Michael Brooks
In his book *Rediscover Catholicism*, Matthew Kelly outlines the seven pillars of Catholic spirituality: confession, daily prayer, the Mass, the Bible, fasting, spiritual reading, and the rosary. Kelly's work aims to reinvigorate Catholics' spiritual lives by exploring the genius of Catholicism and its relevance in the modern world. The seven pillars are a spiritual toolkit that can help individuals develop a dynamic relationship with God and a vibrant, joy-filled spiritual life.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Confession | Establishing a vibrant spiritual life |
| Daily prayer | Finding deep and abiding joy |
| Mass | Transforming people one at a time |
| The Bible | Reinvigorating spiritual life |
| Fasting | Enriching daily life |
| Spiritual reading | Inspiring Catholics |
| The rosary | Challenging oneself |
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What You'll Learn
Confession
Catholicism is a rich and complex faith tradition with a long history and a diverse set of practices and beliefs. One way to understand and practice the Catholic faith is through the lens of the seven pillars of Catholic spirituality, as outlined by Matthew Kelly in his book "Rediscover Catholicism". These pillars provide a framework for Catholics to deepen their relationship with God and the Church and to live a more authentic and meaningful Catholic life.
One of the seven pillars of Catholic spirituality is Confession. Confession is a sacred ritual in the Catholic Church where individuals acknowledge and express remorse for their sins to a priest, receive absolution, and are offered penance. This practice is rooted in the belief that through Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit, sinners can be reconciled with God and the Church. Confession is often seen as a means of spiritual healing and a path to personal transformation.
In the Catholic tradition, Confession is typically conducted within a confessional booth or room, where the penitent (the person confessing) and the priest are separated by a screen or speak face-to-face. The penitent begins by making the Sign of the Cross and saying, "Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. It has been [state the amount of time] since my last confession." They then confess their sins, which can include thoughts, words, actions, or omissions that go against the teachings of the Church and are contrary to love and goodness.
During the Confession, the penitent must be honest and forthcoming about their sins. This honesty is essential for true repentance and spiritual growth. After confessing their sins, the penitent may ask the priest for counsel or guidance in dealing with their particular struggles or challenges. The priest then offers words of encouragement and reminds the penitent of God's love and mercy.
Following the confession of sins, the priest imparts absolution, making the Sign of the Cross and saying, "God, the Father of mercies, through the death and resurrection of his Son has reconciled the world to himself and sent the Holy Spirit among us for the forgiveness of sins; through the ministry of the Church may God give you pardon and peace. I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." Through this sacramental rite, the penitent's sins are forgiven, and they are reconciled with the Church.
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Daily prayer
Prayer is one of the four pillars of Catholic catechisms, which also include faith, liturgy/sacraments, and life in Christ. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) is a "playbook" or guide for Catholics, helping them to navigate the Church's teachings on faith and morals, which include prayer.
To reinvigorate one's spiritual life, it is important to go beyond the bare minimum and make one's faith applicable to daily life. This may involve re-evaluating one's prayer life and seeking guidance from spiritual leaders or literature.
The book "Rediscover Catholicism" by Matthew Kelly has been praised for helping Catholics re-energize their spiritual lives and experience their faith with passion and purpose. In the book, Kelly encourages Catholics to explore the genius of Catholicism and rediscover its relevance in their lives. By reading this book, individuals can gain a new perspective on their faith and find ways to make it more meaningful in their daily lives, including through prayer.
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Mass
The Mass is a vital aspect of Catholic spirituality and plays a significant role in the lives of practising Catholics. It refers to the liturgical gathering of the faithful, where they participate in the Eucharist, one of the seven sacraments instituted by Jesus Christ. The Eucharist is a memorial of Christ's Passion, Death, and Resurrection, in which the community gathers to hear the Word of God, offer prayers, and share in the sacred meal.
The celebration of Mass typically includes several key elements:
- Liturgy of the Word: This includes readings from the Bible, often including a passage from the Old Testament, a Psalm, an Epistle from the New Testament, and a Gospel reading. These readings are chosen according to the liturgical calendar and provide a foundation for reflection and instruction.
- Homily: Following the readings, a priest or deacon delivers a homily, which is an explanation and reflection on the Scripture passages. The homily aims to provide practical guidance and help the congregation apply the teachings of the Bible to their daily lives.
- Liturgy of the Eucharist: This is the central part of the Mass, where the priest consecrates bread and wine, which, according to Catholic doctrine, become the Body and Blood of Christ. The congregation then receives Holy Communion, partaking in the sacred meal.
- Prayers: Various prayers are offered throughout the Mass, including the Penitential Rite, where participants reflect on their sins and ask for forgiveness, the Creed, where they affirm their faith, and intercessory prayers for the needs of the Church and the world.
The Mass is a communal act of worship that brings Catholics together in a shared expression of their faith. It is a time for spiritual reflection, gratitude, and petition. By participating in the Mass, Catholics are reminded of their relationship with God and their place in the community. The Mass also serves as a reminder of the sacrificial love of Christ and the need for ongoing conversion and discipleship.
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Fasting
In addition to the traditional practice of fasting from food, some Catholics also interpret fasting as abstaining from other things that distract or hinder their spiritual growth. This could include giving up meat on Fridays, abstaining from television, or fasting from vanity and self-indulgence.
Through fasting, Catholics can challenge themselves spiritually and deepen their relationship with God, moving beyond routine religious practices to a more meaningful and vibrant faith.
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Liturgy/sacraments
Liturgy is the divine worship of the Church and includes the celebration of Mass, the celebration of the Sacraments, and the Divine Office or Daily Prayer of the Church. The Catholic Church understands liturgy not only to mean the celebration of the Holy Mass but also the celebration of the Liturgy of the Hours, bible services, and the administration of sacraments and many sacramentals. The liturgy is considered an exercise of the priestly office of Jesus Christ. It is not just about the precise regulation of individual sequences of rites, but rather about the essence of the church. The Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy directs that pastors of souls must ensure that the faithful take part fully aware of what they are doing, actively engaging in the rite and being enriched by its effects.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains that liturgy is an "action" of the whole Christ (Christus totus). Those who even now celebrate it without signs are already in the heavenly liturgy, where the celebration is wholly communion and feast. Ecclesiastical writer Anselm Schott OSB compares the liturgical year to a church building: as the liturgical service is limited in space by the church walls, so the church year is enclosed by certain holy times. The liturgical year is made up of holy seasons, weeks, and days. The exact determination of holy times is a basic condition of communal liturgical celebration, as only the determination of the day and hour makes the union for worship possible.
The celebration of the Eucharist is the source and summit of the Catholic faith, and so all other liturgies flow from and to the celebration of Mass. Through the liturgy, Catholics encounter God, and their unity with their brothers and sisters across the world as the Universal Church is strengthened.
There are seven sacraments: Baptism, Confirmation, the Eucharist, Reconciliation, the Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony. The purpose of the sacraments is to make people holy, to build up the body of Christ, and to give worship to God. They are outward signs of inward grace, instituted by Christ for sanctification. The Sacrament of Penance, for example, is an experience of the gift of God's boundless mercy. It not only frees us from our sins but also challenges us to have compassion and forgiveness for those who sin against us. The Sacrament of Marriage is a covenant, which is more than a contract. It expresses the relationship between a husband and wife, a permanent union of persons capable of knowing and loving each other and God.
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