Copied from another blog. Happy All Saints Day!!
While not as essential to the Faith as doctrinal belief and sacramental participation, these "little things" are the grout that holds the mosaic of Catholic living, giving it context and texture.
1. No, you don't have to wear your brown scapular in the shower. But keep it handy, so you can lunge for it in case you have a heart attack.
2. Yes, say grace in restaurants out loud, whether alone or with others, even for breakfast and lunch. You can say it in an understated way--Catholics don't have to be ostentatious in public.
1. No, you don't have to wear your brown scapular in the shower. But keep it handy, so you can lunge for it in case you have a heart attack.
2. Yes, say grace in restaurants out loud, whether alone or with others, even for breakfast and lunch. You can say it in an understated way--Catholics don't have to be ostentatious in public.
3. When you genuflect, you can pray this simple prayer: "I love you, Jesus."
4. Besides the Blessed Mother, the "Big Five Intercessors" are Saint Joseph, Saint Jude, Saint Anthony, Saint Therese the Little Flower, and Saint Michael the Archangel. Just about every good Catholic I know relies on them, often daily. Why? They really, really work. Please note: St. Philomena, St. Padre Pio, and Bd. Mother Teresa seem to be trying to crack this list in recent years--please give them every opportunity to do so.
4. Besides the Blessed Mother, the "Big Five Intercessors" are Saint Joseph, Saint Jude, Saint Anthony, Saint Therese the Little Flower, and Saint Michael the Archangel. Just about every good Catholic I know relies on them, often daily. Why? They really, really work. Please note: St. Philomena, St. Padre Pio, and Bd. Mother Teresa seem to be trying to crack this list in recent years--please give them every opportunity to do so.
5. Yes, when you drive by a Catholic Church, whether alone or with others, make the sign of the cross in order to acknowledge the Real Presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, and tell Jesus interiorly that you love Him. Only explain if you are asked.
6. Carry rosary beads with you at all times. You never know when Our Lady is going to need your help (and we hers). Some Catholics hunt for just-the-right-sized leather carry pouch so it's more comfortable in your pocket (for men) and doesn't get tangled in your purse (for women). What if you don't have rosary beads? Yes, it's okay to use your fingers; that's why God gave you ten. Make a habit of giving your rosary beads away at the slightest prompting.
7. At minimum, here are prayers that every Catholic should know by heart: Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be, Memorare, Hail Holy Queen, the Angelus, Saint Michael Prayer, Divine Mercy Chaplet, Act of Contrition, the Miraculous Medal Prayer (O Mary, Conceived...), Guardian Angel Prayer, Grace Before Meals, and the Apostles Creed. If you want to show off at parties, also memorize them in Latin.
8. Make a pilgrimage to Fatima or Lourdes or Saint Peter's in Rome or all three at least once in your lifetime. Short on cash? See #4; the "Big Five" love to finance pilgrimages. Still short on cash? There are shrines to drive to in just about every state, including Fatima and Lourdes shrines, and the National Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC will substitute for Rome in a pinch.
9. If you meet the pope, kiss his ring. You can also kiss the ring of your bishop or cardinal. In doing so you're not only honoring Christ (whom the bishop represents), you're also humbling yourself and showing obedience to his authority as Shepherd of your diocese. Optional: Some Catholics have been known to kiss the sacred hands of priests.
10. Pin a miraculous medal to your babies diaper.
11. Keep a bottle of holy water in your house. Keep a small bottle of holy water in your travel kit--sprinkle it on your hotel bed and make a sign of the cross with water on the door of the room. Say the Saint Michael Prayer.
12. Invite the priests, nuns, brothers, and deacons you know to dinner. If you take them out, insist on buying. This Catholic tradition has fallen woefully out of favor in recent years. Reverse the trend!
13. Holy pictures and statues in your home and office are good for you. They remind you to pray and to strive for holiness. Buy according to your own tastes. Make your own little rules; an example is to have at least one crucifix, picture or statue of Mary/a Saint/the pope in every room. A stranger should be able to visit your house and be able to tell if you're Catholic in less than a minute. Keep Catholic books or CDs handy to lend out to them in case they make comments.
14. To keep your scapular from flapping all over the place inside your shirt or blouse, cut a small slit in the fabric at one end and slide a Miraculous Medal and/or Saint Benedict Medal in there. It will weigh down the front and relieve you from having your medal(s) tangle in the scapular cords. Keep a back-up scapular in your travel kit.
15. If you're not in a state of grace--especially if you're not in good health or have to travel--walk up to any priest, knock on any rectory door, call up any priest, and ask them politely if they can hear your "quick confession." Good priests will be glad to accommodate you, and you'll keep it short. In these days of sadly empty confession lines and truncated confession schedules, it's only just. Even if you are in the state of grace, make the habit of frequent confession; meaning, at least once a month.
16. Make a habit to say at least the Guardian Angel prayer before you start out on a trip anywhere in your car, even if it's only down the street. Ask Our Lady of the Highways and St. Christopher to pray for you to have a safe trip.
17. Pray the Rosary in the car; use a recorded CD of it if you have to. If you find you get distracted before you start, make sure you start praying it before you turn on your radio.
18. If you pass an accident while driving, always say at least one Hail Mary and Our Father for the accident victims and the paramedics.
19. Although not "required," many Catholics like to print "J.M.J." on the tops of their letters and emails to honor Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. Another one is to print "S.A.G." (meaning "St. Anthony, guide") somewhere on the envelope of a letter you're sending.
6. Carry rosary beads with you at all times. You never know when Our Lady is going to need your help (and we hers). Some Catholics hunt for just-the-right-sized leather carry pouch so it's more comfortable in your pocket (for men) and doesn't get tangled in your purse (for women). What if you don't have rosary beads? Yes, it's okay to use your fingers; that's why God gave you ten. Make a habit of giving your rosary beads away at the slightest prompting.
7. At minimum, here are prayers that every Catholic should know by heart: Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be, Memorare, Hail Holy Queen, the Angelus, Saint Michael Prayer, Divine Mercy Chaplet, Act of Contrition, the Miraculous Medal Prayer (O Mary, Conceived...), Guardian Angel Prayer, Grace Before Meals, and the Apostles Creed. If you want to show off at parties, also memorize them in Latin.
8. Make a pilgrimage to Fatima or Lourdes or Saint Peter's in Rome or all three at least once in your lifetime. Short on cash? See #4; the "Big Five" love to finance pilgrimages. Still short on cash? There are shrines to drive to in just about every state, including Fatima and Lourdes shrines, and the National Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC will substitute for Rome in a pinch.
9. If you meet the pope, kiss his ring. You can also kiss the ring of your bishop or cardinal. In doing so you're not only honoring Christ (whom the bishop represents), you're also humbling yourself and showing obedience to his authority as Shepherd of your diocese. Optional: Some Catholics have been known to kiss the sacred hands of priests.
10. Pin a miraculous medal to your babies diaper.
11. Keep a bottle of holy water in your house. Keep a small bottle of holy water in your travel kit--sprinkle it on your hotel bed and make a sign of the cross with water on the door of the room. Say the Saint Michael Prayer.
12. Invite the priests, nuns, brothers, and deacons you know to dinner. If you take them out, insist on buying. This Catholic tradition has fallen woefully out of favor in recent years. Reverse the trend!
13. Holy pictures and statues in your home and office are good for you. They remind you to pray and to strive for holiness. Buy according to your own tastes. Make your own little rules; an example is to have at least one crucifix, picture or statue of Mary/a Saint/the pope in every room. A stranger should be able to visit your house and be able to tell if you're Catholic in less than a minute. Keep Catholic books or CDs handy to lend out to them in case they make comments.
14. To keep your scapular from flapping all over the place inside your shirt or blouse, cut a small slit in the fabric at one end and slide a Miraculous Medal and/or Saint Benedict Medal in there. It will weigh down the front and relieve you from having your medal(s) tangle in the scapular cords. Keep a back-up scapular in your travel kit.
15. If you're not in a state of grace--especially if you're not in good health or have to travel--walk up to any priest, knock on any rectory door, call up any priest, and ask them politely if they can hear your "quick confession." Good priests will be glad to accommodate you, and you'll keep it short. In these days of sadly empty confession lines and truncated confession schedules, it's only just. Even if you are in the state of grace, make the habit of frequent confession; meaning, at least once a month.
16. Make a habit to say at least the Guardian Angel prayer before you start out on a trip anywhere in your car, even if it's only down the street. Ask Our Lady of the Highways and St. Christopher to pray for you to have a safe trip.
17. Pray the Rosary in the car; use a recorded CD of it if you have to. If you find you get distracted before you start, make sure you start praying it before you turn on your radio.
18. If you pass an accident while driving, always say at least one Hail Mary and Our Father for the accident victims and the paramedics.
19. Although not "required," many Catholics like to print "J.M.J." on the tops of their letters and emails to honor Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. Another one is to print "S.A.G." (meaning "St. Anthony, guide") somewhere on the envelope of a letter you're sending.
20. Whenever you wash your hands, say a Hail Mary.
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