What should a Catholic do? Spiritually?

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What are things a true Catholic should/would do?

Morning offering
Rosary
Chaplet
Daily mass

And besides daily, monthly confession etc.?

What are things you can think of that a Catholic would do?

How about Eucharistic adoration, at least every when?

Visit the imprisoned… Visit the sick…
Have an image of the sacred? heart of Jesus…
Scapulars…
 
What are those things that a true Catholic, in love with Christ would do?
 
It isn’t so much about doing things as it is being. Every Catholic must first always remain the state of grace and then go from there.
 
I’m guessing you are speaking Latin. Catholics?
Eastern Catholics to my understanding don’t have the same traditions that you listed.

What do you mean " true Catholic" btw?
 
Deo_Gratias42 said:
It isn’t so much about doing things as it is being. Every Catholic must first always remain the state of grace and then go from there.
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Excellent answer.

Reminds me of the Parable of the Pharisee and Tax Collect.

Pharisees were exemplary at the “doing”, but failed at the being.
In the parable the tax collector was justified as opposed to the Pharisee.

I think many of us should strive to remember not to become Phariseeical in our “doing”
 
barboza21 said:
What are those things that a true Catholic, in love with Christ would do?
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Most of what you list is going to be different for each person, and even different at different times for each person. You couldn’t say, for example, that someone who doesn’t say the rosary every day isn’t “a true Catholic, in love with Christ.”
 
All the prayers you mentioned, except for Adoration, are active types of prayer. A deep form of prayer is much more passive, silent (contemplative) prayer, and my SD called it “resting in God.”

There are several levels of prayer, and for some reason most of us Catholics aren’t told about it. I was lucky to have had a spiritual director to clue me into the “apophatic” tradition of the Church. Opened me up completely and turned me from a “Christian soldier” and “robot Catholic” into a person in wonder and amazement and ever growing at the hand of the teachings of Jesus.

It is about how to get your “mind” out of the way and let the Holy Spirit come into your “heart” so to speak. Lectio Divina – definitely try that if you can find a group nearby; it’s an ancient monastic prayer form that includes a “contemplatio” component.

According to the CCC (2700-2724), contemplative prayer is the type of prayer that achieves true union with the mystery of Jesus.

There is a really good book on all the forms of prayer. It is used at one seminary for first semester prayer classes, but is very readable and very human. Like I can see my own mind wandering during prayer the same way the author describes. It talks about three levels of prayer:
  1. talking at God,
  2. talking to God, and
  3. listening to God.
The book is Armchair Mystic: Easing into Contemplative Prayer. I got it in Kindle and audio, and read/listened while on the stair climber at the gym.

Contemplative prayer is about listening to God.

CCC 2709:
What is contemplative prayer? St. Teresa answers: “Contemplative prayer [oracion mental] in my opinion is nothing else than a close sharing between friends; it means taking time frequently to be alone with him who we know loves us.” Contemplative prayer seeks him “whom my soul loves.” It is Jesus, and in him, the Father. We seek him, because to desire him is always the beginning of love, and we seek him in that pure faith which causes us to be born of him and to live in him. In this inner prayer we can still meditate, but our attention is fixed on the Lord himself.
 
barboza21 said:
What are those things that a true Catholic, in love with Christ would do?
Click to expand...
There is a short little booklet written a couple hundred years ago about a religious named “Brother Lawrence”. Actually, it is his words, in conversations had with him and letters he wrote. It is called “Practice of the Presence of God: The Best Rule of Holy Life”.
(you can read it here: ccel.org/ccel/lawrence/practice )
You could read it in an hour or two, and it will give insight for making all the things you listed in your first post into works of love for your Lord, plus how to do the same in everything you do everyday, making them all into works of love for your Lord and making all you do into active prayer to Him. I hope you will take a look.
 
barboza21 said:
What are things a true Catholic should/would do?

Morning offering
Rosary
Chaplet
Daily mass

And besides daily, monthly confession etc.?

What are things you can think of that a Catholic would do?

How about Eucharistic adoration, at least every when?

Visit the imprisoned… Visit the sick…
Have an image of the sacred? heart of Jesus…
Scapulars…
Click to expand...
A “practicing” Catholic would take part in the Blessed Sacraments and attend Mass every weekend. This individual would receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation as often as necessary before receiving the Body of Christ. We live in a complex age. With parents working two or more jobs, so not everyone can show up for Eucharistic Adoration. But, the key is to find “private” time… some time during the day to reflect and have a spiritual conversation with God. This could be during a morning drive, during a lunch break, or before sleep. Every night I go jogging, and because my daily life is so hectic, I’ve managed to focus on praying the rosary during my jog. You just have to find that time for yourself. As far as charity, you may not have time to visit the sick or imprisoned. But, find some charity that you can make a difference with… because, in the end, this material world is worthless. We travel this road, but once. And, if you can alleviate the pain of some individual be it through St. Jude’s Children Hospital (which is my charity) or another Catholic charity – do it.

God Bless.
 
There was a story told by a missionary sister in Africa. The town they were in was in danger from the rebels so the people were leaving town. This sister was fortunate enough to get a bus to ride on. She sat down next to another woman. As they rode along for some time, the sister mentioned that she wished she had something to eat. The other woman sitting with her said that she had a sandwich and would be glad to share it with her. The sister declined because it was the only food the woman had. The other woman said, well that is ok, you can still share this with me, and then when we are hungry we can share our hunger together.
 
barboza21 said:
What are those things that a true Catholic, in love with Christ would do?
Click to expand...
The spiritual issues are very important, but equally important, treat others as you wish to be treated. The Lord’s prayer, The Our Father, specifically adds “And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.”

From what I gathered from my religious readings, Jesus did not write a single word in the Holy Bible. However, God the Father, did write the 10 commandments and gave them to Moses. The 10 commandments embodies both the spiritual and day to day earthly encounters we have with our fellow human beings.

Bottom line: Follow the 10 commandments and routinely receive the sacraments of the Eucharist and Confession.

Peace to all and God Bless.
 
I started praying the Rosary on Sundays to try and make Sundays holier than what they were with me.

1st Sunday of the month - Joyful.
2nd Sunday of the month - Luminous.
3rd Sunday of the month - Sorrowful.
4th Sunday of the month - Glorious.

If there is a 5th I will choose one at the time.

If its Ascension I will use Glorious as the Ascension is in that set of mysteries.

🙂
 
agnes_therese said:
Most of what you list is going to be different for each person, and even different at different times for each person. You couldn’t say, for example, that someone who doesn’t say the rosary every day isn’t “a true Catholic, in love with Christ.”
Click to expand...
I understand that. I dont mean that if we dont follow a certain set of prayers that we are bad catholics, I just mean for a person growing in love with Christ, what are things that we can do to try to make every day a good spiritual day… which is why I mentioned rosary chaplet and such… 🙂
John_Martin said:
There is a short little booklet written a couple hundred years ago about a religious named “Brother Lawrence”. Actually, it is his words, in conversations had with him and letters he wrote. It is called “Practice of the Presence of God: The Best Rule of Holy Life”.
(you can read it here: ccel.org/ccel/lawrence/practice )
You could read it in an hour or two, and it will give insight for making all the things you listed in your first post into works of love for your Lord, plus how to do the same in everything you do everyday, making them all into works of love for your Lord and making all you do into active prayer to Him. I hope you will take a look.
Click to expand...
Thank you, I will do my best to take a look!
FlaviusAetius said:
A “practicing” Catholic would take part in the Blessed Sacraments and attend Mass every weekend. This individual would receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation as often as necessary before receiving the Body of Christ. We live in a complex age. With parents working two or more jobs, so not everyone can show up for Eucharistic Adoration. But, the key is to find “private” time… some time during the day to reflect and have a spiritual conversation with God. This could be during a morning drive, during a lunch break, or before sleep. Every night I go jogging, and because my daily life is so hectic, I’ve managed to focus on praying the rosary during my jog. You just have to find that time for yourself. As far as charity, you may not have time to visit the sick or imprisoned. But, find some charity that you can make a difference with… because, in the end, this material world is worthless. We travel this road, but once. And, if you can alleviate the pain of some individual be it through St. Jude’s Children Hospital (which is my charity) or another Catholic charity – do it.

God Bless.
Click to expand...
Thanks for your ideas.
FreeEver said:
The spiritual issues are very important, but equally important, treat others as you wish to be treated. The Lord’s prayer, The Our Father, specifically adds “And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.”

From what I gathered from my religious readings, Jesus did not write a single word in the Holy Bible. However, God the Father, did write the 10 commandments and gave them to Moses. The 10 commandments embodies both the spiritual and day to day earthly encounters we have with our fellow human beings.

Bottom line: Follow the 10 commandments and routinely receive the sacraments of the Eucharist and Confession.

Peace to all and God Bless.
Click to expand...
Thanks I agree.
Nelka said:
I started praying the Rosary on Sundays to try and make Sundays holier than what they were with me.

1st Sunday of the month - Joyful.
2nd Sunday of the month - Luminous.
3rd Sunday of the month - Sorrowful.
4th Sunday of the month - Glorious.

If there is a 5th I will choose one at the time.

If its Ascension I will use Glorious as the Ascension is in that set of mysteries.

🙂
Click to expand...
Hey, great idea! thank you.
 
Mystical_Seeker said:
All the prayers you mentioned, except for Adoration, are active types of prayer. A deep form of prayer is much more passive, silent (contemplative) prayer, and my SD called it “resting in God.”

There are several levels of prayer, and for some reason most of us Catholics aren’t told about it. I was lucky to have had a spiritual director to clue me into the “apophatic” tradition of the Church. Opened me up completely and turned me from a “Christian soldier” and “robot Catholic” into a person in wonder and amazement and ever growing at the hand of the teachings of Jesus.

It is about how to get your “mind” out of the way and let the Holy Spirit come into your “heart” so to speak. Lectio Divina – definitely try that if you can find a group nearby; it’s an ancient monastic prayer form that includes a “contemplatio” component.

According to the CCC (2700-2724), contemplative prayer is the type of prayer that achieves true union with the mystery of Jesus.

There is a really good book on all the forms of prayer. It is used at one seminary for first semester prayer classes, but is very readable and very human. Like I can see my own mind wandering during prayer the same way the author describes. It talks about three levels of prayer:
  1. talking at God,
  2. talking to God, and
  3. listening to God.
The book is Armchair Mystic: Easing into Contemplative Prayer. I got it in Kindle and audio, and read/listened while on the stair climber at the gym.

Contemplative prayer is about listening to God.

CCC 2709:
What is contemplative prayer? St. Teresa answers: “Contemplative prayer [oracion mental] in my opinion is nothing else than a close sharing between friends; it means taking time frequently to be alone with him who we know loves us.” Contemplative prayer seeks him “whom my soul loves.” It is Jesus, and in him, the Father. We seek him, because to desire him is always the beginning of love, and we seek him in that pure faith which causes us to be born of him and to live in him. In this inner prayer we can still meditate, but our attention is fixed on the Lord himself.
Click to expand...
Thank you for the insight
 
What are things a true Catholic should/would do?
Click to expand...
Here’s a few ideas:
  • Daily Mass, preferably the old Latin Rite
  • Confession often
  • Daily prayers, especially the daily Divine Office
  • The Rosary, preferably in Latin
  • Wearing an Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Scapular daily
  • Carrying a Rosary, St. Benedict Medal, and Miraculous Medal on your person
  • Carrying a small Douay Rheims Bible with you everywhere you go
  • Prayerful reading daily - The Holy Bible, Butler’s Lives of the Saints, saint biographies, and other thoroughly Catholic books
  • Some form of volunteer work - soup kitchens, etc.
  • Charitable giving of time and money to worthwhile Catholic causes, such as Catholic Charities
  • Modest dress, behavior
  • Solitude, quiet, and prayerful meditation
  • Listening to Gregorian Chant, choral music, etc.
  • Pilgrimages to holy sites, such as Fatima, Rome, Jerusalem, etc.
 
StGerardMajella said:
Here’s a few ideas:
  • Daily Mass, preferably the old Latin Rite
  • Confession often
  • Daily prayers, especially the daily Divine Office
  • The Rosary, preferably in Latin
  • Wearing an Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Scapular daily
  • Carrying a Rosary, St. Benedict Medal, and Miraculous Medal on your person
  • Carrying a small Douay Rheims Bible with you everywhere you go
  • Prayerful reading daily - The Holy Bible, Butler’s Lives of the Saints, saint biographies, and other thoroughly Catholic books
  • Some form of volunteer work - soup kitchens, etc.
  • Charitable giving of time and money to worthwhile Catholic causes, such as Catholic Charities
  • Modest dress, behavior
  • Solitude, quiet, and prayerful meditation
  • Listening to Gregorian Chant, choral music, etc.
  • Pilgrimages to holy sites, such as Fatima, Rome, Jerusalem, etc.
Click to expand...
Thank you for your post!
 
How does one go about wearing medals and scapulars, crusifix? Just wear them all together? Is there a limit to how many medals/scapulars we can wear/have devotions to?
Any tips?
 
How does one go about wearing medals and scapulars, crucifix? Just wear them all together? Is there a limit to how many medals/scapulars we can wear/have devotions to?
Click to expand...
Yes, you can wear a crucifix chain around your neck, and a scapular around your shoulders and back. Put the medals in your rosary case, or your pocket.
 
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