Bobbie Ann Taylor

Out of the Mouths of Babes: Gestures that speak louder than words

Noticing the pained expression on her grandmother’s face and seeing that her grandmother’s eyes were closing, the grandchild took matters into her own hands—literally. Without a word, she held her grandmother’s head, giving her two “smacking” kisses—one on each cheek!

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By His Wounds We Are Healed: Honoring the Five Sacred Wounds of Jesus

One of the blessings of sharing on Catholic365 is that as I research to verify what I “know,” I learn additional things that I didn’t know! …And that is precisely what happened as I prepared for this article about devotion to the Five Sacred Wounds of Jesus.

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Out of the Mouths of Babes: "I know him!"

The first grade “walkers” (as opposed to “bussers”), all bundled up for the winter cold, were lined up single file, right shoulders close to the first grade hallway wall.

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Out of the Mouths of Babes: "I'm taking them out!"

Among the very special people I have met at morning Mass is a woman who shared the following story about her deceased son, a son who had died fifty years earlier, when he was a first grader. His mother shared this remembrance when I visited her home one Lenten lunchtime…

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Out of the Mouths of Babes: "…it's mine."

When she was five, our daughter celebrated her first neighborhood birthday party. As she opened a particular gift, the seven year old child who had given it to her announced that he could play with it any time he wanted because the toy was his.

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The Fourteenth Station of the Cross: A Mercy Reflection

“Jesus’ Body is placed in the tomb.” So reads the customary text of the Fourteenth Station, which recalls the burial of Our Lord’s Sacred Body.

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The Thirteenth Station of the Cross: A Mercy Reflection

In Bethlehem on Christmas Day, Mary delivered us the Spotless Lamb of God, born to take our sins away. On Calvary on Good Friday, sinful humanity gave Mary back her Son, bruised and bloody, drained of every drop of His Precious Blood and Water.

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The Twelfth Station of the Cross: A Mercy Reflection

As a little girl, my experience of Good Friday was one of respectful silence. Although our family did not go to church that day, my mother insisted that I be in the house, “off the streets,” so to speak, particularly from twelve to three, not playing or even uttering one word in our little apartment. Rather, she insisted that I rest in total silence.

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From March 25, 2016 - April 2, 2016: Bringing (which?) Souls to Jesus

Although there are different kinds of prayer, if you are like me, you spend a lot of time asking the Lord for this or that special favor, which isn’t a “bad” thing. For the Lord Himself said: “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be

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Out of the Mouths of Babes: "Even me?"

Stationed in the hallway, the teacher watched as a small group of students headed toward her classroom. Included in the group was a child who had a penchant for getting into trouble.

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What to "do" with Holy Saturday?

what to “do” with Holy Saturday—from the time I rise, at least up until the time of the glorious evening Easter Vigil Mass—that has been my dilemma.

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It's Simple! …My Personal Take on the Shroud of Turin

As Good Friday approaches, it would not surprise me if the controversy over the authenticity of the Shroud of Turin is raised once again. Here’s my take on it.

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Five Stand-out Signs & Symbols of the Five Sacred Wounds of Jesus

To help us to stay mindful of the Lord’s Merciful Love for us shown in His pierced Hands, Feet, and Side, the Church offers various signs and symbols of His Five Sacred Wounds, obtained on the Cross.

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Out of the Mouths of Babes: "Good Night, My Beautiful Mommy"

When his oldest daughter was putting her very active and smart two year old son to bed, the mother said to her son, “Good night, my little boy.” The little boy replied, “Good night, my beautiful mommy." At which point hearing such unexpected words spoken from her little son’s heart brought tears to the young mother's eyes.

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The Eleventh Station of the Cross: A Mercy Reflection

If I had to select one Station that especially convicts me in this Jubilee of Mercy, it is this Eleventh Station: “Jesus is nailed to the Cross.” As God, Jesus could have released Himself from the hands of His executioners. He did not powerlessly succumb to being nailed to the cross; He Willed it for our salvation.

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