We Catholics love our priests so much. Without them we could not practice our beautiful Catholic faith. We receive the Eucharist at their hands. They extend the mercy of the Lord to us. They give us spiritual counsel. They represent Jesus to us. They are there for us in the most intense times of our… [Read More]
About Shawn Rain Chapman
Book Review of Abuse of Trust: Healing from Clerical Sexual Abuse
In the current wave of the abuse crisis in the Catholic Church, it has been hard to know what to do. I have taken it on faith that the church eventually would survive this crisis and make the necessary changes to protect children and adults from abuse, because I believe the Church is true…. [Read More]
Sister Lynn’s “Lectio on Life
I had been talking to Sister Lynn D’Souza, OSB about the way people interpret dreams and often feel God is speaking to them in the stories and symbolic situations of their dreams. I had thought that one could also interpret life and its events as messages from God. In some situations, I tend to… [Read More]
Holy Naps
via Holy Naps
The Spirit of Focolare: Unity and Love
In a bomb shelter in the Italian town of Trent in 1943, a group of young girls talked about how their hopes dreams were being crushed by World War II. Their town was relentlessly bombed. Families who could were leaving as the town literally fell apart. Those left behind were suddenly living in poverty and… [Read More]
Easter Pilgrimage
During Holy Week I was on a special pilgrimage. I went to a mountain in Oregon, almost to the top, and lived with my daughter and her little family off the grid. I took few belongings; only what I could fit in a back pack. At the airport I was so glad to… [Read More]
A quest to forgive
Forgiveness is at the very heart of the Gospel, and it is a clear tenet of our faith. Jesus made it clear he expects us to forgive as we have been forgiven. But what about traumatic, destructive wrongs done to us? What about toxic relationships and people who have done us serious harm? Even in… [Read More]
An Advent Interview with St. Therese of the Child Jesus
“The Lord will dawn on you in radiant beauty. You shall see his glory within you.”- Liturgy of the Hours We are sitting in my living room, reflecting silently together in the glow of the blinking lights of the Christmas tree. It looks particularly lovely in the dark. It’s light turns the smooth, gentle… [Read More]
The Church is true but we are a very sick family right now
I entered the Church officially at the age of 22, in 1990. It took me a long time. I attended daily mass for two years even though almost everything about the Catholic Church freaked me out. I had authority issues. I had spiritual issues. I had sexual abuse issues. I had issues with men. I… [Read More]
Crowd Funding Hail Marys
After a week of losing sleep over the suffering of little children taken from their parents at the border, many days of speaking out and also of sending what money I could to organizations trying to help these separated families, I texted to one of my sisters in Carmel, still feeling very sad. I asked… [Read More]
Jesus, give us your Heart, make us strong to love!
I have to think, in these dark times, during this epidemic of heartlessness, that we need to look to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, that we need the refuge and the example of His Heart more than ever. Every day I think we are all having to find ways to decompress from all the hatred,… [Read More]
The Modest Ornaments of the Day: simple routines that re-center
I have a cup of coffee, and I am listening to jazz (Alice Coltrane today,) because it is 2 o’clock. That’s what I always do this time of day; jazz and coffee. Somehow this makes me feel more present in the day. The loose, open-ended routine of stopping the day, at least a little bit,… [Read More]
Come, Holy Spirit, renew my life
Something that seems to be returning to me as I very slowly recover from the grief and trauma (it’s complicated) of these past few years is a sense of self determination. I had not realized it was gone in the first place. What I did know is that for a long time it was… [Read More]
Love as presence
I want to talk about a great part of my life, Mac, who has Cerebral Palsey, and about what it’s like to spend my days with “his Eminent Lovableness. ” Mac and I don’t actually “do” much. I mean, not really. We mostly just hang out together. We mostly just “are.” Fortunately, we are really… [Read More]
A traditional St. Joseph altar in the Brazos Valley
He is sweating in the morning sun, easily turning a huge table top over in a cloud of wood shavings. I cough but he doesn’t break his concentration, only smiles as he measures an edge with his hands, squinting, nodding to himself as he stands up. “You still do this kind of thing in Heaven?”… [Read More]
The Presentation of the Lord; a story
I woke up early, long before my usual time. I could feel morning coming on as Yeshi slept deeply; still and warm between Joseph and me. He was on my arm, making it numb, but I didn’t mind. I enjoyed these moments of silence and warmth listening to Joseph’s and the baby’s breathing. I moved… [Read More]
Juan the stranger
As my son-in-law swept up the toddler for her evening nap, I stepped silently out the front door for an evening walk, rosary in hand. It was dusk, and the sky was alight with rose colored clouds. Everything looked pink. As I walked, the beads slipping quietly between my fingers, I alternately poured out my… [Read More]
Thoughts on the “thoughts and prayers”
Some people are upset about the “thoughts and prayers” response to mass shootings. I understand. I am tired of hearing that myself. It seems such a fill in the blank response; even glib and inappropriate when we all feel sickened by this cycle of seemingly endless gun violence followed by the same responses and counter… [Read More]
Note to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament
I run to the place we always meet, all the way crying angry tears. In the candle light, I kneel. I cross myself. I breathe. Breathe. In this quiet room is my refuge, the nearness of the One I love. I know I have come close to Jesus. I know the Eucharist is truly a beating… [Read More]
Carmelized Fatima Clips
During the final apparition of Fatima Mary appeared briefly in the brown habit of Carmel, or as “Our Lady of Mt. Carmel,” a silent witness to Carmelite spirituality and the order’s special and unique relationship with her. Carmel is a Marian order. Our devotion to Mary is intimate and deep. We have long considered ourselves… [Read More]
St. Therese Day Family Traditions
Here is how my daughters and I celebrated St. Therese day, (October 1) when they were growing up, and we still do! After dinner on the evening of St. Therese day, we read the book God’s Little Flower, the story of St. Therese. Even after the girls were “too old” for this book, we… [Read More]
Holy Name of Mary (Miriam)
[Jewish parents,] choosing a name is a big deal. A person’s name is not a mere label; it expresses the essence of its bearer. The letters that make up your name, its sound and its meaning are descriptions of your soul. Only a prophet has the vision and foresight to know which name fits the… [Read More]
Breath of God: an intercessory prayer for Houston
We are sitting across from one another on the floor, legs criss-crossed, knees touching. I had been worried about so many things, and though I feel peaceful now, looking at the sweetness of His face, and being strengthened by His warm, strong presence, I still hold in my lap, wrapped in my bandana, all of… [Read More]
“I am Crowned” the Assumption and Coronation of Mary
To me a cup was given Myrrh and mara, burning my hands Deeply I drank, losing myself in love I am the Rose of Sharon and the Lilly of the Valley From my Sun-filled body came a river of grace Tying my feet I have grown wings Radiant and chanting, I will go to… [Read More]
Speaking ill of the dead and why we should
As we walked out of my mom’s funeral, my brother said, “Let’s talk about how Mom used to cheat at scrabble.” We chuckled. “Really,” he said. There’s a tendency to make people perfect after they die. But if we talk about their faults it keeps them human and real to us.” “Well,” I said, “She… [Read More]
A visit to St.Mary Magdalene
I have come to the top of the mountain to a place we now call, St. Baume (Holy Balm) * to visit my patroness, St.Mary Magdalene. I am not in as good a shape as I used to be. Getting myself up this mountain was not that much fun for me, plus I’m very banged… [Read More]
July 4th is Love
I know that today we’re supposed to think about the history of winning our independence. I do. I think that is OK. We think about freedom and the Constitution too. We are glad we don’t live somewhere there isn’t freedom. We are grateful to be Americans. We are proud of ourselves. That is cool. But… [Read More]
Pray with me: the Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary
Opening Prayers for the Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary “In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, amen. Come, Holy Spirit, come by means of the powerful intercession of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Thy well beloved spouse, and Queen of the Holy Rosary. Help us to… [Read More]
A little shisha, a little Nostra Aetate, a slice of real life
We are sitting on cushions at a low table, enjoying shisha from a shared hookah in the corner of a light, airy building in a shopping center in Central Texas. There is country music on the radio, and a minty, fruity smoke rising around us in the late afternoon sun. Frank, (or as I call… [Read More]
Tiny Dynamine: a reflection on my mom, Delphia
Today is my mom’s birthday. She would have been 68 today. And I feel like talking about her. She was a warrior for love, justice, and for her children. I want you to know her. I want everyone to know her. She had several names but the one she liked best, and that suited her… [Read More]
“Do you want to live?”
I had had a big fight with my mom and brother. I was walking super fast across town. It was cold and I had forgotten a jacket. A car full of girls from school drove by, rolling their windows down to jeer and shout insults. I picked up a few rocks and bottles to throw… [Read More]
A Lent of Luminous Darkness and Wild Seeds
I love Lent. I am always happy to hear that I am dust, and that to dust I shall return. When I close my eyes to pray, I can really tell I am dust. In here where I live, it’s quiet and dark. Simple. Nothing to it. Who am I? Dust. Clay. Nothing. Everything. Inwardly… [Read More]
Sunshine rain: a day of caring for Mom
The rain sounds so good. I hope it is still raining when I go to sleep. That is the best music to sleep to: rain. It has rained on and off all day. I have had the window open behind Mom’s bed so she can listen to it too. I talk to her about all… [Read More]
Most Holy Name of Jesus
It is said that one night, St. Teresa of Avila met the Child Jesus on the stairs of her convent. The little One asked her name. She said, “I am Teresa of Jesus.” He said, “Then I am Jesus of Teresa.” What would Jesus say to you? Is your name attached to His? Of course… [Read More]
Merry Tolerance
While my bread is rising I feel like talking about what I was thinking about while I was kneading. I was thinking about the “Keep Christ In Christmas” thing. I think that as a friendly reminder to fellow Christians not to get caught up in the shopping, social obligations, travel and food to the point… [Read More]
Resist like a Catholic II: protesting Neo Nazi-ism with the Aggies
There has been shock and outrage at Texas A & M and in my community over an unwanted visit from Neo Nazi Richard Spencer, engaged to speak on campus by another Neo Nazi, Preston Wiginton. Both men are white supremacists who advocate for a “peaceful ethnic cleansing.” Though everyone was appalled, it became apparent that… [Read More]
Jesus, King of Mercy: a reflection as the Year of Mercy Ends
At this writing, I am in Corpus Christi for one of my favorite feasts of the Church year, Christ the King, and also for my birthday weekend, since I was born here. It was growing dark, raining and then storming when I got into town. The bay was black, the water choppy; growing more restless… [Read More]
Keeping the (inner) peace on election day
I messaged a friend the other day, “How ARE we going to keep calm on election day?” She wrote back: “I’m going to be drinking! You don’t drink, so you shall have to pray, I suppose. :P” I do plan to pray a lot, in whatever way I can, but most of all, I plan to pray in ways… [Read More]
Five Minute Guided Meditation with St. Elizabeth of the Trinity
Join me and my daughter, Roise, in this five minute, guided prayer break with the newly canonized St. Elizabeth of the Trinity, feast day November 8. (see below) “May nothing distract me from You, neither noise nor diversions. O my Master, I would so love to live with You in silence. But what… [Read More]
How a St. Francis statue changed my life
I was 19, and living back home with my family for a while, when, coming in one evening, I found everyone very bemused with me. “We got a call from the Christian book store that the book you ordered is in…….?” My mom queried. “OK.” “We thought it might be a wrong number……?” “No, that’s… [Read More]
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