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I have heard a couple commentaries on today’s Gospel that have stayed with me. The first offers this passage as a practical way for each of us to combat the temptations we experience. Jesus relies on the word of God to refute Satan. Three times he is tempted and three times he responds with “it is written.” Jesus knows the power of God’s Word – He is God’s Word – and we do too. 

The Bible is filled with God’s Word and it helps us in our own challenges and temptations. We have the Ten Commandments as a skeleton to hold us up. We have the Beatitudes to show us how to live. There are all kinds of parables to aid us in understanding what God desires of us. We also have recourse to Him – Jesus, the Living Word –  when we need help. We know we can call on Him and He will be there. We know the power of His name. Sometimes that may be all we can muster, but it is sufficient. The name of Jesus has authority and power. 

The second commentary compared the three temptations of Jesus to the Israelites. The Israelites wandered in the desert for forty years. Jesus spent forty days and forty nights there. The Israelites put the Lord to the test three times and failed. Jesus was tempted three times and was victorious. 

Throughout the New Testament, Jesus models for us how to live. He demonstrates compassion, truth, and forgiveness and expects us to do the same. He truly is the fulfillment of the old covenant, tying up the loose ends, and bringing us all to salvation. 

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He escuchado un par de comentarios sobre el Evangelio de hoy que me han quedado grabados. El primero ofrece este pasaje como una manera práctica para que cada uno de nosotros combata las tentaciones que experimentamos. Jesús se basa en la palabra de Dios para refutar a Satanás. Tres veces es tentado y tres veces responde con “está escrito”. Jesús conoce el poder de la Palabra de Dios – Él es la Palabra de Dios – y nosotros también lo conocemos.

La Biblia está llena de la Palabra de Dios y nos ayuda en nuestros propios desafíos y tentaciones. Tenemos los Diez Mandamientos como esqueleto que nos mantiene rectos. Tenemos las Bienaventuranzas para mostrarnos cómo vivir. Hay todo tipo de parábolas que nos ayudan a comprender lo que Dios desea de nosotros. También recurrimos a Él, Jesús, la Palabra Viva, cuando necesitamos ayuda. Sabemos que podemos invocarlo y Él estará allí. Conocemos el poder de su nombre. A veces puede que eso sea todo lo que podamos hacer, pero es suficiente. El nombre de Jesús tiene autoridad y poder.

El segundo comentario que escuché comparó las tres tentaciones de Jesús con los israelitas. Los israelitas vagaron por el desierto durante cuarenta años. Jesús pasó cuarenta días y cuarenta noches allí también. Los israelitas pusieron a prueba al Señor tres veces y fracasaron. Jesús fue tentado tres veces y salió victorioso.

A lo largo del Nuevo Testamento, Jesús nos da un ejemplo de cómo vivir. Demuestra compasión, verdad y perdón, y espera que hagamos lo mismo. Él es verdaderamente el cumplimiento de la antigua alianza, atando los cabos sueltos y llevándonos a todos a la salvación.

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Merridith Frediani loves words and is delighted by good sentences. She also loves Lake Michigan, dahlias, the first sip of hot coffee in the morning, millennials, and playing Sheepshead with her husband and three kids. She writes for Catholic Mom, new.diocesan.com/, and her local Catholic Herald. Her first book Draw Close to Jesus: A Woman’s Guide to Adoration is available at Our Sunday Visitor and Amazon. You can learn more at merridithfrediani.com.

Feature Image Credit: Timeship, pixabay.com/illustrations/painting-artwork-art-russian-art-1023419/

The views and opinions expressed in the Inspiration Daily blog are solely those of the original authors and contributors. These views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of Diocesan, the Diocesan staff, or other contributors to this blog.

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Saint Casimir

Saint Casimir

Saint Casimir (1458-1484) was a Polish prince known for his piety, chastity, and devotion, becoming a patron saint of Poland and Lithuania posthumously. The post Saint Casimir appeared first on

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This feast day marks the significant moment when Jesus Christ designated Peter as his successor, entrusting him with the leadership of the entire Church.

Jesus recognized Peter’s unique role among the Apostles. Peter was present with Jesus during pivotal moments, including the Transfiguration and the Agony in the Garden. Notably, Peter was the sole Apostle to witness Christ’s appearance on the day following the Resurrection. Often, Peter represented the Apostles, articulating their collective voice.

The critical exchange between Jesus and his Apostles unfolded when Jesus inquired, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”

Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

Jesus responded, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven” (Matthew 16:13-20).

Through these words, Jesus established St. Peter as the leader of the global community of believers, entrusting him with the spiritual guidance of the Church.

The first recorded observance of the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter dates back to 311, celebrating the day St. Peter professed his faith. Historically, the feast acknowledged the day the Lord appointed St. Peter as the Church’s head, acting as Christ’s Vicar on earth.

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In today’s reading, Matthew, a tax collector, has a personal encounter with Jesus marked by a simple command: “Follow me.” Did Matthew notice something in Jesus’ gaze that hinted at something greater? A transformation occurred, prompting Matthew to immediately leave his status as an unworthy tax collector and follow Jesus. Perhaps he felt the acceptance and love he deeply longed for, motivating him to become a great Evangelist and Gospel writer.  

How often do you meet a stranger you can trust right away? We live in a world full of deception, where scammers target our hard-earned money. We must be very careful about where we place our trust. For our relationship with the Lord to be steady and secure, it must be built on trust.   

Help me to follow You each day, Jesus, and trust in You.

The love of Christ changes our hearts, shifting us from chasing worldly things to longing for what is eternal. Jesus beckons us into a relationship with Him, guiding us toward true happiness. Recognizing His presence in our lives and trusting Him are keys to lasting fulfillment. 

Help me to follow You each day, Jesus, and fully embrace Your love. 

Jesus desires our love but respects our free will to accept it. His love is freely given, not earned or reserved only for the righteous. He calls sinners. We’re never too unclean to approach Jesus with a contrite heart. He accepts us wherever we are. He didn’t give up on Peter, even after three denials. The Lord understands our weaknesses and always invites us into union with Him.  

Help me follow You each day, Jesus, with steadfast devotion.  

Levi hosted a banquet for Jesus to show his appreciation for being chosen. Jesus attended despite the Pharisees’ disapproval. They couldn’t understand His fellowship with sinners. Yet, Jesus was undeterred by their rebuke, replying, “Those who are healthy do not need a physician, but the sick do. I have not come to call the righteous to repentance but sinners.” Jesus always spoke the truth, even when others found it unbearable.   

Help me to follow You each day, Jesus, and walk in Your truth.     

Standing firm in God’s truth is difficult in a world that often twists reality. When faced with lies, we might stay silent to avoid offending or provoking others. Are we offending God by accepting illusions or distortions of the truth because we’re afraid to speak up? Today’s psalm helps us align ourselves with God’s truth: “Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth.” 

We are meant to walk in God’s truth and share it with others. Sharing the love of Jesus provides opportunities to plant small seeds of faith in the lives of those around us. Saint Teresa of Calcutta believed that we were created for greater things than merely working and accomplishing things. She said we were created to love and be loved. We do this by following Jesus and bringing God to everyone we meet each day.

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En la lectura de hoy, Mateo, un recaudador de impuestos, tiene un encuentro personal con Jesús marcado por una simple orden: “Sígueme”. ¿Percibió Mateo algo en la mirada de Jesús que insinuara algo más grande? Se produjo una transformación que lo impulsó a dejar de inmediato su condición de recaudador de impuestos indigno y seguir a Jesús. Quizás sintió la aceptación y el amor que tanto anhelaba, lo que lo motivó a convertirse en un gran evangelista y escritor de evangelios.

¿Con qué frecuencia te encuentras con un desconocido en quien puedes confiar de inmediato? Vivimos en un mundo lleno de engaños, donde los estafadores se aprovechan de nuestro dinero duramente ganado. Debemos ser muy cuidadosos con quién depositamos nuestra confianza. Para que nuestra relación con el Señor sea firme y segura, debe basarse en la confianza.

Ayúdame a seguirte cada día, Jesús, y a confiar en ti.

El amor de Cristo transforma nuestros corazones, llevándonos de perseguir las cosas mundanas a anhelar lo eterno. Jesús nos invita a una relación con él, guiándonos hacia la verdadera felicidad. Reconocer su presencia en nuestras vidas y confiar en él son claves para una plenitud duradera.

Ayúdame a seguirte cada día, Jesús, y a abrazar plenamente tu amor.

Jesús desea nuestro amor, pero respeta nuestro libre albedrío para aceptarlo. Su amor es gratuito, no se gana ni se reserva sólo para los justos. Él llama a los pecadores. Nunca somos demasiado impuros para acercarnos a Jesús con un corazón contrito. Él nos acepta dondequiera que estemos. No se dio por vencido con Pedro, incluso después de tres negaciones. El Señor comprende nuestras debilidades y siempre nos invita a unirnos a él.

Ayúdame a seguirte cada día, Jesús, con firme devoción.

Leví ofreció un banquete para Jesús como muestra de su agradecimiento por haber sido elegido. Jesús asistió a pesar de la desaprobación de los fariseos. No podían comprender su convivencia con los pecadores. Sin embargo, Jesús no se dejó intimidar por su reprimenda y respondió: “No son los sanos los que necesitan al médico, sino los enfermos. No he venido a llamar a los justos, sino a los pecadores, para que se conviertan”. Jesús siempre decía la verdad, incluso cuando a otros les resultaba insoportable.

Ayúdame a seguirte cada día, Jesús, y a vivir en tu verdad.

Mantenerse firme en la verdad de Dios es difícil en un mundo que a menudo distorsiona la realidad. Ante las mentiras, solemos callarnos para no ofender ni provocar a los demás. ¿Ofendemos a Dios al aceptar ilusiones o distorsiones de la verdad por miedo a hablar? El salmo de hoy nos ayuda a alinearnos con la verdad de Dios: “Señor, enséñame a seguir fielmente tus caminos”.

Debemos andar en la verdad de Dios y compartirla con los demás. Compartir el amor de Jesús nos brinda oportunidades para sembrar pequeñas semillas de fe en la vida de quienes nos rodean. Santa Teresa de Calcuta creía que fuimos creados para cosas más importantes que simplemente trabajar y lograr cosas. Dijo que fuimos creados para amar y ser amados. Lo logramos siguiendo a Jesús y llevando a Dios a cada persona que conocemos cada día.

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Charlene Unterkofler is a Catholic convert who nurtures her spiritual growth by serving the poor in the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and guiding the formation of other Vincentians through her writing and workshops. She co-authored “Cloud of Witnesses, 25 Stories of Saintly Inspiration and Intercession,” with the PraiseWriters community. She enjoys playing cribbage with her husband and reading to her grandsons. Discover more at gentleservant.com.

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The views and opinions expressed in the Inspiration Daily blog are solely those of the original authors and contributors. These views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of Diocesan, the Diocesan staff, or other contributors to this blog.

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Saint Casimir

Saint Casimir

Saint Casimir (1458-1484) was a Polish prince known for his piety, chastity, and devotion, becoming a patron saint of Poland and Lithuania posthumously. The post Saint Casimir appeared first on

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Saint Peter Damian, born in the year 988 into a noble yet impoverished family, was the youngest sibling among many. His arrival sparked such concern over the family’s limited resources that his mother initially refused to nurse him, nearly resulting in his death. Thankfully, a compassionate servant intervened, nourishing the infant and guiding his mother back to her maternal responsibilities. After losing his parents at a young age, Peter experienced a challenging childhood; initially taken in by an elder brother who mistreated him and made him tend to swine. However, his fortunes changed when another brother, an archpriest in Ravenna, took him under his care, providing Peter with an education and eventually leading him to become a professor.

Peter Damian was known for his ascetic practices from early on, including wearing a hair shirt, fasting extensively, and dedicating long hours to prayer. His deep spiritual dedication led him to join the Benedictines under the reformative vision of St. Romuald at Fonte Avellana, where monks lived in pairs within hermitages. Peter’s zeal for prayer was so intense that it resulted in significant insomnia, teaching him the importance of self-care alongside his spiritual commitments. Beyond prayer, he immersed himself in Biblical studies.

When the abbot of Fonte Avellana passed away, Peter was appointed his successor, going on to establish five additional hermitages. He fostered a contemplative life among his fellow monks, valuing solitude and prayer above all. Despite his preference for a reclusive life, the Church frequently sought his diplomatic skills for resolving conflicts within its ranks or with secular authorities.

His reputation for integrity and zeal caught the attention of Pope Stephen IX, who appointed him as the cardinal-bishop of Ostia. In this role, Peter Damian fought against the corrupt practice of simony, advocated for clerical celibacy, and encouraged communal life and regular religious observance among clergy. He championed a return to the austere discipline of the early Church, critiquing any laxity in religious practice, even addressing minor infractions such as sitting during the singing of psalms.

Peter Damian was a prolific writer, leaving behind a significant corpus including 170 letters, 53 sermons, and several biographies that preferred narrative over theoretical exposition. His contributions to liturgical writing also showcased his mastery of Latin.

Despite his influential position, Peter often requested to return to monastic life, a wish that was eventually granted by Pope Alexander II. Yet, even in retirement, he continued to serve the Church as a papal legate. On a return journey from such a mission in Ravenna, he succumbed to a fever and passed away on February 22, 1072, surrounded by monks reciting the Divine Office. In 1828, he was declared a Doctor of the Church.

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I have found in my marriage that there are seasons: sweet times, such as vacations together, quiet talks, or laughing with the kids, and difficult times, including arguments, illness, financial distress, and prolonged physical distance. There are times when we feel very close and really sense that “the two become one” and other times when we feel distant, as if we don’t even know who the other is.

As spouses, we are called to give ourselves to each other in each situation, but the way we give of ourselves changes from one time to another. It is easy to give and receive love when we are physically and emotionally close or when things are going well, but more difficult when we feel distant or disagree about something major. Working through a fragile forgiveness and reconciliation takes a different sort of giving and receiving than having a light-hearted conversation.

Marriage models the relationship God invites us to have with Him. We, the Church, are the bride, and Jesus is the Bridegroom. Jesus has given Himself to us in the Incarnation, while walking among us, and through the cross, and He continues to give Himself to us in the Eucharist and in countless other ways. Though we do not experience Jesus in the same way that His disciples did, who physically walked and talked with Him, Jesus continues to give of Himself for us, His bride. 

Similarly, we humans are called to not only receive Him but to give ourselves back to Him in a reciprocal way, as spouses receive from the other and give themselves in return. This will look different in times of joy and consolation than it does in times of difficulty and dryness. It also looks different for us now than it did during the time that Jesus physically walked the earth. 

Jesus said in today’s reading, “The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast” (Mt 9:15). Just as the cross is a way in which Jesus gives Himself to us, fasting – a sacrifice we make out of love for Him – is a way that we can give ourselves back to Him and unite ourselves with Him. When giving of ourselves is most difficult, when it is sacrificial, is often when it is the most transforming. The gifts that require more of us demonstrate the greatest love and help love to grow the most. 

Let us continue to give of ourselves in various ways, including fasting, until we meet the Bridegroom face-to-face and are united with Him in the heavenly banquet.

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He descubierto que en mi matrimonio hay diferentes épocas: momentos dulces, como vacaciones juntos, charlas tranquilas o risas con los niños, y momentos difíciles, como discusiones, enfermedades, dificultades económicas y una distancia física prolongada. Hay momentos en los que nos sentimos muy unidos y realmente sentimos que “los dos se convierten en uno” y otros en los que nos sentimos distantes, como si ni siquiera nos conocieramos.

Como esposos, estamos llamados a entregarnos el uno al otro en cada situación, pero la forma en que nos entregamos cambia de un momento a otro. Es fácil dar y recibir amor cuando estamos física y emocionalmente unidos o cuando las cosas van bien, pero es más difícil cuando nos sentimos distantes o discrepamos sobre algo importante. Superar un perdón y una reconciliación frágiles requiere una forma de dar y recibir diferente a la de tener una conversación informal.

El matrimonio modela la relación que Dios nos invita a tener con Él. Nosotros, la Iglesia, somos la novia, y Jesús es el Novio. Jesús se entregó a nosotros en la Encarnación, al caminar entre nosotros y a través de la cruz, y continúa entregándose en la Eucaristía y de innumerables otras formas. Aunque no experimentamos a Jesús de la misma manera que sus discípulos, quienes físicamente caminaron y hablaron con él, Jesús continúa entregándose por nosotros, su novia.

De igual manera, los seres humanos estamos llamados no solo a recibirlo, sino a entregarnos a Él de manera recíproca, como los esposos reciben del otro y se entregan a cambio. Esto se verá diferente en tiempos de alegría y consuelo que en tiempos de dificultad y aridez. También se ve diferente para nosotros ahora que durante el tiempo en que Jesús caminó físicamente sobre la tierra.

Jesús dijo en la lectura de hoy: “vendrán días en que les quitarán al esposo, y entonces sí ayunarán” (Mt 9,15). Así como la cruz es una forma en que Jesús se entrega a nosotros, el ayuno —un sacrificio que hacemos por amor a Él— es una forma de devolvernos a Él y unirnos a Él. Cuando entregarnos es más difícil, cuando es un sacrificio, es a menudo cuando resulta más transformador. Los dones que exigen más de nosotros demuestran el mayor amor y ayudan a que el amor crezca al máximo.

Sigamos entregándonos de diversas maneras, incluyendo el ayuno, hasta que nos encontremos cara a cara con el Novio y nos unamos a Él en el banquete celestial.

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Kimberly Andrich writes from the perspective of having a hidden, chronic illness and experiencing a deep, continuous conversion through being yoked to Jesus in the day-to-day trials and joys of life. She is a wife, mother of 5, and daughter of the King. Kimberly also writes for Catholicmom.com and on fallingonhisgrace.substack.com.

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The views and opinions expressed in the Inspiration Daily blog are solely those of the original authors and contributors. These views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of Diocesan, the Diocesan staff, or other contributors to this blog.

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Saint Casimir

Saint Casimir (1458-1484) was a Polish prince known for his piety, chastity, and devotion, becoming a patron saint of Poland and Lithuania posthumously. The post Saint Casimir appeared first on

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Between May 13 and October 13, 1917, in the midst of World War I and national political upheaval following the overthrow of Portugal’s monarchy in 1910, three young shepherds from Aljustrel, a small village near Fatima, approximately 110 miles north of Lisbon, witnessed a series of extraordinary events. They reported apparitions of the Virgin Mary at Cova da Iria, who entrusted them with messages of peace and prayer during a time of great global and local strife.

At their first encounter, the Virgin Mary implored the children to return to the same location on the 13th of each subsequent month for half a year. She emphasized the importance of prayer, specifically the rosary, as a means to bring about world peace and to end the ongoing war. Additionally, she stressed the need for the children to learn to read and write and called for prayers for the conversion of sinners and Russia, which was on the brink of a communist revolution following the recent dethronement of Czar Nicholas II.

The final apparition on October 13, 1917, drew a crowd of up to 90,000 spectators, underscoring the profound impact of the events at Fatima.

Tragically, within two years following these apparitions, Francisco succumbed to influenza at his family home. Initially laid to rest in the local parish cemetery, his remains were later transferred to the Fatima basilica in 1952. His sister Jacinta also fell victim to influenza in Lisbon. Throughout her suffering, she offered her pain for the conversion of sinners, world peace, and the well-being of the Holy Father, and was re-interred in the Fatima basilica in 1951. Their cousin, Lucia dos Santos, pursued a religious life as a Carmelite nun, living to see the beatification of Jacinta and Francisco in 2000, before passing away five years later.

The shrine of Our Lady of Fatima is visited by up to 20 million people a year.

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God has given us the gift of free will. In the first reading today Moses is explaining, very clearly, the choices the people of Israel have and the outcomes of those choices. Walk with God by obeying His commandments and you will live, have descendants, and land. Turn away from God, and you will “certainly perish.”  Moses asks them to choose life, choose the blessing, love God, hold onto Him and obey Him.  And, for a time, the people do choose God’s way and life is good. And then, they fall away because it is hard to resist the other choices the world offers.

We are just beginning Lent, our opportunity to make choices that will lead us toward God, repentance, purification, and a life of blessing. It may not seem like the small sacrifices we offer up in this season make a difference. But they do. They ask us to be more conscious and disciplined in our faith life. These small mortifications can be the way we pick up our cross and follow Jesus.

What are our Lenten crosses? Maybe we decided not to put cream or sugar in our coffee or tea. Maybe we stop snacking between meals or get up 15 minutes early to pray. Maybe we read Scripture before we watch TV or pray the rosary with our family. There are so many possible Lenten penances that we can take up, so many choices. 

Then there are the crosses we are asked to take up: caring for our elderly parents, spouse, or friend in need. Do we feel they have been thrust on us without our agreement, but are still our responsibility? Even those crosses are choices we make as we decide how to handle them. 

The one thing we can always choose is our attitude in any given circumstance. In the book, Man’s Search for Meaning, Viktor E. Frankl says, “Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.”

As we begin Lent with our various penances and crosses, both those we have chosen and those we have been given, let’s think about the attitude we have toward these penances and crosses. Let our will, enriched by God’s grace, lead us closer and closer to Jesus and His suffering. If we can model our attitude after that of Jesus, who suffered and died for us, our Lent will be less about our suffering and more about offering our suffering up for others.

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Dios nos ha dado el don del libre albedrío. En la primera lectura de hoy, Moisés explica con mucha claridad las opciones que tiene el pueblo de Israel y las consecuencias de esas decisiones. Camina con Dios obedeciendo sus mandamientos y vivirás, tendrás descendencia y tierra. Aléjate de Dios y “perecerás sin remedio”. Moisés les pide que elijan la vida, elijan la bendición, amen a Dios, se aferren a Él y le obedezcan. Y, por un tiempo, el pueblo elige el camino de Dios y la vida es buena. Pero luego, se alejan porque es difícil resistir las otras opciones que ofrece el mundo.

Apenas estamos comenzando la Cuaresma, la cual nos da la oportunidad de tomar decisiones que nos llevarán hacia Dios, el arrepentimiento, la purificación y una vida de bendición. Puede parecer que los pequeños sacrificios que ofrecemos en este tiempo no hagan ninguna diferencia. Pero no es cierto. Nos piden ser más conscientes y disciplinados en nuestra vida de fe. Estas pequeñas mortificaciones pueden ser la manera de tomar nuestra cruz y seguir a Jesús.

¿Cuáles son nuestras cruces de Cuaresma? Quizás decidimos no ponerle crema ni azúcar al café o al té. Quizás dejamos de merendar entre comidas o nos levantamos 15 minutos antes para rezar. Quizás leemos las Escrituras antes de ver la televisión o rezamos el rosario en familia. Hay tantas penitencias cuaresmales que podemos adoptar, tantas opciones.

Luego vienen las cruces que no hemos elegido pero se nos pide tomar: cuidar de nuestros padres ancianos, de nuestro esposo o de un amigo necesitado. ¿Sentimos que nos las han impuesto sin nuestro consentimiento, pero que siguen siendo nuestra responsabilidad? Incluso esas cruces son decisiones que tomamos al decidir cómo manejarlas.

Lo único que siempre podemos elegir es nuestra actitud en cualquier circunstancia. En el libro Man’s Search for Meaning (El hombre en busca de sentido), Viktor E. Frankl dice: “Todo se le puede quitar del hombre, menos una cosa: la última de las libertades humanas: elegir la propia actitud en cualquier circunstancia, elegir su propio camino”. 

Al comenzar la Cuaresma con nuestras diversas penitencias y cruces, tanto las que hemos elegido como las que se nos han dado, reflexionemos sobre nuestra actitud hacia ellas. Dejemos que nuestra voluntad, enriquecida por la gracia de Dios, nos acerque cada vez más a Jesús y a su sufrimiento. Si podemos imitar la actitud de Jesús, quien sufrió y murió por nosotros, nuestra Cuaresma se centrará menos en nuestro sufrimiento y más en ofrecerlo por los demás.

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Deanna G. Bartalini, M.Ed., M.P.A. is a certified spiritual director, retreat leader, speaker, and writer with decades of experience serving the Church. She is the founder of LiveNotLukewarm.com, works on the retreat team at Our Lady of Florida Passionist Spiritual Center, and is an Unbound prayer minister.  She has served as a religious education director, youth minister, liturgical coordinator, and stewardship director. She writes for SpiritualDirection.com, CatholicMom.com, new.diocesan.com/, and Women in the New Evangelization (WINE). Deanna is the author of The Stay Connected Journals for Catholic Women, Invite the Holy Spirit into your Life, and has contributed to the Catholic Mom’s Prayer Companion, as well as Digital Ministry and Leadership in Today’s Church.

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The views and opinions expressed in the Inspiration Daily blog are solely those of the original authors and contributors. These views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of Diocesan, the Diocesan staff, or other contributors to this blog.

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Saint Casimir

Saint Casimir

Saint Casimir (1458-1484) was a Polish prince known for his piety, chastity, and devotion, becoming a patron saint of Poland and Lithuania posthumously. The post Saint Casimir appeared first on

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Saint Conrad of Piacenza, born in 1290 into a noble family in northern Italy, led a life that transformed from nobility to deep spiritual devotion. In his youth, Conrad was married to Euphrosyne, a noblewoman. Their lives took a dramatic turn following an incident during a hunting trip when Conrad, in an attempt to drive out game, inadvertently caused a massive fire that spread to neighboring fields and a vast forest. As an innocent peasant faced punishment for the disaster, Conrad stepped forward, confessing his responsibility. This act not only saved the peasant from an unjust death but also led Conrad to compensate for the damages incurred.

This event marked a pivotal moment for Conrad and Euphrosyne, leading them to make a life-altering decision. They chose to part ways in pursuit of religious lives; Euphrosyne entered a Poor Clare monastery, while Conrad joined a hermit community adhering to the Third Order Rule. Conrad’s commitment to a life of prayer and penance soon earned him a reputation for holiness. However, the influx of visitors seeking his guidance disrupted his quest for solitude, prompting him to relocate to a secluded area in Sicily. There, he spent 36 years in hermitage, dedicating his life to prayer and penance as means to combat temptation.

Conrad’s earthly journey concluded in a profound state of devotion, as he passed away kneeling before a crucifix. Recognized for his holiness and miraculous intercessions, Conrad was canonized in 1625.

Photo credit: Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons

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Today we begin the great season of Lent. It always seems to arrive so quickly after Christmas and this year is no exception. The tree and decorations have been put away and all the parties have come and gone. We may feel like our homes and our souls are a bit barren. And indeed they are. 

Lent is a time for simplification, for focusing on the essential, for cleaning our interior homes, so to speak. It is a time of introspection, of growth, of healing, of preparation. Many parishes host Exodus 90 groups for men and Fiat 90 groups for women during this time. They invite us to make sacrifices, to cast off what comforts us for a time, to increase our participation in prayer and the sacraments. 

Lent is a time to focus on the essential, to hone in on what is most important in our lives. So, what is most important to you? I would love to say I have my priorities straight and have God first, family second and job third, but is that reflected in how I spend my time and energy? Am I first and foremost a woman of prayer and a missionary disciple? Do I take after our Blessed Mother in my own mothering and in my own marriage? Do I shine the light of Christ in my workplace and give my all during work hours? 

Sadly, I often fail miserably. But Lent is a wonderful opportunity to begin again, to start afresh, to make a sincerely profound examination of conscience and choose to choose love, over and over again. Let us be encouraged by today’s readings to “go to your inner room” to “pray to your Father in secret” (see Gospel) and thus “return to [God] with your whole heart” (see first reading).

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Hoy comenzamos la gran temporada de Cuaresma. Siempre parece llegar tan rápido después de la Navidad, y este año no es la excepción. El árbol y las decoraciones ya se han guardado y todas las fiestas han pasado. Quizás sintamos que nuestros hogares y nuestras almas están un poco vacíos. Y de hecho lo están.

La Cuaresma es un tiempo para simplificar, para centrarnos en lo esencial, para limpiar nuestro interior, por así decirlo. Es un tiempo de introspección, de crecimiento, de sanación, de preparación. Muchas parroquias organizan grupos de Éxodo 90 para hombres y Fiat 90 para mujeres durante este tiempo. Nos invitan a hacer sacrificios, a dejar de lado lo que nos consuela por un tiempo, a aumentar nuestra participación en la oración y los sacramentos.

La Cuaresma es un tiempo para centrarnos en lo esencial, para enfocarnos en lo más importante de nuestras vidas. Entonces, ¿qué es lo más importante para ti? A mí me encantaría decir que tengo mis prioridades claras y que Dios viene primero, la familia segundo y el trabajo tercero, pero ¿se refleja eso en cómo invierto mi tiempo y mi energía? ¿Soy, ante todo, una mujer de oración y una discípula misionera? ¿Me asemejo a nuestra Santísima Madre en mi maternidad y en mi matrimonio? ¿Brillo con la luz de Cristo en mi trabajo y me entrego por completo durante las horas de trabajo?

Lamentablemente, a menudo fracaso horriblemente. Pero la Cuaresma es una oportunidad maravillosa para empezar de nuevo, para empezar de cero, para hacer un profundo y sincero examen de conciencia y escoger elegir el amor, una y otra vez. Dejémonos animar por las lecturas de hoy a “entra en tu cuarto, cierra la puerta y ora ante tu Padre, que está allí en lo secreto” (ver el Evangelio) y así volver a Dios con todo el corazón (ver primera lectura).

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Tami Urcia is a midwestern gal from a large Catholic family. As a young adult she was a missionary in Mexico, where she studied theology and philosophy. After returning stateside bilingual, she gained a variety of work experience, traveled extensively and finished her Bachelor’s Degree at Brescia University. She loves organizing and simplifying things, watching her children play sports, deep conversations with close family and friends and finding unique ways to brighten others’ day with Christ’s love. She works full time at Diocesan in the Software Department and manages the Inspiration Daily reflections. She is also a contributing writer on CatholicMom.com and BlessedIsShe.net.

Feature Image Credit: Thays Orrico, unsplash.com/photos/a-person-in-a-purple-robe-holding-a-cup-JoCCv4jcoYo

The views and opinions expressed in the Inspiration Daily blog are solely those of the original authors and contributors. These views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of Diocesan, the Diocesan staff, or other contributors to this blog.

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Saint Casimir

Saint Casimir

Saint Casimir (1458-1484) was a Polish prince known for his piety, chastity, and devotion, becoming a patron saint of Poland and Lithuania posthumously. The post Saint Casimir appeared first on

More >

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The Word Among Us

Regnum Christi

One Bread, One Body

Evangeli

Living Faith

Saint Simeon, a figure deeply rooted in Christian tradition, was the offspring of Cleophas—also known as Alpheus—who had several notable sons. Among them were Saint James the Lesser, the pioneering bishop of Jerusalem; Saint Jude the Apostle; and Joseph. Alpheus and Saint Joseph were brothers, positioning Saint Simeon as Saint Joseph’s nephew and a cousin of Jesus Christ himself.

It is widely believed that Saint Simeon was an early disciple of Jesus, with tradition pinpointing his family’s origins to Nazareth. His reception of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost, alongside the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Apostles, underscores his integral role in the early Christian community. His commitment to his faith became especially evident when he openly criticized the Jews for their brutal execution of Saint James the Lesser. Following the martyrdom of James in 62 A.D.—29 years post-Resurrection—a gathering of Apostles and disciples in Jerusalem selected Saint Simeon as his successor, acknowledging his contributions to the church’s leadership.

The narrative of Saint Simeon took a dramatic turn between 66 and 67 A.D., a period marked by the martyrdom of Saints Peter and Paul in Rome and escalating tensions between Jews and Romans in Judea. Forewarned by divine insight about Jerusalem’s forthcoming devastation, Saint Simeon led the Christian exodus to Pella, across the Jordan, prior to the Roman assault led by Vespasian, who would later become Emperor. After Jerusalem’s destruction, he guided the community back to the city’s remnants, where they resettled and witnessed the church’s resurgence.

Under the reigns of Emperors Vespasian and Domitian, a directive was issued to eliminate all descendants of David, yet Saint Simeon initially evaded capture. It wasn’t until Emperor Trajan reinstated this decree that he faced accusation by heretics and Jews, leading to his arrest for his lineage and Christian beliefs.

Saint Simeon’s final days were marked by martyrdom through crucifixion in 107 A.D., after enduring days of torture with remarkable patience, at the age of one hundred and twenty. His prolonged suffering, endured with incredible fortitude, garnered widespread respect. His leadership over the Jerusalem church spanned approximately forty-three years, a tenure distinguished by spiritual guidance and resilience amid persecution.

Photo credit: Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons

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The Word Among Us

Regnum Christi

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