In this episode of Catholicism for Catholics, Alison Oertle unpacks the Mass, the Divine Liturgy.

What is it? How does one participate fully? And why does it matter?

With so many ways to pray and worship as Catholics (personal prayer, small groups, times of praise) the Church calls the liturgy the primary act of worship. It is more than attending; it is coming together as the Body of Christ, joining with the worldwide Church, and even the angels and saints in heaven, to praise and receive God.

This episode explores:

• The meaning of the word liturgy (“the work of the people”)

• How to participate consciously, actively, and fully

• The Scripture, prayers, and sacraments that guide the Mass

• How the Eucharist connects participants to Christ’s sacrifice and nourishes daily life

• Ways to enter into the heavenly reality that the Mass reveals

The Mass is not just a routine; it is a real encounter with Jesus, a chance to set aside distractions, receive His grace, and leave sent to live as His light in the world.

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In this episode, Jenna and Beth reflect on Lent as a pilgrimage, not a performance. Together they explore what it means to “settle in” with the Lord, to pray like you would meet a friend for coffee, and to allow God to love every part of your story...even the parts you’d rather throw away.

From learning how to be still, to noticing tension in our bodies, to encountering the Father who comes to meet us in the mud, this conversation is an invitation to walk with Jesus right where you are.

If you feel like you don’t know how to pray, if Lent feels confusing, or if you’re discovering that becoming who God made you to be is a lifelong journey, you’re in good company here. Wherever you are on the road, He is already with you.🕊️

Topics in this episode:

• Lent as a pilgrimage of becoming

• Why settling in is part of prayer

• God’s gentleness with our humanity

• The mercy that embraces our whole story

• Learning to receive grace instead of performing

🙏🏽 We’re praying for you this Lent.

In this conversation, Jenna and Beth share a simple, honest look at Lent, not as something to “get right,” but as a season to let Jesus meet us right where we are.

They talk about the quiet privilege of knowing Him, why healing takes time, and how the Lord often invites us into small, gentle changes (like slowing down or learning to be still). If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by Lent, unsure what to give up, or like you’re carrying a lot into prayer… this conversation is for you.

Together they reflect on:

• why forgiveness and healing are both gifts we need

• how self-denial actually leads to freedom and love

• what it means to bring your whole, imperfect heart to Jesus

• the question He asks each of us: “Who do you say that I am?”

• how prayer can be less about doing and more about receiving

Featuring reflections inspired by Debbie Herbeck and her Lent devotional, and encouragement from the heart of the Blessed Is She community.

Whether your Lent feels peaceful, messy, or somewhere in between, you’re welcome here. Come as you are. Jesus isn’t asking for perfection, just your presence.

If you want to journey through Lent with us, learn more here: blessedisshe.net/lent

You’re not alone. 💛

Grab your Blessed is She Lenten devotional.

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Lent can so easily become about checking boxes… giving things up, adding things in, trying harder. But what if this year was less about routine and more about relationship?

In this Weekly Visit, Jenna and Steph will reflect on how to keep Jesus at the center of our Lenten practices, so fasting, prayer, and sacrifice become pathways to intimacy rather than "spiritual busywork." We’ll explore simple ways to stay rooted in love, grace, and presence, especially when motivation fades or life feels full.

Come be reminded that Lent isn’t about perfection - it’s about proximity to the heart of Christ.

Reflection Questions:

1. When I think about Lent, what tends to motivate me most: discipline, obligation, or desire for deeper relationship with Jesus?

2. Where have my spiritual routines become automatic, and how might Jesus be inviting me to re-engage with love and intention?

3. What is one simple way I can intentionally place Jesus at the center of my Lenten prayer or sacrifice this year?

Join us live every Tuesdays at 1pm ET in the BIS Member Community!

Before Lent officially begins, the Church gently invites us to slow down and prepare our hearts. In this Weekly Visit, Jenna and Steph will introduce the often-overlooked season of Septuagesima: a sacred threshold that helps us transition from Ordinary Time into deeper repentance and renewal.

Together, we’ll talk about why preparation matters, how small interior shifts can make a big difference, and how God meets us before we ever “get it right.” If you’ve ever felt rushed into Lent or unsure how to begin well, this conversation is for you.

Reflection Questions:

1. Where do I sense the Lord inviting me to slow down and prepare - not strive - as Lent approaches?

2. What habits, distractions, or expectations might God be gently asking me to loosen my grip on before the season begins?

3. How can I make space this week to listen for God’s voice rather than rushing ahead to “do Lent well”?

Join us LIVE every Tuesdays at 1pm ET for The Weekly Visit in the BIS Member Community!

Are we truly hungry for God?

In Luke 6, Jesus tells us: “Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied.” But what kind of hunger is He talking about?

In this episode of Catholicism for Catholics, Alison Oertle invites us to reflect on our deepest longings and the gift of the Eucharist, where God makes Himself bread to feed His people.

Together, we explore what Scripture says about hunger and thirst for God, from the Psalms to the Prophets, and how those longings are ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ, the Bread of Life.

This teaching walks through:

- Biblical hunger and thirst as signs of desire for God

- Jesus’ Bread of Life discourse in John 6

- Why the Eucharist is not symbolic, but truly Jesus Himself

- The vulnerability of admitting our need for God

- How “false food” can dull our spiritual appetite

- An invitation to be healed, renewed, and made hungry again

If you’ve ever felt spiritually numb, distracted, or unsure of your desire for God, this reflection offers hope, clarity, and a gentle call back to the Lord who alone satisfies.

🙏🏽 “Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.” (Psalm 81:10)

We’re so grateful to be walking with you in faith! Want to learn more? Watch the Catholicism for Catholics series on our YouTube channel. 💜

We weren’t made to walk the Christian life by ourselves. Yet community can feel intimidating, messy, or out of reach. This week, we’ll talk honestly about the vulnerability it takes to be known, the courage it takes to try again after disappointment, and the practical steps that help us find people who share our faith, lift our hearts, and point us to Christ. Real community is possible, not because it’s perfect, but because Jesus is in it.

Reflection Questions:

1. Do I truly let others into my life, or do I carry everything quietly?

2. What fears hold me back from deeper friendship and community?

3. Who is one person I can reach out to this week to take a step toward connection?

Join us LIVE on Tuesdays at 1pm ET in the Member Community for The Weekly Visit!

Join us for a special Author Live conversation with Debra Herbeck, author of our Lent 2026 devotional, Who Do You Say That I Am?

Debra shares the heart behind the book, her own journey of faith, and the invitation Jesus extends to each of us this Lent: to encounter Him not as an idea, but as a living Person who desires to reveal Himself to us.

We’ll talk about prayer, Scripture, and how walking intentionally through Lent can deepen our relationship with Christ, right where we are.

This conversation is an invitation to slow down, listen, and prepare your heart to journey with Jesus toward Easter.

🕯️Hosted by Blessed is She

📖 Featuring Who Do You Say That I Am? by Debra Herbeck

🙏 Perfect for personal prayer or group reflection this Lent

Life doesn’t stay the same… and thank God for that! The spiritual life isn’t about resisting change, but learning to abide in Christ through it. This week, we’ll talk about embracing the rhythms of life and faith as they unfold across the year. Whether it’s transitions we choose or ones we didn’t see coming, we’ll reflect on how to stay rooted in Jesus, adapt with peace, and recognize the fruit that each season is meant to grow in us. Change isn’t the enemy of holiness - often, it’s the invitation.

Reflection Questions:

1. Which season of life feels hardest for me to accept right now?

2. What helps me stay anchored in Jesus when everything else shifts?

3. What good might God be drawing out of a change I didn’t want?

Join us live on Tuesdays at 1pm ET for The Weekly Visit!

Sometimes all it takes is a simple beginning again. We invite you, sister, to turn your gaze to Jesus and let Him light your path, one step at a time.

Advent can feel like a long, slow reaching toward something we cannot yet name. Then Christmas arrives and the world turns the page. What if instead of rushing on, we learned to hold the graces Advent gave us a little longer? The quiet lessons of waiting, the small practices of prayer, and the gentle intimacy of Mary’s example can be carried forward into the new year in practical, accessible ways.

Simple practices that sustain prayer

Prayer does not have to be complicated. Some of the most fruitful habits are refreshingly small.

• Daily Mass — If you are able, attending daily Mass anchors the day in Scripture and sacrament. The lectionary gives you a steady sequence through the Gospels and readings.
• One minute to begin — A quick “Come Holy Spirit” or a simple sign of the cross with holy water centers the heart before longer prayer.
• Scripture as last thing — Read the Gospel or a short passage before bed so the Word of God is the last thing your mind rests on.
• Renounce and return — For moments when things feel stuck or you’ve wandered, a brief four-minute prayer of renunciation and reorientation can be transformative.
• Keep it repeatable — Choose a short routine you can do even on hard days. Consistency builds the muscle of presence.

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What are the seven sacraments… and why do they matter so much for our life with God?

In this video, Steph Salinas walks us through the beauty, meaning, and lived reality of the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church and how they root us in God’s grace, strengthen us for the journey, and draw us into deeper union with Christ and His Church.

Steph shares from her years as a Director of Religious Education, witnessing countless young people and families encounter Jesus through the sacraments. From Baptism to Matrimony, she reflects on what we see—water, oil, vows, laying on of hands—and the invisible grace that’s truly taking place beneath it all.Whether you’re preparing to receive a sacrament, guiding someone else, or rediscovering the beauty of your own, this teaching will help you see the sacraments not as rituals… but as God’s outpouring of love.

Check out the rest of our Catholicism for Catholic series on YouTube!