March 22-28
Feasts this Week
Make a Daily Prayer Plan
Check out the suggestions on our Daily Plan page, and reflect on where God is calling you into deeper communion with Himself. At a minimum, sketch out what your daily prayer routine will look like. Things to think about would be:
- When: What time(s) will you pray, and for how long? If daily prayer is new for you, we suggest starting with 10-15 minutes in the morning and 5 minutes at night. Be sure to think about other people’s schedules and needs so you can find a relatively quiet time to pray.
- Where: Find a place to pray. Make sure it’s a place you will not be distracted in. Get a comfortable (but not too comfortable) chair a put up a Crucifix or other holy images to draw you into your prayer time.
- How: What will your prayer time look like? We suggest praying with the Daily Gospels, and checking out the daily reflection videos from our Bishops. You could also pray with other Scripture, pray the Rosary, or more. Whatever you choose, choose something that will draw you into communion with God.
Take things deeper: Plan to join us for the Into the Quiet retreat this weekend!
Make a House Prayer Plan
One of the best ways to grow in communion with our homes is to pray with those who live with us. After you make your personal prayer plan, call a house meeting with your family or roommates. Make a commitment and a plan to pray together each day. This can be rather simple, perhaps taking 10 minutes or less. One idea is to pray at dinner or at the end of the day. Each day, gather together and do the following:
- Open with an Our Father
- Have each person share one thing they are grateful for from the day
- Have each person share one prayer intention. This could be a personal intention, an intention for a family member, or an intention for the larger community or world.
- Offer these prayers to God with a Glory Be; you can also entrust them to our Blessed Mother with a Hail Mary.
Take things deeper: If you’re ready for something more, pray a family/house Rosary together every night for all your intentions!
Go for a Walk Together
Plan a time to go for a walk together around the neighborhood. Look for little instances of God’s beauty and blessing (the warm sun, a budding tree, some kids playing joyfully, etc.) and share them with your walking buddies. When you pass people on your walk, smile at them and say hello.
Take things deeper: Bring some chalk with you. When you see something that reminds you of God, draw a small Cross on the sidewalk to bring hope and joy to others when they walk by them later.
Make a Lady Day Treat
This week we celebrate the Feast of the Annunciation, also known as Lady Day - the day of Jesus’ incarnation in the womb of His Blessed Mother, Mary. Celebrate it in your home by praying a family Rosary, learning more about the Annunciation and its traditions, and make a delicious treat. This blog post has a few great ideas!
Take things deeper: Start praying the Angelus every day at noon. Learn more about the Angelus and Pope Francis' Angelus addresses here.
Make a Call List
Take 10 minutes and think of people in your life with whom you have not connected recently. Write down their names, along with any other names that come to you. Think particularly of people who may be more isolated from others. Then, text or call a couple people on your list every day. Just say hello and let them know you are thinking of them.
Take things deeper: Offer to pray for each person when you call - then pray with them right then!
Suggestions for Formed.org
Get free access here!