The Gathering Place, a Podcast from Blessed is She

Discover what a relationship with Mary, the Mother of God can look like.In this episode, Jenna and Beth sit down for a deeply honest, tender conversation about prayer, healing, and the quiet work God is doing beneath the surface of our lives. They reflect on a powerful line from the Advent devotional—“Even if you’re safely in the sheepfold, there are little strongholds we’re still fiercely and foolishly protecting”—and unpack what it looks like to surrender the “small sins we secretly love,” the habits of vigilance, fear, gossip, and self-protection we don’t always realize we’re holding onto.Together, they explore:- How God heals us in ways we don’t expect—and often far more gently than we imagine- The difference between striving for holiness and simply receiving love- Mary’s role as a tender, present mother who teaches us divine simplicity, patience, and trust- Why healing often comes through “paper cuts,” not dramatic moments- How surrender, Eucharist, and prayer slowly rewire old blueprints in our heartsThis episode is full of laughter, vulnerability, rich imagery from prayer, and deep reassurance for anyone longing to grow, be purified, or simply rest in God’s care this Advent season. If you’ve ever wondered where to begin healing, felt frustrated by the waiting, or desired a deeper relationship with Jesus through Mary, this conversation is for you.✨ Take a deep breath. You don’t have to do anything. He’s already at work.Get your Advent devotional right here: https://blessedisshe.net/pages/advent

We’re all waiting for something: answers, breakthrough, clarity, or a change in our lives. But what if God is already at work in the waiting? In this episode of The Gathering Place, Jenna and Beth dive into the difficulty, beauty, and purpose of waiting, sharing how the Lord is moving even when it feels like nothing is happening.Tune in to be encouraged that every season of waiting has meaning, and in the end, it will all be worth it. 💛

Today's devotion is written by Liz Homick.

If the weight of waiting has ever felt crushing…if your desires feel delayed…if your suffering feels like, “Lord, I can’t do this anymore”, this episode is for you.In this first week of Advent, we talk honestly about the ache of longing and the places in our lives that feel heavy. But we also talk about the God who meets us there, who gives us grace for the long haul, who replaces our faint, weary hearts with “long-lasting batteries,” and who teaches us to hope again.We explore:The weight of waiting and how the Lord strengthens us in seasons of sufferingWhat happens when God invites us to name our desires with hope, not resignationHow Advent calls us to slow down, unclench our calendars, and step into sacred timeThe difference between external “liturgical living” and the gentle interior rhythm of graceWhy even the smallest shifts in prayer can reorient our hearts in profound waysHow the Lord is doing deep work in our souls—often beyond what words can describeAdvent isn’t about striving. It’s about letting ourselves be carried, like a leaf on the river of God’s grace, toward the heart of the Father, toward the eternity we long for, and toward the desires He Himself placed within us.So if you’re longing… aching… hoping… or simply tired, come sit with us. There are graces available in this Advent, in this moment, that have never been available before.We’re so glad you’re here. 💛Come, Lord Jesus.

In this episode of Catholicism for Catholics, Father Matt Lowry joins Blessed is She to dive into what Scripture means in the life of a Catholic, how we’re invited to pray with the Word, and why the Bible is at the heart of the Church.Whether you’re new to reading Scripture or looking to deepen your prayer, this conversation will help you understand how the Bible is meant to shape, guide, and transform us.