"Pride makes us forgetful of our eternal interests. It causes us to neglect totally the care of our soul."
St. John Baptist de la Salle
For Reflection:
Think of a prideful person you know. To what extent have you seen this quote to be true? What does this encourage you to do regarding your own spiritual life?
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"Pride is an illusion, a lie and a thief. And since it is a truth of faith that we are nothing, he who esteems himself and thinks that he is someone is a seducer who deceives himself."
St. John Eudes
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"True humility does not make a show of herself or use many humble words; for she desires not only to conceal all other virtues, but most of all to conceal herself."
St. Francis de Sales
For Reflection:
How does the Blessed Virgin Mary exemplify these words?
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My name is Barbara Mancuso, a parishioner at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, Clermont, Florida.
Being a convert to the faith approximately 20 years ago, my journey continues. In my desire to learn the Catholic faith and my purpose as a Cathloic woman, I participated in the Women Of Grace Study program 4 years ago. It was a profound turning point in deepening my faith not only as a Catholic, but as a woman in the eyes of my Heavenly Father. I was hearing many theological truths about why God created woman and truly seeking my role in that plan. This to me was not just “another bible study”. So many answers to questions I didn’t know how to ask!
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Arrived in Dublin on June 16. Beautiful day! Sunny, warm. Met Therese McCrystal. Like the day: sunny, warm, and charming. Immediate connection. Off to a drive around Dublin.
Julia sang Molly Malone at Molly Malone bronze statue in city. So cute! But Molly needs a cover-up!
Stopped at Carmelite church. Lovely. Relics of St. Valentine and St. Pius X. Got there in time for Mass. Praise God! Loved the depiction of the Rood -- a very meaningful image to me.
Would like to go back to Dublin to explore to city more fully. Next time, God willing.
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"We must never glance at what is good in ourselves, much less ponder over it, but we should search out what is wrong and what is lacking. This is an excellent way of remaining humble."
St. Vincent de Paul
For Reflection:
How does pondering the good in ourselves jeopardize the virtue of humility? How can discovering the wrong in ourselves or that which is lacking be a jumpstart for growing in virtue? Where do you need to begin?Â
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"The gate of Heaven is very low; only the humble can enter it."
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
For Reflection:
Would I fit under the gate of Heaven? What about me would make it most difficult?
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We shall never learn to know ourselves except by endeavoring to know God; for, beholding His greatness, we realize our own littleness; His purity shows us our foulness; and by meditating upon His humility we find how very far we are from being humble."
St. Teresa of Avila
For Reflection:
According to St. Teresa of Avila, why is meditating on the attributes of God an appropriate way to begin to cultivate the virtue of humility? Where do you most see yourself in the reflection above?
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Humility is the foundation of all the other virtues hence, in the soul in which this virtue does not exist there cannot be any other virtue except in mere appearance.
St. Augustine
For Reflection:
Consider St. Augustine's statement about humility. Why do you think humility is the foundation of all the other virtues? Why is the appearance of any other virtue merely pretense if humility is lacking?
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For everything there is a season,
And a time for every matter under heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die;
A time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal;
A time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh;
A time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
A time to embrace, And a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to seek, and a time to lose;
A time to keep, and a time to throw away;
A time to tear, and a time to sew;
A time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate,
A time for war, and a time for peace.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
For Reflection:
What "time" is it in my life? How can patience help me make the most of it?
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My name is Barbara Mancuso, a parishioner at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, Clermont, Florida.
Being a convert to the faith approximately 20 years ago, my journey continues. In my desire to learn the Catholic faith and my purpose as a Cathloic woman, I participated in the Women Of Grace Study program 4 years ago. It was a profound turning point in deepening my faith not only as a Catholic, but as a woman in the eyes of my Heavenly Father. I was hearing many theological truths about why God created woman and truly seeking my role in that plan. This to me was not just “another bible study”. So many answers to questions I didn’t know how to ask!
Stopped at Carmelite church. Lovely. Relics of St. Valentine and St. Pius X. Got there in time for Mass. Praise God! Loved the depiction of the Rood -- a very meaningful image to me.
