It occurred to me at Mass yesterday that, while I have a specific work-out/diet plan ready for me, I have yet to think about how I’m going to get my spiritual life kicked up a notch. While taking random walks and doing stomach crunches when it occurs to me doesn’t hurt, it doesn’t exactly get me the results I’m looking for. The same goes for my Catholic faith: if I want a strong relationship with God, I better have a plan to get it into high gear (have you figured it out yet that I’m now doing the “Insanity” work-out? “High gear,” “Kick it up a notch”?)

So, for week one, I’m planning on starting off slow, and try to keep God as a constant on my mind by reciting “The Angelus” three times daily. Care to join me? Print the page and keep it near to your heart (or in my case, my work computer).

(Recited at 6:00 am, noon, and 6:00 pm)

“The Angelus”

The Angel of the Lord declared to Mary:

And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Behold the handmaid of the Lord: Be it done unto me according to Thy word.

Hail Mary . . .

And the Word was made Flesh: And dwelt among us.

Hail Mary . . .

Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray:

Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts; that we, to whom the incarnation of Christ, Thy Son, was made known by the message of an angel, may by His Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of His Resurrection, through the same Christ Our Lord.

Amen.

-Amy

Music playing while writing this: “Everything’ll Be Alright,” By Josh Radin