Spiritual exercises

Intellectual or physical actions undertaken to attain spiritual goals. Such actions may include meditative devotional prayer, examination of conscience, meditation on the life of a holy person, reading of sacred texts, fasting, or the use of specific bodily postures.

The main discipline of the Christian life is the presence at Holy Communion or Eucharist. This sacrament is a profound means of grace, each time bringing fresh entry into God's kingdom. It brings the individual to practice many of the disciplines - preparation through fasting, meditation and confession; taking part in prayer, praise, reading the scriptures, silence, fellowship, praise, making offerings, reciting the Lord's prayer and singing hymns. Eventually prayer and fasting become a natural part of life. The gift of these disciplines is received from the Church; they may not be mastered or understood immediately but are basic to growing in grace and to continuing communion with God.