August 31, 2026 AD
After joining the HNS, I was given a framework of daily habits to help cast off sin and cultivate virtue. It was such a wealth of practical advice, and I am privileged to share some of it with you!
The most important decision you will make is what time you go to bed each night. By sticking to a bedtime, you will dispose yourself to wake up on time and to pray well.
Make the Sign of the Cross, recognize the presence of God, and say your Morning Offering.
The Morning Offering is crucial, as this is when we offer our entire day to God and express our intent to receive all possible indulgences.
The quiet of early morning is typically the ideal time for spiritual exercises. At a minimum, you should recite prayers of your choosing, do some spiritual reading, and spend a few minutes in mental prayer.
Some typical morning prayers might be:
Being properly disposed to God’s grace, you should now make a specific resolution for improvement that day. Perhaps resolve to overcome a habitual sin, or to cultivate some virtue.
If you have a family, spend time together reciting some chosen family prayers before starting the day.
As close as possible to the times of 6:00 AM, Noon, and 6:00 PM, recite the Angelus. During Paschaltide, the Angelus is replaced with the Regina Coeli.
It is best to set aside specific times of the day for eating. Of course, you should recite the customary prayer before and after meals each time.
Before beginning an activity, recite an appropriate prayer (such as the Actiones Nostras) or invoke an associated Saint.
Begin each car trip with a simple prayer (like the Hail Mary), invoking your Guardian Angel, Our Lady of the Way, and Saint Christopher.
Call to mind your resolution throughout the day, as well as the presence of God.
The graces associated with the Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel are abundant. People come up with all kinds of excuses to not wear it. Just get enrolled and wear it daily!
The Holy Rosary should be at the heart of our prayer life. Establish a fixed time to pray the Rosary and stick to it. In the family context, this should be so ingrained in your home’s routine that everyone just shows up for it at the appointed time.
The Rosary is not something to fit in.
Everything else should fit around this time spent with Our Lady.
This is when we look back on the day and prepare ourselves for the night and tomorrow.
As stated earlier, it is crucial to go to bed on time. You should try to start your evening prayers at a fixed time each day.
Bless yourself (and if applicable, your family).
Choose suitable prayers to recite each night. Some typical evening prayers might be:
Examine yourself with respect to your dominant fault, habitual sins, and progress in virtue. Did you make progress on your resolution?
Conclude your examen with the Act of Contrition.
Bless yourself before bed and think of a pious thought as you drift to sleep.
You should orient each week towards its summit: Sunday Mass.
Traditionally the Church required us to abstain from flesh meat on Fridays. We do well to take up this weekly practice.
We should strive to avail ourselves of the Sacrament of Penance at least once a month. Many spiritual writers consider biweekly to be the ideal practice.
Our daily practices, especially our nightly examen, should be tied to our preparation for confession.
Make sure you own (and use!) a liturgical calendar.
Be aware of the Church’s liturgical seasons (Advent, Pentecost, Lent, etc) and their associated devotions. Keep track of upcoming feasts in honor of Our Lord, Our Lady, and the Saints.
Holy Mother Church also provides Ember Days and Rogation days as opportunities for penance.
Take note of the Holy Days of Obligation for each year and do your best to schedule time off of work for them!
These daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly spiritual practices constitute a Rule of Life
for yourself, and perhaps your family.
Don’t let pride trick you into doing everything at once. Pick one habit, do it for a week, and then add another.
To define and live by a such a Rule is foolproof way of growing in holiness and staying on the path toward Heaven!
Benedictus Deus! Benedictum Nomen Sanctum ejus.