Catholic Spirituality and Development

Flashcards on Catholic Spirituality and Spiritual Development

Catholic Spirituality

The intentional journey of becoming holier, rising above self-centeredness, and growing closer to God.

Monastic Traditions

The practices and lifestyles of those who live within sacred communities focused on prayer, contemplation, and spiritual growth.

Benedictine Spirituality

A monastic tradition developed by St. Benedict in the 6th century that emphasizes stability, community life, and prayerful order rooted in cultivating good habits.

Silence (in Benedictine Spirituality)

Daily practice within monasteries that creates inner peace and aids monks in avoiding distractions from their spiritual focus.

Manual Labor (in Benedictine Spirituality)

A spiritual discipline St. Benedict believed could be another form of prayer when done with the intention of obedience, balancing worship, study, and labor.

Franciscan Spirituality

A monastic tradition founded by St. Francis of Assisi in the 13th century that emphasizes poverty, simplicity, humility, and joyfulness, focusing on living by Gospel teachings.

Rules/order towards flexibility/ambiguity

A movement in spiritual development that goes from a rigid, rule-based spirituality to one that is adaptable and open to mystery

Conformity to Genuine Self-Expression

Transitioning from following external expectations to living authentically in one’s personal faith.

Personal Piety to Work on Behalf of Social Justice

Expanding from individual devotion to active work for the well-being of others and social change.