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Nine Ways to Live Your Faith as a Single Person

  1. Make time for prayer

    Reflect on the blessings and challenges of being single and the gifts you have to offer.

    Make prayer a part of your daily life.

    Use personal prayer, the Scriptures, journaling, meditation, and the Liturgy of the Hours.

    Schedule a personal or group retreat.

    Plan a pilgrimage to a holy site. Visit area shrines and other historical religious sites.

  2. Practice forgiveness

    Learn to forgive and be forgiven.

    Examine your conscience, and practice fasting and sacrifice.

    Celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

  3. Celebrate the Eucharist

    Actively participate each Sunday.

    Register with your parish, and if you've already done so, look for ways to get more involved in the liturgy as a lector, eucharistic minister, usher, musician, or choir member.

  4. Live a just life

    Work against discrimination, racism, and oppression.

    Treat all people with the dignity they deserve as sons and daughters of God.

    Look for ways to simplify your life and share what you have with others.

    Read about the corporal and spiritual works of mercy.

    For great ideas visit the USCCB's Campus Ministry webpage

    Follow current events and learn how to take action by subscribing to Catholic Citizenship News.

  5. Help the poor

    Look into local service opportunities or other ways your gifts can be used in service to others.

    Gather others together for group service projects. Practice charity by assisting those living in poverty, and promote community-based solutions for injustice and poverty.

  6. Be a domestic church

    Take this opportunity to establish some personal traditions around holidays, special feast days, and other celebrations or memorials.

    Offer your home as a place for friendship and hospitality.

  7. Share faith

    Talk about God's presence in your life with other people; be an evangelizer.

    Consider getting involved with your parish RCIA for those learning more about the Catholic faith.

    Look for opportunities to invite others to experience your faith community.

  8. Join a small Christian community

    Join a small faith group to receive support to live your faith.

    If one does not exist, form one of your own. Learn how at nafscc.org. Gather regularly for prayer, faith sharing, and community.

    Young Adult Groups

    Separated and Divorced Support Groups

  9. Know your faith

    Look for opportunities for adult faith development and education.

    Visit a good bookstore or the Internet for resources on faith and the Church.

    Read the Scriptures.

    Begin a study of saints who lived a single life.

(Adapted from "Nine Ways to Live Jubilee and Be a Holy Person" in A Parishioner's Guide—Preparing for the Jubilee Year 2000. Content originally provided by www.usccb.org.)