Gifts Fruits of Holy Spirit 3rd Fruit: Peace Victoria Ryan, May 6, 2021May 6, 2021 We continue our mini-meditations on the Fruits of the Holy Spirit. Saint Paul’s letter to the Galatians lists nine of them: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility, and self-control. The Catechism of the Catholic Church, drawing on other biblical teachings, include four additional fruits: generosity, gentleness, modesty and… Continue Reading
Gifts Fruits of Holy Spirit 2nd Fruit: Joy Victoria Ryan, May 4, 2021April 30, 2021 We continue our mini-meditations on the Fruits of the Holy Spirit. Saint Paul’s letter to the Galatians lists nine of them: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility, and self-control. The Catechism of the Catholic Church, drawing on other biblical teachings, include four additional fruits: generosity, gentleness, modesty and… Continue Reading
Holy card art 7th Scriptural Station of the Cross Victoria Ryan, March 11, 2021March 9, 2021 Jesus bears His cross. (John 19: 6, 15-17) Prepare your setting. Take a few deep breaths and exhale slowly. Set your timer. Begin with the Sign of the Cross. Then: We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you. Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world. Invite Jesus to visit with… Continue Reading
Holy card art 3rd Scriptural Station of the Cross Victoria Ryan, February 25, 2021February 25, 2021 Jesus is Condemned by the Sanhedrin (Luke 22: 66-71) Prepare your setting. Are you in a distraction free place? Do you have a timer? What about a prayer journal and pen? Where can you sit or kneel comfortably? Take a few deep breaths and exhale slowly. Set your timer. Begin with… Continue Reading
Holy card art 2nd Scriptural Station of the Cross Victoria Ryan, February 23, 2021February 25, 2021 Judas betrays Jesus with a kiss. (Mark 14: 43-46) Prepare your setting. Are you in a distraction-free place? Do you have a timer? What about a prayer journal and pen? Where can you sit or kneel comfortably? Take a few deep breaths and exhale slowly. Set your timer if you have… Continue Reading
Holy card art 1st Scriptural Station of the Cross Victoria Ryan, February 18, 2021February 18, 2021 Jesus prays in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36-41) Prepare your setting. Are you in a distraction-free place? Do you have a timer? What about a prayer journal and pen? Where can you sit or kneel comfortably? Take a few deep breaths and exhale slowly. Set your timer if you have to… Continue Reading
Holy card art How to Pray with Religious Art Victoria Ryan, February 16, 2021February 16, 2021 In the last weeks, we have talked about the various steps of prayerful meditation that we will tweak when we meditate with religious art. This post briefly address a few aspects of guided meditation that we have not yet touched upon. What we are not doing. I want to emphasize… Continue Reading
Holy card art Quiz: Who is the saint in this holy card? Victoria Ryan, February 11, 2021February 10, 2021 “Read” the holy card image and make your guess before you scroll down. Hints: Who is in the image? Where are they? Why are they there? Does the image remind you of any biblical story or story from Catholic Tradition (saints, sacraments, etc.)? Are there any symbols (colors, objects, shapes… Continue Reading
Lent Meditation: Suggestions for the Reluctant Victoria Ryan, February 9, 2021February 9, 2021 Christian meditation and contemplation are forms of prayer that date back to the 3rd century. They were practiced by our great Catholic mystics, Fathers of the Church, and saints. It’s said that even John Calvin introduced the concept to his protestant congregation. Meditation easily flows into contemplation and both are… Continue Reading