In today’s episode, Sr. Allison Regina and Sr. Julie Benedicta are joined by Sr. Maria Grace, and talk some of ways and reasons we might use fiction when helping young children begin to learn about the Faith and build a relationship with God.

Video where we talk about these ideas and Tolkien’s lecture “On Fairy Stories”  

C.S. Lewis quote: “I thought I saw how stories of this kind could steal past a certain inhibition which had paralyzed so much of my own religion in childhood. Why did one find it so hard to feel as one was told one ought to feel about God or about the sufferings of Christ? I thought the chief reason was that one was told one ought to. An obligation to feel can freeze feelings. And reverence itself did harm. The whole subject was associated with lowered voices, almost as if it were something medical. But supposing that by casting all these things into an imaginary world, stripping them of their stained-glass and Sunday school associations, one could make them for the first time appear in their real potency? Could one not thus steal past those watchful dragons? I thought one could.... The inhibitions which I hoped my stories would overcome in a child’s mind may exist in a grown-up’s mind too, and may perhaps be overcome by the same means. The fantastic or mythical is a mode available at all ages for some readers; for others, at none. At all ages, if it is well used by the author and meets the right reader, it has the same power: to generalize while remaining concrete, to present in palpable form not concepts or even experiences but whole classes of experience, and to throw off irrelevancies. But at its best, it can do more; it can give us experiences we have never had and thus instead of ‘commenting on life’ can add to it.”

“Sometimes Fairy Stories May Say Best What’s to Be Said,” Of Other Worlds (as quoted in On Writing (& Writers), pages 29-32)

G.K. Chesterton Quote: “If you keep bogies and goblins away from children they would make them up for themselves. […] Fairy tales, then, are not responsible for producing in children fear, or any of the shapes of fear; fairy tales do not give the child the idea of the evil or the ugly; that is in the child already, because it is in the world already. Fairy tales do not give the child his first idea of bogey. What fairy tales give the child is his first clear idea of the possible defeat of bogey. The baby has known the dragon intimately ever since he had an imagination. What the fairy tale provides for him is a St. George to kill the dragon.[…] Exactly what the fairy tale does is this: it accustoms him for a series of clear pictures to the idea that these limitless terrors had a limit, that these shapeless enemies have enemies in the knights of God, that there is something in the universe more mystical than darkness, and stronger than strong fear.” Tremendous Trifles, 1909

1.    Check out Sr. Maria Grace’s series, The Gospel Time Trekkers, and her other books here: https://paulinestore.com/books/featured-authors/sr-maria-grace-dateno.html

2.    Visit Sr. Allison Regina’s page on our website and learn more about her books for kids and teens: https://pauline.org/staff/sr-allison-regina-gliot/

3.    You can find the Sister Seraphina Mysteries books by Haley Stewart here: https://paulinestore.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=seraphina

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The Daughters of St. Paul, also known as “The Media Nuns,” are missionaries sent forth in the spirit of Saint Paul the Apostle, called to proclaim the Gospel to the world through the most effective means of communication. Pauline Books and Media is a mission of the Daughters of St. Paul that publishes Catholic books for the whole family. To learn more, visit https://pauline.org/

In today’s episode, Sr. Orianne Pietra René and Sr. Julie Benedicta are joined by Sr. Allison Regina, and talk some of the fictional stories they’ve encountered that helped them to know the Lord in a new or deeper way. Then they remembered that Sr. Allison Regina has written fiction with God in it, so they put her on the spot and asked her about that experience.  

1.    Check out our Nuns React video about Moana: https://youtu.be/ZtK7EMbdF_0

2.    Visit Sr. Allison Regina’s page on our website and learn more about her books for kids and teens: https://pauline.org/staff/sr-allison-regina-gliot/

A Storyteller’s Prayer

Loving Creator God, you have made me in your image and have given me a share in your own creative power. You have given me the awesome call to listen deeply and to gently hold and nurture the fragile breath of inspiration.

Allow a new understanding of truth and beauty to come into being in me. Work in me as I decisively shape and mold intuition into words and stories.

Teach me how to nurture this gift of creativity, and to believe that you want to work through me. Slow me down so that I can listen attentively. I trust that you will inspire me, guide me, lead me.

Jesus, Master Storyteller, you who are the very Incarnation of the Father’s being, help me to image the mystery of God and of the human person in what I write. You used the power of image, story, and proverb to communicate the freshness of your message. May my storytelling—whether spoken, written, or visual—open the human soul to the sense of the eternal. Let everything I write celebrate the wonder and sacredness of human life, uplifting those who will hear, read, or see what I write.

Holy Spirit, illumine me from within; give me new vision; fill my heart with your freedom and my decisions with your energy. Stir up my creative intuition and give me the courage to write honestly and deeply, past all fear.

Make of me a prophet, speaking your truth with freshness and relevance. May everything I write contain a glimmer of your beauty.

Make of my stories and, above all, the story of my life, masterpieces that reflect your glory. Amen.

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Thank you to our supporters on Patreon who make this podcast possible!

Support us and find out more: http://connect.pauline.org/Patreon

The Daughters of St. Paul, also known as “The Media Nuns,” are missionaries sent forth in the spirit of Saint Paul the Apostle, called to proclaim the Gospel to the world through the most effective means of communication. Pauline Books and Media is a mission of the Daughters of St. Paul that publishes Catholic books for the whole family. To learn more, visit https://pauline.org/

In today’s episode, Sr. Orianne Pietra René and Sr. Julie Benedicta are joined by Sr. Allison Regina to talk about using fictional stories in evangelization and catechesis, and as a way of building our faith. They also talk about storytelling as a form of creation that happens in imitation of God, our Father and Creator.

1.    Story Nathan tells to David: 2 Samuel 12:1–10

2.    From Flannery O’Connor’s Mystery and Manners:

The beginning of human knowledge is through the senses, and the fiction writer begins where human perception begins. He appeals through the senses, and you cannot appeal to the senses with abstractions. It is a good deal easier for most people to state an abstract idea than to describe and thus re-create some object that they actually see. But the world of the fiction writer is full of matter, and this is what the beginning fiction writers are very loath to create. They are concerned primarily with unfleshed ideas and emotions. They are apt to be reformers and to want to write because they are possessed not by a story but by the bare bones of some abstract notion. They are conscious of problems, not of people, of questions and issues, not of the texture of existence, of case histories and of everything that has a sociological smack, instead of with all those concrete details of life that make actual the mystery of our position on earth.

The Manicheans separated spirit and matter. To them all material things were evil. They sought pure spirit and tried to approach the infinite directly without any mediation of matter. This is also pretty much the modern spirit, and for the sensibility infected with it, fiction is hard if not impossible to write because fiction is so very much an incarnational art.

One of the most common and saddest spectacles is that of a person of really fine sensibility and acute psychological perception trying to write fiction by using these qualities alone. This type of writer will put down one intensely emotional or keenly perceptive sentence after the other, and the result will be complete dullness. The fact is that the materials of the fiction writer are the humblest. Fiction is about everything human and we are made out of dust, and if you scorn getting yourself dusty, then you shouldn’t try to write fiction. It’s not a grand enough job for you.

Now when the fiction writer finally gets this idea through his head and into his habits, he begins to realize what a job of heavy labor the writing of fiction is. A lady who writes, and whom I admire very much, wrote me that she had learned from Flaubert that it takes at least three activated sensuous strokes to make an object real; and she believes that this is connected with our having five senses. If you’re deprived of any of them, you’re in a bad way, but if you’re deprived of more than two at once, you almost aren’t present.

O’Connor, Flannery, Robert Fitzgerald, and Sally Fitzgerald. Mystery and Manners. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 1993.

Call to action:

1.    Consider, what is a fictional story that has touched you? Can you pray about that?

2.    Prayer for all the Media, by Bl. James Alberione:

We adore you, O Lord, Creator of heaven and earth. We thank you for having placed at the disposition of humanity such a wealth of goods for the present life and eternal life. “All these are yours; but you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God” (see 1 Cor 3:23).

O Jesus, Divine Master, in your mercy enlighten and direct us so that all the discoveries and means of social communication may be used for edifying and uplifting, never for spiritual or human ruin.

Today we pray for all the media. We offer you, Jesus Master, our prayers and our daily apostolate to atone for the misuse of these gifts and to ask of you that everything may be for the glory of God and peace to humanity. Amen.

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Shop Catholic Books: https://paulinestore.com/

Thank you for listening. Leave us a rating and review on your favorite platform so that others can discover and listen to us too!

Thank you to our supporters on Patreon who make this podcast possible!

Support us and find out more: connect.pauline.org/Patreon

The Daughters of St. Paul, also known as “The Media Nuns,” are missionaries sent forth in the spirit of Saint Paul the Apostle, called to proclaim the Gospel to the world through the most effective means of communication. Pauline Books and Media is a mission of the Daughters of St. Paul that publishes Catholic books for the whole family. To learn more, visit https://pauline.org/

After a long (long) time away, we're back and ready to go with several bonus episodes and a whole season coming down the road! In this super informal episode, we just take a minute to explain what happened, and give a preview of what's coming.

Spoiler: Sr. Benedicta made her final vows! Here's an image she drew while she was praying and preparing for perpetual profession. The explanation of the art is below.

God bless you all, and we'll talk again soon!

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Hearts of Jesus, Mary, and Paul by Sr. Julie Marie Benedicta

Together with the traditional images of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, center, and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, right, there is an illustration of the Heart of St. Paul.

St. John Chrysostom, commenting on Paul’s desire to perfectly imitate Jesus, wrote, “the heart of Paul is the heart of Christ.”

This imagining of the heart of St. Paul incorporates the thorn in his flesh (2 Cor 12:7),

his having been spiritually crucified with Christ (Gal 2:19),

the chains he wore for the sake of the Gospel (Acts 28:20),

and the fire of love which inflamed his heart (2 Cor 5:14).

The words in Latin are all words of Jesus:

Sufficit tibi gratia mea: My grace is sufficient for you (2 Cor 12:9)

Ecce mater tua: Behold, your mother (John 19:27)

Venite ad me omnes: Come to me, all of you (Matt 11:28)

Ego sum via et veritas et vita: I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6)

Symbols of the Holy Spirit, the Eucharist, and the means of communication surround the image of the hearts.

In today’s episode, Sr. Allison Regina and Sr. Julie Benedicta are joined by Fr. Cassidy Stinson to share their reflections on living as media apostles in the world.

“A priest pours water on the head of a child while saying mysterious words; the minister of God extends his consecrated hand over the repentant sinner and says: “I absolve you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” But underneath these things, underneath these causes, true prodigies are performed. St. Thomas does not hesitate to say that the justification of a single sinner is a greater work than the creation of the world.” – Archbishop Luis Martinez, The Sanctifier Chapter 8

Fr. Cassidy’s Social Media: Twitter | Instagram

Find out more about the Media Apostle Retreat:

Are you a Catholic actor, producer, writer, author, journalist, musical artist, designer, or digital evangelist? 

We are calling all media pros to join the Daughters of St. Paul on an exclusive retreat created just for you to be fortified in Christ and immersed in the Pauline media spirituality- a weekend to retreat and strengthen you in your craft.

It is a time for you to join like-minded media apostles to pray, retreat and dream into your calling!

Join the Daughters of Saint Paul at the upcoming East Coast Media Apostle Retreat for the West Coast Media Apostle Retreat on January 3 to 5 in Malibu, CA.

Register now: https://connect.pauline.org/MediaApostle 

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Season 5 Concluding Prayer

A standalone episode for those who would like to simply pray the Chaplet to the Holy Spirit.

Holy Spirit Chaplet: For Printing | For Mobile

This season was brought to you by The Sanctifier, by Archbishop Luis Martinez.

You don’t need to have the book to follow along, but if you’d like to get a copy, you can find it here:

  Paperback: PaulineStore.com | Amazon

  eBook: Kindle | Kobo

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Twitter: @DaughterStPaul and @PBMPublishing

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Season 5 Episode 17: Season Wrap-Up and some Eschatological Musings

In today’s episode, Sr. Orianne Pietra René and Sr. Julie Benedicta wrap up the season and talk about some of our favorite points from the book, and then launch into a long reflection on how great Heaven is going to be!

Thanks for joining us this season! We’ll catch up with you again in a few months!

“As the Holy Spirit gives himself to us forever and desires that his action, as far as possible, be constant in our souls, our correspondence, our devotion, must be a total, definitive, and perpetual surrender, a true consecration.” – Archbishop Martinez, The Sanctifier, Ch 19

“Consequently, the cross, the supreme symbol of love and pain, is the consummation of devotion to the Holy Spirit and therefore of Christian life and perfection.” – Archbishop Martinez, The Sanctifier, Ch 19

You don’t need to have the book to follow along, but if you’d like to get a copy, you can find it here:

  Paperback: PaulineStore.com | Amazon

  eBook: Kindle | Kobo

Sr. Orianne’s article on Shadow and Bone for the Pauline Center for Media Studies

Call to action:

1.    Spend some time reflecting with the question: Can I let God catch me off guard and surprise me? Do I want to let him change me?

2.    What was your favorite theme from this season? Consider spending some time in adoration or other prayer space in a conversation with God about that topic.

Holy Spirit Chaplet: For Printing | For Mobile

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In today’s episode, Sr. Orianne Pietra René and Sr. Julie Benedicta are joined by Sr. Bethany for a conversation about how we hear the Holy Spirit in our daily lives and how to come to trust that it’s really God that we’re hearing. They also spend some time appreciating St. Paul and his willingness to listen to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. 

1.    Personal Prayer: A Guide for Receiving the Father’s Love by Fr. Thomas Acklin and Fr. Boniface Hicks Amazon | Publisher

2.    Books on discernment from Fr. Timothy Gallagher

3.    The story of Eutychus (the “window kid”) Acts 20:7–12

Call to action:

1.    If they aren’t already, make Scripture and the sacraments a regular part of your life. Make sure that you are familiar with God’s word.

2.    During your regular prayer time, make sure you are checking in with the Holy Spirit and asking where he is leading.

3.    Spend some time looking back and try to identify one time when the Lord worked through you. What were the circumstances? What might be a way the Holy Spirit likes to get my attention?

4.    When was the last time I went to confession? Is it time to go again?

Holy Spirit Chaplet: For Printing | For Mobile

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Season 5 Episode 15: Glorifying God in Our Offering

In today’s episode, Sr. Orianne Pietra René and Sr. Julie Benedicta discuss chapters 17 & 18 of The Sanctifier, which explores the mystery of the Cross, the offerings we are able to give to God, and how to handle sufferings (big and little) in the spiritual life.

“A true devotion to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit leads to one end, the cross: the true and supreme glorification of the Father, the highest expression of love on earth, the central point of the will of God.” The Sanctifier, Ch 17

“Perhaps in heaven we shall see that glorification and love are the same: that only love glorifies God, and that in glorification alone does love find its rest and its peace. On earth we do not see this. […] The cross, the supreme glorification of God, is also the supreme expression of love. Love is surrender; it is giving. It is the sweet communication of our whole being with that of the Beloved.” The Sanctifier, Ch 17

Each priest, each soul, must carry within himself that intimate reflection of the cross, that echo of Calvary. Each priest, each soul, must answer the sacrifice of Jesus with his own. The solemn and glorious martyrdom of blood is not the only one; there are personal martyrdoms, meritorious and cruel, unseen by man but seen by God. Each virtue can have its own martyrs. Charity, queen of them all, has many very great ones.The Sanctifier, Ch 18

You don’t need to have the book to follow along, but if you’d like to get a copy, you can find it here:

  Paperback: PaulineStore.com | Amazon

  eBook: Kindle | Kobo

1.     1 Corinthians 2:1-5: Resolved to know nothing among you

2.    Galatians 1:3: Who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified?

3.    Personal Prayer: A Guide for Receiving the Father’s Love by Fr. Thomas Acklin and Fr. Boniface Hicks Amazon | Publisher

4.    Abandonment to Divine Providence (New translation!) PaulineStore.com | Amazon

Call to action:

1.    Reflect with the idea that what I can’t possibly imagine now to be good in my life will be exactly what I need in order to grow in my relationship with God.

2.    Begin with the next little thing. What might be the next incremental thing I want to allow the Lord to work on with me? How might Jesus be inviting me to generosity and trust here?

3.    As you begin, see how it becomes easy and light. Because it will, as we allow Jesus to share it.

Holy Spirit Chaplet: For Printing | For Mobile

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In today’s episode, Sr. Orianne Pietra René and Sr. Julie Benedicta are joined by Sr. Emily Beata in a conversation about discernment, the will of God, pitfalls we can fall into, and tips for making a good discernment about big or little things.

Sr. Emily describes discernment as placing ourselves in a space where we can become aware of both internal and external realities so that when we choose, we can choose with God.

“The will of God is his greatest act of love for us.”

– Blessed James Alberione

You don’t need to have the book to follow along, but if you’d like to get a copy, you can find it here:

  Paperback: PaulineStore.com | Amazon

  eBook: Kindle | Kobo

1.    1 Thessalonians 5:16-22: Test everything

2.    Joseph Chiwatenhwa brief biography, and the Prayer text

Excerpt:

It fills me with joy to know you. I can feel the

   presence of your love.

Thank you for letting me give you myself just

   as I am

The more I thank you, the more I find I can give

   myself to you

Help me let go of the things I used to place my

   faith in. All I ask is to be yours.

3.    Judges 6:36–40: Gideon’s fleece

Contact Sr. Emily Beata for vocational inquiries at daughtersofstpaul.com or at [email protected]

Call to action:

1.    Cultivate a daily habit of an examen, asking yourself, “Where was God today, and how did I respond to him?” and inviting the Holy Spirit to help you to see the patterns in your relationship with the Lord.

2.    Throughout your day, ask, “God what are you inviting me to now?” and pray, “Come Holy Spirit,” and then act. 

Holy Spirit Chaplet: For Printing | For Mobile

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Thank you for listening. Leave us a rating and review on your favorite platform so that others can discover and listen to us too!

Thank you to our supporters on Patreon who make this podcast possible!

Support us and find out more: connect.pauline.org/Patreon

The Daughters of Saint Paul