How do you keep your faith alive?

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Michael_Mayo

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Sometimes even daily Mass and our paryer practices can seem to dry up on us.

I think it is then that our interest and appeal to the saints can help to give us a fresh aspect of God; Francis, Bendict, Dominic, etc.

Also language, sometimes I go back and forths with prayer in English, Latin & Spanish.
Or use a Greek /English interlinear New Testament.

Or maybe a praticular book on spirituality or prayer will coem along and provide new enthusiasm.

What helps you?
 
Since you asked…the miraculous medal.

I cannot say enough for it.

Her picture, Our Lady of Grace, on the front of the medal shows her arms down and stretched out. There are rays of light comming from her hands. These rays are comming from each ring on her fingers. Each finger has 3 rings. Many rings are radiating light, but some are not. She said that those emanating light are graces that were asked for. Those that didn’t shine rays of light were graces lost because they were not asked for. So it is very important that we ask her for those great graces. And she did say GREAT graces not just graces.

When tempted hold on to the medal and ask her for those great graces she promised. She will give them to you, and at times you will be taken back by how she responds.

It is also good for other temptations and trials in our lives as well. When the temper acts up and the urge to retaliate is strong, hold the medal in your fingers, and ask her to help you.

This gift from Mary is very powerful when believed and used actively. The devil has found clever ways to tempt, but she has found ways to calm and strengthen all the more. When in prayer and the distractions become overwhelming, hold the medal and ask Mary for protection from distractions, continue to hold the gift and pray.

This gift can be used in all sorts of ways for graces of all kinds.

Short story of St. Catherine Laboure.
stcathek.org/stcath.htm

The incorrupt body of St. Catherine Laboure today.
traditioninaction.org/SOD/SODimages5/232_incorrupt_labourel.jpg
 
I personalize everything. The sun rises with it’s radiant colors just for me. The beach was formed for thousands of years, just so I can see it today. The sparkles on the water are just for me. The wind blowing wildly through the air is because God wants my attention. Everything is as it is right now, just for me.

Jesus is God and He is also a man and every man I’ve ever known loves to show off for the lady He loves, whether it be his mother, sister, grandmother, or wife. My little nephews have to show me every toy they own whenever I come to visit and usually are compelled to give me something; candy, a picture, a toy, something. Jesus is no different. He will show off as much as I am willing to pay attention.

I learned a while ago from Jesus that the best gift I could give him was to receive. So, I let Him love me and I own it! I own that all these things are for the love of me. I truly believe that so many people don’t feel loved by the mere fact they their insecurity won’t let them OWN it!

Sometimes because I know that God delights in me, I will dance for Him in my living room. Sometimes, I sing and sometimes I just sit and listen/watch. You can turn everything into an act of love. You can draw God a picture, you can do the dishes, you can mow the lawn, you can forge Him kitchen cupboards, whatever is your talent. Life transforms when you do this.
 
The thing that keeps my faith alive is going the TLM every last Sunday of the month (I go every Sunday to Novus Ordo). The TLM is the most amazing thing. Another thing that keeps my faith alive is wearing my necklace. I have a 4-way cross and a St. Michael medal. It’s a very big visual aid in ‘keeping faith alive’. Lastly, the thing that keeps my faith alive is following religious things in social media. I follow multiple religious things on Facebook and my instagram has religious posts on it too. It’s mainly the visual aid that helps me to keep in mind that I am Catholic and I need to be that way. It’s not a fad, It’s a way of life. So yeah, in retrospect… all my visual aids I have is keeping my faith alive.
 
Mostly through Prayer with God. During my day I may think about discussions I have about my faith, or at the mass I always listen to the Gospels and that works up my faith, But when I sit down in the quiet and just meditate prayer, or pray the rosary, read the scriptures on my own, it helps keep my faith alive. I suppose it’s the combination of blocking out the noise and listening to God. When God speaks to me, he keeps me going and tells me it’s not for naught that I have faith because its’ whatever God says that then comes to fruition, be it healing or some little change, or I get understanding about something. I suppose if I never got the affirmation from God, it would be harder to keep my faith going… So God keeps my faith alive.

I wanted to add, the eucharist also keeps my faith alive. IT always has. So there again it’s God.
 
If I want to spice things up in my prayer life, I will add in the Divine Mercy chaplet or pray a novena. It keeps things interesting 😉
 
Some great responses here. Thanks.

I must add that visual images help.
I found an icon of St Francis and put it in my kitchen.
Every time I look at it I am touched.

This is not it but it is close.

 
When dryness creeps in, I spend time in the presence of others who joyfully live their faith. Our senior sacristan, a 78-year-old grandmother, always has a smile on her face and a kind word for everyone. She is an absolute delight to be around and fully lives her Catholicism every moment of her life.

I also tend to surround myself with priests and, less often, seminarians. The seminarians I’m acquainted with are such a breath of fresh air. I have had the privilege of chanting the Divine Office with priests, seminarians and the odd bishop or two. Their love for God and enthusiasm for their vocation is so edifying, even for me, a simple laywoman with far fewer challenges than any of them.

That’s what helps me. YMMV.
 
“78 year old grandmother”

You are reminding me of Leo and Ed, guys in theri 90’s, faithful all their lives, saints in my opinion…living sacraments.
 
I don’t mean for this to sound arrogant, but studying other philosophies and religions has helped me keep faith in the Catholic Church and the Trinity, even in my hardest times. Looking at other forms of spirituality and religion, they seem so damaging and empty to me compared to the Church.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure they hold some good ideas and can help guide those devoted to them who are without Christ. But every time I try to picture following one of those philosophies or religions, they provide me no peace of mind or soul. Christ and His Church are the only things that really give me comfort.
 
Michael_Mayo said:
“78 year old grandmother”

You are reminding me of Leo and Ed, guys in theri 90’s, faithful all their lives, saints in my opinion…living sacraments.
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When I find such people, I tend to stick close to them. They are absolute treasures.

I should probably point out that Leo and Ed are more than twice my age, but I never let that stop me from making a connection with someone. I don’t prioritize seeking the companionship of people my age. I take whatever comes my way. My two closest friends are in their 70s. My priest, who is very dear to me, is old enough to be my dad. I’ve learned lots about faith and spirituality from those who have been around the block a few more times than I. 👍
 
vjnycguy said:
The thing that keeps my faith alive is going the TLM every last Sunday of the month (I go every Sunday to Novus Ordo).
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I am not a big fan of the Latin Mass and yet when my spirituality dries up I find that the Psalms in Latin help a great deal. I am back to them now.
 
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