SPIRITUAL GAME PLAN · Handbook of Prayers

Do you want to be a better Christian? The first of your battles will be entering into and remaining in the state of grace, avoiding any mortal sin; and, since you want to love God above all things you will also try not to commit venial sins.

The practice of some acts of piety throughout the day will help you to have a contemplative life in the midst of your daily routine. The most important thing is to be consistent in your daily schedule in your spiritual game plan so you will live as a child of God.

Daily

• Get up at a fixed time, as early as possible. Eight hours of sleep are enough. Usually, more than this or less than six hours of sleep may not be good.

• Offer your day to God through the intercession of Our Lady.

• Work with order and intensity during the day as a way of serving God. Set goals and establish priorities in order to develop a practical schedule. Sanctifying ordinary work is the goal of our life.

• Try to attend Mass, receiving Holy Communion, as often as possible. This is the best sacrifice we can offer to God. Prepare yourself for the Mass by spending some time in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament.

• Before Holy Mass, and as a preparation, spend some time (15 minutes if possible) in mental prayer before the Blessed Sacrament.

• Pray the Angelus at noontime. (During Eastertide, we say the Regina Cæli instead.)

• Pray the Rosary, if possible, with your family, offering each decade for a specific intention.

• Do some spiritual reading. Start with the New Testament or some well known spiritual books. Ten to fifteen minutes is sufficient.

• Make a short examination of conscience at the end of the day before going to bed. Two or three minutes is enough. Follow these steps: Humble yourself in the presence of God. Tell Him, “Lord, if you will, You can make me clean.” Ask for light to acknowledge your defects and virtues, and to see the dangers and opportunities of the day. Ask for repentance, amendment and encouragement.

Weekly

• Sunday is the Lord’s Day. Center all activities on the Holy Mass. It is also a family day—for rest and spiritual growth.

• If you do not receive Holy Communion every day, receive at least on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation.

• Saturday is traditionally dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Honor her and say some special prayer such as the Hail Holy Queen.

Monthly

• Go to Confession at least once a month. It is the sacrament of joy. Pope John Paul II says: “God is always the one who is principally offended by sin—’I have sinned against You’—and God alone can forgive. He does so through the ministry of the priest in the sacrament of Penance which is the ordinary way of obtaining forgiveness and remission of mortal sins. Every mortal sin must always be stated with its determining circumstances in an individual confession.

• Have spiritual guidance with a wise prudent and knowledgeable priest.

• Spend a few hours in recollection. Better before the Blessed Sacrament. Consider how you are directing your life toward God.

Yearly

• A few days of retreat are necessary for the soul in the same way that the body needs a vacation. Spend three days within the year in silence, talking only to God. A retreat is a yearly opportunity for conversion.

Always

• Stay in the presence of God. Try to please Him in everything as a child tries to please his father.

• Thank God for the graces he constantly gives us.

• Do everything for the love of God: this is purity of intention. Always purify your intention. Make acts of contrition and atonement for yours sins and sins of others.

• Try to live as you would like to die. We shall die as we have lived.