Teaching Moral Virtues

Today half of the class gave their presentations. I'll have to say that they were all excellent and I'm sure Sister gave them high marks.

But the one that really stood out to me was the one our classmate Christie did on the moral virtues. Maybe because it is because it struck me where I'm at in my life or that Christie is simply classy and has her act together. Either way, she floored me.

Christie first showed a montage of pictures of Jesus enduring his passion, his face, and various pictures of the Sacred Heart with Josh Groban's song My Confession (which, by the way is an EXCELLENT way to teach and prepare kids for the Sacrament)

She quickly reviewed the first stage of St Therese of Avila's Interior Castle and went on to teach about the second stage. She talked about how the first stage was where sinners recognize and see the sin that is pulling them down and the second stage, sometimes the most painful, is where you work to apply virtue to remove those sins. (Obviously I need to read it...)

Not to knock anyone else, but I really enjoyed her presentation. I hope she gets a chance to actually use it.

If Only...

Give Confession top priority, Pope asks priests
Vatican, Feb. 19, 2007 (CWNews.com)

At a February 19 meeting with confessors, Pope Benedict XVI remarked on how the "limitless renovating power of divine love" is realized in the sacrament of Penance. The Holy Father was speaking to the father-confessors of the Roman basilica and the officials of the Apostolic Penitentiary, led by Cardinal James Stafford. He told them that the priest, as confessor, is an "active instrument of divine mercy."The task of the confessor, the Pope said, is to help the penitent "recognize the gravity of sin," and resolve to avoid sin in the future, while provide "the comfort and consolation of Christ.""How many penitents find in confession the peace and joy they were seeking for so long!" the Pope said. (emp added)

He encouraged priests to help the faithful use the sacrament properly. To do so, he said, confessors must learn as much as possible about the background of their people, the problems they face, and the spiritual problems they encounter. Above all, the Pope continued, "We cannot preach forgiveness and reconciliation to others if we do not experience these things personally." He encouraged confessors to make frequent use of the sacrament themselves, so that they too have a fuller appreciation for the forgiveness offered by Christ through his priestly ministers.The sacrament of Penance, the Pontiff concluded, "is a specific ecclesial service to which we must give priority."

If only Anna Nicole and Britney had this in their lives.
As Sister says "Do Good Work".