Build a Spiritual Life
Holiness is not only for priests and religious. It is for every one of us, in our work, our families and our ordinary days. A simple daily plan of prayer helps us stay close to God.
Be still, and know that I am God.Psalm 46:10
Start small, stay faithful
Don’t try to do everything at once. Choose two or three of the practices below, give each a set time and place, and add more as they become habits.
How to begin
- 1Pick a few practices to start, such as a morning offering, a few minutes of prayer, and an evening examination.
- 2Set a time and place for each, so prayer becomes part of your day.
- 3Add gradually as those become second nature.
- 4Begin again whenever you miss a day. God looks at our love, not our perfection.
Sanctify your ordinary day
These practices are not extra burdens. They are moments that turn the whole day toward God: your work, your family, your rest.
Between them, try to live in God’s presence: a short prayer while you work, offering a difficult task, a word of thanks.
A day with God
A classic plan of life, spread through the day.
☀Morning
- The heroic minuteGet up promptly when the alarm sounds, and make your first thought one for God: “I will serve.”
- Morning offeringOffer your whole day, its work, joys and sufferings, to God.
- Mental prayer15–30 minutes of quiet, personal conversation with God, ideally before the Blessed Sacrament.
- Holy Mass & CommunionDaily if you can. See Mass times →
- St. Michael PrayerAsk St. Michael’s protection for the Church and your family. It is traditionally prayed after Low Mass.
✠Midday
- The AngelusAt noon, pause to honour the Incarnation. (Regina Caeli during the Easter season.)
- A visit to the Blessed SacramentA few minutes with Jesus in the tabernacle.
- Spiritual readingA few minutes with the Gospels, plus 10–15 minutes with a good spiritual book.
✦Afternoon
- The Holy RosaryPray with Our Lady through the mysteries of her Son’s life.
- A second time of prayerAs you grow, another 15–30 minutes of mental prayer.
- Presence of GodShort prayers throughout your work, offering each task to God.
☾Evening
- Examination of conscienceA few minutes: What did I do well? Where did I fail? What will I do better tomorrow? End with an act of contrition.
- The Divine OfficeJoin the Church’s own prayer, beginning with Compline (Night Prayer) before bed, or the Little Office of Our Lady.
- Three Hail MarysBefore sleep, ask Our Lady for the gift of purity.
A steady rhythm
Adoration & Benediction
Spend time with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, and receive His blessing at Benediction. Times →
Fasting & penance
Keep Friday as a day of penance in honour of Christ’s Passion, traditionally by giving up meat. Offer small fasts often, and fast more strictly on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.
Honour Our Lady
A small act of love for Mary, such as the Hail Holy Queen or the Memorare.
Confession
Go to confession at least once a month to keep the soul clean and strong. Times →
First Fridays & Saturdays
On First Friday, honour the Sacred Heart of Jesus with Mass and Communion. On First Saturday, make reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Recollection
A few hours set aside for prayer, reflection and a talk on the faith.
Ember Days
At the start of each season, three days (Wednesday, Friday and Saturday) of prayer and fasting to thank God and sanctify the season.
Retreat
Several days of silence and prayer to look at your life in God’s light.
Brown Scapular
Wear Our Lady’s Brown Scapular as a sign of devotion to her. Ask a priest to enrol you.
Grow in devotion to St. Ann
St. Ann, mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary and grandmother of Our Lord, watches over our parish. Bring her your family, your needs and your thanks.
Blessing with her relic
Come forward to receive a blessing with the relic of St. Ann.
Light a candle
Visit St. Ann’s devotional area, light a candle and leave your intentions in her care.
The Memorare to St. Ann
Pray this beautiful prayer for her intercession. You’ll find it at her shrine.
Highlights of our parish year
A few special times of grace at St. Ann’s. Plan ahead and make them part of your spiritual life.
Corpus Christi Procession
We carry Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament through the streets of our neighbourhood.
Novena to St. Ann
Nine days of prayer leading to the feast of our patroness, the mother of Our Lady.
Parish Mission
Talks, prayer and Confession to prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ.
40 Hours Devotion
Continuous Eucharistic Adoration to close the year in Christ. Sign up for an hour!