MeditationsforLayfolk_10202502.pdf
5.2 MB
"Meditations for Layfolk"
by Fr. Bede Jarrett, O.P. 1881-1934
It can hardly be questioned that the present tendency of the Catholic layfolk is to imagine that sainthood and perfection are the peculiar inheritance of religious , whether monks or nuns, which it would be almost blasphemy for them to aspire to share. Now surely one great remedy for this is the use of meditation. To confront ourselves every morning with some deep truth of revelation is to realize our dignity as Christians. The high doctrine that St. Paul taught to his converts , men indeed just rescued from a rather degraded paganism, insisted always on the lofty position to which each had been called . He dealt with the sinner by making him realize that he was intended to be a saint.
All of us need this inspiriting view of our vocation .
#spirituallife #meditation
by Fr. Bede Jarrett, O.P. 1881-1934
It can hardly be questioned that the present tendency of the Catholic layfolk is to imagine that sainthood and perfection are the peculiar inheritance of religious , whether monks or nuns, which it would be almost blasphemy for them to aspire to share. Now surely one great remedy for this is the use of meditation. To confront ourselves every morning with some deep truth of revelation is to realize our dignity as Christians. The high doctrine that St. Paul taught to his converts , men indeed just rescued from a rather degraded paganism, insisted always on the lofty position to which each had been called . He dealt with the sinner by making him realize that he was intended to be a saint.
All of us need this inspiriting view of our vocation .
#spirituallife #meditation
The Christians of the first ages lived by this doctrine: "Christus..vita vestra"
Christ..who is your life (Col 3:4). That is why their spiritual life was at once so simple and bore so much fruit.
Now let us remind ourselves that in these our days, the heart of God is not less loving nor His arm less powerful. God is ready to shed His grace upon us, as abundant and as useful as those He showered up on the first Christians. All the means of sanctification that they had, we too possess.
But we are too often like Naaman the leper who came to consult the prophet and beg his care; he was in the point of not obtaining it because he found the remedy too simple. That is the case with some of those who undertake the spiritual life; people who are so attached to their own way of seeing things that they are scandalised at the simplicity of the divine plan.
For years, some souls have been as it were cramped, they have been depressed, hardly ever contented, forever finding new difficulties in the spiritual life. Then one day God gives them the grace of understanding that Christ is our all, that He is the alpha and omega, that out of Him we have nothing, that in Him we have everything, for everything is summed up in Him. From that moment all is, as it were, changed for these souls; their difficulties vanish like the shades of night before the rising sun. As soon as Our Lord, the true sun of our lives, fully illumines these souls, they unfold, mount upwards, and bear much fruit of holiness."
Blessed Columba Marmion
#spirituallife
Christ..who is your life (Col 3:4). That is why their spiritual life was at once so simple and bore so much fruit.
Now let us remind ourselves that in these our days, the heart of God is not less loving nor His arm less powerful. God is ready to shed His grace upon us, as abundant and as useful as those He showered up on the first Christians. All the means of sanctification that they had, we too possess.
But we are too often like Naaman the leper who came to consult the prophet and beg his care; he was in the point of not obtaining it because he found the remedy too simple. That is the case with some of those who undertake the spiritual life; people who are so attached to their own way of seeing things that they are scandalised at the simplicity of the divine plan.
For years, some souls have been as it were cramped, they have been depressed, hardly ever contented, forever finding new difficulties in the spiritual life. Then one day God gives them the grace of understanding that Christ is our all, that He is the alpha and omega, that out of Him we have nothing, that in Him we have everything, for everything is summed up in Him. From that moment all is, as it were, changed for these souls; their difficulties vanish like the shades of night before the rising sun. As soon as Our Lord, the true sun of our lives, fully illumines these souls, they unfold, mount upwards, and bear much fruit of holiness."
Blessed Columba Marmion
#spirituallife
"Two mistakes I find common among spiritual persons.
One is that they ordinarily measure their devotion by the consolations and satisfactions which they experience in the way of God, so that if these happen to be wanting, they think they have lost all devotion.
True and substantial devotion does not consist in these things, but having a will resolute, active, ready and constant not to offend God, and to perform all that belongs to his service.
The other mistake is that if it ever happens to them to do anything with repugnance and weariness they believe they have no merit in it.
On the other hand, there is then far greater merit; so that a single ounce of good done thus by a sheer spiritual effort, amidst darkness and dullness and without interest, is worth more than a hundred pounds dine with great facility and sweetness, since the former requires a stronger and purer love."
St. Francis de Sales
#spirituallife
One is that they ordinarily measure their devotion by the consolations and satisfactions which they experience in the way of God, so that if these happen to be wanting, they think they have lost all devotion.
True and substantial devotion does not consist in these things, but having a will resolute, active, ready and constant not to offend God, and to perform all that belongs to his service.
The other mistake is that if it ever happens to them to do anything with repugnance and weariness they believe they have no merit in it.
On the other hand, there is then far greater merit; so that a single ounce of good done thus by a sheer spiritual effort, amidst darkness and dullness and without interest, is worth more than a hundred pounds dine with great facility and sweetness, since the former requires a stronger and purer love."
St. Francis de Sales
#spirituallife
Ecce Verbum
The perfection of this humility is not only in relation to God, but also in relation to others. We should consider the weakness, sinfulness, and nothingness of ourselves more than we should consider that of others, and likewise we should be more prone to attribute…
If there is little or no regularity in our life, on the other hand, this opportunity may not arise, since as the intensity of our action weakens, we may be tempted to cease from action entirely. This is why it is said that hermits are especially subject to the temptation of acedia. St. Therese therefore strongly emphasizes the importance of regularity. “Even if all were to fail in the observance of the rule, that would not be a reason for justifying ourselves.” Again, she says, “If only we knew the value of regularity!” As another example, she says regarding the time set aside for lectio divina, “The hours set apart by the Constitutions are God’s own time, and it is not right to rob Him of it.”
The counsels as means to the perfect practice of these principles
All seven principles can be practiced by all, but St. Thomas suggests that the counsels are ordered to putting these things most perfectly into practice. “Even though the perfection of the blessed is not possible to us in this life, we ought to imitate it so that we might bring ourselves to the likeness of that perfection, insofar as this is possible: and in this consists the perfection of this life to which we are invited by the counsels. For it is manifest that the human heart is more intensely directed toward something one, to the degree that it is withdrawn from many. Thus the soul of a man is directed to loving God more perfectly to the degree that it is removed from affection for temporal things… Thus all the counsels by which we are invited to perfection pertain to this, that the soul of a man might be turned away from affection for temporal things, and so the mind might more freely tend to God, by contemplating, loving, and fulfilling his will” (De Perfectione Spiritualis Vitae c.6). The first three principles are implied in the words, “so the mind might more freely tend to God.” The fourth and fifth principles are implied in the removal of affection for temporal things. The sixth and seventh principles could be said to be implied in the comparison with the life of blessed. In sum, we should act from the actual knowledge and love of God and with actual trust in him, while consequently refraining from inordinate trust in self and love of self, as continuously, energetically, and as joyfully as possible.
Even in this life, then, to the degree that this is possible, we shall share in that perfection in which “the rational creature will love God with its whole heart, when its whole intention will be focused on God with respect to all the things which it thinks, loves, or does; with its whole mind, when its mind is always actually focused on God, always seeing him and all things in him, and judging all things according to his truth; with its whole soul, when its whole affection is continuously focused on loving God, and all things will be loved on account of him; with its whole strength or with all its powers, when the reason for all external actions will be the love of God” (De Perfectione Spiritualis Vitae c.4).
Thus the order of the principles is clear. The first three principles, namely, knowledge, trust, and love of God, are of the greatest importance. The fourth and fifth principles, humility and detachment from self, follow from trust and love of God. Lastly, joy and energy must be added to bring the others to perfection.
#spirituallife
The counsels as means to the perfect practice of these principles
All seven principles can be practiced by all, but St. Thomas suggests that the counsels are ordered to putting these things most perfectly into practice. “Even though the perfection of the blessed is not possible to us in this life, we ought to imitate it so that we might bring ourselves to the likeness of that perfection, insofar as this is possible: and in this consists the perfection of this life to which we are invited by the counsels. For it is manifest that the human heart is more intensely directed toward something one, to the degree that it is withdrawn from many. Thus the soul of a man is directed to loving God more perfectly to the degree that it is removed from affection for temporal things… Thus all the counsels by which we are invited to perfection pertain to this, that the soul of a man might be turned away from affection for temporal things, and so the mind might more freely tend to God, by contemplating, loving, and fulfilling his will” (De Perfectione Spiritualis Vitae c.6). The first three principles are implied in the words, “so the mind might more freely tend to God.” The fourth and fifth principles are implied in the removal of affection for temporal things. The sixth and seventh principles could be said to be implied in the comparison with the life of blessed. In sum, we should act from the actual knowledge and love of God and with actual trust in him, while consequently refraining from inordinate trust in self and love of self, as continuously, energetically, and as joyfully as possible.
Even in this life, then, to the degree that this is possible, we shall share in that perfection in which “the rational creature will love God with its whole heart, when its whole intention will be focused on God with respect to all the things which it thinks, loves, or does; with its whole mind, when its mind is always actually focused on God, always seeing him and all things in him, and judging all things according to his truth; with its whole soul, when its whole affection is continuously focused on loving God, and all things will be loved on account of him; with its whole strength or with all its powers, when the reason for all external actions will be the love of God” (De Perfectione Spiritualis Vitae c.4).
Thus the order of the principles is clear. The first three principles, namely, knowledge, trust, and love of God, are of the greatest importance. The fourth and fifth principles, humility and detachment from self, follow from trust and love of God. Lastly, joy and energy must be added to bring the others to perfection.
#spirituallife
Ecce Verbum
If there is little or no regularity in our life, on the other hand, this opportunity may not arise, since as the intensity of our action weakens, we may be tempted to cease from action entirely. This is why it is said that hermits are especially subject to…
Seven Principles of the Spiritual Life.docx
14.9 KB
Seven Principles of the Spiritual Life
Fr. Thomas Bolin, O.S.B.
There can be no exhaustive account of the principles of the spiritual life, for there can be no such account in any practical matter, yet we can set down the following seven principles as possessing particular importance.
To keep God in mind at all times.
To trust in God as much as possible.
To do all things for the love of God.
Not to trust in oneself.
Not to seek oneself.
To do all things with joy.
To be as energetic as possible.
#spirituallife
Fr. Thomas Bolin, O.S.B.
There can be no exhaustive account of the principles of the spiritual life, for there can be no such account in any practical matter, yet we can set down the following seven principles as possessing particular importance.
To keep God in mind at all times.
To trust in God as much as possible.
To do all things for the love of God.
Not to trust in oneself.
Not to seek oneself.
To do all things with joy.
To be as energetic as possible.
#spirituallife
The Practice of Silence for Lay People
https://catholicgentleman.com/2016/07/practice-silence-lay-people/
#spirituallife
https://catholicgentleman.com/2016/07/practice-silence-lay-people/
#spirituallife
The Catholic Gentleman
The Practice of Silence for Lay People - The Catholic Gentleman
Silence. It’s a word that is both appealing and terrifying. It is a word that can either connote peace and calm, or frightening isolation. While some might find the idea of silence appealing, the truth is, most of us don’t do well with perfect quiet. Have…
How to Attain our End
One thing I do; forgetting the things that are behind and stretching forth myself to those that are before, I press towards the mark. (Philipp. iii. 13, 14.)
Every one desires to succeed in life. A man who desired ultimate failure would justly be regarded as a lunatic. If I am to carry out my desire, I must look around me and see what sort of men succeed.
When I look at successful men, I find, in them three characteristics:
(1) A spirit of cheerfulness and confidence
They know how to look at everything from its best side. They are always hopeful about the future and confident of success. This it is that brings success. Hence I must pray for confidence.
(2) A spirit of perseverance
They are not discouraged by failures. They recover themselves without delay. What a lesson for me not to lose heart, but to say : "When I fall I will rise again, and that promptly."
(3) A spirit of single-mindedness
They keep the end in view steadily before them. If I am to achieve the purpose of my life, to succeed in coming to God at last, I must keep Him always before me.
What can make my life so happy as this-- to know that I am drawing nearer to God? Yet there will be dark times and days of despondency. Still, beneath the surface, there will be hope and peace, even amid the darkness.
Example is better than precept; and we shall often learn more from watching those who possess perfectly what we are trying to acquire, than by any set of rules. Let us watch the Saints in Heaven, that we may learn from them.
Their continual occupation is the praise of God, the tranquil delight of basking in the light of God. This satisfies every longing of their heart, this fills them with perfect and unfading joy. This is the highest praise they can render to God. How can I imitate them? By a continual remembrance of God, by visiting the Blessed Sacrament, by a frequent raising of my heart to Heaven.
The Saints also find a constant joy in showing reverence to God, in falling down in prostrate homage before the Throne, in recognizing their dependence upon Him, and their indebtedness to Him for all their joy. This too I can copy by great reverence both of body and soul; reverence before the Altar, reverence in my prayers, reverence and resignation to the will of God in my thoughts.
All the various circumstances of my life are moreover ordained by Almighty God to aid me in serving and praising Him as He wishes. If they are pleasant, they must teach me gratitude; if painful, resignation. Even if they are a source of temptation to me, by fighting bravely against the temptation, I can gain great merit before God.
We must be on the watch to see that our inclinations do not run away with us. Most of the foolish things we do are the result of acting on the impulse, of being led by our inclinations, of being influenced by wounded self-love. How many a golden opportunity of merit we have missed because we would not accept patiently what wounded us or hurt our self-esteem.We must try to make ourselves ready to accept whatever God sends, whether painful or pleasant. There is nothing in the world that has not a bright side. This will make us always patient, and, what is more, always happy. We shall acquire a facility for ignoring or passing over the painful side of things, to look at the joyful and hopeful.
•Pray for grace to carry out God's intentions by using rightly all the circumstances around you.
•Pray for cheerfulness and an earnest purpose to live for God.
•Offer to God your willingness to endure whatever He sees to be good for your soul.
Rev. R.F. Clarke S.J
#spirituallife
One thing I do; forgetting the things that are behind and stretching forth myself to those that are before, I press towards the mark. (Philipp. iii. 13, 14.)
Every one desires to succeed in life. A man who desired ultimate failure would justly be regarded as a lunatic. If I am to carry out my desire, I must look around me and see what sort of men succeed.
When I look at successful men, I find, in them three characteristics:
(1) A spirit of cheerfulness and confidence
They know how to look at everything from its best side. They are always hopeful about the future and confident of success. This it is that brings success. Hence I must pray for confidence.
(2) A spirit of perseverance
They are not discouraged by failures. They recover themselves without delay. What a lesson for me not to lose heart, but to say : "When I fall I will rise again, and that promptly."
(3) A spirit of single-mindedness
They keep the end in view steadily before them. If I am to achieve the purpose of my life, to succeed in coming to God at last, I must keep Him always before me.
What can make my life so happy as this-- to know that I am drawing nearer to God? Yet there will be dark times and days of despondency. Still, beneath the surface, there will be hope and peace, even amid the darkness.
Example is better than precept; and we shall often learn more from watching those who possess perfectly what we are trying to acquire, than by any set of rules. Let us watch the Saints in Heaven, that we may learn from them.
Their continual occupation is the praise of God, the tranquil delight of basking in the light of God. This satisfies every longing of their heart, this fills them with perfect and unfading joy. This is the highest praise they can render to God. How can I imitate them? By a continual remembrance of God, by visiting the Blessed Sacrament, by a frequent raising of my heart to Heaven.
The Saints also find a constant joy in showing reverence to God, in falling down in prostrate homage before the Throne, in recognizing their dependence upon Him, and their indebtedness to Him for all their joy. This too I can copy by great reverence both of body and soul; reverence before the Altar, reverence in my prayers, reverence and resignation to the will of God in my thoughts.
All the various circumstances of my life are moreover ordained by Almighty God to aid me in serving and praising Him as He wishes. If they are pleasant, they must teach me gratitude; if painful, resignation. Even if they are a source of temptation to me, by fighting bravely against the temptation, I can gain great merit before God.
We must be on the watch to see that our inclinations do not run away with us. Most of the foolish things we do are the result of acting on the impulse, of being led by our inclinations, of being influenced by wounded self-love. How many a golden opportunity of merit we have missed because we would not accept patiently what wounded us or hurt our self-esteem.We must try to make ourselves ready to accept whatever God sends, whether painful or pleasant. There is nothing in the world that has not a bright side. This will make us always patient, and, what is more, always happy. We shall acquire a facility for ignoring or passing over the painful side of things, to look at the joyful and hopeful.
•Pray for grace to carry out God's intentions by using rightly all the circumstances around you.
•Pray for cheerfulness and an earnest purpose to live for God.
•Offer to God your willingness to endure whatever He sees to be good for your soul.
Rev. R.F. Clarke S.J
#spirituallife
Ecce Verbum
That a man should not be too much dejected when he falls into some defects Imitation of Christ by Thomas á Kempis Son, patience and humility under adversity please Me more than much consolation and devotion in prosperity. Why art thou afflicted at a little…
Whence our miseries come
"Our first misery is that we esteem ourselves; if we fall into any sin or imperfection, we are astonished, troubled, impatient, simply because we thought there was something good, resolute, solid, within us; and, therefore; when we find out there was no such thing we are grieved and offended at having deceived ourselves. If we knew ourselves as we really are, instead of being amazed to see ourselves prostrate on the ground, we should be surprised to see ourselves stand for a single day, or even for one hour."
"Endeavour to perform your actions perfectly, and having done this, think no more about them; but think of what you have yet to do, advancing with simplicity in the way of God, without tormenting your mind. It is necessary to detest your defects, not with a detestation of trouble and vexation, but with a tranquil detestation."
Thomas á Kempis, Imitation of Christ
#humility #kempis #spirituallife
"Our first misery is that we esteem ourselves; if we fall into any sin or imperfection, we are astonished, troubled, impatient, simply because we thought there was something good, resolute, solid, within us; and, therefore; when we find out there was no such thing we are grieved and offended at having deceived ourselves. If we knew ourselves as we really are, instead of being amazed to see ourselves prostrate on the ground, we should be surprised to see ourselves stand for a single day, or even for one hour."
"Endeavour to perform your actions perfectly, and having done this, think no more about them; but think of what you have yet to do, advancing with simplicity in the way of God, without tormenting your mind. It is necessary to detest your defects, not with a detestation of trouble and vexation, but with a tranquil detestation."
Thomas á Kempis, Imitation of Christ
#humility #kempis #spirituallife
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Ecce Verbum
THE IMITATION OF CHRIST
by Thomas a Kempis
INTRODUCTORY NOTE
The treatise "Of the Imitation of Christ" appears to have been
originally written in Latin early in the fifteenth century. Its
exact date and its authorship are still under debate.The most…
by Thomas a Kempis
INTRODUCTORY NOTE
The treatise "Of the Imitation of Christ" appears to have been
originally written in Latin early in the fifteenth century. Its
exact date and its authorship are still under debate.The most…
Ecce Verbum
St. Ignatius of Loyola - Letters and Instructions.pdf
The-4-Temperaments-Hock.pdf
194.1 KB
"The Four Temperaments"
Rev. Conrad Hock
"If one knows one’s own temperament, he can work out his own perfection with greater assurance, because finally the whole effort toward self-perfection consists in the perfection of the good and in the combating of the evil dispositions. Thus the choleric will have to conquer, in the first place, his obstinacy, his anger, his pride; the melancholic, his lack of courage and his dread of suffering; the sanguine, his talkativeness, his inconsistency; the phlegmatic, his sloth, his lack of energy. The person who knows himself will become more humble, realizing that many good traits which he considered to be virtues are merely good dispositions and the natural result of his temperament, rather than acquired virtues."
Man can and must cultivate and perfect the good elements of his temperament and combat and eradicate the evil ones. Every temperament is in itself good and with each one man can do good and work out his salvation.
#spirituallife #temperament
Rev. Conrad Hock
"If one knows one’s own temperament, he can work out his own perfection with greater assurance, because finally the whole effort toward self-perfection consists in the perfection of the good and in the combating of the evil dispositions. Thus the choleric will have to conquer, in the first place, his obstinacy, his anger, his pride; the melancholic, his lack of courage and his dread of suffering; the sanguine, his talkativeness, his inconsistency; the phlegmatic, his sloth, his lack of energy. The person who knows himself will become more humble, realizing that many good traits which he considered to be virtues are merely good dispositions and the natural result of his temperament, rather than acquired virtues."
Man can and must cultivate and perfect the good elements of his temperament and combat and eradicate the evil ones. Every temperament is in itself good and with each one man can do good and work out his salvation.
#spirituallife #temperament
Francis_de_Sales_by_Wirth_en_web_A_program_of_integral_formation.pdf
1.3 MB
St. Francis de Sales; A Program of Internal Formation
Morand Wirth
In the wake of Renaissance humanism, St Francis de Sales developed a pastoral rather than theoretical program of education and integral formation of the person. Every human being is called to perfect themself in all their dimensions as an individual: the bodily senses, the passions and affections of the soul, the spiritual faculties of memory and intellect, and especially the heart, the seat of the will and freedom.
As someone immersed in society, St Francis de Sales shows himself to be attentive to the promotion of the dignity of each individual be it in the family, in social relationships, at work, in leisure time or in the service of country. St Francis de Sales program is an antidote against a one-dimensional formation that neglects the multiple resources of human nature.
#spirituallife #francisdesales
Morand Wirth
In the wake of Renaissance humanism, St Francis de Sales developed a pastoral rather than theoretical program of education and integral formation of the person. Every human being is called to perfect themself in all their dimensions as an individual: the bodily senses, the passions and affections of the soul, the spiritual faculties of memory and intellect, and especially the heart, the seat of the will and freedom.
As someone immersed in society, St Francis de Sales shows himself to be attentive to the promotion of the dignity of each individual be it in the family, in social relationships, at work, in leisure time or in the service of country. St Francis de Sales program is an antidote against a one-dimensional formation that neglects the multiple resources of human nature.
#spirituallife #francisdesales
Ecce Verbum
The wisdom of silence "..I do not think that we are far wrong in saying that, on the whole, men are not too appreciative of the virtue of silence. Most of our conversation has no more merit or effect than to stir the air around us. We could all say so very…
The value of solitude
🔗 The Sounding Solitude by Francis M. Drouin, OP
pages 39-44
"If persons enter into solitude and taste its fruits, one certain effect is that they will no longer see as they saw before, no longer behold themselves, others, or God as they did formerly. Solitude provides another way of seeing. We will be given new lenses to in-sight. Our eyes will have been purified by the mystery of solitude changing the heart and therefore changing the vision. The obvious is always to be discovered anew! The mystery of solitude purifies the sight, the seeing, the beholding of each person, when we are open to discovering and to receiving. When solitude brings us to God, God brings us into new vision. 'Open my eyes, so that I may behold wondrous things..." (Ps 119:18)"
Sounding Solitude, Sr Mary Paul Cutri 🔗, ocd
#spirituallife
🔗 The Sounding Solitude by Francis M. Drouin, OP
pages 39-44
"If persons enter into solitude and taste its fruits, one certain effect is that they will no longer see as they saw before, no longer behold themselves, others, or God as they did formerly. Solitude provides another way of seeing. We will be given new lenses to in-sight. Our eyes will have been purified by the mystery of solitude changing the heart and therefore changing the vision. The obvious is always to be discovered anew! The mystery of solitude purifies the sight, the seeing, the beholding of each person, when we are open to discovering and to receiving. When solitude brings us to God, God brings us into new vision. 'Open my eyes, so that I may behold wondrous things..." (Ps 119:18)"
Sounding Solitude, Sr Mary Paul Cutri 🔗, ocd
#spirituallife
GrowthInHoliness (1).pdf
12.2 MB
Growth In Holiness
Fr. Frederick William Faber
Fr. Frederick William Faber was one of the greatest Catholic writers in the English language of the 19th century. Initially an Anglican priest, he found his way into the Catholic Church through the preaching of St. John Henry Newman and the Oxford Movement, eventually being ordained a priest and an Oratorian. His works are numerous, and each satisfies a different part of the soul's need for knowledge and strengthening in the Catholic religion.
Perhaps one of his best books, Growth in Holiness presents Fr. Faber's thoughts on the spiritual journey of the Christian soul as she yearns for God
#spirituallife
Fr. Frederick William Faber
Fr. Frederick William Faber was one of the greatest Catholic writers in the English language of the 19th century. Initially an Anglican priest, he found his way into the Catholic Church through the preaching of St. John Henry Newman and the Oxford Movement, eventually being ordained a priest and an Oratorian. His works are numerous, and each satisfies a different part of the soul's need for knowledge and strengthening in the Catholic religion.
Perhaps one of his best books, Growth in Holiness presents Fr. Faber's thoughts on the spiritual journey of the Christian soul as she yearns for God
#spirituallife