A Rule of Life for Living in a Catholic Faith Community

A “Rule of Life” offers a spiritual way to live faithfully individually, with your family, and in a community with other disciples of Christ, to continue to serve Christ's mission to foster, promote, and bring the reign of God's love, truth, goodness, justice, peace, compassion, forgiveness, healing and salvation to people "on earth as it is in heaven" (Matthew 6:10). In a Catholic faith community, this Rule draws its guidance and nourishment from the Holy Spirit individually and communally through: daily prayer; the reading and study of Scripture, the Catechisms, Church teachings, and other spiritual writings; attendance and active participation at Mass; reception of the Eucharist and participating in the other Sacraments; living moral and virtuous lives; growing in deeper relationships of love with our God, others, ourselves, and with creation through God's grace and the lived experience of discipleship; and through selfless and loving service in ministering to the needs of others.

Here is a preliminary framework for a Rule that can help serve you and other disciples, individually and communally, as a map or guide with which to begin:

Daily Gratitude and Surrender to Christ: “Take up your cross daily and follow Me” (Luke 9:23). Begin each morning by offering a prayer of gratitude and thanksgiving for the gift of a new day, with the desire to follow God's will, and surrendering and entrusting yourself to Christ's Spirit. You may benefit by allowing your prayer and meditation to be guided by a free prayer app, such as 3-Minute Retreat or Sacred Space, or some other spiritual resource. Consider participating in a group chat, such as "Whats App" or other messaging service, where group members are invited to post daily prayer intentions or spiritual resources. Strive to maintain and write in your journal those moments during the day when you experienced God's presence, grace, and spiritual growth. Consider ending your day with the practice of The Daily Examen. ¹

Scripture and Spiritual Reading: “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light for my path” (Psalm 119:105). Set aside individual and family time each day— and with a small community of disciples each week— to pray, meditate, reflect, and share passages from the Bible or the Daily Readings, or read about and discuss the lives of saints, or pertinent sections of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults, or other spiritual resources to help you, your family, and your community of faith to better understand and grow in your individual and communal faith.

Anchored in and Nourished by the Eucharist: “Do this in memory of Me” (Luke 22:19). Attend and actively participate in the the Eucharistic celebration of Mass at least weekly, ideally on Saturday Vigil or Sunday. When possible, attend a weekday Mass with a group. Allow yourself, with God's grace, to become what you receive—the Body of Christ for others.

Promote fellowship with others: "They devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to the communal life, to the breaking of the bread and to the prayers" (Acts 2:42). "All who believed were together and had all things in common” (Acts 2:44). Foster fellowship with others through regular gatherings for meals, storytelling, and mutual support. These become Eucharistic moments lived at the table of the everyday.

Sustained by God's Grace: “For 'In [God] we live and move and have our being'” (Acts 17:28). We are strengthened not through our self-centered control but through surrendering our life to God. "[The Lord] said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.'” [2 Corinthians 12:9a]

Seek the Truth: “The truth will set you free” (John 8:32), and Jesus Christ is “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 15:6). The truth is discovered through the the use of reason, an informed conscience, and through God's revelation as disclosed in Scripture, especially through the life and teachings of Jesus Christ—the Word of God—and the teachings of the Church, as prompted and guided by the Holy Spirit.

Spiritual Accountability and Discernment: “Test everything; retain what is good” (1 Thess. 5:21). Seek "soul friends" for spiritual companionship and accountability. Cultivate a culture of honest and non-judgmental conversation, shared discernment, and openness to where the Holy Spirit is leading you.

Preferential Option for the Poor: “What you did for the least of these, you did for Me” (Matt. 25:40). Engage in acts of compassion, justice, peace, kindness, and selfless service to others in need, especially the poor. This could be through parish ministries, local outreach, or one-on-one accompaniment with others.

Sabbath and Rest: “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:11). Dedicate time for periods of silence, retreat, and joy. For evample, you could spend time during Sundays with family and friends exploring nature, enjoying a communal meal, engaging in leisure activities, and practicing silence by abstaining from the onslaught of computers, cell phones, radio, television or other electronic devices. Rest is not laziness—it’s resistance to a world that glorifies busyness.

Confession and Reconciliation: “If we acknowledge our sins, [God] is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from every wrongdoing" (1 John 1:9). Confess your sins to God as they occur, seeking God's mercy and forgiveness, and regularly participate in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. "Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them” (John 20:23).

Marian Devotion and Intercession: “Behold your mother” (John 19:27). The Catholic Christian tradition recognizes the importance of Mary in salvation history. Pray the Rosary together regularly and during each gathering, entrust yourselves to Mary’s intercession for the needs of one another and the Church.

Mission — Sent to Serve: Jesus said, “As the Father has sent Me, so I send you” (John 20:21). Your community doesn’t exist for itself. Let it be a beacon of light and hope, open and welcoming to others, commissioned and sent as disciples of Christ, guided by the Holy Spirit, to reach out and serve the mission of Christ with selfless love, understanding, and compassion.

¹ These three apps are also available to be downloaded for free from the Apple and Google Play stores on your cell phone, Ipad, or other tablet.