Author Topic: How does a person learn Catholic discipline? (Read 1100 times)

LaramieHirsch · « **on:** October 12, 2011, 08:51:35 PM »

Here is a question I ask on Fisheaters. I would also like a response from Cathinfo folks, as I have a feeling a lot of you folks are really devoted people.

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I did not know what folder to put this under. Folks generally check out this folder, from what I observe.

So I ask...How does a man learn how to practice discipline? How does one learn the Catholic discipline necessary for one's life, so that in the morning, afternoon, and evening, that Catholic person is devoted and rigorous and true to God?

I figure this kind of discipline is typically ingrained in cradle Catholics, and they learn that way. But I'm a grown man, converted from the Baptists.

Also, I suppose this kind of discipline is taught to you in seminary or in a monastery. But I'm a married man.

How does one train in that manner? It eludes me.

This all stems from some of my latest readings of St. Catherine of Siena.

Stephen Francis · « **Reply #1 on:** October 12, 2011, 09:55:06 PM »

Friend, as a fellow convert from the Prot Rot, let me try and offer some little insights that I pray will help you in some small way.

One of the things that has mattered SO much to me lately has been the abandonment of Protestant 'cheap grace'. You know what I mean... when you first started your journey towards Rome, I KNOW you were wracked with guilt over whether you were now doing 'works' to 'earn salvation', as if YOUR works were the basis of God's acceptance of you. I know you felt that way, because so did I. I wondered whether I was just in love with 'smells and bells' and historical Christian liturgy and NOT with the truths of the Church.

What needed to happen in my life was that I finally needed to read Scripture WITHOUT the blinders of 'free grace' Prot theology on. In other words, just READ what Christ said, for instance, to the Apostles... 'whoever follows Me and turns back is not fit for the Kingdom'... then to the young ruler... 'if you would be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor and then come follow Me"... the list goes on and on.

We are CALLED to DO works because God has enabled us, by the graces he bestows, to DO those works meritoriously. St, Augustine said "command what You will, O Lord, and give me the ability to do what You command".

With that in mind, look at each new day as a chance to join the 'great cloud of witnesses' mentioned in chapter 11 of the Epistle to the Hebrews. Your devotional prayer life, whether it be by the set prayers of Church tradition, or by spontaneous prayer, is part of that smoke of incense that St. John the Apostle said is 'the prayers of the saints' ascending to God's throne.

Remember, too, that prayer and assisting at Mass, and devotion to Our Lady and the saints are all 'building blocks' of not only YOUR faith, but of your testimony to others around you. Start to see your new habits of scheduled prayer at the canonical hours, your Rosaries, your First Friday devotions, all of the things you do to sanctify your days, as little windows INTO which God sends His graces and OUT of which flows a more and more Christ-like spirit which will certainly influence others.

I will certainly remember you in my prayers and I ask the same, as I always sorely need them.

Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary, pray for us.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.

s2srea · « **Reply #2 on:** October 12, 2011, 10:03:00 PM »

Hobbledehoy has already posted info on this here:

Order of Taking the Discipline

Please read his advisement:

Advisory notice: Do not attempt to take up such a practice without the counsel and permission of your spiritual director, and for minors this is expressly forbidden unless you have the consent of both your parents and that of your Father Confessor. This practice can be very injurious to one's physical health, and it can lead to great spiritual delusions and a ruinous pride if it is undertaken under the impulse of self-love and is unaccompanied by other exercises of exterior and, above all, interior mortification. I mean, if you can take the discipline unto the shedding of blood and yet answer rebukes with sharp and bitter words or satiate the palate with all sorts of deliciousness, then there is a serious spiritual malady there.

Jonah · « **Reply #3 on:** October 13, 2011, 07:36:16 PM »

Father Lasance presents and discusses a "rule of life" on his reflections in My prayerbook. I have selected the relevant parts and attached them to this message.

EDIT: I forgot to attach. Please see post below.

Jonah · « **Reply #4 on:** October 13, 2011, 07:38:23 PM »

Father Lasance presents and discusses a "rule of life" on his reflections in My prayerbook. I have selected the relevant parts and attached them to this message.

Truth is Eternal · « **Reply #5 on:** October 13, 2011, 08:03:52 PM »

It can be very difficult to practice discipline. Discipline is a daily battle. When we finally think we are great at practicing discipline God sometimes allows temptations with a ,much greater intensity to come our way as a way of testing our love for him.

Below is a list of some of the things that help me practice discipline.

I pray the Rosary every day.

I go to confession often.

I pray many times during the day.

If we obey God in the little things it is much easier to obey when monstrous trials come our way.

Sometimes I also go to mass on Friday.

Turning off the filth on T.V. helps in discipline.

Pray the Our Father and or the Hail Mary as many times as it takes during the temptations so as to ultimately resist the temptations.

DON'T EVER GIVE UP! GOD IS GREAT!

s2srea · « **Reply #6 on:** October 14, 2011, 01:05:55 PM »

I'm sorry I think I completely misunderstood you. My apologies.