Ethan Walker
Living a humble traditional Catholic life involves integrating your beliefs into every aspect of your daily life. It is about being in the world but not of the world. A humble person is grounded in reality and the truth of God, and is able to acknowledge their accomplishments without losing sight of God. Humility is about recognizing your place in God's grand design and submitting yourself to His will. It is a foundational virtue for faith and life, and a necessity for a true relationship with God. It is also about selflessness and putting others before yourself. To live a humble traditional Catholic life, you can start and end each day with prayer, accept humiliations with grace, and share your faith with others through loving example and conversation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Be kind, honest, and compassionate | Live a life that outwardly shows you are Catholic and are proud to be Catholic |
| Share Catholic content on social media, invite friends to go to Mass | Share your faith with others, not by preaching aggressively but through loving example and encouraging conversation |
| Stay informed about current events and issues from a Catholic perspective | Engage in social justice and advocacy in line with Church teachings, working towards a world that reflects the values of the Gospel |
| Be informed about what the Church teaches, and how to stand up for it in your society | Praying may inspire your journey of faith today, share it to inspire someone else to live out their Catholic beliefs more fully in today's world |
| Be gentle to all, and stern with yourself | When someone frustrates or angers you, pause before reacting. Take a deep breath and silently say, "Lord, help me to see this person as You see them. Give me the grace to respond with gentleness and understanding." |
| Be gentle and humble of heart | Our Lord invites all His disciples to the same school, regardless of our age or abilities |
| Be grounded in reality; in your own reality and in the truth of God | Humility is truth. A humble person can readily acknowledge his accomplishments, never losing sight of God our Heavenly Father, whose goodness has bestowed on us our abilities and talents |
| Recognize our place in God's grand design and submit to His will | Praying is the raising of one's mind and heart to God or the requesting of good things from God |
| Accept humiliations with grace | Jesus Himself fell three times on the way to Calvary. He heard jeering and was ridiculed for obeying God's will. Did He lash out at those taunting Him or try to embarrass them? No, He humbly accepted the humiliations |
| Overcome selfish desires and selfish fears | The upper limit of humility is to grow in the opposite desires and convictions that will lead to complete selflessness, enabling you to turn your eyes to the good of others |
| Perform your tasks with humility | To the humble, the Lord reveals His secrets |
| Start and end each day with prayer | Thank God for the gift of a new day and ask for His guidance and protection. At night, reflect on the day’s blessings and challenges, seeking His grace and mercy |
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What You'll Learn
- Recognise your place in God's grand design and submit to His will
- Overcome selfish desires and fears to become completely selfless
- Be kind, honest, and compassionate in everyday interactions
- Start and end each day with prayer and reflection
- Share your faith with others through loving example and conversation
Recognise your place in God's grand design and submit to His will
Humility is a foundational virtue for both faith and life as a Catholic. It is derived from the Latin word for earth, 'humus', and is about being grounded in reality and the truth of God.
To live a humble and traditional Catholic life, one must recognise their place in God's grand design and submit to His will. This means acknowledging that God has a plan and a purpose for everyone, and that He ultimately desires the salvation and sanctification of all people.
To discover God's will for your life, you must first cultivate humility and accept God on His own terms, as revealed in Scripture, Tradition, and the magisterium. This involves overcoming selfish desires and fears, and instead focusing on the good of others and complete selflessness. It is only through humility that one can have a true relationship with God, as the Lord reveals His secrets to the humble.
To recognise your place in God's grand design, you can follow these principles:
- Follow the compass within: Listen to the deep desires within your heart, discerning between those that bring life (from God) and those that bring destruction (from the evil one). Ask the Holy Spirit to awaken pure and holy desires within you, leading you towards His greater purposes.
- Abide in Christ: Jesus is our source of truth and life, and we must trust and follow Him to navigate our path.
- Ask for guidance: Pray and ask God for His clear will in your life. Weigh the positives and negatives of your options using your rational mind, as advised by Father Pacwa.
- Seek holiness: God's will is that we pursue greater holiness and union with Him, above all else. Loving God and our neighbour is always the way to fulfil His will.
By submitting to God's will and recognising our unique purpose in His grand design, we can live a humble and fulfilling life as traditional Catholics.
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Overcome selfish desires and fears to become completely selfless
Selfishness is a natural human tendency, and overcoming it is a lifelong journey of growth and transformation. It requires consistent effort, reflection, and a willingness to put others before ourselves.
The Catholic Church teaches that true fulfillment comes not from serving ourselves, but from serving others and God. This is exemplified by Jesus Christ, who showed us that true self-care includes spiritual growth and service to others, which ultimately leads to a more fulfilled life.
To become selfless, we must first identify and acknowledge our selfish tendencies. This can be done through regular participation in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, which provides the grace and guidance needed to continue on the path of selflessness. We can also look to the saints as inspiring examples of selflessness and dedication to others. By studying their lives, we can find practical ways to apply their virtues to our modern contexts.
Another way to overcome selfishness is to develop a strong prayer life. Through prayer, we connect with God and align our will with His, which naturally leads us away from self-centeredness. We can also cultivate virtues like generosity, which is the antithesis of selfishness. As Catholics, we are called to give not just from our excess, but sacrificially. This could mean contributing more to parish collections, supporting Catholic charities, or helping those in need within your community.
Finally, we can fill our minds and hearts with Christ so that there is no room for selfish impulses. This means focusing on our relationship with Christ and experiencing His love, knowledge, and trust. By doing so, we suffocate our selfish impulses, replacing them with humble, thankful love for Christ.
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Be kind, honest, and compassionate in everyday interactions
Kindness, honesty, and compassion are key aspects of living a humble, traditional Catholic life. These virtues are integral to interacting with others and fostering meaningful relationships.
Jesus Christ is the ultimate role model for compassionate communication. His interactions were imbued with love, empathy, and understanding, even towards those with differing beliefs or backgrounds. For instance, Jesus responded with compassion to the adulterous woman (John 8:1-11), demonstrating the power of empathy and love. By following Jesus' example, we can bridge divides and cultivate empathy, creating a more harmonious community.
In our daily interactions, we can emulate Jesus' approach by speaking the truth in a manner that fosters understanding and respect. This means actively listening to others, even when we disagree, and responding with gentleness and love. For instance, when discussing controversial topics like abortion, we can share our stance from a place of compassion and explain our concerns, focusing on our shared beliefs rather than differences.
Additionally, simple acts of kindness, such as offering a smile and a greeting, can make a significant difference in how we interact with others. We should strive to accept and love others as God's children, showing hospitality and compassion, regardless of their beliefs or backgrounds. This acceptance does not condone sin but acknowledges the inherent goodness in each person.
Practicing compassion not only benefits those around us but also positively impacts our health. Studies show that experiencing compassion releases oxytocin, a chemical linked to feelings of emotional closeness, while also reducing our risk for various diseases. When we act with altruism, we strengthen our resilience to stress, enhancing our overall well-being.
Lastly, humility is a foundational virtue for Catholics, enabling us to live in truth and avoid the seductions of the world. A humble person is grounded in reality and confident in their identity in God, able to peacefully receive criticism and false suspicions. Humility fosters a dependence on God and His truth, freeing us from selfish desires and fears. It allows us to focus on the good of others and rejoice in the love and praise we receive, not for our egos but for the authenticity and love behind the act.
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Start and end each day with prayer and reflection
Starting and Ending Each Day with Prayer and Reflection as a Traditional Catholic
Morning Prayer
To start the day, Catholics turn to morning prayers to praise the Lord, ask for guidance and protection, and offer up their day. Morning prayers can be as simple as ""Come, Holy Spirit" or "Jesus, I trust in You". One popular morning prayer reminds Catholics to place their trust in the Lord:
> As morning dawns, we praise you, Lord, for you have saved your whole creation. In mercy, grant a day of peace; bestow forgiveness for our sins. May you not ever cut off hope, nor shut the door before our face. Do not withhold your care from us, for you alone know our weakness. Sow love, peace, and harmony; uphold our priests and calm our kings; heal all our sick and guard the strong; forgive the sins of all mankind.
Other morning prayers include the Morning Offering, written by Fr. François-Xavier Gautrelet in 1844, and the Sacred Heart of Jesus prayer.
Daily Prayer
Throughout the day, Catholics are encouraged to pray whenever they can. This could be while going about their morning routine, such as getting dressed or having a cup of coffee, or while carrying out their work. A Catholic baker, for example, might pray the Rosary while waiting for their bread to rise.
Catholics are also encouraged to attend Mass and hear Scripture readings, which they can reflect on throughout the day.
Evening Prayer
At the end of the day, Catholics reflect on their day and pray again. This is a time to be aware of God at work in one's life, and to give thanks and praise. It is also a time to recognise where one has "missed the mark", and to ask for forgiveness.
Evening prayers include the Angelus, prayed at 6 p.m., and the Opus Dei custom of saying three Hail Marys before sleeping.
Rosary
The Rosary is a popular daily prayer tradition in Catholicism. It is a series of prayers repeated around the structure of a pair of Rosary beads, and includes the Apostle's Creed, Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be. It can be prayed once a week, once a day, or multiple times a day.
Novenas
Novenas are nine-day series of prayers, rooted in the period that Mary and the disciples prayed together before the Holy Spirit came down on them. Novenas include the Novena to Christ the King and the Novena to Saint Joseph.
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Share your faith with others through loving example and conversation
Sharing your faith with others through loving example and conversation is a powerful way to live out your humble, traditional Catholic life. Here are some instructive guidelines to help you do this:
Firstly, understand that humility is a cornerstone of your faith and life. It is a virtue that enables freedom from selfish desires and fears, allowing you to turn your focus to the good of others. This virtue is exemplified in the lives of the Saints, such as St. Augustine and St. Benedict, who searched for truth and worshipped God with humility. By emulating their humility, you can more effectively share your faith with others.
Now, when it comes to loving examples, remember that actions speak louder than words. Be consistent in applying Christian principles in your life, demonstrating your beliefs through your actions. Stay positive and maintain a good attitude, even during challenging times. This authenticity will be evident to those around you, and they will be more receptive to your faith.
In your conversations, be mindful of your tone and approach. Avoid heated debates and controversial topics that may create barriers. Instead, focus on sharing your faith through encouraging and kind words. Ask open-ended questions that invite others to share their thoughts and feelings, such as, "Do you ever think about eternity?" or "How can I pray for you?" These types of questions can open doors to deeper conversations about faith and provide opportunities to pray with others, showing them God's love.
Additionally, follow Christ's example of love and compassion. Show kindness and think about the needs of others before your own. Look for opportunities to serve and meet the needs of those around you. By doing so, you will be a living example of Christ's love, and your conversations about faith will be more impactful.
Lastly, remember that sharing your faith doesn't have to be complicated. Be yourself and let your life be a natural testament to your beliefs. As you go about your daily tasks, stay grounded in your faith, and let your interactions with others be filled with humility and love. By doing so, you will shine a light on the path of humility that leads to God.
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Frequently asked questions
Humility is a foundational virtue for both faith and life. It is derived from the Latin word *humus*, meaning earth. A humble person is grounded in reality and the truth of God. Humility is truth.
Humility is not about thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less. It's about recognising your place in God's grand design and submitting to His will. You can start each day with a simple prayer: "Lord, grant me the grace of humility today. Help me to see myself as you see me, no more and no less."
Living out your Catholic faith doesn't mean you have to retreat from the world. Instead, it's about integrating your beliefs into every aspect of your daily life. You can start and end each day with prayer and make time for sustained prayer. You can also share Catholic content on social media, invite friends to Mass, pray and fast regularly, and engage in social justice and advocacy in line with Church teachings.
You can follow the example of the Saints, especially St. Augustine, whose search for truth led him to the gentle and humble Saviour, and St. Benedict, who teaches us to prefer nothing to the worship of God. You can also follow Christ's paths, which include the path of humility.
