R ISE
Last week we covered what it meant to be an artist. This week well talk about what it means to be a builder. When one thinks of a builder, usually structures or buildings come to mind. A builder can certainly build buildings. (In fact, St. Helena to the right built a great number of churches on holy sites in the Holy Land. St. Elizabeth Seton also built many schools in her time). However, a builder can also build things that dont have anything to do with concrete, wood, or bricks. St. Benedict of Nursia for example is regarded as the father of Western Monasticism. He founded the Benedictine Order which is based on the principle of prayer and work (Ora et Labora) This Rule of St. Benedict serves the Church in so many important ways and is regarded as one of the reasons many of the early Church writings and teachings survived to be available to us today. The rule has preserved much over time including Sacred Scripture. In a similar way, St. Josemara Escriv built a personal prelature (The first ever in the history of the Church) that allowed ordinary men and women a path of holiness by offering up their daily work. Builders take the tools and materials God has made to build institutions of worship so future generations can know the Truth.
AND
L ESSON T WO
S HINE !
G REAT B UILDERS T HROUGHOUT THE H ISTORY OF THE C HURCH : St. Helena (c. 248-c. 328) St. Benedict of Nursia (480-547) St. Elizabeth Ann Seton (1774-1821) St. Josemara Escriv (1902-1975)
S T . J OSEMARA E SCRIV :
Builder Extraordinaire:
St. Helena
(c. 248-c. 328)
Enjoy starting projects Enjoy finishing projects Like to work with a team toward a common goal Enjoy encouraging others to do their very best
Take the time to show someone how to do something Show concern for those who are hurt by tragedies in their lives Enjoy working with your hands Work best when you have a list of tasks to complete
Prayer then becomes continuous, like the beating of our heart, like our pulse. Without this presence of God, there is no contemplative life. And without contemplative life, our working for Christ is worth very little, for vain is the builder's toil if the house is not of the Lord's building.
(Christ is Passing by, #8)
P AGE 6
FROM
S LEEP
Okay, lets talk about that snooze button. Last week, we talked about the importance of devotion early in the morning. But what happens if we refuse to get up in the very first place? This course is about knowing yourself and for many of us, how we wake up in the morning can tell us a lot about ourselves. Now, you might say that youre not a morning person; that you get your best work done in the evening. While this might be true, the principle still remains that you need to have a set time each day that you wake up. Even if your week is crazy and activities vary from day to day, set your alarm the night before for the time you intend to rise. And when the bell rings, get up! Tell yourself the truth and youll be ready to start the day on the right foot as a soldier in the Church Militant.
TO
M ARY
WOMB ,
A MEN
-T HE H AIL M ARY -
My Queen and my Mother, I give myself entirely to you, and, in proof of my affection, I give you my eyes, my ears, my tongue, my heart, my whole being without reserve. Since I am your own, keep me and guard me as your property and possession. Amen.
Time Alarm is Set: Saturday:___________ Sunday:___________ Monday:___________ Tuesday:___________ Wednesday:___________ Thursday:___________ Friday:___________
Actual Wake-Up Time: Saturday:___________ Sunday:___________ Monday:___________ Tuesday:___________ Wednesday:___________ Thursday:___________ Friday:___________
L ESSON T WO
P AGE 7
TO
W ORK
Take time this week to log the items to check off before you can begin your daily work:
Checklist:
1. 2. 3 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14.
ASSIGNMENTS
Listen to Lecture for Lesson Two Read Pages 5-8 of the Curriculum Say Good Morning to Mary Each Day Fully Complete the Wake-Up Log Fully Complete the Morning Checklist Complete Journal Entries from Page 7 Log your Morning Mood each day Take Online Exam for Lesson Two
St. Sebastian
You drag along like a dead-weight, as if you had no part to play. No wonder you are beginning to feel the symptoms of lukewarmness. Wake up!