I have an important invitation—and I wanted to share it from a place that feels like peace itself.
At Middleton Place in Charleston, South Carolina, I sit in one of my favorite spots: beautiful, quiet, still. The peace of that place sets the tone for what I want to say to every divorced Catholic reading.
The peace that feels so hard to hold
If you've been through a divorce, you understand how difficult it can be to have peace in your life and peace in your heart.
There are negative voices in our heads all the time—the voice of shame, the voice of disappointment, the voice of anger. Then there are the lawyers speaking at us. Kids crying to us. Friends, family, and neighbors offering opinions and advice we didn't ask for. So much comes at you all at once.
How do you restore peace in your heart when you're so angry and disillusioned?
Join me in a nine-day novena
From Saturday, September 26 through Sunday, October 4, I'm praying the Novena to St. Francis for divorced Catholics— for you and your intentions.
Let's pray this together!
Even if you don't know much about St. Francis of Assisi, you probably know his prayer: "Lord, make me an instrument of your peace." If you've been through a divorce, you know how fleeting that can feel—trying to be an instrument of peace in the middle of devastation and turmoil. That's a great reason to pray this novena together.
Why this novena—and why St. Francis
I wrote this novena more than ten years ago for my book, A Road To Healing: Daily Inspirations For Divorced Catholics. The whole point was to help someone going through divorce find inner peace, consolation, and forgiveness—all the things we seek when everything feels broken.
St. Francis's call to be an instrument of peace speaks directly into that ache. When peace feels impossible, we ask God to make us instruments of the peace only He can give.
What each day looks like
Each day of the novena:
- A brief reflection
- The novena prayer prayed together
- Your intentions offered—asking for consolation and peace in the midst of suffering
Nine days of prayer and connection with God. I believe you'll begin to find some peace in your life.
Take a moment. Slow down. Pray.
September 26th comes quickly. Subscribe to my channel so you have that daily reminder to take a moment, slow down, pray, and seek peace.
You don't have to restore your heart alone. Come pray with her—for nine days, for your intentions, for peace.
Taking the next step
If you're looking for more support as a divorced or separated Catholic, explore the Journey of Hope online subscriptions. The program offers Catholic teaching, encouragement, and practical support from the privacy of your own home.
Watch the video: Pray With Me for 9 Days — Novena to St. Francis for Divorced Catholics Starting Sept 26