M
MariaChristi
Guest
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
A good method for forming Baptized Catholics into Catholics who know and practice their faith better is for parishes to have two excellent resources working by the power of the Holy Spirit among adults especially, although both can also be organized on age appropriate levels for teens and children : 1) Bible Studies offered in conjunction with the Catechism and 2) an active Legion of Mary Apostolate. I write this because I have seen people (small groups admitedly) grow in their love for God and Mary and put their faith into action first and foremost in their own lives, and in reaching out to share their faith with others.
This has been my experience over many years now. Both before my marriage and afterwards. God has worked in my heart through his Word and through Mary from an early age. I met my husband on a retreat given by a Jesuit priest on the Gospel of John. At present we are involved in a Bible Study held in our home with my husband teaching and I assisting but with all the members of the Bible Study also listening and discussing the Scripture. Other members of the group also “host” the Bible study in their homes, as we meet each week and belong to the same parish.
My husband has great devotion to Our Lady but has not felt led to join a Legion of Mary group, but I having begun as a Legion member in my teens am currently a member of the Legion in our parish. Several Legion Members are also members of our Bible Study. I wanted to share this on the Evangelization Forum because as my husband and I were praying the Liturgy of the Hours Morning prayer today, there was an antiphon which greatly blessed me:
The Church was given St. John Paul II who wrote so beautifully on the Mother of the Redeemer and invoked her often as “Star of the New Evangelization”. Unfortunately, not many have listened – but I believe it is not too late to begin, not only with Catholics who’ve had little formation but those newly entering the Church via RCIA. I’d be grateful to hear from anyone with similar thoughts or experiences. Thanks.
A good method for forming Baptized Catholics into Catholics who know and practice their faith better is for parishes to have two excellent resources working by the power of the Holy Spirit among adults especially, although both can also be organized on age appropriate levels for teens and children : 1) Bible Studies offered in conjunction with the Catechism and 2) an active Legion of Mary Apostolate. I write this because I have seen people (small groups admitedly) grow in their love for God and Mary and put their faith into action first and foremost in their own lives, and in reaching out to share their faith with others.
This has been my experience over many years now. Both before my marriage and afterwards. God has worked in my heart through his Word and through Mary from an early age. I met my husband on a retreat given by a Jesuit priest on the Gospel of John. At present we are involved in a Bible Study held in our home with my husband teaching and I assisting but with all the members of the Bible Study also listening and discussing the Scripture. Other members of the group also “host” the Bible study in their homes, as we meet each week and belong to the same parish.
My husband has great devotion to Our Lady but has not felt led to join a Legion of Mary group, but I having begun as a Legion member in my teens am currently a member of the Legion in our parish. Several Legion Members are also members of our Bible Study. I wanted to share this on the Evangelization Forum because as my husband and I were praying the Liturgy of the Hours Morning prayer today, there was an antiphon which greatly blessed me:
I believe He shows us the radiance of His Mercy in Mary – particularly in her Immaculate Heart. The Church needs to remember Jesus’ words on Calvary: “Behold your Mother” and obey as John did, taking Mary into his home and into his life.Lord Show us the radiance of Your mercy
The Church was given St. John Paul II who wrote so beautifully on the Mother of the Redeemer and invoked her often as “Star of the New Evangelization”. Unfortunately, not many have listened – but I believe it is not too late to begin, not only with Catholics who’ve had little formation but those newly entering the Church via RCIA. I’d be grateful to hear from anyone with similar thoughts or experiences. Thanks.