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Author Topic: Staying in the state of grace  (Read 2543 times)

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Offline amariec

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Staying in the state of grace
« on: December 22, 2009, 04:33:02 PM »
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    • I'd like to stay in the state of grace. Can anyone give me any information of how to or something to read about the subject.
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    Offline gladius_veritatis

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    Staying in the state of grace
    « Reply #1 on: December 22, 2009, 05:19:04 PM »
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    • IMO, daily meditation is an indispensable key -- 15-30 minutes in the morning is ideal (even if you have to start small, growing toward that ideal).  There are countless excellent books/booklets that can assist you with this practice.  Also key is avoiding situations that you know have been trouble for you in the past.  For example, a man that has habitually ended up hammered when he goes into bars should avoid them.  If certain friends are a "trigger" (occasion of sin), it is wiser to avoid their company.

    As far as books or booklets, you might want to visit TAN Books, as they have an excellent selection of helpful works.

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    "Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is all man."

    Offline gladius_veritatis

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    Staying in the state of grace
    « Reply #2 on: December 22, 2009, 05:21:59 PM »
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    • St. Alphonsus Liguori wrote some excellent treatises, such as The Way of Salvation and Perfection, that are very helpful.  They are arranged in a way that is meant to be very user-friendly.
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    "Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is all man."

    Offline gladius_veritatis

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    Staying in the state of grace
    « Reply #3 on: December 22, 2009, 05:26:40 PM »
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    • The Holy Rosary is a most powerful tool for staying in a state of grace, or returning to it quickly whenever we fall.
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    "Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is all man."

    Offline Tedeum

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    Staying in the state of grace
    « Reply #4 on: December 22, 2009, 05:33:01 PM »
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    • Also read up on St. Therese of the Little Flower...  learn the 'little way' to heaven.

    http://www.romancatholicism.org/therese2.htm

    Becoming a saint doesn't necessarily mean you have to spend every minute of your life in prayer. Sometimes it means doing the regular normal things in life, but doing them the right way and with the right mindset.

    That is the most important thing to me - besides the common sense points to pray more, receive the sacraments properly, and avoid occasions of sin.
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    Offline littlerose

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    Staying in the state of grace
    « Reply #5 on: December 22, 2009, 05:33:10 PM »
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    • Isn't a key step in remaining in the State of Grace (once it has been established) to receive the Sacrament of Penance regularly, to be absolved of sins committed in the course of our daily human life? And to follow the Sacrament of Penance with the Holy Eucharist?
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    Offline trad123

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    Staying in the state of grace
    « Reply #6 on: December 22, 2009, 05:42:37 PM »
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    • As far as TAN books go I recommend this one:

    [url]http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/089555254X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=089555254X&linkCode=as2&tag=httpwwwchanco-20

    I have read this twice now and continue to read at least a chapter a day. It covers every reason as to why a person should practice virtue. This work was a favorite of Saint Teresa and Saint Francis de Sales, and other saints as well.

    As for help remaining in the state of grace, frequent confession and reception of the Eucharist. A Catholic should have a devotion which they practice daily, the most common which I think is the Holy Rosary, and if you can pray all 15 decades daily.
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    2 Corinthians 4:3-4 

    And if our gospel be also hid, it is hid to them that are lost, In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of unbelievers, that the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should not shine unto them.

    Offline gladius_veritatis

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    Staying in the state of grace
    « Reply #7 on: December 22, 2009, 06:47:03 PM »
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    • In my experience, starting each day well is THE key to spending it well.  The best means I have found to do that is silent time (15 minutes or more) with God in the morning -- reading meditatively, praying mentally, etc.  This gives me the recollection I need to do other things well, whether those other things include the sacraments or not (on any given day).

    ALL things are/can be means to the end.  Yes, some things are, in themselves, better means than others.  The key is how well or poorly I make use of them -- and acquiring the right disposition early in the day seems to be vital.
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    "Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is all man."

    Offline littlerose

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    Staying in the state of grace
    « Reply #8 on: December 22, 2009, 07:50:26 PM »
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    • Quote from: gladius_veritatis
    In my experience, starting each day well is THE key to spending it well.  The best means I have found to do that is silent time (15 minutes or more) with God in the morning -- reading meditatively, praying mentally, etc.  This gives me the recollection I need to do other things well, whether those other things include the sacraments or not (on any given day).

    ALL things are/can be means to the end.  Yes, some things are, in themselves, better means than others.  The key is how well or poorly I make use of them -- and acquiring the right disposition early in the day seems to be vital.


    This appears simple but is hard for me. I try to make prayer the first thing, but before I know it, I am doing some housework, checking my appointments, making calls, etc.

    I then interrupt myself to say that prayer, but feel as though I failed yet again.

    The days when I do start out right definitely go better.
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    Offline Raoul76

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    Staying in the state of grace
    « Reply #9 on: December 22, 2009, 07:58:43 PM »
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    • Littlerose said:
    Quote
    This appears simple but is hard for me. I try to make prayer the first thing, but before I know it, I am doing some housework, checking my appointments, making calls, etc.


    Me too.  I say to myself, "I'll just hop on the computer and THEN say my morning prayers."  Fifteen hours later...

    You have to set a rule and say to yourself, "You're not allowed to leave the bedroom until you say the prayers."  It's hard to discipline yourself though.  It'd be easier in a monastery but as far as I know there are no anti-NFP sedevacantist monasteries.
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    Readers: Please IGNORE all my postings here. I was a recent convert and fell into errors, even heresy for which hopefully my ignorance excuses. These include rejecting the "rhythm method," rejecting the idea of "implicit faith," and being brieflfy quasi-Jansenist. I also posted occasions of sins and links to occasions of sin, not understanding the concept much at the time, so do not follow my links.

    Offline gladius_veritatis

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    « Reply #10 on: December 22, 2009, 08:14:50 PM »
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    • Making a quiet meditation every single morning is not EASY for anyone, but it DOES work for all IF they do it regularly.

    I have had periods where I have been very faithful for lengthy stretches -- and the fruit was notable.  If it works for me, anyone can take it to the bank that it will help them, too.

    Every day is another chance to begin again (it is like a new life, really).  May God grant all who are of good will to refocus on this vital point -- this foundation -- as we head into a collective meat grinder the likes of which has not been seen since the Flood.  Why is this happening?  Because we have forgotten: He is our end; all else is but a means to Him.  This time, intense and often painful as it is and will continue to be, is a GIFT from Him to His children.  Godspeed, my friends.
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    "Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is all man."

    Offline Tedeum

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    Staying in the state of grace
    « Reply #11 on: December 22, 2009, 09:18:48 PM »
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    • Quote
    This appears simple but is hard for me. I try to make prayer the first thing, but before I know it, I am doing some housework, checking my appointments, making calls, etc.


    I'm the same way. I feel like praying when you are half-awake and not really concentrating on the words isn't helpful...

    That's why I try for a certain time in the morning when I know I can pray properly and without anybody noticing. There are two points in the morning when I can do this. On my morning commute to work and also during my lunchtime workout at the gym. Then also my commute home from work - though that is getting into the evening prayers.

    This could be time for saying a quick rosary, or it could just be thinking to God about all of the things you are worried about. When you imagine God listening in to your thoughts, it's a lot easier to keep them in order.

    Don't get all crazy thinking that you have to be a hermit in a desert in order to grow closer to God. He's there. And in most cases he wants us to go out and perform a job or other so we can pay our bills and care for our families. If we can find time gab on internet forums, we can find time to pray. Easy.
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    Offline St Jude Thaddeus

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    Staying in the state of grace
    « Reply #12 on: December 22, 2009, 10:35:23 PM »
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    • Read and keep near The Spiritual Combat by Dom Lorenzo Scupoli.

    Here's a link to a free version: http://www.catholictradition.org/Classics/combat.htm

    Or if you prefer to carry a printed copy with you: https://www.tanbooks.com/index.php/page/shop:flypage/product_id/313

    As of this date it is apparently temporarily out of stock but it is one of TAN's bestsellers so I'm sure they will be getting more.

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    St. Jude, who, disregarding the threats of the impious, courageously preached the doctrine of Christ,
    pray for us.

    Offline tradcath72

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    Staying in the state of grace
    « Reply #13 on: December 23, 2009, 12:12:54 PM »
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    • Daily Rosary and Novena's and Spiritual reading keeps me on track.  It is a must for me morning and evening.
    Here is a very reasonable place I found to purchase books.
    http://stores.jmjrelbooks.com/StoreFront.bok
    Joan
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    O Mary, Virgin Mother of God, pray to Jesus for me (The Raccolta)

    Offline spouse of Jesus

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    Staying in the state of grace
    « Reply #14 on: August 27, 2010, 08:12:04 PM »
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    •   Isn't the state of grace the same as not commiting a mortal sin or repenting after a sin post baptism?  
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