Accent on Prayer

Mary Lou Rosien recommends that, during Lent, we make an extra effort to experience life with an accent on prayer.

When I was in my late teens, I was very blessed to travel to my birthplace of London, England. My grandparents took me on a three-month-long visit. It was a once in a lifetime experience as I was completely immersed in European culture and was not seen as an outsider (other than my Rochester, NY accent).

Coming back to the States was a bit of a culture shock for me. I was surprised that I had adapted my thinking, speaking and actions to those around me in England. I never even noticed that I had made some slight changes.

My realization came at church. Everyone prayed in unison, “Thanks be to God.” However, to my ears it sounded like, “Thanks be to Gad.” Oh, there’s that “Rachester accent" everyone speaks about!

I recently had a similar spiritual experience. My husband and I have committed to doing the Liturgy of the Hours in the morning and at night. We have also been blessed by the opportunity to read An Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis De Sales. This was made possible by a wonderful podcast: Catholic Classics by Ascension.

I began to hear life differently. All of a sudden, things that might have led me into sin, wrong thinking or even just useless idleness, sounded ... different. I felt I was experiencing life with an accent of prayer. My thoughts felt different, and I felt a sensitivity to things from the Lord I had never noticed before. I felt drawn to pray more. I became alert to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Just as those three months in Europe had given me a different appreciation and perspective on American life, this increase in prayer and study had given me a new perspective on my entire life. Thanks be to God.

I have recommitted to finding new ways to continue this spiritual journey through other studies, books, increased time in Adoration, and more. My parish priest always tells us, “If you are not moving forward in the spiritual journey, you are moving backward. There is no standing still.”

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This increase in prayer and study had given me a new perspective on my entire life. #CatholicMom

There are so many Catholic resources out there to help us increase in faith. Consider, this Lent, finding a book, study, prayer, or podcast that may help tune your spiritual accent too. God bless.

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