In the autumn of 1873, Saint John Bosco shared a vision with his spiritual director that would crystallize the spiritual wisdom of his entire life’s work. In this dream, he beheld the Church as a mighty ship besieged by enemy vessels bent on her destruction. Yet amid the chaos and bombardment, two towering columns rose from the sea, steadfast and unshakeable. One was crowned with a statue of the Immaculate Virgin, bearing the inscription “Help of Christians.” The other, taller and more enduring still, supported a Eucharistic Host and proclaimed “Salvation of believers.” The Pope, steering the flagship through the storm, safely moored the Church to these two columns. At that moment, all enmity dissolved.
For Bosco, this vision was no mere spiritual fantasy. It was the culmination of decades spent educating poor and neglected youth. It revealed the deepest conviction of his pedagogical mission: that the salvation and flourishing of souls rests entirely upon devotion to Mary and frequent reception of the Eucharist. To understand Saint John Bosco as a teacher is to understand him as a herald of these two pillars, and to grasp their central importance for Catholic life today.
The Foundation: Reason, Religion, and Love
Don Bosco’s approach to education, which he termed the “Preventive System,” stands in sharp contrast to the harsh disciplinary methods of his era. Where other educators relied on fear, punishment, and distance, Bosco built his entire method on a trinomial foundation: reason, religion, and love. This was not mere sentimentality. It was a profound theological conviction about the nature of the human person and the work of formation.
The Preventive System sought to prevent faults rather than punish them after the fact. Bosco believed that young people, prone to fickleness and distraction, often stumbled not from malice but from momentary forgetfulness or weakness. A strict system of repression might stop disorder, but it could never transform hearts. It would breed resentment, bitterness, and revenge—scars that lasted into adulthood. Instead, Bosco positioned educators as loving fathers who would walk alongside their charges, offering counsel, warning them of dangers ahead, and drawing them toward goodness through affection and trust.
The genius of Bosco’s method lay in its recognition that education is fundamentally a work of the heart. An educator must first be loved before he can be respected. He must be present, not as a distant authority, but as a benefactor invested in each student’s welfare. This way, the educator becomes a cherished guide, whose words and counsel stay with the student long after school ends.
Sponsored: This article is made possible by The Elijah Institute, supporting quality and engaging Catholic content.
When we think of biblical heroes, we often picture prophets thundering truths before kings, parting clouds with miracles, and walking through fire with unwavering faith. Elijah fits that image—at least, at first glance. But Scripture doesn’t give us glossy, airbrushed Saints. It gives us real people. And Elijah? Elijah broke down.
His story is one of the clearest in the Bible about what we today would recognize as emotional collapse: anxiety, burnout, despair, even suicidal thoughts. He shows us that holiness and mental struggle are not opposites. They’re often companions.
And his story, now more than ever, speaks directly to those on the front lines of healing—doctors, nurses, counselors, first responders—those who bear others’ pain while quietly carrying their own.
Elijah’s Collapse: After the Fire Comes the Silence
Elijah’s public high point comes on Mount Carmel. In a head-to-head showdown with 450 prophets of Baal, Elijah calls down fire from heaven—and God answers. It’s the kind of moment you’d expect to come with a lifetime supply of spiritual confidence. But it doesn’t.
The very next chapter opens with Elijah running. Queen Jezebel threatens his life, and he flees into the desert, overwhelmed and undone. No followers. No plan. Just a prophet unraveling under the weight of everything.
He prays, “It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers” (1 Kings 19:4). It’s one of the rawest prayers in all of Scripture.
Elijah had done everything right—and still, he hit a wall. It wasn’t a weakness. It was the human cost of doing the will of God in a broken world.
Elijah Fed by the Ravens by Paolo Fiammingo (between 1585 and 1589).
God Doesn’t Lecture. He Nourishes.
Here’s where things get profoundly beautiful. God doesn’t scold Elijah. He doesn’t give him a pep talk or demand that he pull himself together. He sends an angel. With a snack.
“Arise and eat,” the angel says, “or the journey will be too much for you” (1 Kings 19:7).
God tends to Elijah’s physical needs first: food, water, rest. Then again. And again. Only after Elijah’s body and spirit are gently restored does God speak—on Mount Horeb—not in fire or thunder, but in “a still small voice” (1 Kings 19:12).
This is a pattern worth noticing. God understands that healing the whole person—body, mind, and soul—takes time, nourishment, and silence.
Beyond Burnout: The Wounds of Those Who Heal
Elijah’s breakdown wasn’t just about fear. It was about exhaustion, conscience, and the weight of standing alone in truth. Today, we might call this moral injury —a term used to describe the trauma experienced not just from violence or stress, but from the deeper wounds that come when we carry burdens of conscience.
This kind of injury often shows up in those who work in healing ministries: doctors, nurses, first responders, therapists, clergy. These are the people who run toward pain. And like Elijah, they often find themselves emptied out after doing everything “right.”
Moral injury, at its root, is spiritual. It’s the aching question: Did I do enough? Did I do the right thing? Sacred moral injury goes even further—it touches the conscience. It’s a wound that doesn’t just need therapy; it needs forgiveness, reconciliation, and grace.
As one contributor to The Elijah Institute’s work shared in a recent conversation, many of the therapists they train encounter clients (and sometimes themselves) dealing with this very wound. It’s not just burnout. It’s soul-weariness.
The Catholic Response: Integrated, Personal, Sacramental
The Elijah Institute’s model—what they call BPSS-M: Biopsychosocial-Spiritual-Moral—is a Catholic approach to mental health that sees the person as a unity of body, mind, soul, and relationships. It acknowledges that some pain is physical, some emotional, some spiritual—and some moral.
This matters, especially for Catholic therapists. Because not every trauma heals through clinical work alone. Some needs must be named before God. Some wounds require absolution, or a return to the sacraments, or the courage to ask forgiveness.
Elijah’s story echoes this reality. His despair wasn’t irrational—it made sense given what he’d been through. But it also needed God’s personal response. A whisper. A call. A mission renewed.
The Restless Heart and the Path to Peace
St. Augustine, whose own conversion was marked by interior struggle, wrote, “You have made us for Yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in You.”
That restlessness shows up in our modern world in the form of anxiety, perfectionism, and relentless overcommitment. We chase success, affirmation, control—only to find ourselves under our own version of the broom tree, like Elijah, crying out in quiet despair.
But healing—true healing—comes when we let God into the silence. When we accept that therapy, nutrition, community, and prayer are not separate tools, but part of one great invitation: Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest (Matt. 11:28).
Not a Quick Fix, But a Real Hope
Elijah didn’t walk away from Mount Horeb with all his problems solved. He still had to walk his road, face kings, mentor Elisha, and trust again. But he wasn’t the same.
His story reminds us that even prophets cry out in exhaustion. Even saints feel despair. And the God who calls fire from Heaven is also the God who whispers in the dark.
If you or someone you love is walking through burnout, moral injury, or spiritual exhaustion, know this: you’re not alone. And you don’t have to figure it out by yourself.
Catholic therapists formed in integrated care, like those trained by The Elijah Institute, are helping men and women reconnect the dots between psychology and spirituality—between moral wounds and Divine Mercy. Healing isn’t always fast, but it’s always possible.
Final Thoughts
Elijah’s life is not just a tale from long ago. It’s a mirror for us. For those doing God’s work and wondering why it hurts so much. For those exhausted by goodness. For those who pray, “Lord, I’ve had enough.”
God hears. God feeds. God speaks.
And He still says to you today:
Arise and eat. The journey is long. But I am with you.
Thanks again to today’s article sponsor, The Elijah Institute! Learn more about how they’re equipping Catholic mental health professionals to care for the whole person—body, mind, and soul—through integrated, faith-filled training at The Elijah Institute.
Sponsored: This article is made possible by Matrivi supporting quality and engaging Catholic content.
The Memorare prayer begins with “Remember” – a gentle reminder that we can approach the Blessed Virgin Mary with confidence in her unfailing intercession. This beautiful prayer encapsulates a profound theological truth that resonates with the heart of the Catholic faith: Mary serves as our surest guide to her Son, Jesus Christ. Like a well-worn path that leads home, Mary provides the most direct route to encounter Christ in our spiritual journey.
Where Mary is, so too is Jesus. This simple yet profound theology is evident even to children who instantly recognize Mother and Son in holy icons. The innocence of a child pointing to an image and exclaiming “Gee-sus! Mary!” captures perfectly what the Church Fathers spent centuries articulating. Mary’s primary purpose is always to lead us to Christ.
For many Catholics, the Memorare holds a special place in their hearts. Learning this prayer word by word in middle school classrooms creates lasting memories that grow more meaningful with time and deeper understanding of Mary’s role in salvation. Mary’s constant maternal care for the faithful throughout centuries doesn’t leave anyone who seeks her help “unaided.” The prayer confidently asserts this truth not merely as poetic language, but as a testament to her enduring protection.
Mary: The Theological GPS to Christ
Like a divine GPS, Mary unfailingly guides us toward her Son. She doesn’t simply point the way – she accompanies us on the journey, offering direction, protection, and unwavering love. As the “Star of the Sea” (Stella Maris), Mary serves as our guiding light through life’s often turbulent waters, leading us unerringly to the safe harbor that is Christ.
The name “Matrivi” beautifully captures this concept, combining the Latin “matri” (mother) with “vi” (road, way, journey). Mary is both mother and path – the one who nurtures us spiritually while simultaneously showing us the way to Jesus. In John’s Gospel, Mary’s instruction at the wedding feast of Cana perfectly encapsulates her mission: “Do whatever he tells you” (John 2:5). Her words always direct us to listen to and follow her Son.
Mary’s role as our spiritual guide was highlighted by Pope Pius X when he referred to her as the “Destroyer of Heresies.” False teachings lead us down incorrect paths, but Mary, through her perfect obedience and unwavering faith, always illuminates the true path to salvation. Saint Bernard of Clairvaux aptly described Mary as “the neck” through which “the body is joined to the head,” emphasizing her unique role in connecting the faithful (the Body of Christ) to Jesus (the Head).
Throughout history, Marian apparitions have served as divine “checkpoints,” helping humanity return to the right path when we’ve strayed. From Guadalupe to Lourdes to Fatima, Mary has appeared with messages of prayer, penance, and return to her Son. These apparitions reinforce her role as our spiritual guide, always gently redirecting our attention to Christ.
The Humble Connector of Divine Grace
The image of Mary as “the neck of the Body of Christ” beautifully illustrates her humble yet crucial role. There’s nothing flashy about a neck – its primary function is to connect the head to the rest of the body. Similarly, Mary’s humility shines throughout Scripture, from her troubled response to Gabriel’s greeting to her quiet presence at the foot of the cross.
Despite receiving more titles and honors than any other saint, Mary remains the model of humility. As Saint Bernard noted, “It is not hard to be humble in a hidden life, but to remain so in the midst of honors is a truly rare and beautiful virtue.” Mary’s humility makes her the perfect channel of grace from Christ to his Church.
We Confidently Find Jesus through Mary
When we pray the Memorare with sincere hearts, we acknowledge Mary’s unique position in salvation history. The prayer’s confidence – “never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection… was left unaided” – stems from Mary’s perfect alignment with God’s will. She never keeps grace for herself but always directs it toward those in need, just as she directed the servants at Cana to her Son.
The Memorare invites us to approach Mary as “Mother of the Word Incarnate,” reminding us of the Council of Ephesus’ declaration of Mary as Theotokos (God-bearer). This title protects the truth of Christ’s full humanity and divinity. Mary’s motherhood ensures that Jesus is truly one of us while remaining fully God – a mystery we can approach with confidence through her intercession.
As we wear or gift a Miraculous Medal from Matrivi, we carry a tangible reminder of Mary’s guidance. Each medal becomes a small compass pointing us toward Christ, a physical manifestation of the spiritual reality that Mary always leads us to Jesus. In praying the Memorare, we recognize that through Mary, we find our most reliable path to Christ – a journey of truth, beauty, and ultimately, eternal life.
Thank you to today’s sponsor! Find the perfect gift for First Communion or Confirmation by visiting Matrivi.
January 3rd celebrates two important events: the Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus and the anniversary of the birth of J.R.R. Tolkien. As a Catholic obvious the former has to take precedence, I mean Jesus is the center of the Catholic faith. However, I think it is ironic, maybe even providential, of the placement of the great English literary figure’s birthday within the season of Christmastide. The famed creator of Middle Earth himself was a devout Catholic and belief in Jesus Christ permeated his entire life. I admire Tolkien because of his creativity, devotion, and ability to invoke joy into my life simply by reading his works or striking up a conversation with a random stranger about his life!
Recently, I wrote an article published in EpicPew.com discussing the reasons for canonizing Tolkien as a saint of the Church. According to the Baltimore Catechism paragraph 215 answered the question of why Catholics honor saints in this way,
“We honor the saints in heaven because they practiced great virtue when they were on earth, and because in honoring those who are the chosen friends of God we honor God Himself.”
The excitement, peace, and joy I receive when reading, researching, or talking about Middle Earth ultimately is aimed at a higher reality–a deeper reality of full communion with God in Heaven.
Editor’s Note: Article originally published in 2017.
Does Your Soul Need a Deep Clean?
My wife and I completed an intense bout of pre-spring cleaning (it was a mere 2 days before the official start of spring J) this past weekend. That coupled with a reference to avoiding desolation and clearing our soul from the “dustiness” of a dry spiritual life during my weekly parish men’s group influenced the title of this post and inspired me to write today.
I am a neat freak. In fact, one of the major three tenets my blog is based on is organization. I am passionate about decluttering, sorting, and cleaning dusty crevices in my house. Yet, when it comes to the spiritual life, why do I occasionally lack the same fervor that I have cleaning my physical house?
According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church paragraph 797,
“What the soul is to the human body, the Holy Spirit is to the Body of Christ, which is the Church.”243 “To this Spirit of Christ, as an invisible principle, is to be ascribed the fact that all the parts of the body are joined one with the other and with their exalted head; for the whole Spirit of Christ is in the head, the whole Spirit is in the body, and the whole Spirit is in each of the members.”244 The Holy Spirit makes the Church “the temple of the living God”.
The Cleansing Power of the Holy Spirit
This imagery of the Holy Spirt being housed in the church is not new. St. Paul clearly states this in 1 Corinthians 3:16 and 2 Corinthians 6:16 to name just a couple verses. However, it was through the intercession of St. Teresa of Avila’s writing that I especially encountered this truth recently.
She begins her greatest work, Interior Castle, with the following divinely inspired words, “ I thought of the soul as resembling a castle, formed of a single diamond or a very transparent crystal and containing many rooms, just as in heaven there are many mansions.”
Teresa’s description of the soul is easy for me to understand yet at the same time illustrates the complexity of our human condition.
Throughout the Interior Castle the doctor of the Church takes readers on a spiritual journey by examining how in navigating through the castle of our soul we are able to grow in closer union with God.
Saint Teresa of Avila Pray for Us
Without a thorough examination of oneself and spiritual guidance we are not able to recognize the graces God grants us daily and gives ways for us to clear out the “dustiness” of our soul. Just like how my home needs frequent seasonal cleanings, the Church in Her wisdom has seasonal cleanings as well for us to grow in holiness.
My goal is to take a few minutes each week to reflect on St. Teresa of Avila’s words in Interior Castle. I hope you all prayerfully consider to join me in this journey and cleanse your own soul of the “dustiness” of sin and temptation.
🐋🐟🙏😅😅😅😅Inspired by listening to Fr. Mike’s commentary of Jeremiah 2:26 in the BIAY podcast. 🙂😅🙏 P.S. Phineas and Ferb is an awesome show! 🦆🦫🕵️♂️🤼♂️🪽😅Accurate! 😅😅😅Amen! 🙏Saint Lawrence pray for us! 🔥🙏😅🙏🙏🙏Since he is the patron saint of comedians I feel like Saint Lawrence would approve of this meme. 😅🔥Happy Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary! Amen!! 🙏🙂😅😅😅Congrats to one of my IG followers @landon_h.o.scale on winning this week’s edition of “Catholic Caption This Meme Template”. 🏃♂️🙂🙏
That’s all I have this week. Stay tuned for next week’s Catholic Meme Monday. Receive updates straight to your email inbox by subscribing to The Simple Catholic blog.
P.S. If you prefer receiving quality Catholic humor in daily doses follow me on Instagram @thesimplecatholic.
Last week, I had the incredible opportunity to attend the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis. Over 50k Catholics were in attendance across the United States. Eucharistic Adoration, daily Mass and a line-up of speakers headed by Fr. Mike Schmitz and Bishop Robert Barron were the highlights (but to be honest the entire week was a highlight).
The experience was truly transformative, filled with moments of profound joy and palpable movements of the Holy Spirit. As I reflect on those days, I’d like to share some of the most impactful insights I gained.
The Joy of Christian Community
One of the first things that struck me was the overwhelming sense of joy that permeated the entire event. As I sat in the conference hall during supper, I couldn’t help but notice the many small groups of two or three people scattered throughout the room. In those moments, I felt certain that Jesus was present among them, fulfilling His promise: “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them” (Matthew 18:20).
A Powerful Encounter
While waiting in line for the Eucharistic Miracles exhibit (a popular attraction with over an hour and a half wait), I had a life-changing encounter. I met Emilio, a gentleman from California, whose story deeply moved me. Emilio shared how he had been involved in gang activity from a young age and had even taken a life at 22, resulting in a life sentence. Eventually, a combination of legal changes and Emilio’s profound spiritual transformation led to his release.
Emilio and I waiting in line to see the Eucharistic Miracles Exhibit.
His journey of repentance and renewal in prison led him to give his life to Jesus. Emilio’s wife, who accompanied him, emphasized that she felt the Eucharistic Congress was specifically for him. This reminded me that while we were blessed to attend, the Eucharistic Revival is for all baptized Catholics – we are all called to share the Gospel and live sacramentally.
The Power of Jesus’ Name
Another powerful realization came during Dr. Mary Healy’s talk on healing and prayer. The healing service she conducted with Fr. Mathias Thelen felt biblical in its intensity, reminiscent of Jesus’ own ministry. During this service, I experienced firsthand the power of prayer and the name of Jesus.
Jesus is Lord. 🍞🍷✝️🙏
Despite initial doubts about whether my relatively minor headache was worthy of divine intervention, I prayed, “Lord, help my unbelief” – echoing the father in Mark 9:24. To my amazement, as the service concluded, I realized my headache had disappeared. This experience reinforced the truth that Jesus has the power to heal us physically, mentally, and spiritually – just as He did in biblical times. Jesus is the Divine Physician and He desires to heal all our wounds.
The Importance of Repentance
A recurring theme throughout the Congress was the significance of repentance. According to Fr. Mike Schmitz, “If this is going to be a revival, if it’s going to be a real revival, here’s the reality. In the history of Christianity, you can never have a revival without repentance.”
To fully receive the graces available in the Sacrament of the Eucharist, we must approach it with hearts open to God’s mercy. But this mercy is not forced upon us. We have to repent of our sins. The Catechism of the Catholic Church puts it this way, “Jesus calls to conversion. This call is an essential part of the proclamation of the kingdom: ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe in the gospel” (CCC 1427).
This emphasis on repentance serves as a powerful reminder of our continual need for God’s mercy and our call to ongoing conversion.
Go Forth and Preach the Gospel
The National Eucharistic Congress was a profound reminder of the living presence of Christ in our midst, particularly in the Eucharist. It reinforced the power of community, the importance of personal testimony, the reality of divine healing, and the necessity of repentance in our spiritual lives.
As we move forward in this Eucharistic Revival, may we all be renewed in our commitment to Christ, open to His healing power, and ready to share His love with the world. The revival is not just for those who attended the Congress – it’s for every baptized Catholic. We are all called to live out our faith in a sacramental way, drawing strength from the Eucharist and sharing the Good News with those around us. I will see you all in the Eucharist!
Share Your Eucharistic Encounter
These testimonials offer just a glimpse of the countless ways Jesus touched hearts during the Congress. If you attended the National Eucharistic Congress, I invite you to continue this chain of witness:
Take a moment to reflect on your experience. How did you encounter Jesus during the Congress? What moment stands out as particularly meaningful or transformative?
I encourage you to write a short paragraph (100-200 words) sharing your personal encounter with Jesus at the Congress. You might consider:
A specific event or talk that moved you
A moment of prayer or adoration that was especially powerful
An unexpected encounter or conversation that touched your heart
How the Congress has changed your perspective on the Eucharist
