Melanie Rigney's Blog, page 82

Wednesday’s Woman: St. Rosalia

The Basics:Born about 1130 in Italy; died about 1160 in Italy; canonization date unclear; feast day, September 4. Hermit.

The Story: Rosalia, as with so many of the women saints of times past, rejected an arranged marriage by her parents, members of the noble class. But while she may have lived briefly in a convent, young Rosalia chose the life of a hermit from the age of thirteen or so onward. It is believed she lived in a cave not far from Palermo for a time, went home for a bit, and then f...

On the Nightstand: September 2015

A dear friend and I met when I was on a team for some sessions to help people discerning a return to Catholicism. Since that time, she’s married in the Church, and she and her husband have a beautiful baby girl. She once told me that one of the key motivators for her return was when after the sessions, a bunch of us would go across the street from the parish for a beer or two at an Irish pub. She said it showed her Catholics could have fun.

That’s a little background on why I think Sara Vabul...

Being Christ in Our Lives: Meg Miller Rydzewski

Sometimes, the Lord nudges us way out of our comfort zone. That’s what happened to Meg Miller Rydzewski. She spent time on Wall Street before becoming a mom to her two children, and, after staying at home for several years, was preparing to goback to work. But instead of going back to the world of investments, she heard the call to open a Catholic shop here in Arlington, Virginia. After praying and doing her homework, Meg pushed ahead with the help of family and friends. Joyful Spirit Gifts...

Building One Another Up

Note: On Tuesdays and some Sundays, you can find me atYour Daily Tripod, owned by my friend TonyD. A longer version of the post below appears there.

I needed to make a change. The situation had provided joy and support off and on for years, but the time had come to change. And, as you know, change, even for the right reasons, is difficult. I prayed on it. I discussed it in vague terms with a close friend. But I dallied, looking for a sign, halfway hoping it wouldn’t come.

Then in the early sp...

Returning Catholics FAQs: The Mechanics of Confession

On Mondays, I answer questions frequently asked by those considering a return to the Catholic Church. How do I know this stuff? I was away for more than 30 years myself, and am the co-author of When They Come Home: Ways to Welcome Returning Catholics , a book for pastors and parish leaders interested in this ministry.

What do I need to do at confession?

Before you arrive, examine your conscience. Start with the Ten Commandments, in particular the two greatest commandments. Where have you failed...

Wednesday’s Woman: St. Maria Micaela of the Blessed Sacrament

The Basics:Born January 1, 1809, in Spain; died August 25, 1865, in Spain; canonized March 4, 1934, by Pope Pius XI; feast day, August 25. Woman religious, teacher, social worker.

The Story: Maria Micaela Desmaisieres, or Madre Sacramento as she would come to be known, had a rich and textured life. Born into a noble Spanish family, her parents both died by her teen years, and she spent time with her brother, a Spanish diplomat whose posts included Paris and Brussels. When she was in her thirt...

Confession: Just Do It

Note: On Tuesdays and some Sundays, you can find me at Your Daily Tripod , owned by my friend TonyD. A longer version of the post below appears there.

Warning: Call to go to confession ahead.

Yeah, I know. It can be scary to tell all your deepest, darkest sins to a priest who also happens to be a friend. What if he lets something slip to someone else? Or, conversely, what if you confess to a priest who doesn’t know you from Adam, who won’t understand that you’ve made so much progress already? W...

Returning Catholics FAQs: The Sign of the Cross

On Mondays, I answer questions frequently asked by those considering a return to the Catholic Church. How do I know this stuff? I was away for more than 30 years myself, and am the co-author of When They Come Home: Ways to Welcome Returning Catholics , a book for pastors and parish leaders interested in this ministry.

What’s the significance of making the Sign of the Cross, and why do we do it all the time?

Catholics cross ourselves before and after we pray (for example, when we say grace at me...

Showing Compassion

An occasional series based on stuff that hangs in my room… or my heart.

Empathy comes easily to me. Always has. You pick a situation, happy or sad, good or bad, and if I can picture myself in it, I’m there with you. It’s not that if one of your parents dies, I’m going to tell you right then the stories of when mine did, or that if you get a promotion at work, I’m going to talk about the best time it happened. But I empathize. I can even relate to feelings I’ve never had, like a new baby or wi...

Wednesday’s Woman: St. Rose of Lima

The Basics:Born April 20, 1586, in Peru; died August 24, 1617, in Peru; canonized April 12, 1671, by Pope Clement X; feast day, August 23. Mystic.

The Story: Rose, the first person born in the Western Hemisphere to be canonized, let nothing get between her and the Lord. When she was young and people commented on her beauty, she chose to put peppers on her face and lye on her hands, and cut off her hair. Rose spent much of her time in a small shack on her family’s property and offered up penan...