Have you ever wondered why people are proud of their flags? A flag is physically just a piece of cloth. But it represents something profound: your country. Flags represent something we belong to, owe a debt of gratitude to, and – in the case of heroic soldiers – will even die for. This is exactly […]Read more

If the Church was splitting apart, what would be the answer? Unfortunately this was reality for people living in the 1600s. The Protestant Reformation had fractured the Christian world. Where there had been one, unified faith in communion with the Pope, there were now dozens of competing doctrines, faiths, and heresies. There were even wars […]Read more

What happens when a brilliant man gives his heart to Jesus? In 18th-century Italy, a young man named Alphonsus Liguori had everything going for him. He earned a law degree at age 16, had a promising career, and was widely admired for his sharp mind. But deep down, Alphonsus knew God was calling him to […]Read more

If you have good news, when do you tell it? As soon as possible! Which might make you wonder, why did Jesus wait until the 1670s to reveal His Sacred Heart? There are two things to remember: God’s timing is perfect and God speaks to human beings in their history and culture. What do I […]Read more

What would you say if Jesus asked you to carry a hard cross? I don’t know about you, but I might hesitate for a moment. I might even ask if there are easier crosses I could carry! Carrying a cross can be extremely difficult. It’s one of the corporal works of mercy to accompany others […]Read more

Have you ever wondered if your hard work matters? Sometimes, after finishing a big project we step back and wonder if it really mattered. But one thing we know always matters is when we offer up our suffering for others! When we unite our suffering to Jesus Christ, He can always use it. Remember the […]Read more

Do you ask your guardian angel for help? Maybe you sometimes even forget that angels exist! It was hard for St. Margaret Mary to forget – because she saw an angel! Specifically she saw a ‘Seraphim’ which is a type of angel. St. Margaret Mary was working at the Visitation Convent, tending to the gardens when suddenly she […]Read more

Did you know that we almost didn’t get the detailed autobiography of Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque? St. Margaret Mary was a very humble person. That humility allowed her to accomplish many spiritual feats in her life. But when her spiritual director Fr. Claude La Colombière asked her to write down an account of her life, […]Read more

Have you ever seen someone misuse a tool? Sometimes when we hand a hammer or paintbrush to a child we see them not know how to use it. They might try to hammer with the paintbrush or paint with the hammer! Similarly, we need to know how to use our suffering. One of the biggest […]Read more

Can you do something nine times in a row? Most likely you’ll immediately say, “Yes! That’s easy!” But if you’re anything like me, you’ll realize it’s harder than it sounds. It’s very easy to start a nine-day novena – it’s much harder to finish it! And just try to get up early nine times in […]Read more

Do you ever make plans for the weekend? And – if they’re plans with someone you love – do you look forward to them all week? When you love someone, you spend time with them! Whether it’s a couple’s date night or a friend’s vacation together. Unfortunately, we sometimes don’t spend time with the Person […]Read more

If Jesus showed you His Heart, how would you respond? In 1674, about a year after her first vision, St. Margaret Mary Alacoque was kneeling in front of the Blessed Sacrament when Jesus appeared again. This second apparition was vivid and unforgettable. She saw His Sacred Heart on a crystal-clear throne of flames, surrounded by […]Read more