Springs in the Desert

06/16/2026

Venerable Fr. Edward Flanagan founded Boys Town. He became such a father to those under his care that some of his young men, when heading off to World War II, listed him as their next of kin.

Where is God calling you to live out your creative fruitfulness today?

Listen to Cassi’s full reflection on “Scripture and Saints for the Path of Infertility,” available on the Ascension | The Leader in Catholic Faith Formation app 🩵




Image: Fr. Flanagan, by Harris & Ewing, Library of Congress, no known restrictions

06/15/2026

It's good to pursue your health for it's own sake – not just because you're trying to conceive 🩵

Jillian welcomes Sister M. Emmanuel Kurtzweg, OSF, RN to the podcast to talk about what it means to be "fearfully and wonderfully made" (Ps 139:14). Listen to hear more about:

–FEMM (Fertility Education and Medical Management) and how it's different from other fertility awareness methods.

–Why part of Sr. Emmanuel's mission is to teach her Franciscan sisters about their fertility, and what we, as married women, can learn from that.

–What advice Sr. Emmanuel would give to couples who are having a hard time with fertility treatments and are discerning taking a break.

It is our honor to walk with you!

You can find the Springs in the Desert Podcast wherever you like to listen 🎧

06/12/2026

"The struggle with infertility can leave us feeling 'heart sick' because it strikes at the deepest parts of who we are, and the most ardent desires we carry within," writes the Springs in the Desert Team on the blog this week.

"When our hearts are in a tender state, we would do well to be careful about what we take into them.

When we think about who we are, what our purpose is, and why our lives matter, the most essential thing to 'take to heart' is that God the Father loved us into being.

Before we are anything else, we are His beloved sons and daughters. More than just words or a nice idea, the fact that He loved us into being is the core of our identity and the true sum of our worth."

Read more:

Why Take It To Heart? In June we celebrate the Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. As we meditate on the goodness and love that flows from His Heart, we also want to be checking in on our own hearts, making sure that we’re allowing them to be steeped in the truth about

06/10/2026

Have you ever felt like your body is an obstacle, or that it's working against you? If so, this podcast episode is for you!

Today Jillian welcomes Sister M. Emmanuel Kurtzweg, OSF, RN to the podcast to talk about what it means to be "fearfully and wonderfully made" (Ps 139:14). Listen to hear more about:

–FEMM (Fertility Education and Medical Management) and how it's different from other fertility awareness methods.

–Why part of Sr. Emmanuel's mission is to teach her Franciscan sisters about their fertility, and what we, as married women, can learn from that.

–What advice Sr. Emmanuel would give to couples who are having a hard time with fertility treatments and are discerning taking a break.

It is our honor to walk with you!

You can find the Springs in the Desert Podcast wherever you like to listen 🎧

06/09/2026

Venerable Pierre Toussaint was a former slave who dedicated his freedom to serving others: his wife, his adopted daughter, and the poor of New York City. Above all, he lived a life of service to Christ.

Trey explores what we can learn from his example as we embrace our own God-given freedom to follow His will on the path of infertility.

Listen to the full reflection on “Scripture and Saints for the Path of Infertility,” available on the app 🩵




Image: Pierre Toussaint in the 1850s

06/08/2026

What does the Theology of the Body have to teach us about bodily suffering?

What can Jesus' wounds show us about our wounds?

What can we learn from the Theology of the Body about abandoning ourselves to the will of God?

Today's episode is part III of a series on the Theology of the Body with guests Chris O'Neill, Director of the Office of Marriage and Family Life for the Archdiocese of New Orleans, and Trey Weaver, Coordinator of Youth & Young Adult Ministry for the Diocese of Baton Rouge.

With Jillian, they'll explore what the Theology of the Body has to teach us as we walk the path of infertility.

You can find the Springs in the Desert Podcast wherever you like to listen 🎧

06/05/2026

"Yes, the desire for children is good and holy," writes Riley on the blog today. "But God has a different plan, one that will lead to my sanctification and the salvation of souls I do not know.

This paradox can be hard to live with. But this month of the Sacred Heart offers us some encouragement.

In contemplation of Jesus’ Heart, crowned with thorns and pierced by a lance, we realize how He endured great suffering in the plan of salvation.

He does not ask us to bear our heavy crosses in isolation, but in imitation of Him.

We are called to conform our hearts to Jesus’ Heart – wounds and all.

When suffering is hitting us in the face and all we seem to hear is 'no,' the Sacred Heart reminds us that God is our greatest gift and our ultimate goal."

Read more on the blog:

I began re-reading C.S. Lewis’ classic The Problem of Pain recently. Before I even finished the introduction, I was struck by this line: “Pain would be no problem unless, side by side with our daily experience of this painful world, we had received what we think

06/03/2026

Do you need a friend on the path of infertility? Meet Servant of God Élisabeth Leseur!

Cassi reflects on the witness of this amazing woman in episode 5 of “Scripture and Saints for the Path of Infertility,” now available on the app 🩵




Image: Élisabeth and Felix Leseur

06/01/2026

Take this to heart as we begin the month of June:

God has never, and will never, abandon you. Ever.

He waits and grieves and walks with you.

His death on the Cross was His entering into the very depths of human suffering – so that when you feel that you are in the depths yourself, you find Him already there, waiting for you.

We hope that you can rest in His Sacred Heart this month. 🔥