Abandonment To Divine Providence

You’re not suppose to be in charge. Not everything is about you. Scary thoughts, huh? These two blunt statements have shaken my world over the past few years. Spending all my time worrying what’s going to happen step by step, day by day, year, by year… you get the picture. I thought if I was to make all the decisions that I could predict the outcome and it would be the “safest” option. To my surprise, this wasn’t the case. Time after time I would take control and end up on my face. I couldn’t figure out what I was doing wrong.

Then I learned of this amazing solution that has completely changed my life. Abandonment to Divine Providence. So what does this mean? Your vocation, your career, your friends, family, belongings, future, give it all to the one that has created you. He has an amazing plan and He loves you. How do we do it? I’m still trying to figure that out myself, but everyday I make the conscious decision to “cast all my cares on Him who cares for me” - Peter 5:7 and allow the Holy Spirit to be my “Divine GPS”.

If anything, remember that His plan is so, so much better than anything we could throw together. Let Him do the work, and let us be His instruments. Come, Holy Spirit.

“So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” - Matthew 6:31-34

-Alexa Harbor

John Bosco Day

     As part of my internship I brought a group of youth to a conference called John Bosco Day. As part of the day, we had adoration. And as part of adoration, a priest processed the Eucharist up and down the aisles of the congregation. I remember as I started checking how close I was to an aisle to see how close Jesus would be when the priest processed by. Unfortunately I was standing in the middle of my section: I couldn’t have chosen a seat farther from the aisles. But I also noticed that to my left there was wide open space, and I realized it would be very easy to move right up to the aisle, right up to where Jesus was going to pass by.

    But I’m bad at being spontaneous: What about the youth? Shouldn’t I stay with them? I felt conflicted, but ultimately I had to take advantage of the opportunity I saw. I looked around and saw the other chaperones were there; they’ll be fine, I want to be with Jesus.
    So I went to the aisle. I knelt down. The priest arrived. And I talked with Jesus. Afterwards, I got up and looked behind me. All the youth we had brought to John Bosco day had followed me to the aisle. For me, it was a lesson in humility and simplicity. I can focus so much on talks and building relationships in ministry and projects and work and all the rest, and those things all have their place, but ultimately the most important thing is to be close to Jesus and let him be in charge.

-Peter Schmidt

Reflecting on Christmas

     Christmas at Spiritus is always an adventure! We have Christmas parties, concerts, plays, and service projects to attend, in addition to our retreats. However, since there are slightly fewer retreats, our schedule almost evens out. One of my favorite parts about this time of the year here at Spiritus is that there are 14 other young adults who all share in the opportunity to step away from common Christmas Blitz and slow down to enjoy the simplicity of the Advent season. For us that can mean a lot of things, including listening to Advent music, meditating on the mysteries of Christmas, sitting around in our couch room enjoying the Christmas tree lights, and playing card games such as Mafia or Rummy. I have come to a deeper appreciation of just how wonderful it is to simply slow down and enjoy the Advent season.

     Unfortunately, this time of the year is also a constant reminder to me that our time here at Spiritus is limited. Before we know it, May will be here and we will all be going our separate ways. This constant reminder aids in drawing my heart back to a simple spirit of gratitude. Gratitude for all that I have experienced thus far here at Spiritus, all the laughter, tears, frustrations, singing, shouting, crazy car rides, beautiful stargazing adventures, fantastic conversations (with God, students, and my Spiritus family), the amazingness of being able to call 14 strangers family, and so much more!

     -Mikayla Uchytil

Getting to Know Mary!

     It has been such a great blessing learning to pray with Mary through the rosary and consecration over the past year. It is said the best way to get to know Jesus is through the one who loves Him and knows Him best, His mother. Mary is a model for all of us with her great yes to God at the annunciation, even though she did not know all that would be included. She is gentle but shows amazing strength in seeing her most beloved son suffer on the cross. It has been such a blessing as well to help the youth come to know Mary more. She is the most perfect example of a mother and the more we grow close to her, the more we can see her as our mother too! One of the most grace filled moments on the past few months on SPIRITUS was during a middle school lock-in at my youth ministry parish. We had 2 AM adoration and the high school leadership team lead about 25 middle schoolers in the rosary. It is said every time we say a Hail Mary, it is like giving our Blessed Mother a rose. Well, she received loads of roses that night!


     -Brianna Trifiletti