1.800.221.5175
Catechetical Programs
Christ In Us Grades K–8
Parish, K–8
School, K–8
Bilingual, K–6
We Believe: Living Your Catholic Identity Grades K–6
Parish
School
Full Access
Bilingual
We Live Our Faith, Catholic Identity Grades 7–8
English
Full Access
Bilingual
One Faith, One Lord Grades 7–Adult
English
Bilingual
Our Catholic Faith Grades 4–6
English
Bilingual
God’s Own Making
Grades 4-8
Discovering God
Ages 3–5
Between You and Your Child
English
Spanish
Catechetical Bilingual
Cristo en nosotros
Cursos 1–6
Creemos Identidad católica
Cursos K–6
Vivimos nuestra fe
Cursos 7–8
Nuestra fe católica
Cursos 4–6
Una sola fe, un solo Señor
Cursos 7–Adulto
Entre usted y sus hijos
Cursos K–8
Sacraments Programs
Believe • Celebrate • Live | Bilingual Edition Ages 7–15
Reconciliation Primary
Eucharist Primary
Reconciliation & Eucharist Intermediate
Confirmation Restored Order
Confirmation
We Believe and Celebrate
Baptism
Spanish Edition
Prayer Books
My Reconciliation and Prayer Book, Ages 7–9
Mi Reconciliación y libro de oración, Edades 7–9
My Mass Book, Ages 7–9
Mi libro de la Misa, Edades 7–9
We Believe and Pray, Grades 4–6
Sacraments Bilingual
Creer • Celebrar • Vivir Edades 7–15
Reconciliación Primaria
Eucaristía Primaria
Reconciliación y Eucaristía Intermedio
Confirmación Restauración del orden sacramental
Confirmación
Creemos y celebramos
Bautismo
Libros de oración
Mi Reconciliación y libro de oración, Edades 7–9
Mi libro de la Misa, Edades 7–9
Lifelong Learning
Bible Resources
The Compass Bible for Catholic Teens
My Big Book of Catholic Bible Stories
YOUCAT: Youth Catechism of the Catholic Church
YOUCAT: Catecismo Joven de la Iglesia Católica
YOUCAT: The Youth Prayer Book
La Biblia católica para jóvenes
Adult Resources
Becoming a Parish of Mercy
The Wounded Body of Christ
Missionary Discipleship
Catechism
Directory for Catechesis (New Edition)
Directory for Catechesis (Spanish New Edition)
The NEW Directory for Catechesis—Highlights and Summaries
Catechism of the Catholic Church 2nd Edition
United States Catholic Catechism for Adults
General Directory for Catechesis
National Directory for Catechesis
Professional Development
Professional Development
Catechetical Learning
Theology of the Body Course
Catholic Identity Course
Resources
English | View All
Catechetical Resources
Virtual Events
Religion Blog
Catechetical Downloads
Videos
Liturgical Seasons
CHATechesis Podcast
Bilingual | ver todos
Recursos catequéticos
Eventos Virtuales
Blog de Sadlier Religion
Descargas Catequéticas
Videos
sadlierReligion Hero-1.png

April 5, 2016 WBAS Topics For Families, WBAS Cat Prayers & Reflections, REL Asset - Prayer Card, REL Catechetical - Adult

Spirituality Practice: Keeping a Journal

I have been journaling for a long time – since 5th grade, in fact. My best friend, Stephanie, and I were each given little diaries with those flimsy little locks. It amuses me now to think of anyone wanting to hack a ten-year-old’s journal, but I took the privacy measures very seriously. Each night, after writing my entry for the day, I carefully locked the book and stashed it in a secure hiding place – my pajama drawer.

journaling-as-a-spiritual-practice-spirituality-practice

Journaling as a Spiritual Practice

Truth be told, the letters from that time are more of a log than a true journal. I detailed where I went each day and who I encountered. As pre-teen angst escalated, I vented emotions in erratic fashion. One paragraph might bemoan the snubs received on the playground while the next gushed with excitement over getting a new sweater.

In time the diary turned into a journal and became my preferred spirituality practice. Each morning follows the same regimen. I begin with some spiritual material – perhaps the readings for the day or a few pages from one of the many spiritual resources in my library. Of late, I have been reading blogs from the “On Being” web site. They have a lovely inter-faith focus that both challenges and inspires. Then I write in my journal.

Stephanie and I named our diaries after each other so I begin each entry with the salutation: “Dear Stevie.” It never occurs to me to change or drop it. If anything, the greeting is part of my spiritual practice. It links back to my first diary and also reminds me of the purpose and benefits of journal-keeping. There is a value in logging our experiences and writing out our thoughts and emotions. This part of journaling as a spiritual practice is both active and reflective. In addition, journal-keeping provides perspective. Reading past entries affords a long-term view of life and a chronicle of how God has been present to us. The journal then becomes an ongoing spiritual autobiography - a lovely record of the intertwining of God’s love and mercy in our lives.

 spirituality-practice-prayer-of-a-spirit-of-holiness

Prayer for a Spirit of Holiness Download Now

Bright Ideas

  • Saint Thérèse of Lisieux kept a journal that was published after her death and became a spiritual guide for thousands of people. Find out more about her life and download activities to share with your students or family..

  • Spiritual practices increase our capacity for holiness. Download my Prayer for a Spirit of Holiness and share it with those in your family or parish.