The Need for Spiritual Direction

Our Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI recently spoke on the importance of everyone having a spiritual director. See: Zenit's Pope Recommends Spiritual Direction for Everyone

I am very happy to see that Pope Benedict stressed the importance of spiritual direction. This idea is not a new one for me. I have been trying for years to find the right spiritual director. A few priests that I approached simply told me that they were too busy. I respected that. One dear priest accepted my request to become my regular confessor.  Back then I thought a spiritual director and regular confessor would be the same person.   This is not so.  Unfortunately, he did not work out.  I was looking for someone to guide me to a more holy life in my vocation as a wife and mother. What I received was reassurance from a very kind and non-judgmental priest that I was doing fine . Before you know it, I stopped making appointments. Maybe  if I had known the difference between a regular confessor and a spiritual director, it would have worked out.  I may have been looking for another Padre Pio and this was not at all fair to Father as either a confessor or spiritual director.

I realize that a spiritual director does not have to be a priest. For me at least, I think a priest's spiritual direction would benefit me very much.  Informally, I receive spiritual direction from my mother.  I really value her guidance and wisdom.  She also seems to know me very well, including my faults and weaknesses, as well as strengths and virtues.  But I still wanted a priest to guide me.

A few years back, I decided that I was going to ask St. Padre Pio to be my spiritual director. Even though he was no longer on earth, I had already asked him to accept me as his spiritual daughter, so I thought this was divine inspiration guiding me.  He is actually a very good spiritual director.  Along with St. Padre Pio I rely heavily on Blessed Mother, the Holy Spirit and Jesus to help me and to guide me. 

I found an article by a priest on the topic of spiritual direction.  He also included what to do if you cannot find a spiritual director.  New Theological Movement's When You Cannot Find a Spiritual Director The writer shares valuable advice. Please be sure to read it if you are looking for spiritual direction.

What if I cannot find a suitable spiritual director?

We must first state that it would seem to be better to have no director at all than to have an unsuitable one – so long as the terms of “unsuitability” are primarily those which have been enumerated in my previous article and are not merely our whimsical fancies. It would be better to have no director at all than to have one who is unfaithful to the Church’s spiritual tradition – Far better to struggle alone up the mountain, than to be dragged down into hell with a companion! On the other hand, we must be realistic and recognize that our director does not need to be another St. John of the Cross, we simply need someone who is learned, faithful, and prayerful (and who is willing to take us on as a directee).

That being said, it is often the case that no suitable director is available. Often, the director we might desire is exceedingly busy – in this case, we must add, it never hurts to ask if he can take us on anyways. Moreover, I would add that any good director will be busy, but he will also have a generous heart. Also, there may be a place for direction through written letters or even over the phone – remember that St. Gemma often had her guardian angel deliver letters back and forth between her and her director!

If we cannot find a director, and we are convinced that we need one, we must first turn to prayer and mortification. Through prayer, fasting, mortification, and works of charity, we will merit a good director! Perseverance is the key, we must not stop asking God to give us a good director; he will surely answer our prayers. But what ought we to do in the meantime?

St. Alphonsus (one of the greatest doctors of the spiritual life) recommends the following daily practices:
1) Short prayers immediately upon rising
2) ½ hour’s meditation each day (or at least 15 minutes)
3) 15 minutes of spiritual reading each day
4) A daily examination of conscience (particularly considering the quality of our prayer)
5) To make a confession and take Holy Communion at least once per week
6) Avoid the near occasions of sin and bad company
7) Entrust yourself to the Blessed Virgin Mary
8) Pray to Our Savior to obtain his Holy Love
9) Daily ask for the grace of final perseverance (i.e. the gift of salvation)

Feast of Our Lady of the Angels - Portiuncula Indulgence

"Vision of St. Francis of Assisi" by Vincente Carducho

Today is a big feast day for the Franciscans. It is the Feast of Our Lady of the Angels. It is also the day when we all can receive plenary indulgence also known as the "Portiuncula Indulgence".

CONDITIONS TO OBTAIN THE PLENARY INDULGENCE OF THE FORGIVENESS OF ASSISI
(for oneself or for a departed soul)

- Sacramental Confession to be in God's grace
(during the eight days before or after);
- Participation in the Holy Mass and Eucharist.
- Visit to a Catholic Church, followed by PROFESSION OF FAITH, in order to reaffirm one's own Christian identity;
- Say the OUR FATHER, in order to reaffirm the dignity as child of God that one received in Baptism;
- A prayer for the Pope's intention, in order to reaffirm one's membership in the Church, of which the Roman Pontiff is the foundation and sign of visible unity.

To learn more about the Portiuncula Indulgence, please visit the Franciscan Friars T.O.R.

And, a big mahalo to Betty sending me a reminder yesterday!

St. Alphonsus di Liguori

The founder of the Redemptorists just happens to be one of my favorite saints.

I have had crosses in plenty-more than I could carry, almost. I set myself to ask for the love of crosses-then I was happy.

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St. Alphonsus Liguori came from a distinguished family in Naples. He gave up being an accomplished lawyer, for the priesthood. In 1732, he founded what is now known as the Redemptorists. Because of many difficulties and misapprehensions, St. Alphonsus was condemned and removed as their leader by Pope Pius VI. He was appointed bishop in 1762 and governed the small diocese of Sant' Agata dei Goti with "great wisdom and industry" until forced to resign in 1775, due to poor health. The difficulties with the Redemptorists became even more troubling to him after this time. Yet St. Alphonsus found the time to devote himself to ascetical and moral theology. It was during the last year and a half of his life that he was tormented "with the most fierce spiritual trials, but he died in peace in 17687, within two months of his ninety-first birthday. He was declared a doctor of the Church in 1871.

- Source A Dictionary of Saints by Donald Attwater

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The greatest glory we can give to God is to do his will in everything. Our Redeemer came on earth to glorify his heavenly Father and to teach us by his example how to do the same. St. Paul represents him saying to his eternal Father: “Sacrifice and oblation thou wouldst not: But a body thou hast fitted to me . . . Then said I: Behold I come to do thy will, O God[5].” Thou hast refused the victims offered thee by man; thou dost will that I sacrifice my body to thee. Behold me ready to do thy will.

Uniformity with God's Will

St. Martha

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If ever there was a saint homemakers could relate to, it is St. Martha. Poor Martha! She must have spent the whole day cleaning and cooking in anticipation of Jesus' visit to their home. Then when He finally arrives, her sister Mary is so busy keeping Him company, that she does not even realize her sister Martha may need some help putting dinner on the table.

Martha, can no longer keep silent nor mask her annoyance at her sister's apparent inconsideration, but she also seems somewhat annoyed at her guest, Jesus!  As we know from that scriptural reading, she complains about the fact that He doesn't care that Mary has left her with all the work to do.  Jesus gently points out that she is "anxious and worried over many things".

Sad to say, I would probably have done the same thing as Martha.  I do find it endearing though that she and her family had such an intimacy with Jesus that she could talk to Him that way.

If you attend Mass daily, you will notice there are some busy-bees working prior to the sacrifice of the Holy Mass.  They are the ones who pick up litter in the Church, light the candles, prepare the altar, depose of dead flowers, etc.  Then there are the "early birds" who are sitting in their pews, totally focused on the Blessed Sacrament and oblivious to the aforementioned"busy-bees" around them. [Ha! birds and bees reference is totally coincidental).

Those are the Marthas and Marys of daily Mass.  They both do their duties with love for God and neither is looking for recognition.  If the Marthas were to need help from the Marys, I am sure they would immediately offer to help. 

I think we need to be both a Martha and a Mary.  Homemakers must fulfill their daily duties to their family yet it is also very important for them to spend uninterrupted time with Jesus.  He truly refreshes our soul.  Early Mass for these busy homemakers may just be the answer.

Suffer from arthritis or any pain? ask St.Alphonsus

Shared by Mary Jane:

Pray as a Novena, starting this weekend.  Feast of St. Alphonsus is Monday, August 1st.

click here: Watch the video blessing

Dear St. Alphonsus, Friend of the Poor, and Arthritis Sufferer, you are the special patron of all who suffer from arthritis and the pains of many years.

When our joints, hips, arms, legs and knuckles hurt so much that tears well up in our eyes, help us to recall the tears, the sweat and the blood that flowed from our crucified Jesus who bore so much suffering out of love for each of us.

St. Alphonsus, afflicted with curvature of the spine and nailed to a wheelchair cross in your final years, teach us to unite all our pains with those of Jesus, so our patience and love inspires others to accept the difficulties of their lives.

We ask you to intercede for us so our pains will be eased but more so that we are enabled to be one with Jesus in his great act of dying and rising.  Amen.

Regarding Father Gordon MacRae

I left a comment on Father's most recent post letting him know that some people leave not-so-nice comments when I try to enlighten readers on Father's innocence. These comments are anonymous and I therefore delete them.

In response to my comment, Suzanne, one of the lovely ladies who is Father's right hand with regard to his blogging, send me the following comment. I have her permission to share it with you.  Mahalo, Suzanne and Jeremy!

There is a lot more to the story of Father Gordon MacRae than you know. I want to tell you about the real Gordon MacRae. I spent five years in prison with him, but we didn’t know him as Father anything. Just G. I was 19 years old when I went to prison and most people thought I was 16 or 17. Every young kid in prison is very aware of predators and prison is filled with them. A tiger can’t change his stripes and a man who is a predator on the streets can be a monster in prison.

G is far from a predator. He was the only person any of us could trust. He treated with nothing but care and respect and challenged us to leave prison better than when we came in. In all those years I never saw, heard, or felt anything that made me believe G ever belonged in prison.

There’s something else you need to know. There was this big, tough man on our cell block who everyone feared. I was a pretty tough kid and could handle myself , but one night this guy told my roommate to be somewhere else. Then he came in my cell and demanded something despicable from me. When I refused he dragged me from my bunk and started beating me. I fought but was no match for him and he pinned me to the floor. All the upstanding convicts fled to their cells and blocked their ears.

Then the beating stopped and i realized someone else was in the room. It was G. The man stood up and demanded that G leave. G just said, “I don’t jump on your command.” Then this beast just lunged at him, but G stood there and didn’t move. When this guy saw that g wasn’t backing down he walked past G and left. G made sure I was okay. This man never came near me again. He never even looked at me again.

I am out of prison today because of G. All I learned about courage and integrity and honor I learned from G.
Jeremy

Novena to St. John Marie Vianney for Our Priests

It is imperative that we pray for our priests! Check out Father Gordon's recent post

My friend and co-coordinator for the Spiritual Moms Apostolate, Easter, reminds us that the Novena to St. John Vianney, the patron saint of parish priests, begins today. I would also like to thank another friend Madalena, for sending me the novena reminder the other day.

Novena can be found here.

A Heavenly Beautifier

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"Moses 'did not know that the skin of his face had become radiant while he conversed with the Lord.'"

Exodus 34:29-35

The above quote from Exodus was the first reading of today's Mass.  Moses' face became radiant because he came in contact with the living God, face to face.

St. Michael Friary Chapel, Paterson, NJ

We too have the opportunity to encounter the living God whenever we enter a Catholic church or chapel.  Our God is the same God that spoke to Moses.  That close proximity with our creator transformed Moses' face into such a radiance that he had to cover his face from the others.  Just imagine how much our countenance will be changed when we go before the Lord, truly present in the Blessed Sacrament and sincerely adore Him!  It is not only our faces that will transform, but more importantly, this transformation will come about because our hearts will transform.  Our hearts will know love and in turn, will give love to others.  This love will make us beautiful.

There is a strange way of gauging beauty by worldly standards.  For instance, the Hollywood crowd is referred to as the "beautiful people".  People Magazine, has their annual Beautiful People issue.  But if we think about the people we really consider beautiful, we will realize those are the people who radiate love and joy.  Those people are beautiful on the inside and out and that is not just a cliché.

"Girl in the Mirror" by Norman Rockwell 1954

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Sts. Joachim and Anne

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PRAYER TO ST JOACHIM AND ST ANNE

Great and glorious patriarch, St Joachim, and good St Anne, what joy is mine when I consider that you were chosen among all God?s holy ones to assist in the fulfillment of the mysteries of God, and to enrich our earth with the great Mother of God, Mary most holy. By this singular privilege, you have become most powerful with both the Mother and her Son, so as to be able to obtain for us the graces that are needful to us.

With great confidence I have recourse to your mighty protection, and I commend to you all my needs, both spiritual and temporal, and those of my family. Especially do I entrust to your keeping the particular favour that I desire and look for from your intercession.

And since you were a perfect pattern of the interior life, obtain for me the grace to pray earnestly, and never to set m heart on the passing goods of this life. Give me a lively and enduring love for Jesus and Mary. Obtain for me also a sincere devotion and obedience to Holy church and the sovereign pontiff who rules over her, in order that I may live an die in faith and hope and perfect charity. Let me ever invoke the holy Names of Jesus and Mary. And may I thus be saved. Amen.

Source: Air Maria: The Model Grandparents - Saints Joachim and Anne

Be sure to visit The Catholic Grandparents Association

St. James - Bridling of the Tongue

The Beheading of St. James by Fra Filippo Lippi

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If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue 14 but deceives his heart, his religion is vain.

St. James 1:26.

In honor of the Feast of St. James, I will:

- Not speak unless necessary.

- Not give my opinion unless asked.

- Listen more intently to the person speaking to me.

- Avoid negative words, harmful, critical, hurtful words escaping from my lips.

- Literally bite my tongue if tempted to speak without first pausing and thinking about I am about to say.

- Pray to the Holy Spirit and our Blessed Mother for strength in  taming my tongue.

- I knew I forgot one more thing.  I will not complain especially about little things.

In the same way the tongue is a small member and yet has great pretensions. Consider how small a fire can set a huge forest ablaze.

The tongue is also a fire. It exists among our members as a world of malice, defiling the whole body and setting the entire course of our lives on fire, itself set on fire by Gehenna.

For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by the human species,

but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings who are made in the likeness of God.

From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. This need not be so, my brothers.

James 3:6-10

There is a good article that someone shared on Twitter that should be read. Three Tips for Taming the Tongue.