How Do I Grow in My Faith?

As Catholics, we are fortunate to have many beautiful traditions and practices that can help us grow in our faith and help us grow closer to the Lord. 

One of the best things we can do is to regularly participate in the sacraments including attending Mass and receiving the Holy Eucharist and Confession. We are fortunate to have many weekend and daily Mass times, as well as various Confession times throughout the week here at St. Pius X. 

Second, we can visit Jesus and spend time with Him in the Blessed Sacrament through Eucharistic Adoration. At St. Pius X, we are very fortunate to have a 24/7 Adoration Chapel.

Third, we can increase our devotion to Mary and the Saints. Saints have been made from all walks of life. Kings and Queens, wealthy, poor, married and unmarried, widowed, mothers and fathers and religious. There are many paths to holiness and learning more about our brothers and sisters in Christ who have gone before us can lend us much hope and guidance along our spiritual journeys.

Fourth, we can observe Friday penances of fasting and abstinence. Penances aren't just for Lent! Another way to observe Fridays in a special way is to add something spiritual to your day or make extra small sacrifices or small acts of charity. 

Penances help to make us stronger, and better able to resist the temptations of our world. Too much comfort makes resisting temptations much more difficult!

Fifth, Spiritual reading can help you to make great progress in your Catholic faith journey this year. One way to start is by reading one chapter of the Gospel each evening before bedtime, which should take about three minutes per day.

You may also consider reading one of the many classic books written by saints known for their spiritual wisdom, such as “An Introduction to the Devout Life” by St. Francis de Sales. There are also more recent publications by well-respected lay people who write about the Catholic faith, such as Scott Hahn, Chris Stefanick and Mathew Kelly. 

Sixth, you can work to increase your devotion to our Blessed Mother Mary. Our spiritual mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary, wants us to love her Son, Jesus Christ, and she can lead us to a deeper relationship with him in the new year. St. Louis de Montfort tells us that Mary is “the easiest, the shortest, the most perfect means of approaching Jesus Christ.”

Consider praying the rosary more or challenge yourself to do a 54 day rosary novena. You may also consider Marian consecration. Father Michael E. Gaitley wrote a helpful preparation guide to consecrate oneself to Mary called “33 Days to Morning Glory: A Do-It-Yourself Retreat in Preparation for Marian Consecration.”

Seventh, practice mercy and forgiveness through the Divine Mercy devotion and prayer. The messages of Divine Mercy were given to St. Maria Faustina Kowalska by Jesus. The Divine Mercy Chaplet can be prayed at anytime, but is most commonly prayed at 3:00 PM (the hour of our Lord's death).