Spiritual Plan of Life

As we bring in the new year, many of us set out to fulfill new resolutions. Some of us are determined that this will be the year we quit smoking. Or perhaps some of us plan on losing the extra weight we have been carrying for too long. Still others make plans of self-improvement, like taking a continuing education course to increase their work and marketability in the workplace. All of these are admirable goals, but how many of us actually make spiritual goals - conscious decisions to improve our relationship with Jesus Christ?

Here is a list of things you can do throughout the year to fortify your relationship with our Lord:

• Begin with a morning offering; courageous moment; arise immediately and offer the day to our Lord (Here are some links to a few traditional Morning Offering Prayers) 
• Daily Prayer - ACTS (Adoration, Contrition, Thanksgiving & Supplication) pick a time and place for at least 15 minutes devoted to silent prayer 
• Spiritual Reading - 3 minutes a day from scripture ( I recommend you begin with the daily readings) and 12 additional minutes from other sources (See list of recommended books) 
• Pray the Rosary
• Pray before each meal and openly demonstrate the Sign of the Cross 
• Attend Daily Mass (when possible; see - www.masstimes.org) 
• Invocations or short prayers throughout the day 
• Frequent Confession (start with once every 3-4 months and build up to once a month) 
• End the day with an Examination of Conscience

Like any new plan you should consider your determination to implement the changes in your life. You may be better served to start with a few of the recommendations and build yourself up to doing more. The goal is NOT to create a check list of things you are doing, but to increase your relationship with Christ. We are the Church Militant engaged in what St. Paul calls Spiritual Warfare. These are some of the spiritual weapons we have available to us as we make our way in our daily lives in pursuit of holiness.

Tuesday Tech Talk: Mobile EWTN Streaming

EWTN audio and video programming are now available for live streaming on iPhone and other mobile devices.

EWTN on iPhone Instructions

FAQ of Faith: Indulgences

I have been working on my last final for my Catholic Theological Tradition course. One of the topics I am writing on is Martin Luther. As I was writing, I remembered that I had started a post on indulgences over a year ago. So here's an updated version of the post.

According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, "an indulgence is the extra-sacramental remission of the temporal punishment due, in God's justice, to sin that has been forgiven, which remission is granted by the Church in the exercise of the power of the keys, through the application of the superabundant merits of Christ and of the saints, and for some just and reasonable motive."

Rather than attempt to paraphrase more qualified minds on the subject, I will simply list the links below. The first is a very good summary by the USCCB that can be used for a handout at a formation session.

Resources:
Handout from Meeting

Primer on Indulgences

Myths about Indulgences

Recommended Book:

Handbook of Indulgences

Saint Talk - St. John Bosco

St. John Bosco, also known as Don Bosco, was born August 16, 1815. Shortly thereafter his mother dedicated him to Our Lady. His father died when he was 2 years old and John began working to help the family at a very young age. As a young man he was very athletic. He performed a one-boy circus act for the boys in his village. When he concluded his feats of magic and agility, he would recount the homily he had heard at that day's mass. Eventually, he entered studies to become a priest. He spent the bulk of his priestly life serving troubled youth. He possessed extraordinary trust in God providing for his ministry. He established a home, with vocational training, for boys. Eventually he would also form an order known as the Salesians.

St. John Bosco is known as the patron for students and young people. He was also known for his prophetic dreams and his gift for reading souls during confession.

Resources for additional reading:

EWTN

Saints SQPN

Catholic Online

Books to read:

St. John Bosco, F. A. Forbes

Forty Dreams of St. John Bosco

Catholic Toolbox: The Epiphany

The Epiphany is more than just a feast to recollect the story of the magi - Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar. It in fact, represents the manifestation of Messiah to all the nations. The Church actually acknowledges three "epiphanies" in the Gospel: the Adoration by the Magi, Christ's baptism in the Jordan and the miracle at the Wedding feast at Cana. The gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh represent Christ as King, God and Redeemer respectively.

Here are some resources for additional study:

The Catechism of the Catholic Church #528

EWTN

Catholic Answers

Catholic Encyclopedia