St. Paul resident and writer-editor Susanna Spencer joined the “Practicing Catholic” radio show Feb. 5 to discuss Blessed Is She, a long-running Catholic women’s ministry, and its newest Lenten devotional.
Talking with host Patrick Conley, Spencer said the ministry focuses on helping women grow deeper in their faith through prayer and community. Its founder sought to engage other Catholic women excited about creating a space online to learn about Scripture and grow their prayer lives, Spencer said.
Susanna Spencer
The group started by offering a free, emailed daily devotion based on Mass readings for the day. Today, more than 40 writers contribute to the devotions.
Spencer, who has been involved with Blessed Is She from the beginning, said it has branched out to other publications for women to help them grow in prayer and community. With a master’s degree in theology, Spencer serves as theological editor.
Asked about the importance of entering Lent in a very intentional way, and the importance of using a devotional through Lent, Spencer said the Church gives the faithful various liturgical seasons to help focus on a certain aspect of life on earth and in heaven. Lent helps people enter into Christ’s suffering, culminating in Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday.
“So, I think that having a devotional to help you get through Lent …, but also just really (entering) into Lent helps you be consistent,” she said.
The theme of the new devotional from Blessed is She pertains to the Holy Spirit.
“We actually need the Holy Spirit during Lent to help us in our Lenten practices and devotions,” Spencer said. “The main theme is to receive God’s love and be set aflame, to live in his love through the help of the Holy Spirit and just grow in God’s love.”
People are encouraged to adopt Lenten practices out of love for God, and not simply feeling a need to give up something for Lent. “We’re actually doing this because we love him and we want to grow in deeper love of him,” she said.
To learn about a children’s version of a devotional offered by Blessed Is She, and to hear more of Spencer’s interview, tune in to the radio program at 9 p.m. Feb. 5 on Relevant Radio 1330 AM. Or use one of the links below. Find the devotional at BlessedIsShe.net.
“Practicing Catholic” is produced by Relevant Radio and the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis.
Other guest interviews on the Feb. 5 “Practicing Catholic” show are Dianne Johnson, who discusses the World Day of the Sick Mass, and Sister Esther Nickel, who describes how priesthood applies to both the ordained and the baptized.
Listen to their interviews after they have aired:
soundcloud.com/practicingcatholic
Practicing Catholic on Spotify
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