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World at Prayer blog
Reflections of Family and Faith
"The family that prays together stays together." - Venerable Patrick Peyton
Family Rosary | Living the Faith | catholic family life
Building habits to support steady spiritual growth became easier for Kathie Scott-Avery when she began using these four strategies. Although rooted in good intentions, we can overwhelm ourselves when deciding to revamp our spiritual life. Major resolutions, no matter how enthusiastically embraced at the outset, frequently wane or backfire, often leading us to conclude that we lack ability, conviction, willpower, good timing, or even faith. Thinking small can help, particularly when we are fashioning a path to a new spiritual habit or trying to improve upon one already established. Of course, the process still requires a commitment to specific and concrete actions related to what we want to accomplish. Is it just for ourselves, or for the whole family? Are we trying to fill a spiritual gap in knowledge? Refresh a practice that’s gone a little stale? Combat a particular sin? Improve on a virtue? Once we know where we’re aiming and whether it’s a solo or family trip, four strategies can make the journey easier: starting small, combining, adding on, and tweaking or substituting.
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Angels | Living the Faith | power of prayer
When I consider how many messages the Lord sent me over the years, I see that my soul must have been like the thorny ground in the parable of the sower. Unlike Mary, who quickly heeded God’s messenger, I was deaf to His promptings. It took decades for a tiny seed of faith to take root in a heart overwhelmed by worldly cares and distractions. I grew up in Eastern Kentucky – a land of bleak hillsides bordering the roadways, the scarred rockface on either side giving a severe countenance to the land where plain white crosses adorned churches, and Jesus was largely invisible. In these churches, the pastors often shouted their sermons, and people rushed up the aisle during altar call to rededicate themselves. The raw emotion inside the church walls matched the rough landscape outside. I had very little exposure to the Catholic faith.
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Brief and contemporary inspiration focused on hope and family prayer will be delivered to your inbox! Articles include live video, written word, and links to resources that will lead you and your family deeper into faith.
Living the Faith | The Holy Family | catholic family life
Janelle Peregoy considers families' universal call to holiness, prayer, and discernment — even in the messy parts of their lives.
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Living the Faith | catholic devotions | family prayer
My favorite priest came to speak to our mothers’ group a few years ago. At the time, my prayer time was GREATLY lacking. I didn’t pray at all, unless you include Mass on Sundays. He shared seven different prayers and practices that should be on our non-negotiable list. Ever since, I strive to do all the items he suggested, and when I fall off track, I go straight back to the list. If you feel called to up your prayer routine, try adding one a week or even each month to help build the habit.
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Holy Week | Living the Faith | catholic family life
Lent is quickly coming to a close, and Easter is around the corner, but there is something in between that sometimes gets overlooked in the midst of egg dyeing and last-minute Easter basket shopping. These three days, known as the Paschal Triduum, build a bridge from Lent to Easter and include some of the most richly symbolic and sensory liturgies of the whole year. They are often celebrated late in the evening and are sometimes lengthy, but if your family can make it to at least one of these a year, it is absolutely worth your while.
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Blessed Basil Moreau | Book Review | Living the Faith
Moreau: Portrait of a Founder paints a vivid image of the life, times, and struggles of Blessed Basil Moreau and his efforts to form the Congregation of Holy Cross. The merits of this biography lie in the extensive use of primary sources from the time, in particular Blessed Moreau’s own writings, whether letters, published articles, homilies, or other such sources. The use of these sources provides a rich look into the mind of Moreau and his development spiritually. The adept narration of Fr. Barrosse, C.S.C. provides the necessary context, both historically and culturally, to better understand Blessed Moreau, while also letting Moreau speak for himself.
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