Our FIAT is a program for this time in the Church. It combines the formation of small faith communities within parishes, as recommended by Saint John Paul II, with the practice of “Lectio Divina” (Latin for Spiritual Reading) and encouraged by Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. Our FIAT is a structured prayer program utilizing scriptural mediation and prayerful listening which draws you into a deeper per
sonal relationship with Jesus. As you progress, you will become more aware of God’s loving action in your life and your spiritual life will be strengthened to help you meet today’s complex challenges. Our FIAT has proven its ability to teach men and women ways to listen to what God longs to tell us. Although the program can be completed individually, it is ideal for small faith groups. In small groups, individuals share their prayer experiences and learn from one another. As your group shares, you will find that others have also been touched by God, but in different ways. Through these differences you quickly realize how God is dealing with each of us in a unique and personal way. While completing the daily exercises of this program, you will grow in a personal relationship with Jesus through insights, inspirations, and thoughts. Past participants have learned that God wants to communicate with each of us on a personal level. He wants to help us with our daily conflicts and struggles – we only need to learn to listen. In 1998, Saint John Paul II wrote to the church in America: “It seems timely, therefore, to form ecclesial communities and groups of a size that allow for true human relationships in the parish to which such groups belong….in such a human context, it will be easier to hear the word of God, to reflect on the range of human problems in the light of this Word, and gradually to make responsible decisions inspired by the all-embracing love of Christ.”
