A weekly blog reading from Hannah!! She explores the story of Mary of Bethany and the lessons we can learn from her. It emphasizes the importance of being fully present and recognizing the weight of a moment, as well as the responsibility of noticing and responding to what is happening around us.

To find the original written blog, or to discover other content, head over to the website Catholic Country Chronicles!

Hot off the Catholic Country Chronicles press, author Leah Brix reads her weekly blog post entitled, "Stations of the Cross: a Lenten Treasure."

She humorously tells the story of praying the Stations of the Cross at 36 weeks pregnant, comparing it to an Olympic sport.

But she gets down to business, taking the spiritual benefits of this ancient devotion seriously.

She references a past blog post about her son as a candlebearer during stations which can be found here- "Trouble with Candles."

To find the original written blog, or to discover other heartng content, head over to the Catholic Country Chronicles website.

Join us for a journey into the Lenten desert as Hannah and Abby unpack their experiences this Lent. Is it possible to have a restful Lent? Is the Lord inviting you to receive instead of perform?

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Abby's Blog- Women of the Gospels: The Mother who Packed the Bread and Fish

Psalm 23:1-3

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, He refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.

Matthew 11:28-30

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

James 4:8

Come near to God and he will come near you.

2 Timothy 4:18

The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Hot off the Catholic Country Chronicles press, author Leah Brix reads her weekly blog post, "Women of the Gospels: Mary Magdalene.

Taking some creative liberty with this well-known woman of the bible, Leah gets inside her head, creating a backstory for her.

In this work of fiction, Leah has Mary writing a letter to Jesus on Holy Saturday.  She is still in shock from the horrors she witnessed the day before.

She takes the time to reflect on her story, including her dark past.  Mary Magdalene is referenced as “The woman whom seven demons were cast,” and some of those demons come to life to confront Jesus.

She ends her letter with, “And so, I trust the sun will once again rise in the morning, and before it does, I will come stand by your tomb and wait.

In expectant love,

Mary of Magdala, your devoted disciple.”

To find the original written blog or to discover other heartwarming content, head over to the Catholic Country Chronicles website.

Catholic Country Chronicles author, Abby Thomas, reads her weekly blog post entitled, "Women of the Gospels: The Mother who Packed the Bread and Fish."

While the story of the young boy with the loaves and fish appears in John’s Gospel, this letter told through the lens of his mother, is a work of fiction. Through her words, we see how her son’s simple, childlike faith draws her closer to Christ.

You can find the original post as well as other content on our website catholiccountrychronicles.com.

Catholic Country Chronicles presents another fictional letter from our Lenten Women of the Gospel series. Abby reads Elizabeth and the Womb That Waited , a tender story of perseverance in prayer and trust in God’s perfect timing.

Elizabeth waited most of her life to be gifted with motherhood, a silent yet deep heartache for many women. Through her story, we are reminded that a delay in answered prayer is not a rejection from God.

Where in your life is the Lord inviting you to lean in, trust deeper, and persevere in prayer?

You can find the original blog post as well as other content on our website CatholicCountryChronicles.com.

Hot off the Catholic Country Chronicles press, author Leah Brix reads her weekly blog post, "Women of the Gospels: The Syrophoenician Woman.

Taking some creative liberty with this well-known woman of the bible, Leah gets inside her head, creating a backstory for her.

While much of the story is a work of fiction, it is her sincere hope that the Syrophoencian woman can come alive in a fresh, new way, to inspire modern readers to the beauty in her story.

To find the original written blog, or to discover other heartwarming content, head over to the Catholic Country Chronicles website.

True friendship isn’t accidental, it’s intentional. It’s biblical.

Through the example of the Blessed Virgin Mary and inspired by Leslie Knope, the OG Galentine, Hannah and Abby explore what it means to cultivate friendships that reflect the heart of God on this episode of Catholic Country Chronicles.

Rooted in Scripture and shaped by lived experience, they share practical wisdom for recognizing authentic connection, navigating changing seasons, and becoming the kind of friend who shows up, with honesty, loyalty, and sacrificial love.

Hot off the Catholic Country Chronicles press, author Leah Brix reads her weekly blog post, "The History of Valentine's Day and the Power of the Sacrament of Marriage."

She deep dives into the history of this widely celebrated holiday with a look at the real St. Valentine, strange pagan rituals, and the breeding habits of birds in the Middle Ages.

She then focuses on the actual sacrament, as God had intended, and the graces recieved from living a sacramental marriage, and how that is certainly worth celebrating.

To find the original written blog, or to discover other heartwarming content, head over to the Catholic Country Chronicles website!

Catholic Country Chronicles author Abby Thomas reads her weekly blog post entitled "Christ is My Firm Foundation."

She shares how her daughter’s set of Picasso Tiles led her to contemplate building a spiritual foundation, with Christ as the Master Builder.

To find the original written blog, or to discover other heartwarming content, head over to the Catholic Country Chronicles website!