Five Pillars of the Spiritual Life


The desire for happiness in the human heart is not limited to physical, ego, and social dimensions but yearns for a happiness that is unlimited and perfect. Fr. Spitzer calls this ultimate happiness Level 4 – the desire for the transcendent. Five Pillars of the Spiritual Life explores Level 4 in depth, focusing on the nature of this experience, prayer, the Beatitudes, partnership with the Holy Spirit, contemplation, and the Eucharist.

The Five Pillars program provides a “jump start” to a deeper spiritual life for today’s active people. These proven spiritual principles and techniques help participants grow in their everyday connection to the living God. The Five Pillars also strengthens ‘communio’ among Catholic teams through shared understandings and spiritual practices. It helps individuals and groups to pray better and better integrate prayer in their personal and work lives. This DVD series, exercises, and materials are accompanied by the best-selling book with the same title.

Audiences
  • Chancery, parish, ministry leaders & staff
  • Elementary and high school leaders & staffs
  • Priest and deacon convocations
  • Catholic hospitals and health systems
Settings
  • Retreats or in-Service days
  • Conferences
  • Special Events
Length
  • Two-day seminar, or
  • Hour-long sessions over longer time span
Topics
  • A Noble Culture through Grace and Prayer
  • Happiness Level 4 – The Transcendentals and St. Augustine’s Journey
  • Spontaneous Prayer.  Help in Suffering and Prayers for Forgiveness. Prayers Offering Forgiveness and “Thy Will be Done”
  • The Beatitudes. From Humble-heartedness to Zeal for Souls. From Mercy to Peacemaking.
  • The Examen Prayer
  • Partnership with the Holy Spirit

           - Peace, Inspiration and Guidance
           - Consolation and Desolation
            - Spiritual Discernment

  • Contemplation. Retreats and Ignatian Contemplation. Contemplation and Praise
  • The Eucharist.  Jesus’ Plan – The Sacrificial, Unconditional Love of God. The Grace of the Eucharist
Methodology
  • Professional facilitation with DVD presentation
  • Companion text
  • Group and personal exercises
  • Workbooks with references from  Scripture, Catechism, Saints
Follow-up Resources
  • The insights conveyed in the Five Pillars can be built upon with monthly Newsletter and Daily Inspirations
Feedback from  Priest Participants
  • “This gave me information that I can apply in my ministry with both old and young.”
  • “Engaging and stimulating.”
  • “It was great! Fr. Spitzer is informative, humorous, and zealous. Very relevant to our ministry.”
  • "Excellent, helpful, inspiring – learned quite a bit.”“Brilliant.”
  • “Helped me with discernment.”
  • “This was amazing and, I believe, life-changing.”
  • "Not only was it like Fr. Spitzer speaking just to me, but more importantly, I know the Spirit was addressing me.”
  • "Excellent presentation – great material – presented with personal mastery and humor.”
Outcomes
  • Deeper appreciation for the unconditional love of God
  • Growth in personal prayer and holiness; spiritual discernment
  • Deeper unity around common spiritual practices