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Fr. Flaviano Amatulli’s “Five Flags”. This wise Italian missionary priest teaches generational Catholics how to study and live their Catholic faith. A call to return to an authentic and active practice of Catholicism, which among the faithful has often become routine, rendering one ill prepared for sharing—and defending, especially in the face of aggressive proselytizing by sectarian groups.
Translated into English it goes something like this:
#1. The Primacy of the Word of God.
The Bible must hold a sacred place above all books, all documents, all writings. It’s not enough to simply own a Bible for reference, one must become familiar with the Bible—and not simply from a scientific, scholarly perspective, but rather form a prayerful reading of the sacred texts. Often times there are all kinds of Bible courses covering everything about the Bible that do not even use the Bible
Studying literary genres, studying the history of the Bible, etc. are all well and good, but that is not reading the Bible. Reading the Scriptures in the light of Church teaching must become an integral part of life, especially the New Testament. The readings at Mass are just a start.
#2. Christ at the Center of our Life
Jesus is the Lord and center of our Life. Christ is our role model. Devotions to saints in heaven are powerful aids for spiritual and temporal needs as we ask them to pray for us, this is all good. But Christ must be the center of our life, especially in the Holy Eucharist. Praying the Holy Rosary meditating on the mysteries is an example of a Cristocentric devotion, as it is a meditation on the life of Christ. The saints are a good Examples of people who made Jesus the center of their lives.
#3. An experience with God
The necessity to come into an encounter with God, experiencing Him as our Father. Regardless of whatever hardship, whatever comes our way, nothing can separates us from the love of GOD. Having an intimate relationship with God through prayer. Despite trials, serenity and joy reigns in the heart. It is a sad thing to go to church and be active with all kinds of apostolates, being active in church, charities, etc. without having an encounter with God as our Father, our reason for being.
#4. Maturing within the community
Conversing, supporting, helping one another, knowing the people we encounter. A maturing Christianity within our community, not isolated from the community—but within, beginning within the family. Or as Fulton Sheen puts it, we pray to God as Our Father—not “My Father”.
#5. A Spirit of Being on a Mission
Catholics are called to be missionaries, Soldiers of Christ’ Army, having the spirit of the mission, with our face toward the goal of sharing the riches of grace and truth which God has bestowed on us for the good of all, within our state in life. It’s not about going door to door giving personal testimonies, but rather to be prepared to always help anyone and everyone we encounter. The mission is the salvation of souls. It is the Holy Spirit Who converts a hardened heart, not us, thus through our prayers, sacrifices and deeds are called to be instruments of God’s grace.
Translated into English it goes something like this:
#1. The Primacy of the Word of God.
The Bible must hold a sacred place above all books, all documents, all writings. It’s not enough to simply own a Bible for reference, one must become familiar with the Bible—and not simply from a scientific, scholarly perspective, but rather form a prayerful reading of the sacred texts. Often times there are all kinds of Bible courses covering everything about the Bible that do not even use the Bible
Studying literary genres, studying the history of the Bible, etc. are all well and good, but that is not reading the Bible. Reading the Scriptures in the light of Church teaching must become an integral part of life, especially the New Testament. The readings at Mass are just a start.
#2. Christ at the Center of our Life
Jesus is the Lord and center of our Life. Christ is our role model. Devotions to saints in heaven are powerful aids for spiritual and temporal needs as we ask them to pray for us, this is all good. But Christ must be the center of our life, especially in the Holy Eucharist. Praying the Holy Rosary meditating on the mysteries is an example of a Cristocentric devotion, as it is a meditation on the life of Christ. The saints are a good Examples of people who made Jesus the center of their lives.
#3. An experience with God
The necessity to come into an encounter with God, experiencing Him as our Father. Regardless of whatever hardship, whatever comes our way, nothing can separates us from the love of GOD. Having an intimate relationship with God through prayer. Despite trials, serenity and joy reigns in the heart. It is a sad thing to go to church and be active with all kinds of apostolates, being active in church, charities, etc. without having an encounter with God as our Father, our reason for being.
#4. Maturing within the community
Conversing, supporting, helping one another, knowing the people we encounter. A maturing Christianity within our community, not isolated from the community—but within, beginning within the family. Or as Fulton Sheen puts it, we pray to God as Our Father—not “My Father”.
#5. A Spirit of Being on a Mission
Catholics are called to be missionaries, Soldiers of Christ’ Army, having the spirit of the mission, with our face toward the goal of sharing the riches of grace and truth which God has bestowed on us for the good of all, within our state in life. It’s not about going door to door giving personal testimonies, but rather to be prepared to always help anyone and everyone we encounter. The mission is the salvation of souls. It is the Holy Spirit Who converts a hardened heart, not us, thus through our prayers, sacrifices and deeds are called to be instruments of God’s grace.
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