What’s the Difference Between Emotional and Spiritual Maturity? Part I of II What’s the difference between emotional and spiritual maturity? That’s an interesting question and one that I think warrants definition. As a therapist, I deal with the emotional life of my clients and how those emotions intersect and interact with their thought life. As … Read more
Dear Father John, if an individual has been Totally consecrated to Jesus through the Immaculate Heart of Mary through the St. Louis de Montfort method, done privately, 33 day retreat, confession, Mass and Day of Consecration pledge/vow/prayer, can this individual through the Association of Padre Pio still become a spiritual child of Padre Pio? I … Read more
Spiritual Progress Presence of God – Help me, O Lord, to advance rapidly in the path of virtue. MEDITATION “Be ye holy, because I the Lord your God am holy” (Lev 19:2): this is the will of God, this is our vocation, the object of all our desires and efforts. Created to the likeness of … Read more
I pray and do many good works. But, the labor and work I put into spiritual growth doesn’t seem to get any results. Help!!!!!! OUR LORD FREQUENTLY described his kingdom, the growth of his lordship in each heart and in the world, by comparing it to plants. The mustard seed (see Matthew 13:31), the … Read more
Dear Fathers, Brothers, and Sisters,¨I have long been dealing with a deep sadness and lack of joy in life. The vortex of emotional suffering seems to revolve around my unanswered prayers for a spouse and romantic love, but when I look at myself honestly I see that I am not selfless enough to have been … Read more
Dear Fathers, Brothers, and Sisters, I have long been dealing with a deep sadness and lack of joy in life. The vortex of emotional suffering seems to revolve around my unanswered prayers for a spouse and romantic love, but when I look at myself honestly I see that I am not selfless enough to have … Read more
Editor’s note: Today, we introduce you, our readers, to Dr. Peter Howard, a professor with the Avila Institute and an expert on Mariology and Venerable Fulton Sheen. Please welcome him warmly! It is often the case that, after the Easter season, there is a spiritual let-down as we sigh and return to “Ordinary Time”. However, … Read more
…a reader asks: In your recent series on getting stuck in spiritual growth (which was very helpful by the way) you mentioned the idea of “attachments.” I think I understand this as I have read a bit of St. John of the Cross. However, I would be grateful if you could help me understand it … Read more
In your recent series on getting stuck in spiritual growth (which was very helpful by the way) you mentioned the idea of “attachments.” I think I understand this as I have read a bit of St. John of the Cross. However, I would be grateful if you could help me understand it a bit better … Read more
Dear Fr. John, I have read Dan’s book, Navigating the Interior Life, and have diligently followed all of his suggestions for how to find a spiritual director. Frankly, I am frustrated to tears writing this to you. I have not found a director who actually believes the teachings of the Church. In fact, I have … Read more
Scrupulosity Navigating the Interior Life Spiritual Dictionary Scrupulosity – The habit of imagining sin where none exists, or grave sin where the matter is venial. To overcome scrupulosity, a person needs to be properly instructed in order to form a right conscience, and in extreme cases the only remedy is absolute obedience (for a time) … Read more
Rule of Life (Program of Life) Navigating the Interior Life Spiritual Dictionary Rule of Life (Program of Life) – A specific and usually documented plan for living in accord with one’s state in life and baptismal commitments that includes principals, guidelines, and commitments that will guide each person to achieve sanctity, and in practical and … Read more
Well, its that time of year again. New Year’s resolutions abound. Looking back on this past year, did you grow in your faith and in holiness? If someone close to you were asked this question about you, would their answer be a resolute “yes!”? If not, do you have a purposeful plan to grow closer … Read more
Reparation Navigating the Interior Life Spiritual Dictionary Reparation – The act or fact of making amends. It implies an attempt to restore things to their normal or sound conditions, as they were before something wrong was done. It applies mainly to recompense for the losses sustained or the harm caused by some morally bad action. … Read more
Renunciation Navigating the Interior Life Spiritual Dictionary Renunciation – To give up something to which a person has a claim. Some renunciations are necessary by divine law; others are permitted and encouraged according to divine counsel. Everyone must renounce sin and those creatures that are proximate occasions to sin. In this category belongs the renunciation … Read more
Passive Purification Navigating the Interior Life Spiritual Dictionary Passive purification – This purification shares the same end as active purification whose means are solely of God and from God. This purification is the preparation for the exceptional graces of the supernatural life. This Spiritual Dictionary Term is an excerpt from the Glossary of … Read more
Active Purification Navigating the Interior Life Spiritual Dictionary Active purification – This purification comes about as a result of the efforts of the soul (aided by the Holy Spirit) who seeks to purify itself from sins, vices, imperfections, and anything that would keep it from attaining holiness, union with God, and living a life … Read more
Predominant Fault Navigating the Interior Life Spiritual Dictionary Predominant Fault – The defect in us that tends to prevail over the others, and thereby over our manner of feeling, judging, sympathizing, willing, and acting. This defect has in each of us an intimate relation to our individual temperament (see Lagrange, Three Ages, Part 2, Chapter … Read more
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