St Teresa of Avila maintained that experiences cannot be our motivation in prayer and that they are not essential to the communication between God and the soul. What is necessary, is the recognition that the initiative in prayer is God’s. In prayer, God gives us an instrument of His Passion; the arrow that pierced Christ’s side and opened up the spiritual life of the Church.
Time and time again Israel’s prophets spoke about the need to go back into the desert where Moses had led Israel’s ancestors. Today, we too find it valuable to go back into the desert, so that as we take up battle against spiritual evils, we are armed with weapons of self-restraint.
“Stabat mater dolorosa – The Sorrowful Mother was standing.” This is the first line of one of the most celebrated Catholic hymns sung by Catholics for over eight centuries when walking from one station of the Cross to the next. The Stabat Mater teaches us that every fallen child of Adam and Eve benefits from uniting sacrificially with Jesus and Mary. Meditate on the first three stanzas in this blog.
Does it ever feel like you're too busy to pray? Perhaps you have a demanding job or you've got studies keeping you busy. Whatever the reason, Fr Ed Broom offers some excellent advice to help you pray during those hectic times where prayer feels impossible.
In the final days of Advent, the Church recites the Great O Antiphons at Vespers each evening. In this blog, learn in detail what the O Antiphons are and find inspiration for incorporating them into your own life.
Finding the perfect Advent read is essential for preparing for Christmas. The book you choose for Advent is the book that will guide you in preparing for the coming of Jesus. Thankfully, we've created this handy guide for you to help you determine which book is for you! There's something for everyone this Advent!
