August 10, 2025

Dear Parishioners,

In my homily last Sunday I spoke about the five different ways to connect to God. Just like we all have different personalities, we are all wired differently in how we feel God’s presence and have our hearts elevated. Allow me to recap the five ways according to Fr. James Wallace. I’ve named them after particular saints or religious orders.

1. The Carmelite Way/St. Teresa of Avila and St. John of the Cross. This is the way of mental prayer and contemplation. Folks who are inclined to connect with God in this way are those who can be still and have an interior dialogue with God. They are able to bring their thoughts, feelings, and desires to God, and receive love in exchange. Or, they are able to sit in silence and emptiness, and be at peace with that.

2. The Benedictine Way/St. Benedict. This is the way of liturgical or exterior, ritualistic prayer. Think of the Mass, praying the rosary and other devotions, reading Scripture (lectio divina), and studying theology, to name a few. This is more “active” mentally than the Carmelite Way and isn’t as personal. That doesn’t make it bad, of course; it’s more about following the prayer before you and receiving, rather than lifting your heart and offering what’s inside of you that is more characteristic of the Carmelite Way.

3. The Ignatian Way/St. Ignatius of Loyola. People inclined to this way are those who find God in their work and in their active life, or the apostolate. Those who enjoy their work and see it more as a vocation would pray in this way. Same with those who feel one with God while taking care of their family. Other activities would also fall into this category: hobbies, exercising, being out in nature. The person might not be explicitly praying with their eyes closed or whatever, but they are in sync with God while doing this work.

4. The Augustinian Way/St. Augustine. This is the relational way. These are people who feel they are praying and connecting with God when they are with other people. It might be having a good conversation with a friend, enjoying a dinner party, gathering with family at a holiday, or just talking with a stranger on the street. Perhaps those who are more extroverted would be inclined to pray in this way. Being with people is not a drain for these type of pray-ers; it is a deep source of grace and life.

5. The Franciscan Way/St. Francis of Assisi. This is the way of service and outward acts of love. Just like St. Francis lived in poverty to be in solidarity with the poor, we find meaning and union with God when we are caring for the sick and needy and are with those on the margins. It doesn’t even necessarily have to be a stranger. Because you are a person inclined to serve others, you find God when you are taking care of your family, your aging parents, your struggling grandchild, or the people at work or on your block.

So, as I asked last week, which way are you? How do you best connect with God? (Feel free to email me–I’d love to hear.)

Some might disagree with me, but no one way is better than the others. So don’t feel bad if you are an Augustinian and not a Carmelite. We are all inclined to one way(s), and disinclined to another way(s).

Having said that, we should be open to incorporating all five ways to some degree–even a small degree–in our lives. We can’t be entirely a Franciscan and never a Benedictine (and vice versa). That would mean missing out on the Mass and the other traditions the Church offers us (or neglecting the poor, who Jesus said we ought to keep in mind). Likewise, if the Ignatian Way, for example, is totally foreign to us, then that means our work, our family, and our hobbies are pure drudgery and do nothing for our soul. We should see if God wants to infuse himself into those areas of our life.

So, in reflecting on your “prayer personality,” also ask God for the grace to develop one of those Five Ways that are lacking in your life. Jesus tells us in the Gospel that the Son of Man is coming at an unknown hour. If we can pray in at least one of these Five Ways, then we will not be caught by surprise.

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I can’t believe I’m saying it, but the start of school is on the horizon. SPC School teachers report this Tuesday to begin preparations for the year (the first day of school for us is August 20). My prayers for all teachers and students at all levels as their summers wind down.

This Friday, August 15th is the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a holy day of obligation. That day we will have Masses at 6:25am, 8:30am, and 12pm. Please note, there will be an evening vigil Mass at 7pm on Thursday, August 14th.

Yours in Christ,

Fr. James Wallace