Develping a Rule of Life: Rooting Out Defects and Growing in Virtue

This is my third post on Fr. Ripperger's video about developing a rule of life. (You can see part one here and part two here.) Making a rule of life is all about establishing a regimen of discipline that can help in all areas of life. Fr. Ripperger talks about taking a systematic approach to rooting out our defects. He echoes St. Ignatius when he encourages identifying our predominant fault and working on that one thing until we eliminate it or at least make considerable progress. For example, if you have a problem with gluttony, begin by giving up between meal snacks and desserts. Make a good beginning and stick with it. That approach follows Ignatian spirituality which advises working on one defect before moving on to another. With regard to the regimen, the examen is recommended at least twice a day - at midday and bedtime. How did I do this morning? How did I do later? Part of the evening examen is reflecting on the next day and its responsibilities so that you can hit the ground running in the morning. Ignatian spirituality gives the structure for overcoming the sin or fault. 

Going along with eliminating defects is working on virtue. That, again, needs to be structured. First of all, general intentions usually fail. To say, "I want to be more charitable," isn't likely to take the soul to a higher level. Instead, making specific intentions like, "I'll call my elderly mother every day to check on how she's doing." Or "I'll write a thank you letter every Sunday to someone who has blessed my life." Or "I will have a Mass said every month for my struggling child." The possibilities are endless. But the reality is that specific intentions and daily examination are necessary for both the elimination or reduction of defects and the growth in virtue. 

Structure is especially necessary for children. If that can be instilled in young children, at puberty the older child can begin to make his own decisions. Fr. Ripperger emphasizes that, after puberty, children need to develop the good habits on their own. If it's imposed, when the children leave the nest and the forced regimen is no longer there, they are likely to fall away. They need to embrace it on their own before they face the world outside.

Fr. Ripperger's video is well worth watching, especially the question and answer session when he talks about the development of children. What an aid to parents. I wish I'd had this when Larry and I were rearing our children. So much good, practical advice. May this Lent bring us all closer to the Heart of Jesus!