(Click here for a link to this resource) WHAT IS CONTEMPLATIVE PRAYER?  According to Fr. Spitzer, contemplative prayer is "any form of prayer that is open to direct connection with the Lord for enough time to establish intimacy." This "intimacy" is a … [Read more...]

Lectio divina, or  "divine reading", is a form of Christian meditation that makes full use of the intellect in an effort to understand God's Word, hear God's voice, and encounter God's transformative love. In order to help facilitate this encounter … [Read more...]

What is gratitude?  A virtue by which we acknowledge, both interiorly and exteriorly, gifts received and seek to make at least some return for the gift conferred. Gratitude should be seen as a life choice, a decision we make, a discipline that can … [Read more...]

The Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation "Christus vivit" of Pope Francis, with the results of the Synod of Bishops last October (2008) on the topic "Young People, the Faith, and Vocational Discernment." Here are some insights: "Jesus, himself … [Read more...]

What is a mini habit? A mini habit is a very small version of the desired habit you want to form. Desired habit = Pray the Rosary daily. --> Mini habit = Say 1 Hail Mary per day. Desired habit = Daily holy hour of adoration. --> Mini habit = … [Read more...]

Introduction The Eucharist "stands at the centre of the Church's life" (3) for at least 3 important reasons: 1st: "Every celebration of the Eucharist, we are spiritually brought back to the Paschal Triduum" (3) - the foundation and wellspring of the … [Read more...]

Here are 2 “Catholic” insights from Tynan's book, Superhuman by Habit: A Guide to Becoming the Best Possible Version of Yourself, One Tiny Habit at a Time.  #1: Invest your limited willpower. Since we all have a limited amount of willpower each day, … [Read more...]

Life Promises Life: Pages from the Diary of a Hospital Chaplain by Fr. Vincent Nagle, 2004. I read this book to complete an assignment for my Clinical Pastoral Education Course at St. Paul's Hospital in Vancouver. Fr. Vincent Nagle is a priest of … [Read more...]

What is "the Daytime Examen"? The "Daytime Examen" is a short prayerful check-in with God that takes place around lunchtime. The #1 Goal of "the Daytime Examen" = Find God in all things. By checking-in with God sometime around the middle of the day, … [Read more...]

Here is my summary and synthesis of Fr. Spitzer's great essay on resisting temptation. I highly recommend that you read this article (Click here for a free PDF Copy). Click here for a 1-page summary sheet for resisting temptation. Resisting … [Read more...]