Spiritual Tools

Spiritual Tools & Devotions
Devotions & Spiritual Tools	Another reason is because of all the devotions and spiritual tools that have been developed over the centuries through the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Oils	Blessed oil is used for four of the seven sacraments: Baptism, Confirmation, Anointing of the Sick, and the Ordination of Priests and Bishops.
Belief in the Spiritual World	Our belief in the eternal, the spiritual, the unseen God who reveals Himself to us in visible and invisible ways. That the material and physical world are not all there is.
Lent	The Lenten season is not uniquely Catholic, but it is something started by the Catholic Church and then later adopted by other denominations.
Holy Week	No other church or denomination celebrates Holy Week with the same reverence, joy, or style of worship. Others incorporate elements of what the Catholic Church does, but not all the things that combine to give us the full sense or complete experience of this sacred time.
The Pope	The Pope, Bishop of Rome and Peter’s successor, ‘is the perpetual and visible source and foundation of the unity both of the bishops and of the whole company of the faithful.’ ‘For the Roman Pontiff, by reason of his office as Vicar of Christ, and as pastor of the entire Church has full, supreme, and universal power over the whole Church, a power which he can always exercise unhindered
Catholic Schools	I attended Catholic schools from seventh grade thru high school graduation. I believe those years of Catholic education continue to have a positive impact on my life, my faith, my moral conduct, and the way I see the world. Catholic schools provide spiritual and moral lessons that one rarely receives in public schools and a healthier learning environment.
Marriage Encounter and Retrouvaille	The Catholic Church has many wonderful resources for married couples. Among these are two highly-regarded retreat programs: Marriage Encounter and Retrouvaille.
2,000 Years of Faith Teachings	We must always strive to be like the saints and live our faith in word and deed.
The Church	Every Pentecost we celebrate the birthday of the Catholic Church—the only Church that Jesus Himself started. Every other church traces its roots back to us
The Angels	We hear of angels numerous times in the Bible. The first mention of angels is in Gen 19:1. Two angels, sent by God, oversee the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. In Gen 48:16, Jacob (Israel) in blessing his sons makes reference to “The Angel who has delivered me from all harm.” Psalm 91 reminds us: “For God commands the angels to guard you in all your ways.” (vs. 9) Psalm 34 speaks of “The angel of the Lord, who encamps with them, delivers all who fear God.” (vs. 8)
Religious Education	My parents brought me to CCD. Every year, every week, almost without exception, they brought me to religious education to continue my spiritual journey, to learn more about my faith, and to help me stay close to Jesus.
The Stations of the Cross	As was mentioned in a previous note about devotions, the re-enacting/reliving of the last hours of Jesus’ earthly life began in Jerusalem along the Via Dolorosa (Way of Sorrows or Suffering) that Christ walked.