NunEssential

Below is another guest post by our fabulous SOLT Sister, Sr. Anne Marie Walsh. This post was originally featured on Seton Magazine . Why Catholic Homeschool and Monks Seek the Same Thing It can be challenging to look at the world today and to remember the words of Scripture: “…where sin increased, grace overflowed all the more” (Rms. 5:20). We know the Gospel’s relevance is timeless. However, understanding the way in which it penetrates a specific period in time requires a creativity found only in the Holy Spirit, Who searches the hearts of men and applies the deep things of God within concrete historical situations. Pope Benedict XVI, meeting with representatives from the world of culture at the Collège des Bernardins, Paris, in 2008, addressed the threats to modern culture by drawing attention to the roots of Western Civilization. In particular, he considered monasticism and its development, noting that, “Amid the confusion of the times, in which nothing seemed permanen...

Below is the latest post by the awesome Sr. Anne Marie Walsh, SOLT  Mary, Motherhood and the Family of God Mary's motherhood, like motherhood in general, was lived out quietly behind the scenes. St. Pope John Paul II pointed out that "History is written almost exclusively as the narrative of men's achievements, when in fact its better part is most often molded by women's determined and persevering action for good." (Papal Message On Women's Conference to Mrs. Gertrude Mongella. May, 1995) Mary achieved more than any other human being. This was done in the most intimate way in the context of Her Divine Motherhood, a role which God asked her to live, and which She joyfully assented to! She continues to bring souls to life in grace and to love saints into being, so essential and eternal is Her motherhood to who She is. But just as God took His own flesh from the body of Mary, so every child comes into this world through the body of a woman. Every con...

Great explanation by Fr. Robert Barron of the fairy tale "Cinderella" and why it speaks so powerfully to our hearts.

Below is a powerful and honest piece originally posted on www.joyfulmysteries.me written by my friend @heatherkhym Perhaps we have all felt this way at times and we all long to taste the Resurrection. Great job, Heather. Your Real  I could see it coming from 1000 miles away. The place I could end up if I wasn’t careful. The place so many strong ones have gone before….never to return.  When I suddenly found myself questioning the things I thought I was most certain about, honestly, it freaked me out.  My daily prayer became, “God, please save me…from myself.” I’ve been Catholic my whole life, and at 14 had an encounter with God that was so real and deep it forever changed the course of my life.  I knew He was real, and out of hundreds of people in the room that night, He saw me, chose me, and came for little old me.  Only He knew my story, a shy, broken girl who was paralyzed by fear.  He knew how much I needed Him and He rescued me from the dar...

Love this clever mix of Dr. Peter Kreeft and smooth jazz. Creativity rocks!

Below is a great article by Sr. Anne Marie Walsh as Super Bowl Sunday draws near... A Passing Look At Football  This is a hard article to write because I love football.   I come from a family of nine:  Mom, Dad, 6 brothers and myself.  From late August through January,  the Sunday family ritual always included football.  Packers football. No question.  We all went to Mass together, and when we came home, Dad gave Mom a break by feeding all of us ham and rolls from the local bakery.   Then, we settled in front of the TV for time together, united in one and the same desire for a good game and a win for our team.  It was something we were all a part of.   As a girl, I was not excluded.   A fan is a fan after all!  We loved being able to throw ourselves into the game with Dad.   And he enjoyed teaching us all he knew.  As a result, I can talk football with the best of them.  Every game links ...

Check out this incredible new vocations video produced by Ascension Press! God is still calling heroic men to follow Him to the priesthood. Know of any? Watch it and pass it on!