Chastity is the virtue that empowers us to love our spouse or the one we're dating rather than use them. Check out these resources, and make a game plan with your significant other to settle for nothing less than authentic love.
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Good News About Sex and Marriage - book by Christopher West with honest questions and answers about the Church's teachings on sexuality
Men, Women, and the Mystery of Love - book by Edward Sri on intimacy and chastity in relationships
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The forgiveness we receive in Confession is only the beginning of God's desire for us. "I came that they might have life and have it to the full" (John 10:10). Use these resources to grow in your faith and know the fullness of life that our Lord desires for you.
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The Foundation
The Church gives us a foundation of spiritual practices that ensure we remain in relation with Christ. They provide us steady ground to grow in our faith and give ourselves in return to our Lord who already has and continues to give Himself entirely to us. Put these practices in place before moving on to anything else. The Precepts of the Church - The Catechism's teaching on what is the "indispensable minimum" for living out your Catholic faith |
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Build and Grow
With that firm foundation, a whole life of faith opens up before you. Look at the resources below to find some practices that you use to build onto your foundation of faith and receive more fully the life our Lord longs to give us. Prayer
Descriptions of prayer are abundant throughout Christian history. "True prayer," wrote St. Augustine, "is nothing but love." "Prayer," said St. John Vianney, "is the inner bath of love into which the soul plunges itself." "Everyone of us needs half an hour of prayer each day," remarked St. Francis de Sales, "except when we are busy—then we need an hour." St. John Damascene gave a classic definition of prayer: "Prayer is the raising of one's mind and heart to God or the requesting of good things from God." Definitions of prayer are important, but insufficient. There is a huge difference between knowing about prayer and praying. Check out these resources not only to know about prayer, but to begin praying.
What is prayer? - The Catechism's teaching on prayer Ways of Prayer - A brief overview of many ways to pray Lord, Teach Us to Pray - A book by Fr. Jeffrey Kirby that gives a guide to the spiritual life and Christian discipleship
sacraments
The privileged place of encounter with Christ is in the Mass and in Confession. Check out these resources to help you get more out of these two great sacraments.
Mortal vs Venial Sin - A very short article on the two types of sin. This is critical information to know in order to go to Mass and Confession in a fruitful way. The Lamb's Supper - A book by Scott Hahn that studies the book of Revelation and shows how the Mass is heaven on Earth Guide to Confession - A great resource from the Knights of Columbus that teaches what and how we should Confess our sins Lord, Have Mercy - A book by Scott Hahn on the healing power of Confession
service
On the night of the Last Supper, Jesus washed the Apostles' feet and said, "I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do" (John 13:15). The love of Christ truly received bears the fruit of joyful service to others, especially to the poor.
Catholic Social Teaching - A summary of seven themes in Catholic social teaching, which brings our faith to bear in society Works of Mercy - A traditional list and description of how to serve those in need
study
Our Catholic faith is a treasure. Studying the faith is not like other academic pursuits. It's a relationship to be cherished, and studying the faith allows us to grow in that saving relationship with our Lord. Check out these resources to grow in your faith.
St. Paul Center - A great resource for studying the Bible - videos, online studies, audio content, and more Formed - A subscription to the best Catholic content on the web
virtue
Coming to know Christ bears the fruit of a virtuous life, and a virtuous life allows us to grow deeper in our relationship with Christ. A virtue is an habitual and firm disposition to do the good. It allows the person not only to perform good acts, but to give the best of himself. See these resources to grow in virtue.
Back to Virtue - A book by Peter Kreeft on the life of virtue in Christianity Making Choices - A book by Peter Kreeft on making good moral decisions
evangelization
The Church exists to evangelize. "Go and make disciples of all nations" were Jesus' last words to the Apostles before He ascended to the right hand of the Father, and that same call is given to each baptized person. Check out the resources below to learn more and to begin spreading the good news.
What is Evangelization? - A short primer on evangelization Making Missionary Disciples - A book by Curtis Martin on how to share the faith in a profoundly fruitful way The Joy of the Gospel - A exhortation by Pope Francis to embark upon a new chapter of evangelization marked by authentic joy
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