A few weeks ago I went to confession, and after I had told the priest my sins and struggles, he told me to take it one thing at a time. He said not to work on everything all at once because we can become frustrated and give up. In the same way, I encourage you to look through these virtues, pray about one you would like to grow in and spend time trying to do just that.
For each virtue you will find:
- A short description
- An external source for help and guidance in growth of this virtue
- A Saint who exemplified this virtue to help you in your journey
HUMILITY
| Growing in Virtue | The Virtue of Humility |
|---|---|
| Objective | Use the example of Sr. Clare Crockett to pursue humility in your own life |
| Seedtime | Watch 1 hour 24 minute video |
| Feedtime | 1 hour 15 minutes |
| Directive | Spend 5 minutes each morning for five days praying the Litany of Humility. Then spend 10 minutes each evening reflecting on your day and your journey with humility |
Humility is to know the greatness of God and know that everything comes from Him. Without God, we would have nothing; we would be nothing. In the words of St. John the Baptist, “He must increase; I must decrease.” (John 3:30)
St. Thérèse of Lisieux
“My little way is the way of spiritual childhood, the way of trust and absolute surrender”
DILIGENCE
| Growing in Virtue | The Virtue of Diligence |
|---|---|
| Objective | Gain an increase of boldness from the Holy Spirit to grow in diligence of faith |
| Seedtime | 8 minute audio clip |
| Feedtime | 1 hour |
| Directive | Start by praying to the Holy Spirit and, using a journal, identify areas in your life where you need to be more diligent for 30 minutes. Then take 10 minutes at the end of each day for three days to reflect on how the Lord has guided you in this area |
Diligence is not simply “to work hard”. It is to be reliant on God and persevere in faith, even when things get hard. It is to live on purpose, not idly or passively, but boldly proclaiming the Gospel in your life.
St. John Paul II
“The future starts today, not tomorrow”
KINDNESS
| Growing in Virtue | The Virtue of Kindness |
|---|---|
| Objective | To learn what it means to show kindness in daily life |
| Seedtime | 1 hour video; audio suffices |
| Feedtime | 1 hour |
| Directive | Take approx. 12 minutes each day for five days to do one small act of kindness for another person(s) |
Kindness is an act of love. It is to follow the example of Jesus in daily living by showing love, mercy and charity. It can be misinterpreted as being “nice” or “tolerant”, but in its true form, kindness is compassion for others.
St. Teresa of Calcutta
“Be kind and merciful. Let no one ever come to you without coming away better and happier”
PATIENCE
| Growing in Virtue | The Virtue of Patience |
|---|---|
| Objective | To learn the importance of waiting on the Lord |
| Seedtime | 14 minute video; audio suffices |
| Feedtime | 1 hour 5 minutes |
| Directive | Firstly, take 10 minutes to reflect on areas that may trigger impatience for you. Over 5 days, take a minute at the beginning of each day to ask God for the grace to be patient. Take 5 minutes each day to practice ‘waiting’* for something. Spend 5 minutes at the end of the day reflecting on your patience |
In patience, we wait on the Lord. It gives us a chance to slow down, and it enables us to endure troubles without resentment or anger. It is not about our own convenience or inconvenience, but our steadfast hope in God.
St. Philip Neri
“Patience is necessary for the servant of God, and we must not be distressed at trouble, but wait for consolation”
*choose one thing that you might look forward to each day e.g glass of water when thirsty, dinner when hungry or relaxing with a book. Wait for 5 minutes before drinking water or eating dinner. Use that time to appreciate said thing as a gift from God. This small act of sacrifice will help you grow in patience.
CHARITY
| Growing in Virtue | The Virtue of Charity |
|---|---|
| Objective | To gain knowledge of the virtue of charity and how to grow in it |
| Seedtime | 1 hour video; audio suffices |
| Feedtime | 1 hour |
| Directive | Spend 30 minutes journaling to identify areas of attachment in your life. Then, in regards to this attachment, make one small sacrifice for another person each day for five days |
Charity is a gift of self – our love, our time, our money and possessions. We must not hoard our belongings, but give freely just as Jesus gave His life for us. We must have a holy detachment of our earthly life because our reward waits in Heaven.
Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati
“What would faith be if we did not clothe it in charity?”
CHASTITY
| Growing in Virtue | The Virtue of Chastity |
|---|---|
| Objective | To identify the different callings of chastity and how it applies to your life |
| Seedtime | 15 minute read |
| Feedtime | 1 hour |
| Directive | Spend 25 minutes reflecting and journaling to identify your areas of struggle. Reflect specifically on your relationships, your media consumption, your thoughts and actions: what is helping/hindering you? Take 5 minutes each evening for a week to examine your day in regards to this virtue |
We were created by God and for God. In chastity, we use our minds and bodies for the complete glorification of Him. Chastity is not to “abstain from sex”, but it is using our entire sexuality for His purpose. It is lifelong call for everyone and may look differently according to the call God has given us.
Take some time to read over this article:
Chastity, It’s For Everyone! By Renae Kranz
St. Agnes
“You may stain your sword with my blood, but you will never profane my body that I have consecrated to Christ”
TEMPERANCE
| Growing in Virtue | The Virtue of Temperance |
|---|---|
| Objective | To learn the importance of self-control and how to put it into practice |
| Seedtime | 5 minute read |
| Feedtime | 1 hour |
| Directive | Choose one small thing you can abstain from for six days (you can choose a different thing for each day). Take 10 minutes at the end of each day to reflect on your temperance |
To be temperate is to lead a life of balance. It is to moderate our physical desires all for the greater glory of God. It is a temptation to overindulge in things like food and drink. Temperance teaches us self-control and moderation.
Take some time to read over this article:
Why Does God Care if You Give Up Chocolate? By Rachel Sherlock
St. Catherine of Siena
“Father, I am hungry for the love of God. Give this soul her food, her Lord In the Eucharist”
Golden Rose 