The Season of Discipleship

The Season of Discipleship is a time for teens and young adults to go from childhood to adulthood and begin to become independent. In this season a person makes choices about following Jesus Christ, of being a disciple. Discipleship requires a profession of faith, a devotion to obeying the teachings of the Church and seeking to understand them. This season is broadly defined as the ages of 13 – 23 years.

10 Quick Tools:

  1. Make a plan to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation at least once a month and practice conducting a thorough examination of conscience each night at bedtime. See this list for how to do it.
  2. Study the Order of the Mass and consciously note each part during the sacrifice of the Holy Eucharist.
  3. Memorize the entire Rosary and all its prayers so that you can take 15 minutes to pray anywhere, any time.
  4. Memorize the basic prayers of the Catholic Faith, and tell yourself that you have a new set of “apps” that you can use whenever you need help.  
  5. Learn the parts of Lectio Divina is and practice it with Scripture.
  6. Make a commitment to spend 10 minutes a day in silence. Just do it. Sit somewhere for 10 minutes, ask Christ to speak to you, and let your mind wander in grace.
  7. Make sure that you know the Ten Commandments. If you learned them as a child, review them as a teenager or young adult and ask yourself to identify all the ways you have matured and now understand the commandments at a deeper level.
  8. Learn the theological and cardinal virtues and what it means to be human. Then practice the power to be human when you are trying to figure out what the right thing is to do.
  9. Set a bedtime routine and follow it. You need your sleep. (See here.)
  10. Become familiar with the various emotions (see emotion faces here), and practice identifying your emotions, both when you are feeling positive and especially when you are feeling troubled or even angry. Practice telling people how you feel.

Tool Box:

  • List of articles for the Season of Discipleship at the Catholic East Texas
  • Fr. Anthony Alexander, College Apologetics: Proof of the Truth of the Catholic Faith
  • Timothy Gray, Praying Scripture for a Change: An Introduction to Lectio Divina
  • Scott Hahn, Many are Called: Rediscovering the Glory of the Priesthood
  • Scott Hahn, Evangelizing Catholics: A Mission Manual for the New Evangelization
  • Vinny Flynn, 7 Secrets of the Eucharist
  • Michael E. Gaitley, 33 Days to Morning Glory: A Do-It-Yourself Retreat In Preparation for Marian Consecration
  • Saint movies on FORMED
  • “Follow The Way of Christ” game [COMING SOON!]

Additional Resources

Catechism of the Catholic Church: