Articles – Kaitlyn Clare Mason

The 17 Day Anger to Mercy Challenge

Published on January 22, 2019March 28, 2019 by Kaitlyn Clare MasonLeave a comment

anger to mercy jar

St. Francis de Sales once said, “Do not lose your inner peace for anything whatsoever, not even if your whole world seems upset. If you find that you have wandered away from the shelter of God, lead your heart back to Him quietly and simply.”

Quietly and simply. This is much easier said than done sometimes. Anyone else agree?

While I do try to never discipline my children in anger, and while I try to keep the joy of Jesus, joy of Jesus down in my heart… I fall short.

We’re all human and we’re all going to make mistakes, but that doesn’t mean we have a free pass to throw in the towel when it comes to reaching perfection.

“So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect,” Jesus tells us in Matthew 5:48.

I made a commitment to myself several weeks ago, that I was going to learn to control my anger once and for all. No more snapping, yelling, or impatience – that was the goal. I grabbed a glass jar and a bag full of pebbles. Each day that I succeed in being only kind, merciful, and peaceful all the way until bedtime, I get to place a pebble in the jar. This doesn’t mean I never raise my voice if a child is in danger or if I’m calling children in for dinner. But my husband and children decide if I’ve earned my pebble to hold me accountable.

There are times when my voice needs to be firm, but my goal is to always transition rapidly from any sinful anger to mercy. I know there’s righteous anger, and that’s not what I’m concerned about. I’m talking about overcoming sinful anger and replacing it with mercy, which is another name for LOVE.

When I earn 17 pebbles, I purchase an Our Lady of Mercy scapular for someone who would like to start this beautiful devotion. Why 17? I decided that a pebble would be worth a dollar towards the purchase of a scapular, and the scapular plus shipping comes out to about $17. Ha! No other reason. But I have heard it takes 17 days to break a habit…

I have earned a couple of scapulars for my friends, and I’m starting fresh today with an empty jar. Would you like to join me?

Use your $17 that you earn towards spreading devotion to Our Lady of Mercy – or for whatever you’d like. More peace in your heart and home is guaranteed.

Reply “I’m in!” in the comments section below to sign up for this challenge. And if you’d like for me to send you a free scapular when I earn the next one, send me a message on my contact page and say “I’d like a scapular!” – I’ll send one your way.

Visit my Tips & Printables page to download your 17 Day Anger to Mercy Challenge printable with inspiration and a progress chart to keep you motivated each day.

Remember, it’s okay if it takes you longer than 17 days to get all of your pebbles in the jar. And stay tuned to this blog for more motivation on moving from anger to mercy in your heart.

5 Steps to a Capsule Wardrobe that Works for You

Published on January 12, 2019March 29, 2019 by Kaitlyn Clare MasonLeave a comment

Yesterday I shared some benefits of a minimal wardrobe. Here are 5 steps that I routinely take to ensure I’m maintaining a simple and merciful capsule wardrobe. And I highly recommend using this 5-step process to create your own!

1. Identify your style and what type clothing is comfortable and appropriate for you.

Is your style preference sophisticated? Casual? Are you wearing clothing that suits your shape and size? Are you wearing clothing that is appropriate for your shape and size? My style preference and size have changed many times over the past few years as I’ve learned what I like to wear best as a stay-at-home mother and how to dress when pregnant and postpartum.

2. Consider all activities where you’ll need different types of clothing, and how often you do each.

In my life, I need clothing for church, home care tasks, homeschooling, garden and homestead tasks, and workouts. Occasionally I’ll wear an extra fancy dress to an event, or go somewhere to swim – these are extras.

3. Plan out 7 days worth of your favorite clothing for this season, plus 2 extra days as backup (just in case). Do the same for other seasons. You’ll create a 7-day + 2 capsule for winter, spring/fall, and summer, and overlapping some items is great!

You don’t need more. If I get spit up on every day of the week, I’ll need to wash each item once weekly. Plus, I’ve got about two backup outfits if needed. I like to have about 2-3 skirts, 2-3 pairs of pants, 3 dresses, and 5-7 shirts on hand. It doesn’t have to be perfect, but you don’t need 2 weeks worth of clothes if you do wash at least once a week. Your 7 days will include everything you do each day, so make sure you keep 3-7 days of workout clothing if needed, etc.

3. Add your extras.

This may mean one scarf, one winter coat, one rain/light coat or jacket, one dress coat (optional – I prefer not having one… you know, the 2 coats thing…), one swimsuit, a few sweaters for cold days, a hat for gardening, etc.

4. Add only the shoes you need.

For my life, this means 1 pair of running shoes, 1 pair of navy heels for church, 1 pair of everyday black flats, 1 pair of everyday closed toed shoes for winter, 1 pair of work boots for homestead tasks, and 1 pair of brown outdoorsy sandals for homestead tasks in extreme heat (all second hand except running shoes & work boots). I could pare it down a little more. I rarely end up wearing my heels – but this works well.

5. Last step – I ask myself this question: Am I approachable to someone who is homeless, in poverty, and to all those most in need when I am wearing these clothes?

And I believe this is really the most important thing.

What questions do you ask yourself when editing your wardrobe? If you’ve been trying to get to a minimal wardrobe, what’s making that difficult for you?

Benefits of a Minimal Wardrobe

Published on January 11, 2019March 29, 2019 by Kaitlyn Clare MasonLeave a comment

I love the concept of owning just your essential items of clothing, which is also known as a capsule wardrobe. Capsule wardrobes are amazing because they are: a. simple, and b. merciful.

How are capsule wardrobes simple? They allow you to own less and to manage your items efficiently. They allow you to spend much less time picking out what you’re going to wear and much less time caring for your few items of clothing.

They really streamline laundry – especially when you use this concept for your whole family! I now look forward to laundry… seriously.

How are capsule wardrobes merciful or kind? They free up resources for others in this world. They are kind to the environment and kind to others.

“If you have two coats, one of them belongs to the poor,” said Dorothy Day. “Live simply that others may simply live,” said Mother Teresa. Every time we free up material resources in the world (ie: let them go), others can benefit from those resources.

When we free up our time, we have more time to use to extend mercy to others – which I’m pretty sure is the reason we exist.

Also, I consider my clothing merciful because (aside from things like camisoles, socks, and an occasional gift) – it’s all second-hand. Second-hand is always my preference! A benefit of a capsule wardrobe comprised of used items is that it is easy on the environment.

Every time we purchase a new item of clothing (or of anything for that matter), it’s like we’re saying to the world, “Yes, world, you need one more shirt!”

Granted, clothing eventually can wear out. But at least in America, we’re pretty quick to toss garments into a “donate pile” rather than stick with them until the end. There are tons of clothes out there in the world not being worn. So, can’t we wear those used items and free up resources for something else?

I’ve owned too much clothing, and I’ve owned too little.

I define too much as having so many options I have to think for a minute about what I’m going to wear, and I define too little as waiting for a clothing item to dry because I need it to leave the house.

As a mother of 4 children ages 5 and under, I prefer to have a simple, easy to manage, merciful wardrobe.

So, tomorrow, I’ll be sharing 5 steps to routinely take to ensure you’re maintaining a simple and merciful capsule wardrobe. I highly recommend using this 5-step process to create your own!

Have you ever tried reducing your closet to just a week or so of essentials per season? If not, what’s held you back?

Here’s a great little video from Jennifer L. Scott about her time living in France that may give you some extra motivation – click here to view!

A Spiritual Toolkit to Prepare You for Anything

Published on January 9, 2019March 29, 2019 by Kaitlyn Clare MasonLeave a comment

Click here to view this recent article “A Spiritual Toolkit to Prepare You for Anything” on CatholicMom.com, featuring two lovely books by author Carrie Gress, and one on spiritual warfare.

Ransom Prayer to Our Lady of Mercy

Published on January 8, 2019March 29, 2019 by Kaitlyn Clare MasonLeave a comment

This prayer has been on my heart for some time now, and I had trouble articulating it for a very long time. Then one morning, the words were all there. I would like to share it with you today. We are all held captive to persuasions of the devil at times, we all struggle with these persuasions (and they sometimes do lead us to sin). We are all in great need of prayer. So together, let us pray for each other:

Our Mother and Lady of Mercy, we come to you fervently seeking your aid. Our loved ones are falling, our dear friends ensnared, and those without anyone to pray for them stand at the brink of destruction. Extend your mantle of refuge and protection lovingly to cover mankind, to cover all sinners.

We pray explicitly for the ransom of all souls held captive to the devil’s persuasions. Many have been persuaded, but mighty is God’s merciful hand that saves, reaching out to the very gates of hell to rescue all repentant souls.

With you, O Blessed Mother of Mercy, we ask that God’s graces illuminate souls to clearly see His Will. May God grant courage for all to amend their errant ways, and may the peace of God perpetually accompany all who return to the right path, fixing them Heaven-bound.

For all souls held captive to the persuasions of substance abuse and addiction… we pray for their ransom and return.

For all souls held captive to the persuasion of abortion…

For all souls held captive to the persuasions of contraception and sterilization…

For all souls held captive to the persuasions of pornography and eroticism…

For all souls held captive to the persuasions of trafficking and abuse…

For all souls held captive to the persuasion of suicide…

For al souls held captive to the persuasion of euthanasia…

For all souls held captive to the persuasions of violence and terrorism…

For all souls held captive to the persuasion of heresy…

For all souls held captive to the persuasion of atheism…

For all souls held captive to the persuasions of promiscuity and immodesty…

For all souls held captive to the persuasions of active homosexuality and gender confusion…

For all souls held captive to the persuasions of lust, pride, and all sin…

And for all those in turmoil who care deeply for these captive souls, we pray for their healing and restoration. May the rays of your Son’s infinite and unfathomable mercy shatter the devil’s snares, redeeming all held captive to his empty persuasions. We ask this of Jesus through your tender and Immaculate Heart. Our Lady of Mercy, Pray for Us! Jesus, we trust in You!

Visit my Tips & Printables page to download your printable copy of this prayer!

Place it with your prayer cards or somewhere in your home so you can remember to pray for the ransom of all souls held captive to the devil’s persuasions. This prayer can accompany the white scapular of Our Lady of Mercy, also known as Our Lady of Ransom. This is the scapular that I have felt called to wear, and I have found that it is a powerful and beautiful form of devotion to Our Lady. You can join me in this mission of mercy and purchase one of these special white scapulars here!

*This prayer was first published on YouAreMadeNew.com here.

6 Things to Gather 4 THE Most Important 2 Days of the Month!

Published on January 5, 2019March 29, 2019 by Kaitlyn Clare MasonLeave a comment

Does anyone else out there keep forgetting when it’s a First Friday or Saturday? I’ve been trying to remember for like a year to set aside time for these devotions. And I’m finally not going to miss out!

Do you know why it’s so important to participate in the First Friday and First Saturday devotions?

It’s because of the thing every Miss America contestant would love to have if she could have one wish…

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No, not that thing, Sandra.
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There ‘ya go… World peace!

Here are 6 things we can gather NOW to prep for this devotion and obtain peace for the world. Before we, you know… wait, what was I talking about again? Oh, yeah, before we FORGET!
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1. Get a sharpie.

This is so you can write “1ST FRI” and “1ST SAT” so big on your paper calendar that you won’t even be able to fit the “-day” and “-urday” endings of the words in the calendar box. If you don’t have a paper calendar, put it in your phone calendar. But maybe use the Sharpie to write a giant reminder on your hand that these dates are coming up.

2. Set a really annoying alarm.

Set the duck alarm on your phone to go off on these dates each month for at least 5 consecutive months (the duration of the full devotion). Or set the submarine siren alarm. Or a frog. Whichever one is going to make you jump out of your seat and say, “OH! There’s the obnoxious (fill in the blank) alarm! Today MUST be a First Friday!!! Time to save the world!” Set it for 4:32am or 3:37pm or some other random time that will make you stop before hitting the “stop” button to silence it and actually think to yourself, “Weird. Why in the world is an alarm going off at this random time? OH YEAH! It’s NOT random! It’s a First Friday. World peace. Got it.”

3. A great article on what in the world we’re supposed to be doing on the First Friday and First Saturday of each month.

That’s where my friend Gretchen comes in! She writes these amazing articles over at The Catholic Company so we all know what in the world we’re supposed to be doing throughout the liturgical year, because “the liturgical year” is an art form that’s in dire need of restoration and revival. Click here to read up on the simple steps we can all do to participate in these powerful devotions!

4. A Catholic Church.

You’ll need to receive Communion and go to Confession. Check out masstimes.org to find out when a Mass is being said near you so you can, in a state of grace, receive Christ in the Eucharist. Check your local church for Confession times. Or find any priest walking around town and ask if he’ll hear your Confession… (But you’ll increase your odds of running into a priest if you actually head to your Church first! Don’t be shy, there’s nothing you have to say in the confessional that the priest has not heard before, I’m sure. Especially if you’re last in line… kidding.)

5. A reminder of how to say the rosary.

The Marians have a nice page here that gives you a little pop-up of words to each prayer if needed. And at the bottom of that page, there are links to images and descriptions of each mystery of the rosary. (We meditate on a different mystery during each “decade” of the rosary as a way to contemplate and honor Christ’s life.) Or, click here to pray along with an old but lovely video of Mother Angelica praying the rosary.

6. A giant statue of Our Lady of Fatima in your home to help you remember that you should be extra kind to people because you’re going back to Confession next month for the next First Friday & Saturday devotion!

Okay, so this one may not be needed in your home. But it sure is helpful in mine! Our Lady of Fatima, Pray for Us!

Now go find a Sharpie! Aaaand…. break! (I’ll race you to it!)
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How do you keep track of important dates? What might help us all do a better job of sticking with this devotion?

[Audiobook] Watching the Horizon: Advent Series for Toddlers – Day 15 – Last Day!

Published on December 16, 2018February 19, 2019 by Kaitlyn Clare MasonLeave a comment

*This is a Divine Mercy themed Advent series created especially for toddlers. If you’re eager to share the joy of this season with your littlest ones, keep on reading! Subscribe to this blog to continue receiving these posts in your inbox throughout Advent. Continue reading “[Audiobook] Watching the Horizon: Advent Series for Toddlers – Day 15 – Last Day!” →

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