Novice Activity – Worldwide Novice Promises for 2025

What prevents me from preferring nothing whatever to Christ? I don’t prefer people so how can I prefer Christ?  Actually, I have gotten a bit better at accepting humans since I have been living with my human, Christine.  But I have a long way to go to open my heart to...

What prevents me from preferring nothing whatever to Christ? My lack of patience with my human.  I’m impatient when she picks me up and when she is late getting home from work.  I lose my patience when she stops brushing me too soon and I want more.  I realize that...

What prevents me from preferring nothing whatever to Christ? When I joined the Feline Cloister, I confessed that I needed to review the ladder of humility.  As a novice I have been doing this and found one step that is impossible for me  – the fourth step that asks us...

What prevents me from preferring nothing whatever to Christ? I joined the Feline Cloister to learn how to be an agent of change in my community of gatti randagi (stray cats) here in Castlemola, Sicily.  It’ not been easy.  I get discouraged because changes in how we...

What prevents me from preferring nothing whatever to Christ? I don’t like dogs.  When a dog roams into my field of vision, I feel immediate distaste.  I wonder how God could allow such creatures to be near me, because it makes me so upset.  I run inside my yellow...

What prevents me from preferring nothing whatever to Christ? What gets in the way of preferring Christ is that I prefer me!  What REALLY annoys me is when I don’t get my way.  And I like to be first!  And I DON’T like to be told “no.”Practices from the Rule to help me...

What prevents me from preferring nothing whatever to Christ? I strive to be a peaceful kitty and have a very quiet life.  I get upset when anything disturbs my peace.  This happens when my sister Novice Black Pearl bullies me or when strangers come to our...

What prevents me from preferring nothing whatever to Christ? I have been known to nip my momma when I have had too much petting.  This is not Christ-like behavior.  Nor does this nipping show I prefer Christ.Practices from the Rule to help me craft my promise:“No...

What prevents me from preferring nothing whatever to Christ? What gets in the way of preferring nothing whatever to Christ When things happen that I don’t like I tend to grumble about them long after they are over.  Example: to have my nails trimmed and other canines...

What prevents me from preferring nothing whatever to Christ? I absolutely detest riding in the car and being stuffed into the confining pet carrier.  These odious things make me hiss, holler, and grumble.  My desire to prefer Christ flies out the car windowPractices...

What prevents me from preferring nothing whatever to Christ? I balk at getting wet and having my human rub my tummy.  Both make me think bad thoughts.  I squirm to escape, or I belt forth an annoyed hiss.  I forget that I am a very affectionate feline.Practices from...

What prevents me from preferring nothing whatever to Christ? I lose my focus on following Christ and the Rule in three situations: when I ride in the car, go to the veterinarian, and be told “No”.  Each causes my fur to rise and my heart to grumble.  And the grumbling...

What prevents me from preferring nothing whatever to Christ? I don’t like being chased by the dog.  This really annoys me and upsets my day, my studies of the Rule and my ability to concentrate in prayer.  It makes me grumble.Practices from the Rule to help me craft...

What prevents me from preferring nothing whatever to Christ? My human loves to pet me, but I grow weary of being petted, and the boxer in me comes out.  I know that if I were preferring Christ, I would let her pet me as long as she wants.   My actions get in the way...

What prevents me from preferring nothing whatever to Christ? I am not tolerant of others whether feline or human.  I can find all sorts of things wrong with them.  And I am not very flexible, being an ardent believer that the world revolves around me.  I would never...

What prevents me from preferring nothing whatever to Christ? I am quite vocal and express my opinions about EVERYTHING.  All that mewing means that I don’t do much listening.  Other felines and humans may have an important word for me from God.  But I  don’t give them...

What prevents me from preferring nothing whatever to Christ? Two things get in the way of acting like I prefer Christ.  1) When my human doesn’t react fast enough to my desire to play.  I then give her a swat, behavior that is NOT condoned in the Rule.  2)  When...

What prevents me from preferring nothing whatever to Christ? I resist cuddling with my human.  This hurts her feelings.  Then I’m upset with myself.  I also stress because she’s out of the house way to too often.  When home, she sits in front of that machine on her...

What prevents me from preferring nothing whatever to Christ? My impatience gets in the way of preferring Christ.  I am annoyed when Bill doesn’t give me enough treats.  I’m frustrated when the treats don’t come on time.  Then I grumble and chew on these...

What prevents me from preferring nothing whatever to Christ? I am very headstrong.  I opt for my way in my time.  This means that I prefer myself to Christ and the Rule.Practices from the Rule to help me craft my promise:“Obedience is a blessing to be shown by all,...

What prevents me from preferring nothing whatever to Christ? I am Siamese which means that I love to talk.  Being silent is anathema to me.  This results in much distraction when I pray.  My mind flits here and there.  I can even mew to myself to fill the silence.  I...

What prevents me from preferring nothing whatever to Christ? When the dogs jump on the bed after I’m already settled for the night, I get very annoyed.  I look at them with disgust.  I get annoyed, too, when I don’t get my own way, which does happen.  The bad feelings...

What prevents me from preferring nothing whatever to Christ? When I get annoyed with a human, a feline, or a situation I disengage.  I go off in a huff and hiss to myself about the annoyance.  I prefer grumbling to Christ. Practices from the Rule to help me craft my...

What prevents me from preferring nothing whatever to Christ? Because I know that I am special I expect things to go my way.  I like to be the center of attention and also tell my sister, Novice Felicity, what to do.  I don’t do what I don’t want to do.Practices from...

What prevents me from preferring nothing whatever to Christ? I am a very devout kitty and do my best to live in the present moment where God is.  What gets in the way of preferring Christ is that I expect too much of myself and of my progress in the spiritual life. ...

What prevents me from preferring nothing whatever to Christ? I get really upset and angry when my human gets out the vacuum and when the doorbell rings.  When the aggravation stops those angry feelings linger and I can’t pray!  And it makes me think that God has...

What prevents me from preferring nothing whatever to Christ? I spend lots of time cleaning my beautiful fur, making it fluffy and shiny.  But then I am always behind in my study of the Rule and forget tasks that Br. Ricky asks me to do.  Both leave me...

What prevents me from preferring nothing whatever to Christ? My housemate Mandu gets in the way of my preferring Christ.  I don’t like it when Mandu tries to lick my ear and when he takes pets away from me.  I hiss and the grumble which distracts me from my lectio and...

What prevents me from preferring nothing whatever to Christ? When my brother Linus attacks me I get really annoyed.  It upsets my whole day.  I think bad thoughts about him over and over and can’t seem to let these thoughts go.Practices from the Rule to help me craft...

What prevents me from preferring nothing whatever to Christ? I don’t want to be so sure of myself that I forget God.  Self-confidence can lead us down that path.  We prefer our own insights and direction over seeking these from God.Practices from the Rule to help me...

What prevents me from preferring nothing whatever to Christ? I frequently demand that my human play kitty-biting.  When she won’t allow this, I get annoyed.  Then I end up being distracted in prayer and cannot concentrate on my Benedictine studies.  I can see why St....

What prevents me from preferring nothing whatever to Christ? What gets in the way is my desire to be worshipped.   When I don’t feel that the humans are worshipping me enough, I get really annoyed.  Then it’s pretty clear that I prefer myself to Christ.Practices from...

What prevents me from preferring nothing whatever to Christ? I spend a lot of time napping on the porch.  When I do this, it feels good.  But I miss opportunities to visit my friends in the neighborhood.  That means that I miss opportunities to spread the love of...

What prevents me from preferring nothing whatever to Christ? Grumbling!  I grumble and hiss when I have to get in the car.  I grumble and hiss even louder when I must go to the vet.  I get really angry and am not a good patient.  This isn’t the Cider that I want to...

What prevents me from preferring nothing whatever to Christ? My fur rises when Amma Cynthia does a little tearstain-cleaning touchup.  I can hiss and issue forth accusatory mews.  This is certainly not a loving way to behave.  I know that.  And it is not the way I...

What prevents me from preferring nothing whatever to Christ? What gets in the way?  When I dig in my paws and refuse to do what I am told.  He didn’t.  When I do this I paw myself away from his love and his guidance in my life.  This creates problems for my human and...

What prevents me from preferring nothing whatever to Christ? Little annoyances get in my way of preferring Christ.  When I get my nails clipped and my ears cleaned, I squirm and fuss.  This creates a real hardship for my dear human.  Add to that I’m not peaceful...