Signs of Authentic Spirituality?

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Aside from the usual signs of being a Catholic (prayer and the sacraments) what do you think are the most authentic signs of Catholic spirituality that a person can possess?

And what do you think are the most revealing aspects of a person’s behavior that betray a lack of the authentic Christian values?
 
Signs of spirituality: Caring for other people regardless of that persons capacity to return it. Humility. Perseverance.

Signs betraying a lack off: the inverse of the above?
 
Is there a central quality of authenticity for being a Catholic, or do we believe that many spiritual qualities must exist simultaneously for that authenticity to be evident? In other words, is there one underlying trait of authenticity that defines us as Catholics, and that if we have that central quality all other traits of authenticity will eventually manifest themselves?
 
Err, for me, it’s my spoken faith and my contradictions to it in my actions.

EX: I say I’m a good Catholic, then swear a bunch.
 
sticknstring73 said:
Signs of spirituality: Caring for other people regardless of that persons capacity to return it. Humility. Perseverance.

Signs betraying a lack off: the inverse of the above?
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There’s no like button, so this is my complete agreement statement of the above.

Agape love : is the willingness to serve without expecting anything in return.
The willingness to suffer persecution or calumny without retaliation.
 
What everyone else said. However I would actually say that signs betraying a lack of, is the unwillingness to stick with Church teaching. They constantly seek innovation, and will gather false teachers, for as St. Paul said, they have itching ears. It is why we are to hold fast to the faith. Even St. Paul had warned about such men to come.
 
multitude said:
What everyone else said. However I would actually say that signs betraying a lack of, is the unwillingness to stick with Church teaching. They constantly seek innovation, and will gather false teachers, for as St. Paul said, they have itching ears. It is why we are to hold fast to the faith. Even St. Paul had warned about such men to come.
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Interesting. Obedience to the Truth is a sure sign of Catholic authenticity.
 
Both St. Teresa of Jesus and St. John of the Cross state that growth in the practice of virtue is the only true sign of authenticity.

Dave 🙂
 
JimR-OCDS said:
Humility is the sign of authentic spirituality.

Jim
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In some people I suspect that great humility is there, but it is hard to detect, since a humble person would never wear humility on his sleeve.

And I wonder how many people who seem humble are really not. 🤷
 
DBT said:
Both St. Teresa of Jesus and St. John of the Cross state that growth in the practice of virtue is the only true sign of authenticity.

Dave 🙂
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The ONLY true sign, or the only CLEAR sign?

I would love to have those quotes from St. Teresa and St. John if you have them handy.

Thanks.
 
Charlemagne_III said:
The ONLY true sign, or the only CLEAR sign?

I would love to have those quotes from St. Teresa and St. John if you have them handy.

Thanks.
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Well it’s all throughout their writings. In short, we can’t trust “experience” only “fruits.” This was their way of saying don’t chase after consolations, warm fuzzy feelings or especially phenomena like visions or locutions.

St. Teresa stressed humility and perseverance as the building block virtues in the interior life. St. John stressed the desire for solitude as the surest sign of authenticity in it’s contemplative aspects. These are just a couple of examples

But true authenticity can be measured by growth in whatever virtue we’re lacking.

Dave 🙂
 
As Catholics we are supposed to be the light of Christ in the world. We are supposed to have Christ’s faith. To have Christ’s faith, we must be in prayer like Jesus was in prayer.

Jesus listened and obeyed the Father’s will. We too must live in reality accepting the Father’s will and respond to reality like Christ responded. Christ condemned the judgmental Pharisees and Christ freed the oppressed. Christ served with a servant’s heart. Christ was merciful and compassionate to those who felt guilt and shame. Christ demonstrated unconditional love. Christ recognized the presence of himself in each person.

As Catholics, we too must strive to see the presence of Christ alive in each person we meet. As each person consumes the Host at mass, we see that they have the Divine life of Christ alive within them too. We must honor this presence. This is what it means to have an Authentic spirituality.
 
Charlemagne_III said:
In some people I suspect that great humility is there, but it is hard to detect, since a humble person would never wear humility on his sleeve.

And I wonder how many people who seem humble are really not. 🤷
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People with great humility are not aware of it in themselves, but others see it very clearly.

St Bernadette is an example of great humility, which she was know for, but never wore it her sleeve so to speak.

Jim
 
You could say that Pride is the most important vice because it led to the Fall.

You could say Humility is the most important virtue because it would have prevented the Fall.
 
sticknstring73 said:
Signs of spirituality: Caring for other people regardless of that persons capacity to return it. Humility. Perseverance.

Signs betraying a lack off: the inverse of the above?
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That’s a great answer and I think you’re right. I would add, though, that an often overlooked element of spirituality is attempting to hide or camouflage it. The best way to guard against Pride is to occasionally make a fake show of braggadocio, for instance, or a casual display of some fault which isn’t actually real. This not only guards against Pride and inflated displays of piousness, but it also provokes response from others, which provides an excellent opportunity to remain humble and silent. I think it pleases God to see this in his children.
 
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