DISPOSITION: A quality or condition of a person necessary for the performance of some action or of preparation for an encounter with the mysteries of God. Commonly applied to the conditions required for the valid reception or administration of the sacraments, as the state of grace is required for the sacrament of the Eucharist or … Read more
INTENTION: An act of the will tending effectively to some good, proposed by the mind as desirable and attainable. It differs from simply willing, which is the desire for an end without concern about the means. Intention means desiring not only some good but also the means of obtaining this good. In practical use, before some … Read more
DETACHMENT: In asceticism the withholding of undue affection for creatures for the sake of the Creator. When mortal sin is involved, detachment is imperative for salvation. Detachment from creatures that are an obstacle to complete service of God is a normal condition for growth in holiness. This Spiritual Dictionary Term is an excerpt from the … Read more
CONSOLATION: An interior movement aroused in the soul, by which it is inflamed with love of its Creator and Lord. It is likewise consolation when one sheds tears that move to the love of God, whether it be because of sorrow for sins, or because of the sufferings of Christ our Lord, or for any … Read more
CONCUPISCENCE: Insubordination of man’s desires to the dictates of reason, and the propensity of human nature to sin as a result of original sin. More commonly, it refers to the spontaneous movement of the sensitive appetites toward whatever the imagination portrays as pleasant and away from whatever it portrays as painful. However, concupiscence also includes … Read more
CONFESSION – DEVOTIONAL: The practice of regular confession even when one is not aware of mortal or even venial sins. This practice includes setting and keeping a specific schedule of self-examination and confession. This may also include the confession of past mortal or venial sins even if confessed previously in specific or in general. Devotional … Read more
APPETITES – DISORDERED: Inordinate and willful desires of created things or circumstances not rightly ordered to moral or spiritual good that impede union with God and darken, defile, weaken, and torment the soul. This Spiritual Dictionary Term is an excerpt from Dan’s book Navigating the Interior Life – Spiritual Direction and the Journey to God. … Read more
Teologia Ascetica – Diccionario Espiritual Teología Ascetica – Diccionario Espiritual: La ciencia de los santos a base del estudio de sus vidas. Tiene el propósito de hacer gente santa por medio de explicar que es la santidad y como se puede obtenerla. Es la ciencia de guiar almas en los caminos de perfección Cristiano por … Read more
Aridez Espiritual Aridez: El estado de una alma sin consolación sensible, que hace que el alma tenga muchas dificultades en rezar. Puede ser causada por algo físico, como enfermedad, o autocomplacencia voluntaria, o un acto de Dios, quien esta dirigiendo la persona a través de pruebas hacia contemplación. In English here: http://spiritualdirection.com/2013/10/24/aridity-navigating-the-interior-life-spiritual-dictionary + What … Read more
ASCETICAL THEOLOGY: The science of the saints based on a study of their lives. It is aimed to make people holy by explaining what sanctity is and how to attain it. The word ascetic is a derivative from the Greek askesis, meaning practice. In English, the term ascesis means “the practice of self-discipline.” It is … Read more
ATTACHMENT: An emotional dependence, either of one person on another, or of a person on some real or illusory object. Attachments play an important role in spiritual development, since the first condition for progress in sanctity is some mastery over one’s inordinate attachments. This Spiritual Dictionary Term is an excerpt from the Glossary of Dan’s … Read more
ARIDITY: Aridity is the state of a soul devoid of sensible consolation, which makes it very difficult to pray. It may be caused by something physical, such as illness, or voluntary self-indulgence, or an act of God, who is leading a person through trial to contemplation. This Spiritual Dictionary Term is an excerpt from Dan’s … Read more
APOPHATIC SPIRITUALITY: The spirituality of the mystery of God as something we cannot picture or imagine because God is always greater than us. It acknowledges our inability to adequately describe God. Through it God is known by what He is not. Also known as the via negativa or the way of descent, it is sometimes … Read more
KATAPHATIC (CATAPHATIC) SPIRITUALITY: The use of the senses, and/or physical aids such as rosaries, stations of the cross, crèche, art, images, music, bells, incense, etc. to elevate one’s mind to God. It acknowledges that we can know a great deal about God through Christ’s self-revelation and the instruction of the Holy Spirit. Also known as … Read more
Marriage Spirituality Index Listing of Marriage Spirituality Posts Dear Friends, I thought it might be helpful to provide an index to our marriage spirituality posts for you. The posts listed below are the current listing of posts on our site. We will continue to update our offerings as they are published. Please check back from … Read more
What Aspect of Carmelite Spirituality do You Find most Helpful for Your Prayer? What thoughts have crossed your mind when you have read the Gospel narrative of Mary sitting at the feet of Jesus and Martha “stewing” in the kitchen because she was left alone to do the serving? Why didn’t Mary see the … Read more
Dear Father John, I was wondering if you could give me a bit of perspective. I recently asked a director to help me in my discernment of religious life. After he agreed I wrote out a summary of the context for my perceived call along with a list of my vices/faults, graces/strengths, etc. The arrangement was that after reading the letter, … Read more
What is Spiritual Theology? There is a lot of diverse opinions on this topic. Probably the best explanation is provided by Jordan Aumann, O.P., in his well-known Spiritual Theology. To best understand the conversation that he introduces, it is important to note that all the branches of theology, as a disciplined study of sacred doctrine, constitute … Read more
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