Searching for Augustine

Last week, it was the feast of St. Monica. During the day, a family friend posted the link to this video on Facebook. I thought it was nice and everything, and went on with my day.

That night, I went to daily mass on campus, and the chaplain preached about Saint Monica and how her persevering prayer was responsible for the conversion of her son, Augustine.

Sound familiar? It did to me. Especially since I had recently decided to give up praying for a special intention, because nothing seemed to be happening.

In our lives, we all have “Augustines”, people we pray for, but who don’t seem to change, or who God doesn’t seem to answer any prayers about. I know I have. And I know I’ve almost given up on them. Thank God that Monica, because of her maternal love, didn’t give up on Augustine!

We are all called to be like Saint Monica, to pray and trust, even when God seems to be too busy doing something else. Find your Augustine, and pray like a Monica. God prevails.

 

Let Sin Go.

Wanna feel this free? Try the sacrament of Reconciliation!

On Sunday, I hiked up a mountain to mass at the shrine on campus. I sat alone and asked God to keep me focused on what was important and to reveal Himself to me. When it came time for the homily, the priest spent his time talking about the beautiful sacrament of Reconciliation. At one point, he said something along the lines of:

“People might want you to conceal your sin, to hide it. But God wants you to be honest and open, to come to Him with your sin.”

At that moment, the following lyrics from Disney’s new movie Frozen started repeating themselves in my head:

“Conceal, don’t feel, don’t let them know. Well, now they know! Let it go! Let it go! Can’t hold it back anymore… And I don’t care what they’re going to say.”

For a three letter word, sin sure is intimidating. It can make us lie, cower, and be ashamed. I can only speak for myself, in reality, but I’ve definitely lied and been ashamed because of sin.

We don’t HAVE to be afraid! God has power over sin, and as long as He is on our side, we have power, as well! Don’t conceal your sin. Come clean. Be honest. Stop holding on to it. God wants us to let go of the pain, the shame that is caused by sin. He wants to set us free.

Let God set you free. Take a deep breath and step out into the unknown: go to confession.

Besides, the cold never bothered us anyway.

World Day of Fasting and Prayer for Syria

How do you say ‘no’ to that face?

Today, Pope Francis asked the Catholics of the world to spend the day fasting and praying for peace in Syria.

I was proud to participate, and was glad that my school (on which the National Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes is on the campus of) was hosting events.

First, they had mass and adoration at the seminary. I decided not to attend mass, but did adore Christ with a chapel full of fellow students, seminarians, priests, and faculty.

After that, we processed up the mountain to the grotto, where, in front of the Eucharist, we prayed the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, begging Jesus to have mercy on us, and the whole world.

Then we went to the grotto altar, where we prayed the Rosary and finished with Mass. It was beautiful to see how many were aware of what is going on in current events and how many care about and love our brothers and sisters in Syria.

Still, there weren’t many students there, which was a bit disheartening. But nonetheless, a lovely experience

Daily Smash Book – 9.7.13

Listening – to Blackbird (Piano Cover)

Eating – cheese fries and root beer.

Wearing – black exercise pants, and Emmaus 7 shirt (He Never lets Go! 🙂 )

Feeling – content

Weather – 62 degrees and fair

Wanting – to have a movie night

Thinking – that I have to stop overthinking things.

Enjoying – My rootbeer, yo.

Mass? – Yes.

Gym – Yes

Favorite part of today so far – The day of prayer and fasting activities at school. So beautiful. I’ll post about it later.