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Traveler
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| Joined: | Fri Jun 8th, 2007 |
| Location: | Prairie Du Chien, Wisconsin USA |
| Posts: | 19 |
| First Name: | Jean | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | North American Baptist, Evangelical Free |
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Posted: Thu Dec 13th, 2007 01:27 pm |
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Hi I am a protestant seeking a better understanding of the Catholic faith. Here is my (rather vague) question. Several times while watching the Coming Home program, I have heard mention of spirituality - things like discerning your spirituality, difference between protestant and Catholic spirituality. It seems like I should be able to understand this, but from how the term is used it appears this term means something different to Catholics.
This site has been a gold mine of information and I am hoping for enlightenment.
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CajunRick
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| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Houma, Louisiana USA |
| Posts: | 5345 |
| First Name: | Rick (& Kermie) | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Lifetime Catholic, Latin Rite |
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Posted: Thu Dec 13th, 2007 02:58 pm |
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There are as many types of spirituality as there are types of prayer, or types of music. Some people are quiet and contemplative, others are praying in tongues with holy hands lifted to the Lord, many are praying by helping the poor and lame, and some experience mystical visions. All of the charisms (gifts) of the Holy Spirit are alive and well in the Catholic Church.
There are certain types of spirituality that appeal to certain people that have common characteristics based on the lives or writings of great saints. One example currently being discussed in the forum is Carmelite spirituality. Other forms include various forms of Franciscan, Benedictine, or Redemptorist orders, charismatic movements, traditionalist movements, scripture study, covenant communities, and many, many more. And then there is the Eastern forms of spirituality shared by the Orthodox and Eastern Catholic Churches.
Basically, if it can be legitimately used to praise and worship God, it is present in the Catholic Church. That's what makes us "catholic" (which means universal).
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Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
Rick Luquette
Luquette Lane
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mg57
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| Joined: | Mon Oct 9th, 2006 |
| Location: | Tolland County, Connecticut USA |
| Posts: | 180 |
| First Name: | mg57 | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Infant Baptised Catholic |
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Posted: Thu Dec 13th, 2007 07:34 pm |
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Jean -
If I may, I'd like to recommend a book "The Ordinary Path To Holiness" by Tom Richard -
Click Here
He served as a Protestant minister before reverting back to the Church, so it may speak to you better as an introduction to classic, non-trendy Catholic Spirituality. For a time he was director of lay ministry formation in our diocese and also appeared on The Journey Home a few years back.
NOTE: Edited to shorten link
Last edited on Thu Dec 13th, 2007 09:51 pm by
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Thomas
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| Joined: | Fri Dec 14th, 2007 |
| Location: | London, United Kingdom |
| Posts: | 7 |
| First Name: | Thomas | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Catholic |
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Posted: Fri Dec 14th, 2007 10:17 am |
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Hi Jean —
There's a good resource here:
http://www.domcentral.org/study/aumann/st/default.htm by Jordan Aumann.
For me, the idea of a Catholic Spirituality flows from the Sacraments, above all the Eucharist, and thus the central focus of Catholic Spirituality is the essential Mystery of our faith, which we celebrate in the Liturgy:
"That they all may be one, as thou, Father, in me, and I in thee; that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou hast given me, I have given to them: that, they may be one, as we also are one. I in them, and thou in me: that they may be made perfect in one: and the world may know that thou hast sent me and hast loved them, as thou hast also loved me."
John 17:21-23.
If we consider the difference between traditions, I would say, as a Catholic, that we place no limitation upon the implied meaning of the Words of Christ at the Last Supper, and that God, by the Incarnation, took our fallen human nature to Himself, and restored it in His own Image.
"God became man" St Ireenaeus said, "that man might become god" — not that we become demigods, but that we partake in the Divine Life through Sonship (by adoption), a doctrine known of old as Theosis.
+++
My critique of post-Reformation Christianity is that one can trace the process of the rationalising of the Word of Scripture, of a human logic saying, "He can't have meant that" whereas, of course, in His own words: "With men this is impossible: but with God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26.
Thomas
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"Christ ... we are never so much ourselves as when we are in Him." Fr Emile Mersch SJ 1890-1940
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Traveler
Member
| Joined: | Fri Jun 8th, 2007 |
| Location: | Prairie Du Chien, Wisconsin USA |
| Posts: | 19 |
| First Name: | Jean | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | North American Baptist, Evangelical Free |
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Posted: Sun Dec 16th, 2007 09:18 pm |
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Thank you for the good information. I think I would still have a difficult time giving a clear explanation to someone else, but it is making sense in my head. A combination of how protestants use the terms gifts, praise (music) preference, prayer style. In addition it refers to how you live out your faith, helping, teaching, etc. I found it interesting to consider the various options Catholics have to identify and live out their spiritually.
"One example currently being discussed in the forum is Carmelite spirituality. Other forms include various forms of Franciscan, Benedictine, or Redemptorist orders, charismatic movements, traditionalist movements, scripture study, covenant communities, and many, many more."
Perhaps that is one of the reason for the number of protestant churches. People looking for others that have similar spirituality.
Thanks again for the information.
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CajunRick
Network Helper
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Houma, Louisiana USA |
| Posts: | 5345 |
| First Name: | Rick (& Kermie) | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Lifetime Catholic, Latin Rite |
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Posted: Sun Dec 16th, 2007 10:24 pm |
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Traveler wrote: Perhaps that is one of the reason for the number of protestant churches. People looking for others that have similar spirituality.
That is most likely true. Fortunately, the Catholic Church is by definition and there is room under her roof for all valid forms of spirituality.
____________________
Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
Rick Luquette
Luquette Lane
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Credo Catholic
Member
| Joined: | Sat May 5th, 2007 |
| Location: | Greenville, South Carolina USA |
| Posts: | 1382 |
| First Name: | Marsha | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Baptist, Catholic |
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Posted: Mon Dec 17th, 2007 11:01 am |
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| For me, the biggest difference between protestant and catholic spirituality so far, has been the communion of saints and the sacraments. Before, I only had my one-on-one relationship with Jesus through prayer. And it was good, but I have experienced such a growth of prayer and meditation by forming relationships with some of the saints. And the whole penance thing is new and adds a dimension to my spiritual life I didn't have before. Confession and receiving the Holy Eucharist can't be fully appreciated just by hearing about them. Until a protestant experiences these new things, they don't know what it is they've been looking for and couldn't find. IMO!
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