There are thousands of Internet sites devoted to prayer and spirituality which range in quality from the glorious to the grotesque. To our website's "links" collection, I have added over 90 of the most inspiring and useful sites for lay Catholics. They are categorized alphabetically by keyword: Classics, Contemplative Prayer, Eucharist, Icons, Intercession, Lectio Divina, Liturgy, Movements, Prayers, Rosary, Salvation, Spiritual Paths, Traditions, and websites on prayer. To explore these sites, go to our website at www.siena.org, click "Links", then "Life Within the Church", and then "Prayer and Spiritual Life."
By "Classics" I mean great works of Catholic spirituality that transcend the centuries, such as The Interior Castle of Teresa of Avila or The Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius of Loyola. One little-known classic is the delightfully illustrated 13th century work, The Nine Ways of Prayer of St. Dominic (www.op.org/domcentral/places/stjude/NineWays.html). Dominic was a man of intense prayer who reputedly spent his days talking to people about God and his nights talking to God about people. When Dominic knew that God was about to work a miracle, such as the well-documented raising of a dead boy in Rome, he would pray with his arms held out like a cross. The Nine Ways depicts Dominic bowing, prostrating, and pacing as he prayed with his whole body, which provides hope to those of us who experience difficulty praying using static postures.
Ambrose, beloved 4th century Bishop of Milan and mentor to St. Augustine, wrote, "You have shown Yourself to me, O Christ, face to face. I meet You in Your sacraments." This quite is the motto for the website Meeting Christ in the Liturgy (MCITL) (www.christusrex.org/www1/mcitl/lowhome.html). It contains readings and meditations for Sundays throughout the liturgical year as well as helpful links to many other resources that enable lay men and women to more fruitfully participate in the liturgy as prayer. Our section "Prayer and Spiritual Life" also contains links to 18 superb sites dedicated to the Eucharist. Maps of adoration chapels around the US are included together with additional information about the theology and history of Eucharistic spirituality. Two particularly interesting sites are the lay-run Apostolate for the Eucharistic Life (www.eucharisticlife.com/sm_index1.htm), which is dedicated to helping lay people encounter Jesus in the Eucharist, and The Real Presence Association, whose site contains dozens of links that describe the transforming power of Christ's presence in the Blessed Sacrament (www.therealpresence.org/eucharst/a.html).
Numerous collections of Catholic prayers on the Internet include the comprehensive Awaken to Prayer: How to Pray as a Catholic (landru.i-link-2.net/shnyves/prayer.html), whose author pastors two tiny missions high in the mountains of Western Washington. From the prayer of the Mass to the prayer of the heart, this website compiles an amazing compilation of information and encouragement for exploring the full range of Catholic prayer. The huge Prayerbook mega-site features a remarkable collection of traditional litanies, devotions, novenas, prayers, and chaplets as well as information about creating a home altar (www.prayerbook.com/contents.htm).
One can find detained information about Lectio Divina, the ancient contemplative art of reading the Scriptures, on at least four different websites. One excellent site is Accepting the Embrace of God: the Ancient Art of Lectio Divina sponsored by St. Andrew's Benedictine Monastery in Valyermo, California. This site not only provides an introduction to the art of Lectio Divina but also guidance on how to practice it in a group as well as individually (www.valyermo.com/ld-art.html).
An ancient teaching of the Church states that initial forgiveness of sins is just the beginning of salvation. "Being saved" is more than a one-time event; it is a process which centers on sharing in God's own life, the ultimate purpose for which we were created. The Fathers of the Greek Church called this process divinization or theosis. As St. Peter explained,
His divine power has bestowed on us everything that makes for life and devotion, through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and power. Through these, he has bestowed on us the precious and very great promises, so that through them you may come to share in the divine nature, after escaping from the corruption that is in the world because of evil desire. (II Peter 1:4)
This awe-inspiring teaching is wonderfully explained and distinguished from heretical distortions in Grace and the Divinization of Humanity, a Web page found on the stimulating site Mystical Rose. Read it and rejoice! (home.nyc.rr.com/mysticalrose/grace3.html)
Finally, words cannot convey the spiritual encouragement and riches to be found in A Catholic Page for Lovers--one of the truly outstanding websites of Catholic spirituality. Webmaster Gerard Serafin has lovingly gathered links to hundreds of the most beautiful, wise, and joyous writings by Catholic authors, illustrated with exquisite paintings and icons (praiseofglory.com). Be prepared to spend prayerful time at this site and to return often when you need to be reminded that "The first thing that must strike a non-Christian about a Christian's faith is that it is all too daring. It is too beautiful to be true" (Hans Urs von Balthasar).
I'm always looking for more great sites for lay Catholics, so let me know of your favorites not yet listed on our website by writing me at "sherry@siena.org".