The Renewal Project
Simple. Achievable. Life Changing.
“Behold, I make all things new.” – Revelation 21:5
What is “The Renewal Project?
The year 2022 began the Eucharistic Revival, and hopefully, this time of revival has given you a thirst for renewal. The palm branch in “The Renewal Project” logo reminds us of the crowd, who were thirsting for renewal, waiving palms, and welcoming Jesus upon His arrival to Jerusalem. We are inviting you to experience your own ongoing Palm Sunday, welcoming Jesus by opening your heart to the renewal He brings to your life. Bishop Battersby has laid out stages of renewal for the priests of the Diocese of La Crosse. This “Renewal Project” complements that timeline, so the lay people may experience renewal in solidarity with the priests.
Is the Renewal Project a program?
This is not a program and there is nothing you have to purchase. Although, there are some items listed that you may purchase if you wish. We have indicated those options with the ($) symbol. (Before you purchase anything, check to see if your parish library has the resources available.) This project is an invitation to engage in your faith by going deeper in your relationship with Jesus Christ, allowing Him to consume your heart, and live through you on a mission to go and make disciples of others. While this can be done individually, we encourage you to experience this renewal as a family, or with a group of friends. Hyperlinks (highlighted in blue) have been incorporated throughout, so you are only a click away from the resources to help you deepen your renewal. “The Renewal Project” is not a checklist but simple, stand-alone invitations for you to engage in renewal on your time and on your terms. Pray for the Holy Spirit to guide you to the resources that will speak to your heart.
What is a good starting point to engage in “The Renewal Project?”
A good starting point is to prepare your heart and your home for renewal as this will lay the foundation for a beautiful journey. Click the boxes below for ideas to prepare you for your journey.
Preparing Your Heart for Renewal
Attend Eucharistic Adoration as often as you can. Click here to see the places and times Eucharistic Adoration is being offered in the Diocese of La Crosse. While spending time in Adoration, we invite you to consider participating in the following actions:
- Talk to Jesus as you would your friend. Don’t be afraid to share your emotions with Him.
- Invite Him to heal the areas in your life that are distracting you from a deeper relationship with Him.
- Be silent. Let Him speak to you.
- If there are other people present, take a moment to pray for one or two of them who are in Adoration with you. They don’t even have to know you are doing it.
Pray and discern how God wants you to go deeper in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Then, go and make a good confession. Click the link to read a great article from Ascension Press, “Confession 201: How to Confess Like an Adult.”
Create a habit for daily prayer, even if it is just a couple of minutes. Remember:
- No one is perfect.
- If you miss a day, or days, there is nothing wrong with restarting and rededicating yourself to prayer. You are not a failure and God sees the beauty in your perseverance.
- The more consistent you are, the easier it is to form the habit. (Studies show it takes one week to create a habit). Be patient, it may take time to find what is right for you.
- Below are links to help you explore different ways to pray:
- https://www.usccb.org/catholic-prayers
- Dynamic Catholic Prayers
Explore “Restore the Roots,” an initiative at St. Joseph the Workman Cathedral, La Crosse.
Dedicate one Holy Hour per month to pray for Bishop Battersby, the priests and deacons of the Diocese of La Crosse, and for Vocations.
Preparing Your Home for Renewal
Ask your priest or deacon to come bless your home and Enthrone the Sacred Heart in your home. You can find more information about enthroning your home to the Sacred Heart here.
Each Month has been given a focus.
Click the drop down boxes below for simple ideas to help you sharpen your focus each month.
(New focuses for future months will be added soon!)
May: The Blessed Virgin Mary
Participate in Marian Consecration such as a 33-day preparation for Marian Consecration, which concludes with a consecration to Mary. Also look at St. Louis de Montfort’s “True Devotion to Mary” or Fr. Michael Gaitley’s “33 Days to Morning Glory” are popular guides. ($)
Set Up a Marian Shrine at Home by creating a small prayer corner with an image or statue of Mary, flowers, candles, a Marian prayer card or Miraculous Medal. ($) Encourage family members to visit the shrine daily for prayer or reflection.
Reflect on Marian Scripture Passages such as:
- Annunciation: Luke 1:26-38
- Visitation: Luke 1:39-56
- Wedding at Cana: John 2:1-12
- Mary at the Cross: John 19:25-27
- Journal reflections on her virtues of humility, obedience, and trust in God.
Perform Acts of Service in Her Honor such as visiting the sick, donating to the poor, or volunteering at a charity with the intention of imitating Mary’s compassion.
Read Marian Books or Writings to Deepen Your Knowledge of Mary:
- “True Devotion to Mary” by St. Louis de Montfort ($)
- “Hail, Holy Queen” by Scott Hahn ($)
- “The World’s First Love” by Fulton Sheen ($)
Pray the Angelus or Regina Caeli (Traditionally prayed at 6 AM, 12 PM, and 6 PM, the Angelus honors the Incarnation.)
Wear a Marian Sacramental
- Wear a scapular (Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel) as a sign of your devotion. ($)
- Wear a Miraculous Medal, which Our Lady revealed to Catherine Labouré with the promise of special graces. ($)
Pray the Litany of Loreto, a traditional Marian prayer invokes Mary under her many beautiful titles (e.g., Mother of Mercy, Queen of Peace). It can be prayed daily or at the end of the Rosary.
Links to Prayers to The Blessed Virgin Mary:
- “Prayers of the Rosary”
- Consider adding the Luminous Mysteries on Thursdays, which were introduced by John Paul II to focus on key moments in Christ’s ministry.
- Family Rosary: Encourage family members or friends to pray together.
- “The Memorare”
- “Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary”
Links to videos about The Blessed Virgin Mary:
- Mike Schmitz: “Why Catholics Call Mary Their Mother”
- Ascension Presents: “The Importance of Mary”
- Scott Hahn: “Hail Holy Queen: Scripture and the Mystery of the Mystery of Mary”
Links to articles about The Blessed Virgin Mary to help you to get to know her more deeply:
- USCCB: “Mary”
- Catholic Answers: “Mary, Mother of God”
June: The Sacred Heart of Jesus
Spend Time in Eucharistic Adoration (click for a listing of parishes in the Diocese of La Crosse offering Eucharistic Adoration.) where, Jesus, present in the Blessed Sacrament, is the physical expression of His Sacred Heart. Spend extra time in Adoration, gazing upon the Lord and offering prayers of love and reparation. Pray short invocations such as: “Sacred Heart of Jesus, I trust in You,” and “Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make my heart like Yours.”
Pray the Sacred Heart Novena, that is traditionally prayed for nine days leading up to the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart, which falls on the Friday after Corpus Christi. Offer it for a special intention, especially for the conversion of sinners or in reparation for sins.
Meditate on Scripture About Christ’s Heart. Reflect on passages that reveal the merciful love of Christ:
- John 19:31-37 – The piercing of Jesus’ side, from which blood and water flowed, symbolizing the outpouring of mercy.
- Matthew 11:28-30 – “Come to me, all you who labor… for I am meek and humble of heart.”
- Luke 15:1-7 – The parable of the lost sheep, demonstrating Jesus’ loving pursuit of sinners.
- Journal your reflections on His tenderness and mercy.
Consecrate Yourself to the Sacred Heart. Make a formal consecration to the Sacred Heart, offering your heart and life to Jesus by reciting a traditional consecration prayer: “Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, I give myself to You. Take all that I am and have. Draw me ever closer to Your Heart of love.” You can renew your consecration regularly, especially on Solemnities of the Sacred Heart or First Fridays.
Make Acts of Reparation
- Perform small acts of sacrifice or penance in reparation for sins against the Sacred Heart, such as fasting from a favorite treat or activity.
- Offer inconveniences or frustrations with patience and love.
- Short prayers of reparation. For example, “Sacred Heart of Jesus, forgive my sins and those of the whole world.”
Read Spiritual Writings About the Sacred Heart Deepening Your Knowledge by Reading Works Focused on the Sacred Heart:
- “The Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus” by Fr. John Croiset, SJ (based on the revelations to St. Margaret Mary). ($)
- “Behold This Heart” by Fr. Thomas Dailey (a practical guide for living the Sacred Heart devotion). ($)
Perform Works of Mercy in His Name. Jesus’ Heart is a symbol of His infinite compassion. Honor Him by performing acts of charity like visiting the sick or elderly, donating to or volunteering at a local charity, and offer prayers or sacrifices for those in need.
Wear the Sacred Heart Badge or Scapular as a visible sign of your devotion. ($)
Pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet, a powerful way to meditate on Jesus’ compassionate heart.
Incorporate Daily Acts of Love and Trust. Throughout the month, frequently pray “Jesus, I trust in You,” and “Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.”
Links to Prayers to The Sacred Heart of Jesus:
Links to videos about The Sacred Heart of Jesus:
- Scott Hahn: “The Sacred Heart of Jesus”
- Catholic Answers: “Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus”
Links to articles to help you to understand The Sacred Heart of Jesus more deeply:
- Catholic Answers: “The Sacred Heart of Jesus”
- EWTN: “What is the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus?”
- Word on Fire: “Devotion to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus”
Each of us live unique lives with our own blessings and challenges.
Click the boxes below for simple ideas for renewal that speak most directly to you.
