When I was growing up, we had a little calendar sitting in the kitchen window with a quote from Catherine Doherty for every day of the year. I remember my parents telling me to do the "duty of the moment". Her small snippets of wisdom blessed my childhood and continue to inspire and challenge me to this day. I was deeply honoured to have the opportunity to paint this extraordinary woman. I highly recommend her autobiography, Fragments of My Life. Her story is fascinating.

The music is Hosea (Come Back to Me) by Steve Bell. This song has been one of my absolute favourites for as long as I can remember. Funny story, he actually came to my parish the other week but unfortunately, we were busy that day and weren't able to make it. Now I'm kicking myself—it would have been so cool to finally meet him!

When I was praying about which song to use for this video, this one came to mind like a bolt of lightning. A major theme in Catherine's ministry was the poustinia, which means "desert". A poustinia may be a physical location, like a hermitage, or simply a quiet corner of your home where you can go in solitude and prayer so that you can hear God speak in the silence of your heart. She often quoted Hosea when she spoke about this concept and this song has long come to my mind when I think of my own need to come back to God.

Come back to me with all your heart
Don't let fear keep us apart
Trees do bend, though straight and tall
So must we to others call

Long have I waited for your coming
Home to me and living deeply our new life

The wilderness will lead you
To your heart where I will speak
Integrity and justice
With tenderness, you shall know

Long have I waited for your coming
Home to me and living deeply our new life

You shall sleep secure with peace
Faithfulness will be your joy

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Steve Bell: https://stevebell.com

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