A Rule of Life

Paradoxical!

It’s wise to have a Rule of Life.

That sounds scary — I know! — but can be as simple as you like, and immediately relieves a person of having to keep up some sort of minute-by-minute temperature-taking about life. That would be exhausting and futile.

We wouldn’t have any freedom in our mind and spirit and we would soon tire of the effort.

So, paradoxically, a Rule of Life offers freedom!

Here is an example of a simple Rule:

• Wake up at a time set by yourself, according to your circumstances, even according to the day if you have littles and their needs to attend to (you can decide the evening before in this case). Think through what you need to do in the morning to get going.

• In the morning, offer God your day and plan it with the desire to do His will.

• At some time during the day, pray the Rosary or one decade of it (preferably as a family, but by yourself if not).

• The busy mother needs a rest during the day; it should be planned!

• Say grace at meals (led by your husband if he is present). Yes, grace counts as prayer!

• Check in with your conscience before you go to bed and briefly pray about how you will be better tomorrow, asking the help of God, the Blessed Virgin, and St. Michael.

• Go to bed at a good time for your well being.

• Have a mind for the angels, saints, and martyrs, because they will help you along the way (you’ll want a liturgical calendar — the Church has organized this all for you. By Christmas the parish will have one for you!).

Patterning life in this time-tested way gives the Holy Spirit a chance to work on your soul. You can always make little changes after you give the Rule a try. Don’t be afraid!

Maybe today you can make your own Rule for your days? I think Mary, the Blessed Virgin, lived her life according to a simple Pattern, don’t you?

A blessed feast day to you!

Immaculate Conception of Mary, from Holy Cross priory in Leicester, England

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My book on how to live with the Liturgical Year: The Little Oratory

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As with everything here at the SFH, the best thing is for you to take what I’m saying — ideas that come from my experience of 45 years of marriage and raising seven children — and apply them to your situation with discernment, prudence, and confidence — and a sense of humor!