Sent to Evangelize Prayer Service Celebration
Discipleship

Sent to Evangelize Prayer Celebration

Schedule a prayer celebration to help young people reflect on their role in evangelization and accept their mission to evangelize. Our “Sent to Evangelize” prayer service takes its focus from Matthew 28:16–20 and includes roles for multiple readers. The accompanying Commitment Cards are a concrete reminder for young people to take to heart their role as disciples. The prayer celebration is from Christ Our Life, Grade 8. Use battery-operated candles if traditional candles are not […]

St. Lorenzo Ruiz - photo by Judgefloro, used under CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Discipleship

The Saints as Missionary Disciples: St. Lorenzo Ruiz

This is part four of a series exploring saints who lived as missionary disciples. Jesus called ordinary people to become his disciples, and through the gift of faith, they accomplished many extraordinary feats. He transformed simple fishermen and merchants into men and women who utterly altered the society in which they lived. We might not think we are capable of the same kinds of miraculous deeds, but we are. If the thought of carrying out […]

On Love by Pope Francis - book cover
Discipleship

Love Inspires Evangelization

The primary reason for evangelizing is our love for Jesus, which we have received, as well as the experience of salvation, which urges us to love him more and more. What kind of love would not feel the need to speak of the beloved, to point him out, to make him known? If we do not feel an intense desire to share this love, we need to pray insistently that [Jesus] will once more touch […]

Saint Brigid of Kildare painting - photo by Glaaaastonbury88 used under CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Discipleship

The Saints as Missionary Disciples: St. Brigid

This is part three of a series exploring saints who lived as missionary disciples. Often called “Mary of the Gael,” St. Brigid of Ireland is one of Ireland’s most beloved saints and was an important part of my life growing up in Ireland. The parish church in my hometown is called St. Brigid Parish, and we celebrated her feast day on February 1 by making St. Brigid’s crosses and welcoming the coming spring. Much of […]

"Hospitality is who we are as the people of Christ." -Julianne Stanz - quote next to image of Martha and Mary with Jesus
Discipleship

Disciples of Hospitality: Martha and Mary

In the Gospel of Luke, we hear the story of Jesus’ visit to two sisters, Martha and Mary (Luke 10:38–42). Martha and Mary are presented in contrasting ways, but are they two sides of the same coin? Let’s take a look by exploring their story and its implications from a discipleship perspective. Martha welcomes Jesus into her home. Martha’s sister Mary seats herself at the feet of Jesus to listen to him speak. Martha, who […]

Saint Martin de Porres by Kathryn Seckman Kirsch © Loyola Press. All rights reserved.
Discipleship

The Saints as Missionary Disciples: St. Martin de Porres

This is part two of a series exploring saints who lived as missionary disciples. Amid all the upheaval that we have recently undergone and are still going through, we sometimes forget that the saints also lived during times of intense disunity, strife, and racial tension. St. Martin de Porres reminds us of the necessity of compassion, particularly during times of difficulty and division. What can his witness teach us about missionary discipleship? Let’s explore his […]

Saint Therese of Lisieux
Discipleship

The Saints as Missionary Disciples: St. Thérèse of Lisieux

This is part one of a series exploring saints who lived as missionary disciples. When it comes to missionary discipleship, we naturally think of the saints. They lived extraordinary lives of holiness, often under great pressure or demanding conditions. The fruit of their lives resulted in miracles that were the fruit of their faithfulness and devotion to God, confirmed with “signs and wonders and mighty works.” (2 Corinthians 12:12) Of course, we might find it […]

four children giving group high-five -photo by Robert Kneschke/EyeEm/Getty Images
Discipleship

What Does Discipleship Look Like for Children?

When we talk about discipleship, we tend to have adults in mind—and rightly so, since all of our efforts at forming disciples should be oriented toward adult discipleship. At the same time, all of the children who have been baptized and have been welcomed to the Table of the Lord (the Eucharist) must be considered fellow disciples. But what does discipleship look like for children? Let’s explore this! I’d like to begin by borrowing from […]

Prayer of Aging Disciple by Barbara Lee
Discipleship

Prayer of an Aging Disciple

Author Barbara Lee reminds us that “We are all aging from the day we are born.” And the call to discipleship doesn’t end when we turn a certain age, though how we live that call might. Consider your continuing call to discipleship by praying the “Prayer of an Aging Disciple.” This prayer, excerpted from Barbara’s new book, Answering God’s Call: A Scripture-Based Journey for Older Adults, is presented in three formats: Full-color printable prayer designed […]

6 Keys to a More Evangelizing Catechesis - text with mosaic tiles surrounding it
Discipleship

Six Keys to a More Evangelizing Catechesis: Storytelling

We start today a new series, in which I will explore six keys to making our faith formation experiences more evangelizing. We begin with the art of storytelling, which just happened to be Jesus’ favorite way of teaching! “Tell me the facts and I’ll learn. Tell me the truth and I’ll believe. But tell me a story and it will live in my heart forever.” This Native American proverb captures the essence of the power of […]