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Feed and care for your spirit the same way as you would exercise and care for your body. Achieve it by setting time aside for the inner you. Adopt a spiritual exercise plan; a Catholic spirituality and make time for daily prayer and meditation. |
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Because it will lead to: |
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A greater sense of freedom
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The discovery of authentic love
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Inner peace
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Happiness
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Through the ages people have developed their own spiritual exercise plans (techniques and methodologies) to suit their personality. |
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Spirituality is based on prayer; which involves setting time aside to talk to God about our lives and listen to him. We all have our own way of talking to and being with God. Each person has their own unique way of communicating with him. Through the ages, these ways of talking to God and following his ways have developed into what are called spiritualities. |
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Your spiritual life takes time to mature and strengthen so don't expect to understand it or accept everything spiritual overnight. It's a lifelong journey, and as with getting fit takes time and commitment. |
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Which of these schools of spirituality appeals to you most? |
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Name:
Fran
Age:
45
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Fran is 45 and was born in Birmingham.
"Hi there! My name is Fran and I'm 45. I was born in Birmingham and the family moved to Belfast when I was 1½. I grew up in the atmosphere of increasing tension, moving to Sheffield in 1971, two years after the violence broke out in earnest."
Read more of Fran's story |
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Is spirituality something you are taught or can learn – or is it something that just comes naturally?
Spirituality is something that is both formed in the person naturally through a desire and something that is taught and needs to be worked at. |
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Prayer is something we all have a natural aptitude for, but we need to learn how to grow and develop that natural gift. It takes practice. |
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Franciscan spirituality |
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Dominican spirituality |
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Jesuit spirituality |
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 (after St Francis of Assisi)
St Francis lived in the twelfth century and chose to live without material things (in poverty). He is most famed for his love of nature and all God's creatures. Monks, following in his tradition, often live their life with the poor, striving to live a simple life of prayer and in service of those in need. |
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 (after St Dominic)
Central to St Dominic's life (also of the twelfth century) was his calling to teach others about the message of Jesus Christ. He spent his life travelling, teaching, preaching and praying. His followers today spend their lives striving to share their faith where they live and work. |
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 (inspired by St Ignatius Loyola, 16th Century)
Central to the spirituality of the Jesuits is that God can be found in all things in the present moment. Their prayer is expressed through action – their members have become astronomers, botanists, anthropologists, economists and even musicians!
There are other schools of spirituality such as Carmelite and Benedictine. Do contact us if you'd like to know more. |
Did you watch BBC 2 TV's 'The Monastery' programme, May 2005?
Click here for an array of free resources.
What about BBC 2's 'The Convent'
programme, June 2006?
Intrigued?
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Another very important way (or method) of praying is reading the Bible. Taking a short piece of Bible text and reading it over several times, slowly and reflectively, can really help us pray and grow in our relationship with God. This form of prayer is called Lectio Divina. |
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| This is a website of the Catholic Enquiry Office; part of an Agency of the Catholic Bishops Conference of England and Wales. |
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