, providing food for the Sisters and the students. They even work in the slaughterhouse!

Junior Professed

There are 60 junior professed Sisters of Notre Dame, that is, women under temporary vows. This includes eight “tertians,” who will profess final vows in December. The young Sisters are studying or already involved in ministry. Some are teachers and nurses. Many of them made the eight-day retreat I gave.

Afterward, thirty of them were gathered at the Karen House for three weeks of formation. Sister Margaret Mbuba is the capable junior directress as well as the superior of Karen House. I spoke to the juniors about the life of St. Julie Billiart and then the joy of being a consecrated woman. I mentioned that laughing massages the liver. That night at supper the young Sisters at the table next to me were loud and boisterous. When I asked what was going on, they said, “We’re massaging our liver!”

Papua New Guinea

Several of our Sisters from Papua New Guinea now live in Africa. One evening two of them prepared a meal for us, as I explained in a previous post.

While I was in Karen House, Sister Rose from Papua New Guinea renewed her vows. A special holy hour was in her honor. The day before, I was asked to meet with her to prepare her for the day. After she renewed her vows, the community celebrated by encircling her and singing. She was given a basket of lollipops, which she passed around. Then she cut the traditional heart cakes with the junior director and me assisting.

Guardian Angels

In each convent where I stayed, a “guardian angel” saw to it that I was on time for events, helped me with meals, and explained things: Sisters Mary Mercy, Wompi, and Lucia (kneeling). On days when Sister Mercy was assisting with a surgery as part of her training as a surgical nurse, Sister Rose substituted. Sister Rose was so small that the Sisters told me I could fold her up and take her home in my carry-on!

More information about our African Sisters can be found at https://sndusa.org/east-africa-ministries/Here is another video of a 175th celebration:

The post SNDs in Africa appeared first on Catholic Faith Corner.

Breakfast was eggs, cheese, pancakes, yogurt, sausage, peanut butter on bread. Chapati (chewy, flat bread) was at every meal, but regular bread was also available. Usually for lunch and supper, we had rice and shredded cabbage, sometimes with slivers of carrots mixed in. We had all kinds of beans and potatoes, even French fries. What I assumed was mashed potatoes turned out to be white maize (corn). We had soups, like peanut soup. I was introduced to cassava. Meat was often chicken. I found the chicken gizzards tough. Here is a picture of the salads:

Fruit was plentiful: avocados, papayas, passion fruit, apples, pineapple, many bananas, and a lot of watermelon.

The Sisters drank plain hot water or water mixed with a little milk. I had bottled water, instant coffee, or tea.

One morning a Sister asked if I ate fish. I said yes. That night at supper large fish with the heads and tails were served. The fish of the Sister sitting perpendicular to me was smiling at me all during the meal. Considerately, the Sisters had prepared a bowl of the meat for me.

Before meals, the Sisters stood in line to wash their hands at an urn and dry them.  

Each morning and afternoon the Sisters enjoyed “tea breaks” with popcorn and other treats.

One evening Sisters from Papua New Guinea made supper according to their culture. Banana leaves served as plates. (But these were set on plates for us.) The food was set on a large blanket on the floor, and we danced around it in colorful skirts, New Guinea style. The food included chicken, greens soaked in coconut milk, and cassava.

The novices run one of the farms. They even work in the slaughterhouse! Here are some of their animals. Their latest addition is a fish pond.

At Karen House, where I gave the retreat, there were seven sheep, including a ram and a lamb. Each Christmas and Easter, a sheep gives its life. The herd replenishes itself.

Here are some of the Sisters’ crops:

Stay tuned. Next week I’ll report on the Sisters.

The post African Meals appeared first on Catholic Faith Corner.

St. Veronica’s Church is shaped like Noah’s ark. Its facade is covered with religious images.

At the Karen House, the house for students where I gave the retreat, the Sisters often sang in three-part harmony with echoes, accompanied by different drums, a tambourine, and a shaker (a flat, rectangular instrument filled with seeds). I told them that if the Sister responsible for our liturgy in Chardon heard them, she would think she died and went to heaven!

The hymnal contained songs in English and in Swahili. To my pleasant surprise, the song I wrote for St. Julie’s canonization, “Mother Julie lived for the Lord” was among them.

During the hymns, we and the priests clapped (in different rhythms), sometimes dropping our arms at the side. Or we waved our hands from side to side.

The Sister who read usually sang the entire Responsorial Psalm.

The white altar cloth in the chapel in the Delegation House has designs made by pinning. The designs are changed occasionally.

Communion

We sometimes received Communion by intinction. Either the priest placed the sacred hosts and wine at the top of the altar and we dipped the host in the cup ourselves, or the priest dipped the host and we received on the tongue. Otherwise we received the host in our hand or on the tongue.

At St. Veronica Church, our Sister Christine was a Eucharistic minister. Laypeople were not needed to fulfill this role. Those who served in special ways wore a large sash with the title of their role on it.

On the last day of retreat, after Communion a Sister went to the ambo and gave a speech thanking me for leading the retreat.

Adoration

Each day the Sisters had Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament for an hour. They sang, prayed out loud and silently, and concluded with the Divine Office. They have the new version of this Church prayerbook.

In front of the sacred host, many Sisters knelt on the floor, bent over, and touched their forehead to the floor. If I had done this, it would have taken two Sisters to help me up!

At the Delegation House, the Sisters did not wear shoes in the chapel. Imagine if at our Province Center we removed our shoes before entering!

Celebrants

At the beginning of the Mass, the priest explained its intentions. After Communion he gave a little talk about who he was and his ministry. One day Bishop Obed was the presider. He had only been consecrated three months earlier. The Sisters called him a baby bishop.

Next week I’ll report on the food I ate in Africa.

The post African Masses appeared first on Catholic Faith Corner.

Since I arrived home from three weeks in Eastern Africa, many have asked me about my visit to our Notre Dame Sisters there.  In the next several blog posts, I will present highlights and details of my time. For now, here is some basic information:

How long did it take to get there?  2 ½ hours to New York, then 15 hours to Kenya.

What did you do there?  I spoke to our ND Associates and then our novices, gave an eight-day retreat to junior and senior professed, and then gave two talks to the junior professed (who make temporary vows). On the last day, I went on a morning safari with two of our Sisters.

How many Sisters are in Africa?  101.  There are 31 candidates, some in Tanzania and some in Uganda; 31 postulants in Uganda; 30 novices in Kenya; and 52 junior professed plus 8 tertians.

How did Notre Dames come to be in Africa?  The congregation originated in Coesfeld, Germany. German SNDs came to the United States; Sisters from the USA went as missionaries to India; and then Indian Sisters went to Africa as missionaries. So you can say that we US Sisters are the grandmothers of the African Sisters.

In what countries in Africa will you find SNDs?  Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, and Mozambique.

Were you very hot?  Taking a sunhat and suntan lotion was in vain.  August is winter in Africa, so most days had a thick cloud cover, making it look as if it would rain any minute, but it never does. It was usually 74°, but it got chilly in the evenings.

Did you get Ebola, malaria, traveler’s diarrhea, or mosquito bites?  No!  Many people, especially the Sisters I live with, were storming heaven for me. There were no mosquitoes, but the beds had mosquito netting just in case.

How did you prepare for the trip?  I had to get nine vaccinations and apply for visas. Sisters who had been to Africa gave me valuable advice.

What did the Sisters speak?  Everyone spoke English, but with an accent.  In Kenya, which had been a British colony, English is used in schools. The Sisters also knew Swahili, and many hymns were in that language. Some also knew their tribal language. The only words I learned were “asante,” which means “thank you,” and “habari yako” (“hello, how are you?”).

How did you know what to do? I had a “guardian angel” at each of the three convents where I stayed. She helped me with meals, made sure I was on time for events, and even did my laundry.

What surprised you?  The Sisters provide all their own food by farming. They raise animals and grow crops. The novices operate one farm and even slaughter the animals! Therefore the food is fresh, and chemicals are not used.

Stay tuned to learn about the food, animals, schools, ministries, the liturgies, other celebrations, etc.

At the end of my talk on the joy of being a consecrated woman, I taught the junior professed the song, “I’ve Got the Joy, Joy, Joy.” Later, they sang it at my farewell celebration. Unfortunately, I can’t post the video of them singing, but here is the YouTube version. (You can skip the ad.)

https://youtu.be/xoOyjO1sbXo?si=QGonEbS4HXmJkyo4https://youtu.be/xoOyjO1sbXo?si=QGonEbS4HXmJkyo4

The post Introduction to Visit to Africa appeared first on Catholic Faith Corner.

Providentially, Scott Sanders offered to provide a guest blog post to cover one of the weeks I will be in Africa. I hope you find it helpful.

Busy parents, parish volunteers, and professionals carrying family responsibilities often work hard to live their faith while running low on emotional bandwidth. The tension is real. Prayer and Sunday Mass can feel steady; yet anxiety, irritability, and fatigue still spill into decisions and relationships. Mental wellness and everyday emotional wellness deserve the same ordinary attention given to meals, sleep, and work. This is because mental strain can distort how grace is received and shared. With thoughtful, faith-based self-care and Catholic lifestyle integration, it becomes easier to seek mental health support without guilt or confusion.

Understanding Faith-Compatible Wellness

Spirituality and mental health work best as partners, not competitors. A simple rule helps. Choose practices that support your dignity, freedom, and love of God and neighbor, and skip anything that replaces prayer, the sacraments, or conscience. Christian prayer stays central because pray to know Jesus frames wellness as relationship, not self-fixation.

This matters because many popular trends promise calm but leave you more scrambled or spiritually uneasy. The wellness market is valued at $1.5 trillion. It is normal to feel pressured to keep up and wonder if you missed the “right” method.

Picture a parent who prays daily but also uses breathwork, a short walk, or cold water on the face. Those habits are like setting the table so grace can be received with less noise and reactivity. That same principle can guide low-effort support through reflective, story-based listening.

 Use Reflective Reading or Podcast Listening to Steady Your Day

When faith-compatible wellness meets real life, it helps to have support you can carry into the ordinary moments of your day. Listening to podcasts or reading reflections can be a gentle, low-effort way to support everyday mental and emotional wellness. Educational and inspirational episodes and written reflections often offer encouragement, fresh perspective, and a sense of connection. This is especially true when you hear real stories from people who have faced setbacks, pursued personal growth, or reached meaningful goals. That kind of story-based companionship can soften feelings of isolation, reminding you that struggle and progress are part of being human.

Over time, positive content can also provide motivation and practical insights that help you keep a healthier mindset. If you want a story-driven example centered on perseverance and growth, you can keep this one handy for days when you need a steadier inner voice.

Try 7 Offbeat, Faith-Friendly Ways to Feel More Grounded

When your mind feels noisy, it helps to have a “menu” of small practices you can reach for, especially ones that fit Catholic rhythms of prayer, service, and community. Mix one or two of these into your daily routine.

1.      Try “forest bathing” for 20 minutes: Walk slowly under trees and treat it like a Creation-focused examen: notice light, wind, scent, and color. Then name one gratitude and one worry to hand to God. Forest bathing benefits often come from lowering sensory overload and giving your attention one gentle place to rest. If you can’t get to a park, do a “micro-version” on a tree-lined block and stop for three deep breaths at every crosswalk.

2.      Practice birdwatching mindfulness with one simple prompt: Stand still for 5–10 minutes and listen for three distinct bird calls; then look for the bird that made each sound. Birding naturally increases mindfulness and presence because you have to pay attention to small movements and patterns. To make it faith-friendly, close with one line of praise, “Lord, how diverse Your works are!” and move on with your day.

3.      Use pet companionship as a “loneliness interrupt”: If you have a pet, schedule two short “connection breaks” daily: 5 minutes of play or brushing in the morning, and a 10-minute walk or cuddle in the evening. Pet companionship supports mental health by giving your body a calming touch, predictable routine, and a sense of being needed. If you don’t own a pet, ask a neighbor if you can occasionally walk their dog or visit a friend’s cat.

4.      Do faith-aligned art therapy with a low-pressure project: Set a timer for 15 minutes and sketch, collage, or color one spiritual theme: hands in prayer, a storm and a lighthouse, the Sacred Heart, or a saint’s symbol. The “therapy” part is the process. Label the emotion you’re carrying, then choose colors or shapes that match it, without judging the result. Finish with a simple offering: “Jesus, I give You what’s on this page.”

5.     Try tai chi for mental wellness after listening to or reading something reflective: Right after, do 6 minutes of gentle flow: slow weight shifts, shoulder circles, and “cloud hands” (hands floating side-to-side with soft knees). Tai chi for mental wellness can help by downshifting the stress response and reconnecting mind and body through steady, non-competitive movement. Keep it simple: if you can breathe and move slowly, you can start.

6.      Choose one “hidden” volunteering activity. Volunteering and emotional health often connect through purpose and belonging, but it needs to be sustainable. Pick one small role for 4–8 weeks. Write one encouraging note weekly to a homebound parishioner, help set up chairs once a month, or bring an extra bag of groceries to the parish pantry. If you tend toward burnout, choose “behind-the-scenes” service over high-emotion roles.

7.      Make a candle-and-breath ritual your transition between roles: When you move from work to family time, or from parenting to prayer, light a candle. For 2 minutes, inhale for 4 counts, exhale for 6, and name the role you’re entering. This is a concrete way to “close the mental tabs” the same way reflective listening helps you focus a wandering mind. Pair it with one sentence from Scripture or the day’s saint.

Common Questions about Wellness Habits

Q: What if these practices make me feel scrupulous or like I’m “doing it wrong”?
A: Keep the goal simple: peace, gratitude, and steadier love of God and neighbor. If a practice spikes anxiety or perfectionism, shrink it to one minute and use a gentle closing prayer like “Jesus, I trust You.” When scruples persist, bring it to confession or spiritual direction and ask for one clear boundary.

Q: How can I schedule mental wellness when my day is already packed?
A: Treat it like hygiene, not a project: attach one small habit to something you already do, such as after coffee or before bed. Many people are already doing pieces of this since self-care activities often include movement and connection, so you may only need a structure and a timer.

Q: Can I do these even if I’m not “into mindfulness”?
A: Yes. Choose a concrete focus like noticing one sound, one color, or one Scripture phrase, then stop. The point is attention with reverence, not an empty mind.

Q: Which options fit introverts, extroverts, or people who burn out easily?
A: Introverts often do best with quiet, sensory practices and low-pressure creativity. Extroverts usually benefit from brief social connection or small acts of service. If you burn out, pick predictable, low-emotion commitments and protect your rest.

Q: Should I replace therapy or medication with prayer and these habits?
A: No. Faith and treatment can work together, and many people find better mental health alongside consistent spiritual practice. If symptoms are intense or worsening, talk to a licensed clinician and keep your spiritual support in place.

Build Steady Wellness Through One Small Weekly Practice

When life feels full, it’s easy to want better mental and emotional health yet struggle to keep anything consistent without scruples or burnout. The way forward is integrating wellness into daily life through prayer-adjacent routines and a consistent mental health practice. Over time, motivating faith-based self-care like this makes room for calmer reactions, clearer thinking, and a steadier sense of God’s nearness in ordinary stress. Pick one simple practice and let it become a gentle habit.

What do you do to stay mentally healthy?

Which one or two suggestions here are you included to adopt?

For those who are unfamiliar with Tai Chi (like me), here is an instructional video. It’s excellent, but you need to endure ads by Huston and Vonn every couple minutes!

The post Everyday Ways to Boost Mental and Emotional Wellness appeared first on Catholic Faith Corner.

I said to the almond tree, “Sister, speak to me of God.”

And the almond tree blossomed.

~ Nikos Kazantzakis

My home, an apartment on Pine Grove Trail, faces north, and the view is our lovely pine forest—a place I always considered sacred. Lately I’ve been hearing a great deal about trees: how they support one another through their root systems, how they even “speak. A Facebook post was “Advice from a Tree:  Stand tall and proud, go out on a limb, remember your roots, drink plenty of water, be content with your natural beauty, and don’t forget to enjoy the view!”

Here is my chapter on trees from my book Voices ~ God Speaking in Creation.

Zacchaeus’s Sycamore Tree

Most people have favorite trees: the oak from which Dad hung an old tire, the apple tree whose lowest branch is the perfect perch for reading, the graceful willow by the side of a stream. No doubt Zacchaeus’s favorite tree was the sycamore that boosted him toward Christ and salvation.

How convenient for Zacchaeus that a sycamore tree grew along Jesus’ route. This tree’s short trunk and wide lateral branches make it ideal for climbing. So Zacchaeus took advantage of what nature provided, a tree, to make up for what nature had denied him, height. The wealthy tax collector, probably pompous and rotund, clambered up the tree as fast as he could. He was not afraid to be up a tree in order to see Jesus.

Keeping our eyes on Jesus is not so easy. It requires initiative, courage, and discipline. Sometimes it means risking our job, our friends, our reputation, or even our life. Sometimes it means standing alone. Followers of Jesus must be willing to be labeled “fool,” “oddball,” and “goody-goody” as well as “troublemaker.” After all, Jesus, who was accused of being crazy or possessed, did warn, “A disciple is not above the teacher. . . . If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul [Satan], how much more will they malign those of his household!” (Matthew 10:24–25).

St. Oscar Romero

Archbishop Oscar Romero knew what it was like to be out on a limb for Jesus’s sake. For three years he preached Christ’s values of justice and peace, condemning the injustice and violence perpetrated by El Salvador’s government. He endured mockery and persecution. Four other bishops in his country opposed him. The transmitter in church that broadcast his sermons was destroyed by a bomb. He was the object of a million-dollar smear campaign. Aware that he was on “the list,” the Archbishop offered his blood for his people. He refused personal protection, saying, “The shepherd does not want security while security is not given to his flock.” On March 25, 1980, Oscar Romero was gunned down as he celebrated Mass in the cancer hospital where he lived. His foolhardiness gained him the beatific vision. He is now St. Oscar Romero.

Granted, we are not all called to be martyrs by blood. We all know, though, how daily decisions and circumstances can be calls to Christian heroism. We draw strength to answer these invitations by being united with Jesus through prayer and the sacraments, and from people who share our vision. When we encounter someone living simply or hear of someone forgiving an enemy, then we are more disposed to live that way ourselves. We are so interrelated in the body of Christ that we constantly affect one another. Our goodness and the good that we do somehow influence everyone else. Unfortunately, so do our badness and the bad we do.

Being a Sycamore Tree

One way we can exert a positive influence is to play the sycamore tree in the lives of people searching for God. If we are deeply rooted in love and faith, we are able to offer others the support they need to behold the divine. A woman invites her friend to return to the Church and accompanies her to the sacrament of reconciliation. A man lends a co-worker a good spiritual book. A busy pastor makes time to counsel a seventeen-year-old who is undergoing a crisis of faith. Evangelization is every Christian’s mission. We carry it out by raising our children to know and live the faith, by participating in the parish programs, and by contributing to the missions at home and abroad. To lift others to Jesus we needn’t proclaim him on street corners. Our lives shout him by our kindness, prayerfulness, and concern.

Trees as Symbols of Life and Death

Trees figure largely in salvation history. Many of them are symbols of life. Genesis tells how God planted the tree of life in the garden. This same tree grows in the city of God described in the Book of Revelation. Jesus spoke about the kingdom of God in terms of a flourishing mustard tree in whose branches many birds nest. On the other hand, some biblical trees represent death: Eden’s tree of the knowledge of good and evil; the tree that ensnared King David’s son Absalom’s hair, making him easy prey for the enemy; and the fig tree Jesus cursed for its lack of fruit. The tree of the cross paradoxically belongs to both categories. Although it is an instrument of death, it brings about eternal life.

Reconciliation

Zacchaeus’s tree is a symbol of life because it led to reconciliation, a characteristic of growth. Sin saps our energy and results in decay. Although it is really not a black mark on our souls, sin makes us feel dirty, marred. It is a disease that also harms those around us. When Zacchaeus is healed and purified by Jesus, not only he, but everyone in his house and in the neighborhood benefits.

Jesus still works dramatic miracles of grace in some sinners. Jim Townsend served a sentence for killing his pregnant wife. She had tried to prevent him from attacking a man during a card game. While in prison, Jim came to know Jesus better and was drawn to him. After he was released, he became a Franciscan brother, devoted to bringing other people to Jesus, the Life, by his preaching.

Some theologians identify mercy as the greatest of God’s attributes. God described himself to Moses as “a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, . . . forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin” (Exodus 34:6–7). Repeatedly God forgave his straying chosen people, and repeatedly Jesus forgave sinners he met on Earth. Our God is the God of second chances and third and fourth . . .

Conversion

Undeniably, the healing of our body is remarkable. We scrape a knuckle. Soon a scab forms. Underneath it skin grows, just enough to fill the injured space. The scar shrinks and falls off, uncovering the new layer of skin. Gradually even the scar fades. Broken bones too knit to become whole again. Likewise, our supernatural life can be healed when it is damaged. Through encountering Christ in the sacraments, we are repeatedly restored to health. There the Divine Physician mends our fractured humanity. The working of grace makes us like new.

It is always possible for a Christian to make a 180-degree turnabout to God. But such dramatic conversions are rare. Today the concept of life-long conversion has taken hold. We realize that all of us are constantly challenged to turn more toward the Lord. In many ways the Holy Spirit is quietly renewing the Earth. How appropriate that the Renew program, a program for continual conversion, chose a tree for its logo, a symbol of life and growth.

Forgiving Others

A major part of conversion involves being reconciled with one another. The all-too-human reaction to an offense or injury is to return evil for evil, reverting to the Old Testament morality of an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. The number of liability suits in recent years has skyrocketed so that liability insurance is practically unaffordable for most. The entertainment media advocate revenge along with their general sale of violence.

Contrary to today’s culture, Jesus taught forgiveness. He lived it when he forgave his executioners as he was dying on the cross. His followers try to live it. The world was stunned at the sight of St. Pope John Paul II embracing his would-be assassin. It was also amazed when Amish people comforted the family of the man who shot at ten of their schoolgirls, killing five.

Grudges

Actually, forgiving is healthy. Unforgiveness threatens our well-being. As someone noted, holding a grudge is drinking poison and expecting the other person to die from it. Harbored within a person, bitterness snowballs until it destroys individuals, families, and nations.

Anyone who has borne resentment toward another knows how miserable it makes one’s own life. To nurture a grudge, one must always be on guard, thoughts are absorbed, and sleep is lost. Like other evils, this hardheartedness is upsetting emotionally and perhaps even physically. If we would abolish all silent treatments, other petty meannesses, grudges, retaliations, and lawsuits, much of our suffering would disappear.

In order to be a peacemaker by extending forgiveness, we have to be strong. We have to own a good self-concept. Then we will be free enough to be humble and loving and Christian. We will be able to say “I forgive you.” We will also be able to say sincerely “I’m sorry.” With Jesus’ loving encouragement, Zacchaeus could do both.

The Strength of Trees

Trees are majestic creatures. Upheld by sturdy trunks, they reach into the sky and tower over us. Whether the wind rustles or howls through their branches, they only bend and sway. Most impressive are the redwood trees of California that can grow to be an amazing three hundred and fifty feet high. Surprisingly, the roots of these giant trees are very shallow, only five or six feet deep. How do the redwoods remain standing upright? Their secret is that they grow in a group and their roots intermingle. The trees hold up one another—a lesson for us all!

The giant sequoia trees that grow only on the western slope of the Sierra Nevada also teach a moral. Their seeds are trapped inside their pinecones. It requires a fire to dry out the cones so that they crack and release the seeds. When these seeds fall to the ground, new life begins.

The psalmist draws on trees to deliver an important  message. He makes an apt comparison. He says that people who follow God’s laws “are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither” (Psalm 1:3). An upright person has an air of dignity. Moreover, he or she bears much good fruit.

Benefits of Trees

Trees have multiple uses. They provide shade, fruit, nuts, lumber, tea, and maple syrup. Zacchaeus’s tree served both as a ladder to God and as a bridge to reconciliation with God and others. Shel Silverstein beautifully illustrates the concept of total sacrificial love by means of a tree. In his book The Giving Tree, a boy receives gifts from his tree all his life long. At the conclusion of the story, the boy is an old man, and nothing is left of the self-sacrificing tree but a stump. Generous to the end, the tree invites the old man to rest on the stump.

We can imitate this self-giving by sharing with others our time, talents, and treasure. We truly give ourselves to others in the simple gift of presence just like the sycamore tree was there when Zacchaeus needed it.

Michel Quoist recounts a time when his presence meant a lot to a little stranger. One evening during a stay in the hospital, he heard sobbing. He traced the sound to a child who was severely burned. He sat beside the child a while and talked soothingly. Whenever he got up to leave, the child’s crying increased. Quoist spent the rest of the night being there with the child, helpless to relieve the pain, but offering comfort nonetheless.

It is important to be with others: in hospital rooms, at wakes, at graduations, and at celebrations. It is important to be waiting up for others when they come home. Our presence speaks volumes. Conversely, how lucky we are if we have reliable friends who are there at the right time. “Grapple them to thy soul with hoops of steel,” Shakespeare has Polonius advise in Hamlet.

Trees’ Invitation to Pray

Trees, like the sycamore, raise our minds to God by their beauty. Palm trees, fir trees, giant redwoods, and a multiplicity of other trees enhance our planet. With the changing of the seasons, most trees advance from one kind of beauty to another. In the summer, luxuriant forms of all sizes and shapes clothe the land with shades of green. In the fall, flaming leaves set the world afire with brilliant yellows, oranges, and reds. Winter days alternately bring breathtaking scenes of bare, black branches against purple skies, snow-laden limbs, and ice-encased trees glistening with cool beauty. Then the coming of spring is heralded by a rush of green, buds, and lovely blossoms. No wonder Joyce Kilmer in his poem “Trees” concludes, “Only God can make a tree.”

Trees’ Invitation to Play

Trees evoke images of play. Who has not built a treehouse, swung from vines, picnicked under a tree, or hidden his or her face against the trunk of a tree, counting to a hundred for a game of hide-and-seek? To play is to be like the child Jesus exhorted us to resemble: carefree and ready to be thrilled by life. Anyone who is concerned about personal well-being attempts to balance work and play. Our bodies, minds, and souls need periods of relief from pressure and tension to be re-created. Rejuvenated through play, we can accomplish our work more efficiently and in a happier frame of mind.

Equally important, it is through play that we come to know ourselves and others better. It affords us time to reflect on who we are and what we are doing. Through playful interaction with others, we discover truths about ourselves, consoling as well as disturbing. We also forge the bonds of friendship and community more strongly through such experiences as the shared joy of viewing a funny movie together and the healthy competition of a good tennis match. On the whole, “One could do worse than be a swinger of birches,” as Robert Frost comments in his poem “Birches.”

Since Zacchaeus, tree climbing has become well established in Christian tradition. For taking on himself the sins of the world, Jesus climbed a tree to become the Great Reconciler.

What role has a tree or trees played in your life?

What is your favorite tree? Why?

When I was in the Novitiate, the Medical Mission Sisters’ songs were popular. The first video below is one of them. The second one is a modern version of Zacchaeus.

The post Lessons from Trees appeared first on Catholic Faith Corner.

During August I will be with the Sisters of Notre Dame in Africa. So, instead of a post from me this week, here is a guest post written by Patricia Sarmiento. I hope if you are grieving your marriage partner you personally find these words helpful. Maybe you can refer it to someone else who may be experiencing this painful loss.

Finding Hope and Healing After Early Grief: For Catholic Widows and Widowers

Catholic widows and widowers who have moved past the first shock often enter a quieter, harder middle where grief becomes woven into ordinary hours. The core tension is real: daily life must keep going while love and longing remain, and that can stir spiritual doubt, loneliness, and fatigue. Alongside the emotional challenges of loss, practical adjustments post-bereavement, meals, sleep, finances, parenting, and decisions once shared, can feel relentless. With steady Catholic grief support and attention to mind and body, healing can take shape without leaving a spouse behind.

Understanding Growth Without Letting Go

Rediscovering your identity after loss does not mean erasing your marriage. It means learning who you are now, with love and grief both included. Many grief counselors describe this as an expansion of life around grief, where sorrow stays real but your life can still widen.

This matters because Catholic healing is both spiritual and human. Prayer, sacraments, and community can support you, while your emotions still need honest attention. Research describes holistic healing after loss as caring for emotional, practical, and social needs, not just beliefs.

Think of keeping a small candle near your spouse’s photo while also lighting a second candle for today’s tasks. One flame honors what was; the other helps you take your next faithful steps. This perspective helps common questions about prayer, sadness, dating, and “doing enough” feel less frightening.

Grief, Prayer, and Moving Forward: Common Questions

Q: What if I cannot pray because I feel numb or angry?
A: You are not failing God. Many people experience normal aspects of grief that include numbness, agitation, or even no emotion at all. Try a one-minute prayer like, “Jesus, stay with me,” or simply sit quietly with a crucifix and breathe.

Q: How do I know if my sadness is normal grief or something more serious?
A: Grief often comes in waves, but get extra support if you cannot function for weeks, feel hopeless most days, or have thoughts of self-harm. Clinicians note 7%–10% develop prolonged grief disorder, which is treatable with the right care. Consider talking with your doctor, a licensed therapist, or a Catholic counselor.

Q: Should I force myself to “be strong” and serve more at church?
A: Love can look like showing up, but it can also look like resting. Choose one small, sustainable commitment and pair it with one restorative practice, like a walk, a meal with a friend, or earlier sleep.

Q: When is it okay to date again as a Catholic widow or widower?
A: There is no universal timeline. Begin only when you can speak about your spouse with honesty, set clear boundaries, and bring your decisions to prayer and wise counsel.

Q: Can I still wear my ring or keep traditions and also heal?
A: Yes. Keeping meaningful symbols can honor your vows while you learn how to live today. If an object keeps you stuck, try placing it somewhere intentional and choosing one new routine that supports your daily life.

Use Gentle Creativity to Hear Your Heart Again

Creativity can be a powerful pathway to healing and self-rediscovery for widows and widowers, because it gives grief, and hope, somewhere gentle to land. Today, AI art generation tools make this kind of expression available to anyone, even if you’ve never considered yourself “artistic”: you type a short description, and it instantly becomes original, customizable artwork. With a tool like Adobe Firefly’s AI art generator, you can shape an image that feels like a quiet prayer in color, perhaps a tribute that honors your spouse’s memory, or a scene that reflects who you are becoming in this new season. The point isn’t to produce something impressive; it’s to give yourself a low-pressure way to listen inward, express what’s hard to say aloud, and take one small step toward growth while still holding love and remembrance.

Consider Returning to School to Rebuild Rhythm and Purpose

As prayer and your questions about moving forward begin to steady your footing, a gentle next step can be choosing something that gives your days structure again.

For some widows and widowers who feel ready to invest in themselves, returning to school can restore rhythm, rebuild confidence, and open real options for the future, without asking you to “be over it.” Flexible online programs can make learning possible on your own timeline, with less pressure than a traditional classroom setting, so you can move at a pace that respects your energy and your grief.

If you’ve felt drawn to meaningful service, earning a bachelor of arts in elementary education can help you gain the skills and qualifications needed to become a licensed teacher, offering a practical path toward supporting students and making a positive difference in their daily lives.

As you discern what kind of structure and purpose fits this season, the next step is building a steady week with routines, boundaries, and supportive parish life.

Understanding Stability, Support, and Boundaries

Community-centered stability means shaping ordinary days so your body and spirit feel held again. It includes simple routines, a few dependable relationships, and a gentle return to parish and social life at a pace you can sustain. It also includes limits that protect your heart, because boundaries are not selfish when you are healing.

This matters because isolation can quietly grow when you are exhausted, even if you still believe. Steady habits and safe people can reduce decision fatigue and make prayer, Mass, and conversations feel less overwhelming.

For example, you might commit to Sunday Mass and one weekday check-in with a trusted friend. You can decline busy gatherings for now, while accepting a short coffee after church or a bereavement group.

Understanding Discernment for Your Next Steps

Spiritual discernment after loss is a prayerful way of choosing what helps you live, not just endure. It means you name a few doable paths, then gently test which ones bring steadier peace and love. A helpful spiritual discernment definition describes it as seeing the difference between good and bad, wisdom and foolishness.

This matters because grief can make every choice feel final or disloyal. Clear options like service, learning or work shifts, and health supports lower pressure and reduces regret. They also protect you from getting stuck, since 10–13% of bereaved people may experience prolonged grief.

For example, you might try one parish ministry hour twice a month, update a resume, and schedule a counseling intake. After each step, you ask: Did this increase charity, stability, and rest? You keep what bears good fruit and release what drains you.

Choosing a Faithful Next Step While Honoring Your Spouse’s Memory

Early grief can feel like an unfair choice between remembrance and forward movement, as if healing means leaving love behind. A Catholic approach to discernment holds both together, inviting faith and resilience through prayerful, realistic attention to what is life-giving now. Over time, this creates a hopeful grief journey where sorrow is named, support is welcomed, and new life chapters can be embraced without erasing what came before. Grief can move forward without moving on from love. Choose one next step this week, one support, one act of service, or one health appointment, and bring it to prayer. This matters because steady, compassionate choices build stability, connection, and long-term healing.

Can you add some tips for living successfully through the grief following the death of a spouse?

Do you know someone who could profit from reading this article?

Jesus rose from the dead. Remember his words promising eternal life when you will be reunited with all your loved ones. The two hymns here convey his consoling message in different ways:

The post Advice for Those Grieving Lost Spouses appeared first on Catholic Faith Corner.