The Six Holy Habits - Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth

Bishop Philip Egan has asked every member of the Diocese to adopt six holy habits.

To keep Sunday special, as a family day, by attending Mass, the ‘source and summit’ of the Christian life, supporting your parish community.
To resolve to spend at least five minutes a day in prayer, at whatever time you find best, using the Scriptures, maybe the Gospel of the day.
To keep Friday as a day of penance in honour of the Lord’s Passion, intentionally serving the poor and needy.

At least once a fortnight, to pay a private visit to church for a short period of prayer before the Tabernacle.
To go to Confession once a month or so, like a spiritual check-up when you can personally experience God’s love and mercy.
To join a small group for formation, prayer and fellowship, where you can share with others your own faith-experience and in turn hear what God is doing in the lives of others.

Ideas to assist you adopt the Six Holy Habits

Sunday Mass

How can we enhance the variety, beauty and solemnity of our parish Liturgy? Could I prepare better for Mass, arriving in good time, reading the Gospel and the prayers?

Daily Prayer

What helps do I need to pray and to know the Bible better? I enjoy myself following the daily calendar and getting to know the saints.

Friday Penance

What does poverty mean in my area and how can I help?

Visits To Church

How can I hear more clearly the voice of Jesus calling me?

Monthly Confession

How can I best to prepare?

Join A Group

Many groups would welcome new members – or why not start a new one?

To help with this, Bishop Philip gives you a gift, a Prayer Book called Lord I am not Worthy. It is meant to help you prepare for Mass. It contains many well-known Catholic prayers and others too.

It is also important to remember that there is only ever one prayer: the prayer of Jesus offered to the Father by the power of the Holy Spirit.

This is why it is always good to begin a time of prayer by asking the Holy Spirit to tune us in, to align us with Christ and to unite us with the Father.