Visitors since 22 JUN 2005

Hi!  Grandpa here again.  I'm going to describe to you a method that is similar to the 12 Steps of AA but still significantly different because it attacks a worse problem.  If you've got a copy of the Big Book, you should recognize what will be presented.  After all, the Big Book is essentially Catholic spirituality as expressed by St. Ignatius Loyola with all of the "objectionable" Catholic parts leached out of it.  Instead, what I will describe is more like the Big Book on spiritual steroids.

I won't explain things in a deep theoretical discourse because I can't.  I didn't learn them by reading about them; I learned them by living them.  You see, my dear friend-in-need, these are the very steps that my soul had to take in its journey out of the brambles of my addiction to where I am today.  These steps occurred (and are occurring) in my own soul and if I didn't try to do my best to explain them to you so that you, too, can make them a part of your own life, I would be the most selfish man on the face of God's earth.  By the way, if My Story sounds interesting to you (Heaven only knows why it might!), I go into more detail on my own life there.

Before I lay all 12 points down for you, I assume that you've already gone through the pages on Addictions.  If you haven't, you'll probably find it most fruitful to start there.  Don't worry - I'll wait!

If you are a devotee of AA, I think a word of explanation about why we even need a Catholic 12 point program, might be in order.  It is quite true that AA has helped millions of people to overcome the addiction of alcoholism.  For that it is to be congratulated.  The problem, however, is that that isn't really what the problem is at all.  (I explained it back in Addictions.)  Once again, if you missed it, the "hook" of alcoholism is there for you to gain your salvation.  This is done because in your struggles against your "hook", you prove your love for God and your contempt of yourself.  Staying sober doesn't mean anything if you still end up in hell!  AA doesn't teach you how to save your soul and that is precisely where the Catholic 12 points is aimed at and what the Blessed Margaret Center is all about.  AA purposely steers clear of trying to teach you the proper spiritual tools of God's One True Religion, but instead, it simply makes use of "how you understand God" at the moment when you start the program.

"Why do I need to do it in a Catholic way?" you might ask.  "Aren't all religions the same, more or less?"  Here I'm afraid that I might potentially hurt your feelings by my answer but I beg your indulgence in continuing on.  In this case, charity and my deep regard for your salvation requires me to stress Truth over anyone's desire for Unity.  While it is true that all religions contain some elements of truth, the Catholic religion contains all truth.  Therefore, any truth that other religions contain is that portion of Catholic truth which they choose to uphold.  I'm so very sorry if that offends you, Friend, but in this case I must witness for the Truth.  The Sun is the source of all light in our solar system and, in like manner, the Catholic Church is the source of God's Light to man.  All other religions are like so many moons reflecting portions of God's Light.  Please see "Why Be Catholic" for a further explanation.

Having said all that and hoping that you are still with me, let me lay out in bullet form the Catholic 12 points.

1.      I will admit that I - me, myself, and I, - have a problem that controls me.  I am helpless against it and that I am its slave.

2.      I will admit that only with God’s grace can I succeed.  I have failed with even the best of my efforts.  His power and grace are infinite; I am infinitesimal.  I will grow in my capacity to accept His grace so that I can overcome my addiction.

3.  I will know myself; both to determine what sins I’ve committed and also so that I know what my “hooks” are.  I will examine my conscience and my life so that I really begin to know my sins and myself.

4.  I will confess my sins to a priest; a general confession preferably, but at least I will make a sincere confession, being genuinely contrite.

5.  I will do the penance that the priest gives me during confession and I will begin to make restitution to God and man for my sins; both in the particular case and in the general case.

6.  I will begin to attend Mass – the True Mass; I will attend more regularly and more devoutly.  I will always try to go to Communion if I am able.

7.  I will attend the Sacraments more regularly; completing any 1-time ones such as Baptism or Matrimony which are necessary to the state of my soul and circumstances, but more importantly going to Confession - especially when I have fallen back into my addiction but at least once a month and also regularly receive Communion.

8.  I will identify what near occasions of sin affect me most and I will work to distance myself from those persons, places, and things which most easily lead me into sin, concentrating on my addiction.

9.  I will strengthen my will by mortification and penance.  I will work to gain mastery over myself by practicing virtue.  I will begin with simple, easy-to-win battles over myself and progressing to more difficult ones.

10. I will strengthen my intellect by educating myself on the truths of the Faith.  I will regularly read the Bible, the works of the Saints, Encyclicals of the Popes, and good Catholic reading so that my intellect and my conscience will become properly formed.

11.  I will increase my sanctity by regular and fervent prayer.  I will especially develop a great love for the Rosary and the Blessed Virgin.  I will develop my own list of personal patron saints and I will pray to them regularly.  I will start to meditate on the truths that I am reading about so that my interior life will be sufficiently strong for the combat that I am in.

12. I will perform the works of mercy.  I will especially perform those works that impact souls who suffer with my addiction.  I will perform good works to give glory to God, the salvation of my own soul, and for the good of my neighbor. 

Let's go into more detail so please go to Steps 1 & 2 to begin the discussion.