Simple question. How do saints become saints? Are there different paths to sanctity? Lord I desire to be holy. Teach me how to be holy.
Let your light shine. Love God And love your neighbor Trust in God Have faith Abide by the commandments Pray Practice the corpral works of mercy Practice the spiritual works of mercy Wear the scapular Surround your self with all things holy Avoid the near occasion of sin Put holy water in your home
I believe the Holy Spirit has the perfect plan that is individualized. The early stage of conversion is to lay a foundation upon which to build, but that is different for each of us. My conversion took place in the contest of the Charismatic Renewal. The first revelation was an experience of God's love for me and the conviction that gifts are given in order to help build up and serve others. Then came a love for the Holy Mass and Scripture. This process laid a foundation of Spiritual habits. This was followed by falling in love with Our Lady and incorporating the Rosary in my daily life. Thus there was Mary, the Holy Mass, Scripture, service, trials to purify, the purifying grace of marriage and raising children, etc. Allowing Jesus into my workplace... Sprinkled throughout are trials and crosses to grant humility and wisdom. Thank you God that You know us so intimately and create the path that matures us to make us fruitful. O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee!
just as world medicine dedicates each month to the prevention of a specific disease, I think we can dedicate each month to the prevention of a spiritual disease sin through novenas; rosary; and diverse devotions to annihilate areas of sin that impede our holiness.
I think God does it for you. Just become like a little child and ask Him to shape you into whom He wants you to be. He'll send you the trials and graces and your job is to respond as generously as you can with great trust and love. For some it happens very quickly and for the rest of us it's a very long process...and I think you'll never feel like you've become holy at all. We hide in God's heart and He sorts it out and reveals our heart to us when we die.
St Francis of Assisi, has taught us the path of the Saints, Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi Lord, make me an instrument of your peace: where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console, to be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. and to emulate the life and virtues of the first Christians, especially in the love of God and the neighbour, in simplicity, humility, and devotion. http://catholicplanet.com/ebooks/Imitation-of-Christ.pdf by Thomas Kempis
I like your idea of monthly themes! O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee!
PF, It's great when we see evidence of growth in our spiritual lives, but it's slow, and I for one am tempted to charge ahead and not wait on the Lord. He leads at His own pace and redirects me when I assume too much. The finished tapestry of my life will ultimately reveal what Jesus has done. The twists and turns will show when my sloth or pride have got in the way, but God turns all things to good for those who love Him and are called according to His purposes! I appreciate so much your insights gleaned as a young wife and mother. Thank you for putting Jesus first in your life and heart. I'm praying for your husband, too! O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee!
Thank you for your prayers! I love your wise and fatherly posts. You take such great care in your thoughts to not get too much in the way of God, and I hear Him speak through you.
Mark 10:18 18 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. Mark 10:26-27 26 The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, “Who then can be saved?” 27 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”
I think the Great turning point towards grace is shown in the lives of the saints and especially in the description of St Therese of Liseaux in her auto bio, 'Story of a Soul'. I think the Little Flowers , 'Little Way', has often been misinterpreted. What she was saying, I think is that when she tried to succeed by her own efforts, she was a total failure. However when she admitted she could not do it and asked God to do it, He bent down and raised her up like a little tiny baby. So our successes are God's failure. Whereas our failure is the Foundation of God's success. In other words , it's nothing to do with us and everything to do with God The eyes of our souls must turn Goddard, not inwards
There was great description of the Jansenist nuns of Port Royal in France 'Pure as angels, but proud as the Devil' This is a good example of women who succeeded very well, causing God to fail very badly.
