NOVICE 3 LESSONS
For Third Year Novices doing
penance in the Confraternity of Penitents
At the
foot of the Cross
"Some people
are so foolish that they think they can go
through life without the help of the Blessed
Mother." - St.Pio of
Pietrelcina
"Learning Christ"
Teach
me, Lord, to be kind and patient in all the
events of daily life; in disappointments, the
thoughtlessness of others, in the insincerity of
those I trusted, in the unfaithfulness of those
on whom I relied. Let me put myself aside, to
think of the happiness of others, to hide my
little pains and heartaches, so that I may be
the only one to suffer from them.
Teach me to profit by the suffering that comes
across my path each day. Let me so use it that
it may mellow me, not harden or embitter me;
that it may make me patient not irritable, that
it may make me broad in my forgiveness, not
proud and narrow, haughty and overbearing.
May
no one be less good for having come within my
influence. No one less pure, less true, less
kind, less noble for having been a fellow
traveler in our journey toward Eternal Life.
As
I go my way from one distraction to another, let
me whisper from time to time, a word of love to
you.. May my life be lived in the super-natural,
full of power for good and strong in its purpose
of sanctity. Amen.
NOVICE 3 LESSONS
THIRD YEAR NOVITIATE: LESSON ONE
THIRD YEAR
NOVITIATE: LESSON ONE
Keep copies of all lesson answers you turn in to
your formator as they can be lost in mailing either
via postal or email. Lesson answers need not be
restricted to the texts discussed.
YOUR
FINAL YEAR OF FORMATION
May
God be praised! You are about to enter your final
year of formation for the Confraternity of
Penitents. If you have come this far, be assured of
one thing. Your persistence is a good indication
that God may, indeed, be calling you to live this
way of life as your own path toward sanctity.
You
may already be living very simply. Some of you will
have already made a few or more of the clothing
adjustments of this Rule. Others may dread getting
rid of that favorite outfit.
Be
certain of this. Those who are serious about
entering a religious way of life must be
unencumbered by attachments to worldly things. This
year may be a bit difficult. But it will bear much
fruit because it will sever you from externals.
Once your wardrobe and life style are simplified
according to the Rule and Constitutions, you will
feel a new sense of freedom. Not only will the
former worldly attachments have lessened their grip
on you but you will also have less clutter in your
life. You will have more closet space, more attic
space, and less to care for. Very freeing, indeed.
The
purpose of this year of formation is not to keep the
Salvation Army stocked or to have a less cluttered
house. This year will move you a major step away
from worldly things and a major step toward a total
devotion to spiritual ones. At the end of this year,
you will look backward and wonder how you could have
been so attached to things that ultimately do not
matter. You will find yourself loving things a lot
less and people and God a lot more. God willing, you
will become so firmly rooted in the Lord that, were
He to ask you to give up your life for Him, you
would respond, "Yes." And, whether or not you
actually die a martyr's death, you will give up your
life for Him because following Him in the path He
has chosen for you is to be dead to your own will
and alive for His.
The
texts we will use are those used in the previous
years of formation: the Bible; Rule and
Constitutions of the Confraternity of Penitents; and
Catechism of the Catholic
Church.
Each month, reading assignments in Scripture, the
Rule and Constitutions, and the Catechism will be
given. As in previous years, you should do the
reading assignment prior to the next month's
meeting. It is suggested that 4 sections of the
Catechism lesson be read daily so as to complete the
lesson within a month's time. If desired, you may
use the assignments as a basis for mental prayer or
may jot down any insights into a Mental Prayer
Journal which may be shared with your spiritual
director.
Your formator may also wish to use the optional
text Abandonment to Divine Providence
(Jean-Pierre de Caussade, Image/Doubleday, 1975),
available from the CFP Holy Angels Gift Shop, as
part of your formation.
Texts should be brought to all Chapter or Circle
meetings to aid in discussion. BRIEF answers (five
sentences or less) to the questions marked ANSWER
should be mailed, e mailed, or recorded on audio
tape for your formator.
You
will also be given monthly assignments in living the
Rule by following certain parts of the Rule and
Constitutions not yet assigned in previous years.
These practices should be started in the month given
and then continued as long as you live the CFP way
of life.
In
making the initial clothing adjustments, you may
find that you do not have the clothing you need in
the colors permitted by the Rule and Constitutions.
Remember that you do not need many clothes in order
to live this way of life. Four or five at the most
of each article of clothing (other than
undergarments) should suffice. You will only need
one or two coats or jackets at most. The clothes you
select should be tasteful and neat. No one, by
looking at you, should suspect that you are doing
penance in the area of clothing. Only you should
know.
If
you still do not have enough clothes, do not go out
and purchase new items unless your spouse agrees as
well as your spiritual director. Instead, make a
list of items and colors needed and request them for
birthdays, anniversaries, or holidays. Or shop at a
second-hand sale or a thrift store or sew your own
clothing. Most penitents at this stage of formation
can make the clothing switch with little expense and
trouble.
May
God bless you this final year as you strive to give
yourself completely to the Lord in this penitential
way of life!
CATECHISM
LESSON
Read Sections 1601-1679.
ANSWER: Is marriage a less meritorious sacrament
than Holy Orders? Why or why not? What are
sacramentals and how are they used?
SCRIPTURE LESSON
"Conscience gives testimony to the boast that in our
behavior toward all and especially toward you we
have always acted from God given holiness and
candor; this has been prompted, not by debased human
wisdom, but by God's goodness." (2 Cor. 1:12)
When we discuss living a life of simplicity, we
begin where St. Paul does: in "God-given holiness
and candor (simplicity)." Apart from these there is
no reason to attempt to "simplify" our lives. As we
grow in a relationship with God through His Son and
with the help of His saints' example, we feel the
need for holiness. As we grow in a walk that begins
to use the grace God gives us daily, and especially
through His Word and Sacraments, we start to "cast
off" the time-consuming affairs of this world that
choke holiness.
Paul adds that our consciences will guide us in this
endeavor, but that is true only insofar as our
consciences are formed by God Himself. St. Paul ends
this verse with a reminder that we are not to walk
in the ways of the world, but to empty ourselves of
worldliness by relying on God's goodness (grace).
1)
Why does Paul say that his boast
consists in his behavior toward all in the world?
2)
What are some contrasts between how
the world views life and how God's people are
instructed to view life?
3)
What is the source for your ability
to give up any worldly attachments according to the
above verse?
ANSWER: What does the above Scripture verse speak
to you as someone who wishes to live according to
the Rule and Constitutions of the Confraternity of
Penitents?
RULE
LESSON
Review the Object of the Commitment, Form of the
Commitment, and Purpose (Charism) in the
Constitutions, the Preamble to the Rule and
Constitutions, and the Addendum to the
Constitutions.
ANSWER: How are the goals of the penitential life,
under the guidance of your spiritual director, being
realized in your own life?
Read Rule/Constitutions 5 and Constitutions 3b.
ANSWER: How do you avoid attending functions at
which immoral or sacrilegious behavior is
present?
ABANDONMENT TO DIVINE PROVIDENCE (Optional)
Read Chapter 1, sections 1-4.
ANSWER: Select one key sentence from this
assignment and explain what it means to you.
ASSIGNMENT
·
Reread Constitutions 3b again.
Beginning this week, go through your personal items
and discard at least one per week that you do not
need. Remember that these are to be your personal
items, not those belonging to another family member.
Discuss with your spiritual director how you are
feeling about doing this.
·
If you have already weeded through
your possessions and have very little to yet
discard, discuss with your spiritual director what
you might do in order to implement the spirit of
this directive.
·
Having successfully completed the
first two years of novice formation, you should
already be following all the provisions of
Chapters II, III, IV, V, VI, VII (with the
exception of Rule/Constitutions 25), and VIII of
the Rule and Constitutions. How are you doing with
these?
·
Submit BRIEF answers to the above
questions to your formator.
THIRD
YEAR NOVITIATE: LESSON TWO
RULE
LESSON
Review Chapters II and III of the Rule and
Constitutions and Appendix A of the Constitutions.
ANSWER: How are you doing with the fasting and
abstinence provisions of this way of life? What is
easiest? What is most difficult?
Read Constitutions 2g regarding the wearing of the
cross or crucifix.
ANSWER: Are you wearing a cross or crucifix
regularly? Do you feel that it fits the spirit of
the Constitutions? Why or why not? If not, how
will you select a style that does fit?
SCRIPTURE LESSON
"What profit does a man show who gains the whole
world but destroys himself in the process?" (Mark
8:36)
The
previous verses say that each follower of Christ
must, "deny his very self, take up his cross, and
follow in My steps. Whoever would preserve his life
will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake
and the gospel's will preserve it."
If
we are following Christ, then we have to be denying
our selves and carrying our crosses. If we are
denying self and following our Master, then we will
not be caving in to our selfish lusts. The
admonition in verse 36 is very direct and even
scary. There is a chance that by denying Christ and
following only our own inclinations that we could
lose our very soul.
The
message is clear. It is good for us to use and enjoy
the gifts that God gives us in our everyday lives.
But there is a dividing line between enjoying good
things and living for those that are strictly of
this world.
There are, however, spiritual blessings that we
ought to live for. Some cannot be lived at the
present moment, yet it is good to live in the hope
of someday receiving them. For example, in Matthew
25, Christ says, "Come, you blessed of my Father."
Now there is a blessing to live for.
Seen in the proper way, we can balance self-denial
with gratitude for the gifts of God. Then we will be
glorifying and enjoying our Creator and Redeemer
from Whom every gift comes.
1)
Is there anything that you covet in
your mind that could be a stumbling block for you in
God's kingdom?
2)
What steps could help you to dedicate
this area to Christ and be free of the harmful
obstruction?
3)
What is a proper attitude for
enjoyment of God's blessings?
ANSWER: What worldly thing do you covet the most?
How can you handle your attitude toward this object,
attitude, or person?
CATECHISM LESSON
Read Sections 1680-1761.
ANSWER: How are humanity's dignity, freedom, and
happiness related in the vocation given to the human
race? How do we observe the death of a human
being?
ABANDONMENT TO DIVINE PROVIDENCE (Optional)
Read Chapter 1, sections 5-9.
ANSWER: Select one key sentence from this
assignment and explain what it means to you.
ASSIGNMENTS
·
Continue to reduce personal
belongings by getting rid of one weekly. Why are you
doing this?
·
Evaluate your personal wardrobe. What
articles of clothing do you have that you never or
very rarely use? Remove those from your wardrobe
and give them away. Discuss with your spiritual
director how you feel about doing this.
·
Submit BRIEF answers to the above
questions to your formator.
THIRD
YEAR NOVITIATE: LESSON THREE
RULE
LESSON
Review Chapter IV of the Rule and Constitutions and
Appendices B and C of the Constitutions.
ANSWER: Are you fulfilling this part of the Rule?
Is it time to evaluate your prayer options or are
they still working well for you?
Read Rule/Constitutions 1.
ANSWER: Study Rule/Constitutions 1 and then write
down, from memory, what colors can be worn and
why.
CATECHISM LESSON
Read Sections 1762-1845.
ANSWER: Name and define the virtues. How is
conscience related to them?
SCRIPTURE LESSON
"If
we have food and clothing we have all that we
need." (1 Timothy 6:8)
St.
Paul's saying in our material times may strike us as
"archaic," or even impossible to live by. Is it
really? Are we too conditioned by the world to even
conceive of an existence where our joy is full, not
through the things we own, but rather through the
Holy Spirit, the Scriptures and Sacraments, and the
people around us?
Many of the saints, both recent and ancient ones,
have fought this battle, and their faith walks and
stories can help us on our journey toward simplicity
of life and contentment with what God chooses to
give us for our daily needs.
1)
Can you see how reaching this state
of spiritual grace can be an entrance way into
complete freedom from worldly bondage?
2)
What are the negatives that come with
continually seeking "things?"
3)
What do you make of the saying
popular in the 1980's that "you can separate the men
from the boys by the price of their toys?"
ANSWER: What is your reflection on this Scripture
verse?
ABANDONMENT TO DIVINE PROVIDENCE (Optional)
Read Chapter 2, sections 1-6.
ANSWER: Select one key sentence from this
assignment and explain what it means to you.
ASSIGNMENT
·
Go through your entire outerwear
wardrobe. Put the clothes that fit the colors of the
Rule together in one place in your closet. If you
were to only wear these clothes, would you have
enough or would you need to supplement your
wardrobe?
·
How does doing this make you feel?
Why are you making these adjustments? Discuss your
feelings with your spiritual director.
·
Submit BRIEF answers to these
questions to your formator.
THIRD
YEAR NOVITIATE: LESSON FOUR
RULE
LESSON
Review Chapter V in the Rule and Constitutions and
Appendix D in the Constitutions.
ANSWER: How are you doing in living Chapter V of
the Rule and Constitutions? If you need improvement
in an area or two, how can you improve?
Review Rule/Constitutions 1, particularly
Constitutions 1b and 1c.
ANSWER: Why do you think it is important for a lay
penitent to avoid giving the appearance of wearing a
habit?
SCRIPTURE LESSON
"...Anyone among you who aspires to greatness must
serve the rest, and whoever wants to rank first
among you must serve the needs of all. Such is the
case with the Son of Man Who has come, not to be
served by others, but to serve, to give His Own life
as a ransom for the many." (Matthew 20:26-28)
Here Jesus is giving Himself as an example. He
served others, giving His life, for no reward to
Himself, but to ransom others. The reward of His
service went to us.
Sometimes this happens in the world as well. Those
who are in the line of duty as military, police, or
firefighters serve the nation or the public by
sacrificing their lives. They at least knowingly
risk their lives in these occupations. Even worldly
service professions consist in providing service to
others, and in these there are rewards for those who
serve and those who are being served.
In
God's economy, we are not forbidden to hope for the
rewards that He has promised. There is an element of
self-seeking that can be present in both, and is
expected to be more present in worldly service, but
it would be an excessive "perfectionism" to rule
this out in spiritual service. After all, Jesus told
us to "lay up for yourselves treasure in heaven."
What other motive is there in wanting to follow the
Rule of the CFP? Even if we are living this life
as a means of prayer and sacrifice for the
conversion of others, we still hope that God will
reward our efforts with eternal life for us.
However, in Matthew 20: 26-28, Our Lord is not
talking about seeking rewards but about aspiring to
greatness and wanting to be first. We might
paraphrase it today by
saying,
"If you're a priest, and you want to rank first
among priests, and be the greatest in God's eyes,
don't aspire to be a bishop, or if you're a monk,
don't aspire to become abbot. Aspire to serve, to be
of benefit to others." The humblest priest or
most obscure lay brother may rank first in God's
eyes. Elsewhere Christ speaks of not lording it over
others, but of serving. Surely in God's economy the
service of others brings spiritual rewards.
The
world sometimes will do good works because God's
image, though greatly damaged, is still present in
humankind. Sometimes the works are done out of
self-seeking, or merely to have a tax deduction.
These are not works done, "...in Jesus' name."
St.
Paul says, "Esteem others as greater than
yourselves." He doesn't mean, "Have a poor
self-image." He also doesn't mean be someone who is
purposely trodden under people's feet. If we don't
sometimes help people know right from wrong then we
aren't truly loving them, as we would be guilty of
helping to keep them in their sins. However, we are
to not be "self-seeking." Not seeking our glory
above other's and God's. Do good and God will lift
you up at the appropriate time.
1)
Does Matthew think that it's better
to be impoverished, or that poverty is necessarily
glorifying to God?
2)
Can poverty be turned into a glory
unto God?
3)
What does Matthew mean by "must serve
the needs of all?"
ANSWER: How does this passage foster poverty of
spirit and how does poverty of spirit lead to
poverty of possessions?
CATECHISM LESSON
Read Sections 1846-1927.
ANSWER: Define these terms in one sentence each:
·
Mortal sin
·
Venial sin
·
Society
·
Subsidiarity
·
Authority
·
The Common Good
ABANDONMENT TO DIVINE PROVIDENCE (Optional)
Read Chapter 2, sections 7-12. ANSWER: Select
one key sentence from this assignment and explain
what it means to you.
ASSIGNMENTS
·
Go through your wardrobe and remove
all patterned outerwear. Give these away. Why are
you doing this? Discuss with your spiritual
director how doing this makes you feel.
·
Submit BRIEF answers to the above
questions to your formator.
THIRD
YEAR NOVITIATE: LESSON FIVE
RULE
LESSON
Review Chapter VI of the Rule and Constitutions.
ANSWER: How important do you think your
Confraternity membership will become as you reduce
your wardrobe this year? Why do you feel this
way?
Read Rule/Constitutions 2 with particular attention
to Constitutions 2a, 2b, 2e, 2f.
ANSWER: Discuss how each of these are to fit the
Rule and Constitutions:
·
Visible undergarments
·
Men's ties
·
Perfumes and after shave lotions
·
Cosmetics
SCRIPTURE LESSON
"Thus the last shall be first and the first shall be
last." (Matthew 20:16)
Have you ever heard the expression, "There goes
so-and-so; he's a legend in his own mind." If we are
seeking to empty our selves and to be filled with
the Holy Spirit, Who always does the work of
transforming us into the image of Christ, then we
will not be seeking "firstness." Christ Himself,
Paul says, "emptied Himself, even to the point of
becoming a servant who died on a cross."
1)
If Christ is our example, how does
emptying oneself fit into His statement that the
"last will be first?"
2)
Have you yet attempted to esteem
others before yourself, in your family, work, and
other environments?
3)
Honestly take inventory and see if
any of your possessions lead you to think that you
are somehow "better" than anyone else for having
them.
ANSWER: How can you foster the desire to be last in
yourself?
CATECHISM LESSON
Read Sections 1928-2005.
ANSWER: Define these terms in one sentence each:
·
Social justice
·
Human solidarity
·
Natural moral law
·
Old law
·
New law
·
Justification
·
Grace
ABANDONMENT TO DIVINE PROVIDENCE (Optional)
Read Chapter 3, sections 1-4.
ANSWER: Select one key sentence from this
assignment and explain what it means to you.
ASSIGNMENTS
·
Implement parts of Rule/Constitutions
2 and Constitutions 2a, 2b, 2e, and 2f in your life.
No longer use scented lotions, sprays, perfumes,
after shave, and so on. Go through your visible
undergarments and ties and give away those that do
not fit the Rule. Why are you doing this?
·
Discuss with your spiritual director
how this makes you feel.
·
Submit BRIEF answers to the above
questions to your formator.
THIRD
YEAR NOVITIATE: LESSON SIX
RULE
LESSON
Review Rule/Constitutions 22-24.
ANSWER: How are you doing following these sections
of the Rule and Constitutions? Are you having
difficulty with any part?
Read Rule/Constitutions 3 with particular attention
to Constitutions 3a.
ANSWER: Do your clothes fall into the simple,
inexpensive category or do you feel that a
dispensation is necessary in some cases?
SCRIPTURE LESSON
"He
instructed them to take nothing on the journey but a
walking stick--no food, no traveling bag, not a coin
in their purses in their belts. They were, however,
to wear sandals. 'Do not bring a second tunic,' He
said." (Mark 6:8-9)
Can
you imagine the disciples' faces when they learn
they must go on their first missionary journey
without their credit cards, their new cars, and
their designer jeans? What a break with the world
it must have been to have to rely on the Creator and
Sustainer of the universe! Can we relate? How do we
come to the point where we can serve self last and
rely on our Creator from day to day for all of our
needs?
The
Bible says that God will "give us what we need from
His riches in glory." The Bible also says, "Cast all
your cares upon Him for He cares for you." God will
supply what He wants you to have!
However, we must be prudent. This quotation is a
good example of the kind of words of Christ which
are not to be taken literally in all circumstances
by all disciples. It was to be taken literally (most
probably) for that particular journey. But St.
Joseph most likely didn't take the Holy Family to
Egypt under a Rule like that, and St. Paul
definitely didn't follow this exactly on his
missionary journeys.
We
must be careful not to take every word of the
Scriptures out of the context of the whole New
Testament. People ought not to go on extended trips
with no traveling bag, money, credit cards, or extra
clothing these days. The lesson seems to be simply
"Cast your care upon the Lord." Don't worry over
your plans. You'll have to adapt them to
circumstances as they arise. But you won't even get
to where you want to go unless you adapt this
admonition in light of what is necessary and what is
not.
1)
Do you believe that God will supply
your needs?
2)
Can you "let go and let God?"
3)
How have your first two years of
spiritual formation helped to bring you to the point
of "self-emptying?"
ANSWER: Make a list of ten things that you have
(your possessions, not those of other family
members) that you don't really NEED. Ought you to
get rid of them? Why or why not?
CATECHISM LESSON
Read Sections 2006-2082.
ANSWER: How does merit help Christians advance in
holiness? How do the Church and the Ten
Commandments assist in this development?
ABANDONMENT TO DIVINE PROVIDENCE (Optional)
Read Chapter 3, sections 5-8.
ANSWER: Select one key sentence from this
assignment and explain what it means to you.
ASSIGNMENTS
·
Go through your wardrobe. Give away
all clothing that is red, orange, or yellow.
Remember, however, the dispensation that goes with
Rule 3 and Constitutions 3a. Fancier clothes are
permitted in certain occupations and for certain
social occasions.
·
How do you feel about doing this?
Discuss this with your spiritual director.
·
Submit BRIEF answers to the above
questions to your formator.
THIRD
YEAR NOVITIATE: LESSON SEVEN
RULE
LESSON
Review Chapter VII of the Rule and Constitutions
with particular attention to sections 25-27.
ANSWER:
Do you have a will? If not, how can you begin to
make one?
Review Chapter I of the Rule and Constitutions, with
particular attention to sections 1, 2, and 3.
ANSWER: Do you notice anything in these sections
that you had not seen before? If so, what?
SCRIPTURE LESSON
"Have no love for the world or things that the world
affords. If anyone loves the world, the Father's
love has no place in him." (1 John 2:15)
What in the world does the beloved disciple mean,
"Have no love for the world?" Aren't we supposed to
love everyone? Yes, indeed, but you do not love
the world's system of thinking. We do not love the
world's ideology that keeps our young people
thinking about self-gratification and pre-marital
sex. We do not love the world's way of thinking that
bigger, richer and more fleshly beautiful is always
better. We must, if we will be followers of the
Incarnate YHWH, be able and ready to renounce the
darkness that keeps our world from seeing the light
that comes from above. We must share the truth with
others, but always winsomely and spoken in love.
1)
Do you agree that lust for the world
chokes out the life of the spirit?
2)
Read the rest of the passage,
including verses 16-17. How does that strike you?
3)
Boasting of our accomplishments is
mentioned and so is lust of our eyes. How do these
two go against the revealed will of our Father? Can
you think of examples from Scripture?
ANSWER: Suppose an angel came to you and offered
you fame, joy, success, wealth, and health in this
world and a long time in Purgatory in the world to
come, or humiliation, grief, failure, poverty, and
illness in this world and a quick entry into heaven
upon death. Which would you choose and why?
CATECHISM LESSON
Read Sections 2083-2167.
ANSWER: What do the first and second commandments
mean to you?
ABANDONMENT TO DIVINE PROVIDENCE (Optional)
Read Chapter 4, sections 1-4.
ANSWER: Select one key sentence from this
assignment and explain what it means to you.
ASSIGNMENTS
·
Go through your wardrobe. Give away
clothing of green, pink, and purple. How does this
make you feel? Discuss this with your spiritual
director.
·
If you do not have an updated will,
make an appointment with a lawyer to update your
will or make a will.
·
Submit BRIEF answers to the above
questions to your formator.
During the ninth month of Third Year Novitiate, you
will be asked to make a personal evaluation of your
journey so far into a life of penance. Is it your
intent to complete this year successfully and pledge
to live the Rule and Constitutions for life? Or
would you prefer to take a promise to live the Rule
and Constitutions for a year? Perhaps you are
considering a private vow to live the Rule and
Constitutions for life. Between now and the ninth
month, please pray about your future as a penitent.
It is very important. If you are behind on a few
lessons, strive to catch up. If you need help
understanding the lesson or getting through it, let
your formator know.
THIRD
YEAR NOVITIATE: LESSON EIGHT
RULE
LESSON
Review Chapter VIII of the Rule and Constitutions
with particular attention to sections 35-37.
ANSWER: Summarize the tone of these three
sections.
Review Rule/Constitutions 4 with particular
attention to Constitutions 4a.
ANSWER: Do you have any outer winter garments? Do
they fit the Rule and Constitutions?
SCRIPTURE LESSON
"Sell what you have and give alms. Get purses for
yourselves that do not wear out, a never-failing
treasure with the Lord which no thief comes near nor
moth destroys. Wherever your treasure lies, there
your heart will be." (Luke 12:33-34)
Does Jesus instruct us to have nothing but to give
all to the poor? Our Lord seeks balance in our
lives. St. Paul in 1 Corinthians 13 says that,
"though we sell all we have to give to the poor, but
have not love, we have nothing." So it isn't only
the outward acts of penance, but also the
accompanying love that goes with them that counts
before our God. He does want us to use our resources
for others. We are not to deprive our families, over
which we, as our God given duty, are to be good
stewards. The first of the neighbors to whom we
should give are the parents and children whom God
has given us. That is our duty in justice as well as
in charity. If we do this, then selling and giving
away beyond caring for our families and relatives
are good things.
The
key point is, "Where is your heart?" Is it fixed
on things above where the treasure is incorruptible,
or below where the treasure is fleeting and
transient?
1)
To whom is Jesus speaking in this
passage?
2)
Are you a disciple of Jesus?
3)
Have you inventoried how you might
lay up treasures in heaven by giving away and
selling things that you don't need?
ANSWER: What we think most about is where our heart
is. If you made a graph of the things you think
about, what would have the longest column? What
does this tell you about your priorities?
CATECHISM LESSON
Read Sections 2168-2257.
ANSWER: If a teen asked you why the third and
fourth commandments are so important, what would you
answer?
ABANDONMENT TO DIVINE PROVIDENCE (Optional)
Read Chapter 4, sections 5-8.
ANSWER:
Select one key sentence from this assignment and
explain what it means to you.
ASSIGNMENTS
·
Submit BRIEF answers to the above
questions to your formator.
·
Look at your outer weather-wear. Do
your clothes fit the Rule and Constitutions? If you
can give away those that do not and still have
clothing to wear, then do so this month. If you
would have to purchase items because nothing you
have fits the Rule and Constitutions, then wait for
a yard sale or visit a thrift shop to see if you can
make the clothing transition with little expense
or trouble. Or ask for these items as a holiday or
birthday gift.
·
Discuss how you feel about doing this
with your spiritual director.
THIRD
YEAR NOVITIATE: LESSON NINE
RULE
LESSON
Review Rule/Constitutions 39.
ANSWER: What does this say to you in light of the
adjustments you are now making in your wardrobe?
Review all of Chapter I of the Rule and
Constitutions.
ANSWER: What adjustments are going smoothly for
you? Which are not? Have you any idea why?
SCRIPTURE LESSON
"Lazarus longed to eat the scraps that fell from
the rich man's table. The dogs even came and licked
his sores." (Luke 16:21)
What a travesty of God's will for His creation! A
rich man, blessed with goods by God, shows utter
contempt for God and God's people by not sharing
with and caring for Lazarus. It is very likely that
this rich man fancied himself religious. We see
people every day in need. We also see the world's
well-off every day, with haughty appearance, not
only not helping the disadvantaged, but even
laughing at them and saying, "Those people get
what they deserve." We all need to remember, "There
but for the grace of God go I."
1)
Do we have some crumbs to share that we are
hoarding?
2)
Is it a sin, necessarily, to be rich?
3)
Who has the "gift of benevolence" that St. Paul
mentions in 1 Corinthians 12:28?
ANSWER: How do you assist the poor? Do you think
you are doing as good a job as possible given your
circumstances?
CATECHISM LESSON
Read Sections 2258-2330.
ANSWER: Make as extensive a list as possible of all
the circumstances covered by the fifth commandment.
ABANDONMENT TO DIVINE PROVIDENCE (Optional)
Read
Chapter 5, sections 1-3.
ANSWER: Select one key sentence from this
assignment and explain what it means to you.
ASSIGNMENTS
·
Go through your outerwear wardrobe.
Remove any colors or clothing that still do not fit
the Rule and Constitutions. How does this make you
feel? Discuss this with your spiritual director.
·
Submit BRIEF answers to the above
questions to your formator.
SELF-EVALUATION
Am I
keeping up with my novice lessons and turning in my
answers on time?
Am I
incorporating the assignments into my life?
Is it my
intent to successfully complete the next months of
the Third Year Novitiate and pledge to live the Rule
and Constitutions for life or take a promise to live
it for a year? Am I considering a private vow to
live the Rule and Constitutions for life?
Or do I
feel it would be better for me to repeat or continue
this year of formation before pledging?
ANSWER: Do I, or do I not, plan on completing the
Third Year Novitiate and why or why not?
THIRD
YEAR NOVITIATE: LESSON TEN
RULE
LESSON
Review Rule/Constitutions 28 and 38.
ANSWER: Are you willing to accept an office in your
Chapter or Circle of the Confraternity or in the
larger organization? Why or why not?
Look at Rule/Constitutions 2 with particular
attention to Constitutions 2c and 2d.
ANSWER: Why should colorful ornamentation and
jewelry be avoided? What jewelry is
permitted?
SCRIPTURE LESSON
"The affectation of an elaborate hairdress, the
wearing of golden jewelry, or the donning of rich
robes is not for you. Your adornment is rather the
hidden character of the heart, expressed in the
unfading beauty of a calm and gentle disposition.
This is precious in God's eyes." (1 Peter 3:3-4)
Proverbs says, "Like a fine gold ring in a pig's
snout is a beautiful woman who lacks discretion." A
Christian with a beautiful spirit who lacks outward
beauty radiates far more loveliness than a crass
pagan, who revels in the things of the world and
neglects the spirit. Which should Christ's disciples
seek? Outward beauty that can distract and lead
astray, or inward beauty which attracts others to
the light of Christ within us? Embracing the
attitude of Christ can be a very difficult thing for
those of us seeking to live as penitents, especially
in this current age which puts shallow outward
beauty and wealth at so much more of a premium than
any kind of self-sacrifice or inward beauty.
1)
Can you see yourself, with the help
of God, being able to do away with excess outward
adornment?
2)
Will you be self-conscious around
friends or co-workers without your usual trappings?
Can you see yourself dwelling in God's Spirit to an
extent where this no longer bothers you?
3)
Can freedom from outward trappings
actually become a source of freedom for you?
ANSWER: Select one of the above questions to answer
in writing.
CATECHISM LESSON
Read Sections 2331-2400.
ANSWER: Summarize the positive and negative aspects
of the sixth commandment. In other words, what is
not only permitted but encouraged and what is sinful
under this commandment?
ABANDONMENT TO DIVINE PROVIDENCE (Optional)
Read Chapter 5, sections 4-5.
ANSWER: Select one key sentence from this
assignment and explain what it means to you.
ASSIGNMENTS
·
Go through your jewelry. Put jewelry
aside or give it away. Use cosmetics tastefully if
at all. How does doing this make you feel? Discuss
this with your spiritual director.
·
Meet with a lawyer about your will
and complete the work on it.
·
Submit BRIEF answers to the above
questions to your formator.
THIRD
YEAR NOVITIATE: LESSON ELEVEN
RULE
LESSON
Review Rule/Constitutions 29-34.
ANSWER: Do you meet the qualifications for pledging
in the Confraternity? Are you prepared to pledge to
live the Rule for life or for a year? Are you
considering making a private vow to live the Rule
for life?
Review Rule/Constitutions 4 with particular
attention to Constitutions 4b.
ANSWER: Do you think this section will be difficult
to implement? Why or why not?
SCRIPTURE LESSON
"Trust Me when I tell you that whoever does not
accept the kingdom of God as a child will not enter
into it." (Luke 18:17)
How
does a little child approach a great and awesome
spectacle? With a degree of timidity and humility
yet trust in those adults who have taken him or her
there.
Little children have an innate trust that our God
loves to see in all of His people. We must live in
this world, yet not be a party to this world's
warped ways of thinking. This can only be done if we
trust our Father in a childlike way, each and every
day of our lives. We can show humility and yet still
be strong in our faith and in how we "seize each
day" for our Lord.
1)
How do you see a correlation between
a little child and how our Father wants us to
approach Him?
2)
