Study Guide for Called to be Holy by Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan

Chapter One: Being Good Stewards with the Gifts of the Holy Spirit.

1. In chapter one, Cardinal Dolan states that, “the key to our spiritual growth...is a faithful, personal, loving relationship with Jesus.” He goes on to quote Jesuit theologian, Karl Rahner saying holiness is, “...participation in the intimate union between Father and Son, led by the Spirit.” What do these statements mean to you? How do you participate in the intimate union of the Trinity?

2. Which of the 10 components for growth in holiness do you find most pleasing? Which are the most challenging? Why?

3. Spend some time with the Suscipe of St. Ignatius Loyola, either the version presented in the book or the musical settings of the prayer from the St. Louis Jesuits. What strikes you? What challenges you? What affirms you?

Study Guide for Called to be Holy by Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan

Chapter Two: Faith

  1. How do you define faith? Is it a noun—a thing, or is it a verb—an action? Explain.
  1. Cardinal Dolan begins this chapter referencing the Apostles Creed. Take time to consider each part of the Creed separately. What is renewed in you as you do so? What is challenged? What is calling you to greater faith?
  1. Cardinal Dolan names 5 ways we can increase our faith. These 5 avenues are listed below in the form of questions.

a.  When was the last time you took time to learn more about the faith you confess? Be specific.

b.  How, when and where do you pray? Do you enter into prayer as a dialogue (you and God) or a monologue (you alone doing the speaking)?

c.  Do you seek after signs of faith or experiences of faith?

d.  Does your faith feed you moist when life is going well or when you are faced with hardship, crisis or suffering? Share an example.

e.  Who are members of your inner circle who support and sustain your faith? How do they show you support and encouragement?

Study Guide for Called to be Holy by Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan

Chapter Three: Hope

  1. At the beginning of chapter 3 Cardinal Dolan tells a story of a young man named Michael Esswein whom he quotes: “...hope is the gift that keeps us going when we think Jesus is asleep.”

a.  What do you understand hope to be based on Michael’s definition?

b.  Name a time in your life when you have known hope.

c.  How would you explain hope to someone who had never heard of it before?

  1. “Hope moves us to trust.” How would your prayer life be different without a sense of trust? Explain.
  1. Cardinal Dolan concludes this third chapter with a prayer for hope. What is it you hope for? How do you persevere when darkness seems to surround you? Take some time to write your own prayer for hope.

Study Guide for Called to be Holy by Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan

Chapter Four: Humility

  1. St. Thomas Aquinas, in the Summa Theologica says, “Humility means seeing ourselves as God sees us; knowing that every good we have comes from him as pure gift, that we depend on him for everything.”

How do you define humility? What connection do you see between the words humility and authentic? Do you agree with St. Thomas? Why or why not?

  1. Cardinal Dolan articulates 4 pitfalls on the road to humility:
  1. We can achieve or merit our own redemption; we can think that salvation depends on us
  2. Pragmatism—thinking we can get all things done through sweat, work and effort
  3. An inordinate stress on personal rights
  4. A proud rationalism that leads us to think we have to comprehend everything; that God owes us an explanation; that our peanut brains are capable of understanding all there is, thus eliminating the awe and mystery of life.

·  Which of these strikes you as the most pervasive in our society? In your life? Why?

·  What other pitfalls would you add? Why?

  1. Cardinal Dolan also articulates some helps to humility:
  1. Prayer
  2. Regular, sincere confession
  3. Openness to criticism

·  The helps to humility seem to bring out different dimensions of honesty in the human person. Which virtue(s) would you attribute to each of the helps? What do these helps call you to?

·  When have you been open to criticism? What benefit did you gain from the experience?

Study Guide for Called to be Holy by Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan

Chapter Five: Love and Chastity

  1. How do you experience love as a source of unity and harmony? As that which empowers you and motivates you?
  1. Recall an experience of truly knowing God’s love for you. Simply jot down the details. What emotions does that experience spark in you? What action did that experience lead you to?
  1. How do you grow in love with others in your life? How do you grow in love with God? What is the greatest lesson love has taught you?

Study Guide for Called to be Holy by Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan

Chapter Six: Human Formation

  1. Growth as human beings is an essential component in one’s spiritual growth. Cardinal Dolan identifies 3 traits that are of particular importance:

Kindness
Reliability
A hopeful attitude

What does each of these traits mean to you?
How do you witness each of these in your daily life?
What other trait(s) would you add to the list? Explain what the additional traits would add.

  1. Prayer, self-knowledge and good counsel are key elements in the human and spiritual growth of the person.

Recall how you have grown because of prayer, self-knowledge and good counsel.

Which of these do you need to pay more attention to? Which has fed you the mist? How?

Study Guide for Called to be Holy by Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan

Chapter Seven: Patience

  1. At the beginning of this chapter Cardinal Dolan quotes renowned theologian Yves Congar (p. 96). Reread the quotation.
    What strikes you? What gives you a sense of comfort? What creates a sense of uneasiness in you? Why?
  1. Patience with God, self and others is pivotal in the growth of holiness.
    How do you define patience? With whom are you the most patient? How do you exercise patience in critical moments? What do you do when you are impatient?
  1. What has been the fruit of patience in your life?
    How has patience impacted your growth in relationship to God, self and others? Ponder this question and jot specific examples.

Study Guide for Called to be Holy by Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan

Chapter Eight: Penance

  1. How do you practice penance?
    What has been the most fruitful practice of penance you have engaged in?
    What was the fruit of that penance?
  1. Cardinal Dolan notes that penance can come in three ways:

-Voluntarily
-acceptance of rejection
-embracing of the adversities and sorrows that come with life

Recall an experience of each of these in your life.
How have these experiences brought you close to God?

  1. How does love enter into penance?
    What has been your experience?
    How are penance and love two sides of the coin of life?

Study Guide for Called to be Holy by Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan

Chapter Nine: Joy

  1. How do you know when you are filled with joy?
    What does it feel like; sound like; look like?
  1. Cardinal Dolan identifies 4 fonts or sources of Joy:
  2. Conviction that God loves us
  3. Not only is God’s love unconditional, but that God dwells within us
  4. Trust and hope in Divine Providence
  5. Prayer

When have you found yourself engulfed in these? Give specific examples.

  1. What happens to you when joy is absent?
    What changes in you?
    What not-so-nice behaviors do you adopt?

Study Guide for Called to be Holy by Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan

Chapter Ten: Obedience

  1. Cardinal Dolan defines obedience as “confirming our lives to the will of God...”
    How do you listen to God?
    What sources do you go to?
    What practices do you engage in to bring your life into conformity with God’s will?
  2. In its truest form, obedience means to listen.
    What virtues do you need to cultivate in order to listen?
    What habits do you need to have?
  3. Prayer is an essential component of obedience. William McGill is quotes as saying, “The value of persistent prayer is not that God will hear us, but that we will finally hear God.”
    When have you heard God?
    What did you have to do in order to hear?
    How would you describe the experience?

Study Guide for Called to be Holy by Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan

Chapter Eleven: Devotion to Our Lady

  1. What does the Annunciation call you to?
  2. How do you, as a follower of Christ, give flesh to the Son of God?
    Will the Divine become human through you?
  3. Cardinal Dolan, in referencing the Blessed Mother states:

“She literally carried the Word-made-flesh inside her. She sensed the
movement, growth, and life of the God-man within her. So must we
imitate her in allowing Jesus to move, grow, and come to life in us.
Such is our identity as Christians.”

What do you hear as your call in response to this quotation?
What will you do to enhance your relationship with the Blessed Mother?

Study guide prepared by Dr. Cheryl J. Fournier