How To Prepare for an Extraordinary Lent

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The Way of Lent - How Apostoli Viae Members Prepare for Lent

Do promised Apostoli Viae members have a specific approach to Lent? Yes we do! Here is a brief outline of how a promised member of Apostoli Viae will approach their pre-Lenten examination:

At the arrival of Septuagesima Sunday, as preparation for the penitential season of Lent, we begin to pray and pursue a deeper examination of conscience. Specifically, we seek to explore the state of our souls with respect to our orientation to God, to His Church, to the state in life which He has called us and to our calling to the Charism of Apostoli Viae

Some of the emphasis of our formation is reflected in each examen area and then there are specific aspects of the charism that we reflect on here. All participants in the Apostoli Viae site have access to our foundational document in the Sojourners group HERE. This document outlines the central teachings of our charism. There is also an introductory video you can review in the Sojourners group HERE which is always listed among the top posts of the group. Here is our basic approach to our Lenten examen and preparation.

The Orientation of Our Lives to God:

  • Do we still struggle with habitual sin of any kind? How can we orient our lives to Him this Lent that will result in progress or complete elimination of habitual sin?
  • Is there a particular virtue He is calling us to?
  • Are we participating in the sacraments as much as we could? Should we increase our Mass attendance? How is our devotion at Mass? Do we come early to prepare? Do we remain after for thanksgiving? Do we meditate on the Gospel readings daily or at least for Sunday?
  • Do we seek the sacrament of penance at least every other week? If not, should we begin to increase our engagement and related preparation?

The Orientation of Our Lives to Our Neighbor:

  • How well are we fulfilling our duties to our state in life? Are there areas of sin that we need to overcome? Is there specific virtue He is calling us to in this state?
  • Are we caring for the poor?
  • Are there needs of the Church I can fulfill that I have not pursued?

The Orientation of Our Lives through the Charism of Apostoli Viae:

  • Am I spending time and energy studying and absorbing the charism and orienting my life of faith and apostolate work to it?
  • Can I recite the mission statement by heart?
  • Are there commitments that I have presently made that I am not fulfilling?
  • Are there commitments that I know are coming in the path of my growth in the charism that I am not prepared for?
  • Is the focus of my charity toward others oriented through the lens or the activities of the charism?

Our Final Commitments:

Once this exam is complete, we then seek to narrow our commitments down into two categories:

  • What penitential or ascetical practice can I embrace during Lent that I desire to retain even when Lent is over?
  • What penitential or ascetical practice can I embrace during Lent that I will joyfully set aside at the celebration of Easter?

I pray that this examen guide might be a blessing to you regardless of your engagement with Apostoli Viae.

Yours in Christ,

Dan Burke
Unum est Necessarium

 

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Contemplative Life - Spiritual Reading Plan
Have you ever wanted to have a reading plan but worried about what you should actually read, that is in keeping with the magisterium, and is truly helpful with respect to where you are on your spiritual journey? This is why I created this reading plan. As well this plan follows the general path of formation of Apostoli Viae. Just reading books cannot make you a saint. In fact, when consumed without spiritual direction, gluttonous reading can lead to pride and mere external knowledge that results in more harm than good. Even so, when we read books in concert with our spiritual director and in keeping with our current spiritual state, they can serve as stepping stones to heaven.  This plan is meant to be read stepwise beginning with the Catechism, then Into the Deep, then Scripture, then the Better Part, then Thoephilos, etc. There are a few books on prayer and spirituality that I did not include but are important because of destructive modern trends, these are A Catholic Guide to Mindfulness by Susan Brinkman and Is Centering Prayer Catholic? by Conni Rossini. Otherwise, the books on this reading plan are all positive proposals of the teaching of the Church and the wisdom of the saints. A few other notes are in order 1) the books in blue are books I have written and 2) the books with bold titles are for daily meditation.  Important: Be sure to use the links I have provided below. There are translations of important works that deeply distort the intended meaning of the authors. Yes, folks actually do this. As well, there are translations that are well intended but that really miss the mark. To help you find the right versions of these books, I have provided all the links below. Yes, it took a lot of work to do this. If you are appreciative, please donate to Apostoli Viae HERE. Catechism of the Catholic Church Into the Deep - Finding Peace through Prayer -  by Dan Burke Scripture - New Testament Reading - The Ignatius Catholic Study Bible The Better Part - Fr. John Bartunek Theophilus - Michael O'Brien Corpus Christi - Holy Communion and the Renewal of the Church - Bishop Athanasius Schneider (Out of Print) Time for God - Fr. Jacques Philippe Introduction to the Devout Life - St. Francis de Sales A Devotional Journey into the Mass - Christopher Carstens Confession - Its Fruitful Practice Contemplative Rosary - Dan Burke and Connie Rossini Seven Deadly Sins - Kevin Vost Thirsting for Prayer - Fr. Jacques Philippe Navigating the Interior Life - Dan Burke Q&A Guide to Mental Prayer - Connie Rossini Spiritual Warfare & the Discernment of Spirits - Dan Burke Searching for and Maintaining Peace - Fr. Jacques Philippe 30 Days with St. Teresa of Avila - Burke & Lilles Living the Mystery of Merciful Love - Burke & Lilles Her Life - St. Teresa of Avila Fulfillment of all Desire - Ralph Martin Finding God through Meditation - St. Peter of Alcantara Soul of the Apostolate - Dom Chautard The Sacrament of the Present Moment - Fr. Jean Pierre de Caussade Discernment of Spirits - Fr. Timothy Gallagher Divine Intimacy - Fr. Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen The Way of Perfection - St. Teresa of Avila Humility of Heart - Fr. Cajetan Mary da Bergamo Spiritual Canticle - St. John of the Cross Fire Within - Fr. Thomas Dubay I Want to see God - Fr. P. Marie-Eugene Interior Castle w/Commentary - Teresa of Avila - Dennis Billy Fire from Above - Anthony Lilles Union with God - Fr. Gabriel fo St. Mary Magdalen Impact of God - Fr. Iain Matthew I Am a Daughter of the Church - Fr. P. Marie Eugene Ascent of Mt. Carmel - St. John of the Cross Spiritual Consolation - Fr. Timothy Gallagher Collected Works - St. John of the Cross Happy are You Poor - Fr. Thomas Dubay