As a lame replacement... I would like to introduce you to a wonderful young lady, Dylana. I've mentioned her before and I'll mention her again. Check her out at her blog, "The Pilgrim's Paean."
Yesterday, she posted a few questions to gather information to help her prepare for her upcoming confirmation:
Well, this blog has mostly been about myself and my spiritual journey. But I have a question for you all. Well a few... haha! Here it goes:Before I share my answers, please enjoy Julie's:
1) What books have played a key role in your journey?
2) What about the books that have aided your discernment?
3) How should I prepare for my upcoming Confirmation? (Oh! P.S.-I might be confirming early!! Schyeah!)
4) How have you disciplined yourself to grow in holiness?
5) What penances have you employed?
1 & 2) Flannery O'Connor's letters; The Imitation of Christ by St. Thomas a Kempis, Creed or Chaos by Dorothy Sayers, Free to Love by Marcel LeJuene, The Four Quartets by T.S. Eliot, Introduction to Christianity by Pope Benedict XVI, In Soft Garments by Ronald Knox, Death Comes for the Archbishop by Willa Cather, The Heart of the Matter by Graham Greene, Murder in the Cathedral by T.S. Eliot, and Church Fathers (i.e. Confessions by Augustine)... to start :)
3) Discipline yourself in prayer- the Devil will attack and try to separate us from our Lord through hardship, spiritual dryness and other wiles.
4) Charity in all circumstances; constant prayer and petition; reading Scripture; frequent use of the sacraments, especially Holy Communion and Reconciliation
5) Holding my tongue when I am being wronged, especially if I have already made my defense.
My answers:
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1) Hands down, C.S. Lewis' The Screwtape Letters
2) Fantastic question! I think blogs have had a bigger impact on my discernment because they're short and always there for me to read. Pray, read, pray.
3) Schyeah! Write hand-written letters to important people in your life and tell them how they have impacted you. They don't have to be Catholic or even Christian. You never know what effect your words of praise and gratitude can have on someone's spirituality. Also, ditto to Julie!
4) I've surrounded myself with good, holy people and I try to learn from them at all times. Of course, I'm friends with people of all walks of spiritual life and I suppose being around them motivates me to employ that which I learn. All of my friends and family teach me, everyday.
5) Good one, Julie!! I have to agree. One of my biggest faults is the NEED to be right or "justified." When I remember.... I try to keep my mouth shut and just realize that there is no reason for me to fight. It doesn't always work (can I get an Amen, family?)
2 comments:
Love your #3. And thanks for asking :)
1. Orthodoxy by Chesterton. Man and Woman He Created Them, JP II.
2. Discerning God's Will by Timothy Gallagher!
3. "time spent with Jesus in the Eucharist is never time wasted"... I agree w JP II, preparing for the Spirit is well founded through the Eucharist.
4. Spending time in prayer is always a discipline, but the best practice for me is a weekend silent retreat once or twice a year. It's hard! But always beautiful.
5. Penance- for me it's always about being open to others, and I think my daily life in ministry gives me lots of opportunities!
1) What books have played a key role in your journey? C.S. Lewis' Mere Christianity and The Abolition of Man; G.K. Chesterton's The Everlasting Man; Andrew M. Greeley's The Catholic Imagination; Saints Who Changed Things by Leo Knowles; How to Think About God by Mortimer J. Adler
2) What about the books that have aided your discernment? See above.
3) How should I prepare for my upcoming Confirmation? (Oh! P.S.-I might be confirming early!! Schyeah!) Hooray! Spend time with the Lord in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, if your parish does it.
4) How have you disciplined yourself to grow in holiness? Helping my invalid brother; praying the rosary; accepting correction.
5) What penances have you employed? ... Let me get back to you on that ....
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