Catholic Spirituality

Preparatory Homework
To prepare for the October 14 class on the topic of Catholic Spirituality - the instructor, Father Jim Bartylla, asked students to read the book given at the September class: "Prayer for Beginners" by Peter Kreeft from Ignatius Press (ISBN 0-89870-775-7).

Practicum in Spiritual Formation
This month, the class was exposed (pun intended) to the practice of Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, followed by Benediction.

Class Notes
Father Bartylla used this PowerPoint presentation for his course. You can follow along with audio recordings of his voice below.

Audio Recordings
Due to the generosity of David Stiennon and the Madison Serra Club, audio recordings of this day's activities are available here. If you would like to purchase a copy of this three-CD audio set for $20, please call the OEC at 608-821-3160.
Welcome (2:36)
Outline (2;43)
Introductory questions (9:28)
Doctrinal foundations (23:47)
Sanctification (19:30)
Questions (13:00)

Growth in holiness (15:18)
Sin (19:15)
Purification (20:51)
Virtues (9:09)
Justice (7:37)

Prayer (29:23)
Questions (8:29)
Discernment (22:57)
Questions (11:26)

Spiritual Formation Homework
For ongoing spiritual formation, participants were asked to continue with the previous practice of bookending their day with prayer, beginning with a Morning Offering and closing with an Examination of Conscience. Additionally, to foster a relationship with Christ in the Eucharist they were encouraged to attend Mass more often this month or participate in Eucharistic adoration. When that was not possible, they were urged to take 15 minutes a day to spiritually come before the Blessed Sacrament and make a spiritual communion.

What is a Spiritual Communion? It is the desire to receive Holy Communion when we are not able to actually do so. Of course we should not make a Spiritual Communion to replace an actual Holy Communion. The advantage of a Spiritual Communion is that we can make it as often as we like. You might use the following prayer or something similar:

My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.