Personal Mantra: Authenticity toward Virtue

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Authenticity Toward Virtue

As reflected on previously, I spoke on my beliefs towards authenticity and how recognizing who I am fundamentally as a child of God will propel me towards sanctity and my love for others. Over the trip I was passionately moved towards virtue by recognizing the authentic lives of the saints all around me in Rome. Specifically, in the Church of St. Ignatius, Fr. Reedy pointed out to me the main altar painting of Ignatius kneeling to God. He explained to me that Ignatius’s humbling of himself before God actually filled him with greater confidence. Even more imagery of passion shown throughout the trip. By being true to who I am, a loved child of God, and recognizing God’s grace in my life, I become more confident in the way I serve God. Recently I picked up a book for the first time in a while called Dogma and Preaching by Joseph Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI). Normally I would never read a book, but when I returned home I felt so inspired to read theological text and rationally think about God. Staying authentic even improved my ability to meditate and pray on scripture with my Ignatian Prayer Club. This understanding of my own authentic spirituality pushes me to deeper tangible virtue in the way I live. My actions possess more purpose and my words hold more truth as I try and imitate Christ’s throughout my day. A simple recognition of God’s grace each day pushes me to do and desire his will.

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