timing matters

After the death of our dear Pope Francis on Easter Monday and his funeral and burial at St. Mary Major, the Cardinals gathered in the Sistine Chapel to prayerfully elect the next Pope.

Mere days before I was to depart for my 30 Day Spiritual Exercises’ Study at Broom Tree in Irene, South Dakota, during the Papal Conclave on May 8, 2025, white smoke billowed from the raised chimney announcing to the world, “Habemus Papam, We have a Pope!” The Holy Spirit’s work was complete, and the College of Cardinals had selected the next Successor of St. Peter.

Robert Francis Cardinal Prevost was elected the 267th Pope who took the name Leo XIV.

The first American-born Pope!

I know all of this is old-news to most! But heaven sends messages, and dates are not accidental, especially in major events like the election of a new Holy Father. Which is why I am giddy over a few discoveries on the matter & couldn’t wait to share them with you!

Continue reading “timing matters”

Ode to Broom Tree

The LORD is in his holy temple; the LORD’S throne is in heaven. His eyes behold, his searching glance is on mankind. The just will gaze on your face, O Lord.

Psalm 11: 4, 7

Silence gives the space to hear God speak, whether through words we hear within or through a movement of love or an answer to a question.

Silence itself also speaks.

St. Paul writes of the Spirit, who “intercedes with sighs too deep for words” (Romans 8:26). In silence, we can hear our own sighs for God and know that the silence of God is part of God’s also sighing for us—and for all creation.

Continue reading “Ode to Broom Tree”

All about Helen!

It’s been a dynamic liturgical week as we celebrated several beautiful Saints!

None more special to me than my gal-pal, St. Faustina Kowlaska – who I have included in many, many, many, many posts in this bloggity-blog-say-I-space! A few of my favorites have been…

Somewhere Over the Rainbow , Do you hear my prayers, Lord?, and Super Paw Star!

Along with the one I have reblogged below…..

This morning, following the completion of Morning Mass which celebrated her Feast Day, I spent some quiet time before the Lord with her cherished Diary in hand taking time to pray with some favorite passages written by her.

I share just a few with you now – in hopes they deliver a special message to your own heart, as well.

(1440) When we began to share the wafer, a sincere and mutual love reigned among us. Mother Superior (Irene) expressed this wish to me: “Sister, the works of God proceed slowly, so do not be in a hurry.”

(1445)In the greatest torments of soul I am always alone, but no – not alone, for I am with You, Jesus; but here I am speaking about (other) people. None of them under-stands my heart, but this does not surprise me anymore, whereas I used to be surprised when my intentions were condemned and wrongly interpreted, no , this does not surprise me now at all. People do not know how to perceive the soul. They see the body, and they judge according to the body. But as distant as heaven is from earth, so distant are God’s thoughts from our thoughts.

(1446) The Lord said to me, It should be of no concern to you how anyone else acts: you are to be My living reflection, through love and mercy. I answered, “Lord, but they often take advantage of my goodness.” That makes no difference, My daughter. That is no concern of yours. As for you, be always merciful toward other people, and especially toward sinners.

(1447) Oh, how painful it is to Me that souls so seldom unite themselves to Me in Holy Communion. I wait for souls, and they are indifferent toward Me. I love them tenderly and sincerely, and they distrust Me. I want to lavish My graces on them, and they do not want to accept them. They treat Me as a dead object, whereas My Heart is full of love and mercy.

St. Faustina’s Diary, Divine Mercy in My Soul, Notebook V Entries 1440-1447

Today and every day may we confidently remember to proclaim…

Jesus, I trust in You.

Saint Faustina, graced by a special communion with God, pray for us.

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Today is the Feast Day of my gal-pal, St. Faustina!!!!  

(aka: Helen Kowalska before taking her vows as a Sister of Our Lady of Mercy!)

And oh, how I love her!❤️

We have even named our dog after Helen Kowalska! Our dog’s name is…Helen Kowalska too!

In 2014 as I began reading St. Faustina’s personal Diary, Divine Mercy in My Soul, I had no idea the spiritual growth I would experience from the written experience of her life-lived out.  But today I lift up prayers of gratitude for all I have gained through her example! God has moved me forward, in many aspects, as He clarified for me during that time spent reading her Diary, what it means to love beyond measure…regardless of the burdens or sorrows that may come. She continues to guide me and remind me that everyone deserves mercy!

I will always be grateful for this gift and the immense peace which has remained…

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