It was a young man who brought me home. He did it without fanfare and without argument. He simply lived his faith.

And he loved me.

I think of that young man whenever I meditate on a crucifix. I see Jesus hanging there, sterile and mostly clean, and I try to imagine what it must have really been like. I remember how my young man just listened, how he held me when I cried, how he never once condemned me.

Read the rest at CatholicMom.com.

Father Jay Fineli shared a version of the Stations of the Cross in a special episode this week at iPadre (also available from SQPN). It’s inspired by the writings of Anne Catherine Emmerich, a mystic who witnessed the Passion (and whose writings inspired the Mel Gibson movie “The Passion of the Christ”). But that’s not all, and, actually, that’s not the part that “got” me the most. Closing each station, there’s a different voice, a female voice, speaking as Mary. I kid you not: I felt like Mary was reaching through my earbuds and talking to me. It was amazing!

There’s a download button, you listen from your computer, or you can subscribe in iTunes. It’s going to play a part in my Holy Week, that’s for sure!

Jay is hosting this week’s Catholic Carnival, “Notre Dame and So Much More.” It’s a great collection of links, whether you want to learn more about the debate over Notre Dame’s invitation of President Obama or you want to prepare yourself for Holy Week. If you’ve never visited the Catholic Carnival before, I encourage you to start this week. And then I dare you to participate next week. (You know, because the CC is sort of a passion of mine.

The Divine Mercy Podcast has collected their Dolorous Rosary into one download (click on Lenten Special at the top — there’s no direct link, sorry!). It’s available as a download and through iTunes.

I listened to each of the mysteries individually earlier in Lent, and I must say, it’s handy to have it all gathered together. The reflections between each Hail Mary are inspired by Anne Catherine Emmerich‘s writings (which can be found here). As someone who struggles with the rosary (even as I feel called to pray it daily — it’s a push-pull-drag thing with me and God and Mary, I tell ya), this audio version is a way to slow down, to reflect throughout the mysteries, to spend time with Mary and Jesus and to get closer to actually meditating.

When I read yesterday, how Kate is doing Stations of the Cross with her preschooler, I said a prayer of thanksgiving. That’s just what I needed. It’s hands-on, it’s simple, and it’s perfect for Holy Week.

Did you know Faith & Family Live now has their own podcast? The “Faith & Family Live Cast.” Yeah, I know. I about peed my pants too. My husband didn’t even look confused when I gushed and gushed and, well, gushed about it the other night.

Episode 1 is here. Episode 2 shows up in iTunes but not yet on their website. You can download, listen from your computer, or subscribe in iTunes, all the while singing your joyful songs in tune with me.

And now, in case you missed the link I posted yesterday, here’s a fun YouTube video.

Go visit Jen for more Quick Takes. You’ll find everything from deep thoughts to ramblings to, well, all sorts of other things (I haven’t clicked around over there yet this week).