The Pew Research Center recently released a poll showing an alarming decrease in the number of Americans who consider themselves to be Christian, but a more focused poll conducted on Catholics in America produced much more hopeful results.
GM asks: "What is flame meditation, and what does the fact that my psychology professor does it tell me about her (as well as her denial of absolute truth)?"
"[God] allows temptation so as to give you maturity, understanding and effectiveness in your apostolic work with souls, and above all, to make you humble, very humble."
"[God] allows temptation, and uses it providentially to purify you, to make you holy, to detach you more from the things of the earth, to lead you where He is and by the route He wants you to take, so as to make you happy (in a life which may not be comfortable)."
"We are able to arm ourselves against temptation through constant mortification in our work; in the way we live charity; in guarding our external and internal senses; through prayer; by fleeing the occasions of sin; and by having our time fully occupied in the fulfillment of our obligations."
The life of St. Catherine of Genoa confirms that spiritual renewal, virtue, holy reflection, and spiritual direction lead to wisdom and discernment. Born into an illustrious Italian family that was connected to two popes, Catherine was known as a quiet and pious child, being both prayerful and obedient. She expressed an interest in the convent at the age of thirteen but she was turned away because she was too young.
The Pew Research Center recently released a poll showing an alarming decrease in the number of Americans who consider themselves to be Christian, but a more focused poll conducted on Catholics in America produced much more hopeful results.
