As we wrap up this school year, we pray you came closer to our Lord and our Blessed Mother. We have an extraordinary faith to learn, live, and share!
St. Francis Borgia, our patron, experienced similar life disruptions and often sought direction through the practice of discernment — a method of prayer developed by St. Ignatius, founder of the religious order to which St. Francis Borgia belonged. Discernment, in its basic form, is the prayerful contemplation of whether a choice moves one closer to God or pulls one away from God. Ignatius referred to these as “motions of the soul.” To Ignatius, a choice moves us closer to God when it leads to an increase in love, faith, mercy, hope – or any qualities we know as gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Discernment is a gift from God. If we want to grow in it, we must ask Him.
James 1:5-8 tells us that God delights in such prayers. He will give us wisdom generously and without reproach when we ask in faith. Although God provides a sizeable portion of discernment to some believers (1 Corinthians 12:10), we all have a measure of discernment. And we must train it through constant practice.
As summer nears and longer, slower days come your way, savor your blessings and keep Jesus close in your families by receiving Him in the Eucharist, going to Confession, and visiting him at Adoration. You can view the perpetual Adoration schedule on our church website. Swing by the beautiful Marian Shrine and say hi to Mary, too! Your family will grow in holiness and mirror His will in our com munity.
Written by: Tobey Neuberger