“Prayer develops that conversation ​with Christ which makes us his ​intimate friends:

‘Abide in me and I in you.’ (Jn 15:4).”

- Saint Pope John Paul II (Novo Millennio Ineunte, 32)

Containing Scripture, sacred art, and a basic instruction on ARRR or ​relational prayer, now commonly known as “praying like a pirate,” this ​book creates space to enter into conversation with the Holy Trinity. ​(ARRR is taught most authentically by the Institute of Priestly Formation and ​explained in the book The Parish as a School of Prayer). These journals ​fortify the idea of holding a conversation with the Lord, and establish the ​real expectation that we can, indeed HEAR the Lord speak into our ​individual lives and circumstances. Although still a work in progress, the ​Beta versions were released early to be available as a resource following ​the National Eucharistic Congress and during the 2024 Year of Prayer ​declared by Pope Francis.

Pirates come as they are ​and say it like it is. When we ​pray like a pirate, so will we.

For tweens through grandparents, Pray Like a Pirate ‘ARRR’ Journal: An Adventure before ​the Blessed Sacrament is intended primarily for time in Adoration, but it can be used for prayer ​at home or on the road as well. The cover and text will likely appeal to those 8 -14 the most, but the ​sacred art reflections and interior pages - including the design-patent pending ARRR Journal pages will ​benefit anyone 8 -108!

Scan to order the ​Catholic Family ​Prayer Companion ​2024-2025 on ​Amazon

The Catholic Family Prayer Companion 2024-2025 provides greater descriptions and detail ​detail for teens/adults on ARRR/relational prayer, using lectio divina and visio divina with ARRR, ideas ​for shared family prayer time (whether you have 5-10 minutes, 20 minutes or are planning a family Holy ​Hour). It includes all of the ARRR Journal page layouts from the Pray Like a Pirate, ‘ARRR’ Journal, An ​Adventure before the Blessed Sacrament, as well as interactive pages for praying a decade of the Rosary ​using a practice outlined by Saint Pope John Paul II in Rosarium Virginis Mariae, intercessory Chaplets of ​Divine Mercy, The Surrender Novena and more.

I am a Catholic wife and mother in the ​Diocese of Phoenix.

In 2016 I left a rewarding job with BNSF Railway, a company I loved for 19+ years. “Management ​Trainee” at BNSF was my first job out of college, but when I fell totally in love with Jesus in my late ​20's I left to explore religious life. I found a spiritual father in His Eminence, John Cardinal ​O'Connor, founder of the Sisters of Life. He KNEW me. Loved me. Jokingly called me "Sister ​Choo Choo". As a novice I came to realize Jesus invites ALL to fall in love with ​Him. I also learned how deeply He loves each and every one of us for our being ​not our doing. Discovering Saint (then Blessed) Gianna Beretta Molla, the Lord gently led me out ​of religious life and back to BNSF, and eventually to a husband and children the Lord planned for ​me. Years later I found myself absorbed in “doing” again as I scrambled to manage an enjoyable ​and upwardly mobile career and 3 kids. Amazing, playful, enthusiastic Au-pair nannies lived with us ​and managed the day-to-day with our kids. (And I hadn’t done a load of kids laundry in over 5 ​years!). That is when the Lord (likely thru Cardinal O’Connor’s intercession) sent my former Novice ​Directress, Sr. Mary Elizabeth, S.V., to visit us. Her words pierced my heart, "No one can mother ​your children as well as you, Michele." I spent time “thinking and praying” on this and what the ​Lord was saying through Sister. With my husband’s support and embracing a phrase of Cardinal ​O'Connor's, "The Lord writes straight with crooked lines" I joyfully left BNSF again, this time to ​mother my children full time - to take them to Adoration, to teach them to hear the Lord's ​voice...and to do their laundry. Finding another spiritual father in my pastor in Arizona, Fr. John ​Muir, I learned to Pray Like a Pirate and the desire to share that treasure was born.

In Thanksgiving...

...to the Holy Trinity, who Alone Works Wonders.

...to sacred artist, Ruth Stricklin, who encouraged me to keep moving forward when the original plan for more traditional publishing and 52+ custom ​illustrations proved untenable. Ruth’s generosity and mentoring inspired me and I am so grateful she allowed me to use several of her copyrighted sacred art ​images from New Jerusalem Studios.

...to Rachel Villanueva of @allthingsnueva who provided encouragement and held me accountable to timelines and commitments I was loathe to make.

..to Maria J. Bain who gave me the confidence to start and to Kandi Madden who asked me about progress at a critical moment of discernment.

...to the joy-filled Fr. John Muir, Vicar General of the Phoenix Diocese; who, when we was Pastor of St. Thomas Aquinas in Avondale, AZ, originally taught ​me to “Pray Like a Pirate” and supported me as I established and led a “Children’s Holy Hour of Power” at our parish.

...for the book The Parish as a School of Prayer by Fr. Scott Traynor of the Institute for Priestly formation which led me deeper into ARRR.

...to a priest-hermit of the Diocese of Phoenix who provided both encouragement and invaluable feedback about ARRR when reviewing early drafts of this ​work.

...to Bishop Emeritus Olmsted for his apostolic letter Complete My Joy which ignited a fire of desire for more meaningful prayer in and with my family.

...to my Tucker Trio for inspiring me to bring not only them but many children to pray like a pirate before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.

...to my husband, Scott, who persevered through my many hours at the computer (in our bedroom)- often times late into the night.

Email

praylikeapirate@gmail.com