No Bible, No Breakfast; No Rosary, No Rest

[mathematoons]

What do you all do to keep growing in faith in the busyness of life?

I had to find my answer on my own. First, a little background: I used to spend way too much time reading Catholic stuff, using it like some use TV. This stemmed from the fact that I converted 5 years ago and learned as much as I could about the faith to make up for lost time (I was 26 at conversion; before, I was an atheist). A lot of the material, I learned later, was not quite on the level, but I had no way of knowing that on my own (I had no real help learning); much of the rest, while orthodox, was not exactly relevant to my life (written for priests or religious). A few months after I completed the long, slow process of weeding these out, I found that I was stuck in a rut. I had the sense of having reached a plateau, much as I felt in the months prior to conversion.

Then everything changed at work a few months ago (new boss), and suddenly I’m a lot busier. Not only am I working overtime sometimes, but I’m having to catch up on a lot of work-related knowledge that my old boss didn’t deem necessary for me, but my new boss does. By the time I get home, my brain is fried, and there isn’t lots of time for spiritual reading anyway.

After praying about it, I remembered that one priest recommended that we keep our spiritual reading to 15 minutes per day, because we do this for formation rather than entertainment, and limiting our reading time helps us take the whole thing in rather than just reading the more interesting parts and skimming over the rest because of time constraints. So, I decided to do this as an experiment.

I knew that the Bible had to come first, then the Catechism, then everything else. I remembered that another priest went by the motto, “No Bible, no breakfast.” So I started making it a point to live by the same motto and read 4 chapters (which is about 15 minutes) each morning (I use Douay-Rheims): first, the chapter containing the day’s Gospel reading (since the Gospels are at the heart of Scripture according to the Catechism); then, the chapter containing the day’s epistle reading (if there is none, I choose one I would like to know by heart); the chapter containing the responsorial Psalm; then, the chapter containing the Old Testament reading. After this, one section from the Catechism; if there is time (and there often isn’t), a chapter from a spiritual classic at my level (right now, Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales, or Story of a Soul by St. Thérèse of Lisieux). Usually, I make a note on my phone’s note app, with a passage from one of those classics, and refer to it during the week to think about when I have a moment. I start with the prayers: “Open thou my eyes, and I will consider the wondrous things of thy law.” (Psalm 118 [119]:15) “Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Thy faithful, and enkindle in them the fire if Thy love.” “Teach me to do thy will, for thou art my God.” (Psalm 142 [143]:10). Strangely, because I’m reading less, I remember it better.

During the day, I struggle to remember to make brief prayers while I’m so busy, but I always think of Jesus and Mary, I often have hymn lyrics running through my mind, and whenever I take a break, I pray, just talking to God about whatever is going on in my life. “Be nothing solicitous; but in every thing, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your petitions be made known to God.” (‭Philippians‬ ‭4:6)

During the evening, when I have time, I make sure to get in a Rosary, using the traditional mysteries (Joyful on Monday and Thursday, Sorrowful on Tuesday and Friday, Glorious on Wednesday and Saturday, because I like that order; Sunday depends on the liturgical season). The Blessed Mother wants us all to pray her Rosary each day for the conversion of sinners (and the ongoing conversion of our own souls), so I pray the Rosary with the intention to pray 5 decades; even if I have no time before bed, I pray the Rosary until I fall asleep (usually 3 or 4 decades). I meditate on the mysteries and often meditate on a short passage (a verse or two) from the morning’s readings at the same time, trying to link them to the mysteries. In this way, I often memorize them without trying!

Each day, I tell myself, “No Bible, no breakfast; no Rosary, no rest.” This is all that gets me through some days.

 

[littlestsouls2]

The restriction on the amount of time we spend in spiritual reading is good advice; I really need to practice this myself.

You seem to have a good balance of work and prayer. The Saints tell us to frequently raise our minds to God - especially by means of considering His presence in our souls. Ejaculatory prayers (or aspirations), such as “Jesus, I trust in You”, are very helpful, and we can offer the indulgences for the Holy Souls, who will in turn pray for us. There is nothing easier and sweeter.

If I’m really busy, I try to take small “mental breaks” to speak to God and listen to Him. That way I am sure that He will guide me, as the Scriptures say. “Come, follow Me… Seek My face.” It is that simple.

 

[Isca]

It sounds to me that you are very committed to your spiritual growth and are really trying to do your best! Congratulations, many of us don’t spend as much time as we should on that.

I would recommend Magnificat, which has been a great help to me (as a recent Catholic convert). It is a subscription publication, but it has morning and evening Scripture readings and prayers for every day as well as the daily Mass readings. It also has many interesting and inspiring articles and information about different Saints.

I read it in bed at night, and my husband (who isn’t Catholic) always asks me to tell him about the Saint for the following day. We often have a little discussion about that and I’ve learnt a great deal from it.

 

[peter26]

One thought, if you are already reading several portions of scripture every morning, you could work up to starting your day with Morning Prayer, which incorporates scripture readings into a short service of prayer. As you seem to like traditional language (you say you use the Douay-Rheims translation), I’d recommend either the Customary of Our Lady of Walsingham or the Book of Common Prayer, both commonly used in the Ordinariate and both available online.

 

[mathematoons]

The restriction on the amount of time we spend in spiritual reading is good advice; I really need to practice this myself.

Yes, it’s advice we hear too little. My thinking had been that I had once spent tons of time watching junk on TV and would therefore need that much time with Catholic stuff to undo that influence. (It was realizing that the movies have too much influence on me that made me give up secular movies and TV, and greatly limit even the best of it; this has improved my mental clarity.) But there’s only so much information we can absorb at a time, so when it’s a small amount, we remember it better.

Also, only reading one chapter of a spiritual classic each day forces us to choose the best of the best of the best. I don’t read much else in my spare time because I have to read so much for work, I can’t concentrate on (for example) a novel, and besides, as St. Alphonsus said, “It is true that in the works like those of Cicero we sometimes find useful sentiments; but the same St. Jerome wisely said in a letter to another disciple: ‘What need have you of seeking for a little gold in the midst of so much mire,’ when you can read pious books in which you may find all gold without any mire?” (For both reasons, I don’t come here on the forums much anymore.) What I do is stick mainly to the Doctors of the Church (and the books they recommend). My favorite is St. Francis de Sales, followed by St. Thérèse of Lisieux.

Of course, less spiritual reading leaves the question of what to do in my spare time. For myself, I play piano or guitar, play with my dog, draw, or get some exercise.

You seem to have a good balance of work and prayer. The Saints tell us to frequently raise our minds to God - especially by means of considering His presence in our souls. Ejaculatory prayers (or aspirations), such as “Jesus, I trust in You”, are very helpful, and we can offer the indulgences for the Holy Souls, who will in turn pray for us. There is nothing easier and sweeter.

Thanks. How do you remember to do the aspirations? I can’t seem to, I get too absorbed in completing the work, though I know in the back of my mind that God is there and wants me to do this work well. Also, how do you choose which aspiration to use when you remember to do one?

If I’m really busy, I try to take small “mental breaks” to speak to God and listen to Him. That way I am sure that He will guide me, as the Scriptures say. “Come, follow Me… Seek My face.” It is that simple.

 

[littlestsouls2]

Yes, it’s advice we hear too little. My thinking had been that I had once spent tons of time watching junk on TV and would therefore need that much time with Catholic stuff to undo that influence. (It was realizing that the movies have too much influence on me that made me give up secular movies and TV, and greatly limit even the best of it; this has improved my mental clarity.) But there’s only so much information we can absorb at a time, so when it’s a small amount, we remember it better.

Also, only reading one chapter of a spiritual classic each day forces us to choose the best of the best of the best. I don’t read much else in my spare time because I have to read so much for work, I can’t concentrate on (for example) a novel, and besides, as St. Alphonsus said, “It is true that in the works like those of Cicero we sometimes find useful sentiments; but the same St. Jerome wisely said in a letter to another disciple: ‘What need have you of seeking for a little gold in the midst of so much mire,’ when you can read pious books in which you may find all gold without any mire?” (For both reasons, I don’t come here on the forums much anymore.) What I do is stick mainly to the Doctors of the Church (and the books they recommend). My favorite is St. Francis de Sales, followed by St. Thérèse of Lisieux.

Of course, less spiritual reading leaves the question of what to do in my spare time. For myself, I play piano or guitar, play with my dog, draw, or get some exercise.

Thanks. How do you remember to do the aspirations? I can’t seem to, I get too absorbed in completing the work, though I know in the back of my mind that God is there and wants me to do this work well. Also, how do you choose which aspiration to use when you remember to do one?

I know what you mean. In terms of movies, I find that Steven Greydanus offers some worthwhile commentaries. There is no shortage of toxic material out there. And yes, it is easy to bombard oneself with too much at one time. I did this years ago and I’m still undoing the errors!

Good point. I like the quote from St. Alphonsus, too! He is a favourite of mine. I also love St. Francis de Sales and St. Therese. The Little Flower is truly like a sister to all those who invoke her aid.

Recreation is hugely important. Drawing is good (I love it); I also play guitar and a few sports. St. Francis de Sales says that recreation is absolutely essential.

How do I remember to do aspirations? … At the beginning of the day I offer Our Lady all my indulgences for the Holy Souls. So as to keep my eyes on Jesus and Mary, I try to make aspirations at various times throughout the day e.g. Before turning the page of a book; when brushing teeth; when doing manual labour; when tempted etc. I have read a decent amount about aspirations, so they are fresh in my mind. I try to use whichever feels right at the time e.g. Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us - when tempted to impurity.

If you start trying to fill up small periods of the day when you otherwise might not be praying (e.g. When you sit down at the computer), then you will soon find it much easier.

If you want a very, very powerful indulgenced aspiration, try the following (which was given to Yvonne-Aimee in 1922, and has been approved by the Church):

O Jesus, King of Love, I put my trust in Thy merciful goodness!

In my experience, no aspiration has brought me greater consolation and light as this one.

God bless.

 

[mathematoons]

I know what you mean. In terms of movies, I find that Steven Greydanus offers some worthwhile commentaries. There is no shortage of toxic material out there. And yes, it is easy to bombard oneself with too much at one time. I did this years ago and I’m still undoing the errors!

Still? Me too! Even when there is nothing immodest, we still absorb the pernicious worldly attitudes of secular movies. We are foolish to think that they do not affect us. “Be not seduced: Evil communications corrupt good manners.” (1 Corinthians 15:33, quoting the pre-Christian Greek poet Menander).

What led you to see the problem? For me, it started with God calling me to search the Scriptures like the Bereans (Acts 17:11) on the matter, and then I was devastated by the death of a famous actor/actress (I prefer not to say who it was), as if a family member had died. I finally said, “I think the movies have too much influence on me,” and walked away from Hollywood.

Good point. I like the quote from St. Alphonsus, too! He is a favourite of mine.

I like him too. If you like that one, here’s another one from the same source:

But some one may say, What harm is there in reading romances and profane poetry when they contain nothing immodest? Do you ask what harm? Behold the harm: the reading of such works kindles the concupiscence of the senses, and awakens the passions; these easily gain the consent of the will, or at least render it so weak that when the occasion of any dangerous affection occurs the devil finds the soul already prepared to allow itself to be conquered. A wise author has said that by the reading of such pernicious books heresy has made, and makes every day, great progress; because such reading has given and gives increased strength to libertinism. The poison of these books enters gradually into the soul; it first makes itself master of the understanding, then infects the will, and in the end kills the soul. The devil finds no means more efficacious and secure of sending a young person to perdition than the reading of such poisoned works.

The original Italian word for “romances” is romanzi, meaning “novels.” This has been my experience with movies and other media.

See the full article here: ourladyswarriors.org/saints/ligoread.htm

I also love St. Francis de Sales and St. Therese. The Little Flower is truly like a sister to all those who invoke her aid.

I have that same experience, I think of her the same way. I didn’t know that others felt that way.

I bought sacrifice beads a couple of months ago, and they are a huge help. The call for me to get and use them probably came from her intercession!

How do I remember to do aspirations? … At the beginning of the day I offer Our Lady all my indulgences for the Holy Souls. So as to keep my eyes on Jesus and Mary, I try to make aspirations at various times throughout the day e.g. Before turning the page of a book; when brushing teeth; when doing manual labour; when tempted etc. I have read a decent amount about aspirations, so they are fresh in my mind. I try to use whichever feels right at the time e.g. Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us - when tempted to impurity.

If you start trying to fill up small periods of the day when you otherwise might not be praying (e.g. When you sit down at the computer), then you will soon find it much easier.

If you want a very, very powerful indulgenced aspiration, try the following (which was given to Yvonne-Aimee in 1922, and has been approved by the Church):

O Jesus, King of Love, I put my trust in Thy merciful goodness!

In my experience, no aspiration has brought me greater consolation and light as this one.

God bless.

Thanks, I’ll try those.

 

[littlestsouls2]

Still? Me too! Even when there is nothing immodest, we still absorb the pernicious worldly attitudes of secular movies. We are foolish to think that they do not affect us. “Be not seduced: Evil communications corrupt good manners.” (1 Corinthians 15:33, quoting the pre-Christian Greek poet Menander).

What led you to see the problem? For me, it started with God calling me to search the Scriptures like the Bereans (Acts 17:11) on the matter, and then I was devastated by the death of a famous actor/actress (I prefer not to say who it was), as if a family member had died. I finally said, “I think the movies have too much influence on me,” and walked away from Hollywood.

I like him too. If you like that one, here’s another one from the same source:

The original Italian word for “romances” is romanzi, meaning “novels.” This has been my experience with movies and other media.

See the full article here: ourladyswarriors.org/saints/ligoread.htm

I have that same experience, I think of her the same way. I didn’t know that others felt that way.

I bought sacrifice beads a couple of months ago, and they are a huge help. The call for me to get and use them probably came from her intercession!

Thanks, I’ll try those.

That’s true. I try not to overthink it, but I generally watch fairly tame films. Baraka is one of my favourites, and it’s very safe.

I think I realised the problem when I considered the pervasiveness of sin in the media, including on my favourite shows. I have given certain shows up as a result.

St. Therese has a biiiggg spiritual family. If she is loved by so many it’s because she modelled her life on Mary, the first “little soul”, who we can’t help but love as we come to know her.

Take care and God bless.