Hey there,
We’re obsessed with being more healthy … and exercise is one of our primary means to that end.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, everyone can experience health benefits of physical activity.
“Regular physical activity is one of the most important things you can do for your health. Being physically active can improve your brain health, help manage weight, reduce the risk of disease, strengthen bones and muscles, and improve your ability to do everyday activities.”
So we run … we bike … or we walk (my personal favorite).
We go to the gym or to hot yoga.
Or we do exercises in our home.
And if we don’t actually do any exercises … we have a plan to start next week. Because we know it will enhance the quality of our life.
And extend our years here on earth.
As Catholics, we’re also very interested in our afterlife … and spending it in heaven with Our Father. To accomplish this, we need to exercise our soul. That’s what Father Mike Schmitz said in a recent episode of his Catechism in a Year podcast. Day 197 to be exact.
He explains how the Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us we should engage in spiritual practices every day that will result in a transformation of our heart. A conversion. A radical reorientation. An interior repentance.
Father Mike talks about using the three forms of penance: fasting, prayer, and almsgiving. To make our hearts more like Jesus Christ’s.
The exercises are in the form of gestures we can do every day. For the good of our soul.
So this week’s Genuflect is all about exercising … our soul. We’ve covered all of these topics at one time or another, so you’ll see this week’s issue is packed with resources upon resources. All gathered here in one big spiritual exercise guide.
Yes, exercise is good for us. For our body. And, more importantly … for our soul!
Keep Believing-
Katy Barrilleaux
Founding Editor, Genuflect
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Daily Steps to Transformation
To fully understand what this issue of Genuflect is all about, listen to this episode of the Catechism in a Year Podcast with Father Mike Schmitz. He covers the what, how, and why we should engage in spiritual practices every day to make our heart more like Jesus’. It involves Fasting, Prayer, and Almsgiving, which you can learn more about in the resources below.
Day 197: Forms of Penance | Catechism in a Year Podcast
Fasting Resources
Fasting is a type of penance we can do that involves self denial. And while we typically do it during Lent, we’re actually supposed to do it every Friday throughout the year. These resources cover what it is, what it’s not, how and why to fast, some tips to help us, and a prayer we can say when beginning a fast.
Fasting: It’s Not Just For Lent | Genuflect
Ultimate Prayer Guide
Prayer is our opportunity to converse with Our Father. There are so many different ways to pray and over the past 5 years, Genuflect has covered just about all of them. They are compiled here in this one article where we look at what prayer is … to different methods like the Holy Rosary, Novenas, Litanies, Chaplets, and the Divine Office, Eucharistic Adoration, praying with candles, and our free prayer planner download.
Your Ultimate Prayer Resource | Genuflect
Almsgiving Resources
Almsgiving is a type of penance that involves our relationship with others. We don’t talk about it much, so this article from Lent 2021 is a good refresher on what almsgiving is, how we benefit, how to do it, suggested rules to follow, and how to give alms as a family.
The Spiritual Powers of Almsgiving | Genuflect
Penance Resources
Confession is good for the soul. So our look at interior repentance has to include this article on penance. It covers the history of how the sacrament of confession evolved over time, how and why we should go regularly, what we need to know about Purgatory, and the opportunity to shorten our time in Purgatory with Indulgences.
Utilizing The Sacrament of Confession | Genuflect
Transforming Your Heart
Our Father sent His only Son to live among us to teach us how to avoid sin and to love one another, so we can earn eternal salvation. This article offers plenty of resources for following in Jesus’ footsteps to transform our heart to be like His.
Transform Your Heart in Jesus’ Image This Advent | Genuflect
Carrying Your Cross
We never know what the world will throw at us each day. But part of transforming our heart is to accept the life the Lord gives us … to carry our cross with Him. The resources in this article provide understanding, instruction, and inspiration for dealing with your crosses and finding more happiness.
Finding Happiness While Taking up Your Cross | Genuflect
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