Day 10
Saving Grace: (3 minutes) Question of the Day
What saint did you pick for your confirmation saint and what was your reasoning then for picking that particular saint? Do those same reasons hold true for you today? Why or why not? What can you do to be more like your confirmation saint on a daily basis?
My confirmation saint is St. Daniel. I wish could tell you a great story about how I had a vision of Daniel or that his story changed my life....but when I picked him I didn't have the slightest clue who he was. You see, I didn't get the whole saint thing when I was confirmed. I'm sure they probably told me, but I wasn't listening. I picked Daniel because one of my favorite movies at the time was "The Karate Kid" and Danielson was the lead character in the movie. (If you think that is bad, my friend picked Leonardo after his favorite ninja turtle.) The Archbishop who confirmed me was named Daniel, and interestingly enough I remember him telling me he liked the name I chose. I didn't know his name was Daniel, I just thought maybe he liked the Karate Kid also.
Perhaps I didn't pick Daniel. Maybe he picked me. In Burt Ghezzi's book, "Voices of the Saints", he describes Daniel as "an ascetic, an "athlete" training to win the prize of spiritual perfection. Like all monks, he identified his enemies as the temptations of the flesh and harassments of the devil, Daniel practiced rigorous penitential disciplines atop his column. He literally took a stand against these enemies, never sitting or lying down." In other words, he slayed dragons.
I guess Daniel has had his eye on me all these years, even though for the most part I've ignored him. It is important for us to teach confirmation students the great opportunity they have in choosing a "coach" or mentor to help them through life. Pray to your confirmation saint and ask them each day to guide you and intercede for you in your struggles. They know what it takes to "win the prize of spiritual perfection."
ATHLETICS: (30 minutes) We will use the acronym S.P.O.R.T.S to focus on 6 virtues that will keep you focused all 40 days.
Virtue of the day: Perseverance. Go the extra mile today in the tasks you do. Be strong and courageous. "Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. And let perseverance be perfect, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." (James: 1:2-4)
Exercise for 30 minutes today.
Instructor's Manual: (5 Minutes) Get the memo for today. Click here for today's readings. http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/
Need to Know Him: (5 minutes) God is the bridegroom and we are his bride. The story is about God's search for us. To him, we are worth every drop of his blood, and as he says through his prophets and from the cross, He "thirsts" for us. I want you to slowly read the powerful reflection from Mother Teresa called "I Thirst" and know that it is Jesus speaking directly to you. Click here: http://www.mcpriests.com/03_I_thirst_PrayerEN.htm
Theology of the Body: (4 minutes) Who Are You?
Women watch this...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWi5iXnguTU
Men watch this...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTAn-tk2pDA
Sacrifice and Service: (10 seconds) Say this simple prayer: "Lord, I offer up the sacrifices and sufferings of this day for......" Pick any soul...lost sheep, family, friends, enemies, strangers, souls in purgatory...anybody. When you get busy and
distracted just remember, other souls are counting on you. You have the power to help get souls to heaven....don't waste it.
Saving Grace: (3 minutes) Question of the Day
What saint did you pick for your confirmation saint and what was your reasoning then for picking that particular saint? Do those same reasons hold true for you today? Why or why not? What can you do to be more like your confirmation saint on a daily basis?
My confirmation saint is St. Daniel. I wish could tell you a great story about how I had a vision of Daniel or that his story changed my life....but when I picked him I didn't have the slightest clue who he was. You see, I didn't get the whole saint thing when I was confirmed. I'm sure they probably told me, but I wasn't listening. I picked Daniel because one of my favorite movies at the time was "The Karate Kid" and Danielson was the lead character in the movie. (If you think that is bad, my friend picked Leonardo after his favorite ninja turtle.) The Archbishop who confirmed me was named Daniel, and interestingly enough I remember him telling me he liked the name I chose. I didn't know his name was Daniel, I just thought maybe he liked the Karate Kid also.
Perhaps I didn't pick Daniel. Maybe he picked me. In Burt Ghezzi's book, "Voices of the Saints", he describes Daniel as "an ascetic, an "athlete" training to win the prize of spiritual perfection. Like all monks, he identified his enemies as the temptations of the flesh and harassments of the devil, Daniel practiced rigorous penitential disciplines atop his column. He literally took a stand against these enemies, never sitting or lying down." In other words, he slayed dragons.
I guess Daniel has had his eye on me all these years, even though for the most part I've ignored him. It is important for us to teach confirmation students the great opportunity they have in choosing a "coach" or mentor to help them through life. Pray to your confirmation saint and ask them each day to guide you and intercede for you in your struggles. They know what it takes to "win the prize of spiritual perfection."
ATHLETICS: (30 minutes) We will use the acronym S.P.O.R.T.S to focus on 6 virtues that will keep you focused all 40 days.
Virtue of the day: Perseverance. Go the extra mile today in the tasks you do. Be strong and courageous. "Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. And let perseverance be perfect, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." (James: 1:2-4)
Exercise for 30 minutes today.
Instructor's Manual: (5 Minutes) Get the memo for today. Click here for today's readings. http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/
Need to Know Him: (5 minutes) God is the bridegroom and we are his bride. The story is about God's search for us. To him, we are worth every drop of his blood, and as he says through his prophets and from the cross, He "thirsts" for us. I want you to slowly read the powerful reflection from Mother Teresa called "I Thirst" and know that it is Jesus speaking directly to you. Click here: http://www.mcpriests.com/03_I_thirst_PrayerEN.htm
Theology of the Body: (4 minutes) Who Are You?
Women watch this...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWi5iXnguTU
Men watch this...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTAn-tk2pDA
Sacrifice and Service: (10 seconds) Say this simple prayer: "Lord, I offer up the sacrifices and sufferings of this day for......" Pick any soul...lost sheep, family, friends, enemies, strangers, souls in purgatory...anybody. When you get busy and
distracted just remember, other souls are counting on you. You have the power to help get souls to heaven....don't waste it.
