Request for advice - How to bring God into a busy, stressful and hectic worklife?

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Further to the above - are their special graces/blessings received by members of personal prelatures?
By this, are you referring to indulgences? Yes, there are indulgences attached to belonging to Opus Dei (or simply being a Cooperator!) on certain feast days throughout the year.

Beyond that, I imagine that anyone who has received a specific calling from God, be it to Opus Dei or any other organization, considers that in and of itself to be a tremendous blessing from God. I certainly do.

BTW, you had concerns about distance/time. If you know the center that is nearest to you, it is worth giving a phone call. If there are supernumeraries or cooperators scattered about your neck of the woods, then it is quite possible someone from the center makes regular trips to tend to them. Of course there are no guarantees, but it never hurts to ask. 🙂

Whilst poking around the 'net looking, I discovered that EWTN has a ton of stuff on The Work in its library. Some links I found, for your reading enjoyment… Shaw’s pamphlet on Opus Dei is a bit out of date (the founder has since been canonized and membership is now about 85,000) but is otherwise still quite helpful.

ewtn.com/library/PRIESTS/TRIGOPUS.HTM
www.ewtn.com/library/SPIRIT/OPUSLIFE.TXT
www.ewtn.com/library/SPIRIT/OD_SHAW.TXT
www.ewtn.com/library/SPIRIT/ODCOOP.TXT

Margaret
 
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deekod1967:
I have put up a Padre Pio third class relic/prayer card alongside my crucifix and my “before and after task” prayer right next to my desk, and they definitely serve to remind me God is for work too - not just at home. They also serve to witness my Faith - people may think I’m a bit loopy - but then that can be a good “front” in business!
An excellent point!..I have holy pictures and posters dotted here and there through my home (I’m a student)…yes I daresay some think I am a religious nut, but they do state that I am Catholic and most comment: “You’re Catholic are you?” to which I reply in the affirmative and immediately hence aware of my obligation to represent The Church by my very person. Most, however, where the pics etc. are concerned ask questions and an opportunity to evangelize in some way.
I do admire your attitude in the above quote!
They are indeed having an effect already, my stress levels drop immediately when I say a prayer after a stressful telephone call etc. - I only wish I had posted this thread years ago!
God’s ways may indeed seem most strange to us…and He moves in His own way and time. Many blessings to you.

I did for quite a while consider perhaps a lay order and during my enquiries attempted to live the life, but did find that the time allotted to various matters was too demanding for my own calls and duties. But I wish you well and hope that God does indeed call you to a lay order, since you seem to have a distinct attraction and interest and a good indication that you may well be called. “Thy Will be done on earth, as it is in Heaven”.

Peace…Barb
 
CatholicSam said:
:rotfl: I feel that way sometimes! I heard a recent “Mother Angelica Classics” episode where she talked about offering up all the good people in the whole world to God so that she can “get it all.”

Anyway, my husband has a crucifix and holy cards at his desk, and when he’s on hold or having to wait for a computer program to run or something, he picks up his Rosary and either prays the Rosary (although it’s hard to do if you have many little interruptions) or just uses it to hold and say other prayers, like the Jesus Prayer or maybe St. Gertrude the Great prayers. Then he keeps his place by hanging it on a push-pin on his bulletin board at the bead he was on.

I have also heard of putting a picture of Jesus or Mary as your computer wall paper, and I guess your screen saver (my DH has a pic of me and our son though :p). Depending on the ‘flow’ of the day, he either goes out for a walk at lunch time or at 3:00. There’s a church half a mile from his office, so although it’s a mission church and locked during the day, he walks there praying the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. And then, stopping by an outdoor shrine of Our Lady, says one decade of the Rosary before walking back in prayer. If he goes at lunchtime, he usually eats his lunch at the shrine, too.

And don’t forget your commute time! You can listen to spiritual audio-books or say a Rosary or some other prayers and make good use of that time 🙂 When my husband comes home from work, I can tell that he has already been able to shed much of the stress of the day!

Thanks Sam,

I will definitely be taking up your idea of listening to audio books in the car during my daily commute, I will also make time to walk to Church at lunchtime saying the Rosary at least once a week. I will ask the local Priest if I could get hold of a key to the local Church for some lunchtime meditation on the Psalms or possibly even the mid-day office.

This thread is turning into a gathering point for “grace junkies” - thank you all very much for all your very useful ideas.

DD
 
Red Meg:
By this, are you referring to indulgences? Yes, there are indulgences attached to belonging to Opus Dei (or simply being a Cooperator!) on certain feast days throughout the year.

Beyond that, I imagine that anyone who has received a specific calling from God, be it to Opus Dei or any other organization, considers that in and of itself to be a tremendous blessing from God. I certainly do.

BTW, you had concerns about distance/time. If you know the center that is nearest to you, it is worth giving a phone call. If there are supernumeraries or cooperators scattered about your neck of the woods, then it is quite possible someone from the center makes regular trips to tend to them. Of course there are no guarantees, but it never hurts to ask. 🙂

Whilst poking around the 'net looking, I discovered that EWTN has a ton of stuff on The Work in its library. Some links I found, for your reading enjoyment… Shaw’s pamphlet on Opus Dei is a bit out of date (the founder has since been canonized and membership is now about 85,000) but is otherwise still quite helpful.

ewtn.com/library/PRIESTS/TRIGOPUS.HTM
www.ewtn.com/library/SPIRIT/OPUSLIFE.TXT
www.ewtn.com/library/SPIRIT/OD_SHAW.TXT
www.ewtn.com/library/SPIRIT/ODCOOP.TXT

Margaret
Hi Margaret,

Thank you for taking the time to provide some very useful info. on Opus Dei, I’ve felt a curious need to get in touch with them for the past couple of years.

Before I do anything I need to convince those nearest and dearest to me that Opus dei is not some sort of mad cult that will turn me into a “religious nut” - not easy in light of the recent publicity through the Da Vinci Code etc.

I’ll start by printing off the above articles to leave around the house to prompt conversation, then I’ll take it step by step from there.
If anyone knows of any good references de-bunking the Opus Dei myths then please let me know!

Godwilling I’ll be calling them in the near future.

DD
 
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BarbaraTherese:
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deekod1967:
Hi Barb,

I converted from lapsed to practising cradle Catholic whilst at University and I am fully aware of what its like to get the strange looks! - one year I was “jack the lad” the next I was “nerd of the week”. But I wouldnt change a thing looking back, these times stood me in good stead for witnessing my Faith in the office, and I am sure you will feel the same way also - keep up the good work!

Thank you for taking the time to reply to my thread, may I take this opportunity to wish you all the best in your studies.

DD
 
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puzzleannie:
there are many lay institutes to assist someone committed to this goal, such as Benedictine Oblates, Secular Franciscans, Dominican tertiaries etc…
The Holy Family Institute, a Pauline community is for married and widowed catholics that want to deepen their commitment to God. It can be found at:
vocations-holyfamily.com/
God Bless
maggiec
 
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deekod1967:
Hi - can anyone tell me anything about Carmelite Seculars?

geocities.com/korvesem/carmel/whatis.html

I am thinking of giving them a call to investigate becoming an aspirant.

Many thanks,

DD
I live in Australia. The Australian Carmelite Order has a website which I find personally quite comprehensive and has a link on the Home Page to Carmelite Seculars.
You may find the following websites handy as a start. The next move would be I think to get in contact with a Carmel Monastery near you and find out if they have a Secular Community attached and make enquiries.
There are two divisions of Carmel, known as the O.Carm which follows the ancient tradition and the OCD which follows the reforms of St. Teresa of Avila…tho both to me seem very similar.
Other Posters may be more helpful than I.

Camelite Seculars - Constitution

http://www.helpfellowship.org/secular_carmelite_constitutions.htm

Australian Carmelite Website with link to Secular Carmelites.

http://www.carmelite.com/

Blessings in your seeking…

Peace…Barb
 
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deekod1967:
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BarbaraTherese:
Hi Barb,

I converted from lapsed to practising cradle Catholic whilst at University and I am fully aware of what its like to get the strange looks! - one year I was “jack the lad” the next I was “nerd of the week”. But I wouldnt change a thing looking back, these times stood me in good stead for witnessing my Faith in the office, and I am sure you will feel the same way also - keep up the good work!

Thank you for taking the time to reply to my thread, may I take this opportunity to wish you all the best in your studies.

DD
Hi There D1967!..I only noticed this Post after posting my previous one to you and blessings in your own seekings and aspirations re Carmel.
If the university you attended is anything like our universities in the main here in Australia, to be a Catholic and a practising one to boot would categorize you as a real ‘strange jack’ and ‘classic nerd’! I found this attitude pricked at first and rankled…once over that, I learnt to laugh at the barbs with good humour! Hence it was my humour rather than my practising Catholicism that gave me an ‘in’ and as a Catholic! “If you can’t beat em - infiltrate!”
Tho not the same as yours, my own journey from the cradle Catholic and Catholic home has been a many cornered journey and difficult at times, very difficult. But I would not change one iota of it and by the very same terms, not be keen to live it all over again, though I would if I had to!!!
It has been a pleasure answering your Posts. I have very close indeed connections with our Carmelite nuns here whom I know extremely well and from my 16th year and now 60yrs old. Though I do not have a call to Carmel as a Secular…though life is a journey and perhaps I should add ‘at this point anyway’.

Thank you for your kind Post:) …I hope the links I have given you will take you one step further perhaps in your searching.

Blessings and Peace…Barb
 
Another great option is the Holy Family Institute. The Institute is a branch of the Pauline Family for married or widowed people who want to live their lives in a more consistent, God-oriented way. We welcome the gift of consecration by Church-regulated vows of married chastity, poverty, and obedience. These vows place you in the consecrated state which greatly elevates the spiritual value of your life.
Please use the link in my signature to find out more about this truly wonderful gift the church has given us!
 
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mommy25:
Another great option is the Holy Family Institute. The Institute is a branch of the Pauline Family for married or widowed people who want to live their lives in a more consistent, God-oriented way. We welcome the gift of consecration by Church-regulated vows of married chastity, poverty, and obedience. These vows place you in the consecrated state which greatly elevates the spiritual value of your life.
Please use the link in my signature to find out more about this truly wonderful gift the church has given us!
Dawn, how wonderful to find another family member on this forum. I became a novice on 29 Jan. We have a wonderful Pauline family and I am anxious for all to learn about it. I had posted the information on this thread (post 26). No response but we can always pray that the Lord will show the way. As Fr Tom says, gently with love.
God bless
maggiec
 
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deekod1967:
Just an update - I’m now looking into the following…

miraclerosarymission.org/
Hi Derek…I just noticed your beautiful signature. Have you looked into The Confraternity of Penitents:…

Barb:)
http://www.penitents.org/
THE CONFRATERNITY OF PENITENTS
The Confraternity of Penitents, which originally began meeting in 1995 as the Brothers and Sisters of Penance, is similar to a Catholic Third Order in that its members live a Rule of Life in their own homes. In 1221, Saint Francis of Assisi first gave this Rule of Life to medieval penitents. May the Holy Spirit guide you, as a little child of God, as you discern whether our Holy Lord is calling you to embrace a life of Catholic penance, conversion, prayer, sacrifice, and sacrament, for the glory of Almighty God, in love of Him and of all.
 
Contemplative prayer is a type of “resting” prayer that is not active as in vocal or even meditative prayer, and it reaches true union with God.

This prayer – the simplest kind of prayer of just sitting and resting silently, thinking of nothing in particular (not even a repeated prayer such as the Rosary) one clears the mind and consents to God’s presence.

Active prayer forms are an introduction to contemplative prayer, according to the CCC, which states the Christian prayer SHOULD go further (yes, the CCC uses the word “should”) into true unity.

The CCC gives a wonderful comparison of the three main types of Christian prayer. Please consider it seriously, because from what you’re describing, “resting in God” is something you may be missing.

Excerpts from the CCC 2694-2724 “The Life of Prayer:”
CCC - emphasis added:
2697 Prayer is the life of the new heart. It ought to animate us at every moment. But we tend to forget him who is our life and our all. This is why the Fathers of the spiritual life in the Deuteronomic and prophetic traditions insist that prayer is a remembrance of God often awakened by the memory of the heart: "We must remember God more often than we draw breath."1 But we cannot pray “at all times” if we do not pray at specific times, consciously willing it. These are the special times of Christian prayer, both in intensity and duration.

2704 Because it is external and so thoroughly human, vocal prayer is the form of prayer most readily accessible to groups. Even interior prayer, however, cannot neglect vocal prayer. Prayer is internalized to the extent that we become aware of him "to whom we speak."4 Thus vocal prayer becomes an initial form of contemplative prayer.

2708 Meditation engages thought, imagination, emotion, and desire. This mobilization of faculties is necessary in order to deepen our convictions of faith, prompt the conversion of our heart, and strengthen our will to follow Christ. Christian prayer tries above all to meditate on the mysteries of Christ, as in lectio divina or the rosary. This form of prayerful reflection is of great value, but Christian prayer should go further: to the knowledge of the love of the Lord Jesus, to union with him.

2710 The choice of the time and duration of the prayer arises from a determined will, revealing the secrets of the heart. One does not undertake contemplative prayer only when one has the time: one makes time for the Lord, with the firm determination not to give up, no matter what trials and dryness one may encounter. One cannot always meditate, but one can always enter into inner prayer, independently of the conditions of health, work, or emotional state. The heart is the place of this quest and encounter, in poverty and in faith.

2717 Contemplative prayer is silence, the "symbol of the world to come"12 or "silent love."13 Words in this kind of prayer are not speeches; they are like kindling that feeds the fire of love. In this silence, unbearable to the “outer” man, the Father speaks to us his incarnate Word, who suffered, died, and rose; in this silence the Spirit of adoption enables us to share in the prayer of Jesus.

2724 Contemplative prayer is the simple expression of the mystery of prayer. It is a gaze of faith fixed on Jesus, an attentiveness to the Word of God, a silent love. It achieves real union with the prayer of Christ to the extent that it makes us share in his mystery.
 
Daily Mass. (not always possible, but lots of pastors go out of their way to accomodate workers who want to get to Mass daily)… leave for work extra early and find a 6:30 morning Mass… or give up lunch and go to Mass then… [or do both!]

After daily Mass, linger a while. Say a rosary or not. Or just sit as close to the tabernacle as possible, front row… and just … ask God to hold you in His arms… “Dear Lord, Hold me in Your Arms, forgive me my sins, make me the way You want me to be.”

That last bit is kind of controversial… took some “stuff” for that… “make me the way You want me to be”… but think about it for a while…

Pray for others: for whoever needs it the most… because right this instant there is someone somewhere with his (or her) back against the wall with nowhere to turn…

Pray for those who have no one to pray for them…

Pray for “direction, guidance, cash flow and work”

Say the Astronaut’s prayer: “Dear Lord, please don’t let me “mess” up”.

Say the Ed Koch [former mayor of NYC] prayer: “Lord, how am I doing?”

Visualize being in the Holy Land at the time of Christ… you’re in an inn in the town of Nazareth … Jesus walks in after a long day and greets His friends… the tax collectors, fishermen, all the rest… And He has a cup of wine. And He tells stories. He jokes around… tells about how Peter sank in the water… Peter, Peter, Peter… And He looks at you and asks how are you doing…

And from now on… everywhere you go… whatever you’re doing, visualize Jesus, the carpenter and wandering preacher from Nazareth … nothing good ever came from Nazareth! … more Nazareth jokes! ]

And He is walking with you, sitting across from you, there when you wake up and when you close your eyes, when you make coffee…

Did you hear the one about the young boy who said that God’s name is “Andy”… Andy walks with me, Andy talks with me, Andy calls me His own…
 
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maggiec:
Dawn, how wonderful to find another family member on this forum. I became a novice on 29 Jan. We have a wonderful Pauline family and I am anxious for all to learn about it. I had posted the information on this thread (post 26). No response but we can always pray that the Lord will show the way. As Fr Tom says, gently with love.
God bless
maggiec
Sorry Maggie - I should have responded to your kind post long before now.

I would be very much obliged to hear more about both you and Dawn’s experiences in the Holy Family Institute. I feel drawn to something which is geared towards the famlily unit rather than just individuals - who knows, I may well join both the Miracle Rosary Mission and the Holy Family Institute!
 
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BarbaraTherese:
Hi Derek…I just noticed your beautiful signature. Have you looked into The Confraternity of Penitents:…

Barb:)
http://www.penitents.org/
Thanks for posting Barbara, I have discussed joining the Penitents but after discussion with my spouse I decided this may not be the best thing for me right now, but I may consider re-visit joining the Penitents in the years to come as it does combine very well with my personal devotion to Our Lady of Fatima - the door will open again on this one I am sure!

Thanks again for your interest.
 
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AlanFromWichita:
Contemplative prayer is a type of “resting” prayer that is not active as in vocal or even meditative prayer, and it reaches true union with God.

This prayer – the simplest kind of prayer of just sitting and resting silently, thinking of nothing in particular (not even a repeated prayer such as the Rosary) one clears the mind and consents to God’s presence.

Active prayer forms are an introduction to contemplative prayer, according to the CCC, which states the Christian prayer SHOULD go further (yes, the CCC uses the word “should”) into true unity.

The CCC gives a wonderful comparison of the three main types of Christian prayer. Please consider it seriously, because from what you’re describing, “resting in God” is something you may be missing.

Excerpts from the CCC 2694-2724 “The Life of Prayer:”
Very astute of you Alan - i think you have hit the nail right on the head!

By “coincidence”, I have recently tried 15 minutes of silent prayer and found it a very "freeing"experience compared to the Divine Office, Rosary etc, and went to confession yesterday where they have Adoration followed by evening prayer after it - i felt a million dollars after 30 minutes of letting my mind wander with the Lord! I will now start 15 mins of silent prayer a day, and hopefully 30 mins lunchtime adoration through the week, and 30mins adoration on Sats - I am confident this will help me develop a much more heartfelt “constant” relationship with God.

Many, many heartfelt thanks for your post!
 
Al Masetti:
Daily Mass. (not always possible, but lots of pastors go out of their way to accomodate workers who want to get to Mass daily)… leave for work extra early and find a 6:30 morning Mass… or give up lunch and go to Mass then… [or do both!]

After daily Mass, linger a while. Say a rosary or not. Or just sit as close to the tabernacle as possible, front row… and just … ask God to hold you in His arms… “Dear Lord, Hold me in Your Arms, forgive me my sins, make me the way You want me to be.”

That last bit is kind of controversial… took some “stuff” for that… “make me the way You want me to be”… but think about it for a while…

Pray for others: for whoever needs it the most… because right this instant there is someone somewhere with his (or her) back against the wall with nowhere to turn…

Pray for those who have no one to pray for them…

Pray for “direction, guidance, cash flow and work”

Say the Astronaut’s prayer: “Dear Lord, please don’t let me “mess” up”.

Say the Ed Koch [former mayor of NYC] prayer: “Lord, how am I doing?”

Visualize being in the Holy Land at the time of Christ… you’re in an inn in the town of Nazareth … Jesus walks in after a long day and greets His friends… the tax collectors, fishermen, all the rest… And He has a cup of wine. And He tells stories. He jokes around… tells about how Peter sank in the water… Peter, Peter, Peter… And He looks at you and asks how are you doing…

And from now on… everywhere you go… whatever you’re doing, visualize Jesus, the carpenter and wandering preacher from Nazareth … nothing good ever came from Nazareth! … more Nazareth jokes! ]

And He is walking with you, sitting across from you, there when you wake up and when you close your eyes, when you make coffee…

Did you hear the one about the young boy who said that God’s name is “Andy”… Andy walks with me, Andy talks with me, Andy calls me His own…
Many thanks Al for posting - I love the way you relate to God!

I will try your ideas and suggestions and if I could have just half the relationship you have with God I will be a very happy man!

Many thanks again!
 
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