WOW Series: The Art of Living and Dying Well
Based on the Book:
The Art of Dying Well by Robert Bellarmine (1542-1621)
Robert Bellarmine, a Jesuit priest who rose to the rank of cardinal, was known for his spirit of detachment, his profound love of neighbor, and his tireless service to the Church.
Playlist for all YouTube videos
Session 1 - Strive to Live Well - Introduction to the Book and Series
We shall first treat of those precepts that relate to virtue; and afterward of those that relate to the sacraments: for by these two, we shall be especially enabled both to live well and to die well. But the general rule “He who lives well will die well” must be mentioned before all others: for since death is nothing more than the end of life, it is certain that all who live well to the end, die well…
Session 2 (9/18) Learn to Die to the World
The good things of this life - riches, honors, and pleasures – are not entirely forbidden to Christians, but only an immoderate love of them … Abraham certainly possessed great riches, but he only made a moderate use of them; he was also most willing to dispose of them, when and how the Almighty willed. For if he did not spare his only beloved son, how much more easily could he part with his riches, if God so wished? Thus Abraham was rich, but he was richer in faith and charity; and therefore he was not of the world, but dead to it.
Session 3 (9/25) Persevere in Faith, Hope, and Charity
He (Apostle Paul) says, therefore, the end of the precepts is charity; that is, the end of all precepts, the observance of which is necessary for a good life is charity. Thus, he who loves God fulfills all the precepts which relate to the first tablet of the law; and he who loves his neighbor fulfills all the commandments which relate to the second… For the love of one neighbor toward another does not produce evil, so also the love of God cannot produce evil. Wherefor the fulfilling of the law, as regards both God and our neighbor is love.
Session 4 (10/2) Be Ever Ready to Meet Christ (1st Wed. COMMUNION)
It is not sufficient for the faithful servant to have his loins girt so that he may freely and easily meet his Lord; a burning lamp is also required to show him the way, because at night he should be expecting the Lord when He returns from the nuptial banquet. In this place, the lamp signifies the law of God, which points out the right path. David says, “Thy word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” “The law is light,” says Solomon in the book of Proverbs. But this lamp cannot illumine or point out the way if it is left in our chamber or house, and therefore we must hold it in our hand, so that it may show us the right way.
Session 5 (10/9) Prayer, Fasting, and Almsgiving
PRAY FERVENTLY
…we persevere in prayer to God, because He is just and merciful. And, as St. James adds, “He giveth to all abundantly, and upbraideth not” (James 1:5); that is, He gives liberally to all who ask His gifts, and He “upbraideth not” their importunity, should they be too troublesome in their importunities; for God has no measure in His riches or in His mercy.
PRACTICE FASTING
The fruits and advantages of fasting can easily be proved. First, fasting is most useful in preparing the soul for prayer, and contemplation of divine things
… see examples of Moses, Elijah, and Daniel - Deut. 9:18; 1 Kings 19:8; Dan. 10:2-3.
St. John Chrysostom: “Fasting is the support of our soul: it gives us wings to ascend on high, and to enjoy the highest contemplation.”
Another advantage of fasting is that it tames the flesh… the whole church in the office for Prime (Traditionally the second of the day of hours of the Divine Office) sings, “Moderation in food and drink tames the pride of the flesh.”
GIVE GENEROUSLY OF THE GIFTS GOD HAS GIVEN YOU
… almsgiving increases confidence in God, and produces spiritual joy; for although this is common to other good works also, it belongs in particular to almsgiving, since by it we render a service pleasing both to God and our neighbors.
… we must give our alms with the pure intention of pleasing God, and not obtaining human praise. … we should give our alms with joy, …
Session 6 (10/16) Be Faithful to Your Baptismal Promises
In Baptism, the following ceremonies are observed: First of all, he who is to be baptized ought to make a profession of his belief in the Catholic Faith, either by himself or by another. Second, he is called upon to renounce the Devil and all his pomps and works. Third, he is baptized in Christ, and thus translated from the bondage of the Devil to the divinity of a son of God; and all his sins being washed away, he receives the gift of divine grace, by which he becomes an adopted son of God, an heir of God, and co-heir with Christ, Fourth, a white garment is placed on him, and he is exhorted to keep it pure and undefiled until death. Fifth, a lighted candle is put in his hand; this signifies good works which he ought to perform as long as he lives. Thus our Lord speaks in the Gospel: “So let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in Heaven” (Matt. 5:16). [year 1620]
See below for the Rite of Holy Baptism that is used at Zion today.
Session 7 (10/23) Guard Against Sin and Resolve to Die Well
…in order to exercise the body, physicians prescribe walking, playing ball, or some other similar exercise. So also, in order to preserve the health of our soul, we ought, if truly desirous of our salvation, to spend time every day in meditating on the mysteries of our Redemption… And if we cannot of ourselves furnish subjects for meditation, we should spend some time reading the Holy Scriptures, the lives of the saints, or some other good books.
If anyone wishes to learn quickly and easily the art of dying well, he should not content himself with reading this book or similar books. He should attentively consider – not once, but often; not out of curiosity to learn, but out of a sincere intention to live and die well – the difference between momentary things and everlasting things, between things of no importance and things of great importance.
See 2 Corinthians 4:17-18
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The Rite of Holy Baptism [Lutheran Book of Worship, 1978]
This is the order for the baptism of a young child – when others make promises on behalf of the one being presented for baptism. When the baptized child is able to answer for him/herself, she or he participates in a service of Affirmation of Baptism (Confirmation). The order of baptism for those who can answer for themselves is worded for the candidate for baptism to answer for him/herself.
P In Holy Baptism our gracious heavenly Father liberates us from sin and death by joining us to the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. We are born children of a fallen humanity; in the waters of Baptism we are reborn children of God and inheritors of eternal life. By water and the Holy Spirit we are made members of the Church which is the body of Christ. As we live with him and with his people, we grow in faith, love, and obedience to the will of God.
Please be seated
Pastor addresses parents, godparents, and/or sponsors:
P Do you present _______ to receive the Sacrament of Holy Baptism.
R We do.
P In Christian love you have presented this child for Holy Baptism. You should, therefore, faithfully bring him/her to the services of God’s house, and teach him the Lord’s Prayer, the Creed, and the Ten Commandments. As he/she grows in years, you should place in his/her hands the Holy Scriptures and provide for his/her instruction in the Christian faith, that, living in the covenant of his Baptism and in communion with the Church, he/she may lead a godly life until the day of Jesus Christ.
P Do each of you promise to fulfill these obligations for ______?
R I do, and I ask God to help me.
P The Lord be with you.
C And also with you.
P Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
C It is right to give him thanks and praise.
P Holy God, mighty Lord, gracious Father: We give you thanks, for in the beginning your Spirit moved over the waters and you created heaven and earth. By the gift of water you nourish and sustain us and all living things.
By the waters of the flood you condemned the wicked and saved those whom you had chosen, Noah and his family. You led Israel by the pillar of cloud and fire through the sea, out of slavery into the freedom of the promised land. In the waters of the Jordan your Son was baptized by John and anointed with the Spirit. By the baptism of his own death and resurrection your beloved Son has set us free from the bondage to sin and death, and has opened the way to the joy and freedom of everlasting life. He made water a sign of the kingdom and of cleansing and rebirth. In obedience to his command, we make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Pour out your Holy Spirit, so that ______ who is here baptized may be given new life. Wash away the sin of ______ who is cleansed by this water and bring him/her forth as inheritor of your glorious kingdom.
To you be given praise and honor and worship through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, now and forever.
C Amen.
The pastor addresses the baptismal group and the congregation.
P I ask you to profess your faith in Christ Jesus, reject sin, and confess the faith of the Church, the faith in which we baptize.
P Do you renounce all the forces of evil, the devil, and all his empty promises?
R I do.
P Do you believe in God the Father?
C I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
P Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?
C I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended into hell.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
P Do you believe in God the Holy Spirit?
C I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
The pastor baptizes the child.
P ______, I baptize you in the name of the Father,
P and of the Son,
P and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The pastor lays hands on the head of the baptized and prays for the Holy Spirit:
P God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, we give you thanks for freeing your sons and daughters from the power of sin and for raising them up to a new life through this holy sacrament. Pour your Holy Spirit upon _____: the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord, the spirit of joy in your presence.
C Amen.
The pastor marks the sign of the cross on the forehead of the baptized. Oil prepared for this purpose may be used. As the sign of the cross is made, the pastor says:
P _____, child of God, you have been sealed by the Holy Spirit and marked with the cross of Christ forever.
The parents and family of the baptized respond: “Amen.”
A lighted candle is given to the baptized child.
A _______: Let your light so shine before others that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.