A Baseline Rule of Life
A clear list of the core practices of Catholic discipleship
Before the Apostolic Rule of Life document is shared here, I wanted to begin by offering the full list of disciplines from the Rule.
I’m sharing this now for two reasons. First, it’s been a genuinely helpful resource in my own life. It’s surprisingly hard to find a clear and concise list of the core practices the Church invites the faithful to take up. I hope seeing them all in one place will be useful - whether for personal faith growth, community life, or discernment.
Second, this list is the fruit of extensive research into the core practices of discipleship in the Catholic tradition. That said, it’s certainly possible that I’ve missed or misrepresented something. If you have feedback, I’d love to hear from you, either here in the comments or directly by email. (james@becominglove.org).
You’ll can download a PDF version of the Rule here.
I look forward to sharing the Introduction to the full document with you very soon!
The Apostolic Rule of Life
Eucharist
Receive the Holy Eucharist in a state where you can affirm your communion with God and others
Penance
Receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation
Regularly consider who you might need to reconcile with and be quick to seek and extend forgiveness
Intentional Community
Meet for prayer, fellowship, and study with a small group of committed believers (adaptations may include more organic forms of intentional community)
Interconnect your life and activities with your community, especially in your territorial Parish (when possible)
Stewardship
Give whatever amount the Spirit compels you to in the Collection
Consider how your resources beyond your need might be reallocated for the needs of the community and the poor
Personal Prayer
Spend time in Scripture and contemplation
Fixed Hour Prayer
Pray Morning and Evening Prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours (adaptations may include simply praying one office, such as Night Prayer, or praying three Our Fathers through the day with the Angelus at noon)
Devotions
Discern with a spiritual director or community, this may include regular prayers or activities
A retreat or pilgrimage is a strongly recommended devotion to take up at least annually
*A note on this discipline - some may notice Marian devotion is not listed in this Rule. While these devotional practices may certainly be considered “baseline,” I felt that this category could capture the broad spectrum of Marian devotions, which vary greatly between believers and the Rites and Traditions of the Catholic Church.
Fasting
Seek out little ways to deny oneself, especially in penitential seasons (e.g. Advent and Lent)
Abstain from meat on Fridays or substitute with an alternate penance or act of charity (substitutes excluded on Fridays in Lent)
Participate with the Church in the Penitential Seasons of Lent and Advent (some may consider also the Apostle’s Fast and the Dormition Fast from the Eastern Tradition)
Feasting
Keep Sundays as a day of rest from unnecessary labour and celebrate the Resurrection with your community
Participate with the Church in the Seasons of Feasting, namely Easter and Christmas, as well as other Memorials, Feasts, and Solemnities
Liturgical Year
Pay attention to the Liturgical Calendar and aim to know who (if anyone) the Church is commemorating that day
Meditate on the Life of Christ and the Life of the Church through the rhythms and celebrations of the Liturgical Calendar
Evangelical Counsels
Consider how poverty, chastity, and obedience might function in your state of life and aim to give witness to the faith by them
Work
Sanctify the tasks of each day by offering them up for the redemption of the world
Mercy
Some may find it helpful to serve in a ministry oriented around the Works of Mercy on a weekly basis like an outreach to the poor or a youth ministry
Look for regular opportunities to participate in the Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy
Evangelization
Study the faith and always be willing to give reason to others why it is compelling to you - be open to moments when the Spirit is prompting you to share openly
Parish Life
Attend Sunday Mass and spend some time in fellowship with the community
Remain committed to a Parish for as long as you are able (ideally your territorial one)